cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional CNS densities of serotonin and dopamine receptors in high alcohol-drinking (HAD) and low alcohol-drinking (LAD) rats

The densities of subtypes of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) receptors were determined in the CNS of male alcohol-naive HAD and LAD lines of rats. Autoradiographic studies were undertaken to measure the densities of (a) 5-HT1A sites labelled with 2 nM [3H]8-OH DPAT, (b) 5-HT2A sites labelled with 2 nM [3H] ketanserin, (c) D1 sites labelled with 1 nM [3H]SCH23390, and (d) D2 sites labelled with 20 nM [3H]sulpiride. Membrane binding, using tissue combined from the olfactory bulb, olfactory tubercle, and nucleus accumbens, was carried out to determine Kd and Bmax values for the binding of 0.25-8.0 nM [3H]7-OH DPAT to D3 sites. Among the 14 regions measured for densities of 5-HT1A sites, no interline differences were found in the cerebral cortical regions or in the septal nuclei; however, within the hippocampus, 15-20% lower binding of [3H]8-OH DPAT was observed in the posterior dorsal CA3 and dentate gyrus of the HAD line. There were no interline differences in any of the 10 regions examined for [3H]ketanserin binding to 5-HT2A sites, or in the densities of D1 and D2 sites in the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal DA systems, except for a 35% higher density of D2 sites in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the HAD line. There were no interline differences in the Kd or Bmax values for [3H]7-OH DPAT binding to D3 sites. Overall, these results indicate that no marked interline differences are evident in the densities of 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, D1, D2, and D3 receptors within the mesolimbic system that could be associated with the disparate alcohol drinking behaviors of the HAD and LAD rats.
Economic development and threats to national parks: a preliminary analysis

This paper examined the relationship between economic development and threats to national parks. Many Authors have suggested that the type and intensity of threats to parks may be influenced by the socio-economic characteristics of the region where the park is located. This idea was tested, using a stratified sample (N=135) of the world's national parks, with data derived from a survey of park managers.
The Importance of Considering all Attributes of Memory in Behavioral Endophenotyping of Mouse Models of Genetic Disease

In order to overcome difficulties in evaluating cognitive function in mouse models of genetic disorders, it is critical to take into account the background strain of the mouse and reported phenotypes in the clinical population being studied. Recent studies have evaluated cognitive function across a number of background strains and found that spatial memory assayed by the water maze and contextual fear conditioning often does not provide optimal results. The logical extension to these results is to emphasize not only spatial, but all attributes or domains of memory function in behavioral phenotyping experiments. A careful evaluation of spatial, temporal, sensory/perceptual, affective, response, executive, proto-linguistic, and social behaviors designed to specifically evaluate the cognitive function each mouse model can be performed in a rapid, relatively high throughput manner. Such results would not only provide a more comprehensive snapshot of brain function in mouse disease models than the more common approach that approaches nonspecific spatial memory tasks to evaluate cognition, but also would better model the disorders being studied.
RAP80 targets BRCA1 to specific ubiquitin structures at DNA damage sites.

Mutations affecting the BRCT domains of the breast cancer–associated tumor suppressor BRCA1 disrupt the recruitment of this protein to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The molecular structures at DSBs recognized by BRCA1 are presently unknown. We report the interaction of the BRCA1 BRCT domain with RAP80, a ubiquitin-binding protein. RAP80 targets a complex containing the BRCA1-BARD1 (BRCA1-associated ring domain protein 1) E3 ligase and the deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) BRCC36 to MDC1-γH2AX–dependent lysine6- and lysine63-linked ubiquitin polymers at DSBs. These events are required for cell cycle checkpoint and repair responses to ionizing radiation, implicating ubiquitin chain recognition and turnover in the BRCA1-mediated repair of DSBs.
The c-kit signaling pathway is involved in the development of persistent pain.

Abstract Protein kinase signal transduction pathways play critical roles in regulating nociception. Here we show that c-kit, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is expressed in lamina I and II layer of the dorsal horn. Moreover, the superficial c-kit + fibers originate from the dorsal root ganglion, and c-kit in lamina II inner layer comes from intrinsic expression of the spinal cord. Kit W-v mice, which contain a hypomorphic mutation, exhibited normal acute pain in most pain behavior tests. In the formalin test, the first phase was not affected, whereas the second phase pain response of Kit W-v mice was significantly reduced relative to wild-type littermates. Kit W-v mice also showed abnormal neuropathic pain, notably in the contralateral side of nerve injury. The expression and release of CGRP and substance P were not altered by the c-kit mutation. Together, these results implicate c-kit-mediated signal transduction in the development of persistent pain.
The mesencephalic locomotor region. I. Activation of a medullary projection site

Previous anatomical studies from our laboratories have demonstrated descending projections of the physiologically identified mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) to the medioventral medulla. In the present study, this area was activated electrically and chemically to determine the nature of locomotor events elicited in the precollicular-postmammillary transected cat. Low-amplitude (less than 70 microA), high-frequency (5-60 Hz) stimulation of a specific region in the medioventral medulla elicited controlled episodes of locomotion on a treadmill. Injections of cholinergic agonists into this area also were found to elicit short episodes of locomotion. Injections of cholinergic antagonists were found to block locomotion elicited by: electrical stimulation of the same area; injections of cholinergic agonists; or electrical stimulation of the MLR. Injections of substance P into the medioventral medulla were found to induce locomotion for longer periods of time than injections of cholinergic agonists. These findings demonstrate physiologically that a primary caudal termination site of the MLR is located in the medioventral medulla, and suggest that at least a portion of descending MLR projections employ acetylcholine and substance P as neurotransmitters.
Comments on Sources, Atmospheric Levels, and Characterization of Airborne Particulate Matter

(1995). Comments on Sources, Atmospheric Levels, and Characterization of Airborne Particulate Matter. Inhalation Toxicology: Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 765-768.
IL-32–dependent effects of IL-1β on endothelial cell functions

Increasing evidence demonstrates that interleukin (IL)–32 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, inducing IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–α, and chemokines via nuclear factor (NF)–κB, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and activating protein (AP)-1 activation. Here we report that IL-32 is expressed and is also functional in human vascular endothelial cells (EC) of various origins. Compared with primary blood monocytes, high levels of IL-32 are constitutively produced in human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC), aortic macrovascular EC, and cardiac as well as pulmonary microvascular EC. At concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/ml, IL-1β stimulated IL-32 up to 15-fold over constitutive levels, whereas 10 ng/ml of TNFα or 100 ng/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were required to induce similar quantities of IL-32. IL-1β–induced IL-32 was reduced by inhibition of the IκB kinase-β/NF-κB and ERK pathways. In addition to IL-1β, pro-coagulant concentrations of thrombin or fresh platelets increased IL-32 protein up to 6-fold. IL-1β and thrombin induced an isoform-switch in steady-state mRNA levels from IL-32α/γ to β/e. Adult EC responded in a similar fashion. To prove functionality, we silenced endogenous IL-32 with siRNA, decreasing intracellular IL-32 protein levels by 86%. The knockdown of IL-32 resulted in reduction of constitutive as well as IL-1β–induced intercellular adhesion molecule–1 (ICAM-1) (of 55% and 54%, respectively), IL-1α (of 62% and 43%), IL-6 (of 53% and 43%), and IL-8 (of 46% and 42%). In contrast, the anti-inflammatory/anti-coagulant CD141/thrombomodulin increased markedly when IL-32 was silenced. This study introduces IL-32 as a critical regulator of endothelial function, expanding the properties of this cytokine relevant to coagulation, endothelial inflammation, and atherosclerosis.
Supernumerary inv dup(15) in a patient with Angelman syndrome and a deletion of 15q11–q13

We have studied a patient with Angelman syndrome (AS) and a 47,XY,+inv dup(15) (pter{r_arrow}q11::q11{r_arrow}pter) karyotype. Molecular cytogenetic studies demonstrated that one of the apparently normal 15s was deleted at loci D15S9, GABRB3, and D15S12. There were no additional copies of these loci on the inv dup(15). The inv dup(15) contained only the pericentromeric sequence D15Z1. Quantitative DNA analysis confirmed these findings and documented a standard large deletion of sequences from 15q11-q13, as usually seen in patients with AS. DNA methylation testing at D15S63 showed a deletion of the maternally derived chromosome. AS in this patient can be explained by the absence of DNA sequences from chromosome 15q11-q13 on one of the apparently cytogenetically normal 15s, and not by the presence of an inv dup(15). This is the fourth patient with an inv dup(15) and AS or Prader Willi syndrome, who has been studied at the molecular level. In all cases an additional alteration of chromosome 15 was identified, which was hypothesized to be the cause of the disease. Patients with inv dup(15)s may be at increased risk for other chromosome abnormalities involving 15q11-q13. 29 refs., 3 figs.
Vadose Zone Processes: A Compendium for Teaching Interdisciplinary Modeling

We describe one approach of teaching vadose zone (VZ) processes to non-vadose zone (NVZ) scholars interested in the water and climate change nexus. Our objective is to introduce key models and input parameters, briefly explain the mechanics of solving the problem using the Richards equation approach, and to point out alternative and scale-dependent approaches and solutions. Our goal is to provide enough information such that students gain some familiarity with key terms, have a rudimentary mechanistic understanding, and most importantly, know where to look for more information. We recognize that in some situations a significant amount of complexity is embedded within problem solutions, and we have not attempted to broaden the scope to include every interaction. Rather, we focus on the defining principles of soil-water physics to introduce the VZ to NVZ scholars. We propose the use of water as a lens to allow for an accessible categorization of VZ processes. This in turn will form the foundation for the impact of those models on student learning, experiences and attitudes towards VZ modeling.
Eighty hour work reform: Faculty and resident perceptions

Objective The purpose of the study was to describe resident and faculty perceptions on the impact of the 80 hour work reform on residency training. Study design Surveys were distributed to resident and faculty at a major university-based teaching institution. All responses were anonymous. Information abstracted from the survey included: demographic characteristics and resident and faculty perceptions on resident education, patient care, resident work environment, and quality of life after the institution of new regulations on resident duty hours. Descriptive and comparison analyses were performed. Results Ninety-four residents and 56 faculty members responded. Significant differences were detected in resident and faculty perceptions that work reform improved resident education (52.3% vs 20.8%, respectively, P P Conclusion Faculty and resident perceptions differed on the impact of the work reform on patient care and resident education but agreed that it improved resident quality of life.
2,3,5,6-Tetrakis-(2'-pyridyl)-pyrazine as a colorimetric reagent for iron

The reactivity of the tridentate organic ligand, 2,3,5,6-tetrakis-(2'-pyridyl)-pyrazine, toward hydrogen ion and transition metal ions was investigated. The purple color of the bis-2,3,5,6-tetra-(2'-pyridyl)-pyrazine-iron(II) complex can be used in a colorimetric method for iron(II). The complex in aqueous solution exhibits a wavelength of maximum absorption at 575 mμ and a molar absorptivity of 19,800 in the pH range of 3.0–7.0. Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration range 5.0–100· 10-6M. The perchlorate salt of the complex is extractable into chloroform and nitrobenzene with absorption maxima of 570 mμ and 573 mμ and molar absorptivities of 19,200 and 17,400, respectively. The effects of diverse ions and the results of determinations on selected samples are discussed.
Targeting the transforming growth factor-β signalling pathway in metastatic cancer

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signalling plays a dichotomous role in tumour progression, acting as a tumour suppressor early and as a pro-metastatic pathway in late-stages. There is accumulating evidence that advanced-stage tumours produce excessive levels of TGF-beta, which acts to promote tumour growth, invasion and colonisation of secondary organs. In light of the pro-metastasis function, many strategies are currently being explored to antagonise the TGF-beta pathway as a treatment for metastatic cancers. Strategies such as using large molecule ligand traps, reducing the translational efficiency of TGF-beta ligands using antisense technology, and antagonising TGF-beta receptor I/II kinase function using small molecule inhibitors are the most prominent methods being explored today. Administration of anti-TGF-beta therapies alone, or in combination with immunosuppressive or cytotoxic therapies, has yielded promising results in the preclinical and clinical settings. Despite these successes, the temporal- and context-dependent roles of TGF-beta signalling in cancer has made it challenging to define patient subgroups that are most likely to respond, and the therapeutic regimens that will be most effective in the clinic. Novel mouse models and diagnostic tools are being developed today to circumvent these issues, which may potentially expedite anti-TGF-beta drug development and clinical application.
Are Conceptual Change Approaches to Learning Science Effective for Everyone? Gender, Prior Subject Matter Interest, and Learning about Electricity.

Abstract The present study investigated relationships among an individual′s gender, interest in and experience with electricity, and conceptual change text manipulations on learning basic electricity concepts. Previous research had indicated that conceptual change text led to better conceptual understanding of electrical concepts than did traditional text, but that the effect interacted with the sex of the subjects. This study tested the hypothesis that interest moderated this interaction. College males and females completed background questionnaires on interest and experience with electricity and then studied either conceptual change or traditional text and completed a post-test. Conceptual change text led to improved performance for students with a moderate interest in electricity, but not for students with a very high or very low interest in electricity. The implications of these results for the instructional theory of conceptual change and for instructional practice were discussed.
Concrete Pavement Thickness Variation Assessment with Cores and Nondestructive Testing Measurements

Concrete pavement thickness data were collected from sections of two concrete pavements with a nondestructive testing (NDT) device and by measuring concrete core thickness. The NDT device allowed thickness measurements every 15 ft compared with 1,000 ft for each core. Comparison of the core and NDT data showed that core thickness data do not capture the extreme peaks and valleys of pavement thickness variation. Further analysis of the core and NDT thickness data with the Minnesota Department of Transportation's concrete pavement thickness specifications highlighted that contractor pay deductions based on thickness deficiencies were not realized. Autocorrelation analysis of the data showed that concrete pavement thickness variation is not random but is correlated to thicknesses of lag between 30 and 270 ft. This correlation lag is a starting point for answering the question, how often must a thickness measurement be taken to accurately characterize the thickness variation of a concrete pavement?
Influence Strategies of Project Managers in the Information-Technology Industry

ABSTRACTThis article explores the use of nine strategies available to project managers to influence members of their project teams. Data for this study were obtained from the self-reported questionnaires of project managers in the information-technology industry. The sample set consisted of 104 project managers operating in Western Europe and 39 in the United States. Study results indicate considerable differences in the use of the nine influence strategies. Rational reasoning and consultation were the most frequently used influence strategies. Use of specific strategies by U.S. and European project managers was found to be very similar. Several strategies, however, did vary in their use between the project development and implementation phases. No differences were detected due to gender, and the effects due to experience level were limited to one influence strategy.
Role of the Transfer Film on the Friction and Wear of Metal Carbide Reinforced Amorphous Carbon Coatings During Run-in

The relationship between friction, wear, and transfer films of three metal carbide-reinforced amorphous carbon coatings (TiC/a:C, TiC/a:C-H, and WC/a:C-H), sometimes referred to as metal-doped diamond-like carbon coatings, has been investigated. Tribological tests were performed in an in situ tribometer with sapphire or steel hemispheres run against coated flats in dry or ambient air. The sliding contact interface was observed and recorded by optical microscopy during reciprocating sliding tests. The friction and wear behavior during run-in depended on the number of sliding cycles to form a stationary transfer film on the hemisphere. Stationary transfer films formed rapidly (within ten cycles) and the friction coefficient fell to 0.2 (ambient air) or 0.1 (dry air), except with sapphire against WC/a:C-H in dry air; with the latter, a stationary transfer film required nearly 100 cycles to form, during which the friction remained high and the wear rate was from 10 to 100 times higher than the other two coatings. For all coatings, three velocity accommodation modes (VAM) were observed from run-in to steady-state sliding and were correlated with the friction and wear behavior. The delayed adherence of the transfer film to sapphire from WC/a:C-H coatings in dry air is discussed in terms of equilibrium thermochemistry. Friction and wear behavior during run-in, therefore, depended on transfer film adherence to the hemisphere and the VAM between transfer films and the coating.
Pigments of the bull frog retina.

THE substances and processes found in the retina and pigment epithelium of the bull frog, Rana catesbiana, are identical with those in species of frogs previously examined1. The retina contains varying amounts of the carotenoids retinene and vitamin A. Retinene is yellow, and when mixed with antimony trichloride reagent yields a sharp absorption band at 662–666 m. (In the hand spectroscope this band has invariably appeared to be at about 655 m, the position originally given.) Vitamin A is colourless in comparable concentrations, and in the antimony trichloride test yields a band at 612–615 m (crude extracts).
Notes on the acoustic field of rigid bodies

The present paper extends a previous analysis, in Farassat (1974), of the acoustic field of rigid bodies. A restriction on that analysis can be removed by replacing the moving body by a stationary, virtual radiating body whose shape depends on the observer time and location and on the shape and motion of the rigid body. The possible singularity of the solution is considered.
Residual stress and microstructural evolution in thin film materials for a micro solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).

The stability of multilayered membrane structures is a major challenge in the development of microfabricated solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The work presented here explores residual stress in sputter-deposited yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films (5nm–1000nm thickness) as a function of deposition pressure and substrate temperature. The results indicate variations in intrinsic stress from ~0.5GPa compressive to mildly tensile (~50 MPa). Microstructure is characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The evolution of intrinsic stress with temperature is investigated by thermally cycling YSZ films deposited on silicon wafers. Observed changes of 100s of MPa in the intrinsic stress component of the film serve as indicators of possible changes in microstructure. Such changes in microstructure are subsequently characterized using x-ray diffraction of as-deposited and annealed films. Correlations with relevant mechanisms and models of residual stress evolution are discussed. Finally, use of such residual stress data in the fabrication and design of mechanically stable multilayered membranes for micro SOFC devices is discussed.
Model selection criteria based on Kullback information measures for nonlinear regression

Abstract In statistical modeling, selecting an optimal model from a class of candidates is a critical issue. During the past three decades, a number of model selection criteria have been proposed based on estimating Kullback's (Information Theory and Statistics, Dover, Mineola, NY, 1968, p. 5) directed divergence between the model generating the data and a fitted candidate model. The Akaike (Second International Symposium on Information Theory, Akademia Kiado, Budapest, Hungary, 1973, pp. 267–281; IEEE Trans. Automat. Control AC-19 (1974) 716) information criterion, AIC, was the first of these. AIC is justified in a very general framework, and as a result, offers a crude estimator of the directed divergence: one which exhibits a potentially high degree of negative bias in small-sample applications (Biometrika 76 (1989) 297). The “corrected” Akaike information criterion (Biometrika 76 (1989) 297), AICc, adjusts for this bias, and consequently often outperforms AIC as a selection criterion. However, AICc is less broadly applicable than AIC since its justification depends upon the structure of the candidate model. AIC I (Biometrika 77 (1990) 709) is an “improved” version of AIC featuring a simulated bias correction. Recently, model selection criteria have been proposed based on estimating Kullback's (Information Theory and Statistics, Dover, Mineola, NY, 1986, p. 6) symmetric divergence between the generating model and a fitted candidate model (Statist. Probab. Lett. 42 (1999) 333; Austral. New Zealand J. Statist. 46 (2004) 257). KIC, KICc, and KIC I are criteria devised to target the symmetric divergence in the same manner that AIC, AICc, and AIC I target the directed divergence. AICc has been justified for the nonlinear regression framework by Hurvich and Tsai (Biometrika 76 (1989) 297). In this paper, we justify KICc for this framework, and propose versions of AIC I and KIC I suitable for nonlinear regression applications. We evaluate the selection performance of AIC, AICc, AIC I , KIC, KICc, and KIC I in a simulation study. Our results generally indicate that the “improved” criteria outperform the “corrected” criteria, which in turn outperform the non-adjusted criteria. Moreover, the KIC family performs favorably against the AIC family.
A COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE FOR SAOIMAGE

An interface to the X windows pseudocolor display program, SAOimage, has been written to allow the easy display, visualization, and analysis of astronomical data. A user program can now be written with little effort to send images, cursors, vectors, and look-up tables to SAOimage, as well as to read back cursor coordinates. A special feature of the enhancement package is the ability to load several images into the display at the same time, with correct reading of the mouse pointer coordinates in each image. It is also possible to send successive frames of data in a slow video mode to visualize time-variable phenomena or to aid in the real-time acquisition of data. All the source code and demonstration programs are available over anonymous ftp.
Angle-etched free-standing photonic crystal nanobeam cavities in single-crystal diamond

A bulk nanomachining technique to realize suspended photonic structures in diamond is presented. The developed fabrication methodology, employs oxygen plasma etching and yields free-standing nanobeam waveguides and photonic crystal cavities.
Book Review: Philosophy, Mind, and Cognitive Inquiry Edited by David J. Cole, James H. Fetzer, and Terry L. Rankin (Kluwer Academic Publishers)

This book is an anthology of papers concerned with philosophical and theoretical issues in the nature of mind and mental processes. The purpose of the collection is to provide readers with representative work by leading philosophers working on problems in cognition and the nature of the mind. The papers range in date from 1978 to 1989. The book begins with a quotation from McCarthy:Artificial Intelligence cannot avoid philosophy. If a computer program is to behave intelligently in the real world, it must be provided with some kind of framework into which to fit particular facts it is told or discovers. ... I agree with philosophers who advocate the study of philosophy and claim that one who purports to ignore it is merely condemning himself to a naive philosophy.
Geochronology of the St. Kevin Granite and Neighboring Precambrian Rocks, Northern Sawatch Range, Colorado

Radiometric ages have been measured on rocks of a crystalline terrane that includes ancient gneisses and migmatites, two granitic batholiths (St. Kevin Granite and granite of Cross Creek), and various minor intrusive rocks. A whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron age on the St. Kevin Granite establishes it as 1390 ± 60 m.y. old. Mineral ages on the St. Kevin and numerous other rocks are either about the same as the St. Kevin whole-rock age or younger by as much as 200 m.y., even where the relative age is known to be older. Some minor Precambrian intrusive masses that are probably younger than St. Kevin Granite yield mica ages within analytical error of the St. Kevin age, indicating that these rocks can be younger than the granite by only a few tens of millions of years. The mica ages, both Rb-Sr and K-Ar, are thought to be minimal, but a K-Ar age of 2020 m.y. on horn-blende probably reflects excess argon. Mica ages from all rocks known geologically to be older than St. Kevin Granite are low and are interpreted as heating ages reflecting intrusion of the granite, in some cases modified further by heating during Laramide time. In this area, Precambrian intrusion and deformation had largely ended by 1200 or 1300 m.y. ago. Plutonism, represented here by the St. Kevin Granite and elsewhere by the Silver Plume and other granites, probably accounts for the numerous mineral ages of about 1300 m.y. previously reported from Colorado although weak regional metamorphism may also have been a factor.
Methodological factors affecting the formation of learning sets by rats

Abstract Three groups of hooded rats were run in three experiments involving visual discrimination problems. In the first experiment rats run to criterion showed significantly increasing proficiency over ten four-choice problems. The animals of the second group also improved in learning ability when tested on 100-trial, four choice problems reaching 90 per cent, correct responses by the fifth problem. When these animals were then tested on four two-choice problems, only a slight decrement occurred. Animals tested on two-choice problems followed by four-choice showed no such improvement. The results are interpreted to indicate rats do form learning sets and under appropriate procedures do so to a remarkable level.
Electrochemical properties and myocyte interaction of carbon nanotube microelectrodes.

Arrays of carbon nanotube (CNT) microelectrodes (nominal geometric surface areas 20−200 μm2) were fabricated by photolithography with chemical vapor deposition of randomly oriented CNTs. Raman spectroscopy showed strong peak intensities in both G and D bands (G/D = 0.86), indicative of significant disorder in the graphitic layers of the randomly oriented CNTs. The impedance spectra of gold and CNT microelectrodes were compared using equivalent circuit models. Compared to planar gold surfaces, pristine nanotubes lowered the overall electrode impedance at 1 kHz by 75%, while nanotubes treated in O2 plasma reduced the impedance by 95%. Cyclic voltammetry in potassium ferricyanide showed potential peak separations of 133 and 198 mV for gold and carbon nanotube electrodes, respectively. The interaction of cultured cardiac myocytes with randomly oriented and vertically aligned CNTs was investigated by the sectioning of myocytes using focused-ion-beam milling. Vertically aligned nanotubes deposited by plasma-enh...
No evidence for genetic association or linkage of the cathepsin D (CTSD) exon 2 polymorphism and Alzheimer disease.

Two recent case-control studies have suggested a strong association of a missense polymorphism in exon 2 of the cathepsin D gene (CTSD) and Alzheimer disease (AD). However, these findings were not confirmed in another independent study. We analyzed this polymorphism in two large and independent AD study populations and did not detect an association between CTSD and AD. The first sample was family-based and included 436 subjects from 134 sibships discordant for AD that were analyzed using the sibship disequilibrium test (SDT, p = 0.68) and the sib transmission/disequilibrium test (Sib-TDT, p = 0.81). The second sample of 200 AD cases and 182 cognitively normal controls also failed to show significant differences in the allele or genotype distribution in cases versus controls (X2, p = 0.91 and p = 0.88, respectively). In addition, two-point linkage analyses in an enlarged family sample (n = 670) did not show evidence for linkage of the chromosomal region around CTSD. Thus, our analyses on more than 800 subjects suggest that if an association between the CTSD exon 2 polymorphism and AD exists, it is likely to be smaller than previously reported. Ann Neurol 2001;49:114–116
A New Procedure for Deconvolution of Inter-/Intramolecular Intrinsic Primary and α-Secondary Deuterium Isotope Effects from Enzyme Steady-State Kinetic Data

The A2B2 flavocytochrome p-cresol methylhydroxylase (PCMH) from Pseudomonas putida oxidizes 4-methylphenol (p-cresol) to 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol in a process requiring scission of an α-C−H bond wit...
On the Use of the Inflation Tax When Nondistortionary Taxes Are Available

Abstract Using a pure-exchange overlapping generations model in which money is valued because of a legal restriction, we show the following: (a) a benevolent government may make some use of the inflation tax in conjunction with a lump-sum tax on the young but not if lump-sum taxes on the old are available, and (b) the welfare-maximizing monetary policy may deviate from the Friedman rule (contract the money supply so as to equate the real return on money and other competing stores of value) in either case. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: E58, E63, H21.
Type-checking Smalltalk

Although most attempts to speed-up Smalltalk have focused on providing more efficient interpreters, code optimization is probably necessary for further increases in speed. A type-system for Smalltalk is a prerequisite for building an optimizing compiler. Unfortunately, none of the type-systems so far proposed for Smalltalk are adequate; they either cause nearly all Smalltalk programs to be type incorrect, allow run-time type errors, or do not provide enough information for optimization. This paper presents a type-system for Smalltalk that is suitable for code optimization.
Constraint on the substrate cytochrome P-450 binding reaction in bovine adrenocortical microsomes at physiological temperature.

Abstract The addition of cholate to the microsomes at 37.5°C resulted in a striking decrease in the apparent substrate dissociation constant ( K′ s ) and its temperature dependency. The microsomal membranes depleted of 80% of the lipids preserved the temperature dependency of the K s and exhibited breaks in the Van't Hoff plot at the characteristic temperature of the lipids phase transition. The results indicate that the cytochrome P-450 is considerably restrained from expressing its maximum substrate binding potential at physiological temperature. In addition, the results indicate that the majority of the lipids apparently do not play a significant role in imposing constraint on the substratecytochrome P-450 binding reaction and in the temperature dependency of the K s .
Multiplex fluorometric assessment of nutrient limitation as a strategy for enhanced lipid enrichment and harvesting of Neochloris oleoabundans

Detailed in this study are the results of fluorometric assays used to assess the impact of gradual nutrient limitation versus punctuated nitrate limitation on the lipid content and morphology of Neochloris oleoabundans cells in batch culture. Punctuated nitrate limitation was imposed during pre-log, log, late-log, stationary, and senescent growth phases, and the cells were analyzed by bulk fluorescence emission, flow cytometry, and hyperspectral fluorescence imaging. In addition to intrinsic spectroscopic signatures provided by scatter and endogenous fluorescence, Nile Red staining was employed to monitor relative changes in lipid concentration. Analysis of the fluorescence images and temporal data sets was performed using multivariate curve resolution and fitting to logistic growth models to extract parameters of interest. The spectral components independently isolated from the image and temporal data sets showed close agreement with one another, especially relating to chlorophylls and Nile Red in polar and neutral lipid fractions, respectively. The fastest accumulation and highest total neutral lipid per cell and per chlorophyll were obtained with punctuated nitrate limitation during log phase growth on day 4 of culture. The presence of unbound chlorophyll in the resulting lipid bodies supports a membrane recycling TAG accumulation mechanism mediated by chloropolast–ER lipid exchange. Furthermore, an increase in cell size, indicated by forward scatter, was also found to correlate with increased neutral lipid, providing a size selection mechanism for passive harvest of algal cells at peak lipid enrichment. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2503–2512. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential inhibition responses caused by DDT on oligomycin-sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity: Nature of the requirements for DDT sensitivity

Abstract Earlier communications from this laboratory have shown that DDT inhibited oligomycin-sensitive Mg 2+ -ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) but that its active component, F 1 , was not affected. In the present investigation evidence has been obtained to determine the nature of the requirements for DDT sensitivity. The results showed that DDT sensitivity was conferred to F 1 from pig heart mitochondrial preparations when it was bound to F 0 from the same preparation. The F 1 from house fly ( Musca domestica L) thorax was able to bind to F 0 from pig heart. This combination showed similar sensitivity to that of the original F 1 -F 0 combination from pig heart mitochondria. However, when F 1 from pig heart mitochondria was incorporated into F 0 depleted in oligomycin sensitivity-conferring protein (OSCP) from the same source, the resulting ATPase activity was insensitive to DDT. Addition of crude (50–200 μg) or purified (5–20 μg) OSCP in the above preparation restored DDT sensitivity. Presence of dioleyl or dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline or Triton X-100 in the reaction medium antagonized the DDT inhibitions. Depletion of phospholipids from submitochondrial membrane preparations (SMP) decreased ATPase activity. Addition of dioleyl or soybean phosphatidyl choline to this lipid-depleted preparation restored DDT sensitivity. Evidence presented suggests that DDT acted on F 1 in association with one or more membrane components and that OSCP and phospholipid were essential for DDT sensitivity.
Effect of fluorophenylalanine on indole-3-acetic acid oxidation in Avena coleoptiles

Effects of the amino acid analog D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine on auxin oxidizing activity from Avena saliva cv. Clintford have been examined. Incubation of etiolated Avena coleoptile apices with D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine, previously reported to promote elongation and depress phenolic metabolism, lowers auxin oxidizing activity. Temperature and pH profiles demonstrated that depression of oxidizing activity by D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine occurs over a relatively wide range. Incubation of coleoptiles in media containing L-phenylalanine alone or L-phenylalanine combined with D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine result in oxidizing activities which are, respectively, slightly higher than or restored to control levels. Thus, dark incubation of coleoptiles with D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine results in auxin oxidizing activity which differs from that of control and other treatment groups. Oxidizing activity from D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine pretreated coleoptiles has a Michaelis constant (70 µM) and a maximum velocity (0.200) which are consistently lower than the control constants. These findings provide further clarification of the effects of D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine, on coleoptile elongation and auxin oxidizing activity in etiolated Avena coleoptiles.
Formation and diffusion of Pt nanoclusters on highly corrugated anatase TiO2(001)-(1×4) surface

We examined a novel heterogeneous system consisting of a metal on a highly corrugated transition-metal-oxide surface by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Pt forms three-dimensional nanoclusters with a narrow size distribution on the anatase TiO2(0 0 1)-(1×4) surface. Upon annealing in vacuum, Pt clusters that initially existed on terraces migrated without coalescing to step edges via a cluster diffusion mechanism. Time-dependent autocorrelation analysis revealed that the diffusion occurred preferentially along the atomic rows. The diffusion barrier and prefactor along this direction were determined to be ∼0.27 eV and ∼400 A2/s, respectively.
Auditory brainstem frequency following responses to waveform envelope periodicity

An auditory frequency following response (FFR) was recorded to four complx stimuli. The FFR corresponded to the waveform envelope periodicity but not to the "missing fundamental" pitch of the stimuli. The FFR may be significant for timbre perception and sound lateralization.
Microbial interactions associated with secondary cucumber fermentation

Aims To evaluate the interaction between selected yeasts and bacteria and associate their metabolic activity with secondary cucumber fermentation. Methods and Results Selected yeast and bacteria, isolated from cucumber secondary fermentations, were inoculated as single and mixed cultures in a cucumber juice model system. Our results confirmed that during storage of fermented cucumbers and in the presence of oxygen, spoilage yeasts are able to grow and utilize the lactic and acetic acids present in the medium, which results in increased brine pH and the chemical reduction in the environment. These conditions favour opportunistic bacteria that continue the degradation of lactic acid. Lactobacillus buchneri, Clostridium bifermentans and Enterobacter cloacae were able to produce acetic, butyric and propionic acids, respectively, when inoculated in the experimental medium at pH 4·6. Yeast and bacteria interactions favoured the survival of Cl. bifermentans and E. cloacae at the acidic pH typical of fermented cucumbers (3·2), but only E. cloacae was able to produce a secondary product. Conclusions The methodology used in this study confirmed that a complex microbiota is responsible for the changes observed during fermented cucumber secondary fermentation and that certain microbial interactions may be essential for the production of propionic and butyric acids. Significance and Impact of the Study Understanding the dynamics of the development of secondary cucumber fermentation aids in the identification of strategies to prevent its occurrence and economic losses for the pickling industry.
The lewis basicity of metal complexes. BF3 and (C6F5)3 adducts of IrClCO(O(C6H5)3)2 and related systems

Abstract Tensimetric and spectrophotometric titrations demonstrate 1:1 and 2:1 interactions between BF 3 and IrClCO(P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ) 2 , while BF 3 only reacts in a 1:1 stoichiometry with IrClCO(P(C 2 H 5 ) 2 C 6 H 5 ) 3 and IrClCO(PCH 3 (C 6 H 5 ) 2 ) 2 . Similar adducts are formed when B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 is employed in place of BF 3 . Evidence is presented that the 1:1 adducts involve Ir to B donor-acceptor bonds. The relative affinities of some group III Lewis acids toward Ir I bases are BF 3 >B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 ⪢B 2 H 6 and Al 2 (CH 3 ) 6 >Ga(CH 3 ) 3 ⪢B(CH 3 ) 3 . The classification of other ligands such as O 2 as Lewis acids is discussed.
Herniation of emphysematous bulla through a chest tube site

A 69-year-old male cigarette smoker with bullous emphysema presented with progressive dyspnea, chest pain, and hemoptysis. Chest radiograph revealed 100% right-sided pneumothorax. A 28 F chest tube was inserted through the fifth intercostal space in the anterior axillary line. The chest tube was removed in 36 hours. The following day, the patient had an episode of coughing, which resulted in sudden protrusion of a 9-cm bulla through the chest tube site (Fig 1). The patient remained comfortable and afebrile. Computed tomography of the chest confirmed severe bullous disease, herniated bulla, and compression atelectasis in lower lung fields (Fig 2). The patient underwent emergency bullectomy through antero-lateral thoracotomy. Surgical findings revealed the eviscerated bulla to be a part of the right lower lobe. The patient was discharged home on the ninth postoperative day. Address reprint requests to Dr Konecny, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Rd, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.
Contraceptive efficacy of bioabsorbable pellets of norethindrone (NET) as subcutaneous implants: Phase II clinical study

The contraceptive efficacy of norethindrone (NET) fused pellets was evaluated over 12 months in a Phase II clinical study with three and four pellets, each pellet containing 35 mg of NET. Volunteers were healthy, fertile, sexually active women. The release rate of NET from three and four pellets, respectively, was 150.3±7.2μg and 212.5±8.6μg NET/day. Following the implantation of NET pellets, serum NET levels did not show any ‘burst effect’ and were sustained at levels between 0.4 and 0.6 ng NET/ml serum with three pellets and 0.6–0.7 ng NET/ml serum with four pellets. With three and four pellets, respectively, 40% and 27% of the women had normal menstrual cycles; 20% and 14% were amenorrheic; 27% and 37% had mid-menstrual spotting or bleeding; and 13% and 22% had prolonged episodes of bleeding. Cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal functions were normal throughout the study. Ovulation was inhibited in 85% and 92% of the cycles with three and four pellets, respectively. In women using three pellets, two pregnancies occurred, one at the 6th cycle and another at the 12th cycle. In women using four pellets, no pregnancies occurred during the entire period of study.
Posttranscriptional aspects of the biosynthesis of type 1 collagen pro‐alpha chains: The effects of posttranslational modifications on synthesis pauses during elongation of the Pro α1(I) chain

Early studies indicated that chain elongation pauses were prominent during the in vivo synthesis of type I procollagen chains, and it was postulated [Kirk et al., (1987): J Biol Chem 262:5540-5545.] that these might have a role in the coordination of procollagen I molecular assembly. To examine this postulate, polysomes isolated from [(14)C]-Pro-labeled 3T6 cells were subjected to SDS-PAGE. The resulting gels were Western blotted and screened with a monoclonal antibody (SP1 .D8) directed against the N-terminal region of the pro alpha 1 (I) chain. The blots were fluorographed, which also permitted analysis of the pro alpha 2 (I) chain. There was a prominent pro alpha1 synthesis pause near the completion of full-length chain elongation, not matched by a pro alpha 2 pause. The amount of labeled polysome-associated near-full length pro alpha 1 (I) chains increased in parallel with labeling time. After 24 h in culture -[(14)C-Pro], collagen synthesis ceased but unlabeled polysome-associated pro alpha1 chains were readily detected by SP1 .D8. Change to fresh culture medium +[(14)C-Pro] reinitiated synthesis and permitted tracing of the newly synthesized labeled pro a chains through the polysome and intracellular compartments. The secreted procollagen molecules had a 2:1 pro alpha 1 (1):pro alpha 2 (I) chain ratio but the polysome-bound peptides did not. Pulse-chase experiments showed that near-full length pro alpha 1 (I) chains remained bound to polysomes as long as 4 h after reinitiation of translation but there was no evidence for pro alpha 2 (I) chain accumulation. The hydroxylation inhibitor alpha, alpha'-dipyridyl, and triple-helix inhibitors cis-hydroxyproline and 3,4 dehydroproline had minimal effects on the buildup of polysome-associated pro al chains. The glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin also failed to change the final pro alpha 1 chain pausing, but it did cause the appearance of several discrete lower molecular weight pro alpha 1-related polypeptides that could not be accounted for simply as the result of lack of N-linked glycosylation in the C-propeptide regions. Disulfide bond experiments showed that some of the paused nascent polysome-associated pro alpha 1 (I) chains were disulfide bonded. Thus, while synthesis of pro alpha 1 (I) and pro alpha 2 (I) chains proceeds in parallel within the same ER compartments, their elongation rates are not coordinated. Interactions leading to heterotrimer formation are a late event which may affect the rate of release of the completed pro alpha 1 (I) chain from the polysome. The release of completed nascent pro alpha 1 (I) chains from their polysomal complexes is regulated by a mechanism not operating in the synthesis of pro alpha 2 (I) chains. The pro alpha 1 (I) chain release process is not connected directly with hydroxylation, glycosylation or triple-helix formation.
Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibition With Sildenafil Attenuates Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis and Left Ventricular Dysfunction in a Chronic Model of Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity

Background— Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, induces cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury via opening of mitochondrial KATP channels. It is unclear whether sildenafil would provide similar protection from doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods and Results— Male ICR mice were randomized to 1 of 4 treatments: saline, sildenafil, doxorubicin (5 mg/kg IP), and sildenafil (0.7 mg/kg IP) plus doxorubicin (n=6 per group). Apoptosis was assessed with the use of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and in situ oligo ligation methods. Desmin distribution was determined via immunofluorescence. Bcl-2 expression was analyzed by Western blot. Left ventricular function was assessed by measuring developed pressure and rate pressure product in Langendorff mode. ECG changes indicative of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity were also measured. For in vitro studies, adult ventricular cardiomyocytes were exposed to doxorubicin (1 μmol/L), sildenafil (1 μmol/L) with or w...