cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Separation of steroidal estrogens and their major unconjugated metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract A high performance liquid Chromatographic method is described for the rapid, non-destructive separation of a number of physiologically important steroidal estrogens, including the labile catechol estrogens. This procedure uses a “Diol” column and gradient elution to separate in a single run, estrogens ranging from 2-methoxy estrone. one of the least polar C 18 steroids, to estriol, one of the most polar. Simpler, isocratic conditions, are provided for the separation of estrogens of similar polarity. A semipreparative column of similar composition was used for the purification of samples containing 25 to 50 mg of individual steroids.
Comments on R. Cooper, M. Bordo and H. James: Exchange rate arrangements and disarrangements: prospects for a world currency

This note evaluates the prospects for a world currency, using as a departure point the papers by Bordo and James (2006) and Cooper (2006). The note argues that a world currency is unlikely in the foreseeable future and probably undesirable. Although more evidence is needed, there seem to be no strong forces towards the creation of new monetary unions among the countries with major currencies or between those countries and the periphery. Based on recent experience, the note also argues that one of the main benefits to establish a world currency, the elimination of exchange rate uncertainty, is likely less important than commonly believed. No matter how rigid a currency arrangement is, initiatives to dissolve it tend to appear as bad times arise. Still, the present equilibrium of no world currency leaves unresolved many difficult issues related to the functioning of the domestic and international monetary systems.
Glycogen synthetase, phosphorylase, and glycogen content of developing rhesus muscle.

Extract: Total glycogen synthetase and syntheatse I (glucose 6-PO4 indendependent) and phosphorylase and phosphorylase a activites determined in muscle from fetal,neonatal, infant, and adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and correlated with glycogen concentrations. On the basis of nitrogen content, glycogen levels in fetuses in the 55- to 65-day series where higher than those in fetuses in the 100-day series, but similar to those in the fetuses near term (table I). Both glycogen synthetase and phosphorylase activities where demonstrated histochemically in the immature muscle fibers from fetuses at 55, 62, and 65 days of gestation. Total synthetase activity (assayed with 10 mM glucose 6-PO4) was demonstrated quantitatively at 78 days of gestation; this activity was highest at term (table II). No synthetase I activity could be found in the 78- and 90-day series (table II); hence, it is suggested that in fetal muscle, synthetase Dis responsible for the levels of glycogen present early in gestation. No correlatin between the glycogen content and the percentage of synthetase I present coulf be found in fetal muscle (fig.1). Total phosphorylase, lowest at 78 days of gestation, increased almost 10-fold by term (table II). No singnificant phosphorylase a activity could be demonstrated at 78 days; however, by 90–100 days, phosphorylase a activity was present and remained at about the same level (2–7%) thereafter. It is concluded that the enzymes for glycogen formation and degradation are present in immature muscle fibers of the rhesus fetus as early as the first third of gestation (55 days). The ratio of totao synthetase to phosphorylase activites facors lycogen deposition in the younger fetus (78–125 days) and glycongen breakdown in the fetus at term. Speculation: In adult animals, control of muscle glycogen metabolism depends greatly on hormonal activity; insulin promotes glycogen formation by increasing synthetase D to I conversion, and epinephrine causes glycogenolysis by promoting phosphorylase a formation while depressing synthetase activity. The role of hormonal control of glycogen metabolism may be less critical in fetal muscle than it is in adult muscle. If synthetase D is the active from of the enzyme in glycogen formation in fetal muscle, it would appear that at the cellular level, insulin is a less important regulator of glycogen synthesis than a metabolite control.
Raman studies of electron-phonon interaction in KxC70.

The Raman spectra of pristine ${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$ films and ${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$ doped to the maximum-conductivity phase (nominally ${\mathrm{K}}_{4}$${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$) are studied. All the Raman modes for ${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$ are only moderately broadened upon K doping, distinctively different from the superconducting ${\mathrm{K}}_{3}$${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ where several ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{g}}$ modes are broadened to the extent that they have almost disappeared from the spectrum. Assuming that the electron-phonon interaction is responsible for the broadening, the electron-phonon coupling strength is found to be comparable to the Coulomb repulsion. These results are important for understanding the absence of superconductivity in ${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$.
Interaction of mutant λ repressors with operator and non-operator DNA

Abstract We have described a set of mutations that alter side-chains on the operator binding surface of λ repressor. In this paper, we study the interactions of 12 purified mutant repressors with operator and non-operator DNA. The mutant proteins have operator affinities that are reduced from tenfold to greater than 10,000-fold compared to wild-type. Nine of the mutants have affinities for non-operator DNA that are similar to wild-type, two mutants show decreased non-specific binding, and one mutant has increased affinity for non-operator DNA. We discuss these findings in terms of the structural and energetic contributions of side-chain-DNA interactions, and show that certain contacts between the repressor and the operator backbone contribute both energy and specificity to the interaction.
The role of myosin II motor activity in distributing myosin asymmetrically and coupling protrusive activity to cell translocation.

Nonmuscle myosin IIA and IIB distribute preferentially toward opposite ends of migrating endothelial cells. To understand the mechanism and function of this behavior, myosin II was examined in cells treated with the motor inhibitor, blebbistatin. Blebbistatin at ≥30 μM inhibited anterior redistribution of myosin IIA, with 100 μM blebbistatin causing posterior accumulation. Posterior accumulation of myosin IIB was unaffected. Time-lapse cinemicrography showed myosin IIA entering lamellipodia shortly after their formation, but failing to move into lamellipodia in blebbistatin. Thus, myosin II requires motor activity to move forward onto F-actin in protrusions. However, this movement is inhibited by myosin filament assembly, because whole myosin was delayed relative to a tailless fragment. Inhibiting myosin's forward movement reduced coupling between protrusive activity and translocation of the cell body: In untreated cells, body movement followed advancing lamellipodia, whereas blebbistatin-treated cells extended protrusions without displacement of the body or with a longer delay before movement. Anterior cytoplasm of blebbistatin-treated cells contained disorganized bundles of parallel microfilaments, but anterior F-actin bundles in untreated cells were mostly oriented perpendicular to movement. Myosin II may ordinarily move anteriorly on actin filaments and pull crossed filaments into antiparallel bundles, with the resulting realignment pulling the cell body forward.
Fluorescence energy transfer in one dimension: frequency-domain fluorescence study of DNA-fluorophore complexes.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer among linear DNA bound fluorophores was carried out to study the process in one dimension. The donor fluorescence intensity decays in the case of energy transfer in one dimension are stretched exponential and show exp[-(t/τ)1/6] time dependence, which results in an initial more rapid decay and subsequent slower decay at long times when compared to those in higher dimensions. DNA-bound 4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenyl indole (DAPI), acridine orange (AO), and ethidium bromide (EB) were used as donors. The acceptors were in the case of DAPI AO and EB; in the case of AO nile blue (NB), methylene blue (MB), and crystal violet (CV); and NB, MB, and oxazine 750 in the case of EB. As expected, the donor intensity decays became highly heterogeneous upon energy transfer and were characterized by the simultaneous presence of both highly and marginally quenched donors. The intensity decays for all three donors in the presence of various acceptors are satisfactorily described by the Forster model of energy transfer in one dimension. The intensity decays also allow for clear rejection of a two- or three-dimensional model. The experimentally recovered critical Forster distances (R0) ranged between 37 A in the case of DAPI and EB to 70 A in the case of AO and CV donor-acceptor pairs. These recovered R0 values compare reasonably with those calculated from spectral properties if we use values of 1.25 for κ2, and 1.5 for the refractive index of DNA. The κ2 value will be even higher, between 1.5 and 2.0, if the consensus DNA refractive index of 1.75 is used. These κ2 values strongly suggest that the dipoles of the acceptor chromophores when bound to DNA are not randomly oriented but are aligned preferentially in plane. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Assessing Business Communication Assignments of English-as-Second-Language Students

As the US population becomes more diverse, the enrollment of English-as-Second- Language (ESL) students in colleges and universities continues to expand. This diversity may sometimes lead to proble...
Computing history: interesting times

This poster describes a course on the history of computing, designed for both a computer science program and for general undergraduate education.
Matter Fields and Metric Deformations in Multidimensional Unified Theories

This paper describes a first study of the effects due to including matter fields in generalized Kaluza-Klein (KK) theories with nonabelian compact gauge group G and nontrivial fibres VK. The approach is based on the first-order Einstein-Cartan (EC) general relativity in (4 + K) dimensions. In the EC theory there are two basic mechanisms which can lead to a spontaneously compactified KK background geometry R4 × VK: (A) a particular kind of energy-momentum density matter condensate in the quantized ground state, or (B) a particular kind of spin-density matter condensate. If (A) or (B) are operating, the inconsistencies usually found between the KK ansatz and the matter-free EC theory are avoided. Mechanism (B) works only when VK is parallelizable. It is shown that the expansion of matter fields in normal modes on VK implies that one must include deformations of the Yang-Mills (YM) potentials contained in the usual KK metrics. We discuss and characterize one class of such deformations. As a case study, we consider fibres VK ∼ G′, where G′ is a semisimple compact Lie group. We allow for the “maximal” YM gauge group GL′ × GR′. We carry out the harmonic analysis for spinor fields and study the mass spectrum and YM quantum numbers of the normal modes. We rely on mechanism (B) to provide a curvature-free connection (“parallelization”) on VKG′ by means of a suitable vertical constant torsion. Minimal YM couplings are of size lL ≡ g, where l is the Planck length and L is the length of the fibre; nonminimal YM couplings are of size L. Nonzero masses are of size L−1. The massless modes are found and discussed. There would be no massless modes if the parallelizing vertical torsion were absent. This torsion also implies the vanishing of the cosmological constant. When the theory is restricted to massless modes, the YM deformations disappear and the dimensional reduction to four dimensions yields an effective YM theory, which is renormalizable at energies far below L−1: the effective theory is obtained by letting L → 0 with g ⪡ 1 fixed and by neglecting all masses of order L−1; g corresponds to the bare YM coupling constant. The surviving effective YM gauge group is GL′ and the matter fields are in a particular representation of GL′ × GR′, corresponding to the zero mass eigenvalue. Explicit examples are discussed for G′ = SU(2) and G′ = SU(3).
The structural, microhardness and thermal properties of a semiorganic NLO crystal: Lithium paranitrophenolate trihydrate (NO2–C6H4–OLi·3H2O)

Abstract The crystallographic parameters, morphology, microhardness anisotropy and thermal properties including differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) of a new nonlinear optical material lithium paranitrophenolate trihydrate (NPLi·3H2O) are reported. The single crystals of NPLi·3H2O show effective phase matchable second harmonic generation properties for frequency conversion. Optically clear single crystals having dimensions up to 12 mm × 8 mm × 4 mm have been grown successfully within a period of 60 days by isothermal solvent evaporation technique. The title compound crystallizes in monoclinic system with space group Pa. Microhardness measurement on different planes verifies the hardness anisotropy and thermal studies reveal good thermal stability of the material. The NLO property of the crystal is verified by employing Kurtz powder test. The crystal has a wide range of optical transparency from 400 nm to 1500 nm.
High‐Impact Exercise Promotes Bone Gain in Well‐Trained Female Athletes

Maximizing peak bone mass, as well as reducing its loss after menopause, is important for the prevention of osteoporosis. One mode of activity, gymnastics training, invokes high impact loading strains on the skeleton which may have powerful osteogenic effects. To examine the role of athletic activity, specifically gymnastics, on bone mineral density (BMD) accretion, we monitored longitudinal changes in regional and whole body BMD in collegiate women gymnasts and competitive athletes whose skeletons are exposed to differential loading patterns: runners and swimmers. Two cohorts were studied. Cohort I = 26 gymnasts (19.7 ± 1.2 years), 36 runners (21.1 ± 2.7 years) and 14 nonathletic women (19.3 ± 1.7 years) followed over an 8-month period. Cohort II = 8 gymnasts (18.9 ± 1.1 years), 11 swimmers (20.0 ± 2.3 years) and 11 nonathletic women (19.0 ± 1.2 years) followed over a 12-month period. Lumbar spine (L2–4), femoral neck, and whole body BMD (g/cm2) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. For cohort I, the percent change in lumbar spine BMD after 8 months was significantly greater (p = 0.0001) in the gymnasts (2.8 ± 2.4%) than in the runners (−0.2 ± 2.0%) or controls (0.7 ± 1.3%). An increase in femoral neck BMD of 1.6 ± 3.6% in gymnasts was also greater (p < 0.05) than runners (−1.2 ± 3.0%) and approached significance compared with controls (−0.9 ± 2.2%, p = 0.06). For cohort II, gymnasts gained 2.3 ± 1.6% at the lumbar spine which differed significantly (p < 0.01) from changes in swimmers (−0.3 ± 1.5%) and controls (−0.4 ± 1.7%). Similarly, the change at the femoral neck was greater (p < 0.001) in gymnasts (5.0 ± 3.4%) than swimmers (−0.6 ± 2.8%) or controls (2.0 ± 2.3%). The percent change in BMD at any site did not differ between eumenorrheic and irregularly menstruating athletes. These results indicate that bone mineral at clinically relevant sites, the lumbar spine and femoral neck, can respond dramatically to mechanical loading characteristic of gymnastics training in college-aged women. This occurred despite high initial BMD values and was independent of reproductive hormone status. The results provide evidence to support the view that high impact loading, rather than selection bias, underlies high BMD values characteristic of women gymnasts. Because all athletes underwent resistance training throughout the year of study, muscle strengthening activity did not appear to be a significant factor in the skeletal response observed in gymnasts. We conclude that activities resulting in high skeletal impacts may be particularly osteotropic for young women.
Compared To US Practice, Evidence-Based Reviews In Europe Appear To Lead To Lower Prices For Some Drugs

In Europe drug reimbursement decisions often weigh how new drugs perform relative to those already on the market and how cost-effective they are relative to certain metrics. In the United States such comparative-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness evidence is rarely considered. Which approach allows patients greater access to drugs? In 2000–11 forty-one oncology drugs were approved for use in the United States and thirty-one were approved in Europe. We compared patients’ access to the twenty-nine cancer drugs introduced into the health care systems of the United States and four European countries. Relative to the approach used in the US Medicare program in particular, the European evidence-based approach appears to have led to reduced prices for those drugs deemed worthy of approval and reimbursement. The result is improved affordability for payers and increased access for patients to those drugs that were available. The United States lacks a systematic approach to assessing such evidence in the coverage...
TRANSITION ZONE PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN DENSITY: LACK OF USE IN PREDICTION OF PROSTATIC CARCINOMA

AbstractPurpose: Among the new approaches to enhance the performance of prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing in a biopsy population is the use of the free-to-total PSA as well as the transition zone density, which is calculated by dividing the PSA by the transition zone volume. We compare these manipulations of the PSA to PSA alone in a biopsy population.Materials and Methods: We evaluated 917 consecutive men who underwent ultrasound guided biopsy for an elevation in serum PSA or abnormality on digital rectal examination. Total PSA was measured using the Tandem-E† or Tandem-R† method. Prostate gland volume and transition zone were measured with ultrasound and calculated using the prolate ellipsoid formula.Results: In the overall PSA range 276 men had carcinoma (30.0% of the population), while in the PSA 4.0 to 10.0 ng./ml. range 141 of 477 had cancer (29.6%). Receiver operating characteristics analysis and analysis of variance were performed. In the overall PSA series the Tandem total PSA performed as ...
Evolution of Opinions on Social Networks in the Presence of Competing Committed Groups

Public opinion is often affected by the presence of committed groups of individuals dedicated to competing points of view. Using a model of pairwise social influence, we study how the presence of such groups within social networks affects the outcome and the speed of evolution of the overall opinion on the network. Earlier work indicated that a single committed group within a dense social network can cause the entire network to quickly adopt the group's opinion (in times scaling logarithmically with the network size), so long as the committed group constitutes more than about of the population (with the findings being qualitatively similar for sparse networks as well). Here we study the more general case of opinion evolution when two groups committed to distinct, competing opinions and , and constituting fractions and of the total population respectively, are present in the network. We show for stylized social networks (including Erdos-Renyi random graphs and Barabasi-Albert scale-free networks) that the phase diagram of this system in parameter space consists of two regions, one where two stable steady-states coexist, and the remaining where only a single stable steady-state exists. These two regions are separated by two fold-bifurcation (spinodal) lines which meet tangentially and terminate at a cusp (critical point). We provide further insights to the phase diagram and to the nature of the underlying phase transitions by investigating the model on infinite (mean-field limit), finite complete graphs and finite sparse networks. For the latter case, we also derive the scaling exponent associated with the exponential growth of switching times as a function of the distance from the critical point.
Adiabatic shear band localization fracture of solids in dynamic loading processes

On presente l'application d'une recente theorie de rupture viscoplasique avec des micro-endommagements au probleme de localization des bandes de cisaillement dans les corps non-elastiques soumis a la charge dynamique aux grands taux de deformation d'ordre 10 3 -10 4 sec −1 . Dans la premiere partie de l'article un processus adiabatique d'ecoulement non-elastique est formule et etudie. On formule ensuite le probleme de Cauchy et on precise les conditions pour ce qu'il soit bien pose. Le temps de relaxation est utilise comme un parametre de regularisation. La regularisation viscoplastique assure la stabilite de l'algorithme d'integration a l'aide de la methode des elements finis
Theory of photoemission from metallic Ce

It is shown that the two-peak structure of the $4f$ electron photoemission spectrum of Ce metal and its compounds may arise from two kinds of final states, those with and those without screening by a Ce $5d$ electron in an impurity state. A comparison between theory and experiment reveals that the $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ phase transition is accompanied by a very slight increase in conduction-electron population.
A New Species of Spiny Mouse (Acomys) from Jordan

A new species of spiny mouse of the genus Acomys (Rodentia, Murinae) is described. This species is distinguished from the three other Palearctic species of Acomys by its black coloration and in that the baculum terminates distally in a completely cartilaginous trifid rather than a bony or partly bony trifid as in the other species. A key to these species of Acomys is provided.
Some critical areas in robotics research

Abstract The general field of robotics is briefly reviewed. Two important areas—computer vision and compliance—are identified and discussed at some length. Some comparisons between the various approaches to the vision question are made, and active and passive force measurement are contrasted. Finally some other important areas including hierarchical control, manipulators, grippers and fixture are considered. It is concluded that significant developments in robotic technology, particularly as they apply to batch manufacturing, will be forthcoming in the near future.
Personality, values, and motivation

In this manuscript we review the constructs of personality and values, clarifying how they are related and how they are distinct. We then relate that understanding to motivation, and propose that personality and values have different influences on different motivational processes. We present a model in which personality and values influence motivation via the motivational processes of goal content and goal striving.
Quantum interference magnetometry and thermal noise from a conducting environment

Abstract The response of a quantum interference magnetometer to magnetic Johnson noise from a conducting environment is discussed. A puzzling feature in the interpretation of a previously published experiment is shown to be incorrect.
The radial distribution of dose around the path of a heavy ion in liquid water

Abstract Monte Carlo calculations of the radial distribution of dose in liquid water, incorporating energy deposition due to primary excitations and ionizations, have been performed for protons of energy 1, 10, 20, 50 and 100 MeV. By combining these results with earlier semi-empirical formulae used in track structure theory calculations, a corrected analytic formulation has been developed which on radial integration closely reproduces the value of stopping power for protons in the energy range 0.1–1000 MeV. After including a β-dependent ‘effective charge’ formula, this corrected formulation is tested against all published measurements of radial distribution of dose from energetic ions in gaseous media. Though some inconsistencies at the closest and the farthest reaches of the radial distribution of dose remain, the overall agreement is very satisfactory, indicating that the ‘effective charge’ Z∗, and Z∗2/β2 scaling are phenomenologically valid concepts for describing the radial dose from heavy ions of energies above ∼ 0.5 MeV/amu.
Small Evolutionarily Conserved RNA, Resembling C/D Box Small Nucleolar RNA, Is Transcribed from PWCR1, a Novel Imprinted Gene in the Prader-Willi Deletion Region, Which Is Highly Expressed in Brain

Prader-Willi syndrome is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the inactivation or deletion of imprinted, paternally expressed genes in chromosome band 15q11.2. We report the identification and characterization of PWCR1, a novel imprinted gene within that region, and its mouse orthologue, Pwcr1, which was mapped to the conserved syntenic region on mouse chromosome 7. Expressed only from the paternal allele, both genes require the imprinting-center regulatory element for expression and are transcribed from the same strand. They are intronless and do not appear to encode a protein product. High human/mouse sequence similarity (87% identity) is limited to a 99-bp region called “HMCR” (for “human-mouse conserved region”). The HMCR sequence has features of a C/D box small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) and is represented in an abundant small transcript in both species. Located in nucleoli, snoRNAs serve as methylation guidance RNAs in the modification of ribosomal RNA and other small nuclear RNAs. In addition to the nonpolyadenylated small RNAs, larger polyadenylated PWCR1 transcripts are found in most human tissues, whereas expression of any Pwcr1 RNAs is limited to mouse brain. Genomic sequence analysis reveals the presence of multiple copies of PWCR1 and Pwcr1 that are organized within local tandem-repeat clusters. On a multispecies Southern blot, hybridization to an HMCR probe encoding the putative snoRNA is limited to mammals.
Single-Molecule Magnets: Two-Electron Reduced Version of a Mn12 Complex and Environmental Influences on the Magnetization Relaxation of (PPh4)2[Mn12O12(O2CCHCl2)16(H2O)4]

The complex [Mn12O12(O2CCHCl2)16(H2O)4] (2) in MeCN exhibits three quasi-reversible one-electron reduction processes at significantly higher potentials than [Mn12O12(O2CMe)16(H2O)4] (1). This has allowed the two-electron reduced version of 2 to be generated and isolated. Reaction of 2 with one and two equivalents of PPh4I led to isolation of (PPh4)[Mn12O12(O2CCHCl2)16(H2O)4] (3) and (PPh4)2[Mn12O12(O2CCHCl2)16(H2O)4] (4), respectively. The latter represents a new isolated oxidation level of the Mn12 family of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). Crystallization from CH2Cl2/hexanes yields a mixture of two crystal forms, 4·4CH2Cl2·H2O (4a) and 4·6CH2Cl2 (4b), both of which have been structurally characterized as triclinic and monoclinic, respectively. The molecular structures are very similar, with the added electrons localized on former Mn(III) ions to give a trapped-valence 2Mn(II), 6Mn(III), 4Mn(IV) oxidation state description. Dried solid analyzed as unsolvated 4. 1H NMR spectral data in CD2Cl2 confirm that ...
1352 INCOMPLETE SUPPRESSION OF NEONATAL GLUCOSE PRODUCTION BY EXOGENOUS GLUCOSE

Incomplete suppression of glucose production (GP) during exogenous glucose infusions has been reported in newborns within the first 3 hours of life (Ped. Res. 14:576, 1980) and in prematures (Ped. Res. 14:586, 1980). To further evaluate the effects of birth weight, gestational age, and postnatal age on this process, we infused eight infants with [6,6−2H2]glucose prior to and after beginning an infusion of exogenous glucose at a rate approximately equal to normal neonatal hepatic glucose output (5 mg kg-1-min-1). The study subjects ranged from gestational ages of 32-40 weeks, had birth weights between 1320 and 4140 grams, and were studied between 14 hours and 5 days after birth. None was hypoglycemic prior to or during the study. Basal GP averaged 5.02 ± 0.43 mg·kg-1 min-1. Exogenous glucose infusion produced incomplete suppression of GP in all infants averaging 50 ± 9% (range 3-72%). The degree of suppression did not correlate with gestational age, birthweight, or with postnatal age. However, there tended to be an inverse relationship between the degree of suppression of GP and the difference between the plasma glucose concentration before and after the exogenous glucose infusion. Thus, failure of complete suppression of GP in the newborn is present throughout the immediate postnatal period. Also, those infants with less suppression of GP tend to become more hyperglycemic during such infusions.
Antagonism of morphine by long acting narcotic antagonists

The effects of three narcotic antagonists, diprenorphine, naltrexone, and naloxone were studied on the schedule-controlled behavior of pigeons. Naltrexone decreased the rate of responding under the FR and FI components of a multiple fixed-interval, fixed-ratio schedule. Naltrexone and diprenorphine were equipotent in blocking the rate-decreasing effects of morphine on schedule-controlled behavior when the antagonists were given immediately before morphine, and both were more potent morphine antagonists than naloxone. Higher doses of all 3 antagonists were required to block the effects of morphine as the time between the administration of the antagonist and morphine increased. Naltrexone provided a slightly better antagonism of morphine than diprenorphine when morphine was given 2 or 6 h after the antagonist and both antagonists had a longer duration of antagonist action than naloxone.
Causes and management of aneurysmal hemorrhage occurring during embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils.

Object. The purpose of this review is to describe the incidence, causes, management, and outcome of aneurysmal hemorrhage that occurred in patients during endovascular treatment with the Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) system. Methods. At the authors' institution between September 1991 and August 1995, more than 200 patients were treated using GDCs for intracranial aneurysms. The first 200 patients treated in this fashion were reviewed and all who experienced new subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) during the procedure were identified. Angiographic studies were also reviewed and patients were contacted for longer-term follow up when possible. Four patients who experienced intraprocedural SAH were identified. The causes of hemorrhage were believed to be perforation of the aneurysm by the guidewire in one patient, perforation by the microcatheter in a second, and perforation by the delivery wire in a third. The fourth patient had a hemorrhage during injection of contrast material for control angiographic studies ...
Effect of high-dose pentoxifylline on acute radiation-induced lung toxicity in a rat lung perfusion model

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the effect of high-dose oral pentoxifylline on radiation-induced acute lung injury as assessed with a rat lung perfusion model. Methods and Materials: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used throughout this study. A preliminary experiment determined that treatment with 2 g/liter pentoxifylline in drinking water resulted in an average consumption of 1.38 g/m 2 /day, which is comparable to the maximum torelated dosage in humans. Seventy-two rats were irradiated to the left hemithorax with single fraction doses ranging from 10 through 18 Gy. Half were treated with 2 g/liter pentoxifylline indringking water from 1 week before radiationi through 8 weeks after radiation. Lung vascular perfusion scanning was performed at 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 weeks after radiation using 99 mTc-macroaggregated albumin. The lung perfusion ratio was defined as the number of counts due to radioactivity within the irradiated left lung region of interest divided by the number of counts within the region of the nonirradiated right lung. This lung perfusion ratio has been shown to decrease with radiation-induced lung injury. Results: Although radiation led to a decreased lung perfusion ratio in all groups, those receiving pentoxifylline maintained high ratios than irradiated controls from 3–5 weeks, especially for those receiving 15 or 18 Gy. However, from 6 through 8 weeks the irradiated controls exhibited partial recovery of lung perfusion ratio, whereas the pentoxifylline groups did not. By 8 weeks after 15 and 18 Gy, lung perfusion ratios were significantly higher for the irradiated controls than for pentoxifylline-treated rats—a reversal of the pattern observed at 3–5 weeks. Conclusions: The protection by pentoxifylline against radiation-induced acute lung injury was transient and limited to the first 5 weeks after radiation. Subsequent recovery from lung injury was inhibited by this drug at later times within the acute phase.
THE NEW WORLD INFORMATION ORDER AND FREEOOM OF COMMUNICATION: THE COMMUNICATION CASE AGAINST THE NEW WORLD INFORMATION ORDER

(1986). THE NEW WORLD INFORMATION ORDER AND FREEOOM OF COMMUNICATION: THE COMMUNICATION CASE AGAINST THE NEW WORLD INFORMATION ORDER. Free Speech Yearbook: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 97-104.
Hybrid hazelnut oil characteristics and its potential oleochemical application.

Abstract The demand for vegetable oils as alternatives to petroleum is growing. Vegetable oils offer performance advantages and are environmentally friendly. Soybean oil is one of the promising resources and has been studied extensively. However, soybean oil lacks thermal and oxidative stability and has undesirable cold flow properties. These disadvantages are directly related to its fatty acid composition. Therefore, new varieties with superior oil traits are needed. Hybrid hazelnut oil is just such an attractive raw material. The objective of this study was to investigate hybrid hazelnut oil fatty acid composition and several other important properties in view of potential oleochemical applications. Hazelnut oil, derived from hybrid hazelnuts (Corylus sp. L.) grown in southeastern Nebraska, was extracted using a Soxhlet extractor. The oil contents of 25 different hybrid hazelnut samples ranged from 51.4% to 75.1% of the dry weight of nut kernels. Fatty acid profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography. It was found that oleic and linoleic acids comprised more than 90% of fatty acids in the oil. Oxidative onset temperature (OOT) was used as an indicator of thermal stability. The OOT of the hazelnut oils were in the range of 184.7–190.4 °C, which were higher than that of soybean oil (148.4 °C). The cloud points of hazelnut oils (−12.4 to −14.9 °C) were lower than that of soybean oil (−9.9 °C). The iodine values were in the range of 90.6–97.4. The kinematic viscosity of hazelnut oil was 65.7 ± 2.2 mm2/s at 22 °C. These initial analyses suggest that hazelnut oil is a potential feedstock for oleochemicals.
Fusaric acid in Fusarium moniliforme cultures, corn, and feeds toxic to livestock and the neurochemical effects in the brain and pineal gland of rats

Fusaric acid is produced by several species of Fusarium, which commonly infect corn and other agricultural commodities. Since this mycotoxin may augment the effects of other Fusarium toxins, a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method of analysis in feeds was developed. Fusaric acid was analyzed as the trimethylsilyl-ester from F. moniliforme-cultures, -contaminated corn screenings, and feeds toxic to livestock. The mycotoxin was found in all samples and ranged from 0.43 to 12.39 micrograms/g sample. Also, fusaric acid was tested for its neurochemical effects in the brain and pineal gland of rats. Animals were dosed intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg body weight) 30 min prior to the onset of the dark phase (lights out) and the effects were studied at 1.5, 3.5, and 5.5 h after treatment. Brain serotonin (5HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), tyrosine (TYRO), and dopamine (DA) were increased (P < 0.05) by fusaric acid, and norepinephrine (NEpi) was decreased (P < 0.05). Analogously, DA in the pineal gland increased and NEpi decreased (P < 0.05). Pineal N-acetylserotonin (NAc5HT) was increased (P < 0.05), whereas pineal 5HT and its two major metabolites 5HIAA and 5-hydroxytryptophol (5HTOL) decreased (P < 0.05). Elevated brain TYRO and brain and pineal DA, with decreased NEpi, may be consistent with fusaric acid's partial inhibitory effect on tyrosine-hydroxylase and its inhibitory effect on dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, respectively. Elevated pineal Nac5HT is consistent with decreased pineal 5HT and the increased pineal DA, and support the dopaminergic stimulatory activity of the enzyme responsible for the conversion of 5HT to NAc5HT. This is the first report of fusaric acid's in vivo effect on pineal DA, NEpi, 5HT, and NAc5HT in rats, and a relation for the effects on TYRO, 5HT, and 5HIAA in brain tissue. The results indicate fusaric acid alters brain and pineal neurotransmitters and may contribute to the toxic effects of Fusarium-contaminated feeds.
Flock House Virus Induces Apoptosis by Depletion of Drosophila Inhibitor-of-Apoptosis Protein DIAP1

The molecular mechanisms by which RNA viruses induce apoptosis and apoptosis-associated pathology are not fully understood. Here we show that flock house virus (FHV), one of the simplest RNA viruses (family, Nodaviridae), induces robust apoptosis of permissive Drosophila Line-1 (DL-1) cells. To define the pathway by which FHV triggers apoptosis in this model invertebrate system, we investigated the potential role of Drosophila apoptotic effectors during infection. Suggesting the involvement of host caspases, the pancaspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluromethylketone (z-VAD-fmk) prevented FHV-induced cytopathology and prolonged cell survival. RNA interference-mediated ablation of the principal Drosophila effector caspase DrICE or its upstream initiator caspase DRONC prevented FHV-induced apoptosis and demonstrated direct participation of this intrinsic caspase pathway. Prior to the FHV-induced activation of DrICE, the intracellular level of inhibitor-of-apoptosis (IAP) protein DIAP1, the principal caspase regulator in Drosophila melanogaster, was dramatically reduced. DIAP1 was depleted despite z-VAD-fmk-mediated caspase inhibition during infection, suggesting that the loss of DIAP1 was caused by an upstream FHV-induced signal. The RNA interference-mediated knockdown of DIAP1 caused rapid and uniform apoptosis of DL-1 cells and thus indicated that DIAP1 depletion is sufficient to trigger apoptosis. Confirming this conclusion, the elevation of intracellular DIAP1 levels in stable diap1-transfected cells blocked caspase activation and prevented FHV-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our findings suggest that DIAP1 is a critical sensor of virus infection, which upon virus-signaled depletion relieves caspase inhibition, which subsequently executes apoptotic death. Thus, our study supports the hypothesis that altering the level or the activity of cellular IAP proteins is a general mechanism by which RNA viruses trigger apoptosis.
Polarization Michelson interferometer (POLMINT): its use for polarization modulation and temporal pulse shearing

Abstract Novel applications for the polarization Michelson interferometer (POLMINT), or the equivalent Mach-Zehnder interferometer, are proposed. This includes analog and binary polarization modulation, the temporal shearing of a short light pulse into a doublet of two separate pulses of orthogonal linear polarizations, frequency doubling of a pulse train, and pulse shaping and polarization chirping.
Mechanisms of Reinforcement Learning and Decision Making in the Primate Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

To a first approximation, decision making is a process of optimization in which the decision maker tries to maximize the desirability of the outcomes resulting from chosen actions. Estimates of desirability are referred to as utilities or value functions, and they must be continually revised through experience according to the discrepancies between the predicted and obtained rewards. Reinforcement learning theory prescribes various algorithms for updating value functions and can parsimoniously account for the results of numerous behavioral, neurophysiological, and imaging studies in humans and other primates. In this article, we first discuss relative merits of various decision-making tasks used in neurophysiological studies of decision making in nonhuman primates. We then focus on how reinforcement learning theory can shed new light on the function of the primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Similar to the findings from other brain areas, such as cingulate cortex and basal ganglia, activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex often signals the value of expected reward and actual outcome. Thus, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is likely to be a part of the broader network involved in adaptive decision making. In addition, reward-related activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is influenced by the animal's choices and other contextual information, and therefore may provide a neural substrate by which the animals can flexibly modify their decision-making strategies according to the demands of specific tasks.
A Survey of Procedures Used for Identifying Gifted Learning Disabled Children.

Since the early 1970s, concern for children who are both gifted and handicapped has risen dramatically. Books written about this emerging field deal with identification and programmatic concerns (e.g., Fox, Brody, and Tobin, 1983) and also with case studies illustrating the ways in which the two conditions may coexist (Whitmore and Maker, 1985). This research focuses on the problems involved in identifying the child who is both gifted and learning disabled (GLD). The state of the art is demonstrated by surveying procedures in use in Texas by special education and gifted programs. Results from the survey yield characteristics of GLD children that are consistent with observations in the litetature.
Enculturation in Industrial Research

The new researcher undergoes a learning experience in the laboratory, in which he attempts to relate his technical competence to the needs of his employer. More than one hundred members of ten industrial laboratories were interviewed in order to discover the kinds of things the new researcher learns, the problems he encounters, etc., as he first adapts himself to the milieu of the industrial laboratory. Emphasis is placed, in the analysis of these data, on the factors influencing the kinds of ideas he produces and how he handles ideas.
Behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to metaCPP in anorexia nervosa.

In response to the partial serotonin agonist meta -chlorophenylpiperazine ( meta CPP), patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder have been reported to exhibit an increase in obsessive symptoms and a diminished release of prolactin and/or cortisol compared to controls. We examined the response to meta CPP of 10 patients with anorexia nervosa, before and after weight gain, and of eight healthy controls. Prior to weight gain, the patients exhibited a greater behavioral response to meta CPP than the controls and diminished prolactin and cortisol responses. Only the prolactin abnormality persisted after weight gain. These observations suggest that, in patients with anorexia nervosa, weight loss is associated with the development of neurobiological disturbances which are in some ways similar to those of obsessivecompulsive disorder.
Metadata Activities in Biology

The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) has advanced the ability of biological sciences to standardize, share, integrate, and synthesize data by making the metadata program a core of its activities. A series of crosswalks for the main biological metadata specifications enable data providers and international clearinghouses to aggregate and disseminate tens of thousands of metadata records describing petabytes of data records and allow for interoperability. These efforts were accomplished by forming strategic partnerships with key research organizations in the biological and ecological sciences. This paper provides an overview of metadata initiatives undertaken by NBII and the Long Term Ecological Research Network. New efforts to provide better metadata creation and curation tools based on content management systems with semantic mediation for data discovery are presented.
RITUAL: a performance driven placement algorithm for small cell ICs

An efficient algorithm, RITUAL (residual iterative technique for updating all Lagrange multipliers), for obtaining a placement of cell-based ICs subject to performance constraints is described. Using sophisticated mathematical techniques, one is able to solve large problems quickly and effectively. The algorithm is very simple and elegant, making it easy to implement. In addition, it yields very good results, as is shown on a set of real examples. The algorithm was tested on the ISCAS set of logic benchmark examples using parameters for 1 mu m CMOS technology. On average , there is a 25% improvement in the wire delay for these examples compared to TimberWolf-5.6 with a small impact on the chip area. >
Use of a Silicone Rubber (Clear Seal) as a Section Adhesive Resistant to Acid, Alkali and Heat

An optically clear silicone rubber adhesive is recommended for use in histochemical procedures in which detachment of tissue sections is likely. Procedure: Cut paraffin sections and float on a 45–50 C water bath; leave frozen sections on the microtome knife in the cryostat; spread the silicone rubber thinly and evenly over 2/3 of the slide (Clear Seal—General Electric, was used); pick up paraffin sections directly from the floatation water and frozen sections from the microtome knife with a warm slide; dry for 1.5 hr at 25 C; place paraffin sections in a 60 C oven for 0.5 hr, deparaffinize through xylene and hydrate through alcohols to water. Stain sections as desired, but avoid clearing agents before mounting after strong acid or alkaline treatment, and mount rapidly if a synthetic resin is used because of the solvent effect on the silicone rubber. Of the adhesives tried, silicone rubber is the only one capable of withstanding boiling 10% HCl for any period of time without detachment of sections.
Diagnosing Northern Hemisphere Jet Portrayal in 17 CMIP3 Global Climate Models: Twenty-First-Century Projections

The anthropogenic climate change impacts on the eddy‐jet system include an intensified midlatitude jet stream and an elevated tropopause, as well as a poleward-shifted jet. While both responses are evident in phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) ensemble mean twenty-first-century projections, uncertainty in the poleward shift response is large enough that even the sign of the shift is not consistent among all models, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. The present analysis finds that twentyfirst-century projections of the ensemble mean zonal wind change at 300 hPa predict a weakening and poleward expansion of the Pacific jet and an overall expansion of the Atlantic jet. In contrast with the direct zonal mean climate change signal of increasing midlatitude upper-level winds, zonal winds are projected to decreaseinthecoreofthePacificandAtlanticjets,withincreasingzonalwindslocatedprimarilyinthejetexit regions and the meridional flanks of the jets. Uncertainties in SST changes from the twentieth century to the twenty-first century between models are shown to impact modeled Northern Hemisphere jet stream changes.