cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Research resource: loss of the steroid receptor coactivators confers neurobehavioral consequences.

Steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) are important transcriptional modulators that regulate nuclear receptor and transcription factor activity to adjust transcriptional output to cellular demands. Highlighting their pleiotropic effects, dysfunction of the SRCs has been found in numerous pathologies including cancer, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. The SRC family is expressed strongly in the brain including the hippocampus, cortex, and hypothalamus. Studies focusing on the effect of SRC loss using congenic SRC knockout mice (SRC−/−) are limited in number, yet strongly indicate that the SRCs play important roles in regulating reproductive behavior, development, and motor coordination. To better understand the unique functions of the SRCs, we performed a neurobehavioral test battery focusing on anxiety and exploratory behaviors, motor coordination, sensorimotor gating, and nociception in both male and female null mice and compared them with their wild-type (WT) littermates. Results from the test battery reveal a role for SRC1 in motor coordination. Additionally, we found that SRC1 regulates anxiety responses in SRC1−/− male and female mice, and nociception sensitivity in SRC1−/− male but not female mice. By comparison, SRC2 regulates anxiety response with SRC2−/− females showing decreased anxiety in novel environments, as well as increased exploratory behavior in the open field compared with WT littermates. Additionally, SRC2−/− males were shown to have deficits in sensorimotor gating. Loss of SRC3 also shows sex differences in anxiety and exploratory behaviors. In particular, SRC3−/− female mice have increased anxiety and reduced exploratory activity and impairments in prepulse inhibition, whereas SRC3−/− male mice show no significant behavioral differences. In both genders, ablation of SRC3 decreases nocifensive behaviors. Collectively, these resource data suggest that loss of the SRCs results in behavioral phenotypes, underscoring the importance of understanding both the general and gender-based activity of SRCs in the brain.
Effect of ligand structure on activation rate constants in ATRP

Activation rate constants (kact) for Cu complexes with various nitrogen-based ligands for Cu-mediated ATRP were determined at 35 °C in acetonitrile. The ratio of kact for complexes with different ligands exceeds 1 million times. The general order of Cu complex activity for ligands is tetradentate (cyclic-bridged) > tetradentate (branched) > tetradentate (cyclic) > tetradentate (linear) > tridentate > bidentate ligands. The nature of nitrogen atoms in ligands also plays a significant role in the activity of the Cu complexes and follows the order pyridine ≥ aliphatic amine > imine.
Analysis of γ-(Cholesteryloxy)butyric Acid in Biologic Samples by Derivatization with 5-(Bromomethyl)fluorescein Followed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detection

This report describes the first application of 5-(bromomethyl)fluorescein (5-BMF) for the quantitation of a pharmaceutically relevant carboxyl-containing analyte in a biological matrix. An analytical method for quantitation of γ-(cholesteryloxy)butyric acid (CBA), a relatively new antitumor agent, in different tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats was developed. 5-BMF was employed to form a stable and spectrally well-characterized conjugate of CBA. The derivatization yield was maximized by optimizing several reaction variables. The conjugate was separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and quantitated by a laboratory-constructed argon ion laser fluorometer. The detection limits for CBA were 4.6 × 10-9 and 6.34 × 10-11 M by conventional and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), respectively. A derivatization limit of detection of 1.85 × 10-9 M was achieved by LIF for the conjugate. The analytical method was useful for quantitation of CBA in various tissues in the picogram per milliliter range.
Surface enhanced Raman scattering from metallic nanoshells with nonlocal dielectric response

Abstract The Gersten–Nitzan model is applied to study the surface enhanced Raman scattering from a molecule adsorbed on a spherical metallic nanoshell. The nonlocal dielectric response from the nanoshell has been accounted for by using a phenomenological model. For a fixed outer radius of the shell, the enhancement ratio is calculated over a large range of scattering frequency and inner radius of the shell, including the case of a solid metallic particle. The effect due to different core materials is also studied. It is concluded that the nonlocal effects can be significant for very close molecule–shell distances, and for shells with very small sizes and/or thickness, leading to smaller enhancement in general. This can affect the plasmon resonances as well as the optimal shell thickness for the shell acting as a Raman enhancer.
Shear Stability of drag-reducing Polyacrylic Acid Solutions

THE drag reduction phenomenon which involves the presence of polymeric additives has received considerable attention in the past decade. This interest is stimulated by the fact that relatively large effects are produced upon the addition of very small amounts of high molecular weight polymers. In turbulent pipe flows, the addition of only a few parts per million of certain linear polymers, such as polyethylene oxide (abbreviated hereon as PEO), can dramatically reduce the pressure drop by 60% or more depending on the Reynolds number. This drag reducing characteristic in turbulent flows offers great potential in the development of new marine systems capable of higher speeds, longer range and larger pay-loads. These highly effective materials will obviously be limited in their technological applications if they undergo very rapid breakdown in the flow field; the shear stability of a polymer solution must be considered almost equally important as drag reducing efficiency.
Digital Controller Design for a Practicing Power Electronics Engineer

Practical digital controller design for switching power converters is addressed in this paper. A simplified direct-digital design approach is proposed where digital compensation tools are analyzed in the familiar analog frequency domain. The design is based on traditional concepts and tools such as Bode plots, zero/pole insertion, and gain/phase margins. In contrast to analog redesign methods, this approach is able to accurately account for loop parasitics such as zero-order holds and computational delays and predict the system response. It does not entail the creation of a discrete-time model of the controlled plant, necessary for other direct-digital design approaches. Families of compensation zeros/poles are presented. Notably powerful are two families of complex zero pairs, able to create a sharp phase boost of 180 degrees, specifically useful for converters with high-Q filters. A numbering system is introduced that enables simple -yet optimized-number representation within a fixed-point environment. This system is utilized to model different controller blocks, and to construct a blue-print of the controller code. A design example is then used to demonstrate the design methodology. Experimental results of a matching prototype are then presented that show close correspondence to theoretical and simulation predictions.
The Message Is the Medium: A New Paradigm for Content-Oriented Instruction

This article focuses on the Connections goal of the National Standards—i.e., on the integration of interdisciplinary content and language skills. Although content has always played some role in foreign language courses, the complexities of “connections” to academic content are far from being realized in the current foreign language teaching and learning environment. Consequently, this article proposes a developmental model for content-oriented instruction that moves students from familiar to unfamiliar academic and cultural content while also taking into account their language level at each stage. In the process, the article offers suggestions on how to avoid the “sudden jumps” in difficulty, characteristic of language and literature courses both in high school and college, which lead to so much student/teacher frustration as well as to often dramatic drops in enrollment from level to level.
Endocrine and metabolic responses of intact and hypophysectomized turkey poults given a daily injection of chicken growth hormone.

Abstract Female turkey poults were hypophysectomized at 4–5 weeks of age. Beginning at 6 weeks of age, 20 hypophysectomized and 20 intact birds received a daily intramuscular injection of natural chicken growth hormone (cGH, 100 μg/kg body weight) or vehicle for 12 days. Blood samples were taken from each bird just before injection and 4hr post-injection at 6 and 12 days of treatment. Hypophysectomy reduced the growth rate of turkey poults to 75% of that of intact controls, significantly reduced carcass protein and ash percentages, and significantly lowered plasma concentrations of GH, insulin-like growth factor-I, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and non-esterified fatty acids. Hypophysectomy was without effect on liver GH receptor binding activity, but increased liver 5′-monodeiodinase activity. Daily cGH injection had no effect on the average daily gain of either hypophysectomized or intact poults when compared to vehicle-injected controls over 12 days of treatment. Daily cGH administration increased plasma insulin-like growth factor-I levels in intact and hypophysectomized turkeys, and increased plasma triiodothyronine, insulin, glucose, and triglyceride concentrations in hypophysectomized birds, but not in intact birds. Responses of young turkeys to hypophysectomy and GH replacement were consistent with the known metabolic role of GH in other species, but the influence of GH on growth appears to be of less importance in poultry than in mammals.
Biomechanical Outcomes of Bridge-enhanced Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair Are Influenced by Sex in a Preclinical Model.

Background Despite the well-established role of sex on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk, its effects on ACL surgical outcomes remain controversial. This is particularly critical when developing novel surgical techniques to treat the injury because there are limited data existing on how these procedures will respond in each sex. One such approach is bridge-enhanced ACL repair, in which primary suture repair of the ACL is augmented with a bioactive scaffold saturated with autologous blood. It has shown comparable biomechanical outcomes to ACL reconstruction in preclinical models.
5′-METHYLTHIOADENOSINE (MTA) PHOSPHORYLASE FROM LEISHMANIA DONOVANI: 103

A nucleoside phosphorylase specific for 6-amino purine nucleosides has been purified from extracts of promastigotes of the pathogenic protozoan Leishmania donovani. Unlike the three nucleoside hydrolases previously isolated from this organism (Koszalka and Krenitsky, JBC, 254, 8185-8193, 1979), this enzyme was capable of nucleoside synthesis from pentose-1-phosphate and adenine or selected analogues. The purified enzyme had a pl value of 6.2, a molecular weight of 86,000 daltons, and a pH optimum for adenosine phosphorolysis between 5.6 and 6.5. The energy of activation for the synthetic direction with adenine and Rib-1-P was 8600 cal/mole, while that for the phosphorolytic direction was 11,300 cal/mole. Substrates for the phosphorolytic direction in decreasing order of substrate efficiency (Rel Vmax/Km) were: 5'-methylthioadenosine (26), 2'-deoxyadenosine (12.5), 5'-deoxyadenosine (11.8) and adenosine (0.7). The Km values ranged from 1-46 μM. Adenine arabinoside, inosine, 2'-deoxyinosine, guanosine, and 2'-deoxyguanosine were neither substrates nor potent inhibitors. Adenine and various 2-substituted adenine analogues were substrates with Rib-1-P, whereas 4-amino-pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine and the 3-deaza-, 7-deaza-, and 8-aza-adenine analogues were all non-substrate competitive inhibitors. This enzyme catalyzed nucleoside synthesis from adenine and Rib-1-P, 2-'dRib-1-P or 5'-methylthio-Rib-1-P. A marked difference between this protozoal MTA phosphorylase and the mammalian counterpart is its ability to synthesize and cleave 2'-deoxyadenosine.
Unraveling the potential and pore-size dependent capacitance of slit-shaped graphitic carbon pores in aqueous electrolytes

Understanding and leveraging physicochemical processes at the pore scale are believed to be essential to future performance improvements of supercapacitors and capacitive desalination (CD) cells. Here, we report on a combination of electrochemical experiments and fully atomistic simulations to study the effect of pore size and surface charge density on the capacitance of graphitic nanoporous carbon electrodes. Specifically, we used cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to study the effect of potential and pore size on the capacitance of nanoporous carbon foams. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the pore-size dependent accumulation of aqueous electrolytes in slit-shaped graphitic carbon pores of different widths (0.65 to 1.6 nm). Experimentally, we observe a pronounced increase of the capacitance of sub-nm pores as the applied potential window gets wider, from a few F g−1 for narrow potential ranges (−0.3 to 0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl) to ∼40 F g−1 for wider potential windows (−0.9 V to 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl). By contrast, the capacitance of wider pores does not depend significantly on the applied potential window. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm that the penetration of ions into pores becomes more difficult with decreasing pore width and increasing strength of the hydration shell. Consistent with our experimental results, we observe a pore- and ion-size dependent threshold-like charging behavior when the pore width becomes comparable to the size of the hydrated ion (0.65 nm pores for Na+ and 0.79 nm pores for Cl− ions). The observed pore-size and potential dependent accumulation of ions in slit-shaped carbon pores can be explained by the hydration structure of the ions entering the charged pores. The results are discussed in view of their effect on energy-storage and desalination efficiency.
An inversion integral for crack-scattering data

Abstract The inverse problem of determining the size, shape and orientation of a flat crack from high-frequency far-field elastic waves scattered by the crack is investigated. The results show that desired information on a crack can be obtained from the first arriving scattered longitudinal waves only. It is shown that an approximate high-frequency solution to the direct problem, based on physical elastodynamics, yields an expression for the scattered far-field of longitudinal motion which suggests a solution to the inverse problem by application of Fourier-type inversion integrals to scattering data. Two kinds of inversion integrals are examined. The inversion problem becomes relatively simple if some a-priori information is available, either on the orientation of the plane of the crack or on a plane of symmetry. The method of inversion is verified for a flat crack of elliptical shape. Some computational technicalities are discussed, and the method is also applied to experimental scattering data.
Incentives for using local electrochemical impedance methods in the investigation of organic coatings

Abstract The assessment of changes in organic coatings in a corrosive environment has traditionally utilized global electrochemical methods, such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), in which a relatively large area of the sample is examined. Recently, more localized methods of impedance measurement have been developed and used to map heterogeneities across a sample surface, and the temporal changes of these regions. These localized methods are essential to further understand the breakdown process of coated alloys that inevitably occurs at discrete sites. This paper will examine the incentives for making local electrochemical impedance measurements, the advantages and limitations of this method, some of the lessons learned, and the present understanding of local breakdown processes on model-coated substrates.
Yeast TAFII145 Functions as a Core Promoter Selectivity Factor, Not a General Coactivator

Abstract In yeast, TATA box binding protein associated factors (TAF II s) are dispensable for transcription of most genes. Here we use differential display to identify a small subset of yeast genes whose transcription in vivo requires yTAF II 145. Promoter-mapping studies reveal, unexpectedly, that the region of a gene that renders it yTAF II 145-dependent is not the upstream activating sequence, which contains the activator-binding sites, but rather the core promoter. In fact, a core promoter requiring yTAF II 145 retained that requirement when its transcription was directed by several unrelated upstream activating sequences and even in the absence of an activator. Taken together, our results indicate that yTAF II 145 functions in recognition and selection of core promoters by a mechanism not involving upstream activators.
Electrochemical Impedance Technique — A Practical Tool for Corrosion Prediction

Abstract Electrochemical impedance (AC impedance) measurements are practical for predicting corrosion behavior. Combining this technique with small amplitude DC polarization offers a rapid method of estimating corrosion rates. Optimization of the potentiostat gain allows for the rapid estimation of very low corrosion rates. Full use of this technique in predicting corrosion behavior is achieved by using a microcomputer to control data acquisition and a mainframe computer for data analysis. Successful use of this combination to estimate low corrosion rates and to determine other types of corrosion behavior is demonstrated for several practical applications. These applications are rapid estimation of passive alloy corrosion and evaluation of inhibitors of carbon steel corrosion in neutral pH water.
STABILITY AND FOLDING PROPERTIES OF A MODEL BETA -SHEET PROTEIN, ESCHERICHIA COLI CSPA

Although beta-sheets represent a sizable fraction of the secondary structure found in proteins, the forces guiding the formation of beta-sheets are still not well understood. Here we examine the folding of a small, all beta-sheet protein, the E. coli major cold shock protein CspA, using both equilibrium and kinetic methods. The equilibrium denaturation of CspA is reversible and displays a single transition between folded and unfolded states. The kinetic traces of the unfolding and refolding of CspA studied by stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy are monoexponential and thus also consistent with a two-state model. In the absence of denaturant, CspA refolds very fast with a time constant of 5 ms. The unfolding of CspA is also rapid, and at urea concentrations above the denaturation midpoint, the rate of unfolding is largely independent of urea concentration. This suggests that the transition state ensemble more closely resembles the native state in terms of solvent accessibility than the denatured state. Based on the model of a compact transition state and on an unusual structural feature of CspA, a solvent-exposed cluster of aromatic side chains, we propose a novel folding mechanism for CspA. We have also investigated the possible complications that may arise from attaching polyhistidine affinity tags to the carboxy and amino termini of CspA.
Poly[diacetonitrile­[μ3-difluoro­(oxalato)borato]sodium]

The title compound, [Na(C2BF2O4)(CH3CN)2]n, forms infinite two-dimensional layers running parallel to (010). The layers lie across crystallographic mirror planes at y = 1/4 and 3/4. The Na, B and two F atoms reside on these mirror planes. The Na+ cations are six-coordinate. Two equatorial coordination positions are occupied by acetonitrile mol­ecules. The other two equatorial coordination sites are occupied by the chelating O atoms from the difluoro­(oxalato)borate anion (DFOB−). The axial coordination sites are occupied by two F atoms from two different DFOB− anions.
Structure of stability and asymptotic stability sets of families of linear differential systems with parameter multiplying the derivative: II

We consider families of linear differential systems depending on a real parameter that occurs only as a factor multiplying the matrix of the system. The asymptotic stability set of such a family is defined as the set of all parameter values for which the corresponding systems in the family are asymptotically stable. We prove that a set on the real axis is the asymptotic stability set of such a family if and only if it is an Fσδ-set lying entirely on an open ray with origin at zero. In addition, for any set of this kind, the coefficient matrix of a family whose asymptotic stability set coincides with this set can be chosen to be infinitely differentiable and uniformly bounded on the time half-line.
Construction and interpretation of body surface maps

A SINGLE SURFACE MAP of the cardiac electrophysiologic activity portrays the variation in space of the potentials generated by the heart, for a single instant in time. Often a sequence of such maps is used to show the variation in the spatial distribution of potentials for a sequence of time instants throughout one or more cardiac cycles. Surface maps are most commonly used to portray the spatial variation over the body surface of humans or animals; however, in recent years surface maps showing the electrical activity over the epicardium or other cardiac structures also have come into frequent use. The merits of examining the variation of cardiac potentials in space were recognized by the first cardiac electrocardiographers. For example, Waller’ in 1888 published a diagram showing the potential distribution he expected on the body surface. Short histories of electrocardiographic thoracic mapping have been presented by Lepeschkin’ and Taccardi3 The beginning of more modern measurement of surface maps often is associated with the work of Nahum, Mauro, and co-workers4 in about 1952. The principal advantage of examining potential variation in space, rather than in time, is that the relationship between the spatially distributed electrical sources within the heart and the potential distributions produced on the epicardial or body surfaces for any instant in time can be considered independently of the relationship that exists at any other instant of time. The analogous relation with respect to time does not hold, i.e., it is not the case that an individual electrocardiogram describing voltage versus time is produced by the variation in time of the electrical sources in the heart at a single spatial location. The fact that the spatially distributed sources within the heart produce the corresponding surface maps instant by instant is the basis for the interpretation of surface maps. In particular, there is a more or less direct relationship between the spatial distribution of the cardiac sources and the observed spatial distributions of potentials on the epicardial or body surfaces. This relationship exists to a degree that is often intuitively obvious, and certainly to a degree that can be exploited by mathematical calculations.
Overexpression of wild-type and nuclear-targeted catalase modulates resistance to oxidative stress but does not alter spontaneous mutant frequencies at APRT.

Abstract Animal cells generate hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct of energy metabolism. In the presence of reduced metals H2O2 can decompose to a highly reactive hydroxyl radical that attacks essentially all organic molecules, including DNA. We wished to determine if overexpression of catalase and/or the targeting of the enzyme to the nucleus could protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce the frequency of mutation. Wild-type human catalase, which localizes to peroxisomes, and a modified construct, which targets catalase to the nucleus, were overexpressed in a murine line of embryonic carcinoma cells (P19). Both constructs enhanced the resistance of the cells to hydrogen peroxide, but sensitized them to bleomycin. Overexpression of wild-type catalase protected cells against paraquat, while nuclear targeting sensitized them to this agent. Expression of neither construct significantly altered spontaneous mutant frequencies at the endogenous murine adenosine phosphoribosyl transferase (APRT) locus; however, nuclear-targeted catalase prevented an increase in mutant frequency after H2O2 treatment. These results suggest that endogenous levels of hydrogen peroxide may not generate DNA damage in vivo, or that such damage may be efficiently repaired in murine embryonic carcinoma cells.
Plasma Levels and Effects of Sulfinpyrazone in Patients Requiring Chronic Hemodialysis

Sulfinpyrazone (Anturane), which inhibits platelet synthesis of prostaglandins and platelet release of serotonin, was given to patients with chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis. Patients were mateched in double-blind fashion to receive either placebo or sulfinpyrazone at 200 mg orally three times a day. Peak plasma levels of sulfinpyrazone after the first 200-mg dose ranged from 6.7 to 11.4 micrograms/ml (mean : 8.7 micrograms/ml). The plasma concentration showed a monoexponential disappearance pattern with an apparent half-life of 4 hours. At steady state, sulfinpyrazone peak plasma levels were 10.7 to 30.1 micrograms/ml. Residual plasma levels 12 hours after a final dose while in steady state were 3.7 and 4.3 micrograms/ml. Sulfinpyrazone protected against falls of platelet counts normally encountered during hemodialysis. Sulfinpyrazone blocked the increased platelet aggregability and the platelet uptake and release of serotonin normally seen following dialysis. Sulfinpyrazone prevented the consumption of antithyrombin III which is normally seen with hemodialysis, without having changed the anticoagulant efficacy of heparin. Sulfinpyrazone can be given to patients with chronic renal failure. It prevents platelet consumption during hemodialysis and protects against the decrement of antithyrombin III normally seen during hemodialysis.
Light emission from the Scenedesmus obliquus wild type, mutant 8, and mutant 11 strains, measured under steady-state conditions between 4 nanoseconds and 10 seconds

Abstract 1. The entire time course of the delayed light emission, from 4 ns to several seconds, was measured from the wild type D 3 strain, from the mutant 8 strain, and from the mutant 11 strain of Scenedesmus obliquus algae. The algae were illuminated by 488 nm, 12 mW/cm 2 laser light which was modulated on and off by either a rotating slotted disc or by an electro-optic laser light modulator. The kinetics of the light emission from the algae were measured through a 690-nm interference filter during the time intervals between the stimulus laser light flashes. 2. The D 3 wild type strain and mutant 8 produced delayed light emission of an intensity which could be measured by our apparatus, while any emission present from mutant 11 was not intense enough to be recorded. This indicated that most, if not all, of the delayed light emission originated from photosystem II. 3. The delayed light emission curve for the wild type and mutant 8 strains decayed in a complex fashion, i.e. the delayed light emission decay curves could not be described analytically by a single exponential term. 4. The initial microsecond section of the delayed light emission curve intersected the prompt fluorescence decay curve at virtually a right angle for both the wild type and the mutant 8. The lack of a transition zone between the two curves indicated that the prompt fluorescence was not a fast component of delayed light emission. Also, the lack of a transition zone between the two curves is evidence that delayed light emission occurred concurrently with prompt fluorescence during the periods the algae were exposed to the laser light. Following the instant the stimulus laser light was extinguished, the prompt fluorescence intensity fell to zero and the presence of the less intense delayed light emission was revealed. 5. The intensity of light emission from an algal sample could be measured (a) a few microseconds before the stimulus light was extinguished, and (b) in the first microsecond after the stimulus light was extinguished. Since the delayed light emission decay curve was rather flat throughout the first microsecond following stimulus light extinction, the ratio of prompt fluorescence intensity to delayed light emission intensity could be closely approximated as the ratio of (a)/(b). This ratio was found to be 165:1 for the wild type algae and 165:0.3 for the mutant 8. The algal samples were always preilluminated by the modulated laser light for 20 min prior to the ratio measurements.
Cytokine regulation of secondary lymphoid organ development

Abstract Lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor provide essential signals for the formation of secondary lymphoid tissue structures. Lymphotoxin in its membrane from (LTα1β2 heterotrimer) is required for the development of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches and supports the development of normal spleen structure. In the spleen, lymphotoxin acts during embryonic development to support the formation of distinct B and T cell zones. Lymphotoxin also acts in a tonic fashion — supporting the formation and maintenance of the follicular dendritic cell network and of primary B cell follicle structure. The cells that deliver the tonic lymphotoxin signal supporting follicular dendritic cell structure are B cells; thus, B cells participate fundamentally in the development of the lymphoid tissue structure in which they subsequently mature.
Comparison of systolic and diastolic criteria for isolated LV noncompaction in CMR.

Objectives This study used cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to compare standard criteria for left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). Background LVNC as a distinct cardiomyopathy is supported by a growing number of publications. Echocardiographic and CMR criteria have been established to diagnosis LVNC but have led to concerns of diagnostic accuracy. Methods Trabeculation/possible LVNC by CMR was retrospectively observed in 122 consecutive cases. We compared the standard end-systolic noncompacted-to-compacted ratio (ESNCCR), end-diastolic noncompacted:compacted ratio (EDNCCR), and trabecular mass-to-total mass ratio (TMTMR) along with deaths, embolic events, congestive heart failure (CHF) readmissions, ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial thickening (MT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 3-dimensional sphericity index (3DSi), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index. Adjusting for age, race, sex, body surface area, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and CHF, logistic regression was used to compare combined events (death, CHF readmission, embolism, ventricular arrhythmia) between ESNCCR, EDNCCR, and TMTMR. Adjusting for same covariates except CHF, logistic regression was used to compare the odds of CHF for those who met criteria and those who did not. Using analysis of covariance, adjusted means for LVEF, MT, 3DSi, and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index were generated. Results ES criteria had a higher odds ratio (8.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5 to 33) for combined events than ED criteria (1.8; 95% CI: 0.6 to 5.8) or TMTMR criteria (3.14; 95% CI: 1.09 to 10.2). The odds ratio of CHF for those who met ESNCCR criteria was 29.4 (95% CI: 6.6 to 125), but the odds ratio of CHF for those who met EDNCCR criteria was 3.3 (95% CI: 1.1 to 9.2). After adjustment, those who met criteria for noncompaction by ESNCCR had a lower LVEF and less MT than those who did not (p = 0.01 and p = 0.003, respectively), but there was no difference between those who met criteria for EDNCCR or the TMTMR criteria and those who did not. Conclusions ES measures of LVNC have stronger associations with events, CHF, and systolic dysfunction than other measures.
The effects of norepinephrine biosynthesis inhibition on the consolidation of two discriminated escape responses

Male and female mice were treated with diethyldithiocarbamate, a dopamine β -hydroxylase inhibitor, immediately following training on two discriminated shock escape tasks. Mice trained on a position discrimination task to criteria of either three out of four or nine out of ten consecutive errorless escapes were unaffected by treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate. However, mice trained on a light-dark discrimination task to a criterion of five out of six consecutive errorless escapes and treated with diethyldithiocarbamate were significantly poorer in terms of savings scores than control mice when tested 1 week later. Mice similarly trained on the light-dark discrimination to a criterion of nine out of ten consecutive errorless escapes and treated with diethyldithiocarbamate did not differ significantly from control mice. When treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate was delayed for 1 hr after training to a criterion of five out of six consecutive errorless escapes, such treatment was ineffective.
Energy Expended by Low Birth Weight Infants in the Deposition of Protein and Fat

One hundred twenty low birth weight infants were enterally fed diets containing fixed differences in protein and energy content. Serial, biweekly measurements were made of metabolizable energy intake, energy expenditure, nitrogen balance, and distribution of states of sleep, from the time the infants were receiving full enteral intakes (180 mL/kg.d) until weight reached 2200 g. Using multiple regression analysis of energy expenditure against protein stored, and metabolizable energy, the energy expended in the deposition of protein was calculated to be 5.5 kcal/g +/- 1.1 kcal/g (SE) and the energy cost of fat deposited was 1.6 kcal/g +/- 0.3 kcal/g (SE). Estimated maintenance energy expenditure of the nongrowing low birth weight infant was 42.3 +/- 3.2 kcal/kg/d. Variations in distribution of sleep state, an assessment of the activity state of the infant, did not explain additional variability in energy expenditure, after adjusting for protein and energy storage.
Bridging functional heterogeneity in multicore architectures

Heterogeneous processors that mix big high performance cores with small low power cores promise excellent single-threaded performance coupled with high multi-threaded throughput and higher performance-per-watt. A significant portion of the commercial multicore heterogeneous processors are likely to have a common instruction set architecture( ISA). However, due to limited design resources and goals, each core is likely to contain ISA extensions not yet implemented in the other core. Therefore, such heterogeneous processors will have inherent functional asymmetry at the ISA level and face significant software challenges. This paper analyzes the software challenges to the operating system and the application layer software on a heterogeneous system with functional asymmetry, where the ISA of the small and big cores overlaps. We look at the widely deployed Intel® Architecture and propose solutions to the software challenges that arise when a heterogeneous processor is designed around it. We broadly categorize functional asymmetries into those that can be exposed to application software and those that should be handled by system software. While one can argue that new software written should be heterogeneity-aware, it is important that we find ways in which legacy software can extract the best performance from heterogeneous multicore systems.
Mitogenic signaling in androgen sensitive and insensitive prostate cancer cell lines.

Purpose: To investigate the role of a specific mitogen activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), in regulating cell proliferation induced by three potentially important prostate cancer mitogens that signal via different classes of receptors. Materials and Methods: Androgen sensitive (LNCaP) and insensitive (PC-3) prostate cancer cell lines were used in these studies. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were the mitogenic stimulants and AG1478, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK, were the chemical inhibitors used in this study. Cell proliferation was measured using the WST-1 assay and ERK expression and activation was determined by immunoblotting for phospho- and total ERK. Results: In androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) both enhanced cell proliferation. EGF-stimulation dramatically increased ERK phosphorylation while DHT did not. In the androgen-insensitive cell line, PC-3, EGF- and LPA- induced ERK phosphorylation and cell proliferation. Inhibition of EGF- and LPA- induced ERK activation with the EGF receptor inhibitor, AG1478, or the MEK inhibitor, PD98059, attenuated their proliferative effects. Neither inhibitor had an effect on DHT stimulated cell proliferation. Conclusions: These data demonstrate heterogeneity of mitogenic signaling in prostate cancer cells, and support the hypothesis that androgens and growth factors utilize divergent signaling pathways in prostate cancer to induce proliferation.
On the mechanism of tachyphylaxis to tyramine in the isolated rat heart

Tyramine was shown to release [3H]-catecholamines from an isolated rat heart previously perfused with [3H]-noradrenaline. With successive injections of tyramine the amount of [3H]-catecholamine released fell progressively and there was a parallel decrease in the increment of amplitude and rate of contraction of the heart. Reserpinized hearts were shown to take up less [3H]-noradrenaline than normal hearts. Release of radioactivity and loss of responsiveness to tyramine occurred more rapidly in the reserpinized heart. In the same preparation the uptake of [14C]-tyramine exceeded the quantity of the noradrenaline released.
Hardware architecture of a neural network model simulating pattern recognition by the olfactory bulb

We designed, built, and tested an electronic neural network which replicates many features exhibited by the olfactory bulb. The nonlinear dynamics of the network are motivated by experimental findings in EEG recordings of the bulb, which indicate that a massively parallel architecture can be used to best describe the bulb's dynamics. The electronic design is a digitallanalog hybrid approach, utilizing the speed and flexibility of random access memory (RAM) for the initial storing and further modification of synaptic strengths, while still preserving the analog computational power of neural networks. A simple “learning” algorithm is implemented to show qualitative agreement to experimental results. The hardware design also includes a multiplexing scheme which decreases the number of connections, in the hardware, from order N2 to order N, where N is the number of neural units. The input is a parallel set of high and low step functions. The key operation is a bias that is induced by a step input, causing the system to switch from a low-gain equilibrium state to a high-gain limit cycle state. The output is read as a spatial pattern of oscillatory amplitudes. These results support our physiological explanations of how the olfactory system categorizes odors.
Diagnostic tests the NASS stenosis guidelines

neurological deficit, ataxia) are many times more likely to have problems not found on spinal MRI than to have spinal cancer. Important neurological diagnoses, ranging from lumbar plexus tumor to polyneuropathy, are well-detected with electrodiagnostic testing. Vascular claudication is detected with the ankle-brachial index. Mechanical causes of pain, including trochanter, hip joint, sacroiliac joint, facet joint, knee, and other problems, are positively diagnosed on physical examination or with injection. It is good to see that the guidelines finally do conclude for the first time that some components of electrodiagnosis have a high specificity for clinical stenosis. However the guidelines’ piecemeal treatment of electrodiagnosis (a complex consultation process aimed at the differential diagnosis, not just a series of simple tests to be judged separately) dismisses the value of electrodiagnosis in positively diagnosing commonly encountered nerve complaints that can be confused with stenosis. Future guidelines need to go beyond norms to address the realistic differential diagnosis of persons presenting with symptoms. Why did the guidelines fail to deal with these issues? Deyo [2] points out the many fallacies of objectivity in clinical guidelines. Consistent with NASS guidelines on other topics, this table of contents is preloaded with a major section, ‘‘Diagnosis/Imaging,’’ chaired by a respected radiologist. The format and leadership presume a preeminent role for imaging, whereas the failure to include an equally prominent expert in electrodiagnosis may explain both misinterpretation of the literature and the poor contextual placement of electrodiagnosis in the diagnostic schema. The issue of imaging bias is not unique to NASS. Imaging has survived through many guidelines, I think, because many of the surgical readers of the reports were trained on the half-century–old dogma that blurs anatomical and clinical definitions of stenosis, have little training or experience in clinical neurophysiology, and find it fast and efficient to look at the film, then walk into the examination room. Our patients are best served when these minor issues from an otherwise well-done guideline are aired. I look forward to thoughtful answers.
Salt Loading in Hypertension due to Renal Artery Stenosis

Acute salt loading was performed in three groups of patients, a normal group, a group with essential hypertension, and a group with hypertension due to renal arterial stenosis. Patients with hypertension due to renal arterial stenosis were found to excrete an acute salt load in a qualitatively and quantitatively similar manner to normal individuals, in marked contrast to the exaggerated natriuretic response of individuals with essential hypertension. Of measures in which significant differences were found, the test urine volume, per cent of administered sodium excreted, and the ratios of clearance of sodium in the test and baseline periods yielded a clear separation of patients with essential renal hypertension. The results of this study indicate that acute salt loading in hypertensive patients may have diagnostic and prognostic value. The test procedure is simple, rapid, free from morbidity, and requires a minimum of laboratory analyses.
Phase transformation of inviscid melt spun (IMS) alumina-zirconia eutectic fibres

Al2O3-ZrO2 (AZ) eutectic fibres containing 41.05 wt% ZrO2 and 2.03 wt% Y2O3 were produced via inviscid melt spinning (IMS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the morphology of the as-spun AZ fibre. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate the phase transformations in this fibre. The XRD pattern of the as-spun AZ fibre showed tetragonal ZrO2, α-Al2O3, and non-equilibrium δ-Al2O3 phase formation. The DTA curve of the as-spun AZ fibre showed only one endothermic peak representing the phase transformation of δ-Al2O3 to α-Al2O3. This phase transformation was confirmed by analysing the XRD pattern of heat-treated AZ fibre.
Long term effect of Cis‐Diamminedichloride platinum (CDDP) on renal function and structure in man

To examine CDDP induced nephrotoxicity in patients with testicular carcinoma, we measured renal function prior to therapy and at six month intervals for twelve months in fifteen patients and twenty-four months in seven patients. CDDP was given iv at 20 mg/M2 per day for five days at three week intervals. Eight patients received three courses, four received four courses and three received more than four courses. The mean creatinine clearance +/- SD prior to treatment was 112 +/- 12 ml/min. By six months, it had decreased to 68.5 +/- ml/min (p less than 0.01) and it remained at that level. Plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen increased significantly. Subjects receiving other potential nephrotoxins in addition to CDDP developed a greater decrease in creatinine clearance (p less than 0.05). Proteinuria and functional tubular disturbances were not observed. Microscopic features were characterized by hydropic degeneration of the renal tubular epithelium, thickened tubular basement membranes and mild interstitial fibrosis. Electron microscopy revealed phagolysosomes filled with flocculent material. CDDP resulted in a permanant, nonspecific renal injury in our patients. Although the renal injury has remained subclinical, future courses of CDDP may lead to clinically important chronic renal failure.
Genetic relationship of growth, sex and glucosephosphate isomerase-B phenotypes in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Abstract Growth of fish has been associated with the phenotypes of specific biochemical genetic loci, although the correlation of growth with sex-specific loci has not been routinely studied. In a previous study in channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ), glucose phosphate isomerase-B (GPI-B) was linked with the sex-determining gene (SDG) with a recombination frequency of 15.2%. Growth performance related to sex and GPI-B phenotypes was investigated in five experimental matings of channel catfish. The association of sex and GPI-B with growth, differences in growth among GPI-B phenotypes, and the degree of linkage with growth between sex and GPI-B were evaluated by ANOVA followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test ( P
Isolation of intact nuclei of high purity from mouse liver

Current methods of nuclear isolation from liver disrupt the plasmalemmae via homogenization and separation of the nuclei by high centrifugal force (HCF) through gradients of sucrose or other substances for up to 80 min. The use of HCF for such a long time increases the potential for nuclear damage and degradation by endogenous proteases. We compared four combinations of alterations to classical nuclear isolation methods as follows. Mouse liver was gently crushed through a fine mesh with and without in vivo perfusion with collagenase. The cell suspension was centrifuged at 600 g to remove gross debris and then at moderate centrifugal force (MCF, 16,000 g) or high centrifugal force (HCF, 70,000 g) through sucrose gradients for 30 min. The purity of the isolated nuclei was assessed biologically and morphologically, including analyses of representative marker proteins for nuclei and cytoplasm. The results indicate that MCF and no collagenase provided the highest nuclear integrity and purity, whereas MCF with collagenase is a viable option if priority is given to yield. The method is especially suited for small samples and so should facilitate studies with human liver biopsies and livers from mice, the most widely used species for gene targeting.
Scattering Theory for Manifolds with Asymptotically Cylindrical Ends

Let X be compact manifold with boundary and exact b-metric, so X has asymptotically cylindrical ends. Let Δ be the Laplacian on X. In this paper it is shown that [formula] where F− 1 is the inverse Fourier transform, b-Tr is a regularization of the integral of the restriction of the Schwartz kernel to the diagonal, and Ψ is the scattering matrix. The first term is analogous to the case of a compact manifold without boundary, and the rest are similar to terms in a trace formula for one-dimensional scattering.
Cardiogenic Embolism Producing Crescendo Transient Ischemic Attacks

Lateralizing, repetitive transient ischemic attacks are characteristic of symptomatic carotid bifurcation atherosclerotic plaques. We report a case in which a cardiogenic embolus, after lodging at the left carotid bifurcation, produced crescendo episodes of expressive aphasia and mild right upper extremity weakness. Complete neurological recovery was achieved following emergent carotid embolectomy and endarterectomy. This case demonstrates that the laminar nature of internal carotid blood flow may result in the localization of embolic events to a single region of the cerebral vasculature, regardless of the source lesion in the carotid artery. The role of endoluminal techniques in the diagnosis and management of such lesions is discussed.