cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo electrochemical studies of dopamine overflow and clearance in the striatum of normal and MPTP-treated rhesus monkeys.

Rapid chronoamperometric recordings, using Nafion-coated carbon-fiber electrodes (30-90 microns o.d.), were used to investigate overflow and uptake of dopamine (DA) in the striatum of normal and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated rhesus monkeys. The monkeys were anesthetized with isoflurane and placed in a stereotaxic apparatus. Magnetic resonance imaging-guided sterile stereotaxic procedures were used for implantations of the electrochemical electrodes coupled with single-barrel micropipettes that were used to apply potassium or DA locally. Potassium evoked a robust overflow of DA-like electrochemical signals into the brain extracellular space in the unlesioned or normal putamen and caudate nucleus of the rhesus monkeys. In contrast, potassium did not produce any detectable changes (> 97% depletion) of DA in the MPTP-lesioned striatum. In addition, the diffusion/clearance of locally applied DA was markedly altered in the lesioned caudate nucleus and putamen compared with unlesioned striatum. Cell counts of the number of residual tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in MPTP-treated monkeys, in conjunction with whole-tissue levels of DA and its metabolites, showed that the MPTP lesions produced extensive damage of the nigrostriatal DA system. These data indicate that residual dopaminergic fibers remaining after MPTP lesions are dysfunctional and have a greatly diminished capacity for high-affinity DA uptake.
Determination of Equations and Constants for Life Expectancy Studies for Transformers and Similar Apparatus

When preparing a computer program involving the use of insulation life expectancy data, it is necessary to know the equation for the life expectancy, or loss-of-life vs. temperature relationship. This information is often presented in chart form for which, in many cases, the equation is not given. To those who work closely with the accepted chemical reaction rate theory (Arrhenius relationship) for thermal aging, there is little problem in determining the constants A and B in life (L) vs. temperature (T) charts based on the equation ln L = B/T + A.
Protein farnesyl transferase target selectivity is dependent upon peptide stimulated product release

Protein farnesyl transferase (FTase) catalyzes transfer of a 15 carbon farnesyl lipid to cysteine in the C-terminal Ca1a2X sequence of numerous proteins including Ras. Previous studies have shown that product release is rate limiting and is dependent on binding of either a new peptide or isoprenoid diphosphate substrate. While considerable progress has been made in understanding how FTase distinguishes between related target proteins, the relative importance of the two pathways for product release on substrate selectivity is unclear. A detailed analysis of substrate stimulated product release has now been performed and provides new insights into the mechanism of FTase target selectivity. To clarify how FTase selects between different Ca1a2X sequences, we have examined the competition of various peptide substrates for modification with the isoprenoids farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and anilinogeranyl diphosphate (AGPP). We find that reactivity of some competing peptides is correlated with apparent Kmpeptide, while the reactivity of others is predicted by the selectivity factor apparent kcat/Kmpeptide. The peptide target selectivity also depends on the structure of the isoprenoid donor. Additionally, we observe two peptide substrate concentration dependent maxima and substrate inhibition in the steady-state reaction which require a minimum of three peptide binding states for the steady-state FTase reaction mechanism. We propose a model for the FTase reaction mechanism that, in addition to FPP stimulated product release, incorporates peptide binding to the FTase-FPP complex and the formation of an FTase-product-peptide complex followed by product release leading to an inhibitory FTase-peptide complex as a natural consequence of catalysis to explain these results.
Similar polymorphism of taste sensitivity to PTC in mice and men.

INDIVIDUAL differences in taste sensitivity to phenyl thiocarbamate in human populations, first demonstrated in 1931, were soon shown to be due to segregation at a single autosomal locus1. Although this phenomenon was initially very interesting, its dependence on a synthetic compound relegated it to a laboratory demonstration of single locus determination of perceptual differences. More recent work concerning the antithyroid activity of PTC and similar compounds in several naturally occurring foodstuffs, however, has prompted renewed interest in this phenomenon2.
Pair-breaking by Ba-site magnetic dopants in superconducting NdBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract Nd+3 (J=9/2) on a Ba site between a cuprate plane and a chain layer of superconducting NdBa2Cu3Ox (with x≈7) acts as a magnetic scatterer and pair-breaker, while Nd on a rare-earth-site between two cuprate planes does not. This implies that the superconductivity originates in the vicinity of the chain layers, not in the cuprate planes, of NdBa2Cu3Ox and its homologous compounds.
Turnover of protein in Escherichia coli starving for nitrogen.

Abstract 1. 1. Rates of degradation and synthesis. Degradation of pre-labeled protein in starving cells, measured by the exchange into the medium of [14C]leucine, proceeds at a rate of 2–3 %/h for 6–8 h at 37°, then abruptly shuts off almost totally. Meanwhile the incorporation of amino acids into peptide bonds, and the amounts of β-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) and alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1.) formed, decrease continuously (to less than 0.3 % synthesis of protein/h). Furthermore, at any time, only about 0.05 as much ribosomal protein is made, relative to soluble protein, as is formed in growing cells. 2. 2. Lack of exchange of amino acids in auxotrophs. When an auxotroph is starved for an amino acid as well as for nitrogen, its uptake of other amino acids is severely inhibited. Nevertheless, synthesis of enzyme proteins, as a result of turnover, continues about as well as in cultures starved only for nitrogen. 3. 3. Effect of inhibitors on proteolysis in cells. Degradation of protein is shut off when synthesis of protein is inhibited by chloramphenicol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 5-methyltryptophan or proflavine at any time during starvation. It continues, however, when amino acid analogues (ethionine, norleucine, p-fluorophenylalanine) are added to the medium, suggesting that a small amount of peptide bond synthesis, but not necessarily of any particular protein, is required for breakdown of protein to continue. 4. 4. It is suggested that the level of amino acids or amino-acyl sRNA may determine both the activity of pre-existing proteases and the permeability to more amino acids in starving cells.
The Social Value of Self-Esteem

This essay reflects upon the current cultural skirmishes over the parenting practices of Americans, which have pitted “Helicopter Parents” against “Free-Range Kids”; “Tiger Mothers” against “Panda Dads;” and at-risk communities “Waiting for Superman” against privileged students in the “Race to Nowhere.” Despite the exaggerated claims of difference in these and other popular representations of the parenting wars, a common theme of building children’s self-esteem is evident as a cornerstone of contemporary American parenting practices. Through different means, the relatively privileged parents who write child-rearing memoirs (or confessionals) pursue a similar end: to build and enhance their children’s self-concept and emotional competence. In particular, professional-class parents who are anxious about their own prospects for continued success in a risky economy turn toward emotional capital as a necessary supplement to educational and extra-curricular success to ensure inter-generational transmission of advantage. The goals of emotional competence and self-esteem replicate the mechanisms of control to which elite parents are subjected in professional careers and therefore represent an important form of cultural capital in the reproduction of class advantages.
An experimental investigation of incompressible flow in conical diffusers

Abstract Experiments have been performed in clear-plastic diffusers, using water flow discharging into a plenum tank, to obtain performance and flow-regime information for a wide range of conical diffuser geometries. A line of first appreciable stall has been located with sufficient precision that it is useful in conical diffuser design. Performance data obtained allow solution of the four common optimum problems encountered in diffuser design. At present these results can be extrapolated only with caution to diffuser geometries other than those tested.
Points of view: arrows.

At a glance Figures View all figures Figure 1: Arrows in scientific diagrams. (a) Well-understood conventions in molecular biology indicated by arrows. (b) Arrows are defined loosely by their geometric shapes and more definitely in context. (c) A diagram with 19 arrows used as leaders, to indicate reagent flow and to show mechanical movement. Reprinted from Nature Methods3. Full size image View in article Figure 2: Functional qualities of arrows. (a) The use of arrows versus lines as connectors suggests a certain functional relationship. (b) Alternatives to arrows as leader lines. (c) Reasonably sized arrows clearly indicate direction without being a distraction. (d) Trapped whitespace in 'open' arrowheads creates optical illusions that can attract unwanted attention. (e) Whitespace at the ends of the arrows makes them easy to discriminate from other content. (f) Orienting arrows in similar directions creates natural visual flow. Full size image View in article
The effect of temperature and citric acid, alone, and in combination with nisin, on the growth of Arcobacter butzleri in culture

Elevated temperature and citric acid have been shown to enhance the susceptibility of gram-negative bacteria to nisin both in culture and in those foods routinely contaminated with Arcobacter butzleri. This study investigated the sensitivity of A. butzleri cells to elevated temperature and varying concentrations of citric acid, alone and in the presence of nisin. The effect of a combination of short-term exposure to citric acid and low-temperature (modeling a chill-wash procedure) followed by continuous exposure to nisin, was also carried out in order to assess the effects to A. butzleri from a multiple hurdle approach to control. When incubated at sub-optimal temperatures (i.e. for aerobic growth, lower than 30 °C) A. butzleri cells show less sensitivity to 500 IU ml−1 nisin than at 30 °C. Elevating the temperature to 60 °C for 10 min, followed by 24 h incubation at 30 °C resulted in no viable cells being detected. However, elevating the temperature to 50 °C resulted in some viable cells with the presence of nisin during the heat treatment significantly reducing number of survivors. A 30-min treatment with 1, 20, 50 or 100 mM citric acid, in the absence and presence of 500 IU ml−1 nisin, reduced survival of A. butzleri cells. Stationary phase cells appear significantly more resistant to both citric acid alone, and citric acid in combination with nisin, than log phase cells. 10-min treatment with 20 mM or 100 mM citric acid, at 30 or 4 °C followed by incubation in the presence of 500 IU ml−1 nisin, completely inhibited growth of A. buzleri cells over five hours. Over 24 h the most effective treatment was with 100 mM citric acid at 4 °C followed by incubation in the presence of 500 IU ml−1 nisin suggesting that nisin prevents the recovery of sublethally damaged cells.
Carbon dynamics in the Amazonian Basin: Integration of eddy covariance and ecophysiological data with a land surface model

a b s t r a c t Information contained in eddy covariance flux tower data has multiple uses for the development and application of global land surface models, such as evaluation/validation, calibration and process parameterization for carbon stocks and fluxes. In this study, we combine Large Scale Biosphere–Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA) project data collected from a network of eddy covariance flux towers deployed across the Amazonian basin to improve the carbon stocks and flux estimated by a land surface model, the Integrated Science Assessment Model (ISAM). We evaluate the key model parameters for carbon allocation factors, maintenance respiration as well as the autotrophic respiration using the LBA site measurements. Our model results show that the total biomass ranges from 0.7 kg C m −2 yr −1 for the
Dendritic spine pathology in neuropsychiatric disorders

Substantial progress has been made toward understanding the genetic architecture, cellular substrates, brain circuits and endophenotypic profiles of neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Recent evidence implicates spiny synapses as important substrates of pathogenesis in these disorders. Although synaptic perturbations are not the only alterations relevant for these diseases, understanding the molecular underpinnings of spine pathology may provide insight into their etiologies and may reveal new drug targets. Here we discuss recent neuropathological, genetic, molecular and animal model studies that implicate structural alterations at spiny synapses in the pathogenesis of major neurological disorders, focusing on ASD, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease as representatives of these categories across different ages of onset. We stress the importance of reverse translation, collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches, and the study of the spatio-temporal roles of disease molecules in the context of synaptic regulatory pathways and neuronal circuits that underlie disease endophenotypes.
Lossless anti-guided arrays with improved mode discrimination

Leaky-wave coupling has proven to be useful for creating single-mode, in-phase semiconductor laser arrays in both edge-emitters [1, 2] and VCSELs [3–6]. One of the principal advantages of leaky or anti-guided arrays is that resonant coupling can occur, with strong parallel coupling existing between all elements of the array [7, 8]. However, at the resonance condition, there is a significant amount of radiation loss from the edges of the array for the resonant mode, which can detrimentally affect threshold and efficiency. This work will present a method for eliminating the radiation loss and increasing mode discrimination while maintaining the resonance condition in anti-guided arrays.
Etomidate potentiation of GABAA receptor gated current depends on the subunit composition.

Abstract The role of the γ2 subunit in etomidate potentiation of GABAA receptor-gated chloride current was studied by whole cell patch clamp experiments on H293 cells expressing GABAA receptors. The GABAA receptor subunits α1β1 with or without the γ2 subunit expressed well, with an overall peak current of 157 ± 42 pA/pF. At a clinically relevant concentration, etomidate potentiates the peak current induced by GABA equally well in receptors with or without the γ2 subunit. In contrast, the time course of current decay was prolonged only in receptors with the γ2 subunit. This γ2 subunit-dependent prolongation of the current time course was not blocked by the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil. These results show that etomidate, an imidazole general anesthetic, interacts with the GABAA receptor in a γ2 subunit-dependent manner.
Influence of Confining Pressure on the Crack Growth Behavior in a Highly Filled Elastomer

In this study, the effect of confining pressure on the crack growth behavior in a highly filled elastomer was investigated. The material under investigation contains 86% by weight of hard particles embedded in a rubbery matrix. The specimens were tested at a constant strain rate under a confining pressure. Two confining pressures, 3.45 MPa and 6.9 MPa, and two types of loading, monotonically increasing and cyclic, were considered. The experimental data were analyzed, and the effects of confining pressure on the damage process as well as the constitutive and crack growth behavior in the material are discussed.
Examining Social Influence on Participation and Outcomes among a Network of Behavioral Weight-Loss Intervention Enrollees

Research suggests that social networks, social support, and social influence are associated with weight trajectories among treatment- and non-treatment-seeking individuals. This study examined the impact of having a social contact who participated in the same group behavioral weight-control intervention in the absence of specific social support training on women engaged in a weight-loss program. Participants (; 100&#x25; female; 54&#x25; black; mean age: years; mean BMI: ) were grouped based upon whether or not they reported a social contact enrolled previously/concurrently in our behavioral weight-control studies. Primary outcomes were 6-month weight change and treatment adherence (session attendance and self-monitoring). Half of the participants (53&#x25;) indicated that they had a social contact; black women were more likely to report a social contact than white women (67.3&#x25; versus 39.5&#x25;; ). Among participants with a social contact, 67&#x25; reported at least one contact as instrumental in the decision to enroll in the program. Those with a contact lost more weight (5.9 versus 3.7&#x2009;kg; ), attended more group sessions (74&#x25; versus 54&#x25;; ), and submitted more self-monitoring journals (69&#x25; versus 54&#x25;; ) than those without a contact. Participants' weight change was inversely associated with social contacts' weight change (). There was no association between participant and contact&#x2019;s group attendance or self-monitoring. Social networks may be a promising vehicle for recruiting and engaging women in a behavioral weight-loss program, particularly black women. The role of a natural social contact deserves further investigation.
Dollarization in Latin America: seigniorage costs and policy implications

Abstract This paper examines the seigniorage costs of official dollarization in 15 Latin American countries. We show that the total costs can be decomposed into two components: seigniorage transferred to the U.S. and seigniorage lost due to greater financial stability in the dollarized country. Results indicate that seigniorage costs and their components are significant, yet differ considerably across countries. A cluster analysis is performed to sort countries into homogenous sub-groups. At a stage with five sub-groups we find groups with increasing seigniorage burdens. At a stage with two sub-groups we can identify candidates for possible seigniorage revenue-sharing agreements with the U.S.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE INTRACELLUALR SYNTHESIS OF KYNURENINE

Near the time of pupation, autofluorescent kynurenine globules appear in the cells in the anterior region of the fatbody of Drosophila melanogaster . It has been reported previously that kynurenine synthesis may be induced in an additional group of fat cells by feeding the precursor tryptophan to Drosophila larvae, and that this induction of kynurenine production viewed within the fat cells is correlated with an increase in tryptophan pyrrolase activity. In the present report, conditions are outlined which result in the appearance of kynurenine in all of the fat cells. The number of cells in the fatbody which contain kynurenine is influenced by the quantity of tryptophan included in the diet, as well as by the developmental stage at the time of treatment and the duration of the feeding period on the inducer. Physical barriers modifying permeability, such as the membranous layer noted surrounding the fatbody, may be a factor in the regulation of the time and nature of the cellular induction of kynurenine synthesis. Another factor to be considered is the possibility of interference with the availability of tryptophan as a substrate or inducer for this synthesis within the cell. It is suggested that the occurrence of pteridines in some of the fat cells may modify the response of these cells to produce kynurenine, since pteridines as electron acceptors can complex with tryptophan as an electron donor. Kynurenine may be produced in the fat cells under in vitro conditions when they are incubated with L-tryptophan, but kynurenine is not formed when fat cells are incubated with D-tryptophan. The in vitro studies further demonstrate that induction of kynurenine synthesis may occur in fat cells isolated from young larvae in contrast, to in vivo conditions in which inducer does not effect an earlier appearance of kynurenine in the larval fatbody.
The Ecology of Psorophora confinnis (Diptera: Culicidae) in Southern California. I. The Seasonal Nature of Hatching

The seasonal hatching of the eggs is controlled by the annual cycle of temperature. Preflooding temperatures control the hatchability of the eggs by exerting a conditioning or deconditioning effect. The eggs are conditioned by an increase in temperature and deconditioned by a decrease. All eggs are conditioned when held at 90°F for 1–2 weeks and deconditioned after 4 weeks at 60°. Intermediate temperatures may either condition or decondition the eggs, depending upon the previous temperature of exposure, since conditioning occurs only at temperatures higher than the prior deconditioning temperature. Thus, temperatures of 70° and 80° condition eggs in late spring and early summer, and decondition eggs in late summer and early autumn. The percentage of conditioned eggs that hatch when flooded varies directly with the temperature of the medium. The combined effects of preflooding and flooding temperatures upon the hatching of the eggs control the seasonal occurrence of adults. Deconditioned eggs do not hatch during the winter, although repeatedly flooded by irrigation water.
Modeling and simulation of a high-head pumped hydro system

Increasing penetration of intermittent renewable generation, such as solar or wind, will lead to the deviation of the power grid frequency from normal due to the randomness of the output renewable energy sources. Pumped storage can be used to balance the renewable output in a manner to regulate the frequency of the grid. This paper presents a feasibility study of a proposed pumped storage system used to regulate the frequency of power grid to meet the NERC CPS2 standard in response to variable renewable energy output. Studies are performed using dynamic electrical and hydraulic models of the pumped hydro system.
Post-divorce mother-son relations of delinquent and well-adjusted adolescents

Abstract This study exmined the long-term effects of divorce an adolescent boy's relations with their mothers. Eighteen ealry father-absent (before age 5), 18 late father-absent (between ages 5 and 10), and 18 infant families with a delinqunet or a well-adjusted male adolscent were evaluated using observational and self-report measures of mother-son relations, as well as personality measures. Multivariate between-groups comparisons indicated that the relations of divorced mothers and their sons were more conflictive and less warm than were mother-son relations in infant families. Moreover, mother-son relations were least positive ie early father-absent families. Regarless of the intactness of the home, fammilies with a delinquent boy evidenced difficulties in several areas of mother-adolescent relations. These findings suggest that the task of raising an adolescent son in generally more difficult in divorced than in intact families, but that the association between adolescent behavioral maladjustment and mother-adolescent relations is similar across family structures.
Characterization of helium/argon working gas systems in a radiofrequency glow discharge atomic emission source. Part I: Optical emission, sputtering and electrical characteristics

Abstract Studies are performed to determine the influence of discharge gas composition (helium/argon working gas mixtures) on the analyte emission signal intensities, sputtering rates, and DC-bias characteristics of an analytical radiofrequency glow discharge atomic emission spectroscopy (RF-GD-AES) source. As the partial pressure of He is increased from 0 to 15 torr, increased emission intensity is observed for a range of bulk and trace elements in NIST 1250 SRM (low alloy steel), regardless of the base pressure of Ar in the source (5 and 9 torr). In contrast to increases in analyte emission intensity of up to 300%, counterindicative decreases in the sputtering rates on the order of about 30–50% are observed. The magnitude of these effects depends on both the partial pressure of helium introduced to the source and the total pressure of the He and Ar gases. Use of relative emission yield (REY) to normalize changes in emission intensity to sputtering rates indicates that excitation efficiencies increase under these conditions. Increases in average electron energy and temperature appear to control this response. Decreases in both analyte emission intensities and sputter rates occur with increasing He partial pressure when the total pressure in the cell remains fixed (11 torr in these studies). Emission yields for the fixed pressure, mixed gas plasmas decrease as the partial pressure of He (He/Ar ratio) in the RF-GD source increases. In this case, decreases in electron number densities appear to dictate the lower REYs. Measurement of DC-bias values at the sample surface provide understanding with respect to the observed changes in sputtering rates as well as suggest the origins of changes in plasma electron energetics. Use of a diamond stylus profilometer provides both the quantitative sputter rate information as well as qualitative insights into the use of mixed gas plasmas for enhanced depth profiling capabilities. The analyte emission characteristics of these mixed gas plasmas can be further understood by examining fundamental Langmuir probe data for pure He and mixed Ar/He plasmas, which are presented in the following companion paper.
Superluminal propagation of an optical pulse in a Doppler-broadened three- state single-channel active Raman gain medium

Using a single-channel active Raman gain medium, we show a 220 +/- 20 ns advance time for an optical pulse of tau(FWHM)=15.4 mu s propagating through a 10 cm medium, a lead time that is comparable to what was reported previously using a two-mode pump field. In addition, we have verified experimentally all the features associated with this single-channel Raman gain system.
Stem cells supporting other stem cells

Adult stem cell therapies are increasingly prevalent for the treatment of damaged or diseased tissues, but most of the improvements observed to date are attributed to the ability of stem cells to produce paracrine factors that have a trophic effect on existing tissue cells, improving their functional capacity. It is now clear that this ability to produce trophic factors is a normal and necessary function for some stem cell populations. In vivo adult stem cells are thought to self-renew due to local signals from the microenvironment where they live, the niche. Several niches have now been identified which harbor multiple stem cell populations. In three of these niches—the Drosophila testis, the bulge of the mammalian hair follicle, and the mammalian bone marrow—one type of stem cell has been found to produce factors that contribute to the maintenance of a second stem cell population in the shared niche. In this review I will examine the architecture of these three niches and discuss the molecular signals involved. Together, these examples establish a new paradigm for stem cell behavior, that stem cells can promote the maintenance of other stem cells.
Host size selection and sex allocation behaviour among parasitoid trophic levels

. 1 Sex ratio in the ectoparasitoid Chrysocharis nephereus, when attacking larvae of the lepidopteran leafminer Cameraria jacintoensis inhabiting the scrub oak Quercus dumosa, varies as a function of host size. 2 Female progeny are overproduced on large hosts and male progeny are overproduced on small hosts. Whether a host is perceived as large or small depends on the distribution of sizes of hosts encountered. Lastly, the primary sex ratio is consistently male biased. These patterns are not due to variation in progeny sex specific mortality, but are probably a result of maternal choice. 3 Female wasp size increases at a greater rate than does male wasp size with an equivalent increase in C.jacintoensis larval size. Although the average adult longevity of female C.nephereus is significantly greater than the average longevity of male C.nephereus, male wasp longevity increases at a greater rate than does female wasp longevity with an equivalent increase in C.jacintoensis larval size. 4 Chrysocharis nephereus developing on large C.jacintoensis are more likely to be hyperparasitized by Closterocerus sp. than are C.nephereus developing on smaller sized C.jacintoensis. Closterocerus sp. hyperparasitize female C.nephereus progeny with significantly greater frequency than male progeny. 5 Female C.nephereus overproducing daughters on large hosts and sons on small hosts may experience fitness trade-offs between the benefits associated with producing offspring on large hosts and costs associated with these offspring becoming hyperparasitized.
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Small Matrix-Isolated Linear Carbon Cluster Anions

Carbon cluster anions have been generated, deposited in an argon matrix, and studied spectroscopically. A new method involving a dual laser beam-induced Ar plasma using Y or W metal and graphite targets is introduced for the efficient production of matrix-isolated carbon cluster anions. New bands found in the infrared spectra of the deposited plasma mixture have been assigned to asymmetric stretching modes of the C3, C5, C6, C7, and C9 anions. Density functional theory calculations (B3LYP/6-31G* level) support the attribution of these bands to linear carbon cluster anions. Calculational results also indicate that reactions between linear anionic clusters and linear neutral clusters are highly exothermic and that aggregation between anions and even-membered neutrals are more highly exothermic than between anions and odd-membered neutrals. The anion infrared bands are found to be photosensitive at irradiation wavelengths shorter than a certain threshold value. These values are ca. 0.5 eV higher than the cor...
GABA increases Ca2+ in cerebellar granule cell precursors via depolarization: Implications for proliferation

The amino acids glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have primarily been characterized as the most prevalent excitatory and inhibitory, respectively, neurotransmitters in the vertebrate central nervous system. However, the role of these signaling molecules extends far beyond the synapse. GABA, glutamate, and their complement of receptors are essential signaling molecules that regulate developmental processes in both embryonic and young adult mammals. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on the role of GABA and glutamate in development, focusing on the perinatal cerebellum. We will then present novel data suggesting that GABA depolarizes granule cell precursors via GABA(A) receptors, which leads to calcium increases in these cells. Finally, we will consider the role of GABA and glutamate signaling on cell proliferation and perhaps neural cancers. From our review of the literature and these data, we hypothesize that GABA(A) receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors may be a novel target for the pharmacological regulation of the cerebellar tumors, medulloblastomas.
Striatal single-unit responses to amphetamine and neuroleptics in freely moving rats

Single-unit recordings from 50 striatal neurons in freely moving rats revealed generally low activity (< 3 spikes/sec) during resting behavior and movement-related excitations in most (n = 36) neurons. While activating behavior, d-amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg, sc) usually excited and inhibited motor- and nonmotor-related neurons, respectively, relative to resting baseline firing rates. A behavioral clamping analysis, which controlled for neuronal effects secondary to behavior, yielded results suggesting a primary, amphetamine-induced excitation of striatal motor-related neurons. Haloperidol (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) strongly inhibited behavior and neuronal activity when injected 30 min after amphetamine. Clozapine (5.0-30.0 mg/kg) inhibited only selected behaviors, but reliably produced haloperidol-like reversals of amphetamine-induced neuronal excitations. A literature review revealed that the neuronal results in behaving animals differ markedly from the inhibitory striatal responses to amphetamine and the excitatory responses to dopamine antagonists often found in immobilized or anesthetized rat preparations. These contrasting, preparation-dependent results support a model based on drug interactions with a proposed neuromodulatory function of striatal dopamine, which is to facilitate or attenuate the activity of neurons receiving, respectively, substantial, or little excitatory afferent input.
Successful IP Business Models

The onward march of Moore's Law obviously brings with it a host of challenges, not the least of which is how to design to the space that is now available on an average leading edge semiconductor device. With millions of available transistors and a variety of technology options to choose from, it's small wonder that IP providers have managed to continue to build a viable industry. But that industry is changing, with numerous business models and sources of IP emerging. How will the interaction between IP providers and semiconductor manufacturers change? How will the industry benefit, in terms of quality and availability of IP? Dr. Di Ma will present a foundry perspective, including interesting statistics on IP usage and how the future interplay of foundry and IP provider might develop.
An Examination of Serial Urinalyses in Patients with North American Crotalid Envenomation

AbstractStudy Objective: To examine the incidence of abnormal urinalyses after rattlesnake envenomations and its association with bite severity and antivenom administration. Methods: A retrospective review of data collected in a prospective manner for an experimental crotalid antivenom trial. Subjects were individuals with minimal to moderate North American crotalid envenomations. Incidence and characterization of abnormal urinalysis after crotalid envenomation is presented. Additionally, the relationship of abnormal urinalysis to bite severity is examined. A preliminary test of antivenom protein urinalysis interference was also conducted. Results: Forty-three percent of the urinalyses reported prior to antivenom treatment had abnormalities. Thirty-three of 41 subjects (80%) had an abnormal urinalysis, defined as the presence of cells, blood, glucose, or protein, at some time during the 2- week period following envenomation. All but 3 of these subjects had urinalyses which returned to normal by 2 weeks po...
Exact calculation of the volume and surface area of fused hard-sphere molecules with unequal atomic radii

The volume and surface area of a fused hard-sphere molecule can be calculated by the usual formula relating the union of a number of sets to their intersections. In principle, this formula includes intersections of all orders; however, we show that, by making use of the properties of certain types of double, triple, quadruple and quintuple intersection, all terms of the fifth and higher order and some terms of lower order can be eliminated from the expansion, leaving only spheres and intersections of two, three or four spheres. Analytical expressions are derived for the volumes and surface areas of intersections of two, three or four spheres with unequal radii; these expressions allow the exact calculation of the volume and surface area of any fused hard-sphere molecule.
Risk and protective factors in children adopted from the former Soviet Union

Abstract Introduction: The former Soviet Union (including the present independent republics of Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Belarus, Lithuania, and Georgia) is the leading source of children adopted from overseas by persons in the United States ( US Department of State, 1998 ). This study sought to (a) characterize the current social, academic, and conduct competencies of 6- to 9-year-old children adopted from the former Soviet Union who have resided in the United States for at least 2 years and (b) evaluate both risks and protective influences of adoptive families and their relationships to competence via a structural equation model. Method: Telephone interviews and a postal survey of children were drawn from a US community sample of 105 children. Measures included (a) Child Behavior Checklist, (b) Teacher Report Form, (c) Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, (c) Family Environment Scale, and (d) demographic information. Results: Many children had experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect between birth and entry to the institution. Their mean birth weight was 2637 g, and alcohol abuse by the birth mother was common (41%). Although the children scored below average in competence, adoptive family environments were positive and served as buffers between the risks experienced by the children and the subsequent development of competence within the adoptive family. Conclusion: Children's abilities ranged from severely challenged to developmentally normal. The high rate of fetal alcohol exposure in the children may portend future challenges for families. J Pediatr Health Care. (2000). 14 , 109–116.
Interleukin-17 family and IL-17 receptors

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted by activated T-cells. Recently discovered related molecules are forming a family of cytokines, the IL-17 family. The prototype member of the family has been designated IL-17A. Due to recent advances in the human genome sequencing and proteomics five additional members have been identified and cloned: IL-17B, IL-17C, IL-17D, IL-17E and IL-17F. The cognate receptors for the IL-17 family identified thus far are: IL-17R, IL-17RH1, IL-17RL (receptor like), IL-17RD and IL-17RE. However, the ligand specificities of many of these receptors have not been established. The IL-17 signaling system is operative in disparate tissues such as articular cartilage, bone, meniscus, brain, hematopoietic tissue, kidney, lung, skin and intestine. Thus, the evolving IL-17 family of ligands and receptors may play an important role in the homeostasis of tissues in health and disease beyond the immune system. This survey reviews the biological actions of IL-17 signaling in cancers, musculoskeletal tissues, the immune system and other tissues.
Markers of inflammation in exhaled breath condensate of young healthy smokers.

Introduction Although a strong correlation exists between long-term cigarette smoking, pulmonary inflammation, and COPD, efforts to identify populations at risk of acquiring COPD have so far been unsuccessful. To this end, noninvasive detection and monitoring of biomarkers of pulmonary inflammation in young healthy smokers may assist in this task. Study objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of total protein, nitrites, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and neutrophil chemotactic activity in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collected from healthy college student smokers and nonsmokers. Design EBC was collected from 20 volunteers (9 nonsmokers and 11 smokers) during tidal breathing for 20 min. EBC was also collected from smokers 30 min after smoking one filtered cigarette. The concentrations of total protein, nitrite, IL-1β, and TNF-α in EBC was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neutrophil chemotactic activity in EBC was determined in vitro using the blind-well technique. Results The concentrations of total protein and nitrite, and neutrophil chemotactic activity were significantly higher in EBC of smokers in comparison to nonsmokers (p Conclusions Concentrations of certain inflammatory mediators and neutrophil chemotactic activity are increased in EBC of young healthy smokers. Collection and analysis of EBC may assist in early detection of cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation and identifying populations at risk for acquiring COPD.
The Language of Political Aggression

We examined the relationship between language and political aggression by examining the words used by world leaders and leaders of ideologically motivated groups when talking about their despised opponent out-groups in their speeches. We searched the archives for records of such speeches, anchoring them to an identified act of aggression or nonaggressive resistance, and analyzed speeches at three points in time prior to those acts. We tested three hypotheses about linguistic differences in speech content separately for groups that committed an act of aggression and those that did not. Support was found for all three hypotheses, indicating that speeches associated with aggression had different linguistic markers than speeches associated with nonaggression. These findings highlighted the function of speech in providing glimpses into the mind-set of the speech makers as their groups ramp up to violence or not.
Intel's Computer Vision Library: applications in calibration, stereo segmentation, tracking, gesture, face and object recognition

Intel's Microcomputer Research Lab has been developing a highly optimized Computer Vision Library (CVLib) that automatically detects processor type and loads the appropriate MMX/sup TM/ technology assembly tuned module for that processor. MMX optimized functions are from 2 to 8 times faster than optimized C functions. We will be demonstrating various algorithms supported by CVLib and handing out CDs containing the library.
Coumarins. VII. The coumarins of Lomatium nuttallii.

The ether extract of the root of Lomatium nuttallii (A. Gray) Macbr. has been examined and has provided a number of known coumarins. These are osthol, jatamansin, pteryxin, and lomatin. The ether extract also contained a new coumarin, provisionally named nuttallin , which has been identified as the senecioate ester of lomatin. The methanol extract yielded the glycosidic coumarin, columbianin.
Defining and Assessing Early Childhood Program Quality

In the United States, there is a definition of quality of early care and education (ECE) programs that is widely accepted in the early childhood profession. It emphasizes a child-centered approach to raising children, with caring adults who are kind and gentle rather than restrictive and harsh and who protect children's health and safety, while providing a wealth of experiences that lead to learning through play. According to the definition, individuality and creativity are encouraged rather than conformity. This definition is often criticized by those with differing perspectives, but in general, it appears to be valid for those who value the aspects of development that are associated with success in the current mainstream American educational system and society. In this article, the content, rationale, and criticisms of that definition of quality are presented. Methods used in its assessment, and information regarding its validity, are explained.
Recruiting and retaining women in undergraduate computing majors

This paper recommends methods for increasing female participation in undergraduate computer science. The recommendations are based on recent and on-going research into the gender gap in computer science and related disciplines They are intended to work in tandem with the Computing Research Association's recommendations for graduate programs (see [18] in this issue) to promote a general increase in women's participation in computing professions.Most of the suggestions offered here could improve the educational environment for both male and female students. However, general improvements are likely to be of particular benefit to women because women in our society do not generally receive the same level of support that men receive for entering and persisting in this field. Parents, friends, and classmates seldom encourage women to choose and continue in a computing discipline. Those few women who declare a computing major tend to experience continued lack of support throughout their education. They have few female peers to call on for help. Furthermore, students in their own and other majors may consider them odd. Even faculty can discourage women with unthinking remarks or with expectations based on the assumption that men's behavior and experience are the basis for success in computing majors. This lack of support can block or weaken women's commitment to computing. Moreover, when conditions in a department are generally unfavorable, those with a weakened commitment to the discipline often leave at higher rates than those who have sufficient support to overcome the conditions.
Zernike Polynomials and Optical Aberrations

The use of Zernike polynomials to calculate the standard deviation of a primary aberration across a circular, annular, or a Gaussian pupil is described. The standard deviation of secondary aberrations is also discussed briefly.
Sustained autoimmune mechanisms in dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease predominantly affecting skin and muscle. Its poorly understood pathogenesis is increasingly being linked to the overproduction of type 1 interferon-inducible gene transcripts and proteins. Mechanisms have been identified by which chronic sustained accumulation of these proteins might occur and thereby injure tissue in dermatomyositis.
The impact of the theorem of Bun Wong and Rosay

A classical theorem of Bun Wong implies that a strongly pseudoconvex domain with transitive automorphism group must be biholomorphic to the unit ball. This result has been quite influential, and has been extended and modified in a number of fascinating ways. We discuss several variations and implications of this theorem, and present some new results as well.
Directional low-pass filtering for improved accuracy and reproducibility of stenosis quantification in coronary arteriograms

Considers the quantification of percent diameter stenosis in digital coronary arteriograms of low spatial resolution. To improve accuracy and reproducibility an edge-preserving smoothing method, called the directional low-pass filter (DLF), was developed to suppress quantum noise by averaging image intensity in a direction parallel to the vessel border. Accuracy of stenosis quantification was assessed by using stenosis phantoms. The standard error of the estimate (SEE) was 0.76 pixel-length (p) without spatial filtering and further reduced to 0.50 p by DLF; the average deviation as a measure of the regularity of border definition was also reduced by DLF from 1.00 to 0.68 p (n=50, P >
Dialogics of material culture: male and female in Murik outrigger canoes

We interpret material culture using a Bakhtinian model of dialogicality. Metaphoric differences in male and female perspectives of the building rites and iconography of premodern Murik outrigger canoes are adduced. Men view the vehicle in terms of initiation and their war cult while women view it in physiological images of pregnancy, birth, and nurture, as well as in terms of the seductive powers conferred upon female-cult initiates. We take these two points of view to constitute a contrapuntal dialogue about gender and agency in the reproduction of Murik society.
Effect of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on postexercise muscle protein synthesis in humans

Nonselective blockade of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in skeletal muscle eliminates the normal increase in muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise. The current study tested the h...