cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Journey to the Pole: Polar Localization of Proteins in E. coli

Far from being well-mixed, almost all biological systems exhibit precise spatial and temporal control of protein, mRNA, and DNA localization, demonstrating that cells measure distance and detect proximity with a molecular-scale tool kit. Despite its relatively simple cellular structure and diminutive size, Escherichia coli exhibits a high degree of spatial organization. We examine and quantitatively characterize the phenomena of polar localization at a systems scale by capturing the cell-cycle localization dynamics of all proteins with polar localization in E. coli. In particular we study the temporal ordering of the arrival of factors at mid-cell, preceding cytokinesis, and at the new pole, after cell division as well as analyzing the asymmetry of protein partitioning on cell division. The great degree of heterogeneity between protein species suggest that a number of different mechanisms are responsible for the phenomena of polar localization.
Changes in fatty acid composition in plant tissues expressing a mammalian Δ9 desaturase

Plant tissues expressing a mammalian stearoyl-CoA Δ9 desaturase were reported to accumulate Δ9 hexadecenoic acid (16∶1), normally very minor in most plant tissues. The transgenic plants were thoroughly analyzed for alterations of individual lipids in different subcellular sites. Western blot analysis indicated that the animal desaturase was targeted to the microsomes. The Δ9 16∶1 was incorporated into both the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of all the major membrane lipids tested, indicating that the endoplasmic reticulum acyltransferases do not exclude unsaturated C16 fatty acids from the sn-2 position. In addition to increases in monounsaturated and decreases in saturated fatty acids, accumulation of 16∶1 was accompanied by a reduction in 18∶3 in all the lipids tested except phosphatidylglycerol, and increases in 18∶2 in phospholipids. Total C16 fatty acid content in the galactolipids of the transgenics was significantly higher than that in the control, but those in the phospholipids were unchanged. In transgenics, Δ11 18∶1 was detected in the sn-1 position of the lipids tested except phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine. Introduction of the animal desaturase, controlled by a seed-specific phaseolin promoter, into soybean somatic embryo resulted in a significant reduction in saturated fatty acids. Such effects were greater in cotyledons than hypocotyl-radicles. This study demonstrated that the animal desaturase can be used to decrease the levels of saturated fatty acids in a crop plant.
Transcriptional regulation of the TATA-less NADPH cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase gene.

Abstract Multiple cis -acting DNA sequences regulating expression of the rat liver NADPH-cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase gene have been identified in transient transfection assays using promoter deletion constructs linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene. The TATA-less promoter possesses nine GC-boxes which contain the consensus sequence for the transcription factor Sp1. While loss of the seven distal GC-boxes had minimal effect on transcriptional activity, deletion of the next 35 bp, from −206 to −172, resulted in ∼90% loss of promoter activity. Contained within this region is an Sp1 binding site indicating that either (1) this particular consensus sequence was essential for transcription, (2) the two proximal GC boxes act in concert, or (3) a yet unidentified regulatory element resides within this 35-bp stretch. In addition, transfection experiments demonstrated that two separate distal regions (−622 to −1167 and −1500 to −2300) contain negative regulatory elements which down-regulate gene transcription in a position-independent manner. Mobility-shift analyses and DNase footprinting identified sequences in the proximal region of the promoter that bound proteins present in nuclear extracts. Four protected segments were observed within the first 100 bp upstream of the transcription start site; these include (1) the region encompassing the transcription start site (−7 to +4), (2) the region normally occupied by a TATA-box (−38 to −18), (3) the bases from −78 to −60 which contain the regulatory element CACC, and (4) bases −105 to −92 which include an Sp1 binding site. Hence, regulation of the NADPH-cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase gene is controlled by both positive and negative regulatory elements, and, of the nine Spl consensus sites, the two proximal sites are sufficient to support basal transcription.
Paternal behavior influences development of aggression and vasopressin expression in male California mouse offspring

Parental care has been demonstrated to have important effects on offspring behavioral development. California mice (Peromyscus californicus) are biparental, and correlational evidence suggests that pup retrieving by fathers has important effects on the development of aggressive behavior and extra-hypothalamic vasopressin systems. We tested whether retrievals affected these systems by manipulating paternal retrieval behavior between day 15 and 21 postpartum. Licking and grooming behavior affect behavioral development in rats, so we also experimentally reduced huddling and grooming behavior by castrating a subset of fathers. Experimentally increasing the frequency of paternal pup retrieving behavior decreased attack latency in resident-intruder in both male and female adult offspring, whereas experimental reduction of huddling and grooming had no effect. In a separate group of male offspring, we examined vasopressin immunoreactivity (AVP-ir) in two regions of the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST): the dorsal fiber tracts (dBNST) and the ventral cell body-containing region (vBNST). Experimentally increasing retrievals led to an apparent shift in AVP-ir distribution. Specifically, offspring from the high retrieval group had more AVP-ir than offspring from the sham retrieval group in the dBNST, whereas the opposite was observed in the vBNST. Experimental reduction of paternal grooming was associated with increased AVP-ir in the paraventricular nucleus and also increased corticosterone and progesterone, similar to observed effects of maternal grooming on HPA function. This study provides further evidence that paternal behavior influences the development of aggression and associated neural substrates.
Geometry of Saccular Cerebral Aneurysms Not Associated with a Branch Vessel

Objective Saccular cerebral aneurysms located at nonbranching sites are uncommon. Their distribution, morphological features, and presence of a branch vessel or a tiny perforator(s) separate from the aneurysm neck were investigated. Methods From a series of 303 microsurgically clipped saccular cerebral aneurysms, 40 aneurysms were identified at sites not related to a branch vessel. Results The distribution of aneurysms at nonbranching sites was internal carotid: 21 of 40 (52.5%); main stem of the middle cerebral artery/secondary branch of the middle cerebral artery: 6 of 40 (15%); anterior cerebral artery: 1 of 40 (2.5%); pericallosal artery: 1 of 40 (2.5%); pericallosal/callosal marginal: 3 of 40 (7.5%); vertebral artery: 1 of 40 (2.5%); posterior cerebral artery: 1 of 40 (2.5%); posterior cerebral artery/secondary branch of the posterior cerebral artery: 1 of 40 (2.5%); anterior inferior cerebellar artery: 1 of 40 (2.5%); and distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery: 1 of 40 (2.5%). Branch vessels were seen in 5 cases, and small perforating vessels were observed in 2 instances. Conclusions Saccular aneurysms occurring at nonbranching sites are uncommon. Their geometry is particularly favorable for flow directed stents and is most amenable to aneurysms located on large-diameter conducting vessels such as the internal carotid, vertebral, and vertebrobasilar vessels. Smaller parent arteries harboring this type of aneurysm will require new technology to maintain patency of these more distal vessels. If endovascular techniques cannot achieve aneurysm sac obliteration, then open craniotomy and aneurysm clipping will provide a satisfactory alternative.
Comparative performance of southern plains and US farm businesses.

The comparative financial performance of Southern Plains and US farm businesses was analyzed for the 1987-1989 period. The results showed no significant differences between the profitability ratios of the two groups of farms, except in the $40,000 to $249,999 sales class, where US farms performed at a higher level in two of the three years studied. In both groups, farms with gross sales of $250,000 or more had significantly higher profitability ratios among the three sales classes analyzed. The intergroup or interclass differences in performance were due primarily to the differences in efficiency and|or the leverage position of the farms. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of an institutional policy of nonoperative treatment of grades I to IV renal injuries.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Nonoperative treatment of serious renal injuries has been advocated and yet to our knowledge the optimum level of operative treatment has not been established to date. We report a unique data set, in which patients with severe renal injuries were treated with an ultraconservative nonoperative approach during a period when urological consultation was not available at a major urban trauma center.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 51 patients identified with renal trauma in the Detroit Receiving Hospital trauma data base from 1997 to 2001.Results: Injuries were grades I to V in 15, 7, 11, 14 and 4 cases, respectively, and had a tendency toward serious injury. Renorrhaphy was never performed. Nephrectomy was done sparingly, only for grade V renal injuries and only in patients who were exsanguinating from the kidney. Two of the 4 patients with grade V injury died of multiple injuries, including massive head injuries. Only 2 of the patients treated nonoperatively (...
Impact of Prophylactic Central Neck Lymph Node Dissection on Early Recurrence in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Although the role of prophylactic central neck lymph node dissection (CNLD) in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is controversial, many surgeons perform routine prophylactic CNLD. The present study compares local recurrence rates in PTC patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with and without prophylactic CNLD. A retrospective review of 206 patients undergoing thyroidectomy for PTC was conducted at two tertiary referral centers. Of these, 81 patients had total thyroidectomy for PTC and a follow-up between 2 and 9 years with a mean of 3.1 years. Of these 81 patients, 45 underwent routine prophylactic CNLD and 36 did not. For those two groups, demographics, clinical and pathologic findings, radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, and the incidence of recurrence were compared. Univariate statistical analysis was performed. There was no significant difference in age, gender, multifocality, or extrathyroidal extension for the two groups. Patients with CNLD had an average tumor size of 1.4 cm versus 2 cm in the group without CNLD (p < 0.05). Patients who underwent CNLD had an average of 8 nodes removed, and positive nodes were found in 33%. Patients with CNLD received a higher dose of RAI, 102.7 mCi versus 66.3 mCi (p < 0.05). The incidence of positive nodes correlated with an increased RAI dose (r = 0.55). Rates of parathyroid removal and autotransplantation were higher in the CNLD group, 36 and 16% in the CNLD group versus 22 and 3% in the group without CNLD (p = 0.4 and p = 0.07). Rates of temporary hypocalcemia were higher in the CNLD group (31 versus 5%; p = 0.001), however rates of permanent hypocalcemia were similar, 1/35 in the no CNLD group versus 0/45 in the CNLD group (p = 0.4). There was a higher recurrence rate among patients without CNLD 6/36 (16.7%) versus 2/45 (4.4%), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.13). Routine CNLD as an adjunct to total thyroidectomy identifies positive nodes in over 30% of patients with PTC. The discovery of positive nodes is associated with higher doses of RAI for postoperative ablation, and there is a trend toward decreased recurrence in patients undergoing CNLD.
Simple device for multiplexed electrophoretic separations using gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis with channel current detection.

A new microfluidic electrophoresis device and technique is described that is designed specifically for multiplexed, high-throughput separations. The device consists of an array of short (3 mm) capillaries connecting individual sample reservoirs to a common buffer reservoir. Each capillary in the array functions as both a separation channel and as a conductivity-based detection cell. The new technique is based upon the recently described gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis (GEMBE) technique, which uses a combination of an electric field and buffer counterflow to achieve electrophoretic separations in short capillaries or microfluidic channels. A high voltage drives electrophoresis of the sample analytes through each separation channel. At the start of a separation, the bulk counterflow of buffer through the channel is high, and none of the analytes of interest can enter the channel. The counterflow is then gradually reduced until each analyte, in turn, is able to enter the channel where it is ...
ETHNOPSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY- AN EXPLORATORY CONTENT ANALYSIS OF COUNTRY AND WESTERN SONG LYRICS

Summary.-Ethn~ps~chology is an interdisciplinary field linking cultural and social anchoplogy with psychology. Popular culture expresses ethnopsychological processes. This proposition is illustrated through a preliminary analysis of verbal content of American "country and western" song tides and lyrics. Implications for classification in psychopathology and treatment are presented. Ethnopsychology is the discipline concerned with the interarticulation of culrural, social, and psychological processes. Werner's (1957) extensive work is the mosr recent treatment of cognitive processes within a developmental ethnopsychological framework. However, the applications of the ethnopsychological approach may be extended beyond the comparative psychology of cognitive development. This article presents an illustration of the ethnopsychological investigation of psychopathology through verbal content analysis of productions within popular culture. This is adumbrated through a consideration of American "country and western" (C & W) lyrics."
An algal polyphenol oxidase: characterization of the o-diphenol-oxidase from the charophyte, Nitella mirabilis

Enzymatic studies utilizing the charophyte Nitella mirabilis revealed the presence of polyphenol oxidase, an enzyme rarely reported in the algae. This enzyme was further characterized by a determin...
Productivity and its rewards: Toward a new work ethic

A new American work ethic, needed to effectively compete in global markets, might develop if the wealth created by increased productivity is invested in creating open-ended, mutual obligations within organizations, and socially significant roles for employees beyond organizations. An anthropological perspective is applied to gain sharing to propose allocations that could engender job security, capital formation, enhanced social roles, higher productivity, and a new work ethic congruent with voluntaristic American culture. The proposed gain-sharing allocation supports participative work organization.
Depression: Avoidance learning and physiological correlates in clinical and analog populations

Abstract The behavioral and physiological components of depression were investigated in two experiments comparing eight student and seven non-student depressed females with an equal number of students and non-student controls on avoidance tasks and electrodermal responsivity to an aversive audiotape. Avoidance behavior was assessed in both active and passive paradigms where the correct response or response suppression, respectively, function to avoid a noxious buzzer. Physiological activity and reactivity were compared using measurements of skin resistance level and SRR fluctuations during resting and aversive tape periods. It was found that the depressed groups showed inferior active and superior passive avoidance learning as compared to controls. Depressed subjects were also more emotionally responsive (showed a greater number of SRR) during presentation of the audiotape. A passive avoidance model for depression is suggested for the explanation of the phenomena observed. A distinct difference was also found between student and non-student populations. The utility of college student analogs for depression is questioned.
Targeting the mitochondria to augment myocardial protection

The dynamic regulation of the structure, function and turnover of mitochondria is recognized as an immutable control node maintaining cellular integrity and homeostasis. The term 'mitohormesis' has recently been coined to describe the adaptive reprogramming of mitochondrial biology in response to low levels of metabolic substrate deprivation to augment subsequent mitochondrial and cellular tolerance to biological stress. Disruption of these regulatory programs gives rise to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and augmentation or fine-tuning of these programs may ameliorate mitochondrial and global cellular stress tolerance. This is in part via the regulation of reactive oxygen species, calcium homeostasis, and in response to caloric restriction, the capacity to augment DNA repair. The objective of this manuscript is to briefly review these regulatory programs and to postulate novel therapeutic approaches with the primary goal of modulating mitochondria to enhance tolerance to cardiac ischemic stress.
Intraconfigurational absorption spectroscopy of IrCl2−6 and IrBr2−6 in A2MX6-type host crystals

Abstract Near-IR absorption spectra for Ir 4+ in A 2 MX 6 (A  K, Rb, NH 4 , M  Sn, Pt, Re, X  Cl, Br)-type hosts are discussed and compared to earlier work. Our data indicate that the effect of reduced host symmetry is quite small in this d 5 system and that the IrCl 2− 6 spectra can be interpreted in a manner paralleling previous studies on Ir 4+ in cubic hosts. In some hosts, e.g., K 2 PtCl 6 , the IrBr 2− 6 appears to have a vibronic pattern outside the experience with previous MX 2− 6 results. Origin shifts and the nature of a vibronic progression were seen to correlate with host lattice counterion. By comparison to luminescence results of Flint and Paulusz, the latter data are proposed to be indicative of a strongly Jahn-Teller active e g mode.
Chemistry of soil potassium in Atlantic coastal plain soils: A review

Abstract Literature dealing with general properties of soil K and with K relationships in Atlantic Coastal Plain Soils was discussed. Potassium, among major and secondary nutrient elements, is the most abundant in soils. It, among mineral cations required by plants, is largest in non‐hydrated size. Potassium has a polarizability equal to .88 A3 and a low hydration energy of 34 kcal g−1 ion−1. The major K forms in soils are water soluble, exchangeable, nonexchangeable, and mineral. Various dynamic interrelationships exist between these forms with the reaction kinetics between the various phases determining the fate of applied K. Many Atlantic Coastal Plain soils contain high levels of total K. Most of the total K in these soils is contained in mineral forms such as micas and K‐feldspars. These K forms are slowly released to solution and exchangeable forms that are available to plants. Many researchers have noted a lack of crop response to K fertilization on Atlantic Coastal Plain soils. This lack of respon...
BUILDING A LARGE THESAURUS FOR INFORMATION RETRIEVAL

Information retrieval systems that support searching of large textual databases are typically accessed by trained search intermediaries who provide assistance to end users in bridging the gap between the languages of authors and inquirers. We are building a thesaurus in the form of a large semantic network to support interactive query expansion and search by end users. Our lexicon is being built by analyzing and merging data from several large English dictionaries; testing of its value for retrieval is with the SMART and CODER systems.
Gender-related differences in clinical management after exercise nuclear testing.

Objectives. This study sought to determine the rate of referral to cardiac catheterization in men and women early after nuclear testing as a function of the magnitude of myocardial ischemia by radionuclide perfusion imaging. Background. Although many previous studies have suggested that gender-related differences are present in the clinical management of coronary artery disease, the presence of such a difference with respect to referral to catheterization after noninvasive testing is disputed. Methods. We examined 3,211 consecutive patients (1,074 women, 2,137 men) who underwent exercise dual-isotope single-photon emission computed tomography and had follow-up evaluation performed at least 1 year after nuclear testing (mean [±sd]follow-up 19 ± 5 months) for “hard” events (cardiac death and myocardial infarction) and referral to cardiac catheterization or revascularization within 60 days of nuclear testing. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the best predictors of referral to catheterization as well as to examine whether gender itself added further information to this model. Results. Although men were referred to catheterization more frequently than women (10.6% vs. 7.1%, p Conclusions. After controlling for differences in perfusion scan abnormalities, no gender-related referral bias to catheterization was present. In the setting of severe ischemia, women had a greater rate referral to catheterization than men. As a function of risk, both men and women were appropriately referred to catheterization at a low rate when the scan result was normal. However, because women with severe perfusion abnormalities had a greater rate of cardiac death and myocardial infarction than men, women in this high risk subgroup were underreferred to catheterization relative to men. This finding points to the need to better identify women at high cardiac risk.
Anabolic Steroids for Veal Production

Abstract Twenty-four Holstein calves were divided into three equal groups to test the influence of anabolic agents on growth of veal calves. One group served as a control, another received Win 14,833, stanozolol, [17/ β -hydroxy-17α methylandrostano (3,2-c) pyrazole], and the other Win 18,792 [17/ β -(3-cyclohexylpropionoxy) androstano (2,3–5) isoxazole]. The calves were placed on an eight-week study when they were four to six days old. Milk replacer was offered to all groups at 10% of the body weight the first week, 15% the second week, and 20% thereafter. There was a significant increase in the rate of gain due to treatment, about 34% in the group injected with Win 18,792 and 34% in those injected with Win 14,833. There was also a significant improvement in feed conversion, which amounted to 11% in the treated animals. Carcass data were collected from four animals in each group. Although the dressing per cent, weight of the round, and cm 2 of rib-eye were greater in the experimental groups, these values were not significant. Composition of lean, bone, and fat of the round did not appear to be altered by treatments.
A framework for modeling stochastic flow and synchronization networks

Motivated mainly by infrastructure-network management problems, our group has been pursuing analysis and design of various models for network dynamics, which vary in their specifics but broadly can be viewed as either stochastic flow or synchronization processes defined on a graph. So as to obtain a common framework for these models, here we introduce broad and complementary models for linear stochastic flow and synchronization dynamics in networks, that are structured only in that the network's state evolution is Markov and conditionally linear. We first provide mathematical and graphical formulations for each model, and then verify that the models are broad enough to capture several common synchronization/flow networks. As a first analysis, graph-theoretic characterizations of these models' asymptotics are given; these results generalize and enhance known graphical characterizations of existing synchronization/flow models. A comparison of the stochasticity of different flow network models within the framework is also included.
Biogeography of hydrothermal vent communities along seafloor spreading centers

Compared to terrestrial and shallow-water habitats, deep-sea hydrothermal vents are unique environments characterized by their local insularity, global distribution, individual ephemerality, collective geological longevity, geochemical homogeneity, and their physical and energetic isolation from the catastrophic events implicated in the extinction and speciation of terrestrial and shallow-water forms. Development of vent communities has thus occurred in novel biogeographical contexts that challenge our ability to understand evolutionary processes in the deep sea. Recent field work by French, Canadian, German, Japanese and American scientists has revealed intriguing patterns in the taxonomic composition and distribution of vent organisms at geographically disjunct study sites.
A fiber-optic probe to measure precombustion in-cylinder fuel-air ratio fluctuations in production engines

An infrared fiber-optic spark plug probe has been developed that will measure the instantaneous fuel-air ratio of the unburned fuel-air mixture near the spark plug in the cylinder of a production automobile engine. The heart of the device is a probe that is placed into the spark plug hole of an engine. It can house both a spark electrode and a pair of optical fibers. Radiation form an infrared source is supplied to one fiber, while the other fiber carries the absorption signal from the probe to a detector and data acquistion equipment. The probe measures variations in the light transmitted through a region surrounding the spark gap due to fluctuations in the fuel concentration in this region. It can record variations in the air-fuel ratio in an engine cylinder at high enough rates to show how engine operating conditions affect the mixing inside the engine cylinder. The probe was tested in a CFR engine motored at 600 rpm using propane as the fuel. The probe measured the fuel/air ratio spatially averaged over a distance of 8 mm from the tip of the spark plug. The temporal resolution of the measurements was 2.6° crank angle. Four air/fuel equivalence ratios were examined for each of two conditions: one in which the fuel was introduced far upstream of the intake, allowing homogeneous mixing and one in which the fuel was introduced at the intake port. In the cases where the fuel was introduced at the port, strong inhomogeneities were measured during the intake stroke. The mixture in the vicinity of the spark plug became relatively homogeneous by the middle of the compression stroke.
Long‐term osteopenic changes in cancellous bone structure in ovariectomized rats

Cancellous bone mass decreases following ovariectomy in rodents, providing a useful model for post-menopausal bone loss in humans. This study describes and quantifies the longer-term changes in cancellous bone structure in the ovariectomized (OVX) rat. Rats were OVX or sham-OVX at 100 days of age and bones were collected 540 days later. Lumbar vertebral bodies were prepared for microradiography and structural analyses (nodal analyses and star volume analyses) of cancellous bone. Proximal humerii were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microradiography confirmed the loss of cancellous bone from the central spongiosa regions of the vertebral bodies and the humerii in the OVX rats. Changes in trabecular structural elements included relative increases in the number of free to free, cortical to free, cortical to node struts and decreases in the node to node struts in the OVX animals compared with controls. There were increases in average lengths of the node to free, node to node, and free to free trabecular struts in the OVX animals. The marrow star volume was increased in the OVX animals indicating a greater trabecular separation in these animals compared with controls. Viewed by SEM, metaphyseal trabeculae in the controls consisted of rods and plates but in the OVX animals the remaining trabeculae were mostly longitudinal rods with smaller transverse connecting rods. The remaining bone in the OVX animals was found in the lateral metaphyseal areas and is consistent with maintenance of the structural capacity of the bone. These long-term changes in cancellous bone structure are likely due to the continuation of functional skeletal loading but a decrease in gonadal hormones resulting in a decreased necessity to maintain a skeletal mineral store for reproduction (e.g., pregnancy and lactation). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Searching for plasticity in dissociated cortical cultures on multi-electrode arrays

We attempted to induce functional plasticity in dense cultures of cortical cells using stimulation through extracellular electrodes embedded in the culture dish substrate (multi-electrode arrays, or MEAs). We looked for plasticity expressed in changes in spontaneous burst patterns, and in array-wide response patterns to electrical stimuli, following several induction protocols related to those used in the literature, as well as some novel ones. Experiments were performed with spontaneous culture-wide bursting suppressed by either distributed electrical stimulation or by elevated extracellular magnesium concentrations as well as with spontaneous bursting untreated. Changes concomitant with induction were no larger in magnitude than changes that occurred spontaneously, except in one novel protocol in which spontaneous bursts were quieted using distributed electrical stimulation.
Data pre-processing in liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry-based proteomics

Motivation: In a liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry (LC--MS)-based expressional proteomics, multiple samples from different groups are analyzed in parallel. It is necessary to develop a data mining system to perform peak quantification, peak alignment and data quality assurance. Results: We have developed an algorithm for spectrum deconvolution. A two-step alignment algorithm is proposed for recognizing peaks generated by the same peptide but detected in different samples. The quality of LC--MS data is evaluated using statistical tests and alignment quality tests. Availability:Xalign software is available upon request from the author. Contact: zhang100@purdue.edu
Mullerian Inhibiting Substance is an ovarian growth factor of emerging clinical significance

Objective To examine Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) as an emerging diagnostic marker of ovarian function. Design Medline review of published studies pertaining to the role of MIS in assessing ovarian aging, predicting response to ovulation induction in preparation for in vitro fertilization, assessing risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS) before ovulation induction, and diagnosis of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS). Result(s) The majority of published studies to date support a role for MIS as a marker of ovarian reserve. Specific cut-off values are dependent upon the particular assay used. Mullerian Inhibiting Substance may offer value in assessing risk of OHSS and diagnosis of PCOS. Conclusion(s) Potential advantages of MIS compared with other conventional markers of ovarian reserve include: 1) MIS is the earliest marker to change with age; 2) it has the least intercycle variability; 3) it has the least intracycle variability; and 4) it may be informative if randomly obtained during the cycle. Widespread clinical use of MIS may await the availability of an international standard for MIS so that results using different assays may be reliably compared.
Dopamine Receptor-mediated Ca2+ Signaling in Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons *

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) and cAMP are the two second messengers that play an important role in neuronal signaling. Here, we investigated the interactions of InsP(3)- and cAMP-mediated signaling pathways activated by dopamine in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSN). We found that in approximately 40% of the MSN, application of dopamine elicited robust repetitive Ca(2+) transients (oscillations). In pharmacological experiments with specific agonists and antagonists, we found that the observed Ca(2+) oscillations were triggered by activation of D1 class dopamine receptors (DARs). We further demonstrated that activation of phospholipase C was required for induction of dopamine-induced Ca(2+) oscillations and that maintenance of dopamine-evoked Ca(2+) oscillations required both Ca(2+) influx and Ca(2+) mobilization from internal Ca(2+) stores. In "priming" experiments with a type 2 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist, we have shown a likely role for calcyon in coupling D1 class DARs with Ca(2+) oscillations in MSN. In experiments with the DAR-specific agonist SKF83959, we discovered that phospholipase C activation alone could not account for dopamine-induced Ca(2+) oscillations. We further demonstrated that direct activation of protein kinase A by 8-bromo-cAMP or inhibition of protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) or calcineurin (PP2B) resulted in elevation of basal Ca(2+) levels in MSN, but not in Ca(2+) oscillations. In experiments with competitive peptides, we have shown an importance of type 1 InsP(3) receptor association with PP1alpha and with AKAP9.protein kinase A for dopamine-induced Ca(2+) oscillations. In experiments with MSN from DARPP-32 knock-out mice, we demonstrated a regulatory role of DARPP-32 in dopamine-induced Ca(2+) oscillations. Our results indicate that, following D1 class DAR activation, InsP(3) and cAMP signaling pathways converge on the type 1 InsP(3) receptor, resulting in Ca(2+) oscillations in MSN.
Exopolysaccharide Production Is Required for Development of Escherichia coli K-12 Biofilm Architecture

Although exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are a large component of bacterial biofilms, their contribution to biofilm structure and function has been examined for only a few organisms. In each of these cases EPS has been shown to be required for cellular attachment to abiotic surfaces. Here, we undertook a genetic approach to examine the potential role of colanic acid, an EPS of Escherichia coli K-12, in biofilm formation. Strains either proficient or deficient in colanic acid production were grown and allowed to adhere to abiotic surfaces and were then examined both macroscopically and microscopically. Surprisingly, we found that colanic acid production is not required for surface attachment. Rather, colanic acid is critical for the formation of the complex three-dimensional structure and depth of E. coli biofilms.
Assessing physical functioning in otolaryngology: feasibility of the Short Physical Performance Battery.

Abstract Purpose Objective measures of physical functioning and mobility are considered to be the strongest indicators of overall health and mortality risk in older adults. These measures are not routinely used in otolaryngology research. We investigated the feasibility of using a validated physical performance battery to assess the functioning of older adults seen in a tertiary care otolaryngology clinic. Materials and methods The Short Physical Performance Battery was performed on 22 individuals aged 50 years or older enrolled in the Studying Multiple Outcomes after Aural Rehabilitative Treatment (SMART) study at Johns Hopkins. Results We successfully administered the SPPB to 22 participants, and this testing resulted in minimal participant and provider burden with respect to time, training, and space requirements. The mean time to complete 5 chair stands was 13.0 ± 3.8 seconds. The mean times for the side-by-side, semi-tandem, and tandem stands were 10.0 ± 0.0, 9.5 ± 2.1, and 8.8 ± 3.2 seconds, respectively. Mean walking speed was 1.1 ± 0.3 meters per second, and composite SPPB scores ranged from 6 to 12 (mean = 10.45, S.D. = 1.6). Conclusions Our results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a standardized physical performance battery to assess physical functioning in a cohort of older adults seen in a tertiary otolaryngology clinic. We provide detailed instructions, references, and analytic methods for implementing the SPPB in future otolaryngology studies involving older adults.
Model-based Estimation of Relative Risks and Other Epidemiologic Measures in Studies of Common Outcomes and in Case-Control Studies

Some recent articles have discussed biased methods for estimating risk ratios from adjusted odds ratios when the outcome is common, and the problem of setting confidence limits for risk ratios. These articles have overlooked the extensive literature on valid estimation of risks, risk ratios, and risk differences from logistic and other models, including methods that remain valid when the outcome is common, and methods for risk and rate estimation from case-control studies. The present article describes how most of these methods can be subsumed under a general formulation that also encompasses traditional standardization methods and methods for projecting the impact of partially successful interventions. Approximate variance formulas for the resulting estimates allow interval estimation; these intervals can be closely approximated by rapid simulation procedures that require only standard software functions.
Sur quelques réactions par décharge électrique dans les systèmes phosphine‐eau, phosphine‐eau‐ammoniac et phosphine‐eau‐ammoniac‐méthane

Electric discharge reactions in the systems PH3 + H2O, PH3 + H2O + NH3 and PH3 + H2O + NH3 + CH4 have been studied. In the system PH3 + H2O, they produce polyphosphines (insoluble in water) and hypophosphorous, phosphorous and orthophosphoric acids. In the system PH3 + H2O + NH3, besides the above products, hypophosphate, pyrophosphate, polyphosphates and possibly polyhyphosphates are also present. In the system PH3 + H2O + NH3 + CH4, besides all the above inorganic P compounds, organic phosphorus derivatives such as aminoalkyl phosphates and aminoalkanephosphonates are also formed, as well as other non-phosphorus containing organic products (amino acids, ethanolamine, etc.). The presence of phosphine (or its transformation products), seems to promote condensation reactions in this system since the ratio of amino acids found after hydrolysis (in 6N HCl) to amino acids found before hydrolysis is greater in this system. than in the system (CH4+ H2O+ NH3)iiot containing phosphine.
Object Distinction: Distinguishing Objects with Identical Names

Different people or objects may share identical names in the real world, which causes confusion in many applications. It is a nontrivial task to distinguish those objects, especially when there is only very limited information associated with each of them. In this paper, we develop a general object distinction methodology called DISTINCT, which combines two complementary measures for relational similarity: set resemblance of neighbor tuples and random walk probability, and uses SVM to weigh different types of linkages without manually labeled training data. Experiments show that DISTINCT can accurately distinguish different objects with identical names in real databases.
Let's End the Reading Disabilities/Learning Disabilities Debate

The question of who should teach a poor reader is ofen determined by a label. Yet the experts who do the labeling do not agree on a clearly definitive w y to decide whether a poor reader should be labeled reading disabled or learning disabled. Further, labels have not proved to be helpful in determining treatment. In view of these facts and the fact that imprwed reading is the most common academic need of children labeled learning disabled or reading disabled, it appears that the fields of reading and learning disabilities should merge to create one strong field. Recommendations for creating this merger are given.
The acquisition of word-meaning for dimensional adjectives: the long and short of it

Two experiments tested the semantic feature hypothesis with children younger than those previously studied. Two predictions were considered: (1) that order of acquisition of dimensional adjective pairs corresponds with their order of semantic generality; (2) that at an early stage of development, the marked members of dimensional pairs are interpreted as having the meaning of the unmarked members. In general, both experiments supported prediction one but failed to support prediction two. In Experiment II, a possible confounding variable (non-semantic size preference) was examined. Two general conclusions were reached: (1) that it is difficult to rule out semantically irrelevant factors (size preference) from experiments investigating the learning of dimensional adjectives; and (2) that refinements of the semantic feature theory may be necessary to accommodate individual differences (which may be age dependent) in strategies for learning dimensional adjectives.
A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO THE CONTROL OF PATHOGENS: THE FATE OF STREPTOCOCCI IN EQUINE COMPOST.

Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi), causes the potentially fatal respiratory disease called “strangles” in horses, while the closely related Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) causes potentially fatal infections in humans. A study was undertaken to determine the survival of these two organisms in equine compost. Compost piles of equine bedding and feed waste were inoculated with 10 x 1010 c.f.u. of S. zooepidemicus and samples taken at 48, 96, 168 and 336 hours relative to samples placed in the pile at 0 hours. No Streptococci were isolated at 48 hours or subsequent time-points. Next, S. equi was similarly inoculated into equine compost, with samples taken at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 168 and 336 hours later. No Streptococci were isolated at any time-point. To rule out killing of S. equi by microflora in equine waste, samples of soiled bedding, both autoclaved and un-autoclaved (with water added to match autoclaved moisture) were inoculated with 10 x 1010 c.f.u. of S. zooepidemicus and sampled at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120, 168 and 264 hours. In autoclaved bedding, S. zooepidemicus was isolated from 0 – 120 hours, but replaced by other flora at 264 hours. In un-autoclaved samples, Streptococci were not present after 48 hours. A repeated trial with S. equi yielded similar results. This data suggest that microbial activity of equine waste bedding may eliminate streptococci within 24 - 48 hours, indicating that normal microflora may provide sustainable methods for the control of human and animal pathogens.
Spectra and energy levels of Br xxv, Br xxix, Br xxx, and Br xxxi

Emission lines of highly ionized bromine in the wavelength region 17–93 A have been identified in spectra recorded at the University of Rochester’s OMEGA laser facility. The wavelengths of 2s–2p transitions in nitrogenlike Br xxix, carbonlike Br xxx, and boronlike Br xxxi are presented. The wavelengths of the magnetic dipole transitions within the 2s22p3 ground configurations of Br xxix are predicted from the experimental energy levels. Transitions from the n = 4 and 5 levels of sodiumlike Br xxv were also identified, and the ionization energy of Br xxv was determined to be 9 027 600 ± 2000 cm−1 (1119.3 ± 0.2 eV).
Drought-driven disturbance history characterizes a southern Rocky Mountain subalpine forest

The view that subalpine forest vegetation dynamics in western North America are “driven” by a particular disturbance type (i.e., fire) has shaped our understanding of their disturbance regimes. In the wake of a recent (1990s) landscape-extent spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) outbreak in the southern Rocky Mountains, we re-examined the temporal continuity in disturbance types and interactions and the possible role of drought on their occurrence by reconstructing antecedent disturbances for 11 sites across the Markagunt Plateau, southern Utah, USA. Multiple consistent lines of evidence suggested that historic fires were the primary antecedent disturbance, while relatively minor, stand-specific spruce beetle activity occurred later in stand development but prior to the recent outbreak. Unlike the recent outbreak, antecedent fires were spatially and temporally asynchronous over the period examined (~1600–2000). Reconstructed fire events primarily occurred during periods of prolonged drought. Simi...
Dysnomia, ataxia, choreoathetosis, sensory impairment, and gait imbalance after lentiform nucleus stroke.

We descirbe a patient in whom dysnomia, ataxia, choreoathetosis, sensory impairment, and severe gait imbalance resulted from an isolated left lentiform nucleus-posterior limb of internal capsule lacunar stroke. Each of these deficits has been described as a consequence of unilateral basal ganglia or internal capsule infarction in prior reports, but the combination of these findings in one patient is unusual. Accurate localization of the lesion to the anterior circulation has potential therapeutic implications.
Revolutions in space: parallel projections in the early modern era

There is ambiguity and confusion concerning the nomenclature of parallel projection. Today, such representations are often broadly identified as axonometrics. However, the actual history of parallel projection, delineated by oblique and axonometric projections, reveals inherent spatial differences. By clarifying the intrinsic demarcations between these two forms of parallel projection, one may bring into question anew the approaches and applications of parallel projection as an architectural form of representation in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Principal component analysis of temporal and spatial information for human gait recognition

Principal component analysis was applied to human gait patterns to investigate the role and relative importance of temporal versus spatial features. Datasets consisted of various limb and body angles sampled over increasingly long time intervals. We find that spatial and temporal cues may be useful for different aspects of recognition. Temporal cues contain information that can distinguish the phase of the gait cycle; spatial cues are useful for distinguishing running from walking. PCA and related techniques may be useful for identifying features used by the visual system for recognizing biological motion.
Cigarette smoke condensate and individual constituents modulate DNA methyltransferase expression in human liver cells

Objectives:Previous studies found higher expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 in liver samples from smokers compared to those from non-smokers. In contrast, expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 3a and DNA methyltransferase 3b were similar in smokers and non-smokers. This study extends these studies to establish a causal linkage to cigarette smoke exposure by examining whether DNA methyltransferase expression is modulated by cigarette smoke condensate.Methods:These experiments were conducted in an in vitro system using HepG2 human liver cells. The dose range of cigarette smoke condensate was 0.1–120 µg/mL. The duration of exposure was up to 72 h.Results:In a 24-h exposure, DNA methyltransferase 1 expression was found to increase significantly in a dose-dependent manner (greater than threefold at 100 µg/mL cigarette smoke condensate). Expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 3a and DNA methyltransferase 3b were, however, not affected under these conditions. The effect of two cigarette consti...