cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The graying of America: implications for the pharmacist

Implications of the increased longevity of the U.S. population for the pharmacist are described. Recently, the growth of the population 65 years and older has been greater than that of the total population, and this trend is expected to continue at least until the end of the century. Because the elderly have more chronic illnesses than the younger population, the aging of the population means an increased use of prescription drugs. In addition, the sex ratio of men to women in the elderly population is decreasing; this trend is important for pharmacy practice because women at every age are prescribed and use more drugs than men. The need for prescription drugs imposes a financial burden on the elderly, many of whom live at or near the poverty level. Drugs constitute a major expense for the aged because drugs are a large percent of their out-of-pocket medical expenditures. Medication errors and noncompliance are chronic problems among the elderly because of their complex drug regimens, diminished physical activity, social isolation, physical and mental impairments, and lack of drug knowledge. In addition, the high cost of prescription drugs may contribute to medication under-use. Strategies for the pharmacist to prevent or treat noncompliance among the elderly are described. While most of the strategies have not been tested with the elderly population, practitioners working with geriatric patients have found them useful.
Developing proficiency in math: cause and effect in a cognitive process

Symbolic mathematical software has become inexpensive enough that it is almost practical to require each first-year calculus student to purchase it. But having a program do math for you might not be learning, and does not teach you how to apply it. This paper examines research issues related to learning calculus including cognitive processes, the role of proficiency and a proposed causal model. Current trends in calculus curriculum reform are reviewed including the need for better measurements of learning effects. John R. Anderson's ACT-R theory is proposed as a comprehensive cognitive learning theory and basis for the causal model. The primary theoretical contribution is advocating proficiency as a construct for measuring learning in both individual and collaborative environments. Proficiencies (such as subject mastery, missing elements, and faulty elements) are both causes and effects, and are therefore modeled as control feedback mechanisms (more similar to an instrument panel than a direct outcome). Based on the causal model and precise measurements of proficiency, an experiment is proposed to study the impact of symbolic math software and collaborative processes in the teaching of calculus to university pre-business students.
The impact of surface applied mulches on selected physical properties of reclaimed mountaintop removal sites

Much of the land reclaimed since enactment of the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act is over-compacted. Excessive compaction in replaced growth media is detrimental to establishment of trees. If trees are to be grown on reclaimed sites, excessive compaction must be alleviated. Dry bulk density and penetration resistance can be used to indicate the level of compaction in replaced growth media. The University of Kentucky has developed reclamation test cells at a surface mine to determine the impact of organic soil supplements on selected soil physical properties of reclaimed sites. The organic soil supplements being evaluated include hardwood bark and straw and manure. Data were collected at the test cells for dry bulk density, maximum penetration depth and penetration resistance. The data show no statistical evidence that applying organic supplements has a major effect on selected soil physical properties in replaced growth media.
Solar wind density influence on geomagnetic storm intensity

[1] Solar wind density has been argued to have a strong effect on geomagnetic storms. Elevated solar wind density tends to occur in time intervals when the solar wind electric field is large. This complicates the analysis required to identify a solar wind density influence because the solar wind electric field is the dominant driver of geomagnetic storms. Statistical studies have consistently shown that the independent correlation between solar wind density and geomagnetic storm intensity (via a proxy, such as the Dst index) is small. Modeling considerations predict a significant geomagnetic storm dependence on the plasma sheet density, which is indirectly connected to solar wind density. In this work, the solar wind density influence is quantified using two statistical measures: (1) data-derived impulse response functions and (2) the relationship between the integrated value of Dst to the integrated value of the solar wind electric field during geomagnetic storm intervals. Results from both approaches indicate that the solar wind density modifies the geoefficiency or the ability of a given value of the solar wind electric field to create a Dst disturbance. The impulse response method also predicts that solar wind density explains the difference in geoefficiency, as opposed to the solar wind dynamic pressure. Although the geoefficiency effect is large, its influence is shown to be small when only large storms are considered because large storms typically have large density.
The kinetics of l-aspartate transport in Neurospora crassa conidia

Transport of the acidic amino acids by Neurospora crassa conidia is shown to be mediated by neutral and general amino acid transport systems. The neutral transport system is shown to possess “high affinity”, but low transport capacity for the acidic amino acids. The general transport system is shown to have “low affinity” and high transport capacity for these amino acids. The non-linearity of a Lineweaver-Burk plot of aspartate transport by the wild type has been shown to result from an overlapping of two transport systems for accumulation of this amino acid. Removal, by mutation, of the neutral transport system restores the transport kinetics to a linear function. The combined, and separate, transport activities are shown to be stereospecific, preferring the l-stereoisomeric form over the d-form, and to transport the neutrally charged species of l-aspartate and l-glutamate. The transport activity is dependent on pH, and the V, but not the C12, constant of the general transport system is pH dependent. Two models for amino acid transport are presented as possible mechanisms to explain the observed kinetics. One model involves three genetically distinct transport systems. The second model utilizes a single “allosteric permease” to account for the kinetic data.
A superlinearly convergent method of feasible directions

Method of feasible directions (MFD) is one of the most important methods for solving engineering optimization problems. There exist two types of MFD: one has at most a linear convergence rate and the other has a superlinear convergence rate. The former type includes Zoutendijk's MFD, Topkis-Veinott's MFD, Pironneau-Polak's MFD, Cawood-Kostreva's Norm-Relaxed MFD, and a modified MFD. The latter includes Panier-Tits' FSQP approaches. However, the price of the superlinearly convergent MFD for achieving superlinearity is rather high computational cost per single iteration. This paper presents an algorithm based on the modified MFD. The theoretical analysis shows that this algorithm is locally superlinearly convergent. This algorithm has attained the same convergence rate as FSQP while it only needs to solve two subproblems instead of three subproblems in FSQP. Hence, this algorithm should be computationally more efficient than FSQP.
Enigma of the abundant water-soluble cytoplasmic proteins of the cornea: the "refracton" hypothesis.

It is accepted that the taxon-specific, multifunctional crystallins (small heat-shock proteins and enzymes) serve structural roles contributing to the transparent and refractive properties of the lens. The transparent cornea also accumulates unexpectedly high proportions of taxon-specific, multifunctional proteins particularly, but not only, in the epithelium. For example, aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 (ALDH3) is the main water-soluble protein in corneal epithelial cells of most mammals (but ALDH1 predominates in the rabbit), whereas gelsolin predominates in the zebrafish corneal epithelium. Moreover, some invertebrates (e.g., squid and scallop) accumulate proteins in their corneas that are similar to their lens crystallins. Pax-6, among other transcription factors, is implicated in development and tissue-specific gene expression of the lens and cornea. Environmental factors appear to influence gene expression in the cornea, but not the lens. Although no direct proof exists, the diverse, abundant corneal proteins may have evolved a crystallinlike role, in addition to their enzymatic or cytoskeletal functions, by a gene sharing mechanism similar to the lens crystallins. Consequently, it is proposed that the cornea and lens be considered as a single refractive unit, called here the "refracton," to emphasize their similarities and common function.
Cubic models with random anisotropy.

A Monte Carlo algorithm has been used to study the cubic ferromagnet with a random uniaxial single-site anisotropy on simple cubic lattices, in the strong anisotropy limit. For both two-component and three-component spins the phase diagram contains a ``domain-type'' ferromagnetic phase for strong random anisotropy, in addition to the simple ferromagnetic phase which is seen for weak random anisotropy. For two-component spins both paramagnet-ferromagnet transitions seem to be second order. For three-component spins the magnetization probably disappears discontinuously, and there appears to be a thin layer of infinite susceptibility phase between the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases.
SOLUTION EXTRACTION OF TRANSITION AND POST-TRANSITION HEAVY AND PRECIOUS METALS BY CHELATE AND MACROCYCLIC LIGANDS

Abstract This review focuses on compounds and methods that can be used for the extraction and separation from solution of two classes of elements that we define as heavy metals and precious metals. These elements are often targeted because they are toxic, costly, and their coordination chemistry has already been well studied, and because there is a need to develop methods of economically extracting, separating and recovering them from waste sites. This review outlines possible strategies that can be used, and reviews the present literature regarding the available methods for their extraction.
An in vitro biomechanical comparison of dynamic condylar screw plate combined with a dorsal plate and double plate fixation of distal diaphyseal radial osteotomies in adult horses.

Objective— To compare stiffness and strength of a dynamic condylar screw plate combined with dorsal broad dynamic compression plate (DCS–bDCP) fixation with double broad dynamic compression plate (dbDCP) fixation used to repair oblique distal fractures of adult equine radii. Study Design— Experimental. Sample Population— Adult equine radii (n=10 pair). Methods— An unconstrained three-dimensional loading–measurement system was used to determine stiffness of a 50 mm long intact, and then DCS–bDCP or dbDCP-plated osteotomized/ostectomized segment of radii when subjected to a nondestructive sequence of compression, torsion, and lateral-to-medial (LM), medial-to-lateral (ML), cranial-to-caudal (CrCa), and caudal-to-cranial (CaCr) bending. Uniform load over the entire length of construct identified its weakest characteristics during torsion and LM and CrCa bending to failure. Results— No difference was observed between osteotomized/ostectomized DCS–bDCP and dbDCP construct stiffness for all 6 loading modes, and strength for all 3 failure loads. Ostectomized DCS–bDCP and dbDCP construct stiffness was significantly lower than osteotomized radii, the latter approaching intact for axial, LM, and CrCa bending. Most frequent failure was bone fracture through exit site of a screw located adjacent to osteotomy/ostectomy. Conclusions— DCS–DCP and dbDCP constructs had comparable strength and stiffness when repairing osteotomies/ostectomies in equine adult radius bone. Fracture reduction increased stiffness that approached intact bone for loads that placed the unplated side in compression. Clinical Relevance— DCS–bDCP and dbDCP constructs are comparable in stiffness and strength when applied to oblique distal diaphyseal osteotomies/ostectomies in equine radius bone. However, the DCS's localized effect on distal epiphyseal structure because of additional bone removal remains to be investigated under in vivo articular loading conditions.
WIP: Towards optimal online approximation of data streams

In this paper, we provide a basic solution for online compression of data streams using error-bounded piecewise-linear approximation (PLA). We compare this method to the optimal (but offline) solution. Our current work in progress is developing an online PLA method that meets the same optimality constraints as the offline method. Also, the vertices of the constructed approximations are subsets of the sampled data points, which we believe to be a benefit in many scenarios.
Mutant HSPB1 overexpression in neurons is sufficient to cause age-related motor neuronopathy in mice

Abstract The small heat shock protein HSPB1 is a multifunctional, α-crystallin-based protein that has been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models of motor neuron disease and peripheral nerve injury. Missense mutations in HSPB1 result in axonal Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease with minimal sensory involvement (CMT2F) and distal hereditary motor neuropathy type 2 (dHMN-II). These disorders are characterized by a selective loss of motor axons in peripheral nerve resulting in distal muscle weakness and often severe disability. To investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of HSPB1 mutations in motor neurons in vivo, we have developed and characterized transgenic PrP-HSPB1 and PrP-HSPB1(R136W) mice. These mice express the human HSPB1 protein throughout the nervous system including in axons of peripheral nerve. Although both mouse strains lacked obvious motor deficits, the PrP-HSPB1(R136W) mice developed an age-dependent motor axonopathy. Mutant mice showed axonal pathology in spinal cord and peripheral nerve with evidence of impaired neurofilament cytoskeleton, associated with organelle accumulation. Accompanying these findings, increases in the number of Schmidt–Lanterman incisures, as evidence of impaired axon–Schwann cell interactions, were present. These observations suggest that overexpression of HSPB1(R136W) in neurons is sufficient to cause pathological and electrophysiological changes in mice that are seen in patients with hereditary motor neuropathy.
Temperature dependence of γ-γ' lattice mismatch in Nickel-base superalloys

Abstract High temperature X-ray diffraction techniques were used to determine the γ-γ' lattice mismatch of three different nickel-base superalloys at temperatures between 18 and 1000°C. The measurements were performed on oriented single-crystal disks which had been aged to produce a semicoherent γ-γ' structure. The thermal expansion of the lattice parameters of the γ and γ' phases was described by a second-order polynomial expression. The expansion of the γ' phase was consistently smaller than that of the γ phase, which caused the lattice mismatch to become more negative at higher temperatures. It was also shown that high values of lattice mismatch resulted in increased rates of directional γ' coarsening during elevated temperature creep exposure.
Some observations on the effect of ozone treatment on suspended particulate matter in seawater

Effects of ozone treatment on suspended particles in seawater have been observed. The observations consist of measuring the particle size distribution using an electronic particle counter before and after treating the sample with ozone. Three kinds of response have been observed in the laboratory and in the field: (i) the total elimination of a peak in the size spectra; (ii) a shift of a peak to a smaller size with correspondingly less volume; and (iii) a mild decrease in the total particle concentration. Our interpretation of these responses as observed in the field are respectively: (i) phytoplankton with a very small amount of refractory structural materials (e.g. naked flagellates); (ii) particles that individually contain both refractory and non-refractory components (e.g. diatoms); and (iii) primarily non-organic and refractory organic materials.
Evaluation of Scuffing Resistance of Grease-Lubricated Tapered Roller Bearings

An extensive lest program was conducted to evaluate the scuffing resistance of grease-lubricated tapered roller bearings. There were three main program objectives. 1. Provide validated and meaningful guidelines to designers on the speed capabilities of tapered roller bearings made with today's precision manufacturing practices. 2. Evaluate the effects of extreme-pressure additives on the scuffing resistance of these bearings. 3. Study the effects of extreme design conditions, which normally do not occur in practice, affecting the rib-roller and contact conditions on scuffing performance. Current grease-lubricated tapered roller bearings are found to perform, without the incidence of scuffing, at rib speeds of 15 to 20 m/sec. This is much higher than the values of 5 to 10 ml sec recommended. These lower values are based on the field knowledge and experience in the 1960s. Extreme-pressure (EP) additives provide no significant improvement in the speed capabilities of grease-lubricated tapered roller bearings...
Low-Power SRAMs in Nanoscale CMOS Technologies

As CMOS technology scaling is advancing beyond 100 nm, it has become increasingly difficult to meet the power and performance goals for various product applications while achieving aggressive area scaling in static random access memory (SRAM) development. This paper addresses many of the most pressing challenges in today's SRAM design from perspectives of both process technology optimization and design innovation. Key process tradeoff and optimization along with the advanced circuit design techniques for power management and low-voltage operation are discussed.
A procedure for staining pollen nuclei when obscured by cytoplasmic inclusions.

The number and shape of pollen nuclei in cytologically refractive plants can be determined from anthers fixed in FAA, preserved in 70% ethanol, treated 10–30 min with 50% HCl in 95% ethanol, and stained with iron acetocarmine saturated with chloral hydrate, 1–16 hr. Pollen is then pressed from the anther into a drop of plain acetocarmine, warmed, examined and permanently mounted in Venetian turpentine medium. This procedure clears the cytoplasm of many opaque obstructions and frequently separates the exine from the cytoplast. It may be used with flowering material which has been stored several years at room temperature.
DNA bending in transcription initiation.

Electrophoretic mobility shift (bandshift) phasing analysis and rotational variant topological analysis were performed on initiation complexes formed on the bacteriophage lambda PR promoter. Both the open complex and an abortive complex containing a short RNA primer extending to +3 were characterized. The two methods were used to analyze a series of constructs containing tandemly repeated copies of the PR promoter, with the repeat length increased in single base pair increments to progressively change the rotational setting of adjacent copies. The phasing effect observed in bandshift analysis of open complexes formed on this set of constructs provided qualitative evidence for the presence of a bend. Subsequent rotational variant topological analysis confirmed this and quantified the overall bend angle in the open complex as well as in the +3 abortive complex: a bend of 49° ( 7° was measured for the open complex, while a bend of 47° ( 11° was measured for the +3 complex, i.e., the two bends are the same. However, the topological results are not consistent with extensive superhelical wrapping of DNA on either complex as has been proposed. The two complexes do differ in the size of the transcription bubble: the open complex contains a 10.4 ( 0.1 bp bubble, while that of the +3 complex is 12.2 ( 0.1 bp, a result consistent with "DNA scrunching" during the onset of transcription. A model for the overall path of the DNA in the open complex is presented that is consistent with the measured bend angle. Measurement of both bubble size and overall bend angle complements the results of crystal structures in providing an enhanced description of the solution structures of the intact initiation complexes.
Clinical Trials and Treatment Effects Monitoring

Treatment effects monitoring is the act of reviewing accumulated data by treatment group to determine whether a trial should continue unaltered. That monitoring is required for any trial where there is a risk of an aggregate form of harm for subjects because of continued use of an inferior treatment or because of failure to use a superior treatment. Institutional review boards (IRBs), in deciding whether to approve such research, require that (when appropriate) there is adequate provision for monitoring the data collected to ensure the safety of subjects. The focus here is on the conditions necessary to satisfy this requirement. The conditions discussed are timeliness of the monitoring, completeness of data for monitoring, competency of monitors, and freedom of monitors to act and recommend as they deem necessary, regardless of the wishes, desires, or dictates of sponsors.
Substituted tetralins IV: Synthesis and stereochemistry of 4,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐2‐naphthoic acids

The syntheses of four 4-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthoic acids are described. The stereospecific cyclization of the cis-isomers and proton NMR studies establishing cis-trans product ratios are also reported.
Treatment of grape juice or must with silicone reduces 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazine concentrations in resulting wines without altering fermentation volatiles

Abstract 3-Alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines (MPs), such as 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) and 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IPMP), can impart undesirable herbaceous aromas in some wines. Previous approaches for removing MPs from wines such as activated charcoal have lacked selectivity, in part because of the similar non-polar nature of MPs and other wine volatiles. Because most wine aroma compounds are formed during fermentation, and MPs are present prior to fermentation, removing MPs prior to fermentation should not affect formation of most wine volatiles. This report demonstrates that pre-fermentation treatment of must or juice with silicone, a non-polar polymeric sorbent, can effectively reduce MP concentration without affecting the production or release of volatiles during fermentation. The approach was first evaluated on a model juice, and then demonstrated on four grape juices or musts used to produce: a Cabernet franc rose, a Chardonnay white, a Cabernet franc red, and a Riesling white. Reduction in MPs ranged from 53 to 93%. Significant decreases were observable immediately after silicone addition in wine produced without skin contact. In the Cabernet franc red, MP concentration initially increased, and significant differences did not appear until just after fermentation initiated, likely because MPs require time to diffuse from the skins into the bulk liquid. Semi-quantitative analyses were then performed on two of the wines to evaluate the effect of the approach on other wine volatiles. Only 11 of 79 volatiles in the Riesling and 4 of 55 volatiles in the Cabernet Franc showed a significant inverse correlation with silicone addition. Many key odorants that are formed or released during fermentation, including TDN, β-damascenone, ethyl butyrate, isoamyl acetate, and phenylethanol, were unaffected by the treatment.
Mechanism of force generation studied by neutron scattering.

Neutron scattering has been used to compare the structure of myosin S1 that is free in solution to that when it is bound to F-actin. To achieve this, deuterated actin was obtained from D. discoideum that had been fed deuterated E. coli. This deuterated actin was rendered “invisible” to neutrons when dissolved in 94% D2O. The neutron scattering patterns obtained from S1 bound to deuterated actin were identical to those of free S1 except for oscillations due to S1's bound to the same actin filament. At low S1 to actin stoichiometrics, these oscillations diminish and the patterns become indistinguishable. The apparent radius of gyration of S1 bound to actin is identical to that of free S1 when the stoichiometry is low. Thus, no changes in the structure of S1 were observed to a resolution of 2.5 nm. Computer modelling studies were used to evaluate the compatibility of models for the mechanism of force generation with the neutron data. These studies show that for powerstrokes greater than 5.0 nm, the data are consistent with more than 80% of the crossbridge maintaining a rigid conformation during force generation.
Granting silence to avoid wireless collisions

We describe grant-to-send, a novel collision avoidance algorithm for wireless mesh networks. Rather than announce packets it intends to send, a node using grant-to-send announces packets it expects to hear others send.
Evolutionary biology: Seeing red in speciation

Mating patterns in sticklebacks have been investigated for over fifty years. The latest studies show how a complex interplay between males, females and the environment can contribute to the formation of new species.
Estimating Delay and Doppler from a Super Resolution Delay Function

Presented is a super resolution method for estimating the relative time delay of transmitted and received signals. The method is applied to the problem of accurately estimating both delay and Doppler effects from transmitted and received signals where the transmitter and receiver are moving with respect to each other. Unlike conventional methods based on the cross-ambiguity function (CAF), we use only the crosscorrelation function and estimate only delay with enough accuracy that accurate scale estimates may be obtained from the delay function. While CAF processes are two dimensional and are based on a linear approximation of the Doppler process, the method presented here represents a one dimensional solution based on the exact model of the Doppler process. While we address the problem in the context of resolving both delay and Doppler, the method may be used to obtain super resolution estimates of correlation delay in the case that delay is constant.
Rates of convergence of Lp-estimators for a density with an infinity cusp

Abstract We study the asymptotics of Lp-estimators, p>0, as estimates of a parameter of location for data coming for a symmetric density with an infinity cusp at the center of symmetry of the distribution. In this situation, the data are more concentrated around the parameter of location than in usual cases. The maximum-likelihood estimator is not defined. The rates of convergence of the Lp-estimators in this situation depend on p and on the shape of the density. For some densities and small values of p, the Lp-estimator converges with a fast rate of convergence.
International market structure: global problems and micro solutions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present new empirical evidence on global trends in equity‐related transaction costs and trading volume, as well as to highlight recent research in international market microstructure.Design/methodology/approach – Estimates of brokerage commissions, indirect trading costs, and trading volume are obtained from a comprehensive institutional investor database. Quarterly data are used to compute trends in transaction costs and trading volume, as well as shifts in trading between mature and emerging markets.Findings – The results indicate a steady decline in brokerage commissions around the world but indirect trading costs appear to have reached a plateau. The fastest growth in trading volume can be found in the emerging markets of South America but the USA leads the way in terms of the steepest reductions in transaction costs.Research limitations/implications – The paper relies on one source of transaction cost estimates over a relatively short period (March 2005‐Decem...
Low temperature heat capacity of HgIn and AuSn

Abstract Heat capacity measurements from 0.4 K to 4.2K have been made on the superconducting intermetallic compounds HgIn and AuSn. For HgIn there is thermodynamic consistency between the specific heat and critical field data. A T-2 term is found in the specific heat of AuSn and is tentatively attributed to a nuclear contribution.
Effects of BQ-123 on renal function and acute cyclosporine-induced renal dysfunction.

Effects of BQ-123 on renal function and acute cyclosporine-induced renal dysfunction. Cyclosporin A (CsA) is widely used to suppress graft rejection following transplantation and in the treatment of a variety of autoimmune diseases. Therapy with CsA is often accompanied by adverse effects which include hepatotoxicity, hypertension, and nephrotoxicity. The role of endothelin (Et) in CsA-induced nephrotoxicity has been the subject of recent investigations. BQ-123 is a recently discovered Et receptor antagonist which is selective for the Et A receptor. In the present study, BQ-123 was used to further characterize the role of Et in CsA-induced nephrotoxicity. All experiments were performed in Inactin (100 mg/kg, i.p.) anesthetized male Munich-Wistar rats (250 to 350 g). Animals were prepared for the recording of blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) as well as the measurement of urine volume (UV), U Na V, U K V, GFR and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF). GFR and ERPF were estimated from the clearance of 14 C-inulin and 3 H-PAH, respectively. On the day of the experiment, animals were randomly assigned to one of three groups and treated according to the following protocols: Group 1, pretreatment with BQ-123 (1 mg/kg, i.v. bolus with 0.1 mg/kg/hr i.v. infusion) followed by treatment with vehicle (cremophor; 0.15 ml, i.v.); Group 2, pretreatment with normal saline (1.0 ml/kg; plus 25 µl/min infusion) followed by treatment with CsA (20 mg/kg, i.v.); and Group 3, pretreatment with BQ-123 (same as group 1) followed by CsA (20 mg/kg, i.v.). BQ-123 administration alone produced transient changes in several of the measured parameters. These transient changes included reductions in both ERPF (-1.1 ml/min/100 g, P ≤ 0.01 vs. baseline=2.7 ± 0.1) and GFR (-0.3 ml/min/100 g, P ≤ 0.01 vs. baseline=0.9 ± 0.04). In contrast, filtration fraction (FF) and U Na V were increased. By forty minutes after administration of BQ-123, the measured parameters of renal function returned to control values and remained stable for the experimental period. CsA alone significantly increased MAP (+14 mm Hg, P ≤ 0.05 vs. baseline=127 ± 3) and reduced ERPF (-0.9 ml/min/100 g, P ≤ 0.01 vs. baseline=2.6 ± 0.2) and GFR (-0.2 ml/min/100 g, P ≤ 0.01 vs. baseline=0.9 ± 0.05). Administration of CsA also produced reductions in UV and U K V, and there was a tendency toward reduction in U Na V. In the presence of BQ-123, the effects of CsA on MAP, ERPF and GFR were completely prevented. However, BQ-123 failed to prevent CsA-induced changes in UV, U Na V and U K V. The present data demonstrate that BQ-123 itself causes transient changes in ERPF, GFR and tubular function which may be explained by a partial agonist effect of this compound. Additionally, systemic pretreatment with BQ-123 prevented CsA-induced changes in MAP, ERPF and GFR but did not prevent changes in UV, U Na V and U K V. Therefore, when given intravenously prior to CsA BQ-123 can prevent the hypoperfusion and hypofiltration associated with CsA-induced nephrotoxicity; however, tubular mediated processes appear to remain at risk.
ELEVATED TEMPERATURE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CONTINUOUS METALLIC GLASS RIBBON-REINFORCED GLASS-CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

Effect of temperature on the modulus of rupture of glass-ceramic matrix composites reinforced with very small volume fractions (∼1%) of continuous metallic glass ribbons was studied. The failure modes in such composites were found to significantly depend on the test temperature. Variations in the strength of the matrix, and the interfacial shear strength between the matrix and the ribbons due to changes in the test temperature, were found to control the elevated temperature strength and failure mode of these composites.
Transhumanism and Its Critics: Five Arguments against a Posthuman Future

Transhumanism is a social, technological, political, and philosophical movement that advocates the transformation of human nature by means of pharmacology, genetic manipulation, cybernetic modification, nanotechnology, and a host of other technologies. The aim of this movement is to increase physical and sensory abilities, augment intelligence and memory, and extend lifespan. After providing some background on transhumanism, its philosophical heritage, and its goals, the author looks at three arguments against transhumanism, arguing that they are unpersuasive and should be rejected. This paper presents two arguments against transhumanism that have merit. The first argument is an argument from justice that addresses the distribution of benefits and burdens for funding, developing, and employing enhancement technology. The second argument examines a significant assumption held by many transhumanists, namely, that there is an essential "human nature" that can be transcended.
Localization in a nonlinear disordered system

The interplay between nonlinearity and disorder is studied in a discrete one-dimensional Schrodinger system. Using a two-point correlation function we demonstrate that the preferred state of the system comprises narrow intrinsic localized states corresponding to the intrinsic localized states of the ordered system. The essence of the interplay between disorder and nonlinearity is found to reside in the nucleation process of the localized states. We emphasize the role of different classes (focusing and defocusing) of nonlinearity in enhancing or suppressing localization induced by disorder.
Racial preferences and identifications of white elementary schoolchildren

Abstract The racial preferences and identifications of white children in both a white monoracial and a multiracial setting were examined. A doll selection procedure originally described by Clark and Clark (1939; 1947) to study racial awareness and preferences in black children was employed with 120 kindergarten, first, and third grade children. A majority of the children showed a marked preference for white over comparable black dolls. However, more black doll selections were made in multiracial than in monoracial schools, particularly among male subjects. White doll color preference also significantly decreased at the third grade level. This finding was consistently observed in response to each racial preference question. Neither race of the interviewer nor sex of the child had a significant effect upon doll color preferences. Few errors were made in response to a series of five racial identification questions.
Fermi Level in Amorphous Antimony Films

Films of antimony were deposited by evaporation on interchangeable emitters in concentric-sphere, retarding-potential phototubes. Below thicknesses of about 300 A, they behaved as semiconductors. The Fermi level lay about 0.1 ev above the occupied band. They converted irreversibly to the normal crystalline metallic form at 200\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C or somewhat higher. The results are consistent with previous measurements on the electrical resistance and optical transmission of thin antimony films; they indicate that the semiconducting form is amorphous. Analogies with the behavior of arsenic are mentioned.
Four health care reforms for 2009.

Health economist Victor Fuchs discusses four specific health care reforms that should be enacted this year.
Activation of PKC isoforms by ATP/UTP and PMA in murine astrocytes

Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are known to play an important role in regulating activities of a number of receptor signalling pathways. Our earlier studies have demonstrated that in murine astrocytes, PKC and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are involved in the stimulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and arachidonic acid (AA) release by extracellular nucleotides (ATP or UTP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). These studies showed that PKC inhibitors or PKC down-regulation induced by prolonged exposure to PMA had variable effects on AA release induced by ATP/UTP or PMA. PKC down-regulation reduced PMA- but not ATP/UTP-mediated AA release. In this study, we examined responses of PKC isoforms to stimulation by ATP/UTP and PMA in primary astrocytes isolated from mouse brain. These astrocytes showed 4 major PKC isoforms, namely, PKCα, e, ι, and λ. Prolonged treatment of astrocytes with PMA resulted in down-regulation of PKCα and e, but not PKCι and λ. Separation of membrane and cytosol fractions revealed that PKCα was largely localized to the cytosol, PKCe in the membrane, whereas PKCι and λ were present in both membrane and cytosol fractions. Rapid translocation of PKCα from the cytosol to cell membrane could be observed in astrocytes treated with PMA, but not ATP or UTP. Neither PMA nor ATP altered cytosol and membrane distribution of PKCe, ι and λ. The lack of an effect of ATP and UTP on PKCα translocation suggests that nucleotide-mediated AA release occurs by a PKCα-independent mechanism. Acknowledgements: Supported by P01 AG 18357 from NIA.
The relation between carbonic anhydrase activity and ion transport in elasmobranch and rabbit lens

The role of carbonic anhydrase in lens ion transport was studied by measuring sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate ion concentration and isotopic fluxes during enzyme inhibition or its absence. Three sulfonamides were evaluated for their ability to penetrate the lens and for pharmacological properties that would best provide complete inhibition. Methazolamide (200 mg/kg) was used in vivo and ethoxzolamide (0·1 m m ) in vitro. Ouabain (0·02–0·1 m m ) was used to inhibit Na + −K + -ATPase. The total [CO 2 ] content of rabbit lens rose after carbonic anhydrase inhibition in vivo, from 33±0·8 to 65·1±6 mmol/kg water and in vitro from 26·7±1·5 to 41·5±4 mmol/kg water. The normal rabbit lens total [CO 2 ] was slightly higher than that of anterior aqueous humor (28–32 m m ). The lens of the spiny dogfish, S. acanthias , which lacks carbonic anhydrase, had a total [CO 2 ] 3·8 times the aqueous humor level. Other ions, notably Cl − , were not affected by carbonic anhydrase inhibition. Thus the absence or inhibition of carbonic anhydrase is associated with new raised CO 2 and HCO 3 − gradients. Carbonic anhydrase inhibition in vitro had no effect on 86 Rb + , 22 Na + or 36 Cl − entry. The entry rates for these ions in S. acanthias were similar to rabbit. However, ethoxzolamide significantly decreased rabbit lens bicarbonate uptake; HCO 3 − , entry was slower in S. acanthias than in rabbit. Efflux rates of 22 Na + , 36 Cl − and H 14 CO 3 − from S. acanthias lenses were similar to those in rabbit. Carbonic anhydrase inhibition in rabbit lens had no effect on 22 Na + or 36 Cl − efflux. However, ethoxzolamide did significantly depress isotope exit from a H 14 CO 3 − source, under specialized conditions reflecting combined C 14 O 2 and H 14 CO 3 − movement Ouabain reduced influx of 86 Rb + in dogfish and flounder lens, and efflux of 22 Na + and 36 Cl − in rabbit, and 22 Na + in dogfish. The data suggest that the role of carbonic anhydrase in lens is to facilitate CO 2 transport by its interconversion to HCO 3 − . In the absence of enzyme or during inhibition, CO 2 transport is achieved by diffusion of HCO 3 − and/or CO 2 gas.
Tissue Recombination Techniques for Mouse Embryonic Mammary Glands

This review gives detailed technical protocols for dissection of embryonic mammary rudiments and preparation of tissue recombinants composed of embryonic mouse mammary mesenchyme and epithelium. This experimental protocol was used in several seminal experiments that have greatly increased our understanding of embryonic mammary gland development, including the finding that mammary mesenchyme induces and specifies mammary epithelial identity. Analysis of mesenchymal-epithelial interactions has facilitated identification of molecular mediators of cell-cell interactions, in particular the tissue-specific roles of genes expressed in mesenchyme and epithelium during embryonic development.
Current Status of Benzodiazepines

When the pharmacologic and clinical properties of the benzodiazepine sedative–anxioly tics were last reviewed comprehensively in 1973 and 1974,1 2 3 their use in clinical practice was very extensive and increasing.4 5 6 It was pointed out that a continuation of the yearly rate of increase would lead to the total tranquilization of America by the turn of the century.7 During the mid-1970s, however, concern emerged among both prescribers and users of these medications about this continuously increasing use. Articles in scientific publications and the lay press suggested some apparently dramatic consequences and hazards of tranquilizer use.8 9 10 11 12 Although the validity of most such reports . . .
Differentiation of a calsequestrin-containing endoplasmic reticulum during sea urchin oogenesis

Abstract We have used light and electron microscopic immunolocalization to study the distribution of a sea urchin calsequestrin-like protein (SCS) during sea urchin oogenesis. SCS was localized exclusively in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and in the nuclear envelope of oocytes of all maturation stages. Immunoelectron microscopy also revealed that SCS is not present in golgi complexes of oocytes. Double label immunofluorescent staining of frozen sections of ovary with the SCS antiserum and an antibody to the cortical granule protein hyalin indicated a dramatic morphogenesis of the SCS-containing ER (SCS-ER) coincident with oocyte maturation. This differentiation included an apparent increase in the amount and complexity of the cytoplasmic SCS-ER network, the transient appearence of stacks of SCS-ER cisternae in synthetically active vitellogenic oocytes, and the restructuring of the SCS-ER in the cortex. Immunofluorescence of isolated oocyte cortices showed a plasma membrane-associated SCS-ER which was much less dense and regular than that found surrounding the cortical granules in the mature unfertilized egg cortex. Cytoplasmic and cortical microtubule arrays are present in oocytes and may provide the basis for the SCS-ER distributional dynamics. The results of this study underscore the dynamic nature of ER and how it's organization reflects cellular functions. We suggest that the establishment during oogenesis of the dense SCS-ER tubuloreticulum provides the egg with the calcium sequestration and release apparatus that regulates calcium fluxes during egg activation and early development.
Variations among cell lines in the synthesis of sphingolipids in de novo and recycling pathways

There are several pathways for the incorporation of sugars into glycosphingolipids (GSL). Sugars can be added to ceramide that contains sphinganine (dihydrosphingosine) synthesized de novo (pathway 1), to ceramide synthesized from sphingoid bases produced by hydrolysis of sphingolipids (pathway 2), and into GSL recycling from the endosomal pathway through the Golgi (pathway 3). We reported previously the surprising observation that SW13 cells, a human adrenal carcinoma cell line, synthesize most of their GSL in pathway 2. We now present data on the synthesis of GSL in four additional cell lines. Approximately 90% of sugar incorporation took place in pathway 2, and 10% or less in pathway 1, in human foreskin fibroblasts and NB41A3 neuroblastoma cells. In contrast, approximately 50-90% of sugar incorporation took place in pathway 1 in C2C12 myoblasts. The C2C12 cells divide more rapidly and synthesize 10-14 times as much GSL as the other three cell lines. In C6 glioma cells, approximately 30% of sugar incorporation occurred in pathway 1 and 60% in pathway 2. There was no relation between the utilization of pathways for GSL and sphingomyelin synthesis in foreskin fibroblasts and C2C12 cells. In both cells pathways 1 and 2 each accounted for 50% of incorporation of choline into sphingomyelin. In five of the six cell lines that we have studied, most GSL synthesis takes place in pathway 2. We suggest that when the need for synthesis is relatively low, as in slowly dividing cells, GSL are synthesized predominantly from sphingoid bases salvaged from the hydrolytic pathway. When cells are dividing more rapidly, the need for increased synthesis is met by upregulating the de novo pathway.
Global Functional Analysis of Nucleophosmin in Taxol Response, Cancer, Chromatin Regulation, and Ribosomal DNA Transcription

Analysis of lung cancer response to chemotherapeutic agents showed the accumulation of a Taxol-induced protein that reacted with an anti-phospho-MEK1/2 antibody. Mass spectroscopy identified the protein as nucleophosmin/B23 (NPM), a multifunctional protein with diverse roles: ribosome biosynthesis, p53 regulation, nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling, and centrosome duplication. Our work demonstrates that following cellular exposure to mitosis-arresting agents, NPM is phosphorylated and its chromatographic property is altered, suggesting changes in function during mitosis. To determine the functional relevance of NPM, its expression in tumor cells was reduced by siRNA. Cells with reduced NPM were treated with Taxol followed by microarray profiling accompanied by gene/protein pathway analyses. These studies demonstrate several expected and unexpected consequences of NPM depletion. The predominant downstream effectors of NPM are genes involved in cell proliferation, cancer, and the cell cycle. In congruence with its role in cancer, NPM is over-expressed in primary malignant lung cancer tissues. We also demonstrate a role for NPM in the expression of genes encoding SET (TAF1beta) and the histone methylase SET8. Additionally, we show that NPM is required for a previously unobserved G2/M upregulation of TAF1A, which encodes the rDNA transcription factor TAF(I)48. These results demonstrate multi-faceted functions of NPM that can affect cancer cells.
Making Migration Work

Schools the world over are being transformed by growing numbers of immigrant-origin children. As schools face the challenge of educating linguistically, culturally, and racially diverse students, globalization imposes yet another set of demands on education. In this article we examine the varied pathways taken by immigrant-origin children. We outline some of the most critical contributors shaping their transition to new countries with a specific focus on education and schooling and explore some promising practices in a variety of national contexts and domains of immigrant life.