cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES OF RABBIT MONONUCLEAR EXUDATE CELLS: I. Quantitative Assay and Properties of Certain Proteases, Non-Specific Esterases, and Lipases of Mononuclear and Polymorphonuclear Cells and Erythrocytes

Oil-induced mononuclear phagocytes (MN) were quantitatively assayed for various hydrolases as unfractionated suspensions of frozen and thawed cells. They apparently contain two proteases. The first, measured with urea- or acid-denatured hemoglobin, was similar to purified Proteinase I of lung with respect to pH optimum (pH 4), stability, hydrolytic and polymerizing activities, and reactions to various inhibitors. The second protease resembled chymotrypsin in its hydrolysis of glycyl-L-phenylalanine amide, acetyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester and N-benzoyl-DL-phenylalanine-β-naphthol ester (BPN). With the latter, its pH optimum was between 5.0 and 5.8, and its action was inhibited by diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP) and p-chloromercuribenzoate. When assayed under the above conditions, polymorphonuclear exudate cells (PMN) and red blood corpuscles (RBC) manifested little or no hydrolysis of either hemoglobin or BPN. MN also contained esterases that split methyl butyrate and β-naphthyl acetate. The pH optimum with the latter was 7.4, and its hydrolysis was partially inhibited by DFP, fluoride, taurocholate, and eserine. PMN had low esterase activity; RBC had little or none. MN, but not PMN or RBC, contained a stable lipase with a pH optimum of 6.1 in maleate buffer. Protamine, NaCl, heat, p-chloromercuribenzoate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate, taurocholate, and DFP were inhibitory, but no appreciable activation occurred in the presence of heparin or serum. Thus it possessed some of the characteristics of Korn's lipoprotein lipase, but not others.
Family study of fibromyalgia.

Objective To assess for familial aggregation of fibromyalgia (FM) and measures of tenderness and pain, and for familial coaggregation of FM and major mood disorder (major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder). Methods Probands meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM and control probands with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and no lifetime diagnosis of FM were recruited from consecutive referrals to 2 community-based rheumatology practices. Probands were ages 40–55 years and had at least 1 first-degree relative age 18 years or older who was available for interview and examination. All probands and interviewed relatives underwent a dolorimeter tender point examination and a structured clinical interview. Interviewed relatives were asked about first-degree relatives who were not available for interview, using a structured family interview. Logistic and linear regression models, adjusting for the correlation of observation within families, were applied to study the aggregation and coaggregation effects. Results Information was collected for 533 relatives of 78 probands with FM and 272 relatives of 40 probands with RA. FM aggregated strongly in families: the odds ratio (OR) measuring the odds of FM in a relative of a proband with FM versus the odds of FM in a relative of a proband with RA was 8.5 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.8–26, P = 0.0002). The number of tender points was significantly higher, and the total myalgic score was significantly lower in the relatives of probands with FM compared with the relatives of probands with RA. FM coaggregated significantly with major mood disorder: the OR measuring the odds of major mood disorder in a relative of a proband with FM versus the odds of major mood disorder in a relative of a proband with RA was 1.8 (95% CI 1.1–2.9, P = 0.013). Conclusion FM and reduced pressure pain thresholds aggregate in families, and FM coaggregates with major mood disorder in families. These findings have important clinical and theoretical implications, including the possibility that genetic factors are involved in the etiology of FM and in pain sensitivity. In addition, mood disorders and FM may share some of these inherited factors.
Brain, emotions, and emotion-cognition relations

Lewis makes a strong case for the interdependence and integration of emotion and cognitive processes. Yet, these processes exhibit considerable independence in early life, as well as in certain psychopathological conditions, suggesting that the capacity for their integration emerges as a function of development. In some circumstances, the concept of highly interactive emotion and cognitive systems seems a viable alternative hypothesis to the idea of systems integration.
Elimination of clock jitter noise in spaceborne laser interferometers

Space gravitational wave detectors employing laser interferometry between free-flying spacecraft differ in many ways from their laboratory counterparts. Among these differences is the fact that, in space, the end masses will be moving relative to each other. This creates a problem by inducing a Doppler shift between the incoming and outgoing frequencies. The resulting beat frequency is so high that its phase cannot be read to sufficient accuracy when referenced to state-of-the-art space-qualified clocks. This is the problem that is addressed in this paper. We introduce a set of time-domain algorithms in which the effects of clock jitter are exactly canceled. The method employs the two-color laser approach that has been previously proposed, but avoids the singularities that arise in the previous frequency-domain algorithms. In addition, several practical aspects of the laser and clock noise cancellation schemes are addressed.
The Consequences of Multiracial Contexts on Public Attitudes toward Immigration

This study examines how racial contexts relate to Americans’ opinion toward immigration. Survey data analysis reveals that racial surroundings correspond to public attitudes differently, depending on race and geographic unit. For non-Hispanic white Americans, proximity to Asians correlates with positive attitudes toward immigrants, whereas those living with Hispanics are more likely to harbor negative stereotypes. Conversely, African Americans living with Asians are more likely to be prejudiced against immigrants. Furthermore, the positive effects of racial contexts are more salient in the neighborhoods than in larger areas. These findings suggest the significance of racial integration in alleviating interethnic tension.
Photoinitiated polymerization of styrene from self‐assembled monolayers on gold. II. Grafting rates and extraction

Ultrathin films of polystyrene (PS) were grown from self-assembled monolayers by the “grafting-from” technique. The initiating system consisted of a dithiol azobisisobutyronitrile-type free-radical initiator that was activated by irradiation at 300 nm. The thickness of the PS films ranged from 7 to 190 nm and could be controlled by varying the reaction time or the monomer concentration. The films were characterized by ellipsometry and Fourier transform-reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy after Soxhlet extraction of residual physisorbed polymer. These films were unstable above 60 °C, and a water-jacketed Soxhlet extractor was designed to maintain solvent temperatures below 45 °C during extraction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3284–3291, 2002
Altered reward circuitry in the norepinephrine transporter knockout mouse.

Synaptic levels of the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are modulated by their respective plasma membrane transporters, albeit with a few exceptions. Monoamine transporters remove monoamines from the synaptic cleft and thus influence the degree and duration of signaling. Abnormal concentrations of these neuronal transmitters are implicated in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including addiction, depression, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This work concentrates on the norepinephrine transporter (NET), using a battery of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging techniques and histological correlates to probe the effects of genetic deletion of the norepinephrine transporter on brain metabolism, anatomy and functional connectivity. MRS recorded in the striatum of NET knockout mice indicated a lower concentration of NAA that correlates with histological observations of subtle dysmorphisms in the striatum and internal capsule. As with DAT and SERT knockout mice, we detected minimal structural alterations in NET knockout mice by tensor-based morphometric analysis. In contrast, longitudinal imaging after stereotaxic prefrontal cortical injection of manganese, an established neuronal circuitry tracer, revealed that the reward circuit in the NET knockout mouse is biased toward anterior portions of the brain. This is similar to previous results observed for the dopamine transporter (DAT) knockout mouse, but dissimilar from work with serotonin transporter (SERT) knockout mice where Mn2+ tracings extended to more posterior structures than in wildtype animals. These observations correlate with behavioral studies indicating that SERT knockout mice display anxiety-like phenotypes, while NET knockouts and to a lesser extent DAT knockout mice display antidepressant-like phenotypic features. Thus, the mainly anterior activity detected with manganese-enhanced MRI in the DAT and NET knockout mice is likely indicative of more robust connectivity in the frontal portion of the reward circuit of the DAT and NET knockout mice compared to the SERT knockout mice.
The orientation of iron-sulfur clusters and a spin-coupled ubiquinone pair in the mitochondrial membrane.

Abstract Oriented multilayers made from beef heart and yeast mitochondria and submitochondrial particles were studied using electron paramagnetic resonance. EPR signals from membrane-bound iron-sulfur clusters and from a spin-coupled ubiquinone pair are highly orientation dependent, implying that these redox centers are fixed in the membrane at definite angles relative to the membrane plane. Typically the iron-iron axis ( g z ) of the binuclear iron-sulfur clusters is in the membrane plane. This finding is discussed in terms of the protein structure. the tetranuclear iron-sulfur clusters can have their g z axis either perpendicular or parallel to the membrane plane, but intermediate orientation was not observed.
Identification of Novel cAMP Responsive Element Modulator (CREM) Isoforms Expressed by Osteoblasts

CREM, the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responsive element modulator, belongs to a multigene family of cAMP-responsive transcription factors. CREM encodes a variety of different isoforms by utilizing four promoters and a complex pattern of alternative messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) splicing. We showed previously that parathyroid hormone induces the CREM P2 promoter products known as ICER (inducible cAMP early repressor) in osteoblasts. Herein we report that osteoblasts also express at least 15 CREM transcripts initiated from the P1 promoter, including 7 novel transcripts that result from alternative splicing. It is of interest that we found that CREM-X contains both exon θ1, previously identified only in P3 promoter products, and a new exon termed L, which is located upstream of exon θ1.
Fidelity of network simulation and emulation: A case study of TCP-targeted denial of service attacks

In this article, we investigate the differences between simulation and emulation when conducting denial of service (DoS) attack experiments. As a case study, we consider low-rate TCP-targeted DoS attacks. We design constructs and tools for emulation testbeds to achieve a level of control comparable to simulation tools. Through a careful sensitivity analysis, we expose difficulties in obtaining meaningful measurements from the DETER, Emulab, and WAIL testbeds with default system settings. We find dramatic differences between simulation and emulation results for DoS experiments. Our results also reveal that software routers such as Click provide a flexible experimental platform, but require understanding and manipulation of the underlying network device drivers. Our experiments with commercial Cisco routers demonstrate that they are highly susceptible to the TCP-targeted attacks when ingress/egress IP filters are used.
Fuel Consumption Optimization of Heavy-Duty Vehicles: An Analytical Approach

In this paper, we establish a mathematical framework that allows us to optimize the speed profile and select the optimal gears for heavy-duty vehicles. The key idea is to solve the analogous boundary value problem analytically for a simple scenario (linear damped system with quadratic elevation profile) and use this result to initialize a numerical continuation algorithm. Then the numerical algorithm can be used to gradually introduce nonlinearities (air resistance, engine saturation), implement data-based elevation profiles, and incorporate external perturbations (wind, traffic). This approach enables real-time optimization in dynamic traffic conditions, therefore may be implemented on board.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Unique Structural and Mechanical Properties of Ultrathin Au Films Grown on Dendrimer-Mediated Substrates

Evidence is presented here for very significant improvements in film quality when Au is deposited on a self-assembled monolayer of amine-terminated poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (generation G...
Two-dimensional contour imaging with a fiber optic microbend tactile sensor array

Abstract A four-layer two-dimensional fiber optic sensor array has been formed by using two layers of optical fibers at the corrugation structure to induce microbends in two orthogonal layers of active fibers sandwiched between the corrugation layers. This sensor array has been used to provide object position, orientation, size and contour information. An imaging algorithm which extracts two-dimensional force or tactilce images from the sensor array is presented here. By using a technique of sensor translation and recognizing the dependency of light attenuation on the spatial distribution of microbends, exterior and interior contours of objects have been reconstructed. The imaging algorithm has been tested using sixteen different objects and all objects are reconstructed correctly. The efficiency of the algorithm and the weighted mean square error it introduces are also studied.
Gifts Given, Gifts Taken: The Behavioral Ecology of Nonmarket, Intragroup Exchange

Behavioral ecologists combine evolutionary models of mechanism and ecological models of circumstance to analyze the origins and forms of intragroup exchange among social foragers, a category that includes primates, hominids, and recent and modern hunter-gatherers. Evolutionary mechanisms encompass individual, sexual, reciprocal, kin, group, and cultural selection; models of circumstance include tolerated theft, scrounging, marginal value, trade, show-offs, and risk reduction. After a critical review, I develop a partial synthesis of these models. The results show that exchange behaviors have multicausal origins and they likely will be diverse due to differing combinations of mechanism and circumstance. They also help explain seemingly unique features of foraging economies, including constrained production and routine demand sharing.
GABAergic processes mediate thermal prolongation of the laryngeal reflex apnea in decerebrate piglets.

Abstract We tested the hypotheses that elevated body temperature would prolong reflex apnea following electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) in decerebrate neonatal piglets and that thermal prolongation of reflex apnea after stimulation of the SLN depended on GABAergic mechanisms. These studies were conducted in 13 decerebrate piglets (age 3–15 days). The SLN was stimulated at ∼1.5 times the threshold stimulus level for 10 s starting at the beginning of inspiration. We measured the duration of the apnea and respiratory disruption that followed SLN stimulation. Elevating body temperature prolonged the duration of the apnea and respiratory disruption that followed SLN stimulation, and treatment with antagonists of gama-aminobutyric acid A-type (GABA A ) receptors reversed the thermal prolongation of reflex apnea and the period of respiratory disruption even though body temperature remained elevated. We conclude that elevated body temperature enhances or amplifies GABAergic mechanisms that prolong the respiratory inhibition following electrical stimulation of the SLN.
Binary diffusion of unequal sized molecules in zeolites

Multicomponent diffusivities in zeolites are predicted using the framework of the theory of irreversible thermodynamics, for which the information on equilibrium mixture adsorption isotherms is a critical requirement. Two thermodynamically consistent mixture isotherms, a multi-site Langmuir model and a modified Dubinin-type expansion facilitate quantification of the thermodynamic effect. In both these isotherms, saturation capacities of the species are allowed to differ. The ratio of saturation capacities in a binary mixture represents, to a first approximation, the inverse of the ratio of molecular sizes. In this work, thermodynamic interactions based on the two isotherm models are isolated from kinetic interactions due to surface mobilities which may also depend on concentration, and applied to study the concentration dependence of the effective Fickian diffusivities of components in a binary mixture. For the special case of zero cross terms in the phenomenological diffusion coefficient matrix and constant surface mobilities, size difference and the choice of isotherm are both shown to have significant effects on binary diffusion in mixtures of unequal sized molecules. For the multi-site Langmuir isotherms, co-diffusion enhances while counter-diffusion diminishes diffusivity, as expected. The thermodynamic effect of the Dubinin-type isotherm, however, shows a different behavior for the effect of one species on the other. The size effect is amplified in the case of counter-diffusion, and leads to possible enhancement in diffusivity even in counter-diffusion.
Extrinsic control of stem cell fate: Practical considerations

Decades of experimental data suggest that hematopoietic stem cells can remain quiescent, divide, differentiate or die and further, that these cell fate decisions are determined by extracellular signals provided by the hematopoietic microenvironment (ME). Given the importance of the ME for regulating hematopoiesis, it is imperative that transplanted stem cells migrate efficiently and home to appropriate niches where they can receive regulatory signals. Currently the rapid engraftment seen after transplantation of cytokine-mobilized blood-derived stem cells would suggest that these cells are well-equipped for homing. More recent concerns have now been raised by the possibility that in vitro expansion of these stem cells may diminish their ability to engraft. One possible explanation for this is that expansion protocols may alter adhesion molecule expression and consequently homing. Data presented in this report indicate that expression of adhesion molecules is altered following in vitro exposure to recombinant cytokines, and that various combinations of cytokines differentially modulate adhesion molecule expression.
Plastic Flow Rule of Laminated Composites

A plastic flow rule for laminated media is derived. It is based on a three-dimensional lamination theory which has been used previously to provide an effective elastic stress-strain relation and an anisotropic yield condition. For layers that are isotropic and follow a piece-wise linear flow rule, an explicit anisotropic plastic stress-strain relation for the equivalent composite is obtained. The general form of this flow rule may also be applied to other homogeneous but anisotropic materials. It is concluded that anisotropic flow rules should be governed by tensor quantities, the symmetry of flow may be different from that of yielding, and plastic flow may occur under hydrostatic loading.
Diffusion of responsibility in crime, punishment, and other adversity

Three studies tested the hypothesis that an individual acting alone, compared with an individual group member, would be held more responsible for behavior leading to a negative consequence. In one study, 240 subjects read scenarios of an event with a negative outcome involving one, two, three, or four individuals. As predicted, there was a significant inverse relationship between the number of participants and the degree of attributed responsibility. The second study investigated subjects' attributions of responsibility for criminals committing a crime alone or with a partner. Single perpetrators were considered more responsible than those acting with a partner, although there was no difference in sentence length assigned. In the third, archival-type study, prison sentences for criminals who had actually committed a robbery alone or with others were examined. Again, there was diffusion of responsibility: criminals acting alone received significantly longer sentences than perpetrators who had committed a similar crime, but who had acted with others.
‘Micro-Problematic Therapy’: An Approach to Chronic Offenders:

Summary.-Micro-problematic therapy is a program which affords the client an opportunity to focus on one specific problem area within a time-delimited situation. The process is based on contingency contracting and reality therapy.
Kokanee Investigations: Introduction to Kokanee Investigations

(1995). Kokanee Investigations: Introduction to Kokanee Investigations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 173-173.
The Generality/Specificity of Expertise in Scientific Reasoning

Previous research on scientific reasoning has shown that it involves a diverse set of skills. Yet, little is known about generality or domain specificity of those skills, an important issue in theories of expertise and in attempts to automate scientific reasoning skills. We present a study designed to test what kinds of skills psychologists actually use in designing and interpreting experiments and contrast expertise within a particular research area with general expertise at designing and interpreting experiments. The results suggest that psychologists use many domain-general skills in their experimentation and that bright and motivated Carnegie Mellon undergraduates are missing many of these skills. We believe that these results have important implications for psychological and artificial intelligence models of expertise, as well as educational implications in the domain of science instruction.
Photoionization of 10-Methylphenothiazine, N,N,N‘,N‘-Tetramethylbenzidine, and Pyrene in Cr−AlMCM-41 Molecular Sieves

Photoionization of 10-methylphenothiazine (PC 1 ), N,N,N',N'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), and pyrene (Py) impregnated into mesoporous AlMCM-41 ion-exchanged with Cr(III), as an electron acceptor, to give Cr-AlMCM-41 was investigated. Cation radicals (PC 1 + , TMB + , Py + ) are produced by 320 nm light at room temperature and characterized by electron spin resonance (ESR) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The chromium ion concentration was varied from Si/Cr = 52 to 121. Cr-AlMCM-41 with the intermediate concentration of Si/Cr = 80 exhibits the greatest electron acceptor ability and shows the highest photoionization efficiency photoionized. The photoionization efficiency also depends on the type of photoionizable molecule impregnated into mesoporous Cr-AlMCM-41 with PC 1 being the most efficiently photoionized. The calcination temperature used before impregnation controls the oxidation state of chromium ions to Cr 3 + or Cr 5 + /Cr 6 + , which also affects the photoionization efficiency. Cr-AIMCM-41 with Cr 5 + gives about 4 times higher photoionization efficiency than with Cr 3 + . Cr-AIMCM-41 is shown to be a promising heterogeneous host for the efficient formation of photoinduced cation radicals to achieve long-lived charge separation in solid-state systems.
A two-dimensional computational study of the flow effect on the acoustic behaviour of Helmholtz resonators

Impact of mean flow on the acoustic attenuation performance of a Helmholtz resonator is investigated computationally. To determine the time-dependent flow field, two-dimensional unsteady, turbulent, and compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved. Pressure obtained from the flow field is used to calculate the Helmholtz resonator's transmission loss at different velocities. Increasing the mean flow velocity in the main duct is shown computationally to reduce the peak transmission loss in general and force a shift in the fundamental resonance frequency to a higher value. These predictions are consistent with the trends observed in the experimental studies available in the literature. Also, at discrete Strouhal numbers, the simulations capture the flow-acoustic coupling which transforms the Helmholtz resonator essentially to a noise generator. The approach presented here demonstrates the ability of a numerical tool to study the complex interactions of the flow field with the acoustics of Helmholtz resonators effectively.
On American history textbooks and integration in the South: Woodrow Wilson and the rhetoric of division and reunion 1829–1889

In the South, competing attitudes favoring segregation or integration were products of a vast “communication mosaic,” myriad messages or “bits” spread over time and media. Early, predictive assessments suggested, though, that integration eventually would prevail because Americans are “moral conscious,” typically acting with “high national and Christian precepts.” For Southerners, however, that “American Creed” received indirect but vital corroboration from historians as opinion leaders. This process of rhetorical influence is illustrated here with an analysis of Woodrow Wilson's popular textbook Division and Reunion 1829–1889, and its message on behalf of the pragmatic complement of morality: economic prosperity.
COMPARATIVE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO, WITH A REDESCRIPTION OF THE LIFE CYCLE.

The nematode Trichinella spiralis was grown from excysted larvae to adults which produced progeny in vitro. The most successful cultures were obtained with a continuous-flow culture system with a gas phase of 85%N-5%CO2-10%O2 and several different media. In good cultures, only one molt or ecdysis was observed during growth and differentiation from excysted larvae to gravid adults. This molt occurred between 8 and 72 hours in culture. However, multiple sheath formation was produced by varying one or more of the environmental conditions. These worms did not become gravid. It was found that a reduced oxygen level, the presence of carbon dioxide, and low levels of reducing agent provided the stimulus for normal sheath formation in vitro. These conditions had to be maintained constant throughout the culture period. Variation of one of these factors during culture induced multiple sheathing. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that an ecdysis occurred during intrauterine development, and 2nd-stage juveniles resulted. In vivo, juveniles from the intestinal lumen were observed to migrate to striated muscle, via connective tissue and venous blood. Second-stage juveniles were not observed in mesentery lymphatics, lung, right heart blood, lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. During in vivo growth and development in striated muscle, two other ecdyses were observed to take place at specific times of differentiation. Encapsulation began on day 19 postinoculation. It is suggested that T. spiralis has a typical rather than atypical nematode life cycle composed of five stages. This is supported by results obtained both in vivo and in vitro. Methods developed for growing T. spiralis in vitro, and effects of culture maintenance, media, gas phase, digestion methods, reducing agents, pH, and temperature, are presented.
Familial Perinatal Liver Disease and Fetal Thrombotic Vasculopathy

The association between placental fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) and perinatal liver disease was not recognized until 2002, when Dahms and colleagues reported a series of 3 patients in whom severe liver disease developed in the first 2 days of life. All had abnormal liver histology and showed a variety of abnormalities, including Budd-Chiari syndrome, changes mimicking extrahepatic obstruction, lobular fibrosis, cholestasis, and hepatocyte giant cell transformation. We report recurrent significant perinatal liver disease in a family, associated with proven FTV in at least 1 pregnancy. A 30-year-old gravida 4 female with a history of heterozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate A1298C mutation had a normal 1st pregnancy and then experienced an intrauterine fetal demise at 38 weeks of gestation. Placental examination revealed extensive occlusive and mural thrombi of chorionic vessels associated with a large focus of avascular villi. Histologic examination of the liver showed extensive giant cell transformation and hepatocyte dropout. No excess hemosiderin pigment was present in the liver, pancreas, or heart. A 3rd pregnancy produced a live-born term infant with transient neonatal cholestasis. The 4th pregnancy also produced a term neonate who presented with acute hepatic failure of unknown cause, ultimately requiring liver transplantation. Fetal thrombotic vasculopathy is an underrecognized association with perinatal liver disease that may be associated with abnormal liver perfusion and that may recur in families, especially when a genetic thrombophilia is present.
On the role of bacterioplankton in the tropical ocean

The high rates of production by planktonic bacteria reported by Sorokin for the warm surface layer of the oceans cannot be reconciled with the geographic distribution of dissolved organic carbon. These rates, as well as Sorokin's figures of bacterial production and, hence, consumption of oxygen in the deep sea are too high by an order of magnitude. It is left undecided whether the principal sink for the dissolved organic matter reaching the deep sea is in the warm surface layer of the oceans, as suggested by Sorokin, or the deep sea itself.
Neonatal caffeine exposure alters seizure susceptibility in rats in an age-related manner.

Early developmental exposure to caffeine in rats results in decreased susceptibility to certain chemically-induced seizures in the adult. To determine whether this effect first appears in adulthood or is present during preceding developmental stages, we exposed neonatal rats to caffeine and determined seizure thresholds in animals 28, 42 and 70–90 days of age. Rats were unhandled or received either vehicle (water) or caffeine (15–20 mg/kg/day) by gavage (0.05 ml/10 g) over postnatal days 2–6. At 28, 42, or 70–90 days of age, rats were infused intravenously with picrotoxin (PIC), bicuculline (BIC), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), caffeine (CAFF), strychnine (STR), or kainic acid (KA). Seizure thresholds for each compound were analyzed as a function of neonatal treatment, sex, and age. At 28 days, neonatally caffeine-exposed rats had a higher seizure threshold only for PTZ (P < 0.03). At 42 days, neonatally caffeine-exposed rats had higher seizure thresholds for PIC (P < 0.0007) and PTZ (P < 0.0001) than did controls. These results at 28 and 42 days are compared with previously reported data that demonstrated that in adulthood, rats neonatally exposed to caffeine have higher thresholds for seizure induction with CAFF, PTZ, and KA. Thus, early developmental exposure to caffeine results in decreases in seizure susceptibility that are agent specific and may result in a delay in the decrease in seizure threshold that occurs for many agents between late juvenile ages and adulthood.
The effects of testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 3α-androstanediol, and 3β-androstanediol on epithelial fine structure of the rabbit epididymis in organ culture

The fine structure of the corpus epididymidis of the rabbit has been studied following organ culture. Various modifications of tissue preparation and culture conditions were examined to obtain good maintenance of cellular integrity as well as to preserve sperm fertilizing ability.
Nonlinear seismic response of stiffening SDOF systems

Stiffening behavior can result from interaction between a structure (base system) and its surrounding environment as in the bridge soil-structure interaction. In this paper the base single-degree-of-freedom (B-SDOF) systems are designed for several ductility factors and then the effects of different interacting environments (defined in terms of stiffness, strength and gap size) on its dynamic response are investigated. For this, nonlinear time history analyses are performed using an earthquake record scaled to an elastic design response spectrum at each period. Several damage criteria, namely, displacement ductility, dissipated hysteretic energy, and low-cycle fatigue concepts are considered. On average the displacement ductility is lower for stiffening systems, consistent with push-over analysis based on seismic codes. However, it is shown that considering other seismic damage criteria than displacement ductility, it is quite likely that a stiffening single-degree-of-freedom (S-SDOF) system (i.e., a base system with an interacting environment) will sustain more damage than an elastic-plastic B-SDOF system (i.e., a base system alone). Design implications and the needs for future research are also discussed.
Duality between prime factors and an application to the prime number theorem for arithmetic progressions

Abstract We study in this paper a new duality identity between large and small prime factors of integers and its relationship with the prime number theorem for arithmetic progressions. The asymptotic behavior of large prime factors of integers leads to interesting relations involving the Mobius function.
Possible Worlds I: Modal Realism

It is difficult to wander far in contemporary metaphysics without bumping into talk of possible worlds. And reference to possible worlds is not confined to metaphysics. It can be found in contemporary epistemology and ethics, and has even made its way into linguistics and decision theory. What are those possible worlds, the entities to which theorists in these disciplines all appeal? This paper sets out and evaluates a leading contemporary theory of possible worlds, David Lewis’s Modal Realism. I note two competing ambitions for a theory of possible worlds: that it be reductive and user-friendly. I then outline Modal Realism and consider objections to the effect that it cannot satisfy these ambitions. I conclude that there is some reason to believe that Modal Realism is not reductive and overwhelming reason to believe that it is not user-friendly.
MACROPHAGE NITRIC OXIDE MEDIATES IMMUNOSUPPRESSION IN INFECTIOUS INFLAMMATION

Abstract A vaccine strain of live, attenuated Salmonella typhimurium induces profound immunosuppression in inoculated mice 7 days after injection. Immunosuppression to mitogens and inability to mount plaque-forming responses to sheep red blood cells occurs in spite of many parameters of upregulated macrophage function and protection against challenge with virulent Salmonella . Studies show that macrophage nitric oxide mediates the immunosuppression and presumably also the early-onset protective capacity of the vaccine. A model of ≪bystander lymphocyte autotoxicity≫ is presented to explain the mechanism of immunosuppression. The model proposes that Salmonella -activated macrophages generate nitric oxide which inactivates lymphocytes in the vicinity, so they become dysfunctional. Inhibition of nitric oxide by N G -monomethyl-Larginine reverses immunosuppression. Evidence is presented that supports a relationship between the microbial burden in the spleen, the degree of nitric oxide produced, and the extent of immunosuppression. It is proposed that this model of microbial immunosuppression mediated by nitric oxide is generalizable for understanding immunosuppression and loss of delayed-type hypersensitivity induced by other microbes, such as Mycobacteria and measles virus. The model could account for anergy during mycobacterial infections, particularly when the burden of acid-fast bacilli is high, as well as loss of skin test reactivity to tuberculin during measles infection.
Residential Proximity to Freeways is Associated with Uncontrolled Asthma in Inner-City Hispanic Children and Adolescents

Background. Proximity to heavy traffic has been linked to increased asthma severity. However, it is unknown whether exposure to heavy traffic is associated with the ability to maintain asthma control. Objectives. This study examines whether exposure to heavy traffic is associated with the ability to maintain asthma control in inner-city children. Methods. 756 inner-city asthmatic Hispanic children were followed for one year in a pediatric asthma management program (Breathmobile). At each scheduled visit, asthma specialist tracked patients' asthma severity and managed their asthma based on the NAEPP guidelines. The patients' residential distance from the nearest freeway was calculated based on residential address at study entry. Distance to nearest freeway was used as a surrogate marker for high exposure from traffic-related air pollutants. Results. Patients who lived near a freeway were significantly more likely to have asthma that was not well controlled (𝑃=.03). Patients with intermittent and mild baseline severity have a two-fold increased risk of having asthma that is uncontrolled if they lived <2 miles from a freeway (OR=2.2, 𝑃=.04). Conclusion. In children with asthma, residential proximity to freeways is associated with uncontrolled asthma.
SU-FF-T-521: Experimental Verification of Biological Gamma Plus Index

Purpose: A new biological gamma evaluation index, gamma plus, was proposed to more effectively describe the quality assurance of IMRT treatment by considering biological effective dose (BED) information. Although gamma index has been used to evaluate the physical dose delivery and spatial discrepancies between the treatment planning system (TPS) and practical treatment, it does not consider important biological information of organs.Method and Materials: An experiment was designed to verify this new bio‐gamma concept. LungIMRT plan for the RANDO® Phantom was created using Pinnacle3 TPS, and then was delivered to the GAFCHROMIC® EBT film located in a specific plane of RANDO® Phantom by a Varian Clinac 23EX linear accelerator.LungIMRT plan was to prescribe 200 cGy per fraction to 100% of point dose at “iso” for 20 fractions. Four 6 MV photon beams were assigned to this prescription at gantry angle of 20, 150, 180, and 220 degrees, respectively. MATLAB codes were developed to compare the delivered planar dose distribution to the planned dose distribution of LungIMRT plan based on the bio‐gamma concept. Results: Under the standard tolerances of 3% dose difference and 3 mm distance difference, the gamma plus calculations of the lungIMRT case not only give similar results as the gamma index does, but also show difference from the gamma index by considering biological dose information and various dose fractions. With different treatment parameters in clinical cases, such as dose per fraction, the gamma plus index will change its value, which implies the treatment outcome information has been included. Conclusion: Combined with BED concept, gamma plus index shows its advantages on quantitative evaluations of the dose distributions over the gamma index. Better quality control of IMRT treatment could be obtained because bio‐gamma incorporates the information of treatment outcome and biological dose of organs.
Gene-targeted-metagenomics reveals extensive diversity of aromatic dioxygenase genes in the environment.

Understanding the relationship between gene diversity and function for important environmental processes are major ecological research goals. We applied gene-targeted-metagenomics and pyrosequencing to aromatic dioxygenase genes to obtain greater sequence depth than possible by other methods. A PCR primer set designed to target a 524 bp region that confers substrate specificity of biphenyl dioxygenases yielded 2000 and 604 sequences from 5′ and 3′ ends of the PCR products, respectively, that passed our validity criteria. Sequence alignment showed three known conserved residues as well as another seven conserved residues not previously reported. Ninety-five and 41% of the valid sequences were assigned to 22 and 3 novel clusters in that they did not include any previously reported sequences at 0.6 distance by Complete Linkage Clustering for the sequenced regions. The greater diversity revealed by this gene-targeted approach provides deeper insights into genes potentially important in environmental processes to better understand their ecology, functional differences and evolutionary origins. We also provide criteria for primer design for this approach as well as guidance for data processing of diverse functional genes since gene databases for most genes of environmental relevance are limited.
Linear, iso and anteiso fatty acids in recent sediments of the North Atlantic

Abstract Straight chain, iso - and anteiso -acids from different sedimentary environments of the North Atlantic have been isolated and resolved by gas chromatography. The acids cover the range from C 7 to C 21 . Normal and iso -acids occur at every number; anteiso -acids occur only at odd carbon numbers within the same range. It is suggested that the iso - and anteiso -acids may provide markers for the bacterial contribution, and the isoprenoid acids markers for the contribution of animal lipids to the organic matter of Recent sediments.
An Overview of Evaluative Instrumentation for Virtual High Schools

Abstract With an increasing prevalence of virtual high school programs in the United States, a better understanding of evaluative tools available for distance educators and administrators is needed. These evaluative tools would provide opportunities for assessment and a determination of success within virtual schools. This article seeks to provide an analysis and classification of instrumentation currently available. It addresses issues regarding the limited arsenal of assessments and evaluation instrumentation for virtual schools.
Designing a high-performance database engine for the 'Db4XML' native XML database system

eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is fast becoming the common electronic data interchange language between applications. In this paper, we describe a database engine called 'Db4XML', which provides storage for XML documents in native format. Db4XML is a high performance, main memory resident database engine. Db4XML is being used as a testbed for comparing various query evaluation techniques. The use of wild card (*, ?, '//', etc.) in the path expressions of a query allows users to query documents whose structural information is not available. This paper lists different techniques that can be used to evaluate generalized path expressions (GPE) and presents a performance comparison of the same. A preliminary performance study of the effect of using concurrency control techniques on the various query evaluation techniques is also performed. This paper briefly discusses a suitable recovery technique for the database engine.
Cockroach extract antigen increases bronchial airway epithelial permeability

Abstract Background: The bronchial epithelial cells of airways are subject to recurrent environmental injury throughout the life of an individual. Recently, a high incidence of asthma has been reported in inner-city children. The increased incidence of asthma in inner-city children is thought to be caused, in part, by frequent exposure to allergens of the common household pest the cockroach. Objective: We sought to investigate whether cockroach extract antigen (CrAg) induces vascular permeability factor, also known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and whether it increases permeability in bronchial airway epithelial cells (BAECs). Methods: We estimated CrAg-induced VEGF release in BAECs by using an ELISA and VEGF mRNA expression by using an RT-PCR reaction. The influence of CrAg on BAEC barrier function was estimated by measuring electrical resistance with an electric cell substrate impedance-sensing system. Results: Our results demonstrate that CrAg induces VEGF release in BAECs in a time-dependent manner. The VEGF induction was also confirmed by means of VEGF mRNA expression in CrAg-stimulated BAECs. CrAg decreased electrical resistance across BAEC monolayers. The maximum decrease in electrical resistance was noticed 6 hours after activation and reached a plateau thereafter. Neutralizing antibodies to VEGF significantly inhibited the decrease in BAEC electrical resistance caused by CrAg. Conclusions: These data suggest that CrAg induces VEGF release in BAECs and alters bronchial airway permeability. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;110:589-95.)
Viruses Play Dead to TAMe Interferon Responses

TAM receptors promote apoptotic cell uptake and function as inflammation suppressors. Many viruses mimic apoptotic cells, thus exploiting TAM receptors for attachment and entry. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Bhattacharyya et al. show that TAM binding by enveloped viruses also induces receptor signaling to suppress cellular interferon responses.
Drag and drop streaming: the next revolution in e-learning

The Virtual Technology Center at the University of Houston has developed a web application, called VClass, that completely automates the process of capturing and publishing in-class lectures on the web using nothing more than a standard computer. The captured lectures are distributed to students as streaming video that includes audio, notes, and any projected media. Beyond classroom capture technology, VNet also features numerous course management features such as assignment posting, discussion forums, and announcements. After just 2 years more than 200 courses are using VNet at the University of Houston to publish more than 11,000 resources. VNet receives over 1,200 unique users daily from all over the world - including Venezuela, Brazil, China, South Africa, France, Mexico and Iraq. This presentation will cover how VClass functions and how VClass has impacted teaching and learning at the University of Houston.
Review of computerized orthoptics with specific regard to convergence insufficiency.

Traditional vision training or orthoptics has used line or contour targets to eliminate suppression and improve vergence performance. Manipulation of these stimuli is slow and arduous. Line stimuli require an experienced doctor/technician to interpret responses. Recently, automated vision training using microprocessor anaglyph stimuli, i.e., random dot stereograms (RDS), has been used in an operant conditioning paradigm. This technique has improved motivation of the patient, improved reliability, and provided standardization of therapy. In addition, the utilization of RDS associated with operant conditioning has been shown to improve vergence performance and to reduce asthenopia in the convergence insufficiency patient.