cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Net flux of nutrients across splanchnic tissues in sheep fed tropical vs. temperate grass hay of moderate or low qualities

Abstract Crossbred wethers (18 months old; 44 ± 0.7 kg body weight), with catheters in a hepatic vein, the portal vein and a mesenteric vein and artery, consumed ad libitum tropical or temperate grass hay each of three different qualities or stages of maturity. Splanchnic tissue energy consumption was similar among tropical grass diets but increased as quality of temperate grass declined. Portal-drained viscera oxygen consumption increased with increasing digestible energy intake and fecal neutral detergent fiber excretion. Energy available to extra-splanchnic tissues with highest quality grass was greater for temperate than for tropical grass because of lower splanchnic tissue energy consumption relative to digestible energy intake. Grass source, quality and nitrogen concentration did not significantly affect portal-drained viscera release of α-amino nitrogen. Hepatic uptake of α-amino nitrogen was greater for tropical than for temperate grass, presumably because of higher nitrogen concentration with greater hepatic ammonia nitrogen uptake. Glucose uptake by the portal-drained viscera was greater for tropical than for temperate grass, and the potential contribution of propionate to hepatic glucose release tended to be greatest for grass highest in quality. Grass quality appears more important to achieve maximal energy availability to extra-splanchnic tissues with temperate than tropical grass.
Partner Covictimization and Post-Breakup Stalking, Pursuit, and Violence: A Retrospective Study of College Women

Covictimization involves experiencing both physical and sexual forms of intimate partner violence (IPV). It was hypothesized that covictimization during a dating relationship would predict stalking, ongoing pursuit, and continued partner violence after the relationship ended. Undergraduate women (N = 99) provided self-report data regarding experiences of IPV both during and after their most recent breakup and ongoing pursuit after the breakup. As expected, covictimized women reported elevated rates of post-breakup IPV, both physical and sexual. In addition, covictimized women reported elevated rates of ongoing pursuit involving intimidation/threats, but not involving approach/contact or surveillance. Ongoing intimidation/threat pursuit was also associated with post-breakup IPV, even after controlling for pre-breakup IPV. Covictimized women are at risk for continued intimidation and violence from ex-partners.
Importance of terminal base pair hydrogen-bonding in 3'-end proofreading by the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I.

We describe studies aimed at evaluating the physical factors governing the rate of 3'-end proofreading by the Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I. Two nonpolar deoxynucleoside isosteres containing 2,4-difluorotoluene (F) and 4-methylbenzimidazole (Z), which are non-hydrogen-bonding shape mimics of thymine and adenine, respectively, are used to investigate the effects of base pair geometry and stability on the rate of this exonuclease activity. Steady-state kinetics measurements show that complementary T.A base pairs at the end of a primer-template duplex are edited 14-40-fold more slowly than mismatches. By contrast, a 3'-end T residue in a T. Z pair is edited at a rate equivalent to that of natural base mismatches despite the fact that it resembles a T.A pair in structure. Similarly, the A in an A.F pair is edited as rapidly as a mismatched pair despite its close structural mimicry of an A.T pair. Interestingly, when the base pairs are reversed and F or Z is located at the 3'-end, they are edited more slowly, possibly implicating specific interactions between the exonuclease domain and the base of the nucleotide being edited. Finally, thermal denaturation studies are carried out to investigate the relationship between editing and the ease of unwinding of the duplex. The rapid editing of bases opposite F or Z residues at the duplex terminus seems to correlate well with the stability of these base pairs when placed in a context resembling a primer-template duplex. In general, the rate of 3'-end editing appears to be governed by the rate of fraying of the DNA terminal pair, and base pair geometry appears to have little effect.
A review of telephone-administered screening tests for dementia diagnosis.

Dementia screening measures serve an important role in epidemiological research, clinical trials, identifying patients for more comprehensive assessment, and monitoring progression. Telephone-admin...
Correlations between X-Ray Spectral Characteristics and Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in Scorpius X-1

Correlations between 1-10 Hz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) and spectral power-law index have been reported for black hole (BH) candidate sources and one neutron star source, 4U 1728-34. An examination of QPO frequency and index relationships in Sco X-1 is reported here. We discover that Sco X-1, representing Z-source groups, can be adequately modeled by a simple two-component model of Compton up-scattering with a soft photon electron temperature of about 0.4 keV, plus an Iron K line. The results show a strong correlation between spectral power-law index and kHz QPOs. Because Sco X-1 radiates near the Eddington limit, one can infer that the geometrical configuration of the Compton cloud (CC) is quasi-spherical from high radiation pressure in the CC. Thus, we conclude that the high Thomson optical depth of the Compton cloud, in the range of ~5-6 from the best-fit model parameters, is consistent with the neutron star's surface being obscured by material. Moreover, a spin frequency of Sco X-1 is likely suppressed due to photon scattering off CC electrons. In addition, we demonstrate how the power spectrum evolves when Sco X-1 transitions from the horizontal branch to the normal branch.
Ability of some gastropod egg capsules to protect against low-salinity stress

The ability of the egg capsules of three intertidal gastropod species to protect embryos against low-salinity stress was examined. Encapsulated embryos of Ilyanassa obsoleta (Say), Nucella lamellosa (Gmelin), and N. lima (Gmelin) were far more tolerant of transfer to water of reduced salinity than were embryos which had been prematurely removed from egg capsules and transferred to low-salinity sea water directly. However, the walls of N. lamellosa and N. lima capsules were found to be permeable to salts and at least to small carbohydrate molecules (glucose). Correspondingly, indirect evidence for all three species and direct evidence for N. lamellosa indicates that the osmotic concentration of intracapsular fluid declines to near ambient after transfer of egg capsules to dilute medium. Experiments conducted using embryos of N. lamellosa suggest that the egg capsules may protect embryos by reducing the rate at which the osmotic concentration of intracapsular fluid decreases rather than by reducing the magnitude of the decrease.
Perceptual and cognitive biases in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder symptoms

Given the extreme focus on perceived physical defects in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), we expected that perceptual and cognitive biases related to physical appearance would be associated with BDD symptomology. To examine these hypotheses, participants (N = 70) high and low in BDD symptoms completed tasks assessing visual perception and cognition. As expected, there were significant group differences in self-, but not other-, relevant cognitive biases. Perceptual bias results were mixed, with some evidence indicating that individuals high (versus low) in BDD symptoms literally see themselves in a less positive light. Further, individuals high in BDD symptoms failed to demonstrate a normative self-enhancement bias. Overall, this research points to the importance of assessing both cognitive and perceptual biases associated with BDD symptoms, and suggests that visual perception may be influenced by non-visual factors.
Evidence for the Fenn Effect in Skeletal Muscle exposed to Low p O 2

FENN1, and later Hill2, showed by heat measurements the isolated frog sartorius muscle liberated extra energy in proportion to the mechanical work done by the muscle during contraction (‘Fenn effect’). More recently, analysis of the breakdown of high-energy phosphates also revealed that more energy is utilized by a contracting sartorius muscle, which is allowed to shorten against a load (isotonic contraction), than by a muscle which is not allowed to shorten (isometric contraction)3,4.
Light induced fluorescence for predicting API content in tablets: Sampling and error

The use of a light induced fluorescence (LIF) instrument to estimate the total content of fluorescent active pharmaceutical ingredient in a tablet from surface sampling was demonstrated. Different LIF sampling strategies were compared to a total tablet ultraviolet (UV) absorbance test for each tablet. Testing was completed on tablets with triamterene as the active ingredient and on tablets with caffeine as the active ingredient, each with a range of concentrations. The LIF instrument accurately estimated the active ingredient within 10% of total tablet test greater than 95% of the time. The largest error amongst all of the tablets tested was 13%. The RMSEP between the techniques was in the range of 4.4-7.9%. Theory of the error associated with the surface sampling was developed and found to accurately predict the experimental error. This theory uses one empirically determined parameter: the deviation of estimations at different locations on the tablet surface. As this empirical parameter can be found rapidly, correct use of this prediction of error may reduce the effort required for calibration and validation studies of non-destructive surface measurement techniques, and thereby rapidly determine appropriate analytical techniques for estimating content uniformity in tablets.
Process Variation Aware Parallelization Strategies for MPSoCs

Scaling of microprocessors is aggravating the gap between design and manufacturing expectations. Such variations may lead to manufacturing of processors cores with frequencies lower or higher than their expected frequencies. In particular, with the rapid advent of multiprocessor system on chips (MPSoC), such manufacturing uncertainties may lead to significant variations in the operating frequencies of different processor cores on the same chip. In this work, we demonstrate that traditional load balanced parallelization schemes need to be revisited to account for such variations. Specifically, we highlight the need for tuning the degree of parallelization and non-uniform workload generation to achieve lower power consumption in next generation MPSoCs.
The impact of childhood experience on amygdala response to perceptually familiar black and white faces

Given the well-documented involvement of the amygdala in race perception, the current study aimed to investigate how interracial contact during childhood shapes amygdala response to racial outgroup members in adulthood. Of particular interest was the impact of childhood experience on amygdala response to familiar, compared with novel, Black faces. Controlling for a number of well-established individual difference measures related to interracial attitudes, the results reveal that perceivers with greater childhood exposure to racial outgroup members display greater relative reduction in amygdala response to familiar Black faces. The implications of such findings are discussed in the context of previous investigations into the neural substrates of race perception and in consideration of potential mechanisms by which childhood experience may shape race perception.
Pulse wave velocity and age- and gender-dependent aortic wall hardening in fowl

Before sexual maturation, chickens (Gallus gallus) show high blood pressure (BP) and neointimal plaques in the lower abdominal aortae (AbA). We investigated age/sex-related changes in pulse wave velocity (PWV), elastin, collagen, and protein levels in AbA, and cardiac morphology to determine whether PWV increases during incremental increases in BP of maturing fowl, while arterial stiffness becomes dominant with aging. PWV (m/s) was significantly greater in male chicks (6-7 weeks, 9.3+/-0.8; females, 6.1+/-0.5) and remained high in cockerels (13 weeks), young (27-28 weeks), and adults (44-66 weeks). PWV increased in prepubertal pullets (10.0+/-0.9), dropped significantly in young hens, and remained low in adults. In contrast, medial thickness, protein levels, and collagen levels increased, while elastin/collagen ratios decreased, with maturation/aging. Males had heavier ventricular mass and thicker ventricular walls than females at all ages; left ventricular thickness decreased with maturation/aging. Thus, sustained high BP may have caused progressive medial hypertrophy, increased aortic rigidity, and enlarged hearts with left ventricular dilation. PWV of AbA was already greater in male chicks at an age when both sexes have similar collagen levels and low protein levels, suggesting that a factor other than structural stiffness may be an important determinant of PWV.
Differing Eocene floral histories in Southeastern North America and Western Europe: Influence of paleogeography

Pollen data show that in southeastern North America, the Eocene angiosperm flora attained its maximum relative diversity some 8 m.y. after the late early Eocene to earliest middle Eocene climatic maximum. Increasing diversity resulted in part from the flora's position on a large continent which allowed easy migration. In western Europe, the floral diversity began decreasing even before the climatic maximum. Paleogeography played large roles in this diversity decrease. In western Europe, terrestrial floras were on islands and peninsulas in the sea, so that the floras underwent increasing isolation and partial local extermination. Temperate plants generally did not migrate to western Europe, because of a lack of nearby uplands, lack of northern terrestrial source areas for these plants, and presence of the Turgai Straights barrier. The Eocene climate of western Europe cooled at least partly because of decreasing contact with the warm Tethys Seaway.
Model-based iterative tomographic reconstruction with adaptive sparsifying transforms

Model based iterative reconstruction algorithms are capable of reconstructing high-quality images from lowdose CT measurements. The performance of these algorithms is dependent on the ability of a signal model to characterize signals of interest. Recent work has shown the promise of signal models that are learned directly from data. We propose a new method for low-dose tomographic reconstruction by combining adaptive sparsifying transform regularization within a statistically weighted constrained optimization problem. The new formulation removes the need to tune a regularization parameter. We propose an algorithm to solve this optimization problem, based on the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers and FISTA proximal gradient algorithm. Numerical experiments on the FORBILD head phantom illustrate the utility of the new formulation and show that adaptive sparsifying transform regularization outperforms competing dictionary learning methods at speeds rivaling total-variation regularization.
IL-4 regulates chemokine CCL26 in keratinocytes through the Jak1, 2/Stat6 signal transduction pathway: Implication for atopic dermatitis.

Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic, pruritic, inflammatory skin disease, is histopathologically characterized by epidermal hyperplasia and infiltration of T cells, mast cells, and eosinophils. Clinical study and basic research have established that IL-4 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. In this report, using HaCat cells, we show that CCL26, a chemokine for eosinophils, is up-regulated by IL-4 at both the mRNA and protein levels. IL-4 also enhances CCL26 promoter activity. Serial 5′ deletion of the promoter and mutagenesis study reveal that the proximal Stat site is the key response element for IL-4 regulation of CCL26. Although IL-4 increases phosphorylation of both Stat3 and Stat6, it only activates Stat6 as shown by dominant negative studies. In addition, we found that IL-4 induces Stat6 nuclear translocation and stimulates phosphorylation of Jak1 and Jak2 but not Tyk2. IL-4 up-regulation of CCL26 can be suppressed by Jak inhibitors in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, results of this investigation reveal that IL-4 signals through the Jak1, 2/Stat6 pathway in keratinocytes to stimulate CCL26 expression and this may provide an explanation for the pathogenesis of AD.
Mechanisms of resistance to the juvenoid methoprene in the house fly Musca domestica L

Abstract The mechanisms of resistance and cross resistance to the juvenoids methoprene and R-20458 in the house fly, Musca domestica, were examined. Radiolabeled methoprene was found to be metabolized faster in resistant and cross-resistant house fly larvae than in susceptible larvae, and methoprene and R-20458 penetrated more slowly into larvae of the resistant strain. In vivo and in vitro metabolism of methoprene was largely by oxidative pathways followed by conjugation in all strains examined, and little or no ester change of methoprene was noted in vitro. In vitro oxidative metabolism of methoprene, R-20458, juvenile hormone I, and several model substrates was higher in resistant and cross-resistant larvae than in susceptible larvae. Juvenoid functionalities susceptible to metabolic attack by resistant strains are indicated.
Modeling Correlated Systemic Liquidity and Solvency Risks in a Financial Environment with Incomplete Information

This paper proposes and demonstrates a methodology for modeling correlated systemic solvency and liquidity risks for a banking system. Using a forward looking simulation of many risk factors applied to detailed balance sheets for a 10 bank stylized United States banking system, we analyze correlated market and credit risk and estimate the probability that multiple banks will fail or experience liquidity runs simultaneously. Significant systemic risk factors are shown to include financial and economic environment regime shifts to stressful conditions, poor initial loan credit quality, loan portfolio sector and regional concentrations, bank creditors’ sensitivity to and uncertainties regarding solvency risk, and inadequate capital. Systemic banking system solvency risk is driven by the correlated defaults of many borrowers, other market risks, and inter-bank defaults. Liquidity runs are modeled as a response to elevated solvency risk and uncertainties and are shown to increase correlated bank failures. Potential bank funding outflows and contractions in lending with significant real economic impacts are estimated. Increases in equity capital levels needed to reduce bank solvency and liquidity risk levels to a target confidence level are also estimated to range from 3 percent to 20 percent of assets. For a future environment that replicates the 1987-2006 volatilities and correlations, we find only a small risk of U.S. bank failures focused on thinly capitalized and regionally concentrated smaller banks. For the 2007-2010 financial environment calibration we find substantially elevated solvency and liquidity risks for all banks and the banking system.
Strongyloides stercoralis infection in transplanted patients.

PATIENT Male, 36. FINAL DIAGNOSIS Strongyloidiasis. SYMPTOMS Abdominal pain • anorexia • eosinophilia • fever • letargy • weight loss. MEDICATION - CLINICAL PROCEDURE - SPECIALTY Infectious diseases. OBJECTIVE Challenging differential diagnosis, rare disease. BACKGROUND Strongyloidiasis is a worldwide infection, infecting approximately 100 million people in more than 70 countries. It is common in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Papua New Guinea and some parts of the United States. Malnutrition, cancer, organ transplantation, hemodialysis and prolonged use of corticosteroids increase the risk of this opportunistic infection. Undiagnosed and untreated, its mortality rate can be high. CASE REPORT We present a 36 year old Black man with history of malignant hypertension and glomerulonephritis who had chronic eosinophilia and vague, poorly localized abdominal pain and tenderness. He received three deceased donor kidney transplants, two of them failed and the third one succeeded. However, after transplantation, his abdominal pain and discomfort increased, became anorexic, lost weight and developed fever and lethargy. Duodenal aspirate examination was positive for strongyloides stercoralis. Immunosuppressant medications were discontinued and he was treated with thiabendazole. In spite of treatment, his condition deteriorated and he expired. CONCLUSIONS Due to low sensitivity of stool and serological examinations, diagnosis of strongyloidiasis often is delayed. A high index of suspicion and prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential in decreasing the morbidity and mortality of this infection. Before organ transplantation, every attempt should be made to find the cause of peripheral blood eosinophilia and in endemic areas and among patients coming from countries where the infection is known to exist, organ recipients and donors should be screened for parasitic infections including strongyloidiasis.
Novel Mechanisms for Feedback Regulation of Phospholipase C‐β Activity

The receptor-regulated phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) signaling pathway is an important component in a network of signaling cascades that regulate cell function. PLC-beta signaling has been implicated in the regulation of cardiovascular function and neuronal plasticity. The Gq family of G proteins mediate receptor stimulation of PLC-beta activity at the plasma membrane. Mitogens stimulate the activity of a nuclear pool of PLC-beta. Stimulation of PLC-beta activity results in the rapid hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate, with production of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, intracellular mediators that increase intracellular Ca2+ levels and activate protein kinase C activity, respectively. Diacylglycerol kinase converts diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid, a newly emerging intracellular mediator of hormone action that targets a number of signaling proteins. Activation of the Gq linked PLC-beta signaling pathway can also generate additional signaling lipids, including phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate, which regulate the activity and/or localization of a number of proteins. Novel feedback mechanisms, directed at the level of Gq and PLC-beta, have been identified. PLC-beta and regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) function as GTPase-activating proteins on Gq to control the amplitude and duration of stimulation. Protein kinases phosphorylate and regulate the activation of specific PLC-beta isoforms. Phosphatidic acid regulates PLC-beta1 activity and stimulation of PLC-beta1 activity by G proteins. These feedback mechanisms coordinate receptor signaling and cell activation. Feedback mechanisms constitute possible targets for pharmacological intervention in the treatment of disease.
Bombesin and G-17 dose responses in duodenal ulcer and controls

Gastric acid and pepsin secretion and serum gastrin concentrations were measured in nine patients with uncomplicated duodenal ulcer (DU) and 10 normal controls in the fasting state and in response to graded doses of bombesin, a tetradecapeptide gastrin releaser, and, for reference, synthetic gastrin G-17. Serum gastrin with bombesin stimulation was significantly greater in duodenal ulcer (maximum 467 pg/ml) than in controls (153 pg/ml), while in seven of the DU group tested gastrin levels after a meal were not different from that seen in five of the normal controls. Gastric acid concentrations and outputs were greater in duodenal ulcer with both stimuli. Secretory responses were then related to serum gastrin levels; despite increasing gastrin levels with bombesin stimulation, peak outputs achieved with bombesin were only 50% of G-17 maximum in normals and up to 90% of maximum in duodenal ulcer. Up to the point of peak response to bombesin, acid and pepsin outputs were the same with exogenous and endogenous gastrin, ie, bombesin acted only via G-17. Furthermore, in direct comparison of duodenal ulcer and normals with G-17 infusion, acid and pepsin outputs related to serum gastrin were congruent up to 75% of duodenal ulcer maximum, at which point normals reached their maximum level. These data have shown that duodenal ulcer patients are not more sensitive to either exogenous or endogenous gastrin; we have also shown regulatory defects in duodenal ulcer patients not previously described: (1) an exaggerated release of gastrin with bombesin stimulation, and (2) a defective inhibition of acid and pepsin secretion with higher doses of bombesin.
Can't buy me love? Subsidizing the care of related children ☆

Abstract This paper uses a reform in Illinois that reduced the monthly subsidy offered to relatives asked to provide foster care as a plausibly exogenous change in the cost of caring for related children. Families offered a 30% lower wage were 15% less likely to provide care, with especially large declines for children who require mental health services, infants and teenagers. One innovation is a sample selection model that uses the foster care placement tendency of child protection investigators to predict entry into the sample—an instrument that should be unrelated to family characteristics due to a rotational assignment process that effectively randomizes investigators to families. Meanwhile, child health, education, and placement outcomes do not appear to suffer following the decline in the subsidy offer, consistent with similar quality levels among marginal kin and non-kin caregivers.
Shortage of laboratory professionals: Recruitment and retention strategies

Abstract The statistics of personnel shortages in the laboratory professions and the factors contributing to the shortage have been well described. The laboratory profession must recognize the significance of these developments and implement a coordinated strategy to reverse the trends. This article explores several national and regional strategies and describes our efforts at a major teaching hospital. Colleges, hospitals, and industry must develop a coordinated strategy to improve the entry of new workers, retain those in the field, and, most importantly, increase the visibility of their role in health care.
Management Citizenship Behavior: A New Concept and an Empirical Test

Increased participation and heightened effort are increasingly expected of workers. Yet increased expectations of worker citizenship are not always matched by increased commitment on management's part. The workplace literature has had difficulty analyzing this discrepancy because of the underconceptualization of appropriate management behavior. The present article introduces the concept of “management citizenship behavior” to parallel the widely used concept of “organizational citizenship behavior.” Based on a quantitative analysis of data derived from organizational ethnographies (N = 108), management citizenship behavior is shown to be a principal determinant of worker citizenship behavior and workplace harmony. The concept of management citizenship behavior provides sociologists with a preliminary tool with which to evaluate management behavior in the contemporary workplace.
Measles immunity: reimmunization of children who previously received live measles vaccine and gamma globulin.

Ninety children, ages 7 to 13 years, who had received Edmonston B live measles vaccine and gamma globulin simultaneously 6 to 9 years ago were reimmunized and their antibody responses were examined. Twenty-three of the 90 children had no pre-reimmunization hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody and had a primary response to “reimmunization”. All of these primary responders were less than a year of age at the time of initial immunization.
Scanning electrochemical microscopy. 48. Hg/Pt hemispherical ultramicroelectrodes: fabrication and characterization.

Hg/Pt hemispherical ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) (25-μm diameter) were prepared either by electrodeposition from a mercuric ion solution or by simple contact of the Pt disk to a hanging mercury drop electrode. The two methods produced equivalent tips. Optical inspection and electrochemical characterization of these Hg tips with methyl viologen, cobalt sepulchrate trichloride, and hexamineruthenium(III) chloride confirm the hemispherical nature of the UME. The scanning electrochemical microscopy approach curves for all three redox couples over a conductive substrate fit theoretical plots for hemispherical electrodes. The numerical solution of the diffusion equations for substrate generation−tip collection (SG-TC) transients for a finite Pt disk and Hg/Pt hemispherical UME are reported and compared to experimental results. A diffusion layer approximation is presented, and diffusion coefficients are extracted from the simulation. The SG-TC results reveal the enhanced sensitivity of hemispherical UME to radial...
Evidence for population of highly asymmetric states in double-electron capture by O7,8+ and N7+ colliding with He at low to intermediate velocities.

Electron capture by O[sup 7,8+] and N[sup 7+] in collisions with He at 0.2--1.7 a.u. was investigated using coincident recoil momentum spectroscopy. The [ital Q] values and angular differential cross sections for single capture, transfer ionization (TI), and double capture (DC) were measured. Our [ital Q]-value measurements indicate that the electrons are captured into less tightly bound states with increasing collision velocity. The [ital Q] values and angular differential cross sections for DC and TI by O[sup 8+] are approximately the same, while those for DC and TI by O[sup 7+] and N[sup 7+] differ significantly. Our analysis indicates that the population of very asymmetric states ([ital n]=2, [ital n][prime][gt]10) is necessary to explain this difference.
Evolution of institutional rules: An immune system perspective: Parallels of lymphocytes and institutional rules

This article discusses the evolution of institutional rules, the prescriptions that humans use to shape their collective activities. Four aspects of the rules are discussed: coding, creation, selection, and memory. The immune system provides us a useful metaphor to relate these four aspects into a coherent framework. For each aspect, the relevant dynamics in social systems and immune systems are discussed. Finally, a framework for a computational model to study the evolution of rules is sketched. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 11: 16–23, 2005
Alterations in dendritic spine density in the rat brain associated with protein malnutrition

Rats that consume a high-protein diet are hyperactive, hyperresponsive to noxious stimuli, and demonstrate elevated basal arousal levels. Although the mechanism involved in dietary protein-induced changes in behavir is unclear, it may involve many changes including abnormal dendrite morphology in the brain. Three groups of rats were pair-fed with isocaloric diets containing 8%, 20% and 50% casein for 4 weeks. Their brains were processed for examination of dendritic spine densities in the frontal, parietal, and entorhinal cortices, the striatum, and the septum. Animals on the 50% casein diet showed increased spine densities in all areas investigated (P < 0.05), compared to the animals on normal (20%) casein. In contrast, animals maintained on the 8% casein diet showed increased spine densities (P < 0.05_only in the striatum and entorhinal cortex, and exhibited normal densities in the frontal and parietal cortices, and the medial septum.
Prevalence is the preferred measure of frequency of birth defects

Researchers and other public health professionals continue to debate the use of prevalence versus incidence as the preferred term to represent the frequency of birth defects. This paper addresses this question by noting that incidence--the number of new cases of a disorder in a given at-risk population during a specified time period--cannot be reliably estimated with existing data. Consequently, it is not appropriate to use the term "incidence" in reporting the frequency of birth defects, and the term prevalence is recommended. The basis for this recommendation, and issues involved in calculating both measures, are discussed.
Lewis Base Additives Improve the Zeolite Ferrierite-Catalyzed Synthesis of Isostearic Acids

Isostearic acids (IA) are highly utilized for industrial purposes especially in the area of biolubricants, such as cosmetics and slip additives for polyolefin and related copolymer films. This study was designed to develop a zeolitic catalysis process for efficient IA production through isomerization of fatty acids. The process utilized zeolite protonated Ferrierite with a small amount of base additive to neutralize (i.e., poison) the acidic sites on the external surfaces of the zeolite particles to prevent side reactions. Of the six base additives examined, the proton sponge combined with the zeolite protonated Ferrierite was found to be the most effective for this isomerization. With only 0.5 wt% proton sponge additive to 5.0 wt% Ferrierite, the dimers were successfully suppressed from 20.6 wt% yield to 2.42 wt% with an IA yield of 83.4 wt% and a 98 % conversion.
Exploring the Relationship between Sexual Orientation and Religious Identities for Jewish Lesbian College Students

This exploratory study examined how two Jewish lesbian college students perceived the relationship between their religious and sexual orientation identities over a five-year time span. Based on data from a constructivist, longitudinal qualitative study, these women's stories reveal possibilities and challenges associated with making sense of these two identities individually and in relationship to each other during a time of rapid identity development and changing contexts. Suggestions for educational practice are offered.
THE HOST GALAXIES OF GAMMA-RAY BURSTS. I. INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM PROPERTIES OF TEN NEARBY LONG-DURATION GAMMA-RAY BURST HOSTS

We present the first observations from a large-scale survey of nearby (z < 1) long-duration gamma-ray burst (LGRB) host galaxies, which consist of eight rest-frame optical spectra obtained at Keck and Magellan. Along with two host galaxy observations from the literature, we use optical emission-line diagnostics to determine metallicities, ionization parameters, young stellar population ages, and star formation rates. We compare the LGRB host environments to a variety of local and intermediate-redshift galaxy populations, as well as the newest grid of stellar population synthesis and photoionization models generated with the Starburst99/Mappings codes. With these comparisons, we investigate whether the GRB host galaxies are consistent with the properties of the general galaxy population, and therefore whether they may be used as reliable tracers of star formation. Despite the limitations inherent in our small sample, we find strong evidence that LGRB host galaxies generally have low-metallicity interstellar medium (ISM) environments out to z ~ 1. The ISM properties of our GRB hosts, including metallicity and ionization parameter, are significantly different from the general galaxy population and host galaxies of nearby broad-lined Type Ic supernovae. However, these properties show better agreement with a sample of nearby metal-poor galaxies.
Effect of nerve growth factor on regeneration of goldfish optic axons

Abstract Axonal outgrowth following a crush of the goldfish optic nerve was enhanced if nerve growth factor (NGF) was administered by intraocular injection or by local application to the lesion site. Various forms of NGF (β, 2.5S and 7S) were effective, producing a 20–40% decrease in the time required for recovery of the startle reaction to a bright light. A corresponding increase in axonal outgrowth was revealed by histological examination of the optic nerves. The effect produced by a single intraocular injection given at the time of the lesion was not further increased by subsequent injections. Up to 14 days after the lesion, the size of the retinal ganglion cell bodies and the incidence of nucleoli detectable by light microscopy were not affected by the NGF treatment.
Thermodynamic theory of size dependence of melting temperature in metals

The way that small particles melt is a crucial clement in the construction of a thermodynamic treatment of the relation between particle size and melting temperature. There are indications that melting is initiated at the surface and that the solid–liquid interface sweeps rapidly through the solid at the melting temperature. The formal and physical elements of the indicated nucleation and growth criterion for melting are discussed and the existence of upper and lower limits on the melting temperature is outlined. Theoretical predictions show satisfactory agreement with experimental observations.
SNARE-driven, 25-millisecond vesicle fusion in vitro.

Docking and fusion of single proteoliposomes reconstituted with full-length v-SNAREs (synaptobrevin) into planar lipid bilayers containing binary t-SNAREs (anchored syntaxin associated with SNAP25) was observed in real time by wide-field fluorescence microscopy. This enabled separate measurement of the docking rate kdock and the unimolecular fusion rate kfus. On low t-SNARE-density bilayers at 37°C, docking is efficient: kdock = 2.2 × 107 M−1 s−1, ∼40% of the estimated diffusion limited rate. Full vesicle fusion is observed as a prompt increase in fluorescence intensity from labeled lipids, immediately followed by outward radial diffusion (Dlipid = 0.6 μm2 s−1); ∼80% of the docked vesicles fuse promptly as a homogeneous subpopulation with kfus = 40 ± 15 s−1 (τfus = 25 ms). This is 103–104 times faster than previous in vitro fusion assays. Complete lipid mixing occurs in <15 ms. Both the v-SNARE and the t-SNARE are necessary for efficient docking and fast fusion, but Ca2+ is not. Docking and fusion were quantitatively similar on syntaxin-only bilayers lacking SNAP25. At present, in vitro fusion driven by SNARE complexes alone remains ∼40 times slower than the fastest, submillisecond presynaptic vesicle population response.
Numerical analysis of electrotonus in multicompartmental neuron models.

Advances in anatomical and biophysical techniques have produced a wealth of data from certain classes of mammalian central neurons. In order to evaluate quantitatively these data and the hypotheses of neuronal function to which they lead, we have developed LADDER, a computer program for simulating neuronal electrotonus under current- or voltage-clamp conditions. This program models a neuron as an unbranched series of isopotential compartments composed of resistive and capacitive elements, i.e., a ladder network. Synaptic inputs are represented by realistic time-varying conductance changes. LADDER solves the set of simultaneous linear differential equations that describe this model by numerical integration in the time domain. Several tests confirmed the accuracy of LADDER's calculations. Simulated responses to current pulses were quantitatively similar to the charging transients that have been reported in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons. These digital simulations also agreed closely with previously reported results from an analog neuronal model. In addition, transfer of synaptic charge in the model neuron, under both current- and voltage-clamp conditions, equalled theoretical predictions from two-port analyses of linear electrotonus. To illustrate the application of LADDER, we present the results of simulations involving the spread of voltage and current arising from various synaptic inputs.
The effect of microporosity on transport properties in porous media

Sizeable amounts of connected microporosity with various origins can have a profound effect on important petrophysical properties of a porous medium such as (absolute/relative) permeability and capillary pressure relationships. We construct pore-throat networks that incorporate both intergranular porosity and microporosity. The latter originates from two separate mechanisms: partial dissolution of grains and pore fillings (e.g. clay). We then use the reconstructed network models to estimate the medium flow properties. In this work, we develop unique network construction algorithms and simulate capillary pressure–saturation and relative permeability–saturation curves for cases with inhomogeneous distributions of pores and micropores. Furthermore, we provide a modeling framework for variable amounts of cement and connectivity of the intergranular porosity and quantifying the conditions under which microporosity dominates transport properties. In the extreme case of a disconnected inter-granular network due to cementation a range of saturations within which neither fluid phase is capable of flowing emerges. To our knowledge, this is the first flexible pore scale model, from first principles, to successfully approach this behavior observed in tight reservoirs.
IL-1 rescues scleroderma myofibroblasts from serum-starvation-induced cell death

Normal senescent adult human fibroblasts are relatively insensitive to the effects of serum deprivation in culture. In contrast, the myofibroblast phenotype, which is predominant in scleroderma-affected skin and cultured fibroblasts from scleroderma-affected skin, shows signs of deterioration within 3 days of serum starvation. The addition of IL-1 (5 ng/ml) prevents this deterioration. We propose that IL-1 is a factor promoting myofibroblast longevity with consequent fibrosis in scleroderma skin.
Molecular imaging in cardiovascular disease: targets and opportunities

The practice of clinical cardiology employs many imaging techniques for diagnosis, risk stratification and therapeutic monitoring. These imaging modalities largely provide anatomical or structural information, and only indirectly reflect underlying molecular events. Molecular imaging techniques report on entities or processes that can be defined at the molecular, as opposed to the anatomical, level. For example, molecular imaging can reveal the expression or activity of a specific protein, the fate or localization of a biomolecule, or the activity of a biological pathway. This Review highlights key processes and molecular targets that are currently being investigated experimentally by molecular imaging probes in vivo. Collectively, these targets have an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and acute plaque rupture, as well as in myocardial disease. Molecular imaging technology is now progressing towards clinical application in humans and has the potential to guide diagnosis, risk assessment and treatment response. Imaging-based surrogate end points could speed the development of new drugs, particularly those with novel mechanisms of action. More broadly, by noninvasively reporting on molecular processes in vivo, molecular imaging can reveal how specific proteins or pathways function in their native context, thus contributing to a systems-level understanding of cardiovascular disease biology.
Effects of risperidone and paliperidone pre-treatment on locomotor response following prenatal immune activation.

Abstract Aim Limited data are available regarding pharmacological characteristics of effective interventions for psychosis prevention. Enrollment challenges in psychosis prevention trials impede screening diverse interventions for efficacy. Relevant animal models could help circumvent this barrier. We previously described prevention with risperidone of abnormal behavior following neonatal hippocampal lesion. We aimed to extend those findings evaluating risperidone and paliperidone following prenatal immune activation, a developmental model of a schizophrenia risk factor. We evaluated a later developmental time point to determine persistent effects of drug treatment. Methods Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were injected with poly I:C or saline on gestational day 14. Offspring of poly I:C and saline-treated dams received risperidone (0.45 mg/kg/d), paliperidone (0.05 mg/kg/d), or vehicle from postnatal days 35–70. Locomotor responses to novelty, saline injection, and amphetamine (1 and 5 mg/kg) were determined at three months, i.e., 21 days following antipsychotic discontinuation. Results Risperidone and paliperidone had persistent effects on behavioral response to amphetamine (1 mg/kg) at 3 months, ameliorating the impact of prenatal immune activation on offspring of poly I:C-treated dams. Risperidone, but not paliperidone, also exerted persistent effects in offspring of saline-treated dams on locomotor response to saline and amphetamine (5 mg/kg) injection. Conclusions Risperidone and paliperidone pre-treatment of poly I:C offspring during peri-pubertal development stabilized response to amphetamine exposure persisting into early adulthood. Prenatal immune activation provides a model for evaluating effects of an environmental risk factor for schizophrenia, and has potential utility for identifying pharmacological approaches to early intervention.
Robust Computational Algorithms for Dynamic Interface Tracking in Three Dimensions

Front tracking provides sharp resolution of wave fronts through the active tracking of interfaces between distinct materials. A major challenge to this method is to handle changes in the interface topology. We describe two algorithms, implemented in the front tracking code FronTier, to model dynamic changes in three-dimensional interfaces. The two methods can be combined to give a hybrid method that is superior to each individual method. The success of these algorithms is shown by simulations of Rayleigh--Taylor instability, which is an interfacial instability driven by an acceleration directed across a material interface. Our numerical results are validated by comparing the numerical computation of the velocity of a single rising bubble with an analytic model for the bubble velocity.
Mandated multiculturalism: An analysis of core curricula at tribal and historically black colleges

Abstract Multicultural content has become increasingly widespread in the core curriculum at colleges and universities in the United States. This article examines whether multicultural requirements are more prevalent at minority-serving colleges (i.e., tribal and historically black colleges) than at “mainstream” institutions without a minority-serving charter. It examines the prevalence of two kinds of multicultural content: pluralistic content that canvasses multiple minority groups or cultures, and particularistic perspectives that focus on only one group (in this case, African Americans or American Indians). Multivariate analyses indicate that tribal, black, and mainstream colleges do not differ with respect to pluralistic requirements in the core curriculum, but that particularistic requirements are more extensive at black colleges and especially at tribal colleges.
Favorable performance of the DFT methods in predicting the minimum-energy structure of the lowest triplet state of WF4

The tetrahedral structure of the lowest triplet state of the WF4 complex was examined using different variants of the density functional theory (DFT) and conventional ab initio methods. The low-level, conventional, ab initio methods, such as SCF, MP2, MP3, and CISD, predict the tetrahedral structure to be a minimum, whereas the DFT schemes predict an imaginary frequency for the e vibrational mode. Only after recovering electron correlation effects at the MP4 and higher levels, the conventional electronic structure methods also predict the Td structure to be a second-order stationary point. This is not the correlation but the exchange part of the DFT functionals which is responsible for the discrepancy between the DFT and low-level, conventional, ab initio predictions. The lowering of symmetry to C2v leads to a minimum on the lowest triplet potential energy surface and the electronic energy difference between the Td and C2v stationary points amounts to 0.85 and 0.96 kcal/mol at the B3LYP and CCSD(T) levels, respectively. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 73: 369–375, 1999