cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of GABAA receptor antagonism on inspiratory activities in kittens

In anesthetized kittens (<1 to 24 days old), the effects of GABAA receptor antagonism on phrenic, hypoglossal and cervical sympathetic discharges were examined by i.v. bicuculline infusions during hyperoxia and hypoxia. Administration of bicuculline during hyperoxia produced marked increases in the amplitudes of inspiratory nerve discharges. During hypoxic stimulation (10% O2), the amplitudes of inspiratory activities decreased towards or below those observed during hyperoxia; bicuculline reversed this depression and restored inspiratory discharges. Our results indicated that GABAA receptors were functional shortly after birth, acting to mediate influences shaping inspiratory activity during hyperoxic breathing and during conditions of increased chemical drive.
In vitro complement activation favoring soluble C5b-9 complex formation alters myocellular sodium homeostasis

Abstract Background. Deranged Na + homeostasis in skeletal muscle is closely associated with excessive complement activation that is encountered during sepsis. Recent evidence suggests that soluble C5b-9 complexes (SC5b-9), which are readily detected in plasma during sepsis and have long been considered irrelevant nonmembrane binding end products of complement activation, may have numerous biologic effects. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine the effects of SC5b-9 on myocellular ion homeostasis and its mechanism(s) of action. Methods. Hindlimb fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) was freshly isolated from rats weighing 50 to 70 g and then incubated at 30°C for 60 minutes in normal Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB, pH 7.4) containing 10% zymosan-activated rat serum (10 mg/mL at 37°C for 60 minutes) as a source of SC5b-9. Zymosan particles were removed by centrifugation after activation to exclude any noncomplement direct effects. Heat-inactivated rat serum (56°C for 30 minutes) was used as control. EDL muscle was also incubated with pertussis toxin (1 μg/mL), in Ca 2+ -free KHB, with thapsigargin (0.3 or 3 μmol/L), or with ouabain (0.01, 0.1 or 1 μmol/L) before and/or during incubation with 10% zymosan-activated or heat-inactivated rat serum. Intracellular Na + and K + contents ([Na + ] i or [K + ] i ) of EDL muscle were determined by using flame photometry after washing in ice-cold Na + -free Tris-sucrose buffer. SC5b-9 in zymosan-activated human serum was determined by SC5b-9 enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results. SC5b-9 in zymosan-activated human serum significantly increased by 400% as compared with nonactivated, normal human serum. Zymosan-activated rat serum markedly increased [Na+]i without affecting [K + ] i in fast-twitch EDL muscle, which was completely inhibited by pertussis toxin, removal of extracellular Ca 2+ or depletion of intracellular Ca 2+ with thapsigargin. The addition of ouabain (at micromolar concentrations) increased myocellular [Na + ] i and decreased myocellular [K + ] i in both the zymosan-activated and the heat-inactivated rat serum groups. The effects of ouabain on myocellular [Na + ] i and [K + ] i were equivalent in these 2 groups. Zymosan-activated and heat-inactivated rat serum had similar effects on myocellular [K + ] i in the presence or absence of pertussis toxin, removal of extracellular Ca 2+ or depletion of intracellular Ca 2+ . Conclusions. Zymosan-activated rat serum (presumed SC5b-9 enriched) selectively alters Na + homeostasis in isolated fast-twitch skeletal muscle. The mechanisms for such effects may be linked to G-proteins, Ca 2+ flux and Na + ,K + -adenosine triphosphatase pump binding site blockade. (Surgery 2001;129:209-19.)
Multiple sclerosis: why ?

Abstract Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating condition of the nervous system. Its etiology is obscure. Something in the environment strikes a susceptible host. Somehow the immune system produces central nervous system lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging scans show far greater “lesion” formation in the brain than was expected from clinical exacerbations. White blood cell changes suggest the disease is not entirely localized to the CNS. Some immunomodulatory treatments temporarily slow the rate of deterioration.
A photoluminiscent Ge-containing conjugated macrocycle

The selective synthesis of a photoluminiscent macrocycle containing germanium atoms in conjugation with two aromatic segments has been accomplished by ruthenium-based olefin metathesis. The macrocycle shows blue emission with 40% quantum efficiency. The optical properties are interpreted with the help of theoretical DFT calculations using B3LYP/6-31G** and B3LYP/Lanl2dz with a remarkable match between the measured and the calculated absorption characteristics.
A disorder-to-order transition coupled to DNA binding in the essential zinc-finger DNA-binding domain of yeast ADR1.

The motional dynamics and solvent-exchange behavior of free and DNA-bound forms of the minimal zinc-finger DNA-binding domain of the yeast transcription factor ADR1 (ADR1-DBD) are investigated using NMR. The parameters measured include the 1 H- 15 N heteronuclear NOE, 15 N and 1 H T 1 relaxation rates, 15 N T 2 relaxation rates, and solvent-exchange rates. The spin relaxation parameters, spectral density maps, and solvent-exchange behavior show that, exclusive of the N and C termini, three distinct regions of free ADR1-DBD exhibit different motions on multiple timescales. The N-terminal proximal, or accessory, region appears to be unstructured and highly flexible: it exhibits large amplitude motions on a picosecond timescale, little or no protection from solvent exchange, and random-coil proton chemical shifts. The two zinc fingers tumble anisotropically as folded domains, with the tumbling of the individual fingers being only partly correlated to each other, and are modestly protected from solvent exchange except near the tips of the fingers and in the linker joining them. Free ADR1-DBD exhibits exchange broadening around P97 in the proximal region, at the tip of finger 1, and throughout finger 2. Upon binding, most of the proximal region and both zinc fingers tumble as a single domain and exhibit significantly reduced picosecond timescale motions. This region becomes more protected from solvent exchange. The bound portion of the proximal region is proposed to lie exposed on the surface of the DNA. Exchange broadening remains around P97 but also becomes evident for residues in direct contact with the DNA and in the linker. We conclude that the region of ADR1-DBD essential for high-affinity binding undergoes a disorder-to-order transition upon binding to its cognate DNA and, together with the zinc fingers, forms a cohesive molecular complex with the nucleic acid.
The excursion and deformation of repaired flexor tendons treated with protected early motion

A canine flexor tendon repair model was used to study the magnitude of early tendon excursion, the consistency of tendon gliding, and the amount of repair site elongation when protected early motion techniques were used. Tendon excursion of 3.8 ± 1.1 mm was maintained with limited passive flexion and extension movements on a consistent basis throughout the first 14 days. There was no significant repair site deformation in 11 of 12 tendons and little variation in the range of tendon gliding during this period.
Functional and structural amygdala - anterior cingulate connectivity correlates with attentional bias to masked fearful faces.

An attentional bias to threat has been causally related to anxiety. Recent research has linked nonconscious attentional bias to threat with variability in the integrity of the amygdala e anterior cingulate pathway, which sheds light on the neuroanatomical basis for a behavioral precursor to anxiety. However, the extent to which structural variability in amygdala e anterior cingulate integrity relates to the functional connectivity within this pathway and how such functional connectivity may relate to attention bias behavior, remain critical missing pieces of the puzzle. In 15 individuals we measured the structural integrity of the amygdala e prefrontal pathway with diffusion tensor-weighted MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), amygdala-seeded intrinsic functional connectivity to the anterior cingulate, and attentional bias toward backward masked fearful faces with a dotprobe task. We found that greater biases in attention to threat predicted greater levels of uncinate fasciculus integrity, greater positive amygdala e anterior cingulate functional connectivity, and greater amygdala coupling with a broader social perception network including the superior temporal sulcus, tempoparietal junction (TPJ), and somatosensory cortex. Additionally, greater levels of uncinate fasciculus integrity correlated with greater levels of amygdala e anterior cingulate intrinsic functional connectivity. Thus, high bias individuals displayed a heightened degree of amygdala e anterior cingulate connectivity during basal conditions, which we believe predisposes these individuals to focus their attention on signals of threat within their environment. a 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
A dam-breach erosion model: II. Application

In Part I, the earthen dam breach erosion was analyzed. To this end, the BEED (breach erosion of earthfill dams) model was modified and extended. In this paper, Part II of the series, the extended BEED model is applied to three historical cases: South Fork Dam, Buffalo Creek Dam, and Teton Dam. The testing before it can be used for forecast purposes. A sensitivity analysis of the model to its parameters shows that the model is very sensitive to friction factors; Chenzy's for breach erosion, and Manning's for flood routing.
Introduction: Interdisciplinary Teamwork in Long-Term Care Settings

It is well-known that interdisciplinary teamwork yields positive health outcomes for older adults, and that this appears to be particularly true for frail older adults with significant functional i...
Sedimentology of Mississippian Price Delta in Southeastern West Virginia: ABSTRACT

The Price (Pocono) delta in southeastern West Virginia is the final westward prograding sequence of the Acadian clastic wedge. A 256-m section exposed near Caldwell provides an excellent reference section. The Price delta was composed of a subaqueous delta platform rimmed by shoreface sands. Protected from marine processes on the platform, distributary channel and mouth-bar systems in a shoal-water deltaic complex built rapidly westward into the foreland basin waters approximately 100 m deep. The Appalachian basin was oxygen-deficient during Early Mississippian (Kinderhookian) time. Dark, Sunbury-type silt-shale lithosomes recur in the stratigraphic sequence and mark transgressive periods of decreasing clastic influx and an increased rate of basin subsidence, which brought dysaerobic prodeltaic facies onto the delta slope and front. Prodeltaic facies contain phosphate pebbles in commonly laminated, dark silt-shales. At the toe of slope, turbidites in BC and BCE sequences occur. Distal tempestites occur on the upper delta slope. Fine-grained sands on the shoreface delta front contain siderite/quartz pebble pavements from storm events. The delta platform edge is marked by a sandbar system. Back-bar sheet sands on the delta platform contain an abundant fauna in shelly lags. The inner platform contains flaser bedded, dark shales, silts and fine-grained sands in interdistributary bays, mouth bars, low-energy beaches, and mud flats. Distributary channels on the delta plain contain mud/coal clast and siderite pebble conglomerates and coaly stringers in large-scale, trough cross-bedded, medium-grained sands. Maccrady red beds of the coastal plain cap the deltaic sequence. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1433------------
Climate monitoring using an AVHRR-based vegetation index

Abstract A normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) has been produced and archived on a 1° latitude by 1° longitude grid between 55° S and 75° N. There are many sources of data errors in the NDVI including cloud contamination, scan angle biases, changes in solar zenith angle, and sensor degradation. Week-to-week variability is primarily caused by cloud contamination and scan angle biases and can be minimized by temporally filtering the data. Orbital drift and sensor degradation introduces interannual variability into the dataset. These trends make the usefulness of a long-term climatology uncertain and limit the usefulness of the NDVI. Elimination of these problems should produce an index that can be used for climate monitoring.
Influence of nocturnal low-level jet on turbulence structure and CO2 flux measurements over a forest canopy

[1] The present study analyzes features of nocturnal low-level jets observed at the Florida AmeriFlux site and their influence on CO2 flux measurements over a tall forest canopy. At that location, two categories of nocturnal flow are commonly observed, one with a strong low-level jet throughout the night and the other without. Jets of diverse speed and height are observed during nearly 70% of the nocturnal periods over a 3-month campaign, of which almost 50% are strong jets with speed higher than 10 m s−1 and height in the range 200–400 m. Strong jet activity contributes to weak atmospheric stabilities with gradient Richardson numbers lower than 0.2 and higher friction velocities (0.2 to 0.6 m s−1) attributed to enhanced canopy turbulence. The canopy shear length scale exhibits a linear relationship with jet shear. Jet periods also show dominant downward transport of turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent CO2 fluxes in the range 2 to 8 μmol m−2 s−1. The difference between the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) at two levels above the canopy adds on average, flux contribution of 1.25 μmol m−2 s−1 (18% of the average NEE at z = 1.4h, h is the canopy height) to CO2 exchange during periods characterized by strong jets. A comparison of CO2 and wind velocity Fourier spectra and cospectra between periods with dissimilar jet activity shows larger low-frequency spectral contributions in the strong jet case, supporting the possibility of variance and flux contributions at scales comparable to the jet height.
Regeneration of the Amputated Amphibian Limb: Retardation by Hemicholinium-3

Doses of hemicholinium-3 which partially paralyze the larval salamander profoundly retarded regeneration of the amputated hind limb. The drug also reduced the vascularity and mitotic index of the regenerating tissue. After withdrawal of the drug the rate of regeneration returned to normal. Atropine, in a daily dose of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, did not retard growth. These findings suggest that in the salamander acetylcholine may mediate neurotrophic activity.
Reflection of electromagnetic waves from oscillating surfaces

The problem of reflection of electromagnetic waves from oscillating surfaces is discussed. Using the induction theorem, the interface is replaced by equivalent current sources that radiate into an unbounded medium. Spatial movement is ascribed to these sources to account for oscillations of the surface. The general solution for the far-field due to any arbitrary surface motion is developed. A few deterministic and random functions for surface motion are considered. Most of the initial discussion pertains to normal reflection from planar surfaces, but the solution is also obtained for arbitrary incidence and for an oscillating cylinder.
Organizational Learning at the Marketing/Entrepreneurship Interface

The intent of this special issue is to examine the interface of marketing and entrepreneurship. In the franchise contracts paper by Cochet and Garg and in the Chinese small firm paper by Li, Tan, Z...
Nitric and Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Soil Nitrate Distribution in a Center-Pivot-Irrigated Cornfield

Research on soil N loss mechanisms remains a high priority not only because of the need to increase agricultural N use efficiency, but also because of environmental concerns such as NO{sub 3}{sup -} contamination of groundwater and increasing N oxide concentrations in the atmosphere. We measured NO and N{sub 2}O emissions and downward movement of NO{sub 3}{sup -} in an eastern Colorado corn (Zea mays L.) field irrigated with a modified center-pivot system that applied water to alternate furrows. One hour after infiltration of the irrigation water, emission rates measured by an enclosure method ranged from 0 to 6 g N ha{sup -1} d{sup -1}for NO and 0 to 26 g N ha{sup -1} d{sup -1} for N{sub 2}O. The emission rates wine largest after the first irrigation and much smaller following subsequent irrigations. Greater N oxide evolution from nonirrigated furrows than adjacent irrigated furrows probably resulted from lateral transport of gases produced in the wet soil. Analyses of soil cores taken after planting and after harvest provided no evidence that NO{sub 3}{sup -} moved below the root zone during the growing season, despite the presence of substantially more inorganic N than required for maximum corn yield. These data suggestmore » that when the size and frequency of irrigations are efficiently managed, use of a low energy precision application (LEPA) irrigation system results in no loss to groundwater and no economically significant gaseous N oxide loss to the atmosphere. 23 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Curriculum reconstruction in post-colonial Africa: A review of the literature

Abstract In post-colonial Africa, curriculum reconstruction has emerged as perhaps the most politically contested aspect of educational change on the one hand and at the same time represents an accumulating legacy of failure on the other. Despite the continuing saliency of the curriculum debate in Africa, our initial review of the literature suggested a need for an overview of curriculum reconstruction since African independence on a continental-wide basis, and to examine the lessons suggested for future attempts at curriculum change. The more specific objectives of this paper is to: 1. 1. Provide a comprehensive bibliography on curriculum change in Africa in the past 25 years. 2. 2. Identify major trends in curriculum innovation which characterize efforts at educational reconstruction since independence. 3. 3. Review the salient themes which engaged and continues to foster curriculum debate and controversy in independent Africa. 4. 4. Examine alternative explanations for curriculum failure throughout the continent. 5. 5. Draw critical implications from this survey study for curriculum policy in a post-apartheid dispensation. Our most significant and more general conclusions suggest that curriculum failure has resulted largely from an inadequate consideration of both technical/practical as well as critical/political contingencies which have an impact on curriculum; that the dearth of indigenous curriculum models severely limits relevant and effective change; and that an important component of any future attempts at curriculum reform must exploit the accumulated evidence and experience derived from 25 years of educational reconstruction in Africa.
Quality of life in 1931 adult patients with epilepsy: seizures do not tell the whole story.

Abstract Objective The aim of the work described here was to characterize quality of life (QOL) and its determinants in a large cohort of adult patients with epilepsy. Methods Validated measures reflecting disease severity and psychosocial functioning were electronically collected on all outpatients seen during 2009. Multivariate regression adjusting for repeated measures identified determinants of QOL, as defined by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Questionnaire-10 (QOLIE-10). Results Seven thousand seven hundred eighty-four visits from patients with epilepsy were identified. The questionnaire completion rate was 77%, yielding 5960 records corresponding to 1931 individual patients for analysis. Following multivariate modeling, the two most clinically significant QOL predictors were seizure severity (mean QOLIE-10 score = 28.8 if LSSS > 40 vs 19.2 otherwise) and depression (mean QOLIE-10 score = 31.7 if PHQ-9 ≥ 10 vs 19.3 otherwise). Conclusions Optimizing quality of life in patients with epilepsy requires an approach that extends beyond controlling seizures. Collection of validated health status measures improving patient management is possible within the setting of routine clinical care.
Rest and redistribution thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy to predict improvement in left ventricular function after coronary arterial bypass grafting

To examine the value of rest and redistribution thallium-201 imaging in predicting improvement in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 26 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and abnormal LV function were studied. Nineteen patients had pathologic Q waves preoperatively. Rest and redistribution thallium-201 images and radionuclide ventriculograms were obtained before and after CABG, and the thallium scintigrams were evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively. The patients were divided according to the preoperative thallium scintigrams into 2 groups: Group I (16 patients) had either normal resting thallium-201 images or reversible resting perfusion defects, and Group II (10 patients) had fixed resting perfusion defects. The resting EF was less than 50% preoperatively in all patients. Fourteen patients (54%) showed improvement in EF postoperatively. Three patients (2 in Group I and 1 in Group II) showed new postoperative perfusion defects, and none of the 3 showed improvement in LV function. Of the remaining 14 patients in Group I, 12 (86%) showed improvement in LV function, compared with 2 of 9 patients in Group II (p less than 0.01). Improvement in LV function was observed in 8 of the 19 patients (42%) with abnormal Q waves. Nitroglycerin intervention radionuclide ventriculograms were obtained in 20 patients before CABG. Of the 6 patients who showed improvement in LV function with nitroglycerin, 4 also showed improvement postoperatively. Postoperative improvement in LV function was also observed in 6 of the 14 patients who did not improve with nitroglycerin. Thus, rest and redistribution thallium imaging is useful in identifying patients whose LV function will improve after CABG. Normal rest thallium-201 images or reversible resting defects correctly identified 12 of 14 patients (86%) who showed improvement in LV function postoperatively. Nitroglycerin-intervention ventriculography and abnormal Q waves were less useful in this differentiation.
Psychiatric Deinstitutionalization: A Sociocultural Analysis.

This paper analyzes deinstitutionalization and community treatment of psychiatric patients from a sociocultural perspective, discusses the social values and processes of the movement, and presents an overview of the experience of patients in the community. It argues that, in sociocultural terms, deinstitutionalization of the most needy patients has failed. Economic, clinical, and social hypotheses about why these failures have occurred are presented. The analysis suggests that deinstitutionalization has failed in large part because it did not address the sociocultural reasons for institutionalization.
In vivo effects of recombinant humant interleukin 6, alone or in combination with local irradiation, on turnor growth in lewis carcinoma-bearing mice

Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)-bearing mice were used as a mouse model to evaluate effects of recombinant human (rh) interleukin (IL) 6 and local X-irradiation (LR) on the growth of primary tumors and lung metastases. Mice were inoculated S.C. With LLC tumor cells and then treated with rhIL-6 (100 ng/dose) s.c. Twice a day (b.i.d.) for 5 days, beginning 6 days after tumor inoculation. LR (800 cGy) was administered to the site of the primary tumor 6 days after tumor inoculation and again 1 wk later. Mice were then observed for survival or sacrificed at day 21 after tumor inoculation to determine size of primary tumor, numbers and size of lung metastases, and other hematological parameters including numbers of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-gm). The size of the primary tumor and numbers of lung metastases were reduced by rhIL-6. LR enhanced the antitumor effect of rhIL-6 significantly, while LR alone had only a slight antitumor effect. Tumor-associated increases in peripheral blood, femoral marrow, splenic-nucleated cellularity, and marrow and splenic CFU-gm were reduced in mice treated with rhIL-6 plus LR. Prolonged survival time was observed only in tumor-bearing mice treated with rhIL-6 in combination with LR. The antitumor effects in vivo of rhIL-6 appear to be mediated indirectly as rhIL-6 had no effect on proliferation of LLC cells in vitro as assessed by colony and 3H-thymidine incorporation assays. These studies suggest that rhIL- 6 may have therapeutic value in the treatment of certain malignancies, especially if used in combination with LR.
Comparing laser-based open- and closed-path gas analyzers to measure methane fluxes using the eddy covariance method

Abstract Closed- and open-path methane gas analyzers are used in eddy covariance systems to compare three potential methane emitting ecosystems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (CA, USA): a rice field, a peatland pasture and a restored wetland. The study points out similarities and differences of the systems in field experiments and data processing. The closed-path system, despite a less intrusive placement with the sonic anemometer, required more care and power. In contrast, the open-path system appears more versatile for a remote and unattended experimental site. Overall, the two systems have comparable minimum detectable limits, but synchronization between wind speed and methane data, air density corrections and spectral losses have different impacts on the computed flux covariances. For the closed-path analyzer, air density effects are less important, but the synchronization and spectral losses may represent a problem when fluxes are small or when an undersized pump is used. For the open-path analyzer air density corrections are greater, due to spectroscopy effects and the classic Webb–Pearman–Leuning correction. Comparison between the 30-min fluxes reveals good agreement in terms of magnitudes between open-path and closed-path flux systems. However, the scatter is large, as consequence of the intensive data processing which both systems require.
Iatrogenic keratoconus as a complication of radial keratotomy

A 47-year-old man with a family history of keratoconus had uneventful bilateral radial keratotomy (RK) with astigmatic keratotomy (AK) enhancements 12 years earlier. He noticed a gradual onset of blurry vision with progressively increasing myopic shift. Visual acuity remained poor even with spectacles or soft contact lenses. Slitlamp examination revealed 16 well-healed RK scars and 2 AK scars with marked corneal steepening inferiorly in an area of astigmatic enhancement in the left eye but an otherwise normal fellow eye with 16 well-healed RK scars. He subsequently had penetrating keratoplasty for decreased vision not correctable by rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. Microscopic examination of the corneal button showed findings consistent with keratoconus. This case represents the first documented incidence of corneal ectasia as a complication of primary RK.
Addictive agents and intracranial stimulation:Daily amphetamine and hypothalamic self-stimulation

Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fixed with a chronically indwelling electrode for intracranial stimulation (ICS) of the lateral hypothalamus. Subsequently, rats pressed daily for four intensities of ICS, 2 min at each intensity. Subsequent to establishment of baseline pressing rates, rats were administered doses of amphetamine of 0,.5, or 4 mg/kg for 26 days. Opportunities to press for ICS were given.5 and 23 h after injections. Following days of injections, there were further tests spanning 12 days. Initially, during the tests.5 h after injections, the smaller dose of amphetamine slightly increased pressing over baseline and pressing of rats of 0 mg/kg. Across days of injections the shift in pressing under the smaller dose was stable. Initially, the larger doses decreased pressing.5 h after injections; however, across days of injections pressing increased to near baseline levels though never exceeding them. There were no discernible effects on pressing with tests 23 h after injections. Following the 26-day regimen of injections and testing, all press rates were at baseline levels.
Laser mass spectrometry of polydeoxyribothymidylic acid mixtures

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry has been used to mass analyze synthetic oligomers of poly-T ranging in size from 20 to 100 nucleotides. Both positively- and negatively-charged parent molecular ions were observed.
Expression of human proteoglycan in Chinese hamster ovary cells inhibits cell proliferation.

In studying the functional role of an extracellular matrix proteo-glycan, decorin, we have made observations that suggest a role for this proteoglycan in the control of cell proliferation. Extracellular matrices are made up of different combinations of collagens, elastin, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans and various glycoproteins such as fibronectin. Most of these components can interact with cells, and much of the control of cell adhesion, migration and differentiation appears to be mediated by these interactions1. Earlier studies have also attributed growth-regulatory activities to intact extracellular matrices2, but the individual molecules responsible for these effects have not been characterized. We report here that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines expressing human decorin3–9 from a stably transfected complementary DNA construct form a more orderly monolayer and grow to a lower saturation density than control cells lacking decorin. The extent of the morphological changes correlates with the level of decorin expression, and the saturation density is inversely proportional to it. The reduction in the saturation densities of the cell lines with the highest expression of decorin is more than 50%. These results reveal a novel growth inhibitory mechanism which may be related to contact inhibition of cell proliferation.
Near-infrared surface-enhanced Raman scattering of trinitrotoluene on colloidal gold and silver

Abstract We report surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from trinitrotoluene (TNT) adsorbed on colloidal silver and gold in aqueous solutions. Spectra were measured with a fiber optic probe using a diode laser at 830 nm as the excitation source and a charge-coupled device (CCD) as the detection system. Different types of surface-enhanced Raman spectra and enhancement factors have been observed on these metals, indicating differences in adsorption of TNT on gold and silver. Spectra were measured down to 10 −7 M TNT in colloidal gold solution, corresponding to a sensitivity of less than 1 pg TNT. Our results demonstrate the potential of SERS for probing TNT with high sensitivity and specificity, and suggest SERS on colloidal gold as a powerful method for detection of TNT and similar species at ultratrace levels.
The impact of inducing germination of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus thuringiensis spores on potential secondary decontamination strategies

Aims Decontamination and remediation of a site contaminated by the accidental or intentional release of fully virulent Bacillus anthracis spores are difficult, costly and potentially damaging to the environment. Development of novel decontamination strategies that have minimal environmental impacts remains a high priority. Although ungerminated spores are amongst the most resilient organisms known, once exposed to germinants, the germinating spores, in some cases, become susceptible to antimicrobial environments. We evaluated the concept that once germinated, B. anthracis spores would be less hazardous and significantly easier to remediate than ungerminated dormant spores. Methods and Results Through in vitro germination and sensitivity assays, we demonstrated that upon germination, B. anthracis Ames spores and Bacillus thuringiensis Al Hakam spores (serving as a surrogate for B. anthracis) become susceptible to environmental stressors. The majority of these germinated B. anthracis and B. thuringiensis spores were nonviable after exposure to a defined minimal germination-inducing solution for prolonged periods of time. Additionally, we examined the impact of potential secondary disinfectant strategies including bleach, hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde and artificial UV-A, UV-B and UV-C radiation, employed after a 60-min germination-induction step. Each secondary disinfectant employs a unique mechanism of killing; as a result, germination-induction strategies are better suited for some secondary disinfectants than others. Conclusions These results provide evidence that the deployment of an optimal combination strategy of germination-induction/secondary disinfection may be a promising aspect of wide-area decontamination following a B. anthracis contamination event. Significance and Impact of the Study By inducing spores to germinate, our data confirm that the resulting cells exhibit sensitivities that can be leveraged when paired with certain decontamination measures. This increased susceptibility could be exploited to devise more efficient and safe decontamination measures and may obviate the need for more stringent methods that are currently in place.
Overexpresson of RIIβ, Regulatory Subunit of Protein Kinase A in Human Colon Carcinoma Cell Induces Growth Arrest and Phenotypic Changes that are Abolished by Site‐Directed Mutation of RIIβ

LS-174T human colon carcinoma cells that contain approximately equal amounts of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) isozymes, PKA-I and PKA-II, were infected with retroviral vectors coding for regulatory (R) and catalytic (C) subunits of human PKA. In cells overexpressing RIIα, RIIβ, and RIIβ-P (a RIIβ, mutant at the autophosphorylation site), PKA-II levels increased whilc PKA-I levels decreased. PKA-I was almost completely eliminated in cells over expressing RIIβ or RIIβ-P. In contrast, over expression of either RIα, or Cα had little or no effect on PKA isozyme levels. Although all infectants expressed high levels of PKA subunit mRNAs in accordance with gene introduction, the R subunit protein expression was reflected in PKA isozyme levels rather than in subunit mRNA levels. Only RIIβ infectants demonstrated marked growth inhibition in monolayer culture, reduced thymidine incorporation into DNA, and inability to grow in semisolid medium or in serum-free medium. Conversely, all other infectants displayed growth properties similar to uninfected parental cells. The growth-retardation properties of RIT, infetants were reflected in their altered phenotypic appearances. Our findings that the mutant RIIβ P could not mimic the growth-inhibitory effect of RIIβ P suggest the functional importance of the autophosphurylation site in RIIβ, Our results suggest a role for RIIβ in the suppression of neoplastic cell growth, and thus abnormal expression of R subunit isoforms of PKA may be involved in neoplastic transformation.
General theory of feedback control of a nuclear spin ensemble in quantum dots

We present a microscopic theory of the nonequilibrium nuclear spin dynamics driven by the electron and/or hole under continuous-wave pumping in a quantum dot. We show the correlated dynamics of the nuclear spin ensemble and the electron and/or hole under optical excitation as a quantum feedback loop and investigate the dynamics of the many nuclear spins as a nonlinear collective motion. This gives rise to three observable effects: (i) hysteresis, (ii) locking (avoidance) of the pump absorption strength to (from) the natural resonance, and (iii) suppression (amplification) of the fluctuation of weakly polarized nuclear spins, leading to prolonged (shortened) electron-spin coherence time. A single nonlinear feedback function is constructed which determines the different outcomes of the three effects listed above depending on the feedback being negative or positive. The general theory also helps to put in perspective the wide range of existing theories on the problem of a single electron spin in a nuclear spin bath. © 2013 American Physical Society.
Inverse-Imaging Method for Detection of a Vortex in a Channel

A simple vortex-imaging algorithm using a least-square method is considered. The position and the circulation of a vortex convected in a channel are identie ed from the time history of pressure at a limited number of points on the wall. The capabilities of the algorithm are demonstrated using two-dimensional direct numerical simulations. A few observer points on one side of the wall are sufe cient to detect the position and the circulation of a compact vortex to a reasonable degree of accuracy. An advanced algorithm can even detect two nearby vortices to the same degree of accuracy. Because the algorithm assumes a point vortex solution, the accuracy of the detection deteriorates as the vorticity distribution spreads.
Predicting Drug–Drug Interactions Involving Multiple Mechanisms Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling: A Case Study With Ruxolitinib

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling was applied to characterize the potential drug-drug interactions for ruxolitinib. A ruxolitinib physiologically based pharmacokinetic model was constructed using all baseline PK data in healthy subjects, and verified by retrospective predictions of observed drug-drug interactions with rifampin (a potent CYP3A4 inducer), ketoconazole (a potent CYP3A4 reversible inhibitor) and erythromycin (a moderate time-dependent inhibitor of CYP3A4). The model prospectively predicts that 100-200 mg daily dose of fluconazole, a dual inhibitor of CYP3A4 and 2C9, would increase ruxolitinib plasma concentration area under the curve by ∼two-fold, and that as a perpetrator, ruxolitinib is highly unlikely to have any discernible effect on digoxin, a sensitive P-glycoprotein substrate. The analysis described here illustrates the capability of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling to predict drug-drug interactions involving several commonly encountered interaction mechanisms and makes the case for routine use of model-based prediction for clinical drug-drug interactions. A model verification checklist was explored to harmonize the methodology and use of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling.
Coronary heart disease prevalence and occupational structure in U.S. metropolitan areas: A multilevel analysis

This research explored the link between coronary heart disease (CHD) prevalence and metropolitan-area level occupational structure among 137 metropolitan/micropolitan statistical areas (MMSA) in the United States. Using data from the 2006-2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and 2007 County Business Patterns, logistic mixed models were developed to estimate CHD prevalence between MMSAs controlling for individual-level socioeconomic characteristics and various types of occupational structure. Results showed that CHD prevalence was lower in MMSAs where their economy was dominated by 'tourism and resort' and 'the quaternary sector' and higher in MMSAs dominated by 'manufacturing', 'transportation and warehousing', and 'mining'. MMSA-level effects on CHD were found in 'tourism and resort' and 'the quaternary sector' having lower risk and 'mining' having higher risk of CHD. Although these effects prevailed in many MMSAs, some MMSAs did not fit into these effects. Additional analysis indicated a possible link between metropolitan population loss and higher CHD prevalence especially in the coal mining region of the Appalachian Mountains.
A smooth truncation for polarizable water

Abstract A systematic approach to smoothly truncating the Coulomb interaction in systems containing polarizable centers is presented and applied to the revised POL1 model of water the truncation leads to energy conserving trajectories without severly distorting the properties of the original model. Equilibrium properties and the diffusion constant are reported for the truncated POL1 model.
Immunochemical studies of hemoglobin and the role of the sulfihydryl groups

Abstract Rabbit antibody was prepared to a derivative of human hemoglobin A 0 in which the two reactive sulfhydryl groups were substituted with N -ethylmaleimide. This antibody reacted completely with hemoglobins A 0 , A 1 , S 0 and a disubstituted parahydroxymercuribenzoate derivative of A 0 , suggesting that these sulfhydryl groups are in an immunogenically. silent region. Hemoglobins F 0 and A 2 and derivatives of A 0 with increasing amounts of parahydroxymercuribenzoate cross reacted with the antiserum. Globin, α-chains, and β-chains gave little reaction.
A Randomized Response Model for Privacy Preserving Smart Metering

The adoption of smart meters may bring new privacy concerns to the general public. Given the fact that metering data of individual homes/factories is accumulated every 15 min, it is possible to infer the pattern of electricity consumption of individual users. In order to protect the privacy of users in a completely de-centralized setting (i.e., individuals do not communicate with one another), we propose a novel protocol, which allows individual meters to report the true electricity consumption reading with a pre-determined probability. Load serving entities (LSE) can reconstruct the total electricity consumption of a region or a district through inference algorithm, but their ability of identifying individual users' energy consumption pattern is significantly reduced. Using simulated data, we verify the feasibility of the proposed method and demonstrate performance advantages over existing approaches.
Crab : snail size-structured interactions and salt marsh predation gradients

We studied size-structured predator-prey interactions between blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and marsh periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata) with a combination of field studies, laboratory experiments and individual-based modeling. Size distributions of Littoraria differed among years at the same sites in a salt marsh and could largely be explained by dominance of strong cohorts in the population. At a given site, abundance increased with elevation above tidal datum. Size-selective predation by blue crabs does not appear to be an important regulator of snail size distributions but may have a major effect on local abundance. Laboratory studies indicated that predator-prey interactions between Callinectes and Littoraria are strongly size-dependent. Crabs were generally effective at feeding on periwinkles at size ratios greater than approximately 6 (crab width: snail length). At lower size ratios crabs were far less effective at manipulating the snails, which often survived but with damaged shells. An individual-based model which incorporated information about incidence of snail shell scarring (resulting from non-lethal interactions) and snail density, predicted reduced predation rates and smaller average crab size with distance from the low tide refugium for crabs.
Campath-1H induction therapy in African American and Hispanic first renal transplant recipients: 3-year actuarial follow-up.

Background. In a retrospective study of the first 75 primary renal transplant patients given alemtuzumab induction at our center, 20 were African American (27%), 32 were Hispanic (43%), and 23 were non-African American, non-Hispanic (31%). Methods. Alemtuzumab was given intraoperatively and 4 days later (0.3 mg/kg), with planned low-dose maintenance mycophenolate mofetil (500 mg twice daily) and tacrolimus (targeted trough levels of 5 to 7 ng/ml) and no corticosteroid therapy after the first week. Median follow-up among ongoing survivors with a functioning graft was 45 months. Results. Three-year actuarial patient and graft survival rates were 95% and 85% in African Americans, 89% and 78% in Hispanics, and 96% and 96% in non-African Americans, non-Hispanics, respectively (not significant). Bioavailability of tacrolimus was significantly lower among African Americans in comparison with the other patient subgroups (P≤.002). While the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection was 20% (4/20) in African Americans, 19% (6/32) in Hispanics, and 13% (3/23) in non-African American, non-Hispanic (not significant), chronic allograft dysfunction occurred more frequently among African Americans (10/20) in comparison with Hispanics (8/32) and non-African American, non-Hispanics (8/23) (P=0.08, log-rank test). In addition, there was a trend at 6 and 12 months posttransplant for the mean serum creatinine to be less favorable among African American patients (P=0.08 and 0.07). No group had increased infection or malignancy. Conclusions. This immunosuppressive protocol appears reasonably safe for 3 years after renal transplantation but suggests higher incidences of biopsy-proven acute rejection, chronic allograft dysfunction, and borderline poorer renal function among African Americans in comparison with the other patient subgroups.
Qualitative evaluation of a mobile phone and web-based collaborative care intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Background: Drawing on previous web-based diabetes management programs based on the Chronic Care Model, we expanded an intervention to include care management through mobile phones and a game console web browser. Methods: The pilot intervention enrolled eight diabetes patients from the University of Washington in Seattle into a collaborative care program: connecting them to a care provider specializing in diabetes, providing access to their full electronic medical record, allowing wireless glucose uploads and e-mail with providers, and connecting them to the program's web services through a game system. To evaluate the study, we conducted qualitative thematic analysis of semistructured interviews. Results: Participants expressed frustrations with using the cell phones and the game system in their everyday lives, but liked the wireless system for collaborating with a provider on uploaded glucoses and receiving automatic feedback on their blood sugar trends. A majority of participants also expresse...
Characterization of fourteen strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: structural analyses and serum reactivities.

Summary Resistance to normal human serum (NHS) killing in Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been associated with particular types of Protein I (PI) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but many exceptions exist, and the role of these structures in determining serum reactivities remains controversial. In reality, the response of the gonococcus to NHS is probably governed by several parameters involving a number of outer-membrane (OM) components. We surveyed the serum reactivities of 14 strains of N. gonorrhoeae and characterized each of their major OM components. The strains presented a spectrum of sensitivity to pooled NHS. As assessed by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and peptide mapping, the strains were also quite heterogeneous in terms of PI, H.8 antigen, and LPS type, and the presence of the 2-1-L8 epitope. Five of the strains had identical PIAs in varying LPS and H.8 backgrounds, and four had Identical PIBs in varying LPS and H.8 backgrounds. As assessed by electrophoretic migration and monoclonal antibody binding. Protein III and the 44000 Dalton protein were identical in these strains. We found no association between PI subclass and serum sensitivity, while H.8 and LPS variation appeared to be related to bactericidal responses. The diversity and close interaction of gonococcal components in the OM are undoubtedly involved in differential abilities to survive NHS killing.