cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emerging insights into mechanisms of epilepsy: implications for new antiepileptic drug development.

Summary: Most currently available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were developed by testing new compounds in animal models of seizures. Increased knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying normal CNS function and seizure phenomena is now being used to design new AEDs specifically to interfere with epileptic mechanisms. Focal epilepsy develops in areas of cortex that are damaged and in which aberrant recurrent excitatory circuits develop, producing spike discharges in the EEC Occasionally, normal membrane conductances and inhibitory synaptic currents break down and excess excitability spreads, either locally to produce a focal seizure or more widely to produce a generalized seizure. Both original synchronous activation and seizure spread appear to utilize normal synaptic pathways and mechanisms. Much new development of AEDs is targeted at modulating these excitatory and inhibitory synaptic effects, focusing directly on multiple components of gluta-mate and GABA receptors. Intrinsic, voltage-dependent currents are also involved in the pathophysiology of epileptic processes. Calcium currents act to amplify excess neuronal depolarization during hypersynchronous activation, are involved in neurotransmitter release, and play a role in the development of longer-term changes in synaptic efficacy, which may be involved in some seizure phenomena. They also appear to be involved in some forms of primary generalized epilepsy, in which burst discharges due to calcium currents in deep diencephalic neurons with widely ramifying axons may act as synchronizing influences. Neuromodulatory agents, including purines, peptides, cytokines, and steroid hormones, also play important roles in regulating brain excitability. Adenosine in some experimental models acts as an endogenous antiepileptic substance, and agents that enhance the actions of adenosine are often antiepileptic in animal models. Somatostatin may modulate synaptic inhibition, and this modulation may be lost when somatostatin levels are decreased in epileptic lesions. Seizures are also influenced by hormonal changes, stress, and infections, possibly mediated via systemic factors acting on brain excitability. Each of these areas may prove fruitful in developing new AEDs in the future. Epilepsy may develop after brain injury because the axon sprouting, new synapse formation, and circuit reorganization, which occur as an attempt to repair damage and restore function, are also likely to produce epileptogenic local circuits. To address this class of epileptic syndromes, new agents must be developed to interrupt these counterproductive processes without interfering with useful restorative processes. These drugs will probably be “antiepileptic” in the truest sense of the word.
Computational algorithm for unified focus and defocus analysis for 3D scene recovery

The theory of Unified Focus and Defocus Analysis (UFDA) was presented by us earlier and it was extended to use both classical optimization technique and regularization approach for 3D scene recovery. In this paper we present a computational algorithm for UFDA which uses variable number of images in an optimal fashion. UFDA is based on modeling the sensing of defocused images in a camera system. This approach unifies Image Focus Analysis (IFA) and Image Defocus Analysis (IDA), which form two extremes in a range of possible methods useful in 3D shape and focused image recovery. The proposed computational algorithm consists of two main steps. In the first step, an initial solution is obtained by a combination of IFA, IDA, and interpolation. In the second step, the initial solution is refined by minimizing the error between the observed image data and the image data estimated using a given solution and the image formation model. A classical gradient descent or a regularization technique is used for error minimization. Our experiments indicate that the most difficult part of the algorithm is to obtain a reasonable solution for the focused image when only a few image frames are available. We employ several methods to address this part of the problem. The algorithm has been implemented and experimental results are presented.
Synthetic CaTiSiO5 and its germanium analogue (CaTiGeO5)

Abstract Synthetic, anhydrous CaTiSiO5 (sphene) and CaTiGeO5 are monoclinic with lattice constants a = 6.567 ± 0.005 , b = 8.723 ± 0.005 , c = 7.454 ± 0.005 A , β = 119°52′ ± 2′ and a = 6.65 ± 0.01 , b = 8.92 ± 0.01 , c = 7.49 ± 0.01 A , β = 119°45′ ± 10′ respectively. There are four formula units per cell. Cell dimensions of the silicate are close to those of natural sphene. The space group is P 2 1 n as compared with space group C 2 c reported for natural minerals of variable composition and general formula CaTiSiO4 (O,OH,F). Although x-ray intensities indicate a general structural similarity, some of the low-order (h+k odd) reflections of the synthetic crystals are fairly strong, indicating appreciable shifts from the C 2 c structure.
Cytoprotective effect of glycine in cold stored canine renal tubules.

Abstract Reperfusion injury has been suggested to cause delayed graft function in renal transplantation. Methods to reduce reperfusion injury could lead to improved clinical renal transplantation. Glycine has been shown to suppress reperfusion injury in rabbit renal tubules and rat hepatocytes. In this study we have determined the effects of glycine on viability of isolated canine renal tubules. Renal tubules were cold stored at 4°C under hypoxic conditions for up to 96 h in the UW solution and rewarmed to 37°C for up to 2 h under oxygenated conditions to simulate reperfusion of an organ after cold static storage. Short-term storage (24 to 48 h) did not cause membrane injury (leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) on rewarming. However, after 72 and 96 h cold storage reperfusion injury was evident and LDH leakage increased from about 25% to 59 ± 3% and 71 ± 2% at 72 and 96 h cold storage, respectively. The presence of 3 m M glycine in the reperfusion medium suppressed injury to cold-stored renal tubules. After cold storage for 72 and 96 h LDH leakage was reduced to control concentrations (31 ± 3% and 29 ± 1%, respectively). After cold storage for 72 h there was a reduction in ATP concentration in rewarmed renal tubules (3 nmol/mg protein at 48 h to 1.25 nmol/mg protein at 72 h). Also, there was a loss of mitochondrial functions including decreased stimulation of oxygen consumption by uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Although glycine suppressed LDH leakage in renal tubules cold stored for 72 h it had no effect on the regeneration of ATP or mitochondrial functions, which remained depressed. Thus, the cytoprotective effect of glycine does not appear related to maintenance of energy-linked functions in cold-stored renal tubules. This study shows that glycine prevented reperfusion injury to the membranes of cold-stored canine renal tubules and may be a useful agent to improve clinical renal preservation for transplantation.
Network of collaborating mobile and stationary sensors

In Carnegie Mellon University's CyberScout project, we are developing a network of mobile and stationary sentries capable of autonomous reconnaissance and surveillance. In this paper, we describe the cooperative perception algorithms and mission planning necessary to achieve this task, including sensor-to-sensor target handoff methods and an efficient decentralized path-planning algorithm. These methods are applied to a typical law enforcement application, a building stakeout scenario.
Flow against dispersion in two-dimensional regions

Abstract In field applications, upstream spreading of contaminant plumes may be controlled by the flow of fresh water in a direction opposite to the dispersive expansion direction of the plume. In the current literature this type of control is identified as flow against dispersion or contrary flow. In this study analytic methods are used to investigate contrary flow conditions for two-dimensional applications. In particular, special attention is given to the dispersive spread of the contaminant plume in the transverse direction under equilibrium flow against dispersion. Typical problems analyzed emphasize the effect of adsorption and transverse dispersion on the overall control process. Problems analyzed indicate that equilibrium flow velocities deduced from one-dimensional analysis, which may balance the dispersive spread of the plume in the longitudinal direction, represent an over design condition when these equilibrium velocities are compared with the conditions generated from a two-dimensional model for a downstream source which is finite in the transverse direction.
Computation with Multiple k-Statistics

Abstract This paper discusses the computation of multiple k-statistics and provides techniques for seminvariant k … through weight 8. After a review of pertinent background material, specific techniques for calculation through weight 4 are presented for desk calculation with application to moment formulae involving the mean and variance. Then the various methods of calculating seminvariant k … through weight 8 are examined, Basic formulae needed for the recommended methods are presented in tabular form. The general problem, of moments and estimates of moments of k-statistics is then treated. A machine program is available through weight 8. Specific references are given throughout so the reader who is unfamiliar with this material may examine earlier results.
Injection of a porcine sperm factor triggers calcium oscillations in mouse oocytes and bovine eggs

Fertilization in mammals is associated with the generation of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) oscillations. The site of, or mechanism(s) utilized by, the sperm to initiate and maintain these Ca2+ responses is not known. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a factor from the sperm is capable, upon release into the oocyte's cytosol, of initiating oscillations. A sperm factor, prepared from porcine semen, was injected into mouse oocytes and bovine eggs that had been loaded with fura-2 dextran, a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. The resulting Ca2+ responses were monitored and compared to those characteristic of each species. Our results show that injection of sperm factor triggered long-lasting [Ca2+]i oscillations, and that the observed patterns were species-specific. In mouse oocytes, sperm factor-induced [Ca2+]i rises exhibited high frequency, whereas in bovine eggs, Ca2+ responses were separated by long intervals. Further characterization of the sperm factor revealed that it was predominantly present in sperm preparations, that it contained a protein moiety, and that it was unlikely to be a protease. The intracellular Ca2+ channels/receptors through which the sperm factor-mediated Ca2+ release was investigated by using heparin, a competitive inhibitor of the inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R), and ryanodine, which binds the ryanodine receptor (RyR). The sperm factor appeared to stimulate InsP3R, at least in mouse oocytes, because sperm factor-induced oscillations were delayed or blocked in all oocytes by injection of heparin. RyR may be involved in the modulation of these oscillations, since addition of ryanodine modified Ca2+ responses to the sperm factor. The present results support the hypothesis that a factor from the sperm is involved in the generation of fertilization-associated [Ca2+]i oscillations.
Ventricular Tachycardia and Sudden Cardiac Death

Ventricular tachycardia (VT), which most commonly occurs in patients with structural heart disease, can be associated with an increased risk of sudden death. The most common cause of ventricular fibrillation is acute coronary ischemia, whereas a myocardial scar from prior infarct is the most common cause of sustained monomorphic VT in patients with structural heart disease. More benign forms of idiopathic VT can also occur in the absence of structural heart disease. Treatment of VT involves both emergent management and prevention of recurrence with medical and device therapy. Appropriately selected patients who have experienced VT or those who are at risk of VT may be candidates for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. The left ventricular ejection fraction is most frequently used to stratify patients with either ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy who are at risk of sudden death and may be candidates for a prophylactic defibrillator. Catheter ablation may also be an option for appropriately selected patients with many forms of VT. This article discusses the etiologies and management of VT and its association with sudden death.
The influence of the onset of phonation on the frequency of stuttering.

To test the hypothesis that the frequency with which vocalization must be initiated in a given speech segment and the frequency of attendant disfluency are positively related, two passages were con...
A new retrieval for cloud liquid water path using a ground‐based microwave radiometer and measurements of cloud temperature

A new method to retrieve cloud liquid water path using 23.8 and 31.4 GHz microwave radiometer brightness temperature measurements is developed. This method does not depend on climatological estimates of either the mean radiating temperature of the atmosphere Tmr or the mean cloud liquid water temperature Tcloud. Rather, Tmr is estimated from surface temperature and relative humidity measurements, while Tcloud is estimated using millimeter-wave cloud radar data, together with atmospheric temperature profiles obtained from either radiosonde or rapid update cycle (RUC) model output. Simulations demonstrate that the new retrieval method significantly reduces the biases in the liquid water path estimates that are apparent in a site-specific retrieval based on monthly stratified, local climatology. An analysis of the liquid water path estimates produced by the two retrievals over four case study days illustrates trends and retrieval performances consistent with the model simulations.
A model systems derived from marine diatoms for investigating the activity of particle-associated bacteria

Abstract A model system for examining bacterial attachment to and degradation of marine particulate matter is described. The model particles consisted of a hydrophilic matrix derived from marine diatoms, contained primarily Si, Ca and Al oxides, and had high surface area relative to weight. A marine Pseudomonas sp. (NCMB 2021) attached readily to the particles. Biomass of free and particle-associated bacteria was quantified using direct counts, radiolabeling, and protein determination. Bacterial activity was assayed by measuring the hydrolysis of L -leucine-methylcumarinylamide, a fluorescently labeled substratum, that served as an analog to protein macromolecules. The cell-specific rate of substratum hydrolysis by attached bacteria was half that of free-living bacteria.
Heterotopic heart transplantation in rats: improved anesthetic and surgical technique

Abstract Objective An updated anesthetic and surgical technique in a rat model of heterotopic heart transplantation is described. Materials and Methods A microsurgical technique via a suprarenal approach was performed, and is described in stepwise fashion, and several technical improvements are compared with previous descriptions. Lewis rats were used as donors and recipients (syngeneic model). Results Factors that affected early surgical outcome included type of anesthetic used; surgeon skill, experience in handling blood vessels, and knowledge of small-animal anatomy; gentle manipulation during the operation; and duration of surgery ( 11 months) with a functioning graft was achieved in all 9 surviving animals. Conclusions Survival was substantially improved with administration of isoflurane anesthesia; surgeon microvascular surgical skills and knowledge of small-animal anatomy, and duration of surgery less than 1 hour. These factors collectively contributed to successful early outcomes after heterotopic heart transplantation in rats, with 90% freedom from morbidity and mortality, and resulted in long-term survival (>11 months) with a functioning graft in a syngeneic model. This heterotopic model in rats is suitable for short- and long-term studies of heart transplantation.
In Vivo Ultrasound Visualization of Non-Occlusive Blood Clots with Thrombin-Sensitive Contrast Agents

The use of microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents is one of the primary methods to diagnose deep venous thrombosis. However, current microbubble imaging strategies require either a clot sufficiently large to produce a circulation filling defect or a clot with sufficient vascularization to allow for targeted accumulation of contrast agents. Previously, we reported the design of a microbubble formulation that modulated its ability to generate ultrasound contrast from interaction with thrombin through incorporation of aptamer-containing DNA crosslinks in the encapsulating shell, enabling the measurement of a local chemical environment by changes in acoustic activity. However, this contrast agent lacked sufficient stability and lifetime in blood to be used as a diagnostic tool. Here we describe a PEG-stabilized, thrombin-activated microbubble (PSTA-MB) with sufficient stability to be used in vivo in circulation with no change in biomarker sensitivity. In the presence of actively clotting blood, PSTA-MBs showed a 5-fold increase in acoustic activity. Specificity for the presence of thrombin and stability under constant shear flow were demonstrated in a home-built in vitro model. Finally, PSTA-MBs were able to detect the presence of an active clot within the vena cava of a rabbit sufficiently small as to not be visible by current non-specific contrast agents. By activating in non-occlusive environments, these contrast agents will be able to detect clots not diagnosable by current contrast agents.
Infrared Spectrum of Hydrogen and Deuterium between One and Two Microns

More then 2600 new lines have been measured in the emission spectra of H2 and D2 between 1.15 and 1.97 μ, with lead sulfide cells and powerful discharge tubes. Most of the strong lines below 1.65 μ belong to known band systems. Beyond this, new and so far incompletely analyzed band systems become prominent.
Regulation of E-selectin, P-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression in mouse cremaster muscle vasculature.

Objective: To investigate the expression of P- and E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in the vasculature of mouse cremaster muscles both with and without tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α) treatment.Methods: Mice received injections of monoclonal antibody to P-selectin, E-selectin, or ICAM-1 before fixation to restrict detection to antigen expressed on the endothelial surface. Whole-mount preparations of mouse cremaster muscles were fixed in acetone and stained using biotinylated secondary antibody and peroxidase-conjugated streptavidin.Results: P-selectin is expressed on the endothelial surface of cremaster muscle venules within 10 minutes after exteriorization. Expression increases upon treatment with TNF-α (2 hours), reflecting transcriptional regulation of P-selectin expression in situ. The baseline E-selectin expression is patchy and barely detectable but shows a significant upregulation after treatment with TNF-α. ICAM-1 is constitutively expressed in unstimulated mouse cremaster...
Excess enthalpies of (diether + n-alkane) at 298.15 K

Abstract Excess enthalpies, determined at 298.15 K in an LKB flow microcalorimeter, are reported for (2,4-dioxapentane + n-hexane) and (2,5-dioxahexane + n-heptane). Interpretation of the results by the generalized quasichemical theory of mixtures in terms of group surface interactions is examined.
Measurement of the beta decay half-life of 17B.

The beta decay half-lives of seven neutron-rich isotopes, $^{9}\mathrm{Li}$, $^{12}\mathrm{B}$, $^{13}\mathrm{B}$, $^{15}\mathrm{B}$, $^{17}\mathrm{B}$, $^{17}\mathrm{C}$, and $^{19}\mathrm{N}$, have been measured. The isotopes were produced by bombarding a tantalum target with a $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}$ beam with 35 MeV/nucleon. The isotopes were separated and identified using a reaction product mass separator. The half-life measurement of $^{17}\mathrm{B}$, 5.3(6) ms, is the first for this isotope.
Local support cells promote survival of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in culture.

Abstract Recent studies suggest that brain neurons require extracellular signals for continued survival during maturity as well as development. However, factors underlying the survival of specific populations of central neurons remain to be defined. To examine the regulation of neuronal survival, we have studied the substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic (DA) system, in dissociated cell culture. DA neuron number was monitored immunocytochemically with antibody to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the DA biosynthetic enzyme. Initially, mixed cultures were grown at low, medium, and high densities in serum-containing media. After 7 days, the number of neuron-specific enolase (NSE)-positive cells, a measure of total neuron number, was proportional to cell plating density. In contrast, high density culture elicited a marked, disproportionate increase in TH-immunopositive cells, suggesting that high density conditions selectively enhanced the DA subpopulation. To define the role of cellular interactions in the selective increase in DA cells, virtually pure neuron cultures were compared to support cell-neuron cocultures, in fully defined medium. In support cell-neuron cocultures, SN support cells evoked a four-fold increase in TH cells, while NSE number did not differ from controls. Moreover, local support cells elicited a greater increase in TH cell number than support cells derived from other brain regions. To determine whether increased TH cell number reflected enhanced survival, or possibly expression of TH by new populations, we monitored the time course of this effect. TH cell number remained constant after 3 days in cocultures, while declining fourfold in controls. In parallel studies, support cells were added to SN dissociates at zero time or after 3 days. TH cell number was elevated only when support cells were present initially. Our observations suggest that local support cells selectively and specifically increase DA neuron survival.
Axon-Myelin transfer of phospholipids and phospholipid precursors:Labeling of Myelin phosphoinositides through axonal transport

Previous studies have provided evidence for axon-to-myelin transfer of intact lipids and lipid precursors for reutilization by myelin enzymes. Several of the lipid constituents of myelin showed significant contralateral/ipsilateral ratios of incorporated radioactivity, indicative of axonal origin, whereas proteins and certain other lipids did not participate in this transfer-reutilization process. The present study will examine the labeling of myelin phosphoinositides by this pathway. Both32PO4 and [3H]inositol were injected monocularly into 7-9-wk-old rabbits and myelin was isolated 7 or 21 days later from pooled optic tracts and superior colliculi. In total lipids32P counts of the isolated myelin samples showed significant contralateral/ipsilateral ratios as well as increasing magnitude of contralateral-ipsilateral differences during the time interval. Thin-layer chromatographic isolation of the myelin phosphoinositides revealed significant32P-labeling of these species, with PIP and PIP2 showing time-related increases. This resembled the labeling pattern of the major phospholipids from rabbit optic system myelin in a previous study and suggested incorporation of axon-derived phosphate by myelin-associated enzymes. The32P label in PI, on the other hand, remained constant between 7 and 21 days, sugesting transfer of intact lipid. This was supported by the labeling pattern with [3H]inositol, which also showed no increase over time for PI. These results suggest axon-myelin transfer of intact PI followed by myelin-localized incorporation of axon-derived phosphate groups into PIP and PIP2. The general topic of axon-myelin transfer of phospholipids and phospholipid precursors is reviewed.
Highly efficient detection of hydrogen peroxide in solution and in the vapor phase via fluorescence quenching

Herein we report the highly efficient and sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide in both aqueous solution and in the vapor phase via fluorescence quenching (turn-off mechanism) of the amplified fluorescent conjugated polymer–titanium complex induced by hydrogen peroxide. Inter- and intra-polymer energy migration leads to extremely high sensitivity.
Daily burned area and carbon emissions from boreal fires in Alaska

Abstract. Boreal fires burn into carbon-rich organic soils, thereby releasing large quantities of trace gases and aerosols that influence atmospheric composition and climate. To better understand the factors regulating boreal fire emissions, we developed a statistical model of carbon consumption by fire for Alaska with a spatial resolution of 450 m and a temporal resolution of 1 day. We used the model to estimate variability in carbon emissions between 2001 and 2012. Daily burned area was mapped using imagery from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer combined with perimeters from the Alaska Large Fire Database. Carbon consumption was calibrated using available field measurements from black spruce forests in Alaska. We built two nonlinear multiplicative models to separately predict above- and belowground carbon consumption by fire in response to environmental variables including elevation, day of burning within the fire season, pre-fire tree cover and the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR). Higher belowground carbon consumption occurred later in the season and for mid-elevation forests. Topographic slope and aspect did not improve performance of the belowground carbon consumption model. Aboveground and belowground carbon consumption also increased as a function of tree cover and the dNBR, suggesting a causal link between the processes regulating these two components of carbon consumption. Between 2001 and 2012, the median carbon consumption was 2.54 kg C m-2. Burning in land-cover types other than black spruce was considerable and was associated with lower levels of carbon consumption than for pure black spruce stands. Carbon consumption originated primarily from the belowground fraction (median = 2.32 kg C m-2 for all cover types and 2.67 kg C m-2 for pure black spruce stands). Total carbon emissions varied considerably from year to year, with the highest emissions occurring during 2004 (69 Tg C), 2005 (46 Tg C), 2009 (26 Tg C), and 2002 (17 Tg C) and a mean of 15 Tg C year-1 between 2001 and 2012. Mean uncertainty of carbon consumption for the domain, expressed as 1 standard deviation (SD), was 0.50 kg C m-2. Uncertainties in the multiplicative regression model used to estimate belowground consumption in black spruce stands and the land-cover classification were primary contributors to uncertainty estimates. Our analysis highlights the importance of accounting for the spatial heterogeneity of fuels and combustion when extrapolating emissions in space and time, and the need for of additional field campaigns to increase the density of observations as a function of tree cover and other environmental variables influencing consumption. The daily emissions time series from the Alaskan Fire Emissions Database (AKFED) presented here creates new opportunities to study environmental controls on daily fire dynamics, optimize boreal fire emissions in biogeochemical models, and quantify potential feedbacks from changing fire regimes.
Glucagon structure and function. II. Increased activity of iodoglucagon

Abstract Iodination of glucagon with ICl markedly enhances biological activity as measured by activation of rat liver adenylate cyclase and by hyperglycemia in rabbits. Adenylate cyclase activity is increased about 5-fold after monoiodination of glucagon and about 10-fold after more extensive iodination. Our finding that iodoglucagon exhibits enhanced biological activity may affect the interpretations of recent receptor studies involving the binding of [125I]glucagon to plasma membranes.
Biological and ecological investigations of horn flies in central Texas: influence of time of manure deposition on oviposition.

Fresh bovine manure was covered with emergence traps at 2-hr intervals during the day and night once a week from May to October to study the oviposition habits of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.). The average production of adult horn flies per manure pat ranged from 39.9 between 8 and 10 AM to 99.0 between 2 and 4 AM. The overall production averages for the 22 weeks were 66.5 nies per pat; night averdge 81.5 per pat; day average 61.0 per pat. Thus, if provided with an oviposition medium, the horn fly female will oviposit day or night.
Graduate Training and Research Productivity in the 1990s: A Look at Who Publishes

The relationship between reputational rankings of political science departments and their scholarly productivity remains a source of discussion and controversy. After the National Research Council (1995) published its ranking of 98 political science departments, Katz and Eagles (1996), Jackman and Siverson (1996), and Lowry and Silver (1996) analyzed the factors that seemingly influenced those rankings. Miller, Tien, and Peebler (1996) offered an alternate approach to ranking departments, based both upon the number of faculty (and their graduates) who published in the American Political Science Review and upon the number of citations that faculty members received. More recently, two studies have examined departmental rankings in other ways. Ballard and Mitchell (1998) assessed political science departments by evaluating the level of productivity in nine important disciplinary and subfield journals, and Garand and Graddy (1999) evaluated the impact of journal publications (and other variables) on the rankings of political science departments. In general, Miller, Tien, and Peebler found a high level of correspondence between reputation rankings and productivity, Ballard and Mitchell did not, and Garand and Graddy found that publications in “high impact” journals were important for departmental rankings.
Perinatal implications of maternal hypertension

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are prototypical of maternal conditions associated with reduced uteroplacental blood flow. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy include chronic hypertension, preeclampsia-eclampsia, superlmposed preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension. Pathophysiology of these disorders include deficient uterine vascular modeling in the process of placentation and aberrations of vasomotor regulation. Aberrations of uterine renin-angiotensin system may play a proximate role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia syndrome. Clinical manifestations are explained in this review based on resultant vasoconstriction and ischemia in systemic and regional circulations. Perinatal implications of hypertensive disorders both in terms of early neonatal outcome and long-term neurodevelopmental effects are described. Methods of antenatal assessment of the fetus and, briefly, principles of clinical management are described.
A unique case of cytodifferentiation: spermiogenesis of the prawn, Palaemonetes paludosus.

The sperm of the prawn, Palaemonetes paludosus, has an atypical form consisting of a cup-shaped nucleus and a rigid cross-striated spike extending from the convex side of the nucleus. The nucleus contains many membrane-bound, PAS-positive vesicles. During spermiogenesis, stacks of lamellar structures are located along the outer layer of the nuclear envelope. These lamellar stacks become associated with ribosome-like particles, after which small sheets of material pass from the lamellar stacks and form the striated spike. The excess lamellar membranes are extruded from the cell. The membrane bound-vesicles in the nucleus may arise by the process of pinocytosis of the sustentacular cell cytoplasm and of the material from the lumen of the vas deferens.
Statutory Language and the Separation of Powers

Traditional separation of powers models assert that the Supreme Court takes into consideration the policy preferences of other institutions and behaves strategically so as to place legal policy at its preferred policy point. The vagueness doctrine, however, asserts that the Court determines statute constitutionality not from strategically calculating institutional ideological preferences but from the degree of specificity of the statute's language itself. This study finds that the vagueness doctrine better predicts Court declarations of unconstitutionality than preference-based models, suggesting that the language of the law itself is crucial to statutory decisions.
Software reengineering for complex systems

Reengineering complex software is a difficult task that requires the expenditure of significant resources. To reduce associated costs and improve resultant systems, automated techniques have been developed that can be used throughout all phases of the reengineering process. Three systems are described that have been used successfully for reengineering at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The first system automatically transforms software written in CMS-2 to software written in Ada. The second system supports database design and automated query formulation, and employs conceptual-level intermediate representations for reverse and forward engineering as well as reengineering. The final system utilizes automated techniques to reengineer critical functions for performance enhancement. The systems described are evolving, and will provide a basis for future reengineering efforts.
Near-Surface Buckling in Strained Metal Overlayer Systems.

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images of Ag films grown on Ru(0001) reveal a periodic unit cell with a structural transformation at silver coverages slightly less than one monolayer. Dislocations in the overlayers are similar to the Au(111) herringbone structure; however, Ag/Ru(0001) exhibits two novel differences from previously observed herringbone structures. First, the unit cell dimensions change dramatically as a function of coverage. Second, STM images of Ag/Ru(0001) are inverted relative to those for Au(111). We show that this image inversion is due to substantial relaxations perpendicular to the surface resulting from local strains in the silver overlayer. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital The} {ital American} {ital Physical} {ital Society}.
Symmetrical Gas-Phase Dissociation of Noncovalent Protein Complexes via Surface Collisions

Previous gas-phase dissociation experiments of protein−protein complexes have resulted in product ion distributions that are asymmetric by charge and mass, providing limited insight into the chemical nature of subunit organization and interaction. In these experiments, a symmetric charge distribution results from an “energy sudden” collision of protein−protein complexes with a surface, indicating that it may be possible to probe the suboligomeric structure of noncovalent complexes in the gas phase. It is proposed that energy sudden surface activation of cytochrome C homodimers results in dissociation without significant unfolding of one of the monomeric subunits. Previously proposed mechanisms for the dissociation of protein−protein complexes are discussed in the context of these results. These experiments demonstrate the potential to preserve the structural details of subunit interaction within a protein−protein complex and help elucidate the asymmetric nature of macromolecular dissociation in the gas phase.
Upstream regulatory sequences from two β-conglycinin genes

Genes encoding the β-conglycinin seed storage proteins of soybean are expressed only in seeds during specific stages of development. The different subunits of β-conglycinin, α′, α and β, are encoded by distinct members of a gene family. Yet there are marked differences in the regulation of the genes encoding the α′/α and β subunits. Previous work (Chen et al., EMBO J 7: 297–302, 1988) identified a seed specific transcriptional enhancer upstream of a gene encoding the α′ subunit. Mutations were made within this region to discern its functional components. Among those identified is a 62 bp region (between −77 and −140) that contains a vicilin box consensus sequence as well as a sequence that binds the soybean nuclear factor SEF4 in vitro. A second region, which contains a sequence homologous to the core of the legumin box consensus (i.e., CATGCAT-like or RY repeat element) at −246, was also shown to affect the activity of this enhancer in transgenic plants. A series of 5′ terminal deletions were used to identify regulatory elements upstream of the β subunit gene. Two regions were identified (from −553 to −442 and from −308 to −72) that, when deleted, led to a marked reduction in gene expression. Both of these elements contain sequences that bind SEF4 in vitro. The distal element also contains an AT-rich segment that recognizes a second nuclear factor, SEF1, in vitro. Neither of these elements contains any homology to the vicilin box consensus.
Unusual lithium coordinated platinum and rhodium hydride dimers

Abstract Two unusual lithium coordinated binuclear platinum- and rhodium-hydride complexes [M(dippe)(H)]2·LiHBEt3 were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Not only does the lithium ion interact with the metal hydrides, but also with the B–H bond of the borohydride.
Medical management of inflammatory bowel disease: Incorporating goals for drug therapy and psychosocial support

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease consists of two disorders: 1) ulcerative colitis, and 2) Crohn's disease. While they share many similar characteristics, the two disorders should be considered separately from a medical management standpoint, based on different responses to drug therapy. Drug therapy should also be assessed on the basis of treating active disease (inducing remission), or preventing or reducing recurrence (maintenance drug therapy). In addition, a patient's emotional and psychosocial needs should be addressed. Incorporating strategies to improve a patient's coping skills and increase involvement in management of chronic diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can enhance treatment results.
Optimized unitary transformation for BB84 entangling probe

The standard four-state (BB84) protocol of key distribution in quantum cryptography, Slutsky, Rao, Sun, and Fainman performed an eavesdropping probe optimization, which an average yields the most information to the eavesdropper for a given error rate caused by the probe. The most general possible probe consistent with unitary was considered, in which each individual transmitted bit is made to interact with the probe so that the carrier and the probe are left in an endangered state, and measurement by the probe, made subsequent to measurement by the legitimate receiver, yield information about the carrier state. The probe optimization is based on maximizing the Renyi information gain by the probe on corrected data for a given error rate induced by the probe in a legitimate receiver. The results were obtained for the standard protocol with an angle of 45 degrees between the signal bases. In more recent work, a larger set of optimum probe parameters was found than was known previously, and although they all yield the same maximum Renyi information gain by the probe, alternative options are made available for optimum probe design. In the present work, the corresponding optimized unitary transformation, representing the action of the probe on the signal, are calculated. I have determined three classes of unitary transformations yielding the same maximum information to the probe. The simplest one corresponds to a probe having a two-dimensional Hilbert space of states, and is uniquely determined by the error rate. The second class corresponds to a probe having a four-dimensional Hilbert space of states, and is determined by the error rate and two continuous angle parameters, which are mutually constrained by the error rate. The third class corresponds to a probe having a four-dimensional Hilbert space, and is determined by the error rate and two continuous angle parameters, one of which is constrained by the error rate. This work will be useful in the design of an optimum-entangling probe.
Splenocytes from tumor-bearing Corynebacterium parvum treated mice maintain interleukin-2 and -3 activity

Systemic and local administration of the bacterium Corynebacterium parvum (more accurately known as Propionibacterium acnes) is reported to exert antitumor action via activated macrophages or short-lived cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), respectively. This study examined the effect of C. parvum treatment on resulting in vitro interleukin levels, which are components in the sequence of events leading to the development of effective CTL. C. parvum administration prevented palpable fibrosarcoma development. This was concomitant with restoration and maintenance of normal interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) levels and prevention of suppressor cell development in mice injected with both tumor cells and vaccine. Our finding of C. parvum-induced maintenance of IL-2 and IL-3 levels and apparent lack of suppressor cell formation lends support to the idea of local C. parvum antitumor action possibly being mediated by CTL arising via the interleukin cascade.
Induction by reinforcer schedules.

Traditional strategies for determining whether a reinforcer schedule enhances the occurrence of an activity are reviewed and critically evaluated. A basic assumption underlying these strategies is that it is possible to isolate the effect of reinforcer intermittency on schedule induction. It is concluded that this is not, in fact, possible. An alternative approach is proposed that emphasizes the inductive effects of the reinforcer schedule as a unit and the effects of particular aspects of the reinforcer schedule (e.g., interreinforcer interval, repetition of the reinforcer, reinforcer magnitude).
Continuous bupivacaine infusion in iliac bone graft donor sites to minimize pain and hospitalization.

Abstract Purpose: To assess the efficacy of continuous bupivacaine infusion at the iliac crest donor site in reducing postoperative pain and inpatient hospital stay. Methods: Forty consecutive cleft lip/palate patients who underwent alveolar bone grafting at a single institution between 2003 and 2008 were identified, and their charts were retrospectively reviewed. Opioid analgesic use, self-reported pain indices, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. Comparisons were made between those patients who received a bupivacaine infusion pump at the iliac crest harvest site and those who did not. Results: Twenty patients underwent iliac crest bone graft harvest followed by intraoperative placement of a continuous 0.25% bupivacaine infusion pump, and 20 were managed primarily with postoperative intravenous and parenteral analgesics. There were no statistically significant differences in demographics between the two cohorts. Those patients receiving continuous bupivacaine had a decreased length of hospital sta...
The p21-activated Protein Kinase-related Kinase Cla4 Is a Coincidence Detector of Signaling by Cdc42 and Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate

Signal transduction pathways that co-regulate a given biological process often are organized into networks by molecules that act as coincidence detectors. Phosphoinositides and the Rho-type GTPase Cdc42 regulate overlapping processes in all eukaryotic cells. However, the coincidence detectors that link these pathways into networks remain unknown. Here we show that the p21-activated protein kinase-related kinase Cla4 of yeast integrates signaling by Cdc42 and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P). We found that the Cla4 pleckstrin homology (PH) domain binds in vitro to several phosphoinositide species. To determine which phosphoinositides regulate Cla4 in vivo, we analyzed phosphatidylinositol kinase mutants (stt4, mss4, and pik1). This indicated that the plasma membrane pool of PI4P, but not phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate or the Golgi pool of PI4P, is required for localization of Cla4 to sites of polarized growth. A combination of the Cdc42-binding and PH domains of Cla4 was necessary and sufficient for localization to sites of polarized growth. Point mutations affecting either domain impaired the ability of Cla4 to regulate cell morphogenesis and the mitotic exit network (localization of Lte1). Therefore, Cla4 must retain the ability to bind both Cdc42 and phosphoinositides, the hallmark of a coincidence detector. PI4P may recruit Cla4 to the plasma membrane where Cdc42 activates its kinase activity and refines its localization to cortical sites of polarized growth. In mammalian cells, the myotonic dystrophy-related Cdc42-binding kinase possesses p21-binding and PH domains, suggesting that this kinase may be a coincidence detector of signaling by Cdc42 and phosphoinositides.
Network dynamics of the epileptic brain at rest

Baseline neurodynamics are believed to play an important role in normal brain function. A potentially intrinsic property of the brain is the weak coupling between networks at rest, which enables it to be flexible, adapt, process novel stimuli, and learn. Brain regions become differentially coordinated in response to cognitive task and behavior demands and external stimuli. However, abnormally synchronized resting brain networks may also be associated with different pathologies. We investigated baseline network dynamics in the epileptic brain using information theoretic parameters to quantify coupling and directionality of information flow between different cortical regions. We estimated relative entropy, conditional mutual information and a related measure of directional coupling, from EEGs of patients with epilepsy and healthy subjects. At rest, the healthy brain appears to be characterized by low and non-directional network coupling, whereas the epileptic brain appears to be transiently and directionally synchronized.
Measurement of human chylomicron triglyceride clearance with a labeled commercial lipid emulsion

Human chylomicron triglyceride (TG) kinetics has been difficult to determine directly owing to technical limitations. This report describes a new method for studying chylomicron metabolism. Healthy volunteers (n = 10) sipped a drink providing 175 mg fat x kg(-1) h(-1) for 7.5 h to produce a steady-state chylomicronemia. A commercial 10% intravenous lipid emulsion was labeled with [3H]triolein, purified by high-performance liquid chromatography, and sterilized. A trace amount of labeled emulsion was injected intravenously 30 min before (i.e., in the fasting state) and 5, 6, and 7 h after sipping began (i.e., triplicate determinations in the fed state). Chylomicron half-lives were calculated from the monoexponential decay curves, and apparent distribution volumes were estimated by back-extrapolation to time zero. Plasma and estimated chylomicron TG concentrations increased from 89+/-13 and 0.8+/-0.3 to 263+/-43 and 91+/-39 mg/dL (mean +/- SEM), respectively, with feeding. Tracer-determined chylomicron TG half-lives were 5.34+/-0.58 and 6.51+/-0.58 min during the fasting and fed states, respectively (P < 0.01). The apparent distribution volume during the fasting state was 24% greater than plasma volume (4515+/-308 vs. 3630+/-78 mL, P < 0.02), consistent with significant margination of lipid emulsion particles to endothelial binding sites. Margination was reduced during the fed state, suggesting that native chylomicrons competed with lipid emulsion particles for endothelial lipoprotein lipase. The results indicate that a radiolabeled commercial lipid emulsion is metabolized in a fashion similar to native chylomicron TG, and thus can be used to study chylomicron TG kinetics.