cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-scale Discovery of Regulatory Motifs Involved in Alternative Splicing

Alternative splicing is a highly important process in many eukaryotic organisms, but surprisingly little is known about its regulation. Often, this process involves cis-regulatory DNA motifs located within the alternative spliced exons or the flanking introns. To discover such regulatory motifs, we reanalyzed a dataset containing ~3000 skipped exons and their relative expression levels in ten mouse tissues provided by Pan and colleagues [1]. We clustered the skipped exons by their expression profiles and applied MEME (multiple Em for motif elicitation) to build a motif dictionary from each cluster. The discovered motifs were validated by comparing with known regulatory elements and by examining positional bias. By incorporating the levels of alternative splicing, our study provides not only solid targets for further experiments, but also a computational framework applicable in other organisms. The motif dictionary is available at http://www4.ncsu.edu/~szhao3/ ASMotif.html.
A Promotora -administered group education intervention to promote breast and cervical cancer screening in a rural community along the U.S.–Mexico border: a randomized controlled trial

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm among Hispanic women. Cervical cancer has a higher incidence and mortality among Hispanic women compared with non-Hispanic White women. To assess the effectiveness of a promotora-administered educational intervention to promote breast and cervical cancer screening among post-reproductive age, medically underserved Hispanic women residing along the U.S.–Mexico border. Women age 50 or older were eligible to participate in this intervention study. A total of 381 subjects agreed to participate. Women were randomly assigned into one of two groups, educational intervention or usual care. The primary outcomes were self-reported mammogram and Pap smear screening. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratios for comparisons between intervention and control groups. Women in the intervention group were 2.0 times more likely to report having had a mammogram within the last year when compared with the usual care group (95% CI = 1.3–3.1). Likewise, women in the intervention group were 1.5 times more likely to report having a Pap smear within the last year when compared with the usual care group, although this was not statistically significant (95% CI = 0.9–2.6). In a secondary analysis, the intervention suggests a stronger effect on those that had not had a mammogram or Pap smear within the past year at baseline. A promotora-based educational intervention can be used to increase breast and cervical cancer screening utilization among Hispanic women.
Infrared spectrum of Io, 2.8–5.2 μm

Abstract The reflectance spectrum of Io is presented from 2.8 to 5.2 μm, extending the earlier results of D. P. Cruikshank, T. J. Jones, and C. B. Pilcher (1978, Astrophys. J. 225, L89–L92) , and demonstrating the full extent of the broad and deep spectral absorption between 3.5 and 4.8 μm. Laboratory spectra of nitrates and carborates diluted with sulfur do not satisfactorily reproduce the Io spectrum, but new information based on the recently discovered volcanic activity on the satellite lead to consideration of other classes of compounds as reported in a companion paper (F. P. Fanale, R. H. Brown, D. P. Cruikshank, and R. N. Clark, 1979, Nature 280, 761–763) .
Acetylated α-tubulin in microtubules during mouse fertilization and early development

alpha-Tubulin in the microtubules of mouse oocytes and embryos is acetylated in a specific spatial and temporal sequence. In the unfertilized oocyte, a monoclonal antibody to the acetylated form of alpha-tubulin is bound predominantly at the poles of the arrested metaphase meiotic spindle. The labeling intensity of the spindle microtubules is weaker as observed by immunofluorescence using oocytes double-labeled for total tubulin and acetylated alpha-tubulin, and as measured by immuno high-voltage electron microscopy (immunoHVEM) with colloidal gold; cytasters are not acetylated. At meiotic anaphase, the spindle becomes labeled, and by telophase and during second polar body formation only the meiotic midbody is acetylated. The sperm axoneme retains its acetylation after incorporation though the interphase microtubules are not detected. First mitosis follows a pattern similar to that observed at the second meiosis and during interphase only the mitotic midbodies are acetylated. After treatment with cold, colcemid, or griseofulvin, the remaining stable microtubules are acetylated, but immunoHVEM observations suggest that these fibers might not have been acetylated prior to microtubule disruption. Taxol stabilization does not alter acetylation patterns. Acetylated microtubules are not necessarily old microtubules since acetylated fibers are observed at 30 sec after cold recovery. These results show the presence of acetylated microtubules during meiosis and mitosis and demonstrate a cell-cycle-specific pattern of acetylation, with acetylated microtubules found at the centrosomes at metaphase, an increase in spindle labeling at anaphase, and the selective deacetylation of all but midbody microtubules at telophase.
An examination of the influence of surprise on judges and jurors’ outcome effects

Abstract In our legal system, hindsight judgments are used to evaluate decisions performed in foresight. The extent to which judges and jurors succumb to outcome effects, however, may be dependent on the degree of outcome surprise. The objective of this research is to examine whether the surprise versus causal nature of an outcome would influence the magnitude of outcome effects. It was expected that outcome effects would vary based on the extent of the outcome surprise. That is, outcomes attributable to an increasing degree of unforeseen causes were expected to associate with decreasing outcome effects. Two experiments were conducted involving general jurisdiction judges and prospective jurors. Results revealed that judges and jurors’ evaluations were each susceptible to outcome effects. However, while increasing levels of outcome surprise reduced judges’ outcome effects, it had no effect on jurors’ outcome effects. Given the potential legal consequences, greater understanding of the association between (outcome) surprise and outcome effects is clearly warranted.
Global pollution and its effect on the climate of the Arctic

Abstract This paper describes the potential effects of global pollution, primarily the greenhouse effect, on the climate of the Arctic. Climate models indicate an amplification of greenhouse warming in the Arctic but there are still many uncertainties about the magnitude and timing of the expected change. This paper focuses on these uncertainties by examining the changes observed in the temperature, sea ice extent, snow cover and permafrost regime of the Arctic. Since pollution is not the only climate-forcing factor, however, other external and internal driving forces are also examined, including solar influences, volcanic eruptions and changes in ocean circulation. Recent analyses of Greenland ice core data are beginning to cast serious doubt on our present understanding of the causes of climate change. Nevertheless, it is likely that global pollution is playing a major role in climate change. All the signals of change in the polar regions are consistent with the global greenhouse scenario. It cannot be stated unambiguously, however, that the greenhouse effect has already been observed in the Arctic, despite the fact that climate models indicate it to be largest there.
An Empirical Study of Proxy Consent for Elderly Persons

To investigate empirical assumptions about substituted judgment, three treatment decision scenarios were presented to 43 competent elderly persons and 115 persons related to them. Related subjects who were explicitly asked to make a substituted judgment came significantly closer to the elderly person's preferences than those who were asked to make their best recommendation (p = .005-.067, depending on index used). These results support the use of a substituted judgment approach to proxy decision makers; other results suggest some limitations of durable powers of attorney.
Separation and measurement of cesium-137 in precipitation

Abstract In rainwater samples containing fallout debris of recent origin, the 137Cs absorption peak in a γ-ray scintillation spectrum contained, and was often completely obscured by, contributions from other γ-ray emitting radionuclides, so that the 137Cs activity could not be determined directly. Precipitation samples were collected with rain funnels and passed through Dowex 50W-X12 cation-exchange columns. The 137Cs was selectively eluted with 0.5 M ammonium nitrate. The absolute recovery of 137Cs was complicated by the presence of airborne sediments that were invariably collected with the sample and could irreversibly fix 137Cs from the rainwater.
Optical resonance of a two-level atomic system

The method of multiple scales is used to derive a solution of the damped optical Bloch equations of a two‐level atomic system due to a strong pulsed field. The time dependence of the oscillations of the atomic inversion influenced by detuning and power broadening is found. The population inversion consists, in general, of three terms: a quasisteady term, quasisteady term that decays with time, and an oscillatory term that also decays with time. In the limit of constant fields, the solution of Torrey for damped systems and that of Rabi for undamped systems are recovered. For an adiabatic switching of the field, the solution for undamped systems reduces to that of Crisp in the adiabatic following limit. An equation describing the field envelope is derived for an arbitrary amount of detuning. At exact resonance, this equation reduces to a pendulum equation, in agreement with previous analyses.
HHV-8 (KSHV) does not establish latency in prostate cancer cell lines.

BACKGROUND. HHV-8 is a new herpesvirus found in lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma and some lymphoproliferative diseases. More recently, a report stated that normal prostate tissue also contains the virus. METHODS. The expression of HHV-8 was examined by a sensitive reverse-transcriptase PCR for the viral genes ORF 72, ORF 73, ORF 74, and ORF 75. In coculture experiments we attempted to infect 3 commonly studied prostate cancer cell lines using induced and uninduced lymphoid cell lines harboring HHV-8 (KS-1, BC-1, and BC-2). For induction of viral genes, butyrate and phorbol esters were used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. At baseline, prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, DU-145, and PC-3 did not express viral gene products. Extensive coculture experiments were also negative. In no instance could latency for the virus be established. Our results argue against the involvement of HHV-8 in prostate cancer and for a limited tissue tropism of HHV-8.
Effect of the Compositional Strain on the Diffusive Interface Thickness and on the Phase Transformation in a Phase-Field Model for Binary Alloys

A Cahn-Hilliard phase-field—elasticity model was used to study the effect of compositional strain on the diffusive interface thickness and on the solid state phase transformations in binary alloys. Compositional strain was introduced using the Vegard’s law. Mixed order finite element analyses and analytical solutions of an infinite diffusion couple with a flat interface were used to track the phase-field interface morphology. Both analytical and numerical calculations showed a substantial rate-increasing effect of compositional strain on the interface thickness, especially for low energy barrier values. Compositional strain was found to cause substantial patterning of single precipitates during their evolution in a parent matrix and significantly change the equilibrium size of the precipitates. Results show a considerable influence of compositional strain on the coarsening kinetics of coherent precipitates.
Disability and spirituality in social work practice.

Abstract In working with social work clients, issues of religion and spirituality are sure to arise. Religious views on disability can have both positive and negative effects on the individual. In our increasingly pluralistic society, these issues must be approached with sensitivity and patience since it is common to work with adherents of minority or non-traditional religious groups or groups whose values conflict with the social work profession. The purpose of this article is to enhance and develop sensitivity to diverse religious views in order to respect the values and life beliefs of the client while enhancing the development of adaptive religious and spiritual views.
Surface core level shifts in Pt3Ti(111)

Abstract A surface core level shift in the Pt4f 7 2 XPS core level binding energy has been observed for the Pt3Ti(111) surface. The magnitude of the shift is −0.50±0.05 eV and is assigned to an increase in the electron density on the Pt atoms in the outermost atomic layer of the single crystal. The response of the surface peak position to a chemically interacting adsorbate (CO) and a chemically inert adsorbate (Xe), confirms the initial state origin of the surface core level shift. No surface components associated with Ti were resolved, however the FWHM of the Ti2p 3 2 did increase 0.2 eV during low take-off angle measurements. UPS measurements showed that the bulk DOS at the Fermi level of Pt3Ti(111) are depleted relative to clean Pt(111). However, low take-off angle measurements suggest that a surface state is located at the Fermi level of the Pt3Ti. It is suggested that this surface state is associated with the increased d electron density on the surface Pt atoms.
MRI for breast cancer: Current indications

Mammography is the only imaging study that has been proven in multiple large randomized trials to decrease breast cancer mortality. Mammography, however, has its limitations and, as such, other modalities that can complement it are being studied. One of these is dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI, which has emerged as an important adjunctive modality and is at present the most sensitive modality that we have to evaluate the breast. The American College of Radiology, in its 2004 practice guidelines, has outlined the 12 current indications for breast MRI. This manuscript reviews and provides examples of each of these.
Antimicrobial activity and spectrum of sparfloxacin tested against erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates.

Abstract Recognition of a worldwide increase of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and cross-resistance to other classes of antimicrobials have placed a great urgency on the need for new antimicrobial agents. Sparfloxacin, a novel pyridone carboxylic acid fluoroquinolone derivative was evaluated and compared to six other compounds for antimicrobial activity against erythromycin-resistant pneumococci (50 strains). The Etest susceptibility testing method was used to inoculate Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood. There was extensive cross-resistance between erythromycin, clarithromycin (94%), and azithromycin (100%), but no cross-resistance was detected between macrolides/azalides and sparfloxacin (all strains susceptible at ⩽1.0 μg/ml). Sparfloxacin (MIC 90 , 1 μg/ml) was four-fold more active than ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin (MIC 90 , 4 μg/ml). Sparfloxacin appears to possess excellent in vitro activity against erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae that were often highly resistant to beta-lactams, and further studies are recommended to investigate its in vivo efficacy against these multi-resistant organisms.
Stretchable multilayer self-aligned interconnects fabricated using excimer laser photoablation and in situ masking

Stretchable interconnects are essential to large-area flexible circuits and large-area sensor array systems, and they play an important role towards the realization of the realm of systems which include wearable electronics, sensor arrays for structural health monitoring, and sensor skins for tactile feedback. These interconnects must be reliable and robust for viability, and must be flexible, stretchable, and conformable to non-planar surfaces. This research describes the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of stretchable interconnects on polymer substrates using metal patterns both as functional interconnect layers and as in-situ masks for excimer laser photoablation. Excimer laser photoablation is often used for patterning of polymers and thin-film metals. The fluences for photoablation of polymers are generally much lower than the threshold fluence for removal or damage of high-thermallyconductive metals; thus, metal thin films can be used as in-situ masks for polymers if the proper fluence is used. Selfaligned single-layer and multi-layer interconnects of various designs (rectilinear and 'meandering') have been fabricated, and certain 'meandering' interconnect designs can be stretched up to 50% uniaxially while maintaining good electrical conductivity and structural integrity. These results are compared with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models and are observed to be in good accordance with them. This fabrication approach eliminates masks and microfabrication processing steps as compared to traditional fabrication approaches; furthermore, this technology is scalable for large-area sensor arrays and electronic circuits, adaptable for a variety of materials and interconnects designs, and compatible with MEMS-based capacitive sensor technology.
Effect of CCL4-induced cirrhosis on the pathophysiologic course of acute myocardial infarction in nonarteriosclerotic vs arteriosclerotic male rats.

Arteriosclerotic and nonarteriosclerotic rats were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) to induce cirrhosis of the liver. Massive myocardial infarction was then induced in intact and CCL4-treated animals. During acute necrosis (Days 1 thru 3), animals were killed at 4, 8, 12 and 24 h on Days 1 and 2, and during myocardial repair on Days 4, 5 and 8. During the induction of cirrhosis, animals developed polydypsia, polyuria, and hyperglycemia; during myocardial infarction, the arteriosclerotic + cirrhotic animals developed severe and persistent congestive heart failure, i.e., hydrothorax. Adrenal and thymus gland weights and corticosterone levels indicated that cirrhosis per se increased pituitary--adrenal activity, particularly in arteriosclerotic animals. Enzyme levels of SGOT and SGPT demonstrated severe hepatic damage due to cirrhosis and acute myocardial infarction. Blood triglycerides and cholesterol responded abnormally in cirrhotic animals during acute myocardial ischemia due to their entrapment within hepatic cells. The cirrhotic animals manifested poor myocardial repair with persistent foci of necrosis, calcification, and a high incidence of large, occlusive, atrial thrombi. It is suggested that cirrhosis interferes with lipid metabolism and adrenal steroid conjugation leading to abnormal levels of mineralocorticoids which favor congestive heart failure, poor myocardial repair, and atrial thrombosis.
Effect of a Fluctuating Milking Vacuum on Certain Measures of Udder Health

Summary A floor-type milking machine was altered by substitution of a motor-driven nylon petcock for the conventional one. In this way, the level of vacuum in the teat cups was made to vary between 7 and 15 in. of mercury at a rate of 53 vacuum fluctuations per minute. Two trials, each utilizing 12 cows, were conducted. The test periods were of 21 and 26 days' duration, and each followed preliminary standardization periods. In each trial, two cases of clinical mastitis developed among the six cows milked with the altered machine. California Mastitis Test scores on milk produced by the experimental cows rose significantly, as compared with scores on milk from control animals. Direct leucocyte count of the milk also increased, due mainly to the mastitic cows. Hotis tests, on milks produced in Trial II, indicated little change in reactions, other than a marked increase in alkalinity of the milk from experimental cows. There was little difference in amounts of milk produced by control and experimental animals. A longer time was required to milk with the variable vacuum machine.
Evaluation and Performance: A Two-Edged Knife

Social loafing research has shown that participants working together put out less effort than participants working individually (Latane, Williams, & Harkins, 1979), apparently a result of the fact that evaluation is not possible when outputs are pooled (Harkins & Jackson, 1985). On the other hand, research on creativity (e.g., Amabile, 1979), suggests that minimizing the expectation of evaluation facilitates performance. In the present study, treatment conditions typically used in social loafing and creativity research were incorporated in a single design. Participants were asked either to generate as many uses as possible for a common object or to generate uses that were as creative as possible. Participants were also led to believe either that their outputs could be evaluated or that their outputs would be pooled with those of others. The performance of participants given number instructions was facilitated by the prospect of evaluation. However, when asked to be creative, participants whose outputs were pooled performed better than participants whose outputs could be evaluated. These data suggest that on tasks that require creativity, conditions that are thought to lead to "loafing" can have the opposite effect.
Running the Windows P2P Infrastructure on Mobile Phones

The recent desktop versions of Windows (XP SP2 and Vista) include a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) infrastructure that simplifies the development and deployment of true P2P applications. We have ported the latest version of this infrastructure to Windows Embedded CE 5.0, which is the underlying OS for Windows Mobile 5.0. To our knowledge, this is the first native implementation of a P2P infrastructure for Windows Mobile. This paper provides a short overview of the infrastructure and design considerations when running P2P applications on mobile phones. For demonstration purposes, we have developed a community-based photo sharing and chat application that solely uses the P2P infrastructure for communication. We will demonstrate the ease of creating P2P communities in an ad-hoc manner, and the interoperability between Windows Mobile and Windows Vista.
Genetic control of individual differences in gene-specific methylation in human brain.

We have observed extensive interindividual differences in DNA methylation of 8590 CpG sites of 6229 genes in 153 human adult cerebellum samples, enriched in CpG island “shores” and at further distances from CpG islands. To search for genetic factors that regulate this variation, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) mapping of methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTLs) for the 8590 testable CpG sites. cis association refers to correlation of methylation with SNPs within 1 Mb of a CpG site. 736 CpG sites showed phenotype-wide significant cis association with 2878 SNPs (after permutation correction for all tested markers and methylation phenotypes). In trans analysis of methylation, which tests for distant regulation effects, associations of 12 CpG sites and 38 SNPs remained significant after phenotype-wide correction. To examine the functional effects of mQTLs, we analyzed 85 genes that were with genetically regulated methylation we observed and for which we had quality gene expression data. Ten genes showed SNP-methylation-expression three-way associations—the same SNP simultaneously showed significant association with both DNA methylation and gene expression, while DNA methylation was significantly correlated with gene expression. Thus, we demonstrated that DNA methylation is frequently a heritable continuous quantitatively variable trait in human brain. Unlike allele-specific methylation, genetic polymorphisms mark both cis- and trans-regulatory genetic sites at measurable distances from their CpG sites. Some of the genetically regulated DNA methylation is directly connected with genetically regulated gene expression variation.
Mapping the Broad CMY Subtractive Primary Color Gamut Using a Dual-Active Electrochromic Device

Although synthetic efforts have been fruitful in coarse color control, variations to an electrochromic polymer (ECP) backbone are less likely to allow for the fine control necessary to access the variations and shades of color needed in display applications. Through the use of thin films of cyan, magenta, and yellow ECPs, non-emissive subtractive color mixing allows the color of an electrochromic device (ECD) to be selected and tailored, increasing access to various subtle shades and allowing for a non-emissive display to exhibit a wide range of colors. Using a dual-active ECD, subtractive color mixing utilizing the cyan-magenta-yellow (CMY) primary system was examined. The bounds of the gamut, or the subset of accessible colors, using these three 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (PProDOT)-derived materials in combination with the recently recognized 3,4-propylenedioxypyrrole-based minimally color changing polymer (MCCP) were mapped, highlighting the benefit of applying subtractive color mixing toward the development of full-color non-emissive displays. Here, we demonstrate that ECPs are suitable for the generation of a wide gamut of colors through secondary mixing when layered as two distinct films, exhibiting both vibrantly colored and highly transmissive states.
Expression, two-dimensional crystallization, and electron cryo-crystallography of recombinant gap junction membrane channels.

Abstract We used electron cryo-microscopy and image analysis to examine frozen-hydrated, two-dimensional (2D) crystals of a recombinant, 30-kDa C-terminal truncation mutant of the cardiac gap junction channel formed by 43-kDa α 1 connexin. To our knowledge this is the first example of a structural analysis of a membrane protein that has been accomplished using microgram amounts of starting material. The recombinant α 1 connexin was expressed in a stably transfected line of baby hamster kidney cells and spontaneously assembled gap junction plaques. Detergent treatment with Tween 20 and 1,2-diheptanoyl- sn -phosphocholine resulted in well-ordered 2D crystals. A three-dimensional density (3D) map with an in-plane resolution of ∼7.5 A revealed that each hexameric connexon was formed by 24 closely packed rods of density, consistent with an α-helical conformation for the four transmembrane domains of each connexin subunit. In the extracellular gap the aqueous channel was bounded by a continuous wall of protein that formed a tight electrical and chemical seal to exclude exchange of substances with the extracellular milieu.
A thrombin-like enzyme from timber rattlesnake venom.

Abstract The procoagulant component has been purified from timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus horridus) venom by DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography followed by affinity chromatography on immobilized p-aminobenzamidine and a final DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. As obtained, the procoagulant gave a single band of Mr 29 500 ± 2000 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis whether or not the sample was reduced prior to electrophoresis. Schiff's stain indicated the presence of some carbohydrate. The procoagulant showed one predominant and four minor bands on discontinuous gel electrophoresis. All caused fibrinogen solutions to clot. Treatment of the preparation with neuraminidase did not cause the minor bands to comigrate with the major band. Amino acid analysis revealed the presence of eight half-cystines, all of which were present as cystines in the intact molecule. The procoagulant has 13 tryptophans per molecule and an extinction coefficient for a 1% solution at 280 nm of 26.3. This venom procoagulant was found to induce clotting by catalyzing the hydrolysis of only the A fibrinopeptide from the Aα-chain of fibrinogen. It was not inhibited by protein trypsin inhibitors, N-ethylmaleimide or dithiothreitol, but it was inactivated by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, indicating an active-center serine. The procoagulant catalyzed the release of negligible acid-soluble peptides from bovine serum albumin, casein and hemoglobin.
Migration and function of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in the hematolymphoid system

FoxP3+ T cells play critical roles in regulation of the hematolymphoid system and prevention of autoimmunity. Many FoxP3+ T cells, generated in thymus as the result of T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of self antigens, preferentially migrate to secondary lymphoid tissues such as lymph nodes and spleen in a manner similar to conventional naive T cells. FoxP3+ T cells differentiated in the periphery acquire homing phenotype to bone marrow and nonlymphoid tissues. Consistently, lymphoid- and nonlymphoid-tissue-homing FoxP3+ T cell subsets express different trafficking and chemokine receptors. FoxP3+ T cells regulate hematopoiesis by limiting the activation of immune cells and their production of hematopoietic cytokines available for stem and progenitor cells. In mice deficient in FoxP3+ T cells, aberrant regulation of hematopoiesis including excessive myelopoiesis occurs. In transplantation of allogenic hematopoietic cells, FoxP3+ T cells selectively suppress harmful graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) but leave beneficial graft-vs-leukemia (GVL) activity intact. Therefore, FoxP3+ T cells play essential roles in regulation of the hematolymphoid system in health and diseases, and are likely to be utilized as effective therapeutics for many diseases in the hematolymphoid system in the future.
Effects of vanadium on different adenosinetriphosphatases and binding of 3H‐labeled ouabain and calcium‐45 to rat brain synaptosomes

The effect of vanadium chloride on rat brain synaptosomal adenosinetriphosphatase (A TPase) activities was determined in vitro and in rats treated at 1 mg/kg‐d ip and 10 mg/kg‐d po for 10 d. Additional experiments were conducted to determine the effect of vanadium chloride on binding of [ 3 H]ouabain and 45 Ca to rat brain synaptosomes. Na+ + K+‐ and Ca 2+ ‐A TPase activities were inhibited significantly in a concentration‐dependent manner by V in vitro. Mg 2+ ‐ATPase inhibition was neither dose‐dependent nor significant except at 10 −5 M. Na + + K + ‐A TPase inhibition by V was more pronounced than that of other A TPases studied. Vanadium inhibited [ 3 H]ouabain binding to synaptosomes by 90% at 10 −3 M; the inhibition was concentration‐dependent. Binding of 45 Co was inhibited 50% at 10 −4 M; but concentration‐dependent inhibition was not evident. Rats treated with vanadium chloride neither became myotonic nor showed any changes in ATPase activities or binding of [ 3 Hjouabain and 45 Ca to brain synapto...
Bending Membranes on Demand: Fluid Phospholipid Bilayers on Topographically Deformable Substrates

We combine hierarchical surface wrinkling of elastomers with lipid membrane deposition techniques to dynamically template complex three-dimensional topographies onto supported lipid bilayers. The real-time introduction of corresponding nano- to micrometer scale curvatures triggers spatially periodic, elastic bending of the bilayer, accompanied by molecular-level reorganizations. This ability to dynamically impose curvatures on supported bilayers and the ensuing re-equilibration promises fundamental material and biophysical investigations of curvature-dependent, static heterogeneities and dynamic reorganizations pervasive in biological membranes.
Moiré pattern reduction by using special designed parallax barrier in an autostereoscopic display

The moire pattern is caused by the spatial interference of two regular pattern structures. In the case of an autostereoscopic display, it's caused by the overlap of the parallax barrier and the black matrix among pixels of FPD. To minimize the moire effect, we simulate the relationship of brightness distribution and various design parameters of the parallax barrier. According to the simulation results, a combination of multiple parameters was chose to obtain a moire free autostereoscopic display based on the concept of mutual compensation among the design parameters. After the detailed simulation, experiments of the final design were made to verify the performance of the display.
Scaling parallels in the non-Debye dielectric relaxation of ionic glasses and dipolar supercooled liquids

We compare the dielectric response of ionic glasses and dipolar liquids near the glass transition. Our work is divided into two parts. In the first section we examine ionic glasses and the two prominent approaches to analyzing the dielectric response. The conductivity of ion-conducting glasses displays a power law dispersion $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega})\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{n},$ where $n\ensuremath{\approx}0.67,$ but frequently the dielectric response is analyzed using the electrical modulus ${M}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})=1/{\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega}),$ where ${\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})=\ensuremath{\varepsilon}(\ensuremath{\omega})\ensuremath{-}i\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega})/\ensuremath{\omega}$ is the complex permittivity. We reexamine two specific examples where the shape of ${M}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ changes in response to changes in (a) temperature and (b) ion concentration, to suggest fundamental changes in ion dynamics are occurring. We show, however, that these changes in the shape of ${M}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ occur in the absence of changes in the scaling properties of $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}),$ for which $n$ remains constant. In the second part, we examine the dielectric relaxation found in dipolar liquids, for which ${\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ likewise exhibits changes in shape on approach to the glass transition. Guided by similarities of ${M}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ in ionic glasses and ${\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ in dipolar liquids, we demonstrate that a recent scaling approach proposed by Dixon and co-workers for ${\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ of dipolar relaxation also appears valid for ${M}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ in the ionic case. While this suggests that the Dixon scaling approach is more universal than previously recognized, we demonstrate how the dielectric response can be scaled in a linear manner using an alternative data representation.
Searches for nonminimal Higgs bosons from a virtual Z decaying into a muon pair at the SLAC e+e- storage ring PEP.

Nonminimal neutral Higgs bosons decaying into a muon pair were searched for using the Mark II detector at the SLAC ${e}^{+}$${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ collider PEP at \ensuremath{\surd}s =29 GeV. A neutral scalar Higgs boson ${H}_{s}^{0}$ can be produced accompanied by a pseudoscalar neutral Higgs boson ${H}_{p}^{0}$ via a virtual ${Z}^{0}$. If the mass of one of the Higgs bosons is between the muon pair threshold and the kaon pair threshold, it may decay predominantly into a muon pair. We looked for muon pair+jet(s) [${e}^{+}$${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow}${H}_{s}^{0}$${H}_{p}^{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}$${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+qq\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} (${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{+}$${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$)] and three-muon-pair [${e}^{+}$${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${H}_{s}^{0}$${H}_{p}^{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3 (${H}_{p}^{0}$)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3(${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}$${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$)] topologies. We found no evidence for these signals above the known background level, and we obtained limits on \ensuremath{\Gamma}(${Z}^{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${H}_{s}^{0}$${H}_{p}^{0}$) as a function of the Higgs-boson masses.
Development of a plaque reduction assay and application to the study of psoralen-damaged DNA.

— We have developed a procedure called a plaque reduction assay to assess the biological activity of duplex circular DNA modified by covalent adduct formation with psoralen derivatives. The replicating form (RF) of bacteriophage DNA modified by photochemical addition of a psoralen derivative was introduced into bacterial cells using the CaCI2 transfection method. The transfected cells. plated upon a confluent lawn of cells permissive for the bacteriophage in the inoculum, provided a measure of the reduction in infectivity of the RF DNA which resulted from its covalent modification. Use of this assay is illustrated in studies which screened and compared the activities of several recently synthesized psoralen derivatives. We describe two new compounds. β-(8-psoralenoxy)-ethanol and β-(8-psoralenoxy)ethylamine that are significantly more active than either 8-methoxypsoralen or trioxsalen in the biological assay
Prevention of disease progression, left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure in hypertension treatment trials.

Objectives. This work was done to determine the role of hypertension treatment in the prevention of disease progression, left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure. Background. Lowering of blood pressure in hypertensive patients has been reported to reduce morbidity and mortality from strokes and myocardial infarction. Data on primary prevention of disease progression, left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure have not previously been carefully quantified. Methods. All the major long-term hypertension treatment trials over the past 20 years were reviewed. Results. One thousand four hundred ninety-three of 13,342 subjects in the control groups compared with only 95 of 13,389 in the treated groups progressed from less severe to severe hypertension. The incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy in treated compared with control or placebo subjects was 140 of 6,150 and 216 of 6,098 subjects, respectively; congestive heart failure occurred in 240 of 6,923 subjects in the control group compared with only 112 of 6,914 treated subjects. Conclusions. The lowering of blood pressure over a 3- to 5-year period of time is effective in preventing severe disease, left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure in addition to strokes and myocardial infarction. In an era when expensive and often complicated methods are being used to prevent recurrence of congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction, it is important to highlight the role of antihypertensive therapy in primary prevention.
Differential effects of central and peripheral injection of interleukin-1β on brain c-fos expression and neuroendocrine functions

Cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) alter the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes in the rat. However, the brain sites at which IL-1 beta exerts these effects have not been well identified. The present study sought to identify some of these sites, using c-fos protein expression as an index of cellular activation. We also attempted to determine possible differences between the effects of peripheral and central injection of IL-1 beta on the activation of specific brain areas. Castrated male rats received intravenous (i.v.) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of IL-1 beta through a jugular catheter or a permanent cannula implanted in the right lateral ventricle, respectively. Blood samples were taken before, as well as 30 and 120 min after i.v. or i.c.v. IL-1 beta infusion in order to measure plasma ACTH and LH levels. Immediately thereafter, the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital, then perfused. Their brains were removed and postfixed for one hour. Thirty-microns frozen sections were cut and approximately every fourth tissue section was processed for c-fos expression by an avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. Both i.v. (1 microgram) and i.c.v. (100 ng) injection of IL-1 beta significantly increased plasma ACTH levels, but only i.c.v. treatment measurably inhibited LH secretion. I.c.v. infusion of the cytokine markedly augmented c-fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus. A large amount of CRF cells in the PVN contained labelled c-fos protein (as measured by a double labelling technique), which indicates that CRF perikarya in this hypothalamic region are activated by the central administration of IL-1 beta. In contrast, i.v. injection of IL-1 beta did not significantly alter c-fos expression in the PVN or the ARC of the hypothalamus. These results suggest that the increased HPA axis activity which follows the peripheral IL-1 beta administration, a phenomenon previously shown to depend on endogenous CRF, does not require immediate activation of hypothalamic CRF perikarya. Thus our results indicate that the stimulatory effect of blood-born cytokine may be exerted at the level of nerve terminals in the median eminence. In contrast, i.c.v.-injected IL-1 beta appears to activate the HPA axis through a stimulation of CRF neurons within the parvocellular part of PVN.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Sociobiology of Rhesus Monkeys Iii: the Basic Communication Network

The observed distribution among age-sex classes of socially significant behavior in free-ranging rhesus monkeys on Cayo Santiago was tested against a series of progressively stronger null hypotheses. The first hypothesis was of purely random interactions, in which it was assumed that all individuals were equally likely to interact, all were as likely to be actor as to be object of any social signal, and all chose their social partners at random. This model proved untenable. In particular, adult males and females interacted with each other much more often than expected from the random model, and adult males interacted more often than expected with other males, both adult and juvenile. Juvenile females tended to interact relatively infrequently with other animals of any age-sex class. Adult males and juveniles of both sexes seldom interacted with infants. A second model, which took into account these age changes and sex differences in reactivity, but ignored the possibility of social preferences and assumed that interactions could be predicted from the overall reactivity or sociability of the monkeys involved, was also inadequate to account for the observed results. Apparently rhesus social behavior not only changes with age and differs with sex, but also is affected by "attractions" and "repulsions" within the group. The result was frequent interaction between adult males and females, between adult females and infants, and among juvenile males. Juvenile females, despite their general nonsociability, were apparently attracted to juvenile males, with whom they intracted more often than expected. Males, both adult and juvenile, tended to avoid infants, and vice versa. Adult males tended to avoid and to be avoided by juveniles of both sexes. Finally, the effects on paired interactions of these age changes, sex differences attractions and repulsions constitute a new model expressed in the form of an action constant and a receptivity constant for each age-sex class, and two interaction constants for each pair of age-sex classes. A method is given for extrapolating the results to populations with other compositions.
Hepatic arachidonic acid metabolism following in vitro perfusion and endotoxin administration.

Abstract Bacterial endotoxins have been shown to stimulate prostanoid production in vivo . This study compares the effect of endotoxin administered in vivo and in vitro on hepatic14C arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. Livers were perfused with either buffer, buffer containing endotoxin, or buffer containing endotoxin plus meclofenamate. Liver slices were then incubated with 14C AA, extracted, and chromatographed. In buffer perfused livers, 72 ± 8 percent of the14C label post incubation was associated with arachidonic acid. This was in contrast to nonperfused, fresh liver slices where 98 ± 1 percent of the 14C label remained as arachidonic acid. Slices taken from perfused livers which received endotoxin in vitro had 72 ± 9% of the label associated with AA. Meclofenamate treatment increased this percentage to 97 ± 1%. Fresh liver slices incubated with endotoxin in vitro for 10 minutes demonstrated no significant increase in AA metabolism when compared to fresh slices. These data demonstrate that fresh liver slices metabolize very little exogenous AA. In contrast, the perfusion procedure alone is a significant stimulus for enhancing arachidonic acid metabolism. Subjecting liver tissue to endotoxin in vitro or in vivo for a one hour period is not a significant stimulus for enhanced AA metabolism
Parental concerns, provider response, and timeliness of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

Objectives To assess differences between child age at first parental concern and age at first parental discussion of concerns with a health care provider among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) vs those with intellectual disability/developmental delay (ID/DD), and to assess whether provider response to parental concerns is associated with delays in ASD diagnosis. Study design Using nationally representative data from the 2011 Survey of Pathways to Diagnosis and Treatment, we compared child age at parent's first developmental concern with age at first discussion of concerns with a provider, and categorized provider response as proactive or reassuring/passive, among 1420 children with ASD and 2098 children with ID/DD. In the children with ASD, we tested the association between provider response type and years of diagnostic delay. Results Compared with children with ID/DD, children with ASD were younger when parents first had concerns and first discussed those concerns with a provider. Compared with parents of children with ID/DD, parents of children with ASD were less likely to receive proactive responses to their concerns and more likely to receive reassuring/passive responses. Among children with ASD, those with more proactive provider responses to concerns had shorter delays in ASD diagnosis compared with those with passive/reassuring provider responses. Conclusion Although parents of children with ASD have early concerns, delays in diagnosis are common, particularly when providers' responses are reassuring or passive, highlighting the need for targeted improvements in primary care.
Influence of arsenic exposure and smoking on lung cancer among smelter workers: a pilot study

A pilot study of 300 smelter workers from the cohort reported by Lee and Fraumeni [1969] has been studied: 150 men from their heavy exposure group and 150 men from the rest of the cohort randomly selected. Usable smoking habits were obtained from 86% of the sample. Estimates of the total lifetime work exposure were made from available measurements. A very high risk of lung cancer (SMR 1429) was observed among the most heavily exposed workers. Excess risks, though still present, were much less in those with lower exposures. There was a lower proportion of nonsmokers among the heavily exposed arsenic workers than among the other workers. This suggests that there may be some interaction between smoking and arsenic exposure. Moreover, comparison of smoking habits reported by smelter workers suggested that, as a group, they smoked more heavily than average for the United States population. A small study of proxy smoking histories suggested that these were valid and unbiased. The work continues on an enlarged sample.
Three finite-element time-domain-based numerical algorithms for high-frequency broadband PCB simulations

As the operating frequency and integration level of integrated circuits (IC) increase, full-wave analysis algorithms are needed to accurately simulate the arising electromagnetic phenomena. The finite-element time-domain (FETD) method has become an attractive candidate for this simulation due to its advantages in modeling complex geometries and materials, conducting transient analyses, and performing broadband characterizations. Three FETD-based numerical algorithms, including the original FETD method, the dual-field domain-decomposition (DFDD) method, and the discontinuous Galerkin time-domain (DGTD) method, are investigated and applied to the simulation of printed circuit board (PCB) structures to demonstrate their accuracies and capabilities.