cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of Interaction of the Glutamate Transporter EAAC1 with K

Forward glutamate transport by the excitatory amino acid carrier EAAC1 is coupled to the inward movement of three Na+ and one H+, and the outward movement of one K+ ion. Internal K+ is known to bind to the transporter after glutamate and Na+ are unloaded to the cytosol, subsequently initiating relocation of the transporter binding sites to complete the transport cycle. However, parameters of K+ interaction with EAAC1, such as affinity and voltage dependence, are currently unknown. Here, we determined the steady-state and pre-steady state kinetics of the interaction of K+ with its extracellular binding site, and the subsequent K+ transport step, by using transport current recording from EAAC1-transfected cells. Our results show that K+ binds to its extracellular binding site with high affinity (Km = 4.5 mM). K+ affinity is only weakly voltage dependent. However, transient transport currents were observed in response to steps of the transmembrane potential when K+ was the only cation present. These currents were capacitive in nature and the charge movement followed a Boltzmann-like voltage dependence. Together, these results suggest that the cation binding process senses little of the transmembrane electric field, but that a subsequent K+-induced reaction step, possibly the K+-dependent transporter relocation, is electrogenic. The rate constant of the voltage dependent step was 70 s−1. This result is consistent with previous data that suggested the K+-induced relocation to be the rate-limiting step in the transport cycle. We propose a kinetic model, which is based on an alternating access mechanism, including a fast, voltage-independent K+ binding step and a slow, electrogenic conformational change. Our model can be used to predict the kinetics of the K+-dependent half-cycle of the glutamate transport process.This work was supported by NIH grant 2R01NS049335-06A1.
Interpretation of Left Ventricular Wall Motion During Stress Testing

This article describes the obstacles to stress echocardiographic interpretation, and reviews the techniques currently available that offer a more objective approach to stress wall motion analysis than the conventional visual methodology. These techniques include Doppler-based methods, such as myocardial Doppler velocity and strain rate imaging, as well as automated border detection techniques, such as acoustic quantification and color kinesis. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, October 2003)
Mechanisms for Increased Levels of Phosphorylation of Elongation Factor-2 during Hibernation in Ground Squirrels†

Previously, eEF-2 phosphorylation has been identified as a reversible mechanism involved in the inhibition of the elongation phase of translation. In this study, an increased level of phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF-2) was observed in the brains and livers of hibernating ground squirrels. In brain and liver from hibernators, eEF-2 kinase activity was increased relative to that of active animals. The activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a phosphatase that dephosphorylates eEF-2, was also decreased in brain and liver from hibernators. This was associated with an increase in the level of inhibitor 2 of PP2A (I(2)(PP2A)), although there was an increase in the level of the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2A/C) in hibernating brains and livers. These results indicate that eEF-2 phosphorylation represents a specific and previously uncharacterized mechanism for inhibition of the elongation phase of protein synthesis during hibernation. Increased levels of eEF-2 phosphorylation in hibernators appear to be a component of the regulated shutdown of cellular functions that permits hibernating animals to tolerate severe reductions in cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery capacity.
Laser Alignment as a Route to Ultrafast Control of Electron Transport through Junctions

We consider the extension of ultrafast laser alignment schemes to surface-adsorbed molecules, where the laser field coerces the molecule to reorient itself relative to the surface. When probed by a scanning tunneling microscope tip, this reorientation modifies the tip-molecule distance, and thus the tunneling current, suggesting a route to an ultrafast, nanoscale current switch. In addition to exploring the controllability of adsorbed molecules by moderately intense laser fields and discussing the fundamental differences of alignment behavior between surface-adsorbed molecules and gas phase molecules, we computationally investigate the quality of orientation with respect to field intensity, field duration, and the location of the tip. Overall, the molecule moves directly to its oriented configuration, which is reasonably insensitive to the tip location. These results collectively suggest the efficacy of using laser alignment schemes to control electron transport through junctions.
Visible Feature Return at Object Resolution

One scan-line sweep across a scene detects and reconstructs the visible portions of all polygons for fast rendering on high-resolution devices.
Phase equilibria of polymer‐solvent systems at high pressures near their critical loci: Polyethylene with n‐alkanes

Above the crystallization temperature slightly branched polyethylene and propane are miscible in all proportions above a critical pressure, defined as upper critical solution pressure (UCSP). This pressure decreases only very slightly from 110 to 150°C. At 110°C. the UCSP varies from 450 atm. for a polymer fraction of molecular weight 17,000, to 580 atm. for one of molecular weight 250,000. The critical polymer concentrations are low as in conventional polymer-solvent systems and shift with molecular weight in a similar manner. The pressures required to achieve solubility of the polymer in the gas at polymer concentrations less than critical (dew-point pressures) are nearly as high as the UCSP down to very low polymer concentrations. The data determine part of the critical locus in (P, T, composition) space. Experiments with other polyethylene-n-alkane systems (ethane, butane, and pentane) show that the critical locus changes gradually from a liquid-liquid to a gas-liquid boundary and might be termed a fluid-liquid locus. If crystallization of polymer does not intervene, this locus intersects the saturated vapor pressure curve at a lower critical end point (LCEP) which is the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) found only recently by Freeman and Rowlinson in many hydrocarbon polymers with hydrocarbon solvents. Incomplete miscibility extends over greater regions of temperature and pressure as the solvent molecule becomes smaller, but the critical locus would probably be closed along the pressure axis for a hypothetical amorphous polymethylene with ethane.
Quantification of Ontogenetic Transitions during the Early Life of a Flatfish, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) (Pleuronectiformes Scophthalmidae)

Abstract Patterns of morphological and behavioral transition during the early ontogeny of windowpane, Scophthalmus aquosus, were quantified to examine the sizes (total length, TL) at which ontogenetic events took place. One of seven categorical transitions (i.e., flexion) and eight of 15 meristic and morphometric transitions (e.g., fin ray and pterygiophore development) occurred between 5 and 10 mm TL. Over 50% of the morphological characters examined were at intermediate stages of development when windowpane were between 10 and 30 mm TL (e.g., eye migration, pelvic fin asymmetry, squamation). The transitional morphology exhibited over this size range coincided with a period of behavioral transition (i.e., pelagic to demersal). By the time windowpane had reached 50 mm TL, morphological transition in all characters was complete and windowpane were capable of burying completely in substrate. Size-independent measures of variability (coefficients of variation, CVs) in character transitions were similar acros...
Nonlinear dynamics of endothelial cells

We propose a mathematical model that governs endothelial cell pattern formation on a biogel surface. The model accounts for diffusion and chemotactic motion of the cells, diffusion of the growth factor and effective biochemical reactions. The model admits a basic steady state that corresponds to a spatially uniform distribution of both the cells and the growth factor. We perform a weakly nonlinear stability analysis of the basic state in order to determine whether spatially nonuniform steady patterns can appear in the system when the basic state becomes unstable. The main results can be summarized as follows. No steady patterns can bifurcate from the basic state if the rate of decay of the growth factor is small. Increasing the rate of decay of the growth factor allows one to observe steady patterns, provided that diffusion of the growth factor is sufficiently slow. Specifically, the work focuses on the occurrence of hexagons and stripes. Most often hexagons are observed. In order for stripes to occur, the chemotactic sensitivity of the endothelial cells and/or their biochemical activity have to be reduced.
Hypercontractivity and spectral gap of symmetric diffusions with applications to the stochastic ising models

Abstract We describe some results relating the spectral gap and logarithmic Sobolev constants. We work initially in the context of symmetric diffusions on a finite dimensional manifold and later apply our results to the analysis of certain infinite systems of mildly interacting diffusions.
Disparities in Health Information Quality Across the Rural---Urban Continuum: Where is Coded Data More Reliable?

The growing application of evidence-based medicine practices across US healthcare has created greater dependence on information resources, especially related to quality and consistency of data. The manipulation of data through coding and classification of patient information presents a critical process where the quality of information, as well as perceived quality of care, could potentially suffer. Where recent regulatory standards, such as HIPAA, create additional requirements for consistency in coding of health information, it becomes apparent that meaningful health outcomes assessment is, in part, an indicator of data quality as well as clinical quality. In a national survey of 16,000+ accredited health information managers we found most respondents reported that significant coding errors existed in 5% or less of the records in their institutions. Within specific organizations, however, coding errors existed in six to ten percent of their records, and at times exceeded 20%. Regional variation in reported coding error and inconsistency ranged widely, occurring across organizations as well as population concentrations. Metropolitan-based organizations tended to have somewhat worse reported overall coding accuracy, compared to suburban and rural areas. At a national level there will need to be some degree of coding and classification uniformity across population areas, if healthcare professionals are expected to rely on comparative evidence benchmarks to fully assess medical outcomes data. Related impacts on comparative cost and clinical performance assessment are discussed.
Conformational states and dynamics of rhodopsin in micelles and bilayers.

Nitroxide sensors were placed in rhodopsin at sites 140, 227, 250, and 316 to monitor the dynamics and conformation of the receptor at the cytoplasmic surface in solutions of dodecyl maltoside (DM), digitonin, and phospholipid bilayers of two compositions. The EPR spectra reveal a remarkable similarity of rhodopsin structure and the activating conformational change in DM and bilayers, the hallmark of which is an outward tilt of transmembrane helix VI. This conformational change is blocked in solutions of digitonin, although changes in optical absorbance accompany activation, showing that absorbance and structural changes are not necessarily coupled. In DM and bilayers, the receptor is apparently in equilibrium between conformational substates whose populations are modulated by activation. Despite the general similarity in the two environments, the receptor conformations have increased flexibility in DM relative to bilayers. For the activated receptor in DM and bilayers, a pH-dependent conformational equil...
Is Facilitating Pancreatic Beta Cell Regeneration a Valid Option for Clinical Therapy

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which the clinical onset most frequently presents in adolescents who are genetically predisposed. There is accumulating evidence that the endocrine pancreas has regenerative properties, that hematopoietic chimerism can abrogate destruction of beta cells in autoimmune diabetes, and that, in this manner, physiologically sufficient endogenous insulin production can be restored in clinically diabetic NOD mice. Recapitulating what also has been seen sporadically in humans, we set out to test reliable and clinically translatable alternatives able to achieve these same goals. Recently, Tian and colleagues demonstrated that T1D can be prevented in genetically susceptible mice by substituting a "diabetes-susceptible" class II MHC beta chain with a "diabetes-resistant" allelic transgene on their hematopoietic stem cells through gene supplantation. The expression of the newly formed diabetes-resistant molecule in the reinfused hematopoietic cells was sufficient to prevent T1D onset even in the presence of the native, diabetogenic molecule. If this approach to obtain autoimmunity abrogation could facilitate a possible recovery of autologous insulin production in diabetic patients, safe induction of an autoimmunity-free status might become a new promising therapy for T1D.
A qualitative study of the meaning of fatherhood among young urban fathers.

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the beliefs, attitudes, and needs young men have regarding their role as a father. Design and Sample: Exploratory, descriptive, qualitative design. Young fathers/young expectant fathers were recruited from service sites within a city in Massachusetts. Men were considered young fathers/young expectant fathers if they were or would be <20 years old at the birth of a first child or the mother of their baby was or would be <20 years old at the baby's birth and the young man was <25 years old. Measures: Participants were interviewed utilizing open-ended questions, which included the following: the characteristics of good fathers, goals/needs for self and child, and whether or not they planned to raise the child as their father raised them and why. Results: Responses regarding fathering clustered into the following themes: being available; providing support; and self-improvement, including completing education and becoming a positive role model. Forty-seven percent believed that being employed or finishing school would help them be better fathers; 77% reported they would not raise their child as their own father had raised them, citing physical and/or emotional abuse/abandonment. Conclusions: Young men in this study identified several challenges to being “good” fathers. These included lack of employment, education, and positive role models.
EFFECT OF SEAL PACKAGING ON CONSUMER EVALUATION OF GRAPEFRUIT

The effects of sealing grapefruit in plastic film of low density polyolefin on consumer's evaluations of the taste of grapefruits was studied. Consumers evaluated five different treatments of grapefruit: (1) sealed, packing house treated, waxed, (2) sealed, packing house treated without being waxed, (3) packing house treated, not sealed, (4) washed, field-run not waxed and not sealed. (5) the same as (1) above with the sealing removed just before the evaluation study. The results indicate that sealing works best with grapefruit which are not waxed and that sealing does not negatively affect the sensory quality of grapefruit. Sealing conveys positive information to consumers about the fruit and enhances its taste image.
1H and 31P NMR spectral analysis of the cis-trans equilibria of [NiX2(Cy2PH)2] complexes: [AMY2]2 Spin Systems

Abstract Analysis of 1H and 31P NMR of cis and trans isomers of {NiI2[(C6H11)2PH]2}, {NiBr2[(C6H11)2PH]2}, and of cis-{NiCl2[(C6H11)2PH]2} is reported. Assignment of coupling constants in these compounds as [AMY2]2, spin systems and use of these assignments (particularly 2JP−P′) in distinguishing cis and trans forms are discussed. The temperature dependence of the cis-trans equilibria of the bromide and iodide complexes, followed by the 31P spectra, is used to calculate thermodynamic constants for the isomerization.
Applications of quantum cascade lasers in chemical sensing

We show new results in modulating and modifying Quantum Cascade (QC) lasers to make them more suitable for chemical sensing spectroscopy. Spectroscopy results using QC lasers are demonstrated with whispering gallery mode CaF_2 disc/ball, saturated absorption in hollow waveguide and direct chemical analysis in water.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control of an Intensive Care Unit Picture Archiving and Communication System

Most radiology departments have established quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) programs for conventional film-based image management systems. At many institutions, digital image management systems, or picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), are replacing part or all of the film management system. In these situations, it is important to control the quality of the digital images that are produced. The observed frequency of eight types of image-related errors occurring on an image viewing station located in a medical intensive care unit is reported. Images on the viewing station were checked for 12 consecutive weeks. Film images available in the radiology reading room and digital images on the viewing station were compared with a list of completed examinations produced by the radiological information system. Overall, 1,082 patient examinations were encountered. Seventy-six images (7.02% of all images) were observed with errors. In addition, four previously unencountered types of errors were observed in 11 images (1.01% of all images). The majority of the errors are attributed to interfaces either between information systems or between the PACS and the user. It is concluded that QA-QC procedures are necessary for PACS, and that good interfaces, both between information systems and between humans and computer systems, are essential for successful PACS implementations.
Characterization of optical instabilities and chaos using fast multilayer perceptron training algorithms

A new and novel training algorithm, based upon the matrix pseudoinverse least-squares method, is introduced for training hidden layer, forward-feed neural networks with high accuracy and speed for nonlinear and chaotic time series prediction. Model-generated chaotic time series, including that of the Lorenz system, are used to measure performance and robustness. Our new training algorithm has rendered application of forward-feed, hidden-layer neural networks for adaptive chaotic time series analysis, as well as other signal processing, practical and near real time using standard desktop computation facilities. We have applied our method, in conjunction with other standard methods, to the analysis of stimulated Brillouin scattering under cw pump conditions involving a single Stokes and pump signal in a single- mode optical fiber as the nonlinear medium. We use Stokes signal data generated from a standard model and correlate the training performance of our algorithm with statistical and dynamical characteristics of the system determined by other means.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Biomechanics and motor control of normal young adults performing a wheelchair wheelie balance task.

The purpose of the present study was to describe kinetically and kinematically the control patterns of wheelchair wheelies, to clarify the relation between motion of the wheelchair and floor reaction force, to reveal movement strategies of the task, and to find useful parameters to understand the control and learning process of the skill. 10 healthy female Japanese students who were able to perform a 2-min. stationary wheelie participated in the experiments. Analysis of the 20-sec. wheelie performances suggested that (1) Center of Pressure is not a fundamental parameter for wheelie balance control, but may be the result of the control, (2) the anteroposterior component of the floor reaction force is a fundamental parameter for analyzing the control of a wheelchair wheelie, and (3) angular velocity is used in the control of wheelie balance as a cue.
Intracellular innate immunity in gouty arthritis: role of NALP3 inflammasome.

Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joint. Recent studies have significantly advanced our knowledge on the understanding of mechanisms underlying MSU crystal-induced inflammation. MSU crystals act as a ‘danger signal’ that can be recognized by pattern recognition receptors both at cell surface and cytoplasm, indicating the importance of innate immunity in gout. This review focuses on the critical role of intracellular NALP3 inflammasome in MSU crystal-induced inflammation.
The Qin maps: A clue to later Chinese cartographic development

(1993). The Qin maps: A clue to later Chinese cartographic development. Imago Mundi: Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 90-100.
Controlling Homogeneous Chemistry in Homogeneous—Heterogeneous Reactors: Application to Propane Combustion

Operation strategies for controlling the extent of homogeneous chemistry in homogeneous−heterogeneous (HH) reactors were developed for a catalytic plate microreactor using a two-dimensional computa...
Integrating Social Information Processing and Attachment Style Research with Cognitive-behavioral Couple Therapy

The majority of the empirically validated interventions for relational distress focus primarily upon improving behavioral functioning, particularly couples’ communication patterns in conflict situations. However, although communication is highly predictive of relationship distress and later divorce, research on the effectiveness of premarital and marital interventions based on communication training has shown limited results. Therefore, although the skills-based approaches can be effective in treating relational discord and instability, they also often neglect another potentially powerful mechanism in the development of relational distress: the social cognitions and/or schemata regarding relationships that individuals carry into their marriages that stem from negative attachment experiences. Thus, this article describes how blending information gleaned from attachment style research with the body of literature addressing social information processing can enhance current methods for the treatment of relational discord. The existing research on adult romantic attachment styles is placed within a social-cognitive information processing framework and a case study demonstrating the utility of this approach with difficult couples is described.
COBRApy: COnstraints-Based Reconstruction and Analysis for Python.

COnstraint-Based Reconstruction and Analysis (COBRA) methods are widely used for genome-scale modeling of metabolic networks in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Due to the successes with metabolism, there is an increasing effort to apply COBRA methods to reconstruct and analyze integrated models of cellular processes. The COBRA Toolbox for MATLAB is a leading software package for genome-scale analysis of metabolism; however, it was not designed to elegantly capture the complexity inherent in integrated biological networks and lacks an integration framework for the multiomics data used in systems biology. The openCOBRA Project is a community effort to promote constraints-based research through the distribution of freely available software. Here, we describe COBRA for Python (COBRApy), a Python package that provides support for basic COBRA methods. COBRApy is designed in an object-oriented fashion that facilitates the representation of the complex biological processes of metabolism and gene expression. COBRApy does not require MATLAB to function; however, it includes an interface to the COBRA Toolbox for MATLAB to facilitate use of legacy codes. For improved performance, COBRApy includes parallel processing support for computationally intensive processes. COBRApy is an object-oriented framework designed to meet the computational challenges associated with the next generation of stoichiometric constraint-based models and high-density omics data sets. http://opencobra.sourceforge.net/
Tapetum structure and ontogeny in Victoria (Nymphaeaceae)

Abstract The tapetum is critical for successful pollen development. Innovations in tapetum ontogeny and in the composition and role of tapetal exudate are hypothesised to have been advantageous in early angiosperm evolution. Early-diverging angiosperm lineages exhibit considerable variation in tapetum development, indicating that the earliest angiosperms exhibited evolutionary lability in tapetum ontogeny. However, little or no data on tapetum development exist for many basal flowering plant taxa, including members of Nymphaeales. Here, tapetum ontogeny in the giant water lily Victoria is described along with the development of associated microspore characters. The tapetum in Victoria is secretory. Orbicules are present along both the inner tangential and radial plasmalemmae of the tapetal cells. The timing of orbicule production is synchronous with the timing of microchannel appearance within the exine, supporting hypotheses that exine microchannels function in transport and storage of tapetal exudate. P...
A Pit-1 binding site in the human renin gene promoter stimulates activity in pituitary, placental and juxtaglomerular cells

A Pit-1 binding site in the human renin gene promoter stimulates activity in the pituitary, placental and juxtaglomerular cells. One of the principal aims of our research is to determine the mechanisms which direct renin gene expression to different sites. We recently demonstrated that human renin (hRen) 5′-flanking DNA sequences -148/+11 can drive the transient expression of a linked luciferase reporter gene transfected into pituitary GC cells. This activity was found to be dependent on the binding of Pit-1 to a site approximately 70bp upstream from the transcription start site. Pit-1 is a pituitary-specific transcription factor which is involved in directing the cell-specific expression of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) gene expression to somatotrope and lactotrope cells of the anterior pituitary. Thus, Pit-1 may be play a role in directing the expression of renin to primate lactotrope cells. Renin promoter-driven luciferase or CAT hybrid genes were found to be expressed following transfection into primary, or early passage cell cultures of placental chorionic membranes, and the renin-secreting renal tumor cell line As4.1. As with GC cells, deletion or mutagenesis of the Pit-1 site reduced activity several-fold in both placental and renal cells. These results suggest that members of the POU family of transcription factors, or some other closely related group such as the Hox proteins, participate in directing renin gene expression to placental and juxtaglomerular cells.
Forecasting the dynamics of a coastal fishery species using a coupled climate–population model

Marine fisheries management strives to maintain sustainable populations while allowing exploitation. However, well-intentioned management plans may not meet this balance as most do not include the effect of climate change. Ocean temperatures are expected to increase through the 21st century, which will have far-reaching and complex impacts on marine fisheries. To begin to quantify these impacts for one coastal fishery along the east coast of the United States, we develop a coupled climate–population model for Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). The model is based on a mechanistic hypothesis: recruitment is determined by temperature-driven, overwinter mortality of juveniles in their estuarine habitats. Temperature forecasts were obtained from 14 general circulation models simulating three CO2 emission scenarios. An ensemble-based approach was used in which a multimodel average was calculated for a given CO2 emission scenario to forecast the response of the population. The coupled model indicates th...
Selective laser destruction of rabbit blastomeres and continued cleavage of survivors in vitro

Abstract All the blastomeres but one of rabbit ova at the two-, four-, eight-, and sixteen-cell stages were destroyed with the focused beam of a pulsed ruby laser. The remaining unlased blastomere of each stage was then grown in vitro to determine its capacity for continued cleavage. In each case cleavage continued to a point equivalent to that reached by the unlased controls. The results are discussed in terms of their relationship to totepotency studies. The nature of the effect of the laser beam on these living cells is believed to be primarily a thermal one.
Red lesions of the iris, choroid, and skin secondary to metastatic carcinoma of the thyroid: a review

An 83-year-old man was seen with a history of bilateral progressive loss of vision of 1 month's duration. On examination, there was a reddish, nodular lesion adjacent to the right side of the nose. Slit-lamp examination revealed a reddish iris mass in the left eye. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed two orange choroidal lesions in the right eye and a large subretinal hemorrhage in the posterior pole with a central reddish vascular lesion in the left eye. An excisional biopsy of the skin lesion was performed. A diagnosis of metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma was made according to the histopathologic findings and immunohistochemistry. The patient had no known history of thyroid malignancy and a metastatic survey revealed widespread metastasis. The patient had a total thyroidectomy followed by two series of radioactive iodine ablation. The iris lesion completely resolved and the choroidal lesions in the right eye showed partial regression during the follow-up period. Ocular and skin metastasis secondary to thyroid carcinoma is uncommon. In a review of English literature we found reports of 12 clinically well-documented cases of choroidal metastasis and two cases of iris metastasis. Our case and review of the previous cases reveal that reddish/orange color is a commonly observed feature of the uveal metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. Although ocular and skin metastases from thyroid carcinoma are rare, this possibility should be considered in the differential diagnosis of reddish-colored iris and choroidal masses as well as reddish nodular lesions of the scalp, face, and neck.
Norepinephrine and dopamine levels in hypothalamic nuclei of the genetically obese mouse (ob/ob)

An analysis of the norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) levels in specific hypothalamic nuclei of the genetically obese mouse (ob/ob) was made. When compared to lean littermate controls ob/ob mice had significantly increased levels of NE in the paraventricular nucleus and lateral hypothalamus and significantly decreased levels of DA in the arcuate-infundibulum. The sites of these neurochemical abnormalities correspond to hypothalamic areas involved in the regulation of feeding and prolactin secretion, both of which are abnormal in the ob/ob mutant.
A window into the Pyrenees Mountains’ geologic past

Forming a natural geographic border between France and Spain, the Pyrenees Mountains were built over millions of years as continents collided. Mountains develop on the sites of former oceans and rift systems, yet a record of this precollision geologic history does not often survive the process of mountain building. In the case of the Pyrenees, however, Tugend et al. found that by looking in the nearby Bay of Biscay, located off the western coast of Spain and France, they could get a glimpse of the precollision crustal architecture in the region.
Getting a Better Balance on International Arbitration Tribunals

In this article the authors look at gender diversity in international arbitration tribunals and draw a comparison with gender diversity in the judiciary, in law firms and in major companies. Concluding that the lack of gender diversity in international arbitration tribunals cannot wholly be attributed to the lack of women at the senior end of the legal profession, the authors suggest that one way to diversify and expand the pool of arbitral candidates is for states to implement policy changes in the manner in which arbitrators are selected for investment treaty arbitrations. Changes made at this level will increase the visibility and profile of arbitral candidates and may result in a trickledown effect on appointments to commercial arbitration tribunals.
Groups of homeomorphisms on C ( X ) and pointwise limits

This study looks at some subgroups of the group H(C(X)) of homeomorphisms on the space C(X) of continuous real-valued functions on a topological space X, where C(X) has the compact-open topology. The main result shows that, for certain spaces X, the subgroup of H(C(X)) generated by the algebraic and vertical homeomorphisms on C(X) is dense in H(C(X)) with the pointwise topology. Also, for X equal to the unit interval, a subgroup of H(C(X)) is developed using integration of the members of C(X), and this subgroup is used as an example and to illustrate certain properties that subgroups of H(C(X)) can have.
Growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)

Growth hormone-releasing peptides and non-peptides (GHRPs. GHRP-GHS) are a new chemical class of GH secretagogues with a chemistry that ranges from small synthetic peptides to peptidomimetics. They release GH in animals and humans by a unique dual and complementary action on the hypothalamus and pituitary. Although the present GHRPs are of unnatural origin, evidence by a number of investigators is gradually accumulating to support that GHRP reflects the GH-releasing action of a new natural hypothalamic hormone yet to be isolated and identified. Despite the de novo origin of GHRP, a major reason for the persistent investigation is because of the possible practical diagnostic and therapeutic value in humans as well as the potential theoretical value of new insight into the physiological regulation of GH secretion.
Hand Size and Assembly Performance

Abstract Contrary to present belief, consideration should be given to anthropometric variables in the selection, placement, and guidance of personnel. On analysis, twelve anthropometric data had product moment multiple correlation coefficients of 0.31 with the performance on the Purdue Peg-board (R.H.), (27) 0.32 with the one-hole test (21,22) and 0.56 (p<.001) with production indices of 181 female industrial subjects. This indicates that one-third of the variables predicting production performances are accounted for by some selected anthropometric variables; and that long thick fingers are related to high productivity.
Mitochondrial abnormalities in myocardium of dogs with chronic heart failure.

The number, size and structural integrity of mitochondria (MIT) were evaluated in the myocardium of 12 dogs with chronic heart failure (CHF) produced by sequential intracoronary microembolizations (EMB). Tissue specimens for transmission electron microscopy were obtained from the left ventricular (LV) free wall, septum and right ventricular free wall 3 to 4 months after the last EMB. Comparisons were made with samples obtained from identical sites in 9 control dogs. In dogs with CHF, LV ejection fraction decreased from 61 +/- 1% at baseline (prior to EMB) to 22 +/- 2% 3 to 4 months after the last EMB (P or = 600 pg/ml (0.64 +/- 0.07) compared to CHF dogs with PNE < 600 pg/ml (0.32 +/- 0.08) (P < 0.01). Among CHF dogs, the MIT injury index was linearly related to PNE concentration (r = 0.57, P < 0.05), LV ejection fraction (r = 0.57, P < 0.05) and LV end-diastolic pressure (r = 0.57, P < 0.05). These data indicate that profound MIT abnormalities are present in the myocardium of dogs with CHF and are related to PNE concentration and to the severity of LV dysfunction.
53Mn, 26Al, 10Be and 36Cl in meteorites: Data compilation

Abstract Data on the concentration of cosmogenic radionuclides 53Mn, 26Al, 10Be and 36Cl in stone, stony iron, and iron meteorites are compiled along with the cosmogenic noble gas 21Ne concentrations and the 22Ne/21Ne ratios for stones and stony irons and the 4He/21Ne ratio for irons. †
On the diffusion past a staggered array of rectangular fibers

The diffusion past a two-dimensional staggered array of rectangular fibers is solved by eigenfunction expansion and matching. The effective conductivities are obtained for a variety of geometries in three perpendicular directions. The results are useful for diffusion through fiber-reinforced composites and also paper pulp.
Studying the effects of social environment on health in China: challenges and solutions

Many factors have been identified as determinants of increasing health inequalities in China. Health research has focused mostly on individual- and family-level determinants, whereas the effects of social environment are largely left unexplored. This paper suggests the aspects of social environment to be studied in relation to health in the context of China. In addition, an integrated life course and ecological perspective is proposed to address some conceptual and methodological challenges identified in the current research.
Interaction of π-Conjugated Organic Molecules with π-Bonded Semiconductor Surfaces: Structure, Selectivity, and Mechanistic Implications

The (001) surface of silicon contains pairs of atoms that are held together with a strong σ bond and a weak π bond. The interaction of styrene with the Si(001) surface has been investigated as a model system for understanding the interaction of conjugated π-electron systems to π-bonded semiconductor surfaces. Scanning tunneling microscopy images show one primary bonding configuration, slightly off-center from the middle of a dimer row. Infrared spectra using isotopically labeled styrene establish that attachment occurs in a highly selective way, bonding through the external vinyl group and leaving the aromatic ring almost completely unperturbed. Ab initio calculations reveal that the interaction between the π electrons of the vinyl group of styrene and the electron-deficient end of a SiSi dimer is strongly attractive. It is proposed that this attraction facilitates a low-symmetry interaction between the surface dimers and the vinyl group, leading to a highly selective reaction pathway for which Woodward−H...
Stored myosin messenger in embryonic chick muscle.

Prior to the formation of multinucleated myotubes, differentiating skeletal muscle goes through a phase of rapid cell proliferation [l-3]. These proliferating myoblasts synthesize little, if any myosin. During embryogenesis, as the number of proliferating cells in chick leg muscle decreases, both the number of multinucleated cells and the amount of myosin per DNA increases [4]. At fourteen days myosin polysomes are easily detected by analysis on sucrose density gradients [5]. Myosin messenger has been isolated and characterized from these polysomes [6-g]. At earlier stages of embryogenesis, with myoblasts in the proliferative stage predominating, the amount of myosin mRNA found in polysomes is considerably less 15991. In cell culture it is well established that the onset of myosin synthesis noticeably occurs after myoblast fusion and myotube formation [ l,lO,l 11. However, a number of studies have suggested that myosin messenger transcription may actually precede cell fusion. If myoblast cell cultures are treated with actinomycin D shortly before the onset of fusion the synthesis of myosin is not inhibited [lo]. Buckingham et al. [93 have observed the accumulation of 26s myosin mRNA in dividing myoblast cell cultures which sediments as a 70-90s mRNP upon sucrose density gradient centrifugation. After cell fusion this RNA species appears in the polysomes and its half-life is considerably increased. Chacko and Joseph [ 121 have recently reported that precardiac mesodermal
Electrical characterization of the (La,Ca) (Cr,Co)O3 system

Abstract The results of electrical conductivity and thermopower measurements are presented for selected (La,Ca)(Cr,Co)O 3 compositions. The La 1 − x Ca x CrO 3 compounds are typical p -type small polaron conductors. The La 1 − x Ca x CrO 3 compounds are found to be small polaron conductors at room temperature for x ≤ 0.20 with a higher electrical conductivity than the corresponding chromites. The electrical conductivity at room temperature is lower for Co-rich compositions than for Cr-rich compositions for compositions containing 10 mol% and 20 mol% Ca. This fact is attributed to the trapping of p -type small polarons at energetically lower Cr sites, resulting in a broad room temperature conductivity minimum. Above room temperature, the electrical conductivity increases with increasing Co content for all compositions. The thermopower for these compounds is interpreted using the Verwey electronic compensation mechanism including thermally activated disproportionation among Co ions.
eBGF: An Enhanced Geometric Hierarchical Representation for Protein Modeling and Rapid Self-Collision Detection

AbstractThe identification of biological molecules is vital for the design and manufacturing of pharmaceutical drugs, nanomaterials and nanoscale products. Understanding molecules’ behavior and motion is of fundamental importance for exploring potential nanoscale and drug designs prior to actual fabrication. A major challenge in modeling flexible molecules is the exponential explosion in computational complexity due to the large number of degrees of freedom within a molecular structure. In this paper, a new improved biologically-inspired geometric methodology called enhanced BioGeoFilter (eBGF) is proposed to simplify the representation of macromolecules such as proteins for studying their behavior and motion. The eBGF algorithm can be used as an effective identification tool for molecular feasibility that minimizes molecular conformational search time and speeds collision detection for bio-nano computeraided design applications.
Value of Oligonucleotide-Based Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization for Diagnosis of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in a Patient Negative for t(15;17)(q24.1;q21.2)/Promyelocytic Leukemia-Retinoic Acid Receptor, Alpha by Conventional Cytogenetics and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by promyelocytic leukemia (PML)-retinoic acid receptor, alpha (RARA) fusion gene as a result of t(15;17)(q24.1;q21.2).1 Current advances in APL therapy have dramatically improved patient outcome.2,3 However, patients with APL are at risk of potentially lethal coagulopathy if appropriate therapy is delayed.4 The t(15;17)(q24.1;q21.2) is detected using conventional cytogenetic analysis in approximately 90% of APL cases.5,6 A small subset of APL cases (4%) lack the classical t(15;17)(q24.1;q21.2) and have other complex translocations.1,2 Rare APL cases have submicroscopic insertions of PML or RARA, in which reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detects PML-RARA transcripts and yet conventional cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results are negative.1,5,7–9
White Women, Black Men: Illicit Sex in the Nineteenth-Century South

This book is the first to explore the history of a powerful category of illicit sex in America's past: liaisons between Southern white women and black men. Martha Hodes tells a series of stories about such liaisons in the years before the Civil War, explores the complex ways in which white Southerners tolerated them in the slave South, and shows how and why these responses changed with emancipation. Hodes provides details of the wedding of a white servant-woman and a slave man in 1681, on antebellum rape accusation that uncovered a relationship between an unmarried white woman and a slave, and a divorce plea from a white farmer based on an adulterous affair between his wife and a neighborhood slave. Drawing on sources that include courtroom testimony, legislative petitions, pardon pleas, and congressional testimony, she presents the voices of the authorities, eyewitnesses, and the transgressors themselves - and these voices seem to say that in the slave South, whites were not overwhelmingly concerned about such liaisons, beyond the racial and legal status of the children that were produced. Only with the advent of black freedom did the issue move beyond neighborhood dramas and into the arena of politics, becoming a much more serious taboo than it had ever been before. Hodes gives vivid examples of the violence that followed the upheaval of war, when black men and white women were targeted by the Ku Klux Klan and unprecedented white rage and terrorism against such liaisons began to erupt. An era of terror and lynchings was inaugurated, and the legacy of these sexual politics lingered well into the twentieth century.
Combined therapy in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma: An analysis of 42 cases

Abstract Forty-two cases of rhabdomyosarcoma in infants and children are presented. The relation of survival to age, site, cell type, stage of disease and therapeutic management is evaluated. The majority of survivors are between one and 3 years, have localized disease of embryonal or alveolar cell type and have been treated with combined surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Postoperative survival of 2 years without evidence of recurrence relates well to a cure. In instances of rhabdomyosarcoma in infants and children, radical operation, postoperative regional radiation in combination with simultaneous and prolonged repeated courses of Actinomycin D and Vincristine appear justified and are recommended.
Protection of Rats against Adjuvant Arthritis by Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides

Lipopolysaccharides from both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in incomplete adjuvant caused rats to become resistant to mycobacterial (complete) adjuvant arthritis. Lipopolysaccharides h protected rats when they were administered in adjuvant did not protect when administered in saline. Mycobacterial wax D in saline was protective, while in adjuvant it produced arthritis. The degree of stimulation of a common tissue reaction may determine whether the result is protection or disease.
Extent of surgery and pathology evaluation has an impact on bladder cancer outcomes after radical cystectomy.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate whether the extent of surgery and of the pathology evaluation affects the outcome of patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy. Methods The data from 637 patients with invasive bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection were analyzed. Associations between surgical and pathologic variables and 5-year disease-specific survival and local recurrence outcomes were investigated. Results The pathologic tumor stage and node status were significant variables for survival. For both node-negative and node-positive patients, improved survival and a reduced local recurrence rate was associated with negative surgical margins and a greater number of lymph nodes removed. Conclusions The extent of surgery and of the pathology evaluation has an impact on the outcome of patients with bladder cancer after cystectomy. Such information is important not only for therapy and the prognosis of individuals, but also for identifying candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.