cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of using MTT and XTT in colorimetric assays for quantitating bovine neutrophil bactericidal activity

Two different tetrazolium compounds were compared for use in a colorimetric assay for quantitating bovine neutrophil bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Brucella abortus. The tetrazolium compounds tested included 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and sodium 3,3'-[1[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-3,4- tetrazolium]-bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro) benzene sulfonic acid hydrate (XTT). The MTT and XTT colorimetric bactericidal assays were conducted by incubating antibody-opsonized bacteria with neutrophils in microtiter plates for 30 and 60 min at ratios of ten and 100 bacteria per neutrophil. Neutrophils were then lysed with saponin and samples were incubated 30 min with MTT or XTT plus coenzyme Q (CQ). Dead bacteria and lysed neutrophils did not react with MTT or XTT plus CQ. Live bacteria converted XTT to water soluble orange formazan in the presence of CQ and MTT to insoluble purple formazan. Absorption of formazan produced by bacteria from XTT was measured at 450 nm. Formazan produced by bacteria from MTT was solubilized by adding isopropanol and measured by absorption at 560 nm. Absorption of both types of formazan was directly related to viable bacteria cell number and used to determine the number of bacteria not killed by neutrophils. The percentage of bacteria killed by neutrophils was determined by extrapolation from a standard formazan curve that was derived by incubating MTT or XTT plus CQ with known numbers of bacteria. The XTT and MTT colorimetric bactericidal assays produced comparable results when used to measure bovine neutrophil bactericidal activity against S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and B. abortus. However, the assay using XTT was quicker and easier to perform because bacteria converted XTT to a formazan that did not need to be solubilized before measuring absorption.
One-Step Melt Extrusion Process for Preparing Polyolefin/Clay Nanocomposites Using Natural Montmorillonite

Polyolefin/clay nanocomposites were fabricated by directly melt compounding poly(ethylene-co-ran-acrylic acid), PEAA, with sodium montmorillonite and a low molecular weight quaternary ammonium salt in a simple process where all the components were fed simultaneously to the extruder. The effects of processing conditions, salt structure, and concentration on the clay dispersion, morphology, and mechanical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical testing. The one-step method was effective at simultaneously dispersing and intercalating/exfoliating the natural montmorillonite and produced nanocomposites comparable to those prepared by melt compounding the PEAA with commercial organoclay.
The Elasticity of Individual Titin PEVK Exons Measured by Single Molecule Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract The I-band region of the giant muscle protein titin contains a large domain enriched for the amino acids proline, glutamate, valine, and lysine and is denoted the PEVK domain. The PEVK domain of titin encodes a random coil shown to be an important factor in the passive elasticity of titin. Muscle-specific splicing of 116 PEVK exons encodes this domain. It has been proposed that proline contents determine the elasticity of the PEVK polypeptide, where the individual exons code for “flexibility cassettes.” To test this hypothesis, we have measured the elasticity of three distinct polypeptides encoded by individual PEVK exons (161, 120 and 184) that varied greatly in their proline contents (7, 14, and 37% respectively) and total PEVK contents (55, 70, and 87%). We used single molecule atomic force microscopy techniques to measure the persistence length, p, of the engineered PEVK proteins. Surprisingly, all three exons 161, 120, and 184 coded for proteins with similar values of persistence length, p = 0.92 ± 0.38, 0.89 ± 0.42, and 0.98 ± 0.4 nm, respectively. We conclude that the PEVK exons encode polypeptides of similar elastic properties, unrelated to their total PEVK contents. Hence, alternative splicing solely adjusts the length of the PEVK domain of titin.
Energetic pulses in exciton-phonon molecular chains and conservative numerical methods for quasilinear Hamiltonian systems.

The phenomenon of coherent energetic pulse propagation in exciton-phonon molecular chains such as -helix protein is studied using an ODE system model of Davydov-Scott type, both with numerical studies using a new unconditionally stable fourth order accurate energy-momentum conserving time discretization, and with analytical explanation of the main numerical observations. Physically natural impulsive initial data associated with the energy released by ATP hydrolysis are used, and the best current estimates of physical parameter values. In contrast to previous studies
Nutrient cycling between the water column and a marine sediment. I. Organic carbon

The carbon flow through the sediments at a station located in 18.3 m of water off the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego, California (USA) was determined. The parameters studied [and their mean rates of input (+) or output (-) to the benthos] were macro-detritus (+0.028 gC m-2day-1), fallout of particulate debris (+3.3 gC m-2day-1), benthic net photosynthesis during the day (-0.06 gC m-2 daylight period-1), burial (0 gC m-2day-1), benthic respiration at night (-0.28 gC m-2 night period-1), and resuspension (-3.0 gC m-2day-1). Resuspension of sediment at this station was found to have a controlling effect on the sediment organic carbon content. Benthic photosynthesis was able to provide 79% of the organic carbon required by the benthos for respiration during the daylight hours. A carbon-flow diagram linking together all of the above measurements is presented.
Radionuclide imaging of the urinary tract

Nuclear medicine procedures for urology have evolved during the past three decades. This article reviews the utility of the procedures, placing special emphasis on new developments and indications. The new radiopharmaceutical technetium Tc99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine ([99mTc]-MAG3), which is excreted via tubular secretion, is likely to replace technetium Tc99m diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid ([99mTc]-DTPA) and iodine I131 orthoiodohippurate ([131I]-OIH) as the most desirable agent for renal radionuclide examinations. The most common uses of renal radionuclide examinations are to evaluate equivocal urinary obstruction and to evaluate renal transplants. Renewed interest in renography for hypertension has resulted from the use of Captopril as an adjunct to renography. Bone scintigraphy is more sensitive than radiography in detecting metastatic bone lesions, but other bone abnormalities can produce false-positive findings. Scrotal scintigraphy is very accurate as an aid in differentiating testicular torsion from other acute scrotal abnormalities. The major advantage of nuclear cystograms is decreased exposure of the patient to radiation.
The one-loop effective potential in nuclear matter and nuclei☆

Abstract The lowest-order quantum corrections to the Walecka model are approximated by the one-loop effective potential. The model is considered with and without scalar self-interactions. In contrast to previous work, quantum corrections from the nonlinear scalar self-interactions are included. The resulting equations of motion for the mesons and nucleons are solved self-consistently for nuclear matter and spherical nuclei. Comparison is made to linear mean-field results for several sets of cubic and quartic self-couplings; all sets are consistent with renormalizability and the existence of a stable mean field ground state. Because of these restrictions on the self-couplings, it is impossible to improve the nuclear systematics over those obtained without self-couplings or in the mean-field theory.
Mouse Models for Understanding the Growth Hormone Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Axis

Background: Mouse models that include spontaneous mutations, as well as those carrying allelic differences, have been extremely useful in clarifying the role of skeletal and circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in peak bone acquisition. The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, a nuclear receptor and key differentiation factor for adipogenesis, has provided new insights into the relationship of marrow fat to skeletal mass. Conclusions: Mouse models continue to deepen our understanding of IGF-I signaling and the role of IGF-I in determining marrow stromal cell fate.
A new measure of financial development: Theory leads measurement

Abstract This study presents a new measure of financial development that is directly derived from theory. Our measure, the Marginal Utilization of Debt (hereafter, MUD) comes from the seminal work of Myers (1984), Myers and Majluf (1984) and Shyam-Sunder and Myers (1999). Further, it is directly related to the development facts of Gurley and Shaw (1955). MUD is a global measure that reflects conditions in both debt and equity markets. It varies enormously across nations; from 0.23 in Australia at one extreme to 0.96 in Turkey at the other. Cross‐country variations in MUD are not random; they are related to special‐purpose measures of debt and equity market advancement from the financial development literature. Richer, more advanced nations have smaller average MUDs. We argue that the MUD may be useful for a variety of purposes and provide three example applications.
NDT of bridge pins on Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation structures

The Pennsyulvania Department of Transportation conducted a two phase investigation of all fracture critical pin hanger assemblies between 1988 and 1991 of 23 bridges. The first phase consisted of visually inspecting and documenting the condition of the pin assemblies. The second phase involved nondestructive testing of the pins and any hanger assembly parts that the engineer requested. This testing was performed by consultant engineering firms under contract with individual Penn DOT Engineering Districts. The Mehoopany Bridge was the only structure which was tested exclusively by the department's personnel. Twenty fracture critical bridges were consequently retrofitted with support girders or rod support assemblies. The remaining three locations had the pin hanger assemblies removed and the structures were made continuous. Also, the pins were replaced at some of the 20 locations. All removed pins were requested to be retained and sent to the Department's Materials and Testing Laboratory for evaluation testing. A large number of the pins were destroyed during removal and some were discarded during construction. The following criteria was established by department personnel for MTD's testing of the pins and defect comparisons with consulting engineer's test results: 1) modified ASTM A388 standard test, using 18 degree transducer; 2) 1/16 inch saw notches used as reference standard; 3) straight beam and angle test probes for UT of in-place pins; 4) 45 degree and 70 degree angle beam bore hole test probe for verification of pin defects.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Clinical, electrophysiological and pathologic correlations in a severe murine experimental autoimmune neuritis model of Guillain–Barré syndrome

Severe murine experimental autoimmune neuritis (sm-EAN) in SJL/J mice is a recently described, but incompletely characterized mouse model of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Electrophysiological and pathologic characterization during the disease course is a necessary prerequisite to designing mechanistic studies that may be relevant to GBS pathogenesis. Sm-EAN is a monophasic disorder with electrophysiological evidence for a diffuse demyelinating polyneuropathy with axonal loss at peak severity. Regression analyses demonstrated strong correlations between neuromuscular severity scores and electrophysiological parameters during the disease course. Progressive multi-focal or diffuse demyelination with axonal loss was observed pathologically in sciatic nerves in association with mononuclear cell infiltrates (F4/80+ macrophages>CD3+ T-lymphocytes>CD19+ B-lymphocytes), peaking at maximal severity. Regression analyses demonstrated strong correlations between severity scores and inflammatory cell counts. The correlative data imply that mononuclear infiltration, as well as demyelination and axonal loss are directly related to the observed neuromuscular weakness in sm-EAN. The high induction rates, as well as pathologic similarities with AIDP make sm-EAN a robust model to study the pathogenesis of human peripheral nerve inflammation using objective outcome measures.
Triazole containing novobiocin and biphenyl amides as Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors

Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors are advantageous for the development of new cancer chemotherapeutics due to their ability to segregate client protein degradation from induction of the prosurvival heat shock response, which is a major detriment associated with Hsp90 N-terminal inhibitors under clinical investigation. Based upon prior SAR trends, a 1,2,3-triazole side chain was placed in lieu of the aryl side chain and attached to both the coumarin and biphenyl scaffold. Antiproliferative studies against SKBr3 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines demonstrated these triazole-containing compounds to exhibit improved activity. These compounds were shown to manifest Hsp90 inhibitory activity through Western blot analysis and represent a new scaffold upon which more potent inhibitors can be pursued.
Potential tumor or organ-imaging agents, 24. Radioiodinated pregnenolone esters

A series of radioiodinated pregnenolone esters was prepared in an effort to find an agent that would be rapidly and selectively taken up by adrenal cortical tissue. Achievement of such a goal would provide the basis for the development of an adrenal imaging agent having several advantages over those agents currently available for clinical use. The radioiodinated esters for this study were readily prepared by treating pregnenolone with the appropriate iodobenzoic acid in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and 4-dimethylamino-pyridine (DMAP). The resulting esters were readily labeled with radioiodine by isotope exchange with sodium iodide-125 in pivalic acid. Subsequent tissue distribution studies in rats revealed that those esters displaying the most stability towards hydrolysis achieved the highest concentration in adrenal cortical tissue. For example, the 2,3,5-triiodobenzoate (6) showed an adrenal uptake of 23% of administered dose per gram of tissue at 0.5 hours. The achievement of high levels of radioactivity in the adrenal with this agent at early time periods warrants further evaluation of this agent in other animals.
Speckle Visibility Spectroscopy and Variable Granular Fluidization

We introduce a dynamic light scattering technique capable of resolving motion that changes systematically, and rapidly, with time. It is based on the visibility of a speckle pattern for a given exposure duration. Applying this to a vibrated layer of glass beads, we measure the granular temperature and its variation with phase in the oscillation cycle. We observe several transitions involving jammed states, where the grains are at rest during some portion of the cycle. We also observe a two-step decay of the temperature on approach to jamming.
Adenovirus proteinase: crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies to atomic resolution.

Adenovirus proteinase (AVP) is required for the synthesis of infectious virus and is a target for antiviral therapy. The enzyme requires two viral cofactors for activation: pVIc, an 11-amino acid peptide, and the viral DNA. The structure of the enzyme in the absence of cofactors has not been observed. Single crystals of AVP were obtained via microseeding using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with sodium acetate and sodium citrate as precipitants. At the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory, the native crystal diffracted to a resolution of 0.98 A and an isomorphous heavy-atom derivative diffracted to 1.9 A. Comparison of the structure of AVP with that of the AVP–pVIc complex should reveal the structural basis of activation of the enzyme by pVIc.
Solar Oblateness and the Perihelion Advances of Planets

Observations of the oblateness of the Sun suggest that it may have a rapidly spinning core. An experiment to test this suggestion, by comparing the perihelion advance of a small artificial planet of high eccentricity and Mercury, is discussed.
Dynorphin A-(1-13)-morphine interactions : quantitative and qualitative EEG properties differ in morphine-naive vs. morphine-tolerant rats

Abstract The effects of dynorphin A-(1–13) on cumulative IV morphine-induced EEG and EEG power spectra were studied in naive and morphine-tolerant rats. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with cortical EEG electrodes and permanent indwelling ICV and IV cannulae. In naive rats, dynorphin A-(1–13) quantitatively decreased cumulative IV morphine-induced EEG spectral power as well as qualitatively shifting the relative distribution of spectral power to predominantly faster frequencies. In morphine-tolerant rats, the quantitative and qualitative EEG properties were identical to those in dynorphin A-(1–13) pretreated morphine-naive rats. Thus, dynorphin A-(1–13) pretreatment apparently produced instantaneous acute morphine tolerance. Furthermore, in morphine-tolerant rats, dynorphin A-(1–13) pretreatment quantitatively increased morphine-induced EEG power without qualitatively changing the relative distribution of EEG spectral power. This latter effect may be due to a summation of increased endogenous levels of dynorphin A-(1–13) associated with the development of morphine tolerance and the experimentally administered dynorphin A-(1–13). These results indicate that dynorphin-induced quantitative and qualitative EEG changes of morphine may reflect different underlying processes. That is, quantitative changes may reflect the number of receptors that are activated, while qualitative changes may reflect the nature of the receptor-effector coupling.
Modulation of purified phospholipase A2 activity from human platelets by calcium and indomethacin

A membrane bound phospholipase A2 (phosphatide 2-acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.4) from human platelets has been purified 3500-fold, and partially characterized. Phospholipase A2 activity was assayed using [1-14C] oleate-labeled Escherichia coli or sonicated dispersions of synthetic phospholipids. The 2-acyl specificity of the phospholipase activity was confirmed using phosphatidylethanolamine labeled in the C-1 position as substrate. The purified enzyme was maximally active between pH 8.0 and 10.5, and had an absolute requirement for low concentrations of Ca2+ Indomethacin, but not aspirin, inhibited phospholipase A2 activity.
OVAEIAN HORMONE EFFECTS IN OVARIECTOMIZED MONKEYS

In earlier experiments reported from this laboratory effects of ovarian and placental extracts2 upon adult and immature monkeys have been described (Allen, 1, 2, 3). This work has demonstrated first, that the reddening and swelling of the “sexual skin” and also the growth which normally occurs in the genital organs and mammary glands during the first half of the menstrual cycle may be induced by administration of this hormone and, second, that experimental menstrual periods follow cessation of injections of hormone in a majority of ovariectomized monkeys. In the above experiments, however, full pre-menstrual development of the glands of the endometrium was not obtained. Consequently it appeared that the experimental menstrual periods in these ovariectomized animals corresponded more nearly to those occurring in normal monkeys in the absence of ovulation (Van Herwerden, 4, and Corner, 5). It seemed desirable therefore to continue the experiments with increased dosages of hormone in an attempt to ascertain ...
Spectrally agile far‐infrared detector using an n‐i‐p‐i superlattice

We propose a spectrally agile far‐infrared detector based on an InSb n‐i‐p‐i superlattice. We show that the spectral response of the detector can be tuned with an applied electrical bias that modulates the tunneling‐assisted interband absorption coefficient by changing the internal electric fields. Calculations for several possible superlattice designs are presented and the limitation on the design parameters imposed by the tunneling current is discussed. It is shown that the detector can distinguish between blackbodies with temperatures in the range of 200–400 K independent of the distance between the object and the detector. We also present a simple discussion of the response time that can be expected from such a detector and of the noise sources that will limit its performance.
The Political Economy of Group Membership

Despite its normative importance, the question of why people join interest groups remains open. It has certainly provoked a wealth of theoretical attention. Regrettably, however, it has inspired only a handful of empirical tests. The introduction of this article places the empirical debate into its normative context. The first section develops a rational model of individual evaluations of group membership, focusing upon the effect of changing personal circumstances—preferences, needs, resources, insecurity, and information—on the calculus. In particular, the theory predicts responsiveness to political or collective benefits in threatening times. Analyses of aggregate changes over time in membership in the Farm Bureau, the League of Women Voters, and the Home Builders, reported in the second section, bear the model out. Finally, the conclusion takes on the complementary question of group supply, sketching a theory of group mobilization that emphasizes subsidization.
Calcium dependence for increased antizyme inhibitory activity of ornithine decarboxylase in rat glioma cells

Abstract Ornithine decarboxylase activity was inhibited by the antizyme inhibitor protein in extracts from C6-2B rat glioma cells. Antizyme activity in C6-2B cells was increased 3- to 10-fold by micromolar concentrations of putrescine, spermidine and spermine. The calcium chelator EGTA (p Ca 6.4) inhibited basal and polyamine-stimulated antizyme activity, and this inhibition was prevented by concurrent incubation with calcium, but not with magnesium. EGTA appeared to block antizyme synthesis, because the half-life values of antizyme activity in the presence of EGTA or cycloheximide were similar (121–143 min). Also, calcium readdition rapidly reversed EGTA inhibition of antizyme activity by a mechanism which could be blocked by cycloheximide. The ability of EGTA to inhibit spermidine-stimulated antizyme activity was not due to reduced spermidine uptake, because EGTA actually stimulated [ 3 H]spermidine accumulation in the trichloro-acetic acid-soluble fraction of C6-2B cells after 3 h.
Commentary: Corporate philanthropy and conflicts of interest in public health

This commentary discusses how ethicists view the responsibilities of corporations, of their philanthropic spin-offs, and of not-for-profit organizations with regard to use of monies from corporate philanthropies for public health.
Detection of a wide variety of human and veterinary fluoroquinolone antibiotics in municipal wastewater and wastewater-impacted surface water

As annual sales of antibiotics continue to rise, the mass of these specially-designed compounds entering municipal wastewater treatment systems has also increased. Of primary concern here is that antibiotics can inhibit growth of specific microorganisms in biological processes of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) or in downstream ecosystems. Growth inhibition studies with Escherichia coli demonstrated that solutions containing 1-10 μg/L of fluoroquinolones can inhibit microbial growth. Wastewater samples were collected on a monthly basis from various treatment stages of a 30 million gallon per day WWTP in Maryland, USA. Samples were analyzed for the presence of 11 fluoroquinolone antibiotics. At least one fluoroquinolone was detected in every sample. Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin exhibited detection frequencies of 100% and 98%, respectively, across all sampling sites. Concentrations of fluoroquinolones in raw wastewater were as high as 1900 ng/L for ciprofloxacin and 600 ng/L for ofloxacin. Difloxacin, enrofloxacin, fleroxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, and orbifloxacin were also detected at appreciable concentrations of 9-170 ng/L. The total mass concentration of fluoroquinolones in raw wastewater was in the range that inhibited E. coli growth, suggesting that concerns over antibiotic presence in wastewater and wastewater-impacted surface water are valid. The average removal efficiency of fluoroquinolones during wastewater treatment was approximately 65%; furthermore, the removal efficiency for fluoroquinolones was found to be negatively correlated to biochemical oxygen demand removal and positively correlated to phosphorus removal.
The Colours of the Alkali Metals

IN NATURE (vol. xlvii. p. 55) is a communication by Mr. G. S. Newth, entitled “Note on the Colours of the Alkali Metals.”
Self-healing materials with microvascular networks

Self-healing polymers composed of microencapsulated healing agents exhibit remarkable mechanical performance and regenerative ability, but are limited to autonomic repair of a single damage event in a given location. Self-healing is triggered by crack-induced rupture of the embedded capsules; thus, once a localized region is depleted of healing agent, further repair is precluded. Re-mendable polymers can achieve multiple healing cycles, but require external intervention in the form of heat treatment and applied pressure. Here, we report a self-healing system capable of autonomously repairing repeated damage events. Our bio-inspired coating-substrate design delivers healing agent to cracks in a polymer coating via a three-dimensional microvascular network embedded in the substrate. Crack damage in the epoxy coating is healed repeatedly. This approach opens new avenues for continuous delivery of healing agents for self-repair as well as other active species for additional functionality.
Heterogeneous expression of KChIP2 isoforms in the ferret heart

Kv4 channels are believed to underlie the rapidly recovering cardiac transient outward current (Ito) phenotype. However, heterologously expressed Kv4 channels fail to fully reconstitute the native current. Kv channel interacting proteins (KChIPs) have been shown to modulate Kv4 channel function. To determine the potential involvement of KChIPs in the rapidly recovering Ito, we cloned three KChIP2 isoforms (designated fKChIP2, 2a and 2b) from the ferret heart. Based upon immunoblot data suggesting the presence of a potential endogenous KChIP-like protein in HEK 293, CHO and COS cells but absence in Xenopus oocytes, we coexpressed Kv4.3 and the fKChIP2 isoforms in Xenopus oocytes. Functional analysis showed that while all fKChIP2 isoforms produced a fourfold acceleration of recovery kinetics compared to Kv4.3 expressed alone, only fKChIP2a produced large depolarizing shifts in the V1/2 of steady-state activation and inactivation as seen for the native rapidly recovering Ito. Analysis of RNA and protein expression of the three fKChIP2 isoforms in ferret ventricles showed that fKChIP2b was most abundant and was expressed in a gradient paralleling the rapidly recovering Ito distribution. Ferret KChIP2 and 2a were expressed at very low levels. The ventricular expression distribution suggests that fKChIP2 isoforms are involved in modulation of the rapidly recovering Ito; however, additional regulatory factors are also likely to be involved in generating the native current.
Partial Protection against Helicobacter pylori in the Absence of Mast Cells in Mice

The goal of this study is to evaluate the contribution of mast cells to Helicobacter pylori immunity in a model of vaccine-induced protection. Mast cell-deficient Kitl(Sl)/Kitl(Sl-d) and control mice were immunized with H. pylori sonicate plus cholera toxin and challenged with H. pylori, and the bacterial loads, inflammatory infiltrates, and cytokine responses were evaluated and compared at 1, 2, and 4 weeks postchallenge. In vitro stimulation assays were performed using bone marrow-derived mast cells, and recall assays were performed with spleen cells of immunized mast cell-deficient and wild-type mice. Bacterial clearance was observed by 2 weeks postchallenge in mast cell-deficient mice. The bacterial load was reduced by 4.0 log CFU in wild-type mice and by 1.5 log CFU in mast cell-deficient mice. Neutrophil numbers in the gastric mucosa of immune Kitl(Sl)/Kitl(Sl-d) mice were lower than those for immune wild-type mice (P < 0.05). Levels of gastric interleukin-17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were also significantly lower in immune Kitl(Sl)/Kitl(Sl-d) mice than in wild-type mice (P < 0.001). Immunized mast cell-deficient and wild-type mouse spleen cells produced IFN-gamma and IL-17 in response to H. pylori antigen stimulation. TNF-alpha and CXC chemokines were detected in mast cell supernatants after 24 h of stimulation with H. pylori antigen. The results indicate that mast cells are not essential for but do contribute to vaccine-induced immunity and that mast cells contribute to neutrophil recruitment and inflammation in response to H. pylori.
Are Collaborations Enough? Professionals’ Knowledge of Victim Services:

Service providers must be aware of community resources to make referrals, and yet studies have found providers to be less knowledgeable of services other than their own. This article describes a survey of 279 domestic violence, victim assistance, law enforcement, legal professionals, public health, and mental health professionals who were asked about a range of services for victims of domestic violence. Results indicated that groups had less knowledge of some services, notably, special services provided by domestic violence shelters and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), food, and goods. Perceptions of service availability differed across professional groups in terms of overall health, law enforcement, and shelter services. Results call for purposeful interprofessional communication and cross-training.
The Language of Intoxication: Preliminary Investigations

The number of unique synonyms for intoxication in the English language is exceedingly large. However, alcohol researchers often use only 1 or 2 items to assess subjective effects of heavy alcohol consumption (e.g., “To what extent were you drunk?”). We argue that the language drinkers use to describe subjective alcohol effects is important to self-report research, denotes a range of intoxication levels, and is not adequately represented by a single item or term (e.g., “drunk”). If sufficiently resolved, the language drinkers use could prove beneficial in providing a summary index of the “effective” dose of alcohol experienced (i.e., how intoxicated individuals feel), which can vary dramatically from the actual dose administered (i.e., number of standard drinks).
A Career in Surgical Oncology: Finding Meaning, Balance, and Personal Satisfaction

The practice of surgical oncology provides opportunities for both personal distress as well as personal satisfaction. While many surgical oncologists experience career burnout, others derive great meaning and satisfaction from their work. In this article, we review the literature on surgeon burnout, discuss potential personal and professional consequences, and consider steps individual surgeons can take to promote personal and professional satisfaction.
Luminal hypotonicity in proximal tubules of aquaporin-1-knockout mice.

To examine the role of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in near-isosmolar fluid reabsorption in the proximal tubule, we compared osmolalities in micropuncture samples of late proximal tubular fluid and plasma in...
Alternatives to least squares in multiple linear regression to predict production traits

Summary The objectives of this study were to describe and compare the efficacy of least-squares, ridge-and principal-components-regression methodology for analysis of data for which multicollinearity existed among regressor variables. A data set composed of calfhood traits (regressor variables) and first-progeny weaning weight (the dependent variable) of 771 Angus females was used. The statistics variance-inflation factors, eigenvalues, condition numbers and variance proportions were used in diagnosing multicollinearity. Although biased, the regression-coefficient estimates produced by ridge and principal components regression had smaller variances than estimates obtained from least squares. Between the two alternatives to least squares, ridge regression produced better results than principal-components regression. Ridge and least-squares regression produced similar regression-coefficient estimates, prediction sum of squares (PRESS-like) statistics and, to a lesser extent, conceptual predictive criteria (Cp-like) statistics. For prediction, the performance of least-squares and ridge-regression models was very similar. Zusammenfassung Alternativen zu Minimum-Quadrat bei multipler linearer Regression zur Voraussage von Leistungsmerkmalen Die Untersuchung bezieht auf Beschreibung und Vergleich der Wirksamkeit von Minimum-Quadrat, Ridge und Hauptkomponentenregressionsmethodik zur Analyse von Daten mit Multicollinearitat zwischen Regressorvariablen. Das Datenmaterial aus Kalberleistungen (Regressorvariable) und Absatzgewicht der ersten Nachkommen (abhangige Variable) von 771 Anguskuhen wurde verwendet. Die statistischen Grosen Varianz inflationsfaktoren, Eigenwerte, Bedingungszahl und Varianzverhaltnisse wurden zur Diagnose der Multicollinearitat verwendet. Obwohl verzerrt, haben die Regressionskoeffizientenschatzungen aus Ridge-und Hauptkomponentenregression geringere Varianzen als Minimum-Quadratschatzungen. Von den zwei Alternativen hat Ridge-Regression bessere Resultate als Hauptkomponentenregression ergeben. Ridge und Miniumum-Quadratregression haben ahnliche Regressionskoeffizienten ergeben, Schatzungsquadratsumme (PRESS-ahnlich), Statistik und, in einem geringeren Ausmas, Schatzungskriterien (Cp-ahnliche)-statistik. Im Hinblich auf Voraussage war die Leistung der Minimum-Quadrat-und Ridge-Regressions-Modelle sehr anlich.
The Pledge of Allegiance and the Meanings and Limits of Civil Religion

Recent court challenges to the constitutionality of teacher-led recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools have centered on the question whether the Pledge is to be understood as a religious or secular ritual, given its post-1954 addition of the phrase "under God." After a brief discussion of Establishment Clause jurisprudence on this question, we argue that the category of civil religion usefully illuminates what is at stake in constitutional debates about the Pledge and in similar rituals. We develop four perspectives through which the Pledge of Allegiance in particular, and civil religion in general, can be understood to function: preservationist, pluralist, priestly, and prophetic. Thus the ongoing controversy surrounding the Pledge of Allegiance is best understood not as a dispute between "believers" and "atheists," but on the contested meaning, significance, and propriety of civil religion in America itself. In the end, we suggest that even without the contested phrase, the Pledge would remain a potent ritual of civil religion, serving all four functions, and urge further serious study of the religious significance of the phenomenon of civil religion.
Loyalty in the Teachings of Confucius and Josiah Royce

Loyalty is central to the philosophies of Confucius and Josiah Royce. In the case of Confucius, we see this significance in the emphasis placed in the Analects on zhong (“loyalty,” “other-regard,” or “dutifulness”) and xiao (“filial piety” or “filiality”). In the case of Royce, we see this significance in the emphasis placed on loyalty in The Philosophy of Loyalty.2 Moreover, in Confucius's and Royce's interactions with disciples and students, we witness appreciable loyalty, to their students and to their respective philosophies. This article compares the teachings—in thought and action—of Confucius and Royce, highlighting the significance of loyalty therein.
Basal and Stimulated Sympathetic Responses After Epinephrine No Evidence of Augmented Responses

Delayed facilitation of norepinephrine release through the action of epinephrine (NE) at presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors has been postulated to account for the delayed hemodynamic effects of epinephrine and to be a mechanism causally related to the development of hypertension. To determine whether a short-term increase in epinephrine concentrations resulted in subsequent facilitation of sympathetic responses, 9 healthy subjects (age, 21+/-0.9 years) were studied at rest and during physiological stress on 2 occasions when they received an infusion of either saline or epinephrine (20 ng/kg per minute) in random order. Heart rate, blood pressure, forearm blood flow, epinephrine concentrations, and NE spillover were measured at rest, during mental stress (Stroop test), and during a cold pressor test. Measurements were performed before, during the 1-hour infusion of epinephrine or placebo, and 1 hour after the infusion. A radioisotope dilution method was used to measure NE spillover. Hemodynamic measurements and NE spillover were increased during the infusion of epinephrine, but 1 hour after discontinuation of epinephrine there was no significant augmentation of hemodynamic or sympathetic responses. NE spillover 1 hour after saline or epinephrine infusion was similar (0.85+/-0.2 versus 0. 87+/-0.2 microg/min; P=0.92). In addition, there was no delayed facilitation of stress-induced hemodynamic or NE responses after epinephrine. These findings do not support the hypothesis that epinephrine results in delayed facilitation of NE release.
Survival of Tritrichomonas foetus Stored at −28 and −95°C After Freezing in the Presence of Glycerol*

SYNOPSIS. Tritrichomonas foetus survived much better on extended storage at -95 than at -28dC following slow freezing in the presence of 1.0 M glycerol. There was no significant difference between these temperatures in survival up to 8 days, but thereafter the protozoa continued to die off slowly at -28d, whereas their numbers remained essentially constant at -95d for 128 to 256 days. The trichomonads' motility was much better after storage at -95d than after storage at -28d, and fresh cultures could be initiated from the former much more readily. Other constituents of the suspending medium besides glycerol affect the survival of the protozoa upon freezing. Survival was much better when the protozoa were frozen in the original Diamond's trypticase-yeast extract-maltose-cysteine-ascorbic acid-serum medium in which they had been grown than when they were frozen in physiological salt solution or in fresh Diamond's medium. There was no significant difference between survival in the latter two suspending media. The speed and time of centrifugation needed to remove the trichomonads from the medium in which they had been grown had no effect on their survival upon subsequent freezing. Presumably some product or products of the trichomonads' metabolism have an additional protective action which supplements that of glycerol. When frozen in the original Diamond's medium in which they had been grown plus 1.0 M glycerol, an average of 15% of the trichomonads were alive after 128 days' storage at -28d and an average of 38% were alive at -95dC. When frozen in physiological salt solution plus 1.0 M glycerol, these percentages were 8% and 12% respectively.
Assessment of congenital neurovesical dysfunction by combined urodynamic and radiological studies.

Summary— The findings of combined, simultaneous, urodynamic and radiological studies in a series of 109 patients with congenital neurovesical dysfunction are described. The results are classified firstly in terms of voiding activity, that is whether this occurred only by involuntary detrusor contractions, only by abdominal expression or straining or by both means, and secondly in terms of the bladder's ability to store and void urine. The reasons for failures in these latter respects were variable and are discussed in detail.
COMBINATION THERAPY AS INITIAL TREATMENT FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED HYPERTENSION

Background The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure recommends that clinicians consider the use of multidrug therapy to increase likelihood of achieving blood pressure goal. Little is known about recent patterns of combination antihypertensive therapy use in patients being initiated on hypertension treatment. Methods We investigated combination antihypertensive therapy use in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients from the Cardiovascular Research Network Hypertension Registry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between combination antihypertensive therapy and 12-month blood pressure control. Results Between 2002 and 2007, a total of 161,585 patients met criteria for incident hypertension and were initiated on treatment. During the study period, an increasing proportion of patients were treated initially with combination rather than with single-agent therapy (20.7% in 2002 compared with 35.8% in 2007, P P Conclusions Initial treatment of hypertension with combination therapy is increasingly common and is associated with better long-term blood pressure control.
Stability Considerations in the Synthesis of Time-Varying Feedback Systems

In a recent paper1 the synthesis technique proposed by Guillemin for liniear stationary systems2 was extended for nonstationary feedback systems. It is to be expected, however, that stability problems may arise when applying the method for unstable or nonminimum phase plants, as it does in the time-invariant case. In this investigation it is shown that stability of the system can be assured by imposing constraints in the open-loop differential equation. These constraints are seen to be analogous to those of the time-invariant case.
Multiplier structures for low power applications in deep-CMOS

Energy-efficient serial and parallel multiplier structures are explored to see their suitability in the low and ultra low power design regimes. 16×16-bit serial and state-of-art parallel multipliers are compared in 45nm CMOS. A multiplier structure is proposed by optimizing the architecture, gate sizes and the voltage supply. The proposed structure provides 15% more throughput as compared to two-cycle parallel multiplier with the same energy consumption for high speed applications. In the low speed design region, it provides 3.7X energy reduction compared to the serial multiplier.
Medication adherence and glycemic control in patients with psychotic disorders in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

Objective: To compare antihyperglycemic medication adherence and glycemic control between individuals with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders and a nonpsychiatric comparison group.Methods: This was a retrospective medical record review. A total of 124 subjects with diabetes (62 patients with schizophrenia or a related psychotic disorder and 62 randomly selected, age-matched patients without a psychiatric illness) receiving their medical and psychiatric care exclusively through the Kansas City Veterans Affairs healthcare system during 2008 were included in the study. Adherence to antihyperglycemic and antipsychotic medication was determined by refill records obtained through the computerized patient record system to calculate the cumulative mean gap ratio. Hemoglobin A1C values were utilized to compare glycemic control between groups and compared to glycemic goals established by diabetes treatment guidelines.Results: Antihyperglycemic medication adherence was poor for both groups as approximately 60% of the psychotic disorder group and 75% of the nonpsychiatric comparison group were without antihyperglycemic medication for greater than 30 days during the 12-month period but adherence did not differ between the groups (p=0.182). Antipsychotic adherent subjects (≥80% adherent) were more likely to be adherent to their antihyperglycemic medication (p=0.0003). There were no significant differences between groups in glycemic control.Conclusion: Antihyperglycemic medication adherence and glycemic control was less than optimal for both groups. There were no significant differences in antihyperglycemic medication adherence and glycemic control between patients with a psychotic disorder and those without a psychiatric illness. Keywords: Medication Adherence. Diabetes Mellitus. Psychotic Disorders. Veterans. United States.
The ALERT Algorithm: How to Simply Define a Period of Elevated Disease Incidence

Despite the number of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths from influenza each year, developing the ability to predict the timing of these outbreaks has remained elusive. We have developed the Above Local Elevated Respiratory illness Threshold (ALERT) algorithm to help public health practitioners develop simple rules to define a period of increased disease incidence in a given location. The ALERT algorithm defines a period of elevated disease incidence in a community or hospital that systematically collects surveillance data on a particular disease. By defining this period of increased risk, the ALERT algorithm enables fast response to emerging outbreaks in healthcare settings.
The Secretion of Oxygen into the Swim-Bladder of Fish: III. The role of carbon dioxide

The secretion of carbon dioxide accompanying the secretion of oxygen into the swim-bladder of the bluefish is examined in order to distinguish among several theories which have been proposed to describe the operation of the rete mirabile, a vascular countercurrent exchange organ. Carbon dioxide may comprise 27 per cent of the gas secreted, corresponding to a partial pressure of 275 mm Hg. This is greater than the partial pressure that would be generated by acidifying arterial blood (about 55 mm Hg). The rate of secretion is very much greater than the probable rate of metabolic formation of carbon dioxide in the gas-secreting complex. It is approximately equivalent to the probable rate of glycolytic generation of lactic acid in the gas gland. It is concluded that carbon dioxide brought into the swim-bladder is liberated from blood by the addition of lactic acid. The rete mirabile must act to multiply the primary partial pressure of carbon dioxide produced by acidification of the blood. The function of the rete mirabile as a countercurrent multiplier has been proposed by Kuhn, W., Ramel, A., Kuhn, H. J., and Marti, E., Experientia, 1963, 19, 497. Our findings provide strong support for their theory. The unique structure of the gas-secreting complex of the swim-bladder of the bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix L., is described.
Waffles : A Machine Learning Toolkit

We present a breadth-oriented collection of cross-platform command-line tools for researchers in machine learning called Waffles. The Waffles tools are designed to offer a broad spectrum of functionality in a manner that is friendly for scripted automation. All functionality is also available in a C++ class library. Waffles is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License.