cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Quantitative Measures of Research Productivity Correlate with Academic Rank in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Academic promotion is linked to research productivity. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between quantitative measures of academic productivity and academic rank among academic oral and maxillofacial surgeons. This was a cross-sectional study of full-time academic oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States. The predictor variables were categorized as demographic (gender, medical degree, research doctorate, other advanced degree) and quantitative measures of academic productivity (total number of publications, total number of citations, maximum number of citations for a single article, I-10 index [number of publications with ≥ 10 citations], and h-index [number of publications h with ≥ h citations each]). The outcome variable was current academic rank (instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, or endowed professor). Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple regression statistics were computed to evaluate associations between the predictors and academic rank. Receiver-operator characteristic curves were computed to identify thresholds for academic promotion. The sample consisted of 324 academic oral and maxillofacial surgeons, of whom 11.7% were female, 40% had medical degrees, and 8% had research doctorates. The h-index was the most strongly correlated with academic rank (ρ = 0.62, p < 0.001). H-indexes of ≥ 4, ≥ 8, and ≥ 13 were identified as thresholds for promotion to associate professor, professor, and endowed professor, respectively (p < 0.001). This study found that the h-index was strongly correlated with academic rank among oral and maxillofacial surgery faculty members and thus suggests that promotions committees should consider using the h-index as an additional method to assess research activity.
Evidence for the Validity of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire in a Nonclinical Population: More Than Just Negative Affectivity

This study examined the validity of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ; Fairburn, Cooper, & Shafran, 2003) in a nonclinical sample of 61 men and 182 women. Consistent with expectations, we found that scores on the CPQ were positively associated with scores on common measures of maladjustment, namely, depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and stress. In addition, results from regression analyses indicated that the CPQ accounted for additional variance in each of the 3 indexes of maladjustment beyond what was accounted for by multidimensional perfectionism and negative affectivity. Accordingly, our findings provide promising support for the validity of the CPQ in a nonclinical population.
Brain manganese concentrations in rats following manganese tetroxide inhalation are unaffected by dietary manganese intake.

Abstract Manganese-deficient individuals have decreased manganese elimination. This observation has prompted suggestions that relative manganese deficiency may increase the risk for manganese neurotoxicity following inhalation exposure. The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary manganese intake influences the pharmacokinetics of inhaled manganese tetroxide (Mn 3 O 4 ). Postnatal day (PND) 10 rats were placed on either a low (2 ppm), sufficient (10 ppm), or high-normal (100 ppm) manganese diet for 2 months. Beginning on PND 77 ± 2, male littermates were exposed 6 h per day for 14 consecutive days to 0, 0.042, or 0.42 mg Mn 3 O 4 /m 3 . End-of-exposure tissue manganese concentrations and whole-body 54 Mn elimination rates were determined. Tissue manganese concentrations were dependent on the dietary intake of manganese, thus confirming that altered hepatic manganese disposition or metabolism occurred. Male rats given 100 ppm manganese diet developed increased manganese concentrations in the femur, liver, and bile and had elevated whole-body 54 Mn clearance rates when compared to animals given 2 ppm manganese diet. Male rats exposed to 0.42 mg Mn 3 O 4 /m 3 had increased manganese concentrations in the olfactory bulb, lung, liver, and bile when compared to air-exposed male rats. A significant interaction between the concentration of inhaled Mn 3 O 4 and dietary manganese level was observed only with the end-of-exposure liver manganese concentration. Our results indicate that animals maintained on either a manganese-deficient or high manganese diet do not appear to be at increased risk for elevated brain manganese concentrations following inhalation exposure to high levels of Mn 3 O 4 .
User cube: a taxonomy of end users

The user cube, a precise and comprehensive graphical taxonomy designed to provide a common base for understanding and classifying end users in organizations, can be used to assess the risks associated with end-user computing.
Compositional dependence of structural and thermal properties of AsTe amorphous alloys

Abstract Structural and thermal properties have been examined as a function of composition throughout the glass forming region of the AsTe binary system. The techniques of neutron activation analysis and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to quantitate the chemical composition. Density, x-ray diffraction, and bulk magnetic susceptibility were used to structurally characterize the glasses; the latter property was determined as a function of temperature from 4 to 300°K. The thermal transition temperatures and associated changes in enthalpy have been examined as a function of concentration by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetry and mass spectroscopy were used to determine the vaporization characteristics. Finally, evidence is presented to support the conclusion that a new face-centered cubic crystalline structure has the binary stoichiometry AsTe.
Lifting a heavy elastic sheet or rod from an incline

Abstract The lifting of a heavy elastica from an inclined plane is studied through perturbation and exact numerical integration. The maximum moment and maximum tensile force sustained are found as a function of lifting force and inclination angle. Buckling or bifurcation phenomena occurs when the inclination is -90°.
Effect of pH and Decapsulation on the Toxicity of Ammonia to the Brine Shrimp Artemia franciscana

Artemia franciscana were hatched and tested for tolerance to ammonia at pH 6.5 and 8.5 in artificial seawater with a salinity of 17 ‰. Nauplii seemed to be less tolerant of ammonia at pH 6.5 despite the fact that more of the ammonia is in the ionized form (NH4+). It is suggested that this greater sensitivity is a result of the NH4+ competing with the Na+ during gut transfer. Nauplii hatched from decapulated cysts were more tolerant of ammonia than those hatched from whole cysts, probably because of a greater energy reserve.
Effects of Spread in Critical Currents for Series- and Parallel-Coupled Arrays of SQUIDs and Bi-SQUIDs

High-temperature-superconductor (HTS) superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) have a much greater variance in the values of the critical currents than their low-temperature-superconductor counterparts. To explore the effects of this increased variance, we add a noise term into the critical current of each junction. We perform numerical simulations of previously derived phase equations from series- and parallel-coupled arrays of SQUIDs, and series-and parallel-coupled arrays of bi-SQUIDs. These results support ongoing work to design an electrically small magnetic field antenna and low-noise amplifier with high bandwidth using HTS SQUIDs.
Response to the critique by Hahn and others entitled "Conservation and malaria in the Brazilian Amazon".

Hahn and others have recently criticized our study, “Conservation efforts may increase malaria burden in the Brazilian Amazon,” suggesting that results were flawed because of methodological limitations. Here, we briefly comment on some of their claims, showing that (1) several of their criticisms are misleading and others are incorrect, (2) they heavily criticize methods that they themselves have previously used, and (3) they selectively highlight some findings while ignoring others. We end this rebuttal by suggesting a way forward in this debate.
Bremsstrahlung induced by 50-MeV H0 bombardment.

Three different thicknesses of aluminum targets, 0.0025, 0.025, and 0.32 cm were irradiated with 50-MeV neutral hydrogen particles and the resultant bremsstrahlung radiation measured. The experimental results are compared with calculations that include bremsstrahlung by the projectile's electron and its cascade, bremsstrahlung by the cascade electrons that are generated by the projectile nucleus, and quasi-free-electron bremsstrahlung. The theoretical and experimental values of the total yield agree within a factor of 3 for all target thicknesses and all bremsstrahlung energies.
Trends in the incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States

Abstract Purpose Recent data demonstrate that the mortality rate from carbon monoxide poisoning has declined over the past 2 decades. It is not known whether this decrease in mortality is reflective of the total burden of carbon monoxide poisoning. This study sought to examine trends in other potential indicators of the incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States. Basic Procedures Published data from US poison control centers (PCCs) were used to calculate annual rates of calls regarding carbon monoxide exposures. Data on numbers of carbon monoxide–poisoned patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) were used to calculate annual treatment rates. Trends in rates of carbon monoxide–related mortality, calls to PCCs, and HBO treatment were then compared. Main Findings Contrary to the decline in carbon monoxide–related mortality from 1968 to 1998, rates of calls to PCCs significantly increased over the same period. Neither rates of PCC calls nor HBO treatment changed significantly from 1992 to 2002. The latter 2 measures were strongly correlated. Principal Conclusions Although deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning have clearly decreased in the United States, other indicators of the incidence of the condition suggest that the total burden (fatal and nonfatal) may not have significantly changed. Efforts to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning should not be relaxed.
Reliability of ultra-thin insulation coatings for long-term electrophysiological recordings

Improved measurement of neural signals is needed for research into Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, strokes, and spinal cord injuries. At the heart of such instruments are microelectrodes that measure electrical signals in the body. Such electrodes must be small, stable, biocompatible, and robust. However, it is also important that they be easily implanted without causing substantial damage to surrounding tissue. Tissue damage can lead to the generation of immune responses that can interfere with the electrical measurement, preventing long-term recording. Recent advances in microfabrication and nanotechnology afford the opportunity to dramatically reduce the physical dimensions of recording electrodes, thereby minimizing insertion damage. However, one potential cause for concern is the reliability of the insulating coatings, applied to these ultra-fine-diameter wires to precisely control impedance. Such coatings are often polymeric and are applied everywhere but the sharpened tips of the wires, resulting in nominal impedances between 0.5 MOhms and 2.0 MOhms. However, during operation, the polymer degrades, changing the exposed area and the impedance. In this work, ultra-thin ceramic coatings were deposited as an alternative to polymer coatings. Processing conditions were varied to determine the effect of microstructure on measurement stability during two-electrode measurements in a standard buffer solution. Coatings were applied to seven different metals to determine any differences in performance due to the surface characteristics of the underlying wire. Sintering temperature and wire type had significant effects on coating degradation. Dielectric breakdown was also observed at relatively low voltages, indicating that test conditions must be carefully controlled to maximize reliability.
9.3.4 Development of the Evolved Seasparrow Missile Under IPD Methodology

The Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) development has proceeded through engineering and manufacturing development and is now undergoing operational testing prior to being approved for service use. This effort, supported by a consortium of the United States and allied nations, will provide a significant improvement to the existing Sparrow Missile. It will give the fleets of these nations an antimissile capability against existing and projected threats that possess low-altitude, high velocity, and radical maneuver capabilities that stress present systems. This paper traces the ESSM's development under DOD-mandated Integrated Product Development (IPD) from early definition efforts through engineering and manufacturing development and into the present operational test and evaluation trials that will prove its capabilities to support consortium fleet missions.
A separated two-phase flow analysis to study deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in granulated propellant*

A two-phase reactive flow model is derived and solutions are applied to the analysis of the unsteady convective heat transfer in initially packed beds of granulated solid propellant or explosives. The resulting pressure wave and flame spreading event is considered the physical process that may provide for, deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in such granulated beds. Discussions are included as to the appropriate constitutive laws required to complete the hydrodynamic model. The paper concludes with a brief assessment regarding both the limitations of the model and another possible DDT mechanism.
Compartment-Specific Feedback Loop and Regulated Trafficking Can Result in Sustained Activation of Ras at the Golgi

Imaging experiments have shown that cell signaling components such as Ras can be activated by growth factors at distinct subcellular locations. Trafficking between these subcellular locations is a regulated dynamic process. The effects of trafficking and the molecular mechanisms underlying compartment-specific Ras activation were studied using numerical simulations of an ordinary differential equation-based multi-compartment model. The simulations show that interplay between two distinct mechanisms, a palmitoylation cycle that controls Ras trafficking and a phospholipase C-ɛ (PLC-ɛ) driven feedback loop, can convert a transient calcium signal into prolonged Ras activation at the Golgi. Detailed analysis of the network identified PLC-ɛ as a key determinant of “compartment switching”. Modulation of PLC-ɛ activity switches the location of activated Ras between the plasma membrane and Golgi through a new mechanism termed “kinetic scaffolding”. These simulations indicate that multiple biochemical mechanisms, when appropriately coupled, can give rise to an intracellular compartment-specific sustained Ras activation in response to stimulation of growth factor receptors at the plasma membrane.
Arthroscopy and degenerative arthritis of the knee: A review of the literature

Arthroscopic surgery is frequently performed to alleviate symptoms in a degenerative, painful knee. It is hoped that these symptoms can be treated by removal of a degenerative meniscus tear or debridement of osseous or soft tissue. If successful, more major surgery such as osteotomy or arthroplasty may be postponed or eliminated. Perhaps it is a good time to review results of arthroscopy for degenerative or osteoarthritic conditions. For the purpose of discussion, degenerative arthritis includes osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis, and postsurgical arthritis. General indications for arthroscopy in osteoarthritis of the knee are the following. 1. Define pathology and/or plan treatment: for example, early detection of osteoarthritis, planning tibia1 osteotomy or knee arthroplasty. 2. Treat specific concurrent problem; example: degenerative meniscal tear. 3. Prolong the use of the knee; example: debridement , abrasion arthroplasty . There are many other possible reasons to arthroscope any given knee, such as loose bodies, synovial biopsy, osteochondritis dissecans, subluxed patella, adhesions posttrauma, pyarthrosis, etc., which will not be covered here. The focus of this review will be on the more common problem of the painful knee with a diagnosis of degenerative arthritis or osteoarthritis. The first indication for arthroscopy in this condition is to define the pathology and plan treatment. Lysholm et al. compared radiographic findings with arthroscopic findings, and concluded that with neg-
Changes in the amounts of nuclear RNA during interphase in Vicia faba

Variations in the amounts of nuclear RNA present during interphase in Vicia faba were studied by microphotometric, autoradiographic and chemical methods. In one series of experiments, nucleic acid estimations were carried out on root meristem nuclei isolated from cells which had been partially synchronized by treatment with 5-aminouracil at 20 and 25° C. In a second series, root meristem nuclei isolated from untreated plants growing at 4, 20 and 25° C, were separated into fractions, containing different interphase stages, by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. — The results from the two series suggest that at 4 and 20° C there is a net increase in the amount of nuclear RNA during interphase which parallels the net increase in DNA. At 25° C, however, there is less RNA per nucleus and this remains at the same level throughout interphase resulting in an average increase in the DNA∶RNA ratio of 55%. — It is suggested that the balance between the synthesis and release of nuclear RNA may change not only within plants, at different stages of interphase, but also between plants according to the temperature at which they are grown.
The role of opinion as related to persuasion and contest debate

(1959). The role of opinion as related to persuasion and contest debate. The Southern Speech Journal: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 21-26.
Fluorescent Microscope in a Needle

We present a computational microscopy technique to capture fluorescent images through a small glass cannula for minimally invasive in-vivo imaging. Proposed technique produced high fidelity images of microbeads and microglia cells and experimentally achieved resolution up to 1μm.
Climate and cultural history in the Americas: An overview

There is abundant historical evidence that climatic extremes in the past have led to significant and sometimes severe societal impacts. The severity of these impacts depends on the intensity and duration of the climatic event, social organization, and the prevailing socioeconomic conditions at the time of the climatic extreme. In this issue of Climatic Change we present the results from 12 studies, which document climatic extremes on different time scales and provide interesting evidence for direct and indirect social impacts of climatic changes in the Americas during the pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern eras.
Effect of substrate photoexcitation on the dynamics of the Si-H stretch for Si(111)/H

The effect of carriers on the dynamics of the Si-H stretch is investigated. The carriers are generated with 8 ps pulses at 532 nm and the sum-frequency spectrum of the Si-H stretch is then monitored. Modelization of the evolution of the carrier density and subsurface temperature provides a quantitative agreement with the variation of intensities and frequencies of the spectrum. For carrier densities above 0.9×1020 cm−3, a slight reduction of the lifetime of the Si-H stretch is observed. This is analyzed with a classical image-dipole coupling resulting in an effective distance of 9 A to the image plane. It also appears that the thermalization occurs faster than 10 ps. This is analyzed in terms of a short lifetime (<10 ps) for the 200 cm−1 surface optical phonon.
Dispersal decisions and predispersal behavior in Polistes paper wasp ‘workers’

Social insects are popular models for studying the evolution of cooperation. Casteless taxa where individuals have the flexibility to either nest alone or cooperate are particularly valuable for understanding the causes and consequences of cooperative behavior. For example, some ‘workers’ from Polistes paper wasp nests disappear from their natal colony soon after pupal emergence and nest independently. However, little is known about dispersal behavior. In this paper, I compare predispersal behavior of wasps who leave their natal colony soon after emergence with behavior of individuals who remain on the natal colony as true workers. I found that P. dominulus females with short nest tenure behave much like gynes (reproductive-destined offspring produced at the end of the season), as wasps with short nest tenure are behaviorally selfish while on the natal colony. They spend a smaller proportion of their time foraging and a larger proportion of their time resting than workers with long nest tenure. In addition, I assessed the factors that may favor early dispersal. Nest environment strongly influenced dispersal; large colonies had a smaller proportion of females with short nest tenure. Queen turnover also increased dispersal behavior perhaps because queen turnover reduces relatedness between a colony’s current and future offspring, thereby reducing the kin-selected benefits of cooperation. Therefore, casteless social insects exhibit a surprising degree of reproductive flexibility. Individuals may use information about their internal state and nest environment to optimize their behavioral strategies.
Drinking characteristics of normal rats and rats heterozygous or homozygous for diabetes insipidus.

Abstract Rats heterozygous for the mutant gene for diabetes insipidus did not drink more water than normal rats without the mutant, but did drink more of dilute quinine solutions (0.03% or less) and ingested more 3% NaCl. Heterozygous rats were the same as normal controls in regard to intake of 20% sucrose and the shape of the circadian rhythm function of drinking. In heterozygous and normal rats, but not rats, homozygous for the mutant, the addition of food deprivation to water deprivation sharply reduced drinking during a subsequent test period. Compared to heterozygous and normal rats, homozygous rats drank more water, more dilute QHCl solution (0.03% or less), but the same amount of concentrated QHCl (0.06 and 0.12%) and approximately the same amount of 20% sucrose. Homozygous rats, in spite of their renal defect, ingested less 3% NaCl than heterozygous rats, but approximately the same amount as normals. Half the homozygous rats died following the self-imposed NaCl load indicating that there is no protective taste-mediated rejection mechanism for NaCl. The circadian rhythm function of drinking was approximately the same shape for all three groups of rats, but the homozygous rats consumed a larger proportion of their daily intake during the light cycle than do the two other genotypes. Water intakes for all three types of rats are less during fasting than during ad lib feeding suggesting that a large segment of the water intakes of the 3 groups probably is utilized to facilitate the feeding and digestion of food.
A respiratory model for uranium aluminide based on occupational data

As part of an epidemiological study, doses from intake of radionuclides were estimated for workers employed during a 52-year period at the Rocketdyne/Atomics International facility in California. The facility was involved in a variety of research programmes, including nuclear fuel fabrication, spent nuclear fuel decladding, and reactor operation and disassembly. Most of the documented intakes involved inhalation of enriched uranium (U), fission products, or plutonium (Pu). Highest doses were estimated for a group of workers exposed to airborne uranium aluminide (UAlx) during the fabrication of reactor fuel plates. Much of the exposure to UAlx occurred early in the fuel fabrication programme, before it was recognised that intake and lung retention were being underestimated from urinary data due to an unexpected delayed dissolution of the inhaled material. In workers who had been removed from exposure, the rate of urinary excretion of U increased for a few months, peaked, and then declined at a rate consistent with moderately soluble material. This pattern differs markedly from the monotonically decreasing absorption rates represented by the default absorption types in the Human Respiratory Tract Model (HRTM) of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). This paper summarises the findings on the behaviour of UAlx in these workers and describes material-specific parameter values of the HRTM based on this information.
Long-term fire history from alluvial fan sediments: the role of drought and climate variability, and implications for management of Rocky Mountain forests

Alluvial fan deposits are widespread and preserve millennial-length records of fire. We used these records to examine changes in fire regimes over the last 2000 years in Yellowstone National Park mixed-conifer forests and drier central Idaho ponderosa pine forests. In Idaho, frequent, small, fire-related erosional events occurred within the Little Ice Age (~1450–1800 AD), when greater effective moisture probably promoted grass growth and low-severity fires. This regime is consistent with tree-ring records showing generally wetter conditions and frequent fires before European settlement. At higher elevations in Yellowstone, cool conditions limited overall fire activity. Conversely, both Idaho and Yellowstone experienced a peak in fire-related debris flows between ~950 and 1150 AD. During this generally warmer time, severe multidecadal droughts were interspersed with unusually wet intervals that probably increased forest densities, producing stand-replacing fires. Thus, severe fires are clearly within the natural range of variability in Idaho ponderosa pine forests over longer timescales. Historical records indicate that large burn areas in Idaho correspond with drought intervals within the past 100 years and that burn area has increased markedly since ~1985. Recent stand-replacing fires in ponderosa pine forests are likely related to both changes in management and increasing temperatures and drought severity during the 20th century.
Mindful Walking: The Serendipitous Journey of Community-Based Ethnography

Mindful walking is an alternative way for a researcher to gather empirical materials through physical engagement so that she may ultimately make them more visible to others who may not be physicall...
THE LIOUVILLE THEOREM FOR HOMOGENEOUS ELLIPTIC DIFFERENTIAL INEQUALITIES

We give a new proof method for various similar Liouville type theorems. This allows us to extend in some cases the results of E. Mitidieri and S. I. Pohozaev and of R. Filippucci. Bibliography: 8 titles.
Facile electron transfer from aromatic triplets to polyaryl carbocations

The bimolecular rate constants for electron transfer from aromatic triplets to polyaryl carbocations are large and diffusion-controlled even in the limit of high exothermicity. In some cases, although the exothermicity of energy transfer is comparable to that for electron transfer, the latter dominates over the former.
Fabrication and electrical property of single-walled carbon nanotube films

From the application aspect, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film which contains SWCNTs with all kinds of chiralities is very attractive since it can suppress the differences among individual nanotubes. In this work, a layer-by-layer vacuum filtration method was adopted for the fabrication of SWCNT films with controllable thickness and film density. The electrical transport properties of the SWCNT films with different layers have been investigated. The effect of thermal annealing and subsequent acid (HNO3) treatment on the electrical properties of the SWCNT films has also been studied.
On vibration and buckling of symmetric laminated plates according to shear deformation theories

The frequency and buckling equations of rectangular plates with various boundary conditions are developed within the third-order and the first-order shear deformation plate theories. The third-order theories account for a quadratic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the plate. In the first part of this paper, Levinson's third-order theory, derived as a special case from Reddy's third-order theory, is used to study a plate laminated of transversely isotropic layers. The relationship between the original form of the governing equations and the interior and the edge-zone equations of the plate is closely examined and the physical insights from the latter equations are established. In the second part of the paper, the first-order shear deformation theory and the third-order theory of Reddy are studied for vibration and buckling.
On the role of ectoderm in limb development.

Abstract Isolated limb buds of chick embryos in stages 17 to 21 were stripped of ectoderm by means of focused ultrasound or treatment with EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). Stripped buds were examined for the presence of residual ectoderm and grown as grafts to the coelom, flank, chorioallantoic membrane, or wing bud stump; others were sectioned for histological examination. Four hundred and three grafts prepared by EDTA treatment were examined. These did not form terminal limb parts if completely freed of ectoderm before grafting. Those which were deliberately contaminated with ectodermal cells or considered likely to have residual ectoderm, however, formed skeletal parts characteristic of all proximodistal levels of the limb in a significant percentage of cases even though the ridge was not present as a morphological entity at the time of grafting. Of 68 limb buds prepared by ultrasonation, two or, possibly, three formed terminal limb parts when grafted. These developed from among 41 limb buds which were diagnosed as essentially free of ectodermal cells. Of 27 “contaminated” buds, none formed distal limb structures. On the basis of these results it may be concluded that: (1) terminal limb parts do not develop from limb buds which have been completely freed of ectoderm by means of EDTA treatment; (2) distal limb parts can form from EDTA-stripped limb buds containing residual ectodermal cells, even though the apical ridge is not present as a morphological entity; (3) some limb buds may form terminal limb parts in the complete absence of ectodermal cells after stripping by means of focused ultrasound; (4) distal parts do not form from buds which contain residual ectoderm after ultrasonation.
MHC II Expression in the CNS After Long-term Demyelination

The ability of chronically demyelinated central nervous system (CNS) tissue to express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules has been measured in mouse spinal cord cultures exposed for 1 and 3 weeks to demyelinating anti-white matter (WM) serum. From previous studies, It was known that after 3 weeks of demyelination in vitro, such cultures are incapable of remyelination. In the present report, MHC II levels were evaluated by immunocytochemistry and by Western and Northern blots. The results have shown that after both 1 and 3 weeks of exposure to myelinotoxic anti-WM serum, the cultures retained the ability to express MHC II and this could be further upregulated by incubation with interferon {gamma} (IFN{gamma}). Control groups showed increased expression of MHC II with age. By immunocytochemistry, all groups of cultures expressed high levels of MHC II and all groups showed upregulation after IFN{gamma} treatment. Anti-WM-treated cultures demonstrated slightly higher levels of MHC II than controls. Morphologically, the MHC II expression was associated with the surface of astrocytes. Semiquantitative analysis by Western blotting confirmed the increase in class II MHC expression in the long-term treated cultures after IFN{gamma} exposure, revealing no differences between anti-WM-treated and complement-treated cultures. This was also supportedmore » by Northern blotting which showed similar mRNA levels in both groups. These findings suggest that long-term demyelinated CNS tissue still possesses the ability to interact with CD4{sup +} T cells, observations of significance to the expansion of the chronic multiple sclerosis lesion. 50 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.« less
G.P.52

GNE myopathy is an adult-onset distal myopathy caused by mutations in the GNE gene, which codes for a bifunctional enzyme important in sialic acid biosynthesis. GNE myopathy is characterized by gradually progressive weakness and atrophy that preferentially involves distal extremities. Muscle degeneration occurs, with accumulation of inclusion bodies and rimmed vacuoles in muscle fibers. Although GNE myopathy is known to preferential affect skeletal muscles, there had been a few reports demonstrating involvement of the cardiac muscles. Through our Natural History Study (NCT01417533), we found that cardiac involvement in GNE myopathy patients may have a higher occurrence than expected. In this study we established a systematic evaluation of the cardiac involvement in GNE myopathy by analyzing the mouse model Gne-/-hGNED176VTg. Histopathology showed the presence of rimmed vacuoles and disorganization of cardiac myofibrils. Lectin staining array corroborated the hyposialylation of O-linked glycoproteins. Echocardiogram revealed decreased ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and increased left ventricle mass, indicating a decrease of cardiac function. These data were also confirmed by functional MRI on the mouse model. Our findings provide evidence that cardiac muscles are involved in GNE myopathy. We propose that hyposialylation of cardiac muscles can lead to impaired cardiac muscle contractility, and may be improved with sialylation-increasing therapies. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the possible occurrence of cardiac disease in GNE myopathy for careful examination of the cardiac function in patients and proper management.
An Observational Study of Traveling Planetary Waves in the Southern Hemisphere

Abstract Southern Hemisphere analyses from the surface to 2 mb and from 20 to 80°S for the period May-September 1979 have been used to study the structure of traveling planetary waves. Space-time cross- spectral analysis of the height field has been employed to define the amplitude and phase for both the eastward and westward moving components of particular combinations of zonal wavenumber and frequency band. Latitude-height contour plots of power, phase and coherence squared show that westward moving waves have structure characteristic of barotropic external modes and are coherent across a broad range of latitudes and from the surface to 2 mb, the highest level analyzed. Eastward-moving waves, on the other hand, have more rapid phase variations, especially in the troposphere, and appear more baroclinic. The tropospheric structure of the moving components of wavenumbers 1–4 is as one would expect for baroclinically unstable modes of the Charney type. Wavenumbers 1 and 2 both have double amplitude maxima i...
Neural networks with quantum gated nodes

With a view to investigating similarities in aspects of biological neural networks with quantum ones, so that quantum machines can be developed in future with some of the advantages of biological systems of information processing where a certain amount of indeterminism and the multiple connectivities between nodes offer advantages not seemingly obtainable from usual electronic devices working with classical gates, we present here some results for a quantum neural network with quantum gates. After reviewing the general principles of a biological network and a quantum one, we study a specific model network with qubits, i.e. quantum bits, replacing classical neurons having deterministic states, and also with quantum operators in place of the classical action potentials observed in biological contexts. With our choice of gates interconnecting the neural lattice, the state of the system behaves in ways reflecting both the strength of coupling between neurons as well as the initial conditions, as in biological systems. We find that, depending on whether there is a threshold for emission from excited to ground state, the system shows either chaotic oscillations or coherent ones with periodicity that depends on the strength of coupling. The initial input also affects the subsequent dynamic behavior of the system, which indicates that it can serve as a dynamic memory system analogous to biological ones. Our results seem to suggest that such quantum networks may contain some advantageous features of biological systems more efficiently than classical electronic devices.
Experimental Results of Rapid in-Core Flux Mapping Techniques in the Plum Brook Reactor

The problems associated with flux mapping in the Plum Brook Research Reactor, which employs an 18 plate Materials Testing Reactor type fuel element, are discussed fully. Design of a flux survey instrument is presented which, utilizing four solid state fission probes, makes it possible to map the complete Plum Brook core in a little over 6 hours, with the data presented in a form immediately available for analysis. Mapping a fuel element (from even 30 ft. above the core) does not require an accurate above water positioning system, yet a high degree of accuracy (±0.1 in.) in referencing in-core measurements has been obtained. The effect of radiation on the semiconductor detectors and the operating characteristics of the instrument, along with typical flux profiles obtained in mapping the Plum Brook Reactor are presented.
Changing the Oxygen Mobility in Co/Ceria Catalysts by Ca Incorporation: Implications for Ethanol Steam Reforming†

The effect of calcium doping on the performance of Co/CeO2 catalysts in ethanol steam reforming was examined using various characterization techniques including CO temperature-programmed reduction, O2 and CO pulse chemisorption, laser Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, isotopically labeled oxygen exchange, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. Characterization results showed Ca incorporation to lead to oxygen vacancies and unit cell expansion in the ceria lattice. The creation of oxygen vacancies, in turn, enhanced the oxygen mobility in ceria-supported Co catalysts. Steady-state reaction studies showed increased TOF and higher H2 yields over Co catalysts supported on Ca-doped ceria in ethanol steam reforming.
A DNA damage checkpoint in Caulobacter crescentus inhibits cell division through a direct interaction with FtsW

Following DNA damage, cells typically delay cell cycle progression and inhibit cell division until their chromosomes have been repaired. The bacterial checkpoint systems responsible for these DNA damage responses are incompletely understood. Here, we show that Caulobacter crescentus responds to DNA damage by coordinately inducing an SOS regulon and inhibiting the master regulator CtrA. Included in the SOS regulon is sidA (SOS-induced inhibitor of cell division A), a membrane protein of only 29 amino acids that helps to delay cell division following DNA damage, but is dispensable in undamaged cells. SidA is sufficient, when overproduced, to block cell division. However, unlike many other regulators of bacterial cell division, SidA does not directly disrupt the assembly or stability of the cytokinetic ring protein FtsZ, nor does it affect the recruitment of other components of the cell division machinery. Instead, we provide evidence that SidA inhibits division by binding directly to FtsW to prevent the final constriction of the cytokinetic ring.
Sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease

Depression, dementia, and physiologic changes contribute to the high prevalence of sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Antiparkinsonian drugs also play a role in insomnia by increasing daytime sleepiness and affecting motor symptoms and depression. Common types of sleep disturbances in PD patients include nocturnal sleep disruption and excessive daytime sleepiness, restless legs syndrome, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, sleep apnea, sleep walking and sleep talking, nightmares, sleep terrors, and panic attacks. A thorough assessment should include complete medical and psychiatric histories, sleep history, and a 1- to 2-week sleep diary or Epworth Sleepiness Scale evaluation. Polysomnography or actigraphy may also be indicated. Treatment should address underlying factors such as depression or anxiety. Hypnotic therapy for sleep disturbances in PD patients should be approached with care because of the risks of falling, agitation, drowsiness, and hypotension. Behavioral interventions may also be useful.
Teaching computer organization using a PDP-8 simulator

The simple yet elegant architecture of the PDP-8 makes it an ideal candidate for study in a computer organization course. The PDP-8 provides an uncomplicated example of a von-Neumann architecture. It is easy to program in machine code or assembler. It can be used to demonstrate coding low-level I/O routines, subroutine calls, uses of indirect addressing and handling interrupts. This paper discusses how a PDP-8 simulator written by the author is used in a computer organization course.
MAINTAINED NODAL-DISTANCE EFFECTS IN EQUIVALENCE CLASSES

Twelve subjects were trained to select one of two stimuli from a pair (the B pair) when presented with one of two stimuli from another pair (the A pair), thus establishing two AB relations, A1-B1 and A2-B2. In a similar fashion, additional stimuli were used to establish BC, CD, and DE relations. Trials used to train all relations occurred in each session. Once performances were established, probe trials were introduced that tested for the emergence of untrained relations (e.g., B1-D1 or A1-E1). These emergent relations were categorized according to nodal distance (i.e., the number of stimuli across which transitivity would have to hold in order for the relation to emerge). For example, a test for A2-C2 crosses one node (B2), whereas a test for A1-E1 crosses three nodes (B1, C1, and D1). Only 2 of the subjects formed equivalence classes. The evocation of class-appropriate responding by each emergent-relation probe was an inverse function of nodal distance for all 12 subjects. In addition, performance on the originally trained relations was disrupted by the introduction of probes. The 2 subjects who exhibited equivalence classes were then trained to make different numbers of key presses in the presence of each of the four A and E stimuli. In a response-transfer test, the B, C, and D stimuli evoked the responses trained to the A and E stimuli in the same equivalence class. Likelihood of class-appropriate responses was an inverse function of nodal distance, and this pattern persisted across testing. Reaction times in the transfer test were an inverted U-shaped function of nodal distance. Because training of the baseline relations occurred concurrently and the B, C, and D stimuli were presented an equal number of times before the transfer test, the test performances illustrate effects of nodal distance that were not confounded by order or amount of experience with the stimuli. The results imply that ordered, sequential exposure to individual stimulus relations may facilitate the development of equivalence classes and that the relatedness of stimuli within an equivalence class is a relatively permanent inverse function of nodal distance.
Thermal effect in β-selective glycosylation reactions using glycosyl iodides

Abstract The unique reactivity of glycosyl iodides and the fact that they react under neutral conditions makes them the donors of choice in our glycosylation strategies. Glycosyl iodides are generated in situ from either the anomeric acetate or the anomeric silylated derivative yielding the α-iodide. In the reported glycosylation reactions, protected glucosyl, galactosyl, and mannosyl iodides were reacted with trimethylene oxide as the acceptor, yielding the β-anomer as the major product. In the absence of neighboring group participation, β-selectivity is thought to arise from nucleophilic displacement of the α-iodide in an SN2-like mechanism, while the α-product is the result of nucleophilic attack on the β-iodide. In this study, increased β-selectivity using an inverse thermal effect is demonstrated.
A Structured Model for Immobilized Cell Kinetics

An intrinsic, structured model has been formulated to describe the kinetics of viable (living) cells immobilized within porous supports. Predictions of steady-state internal biomass concentration distributions, biocatalyst substrate profiles, and immobilized cell growth and leakage from the support are in qualitative agreement with the literature. Simulation studies indicate that carrier pore structure is a particularly important design variable to be optimized.
Members of the club

The Eighth Day of Creation: The Makers of the Revolution in Biology. By H. F. Judson. Pp. 686. (Simon and Schuster: New York; Cape: London, UK, 1979.) $15.95; £7.95.
The β Subunit of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels Acts as a Transcriptional Regulator

Ca2+ channel β subunits (Cavβs) are essential for the surface expression and proper gating of high-voltage activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels. In yeast two-hybrid screens aimed at discovering novel Cavβ-interacting proteins, we identified a new splicing isoform of Pax6, a transcription factor crucial for the development of a variety of organs and tissues, especially the eye. Pax6 contains two DNA-binding domains (paired domain and homeodomain), a glycine-rich linker connecting these two domains, and a carboxyl (C)-terminal proline, serine and threonine (PST)-rich transactivation domain. The newly isolated isoforms, named Pax6(S), retains the paired domain, linker and homeodomain of Pax6, but its C-terminus is composed of a truncated classic PST domain and a unique S tail. In contrast to Pax6, which is 100% conserved from rodent to human and is expressed in both embryo and adult, Pax6(S) is completely conserved only in human and chimpanzee, and it is expressed only at early stages of development, suggesting that Pax6(S) has a noncanonical function. Pax6(S) retained strong transcriptional activity, although its C-terminus showed less transactivity compared with the canonical PST domain. The interaction between Pax6(S) and Cavβ was mainly endowed by the S tail of Pax6(S). Co-expression of Pax6(S) with a HVA Ca2+ channel complex containing the β3 subunit in Xenopus oocytes did not affect channel properties. However, the transcriptional activity of Pax6(S) was markedly suppressed by β3. Furthermore, in the presence of Pax6(S), β3 was translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. These results suggest that full length Cavβs may function as transcription regulators, independent of their role in regulating Ca2+ channel activity.
Search of list structures stored in long-term memory

Subjects learned eight lists prior to the experimental session. Each list consisted of an identifying nonalphaneumeric symbol and 3–6 words, with two lists each of 3, 4, 5, and 6 words. Subjects were presented with symbol-word probes and decided whether the symbol and word belonged to the same list. On “delayed” trials the subject was told the name of the next symbol and overtly rehearsed the members of its set prior to presentation of the probe. On “simultaneous” trials the subject was not told the name of the symbol prior to presentation of the probe. For delayed trials evidence consistent with an exhaustive search model was found. For simultaneous trials results were not consistent with a simple exhaustive search model and were discussed in terms of multiple entry search in long-term memory.
Effects of pretreatment conditions on the activity of a Pt/Al2O3 catalyst for the oxidation of Di(n-propyl)sulfide

Abstract The activity of a 1% Pt/Al 2 O 3 catalyst for the complete oxidation of di(n-propyl) sulfide is investigated at 230 °C and atmospheric pressure using a fixed-bed reactor. The results indicate that the catalytic activity is significantly influenced by the pretreatment conditions. XPS analyses of freshly pretreated catalyst show that low calcination temperatures produce an oxidized platinum phase, while high calcination temperatures produce a reduced platinum phase. The oxidized platinum phase was found to be superior to the reduced platinum phase for the oxidation of di(n-propyl) sulfide.