cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progranulin-associated PiB-negative logopenic primary progressive aphasia.

The logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) strongly associates with Alzheimer’s disease, but can also associate with frontotemporal lobar degeneration. We aimed to assess the frequency of lvPPA in patients with speech and language disorders without β-amyloid deposition, and to perform detailed neuroimaging and genetic testing in such lvPPA patients. Seventy-six patients with a neurodegenerative speech and language disorder and Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET imaging demonstrating no β-amyloid deposition were analyzed. Six lvPPA patients (8 %) were identified. All six underwent progranulin (GRN) gene testing. Structural abnormality index maps and Cortex ID analysis were utilized to assess individual patterns of grey matter atrophy on MRI and hypometabolism on 18-F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET. Statistical parametric mapping was used to perform MRI and FDG-PET group comparisons between those with (GRN-positive) and without (GRN-negative) progranulin mutations. All six lvPPA patients showed left temporoparietal atrophy and hypometabolism. Three patients (50 %) were GRN-positive. Speech, language, and neurological and neuropsychological profiles did not differ between GRN-positive and negative patients, although GRN-positive patients had family histories, were on average 8 years younger, and had lower PiB-PET ratios. All six patients showed similar patterns of atrophy and hypometabolism, although, as a group, GRN-positive patients had more severe abnormalities, particularly in anteromedial temporal lobes. Logopenic PPA accounts for a small minority of neurodegenerative speech and language disorders not associated with β-amyloid deposition. Identification of such patients, however, should prompt testing for GRN mutations, since GRN-positive patients do not have distinctive features, yet account for 50 % of this patient population.
Brain injury and recovery following binge ethanol: evidence from in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Background The binge-drinking model in rodents using intragastric injections of ethanol (EtOH) for 4 days results in argyrophilic corticolimbic tissue classically interpreted as indicating irreversible neuronal degeneration. However, recent findings suggest that acquired argyrophilia can also identify injured neurons that have the potential to recover. The current in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and spectroscopy study was conducted to test the hypothesis that binge EtOH exposure would injure but not cause the death of neurons as previously ascertained postmortem. Methods After baseline MR scanning, 11 of 19 rats received a loading dose of 5 g/kg EtOH via oral gavage, then a maximum of 3 g/kg every 8 hours for 4 days, for a total average cumulative EtOH dose of 43 ± 1.2 g/kg and average blood alcohol levels of 258 ± 12 mg/dL. All animals were scanned after 4 days of gavage (post-gavage scan) with EtOH (EtOH group) or dextrose (control [Con] group) and again after 7 days of abstinence from EtOH (recovery scan). Results Tissue shrinkage at the post-gavage scan was reflected by significantly increased lateral ventricular volume in the EtOH group compared with the Con group. At the post-gavage scan, the EtOH group had lower dorsal hippocampal N-acetylaspartate and total creatine and higher choline-containing compounds than the Con group. At the recovery scan, neither ventricular volume nor metabolite levels differentiated the groups. Conclusions Rapid recovery of ventricular volume and metabolite levels with removal of the causative agent argues for transient rather than permanent effects of a single EtOH binge episode in rats.
Fatty acid chain-elongation in perfused rat heart: synthesis of stearoylcarnitine from perfused palmitate.

Abstract Rat hearts perfused for up to 60 min in the working mode with palmitate, but not with glucose, resulted in substantial formation of palmitoylcarnitine and stearoylcarnitine. To test whether lipolysis of endogenous lipids was responsible for the increased stearoylcarnitine content or whether some of the perfused palmitate underwent chain elongation, hearts were perfused with hexadecanoic-16,16,16-d3 acid (M+3). The pentafluorophenacyl ester of deuterium labeled stearoylcarnitine had an M+3 (639.4 m/z) compared to the unlabeled M+0 (636.3 m/z) consistent with a direct chain elongation of the perfused palmitate. Furthermore, the near equal isotope enrichment of palmitoyl- (90.2 ± 5.8%) and stearoylcarnitine (78.0 ± 7.1%) suggest that both palmitoyl- and stearoyl-CoA have ready access to mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase and that most of the stearoylcarnitine is derived from the perfused palmitate.
War and Children's Mortality

This article examines the impact of war on young children's mortality in a sample of 137 countries. Years recently at war (1990-5) interact with years previously at war (1946-89) to elevate childre...
Black Holes through The Mirrour

What is the path of a free-falling stone when dropped from the surface of a spinning earth? This riddle is an old one. By the late Middle Ages it was common knowledge. In the first printed book with illustrations in the English language, William Caxton in a popular encyclopedia of what everyone should know, called The Mirrour of the World, which appeared in 1481 and was a translation of a French manuscript of 1245, which in turn was a translation of an earlier text in Latin, said [1, p. 55],
On unit constraint-length convolutional codes

Unit constraint length convolutional codes are codes that can be generated by encoders with a single delay element. The maximal free distances of these codes are determined in terms of the maximal minimum distances of linear block codes. A formula for the weight enumerator of unit constraint-length convolution codes is derived and a MacWilliams identity to determine the weight enumerator state diagram of a code from the weight enumerator state diagram of its dual code is given. >
Hydrogen and its relationship with nuclear energy

Abstract In broad terms it is estimated that the world will need 17 TW of additional primary energy to meet its needs by 2050. Much of this growth in energy demand will take place in developing countries. Wind, biomass, solar, nuclear and coal will all compete to fill this gap as oil market share declines. Economics, environmental issues, and public acceptance elements of sustainable development goals will be as important as the engineering issues of efficiency and reliability in this competition. Nuclear power is increasingly recognized as a principal contender to provide economic, “carbon free” electricity for the grid, but it does not directly provide a transportation fuel as flexible as is gasoline. Nuclear-produced hydrogen might help to fill this transportation fuel gap. This presentation will discuss the processes for manufacture of hydrogen from nuclear heat, and the integration of nuclear-produced hydrogen into the transportation fuel system – in part via synergies with traditional oil, natural gas and coal, and/or synergies with nontraditional shale and tar sands. We will discuss the nuclear hydrogen system as we expect it to appear in 2050 and will discuss some of processes that will provide a pathway to creating that system.
Customer loyalty card programmes and its interaction with support technology in the retail industry

This paper will explore customer loyalty cards and significance to technology and Customer Relationship Management (CRM), as well as privacy and security issues, customer loyalty, competitive advantages for retailers and consumer, reward programmes, and education on the programmes. Two surveys, a pilot study of 50 and a more comprehensive survey of 257 college-educated, professional individuals from the Pittsburgh SMSA, were conducted to determine it retail establishments that use customer loyalty card programmes, such as a frequent shopper card and customer support technology, namely self-serve checkouts have better retention rates and higher customer loyalty. Factor analysis, multiple regression and principle components were the major statistical techniques used, resulting in six factor-based scores constructs with significant combined variance (cumulative variance of 60.354%). Hypotheses-testing predicting total money spent and specific recommendations are included.
Hydrophobic compounds in the environment: Adsorption equilibrium at the air-water interface

Abstract Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy, enthalpy and entropy of transfer from the bulk aqueous phase to the air-water interface at 25°C for 41 hydrophobic compounds of environmental interest are calculated from literature data on adsorption. The compounds considered are neutral, non-polar or slightly polar in nature. They comprise aliphatic hydrocarbons, halocarbons, formates, esters, branched alkanes, alcohols, acids and aromatic hydrocarbons and halocarbons. The trends in values among various homologous series of compounds are ascertained. A simple adsorption model based on interfacial energy changes predicts the values satisfactorily; however, the prediction is sensitive to the orientation of the molecule at the air-water interface. The free energy changes are linearly related to other water to solvent (octanol) partition constants. The significance of air-water interfacial adsorption parameters in high surface area environmental systems is discussed with special relevance to several important examples.
Case manager alliance with clients in an older cohort

It was hypothesized that members of an older cohort of seriously mentally ill community mental health clients would develop stronger alliances with intensive case managers. Eighty-six clients participating in a study of case management services completed a measure of working alliance and structured interviews. It was found that older cohort clients, those age 45 or older, showed much stronger alliances with their case managers than younger clients.
Species differences in PAF receptor binding in the lungs between hamster and guinea pig

Abstract Platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor in normal Golden Syrian hamster lung was characterized using radioligand binding studies and compared with guinea pig lung PAF receptor. [ 3 H]WEB2086, a potent and specific PAF antagonist, was used as a radioligand for equilibrium binding, kinetic studies, competitive binding in receptor preparation (0–110 000 g fraction of lung homogenate) from hamster and guinea pig lungs. Binding of [ 3 H]WEB 2086 to the receptor preparation was saturable, reversible and specific in both hamster and guinea pig lungs. Scatchard plot analysis of equilibrium binding data indicates a single binding site in hamster lung with the equilibrium dissociation constant ( K D ) of 66.1 ± 36.7 nM ( n = 4) and maximal binding ( B max ) of 135.4 ± 63.1 fmol/mg, but two binding sites in guinea pig lung with a high affinity site ( K D = 1.7 ± 0.6 nM; B max = 48.6 ± 2.6 fmol/mg) and a low affinity site ( K D = 83.8 ± 32 nM; B max = 480.8 ± 158 fmol/mg). The heterogeneity of [ 3 H]WEB2086 binding to guinea pig lung but not to hamster lung was also confirmed by dissociation kinetic studies, in which biphasic dissociation kinetic was shown in guinea pig and monophasic kinetic in hamster lung. Although the specific [ 3 H]WEB 2086 binding to lungs of both species was displaced by PAF-C18 and antagonists L659989 and CL 184005 in a dose-dependent manner and not by lyso-PAF (a biologically inactive form of PAF), the potencies of the competitive inhibition were significantly different between the two species. The relative potencies ranked WEB2086 ≈ L659989 > PAF > CL184005 in hamster lung, whereas in guinea pig lung the potencies ranked PAF > WEB2086 ≈ L659 989 ≈ CL184005. The present study demonstrates for the first time the existence of PAF receptor in the hamster lung and its binding characteristics different from guinea pig lung suggest the possible existence of different PAF receptor subtypes in hamster lung.
On bubble growth rates

Abstract A simple general relation for bubble growth rates in a uniformly superheated liquid was derived. The relation is valid in both regions: inertia controlled and heat diffusion controlled growth, respectively. The derived relation is compared with the existing experimental results for bubble growth in a uniformly superheated liquid with very good agreement. The results are further extended to the bubble growth in a non-uniform temperature field which approximates the conditions present in a nucleate boiling from a heated surface.
Elders with First Psychiatric Hospitalization for Depression

Objective—Little is known about the first psychiatric hospitalization episode of older adults with depression. The purpose of this study is to describe the proportion and characteristics of first-time inpatients admitted for late-life depression. Methods—Guided by the Network Episode Model and the Andersen model, this study identifies and compares the characteristics of depressed older adults with (N = 108) and those without (N = 77) prior psychiatric hospitalization, upon admission into the geropsychiatric unit, using logistic regression. Data on a lifetime history of inpatient psychiatric treatment, clinical characteristics, demographics, social resources, and psychosocial/medical service use were obtained from patients' medical records and self-reports. Results—Compared with patients who had prior psychiatric admission, first-time inpatients were associated with having (1) late-onset depression (OR = 14.99); (2) no lifetime psychotic symptoms (OR = 0.21); (3) lower scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) at admission (OR = 0.96); (4) higher numbers of doctors seen (OR = 1.46); and (5) lower use of senior centers 6 months prior to the admission (OR = 0.12). Conclusions—Depressed older adults' prior psychiatric inpatient service utilization is closely related to their past and current psychiatric needs. Also, the two groups show significant differences in health and social service use prior to the psychiatric hospitalization. However, severity of depression at admission was not different.
The Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale-20: improved content validity of the Serious Harm Reduction Subscale

Excessive drinking in college leads to serious harms, but students who use protective behavioral strategies (PBS) avoid negative consequences by drinking in a safer manner. This study aimed to increase the content validity of the Serious Harm Reduction (SHR) subscale of the most widely used measure of PBS, the Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale (PBSS: Martens et al., 2005). An initial item pool was developed from literature on college student drinking, existing lists of drinking control strategies, and an online pilot survey of college students (N = 1,832). Items were also evaluated by focus groups of experts and members of the target population. Next, 1,376 students (57.9% women; Mage = 18.5 years; 86.3% White) completed questionnaires online. A subset (n = 170; 12.4%) completed a second survey 4-6 weeks later to examine test-retest reliability and criterion-related validity. The remaining students (n = 1,206) were divided into equal development and validation samples. Analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the development sample, factor structure replication, and gender invariance testing in the validity sample. Results of this process produced the PBSS-20, with an expanded SHR scale of eight items. The revised SHR scale demonstrated improved internal consistency and was associated with a broader range of alcohol-related negative consequences at follow-up. Given its focus on reducing serious harms, the SHR scale is arguably the most clinically relevant PBSS factor, and those who use this measure will benefit from the expanded breadth of SHR content and improved psychometric properties of the PBSS-20.
A Comparison of Antialiasing Techniques

Three antialiasing techniques were applied to a scene of moderate complexity. Early results suggest that prefiltering is still the most computationally effective method.
Nonoperative management of blunt renal trauma: is routine early follow-up imaging necessary?

There is no consensus on the role of routine follow-up imaging during nonoperative management of blunt renal trauma. We reviewed our experience with nonoperative management of blunt renal injuries in order to evaluate the utility of routine early follow-up imaging. We reviewed all cases of blunt renal injury admitted for nonoperative management at our institution between 1/2002 and 1/2006. Data were compiled from chart review, and clinical outcomes were correlated with CT imaging results. 207 patients were identified (210 renal units). American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grades I, II, III, IV, and V were assigned to 35 (16%), 66 (31%), 81 (39%), 26 (13%), and 2 (1%) renal units, respectively. 177 (84%) renal units underwent routine follow-up imaging 24–48 hours after admission. In three cases of grade IV renal injury, a ureteral stent was placed after serial imaging demonstrated persistent extravasation. In no other cases did follow-up imaging independently alter clinical management. There were no urologic complications among cases for which follow-up imaging was not obtained. Routine follow-up imaging is unnecessary for blunt renal injuries of grades I-III. Grade IV renovascular injuries can be followed clinically without routine early follow-up imaging, but urine extravasation necessitates serial imaging to guide management decisions. The volume of grade V renal injuries in this study is not sufficient to support or contest the need for routine follow-up imaging.
Reliability of the Modified Figure of Eight- a balance performance test for elderly women

Balance capacity can be measured in various ways depending on population and purposes. The objectives of this study were to investigate the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the Modified F...
Comparability analysis of anti-CD20 commercial (rituximab) and RNAi-mediated fucosylated antibodies by two LC-MS approaches.

In developing biosimilar or biobetter products, comparability to the reference product is required to claim similar integrity or intended purpose. In this work, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody developed using RNA interference to decrease core fucosylation (RNAi-mediated) was comprehensively characterized by LC-MS and compared with the commercially-available anti-CD20 rituximab (MabThera (®) ). As anticipated, 90% in rituximab), and the reduction in fucose resulting in a significant improvement in FcγRΙΙΙa binding and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Two mutations, S258Y (fully mutated) and F174I/L (partially mutated), however, were detected in the production of the RNAi-mediated molecule. An alternative LC-MS approach using dimethyl labeling (i.e., 2CH 2 for rituximab and 2CD 2 for the RNAi-mediated molecule) was developed to additionally compare the two mAbs and confirm the full sequence with the two mutation sites. Furthermore, disulfide linkages were found to be the same for the two antibodies, with a small portion of unpaired cysteines in both products. Disulfides were correctly linked if the samples were prepared at low pH (i.e., enzymatic digestion by pepsin at pH 2); however, trace amounts of scrambling were found by trypsin digestion at pH 6.8, and this scrambling increased significantly at pH 8. Typical modifications, such as pyro-Glu formation at the N-terminus, K clipping at the C-terminus, oxidation at Met, and deamidation at Asn, were also detected with no significant differences between the two products. Using the LC-MS approaches for the comparability study, product integrity with critical structure information was revealed for confirmation of intended purpose (core fucosylation), identification of critical parameters (e.g., sample pH), and correction as needed (amino acid mutation).
Immune activity suppresses reproduction in food‐limited female tree lizards Urosaurus ornatus

Summary 1When resources are scarce, organisms are faced with critical challenges trying to optimize competing functions. Reproduction and immune function are both resource intensive and important to most species. Most studies have reported a down-regulation of immune function during reproduction. Conversely, it is unclear whether mounting an immune response can affect the reproductive process and few studies have examined competition for resources between these two processes. 2Here we report evidence for direct competition for resources between the reproductive and immune systems in a vertebrate model system, the tree lizard (Urosaurus ornatus). We manipulated food intake in reproductive female tree lizards, where half of the females were undergoing cutaneous wound healing and the other half were not. We then measured reproductive investment in all animals and wound healing rate in all wounded animals. 3We found that animals with unlimited access to food sustained both reproduction and immune function whereas animals maintained on a restricted diet were not. Specifically, when food was unlimited, females were able to invest in reproduction and heal their wounds. However, when food was limited, females forced to heal a cutaneous wound had significantly smaller follicles than their non-wounded counterparts. Under extreme food limitation (i.e. no food) both reproductive investment and wound healing were suppressed. 4These results clearly demonstrate resource competition between the reproductive and immune systems, whereby physiological trade-offs between the two systems only arise when resources are limiting. Furthermore, this type of facultative regulation is adjustable and allows animals to respond to changing environmental conditions.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - Primitive pigment systems in the prebiotic environment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the form of polymerized derivatives represent over 90% of the organic material of carbonaceous chondrites. It now appears likely that there was substantial survival of the organic content of meteoritic and cometary infall during late accretion, so that PAH would presumably be major components of the organic inventory present on the prebiotic Earth. An important question relative to chemical evolution and energy transduction is the nature of pigments which could be available to make light energy available to the earliest cellular forms of life. PAH and their derivatives all absorb light in the near UV and blue wavelengths, and are candidates for primitive pigments. We have explored this possibility in a model system consisting of mixtures of pyrene, fluoranthene and pyrene derivatives with hexadecane, dispersed in dilute salt solutions. Upon illumination, photochemical oxidation of the hexadecane occurs, with long-chain amphiphiles such as 2-hexadecanone and 2-hexadecanol as products. Because the reaction proceeds under strictly anaerobic conditions, the source of oxygen is apparently water. We also observed acid pH shifts during illumination. Photochemical production of hydrogen ion is significant, in that chemiosmotic proton gradients across membranes are used by all contemporary cells as a source of energy for ATP synthesis and nutrient transport. To test whether the protons could be used to transduce light energy into a useful form, PAH derivatives were included in lipid bilayer membranes (liposomes). Upon illumination, protons (or acidic products) were produced and accumulated inside the vesicles, so that substantial pH gradients were established across the membranes, acid inside. We conclude that PAH dissolved in aliphatic hydrocarbons absorb light energy and use it to oxidize the hydrocarbon to long-chain amphiphilic molecules. The oxidation is accompanied by release of protons. If PAH derivatives are included in the bilayer membrane of lipid vesicles, protons accumulate within the membrane-bounded volumes to form proton gradients. This system provides a useful model of a primitive photochemical reaction in which light energy is transduced into potentially useable forms.
Self-reinforced thermoplastic-LCP prepregs and laminates

Self-reinforced sheets (prepregs) have been prepared by stretching extruded sheets made of thermoplastic (TP) and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) blend. The sheets are formed by extrusion through a coathanger die, device. Processing at this stage is done at a temperature at which both components in the blend are melt processable. These prepregs are laid up in multi-layers in a direction parallel to the stretching direction or in the direction of 45° with respect to each previous layer. The lay-ups are compression molded into unidirectional or isotropic laminates at temperatures below the melt processing temperature of the LCP. Various pairs of TP and LCP have been studied. These include polypropylene and an LCP based on p-oxybenzoyl, terephthaloyl and hydroquinone moieties, polyphenylene oxide (PPO) and polystyrene/PPO alloy and a LCP based on 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl and p-oxybenzoyl moieties. Mechanical properties of the prepregs and laminates were measured and compared with those obtained from injection molded samples. Surprisingly, tensile strength and modulus of isotropic laminates are found to be higher than those of injection molded samples in the flow direction. Morphlogical studies of the prepregs and laminates indicate the presence of well-defined LCP fibers in various thermoplastic matrices.
Economic, welfare, demographic, and gender inequalities among selected Arab countries

The purpose of this research is to compare countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) against a selection of non-GCC Arab countries, using a large collection of data obtained from the United Nations’ latest Human Development Report. The comparisons between the two groups of countries include indicators on education, gender, demographics, health, economic performance, and trade. The GCC countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The non-GCC Arab countries include Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. Iraq is excluded because of unavailability of data. The results indicate that the GCC countries as a group outperform the non-GCC countries on a number of variables, and tend to vary less among themselves than do the non-GCC countries. The reason for the disparity is that the GCC countries are more market- based economies than the non-GCC countries.
Lose, Win, or Draw? A Reexamination of Direct Democracy and Minority Rights

Researchers continue to disagree over how minority rights fare in direct democracy elections. The authors enter this debate by reviewing previous research and outlining more systematic criteria for assessing minority rights in the context of direct democracy. In applying these criteria, an analysis of direct democracy contests involving gay and lesbian civil rights suggests that minorities are more likely to lose in these contests. The authors suggest that the conclusions of previous researchers may have been premature and that their criteria should be applied to other minority groups.
Kinetic Modeling of Aqueous-Phase Glycerol Hydrogenolysis in a Batch Slurry Reactor

The kinetics of the aqueous-phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) was studied using a bimetallic Ru−Re/C catalyst in a slurry reactor in a temperature range of 493−513 K and a hydrogen pressure of 2.4−9.6 MPa. Glycerol hydrogenolysis to produce 1,2-PDO via C−O cleavage (i) proceeds with parallel C−C cleavage, reforming, water-gas shift, and Fischer−Tropsch reactions, (ii) results in a very complex reaction network with several gaseous- and liquid-phase products, and (iii) poses a challenge to design selective catalysts. It is observed that Ru−Re bimetallic catalyst shows higher hydrogenolysis activity (glycerol conversion of X = 57.7%) and 1,2-PDO selectivity (S = 36.6%), compared to the monometallic Ru catalyst (X = 52.1%; S = 18.9%) but the monometallic Re catalyst showed no catalytic activity for the reaction. Stirred-batch reactor data on the transient concentrations of reactants and products in both the gas and liquid phases were obtained using a bimetallic Ru−Re/C catalyst un...
Conserved in structure but diverse in recognition.

Abstract The crystal structure of BMP7 in complex with the type II activin receptor shows a different receptor binding site on the ligand compared to that observed in the TGF-β3 and receptor complex. The result highlights the potential diversity in ligand recognition among members of the TGF-β superfamily.
The cytoskeletal framework and poliovirus metabolism

Abstract The cytoskeletal framework prepared by detergent lysis of suspension-grown HeLa cells is compared to the structure obtained from poliovirus-infected cells. This framework, which retains major features of cell morphology and carries the cellular polyribosomes as well as the major structural filaments, is profoundly reorganized following virus infection. This reorganization underlies, at least in part, the morphological changes termed the "cytopathic effect." These cytoskeletal changes appear related to the involvement of the framework with viral-specific metabolism. Extensive cytoskeleton alterations occur even when guanidine inhibits viral replication, and thus result from small amounts of early viral products. The normally spheroidal nucleus deforms, allowing a modified region of the cytoplasm to occupy a central position in the cell, and many membrane-enclosed vesicles peculiar to the infected cell are elaborated here. The skeleton preparation reveals that this region contains intermediate filaments arranged in a pattern unique to infected cells. Further changes occur when viral replication is permitted. The central region filaments become coated with darkly staining material which may be viral RNA. Numerous small particles appear on the filaments which resemble partially assembled virions. Mature virions, however, have no affinity for the cytoskeleton and appear to be free in the cytoplasm. Host cell messenger RNA, normally attached to the skeletal framework, is released in infected cells and is replaced by the viral-specific polyribosomes. The trabecular network which carries polyribosomes appears to be rearranged; the viral polyribosomes are located principally at the cell periphery and are excluded from the central region. The viral replication complex with its double-stranded RNA is also attached to the skeletal framework and may comprise the dark staining material coating the filaments of the central cell region.
The effect of pretreatment with magnesium sulfate on the initiation of seizure foci in anesthetized cats.

Summary The therapeutic effect of magnesium sulfate remains unknown. Its role as an anticonvulsant is controversial. The effect of pretreatment with parenteral magnesium sulfate on the ability to initiate penicillin-induced seizure foci in anesthetized cats was studied. All animals in the experimental group achieved serum magnesium levels of > 10 mg/dl. No significant difference in epileptic spike frequency between the experimental and control groups was demonstrated. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1989;160:508-9.)
Beta-2 adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and blood pressure responses to salt

The genetic basis for salt-sensitive hypertension is not known. Altered regulatory mechanisms such as vascular reactivity and/or sodium excretion are thought to contribute to salt sensitivity. Linkage analysis indicates that the blood pressure response to sodium loading is associated with the beta-2 adrenergic receptor (BAR2) locus suggesting that this gene may be an important regulator of blood pressure responses to salt. The common Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu BAR2 polymorphisms have been associated with enhanced agonist mediated desensitization and increased agonist-mediated responsiveness, respectively but their effects on salt sensitivity are not known. Healthy subjects (n = 23) received a high (400meq) and a low (10meq) salt diet for 5 days in random order. Automated blood pressure monitoring was performed on the last day of each diet. The change in blood pressure between low and high salt days was calculated and compared among genotypes. There was no significant genotypic difference in salt induced changes in systolic (Arg16Gln27[n = 8] 2.3 ± 3.8 mmHg, Gly16Gln27 [n = 7] 3.1 ± 3.3 mmHg and Gly16Glu27 [n = 8] 6.1 ± 2.8 mmHg: P = 0.66) or diastolic (Arg16Gln27 −2.4 ± 1.7 mmHg, Gly16Gln27 1.1 ± 1.6 mmHg and Gly16Glu27 −1.5 ± 1.2 mmHg: P = 0.26) blood pressure. These findings suggest that the BAR2 Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms are not a significant determinant of blood pressure responses to salt. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P13–P13; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.048
An infrared polarized scene generator for hardward-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing

Polarization signature information is becoming more useful as an added discriminant in a variety of signature analysis applications. However, there are few infrared scene projection systems that provide the capability to inject object simulation images with polarization content into an imaging sensor. In this paper, we discuss a polarization scene generator that is applicable to testing polarimetric sensor systems. The system was originally designed for operation in cryogenic-vacuum environments to test sensors subject to cold operation. However, it is also applicable to testing warm sensors that are sensitive to polarimetric signatures. This polarization scene generator is currently designed for mid-wave infrared (MWIR) operation. It includes two table-top sparse emitter arrays with individually addressable pixels, polarizers, a beam combiner, and filters to provide flexibility in spectral content. The emitter arrays are combined to generate an output with independent linearly polarized content. The current system generates S1 polarization states, S2 polarization states, or a linear combination of the two. The concept is robust because it is relatively unconstrained by the infrared (IR) scene generators used or the sensors tested.
A Cellular Model for Long QT Syndrome TRAPPING OF HETEROMULTIMERIC COMPLEXES CONSISTING OF TRUNCATED Kv1.1 POTASSIUM CHANNEL POLYPEPTIDES AND NATIVE Kv1.4 AND Kv1.5 CHANNELS IN THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

We demonstrated that overexpression of a cRNA encoding a truncated potassium channel polypeptide that contains the NH2 terminus and the first transmembrane segment (Kv1.1N206Tag) abolished the expression of Kv1.1 and Kv1.5 outward currents in Xenopus oocytes (Babila, T., Moscucci, A., Wang, H., Weaver, F. E. & Koren, G. (1994) Neuron12, 615–626). Recently, we showed that expression ofKv1.1N206Tag in the heart of transgenic mice resulted in the creation of mice with prolongation of the surface electrocardiogram's QT interval (London, B., Han, X., Folco, E. & Koren, G. (1996) Biophys. J. 70, A2601). To study the dominant negative mechanism of Kv1.1N206Tag, we overexpressed it in GH3 cells, a pituitary cell line expressing Kv1.5 and Kv1.4. RNase protection analysis comparing the steady-state levels of native Kv1.5 and Kv1.1N206Tag transcripts revealed an excess of Kv1.1N206Tag transcript. Immunoprecipitation analysis using 12CA5 monoclonal antibody detected a 25-kDa polypeptide in the transfected cells. The half-life of Kv1.1N206Tag was 2.6 h. Subcellular fractionation of cell lysates labeled with [35S]methionine revealed that Kv1.1N206Tagpolypeptide is detectable in the particulate (membranous) fraction, but not in the soluble (cytosol) fraction. A series of double immunoprecipitations with 12CA5 and polyclonal antibodies against Kv1.5 and Kv1.4 revealed that Kv1.1N206Tag forms heteromultimeric complexes with the native Kv1.4 and Kv1.5 polypeptides. The steady-state levels of Kv1.5 were not affected by the overexpression of Kv1.1N206Tag. Immunofluorescence colocalization and confocal microscopy analyses revealed thatKv1.1N206TagFlag did not reach the plasma membrane, and its distribution pattern was characteristic to that of a resident endoplasmic reticulum polypeptide. Our observations establish that the negative effect of Kv1.1N206Tag is mediated by the formation of heteromultimeric complexes with the native channels and by the retention of these complexes in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Navigating social class roles in community research.

This paper describes the first author’s attempt to collect data in a homeless shelter without attending to her role in the social class hierarchy of the organization. The author’s egalitarian approach towards the homeless clients, and her lack of involvement in “staff-only” activities, transgress the social class norms within the organizational structure. While the author is successful in gaining the trust of the homeless clients, her approach alienates shelter staff, especially those in the higher echelons of the social hierarchy. The concepts of classism, world views, and Social Identity Theory, are utilized to discuss the dilemma faced by researchers who want to challenge, or work outside, a setting’s status quo.
Classical trajectory study of atom and molecule ejection during low energy bombardment of copper by oxygen

Classical trajectory multiple interaction simulations were used to study the bombardment of a clean, perfect, Cu target by low energy (
Oxygen-Bound Fluorine (O−F): Ab Initio Investigations of the Hypofluorous Acid Dimer

Ab initio calculations have been carried out on dimers of hypofluorous acid(HOF)2. Two stable structures were found, the first one with an almost linear O···H−O hydrogen bridge and F···H−O hydrogen bond and the second one being a cyclic dimer with two F···H−O bonds. The most stable complex determined at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2d,2p)//MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level is the linear structure, having a stabilization energy of 2.50 kcal/mol. The cyclic structure is only 0.35 kcal/mol higher in energy than the linear one. The organization of the attractors achieved by the topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) classifies the interaction in both dimer structures as the unshared-electron type. A transfer of 0.03e between the HOF monomers in the linear structure is deduced from the comparison of the basin populations. The integral density over the F−O attractor basins yields 0.32e for the cyclic structure and 0.27 and 0.37 e for the linear one. The large amount of electron density is concentrated...
The influence of atmospheric transport on precipitation chemistry at two sites in the midwestern United States

Cluster analyses of two-dimensional mixed layer back trajectory data were used to determine what fraction of chemical variability in precipitation composition could be related to differences in atmospheric transport. Trajectories arriving at two different sites, Rockport, Indiana, and Gaylord, Michigan, were clustered to identify events occurring with similar transport patterns. It was found that certain transport situations resulted in significantly higher concentrations and depositions of the major ions, H+, SO;, NO; and NHf. At Rockport, the greatest fraction of acid deposition was associated with low wind speeds. At Gaylord, transport direction played a greater role than transport speed in influencing precipitation composition. Results presented here suggest that lo%+% of the variability in ion concentrations may be related to differences in atmospheric transport. The residual variation in concentra- tions was correlated with differences in the occurrence of upwind precipitation, precipitation type., and variation in precipitation amount.
Colonoscopy detected colon polyps better than air-contrast barium enema or computed tomographic colonography.

Rockey DC, Paulson E, Niedzwiecki D, et al . Analysis of air contrast barium enema, computed tomographic colonography, and colonoscopy: prospective comparison. Lancet 2005;365:305–11. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q In patients at high risk of colonic neoplasia, what is the comparative accuracy of air contrast barium enema (ACBE), computed tomographic colonography (CTC), and colonoscopy for detecting large colonic polyps? Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★★☆ IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★☆☆ Internal medicine ★★★★★☆☆ Oncology ★★★★☆☆☆ Gastroenterology ★★★★★☆☆ ### ![Graphic][5] Design: blinded comparison of ACBE, CTC, and colonoscopy. ### ![Graphic][6] Setting: 14 centres in the US. ### ![Graphic][7] Patients: 614 patients (mean age 57 y, 70% men) with ⩾1 positive test result for faecal occult blood, ⩾1 episode of bright red blood per rectum in the previous 3 months, iron deficiency anaemia, or a family history of colon cancer or adenoma. Exclusion criteria included active gastrointestinal haemorrhage and serious medical illness. ### ![Graphic][8] Description of tests: ACBE was done according to standard protocols. Before ACBE, patients were given bisacodyl tablets and a suppository. After infusion of high density barium and distension of the colon with room air, spot films were taken of all specific colon … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DLancet%26rft.stitle%253DLancet%26rft.aulast%253DRockey%26rft.auinit1%253DD.%2BC.%26rft.volume%253D365%26rft.issue%253D9456%26rft.spage%253D305%26rft.epage%253D311%26rft.atitle%253DAnalysis%2Bof%2Bair%2Bcontrast%2Bbarium%2Benema%252C%2Bcomputed%2Btomographic%2Bcolonography%252C%2Band%2Bcolonoscopy%253A%2Bprospective%2Bcomparison.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252FS0140-6736%252805%252917784-8%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F15664225%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17784-8&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=15664225&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F10%2F4%2F124.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000226449600033&link_type=ISI [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [6]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [7]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif [8]: /embed/inline-graphic-4.gif
Effect of sterilization by gamma radiation on nano-mechanical properties of teeth.

Abstract Objectives Extracted teeth used in dental research need to be considered infective and hence be sterilized without the materials’ properties being altered. This study examined the effect of gamma radiation on the nano-mechanical properties of dentin and enamel of extracted human third molars. Methods Whole teeth were sterilized using gamma radiation doses of 7 kGy and 35 kGy, respectively; teeth of the control group were not treated with gamma radiation. Crowns were sectioned occlusally and polished. Elastic modulus and hardness were tested using atomic force microscopy with nano-indentations under wet conditions. Results The authors found no significant dose–response relationship in elastic modulus or hardness in either dentin or enamel. Significance Nano-indentation is a common technique for the determination of local mechanical properties in biological hard tissues. Gamma radiation is an efficient way to sterilize extracted teeth while alteration of dentin and enamel mechanical properties are minimized.
PT -symmetric optical lattices

The basic properties of Floquet-Bloch (FB) modes in parity-time ($\mathcal{PT}$)-symmetric optical lattices are examined in detail. Due to the parity-time symmetry of such complex periodic potentials, the corresponding FB modes are skewed (nonorthogonal) and nonreciprocal. The conjugate pairs of these FB modes are obtained by reflecting both the spatial coordinate and the Bloch momentum number itself. The orthogonality conditions are analytically derived for a single cell, for both a finite and an infinite lattice. Some of the peculiarities associated with the diffraction dynamics in $\mathcal{PT}$ lattices such as nonreciprocity, power oscillations, and phase dislocations, are also examined.
The influence of students' values and educational attitudes on their evaluation of faculty

The study determined the influence of students' values and educational attitudes on their evaluation of faculty. Sixty-five graduate students completed an evaluation form, a value survey, and an attitude scale at the end of an adult learning theory course. Multiple regression and path analysis showed that (a) educational attitudes and selected values accounted for 27% of the variance in student evaluation of faculty, (b) educational attitudes were responsible for 8% of the variance in student evaluation of faculty, and (c) values per se were not significantly related to student evaluation of faculty. A path model suggested that values influenced student evaluation of faculty through educational attitudes. The findings suggested that students' values and attitudes play a major role in their evaluation of faculty and should be recognized by teachers when interpreting the results of such ratings.
Flux-periodic persistent current in mesoscopic superconducting rings close to T c

We study the function-induced persistent current close to ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in effectively one-dimensional superconducting rings threaded by a magnetic flux \ensuremath{\varphi}. Using a transfer-operator approach to the Ginzburg-Landau theory we calculate the dependences of the persistent current on temperature, flux, and ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$. In agreement with a simple physical argument we find that the temperature dependence of the current amplitude is similar to that of the order-parameter fluctuations 〈\ensuremath{\Vert}\ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Vert}}}^{2}$〉. We discuss the observability of a flux-periodic response below ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in view of the existence of metastable states and phase slips. Our predictions apply to experiments on superconductors whose ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is larger than the correlation energy ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{c}}$.
Hippocampal CA1 neuronal properties in genetically epilepsyprone rats: Evidence for increased excitation

The genetically epilepsy prone rats (GEPRs) are abnormally susceptible to seizures with a variety of treatments and can be used as a model to study generalized seizure predisposition involving the brainstem and forebrain structures. We investigated the basic membrane and synaptic properties of hippocampal CA1 cells in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and GEPRs. Several differences in cellular properties were observed in the GEPRs. These include an increase in membrane input resistance and reduced spike frequency adaptation in the majority of GEPR cells. A decrease in the amount of current required to elicit a 5-mV EPSP was observed in the GEPR. A marked increase in excitability with paired pulse stimulation was also observed in GEPRs both in extracellular population spikes and intracellular EPSPs. Applying bicuculline, a GABAA antagonist, markedly increased paired pulse facilitation of the population spike in SD rats but in GEPRs produced only a minimal effect on facilitation. This difference suggests reduced GABAA-mediated inhibition in GEPR hippocampus with paired pulse stimulation. Several factors could interact or act independently to produce these effects because the epileptic phenotype in GEPRs is regulated by multiple genes.