cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Repeated In Vivo Stimulation of T and B Cell Responses in Old Mice Generates Protective Immunity against Lethal West Nile Virus Encephalitis

Older adults exhibit higher morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases compared with those of the general population. The introduction and rapid spread of West Nile virus (WNV) throughout the continental United States since 1999 has highlighted the challenge of protecting older adults against emerging pathogens: to this day there is no therapy or vaccine approved for human use against West Nile encephalitis. In this study, we describe the characterization of T and B cell responses in old mice after vaccination with RepliVAX WN, a novel West Nile encephalitis vaccine based on single-cycle flavivirus particles. In adult mice, RepliVAX WN induced robust and long-lasting CD4 + and CD8 + T cell and Ab (B cell) responses against natural WNV epitopes, similar to those elicited by primary WNV infection. Primary and memory T and B cell responses in old mice against RepliVAX WN vaccination were significantly lower than those seen in younger mice, similar to the response of old mice to infection with WNV. Surprisingly, both the quality and the quantity of the recall Ab and T cell responses in vaccinated old mice were improved to equal or exceed those in adult animals. Moreover, these responses together (but not individually) were sufficient to protect both old and adult mice from severe WNV disease upon challenge. Therefore, at least two cycles of in vivo restimulation are needed for selection and expansion of protective lymphocytes in older populations, and live, single-cycle virus vaccines that stimulate both cellular and humoral immunity can protect older individuals against severe viral disease.
The Application of Missing Data Estimation Models to the Problem of Unknown Victim/Offender Relationships in Homicide Cases.

Homicide cases suffer from substantial levels of missing data, a problem largely ignored by criminological researchers. The present research seeks to address this problem by imputing values for unknown victim/offender relationships using the EM algorithm. The analysis is carried out first using homicide data from the Los Angeles Police Department (1994-1998), and then compared with imputations using homicide data for Chicago (1991-1995), using a variety of predictor variables to assess the extent to which they influence the assignment of cases to the various relationship categories. The findings indicate that, contrary to popular belief, many of the unknown cases likely involve intimate partners, other family, and friends/acquaintances. However, they disproportionately involve strangers. Yet even after imputations, stranger homicides do not increase more than approximately 5%. The paper addresses the issue of whether data on victim/offender relationships can be considered missing at random (MAR), and the im-plications of the current findings for both existing and future research on homicide.
Towards focused plan monitoring: a technique and an application to mobile robots

Until recently, techniques for AI plan generation relied on highly restrictive assumptions that were almost always violated in real-world environments; consequently, robot designers adopted reactive architectures and avoided AI planning techniques. Some recent research efforts have focused on obviating such assumptions by developing techniques that enable the generation and execution of plans in dynamic, uncertain environments. In this paper, we discuss one such technique, rationale-based monitoring, originally introduced by Veloso, Pollack, and Cox (1998), and describe our use of it in a simple mobile robot environment. We review the original approach, describe how it can be adapted for a causal-link planner, and provide experimental results demonstrating that it can lead to improved plans without consuming excessive overhead. We also describe our use of rationale-based monitoring in a mobile robot office-assistant project currently in progress.
The virtual cell: creating models of complex cellular events

Computer scientists, mathematicians, and physicists are collaborating with cell biologists to build a tool, "Virtual Cell", that can merge data of cellular biochemistry with knowledge of cell structure to help us understand how cells produce complex behaviors. A cell is a highly complex factory that organizes thousands of different molecules to produce a specialized function. Microscopists have catalogued a wealth of data about the detailed structures within different types of cells and biochemists have assembled details about the properties and reactions of many of a cell's individual molecular constituents. The experimental information gathered from the test tube and from the microscope is married within "Virtual Cell" to construct a computer model which can produce simulations of how cells carry out a given function (e.g. secretion of insulin, contraction of heart muscle). What is produced are digital movies showing how each molecular species moves and reacts inside the cell during the cell biological process. Perhaps the most exciting application of this tool is that it allows scientists to ask questions about what happens when one step in a complex chain of events misfires or how a drug that is known to affect just a single enzyme might change the way a cell carries oat a specific function. But in addition to its else as a research tool, "Virtual Cell" can be a valuable teaching aid and may serve as a focus for organizing the tremendous knowledge base that comprises modern cell biology and biochemistry.
Effects of Pluronic P85 Unimers and Micelles on Drug Permeability in Polarized BBMEC and Caco-2 Cells

Purpose. Using polarized bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells (BBMEC) monolayers as in vitro model of the blood brain barrier and Caco-2 monolayers as a model of the intestinal epithelium, the present work investigates the effects of Pluronic P85 block copolymer (P85) on the transport of the P-gycoprotein (P-gp)- dependent probe, rhodamine 123 (R123).
SOMATOMEDIN C/INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I (SmC/IGF-I) SERUM LEVELS DURING CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

Using a highly specific SIA we have determined SmC/IGF-I in 160 healthy children and adolescents 0-16 years of age to define the normal range of our assay system. Serum samples were extracted with acid-ethanol. The SmC/IGF-I antiserum "was a gift of Drs. UNDERWOOD and VAN WYK, Chapel Hill, NC distributed by the NHPP Baltimore, MD. The intra assay coefficient of variance ( CV ) was 5.6%, the inter assay CV 9.8% determined at 3 dose levels. There was a slow and constant increase of SmC/IGF-I from very low levels during the first 2 years of life ( 33-30 ng/ml; x -SD ) to peak levels in the 12-14 years group in girls ( 460 ± 75 ng/ml ) and the 14-16 years group in boys ( 445 ± 213 ng/ml ), both significantly higher than levels in normal adults aged 18-25 years ( 237 ± 51 ng/ml ). From 6-8 years up to 12-14 years mean SmC/IGF-I levels were significantly higher in girls than in boys ( p < 0.01 ) SmC/IGF-I in both sexes was highest during TANNER stages III and IV. In conclusion: there is a surprisingly early and marked difference of SmC/IGF-I levels in girls and boys, which only equalize after full puberty is reached. This may be partly due to the earlier onset of puberty in girls and to the stimulatory effect of low concentrations of estrogens on the growth hormone-somatomedin axis even before clinical signs of puberty can be observed.
Chemical rescue of a mutant enzyme in living cells

The restoration of catalytic activity to mutant enzymes by small molecules is well established for in vitro systems. Here, we show that the protein tyrosine kinase Src arginine-388-->alanine (R388A) mutant can be rescued in live cells with the use of the small molecule imidazole. Cellular rescue of a viral Src homolog was rapid and reversible and conferred predicted oncogenic properties. Using chemical rescue in combination with mass spectrometry, we confirmed six known Src kinase substrates and identified several new protein targets. Chemical rescue data suggest that cellular Src is active under basal conditions. Rescue of R388A cellular Src provided insights into the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. This chemical rescue approach will likely have many applications in cell signaling.
Scattering and absorption cross sections of compounded spheres. II. Calculations for external aggregation

The cross section for total scattering by a cluster of spheres derived previously [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A11, 3251 ( 1994)] is applied to a study of the effects of scavenging and aggregation on the specific absorption of carbon. Results are presented for absorption cross sections of sulfate haze elements and cloud droplets with small carbon grains (spheres) attached to their surfaces. Soot typically occurs as aggregates of carbonaceous spherules. In order to address the validity of certain assumptions that are made in the analysis of such structures by fractal optics, comparisons are provided among the absorption cross sections of free carbon, linear chains, and tightly clumped carbon spheres. Polarization- and orientation-dependent cross sections of composite and aggregate particles are profiled, and orientation-averaged cross sections are tabulated.
The effect of the insecticide heptachlor on ras proto-oncogene expression in human myeloblastic leukemia (ML-1) cells

Expression of the ras proto-oncogene mRNA in human myeloblastic leukemia (ML-1) cells was analyzed as a function of cDNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). By using a pair of oligonucleotides that flank exon-2 from opposite strands (5' and 3') of H-ras cDNA for PCR amplification, ML-1 cells were found to express a 112 bp segment of the ras transcript. A rapid decline in the expression of this transcript was seen in cells treated with heptachlor, a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide. Expression of the same ras segment was not affected by treatment of ML-1 with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Furthermore, addition of serum to quiescent, heptachlor-treated cultures of ML-1 cells inhibited the effect of heptachlor and restored the expression of the ras protooncogene mRNA.
REDSIL: A forth generation evaluation model for gifted education programs

There is a current interest in evaluation of gifted programs. Unfortunately, program evaluation efforts to date have fallen short in terms of usefulness for making program improvements. The REDSIL model is based on different assumptions and uses qualitative methodology in an attempt to overcome shortcomings of previous efforts. This three phase model has been field tested and determined useful.
Mechanisms of stem-/progenitor-cell mobilization: The anti-VLA-4 paradigm

Since the introduction of mobilized peripheral blood stem cells for transplantation purposes, many studies have been performed using mobilized cells with different mobilization schemes, primarily to optimize mobilization protocols. Studies aiming at mechanisms of mobilization have been few, but have provided useful insights. However, conclusions about mobilization mechanisms were largely inferential. We have attempted to analyze the mobilization process involving the VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathway. Our findings are summarized and an attempt is made to put our experience into a general model of mobilization.
The trouble with Tim: historicising the male body in female celebrity

In February 2014, Project Runway (2004–2014) mentor, chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne, fashion celebrity, and outspoken LGBT advocate Tim Gunn made headlines in the fashion and LGBT press by...
Code Case Validation of Impulsively Loaded EDS Subscale Vessel

The Explosive Destruction System (EDS) was developed by Sandia National Laboratories for the US Army Product Manager for Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel (PMNSCM) to destroy recovered, explosively configured, chemical munitions. PMNSCM currently has five EDS units that have processed over 850 items. The system uses linear and conical shaped charges to open munitions and attack the burster followed by chemical treatment of the agent. The main component of the EDS is a stainless steel, cylindrical vessel, which contains the explosion and the subsequent chemical treatment. Extensive modeling and testing have been, and continue to be used, to design and qualify the vessel for different applications and conditions. This has included explosive overtests using small, geometrically scaled vessels to study overloads, plastic deformation, and failure limits. Recently the ASME Task Group on Impulsively Loaded Vessels has developed a Code Case under Section VIII Division 3 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for the design of vessel like the EDS. In this article, a representative EDS subscale vessel is investigated against the ASME Design Codes for vessels subjected to impulsive loads. Topics include strain-based plastic collapse, fatigue and fracture analysis, and leak-before-burst. Vessel design validation is based on model results, where the high explosive (HE) pressure histories and subsequent vessel response (strain histories) are modeled using the analysis codes CTH and LS-DYNA, respectively.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Leukocyte- and platelet-derived microparticles correlate with thrombus weight and tissue factor activity in an experimental mouse model of venous thrombosis

Microparticles (MP) are lipid vesicles from platelets, leukocytes and endothelial cells that are involved in early thrombogenesis. We evaluated a detailed time-course analysis of MPs on thrombogenesis and the associated tissue factor (TF) activity in wildtype, in gene-deleted for E- and P-selectins and with high levels of P-selectin expression after the initiation of venous thrombosis in mice. Inferior vena cava (IVC) ligation was performed on C57BL/6 mice (n =191, 59 = wild-type [WT], 55 = gene-deleted for E- and P – selectins [knock-outs, EPKO] and 77 = elevated levels of soluble P-selectin, named Delta Cytoplasmic Tail (ΔCT). Animals were euthanised at various time points to assess MP production, origin and thrombus weight. MPs were re-injected into separate mice at concentrations of 80,000 and 160,000 units, as well as from different ages. In addition, MPs from thrombosed animals were pooled and TF activity quantitated using a chromogenic assay. Thrombus weight correlated negatively with MPs derived from leukocytes, and positively with MPs derived from platelets for WT animals (p
Annual and seasonal survival of trumpeter swans in the upper midwest

The reintroduction of trumpeter swans to the north central United States appears to be a conservation success story. For the most part, population management goals have been met or exceeded. The population cannot be considered self-sustaining, however, because 90% of the swans migrate short distances to wintering sites where supplemental feeding occurs. The remaining 10% migrate longer distances to areas where adequate open water and forage occur naturally. To determine how these 2 different wintering habits might affect mortality, we used mark-resight data gathered between 2000 and 2008 to estimate and compare annual survival rates for long- and short-distance migrant swans marked in Wisconsin. Apparent annual survival rates were similar for long- (0.81, SE = 0.019) and short- (0.81, SE = 0.022) distant adult migrants but were higher for long-distance sub-adult (0.86, SE = 0.036) migrants than for short-distance sub-adult migrants (0.7, SE = 0.046). We also estimated seasonal survival of long-distance migrants to determine if the migratory periods are a time of high mortality. We found little evidence for seasonal variation in survival and estimates for both migratory and non-migratory seasons were very high (>0.97). Overall, the results suggest that little mortality occurs during migration and long-distance migrants are able to survive at rates at least equal to, but probably higher than, short-distance migrants. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Thermal Characteristics of a Wet Clutch

A comprehensive formulation of the governing equations, boundary conditions, and numerical solution technique is presented for modeling the thermal aspects of the engagement process in a wet clutch. The thermal model includes full consideration of the viscous heat dissipation in the fluid as well as heat transfer into the separator, friction material, and the core disk. Roughness, waviness, deformability and permeability of the friction material are taken into account. It is shown that very large temperatures develop in the fluid during the engagement process which takes place on the time scale of one second. It is also shown that thermal effects influence the engagement time and the torque behavior of a clutch and should be included in the analytical studies.
Ontogeny of 5-HT1A receptor expression in the developing hippocampus.

Serotonin (5-HT) has long been implicated in a number of neurodevelopmental processes including neuronal cell division, migration, neurite outgrowth, and synapse formation. However, relatively little is known about how these effects are mediated during normal brain development in vivo and the identity of the receptor subtypes involved in mediating these effects. In recent years, a number of pharmacological studies have suggested a role for the serotonin 1A (5HT1A) receptor subtype in mediating the developmental effects of 5-HT in the hippocampus. These studies, however, have been difficult to interpret due to lack of information regarding the expression and distribution of 5HT1A in the developing brain and hippocampus in particular. In the current study, specific anti-5-HT1A antibodies, developed in our laboratory [F.C. Zhou, T.D. Patel, D. Swartz, Y. Xu, M.R. Kelley, Production and characterization of an anti-serotonin 1A receptor antibody which detects functional 5-HT1A binding sites, Brain Res Mol Brain Res, 69 (1999) 186–201], were utilized to map the ontogeny and distribution of the 5HT1A receptor protein in the developing rat hippocampus through embryonic and early postnatal life. This is the first such study of 5-HT1A expression in the developing rat brain. Our findings revealed that expression of the 5HT1A receptor emerges during the initial stages of embryonic hippocampal development. Remarkably, most if not all hippocampal neurons begin to express 5HT1A shortly upon completion of their terminal mitosis. We found that 5HT1A is initially concentrated around the cell bodies and later becomes more sparsely distributed along the dendrites after the neurons have matured. In addition to postmitotic neurons, we have observed that S100 and GFAP positive glia transiently express 5HT1A during early postnatal development of the hippocampus. These findings demonstrate that the 5-HT1A receptor is positioned to mediate developmental effects of serotonin in the hippocampus. Furthermore, the temporal patterns of expression suggest a role for 5-HT1A in postmitotic events such as neuronal migration, neurite outgrowth, and phenotypic differentiation.
Immediate transitions for an automated bus using magnetic and DGPS sensing systems

This paper describes the transition control in an integrated automated bus system for Bus Rapid Transit. Employing two lateral sensing technologies, magnet markers and DGPS/INS systems for enhanced reliability and extended operating range, this integrated automatic system involves both the manual-automatic transition and the transition between the magnet-based control and the DGPS/INS-based control. This paper proposes a unified transition method, in which an open-loop dynamic initial conditioning is added to the existing high-gain closed-loop automatic steering control systems to provide suitable references to the high-gain automatic steering controllers. Designed as a lower-gain (softer) regulation controller, this open-loop dynamic initial conditioning smoothly drives the lateral and heading angle errors to zero during transitions. Experimental results with a 40ft bus demonstrate that the proposed method achieves smooth and immediate transitions between manual and automatic control as well as between the two control systems.
A MODEL FOR THE PREDICTION OF JUROR DECISIONS

A logit model approach designed to assign a probability whether prospective jurors will favor the defendant or plaintiff in a case, as a function of perceived individual juror characteristics, is described in the context of a case situation. The model, which has been programmed on a hand-held computer, is designed for implementation in courtroom settings to help defense attorneys evaluate and select jurors in order to minimize the likelihood of large jury awards. Empirical tests of the model are also described.
Measuring mental models: Rationales and instruments

The purpose of this study is to develop and test an instrument for measuring users' mental models of Web search engines. Mental models play an important role in users' interactions with a system. Understanding users' mental models is important to the design of congruent interfaces.
Polar ice sheets and global sea level: how well can we predict the future?

Abstract Geophysical models are based on hypotheses that are often derived from theoretical arguments or from observations, or a combination of both. Owing to the open nature of geophysical systems, these models cannot be verified in the sense that it cannot be proven that the model is an accurate representation of the physical reality. At best these models can be confirmed by comparing model predictions against independent observations. The more such observations the model agrees with, the greater confidence can be placed in the model and its reliability as a basis for decision making. A review of mass balance models used to predict past and future contributions to global sea level change arising from changes in snow accumulation and surface ablation on the polar ice sheets is presented. Observations on which these models are based are ambiguous and there is evidence suggesting that these models do not capture all relevant physical processes, some of which—such as changes in atmospheric circulation patterns—may have an equally important effect on changes in surface mass balance as does the direct temperature forcing. In the context of greenhouse-warming-induced sea level change, uncertainties in model parameters are sufficiently great to yield a range of projected contributions from Greenland and Antarctica that encompass sea-level lowering and rise in 2100 A.D. for each of the warming scenarios considered. The uncertainty associated with ice sheet mass balance parameterizations is of similar magnitude as that associated with temperature projections. These results are broadly similar to those of the Third Assessment Report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Synthesis and Reactivity of a Ruthenium(III) Bis(anilide) Dimer byOxidative Addition of an N,N‘-Disubstituted Hydrazine

The RuIII bis(anilide) dimer [Cp*RuCl(μ-NHPh)]2 (1a) is formed upon reaction of (Cp*RuCl)4 with 1,2-diphenylhydrazine in benzene. An X-ray crystal structure shows a centrosymmetric (Ci) dimer with a planar Ru2N2 core. Reaction of (Cp*RuCl)4 with a mixture of PhNHNHPh and TolNHNHTol gives only the homodimers 1a and [Cp*RuCl(μ-NHTol)]2 (Tol = p-tolyl). The lack of crossover indicates that cleavage of the hydrazine N−N bond is an intramolecular process. In polar solvents such as acetonitrile, the Ci dimer 1a isomerizes to the C2v isomer 1b, in which the anilido substituents are cis across the Ru2N2 core. Both isomers appear to be kinetic products of the synthesis, but 1b isomerizes to 1a in the benzene solvent. In the presence of 1a, 1,2-diphenylhydrazine disproportionates into azobenzene and aniline, and labeling studies show that this occurs without participation of the anilido ligands of 1a. Complex 1a shows slow exchange of the anilide ligands with toluidine (H2NTol) by NMR spectroscopy and is unreactive...
Contact Stress Analysis Around Elliptic Pin-Loaded Holes in Orthotropic Plates

This analysis utilizes the complex stress function approach to obtain the stress distribution in pin loaded composite joints with elliptic openings. The stress functions were derived from assumed displacement expressions that satisfy the boundary conditions around the hole. In the method of solution Coulomb friction was used to determine the prescribed displacements at the boundary. The material properties of graphite/epoxy and carbon fiber reinforced plastics laminates were used in this investigation and the results also compared with available data for joints with circular openings. It was revealed that the stress distributions followed the same pattern in both geometries but with lower magnitude in elliptical shape and the reduction in stress distributions caused by changing the pin/hole shape from circular to elliptic depend on friction.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Male discomfort during the digital rectal examination: does examiner gender make a difference?

To determine if examiner gender affects men's perceived pain and embarrassment during an emergency department (ED) digital rectal examination, we prospectively studied male ED patients undergoing rectal examination. Each subject's perceived pain and embarrassment was gauged using 100 mm visual analog scales. Age, complaint, and examiner gender and training level were recorded. Two-tailed Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis tests examined significant differences among group mean pain and embarrassment scores. Of 126 subjects, 60 had female and 66 had male examiners. Mean pain scores were similar for patients of female (36.5 mm) and male (37.4 mm) examiners (95% CI −9.8 to 11.5, P = .73). Mean embarrassment scores were similar for female (36.6 mm) and for male (32.9 mm) examiners (95% CI −7.9 to 15.3, P = .67). Younger male patients experienced more pain and embarrassment (P < .027). Examiner training level and prostatic examination did not affect the score. (Am J Emerg Med 2000;18:676-678.
Close Neighbors, Distant Friends: United States-Central American Relations

Preface Prologue Recognition and Transportation, 1800-1850 Anglo-American Rivalry, 1850-1903 Revolution and Intervention, 1903-1933 Dictatorship and War, 1933-1958 Nationalism and Radicalism, 1958-1980 The U.S. and Contemporary Central America Epilogue Appendixes Suggestions for Further Reading Bibliography Index
Noninvasive blood pressure measurement in the rat by ultrasonic auscultation

Abstract Ultrasonic auseultation distal to an occluding cuff provides a rapid, simple, and accurate method of systolic blood pressure estimation in the experimental animal. This procedure is noninvasive and repeated determinations can be performed on the same animal. In the rat, excellent correlation is observed between direct intraarterial measurements of systolic blood pressure and indirect determination of systolic blood pressure by ultrasonic auscultation.
A protease is bound to rat liver nucleosomes

Abstract Nucleosome prepared from pure rat liver nuclei contain protease activity. No protease is associated with nucleosome core particle and the protease-containing nucleosome has considerabley higher sedimentation coefficient than the bulk nucleosomes. Only H1 histone is susceptible to the nucleosome-bound protease.
Synthesis of attractants for oriental fruit flyDacus dorsalis Hendel using a catalytic organocopper coupling reaction.

A general synthetic approach to various catechol derivatives was developed using a copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 1,2-dimethoxy-4-brornomethyl, 1-ethoxy-2-methoxy-4-bromomethyl- and 2-ethoxy-1-methoxy-4-bromomethylbenzenes with Grignard reagents. Dilithium tetrachlorocuprate was an acceptable catalyst in the dimethoxy series, whereas copper(I) iodide in THF-HMPA was a superior catalyst in all cases due to decreased side reactions, i.e., reduction and reductive coupling. Methyl-substituted analogs of methyl eugenol, a potent attractant of Oriental fruit fly,Dacus dorsalis Hendel, were synthesized by this method and evaluated for attractancy in field tests.
Relative price variability and monetary policy regimes

Abstract This paper analyzes the relationship between discretionary monetary policy actions and relative price variability (RPV). Our model predicts that discretionary policy actions alter the effects of monetary and nonmonetary shocks and money growth on RPV. These predictions are tested with data from the Gold Standard regime (1879–1914) and the Federal Reserve regime (1915–1970). The analysis indicates that the RPV model differs significantly during the regimes and discretionary policy actions affect RPV during the Federal Reserve regime. For the postwar period, the results suggest prices responded asymmetrically to inflationary and deflationary stimuli.
Calcium-dependent phosphorylation of histone H3 in butyrate-treated HeLa cells

Ca2+ is prominant in the control of cell proliferation and function. However, the biochemical mechanism(s) mediating its effects on nuclear events is unknown. We report here that Ca2+, at physiological concentrations, stimulates the phosphorylation of histone H3 by an endogenous protein kinase in HeLa cell nuclei. Also, pretreatment of cells with Na butyrate, which increases histone acetylation, selectively increases the susceptability of histone H3 to phosphorylation by the protein kinase. Our results reveal a potential link between histone H3 acetylation and phosphorylation, modifications which are thought to have important effects on chromatin structure and function and suggest a possible mechanism whereby stimuli at the cell surface (such as hormones, mitogens and drugs) may influence biochemical events at the nuclear level; changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration may influence the phosphorylation of chromosomal proteins, mediated by Ca2+ -dependent kinases in th nucleus.
Caloric and noncaloric controls of food intake

Hunger and satiety appear to reflect the postabsorptive and absorptive phases of caloric homeostasis, respectively. However, only some of the signals that inhibit food intake can be related to caloric homeostasis. For example, decreases in food intake also are observed after administration of nauseogenic chemical agents, treatment with cholecystokinin (CCK), or dehydration. In each case, inhibition of food intake is correlated with induced decreases in gastric motility and increases in secretion of pituitary oxytocin in rats; in primates, including humans, vasopressin but not oxytocin is secreted. In contrast, meal-induced satiety increases gastric contractions and has little or no effect on neurohypophyseal hormone secretion in rats or human subjects. Nauseogenic toxins, CCK, and dehydration stimulate very different subjective states from satiety: LiCl elicits abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting, as does exogenous CCK in high doses, whereas dehydration elicits thirst. Thus, inhibition of eating may not be associated with satiety or reflect changes in caloric flux; noncaloric controls of food intake exist and may be accompanied by distinctive increases in neurohypophyseal hormone secretion and loss of gastric function.
Diagnosis and management of penicillin allergy

Among patients with a reported history of penicillin allergy, 80% to 90% have no evidence of IgE antibodies to penicillin on skin testing and thus avoid penicillin unnecessarily. Moreover, 97% to 99% of such patients with a penicillin skin test negative to the major and minor determinants can tolerate penicillin without risk of an immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction. A penicillin skin test is valuable for evaluating penicillin allergy in patients who need penicillin or cephalosporin. Assessment of sensitivities to penicillin is important to reduce the unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents such as vancomycin. We review the role of penicillin skin testing for evaluating penicillin allergy and the use of cephalosporin in patients with a history of penicillin allergy.
Prostacyclin enhances the evoked-release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide from rat sensory neurons

Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a potent prostanoid producing various symptoms of inflammation, including an increased sensitivity to noxious stimulation. One component of these PGI2-mediated actions may involve activation or sensitization of sensory neurons to enhance release of neuroactive peptides. We, therefore, examined whether PGI2 and carba prostacyclin (CPGI2), a stable analog of PGI2, could alter the resting and evoked release of the neuropeptides, substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from embryonic rat sensory neurons grown in culture. Treating isolated sensory neurons with CPGI2 (10-1000 nM) for 30 min caused a 3-fold increase in the resting release of both peptides. One nM CPGI2, a concentration that did not alter the resting release, significantly enhanced neuropeptide release evoked by capsaicin, 100 nM bradykinin, or 40 mM KCl. Similarly, 10 nM PGI2 did not alter resting release, but augmented capsaicin-stimulated release of SP and CGRP 2-3 fold. In contrast, prostaglandin F2 alpha was ineffective in altering either resting or capsaicin-evoked peptide release. Our results demonstrate that low concentrations of PGI2 sensitize sensory neurons to other stimuli, whereas higher concentrations evoke release directly. This PGI2-induced augmentation of neuropeptide release may be one mechanism contributing to neurogenic inflammation.
Regulatory functions for murine intraepithelial lymphocytes in mucosal responses.

Our studies have given direct evidence that CD3+, CD4−, CD8+ T cells in the IELs can be separated into at least two subsets that produce IFN-γ and/or IL-5 and may exhibit Th1- and Th2-type functions in the epithelium and in the underlying lamina propria region. Further, it was also shown that TCR1+ T cells in IELs are capable of producing IFN-γ and/or IL-5. In addition to production of these cytokines, IELs derived from mice orally primed with TD antigen contain a subset of T cells which posses antigen-specific immunoregulatory function. CD3+; CD4−, CD8+ T cells isolated from IEL of TD antigen-primed mice abrogated systemic unresponsiveness to secondary-type responses including those of the IgA isotype upon adoptive transfer to mice with OT. Our studies further suggested that these CD3+, CD4−, CD8+ IELs use the γ-δ form of TCR (TCR1) for their immuno-regulatory function.
Catalytic properties of aluminated sepiolite in ethanol conversion

The aluminated sepiolite, obtained by alkaline treatment with KAlO2, as well as the silver-exchanged aluminated sepiolite were tested in ethanol conversion. The reactions were performed at 280°C and with 50 Torr of ethanol in He. After the alumination through KA1O2, ethanol dehydrogenation and ethanol dehydration resulted from the Lewis acidity. The dispersion of silver led to a bifunctional catalytic system and the overall catalytic activity and the selectivity towards the acetaldehyde production increased. As a result of the Prins reaction, a significant yield in butadiene was observed.
Kin discrimination in the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta): nepotism among siblings

We examined patterns of affiliation, association, and aggression to inquire whether spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) can distinguish among various groups of maternal and paternal siblings. If so, and if these animals conform to predictions of kin selection theory, then behavioral interactions among hyenas should vary with relatedness. We also considered familiarity-based recognition and phenotype matching as mechanisms hyenas might use to recognize kin. Patterns of affiliative behavior indicated that hyenas favored full-sibling littermates over half-sibling littermates or any other group of half-siblings. Rates of dyadic aggression generally did not vary with kinship. Hyenas associated more closely with half-sibling littermates than with non-littermate half-siblings, and hyenas affiliated more with maternal half-siblings than with paternal half-siblings, suggesting that familiarity-based cues might mediate discrimination among these sibling classes. In addition, operation of a phenotype-matching mechanism was suggested by the preference hyenas demonstrated during affiliative interactions for full- over half-sibling littermates, and by their lack of preference in these interactions for half-sibling littermates over non-littermate half-siblings. Phenotype matching was also suggested by our observation that paternal half-siblings cooperated more, and fought less, than did non-kin. Our data indicate that hyenas can discriminate among various types of siblings, that their social behavior conforms to predictions of kin selection theory, and that they recognize kin using mechanisms of both familiarity and phenotype matching.
Random Pattern Testability

A major problem in self testing with random inputs is verification of the test quality, i.e., the computation of the fault coverage. The brute-force approach of using full-fault simulation does not seem attractive because of the logic structure volume, and the CPU time encountered. A new approach is therefore necessary. This paper describes a new analytical method of computing the fault coverage that is fast compared with simulation. If the fault coverage falls below a certain threshold, it is possible to identify the ``random-pattern-resistant'' faults, modify the logic to make them easy to detect, and thus, increase the fault coverage of the random test.
Presynaptic NMDA Receptors Mediate IPSC Potentiation at GABAergic Synapses in Developing Rat Neocortex

Background NMDA receptors are traditionally viewed as being located postsynaptically, at both synaptic and extrasynaptic locations. However, both anatomical and physiological studies have indicated the presence of NMDA receptors located presynaptically. Physiological studies of presynaptic NMDA receptors on neocortical GABAergic terminals and their possible role in synaptic plasticity are lacking. Methodology/Principal Findings We report here that presynaptic NMDA receptors are present on GABAergic terminals in developing (postnatal day (PND) 12-15) but not older (PND21-25) rat frontal cortex. Using MK-801 in the recording pipette to block postsynaptic NMDA receptors, evoked and miniature IPSCs were recorded in layer II/III pyramidal cells in the presence of AMPA/KA receptor antagonists. Bath application of NMDA or NMDA receptor antagonists produced increases and decreases in mIPSC frequency, respectively. Physiologically patterned stimulation (10 bursts of 10 stimuli at 25 Hz delivered at 1.25 Hz) induced potentiation at inhibitory synapses in PND12-15 animals. This consisted of an initial rapid, large increase in IPSC amplitude followed by a significant but smaller persistent increase. Similar changes were not observed in PND21-25 animals. When 20 mM BAPTA was included in the recording pipette, potentiation was still observed in the PND12-15 group indicating that postsynaptic increases in calcium were not required. Potentiation was not observed when patterned stimulation was given in the presence of D-APV or the NR2B subunit antagonist Ro25-6981. Conclusions/Significance The present results indicate that presynaptic NMDA receptors modulate GABA release onto neocortical pyramidal cells. Presynaptic NR2B subunit containing NMDA receptors are also involved in potentiation at developing GABAergic synapses in rat frontal cortex. Modulation of inhibitory GABAergic synapses by presynaptic NMDA receptors may be important for proper functioning of local cortical networks during development.
Bending of partially sulfonated ionic electroactive polymer gels in DC electric fields: hydrated cation effect and applications

Two ionic electroactive polymer (EAP) gels, crosslinked partially sulfonated poly(styren-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b- styrene) (S-SEBS) and partially sulfonated crosslinked polystyrene (S-XL-PS), exhibit reversible bending in low DC electric fields when immersed in salt solutions. Both gels bent toward the cathode when pre-equilibrated in salt solutions. The steady-state bending angle increased as the size of the hydrated cation of the salt increased. The initial speed of bending increased as the mobility of the hydrated cation increased. Both the steady-state bending angle and initial speed of bending reached a maximum at an intermediate salt concentration, which varied little with the type of the salt. The time needed to reach the steady- state bending angle was associated with the time needed for the major hydrated cations to transport through the gel slabs. When the S-XL-PS gel ws pre-equilibrated in distilled water before the bending experiments, the gel first bent toward the anode before reversing toward the cathode in 0.065 - 0.08 M (C4H9)4NHSO4 (TBA) solutions. Such bending behavior did not occur in TBA at other concentrations (0.005 - 0.06 M), nor in other salt solutions Na2SO4, Cs2SO4, (CH3)4NHSO4 (TMA) and the S-SEBS gel. Actuation performance of gels of the above polymers and their nanoparticle composites are compared and discussed.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The development of group identity in computer and face-to-face groups with membership change

A three-part conception of group identity is proposed that draws on common fate, cohesiveness, and cognitive views of group identity. The changing contribution of these three components to group identity was examined for 31 original and 29 reconfigured groups which met for 7 consecutive weeks using either face-to-face (FIF) or computer-mediated communication (CMC). Group identity was consistently lower for computer-mediated groups, and this effect was stronger in the reconfigured groups. In the original groups, group identity started high and declined for both FTF and CMC groups. In the reconfigured groups, developmental patterns differed from those of the original groups, and also differed by communication medium. Individual differences accounted for a substantial amount of variance in group identity across original and reconfigured groups.
The effect of several lymphocytotoxic agents on murine leukemogenesis.

Abstract 5-(3,3-dimethyl-l-triazeno) imidazole-4-carboximide (DTIC) induced lymphomas with a 70 day lag period and with an incidence greater than 90% in both AKR/J and outbred Swiss Albino mice. On the other hand, treatment with cortisone acetate and 5'-azathioprine prolonged survival of AKR/J male mice. Treatment with all three agents reduced the population of medium-sized lymphocytes in the thymus within two days and additionally, cortisone and DTIC led to a reduction i in spleen weight.
Experimental investigation of active adaptability of the SMArt (SMA reseTtable) dual-chamber pneumatic lift device for pedestrian protection

The rapid urbanization of the world has led to an increase in pedestrian involvement in automotive crashes, prompting some countries to establish pedestrian regulations. A promising approach to address pedestrian safety is the use of active lift devices to raise the hood upon detection of a pedestrian impact, thereby increasing the crush distance between the hood and vehicle hard points (i.e. engine). Current systems are generally not reusable or resettable and lack extrinsic effect compensation. The dual chamber SMArt (SMA ReseTtable) lift system presented in this paper is a fully automatically resettable system utilizing a stored energy approach with a pneumatic cylinder and a two stage ultrafast shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated valve. This active lift possesses the unique functionality to tailor lift performance and compensate for extrinsic effects such as changes in temperature, mass, and platform using cylinder pressure and exhaust valve opening timing profile as operating parameters. As a proof of concept, a dual chamber SMArt lift system was designed, fabricated, and installed in a vehicle hood bay testbed. Full cycle tests demonstrated the functions of lift, lower and reset within the proper timing. The effect of additional mass, was experimentally characterized and two insitu device parameters, pressure and valve profile, were investigated as means to mitigate these extrinsic effects. This experimental study indicates that the dual chamber SMArt lift device may be a feasible alternative for pedestrian protection with automatic reset/reusability along with capability to adapt in-situ to maintain performance within a narrow timing window by compensating for extrinsic effects.
A computerized approach to the processing and analysis of life histories obtained in sample surveys

Life histories undeniably offer many advantages, especially in examining sequences of behavior. Their high cost and difficulties in analyzing large numbers have restricted the use of life histories to case studies. In a sample survey of 1640 men in Monterrey, Mexico, partial life histories were systematically obtained on residence, education, marital status and family formation, health impairment, and work. Problems of reliability of response, particularly recall error, are of special significance in the evaluation of life histories. Omission of changes in status, improper ordering and dating of changes were minimized by: systematic recording, in which all years had to be accounted for; facilitation of recall, primarily by moving back and forth among several important areas of respondent's life; checks on consistency of response, by means of similar questions in other parts of the interview schedule. In processing the data only changes in the content of each of the variables were coded and punched on cards. A special FORTRAN program was written to permit the reconstruction of the entire life histories on computer tape from the “change” data cards. The program also allows for the formation of new index variables and collapsing of others. Maximum flexibility of analysis is possible since any given recorded event in the life history can be “located” with reference to age and year, to other events and to the other information gathered in the questionnaire. In this way a closer approximation to causal analysis is made possible. Stochastic models and path analysis are examples of statistical techniques well suited for these kinds of data. The data gathering and processing procedures outlined in this article are applicable to many other kinds of investigation, ranging from political behavior to mental illness.
Operator-product expansion with spontaneously broken symmetry

The operator-product expansion is a most important tool in quantum field theory, and it is often employed in theories that have a spontaneously broken symmetry such as QCD where chiral symmetry is broken. Claims have been made that the operator-product expansion does not apply to theories with a spontaneously broken symmetry. Although these claims have been previously rebutted, none of these works provide a precise and careful definition of the needed renormalized composite operators and of the operator-product expansion. This we do here for the simple case of scalar field theory. We show explicitly for the first two orders of perturbation theory that operator-product expansion does hold for the spontaneously broken theory for the case of the two-point Green's function. This we do both for the case of a single scalar field and also for the O(N) linear sigma-model. copyright 1989 Academic Press, Inc.
200-Mb/s packet-switched WDM-SCM network using fast rf tuning

In this paper we describe the design of a packet-switched wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) metropolitan area fiber-optic network with multiple rf subcarrier channels multiplexed on each wavelength. We also describe the experimental verification of the key features of this network. Each station (node) in the network is assigned a unique wavelength and rf subcarrier for reception and a unique wavelength for transmission. Packet-switching can be accomplished by a combination of rapid tuning between rf subcarriers on the same wavelength at the transmitter and multihop; wavelength tunability is not required. When fully implemented, our network is capable of supporting 32 wavelengths spaced 1 nm apart and five amplitude-shift- keyed (ASK) subcarrier channels, each operating at 200 Mb/s and spaced 400 MHz apart, on each wavelength, and can achieve an aggregate throughput of 7 Gb/s.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.