cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biocompatible Parylene Neurocages for Action Potential Recording and Stimulation

Parylene neurocages are biocompatible and very robust, making them ideally suited for studying neural networks. We present a design and fabrication process for building parylene neurocages for in vitro studies of neural networks. The fabrication process, on either silicon or glass substrates, incorporates electrodes into the neurocages to allow for stimulation and recording of action potentials. The resulting neurocages have a long-term cell survival rate of ∼50and have proven to be 99effective in trapping neurons.
Early Adolescent Temperament and Academic Competence: Tests of "Direct Effects" and Developmental Contextual Models

Using data from the Pennsylvania Early Adolescent Transitions Study (PEATS), temperament and measures of academic competence were interrelated to test two alternative models: The "direct effects" model stresses intraorganism, non-contextually mediated links, while the "developmental contextual" model emphasizes social interactional processes between students and teachers. In support of the developmental contextual notion, results of LISREL analyses at the end of Grade 6 (elementary school), and the end of Grade 7 (junior high school) indicated that significant paths existed between second-order temperament factors and teachers' ratings of students' academic competence; these ratings were related to students' self-rated competence, to Grade 6 and 7 grade point averages, and to Grade 6 achievement scores. Findings are discussed in regard to the alternative models of the role of organismic individuality in adolescent development and the possible role of temperament in adolescent stress and coping.
Severe Asthma and Its Phenotype

The phenotype of severe, or difficult, asthma is poorly understood, but recent studies have been informative. Factors associated with severe asthma include the presence of co-morbidities such as sinusitis, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux, poor adherence with prescribed medical regimens, and a severe underlying disease process. The worst long-term prognosis in severe asthma is associated with the presence of persistent airflow limitation and exacerbations. Individualization of therapy based on phenotype is highly recommended.
An Initial Validation of a Measure of Personal and Social Perceptions of the Sexual Abuse of Males

Objective/Method: The Sexual Abuse of Males Perceptions Scale (SAMPS) is a measure designed to assess an individual’s personal and projected social perceptions of myths about the sexual abuse of bo...
Informed Consent of Very Sick Subjects in Nigeria

This article highlights a number of ethical challenges I face in obtaining informed consent from very sick subjects with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Some of the subjects with TB have an associated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. From my experience in administering informed consent and health surveys, I found the subjects to be generally mentally stable but physically exhausted. Many of the very sick subjects cough excessively and cannot tolerate a 45-minute conversation with the study staff in order for them to administer consent and conduct a survey after the routine clinical evaluation. In this situation, the administration of a qualitative consent that preserves the subject's right and autonomy becomes a challenge.
PLASMA THROMBOPLASTIN ANTECEDENT (FACTOR XI) IN THE NEONATE.

Plasma thromboplastin antecedent (Factor XI) levels were determined in cordblood, in the blood of women before and during the last trimester of pregnancy, and, at term, and in the blood of infants in the neonatal period and early infancy. The neonatal levels were significantly lower than the maternal levels at term and rose gradually within 60 days to near normal adult values. Vitamin K did not appear to alter the levels within the first 5 days of life and had no effect on the rate of rise. Findings in three infants suggest that decreased activity of PTA in the newborn infant may be responsible for bleeding symptoms similar to those associated with hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, and that it cannot be prevented by administration of vitamin K.
A platelet-activating factor antagonist, RP 55778, inhibits cytokine-dependent induction of human immunodeficiency virus expression in chronically infected promonocytic cells

A platelet-activating factor antagonist, RP 55778, potently suppressed the induction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) expression in chronically infected promonocytic U1 cells. RP 55778 inhibited the production of reverse transcriptase activity in U1 cells stimulated with the transcriptionally active inducers of virus production, tumor necrosis factor alpha and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. This effect was correlated only in part with a reduction in the levels of HIV RNA, suggesting that this agent was also affecting posttranscriptional levels of virus production. In this regard, RP 55778 effectively blocked the induction of HIV expression in U1 cells stimulated with interleukin 6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, which act predominantly as posttranscriptional activators of HIV expression. Finally, RP 55778 inhibited the production of endogenous tumor necrosis factor alpha in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated cells, thereby interfering with an autocrine pathway of virus expression. The suppressive effects of RP 55778 on HIV expression appeared to be independent of the platelet-activating factor cell surface receptor on U1 cells. RP 55778 inhibited acute HIV replication in primary T-cell blasts and the proliferative capacity of these cells. This study suggests that RP 55778 may represent potentially useful compounds in the treatment of HIV infection.
Macromolecular diffusion through collagen membranes

Abstract Collagen is a major constituent of connective tissue and is unique in possessing different levels of structural order: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. The membrane fabrication method altered the collagen structure and porosity. The effect of collagen structure, crosslinking density, hydrophilicity of crosslinker, and membrane porosity on macromolecular diffusion were studied. Permeability, partition, and diffusion coefficients were determined for proteins varying in molecular weight (14,000–16,000). ‘Pore’ type permeation was the predominant mechanism. The quaternary structure, crosslinking density, and membrane porosity of the membranes were found to regulate the diffusion of macromolecules. The highest diffusion coefficients were found for the least crosslinked membranes, random collagen fibril structure, and membranes fabricated with the hydrophilic crosslinking agent.
Status of gross anatomy in the U.S. and Canada: Dilemma for the 21st century

As a component of a recent academic review, the Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, developed a questionnaire designed to compare the curricula, direction, and challenges of their department with the approximately 140 anatomy departments in the U. S. and Canada. The response was overwhelming in that over 80% of the schools returned a completed questionnaire. One of the areas of interest revealed by this survey was a growing concern over significant changes in both medical school curricula and the future of anatomy departments. Most departments still used traditional lectures to present course material and the majority of the scheduled contact hours were in the dissection laboratory; however, other teaching formats, such as case studies and small group discussions, accounted for significantly more of the teaching effort. Nearly 20% of the schools were making major modifications in their teaching methods. The general trend was to include more integrated, problem-based learning and computer-assisted teaching while reducing overall content, didactic lectures, and rote memorization. The role and need for traditionally trained gross anatomists in medical education appeared to be diminishing as curricular reform moved toward more student-directed, faculty-facilitated programs. Concurrently, the recruitment and career development of gross anatomy faculty appeared to be influenced more by funding status than by academic training or teaching experience, as most departmental chairman were willing to hire non-anatomists and “train” them to assume an often reduced teaching load in gross anatomy courses. In addition, fewer graduate students were being trained in classical gross anatomy, a trend that better suited the emerging student-directed medical school curricula. The reduction in classically trained anatomists also appeared to reflect the widespread practice whereby anatomy faculty were rewarded far more for research than for teaching. Although the continued inclusion of gross anatomy in medical education appeared to be assured, its traditional mode of presentation and academic prominence will likely change by the turn of the century. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New Sets of Postulates for Combinatory Logics

Sets of postulates for at least three different combinatory logics have been given ([2], [31, [4], [51, [6], [71). The logics and their sets of postulates are quite similar. In all cases it is the proof of the completeness of the set of postulates which causes the difficulty and makes the main papers so long ([3], [7]). It is the purpose of this paper to present a method of writing down sets of postulates for combinatory logics for which the proof of completeness will be fairly simple. We assume acquaintance with certain descriptive portions of [1], namely sections 1-6, 12, 13, 15. Otherwise the present paper is self-contained. We first solve our problem for the particular logic studied by Rosser ([7]) and then indicate how the method would apply to other logics. We start with a set, s, of primitive terms. We define s-combination as in [1], p. 43. The precise contents of s need not concern us. It suffices that there be s-combinations I, J, and Q, with no variables in them, and having properties as described below. I and J are to have the same meaning as in [1], p. 43, namely IA is the same as A and JABCD is the same as AB(ADC). QAB is to have the meaning that A and B, considered as functions, are the same. One obvious way of choosing a set of primitive terms to accord with our requirements would be to choose I, J, and Q for our primitive terms. However this is not the only way, as witness the primitive terms of [7]. As a first step toward giving the desired meanings to I, J, and Q, we choose postulates and rules which suffice for the derivation of the following rules: R1. If QAB and FA, then FB. R2. If FA, then QAA. R3. If QAB, then QBA. R4. If QAB and QBC, then QAC. R5. If IA, then A. R6. If A, then IA. R7. If F(IA), then FA. R8. If FA, then F(IA). R9. If F(IAB), then F(AB). R10. If F(AB), then F(IAB) R1I. If F(JABCD), then F(AB(ADC)). R12. If F(AB(ADC)), then F(JABCD). The motivation behind these rules will appear in the proofs of Theorems 1-8 below. The reader may wonder why, in R2, we must first prove FA before being allowed to infer QAA. The point is that QAA signifies that A and A are to have the same meaning, and for this to be the case, A must have a meaning. The prior provability of FA seems to offer reasonable assurance that A has a meaning. Incidentally, for the A's which arise naturally, it is usually quite simple to find F's such that FA is provable. In all cases known to the present
Preservation and loss of spatial memory in aged rats and humans: Implications for the analysis of memory dysfunction in dementia

Research with laboratory rats and humans demonstrating that the usual age-related deficits in spatial working memory can be attenuated or eliminated by prior training earlier in adult life is reviewed and possible mechanisms for this phenomenon are considered. A new technique for measuring remote memory for spatial information in humans is described and preliminary results with demented patients are discussed.
Dependence of structural and compositional characteristics of chromium metal films as a function of deposition rate during the fabrication of metal/insulator/semiconductor solar cells

Abstract Metal/insulator/semiconductor solar cells on single-crystal and polycrystalline silicon substrates have been fabricated under various electrode metal (chromium) deposition rates. The effects of deposition rate on the electrical, structural and compositional characteristics of the resulting films have been studied. Auger electron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy results correlate well with the electrical characterization of the resulting devices. It is found that the oxygen content, which is inversely proportional to the rate of metal deposition, determines the structure of the resulting metal films which can be amorphous or polycrystalline. The oxygen content also has a beneficial effect on the performance of the solar cells by inducing a reduction in the electrode metal (chromium) work function.
Rat Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity: Effects of Growth Hormone and Hypophysectomy*

Previously demonstrated increases in liver alcohol dehydrogenase in experimental uremia and after stress in the rat may be mediated by hormonal changes found in these conditions. In this study, the effects of corticosteroids, GH, adrenalectomy, and hypophysectomy on the activity of liver alcohol dehydrogenase in the rat were determined. Neither the daily administration of hydrocortisone, corticosterone, or corticotropin for 6 days nor adrenalectomy had any effect on the enzyme activity. Bovine GH, administered in doses of 0.02, 0.2, 1.0, and 4 mg/100 g BW-day for 6.5 days, resulted in increases in liver alcohol dehydrogenase. A maximum increase in the enzyme activity was found after the administration of the low dose of 0.02 mg/100 g BW-day. Plasma GH was found to be elevated in rats with increased liver alcohol dehydrogenase due to uremia or after repeated stress induced by immobilization; hence, GH may play a role in the elevation of the enzyme activity in these conditions. However, hypophysectoy was fo...
Facelift Complications Related to Median and Peak Blood Pressure Evaluation

Background Hematoma remains the most challenging complication of facelifting and has been associated with male sex, hypertension, aspirin use, smoking, and high body mass index. Patients who underwent a facelift were studied to determine rates of hematoma and other complications and to identify predictive and protective factors, including meticulous analysis of perioperative blood pressure.
Older Americans’ health and the Great Recession

We use 2009 American Association for Retired Persons and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data to determine how older Americans respond to job loss, decreases in housing and financial wealth, and threats to health insurance. Some respond by leaving prescriptions unfilled, postponing needed health care, and/or stopping 401K contributions. The MEPS confirms our conclusions about the importance of job loss and health insurance for those 45 years old and older. Furthermore, direct measures of mental well-being from the MEPS demonstrate the negative impact of the Great Recession. Overall, our study fills a gap in the economics literature on the well-being of older citizenry during economic recession.
Enfermedades hematologicas: desde dentro del corazon

The fundamental relationship between blood disorders and the cardiovascular system originates within multiple points of interface, ranging from the heart and its structural constituents to include heart chambers, valves, coronary arteries, coronary veins, and the cerebrovascular and peripheral vasculature. While the cellular components of circulating blood derive their primary origin from multipotent progenitor cells, plasma-based components, which include coagulation proteins, are mostly born of hepatic synthesis and endothelial cells. Here we provide a focused overview of nononcological blood disorders and their potential impact on the arterial circulatory system as common phenotypes, including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial occlusive events. Venous thromboembolism is employed in our discussion as a clinical template. We also provide practical steps and guidance for diagnostic testing and management in routine clinical practice.
Evidence-Based Assessment in School Mental Health

Abstract Although best practice for children's mental health services emphasizes ongoing assessment and monitoring of clinical progress, community based clinicians inconsistently implement assessment as part of clinical care due to a variety of practical barriers. The current study explores which factors may be related to the use and function of evidence-based assessment (EBA) in real-world, clinical settings, particularly school mental health (SMH). Mixed methodologies surveying a national sample of SMH clinicians and interviewing clinicians and program managers were used to explore current assessment practices, including use of specific tools and barriers, facilitators and attitudes toward EBA. Results indicate that clinician level of experience is negatively related to overall attitudes toward EBA, particularly openness. The most commonly-reported barriers to using assessments were difficulty reaching parents, respondents not understanding items, and clinicians not having access to measures they like or need. Also, supervision, when received, does not often include EBA. Academic indicators were more regularly collected than any of the 18 clinical assessment tools queried. Qualitative themes including barriers and facilitators to conducting EBA, specific measures' weaknesses and strengths, strategies to increase response rates and regular administration, and program management considerations regarding EBA implementation provide supporting details to these results. Implications for ongoing quality improvement efforts by program managers and clinicians related to the feasible implementation of EBA in school mental health settings are discussed.
The Presence of a Magnocellular Defect Depends on the Type of Dyslexia

Previous studies have identified a magnocellular pathway defect in approximately 75% of dyslexics. Since these experiments have not classified dyslexia into subtypes, the purpose of this experiment was to determine if adult dyseidetic dyslexics or dysphoneidetic dyslexics suffer from a defect in the magnocellular pathway. Nine dyseidetic dyslexics, eight dysphoneidetic dyslexics, and nine normal readers participated in the experiment. Contrast sensitivity functions (CSF) were determined with vertically oriented sine wave gratings (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0 c/deg drifting at 1 and 10 Hz) by employing a two-alternative, forced-choice technique. The results of the experiment indicated that dysphoneidetic dyslexics had reduced sensitivity to low spatial frequencies at 10 Hz, whereas dyseidetic dyslexics did not have reduced sensitivity at either 1 or 10 Hz. These results suggest that the type of dyslexia influences whether losses in perception are found which are consistent with a magnocellular deficit.
Circulatory effects of the Valsalva maneuver in emphysema and the influence of ganglionic blockade.

SUMMARY 1. The responses of the systemic and pulmonary vascular net pressures to the Valsalva maneuver in patients with emphysema have been studied. 2. In a majority of patients a systemic arterial overshoot after the maneuver was accompanied by an overshoot in right atrial, pulmonary arterial, and pulmonary artery wedge net pressures. 3. In six patients the pulmonary vascular overshoots were reduced or abolished by the ganglionic blocking drug, tetraethyl-ammonium chloride (TEAC). 4. The results support the view that following a Valsalva maneuver a rise in post-arteriolar resistance may contribute to the pressure overshoot in the pulmonary circulation.
The Evidence-Based Reasoning Framework: Assessing Scientific Reasoning.

Recent science education reforms have emphasized the importance of students engaging with and reasoning from evidence to develop scientific explanations. A number of studies have created frameworks based on Toulmin's (1958/2003) argument pattern, whereas others have developed systems for assessing the quality of students' reasoning to support their scientific explanations. This article presents the centrepiece of this special issue, the Evidence-Based Reasoning Framework, which combines these two approaches to create an analytic tool intended as a foundation for assessing students' ability to reason from evidence in writing and classroom discussions. The article reviews previous frameworks developed to assess students' ability to reason scientifically and describes the elements of the Evidence-Based Reasoning Framework. It then provides an overview of the four articles in the special issue, each of which presents an application of the framework.
Carbon isotopic studies of metasedimentary and igneous rocks at the Babbitt CuNi deposit, Duluth complex, Minnesota, U.S.A.

Abstract Graphitic carbon is a common component of sulfide-bearing igneous rocks of the Babbitt CuNi deposit (Duluth Complex), as well as pelitic metasediments (Virginia Formation) found within the contact aureole or as xenoliths. δ 13 C-values of graphite in metasediments of low- to moderate-CaO content range from −34 to −27%. These values are very similar to those of organic carbon in mildly metamorphosed Virginia Formation, which range from −33.6 to -27.9%o. Conversion of organic carbon to graphite has occurred without significant isotopic fractionation. Devolatilization reactions produced a fluid rich in H 2 O with X CH 4 / X CO 2 ≥ 1. Carbonate carbon in the Virginia Formation is characterized by δ 13 C-values ranging between -21.4 and -15.7%o for high-CaO pelites and calc-silicates. These values are similar to those of carbonate in the underlying Biwabik Iron Formation, but are lighter than limestone ( -7.9%o) found in the upper portion of the Virginia Formation. Although isotopic exchange between reduced organic carbon and carbonate is probable, the carbonates provide a second reservoir of isotopically light carbon in the sedimentary sequence. Graphite in the igneous rock has a δC signature varying between -36.5 and -19.6%o, whereas carbonate carbon is characterized by values from -20.2 to -12.1%o. The light isotopic values, in conjunction with the distribution of carbon in the igneous sequence, suggest that Duluth Complex melts were contaminated by carbon derived from country rocks. The wide range in δC-values, as well as erratic spatial distribution, may be due to: (1) incorporation of a country-rock-derived fluid phase whose isotopic composition was determined by the relative contribution of carbonate vs. organic carbon; (2) mixing of varying proportions of magmatic and sedimentary carbon; and (3) oxidation-reduction redated fractionation between carbon in solid, melt and fluid phases.
Neuron's firing time

The interspike interval distribution of neuronal firing is analyzed by a model that assumes unit effect EPSP's lasting an exponential length of time. The model allows a general interarrival distribution; this contrasts with the numerous models requiring Poisson arrivals. The Laplace transform of the time to firing, modelled as the first passage time to a fixed arbitrary threshold level, is found. Comparisons are made for exponential and regular interarrivals using the first two moments of the time to firing. Surprisingly, the mean and variance of the time to reach any threshold level greater than one is greater for regular arrivals for any ratio of mean interarrival intervals to mean EPSP duration greater than 0.6.
Brain parenchymal infection in bone marrow transplantation patients: CT and MR findings.

The purpose of this study was to assess the MR and CT appearance of brain infection after bone marrow transplantation and to correlate the appearances with laboratory and pathologic findings.We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven bone marrow transplant recipients with radiologic evidence of brain infection.Forty-one lesions were detected in seven patients with proved infectious foci outside the brain before brain infection was suspected clinically. Six patients had low total WBC or lymphocyte counts and one patient had normal total WBC and lymphocyte counts. Most lesions in patients with low total WBC or lymphocyte counts showed no appreciable edema or contrast enhancement. However, all lesions detected in the patient with normal total WBC and lymphocyte counts showed marked vasogenic edema and ring enhancement.Brain infection in bone marrow transplant recipients during immunosuppression exhibited MR characteristics different from those typically seen in immunocompetent patients. This appearance...
Get With the Program: Kasparov, Deep Blue, and Accusations of Unsportsthinglike Conduct

Garry Kasparov made two allegations of unfairness in his recent chess match with the computer 'Deep Blue'. The purpose of this inquiry is to determine whether the ethos of the contest would be violated if the purported activities had occurred and on what grounds. Kasparov's first allegation, that the program was tampered with during play, would if true, violate fair play as it would encroach on Deep Blue's autonomy, a necessary condition for fair play in individual strategic endeavours. The most charitable interpretation of Kasparov's second allegation, that scouting information was used in an unfair manner, concerns questions of the nature of the identity of artificial individuals. Consideration of this issue finds Kasparov's claim groundless. [1]
Temporal Trends in Incidence and Outcomes of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in the United States: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Background The reported incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in the United States varies widely. Furthermore, limited information is available on the temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of PPCM. Methods and Results We queried the 2004-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all women aged 15 to 54 years with the diagnosis of PPCM. Temporal trends in incidence (per 10 000 live births), maternal major adverse events (MAE; defined as in-hospital mortality, cardiac arrest, heart transplant, mechanical circulatory support, acute pulmonary edema, thromboembolism, or implantable cardioverter defibrillator/permanent pacemaker implantation), cardiogenic shock, and mean length of stay were analyzed. From 2004 to 2011, we identified 34 219 women aged 15 to 54 years with PPCM. The overall PPCM rate was 10.3 per 10 000 (or 1 in 968) live births. PPCM incidence increased from 8.5 to 11.8 per 10 000 live births ( P trend<0.001) over the past 8 years. MAE occurred in 13.5% of patients. There was no temporal change in MAE rate, except a small increase in in-hospital mortality and mechanical circulatory support ( P trend<0.05). Cardiogenic shock increased from 1.0% in 2004 to 4.0% in 2011 ( P trend<0.001). Mean length of stay decreased during the study period. Conclusion From 2004 to 2011, the incidence of PPCM has increased in the United States. Maternal MAE rates overall have remained unchanged while cardiogenic shock, utilization of mechanical circulatory support, and in-hospital mortality have increased during the study period. Further study of the mechanisms underlying these adverse trends in the incidence and outcomes of PPCM are warranted.
Mechanistic study of CO formation from CO2 using a mixed-metal oxide of tin, iron, and aluminum

A mechanistic study has been performed to show that a reduced mixed metal oxide derived from tin, iron, and aluminum oxides can remove oxygen from carbon dioxide. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms that reduction of the mixed-metal oxide likely involves the reduction of SnO2and Fe2O3 phases. The reduced mixed-metal oxide can remove oxygen from carbon dioxide and this is shown using isotopically labelled C18O2 and mass spectroscopy. The 18O-labelled mixed-metal oxide can transfer the abstracted oxygen to a different carbonaceous compound, in this case carbon monoxide. Oxygen is readily exchanged in the mixed-metal oxide. Under both oxidizing and reducing conditions 18O is exchanged with unlabelled O resulting in the observation of all isotopomers.
U-3′-BCIP: a chromogenic substrate for the detection of RNase A in recombinant DNA expression systems

The synthesis of the bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A, EC 3.1.27.5) chromogenic substrate uridine-3'-(5-bromo-4-chloroindol-3-yl)-phosphate (U-3'-BCIP) is described. RNase A catalyzes the hydrolysis of U-3'-BCIP to release a halogenated indol-3-ol that undergoes rapid aerobic oxidation to the dark blue 5,5'-dibromo-4,4'-dichloroindigo. Preliminary kinetic studies indicate that this compound may have practical use for assaying RNase A activity both in vitro and in vivo, e.g. in screening bacterial colonies for RNase A produced by recombinant DNA methods.
The ghost of Annie Palmer: Giving voice to Jamaica’s “white witch of Rose Hall”:

From the renovation of Rose Hall plantation to the investigation of apparitions on Ghost Hunters International, the legend of eighteenth-century plantation owner Annie Palmer continues to thrive. D...
Soluble factors in tolerance and contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitro-fluorobenzene in mice. IX. A monoclonal T cell suppressor molecule is structurally and serologically related to the alpha/beta T cell receptor.

Ts cells from mice tolerized with dinitrobenzene sulfonate produce a DNP-specific, MHC-restricted soluble suppressor factor (SSF) which regulates contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitro-fluorobenzene. Previous studies have shown that the SSF-producing T cells and the soluble factor have the same hapten/MHC specificity suggesting that SSF may represent a secreted form of the Ts membrane receptor. The relationship between TCR proteins and SSF was investigated by examining the structural and serologic properties of a monoclonal DNP/H-2Kd-specific suppressor molecule produced by a Ts hybridoma. Reduction followed by alkylation abrogated the ability of the 3-10 molecule to inhibit transfer of contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitro-fluorobenzene, indicating that intact disulfide bonds were a required structural property for suppression. Reduction of the 3-10 molecule followed by affinity chromatography on DNP-coupled Sepharose beads indicated that the 3-10 suppressor molecule is a dimer and that one of its chains binds to cell-free DNP. Serologic properties of the 3-10 molecule were examined by determining the ability of pan-reactive rabbit anti-TCR antibodies and anti-V beta 8 mAb KJ16.133 and F23.1 to adsorb suppressor activity from 3-10 culture supernatant and affinity purified 3-10 ascites material. All three reagents adsorbed the suppressor activity whereas control antibodies had no effect. When 3-10 material was passed through a F23.1-conjugated Sepharose affinity column, suppressor activity was recovered in the column eluate but not in the effluent fraction. When the 3-10 molecule was reduced and separated into its two chains (i.e., DNP-binding and non-DNP-binding chains), it was found that the anti-V beta 8 antibody F23.1-bound to the non-DNP-binding chain of the suppressor molecule. Collectively, these results indicate that the monoclonal 3-10 suppressor molecule is structurally similar to the alpha/beta TCR and suggest that the 3-10 molecule expresses a determinant encoded by the V beta 8 family of TCR genes. These results are consistent with our hypothesis that these suppressor molecules represent a secreted form of the TCR expressed on the surface of the DNP-specific Ts.
Angelman syndrome imprinting center encodes a transcriptional promoter

Clusters of imprinted genes are often controlled by an imprinting center that is necessary for allele-specific gene expression and to reprogram parent-of-origin information between generations. An imprinted domain at 15q11–q13 is responsible for both Angelman syndrome (AS) and Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), two clinically distinct neurodevelopmental disorders. Angelman syndrome arises from the lack of maternal contribution from the locus, whereas Prader–Willi syndrome results from the absence of paternally expressed genes. In some rare cases of PWS and AS, small deletions may lead to incorrect parent-of-origin allele identity. DNA sequences common to these deletions define a bipartite imprinting center for the AS–PWS locus. The PWS–smallest region of deletion overlap (SRO) element of the imprinting center activates expression of genes from the paternal allele. The AS–SRO element generates maternal allele identity by epigenetically inactivating the PWS–SRO in oocytes so that paternal genes are silenced on the future maternal allele. Here we have investigated functional activities of the AS–SRO, the element necessary for maternal allele identity. We find that, in humans, the AS–SRO is an oocyte-specific promoter that generates transcripts that transit the PWS–SRO. Similar upstream promoters were detected in bovine oocytes. This result is consistent with a model in which imprinting centers become DNA methylated and acquire maternal allele identity in oocytes in response to transiting transcription.
India's high-tech microelectronics revolution

The microelectronics industry is one of the driving forces of an information society. Since 1984, the Indian government has promoted such high-technology industries as semiconductors, telecommunications, and com­ puters. High-technology industries in India are getting off to a promising start. But a higher degree of collaboration between research and development (R&D) institutes, private industry, and the national government are needed if the full potential of high technology in India is to be realized.
Life is not a Poem

Posing the extremes of Kantian autonomy (a “true self”) on the one hand, and a Sartrean “Chole in bein”gon the other, Richard Rorty turns for mediation to Freud:
On asymmetric invalidation with partial tests

R. Gupta and I.V. Ramakrishnan (1987) proposed a general model for fault diagnosis that uniformly handles intermittent faults, masking, and partial testing. In this model, the diagnosability problem is open if asymmetric invalidation is used, although a polynomial time algorithm was once incorrectly claimed. It is shown that the problem is really co-NP complete. An efficient diagnosis algorithm for this model is presented. >
Breath-hold T2-weighted MRI of the liver at 3T using the BLADE technique: impact upon image quality and lesion detection.

Aim To compare image quality and lesion detection in the liver using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T between T2-weighted imaging using a standard rectilinear k-space trajectory (standard T2WI) and using the BLADE technique (BLADE-T2WI), a technique that employs periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction for motion correction. Materials and methods Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent MRI examination of the liver at 3 T including standard T2WI and BLADE-T2WI, both performed using multiple breath-holds, comprised the study cohort. Images were reviewed in consensus by two radiologists during separate sessions for a number of measures regarding artefacts and image quality. These two readers also assessed the two image sets for the presence of liver lesions and measured liver-to-lesion contrast. Binary logistic regression for correlated data was used to compare the sequences in terms of sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) for lesion detection. Results BLADE-T2WI received significantly higher scores than did standard T2WI for in-plane respiratory motion ( p = 0.0195), other ghosting artefacts ( p p = 0.0004), sharpness of intra-hepatic vessels ( p p p 1 -inhomogeneity artefact with BLADE-T2WI ( p = 0.0571). There was no difference in through-plane respiratory motion ( p = 0.6836). BLADE-T2WI demonstrated a significant improvement in PPV for lesion detection ( p = 0.0129) as well as in liver-to-lesion contrast ( p = 0.0054). There was no difference regarding lesion sensitivity ( p = 1.0). Conclusions Use of the BLADE technique for T2-weighted MRI of the liver at 3 T may lead to a significant improvement in image artefacts and improved PPV for lesion detection.
The Effect of Direct Democracy on the Size and Diversity of State Interest Group Populations

This article studies the effect of direct democracy on the size and diversity of state interest group populations, providing an empirical test of a formal model of how access to the initiative process affects group formation and activities (Boehmke 2000). The model predicts that more groups mobilize and become active in initiative states; this prediction is confirmed by the regression analysis in this paper: direct democracy increases a state's interest group population by about 17%. With an additional assumption, I also generate and test the hypothesis that the increase is disproportionately centered among traditionally underrepresented citizen groups, relative to business and economic groups. This hypothesis is also empirically supported: citizen interest group populations are increased by 29% whereas the increase is only 12% for economic groups, suggesting that direct democracy increases diversity in interest group representation.
Endothelial Cell Ischemic Injury: Protective Effect of Heparin or Aspirin Assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopic observations of the luminal surface of the rabbit common carotid artery subjected to occlusion for 30 minutes or two hours revealed crater-like and balloon-like defects in the endothelial surface. The frequency of occurrence of these abnormalities was significantly decreased by pretreatment with heparin or aspirin in doses considered to have antiplatelet aggregating activity.
Regulation of the ESC transcriptome by nuclear long noncoding RNAs

Long noncoding (lnc)RNAs have recently emerged as key regulators of gene expression. Here, we performed high-depth poly(A)(+) RNA sequencing across multiple clonal populations of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to comprehensively identify differentially regulated lncRNAs. We establish a biologically robust profile of lncRNA expression in these two cell types and further confirm that the majority of these lncRNAs are enriched in the nucleus. Applying weighted gene coexpression network analysis, we define a group of lncRNAs that are tightly associated with the pluripotent state of ESCs. Among these, we show that acute depletion of Platr14 using antisense oligonucleotides impacts the differentiation- and development-associated gene expression program of ESCs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Firre, a lncRNA highly enriched in the nucleoplasm and previously reported to mediate chromosomal contacts in ESCs, controls a network of genes related to RNA processing. Together, we provide a comprehensive, up-to-date, and high resolution compilation of lncRNA expression in ESCs and NPCs and show that nuclear lncRNAs are tightly integrated into the regulation of ESC gene expression.
Set-Theoretic Measures

The class of set-theoretic compatibility measures has its roots in the content model of psychology [76] and the binary presence-absence similarity coefficients for both taxonomic and biassociational interpretations [39, 196]. As previously noted, Jaccard’s unparameterized ratio model (Section 3.1) was extended by Tversky’s parameterized ratio model of similarity $$S(X,Y) = \frac{{f(X \cap Y)}}{{f(X \cap Y) + \alpha \cdot f(X - Y) + \beta \cdot f(X - Y)}},$$ (7.1) where X and Y represent objects and f is an additive function on disjoint sets (see Section 3.2). The intersection X ⋂ Y consists of features that are common to both objects, X − Y the features that belong to X but not to Y, and Y − X the features that belong to Y but not to X. The function f is assumed to satisfy feature additivity; f (X ⋃ Y) = f (X) + f(Y) whenever X and Y are disjoint.
Ranked Document Retrieval with Forbidden Pattern

Let \(\mathcal{D}=\{\mathsf {T}_1,\mathsf {T}_2,\dots , \mathsf {T}_D\}\) be a collection of \(D\) string documents of \(n\) characters in total. The forbidden pattern document listing problem asks to report those documents \(\mathcal{D}' \subseteq \mathcal{D}\) which contain the pattern \(P\), but not the pattern \(Q\). The \({\mathsf {top\text{- }}k}\) forbidden pattern query \((P,Q,k)\) asks to report those \(k\) documents in \(\mathcal{D}'\) that are most relevant to \(P\). For typical relevance functions (like document importance, term-frequency, term-proximity), we present a linear space index with worst case query time of \(O(|P|+|Q|+\sqrt{nk})\) for the \({\mathsf {top\text{- }}k}\) problem. As a corollary of this result, we obtain a linear space and \(O(|P|+|Q|+\sqrt{nt})\) query time solution for the document listing problem, where \(t\) is the number of documents reported. We conjecture that any significant improvement over the results in this paper is highly unlikely.
The mineral and water composition of human red blood cells in diabetic acidosis and during recovery with special reference to changes in potassium content.

Abstract Red cell water and electrolyte composition was determined in 9 patients with diabetic acidosis. Using cell solids as a reference, the following were observed: (1) a reduced potassium content, the reduction being roughly correlated with the severity of illness, (2) reduced or low normal sodium and phosphorus values, and (3) a gradual increase in the potassium, sodium, and phosphorus content in 3 to 8 or more days, with treatment which included parenteral potassium. In one half of the patients there was a transient elevation of the red cell sodium content during convalescence. The water content of red cells on admission ranged from low normal to high, and was correlated directly with the red cell potassium content. During the first day of treatment the water content fell in all instances with a simultaneous reduction of the red cell chloride content. The red cell and plasma potassium concentrations of a group of patients with diabetic acidosis treated with parenteral potassium were compared to another group of patients reported upon elsewhere, 5 who were not treated with parenteral potassium. Reduced plasma potassium concentrations after the first treatment day were found only in the group not treated with parenteral potassium. A gradual restoration of the red cell potassium concentration to normal was observed in all patients who received early parenteral potassium but the red cells of some of the patients who did not receive parenteral potassium became more depleted of potassium during the early treatment for diabetic acidosis. Evidence of a correlation between the degree of red cell potassium depletion and the magnitude of total body cell potassium deficiency is presented.
Environmental optimality, not heterogeneity, drives regional and local species richness in lichen epiphytes

Aim We evaluate the scale dependence of species richness–environment relationships with a continent-wide analysis of lichen epiphyte communities. Specifically, our goals are to assess: (1) the dependence of local richness on regional processes, (2) whether species richness is primarily influenced by heterogeneity in environmental conditions or the central tendency of those conditions, and (3) whether the relative influence of these different aspects of the environment differs between local communities and regional species pools. Location Forests of the contiguous United States. Methods We used variation partitioning and model averaging of linear models to relate macrolichen richness at 1923 forest inventory plots (c. 4000 m2) to measures of environmental heterogeneity and mean conditions at local and regional scales. Data included 17 local environmental variables and 11 regional-scale variables which were obtained from a national forest inventory, herbarium records and several climate data sources. Results Regional-scale variables explained more unique variation in local species richness and generally had stronger effects than variables measured locally. However, most variation in local richness was explained jointly by local and regional variables. At both local and regional scales, variables measuring environmental heterogeneity explained little variation in species richness and had weaker effects than variables characterizing mean environmental conditions. Main conclusions Species richness of epiphytic macrolichens is not regulated by environmental heterogeneity locally or regionally and instead tracks large-scale climate gradients of water availability and temperature. Richness in local communities is influenced by processes operating at both regional and local scales, highlighting the importance of determining large-scale drivers of lichen richness across the North American continent. This research demonstrates a general method for comparing the influence of different aspects of the environment on species richness across scales and should be applicable to many different taxonomic groups.
3-ω damage threshold evaluation of final optics components using Beamlet Mule and off-line testing

A statistics-based model is being develop to predict the laser-damage-limited lifetime of UV optical components on the NIF laser. In order to provide data for the mode, laser damage experiments were performed on the Beamlet laser system at LLNL. An early protoype NIF focus lens was exposed to twenty 351 nm pulses at an average fluence of 5 J/cm 2 , 3ns. Using a high resolution optic inspection inspection system a total of 353 damage sites was detected within the 1160 cm 2 beam aperture. Through inspections of the lens before, after and, in some cases, during the campaign, pulse to pulse damage growth rates were measured for damage initiating both on the surface and at bulk inclusions. Growth rates as high as 79 micrometers /pulse were observed for damage initiating at pre-existing scratches in the surface. For most damage sites on the optic, both on the surface and at bulk inclusions. Growth rates as high as 79 micrometers /pulse were observed for damage initiating at per- existing scratches in the surface. For most damage sites on the optic, both surface and bulk, the damage growth rate was approximately 10(Mu) m/pulse.
Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Metal Ions

Publisher Summary An imposing collection of basic data concerning the extraction of metals has been gathered by liquid–liquid extraction investigators. However, with the exception of very large-scale metallurgical separations and of certain separations involved in processing in atomic energy installations, the field of applications has been left to practitioners of reversed-phase partition chromatography. This chapter reviews the importance of a familiarity with the various ways in which a single-stage separation effect may be multiplied. Multiplication of a single-stage separation effect may lead to expanded use of liquid-liquid extraction in radiochemistry, in analytical chemistry, and in any investigation in which the degree of separation of one metal from another is a determining factor in deciding the fate of the study. The chapter discusses systems involving neutral phosphorus-based extractants and acidic phosphorus-based extractants. Extraction with neutral extractants, presumably embodying the equivalent of ion pair association plus true metal-extractant coordination, has been treated by Diamond and Tuck. Acidic phosphorus-based extractants, as extractants for metallic cations, were discovered by accident. The chapter also mentions Systems involving sulfonic acids, (G)SO 2 (OH), amines, and amine oxides as extractants.
What's Next after Windsor?

In United States v. Windsor, the Court struck down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. While that decision can be read in various ways, this article discusses several of the Windsor rationales suggesting that section 2 of DOMA and state same-sex marriage bans also cannot pass constitutional muster.