cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activity, reactivity, and dominance following septal lesions in rats.

Rats were tested individually for reactivity to tactile stimulation and in pairs for activity and for dominance in a food competition task. Preoperatively, stable baseline behaviors were obtained in each test. Following septal lesions rats were hyperreactive to tactile stimulation and were hypoactive. In the food competition task, septal lesions did not affect the behavior of submissive animals but produced a decrease in dominance of dominant animals. These results demonstrate that the commonly observed hyperreactivity to tactile stimulation following septal lesions does not imply increased aggression or dominance in intraspecific behavior.
Reversing gp100/IFA-induced impairment of anti-CTLA-4 checkpoint blockade therapy

Meeting abstracts Cancer immunotherapies have been advanced by the recent FDA approval of anti-CTLA-4 antibody (Ipilimumab, Yervoy®) and soon-to-be approved anti-PD-1 antibody, immunological checkpoint-blocking agents with significant anti-tumor activity against melanoma and other cancers. A
Ontogeny of dopamine agonist-induced sensitization: role of NMDA receptors.

In contrast to adults, preweanling rats exhibit behavioral sensitization for only a few days after cessation of dopamine (DA) agonist treatment. The reasons for this ontogenetic difference are uncertain, but maturational changes in the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor may be responsible, since stimulation of these receptors is necessary for the development of DA agonist-induced sensitization in adult rats. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between NMDA receptor functioning and DA agonist-induced sensitization during the preweanling period. To that end, 17-day-old rats were injected (IP) on 4 consecutive days with saline or 0.3 mg/kg dizocilpine (a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist) followed, 30 min later, by an injection of saline, 2.5 mg/kg amphetamine (an indirect DA agonist), or 1.0 mg/kg NPA (a direct DA agonist). Sensitization was tested 2 days later (i.e., at 22 days of age), with rats receiving a challenge injection of saline, amphetamine, NPA, or dizocilpine. Results showed that the NMDA antagonist had adult-like effects on the behavioral sensitization of preweanling rats, as amphetamine-and NPA-induced sensitization were eliminated by dizocilpine pretreatment. When given alone, dizocilpine substantially increased the locomotor activity (i.e., line-crosses) of preweanling rats, an effect that became sensitized with repeated drug treatment. Lastly, preweanling rats already sensitized to dizocilpine did not exhibit cross-sensitization to amphetamine or NPA. Thus, with few exceptions, NMDA receptor stimulation appears to modulate sensitization in a similar fashion across ontogeny. This finding suggests that maturational differences in the NMDA receptor system are not responsible for the lack of long-term sensitization in the younger animal.
Comparison of Pressure-Swing and Extractive-Distillation Methods for Methanol-Recovery Systems in the TAME Reactive-Distillation Process

The process to produce tert-amyl methyl ether via reactive distillation requires a methanol-recovery section because the presence of C5−methanol azeotropes means that a significant amount of methanol is present in the distillate from the reactive column. The use of pressure-swing azeotropic distillation was studied in a previous paper [Al-Arfaj, M. A.; Luyben, W. L. Plantwide control for TAME production using reactive distillation. AIChE J. 2004, 50 (7), 1462] in which both the steady-state design and the plantwide control of the entire process were developed. This paper presents a quantitative steady-state and dynamic comparison of the pressure-swing process with an extractive-distillation process. Water is the extractive agent. The extractive-distillation process is found to be much more economical (40% lower capital investment and 60% lower energy cost). The plantwide dynamic controllability performances of the two systems are essentially equivalent.
Quantification of single nucleotide polymorphisms: A novel method that combines primer extension assay and capillary electrophoresis

We present a novel method for accurate quantification of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in transcripts and pooled DNAs in a one-tube reaction. Our approach is based on single- nucleotide primer extension (SNuPE) and laser-induced fluorescence capillary electrophoresis (LIF-CE), and takes advantage of distinct mobilities of SNuPE products with different nucleotides incorporated at their 3' ends. The method, called SNuPE-ONCE, was tested on two polymorphisms and five mutations that comprised the three most frequent ( approximately 70%) nucleotide changes in the human genome (C/T, A/G, and A/T). The usefulness of the method was demonstrated by analyzing nonsense-mediated mRNA instability in fibroblasts. Our data show 1) that the method provides highly reproducible relative allele frequencies (SD<0.017) with a good accuracy (e.g. for heterozygotes 0.500 +/- 0.036, P = 0.01), depending on the sequence and the proportion of the SNP variants in the sample, and 2) that relative allele frequencies as low as 1% can be detected quantitatively and unambiguously. Our assay relies on a CE instrument available in many laboratories and offers a useful method for quantitative SNP genotyping as well as for a variety of expression studies.
Least-squares methods for optimal control

Optimal control and optimal shape design problems for the Navier-Stokes equations arise in many important practical applications, such as design of optimal profiles [7], drag minimization [9], [11], and heating and cooling [12], among others. Typically, optimal control problems for the NavierStokes equations combine Lagrange multiplier techniques to enforce the constraints and to derive an optimality system (see, e.g., [11]-[12]), with mixed Galerkin discretization for the state equations. Resulting methods are well-studied theoretically, for example, an abstract framework that can be used for the analyses of such optimal control methods has been suggested in [13]. However, the use of Lagrange multipliers and mixed Galerkin discretizations is associated with some complications in the numerical computations which can reduce the overall efficiency and robustness of corresponding algorithms. For example, resulting discrete problems are in general indefinite. Similarly, it is now well-understood that stability of mixed discretizations does not allow one to choose independently the approximation spaces for the velocity and the pressure, and that these spaces are subject to a restrictive stability condition known as the inf-sup (or LBB) condition; see [8]. One possibility to remedy these difficulties is to consider optimal control methods in which the Navier-Stokes constraint is treated by augmented Lagrangian techniques; see [6]. Nevertheless, the use of mixed Galerkin discretization in the method of [6] still requires approximation by finite element spaces that are subject to the inf-sup condition.
FD-METHOD FOR SOLVING THE NONLINEAR KLEIN-GORDON EQUATION

We propose a functional discrete method for solving the Goursat problem for the nonlinear Klein‐Gordon equation. Sufficient conditions for the superexponential convergence of this method are established. The obtained theoretical results are illustrated by a numerical example.
Predicting Scores on the Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Testing Program Core Battery

This study investigated the relationship between scores on the Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Testing Program (PTCTP) Core Battery and SAT scores, high school percentiles, college grade point averages, college credits and age for a sample of female college students. Results revealed many significant (p < .001) correlations. PTCTP Basic Skills and General Knowledge scores correlated highest with SAT scores. PTCTP Professional Knowledge scores correlated highest with college grade point averages.
SOCIAL INTERACTION AND SEVERITY OF EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE

A social interaction progression is hypothesized as being associated with a psychopathology continuum among hospitalized children. Observations on size and type of social groupings are correlated with independent clinical evaluations of subjects' functioning. The results cross-validate the predicted course of normal social development in a psychiatric population and indicate that emotional disturbance can be meaningfully described in interpersonal terms.
Toxicity and metal speciation relationships for Daphnia magna exposed to brass powder.

Studies were conducted to assess the fate and potential toxicity of brass powder deposited on water surfaces. Laboratory microcosms containing lake water were used to quantify the effects of surface dose, pH, alkalinity, microbiota, and sediment binding on the availability and subsequent toxicity of Cu and Zn from brass powder. Eight days after deposition on the water surface, high concentrations of Cu and Zn remained in the aquatic surface microlayer (upper 33 μm). The concentrations of total Cu and Zn in the subsurface bulkwater were reduced by the presence of bottom sediment but were little affected by biota. Toxicity of brass powder toDaphnia magna increased with increasing surface deposition (dose) and decreased with increasing water pH and alkalinity. Little or no toxicity occurred at brass powder surface doses of 50 and 1,000 mg/m2 for low- and high-alkalinity environments, respectively. Geochemical modeling suggested that toxicity resulted from concentrations of both Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions in solution.
The intermediate comets and nongravitational effects

The motions of the intermediate-period comets Pons-Brooks, Olbers, Brorsen-Metcalf, and Westphal are investigated over their observed intervals. The three apparitions of comets Pons-Brooks and Olbers were successfully linked, using the now standard nongravitational-force model. The two apparitions of Comet Brorsen-Metcalf were successfully linked without the need for nongravitational effects. For the 1852 and 1913 apparitions of Comet Westphal, complete success was not achieved in modeling the comet's motion either with or without nongravitational effects. However, by including these effects, the comet's astrometric observations could be represented significantly better than if they were assumed inoperative. Comet Westphal's dynamic and photometric behavior suggests its complete disintegration before reaching perihelion in 1913. If the very large radial nongravitational parameter determined for Comet Westphal is due to the comet's disintegration into dust, then the resultant dust-particle size is of the order of 0.8 mm.
Genetics of expression of xenotropic virus and autoimmunity in nzb mice.

CERTAIN retroviruses (RNA tumour viruses) have been implicated in the autoimmune disease of New Zealand mice1. These mice produce large numbers of xenotropic retroviruses2,3 and contain high concentrations of the retroviral envelope antigen gp 69/71 in their serum and tissues4. Moreover, gp 69/71 and the corresponding antibodies contribute to the immune deposits in the nephritic kidneys of NZB and (NZB × NZW)F1 mice4. Nevertheless, it is not established that xenotropic viruses are the primary cause of the autoimmune disease of NZB mice. Conceivably, these agents may be involved only secondarily. The presence of RNA viruses in NZB mice may explain neither the production of antibodies against DNA, nucleoproteins, and erythrocyte antigens nor the anomalies of T- and B-lymphocyte function5. Transmission of autoimmunity has not been achieved with cell-free filtrates from NZB mice6, nor by transplanting NZB lymphomas7 which are known to produce large numbers of virus particles8. Only spleen cells from old NZB mice can transmit the autoimmune disorder6. Transmission of the disease with cell-free extracts is unlikely to succeed because the NZB xenotropic virus cannot productively infect mouse cells; it can infect only cells of heterologous species2,3. Here we deal with the vertical transmission of NZB viral genes as Mendelian traits—a phenomenon that has been demonstrated with other retroviruses9—to test the hypothesis that the development of autoimmunity in NZB mice and their crosses is independent of the expression of high titres of xenotropic viruses. We have found that the high grade expression of infectious xenotropic virus characteristic of NZB mice is a genetically determined trait. Two independently segregating loci seem to specify the NZB phenotype. So far, animals that are virologically like NZB have failed to develop signs of autoimmune disease.
Neural map specification by gradients

Topographic maps, in which the spatial order of neurons maps smoothly onto their axonal target, are a central feature of neural wiring. Ephrins and Eph receptors are well accepted as graded labels for map development, enabling current studies into molecular principles of mapping. Ephrins regulate axon growth either positively or negatively, leading to models in which axons terminate at a neutral or optimum point in the gradient. Axonal competition ensures the target is filled. Ephrins and Ephs are typically expressed in complex overlapping patterns, with implications for signaling mechanisms, scale of internal map features, and coordinated interconnection of multiple mapping modules. Recent studies of Wnt3 and En-2 show that topographic axon guidance cues may be as diverse as molecules previously regarded as morphogens and transcription factors.
Uptake of homologous haemolymph protein by salivary glands of Chironomus thummi

Abstract Radioisotopically labelled homologous protein fractions were injected into the haemolymph of Chironomus larvae. Among four different protein fractions, fraction II appears to enter the salivary gland and accumulates in the glandular lumen. Lack of blood pigmentation in the gland and secretion lumen indicates that the haemoglobin is probably not secreted, but a portion of the haemoglobin molecule or a fraction co-precipitating with haemoglobin in fraction II is being transported by the gland. Since only a portion of fraction II is taken up and secreted, the specificity of the process suggests to us a molecular basis for the activity which must ultimately be reflected in the genes of the transporting tissue.
Spatial distribution of compton-produced X-ray flux from rich and regular clusters of galaxies

The spatial distribution of radio and X-ray fluxes from rich and regular clusters of galaxies is discussed. A diffusion model is investigated in which high-energy electrons are ejected from a point source at the center of the cluster. While diffusing out, the electrons lose energy by Compton scattering with the universal blackbody photons, thus producing the X-ray emission. Traversing intracluster magnetic fields, the electrons emit synchrotron radio emission. For the Coma cluster of galaxies good agreement is found between the observed and predicted X-ray counting-rate distribution for the Compton model. From the observed radio data a value of about 3 by 10 to the -8th power gauss is deduced for the average magnetic-field strength in the central region of Coma.
The Stability of the Demand for Money in Monetary Unions: Some Empirical Evidence from WAEMU

Previous studies of the stability of the demand for money have been largely conducted in the context of individual countries. To the extent that these countries have control over their monetary policies, such an approach is well justified. However, for monetary unions, where the control over monetary policy is usually vested in a central or outside authority, it is more appropriate to examine the stability of the money demand for the union as a collective entity. This paper follows this approach with respect to a West African monetary union, the WAEMU, whose monetary policies are largely dictated by the French authorities. Using cointegration theory and CUSUM stability tests, we find evidence that the demand for broad money is stable in this union. Given the empirical results, the paper draws inferences regarding their implications for the formulation of optimal monetary policy for the WAEMU.
The treatment of moderate to severe hypertension with ACE inhibitors.

Quinapril, when given as initial monotherapy or in addition to diuretics, was extensively evaluated in patients with moderate to severe hypertension, defined as sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 105 mm Hg with concomitant diuretic therapy or greater than or equal to 110 mm Hg during placebo baseline. In four double-blind, comparative trials and a subset analysis from a placebo-controlled study, 368 patients were treated with quinapril, and 338 patients were treated with comparative therapies (i.e., captopril, enalapril, or placebo). In three studies, quinapril was given in addition to diuretics, and in one study nonresponders received optional atenolol. Two studies assessed quinapril as first-line monotherapy, with nonresponders receiving hydrochlorothiazide in one study. Quinapril dosages ranged from 10 to 40 mg/day, with some patients receiving up to 80 mg/day. Quinapril effectively reduced blood pressure in patients with moderate to severe hypertension either as first-line monotherapy or when given concomitantly with a diuretic or a beta-blocker. Quinapril was comparable in efficacy to enalapril, and in several analyses quinapril was significantly more efficacious than captopril (p less than 0.05). Quinapril was well tolerated, and the incidence of adverse events was comparable with or less than that of captopril or enalapril.
The effect of MHD instabilities on the flaring of cometary plasma tails

The hypersonic pressure balance model of flaring in cometary plasma tails of Ershkovich et al. (1982) has been modified to include the effects of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities occurring along the ionopause in the outer-tail regions. The effect of instability is to mix the solar-wind and comet-tail plasmas, increasing the tail magnetic field strength above that calculated from magnetic flux conservation. The earlier model assumed the ionopause to be a tangential discontinuity surface (flux conserving) at all distances, with the result that the magnetic field approached zero in the outer regions of strongly flaring tails. The present model is more realistic and is in better agreement with measurements of cometary plasma tail widths and flaring angles. This agreement leads to an important conclusion that the magnetic flux is not conserved in distant comet tails.
Efficient compression of x-masking control data via dynamic channel allocation

A scheme is presented which uses one sequential linear decompressor to decompress test cubes and another sequential linear decompressor to decompress mask control data for masking unknown X's in the output response. However, instead of the conventional approach of using a fixed number of tester channels for driving each, a method for dynamically adjusting the number of channels driving each is proposed. The key idea is that by carefully ordering the test cubes such that the channel requirements of the decompressor used for masking the previous output response (currently being scanned out) can be balanced with the channel requirements of the decompressor used for scanning in the current test cube. By matching test cubes with more specified bits with output response with fewer X's, and test cubes with fewer specified bits with output response with more X's through careful ordering of the test cubes, the total aggregate worst-case number of tester channels needed with dynamic channel allocation can be reduced considerably compared with conventional fixed channel allocation approaches thereby improving compression. For test cube and output response pairs where there are excess free variables, a method is described for boosting observability by selectively ANDing together outputs of multiple stages of the mask decompressor for driving the masking logic. Experimental results show that compression and observability can be significantly improved with the proposed scheme.
A Faster One-Dimensional Topological Compaction Algorithm with Jog Insertion

We consider the problem of one-dimensional topological compaction with jog insertions. By combining both geometric and graph-theoretic approaches we present a faster and simpler algorithm to improve over previous results. The compaction algorithm takes as input a sketch consisting of a set F of features and a set W of wires, and minimizes the horizontal width of the sketch while maintaining its routability. The algorithm consists of the following steps: constructing a horizontal constraint graph, computing all possible jog positions, computing the critical path, relocating the features, and reconstructing a new sketch homotopic to the input sketch, which is suitable for detailed routing. The algorithm runs in O(|F| ⋅ |W|) worst-case time and space, which is asymptotically optimal in the worst case. Experimental results are also presented.
An Observer’s Overview of the Galactic Interstellar Medium

A number of problems related to understanding diffuse interstellar clouds are the focus of this contribution. Observations are discussed relating to the high velocity clouds, to the morphology of diffuse interstellar clouds and to the time variability of features in the diffuse clouds. Abundances and ionization issues are dealt with as needed. In some of these areas, progress may be substantial over the next few years, through observation and modeling, but in others, it may be that a new generation of space satellites will be required to make substantial progress.
Wavelet analysis of a bathymetric profile reveals anomalous crust

A 200 km anomalous topographic zone was discovered using wavelet scale analysis in a 1600 km linear bathymetric profile taken northeast of Hawaii. A spectral analysis of the zone shows that the power in wavelengths shorter than 25 km averages 5–10 times lower than the surrounding topography. Conversely, wavelengths longer than 25 km have 2–3 times greater power than nearby topography. Further research reveals that this low-frequency zone correlates with the eastern flank of a regional bathymetric high which has been described by J. Mammerickx [1981]. Details of the features suggest that this zone is a small, abandoned, slow-spreading rift overprinted by a regional thermal swell. The magnitude of the feature is smaller than other, known, abandoned spreading centers, making it easy to overlook without the application of the wavelet transform.
Evaluation of low red blood cell mean corpuscular volume in an apheresis donor population

Donors of apheresis blood components are routinely assessed with a complete blood count (CBC) at the time of each donation at most blood centers. In order to qualify for the current or subsequent apheresis collections, the donor's CBC must meet a defined minimum value for the intended cellular product being collected (e.g., platelets [PLTs], granulocytes, or lymphocytes). Other than the hemoglobin (Hb) or hematocrit levels, the results of the other red blood cell (RBC) parameters are often not evaluated. In otherwise healthy donors, low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values of less than 80 fL, in the presence of an acceptable Hb level of greater than or equal to 12.5 g/dL, could indicate iron deficiency or a hemoglobinopathy, such as alpha thalassemia or beta chain variant. Iron deficiency in blood donors may warrant treatment with oral iron, whereas donors with hemoglobinopathies in the absence of iron deficiency do not need iron replacement therapy. If a donor has a low MCV value due to a hemoglobinopathy, individualized lower normal limits for their MCV values should be established to accommodate the microcytic effects of the hemoglobinopathy but not mask the potential development of iron deficiency. In this study, the etiology of low MCV values in a healthy apheresis donor population was assessed.
Draft Genome Sequence for Microbacterium laevaniformans Strain OR221, a Bacterium Tolerant to Metals, Nitrate, and Low pH

ABSTRACT Microbacterium laevaniformans strain OR221 was isolated from subsurface sediments obtained from the Field Research Center (FRC) in Oak Ridge, TN. It was characterized as a bacterium tolerant to heavy metals, such as uranium, nickel, cobalt, and cadmium, as well as nitrate and low pH. We present its draft genome sequence.
The development and preliminary validation of the pediatric survey of pain attitudes.

ABSTRACTObjectiveBiopsychosocial models of pain hypothesize patient attitudes, and beliefs about pain play a key role in adjustment to chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to facilitate research testing the utility of biopsychosocial models in youths with physical disabilities by developing a
Influence of related donor age on outcomes after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

AbstractBackground aims. The rising use of allogeneic transplantation in older recipients necessitates considering older related donors. The effect of related donor age for peripheral blood stem cell allografts (PBSC) on graft maintenance and outcomes, independent of CD34+cell dose, has not been well-characterized. Methods. HLA-related donors (98% siblings) underwent a uniform filgrastim-based mobilization regimen aiming to collect and infuse 5 × 106 CD34+ cells/recipient kg. Donor and recipient age were modeled in multiple ways to account for the correlation, and outcomes reported by decade of donor age. Results. The median donor and recipient ages were 52 years and 54 years, respectively. The mean CD34+ cell dose infused was 5.6 × 106 CD34+/kg and 75% of patients received a narrow range between 4.4 and 6.6 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg. Neither better PBSC mobilization nor higher CD34+ content of allografts was significantly associated with engraftment or transplant outcomes. After adjusting for recipient age an...
TEN LIES OF ETHNOGRAPHY: Moral Dilemmas of Field Research

As Everett Hughes noted, there is an “underside” to all work. Each job includes ways of doing things that would be inappropriate for those outside the guild to know. Illusions are essential for maintaining occupational reputation, but in the process they create a set of moral dilemmas. So it is with ethnographic work. This article describes the underside of ethnographic work: compromises that one frequently makes with idealized ethical standards. It argues that images of ethnographers—personal and public—are based on partial truths or self-deceptions. The focus is on three clusters of dilemmas: the classical virtues (the kindly ethnographer, the friendly ethnographer, and the honest ethnographer), technical skills (the precise ethnographer, the observant ethnographer, and the unobtrusive ethnographer), and the ethnographic self (the candid ethnographer, the chaste ethnographer, the fair ethnographer, and the literary ethnographer). Changes in ethnographic styles and traditions alter the balance of these d...
Is Radiographic Extracapsular Extension Prognostic in Human Papillomavirus–Related Oropharyngeal Cancers?

All patients (n Z 151) 83% vs 96%, P Z .006 77% vs 99%, P<.001 66% vs 88%, P Z .001 78% vs 98%, P Z .001 69% vs 91%, P Z .003 HPV+ (n Z 86) 94% vs 100%, P Z .098 87% vs 97%, P Z .098 85% vs 82%, P Z .712 90% vs 96%, P Z .203 88% vs 81%, P Z .854 HPV(n Z 18) 30% vs 74%, P Z .022 19% vs 100%, P Z .002 0% vs 74%, P Z .001 44% vs 100%, P Z .036 13% vs 100%, P Z .001 International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics S514
Phenytoin: similarity to tricyclic antidepressants.

Abstract Rats were trained to discriminate between the stimulus properties of intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg phenytoin and its pH-adjusted vehicle in a two-lever, food-motivated operant task. Once trained, rats showed a dose-related decrease in discriminative performance with lower phenytoin doses. Administration of pentobarbital and chlordiazepoxide produced vehicle-appropriate responding, whereas injection of imipramine and amitryptaline produced intermediate results. Desipramine, at an intraperitoneal dose of 10 mg/kg, produced a pattern of responding similar to that observed after the training dose of phenytoin. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the ability of a non-disruptive dose of phenytoin to act as a behavioral discriminative stimulus in the rat and suggest the possibility of a common interoceptive cue property with tricyclic antidepressants.
AR-Weapon: Live Augmented Reality Based First-Person Shooting System

This paper introduces a user-worn Augmented Reality (AR) based first-person weapon shooting system (AR-Weapon), suitable for both training and gaming. Different from existing AR-based first-person shooting systems, AR-Weapon does not use fiducial markers placed in the scene for tracking. Instead it uses natural scene features observed by the tracking camera from the live view of the world. The AR-Weapon system estimates 6-degrees of freedom orientation and location of the weapon and of the user operating it, thus allowing the weapon to fire simulated projectiles for both direct fire and non-line of sight during live runs. In addition, stereo cameras are used to compute depth and provide dynamic occlusion reasoning. Using the 6-DOF head and weapon tracking, dynamic occlusion reasoning and a terrain model of the environment, the fully virtual projectiles and synthetic avatars are displayed on the user's head mounted Optical-See-Through (OST) display overlaid over the live view of the real world. Since the projectiles, weapon characteristics and virtual enemy combatants are all simulated they can easily be changed to vary scenarios, new projectile types and future weapons. In this paper, we present the technical algorithms, system design and experiment results for a prototype AR-Weapon system.
EphB6 Receptor Modulates Micro RNA Profile of Breast Carcinoma Cells

Breast carcinoma cells have a specific pattern of expression for Eph receptors and ephrin ligands. EphB6 has previously been characterized as a signature molecule for invasive breast carcinoma cells. The transcription of EphB6 is silenced in breast carcinoma cells and its re-expression leads to decreased invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells. Such differences in phenotypes of native and EphB6 expressing MDA-MB-231 cells relate to an altered profile of micro RNAs. Comparative hybridization of total RNA to slides containing all known miRNAs by using locked nucleic acid (LNA) miRCURY platform yielded a significantly altered profile of miRNAs in MDA-MB-231 cells stably transfected with EphB6. After applying a threshold of change and a p-value of <0.001, the list of significantly altered miRNAs included miR-16, miR-23a, miR-24, miR-26a, miR-29a, miR-100, miRPlus-E1172 and miRPlus-E1258. The array-based changes were validated by real-time qPCR of miR-16, miR-23a, miR-24 and miR-100. Except miRPlus-E1172 and miRPlus-E1258, the remaining six miRNAs have been observed in a variety of cancers. The biological relevance of target mRNAs was predicted by using a common-target selection approach that allowed the identification of SMARCA5, SMARCC1, eIF2C2, eIF2C4, eIF4EBP2, FKABP5, FKBP1A, TRIB1, TRIB2, TRIB3, BMPR2, BMPR1A and BMPR1B as important targets of a subset of significantly altered miRNAs. Quantitative PCR revealed that the levels of SMARCC1, eIFC4, eIF4EB2, FKBP1a, FKBP5, TRIB1, TRIB3, BMPR1a and BMPR2 transcripts were significantly decreased in MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with EphB6. These observations confirm targeting of specific mRNAs by miR-100, miR-23a, miR-16 and miR-24, and suggest that the kinase-deficient EphB6 receptor is capable of initiating signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus resulting in the altered expression of a variety of genes involved in tumorigenesis and invasion. The alterations in miRNAs and their target mRNAs also suggest indirect involvement of EphB6 in PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways.
Phase transitions for the Ising model on the closed Cayley tree

Abstract The closed Cayley tree with the Ising model which was defined by Jelitto for a branching ratio of two is here generalized to an arbitrary branching ratio. The occurrence of a discontinuity in the spin-spin correlation functions is demonstrated and the free energy is obtained. The topology of the network, with its interesting correlation results makes the model a candidate for further investigation.
An automated three-dimensional plus time registration framework for dynamic MR renography

Dynamic contrast-enhanced 3D images of the kidneys, or 3D MR renography, has the potential for broad clinical applications, but suffers from respiratory motion that limits analysis and interpretation. Manual registration is prohibitively labor-intensive. In this paper, a fully automated technique, Wavelet Representation and the Fourier Transform (WRFT) method, that corrects for translation and rotation motion in 3D MR renography is presented. The method was composed by anisotropic denoising, wavelet-based feature extraction, and Fourier-based registration. This was first evaluated on a set of simulated MR renography images with defined degrees of kidney motion. The method was then tested on 24 clinical patient MR renography data sets. Results of clinical testing were compared with the results obtained using a mutual information registration method. Based on intrarenal time-intensity curves, our method showed robust and consistent agreement with the results of manually coregistered data sets.
Perturbation theory for shape resonances and large barrier potentials

We develop a systematic perturbation and resonance theory for the one-dimensional Schrodinger equation of the form $$( - d^2 /dx^2 + U(x) + \lambda V(x) - E)\psi (x) = 0,0 \leqq x< \infty ,$$ where the barrier potentialV(x) is supported only wherex≧1 and is non-negative there, and λ is a real parameter tending to infinity. We prove that every λ=∞ eigenvalue turns into a resonance or an eigenvalue for finite λ.
Community InSAR Workshop calls for robust program and dedicated satellite mission

A recent workshop to guide U.S. efforts in interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) was supported by an overwhelming community response. Workshop participants called for a robust InSAR program that includes improved access to InSAR data and a dedicated U.S.-led InSAR mission. Held last fall, the workshop brought together researchers in the fields of crustal deformation, cryospheric studies, hydrology land cover, oceanography, and planetary sciences with specialists in information technology and education and outreach. The workshop's purpose was to inform the community of the state of the art in satellite radar, to describe mission opportunities, and to receive community recommendations for needed InSAR measurements of Earth and planetary processes. Over 350 people registered their interest in the workshop, and 220 participants from 116 institutions and a variety of disciplines attended.
Endothelial binding of transferrin in fractionated liver cell suspensions

Abstract Several studies using crude liver cell suspensions incubated with labeled transferrin have led to a conclusion that hepatocytes have transferrin receptors. When a visual probe, which permits evaluation of transferrin binding to individual cells, was used, the binding was unexpectedly found to be limited to endothelial cells in liver cell suspensions. Neither hepatocytes nor Kupffer cells contained transferrin receptors. In the present study, we fractionated liver cell suspensions using metrizamide gradients and centrifugal elutriation to obtain hepatocytes, Kupffer cell and endothelial cell fractions of high purity. Incubation of these fractions with 125 I-or 59 Fe-labeled transferrin led to exclusive binding to endothelial cells but not hepatocytes nor Kupffer cells. Kinetic analysis demonstrated K d of 1.9·10 −7 M, B max of 3.1 mol/10 6 cells with receptor numbers estimated as 1.8·10 6 /cell. The rate of binding was at least 28 ng (0.35 pmol) protein/10 6 cells per min, corresponding to 2.1·10 5 molecules/cell per min. At 4°C, the binding reached a steady-state plateau within 5 min. Comparison of our data with those of previous investigators demonstrates a consistency if we consider that crude liver cell suspensions are contaminated with 2–3% endothelial cells. Thus, the previously reported findings may be entirely due to the contamination of crude liver cell suspensions with a small number of endothelial cells.
Associative joint receipts

Abstract This paper examines the assumption that the joint receipt of alternatives together with a preference order and the status quo as an identity forms an Archimedean ordered group. This model agrees with earlier work (Luce, Fishburn, 1991, Luce, Fishburn, 1995) for gains and losses separately, but it forces a somewhat different representation for mixed joint receipts. The predictions of the associative model accommodate Thaler's (1985) data better than did the earlier model. For gambles with mixed consequences that leads either to a somewhat different representation from that of prospect theory or to replacing the empirically supported linking property of duplex decomposition by a modified version of it or by a generalization of the segregation property that was used earlier for linking joint receipt and gambles of gains. Issues of empirical testing are discussed.
Fetal anatomic evaluation in the overweight and obese gravida

Objectives To evaluate the rate of completion of anatomic surveys of fetuses in overweight and obese gravid patients as compared with normal controls. Methods This was a retrospective review of anatomic ultrasound scans performed between 2004 and 2007. Women were stratified by prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) into normal weight (BMI, 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI, 25.0–29.9 kg/m2) and obese Class I (BMI, 30.0–34.9 kg/m2), Class II (BMI, 35.0–39.9 kg/m2) and Class III (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2) groups. Rates of completion of basic and comprehensive scans, gestational age at completion and number of scans required were compared. Results For the 7140 patients included, completion rates for both the basic (normal weight, n = 2253 (79%); overweight, n = 1771 (76%); obese Class I, n = 767 (72%), Class II, n = 323 (61%) and Class III, n = 171 (49%)) and comprehensive (normal weight, n = 1234 (43%); overweight, n = 930 (40%); obese Class I, n = 404 (38%), Class II, n = 215 (41%) and Class III, n = 108 (31%)) surveys decreased significantly with increasing BMI (P < 0.00001). For surveys completed, the mean number of scans required was significantly higher for obese patients (basic: normal weight 1.3 vs. obese Class III 1.9; comprehensive: normal weight 1.7 vs. obese Class III, 2.2)(P < 0.00001). The overall completion rate improved at each gestational week, but was best between 20 and 23 weeks for obese patients. Conclusions As maternal BMI increases, the rate of completion of anatomic surveys decreases and the number of scans required increases. Delaying the initial survey until 20 weeks' gestation may improve the capacity to complete the examination in a single visit. It should be noted that these results represent completion rates at a tertiary referral center, and therefore may not reflect community experience. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metallography and partitioning of alloying elements in dual-phase steels

Abstract The microstructure and the partitioning of alloying elements in dual-phase steels have been studied by conventional and analytical transmission electron microscopy. Systems of compositions Fe-0.15C-1.45Si-0.03Nb (base + Nb), Fe-0.15C-1.45Si-0.38Mo (base + Mo), Fe-0.1C-2Si and Fe-0.1C-0.5Mn were studied. Fine plate precipitates were found in the ferrite phase of all these alloys. The plates are typically 13 nm in diameter and less than 2.5 nm thick, and are oriented on or within a few degrees of the (100) planes. Their density may vary with martensitic volume fraction as well as with the composition of the alloys, and they may have a pronounced effect on thermal and mechanical properties. There is no preferential partitioning of Si to either the ferrite or martensite phases. However, the Si concentration in the ferrite phase has been observed to drop near the ferritemartensite interface, resulting in reduced temper resistance in these regions. Coarse cementite has also been identified in the Fe-0.1C-0.5Mn alloy be electron energy loss spectroscopy.
Risk for Bipolar Disorder Is Associated With Face-Processing Deficits Across Emotions

Abstract Objective Youths with euthymic bipolar disorder (BD) have a deficit in face-emotion labeling that is present across multiple emotions. Recent research indicates that youths at familial risk for BD, but without a history of mood disorder, also have a deficit in face-emotion labeling, suggesting that such impairments may be an endophenotype for BD. It is unclear whether this deficit in at-risk youths is present across all emotions or if the impairment presents initially as an emotion-specific dysfunction that then generalizes to other emotions as the symptoms of BD become manifest. Method Thirty-seven patients with pediatric BD, 25 unaffected children with a first-degree relative with BD, and 36 typically developing youths were administered the Emotional Expression Multimorph Task, a computerized behavioral task, which presents gradations of facial emotions from 100% neutrality to 100% emotional expression (happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, and disgust). Results Repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed that, compared with the control youths, the patients and the at-risk youths required significantly more intense emotional information to identify and correctly label face emotions. The patients with BD and the at-risk youths did not differ from each other. Group-by-emotion interactions were not significant, indicating that the group effects did not differ based on the facial emotion. Conclusions The youths at risk for BD demonstrate nonspecific deficits in face-emotion recognition, similar to patients with the illness. Further research is needed to determine whether such deficits meet all the criteria for an endophenotype. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 2008;47(12):1455–1461.
Catecholamine depletion as a factor in the induction of adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase.

Abstract 1. 1. The activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines, was measured in homogenates of rat adrenal gland following various drugs to determine whether depletion of catecholamines may also be a factor in induction of TH. 2. 2. In contrast to reserpine, treatment of rats with guanethidine for 1 day or 4 days failed to elevate adrenal TH activity, suggesting that hypotension (and the subsequent increase in nerve activity) is not sufficient stimulus for induction of adrenal TH. 3. 3. Reserpine depletes the adrenal catecholamine, whereas guanethidine does not do so. It seems that depletion of catecholamine by reserpine may also be a factor which can lead to an increase in adrenal activity. 4. 4. Support for the suggestion is derived from the observation that interference with reserpine-induced depletion of catecholamine by pargyline, reduced the increase in adrenal TH activity by reserpine. 5. 5. Phentolamine which does not deplete catecholamine failed to cause induction of TH. 6. 6. It is concluded that depletion of catecholamines may also be a factor regulating adrenergic TH activity.
Freedom in the Body: The Physical, the Causal, and the Possibility of Choice

Abstract .In Minding God Gregory Peterson takes a careful lookat the kind of freedom that human persons have. He concludes thathumans are constrained to be free and unpacks this into a version ofcompatibilism. That is, humans are not metaphysically free undercurrent existence because of the causal determination inherent in theirphysical nature, but they can take credit for the origination of self-forming decisions because the causes occur inside of us. Peterson doesadvocate an eschatological hope looking forward to the breaking ofcausal determination by God’s own action. Thus, Minding God pre-sents an eschatologically limited compatibilism. Compatibilism ofany kind, however, presents serious challenges to most Christian the-ologies and to many religious traditions broadly considered. After Iinterpret Peterson’s position I make the argument that compatibilismis neither desirable nor required for a theological anthropology in-tent on serious engagement of cognitive science. Keywords:
Structure and properties of polypropylene filaments in a spunbonding process

Polypropylene homopolymer (PP) and a copolymer (P/E) were processed using the Reicofil® spunbonding line at the Textiles and Nonwovens Development Center of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The properties of the filament samples taken before thermal-bonding were determined through a variety of techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, thermomechanical analysis, thermal deformation analysis and mechanical properties. The two process variables investigated, primary air temperature and throughput had a strong influence on the structure and properties of both the filaments and the bonded nonwovens. As the primary air temperature and throughput decreased, there was a tendency for decrease in filament diameter with a simultaneous increase in their crystallinity, birefringence and thermal stability. The copolymer filaments showed lower crystallinity and orientation for all the corresponding processing conditions.
Anatomy and pharmacology of cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking

Cocaine addiction in human addicts is characterized by a high rate of relapse following successful detoxification. Relapse to drug taking/seeking can be precipitated by several stimuli including, but not limited to, re-exposure to cocaine itself. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying cocaine craving, a substantial effort has been devoted to elucidating the anatomical and neurochemical bases underlying cocaine priming-induced reinstatement, an animal model of relapse. Here, we review evidence that changes in dopaminergic and glutamatergic transmission in limbic/basal ganglia circuits of interconnected nuclei including the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, amygdala, hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex, neostriatum and thalamus underlie cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Maladaptive changes in the processing of motivationally relevant stimuli by these circuits following cocaine self-administration result in drug craving and compulsive drug seeking upon re-exposure to cocaine.
Extending a Blended Education Program to Native American High School Students in Alaska

This article describes the expansion of a blended learning program sponsored by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) that combines synchronous distance learning with face to face instruction. Background information about the program is briefly discussed and challenges to expanding the program are presented. The expansion was not merely a matter of adding a school. It involved close coordination between the NLM, existing participants and those at the candidate school. The challenges included identifying a candidate school, establishing contact and determining interest, assessing and testing connectivity, developing a calendar and schedule, and identifying faculty. Since NLM is on the east coast, the current school was on the west coast, and the candidate school was in Alaska, all of challenges were compounded by enormous distances and differences in time, but all were resolved successfully.