cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Restraint Stress on Components of Adenylyl Cyclase Signal Transduction in the Rat Hippocampus

Chronic stress can injure hippocampal neurons as well as alter hippocampal function. The adenylyl cyclase (AC) signal transduction system is an important modulator of neurotransmission in this brain region. This study was conducted to begin to understand the effects of chronic stress on the hippocampal AC system. To assess dependence of type I and type II AC mRNA expression on adrenal integrity, total RNA was prepared from the hippocampus of nonstressed rats 7 days following either sham surgery or adrenalectomy (ADX). Adrenalectomy resulted in a 60% diminution in steady-state expression of type II AC mRNA (p <. 005) and a nonsignificant fall in type I AC mRNA expression. Both sham and adrenalectomized rats were then exposed to 1-hour sessions of restraint, twice per day (0800 to 0900 and 1500 to 1600 hours) for 4 days. Following the stress paradigm, RNA was prepared from the hippocampus and type I and type II AC mRNA levels determined by Northern blot. Densitometic analysis showed that in comparison to unstressed sham rats, stressed sham rats had a significant twofold increase in steady-state levels of type I and type II mRNA. Stressed adrenalectomized rats also had increased expression in type II AC mRNA but no significant stress-induced change in expression of type I AC mRNA. To assess dependence of hippocampal membrane G-Proteins on adrenal integrity, hippocampal membranes from nonstressed rats 7 days following either sham surgery or adrenalectomy (ADX) were analyzed by immunoblot. Adrenalectomy resulted in a 25% diminution in membrane Gsα content (p <. 05), but ADX did not significantly change membrane Gi(1)α, Gi(2)α, Gβ36 or Goα content. In Sham animals, the stress paradigm resulted in increased levels of membrane Gsα, Goα and Gβ. Adrenalectomy blocked the effects of stress on these G-protein changes. Restraint stress did not modulate the levels of Gi(1)α or Gi(2)α. Restraint stress induced a small but significant increase in both AC activity and cAMP levels in hippocampus of both sham and adrenalectomized rats. In summary, components of the hippocampal AC signal transduction system and Goα are modulated by factors released during stress.
Fabrication of three-dimensional Yablonovite photonic crystals by multiple-exposure UV interference lithography

We present a method for fabricating three-dimensional photonic crystal structures by interference lithography, capable of generating face-centered cubic lattices with lattice periods that can be controllably varied over a wide range. The method consists of three separate exposures of a layer of photoresist by interfering laser beams, where each exposure generates a two-dimensional interference pattern, specifically a tilted set of parallel rods. When properly oriented, superimposing these three rod arrays within a common volume of resist material yields an fcc lattice. The lattice period is controlled by the spacing of the rod arrays, which can be tuned independently of the laser wavelength by varying the relative orientations of the interfering beams. We have developed a method for generating the necessary laser beams that is highly repeatable and requires zero alignment, using an array of diffraction gratings patterned on a single mask plate and a rotating beam blocker to select which subset of the grating array is to be used for any given exposure. This paper contains a description of the method and our fabrication setup, and presents the samples that have been fabricated using this method.
The microwave spectrum and the molecular electric dipole moment of 1-penten-3-yne

The microwave spectrum of 1-penten-3-yne has been assigned leading to the rotational constants of A = 31.3 ± 2.9 GHz, B = 2126.90 ± 0.07 MHz, and C = 2026.33 ± 0.02 MHz. The dipole moments are μa = | 0.571 ± 0.002 |, μb = | 0.334 ± 0.04 | and the total moment is μ = 0.663 ± 0.023 all in units of Debye. The total moment makes an angle of 30° from the a axis and the a axis is essentially along the CC bond direction. The dipole moments of 1-penten-3-yne are compared to other molecules leading to some information about the signs of the moments. A method of calculating molecular electric dipole moments by summing over atom dipoles is also discussed and the results are compared in several molecules similar to 1-penten-3-yne.
Magnification calibration standards for sub-100nm metrology

With the semiconductor industry moving into the 65nm technology node, the metrology of the critical dimension (CD) becomes an important part for the industry. Metrology relies not only on the precision, but also on the accuracy of the tools like the high performance CD-SEMs. A major area of concern affecting the accuracy of the high performance CD-SEMs is the magnification calibration. The purpose of the research is to address this area of concern by fabrication of magnification calibration artifact by using direct write electron beam lithography. A calibration artifact has been fabricated in negative resist Hydrogen Silsesquioxane (HSQ) onto a silicon substrate, thereby decreasing the contamination on the substrate. The design of the artifact has been corrected for the proximity effects, giving a 2-D dense grid structure with 100nm pitch. Pitch determination using optical metrology tools and the inbuilt laser interferometer in the electron beam lithography tool is being evaluated for making the artifact traceable to some national standards. Once the traceability is achieved, mass production at low cost using Nanoimprint technology is feasible.
Interaction of GABAergic and β-noradrenergic drugs in the regulation of memory storage

These experiments examined the interaction of drugs affecting noradrenergic and GABAergic systems, administered post-training, in influencing retention of an inhibitory avoidance response. Male CD1 mice (23–28 g) were trained in an inhibitory avoidance task, given immediate post-training ip injections of saline or GABAergic and adrenergic drugs administered either alone or concurrently. Retention was tested 48 h later. In agreement with extensive previous evidence, the GABAergic antagonist bicuculline (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg) produced dosedependent (inverted-U) enhancement of retention and the GABAergic agonist muscimol (1.0 mg/kg) impaired retention. The retention-enhancing effects of bicuculline were blocked by concurrent administration of the β-noradrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (2.0 mg/kg). Also in agreement with previous evidence, the β-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol (0.030, 0.100, or 0.300 mg/kg, ip) produced dose-dependent (inverted-U) enhancement of retention. Clenbuterol also blocked the retention-impairing effects of muscimol (1.0 mg/kg). In addition, propranolol (2.0 mg/kg) potentiated the retention impairing effects of muscimol (1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg, ip). These findings support the view that GABAergic systems modulate memory through an interaction with β-noradrenergic mechanisms.
The Newton transform: an operational method for constructing integrals of dynamical systems

Abstract The goal of this paper is to illustrate the rapid construction of phase plane portraits by a method that has no propagated error. This is done by constructing integrals (constants of motion) for differential equations on the plane-even in non-conservative systems, where energy integrals produced by quadrature do not exist. The correct time parameterization is also obtained. This operational method is called the “Newton transform”.
Wireless and Geheimschreiber operator in the war, 1941 - 1945

(2002). WIRELESS AND “GEHEIMSCHREIBER” OPERATOR IN THE WAR, 1941 – 1945. Cryptologia: Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 81-96.
Walk Score® and Transit Score® and walking in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Background Walk Score® and Transit Score® are open-source measures of the neighborhood built environment to support walking (“walkability”) and access to transportation. Purpose To investigate associations of Street Smart Walk Score and Transit Score with self-reported transport and leisure walking using data from a large multicity and diverse population-based sample of adults. Methods Data from a sample of 4552 residents of Baltimore MD, Chicago IL, Forsyth County NC, Los Angeles CA, New York NY, and St. Paul MN from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2010–2012) were linked to Walk Score and Transit Score (collected in 2012). Logistic and linear regression models estimated ORs of not walking and mean differences in minutes walked, respectively, associated with continuous and categoric Walk Score and Transit Score. All analyses were conducted in 2012. Results After adjustment for site, key sociodemographic, and health variables, a higher Walk Score was associated with lower odds of not walking for transport and more minutes/week of transport walking. Compared to those in a “walker’s paradise,” lower categories of Walk Score were associated with a linear increase in odds of not transport walking and a decline in minutes of leisure walking. An increase in Transit Score was associated with lower odds of not transport walking or leisure walking, and additional minutes/week of leisure walking. Conclusions Walk Score and Transit Score appear to be useful as measures of walkability in analyses of neighborhood effects.
Gaucher and Fabry diseases: from understanding pathophysiology to rational therapies.

Over the past 40 years there has been remarkable development in our understanding of the pathophysiology of lysosomal storage disorders. This review describes the research carried out on the sphingolipid storage disordersfrom the first demonstration of the underlying metabolic abnormality in Gaucher disease to the development of enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher and Fabry diseases. Initial developments in gene therapy are also described. Conclusion: The introduction of enzyme replacement therapy has provided a lifeline for patients with Gaucher or Fabry disease. It is anticipated that future developments, including gene therapy, will provide additional therapeutic options.
E. coli K-12 and EHEC Genes Regulated by SdiA

Background Escherichia and Salmonella encode SdiA, a transcription factor of the LuxR family that regulates genes in response to N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) produced by other species of bacteria. E. coli genes that change expression in the presence of plasmid-encoded sdiA have been identified by several labs. However, many of these genes were identified by overexpressing sdiA on a plasmid and have not been tested for a response to sdiA produced from its natural position in the chromosome or for a response to AHL.
Critique on apomixis in sugarcane

Apomixis is a general term applied to all types of asexual reproduction which replace or substitute for the sexual process. "Vegetative apomixis" is reproduction by specialized propagules which replace the flowers in the inflorescence. (In its broadest interpretation this term includes instances in which sexual processes are suppressed and reproduction is carried on by normal vegetative structures such as rhizomes and stolons.) The phenomenon should be easily recognized where vegetative apomixis predominates, but there may be great difficulty in recognizing the more subtle forms of apomixis collectively termed "agamospermy". In "agamospermy" reproduction is by means of true seeds, but the sexual process is circumvented in a variety of ways. One way, called "adventitious embryony", is for cells of the integument or the nucellus to produce embryos directly by somatic cell divisions.
The acanthodian genera Machaeracanthus and Persacanthusfrom the Devonian of Red Hill, Nevada

Abstract The Upper Devonian vertebrate bearing locality at Red Hill (east-central Nevada) has yielded a diverse fish fauna. Described here are the acanthodian remains. There is a spine referred to Machaeracanthus sp., and various tooth and jawbone fragments representing the new species Persacanthus simpsonensis . The distinction between the genera Persacanthus and Atopacanthus is discussed.
Differences in quality of life before transplantation among transplant recipients with respect to selected socioeconomic variables.

Purpose—To examine differences in quality of life before transplantation among transplant recipients with respect to a selected set of socioeconomic variables related to household/housing, family social and health history, and availability and use of community resources.Methods—An exploratory-descriptive study in a US university's transplant clinic. Sample included 249 kidney, liver, and pancreas transplant recipients aged 18 years or older. Instruments were a socioeconomic data questionnaire, the Sickness Impact Profile, the Adult Self-Image Scale, the Quality of Life Index, and a general quality of life scale. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance with Bonferroni adjustment were used with a significance level of .05. Effect sizes were estimated.Results—Quality of life did not differ significantly for any variable except for the use of private insurance combined with public health insurance. Such coverage was associated with significantly better scores on the psychosocial and total dimensions o...
Policy capturing with ridge regression

A policy capturing method combining human judgment with ridge regression is offered which results in superior judgment policy models. The new method (termed smart ridge regression) was tested against four others in seven judgment policy capturing applications. Performance criteria were two cross-validation indices: cross-validated multiple correlation and mean squared error of prediction of new judgments. Smart ridge regression was found to outperform ordinary least squares regression and conventional ridge regression, as well as subjective weighting and equal weighting of cues.
Mechanism of Cytochrome P450-Catalyzed Aromatic Hydroxylation of Estrogens

The mechanism of aromatic hydroxylation of estrogens by cytochrome P450 enzymes has been examined by comparing the oxidation of estrone with that of substrates carrying additional aromaticity such as equilenin and the structural analog 2-naphthol. Hamster liver microsomes preferentially catalyzed the conversion of estrone to 2-hydroxyestrone (Km = 30 and 25 microM and Vmax = 1497 and 900 pmol (mg of protein)-1 min-1 for 2- and 4-hydroxyestrone formation, respectively). In contrast, equilenin was hydroxylated exclusively at C-4 of the steroid ring system and 2-naphthol at the corresponding C-1 position (Km = 67 and 42 microM and Vmax = 2083 and 3226 pmol (mg of protein)-1 min-1 for 4-hydroxyequilenin and 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene formation, respectively). This shift in the specificity of hydroxylation was due to the introduction of additional aromaticity at ring B of equilenin, because hamster liver microsomes are known not to contain any estrogen-4-hydroxylase, only estrogen-2-hydroxylase activity catalyzed by cytochrome P450 3A family enzymes. The exclusive 4-hydroxylation of equilenin is proposed to be due to a preferred delocalization of the naphthoxy radical an intermediate in the hydroxylation, to C-4, whereas delocalization to C-2 requires additional activation energy and is energetically not favored. Based on these electronic considerations, a mechanism of aromatic hydroxylation of estrogens is proposed which features hydrogen abstraction from the phenolic hydroxy group, electron delocalization of the phenoxy radical to a carbon-centered radical, and subsequent formation of catechol metabolites by hydroxy radical addition at C-2 or C-4 depending on steric or electronic constraints.
Opportunities for catalyst discovery and development: Integrating surface science and theory with high throughput methods

The discovery of new or improved catalysts is often an arduous task. In several instances, empirical studies and single reactor experiments have given way to design of experiments methods and high throughput experimentation (HTE) to speed up the process. However, even with increased throughput, only small subsets of the large multivariate parameter spaces often associated with catalyst and process characteristics can be sampled. An approach termed rational design gives the opportunity to target regions of the parameter space by combining the knowledge gained from surface science experiments and modeling to efficiently guide HTE. The prediction and validation of bimetallic catalysts for ethylene epoxidation illustrates this approach. Conversely, HTE can also be used to lead the discovery cycle in reverse, identifying surface science and modeling opportunities for further development. As an example of this cycle, the use of HTE to identify model catalyst designs for the study of promoted NSR catalysts is considered.
On Multivariate Polynomial Interpolation

We provide a map which associates each finite set Θ in complexs-space with a polynomial space πΘ from which interpolation to arbitrary data given at the points in Θ is possible and uniquely so. Among all polynomial spacesQ from which interpolation at Θ is uniquely possible, our πΘ is of smallest degree. It is alsoD- and scale-invariant. Our map is monotone, thus providing a Newton form for the resulting interpolant. Our map is also continuous within reason, allowing us to interpret certain cases of coalescence as Hermite interpolation. In fact, our map can be extended to the case where, with eachgq∈Θ, there is associated a polynomial space PΘ, and, for given smoothf, a polynomialq∈Q is sought for which $$p(D)(f - q)(\theta ) = 0, \forall p \in P_\theta , \theta \in \Theta $$ .
On a Bit-Serial Input and Bit-Serial Output Multiplier

A recent paper by Chen and Willoner [1] forwarded a bit-sequential input and output (LSBfirst) multiplier for positive numbers. This multiplier for n-bit operands requires 2n clocks and 2n number of five-input adder modules. In this correspondence, after a brief discussion on the different claims made by the authors of [1] and their limitations, we show that this multiplier can be realized with only n adder modules. The technique is extended to two's complement number system. Also, a more complete picture of the actual implementation is depicted. Finally, we bring to the attention an already existing multiplier which fits into the bit-sequential multiplier category.
Relating Elasticities to Changes in Demand

This article specifies a class of equations relating the demand for a good to prices. It is shown that given this class of equations, one can relate the ratio of cross-elasticities to relative changes in demand, given arbitrary price changes.
Application of differential quadrature to transport processes

The methodology and numerical solution of problems concerning transport processes via the method of differential quadrature are presented. Application of the method is demonstrated by solving a simple one-dimensional, time-dependent (transient) diffusion process involving an irreversible reaction without any flux across the end boundary. In addition, the same technique is used (for the first time to the authors' knowledge) to solve a steady-state problem. For this purpose, a convection-diffusion problem involving an irreversible reaction is considered. The demonstration is carried out in two ways, (1) using the Bellman et al. technique which employs approximation formulas for higher order partial derivatives derived by iterating the linear quadrature approximation for the first order partial derivative, and (2) using individual quadratures to approximate the partial derivatives of first, as well as higher orders, as suggested by Mingle. Both approaches give the same results; however, the latter saves an appreciable amount of iterative computing effort despite the fact that it requires separate weighting coefficients for each individual quadrature. Since the technique of differential quadrature can produce solutions with sufficient accuracy even when using as few as three discrete points, both the programming task and computational effort are alleviated considerably. For these reasons the differential quadrature approach appears to be very practical in solving a variety of problems related to transport phenomena.
Blocking as a retrieval failure: Reactivation of associations to a blocked stimulus

Conditioned lick suppression in rats was used to examine the effectiveness of three different “reminder” treatments in reactivating associations to a blocked stimulus in a Kamin blocking paradigm. Experiment I indicated that with our parameters prior tone-footshock pairings could block manifestation of a light-footshock association that would otherwise be evident following pairings of a light-tone compound stimulus with footshock. In Experiment II, exposure to either the US, the blocked stimulus (light), or the apparatus cues between the compound conditioning trials and testing decreased blocking. Experiments III(a) and III(b) replicated the unblocking effects seen in Experiment II and included control groups that received the identical training and reminder treatments except for the omission of the light from the compound stimulus. These latter animals failed to display behaviour comparable to the blocked and reminded subjects, thereby establishing the associative basis of suppression to the light in the...
Minimization of Misclassification of Component Failures in a Two-Component System

In this paper we assume we are repairing two-component series systems that have failed or are malfunctioning. It is further assumed that when a system is brought into the repair shop, it is not known with certainty which component has failed. If the repairman begins repairing the wrong component, a misclassification cost is incurred. It is also assumed that some resources are available for the purchase and operation of a failure detection mechanism that, depending on the amount allocated for detection, enhances the probability of correctly detecting the failed component. A study is then made that is designed to minimize the expected cost of failure detection. Examples are included.
Lateral Ventricular Injections of the NK3 Agonist Senktide Affect Salt Taste-Elicited Responses

Abstract Flynn, F. W. and M. E. Smith. Lateral ventricular injections of the NK 3 agonist senktide affect salt taste-elicited responses. Peptides 19(2) 319–324, 1998.—Central injections of the selective tachykinin NK 3 receptor agonist senktide (SENK) suppresses salt appetite. Also, following SENK, intraoral infusions of hypertonic NaCl elicit fewer ingestive taste reactivity responses and more aversive responses than following intraventricular injections of isotonic saline. This pattern of taste reactivity results suggest that SENK affects the oral stimulating properties of salt taste. Before accepting this interpretation, however, alternative explanations need to be examined. The following experiments evaluated whether the effects of intraventricular SENK injection on taste reactivity could be due to: 1) a general oral motor impairment that reduces ingestive responding to tastes (Experiment 1) or; 2) SENK having aversive consequences (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, the effects of intraventricular injections of SENK (200 ng) on taste reactivity responses to 0.5 M NaCl and 0.1 M sucrose were measured in sodium deficient rats. Intraoral infusions of 0.5 M NaCl elicited fewer ingestive taste reactivity responses following SENK than injections of isotonic saline in sodium deficient rats. Sucrose continued to elicit the same high number of ingestive taste reactivity responses following intraventricular injections of isotonic saline and SENK. Thus, SENK did not cause a general decrease in ingestive responding. A conditioned taste aversion test was employed in Experiment 2 to determine if SENK had aversive consequences. Rats were given 30 min access to alanine (0.3 M) and were then administered either lithium chloride (LiCl) or intraventricular injections of SENK (200 ng) on three consecutive days. Rats avoided alanine that was paired with LiCl, but those rats that had alanine paired with SENK showed no avoidance of the taste even after three pairings. These results replicate findings that intraventricular injections of the NK 3 agonist SENK decreases the palatability of NaCl (as measured by taste reactivity) and suggest that its effect on NaCl-elicited taste reactivity is not due to the treatment causing a motor impairment or malaise.
Human telomeres contain two distinct Myb-related proteins, TRF1 and TRF2.

Human telomeres are composed of long arrays of TTAGGG repeats that form a nucleoprotein complex required for the protection and replication of chromosome ends. One component of human telomeres is the TTAGGG repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1), a ubiquitously expressed protein, related to the proto-oncogene Myb, that is present at telomeres throughout the cell cycle1–6. Recent evidence has implicated TRF1 in the control of telomere length7. TRF1 is proposed to be an inhibitor of telomerase, acting in cis to limit the elongation of individual chromosome ends. Here we report the cloning of TRF2, a distant homologue of TRF1 that carries a very similar Myb-related DNA-binding motif. Like TRF1, TRF2 was ubiquitously expressed, bound specifically to duplex TTAGGG repeats in vitro and localized to all human telomeres in metaphase chromosomes. TRF2 was shown to have an architecture similar to that of TRF1 in that it carries a C-terminal Myb motif and a large TRF1-related dimerization domain near its N terminus. However, the dimerization domains of TRF1 and TRF2 did not interact, suggesting that these proteins exist predominantly as homodimers. While having similar telomere binding activity and domain organization, TRF2 differed from TRF1 in that its N terminus was basic rather than acidic, and TRF2 was much more conserved than TRF1. The results indicate that the TTAGGG repeat arrays at the ends of human and mouse chromosomes bind to two related proteins. Because TRF1 and TRF2 showed significant differences, we suggest that these factors have distinct functions at telomeres.
A powerful statistical method identifies novel loci associated with diastolic blood pressure triggered by nonlinear gene-environment interaction

The genetic basis of blood pressure often involves multiple genetic factors and their interactions with environmental factors. Gene-environment interaction is assumed to play an important role in determining individual blood pressure variability. Older people are more prone to high blood pressure than younger ones and the risk may not display a linear trend over the life span. However, which gene shows sensitivity to aging in its effect on blood pressure is not clear. In this work, we allowed the genetic effect to vary over time and propose a varying-coefficient model to identify potential genetic players that show nonlinear response across different age stages. We detected 2 novel loci, gene MIR1263 (a microRNA coding gene) on chromosome 3 and gene UNC13B on chromosome 9, that are nonlinearly associated with diastolic blood pressure. Further experimental validation is needed to confirm this finding.
Translational and electronic energy dependence of S+ + H2(D2, HD)→SH+(SD+) + H(D) : spin-allowed and spin-forbidden pathways

Guided ion beam mass spectrometry is used to examine the kinetic energy dependence of the reaction of atomic sulfur ion with molecular hydrogen and its isotopic variants. By varying the conditions for S+ formation, it is possible to probe the cross-sections for ground and excited state ions. For excited states of S+, the reaction is efficient and behaves as predicted for an exothermic ion—molecule reaction. For the 4S ground state, the cross-section shows two distinct features: one which begins at the thermodynamic threshold for the reaction, and a larger one which occurs at higher energies. In reaction with HD, S+ (4S) forms equal amounts of SH+ and SD+ at low energies, but the higher energy pathway yields SD+ almost exclusively. These results are interpreted via new calculations of the potential energy surfaces for this system. We suggest that the low energy feature corresponds to a spin-forbidden surface transition, while the high energy feature is a spin-allowed process with a barrier that exceeds the reaction endothermicity by 0.3 eV.
Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

SUMMARY Differences between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and normal prostate tissue at the level of mRNA expression provide an opportunity to identify candidate genes for this disease. A cDNA subtraction procedure was used to isolate differentially expressed genes in BPH. The subtraction was done by solution hybridization of BPH cDNA against excess normal prostate cDNA. We identified known, EST, and novel genes by sequence and database analysis of the subtracted cDNAs. Several of these cDNAs were used as probes in Northern blotting analysis to confirm over-expression of their corresponding mRNAs in BPH tissues. One highly upregulated sequence of interest shared identity with a known mRNA encoding human NELL2, a protein containing epidermal growth factor-like domains. NELL 2 was not previously reported to be expressed in prostate and may code for a novel prostatic growth factor. In situ hybridization analysis of hyperplastic prostate specimens demonstrated that NELL2 mRNA expression is predominantly localized in basal cells of the epithelium. Disease-related changes in the levels of NELL2 may contribute to alterations in epithelial‐stromal homeostasis in BPH. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:669‐670, 2001)
Dosimetry of a thyroid uptake detected in seed migration survey following a patient's iodine-125 prostate implant and in vitro measurements of intentional seed leakages

As a quality control procedure, a post-implant seed migration survey has been accomplished on 340 prostate cancer patients since November 2001. Pulmonary seed embolization and intracardiac seed embolization have been detected. A case of thyroid uptake due to leaking iodine-125 (I-125) sources was also seized. In order to determine the dose to the thyroid, a dosimetry method was developed to link in vivo measurements and the cumulated dose to the thyroid. The calculated source leakage half-life in the case was approximately 15 days based on the measurements and the estimated cumulated dose to thyroid was 204 cGy. It is concluded that one seed was leaking. In order to verify the in vivo measurements, intentional in vitro seed leakage tests were performed. A seed was cut open and placed in a sealed glass container filled with a given volume of saline. The I-125 concentration in the saline was subsequently measured over a period of six months. Consistent in vivo and in vitro results were obtained. Recent incidents of seed leaks reported from other centers have drawn practitioners' attention to this problem. In order to make the measurements more useful, the seed leakage tests were expanded to include I-125 seeds from sixmore » other vendors. The results show that the leakage half-lives of those seeds varied from nine days to a half-year. Two seed models demonstrated least leakage. Since the measurements lasted for six months, the escape of iodine resulted from oxidation of iodide in the saline was a concern for the measurement accuracy. As a reference, another set of leakage tests were performed by adding sodium thiosulfate salt (Na{sub 2}S{sub 2}O{sub 3}{center_dot}5H{sub 2}O) to the saline. Sodium thiosulfate is a reducing agent that prevents the conversion of iodide to iodate so as to minimize I-125 evaporation. As a result, significantly shortened leakage half-lives were observed in this group. Seed agitation was also performed and no significant deviations of the leakage rates were observed. Considering the body fluid is more complex than saline, the in vivo leakage half-life, in case a source leak is encountered, may vary significantly from what is presented in this paper due to chemical reactions. In vivo measurements thus may produce a more accurate estimation of leakage half-life and thyroid uptake dose.« less
Two 10-bp regions are critical for phytochrome regulation of a Lemna gibba Lhcb gene promoter.

Two small regions of the promoter of an Lhcb gene encoding a light-harvesting chlorophyll alb protein were identified as essential in conferring phytochrome responsiveness by using a transient expression assay. Initially, 5' deletion analysis of cabAB79, an Lhcb2 gene of Lemna, showed that sequences within the region from -174 to -104 relative to the start of transcription were necessary for phytochrome regulation. Interna1 deletion and substitution mutants were used to demonstrate that no additional phytochrome-responsive regions exist between -1600 and -174 in this promoter. A 171-bp fragment of the promoter extending from -239 to -69 was sufficient to impart phytochrome responsiveness to a minimal ubiquitin promoter that was not itself regulated by light. Specific binding of Lemna proteins to the region necessary for phytochrome responsiveness was demonstrated using in vitro polyacrylamide gel mobility shift assays and 1,lOphenanthroline copper ion footprinting. Further analysis of the region from -174 to -104 demonstrated that mutations in two separate 10-bp sequences, from -134 to -125 and from -114 to -105, could abolish phytochrome responsiveness; thus, there are two unique regions that are necessary for phytochrome regulation of this gene. One of these regions contains a CCAAT motif and the other a GATA motif. These motifs are conserved in the promoters of many Lhcb genes and may be importent elements in the phytochrome responsiveness of this gene family.
Transactional associations between supportive family climate and young children’s heritage language proficiency in immigrant families

Heritage language (HL) proficiency confers developmental benefits; however, the onset of HL loss is observed among many young children from immigrant families. In this longitudinal study, transactional associations between children's HL proficiency and supportive family climate were examined in Chinese immigrant families with pre-school-aged children. Parental warmth, cultural maintenance values, and use of HL support were investigated as aspects of family climate. Measures included observable parent-child interactions and performance-based language proficiency assessments. While parental cultural maintenance values appeared influential, parental behavioral support of HL showed more robust prospective associations with children's HL development. Concurrently, children's earlier HL profi- ciency predicted subsequent parental behavior; parents whose children had limited HL proficiency decreased their use of HL support 1 later. Implications of the findings are discussed for immigrant parents with young children.
An efficient hybrid heuristic method for prioritising large transportation projects with interdependent activities

Transportation projects are generally large, with limited resources and highly interdependent activities. The complexities and interdependencies apparent in large transportation projects have prohibited effective application of management science and economics methods to these problems. We propose a heuristic method with several hybrid components. We formulate the problem as a Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP). A Neural Network (NN) is used to cope with the interdependency concerns. An algorithm with an iterative process is confined to search for the longest path (most benefit or most reduction in the user-time) in the NN as a solution to the TSP. The solution from each iteration step is utilised to update and train the NN and enhance its prediction. A search engine inspired by the concept of Ant Colony (AC) and hybridised with Genetic Algorithm (GA) is developed to find a suitable solution to the TSP. The hybrid heuristic method proposed in this study is applied to the real data for the city of Winnipeg in Canada to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework and exhibit the efficacy of the procedures and algorithms.
Analysis of the interpolation error between multiresolution images

Many rendering or image-analysis systems require calculation of versions of an image at lesser resolutions than the original. Because the filtering required to perform such calculations accurately cannot typically be done in real time, many systems use interpolation between images at precalculated resolutions. This discrete sampling of the scale component of multiresolution image spaces is analogous to spatial sampling in discrete images. This paper quantifies and bounds the error that can be introduced during such interpolation as a function of the scale-space sampling rate used. A method is presented that uses the diffusion equation to relate spatial derivatives to scale derivatives and from there to an error bound.
The Sea of Life: A Metaphorical Vehicle for Theory Explication

Metaphorical expression is viewed as a fundamental way of symbolizing used to develop nursing theory. The Sea of Life poem depicts a metaphor for explicating a theoretical structure derived from principles of the human becoming theory: Transforming occurs in the revealing-concealing of valuing. The Sea of Life, an original poem, sets forth the idea that unique meanings are cocreated through human-environment relationships. The concepts of valuing, revealing-concealing, and transforming are linked through the poem to lived experiences. The easily recognizable concrete lived experiences which flow from the poem are re-conceptualized to formulate research questions.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Lessons Learned Processes that Support Decisions with Significant Risks

Since the Columbia accident, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has worked extensively to improve its "Lessons Learned" processes so that NASA can avoid repeating past decision making errors. This paper identifies the most serious pitfalls in lessons learned processes that support decisions that must be made in situations with significant risks. We focus on three steps in the lessons learned process: collecting lessons learned, managing lessons learned systems, and applying lessons learned appropriately to future missions. By identifying the pitfalls in each of these three processes, we hope to improve lessons learned systems to support current and future missions. Also, we describe steps taken at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) to improve the lessons learned process and to support the development of a learning organization.
Madagascar: A History of Arrivals, What Happened, and Will Happen Next*

Most of the ancestors of today's human and animal populations reached Madagascar over the last 65 million years, by a variety of routes at a variety of times. Settlers encountered a big, isolated island with an unpredictable climate and a wide array of landscapes. Although patterns of diversification were driven by different mechanisms in humans and animals, the complex interplay between historical contingency and responsiveness to local conditions is evident in both. Global climate change will affect Madagascar, although exactly how remains unclear, and the immediate impact of human activity on the island is overtaking that of gradual global change. Three themes in this review bear on the future: the continuing impact of recent, cataclysmic events on modern communities of people, plants, and animals; Madagascar's long and dynamic environmental history; and the complicated history of how people settled and interacted with the island's landscapes. A deeper understanding of all three can contribute to wise ...
Codes satisfying maximum transition run and parity-check constraints

Efficient combination of a modulation code with a parity-check code is studied for magnetic recording systems. A new approach to the design of combined modulation/parity codes that largely retains the properties of the original modulation code is proposed. It is based on the matrix transformation of a set of desired parity-check equations at the partial-response channel input into a set of parity-check equations at the input of the precoder. The code design methodology is illustrated by constructing a rate-96/104 dual-parity code that satisfies maximum transition run constraints. Simulation results for a Lorentzian recording channel show that this code significantly outperforms a single-parity code for channels dominated by electronics noise. Moreover, the rate-96/104 dual-parity code, which has been used extensively in commercial disk drives, performs as well as a single-parity code in stationary/nonstationary data-dependent noise conditions. Finally, the low-average-transition-density constraint is proposed to enhance error-rate performance in channels dominated by transition noise.
Investigation of an isolate of Staphylococcus lugdunensis implicated in a platelet fatality: a possible advantage of the use of an anaerobic bottle

BACKGROUND: Cases have been reported in which detection with an early culture failed to interdict the transfusion of a bacterially contaminated platelet. One fatal case involved Staphylococcus lugdunensis, missed with a 4-mL aerobic (BPA) bottle (BacT/ALERT, bioMerieux). This report noted "deviation from culture methods that meet manufacturer's recommendations (e.g., decreased blood volume) can result in reduced sensitivity and produce false negatives." The manufacturer's package insert "strongly" recommends that more than one type of culture bottle be utilized. The utility of an anaerobic (BPN) bottle compared to a BPA bottle was investigated for the detection of S. lugdunensis. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This isolate was subjected to a series of spiking experiments designed to assess the effect of sample volume and recovery of BPA and/or BPN bottles over a range of concentrations (0.1-6 colony-forming units/mL). RESULTS: With low levels of contamination, larger volumes cultured were associated with higher recovery. With the lowest inoculation, such that only one to two organisms were present in a bottle, reactivity was accelerated in the BPN bottle compared to the BPA bottle. At higher concentrations, 10 mL in the BPA bottle yielded equivalent time to reactivity as 4 mL in the BPN bottles. CONCLUSION: These data support the use of larger inocula; however, when only one to two organisms were present in a bottle, time to reactivity was accelerated in a BPN bottle compared to a BPA bottle. The accelerated growth was not observable with higher inoculum (e.g., more than six organisms per bottle). Quicker time to reactivity might make the difference between interdiction or transfusion of the product.
The Concentration of Blood in Cardioplegia Determines Postoperative Conduction Disturbances

Blood cardioplegia in conjunction with iced slush topical cooling has been shown by the authors'group and others to cause postoperative conduction disturbances in 50% of patients. Because this is significantly higher than crystalloid cardioplegia, they tested whether a lower concentration of blood in the cardioplegia mix might change the rheology of the solution and hence lower the conduction defects if cold sludging of red blood cells caused the defects. They compared 289 consecutive patients receiving 4: 1 blood cardioplegia (BC) with 90 consecutive patients who received 2:1 blood cardioplegia for the presence of postoperative conduction defects
"Computed tomography of the liver" - A commentary

1Both authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Box 57, Houston, TX 77030. Address correspondence to E. P. Tamm (etamm@di.mdacc.tmc.edu). n Les Miserables, Victor Hugo wrote “the general life of the human race is called Progress, and so is its collective march.” In medical imaging, particularly CT, the march of human progress has become an all-out sprint. Nothing makes this as clear as a comparison of the CT technology of yesterday with the MDCT technology of today. The introduction of CT revolutionized abdominal imaging. Operator-independent crosssectional images could be obtained, markedly reducing the need for diagnostic surgical procedures. In 1977, Stephens et al. [1] published a landmark article, “Computed Tomography of the Liver,” based on the evaluation, over a 10month period, of 1,120 patients, 109 (10%) of whom were being evaluated for suspicion of disease involving the liver. Their findings, and their discussion of the implication of those findings, foreshadowed much that was to be developed in abdominal imaging as the technology of CT rapidly evolved. In this commentary, we contrast the technology, imaging findings, and implications for the diagnosis of disease, then and today.
Spontaneous Aortic Dissecting Hematoma in Two Dogs

This report describes 2 cases of spontaneous aortic dissecting hematoma in young Border Collie and Border Collie crossbred dogs. Histology was performed in one of the cases involving an unusual splitting of the elastin present within the wall of the aorta, consistent with elastin dysplasia as described in Marfan syndrome in humans. The first case involved a young purebred Border Collie that died suddenly and the second case involved a Border Collie crossbred dog that died after a 1-month history of seizures. Gross lesions included pericardial tamponade with dissection of the ascending aorta in the former case and thoracic cavity hemorrhage, mediastinal hematoma, and aortic dissection in the latter. Histologic lesions in the case of the Border Collie crossbred dog included a dissecting hematoma of the ascending aorta with elastin dysplasia and right axillary arterial intimal proliferation.
Direct Electrochemistry of Glucose Oxidase at a Gold Electrode Modified with Graphene Nanosheets

In this work, we report the direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOD) observed at a gold electrode modified with graphene nanosheets. Initially, graphene nanosheets were synthesized and conjugated to the enzyme GOD and immobilized on to a gold electrode surface. Cyclic voltammetry was then performed using Gold-Graphene-GOD modified electrodes in a pH 7.2 phosphate buffered saline (PBS). A pair of well-defined redox peaks was obtained for GOD with the reduction peak centered at +180 mV and a peak separation of 70 mV in PBS under physiological conditions. Moreover, the electron transfer rate of GOD redox reaction was greatly enhanced and the peak potential was found to be pH dependent at the graphene-GOD surface. Further, the performance of the Gold-Graphene-GOD was found to be stable and excellent under physiological conditions indicating the possibility of employing this platform for real time analysis. The observed results indicated that the 2D-graphene holds great promise for conjugation ability ...
Grandmothers and the evolution of human longevity.

Great apes, our closest living relatives, live longer and mature later than most other mammals and modern humans are even later-maturing and potentially longer-lived. Evolutionary life-history theory seeks to explain cross-species differences in these variables and the covariation between them. That provides the foundation for a hypothesis that a novel role for grandmothers underlies the shift from an ape-like ancestral pattern to one more like our own in the first widely successful members of genus Homo. This hypothesis links four distinctive features of human life histories: 1) our potential longevity, 2) our late maturity, 3) our midlife menopause, and 4) our early weaning with next offspring produced before the previous infant can feed itself. I discuss the problem, then, using modern humans and chimpanzees to represent, respectively, genus Homo and australopithecines, I focus on two corollaries of this grandmother hypothesis: 1) that ancestral age-specific fertility declines persisted in our genus, while 2) senescence in other aspects of physiological performance slowed down. The data are scanty but they illustrate similarities in age-specific fertility decline and differences in somatic durability that are consistent with the hypothesis that increased longevity in our genus is a legacy of the “reproductive” role of ancestral grandmothers. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:380–400, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.