cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of varying the fat content of a choline-devoid diet on promotion of the emergence of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase positive foci in the liver of carcinogen-treated rats

Abstract Previous studies have shown that feeding a choline-devoid (CD) diet to rats is an effective promoter of liver carcinogenesis. In the present studies, we investigated the effects of CD diets containing different levels of fat (high, 15%; low, 4%) on the induction of foci of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) positive hepatocytes in the liver of rats initiated with a single dose of diethylnitrosamine. In rats fed the high-fat CD diet for 4–6 weeks, a greater number of foci was induced than in rats fed similarly the low-fat CD diet. However, liver DNA synthesis and the rate of hepatocyte mitosis were not significantly different in rats fed the 2 CD diets, but were significantly higher than in rats fed a choline-supplemented diet. These results indicate that beside stimulation of liver cell proliferation, other factor(s) determine the efficacy with which a CD diet exerts its promoting action.
Ethnicity, Concentrated Minority Disadvantage, and Perceived Risk of Victimization

Abstract There has been little systematic research on how the characteristics of locales condition the relationship of ethnicity to crime-related attitudes, and none of it has examined southwestern Hispanics. Addressing these issues, this investigation examines the effects of ethnicity and concentrated minority disadvantage on confidence in the police and perceived risk of victimization. Data collected in telephone and personal interviews in El Paso, Texas, were analyzed using OLS multiple regression. The analyses show that Hispanics residing in the locales with the greatest concentrated minority disadvantage expressed less confidence in the police than did Hispanics residing in other areas and, irrespective of locale, Anglos. People residing in areas of concentrated disadvantage perceived greater risk of victimization than did those who resided elsewhere. In addition, confidence in the police was related negatively to perceived risk of victimization. These findings indicate that concentrated minority dis...
Che Part I and Che Part II

directed by Steven Soderbergh, IFC Films, 2008. In Spanish with English subtitles. Also released (Spain and Cuba) as Che, El Argentino, and Che, El Guerrillero The best thing about these two films ...
The reaction of N‐aminophthalimide with isothiocyanates

N-Aminophthalimide (I) reacted in refluxing isopropyl alcohol with a number of isothiocyanates to give the related 1:1 addition products, N-(3-substitutedthioureido)phthalimides III. On the other hand, heating I directly with an excess of neat arylisothiocyanates produced the N-arylphthalimides IV. As shown for IIIa, the 1:1 addition products are conveniently deblocked by the Ing-Manske procedure to yield the 4-substituted thiosemicarbazide.
Cryotrapped Reaction Intermediates of Cytochrome P450 Studied by Radiolytic Reduction with Phosphorus-32

Unstable reaction intermediates of the cytochrome P450 catalytic cycle have been prepared at cryogenic temperatures using radiolytic one-electron reduction of the oxy-P450 CYP101 complex. Since a rate-limiting step in the catalytic cycle of the enzyme is the reduction of the ferrous oxygenated heme protein, subsequent reaction intermediates do not normally accumulate. Using 60Co γ-irradiation, the primary reduced oxy-P450 species at 77 K has been identified as a superoxo- or hydroperoxo-Fe3+-heme complex (Davydov, R., Macdonald, I. D. G., Makris, T. M., Sligar, S. G., and Hoffman, B. M. (1999)J. Am. Chem. Soc. 121, 10654–10655). The electronic absorption spectroscopy is an essential tool to characterize cytochrome P450 intermediates and complements paramagnetic methods, which are blind to important diamagnetic or antiferromagnetically coupled states. We report a method of trapping unstable states of redox enzymes using phosphorus-32 as an internal source of electrons. We determine the UV-visible optical spectra of the reduced oxygenated state of CYP101 and show that the primary intermediate, a hydroperoxo-P450, is stable below 180 K and converts smoothly to the product complex at ∼195 K. In the course of the thermal annealing, no spectral changes indicating the presence of oxoferryl species (the so-called compound I type spectrum) was observed.
The effects of short- and long-term freezing on Porphyra umbilicalis Kützing (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) blade viability

Abstract Seaweeds inhabiting the upper intertidal zone are subjected to temperature, light, and water stresses and vertical distribution has been linked to environmental tolerance. Previous studies have also attributed successful recovery from freezing stress in intertidal seaweeds to desiccation tolerance. Porphyra umbilicalis Kutzing is an aseasonal red alga inhabiting the mid to upper intertidal zone in temperate and subarctic regions of the North Atlantic. It is a member of the economically important group of foliose Bangiales, and has been documented to only reproduce asexually via neutral spores in the Northwest Atlantic. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of freezing on the viability of small blades of P. umbilicalis. Cultured blades of P. umbilicalis (4.8 ± 0.22 mg) were air dried to 5% or 30% absolute water content (AWC) and frozen for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months at − 80 °C or − 20 °C. Following freezing, blades were rehydrated and the growth rate of each blade was measured weekly for 4 weeks. Photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was assessed for each blade 3 h and 4 weeks post-rehydration. Overall, there was 100% blade survival and all blades continued to grow after rehydration. Although the conditions under which the blades were frozen did have statistically significant effects on post-rehydration growth rate and Fv/Fm, in general the differences were quite small. Post-rehydration growth rates ranged from 7.06 to 8.03 ± 0.16% day− 1. AWC had an effect on post-rehydration growth rates for blades frozen at − 80 °C, but not blades frozen at − 20 °C. The length of freezing had a somewhat greater effect on blades with 5% AWC than blades with 30% AWC. Growth rates peaked two weeks post-rehydration followed by a small decline in weeks 3 and 4. Fv/Fm values following freezing were generally similar to those recorded in previous studies on non-frozen blades; however, blades frozen for 6 months performed better than blades frozen for 12 months. Overall, these results indicate that short- and long-term freezing have little physiological effect on blades of P. umbilicalis. Therefore, freezing may be a viable method for preservation of P. umbilicalis for aquaculture.
Potential for barotrauma or hypoventilation with the Dräger AV-E ventilator

The system pressure relief valve of the Drager AV-E anesthesia ventilator is powered by connecting tubing from the ventilator. In this case, the tubing became kinked when the anesthesia machine was moved. This resulted in an iatrogenically induced valve malfunction and increasing minimum and peak pressures in the patient circuit. A laboratory study was performed to evaluate the effects of kinking the connecting tubing. The potential for producing barotrauma or hypoventilation with this design of ventilator is discussed. Repositioning the anesthesia machine after a satisfactory check may precipitate a hazardous situation. An anesthesia machine should be checked out in the final position in which it is to be used.
Trace determination of the antihistamines tripelennamine hydrochloride, thenyldiamine hydrochloride, and chlorothen citrate in admixture in animal feed, human urine, and wastewater by high-pressure liquid chromatography and use of a fluorescence detector.

Abstract Tripelennamine hydrochloride, thenyldiamine hydrochloride, and chlorothen citrate have been used as antihistamines and for the treatment of asthma and bronchitis. Toxicological evaluation of these drugs was scheduled as part of a structure-activity relationship study of antihistamines in rats and mice, because of the paucity of such information. Prerequisite for the evaluation was the development of analytical chemical procedures to certify the concentration, homogeneity, and stability of the drugs in dosed feed, to monitor the urine of laboratory personnel to signal their possible exposure to the drugs, and to monitor the wastewater to ensure that the test agents were not discharged into the environment. A high-pressure liquid chromatographic procedure with fluorescence detection was developed for determination of the three antihistamines in admixture in animal feed, human urine, and wastewater at levels of 500, 10 and 10 ng g , respectively. Data on the partition values and use of a silica gel column to aid in the clean-up of sample extracts from the three substrates are reported for the three test agents. Extraction efficiencies and data concerning the stability of tripelennamine hydrochloride and thenyldiamine hydrochloride in animal feed are presented. Description of a new route for synthesis of chlorothen citrate and ancillary data concerning the gas chromatographic analysis for the three drugs in admixture in animal feed at levels as low as 10 μg g are also reported.
Regulation of erythrocyte glycolysis. Membrane-mediated activation induced in low-electrolyte medium

Abstract Human erythrocyte suspensions prepared in low-electrolyte medium maintain a high rate of glycolytic flow, which may exceed by 3-fold the normal rate of glucose utilization by these cells. Rapid redistribution of permeable cation and anion occurs in low-electrolyte media to new Donnan equilibria with changes in both intramembrane and intracellular ionic environment indicated. A primary consequence of the ionic redistribution involves proton loss with intracellular alkalinization accounting for a part, but not all, of the resultant glycolytic stimulation. Stimulation of glycolytic rate in response to pH includes an apparent highly coordinated dual mechanism involving both pH-induced acceleration of ATP degradation and pH activation of the regulatory enzyme phosphofructokinase. A second pH-independent, membrane-mediated, stimulation of glycolytic rate is also indicated in low-electrolyte media. The basis of this additional stimulation involves again an induced acceleration of ATP-degradation rate, with changes in intramembrane ionic environment and resultant effects on the associated ATPase of apparent contributing significance.
Analysis of Means Tables Using Mathematical Processors

[This abstract is based on the author's abstract.] The analysis of means (ANOM) procedure is a graphical method for testing for differences between the means of several populations. An ANOM chart usually gives the same result as a control chart, but its..
Evidence for a solar wind slowdown in the outer heliosphere

Voyager 2 and IMP 8 plasma data are used to look for the predicted slowdown of the solar wind with heliospheric distance. Decreases of roughly 7% in the radial velocity and of the same order in the flux are found if the Voyager 2 and IMP 8 velocities are normalized to agree in the inner heliosphere. This decrease is consistent with a pickup ion density equal to 8% of the total ion density, similar to predictions and other determinations of this density. Comparison with published model results allows us to infer an interstellar neutral density of 0.05 cm−3.
INHIBITION OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS TYPE 1 REPLICATION BY A CELLULAR TRANSCRIPTIONAL FACTOR MBP-1

A cellular transcriptional factor initially identified as the c-myc promoter binding protein (MBP-1) was subsequently characterized as a cell regulatory protein with multifunctional activities. In this study, the role of MBP-1 on human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) transcriptional activity was investigated. MBP-1 showed inhibition of HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR)-directed chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) activity in a transient cotransfection assay. Deletion of upstream elements of the HIV-1 LTR, including the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and Sp1 binding sites, did not affect the MBP-1 mediated suppression of HIV-1 LTR. The core promoter of the HIV-1 appeared to be the primary sequence involved in MBP-1 mediated inhibition. In the presence of HIV-1 TAR sequence and Tat protein, MBP-1 did not inhibit the viral promoter activity. In addition, cotransfection experiments with HIV-1 LTR and deletion mutants of MBP-1 suggested that the carboxyl terminal half of MBP-1 suppresses the HIV-1 promoter activity. Exogenous expression of MBP-1 showed suppression of HIV-1 replication in acutely infected cells and in cells cotransfected with a molecular clone of HIV-1. These results suggest that exogenous expression of MBP-1 plays an important role in the regulation of HIV-1 replication in infected cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 64:565–572. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effects of large doses of aspirin and cortisone on the goblet cells and the mucosal membranes in the small and large intestine

The administration of aspirin, for long periods, decreases the number of goblet cells containing mucin droplets found in the mucosa of the jejunum and colon. Cortisone, on the other hand, causes an increase in the goblet cell count of the villi of the jejunum and has a less pronounced effect on the mucosa of the colon. Aspirin causes thickening of the crypt layers of the villi of the jejunum but not the mucosal folds in the colon. Cortisone not only increases the length of the villi, but also significantly increases the thickening of the crypt layers of the jejunum and mucosa of the colon.
Reverse engineering of the giant muscle protein titin

Through the study of single molecules it has become possible to explain the function of many of the complex molecular assemblies found in cells1,2,3,4,5. The protein titin provides muscle with its passive elasticity. Each titin molecule extends over half a sarcomere, and its extensibility has been studied both in situ6,7,8,9,10 and at the level of single molecules11,12,13,14. These studies suggested that titin is not a simple entropic spring but has a complex structure-dependent elasticity. Here we use protein engineering and single-molecule atomic force microscopy15 to examine the mechanical components that form the elastic region of human cardiac titin16,17. We show that when these mechanical elements are combined, they explain the macroscopic behaviour of titin in intact muscle6. Our studies show the functional reconstitution of a protein from the sum of its parts.
Effect of Calibration and Environmental Condition on the Performance of Direct-Reading Organic Vapor Monitors

The performance of three MIRAN SapphIRe Portable Infrared Ambient Air Analyzers and three Century Portable Toxic Vapor Analyzers equipped with photoionization (PID) and flame ionization (FID) detectors was compared with charcoal tube sampling. Relationships were investigated using two different calibration methods at four cyclohexane concentrations, three temperatures, and four relative humidities. For the first method, the TVA monitors were calibrated with a single concentration of methane for the FID, and isobutylene for the PID. The SapphIRe monitors were zeroed and the monitor's manufacturer-supplied library was used. For the second method, a five-point cyclohexane calibration curve was created for each monitor. Comparison of the monitor results of each calibration method (pooled data) indicated a significant difference between methods (t-test, p < 0.001), The SapphIRe group had results closer to the charcoal tubes with the second calibration method, while the PID and FID monitor groups performed bett...
Ecotourism in the Tangkoko DuaSudara Nature Reserve: opening Pandora' box?

Indonesia, like many other developing countries, is turning to ecotourism in an attempt to integrate the goals of development and nature conservation. Although ecotourism may be a valuable tool for preservation of biodiversity, it can have long-term negative effects on reserves, wildlife and local communities if improperly managed. In this study the authors evaluated ecotourism in the Tangkoko DuaSudara Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, by examining trends in visitor numbers, the tourist experience, the distribution of tourist revenues, and tourist impact on the Sulawesi black macaque Macaca nigra and spectral tarsier Tarsier spectrum. The data collected showed that, although tourism is expanding rapidly, local benefits are not being fully realized, the reserve does not generate enough money to implement management, and primate behaviour is being affected. There is urgent need for a change in legal status of the reserve if ecotourism is to be managed. National park status would accommodate ecotourism planning and development, provide for greater participation by the local community, and allow for increased revenues for management.
Mesenteric microvascular inflammatory responses to systemic hypoxia are mediated by PAF and LTB4.

Systemic hypoxia produces a rapid microvascular inflammatory response characterized by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, leukocyte-endothelial adherence and emigration, and increased ...
Temperature dependent NMR spectra of oxazepines, thiazepines, oxazocines and thiazocines

The temperature dependence of several 7-membered 5-substituted-5,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e] [1,4]oxazepines (Z = O) and thiazepines (Z = S), as well as of 8-membered 12-substituted -6,11-dihydro-12H-dibenz[b,f] [1,4]oxazocines (Z = O) and thiazocines (Z = S), has been studied by NMR spectroscopy. The average ΔF* (kcal/mol) values at coalescence temperatures are 14·0 (M = CHO), 18·2 (M = COCH3) for oxazepines, 17·3 (M = CHO), >21 (COCH3) for thiazepines, and 13·0 for oxazocines and 13·3 for thiazocines, respectively. These data show that replacement of oxygen by a sulfur atom raises the barrier height of ring inversion, but that this effect is greater with the 7-membered than with 8-membered heterocycles. Thus the 8-membered rings have a greater degree of flexibility than do the 7-membered ones. With the oxazepines and the thiazepines, it was also possible to measure the thermodynamics (ΔF*, ΔH* and ΔS*) of the hindered rotation around the NCO bond by studying the temperature dependence of the formyl and acetyl proton resonances. The results suggest that the processes of conformational inversion and hindered rotation in the same molecule are independent of each other. The rate of hindered rotation is slower than the rate of conformational inversion. The conformational preferences of the compounds are also discussed.
A Novel Flash Analog-to-Digital Converter Design Using Cadence Tool

In this paper, we design a pipelined flash Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) to achieve high speed using 0.18um CMOS technology. The results obtained are presented here. The physical circuit is more compact than the previous design. Power, processing time, and area are all minimized. This design can be used for modern high speed ADC applications.
REDUCTION OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS WITH MOLECULAR HYDROGEN BY MICROCOCCUS LACTILYTICUS I. Stoichiometry with Compounds of Arsenic, Selenium, Tellurium, Transition and Other Elements

Woolfolk, C. A. (University of Washington, Seattle) and H. R. Whiteley. Reduction of inorganic compounds with molecular hydrogen by Micrococcus lactilyticus. I. Stoichiometry with compounds of arsenic, selenium, tellurium, transition and other elements. J. Bacteriol. 84:647–658. 1962.—Extracts of Micrococcus lactilyticus (Veillonella alcalescens) oxidize molecular hydrogen at the expense of certain compounds of arsenic, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, lead, thallium, vanadium, manganese, iron, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, osmium, ruthenium, gold, silver, and uranium, as well as molecular oxygen. Chemical and manometric data indicate that the following reductions are essentially quantitative: arsenate to arsenite, pentavalent and trivalent bismuth to the free element, selenite via elemental selenium to selenide, tellurate and tellurite to tellurium, lead dioxide and manganese dioxide to the divalent state, ferric to ferrous iron, osmium tetroxide to osmate ion, osmium dioxide and trivalent osmium to the metal, uranyl uranium to the tetravalent state, vanadate to the level of vanadyl, and polymolybdate ions to molybdenum blues with an average valence for molybdenum of +5. The results of a study of certain other hydrogenase-containing bacteria with respect to their ability to carry out some of the same reactions are also presented.
Flame Temperature Estimation of Conventional and Future Jet Fuels

Presentation d'une formule approchee grâce a laquelle la temperature de flamme adiabatique des systemes air-combustible peut etre calculee en fonction de la pression, de la temperature, du rapport d'equivalence, et du rapport atomique hydrogene/carbone du combustible. Comparaison avec des resultats obtenus a partir d'un code d'equilibre chimique, montrant que l'erreur moyenne dans les temperatures estimees est de l'ordre de 0,4%, l'erreur maximale etant inferieure a 0,8%. Formule donnant un moyen facile et rapide de prevoir les temperatures de flamme, avec une application possible aux combustibles diesel, aux essences, aux alcanes purs, et aux aromatiques
MicroRNAs Regulate Ocular Neovascularization

In this study, we used ischemia-induced retinal neovascularization (NV) as a model to investigate the possible role of microRNAs in a clinically important disease process. Microarray analysis demonstrated seven microRNAs (miR-106a, -146, -181, -199a, -214, -424, and -451) that were substantially increased and three microRNAs (miR-31, -150, and -184) that were substantially decreased in ischemic retina. Potential targets for the upregulated microRNAs were not identified, but bioinformatic analysis suggested target genes for the downregulated microRNAs, and these were confirmed using a luciferase reporter assay. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR confirmed that the substantial levels of miR-31, -150, and -184 present in normal retina were significantly reduced in ischemic retina. Interestingly, constitutive levels of miR-31 and -184 are high in the cornea and lens, two avascular tissues. Intraocular injection of pre-miR-31, -150, or -184 significantly reduced ischemia-induced retinal NV, and injection of pre-miR-31 or -150 also significantly reduced choroidal NV. These data suggest that alteration of microRNA levels contributes to two types of ocular NV, and that injection or enhanced expression of microRNAs is a potential therapeutic strategy.
Comparative measurements of microbial activity in drinking water biofilters.

Tetrazolium reduction assays, phospholipid analysis, and 16S rRNA (rDNA) sequence analysis were applied to assess the distribution, composition and activity of microbial communities developing in biofilters treating non-ozonated and ozonated drinking water. The response of media-attached biomass to bothoperating temperature (3 8C vs. >128C) and ozone application point was assessed. As judged by 2-(p- iodo-phenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-s-phenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT) reduction, the dehydrogenase activity in biofilter systems that were operated with non-ozonated water was 55% lower than in identical filters operating with ozonated water. There was no significant difference between the microbiological activity measured in a biofilter series treating ozonated water and an identical series where ozonated water was introduced at an intermediate point. The biomass levels in biofilter systems that were operated with ozonated water were 47% higher on average than identical systems operated with non-ozonated water. Operating temperature had no significant impact on total biomass levels; however, specific dehydrogenase activity was 70% higher in systems operated at ambient temperatures (>128C) than in systems held at 38C. Phospholipid and rDNA analysis suggests that there was a community structure response to ozone application and operating temperature, but no response to different ozone application points. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Culture and responsibility: A reply to Moody-Adams

L'A. defend la these de l'incapacite morale de certaines personnes sous influence culturelle, contre la critique empirique et psychologique developpee par M. Moody-Adams. Mesurant l'impact de la culture sur la responsabilite et l'action individuelle, l'A. refute l'objection de l'autoillusion et met en evidence le role explicatif de certains facteurs culturels dans le comportement et les choix personnels.
The Structure of Women’s Mood in the Early Postpartum

The "postpartum blues" is a mild, predictable mood disturbance occurring within the first several days following childbirth. Previous analyses of the "blues" symptom structure yielded inconclusive findings, making reliable assessment a significant methodological limitation. The current study aimed to explicate the symptom structure of women's mood following childbirth, and to examine psychometric properties of the Daily Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ), an adapted version of the Kennerley Blues Questionnaire that included additional items from the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Mothers who recently delivered (N = 216) were recruited from a university hospital and asked to complete mood ratings on six consecutive days using the DEQ. Exploratory factor analysis yielded an interpretable two-factor solution identified as Negative Affect and Positive Affect. Scale reliability indices were excellent, with a high level of agreement in factor structure over time. This two-factor model provides reliable assessment of women's mood in the early postpartum, informing the study of reproductive-related mood disorders.
Die lebende menschliche Eizelle. (Mit 5 Textabbildungen.)

Im folgenden berichte ich uber Beobachtungen an der lebenden menschlichen Eizelle mit Hilfe des Phasenkontrastmikroskopes. Die Eier wurden bei Laparotomien aus einem Graafschen Follikel mit Nadel und Spritze aspiriert oder durch Berieseln des Eileiters mit einer Pipette und physiologischer Kochsalzlosung gewonnen.
Effect of dietary sodium zeolite A on zinc utilization by chicks.

Two experiments were conducted with chicks from 5 to 15 days posthatching to study the effect of sodium zeolite A (SZA) on Zn utilization. The corn-soybean meal basal diet was supplemented with ZnCO3 to provide three levels of dietary Zn (35, 40, and 85 ppm) in Experiment 1, and two levels of dietary Zn (85 and 4,000 ppm) in Experiment 2. Experimental diets also contained either 0 or .75% SZA, resulting in a 3 x 2 and a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. The tendency for increased growth, feed intake, and hematocrit in chicks fed Zn-supplemented diets in Experiment 1 suggests that the 35-ppm level of Zn in the basal diet was marginal for chicks. Both supplemental Zn and SZA increased (P < .02) hematocrit and plasma, pancreas, and tibia Zn and decreased (P < .02) tibia Cu. Sodium zeolite A increased (SZA by Zn, P < .03) tibia Al and tended to increase (SZA by Zn, P < .09) liver Fe in chicks fed either 35 or 85 ppm Zn, but SZA had no effect on tibia Al and liver Fe in chicks fed 40 ppm Zn. In Experiment 2, both SZA and excess dietary Zn decreased gain, feed intake, gain: feed, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and plasma alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, and increased tibia, liver, and pancreas Zn, and tibia Al. In addition, excess Zn increased (P < .05) plasma Zn and liver Al but decreased (P < .01) plasma, liver, and pancreas Cu and percentage of tibia ash. The addition of SZA enhanced the adverse effects of excess Zn by further decreasing feed intake, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and plasma AP and Cu and by increasing tibia Al and liver Zn. Sodium zeolite A increased pancreas (P < .09) and tibia (P < .03) Zn regardless of dietary Zn concentration; however, SZA increased plasma Zn only in chicks fed 85 ppm Zn (SZA by Zn, P < .03). Sodium zeolite A tended to improve Zn utilization in chicks fed inadequate Zn but exacerbated the adverse effects of feeding excess Zn. The addition of SZA to the diet of chicks fed inadequate, adequate, or toxic levels of Zn resulted in increased tissue Zn concentration.
A partially decoupled RLS algorithm for Volterra filters

In this correspondence, we consider a partially decoupled variation of the RLS algorithm. It is based on a constrained optimization of the cumulative filter error using the higher order sets of filter weights to improve on the performance of the lower order weight sets whose values are already established. From this constrained optimization, a recursive algorithm is developed whose form closely resembles the standard Volterra RLS algorithm but with structural differences that arise from eliminating the dependence of the lower order weight sets on the higher order weight sets while retaining the dependence of the higher order weights on the lower order weights. The resulting algorithm, while suboptimal, requires less computational effort than the fully coupled version, converges to steady state in the same amount of time, and is shown by example not to exhibit a substantial degradation in performance.
Novus Ordo Saeclorum? A Commentary on Downes, and on Beckett and Western

The article discusses methodological and interpretive issues raised by Beckett and Western's (2001) statistical analysis of US state imprisonment rates. It considers Downes' (2001) argument that ma...
Estradiol Stimulates Apolipoprotein A-IV Gene Expression in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Through Estrogen Receptor-α

Although estrogens have been implicated in the regulation of apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV) gene expression in the nucleus tractus solitarius, previous studies have not defined the molecular mechanism. The aim of this study was to examine the transcriptional mechanisms involved in regulation of apo A-IV gene expression. Using cultured primary neuronal cells from rat embryonic brainstems, we found that treatment with 10nM 17β-estradiol-3-benzoate (E2) or 4,4′,4″-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl) trisphenol (an estrogen receptor [ER]α agonist), but not 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (an ERβ agonist), significantly increased apo A-IV gene expression, compared with vehicle treatment. This effect of E2 was abolished when the cells were incubated with E2 linked to BSA, which prevents E2 from entering cells, implying that a nongenomic mechanism of E2 is not involved. Two putative estrogen response elements were identified at the 5′-upstream region of the apo A-IV gene promoter, but only 1 of them was ...
Structural plasticity in the oestrogen receptor ligand-binding domain.

The steroid hormone receptors are characterized by binding to relatively rigid, inflexible endogenous steroid ligands. Other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily bind to conformationally flexible lipids and show a corresponding degree of elasticity in the ligand-binding pocket. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structure of the oestrogen receptor α (ERα) bound to an oestradiol derivative with a prosthetic group, ortho- trifluoromethlyphenylvinyl, which binds in a novel extended pocket in the ligand-binding domain. Unlike ER antagonists with bulky side groups, this derivative is enclosed in the ligand-binding pocket, and acts as a potent agonist. This work shows that steroid hormone receptors can interact with a wider array of pharmacophores than previously thought through structural plasticity in the ligand-binding pocket.
Monte Carlo simulations of a liquid crystal copolymer in the solid state

The condensed phase of the alternating copolyester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid (HNA) is investigated by studying the room temperature packing arrangement of the copolymer chains. A molecular modeling methodology is employed with a Monte Carlo sampling of the configurational phase space. Realistic poly(HBA-alt-HNA) polymer chains are represented by an explicit atom representation of the HBA/HNA dimers. States are sampled from the NVT ensemble using a sampling scheme consisting of (1) valence and torsional variations, (2) rigid body rotations of the chain about the chain axis, and (3) rigid body translations of the chain. The effect of chain packing on the conformation of chains, as well as the relative intra- and intermolecular orientations of aromatic rings, is investigated. Correlation of chain positioning along the chain axis is dominated by aromatic rings maintaining a center-to-center plane of registry. These layers of aromatic units pack with a preference for edge-to-face orientations in a herringbone-type pattern and have an intermolecular ring angle between the pairs of aromatic rings in the unit cell that is ca. 68°. The aromatic rings, on average, are rotated 38° out from the b–c plane. The phenylene rings of these copolyesters are less restricted in their relative orientation in comparison to the naphthalene rings. Intramolecular orientational probability density distributions indicate a preference for staggering the successive aromatic rings along the chain, with a staggering angle of ca. 66°. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 727–741, 1998
CD2 stimulation leads to the delayed and prolonged activation of STAT1 in T cells but not NK cells.

Abstract Objective T lymphocytes can be activated by soluble factors such as cytokines or through direct cell-cell interactions. Although cytokine receptors are known to signal through STAT family transcription factors, the mechanisms by which other cell-surface molecules, such as CD2, transduce signals is unclear. The goal of this study was to determine whether stimulation of T cells through CD2 recapitulates aspects of cytokine-induced T-cell activation by use of STAT transcription factors. Materials and methods T cells were treated with anti-CD2 antibodies or cells bearing the natural CD2 ligand CD58, after which signaling through STAT transcription factors was assessed. Results Stimulation of CD2 on primary T lymphocytes leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding of STAT1. In contrast to stimulation by cytokines, the activation of STAT1 in response to CD2 ligation is delayed and does not involve Jak kinases. Furthermore, while STAT phosphorylation induced by cytokines is generally transient, STAT1 phosphorylation following CD2 stimulation persists for a period of days. Transcription of key target genes such as IRF1 and c-fos proceeds with delayed kinetics following CD2 stimulation, suggesting that this unique pattern of STAT activation may lead to a distinct cellular response following CD2 ligation. This pathway appears to be restricted to T cells, as stimulation of CD2 on NK cells does not lead to STAT1 activation. Conclusion Stimulation of T cells through cell-surface molecules such as CD2 involves activation of STAT transcription factors, thus recapitulating elements of cytokine signaling.
Rapid Sequence Evolution of Transcription Factors Controlling Neuron Differentiation in Caenorhabditis

Whether phenotypic evolution proceeds predominantly through changes in regulatory sequences is a controversial issue in evolutionary genetics. Ample evidence indicates that the evolution of gene regulatory networks via changes in cis-regulatory sequences is an important determinant of phenotypic diversity. However, recent experimental work suggests that the role of transcription factor (TF) divergence in developmental evolution may be underestimated. In order to help understand what levels of constraints are acting on the coding sequence of developmental regulatory genes, evolutionary rates were investigated among 48 TFs required for neuronal development in Caenorhabditis elegans. Allelic variation was then sampled for 28 of these genes within a population of the related species Caenorhabditis remanei. Neuronal TFs are more divergent, both within and between species, than structural genes. TFs affecting different neuronal classes are under different levels of selective constraints. The regulatory genes controlling the differentiation of chemosensory neurons evolve particularly fast and exhibit higher levels of within- and between-species nucleotide variation than TFs required for the development of several neuronal classes and TFs required for motorneuron differentiation. The TFs affecting chemosensory neuron development are also more divergent than chemosensory genes expressed in the neurons they differentiate. These results illustrate that TFs are not as highly constrained as commonly thought and suggest that the role of divergence in developmental regulatory genes during the evolution of gene regulatory networks requires further attention.
Reparations Reconsidered: A Rejoinder

In the issue of June 1971, there appeared David Felix's “Reparations Reconsidered with a Vengeance,” which constitutes an assault upon my article, “Reparations Reconsidered: A Reminder,” in the December 1969 issue. Unfortunately, Mr. Felix has attacked an article which I did not write rather than the one which I did write. My brief ten-page essay addressed itself exclusively to the question of how much Germany was initially asked to pay and consisted of little more than a close textual analysis of the London Schedule of Payments of May 5, 1921. My main point, which Mr. Felix accepts, was that this document established the German reparations debt at a nominal value of 50 billion gold marks, not the figure of 132 billion gold marks widely cited in the general literature concerning the period. Secondly, I pointed out that Germany had offered to pay a considerably larger amount less than two weeks before. Mr. Felix ignores this point while attacking my conclusion based upon it to the effect that the London Schedule constituted a victory for the Germans. Finally, I remarked briefly that, with a high ostensible figure and much lower actual payments, the Germans had an excellent propaganda position and made the most of it, leading the English-speaking world to believe that the reparations burden was both outrageous and unpayable. I concluded that “We shall never know what Germany could have paid, had she seen any reason to do so, but we can easily demonstrate that the settlement was not outrageous, even in German eyes” (p. 365).
Effects of prescribed fire on the composition of woody plant communities in southeastern Texas

. The response to prescribed burning of plant communities ranging from dry to wet habitats was monitored using permanent plots sampled from 1989 to 1993. Temporal controls for fire effects were provided by matched sets of plots protected from fire by newly constructed fire breaks. Changes in species composition were studied by ordination of strata of trees (> 5 cm DBH), small trees (2–5 cm DBH), large saplings (1–2 cm DBH), and small saplings and seedlings (50–140 cm tall). Results show that changes occurred largely in the small tree stratum, in which xeric species increased in importance. Although there were changes in sapling and seedling strata, no clear direction of change was recognized. Fire had little effect on the tree stratum. Of the seven community types under study, three types, sandhill, upland pine, and upperslope pine-oak, were most strongly affected, as indicated by post-fire change in positions of samples representing these communities in ordination space and reduction in understory species abundance. Samples representing the other four mesic and wet communities showed little or no change in their positions. These short-term results indicate that changes in vegetation resulting from fire were small and were mostly restricted to the dry types in which possible compositional change is expected to occur. This differential effect of fire suggests that the influence of fire is secondary to that of topographical and soil gradients in determining vegetation pattern under current fire regimes. Fire seems to reinforce an overall vegetation gradient controlled by soil in southeastern Texas.
Augmented insulin action on rates of protein synthesis after resistance exercise in rats

This study investigated whether insulin has a modulatory effect on protein synthesis rates in skeletal muscle after four sessions of resistance exercise. Male rats engaged in resistance exercise (A...
Impact of tofacitinib on patient outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: review of clinical studies

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease associated with inflammation and destruction of joints and systemic effects, which result in significant impact on patient’s quality of life and function. Tofacitinib was approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the USA in 2012 and subsequently in other countries, but not by the European Medicines Agency. The goal of this review was to evaluate the impact of tofacitinib on patient-reported and patient-specific outcomes from prior clinical studies, focusing on quality of life, functionality, pain, global disease assessment, major adverse consequences, and withdrawals. A total of 13 reports representing 11 clinical studies on tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis were identified through PubMed and reference lists in meta-analyses and other reviews. Data on improvements in patient-driven composite tools to measure disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis, such as the Health Assessment Questionnaire, served as a major outcome evaluated in this review and were extracted from each study. Additional data extracted from those clinical studies included patient assessment of pain (using a 0–100 mm visual analog scale), patient global assessment of disease (using a 0–100 mm visual analog scale), patient withdrawals, withdrawals due to adverse effects or lack of effect, and risk of serious adverse effects, serious infections, and deaths. Tofacitinib 5 mg bid appears to have a favorable impact on patient outcomes related to efficacy and safety when compared with baseline values and with comparator disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and placebo. Improvements were seen in the composite and individual measures of disease activity. Serious adverse effects, other adverse consequences, overall withdrawals, and withdrawals due to adverse effects and lack of efficacy are similar or more favorable for tofacitinib versus comparator disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and placebo. At this point, tofacitinib appears to have an important role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through improvement in these patient outcomes. However, it may require years of additional clinical studies and postmarketing surveillance to fully characterize the benefit-to-risk ratio of tofacitinib in a larger and diverse patient population.
Wave forms of the electrohysterogram in pregnancy and labor.

Abstract The existence of the repetitive uterine electrical wave form as previously described is confirmed in this report. Simultaneous multichannel recording shows that the appearance of the wave varies depending on the location of the electrodes. Repetitive, symmetrical wave forms can be understood only as correlates of propagated events, arising in definite foci. As judged by the earlier onset of fast activity as well as earlier onset of the U b −U c deflection, it appears most reasonable to assume that the focus is on the right side. The hypothesis is presented that the human uterus in labor behaves like a large auricle, i.e., as a single-chambered organ in which excitation spreads radially over the surface from a single dominant pacemaker.
Strategy for New Product Development

Abstract This study evaluates the reasons why new products fail, and recommends a Strategy for New Product Development to avoid such failures. Using a sample of four products, the Ford Edsel, Coca-Cola's New Coke, the Sony Betamax, and the RCA Videodisc, where the introduction of a new product was unsuccessful, as research data, it is determined that the most common reasons for a products failure are poor planning, poor management, poor concept, poor execution, poor use of research, poor technology, and poor timing. A recommended strategy for successful new product development includes a sound concept, an environmental assessment, management and planning, technological feasibility, research, quality assurance, and customer feedback.
Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Law Librarianship

Professor Wheeler discusses the police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. He posits that racialized fear is part of what fuels such violence and discusses examples of how racialized fear have impacted his personal life. Wheeler then discusses how and why law librarians can and should be prepared to discuss such events with their law library patrons.
Sensation seeking and executive deficits in relation to alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use frequency among university students: Value of ecologically based measures

Abstract Introduction The development of substance use and addiction has been linked to impaired executive function which relies on systems that converge in the prefrontal cortex. This study examined several measures of executive function as predictors of college student alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use frequency and abuse. Methods College students (N = 321) were administered the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) test battery, the Sensation Seeking Scale V (SSSV), the Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale (FrSBe), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Results Alcohol use frequency was predicted by sensation seeking and FrSBe Disinhibition scores, but the latter only emerged as a unique predictor for binge drinking frequency. Sex and Disinhibition, Apathy and Executive Function FrSBe subscales predicted the frequency of tobacco use. FrSBe scores uniquely predicted tobacco use among daily users. Marijuana use frequency was predicted by sensation seeking, sex, perceived stress, and FrSBe Disinhibition scores, but only sensation seeking predicted daily use after controlling for other variables. FrSBe Disinhibition scores reached levels considered to be clinically significant for frequent binge drinkers and daily marijuana users. Sensation seeking emerged as the predominate predictor of the early stages of alcohol and tobacco related problems. Conclusions These results suggest ecologically based self-report measures of frontal lobe function and sensation seeking are significant predictors of use frequency among college students and the extent of frontal dysfunction may be clinically significant among some heavy users.
Girls’ educational aspirations and agency: imagining alternative futures through schooling in a low-resourced Tanzanian community

ABSTRACTThe chance of a secondary education for young girls who might have otherwise been among many out-of-school youth cultivates aspirations for their future. While aspirations to be educated expand the possibilities of opportunities, they also go unfulfilled in an environment of low achievement rates, high unemployment and constraining gender norms that can leave many secondary graduates disempowered. This study examines how aspirations, agency and future well-being are linked through 4 years of longitudinal data from interviews with girls in a technical and vocational school in rural Tanzania. Conceptually, the paper puts forward a framework within a capability approach to consider how aspirations and agency are oriented toward valued well-being. It also draws inspiration from Appadurai’s use of aspirations as a cultural concept that is future and change oriented and socially embedded. Finally, the body of scholarship that frames Bourdieu’s notion of agency as productive is drawn upon to illuminate w...