cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heart Rate as an Index of Stress Response in Alcohol Administration Research: A Critical Review

Heart rate has been a widely used measure in experimental investigations of alcohol and stress. Meaningful interpretations from this measure, however, may be threatened due to methodological problems. This article critically reviews alcohol administration studies that have utilized heart rate as an index of stress response. Potential confounds stemming from the use of heart rate are identified and suggestions for its future use are presented. Implications for highrisk studies are discussed. It is concluded that (a) the amount of time provided for the absorption of an alcohol or placebo beverage is highly correlated with postdrink heart rate change, (b) the magnitude of this postdrink heart rate change is highly associated with the probability of finding a subsequent stress response dampening effect, and (c) offspring of alcoholics appear to manifest a heightened heart rate response to alcohol, which may account for apparent enhanced stress response dampening effects among these subjects.
A clean carbon fuel from coal

A low cost two-step method of converting coal to a clean carbon fuel has been devised [ 1,2,3 ]. The method consists of hydrogenating coal in an excess of hydrogen to form methane. The methane is then thermally decomposed to carbon black particulate and hydrogen. The hydrogen acts as a carrier, lifting the carbon out of the coal matrix structure and deposits it as a pure carbon black from the methane. The hydrogen is recycled so that no outside source of hydrogen is needed. In fact, hydrogen is produced as a by-product valuable gas stream. This comes about from the stoichiometric for a typical bituminous medium volatile coal. CHo.osOo.osSo.o,eNo.o15 + 2 H2 -~CH4 +0.08 H20 +0.32 H2 +0.008 N2 (1) +ash+CaC03 (limestone) +0.016 CaS+ash
Age-related changes in the fine structure and number of neurons in the brain of the housefly, Musca domestica.

Abstract The fine structure and population density of neurons in the brains of young and senescent male houseflies were compared in an attempt to elucidate further the role of the nervous system in the physiology aging of multicellular organisms. Statistical comparisons of neuronal populations in 3-day old flies with those of 30-day old flies showed no significant difference in the number of neurons. Neurons of senescent flies, however, showed several significant deteriorative changes in their fine structure including loss of ribosomes, focal cytoplasmic degeneration, autophagy and accumulation of acid-phosphatase-positive dense residual bodies. The observations made in this study suggest that the age-related impairment in function of the nervous system may be due to intraneuronal alterations rather than to the loss of nerve cells.
Differential responses in adrenal and renal nerves to CNS osmotic stimulation

Abstract Hypertonic solutions act in the central nervous system (CNS) to increase mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) by activation of the sympathoadrenal axis. However, adrenal nerve activity (pre- and postganglionic nerve fibers) has not been determined during central osmotic stimulation. Therefore, these experiments evaluated adrenal (AdSNA) and renal (RSNA) sympathetic nerve activity, MAP, and heart rate (HR) following CNS administration of isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic sodium chloride solutions in chloralose-anesthetized rats. Injection of isotonic saline (5 μl) did not alter MAP, HR, RSNA, or AdSNA. However, injection of hypertonic saline (5 μl of 0.5 M) into the anteroventral portion of the third cerebral ventricle increased MAP (12 ± 2 mmHg) and decreased HR (16 ± 6 bpm). In addition, hypertonic saline significantly decreased RSNA (58 ± 5% control), whereas AdSNA increased (158 ± 10% control). Injection of hypotonic (5 μl of 0.05 M) NaCl produced the opposite responses in RSNA (119 ± 7% control) and AdSNA (86 ± 5% control) and had no significant effect on MAP or HR. Furthermore, pre- and postganglionic adrenal nerve fibers responded similarly to changes in CNS osmolality. These results demonstrate that osmotic stimulation produces differental responses in RSNA and AdSNA, but not in pre- and postganglionic adrenal nerve fibers.
Dynamics of a model for brain tumors reveals a small window for therapeutic intervention

Glioblastomas are the most malignant and most common glioma, a type of primary brain tumor with the unfortunate ability to recur despite extensive treatment. Even with the advent of medical imaging technology during the last two decades, successful treatment of glioblastomas has remained elusive. It has become increasingly clear that, along with the proliferative potential of these neoplasms, it is the subclinically diffuse invasion of glioblastomas that primarily contributes to their resistance to treatment. In other words, the inevitable recurrence of these tumors is the result of diffusely invaded but invisible tumor cells peripheral to the abnormal signal on medical imaging and to the current limits of surgical, radiological and chemical treatments. Mathematical modeling has presented itself as a viable tool for studying complex biological processes (Murray, 1993, 2002). We have developed a mathematical model that portrays the growth and extension of theoretical glioblastoma cells in a matrix that accurately describes the brain's anatomy to a resolution of 1 cu mm (Swanson, et al, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003a, 2003b). The model assumes that only two factors need be considered for such predictions: net growth rate and infiltrative ability. The model has already provided illustrations of theoretical glioblastomas that not only closely resemble the MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) of actual patients, but also show the distribution of the diffusely infiltrating cells.
Meeting the challenge: rejuvenating vascular surgery with the integrated training programs.

e d c Thank you Dr AbuRahma for your lasting friendship and this very generous introduction. Members and guests, I am deeply honored to have served as the 24th President of the Eastern Vascular Society this past year. This society is close to my heart and has played a big part in my professional development, as it has done for many of you and no doubt will continue to do so in the future. It was at the Eastern that I first heard a presentation by Juan Parodi about “Clinical Experience with Balloon Expandable Stent Grafts” in May 1994. It was at the Eastern the same year in Montreal that I heard the first serious prodding to pursue endovascular skills by Frank Veith during his Presidential Address. That meeting changed my professional focus and ultimately my career. “B97” was my code for enrolling patients in the Eastern Vascular database, the first introduction of a regional database for quality assurance and tracking of outcomes. Had the I-Phone and I-Pad era been in full swing, that database would have survived as the largest repository of vascular outcomes today. Unfortunately, it succumbed to the snail mail of the time. The Eastern taught me the value of serious discussion of scientific ideas, because it always included long discussion periods after each scientific presentation, 10 minutes per paper during its early meetings. I am humbled to be now listed among a group of surgeons who led this society, including several of my heroes and many of my friends. It certainly is a long way from my days as a medical student and surgical resident at the American University of Beirut Hospital in a war-torn country where intolerance, hatred, and prejudice ruled; a period of my life where religious affiliation and zeal were more valued than openness, hon-
Interfacial phenomena affecting charge transport in small molecule organic thin-film transistors

Organic semiconductors exhibiting p-, n-type, or ambipolar majority charge transport are grown on six different bilayer dielectric structures consisting of various spin-coated polymers / HMDS on 300 nm SiO2/p+-Si, and are characterized by AFM, SEM, and WAXRD, followed by field-effect transistor (FET) electrical characterization. It is observed that in case of air-sensitive n-type semiconductors, dielectric surface modifications induce large variations in the corresponding OTFT performance parameters although the film morphologies and microstructures remain similar. In marked contrast, the device performance of air-stable n-type and p-type semiconductors is not significantly affected by the same dielectric surface modifications. This study provides key information on the chemical origin of the charge trapping sites at the FET dielectric-semiconductor interface. In parallel, bottom-contact FETs of n-type oligothiophenes were investigated by a combination of microscopy/electrical measurements and new insights for the poor electron injection efficiency from the Au contacts are presented
Cigarette smoke--a proposed metabolic lesion in alveolar macrophages.

Abstract The effects of the filtered gas phase of cigarette smoke were investigated with respect to certain enzyme activities of rabbit alveolar macrophages. Preliminary experiments with crystalline preparations of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase showed that cigarette smoke is a potent inhibitor of this enzyme and that protection from inhibition by smoke is afforded by cysteine. Other experiments, in which enzyme activity was measured in alveolar macrophages, demonstrated inhibition of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in cells treated with cigarette smoke and protection by cysteine. There was no significant impairment of the activities of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactic dehydrogenase in smoke-treated macrophages. Histochemical evidence supported these findings. It is suggested that a relationship exists between loss of alveolar macrophage phagocytic competence and inhibition of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. This paper discusses impaired phagocytosis by macrophages in the presence of cigarette smoke in relation to concomitant reduction in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity.
Increased expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1): A mechanism for dysregulated T helper-1 responses in HIV-1 disease.

Maintenance of Th1 responses and dendritic cell (DC) functions are compromised in HIV-1 infected individuals. To better understand these immune abnormalities, we developed an HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat. We report that Tg DCs induce elevated levels of SOCS-1 and secrete decreased IL-12p40 and elevated levels of IL-10 following TLR-4 stimulation by LPS. This leads to further induction of SOCS-1 by IL-10 and decreased IFN-γ-mediated induction of interferon response factor (IRF)-1 and IL-12Rβ1 expression in CD4+ T cells and to decreased IL-12-induction of IFN-γ production by Th1 polarized T cells. We also show that SOCS-1 is elevated in CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infected progressors, and is correlated with defective induction of IRF-1 following IFN-γ stimulation, compared with healthy controls and HIV-1 natural viral suppressor (NVS) patients. These results suggest a link between high levels of SOCS-1, defects in innate immunity and adaptive Th1 responses that may be reflected in the loss of Th1 immune competence observed with AIDS patients.
Modeling Dust Halos in Comet Hale-Bopp (1995 O1): Existence of Two Active Nuclei Unequivocally Implied

The morphology of the comet's expanding, nearly concentric dust halos, which were observed extensively in 1997 February-April, is modeled by employing a Monte Carlo computer-simulation technique. A satisfactory model for the halos in late March requires only a slight correction to the spin-vector position determined previously from the diurnal evolution of a jet on February 28. A surprising result is the finding that, with this spin constraint, the halos observed in late February, only a few days before the jet, cannot be accounted for by ejecta from any combination of dust sources on the nucleus. Instead, the presence of a source on another nearby object—a second nucleus—is clearly implied. The spin vectors of the two nuclei are found to have subtended an angle greater than 90°, but the tilt of their equatorial planes to the comet's heliocentric orbital plane may have practically been the same. Dust emission from the second nucleus is also shown to account for some of the fine jet features observed in late March. Thus, the existence of an active satellite nucleus, independent evidence for which was reported elsewhere, is strongly suggested by the comet's dust morphology.
An integrated biotechnology platform for developing sustainable chemical processes

Genomatica has established an integrated computational/experimental metabolic engineering platform to design, create, and optimize novel high performance organisms and bioprocesses. Here we present our platform and its use to develop E. coli strains for production of the industrial chemical 1,4-butanediol (BDO) from sugars. A series of examples are given to demonstrate how a rational approach to strain engineering, including carefully designed diagnostic experiments, provided critical insights about pathway bottlenecks, byproducts, expression balancing, and commercial robustness, leading to a superior BDO production strain and process.
The effect of an electric field on the microstructural development during combustion synthesis of TiNi–TiC composites

The role of an externally imposed (contacting) electric field on the microstructural development during the synthesis of TiC–TiNi composites was investigated. Using elemental reactants, composites with 60 and 70 vol% TiNi were synthesized by the self-propagating combustion method. The field had a direct effect on the velocity and temperature of the combustion wave, and had an influence on the particle size of the TiC phase formed within the TiNi matrix. The average particle size increased by at least a factor of two (from about 2.5 to 5.5 μm for the 60 vol% TiNi samples and from 1.5 to 3.0 μm for the 70 vol% TiNi samples) as the field strength was increased from zero to about 5 V cm−1. Although higher temperatures and wave velocities result in higher temperature gradients and thus an anticipation of shorter residence time at the highest temperatures, the presence of a liquid phase has apparently a more direct effect on TiC particle growth. In cases where no liquid is present the results are different, as will be reported in a subsequent paper.
Influence of Ocean and Atmosphere Components on Simulated Climate Sensitivities

AbstractThe influence of alternative ocean and atmosphere subcomponents on climate model simulation of transient sensitivities is examined by comparing three GFDL climate models used for phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The base model ESM2M is closely related to GFDL’s CMIP3 climate model version 2.1 (CM2.1), and makes use of a depth coordinate ocean component. The second model, ESM2G, is identical to ESM2M but makes use of an isopycnal coordinate ocean model. The authors compare the impact of this “ocean swap” with an “atmosphere swap” that produces the GFDL Climate Model version 3 (CM3) by replacing the AM2 atmospheric component with AM3 while retaining a depth coordinate ocean model. The atmosphere swap is found to have much larger influence on sensitivities of global surface temperature and Northern Hemisphere sea ice cover. The atmosphere swap also introduces a multidecadal response time scale through its indirect influence on heat uptake. Despite significant differences ...
Investigation of the mechanism of hydridic reductions of carbon monoxide to hydrocarbons on iron complexes by isotopic labeling

Abstract The reduction of coordinated CO on Cp2Fe2(CO)4 by LiAlH4 has been investigated with isotopic labeling in an attempt to delineate the chain formation step. Reduction with LiAlD4 resulted in formation of perdeutero-hydrocarbons. Reduction under an atmosphere of 13CO resulted in substantial incorporation of 13C into the hydrocarbon products. Reaction of the complexes RFeCp(CO)2, R  CH3, C2H5 and CH3C(O), with LAD and with LAH under 13CO are reported. Reaction of CH3 13C(O)FeCp(CO)2 with LAH is also reported. The results of these reactions suggest that chain extension occurs by a CO insertion reaction, probably by CO insertion into an alkylidenemetal bond.
Negative electron affinity on GaAs(110) with Cs and NF 3 : a surface science study

We have investigated the formation and the nature of negative electron affinity on p-type GaAs surfaces prepared with Cs and NF3 as the fluorine carrier. The results have been compared with those obtained from the Cs-O prepared NEA photocathodes. High resolution photoelectron core level and valence band spectroscopy is utilized to reveal the underlying physics and chemistry during the NEA activation process. We have shown clear evidence of dipole formation both at the physics and chemistry during the NEA activation process. We have shown clear evidence of dipole formation both at the Cs/GaAs interface and in the activation layer. We also demonstrate that no chemcial reaction takes place between fluorine and the substrate. Other aspects related to the NEA formation such as the so-called two-stage activation, activation layer stoichiometry, and aging process have been studied. The study of this model system leads us to conclude that the NEA formation can be adequately explained by the double dipole layer model.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influence of ovariectomy and ovarian steroids on hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the rat.

Ovariectomy in the rat increases brain norepinephrine synthesis and turnover. The present study investigated the effect of ovariectomy and subsequent replacement of ovarian steroids on tyrosine hydroxylase activity (TH), which is purported to be the rate—limiting step in catecholamine (CA) synthesis. Animals were ovariectomized and tyrosine and tyrosine hydroxylase activity assayed 2, 4, 26 and 60 days postoperatively. Estrogen (1.5 μg/rat) or vehicle was injected for one week beginning on day 21. Progesterone (0.5 mg or 2 mg) or vehicle was administered at 1000 hours on day 26 and the animals sacrificed 3 or 6 hours later. Ovariectomy caused a 2–3 fold increase in TH having an onset of 4 days and a duration of at least 60 days. Daily injection of estrogen for 1 week caused a 30% increase in TH. TH was significantly reduced 6 hours after injection of 0.5 mg progesterone in estrogen—treated ovariectomized controls. After injection of 2 mg progesterone, TH of ovariectomized and ovariectomized estrogen—treat...
The elvitegravir Quad pill: the first once-daily dual-target anti-HIV tablet

Anti-HIV combination therapies in a single formulation currently target only HIV-1 reverse transcriptase via two different mechanisms of action by associating a nucleoside and a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. These combination therapies are therefore referred to as multi-class combination products. The elvitegravir Quad pill (Gilead Sciences), when approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, will become the first once-daily dual-target anti-HIV tablet. This “4 in 1” tablet targets HIV-1 integrase by elvitegravir boosted by the pharmaco-enhancer cobicistat and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by the two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. A second pill referred to as the 572-Trii pill (Shionogi-ViiV Healthcare, LLC), also based on the dual inhibition of integrase and reverse transcriptase, is currently in late-phase clinical trials. The availability of these novel once-daily anti-HIV tablets will improve trea...
Pulmonary vascular sling: Report of seven cases and review of the literature

A total of 130 cases of pulmonary vascular sling, including seven new cases in our collection, were studied. The sex distribution was 60% male and 40% female. The age at presentation was in the first year of life in ∼90% of cases. Barium-esophagraphy showing anterior indentation was diagnostic in most of the cases. Bronchoscopy and tracheobronchography were useful in detecting associated tracheobronchial anomalies preoperatively. The analysis of 68 autopsied cases revealed associated tracheobronchial anomalies in 40% of the cases. Anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree took three major forms: abnormal distribution of cartilage in the walls of the trachea and major bronchi, intrinsic stenosis, and abnormal branching, the latter being that ofbronchus suis. Acquired changes secondary in the sling resulted in compression of the major respiratory pathway by the anomalous left pulmonary artery. Major associated cardiovascular anomalies were present in 30% of the cases. These were represented by ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, tetralogy of Fallot, common ventricle, and coarctation of the aorta.
Promoting complex systems learning through the use of conceptual representations in hypermedia

Studying complex systems is increasingly important in many science domains. Many features of complex systems make it difficult for students to develop deep understanding. Our previous research indicated that a function-centered conceptual representation is part of the disciplinary toolbox of biologists, suggesting that it is an appropriate representation to help students develop deep understanding. This article reports on the results of two experiments that investigate how hypermedia using a conceptual representation influences pre-service teachers' and middle school students' learning of a complex biological system, the human respiratory system. We designed two versions of instructional hypermedia based on the structure–behavior-function conceptual representation. One hypermedia was function-centered which emphasized the function and behavior of the system, whereas the other was focused on the structure of the system. We contrasted the instructional effectiveness of these two alternative conceptual representations. The results of both studies indicated that participants using the function-centered hypermedia developed deeper understanding than those using the structure-centered version. This proof-of-concept study suggests that the function-centered conceptual representation is a powerful way to promote complex systems understanding. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 1023–1040, 2009
A monte carlo procedure for the study of solvent effects on quantum molecular degrees of freedom

Abstract A Monte Carlo method is devised for the study of systems which have a few quantum degrees of freedom coupled to many essentially classical coordinates. The density dependence of the solvent-induced shifts in the vibrational spectrum is investigated for a diatomic (Br2) dissolved in a monatomic fluid (Ar).
Concordance and discordance between two measures of lower extremity function: 400 meter self-paced walk and SPPB

Background and aims: The purpose of the study was to assess the concurrent validity of the 400 meter self-paced walk test (400-m W) against the commonly used short physical performance battery (SPPB). A secondary purpose was to determine whether the 400-m W could better discriminate physical performance among high functioning older adults by examining the distribution of 400-m W scores. Methods: 101 men and women (80.8±0.4 years) were recruited to participate in the study. The 400-m W and SPPB assessed lower extremity function. Lower extremity muscle strength, power, and contraction velocity was assessed using bilateral leg press (LP). Health history was obtained with questionnaire. Results: 400-m W demonstrated moderate correlations with SPPB (Pearson r=0.74; p<0.001). In 36 high functioning individuals (SPPB score= 10, 11, 12), participants above the median 400-m W performance time (n=20) had more medical conditions (2.8±0.4 vs 1.7±0.3; p=0.038), more reported falls (0.80±0.2 vs 0.19±0.1; p=0.016), more medications (3.7 ±04 vs 1.8±0.4; p=0.001), had lower LP power at 70% of the one repetition maximum (1RM) (336±45 W vs 663±78 W; p=0.001) and 40% 1RM (329±43 W vs 580±75 W; p=0.005), and had slower LP contraction velocity at 40% 1RM (77±5.5 m/s vs 112±8.4 m/s; p=0.001) compared with those below the median (n=16). Conclusions: A substantial number of apparently well functioning older adults demonstrated some limitations in the ability to walk 400 meters. Use of the 400-m W may be justified to obtain information to better discriminate among high functioning elderly.
To smoke or not to smoke: A decision theory perspective

Abstract Although smoking as a customary behavior is currently becoming outmoded, and may even be viewed as a ‘deviant’ behavior; its use persists among certain social groups in our own and other societies. We address this issue by describing the inherent design features and benefits of tobacco, and tobacco smoking, and propose that its use be conceptualized as a reasoned act based upon its subjectively perceived net worth to the individual. A survey of the scientific literature is made and cross-cultural examples are used.
Inhibition of transcription elongation by the VHL tumor suppressor protein

Germline mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene (VHL) predispose individuals to a variety of tumors, including renal carcinoma, hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system, and pheochromocytoma. Here, a cellular transcription factor, Elongin (SIII), is identified as a functional target of the VHL protein. Elongin (SIII) is a heterotrimer consisting of a transcriptionally active subunit (A) and two regulatory subunits (B and C) that activate transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II. The VHL protein was shown to bind tightly and specifically to the Elongin B and C subunits and to inhibit Elongin (SIII) transcriptional activity in vitro. These findings reveal a potentially important transcriptional regulatory network in which the VHL protein may play a key role.
The effect of lonophore A23187 and calcium on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in cultured rat hepatocytes

Abstract Primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes have been utilized to investigate the role of calcium as a mediator of carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) and bromotrichloromethane (CBrCl 3 ) hepatotoxicity. Two distinct toxic responses can be observed using this system: (1) lifting of attached cells from the monolayer without release of cytoplasmic enzymes into the culture medium and (2) leakage of free cytoplasmic enzyme into the medium. CCl 4 and CBrCl 3 are metabolically activated in these cells resulting in extensive toxicity expressed as cell lifting from the monolayer, enzyme leakage, and gross changes in cell morphology including blebing and ballooning of the cell membrane. In calcium-free culture medium the extent of enzyme leakage and membrane ballooning is reduced without any apparent change in the metabolic activation of halomethane. In the presence of physiological concentrations of calcium in the culture medium, the ionophore A23187 causes enzyme leakage and blebing of the hepatocyte surface, similar to the morphological changes seen with halomethane, possibly by allowing calcium to accumulate in the cell. In addition, the ionophore potentiates CCl 4 toxicity but only in the presence of physiological calcium concentrations. These results are consistent with the view that CCl 4 may increase the concentration of free calcium in the cytoplasm of the cell, resulting in the observed cell damage.
Piagetian Psychology and the Practice of Child Psychiatry

This paper argues that the most productive relation between developmental psychology and child psychiatric practice derives from viewing developmental psychology as a science of child psychiatry in action. Viewed in this way the interaction between the two disciplines has to be seen as dynamic and ongoing rather than as static and final. The paper provides examples of this type of interaction in the domains of developmental norms, the understanding of ego development, and the conception of social reality.
ACCESSIBILITY OF THE VOICING DISTINCTION FOR LEARNING PHONOLOGICAL RULES

In three experiments a series of nonsense syllables ending in consonants was presented to adult subjects who had to discover or learn a rule classifying the syllables into two groups. The rule was based either on the voicing of the final consonants or on an arbitrary division of them. Subjects performed better with the voicing than with the arbitrary rule only when there was a straightforward relationship between the voicing rule and the plural formation rule in English or, more generally, when voicing assimilation with an added consonant was involved and attention was focused on the sound and articulation of the syllables. We conclude that the voicing distinction is not ordinarily accessible and that individuals easily learn and use phonological rules involving voicing assimilation because of articulatory constraints on the production of consonant clusters.
An analysis of the bid behavior of the 2005 JCDL program committee

This article presents an analysis of the bid behavior of the 2005 JCDL program committee. For each paper, poster, and tutorial submitted for review to the 2005 JCDL, each program committee member was asked to state their expertise with regards to the subject domain of the submission. We present the various statistical techniques used throughout this study with sufficient diagrams to ensure that the audience understands the methods and conclusions drawn from the study
Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2) and RUNX2-Related Osteogenic Genes Are Down-Regulated throughout Osteogenesis in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is associated with a number of disorders of skeletal health, conditions that rely, in part, on dynamic bone formation. A mouse model of distraction osteogenesis was used to study the consequences of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and insulin treatment on bone formation and osteoblastogenesis. In diabetic mice compared with control mice, new bone formation was decreased, and adipogenesis was increased in and around, respectively, the distraction gaps. Although insulin treatment restored bone formation to levels observed in nondiabetic control mice, it failed to significantly decrease adipogenesis. Molecular events altered during de novo bone formation in untreated type 1 diabetes mellitus, yet restored with insulin treatment were examined so as to clarify specific osteogenic genes that may contribute to diabetic bone disease. RNA from distraction gaps was analyzed by gene microarray and quantitative RT-PCR for osteogenic genes of interest. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and several RUNX2 target genes, including matrix metalloproteinase-9, Akp2, integrin binding sialoprotein, Dmp1, Col1a2, Phex, Vdr, osteocalcin, and osterix, were all significantly down-regulated in the insulin-deficient, hyperglycemic diabetic animals; however, insulin treatment of diabetic animals significantly restored their expression. Expression of bone morphogenic protein-2, transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif, and TWIST2, all important regulators of RUNX2, were not impacted by the diabetic condition, suggesting that the defect in osteogenesis resides at the level of RUNX2 expression and its activity. Together, these data demonstrate that insulin and/or glycemic status can regulate osteogenesis in vivo, and systemic insulin therapy can, in large part, rescue the diabetic bone phenotype at the tissue and molecular level.
AN EXPLANATION FOR THE "SWITCH-ON" NATURE OF MAGNETIC ENERGY RELEASE AND ITS APPLICATION TO CORONAL HEATING

A large class of coronal heating theories postulate that the random mixing of magnetic footpoints by photospheric motions leads to the formation of current sheets in the corona and, consequently, to energy release there via magnetic reconnection. Parker pointed out that in order for this process to supply the observed energy flux into the corona, the stress in the coronal magnetic field must have a fairly specific value at the time that the energy is released. In particular, he argued that the misalignment between reconnecting flux tubes must be roughly 30° in order to match the observed heating. No physical origin for this number was given, however. In this paper we propose that secondary instability is the mechanism that "switches on" the energy release when the misalignment angle in the corona reaches the correct value. We calculate both the three-dimensional linear and fully nonlinear development of the instability in current sheets corresponding to various misalignment angles. We find that no secondary instability occurs for angles less than about 45°, but for larger angles the instability grows at a rapid rate, and there is an explosive release of energy. We compare our results with the observed properties of the corona and discuss the implications for future observations.
Photodissociation and Vibrational Relaxation of OClO at Liquid Surfaces

The photodissociation dynamics of OClO to O + ClO on the 2A2 excited state and the vibrational relaxation of OClO in the ground electronic state at the interface of several polar liquids are studied using classical molecular dynamics computer simulations. The results are compared with recent calculations and experiments of photodissociation and vibrational relaxation of OClO in bulk water, acetonitrile, and ethanol. In contrast with substantial geminate recombination in the bulk, the photodissociation at the liquid/vapor interface of all three liquids gives rise to nearly 100% cage escape. In most of the trajectories at least one of the dissociation fragments desorb, although a significant percentage of the ClO fragments remain adsorbed at the interface. The reduced density at the interface gives rise to reduced friction and to slower vibrational relaxation of ground-state OClO (which may form as a result of geminate recombination of the photofragments). The vibrational relaxation of ground-state OClO is ...
Surgical repair of uncomplicated atrial septal defect without “routine” preoperative cardiac catheterization

Whether all patients with atrial septal defect should undergo cardiac catheterization before surgical correction is controversial. Of 152 patients of all ages with surgically documented isolated atrial septal defect (ostium secundum, ostium primum and sinus venosus types) who underwent preoperative two-dimensional echocardiography between January 1978 and December 1983, there were 55 (36%) (group 1) who did not have preoperative cardiac catheterization. These 55 patients are compared with the 97 patients (64%) who did have preoperative catheterization studies (group 2). Group 1 patients were younger (mean age 22 versus 36 years) and did not have clinical evidence of other associated cardiac disorders. Forty-four (80%) of the group 1 patients had typical findings for atrial septal defect on cardiac examination, chest radiograph and electrocardiogram compared with 16 (16%) of group 2 patients (p There were no operative deaths or significant perioperative complications in any of the patients. At a mean follow-up of 28 months (range 6 to 64), there was one late death (3½ years postoperatively) in a 61 year old man with chronic congestive heart failure. It is proposed that, in carefully selected patients of all ages with typical clinical findings of atrial septal defect and confirmation of the diagnosis by two-dimensional echocardiography, surgical repair can proceed without preoperative cardiac catheterization.
Effects of Hyaluronidase and Neuraminidase on Immunoreactivity of Histidine-rich Protein in Newborn Rat Epidermis

Frozen sections of newborn rat skin were treated with a variety of buffers, enzymes, and proteinase inhibitors in order to modify the reactivity of antigenic sites of histidine-rich protein and keratin. By indirect immunofluorescence, we found that antiserum to histidine-rich protein purified from granular cells reacted with keratohyalin granules but not cornified cells treated with hyaluronidase. The same antiserum reacted less distinctly with keratohyalin granules treated with neuraminidase; in contrast, it showed strong reactivity in cornified cells after the neuraminidase digestion. However, the enzyme digestions did not unmask the antigenic site(s) of keratohyalin granules to anti-keratin serum, as did saline in 0.1 m Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0. These results suggest that the antigenic site of histidine-rich protein is masked in keratohyalin granules by different mechanisms from the masking of keratin. Histidine-rich protein may be masked primarily with hyaluronic acid in keratohyalin granules, but the sugar moiety appears to be changed to sialic acid in cornified cells.
HUPO 3rd Annual World Congress on Proteomics

The Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) held its 3rd Annual Congress in Beijing, China on 25–27 October, 2004, preceded by a weekend of workshops on HUPO Initiatives and Educational Sessions. Congre...
Rainfall and cloud-water interception in tropical montane forests in the eastern Andes of Central Peru

Abstract Cloud-water and rainfall interception are hydrological processes of particular interest in Tropical Montane Cloud Forests (TMCF). Studies in these systems have shown important contributions of cloud/fog water to the hydrological balance. To evaluate the importance of cloud/fog water to montane forests of the western slope of the Cordillera Yanachaga in the eastern Andes of central Peru, we monitored bulk precipitation (gross rainfall), cloud water and net precipitation weekly over one year at two elevations, 2468 and 2815 masl. Bulk precipitation was greater at the upper site (2753 mm) than at the lower site (2222 mm). Annual net precipitation was 92.4% and 70.4% of rainfall at the upper and lower sites, respectively. Net precipitation was primarily composed of throughfall; stemflow was negligible, contributing less than 0.2% of annual rainfall at both sites. Apparent annual rainfall interception losses by the canopy were 7.7% and 29.6% of the bulk precipitation at the upper and lower sites, respectively. Apparent weekly rainfall interception at the upper site was sometimes negative and lower compared to that of the lower site. Apparent cloud-water interception occurred at least during weeks when negative rainfall interception was recorded, a contribution of 21 mm (0.8% of the annual rainfall) at the upper site. However, the apparent low rainfall interception losses at the upper site suggest that canopy wetting and subsequent saturation by cloud/fog water during periods with apparent positive rainfall interception may have contributed a difference of ca. 22% of apparent rainfall interception losses between sites. These contributions were supported by maximum apparent fog interception recorded by a fog gauge at the upper site. Although other equally important factors like topography, crown exposure and mossiness were not evaluated, the quantity of apparent fog interception at the upper site was found related to the canopy leaf area index. This important relationship has been previously described but mostly overlooked in studies of TMCF.
Pet food-derived penicillin residue as a potential cause of hypersensitivity myocarditis and sudden death.

Abstract Hypersensitivity myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium, usually associated with a drug allergy. Sulfonamides, penicillins and methyldopa are the most commonly implicated agents. Although endomyocardial biopsy findings have, on occasion, suggested hypersensitivity myocarditis, the condition is most often diagnosed at autopsy. 1 While food-derived penicillin residue has been the apparent cause of minor allergic phenomena, the association of drug residue with fatal myocarditis has not been described. This report details the circumstance of repeated consumption of cat food with very high penicillin activity by an infant who died suddenly and was found to have myocarditis.
Insulin receptors in a new human placenta cell line: demonstration of negative cooperativity.

Abstract Specific insulin receptors have been demonstrated in a newly established cloned line of human placental cells, JHC-1. JHC-1 cells synthesize the α-subunit of chorionic gonadotropin and a heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (Chou, J. Y., et al. , manuscript in preparation). Binding of 125 I-labeled insulin to JHC-1 cells was rapid, reversible, and specific. Unrelated hormones did not compete with 125 I-labeled insulin for binding, whereas insulin analogs competed in the order of their biological potencies. Scatchard plots of the competitive binding data were curvilinear, with an apparent high affinity K a of 4.8 × 10 8 m −1 . The nonlinear Scatchard plot was consistent with receptor heterogeneity, interactions between binding sites, or both. Dissociation experiments established that insulin induced negatively cooperative interactions among JHC-1 insulin receptors, as previously reported in other tissues. This provides further support for the concept that negative cooperativity may be a fundamental feature of the interaction of insulin with its receptors.
Amplitude ratio tomography for regional phase Q

[1] We image regional seismic phase attenuation (Q) by extending amplitude ratio techniques, which are widely used to determine average Q within a sampled region, to obtain laterally varying Q structure using tomographic techniques. The method assumes that source radiation is isotropic and that the amplitude ratios can be modeled by a two-dimensional Q map and relative site terms. Application to 2286, 1-Hz Lg amplitudes from 816 events recorded at 35 central and east Asia stations yields a misfit of 0.09 log10 units, a variance reduction of 73%, relative to the uniform Q model that best fits the data, and laterally varying Q from 100 to 1000, with patterns closely following regional geology. The image is resolved, on average, to 2.5°, with resolution peaking at 1.5° in the best covered areas, which is remarkable given the sparse station geometry employed. The high resolution results from the dense distribution of earthquake sources, and is aided by the increased confidence in source locations provided by merging catalogs from many different agencies.
Fertility: The Role of mTOR Signaling and KIT Ligand

Activation of a limited pool of diminishing ovarian follicles determines women's reproductive lifespan. A recent rodent study describes the role of mTOR signaling and KIT ligand in granulosa cells of primordial follicles for follicle activation and for reproductive lifespan regulation.
Hear the Wnt Ror: How Melanoma Cells Adjust to Changes in Wnt

The interplay between canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways in development and tumorigenesis is tightly regulated. In this review we will describe the yin and the yang of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways during melanocyte development, and melanoma genesis. Canonical Wnt signaling, represented by Wnts such as Wnt1 and Wnt3A, signals via β-catenin to promote melanocyte differentiation and tumor development. Non-canonical Wnt signaling, specifically Wnt5A, regulates canonical pathways, and signals to induce melanoma metastasis. This review will focus on the role of Wnt5A during melanoma progression, and its relationship to canonical Wnt signaling.
Determination of substrate specificity of carboxylases by nuclear magnetic resonance

Determination of whether CO2 or HCO3- is the substrate for an enzymatic carboxylation has generally been accomplished by taking advantage of the fact that equilibration of these two compounds requires more than a minute at temperatures below 15 degrees C; thus different kinetics of carboxylation are obtained depending on whether CO2 or HCO3- is used to initiate the reaction. We report a new method using 13C18O2 as substrate for determining the CO2/HCO3- specificity of carboxylases. If CO2 is the substrate, then the 18O content of the 13C-containing product is the same as that of the 13CO2 used, whereas if HCO3- is the substrate, the 18O content is 2/3 that of the starting material. The method is independent of the detailed kinetics of the CO2/HCO3- interconversion and independent of the presence of contaminating unlabeled CO2 or HCO3-. Isotopic analysis is accomplished by 13C NMR. The method has been used to confirm that HCO3- is the substrate for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Studies of oxygen-18 isotope shifts in phosphorus NMR spectra have permitted confirmation of the observation that label is transferred from HC18O3- into Pi during the carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate.
The DNA of the thoracic muscle of Manducta sexta.

Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA was isolated from the tobacco hornworm, Manducta sexta. The nuclear DNA had a G + C content of 34.5–35.5 % as measured by CsCl gradient centrifugation, Tm, spectral analysis and direct chemical analysis. The mitochondrial DNA had an apparent G + C content of 19.6–20.1 % as measured by CsCl gradient centrifugation. The molecular weight of the isolated nuclear DNA was 53 (± 2) · 106 as compared with 10.9 · 106–11.4 · 106 for the isolated DNA from the mitochondrial fraction. The latter was also shown to exist at least partially as a circular DNA. From renaturation kinetic studies two fractions were found for the nuclear DNA; one was a rapidly renaturating fraction and the other a slow renaturating fraction (Cot12 of 1.94 · 102 and 2.56 × 10−3, respectively). From these data it was calculated that the average the rapid sequences are repeated is 7.6 · 104 times as much as the unique sequences.
In vitro effects of benzene metabolites on mouse bone marrow stromal cells

Abstract Benzene exposure can result in bone marrow myelotoxicity. We examined the effects of benzene metabolites on bone marrow stromal cells of the hemopoietic microenvironment. Male B6C3F 1 mouse bone marrow adherent stromal cells were plated at 4 × 10 6 cells per 2 ml of DMEM medium in 35-mm tissue culture dishes. The growing stromal cell cultures were exposed to log 2 doses of five benzene metabolites: hydroquinone, benzoquinone, phenol, catechol, or benzenetriol for 7 days. The dose which caused a 50% decrease in colony formation (TD50) was 2.5 × 10 −6 m for hydroquinone, 17.8 × 10 −6 m for benzenetriol, 125 × 10 −6 m for catechol, and 190 × 10 −6 m for phenol. We next examined the effect of benzene metabolites on the ability of stromal cells to influence granulocyte/monocyte colony growth (G/M-CFU-C) in a coculture system. Adherent stromal cells were plate and incubated for 14 days and then exposed to a benzene metabolite. After 3 days the medium and metabolite were removed and an agar:RPMI layer containing 10 6 fresh bone marrow cells was placed over the stromal layer. After incubation for 7 days the cultures were scored for G/M colony formation. Hydroquinone and benzoquinone were most toxic, while catechol and benzenttriol inhibited colony growth only at high doses. These results indicate that injured bone marrow stromal cells may be a significant factor in benzene-induced hemotoxicity.
Cluster masses: Accounting for structure along the line of sight

Weak gravitational lensing of background galaxies by foreground clusters offers an excellent opportunity to measure cluster masses directly without using gas as a probe. One source of noise which seems difficult to avoid is large scale structure along the line of sight. Here I show that, by using standard map-making techniques, one can minimize the deleterious effects of this noise. The resulting uncertainties on cluster masses are significantly smaller than when large scale structure is not properly accounted for, although still larger than if it was absent altogether.
Synthesis of 14C‐labeled O‐acetyl‐L‐serine, O‐benzoyl‐L‐serine, β‐N‐phenyl‐L‐asparagine, benzyl glycinate, and α‐dimethylaminoisobutyric acid

Syntheses and analyses are described for β-N-phenyl [14C(U)]-L-asparagine, O-acetyl [1-14C]-L-serine, O-benzoyl [7-14C]-L-serine, benzyl[7-14C]glycinate p-toluenesulfonate, benzyl glycinate[1-14C] p-toluenesulfonate, and α-dimethylaminoisobutyric acid[1-14C].
Incorporating Spirituality Into Substance Abuse Counseling: Examining the Perspectives of Service Recipients and Providers

Spirituality represents an important internal and external strength that can support clients when facing a variety of problems including substance misuse and addiction. Spirituality is commonly inc...