cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Co-chaperone Carboxyl Terminus of Hsp70-interacting Protein (CHIP) Mediates α-Synuclein Degradation Decisions between Proteasomal and Lysosomal Pathways

α-Synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and related disorders. Misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein is thought to be a critical cofactor in the pathogenesis of certain neurodegenerative diseases. In the current study, we investigate the role of the carboxyl terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein (CHIP) in α-synuclein aggregation. We demonstrate that CHIP is a component of Lewy bodies in the human brain, where it colocalizes with α-synuclein and Hsp70. In a cell culture model, endogenous CHIP colocalizes with α-synuclein and Hsp70 in intracellular inclusions, and overexpression of CHIP inhibits α-synuclein inclusion formation and reduces α-synuclein protein levels. We demonstrate that CHIP can mediate α-synuclein degradation by two discrete mechanisms that can be dissected using deletion mutants; the tetratricopeptide repeat domain is critical for proteasomal degradation, whereas the U-box domain is sufficient to direct α-synuclein toward the lysosomal degradation pathway. Furthermore, α-synuclein, synphilin-1, and Hsp70 all coimmunoprecipitate with CHIP, raising the possibility of a direct α-synuclein-CHIP interaction. The fact that the tetratricopeptide repeat domain is required for the effects of CHIP on α-synuclein inclusion morphology, number of inclusions, and proteasomal degradation as well as the direct interaction of CHIP with Hsp70 implicates a cooperation of CHIP and Hsp70 in these processes. Taken together, these data suggest that CHIP acts a molecular switch between proteasomal and lysosomal degradation pathways.
Influence of acoustic context on sound localization: An auditory Roelofs effect

The Roelofs effect is a visual direction illusion: if a large rectangular frame is seen offset from the straight-ahead direction, a small target presented simultaneously is mislocalized in the opposite direction. To investigate whether a similar context illusion might affect auditory localization, we presented a “frame” of 6 speakers driven with a 300-Hz square wave, 30° left or right of center. The “target” was a speaker driven with the same waveform, with the two sources in random phase relationship. The target was mislocalized in a direction opposite the frame, an auditory Roelofs effect. A second experiment, using dissimilar sounds for frame and target, yielded no frame-dependent mislocalizations. The effect appeared both in verbal position estimation, a measure of cognitive localization, and in open-loop pointing, a measure of localization in a sensorimotor system. We conclude that audition possesses only one representation of space, in contrast to the two (cognitive and sensorimotor) of vision. The auditory representation corresponds most closely to vision's cognitive system.
Micturition in naive and morphine‐dependent rats

Voiding responses were recorded in conscious water-loaded rats. Morphine sulphate (5 mg kg-1) elevated the volume threshold for micturition (MV); the group mean MV of 16 rats after morphine was 40% larger than control. Micturition was nevertheless complete since no urine remained in the bladder afterwards. The implantation of 2 or 4 morphine-base pellets (150 or 300 mg morphine) elevated for 12 days the MV in water-loaded rats. On the 3rd to the 10th day following implantation the group mean was approximately twice that of untreated controls. After micturition was over no residual urine was found in the bladder. Within 3 days the rats became tolerant to the antinociceptive action of the morphine-base pellets but little apparent tolerance developed to their action on micturition. On the 1st day after the pellets were removed, the mean MV was reduced. When withdrawal was precipitated by the administration of naloxone the MV was often too small to measure. This component of a withdrawal syndrome could be elicited in the rats throughout the 12 days of morphine pellet implantation. The administration of 20 mg kg-1 morphine sulphate to anaesthetized rats did not decrease the contractions of the urinary bladder to repetitive stimulation of its motor nerves at 1 and 20 Hz.
The enthalpy of formation of ketene

The enthalpy of reaction of ketene gas with aqueous sodium hydroxide was measured in an adiabatic solution calorimeter. For the reaction CH2CO(g) + NaOH(aq,500H2O) = CH3CO2Na(aq,NaOH soln), ΔH(298 K) = −(208.2 ± 1.6) kJ mol−1 = −(49.75 ± 0.38) kcal mol−1. The uncertainties indicated include estimated systematic errors and a 95 per cent confidence interval of ± 1.34 kJ mol−1. This value of ΔH was combined with published values for the enthalpy of formation of aqueous sodium hydroxide and of aqueous sodium acetate to calculate the enthalpy of formation of ketene gas: ΔHfo(298 K)=−(47.7±1.6) kJ mol−1=−(11.4±0.4) kcal mol−1.
Liquid nitrogen enhancement of alpha particle tracks in a polycarbonate detector

Abstract Makrofol-E polycarbonate detectors were exposed to 1 and 3 MeV alpha particles and subsequently immersed in liquid nitrogen for various periods of time. The influence of the liquid nitrogen on the track recording properties of the detector has been found by measuring the track densities and diameters. Track densities increase with immersion time with a maximum gain of approximately 9% after 1200 min in liquid nitrogen. Track enhancement decreases with waiting time between the end of alpha particle exposure and the beginning of liquid nitrogen immersion. Track diameters decrease with time after passage of the particles and this process is accelerated by immersion in liquid nitrogen.
Fluorescent Molecular Hydrogen Emission in IC 63: FUSE, Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope, and Rocket Observations

We present far-ultraviolet observations of IC 63, an emission/reflection nebula illuminated by the B0.5 IV star γ Cas, located 1.3 pc from the nebula. Molecular hydrogen fluorescence was detected first in IC 63 by IUE and later at shorter wavelengths by ORFEUS. Here we present Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) observations toward three locations in the nebula, complemented by Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) data on the central nebular position. In addition, we present a sounding rocket calibration of a FUSE spectrum of γ Cas. Molecular hydrogen fluorescence is detected in all three FUSE pointings. The intensity of this emission, as well as the contributions from other species, are seen to vary with position. The absolute flux calibration of the sounding rocket data allows us to reliably predict the radiation field incident on IC 63. We use these data to test models of the fluorescent process. Our modeling resolves the perceived discrepancy between the existing ultraviolet observations and achieves a satisfactory agreement with the H2 rotational structure observed with FUSE.
Orexin Mediates the Expression of Precipitated Morphine Withdrawal and Concurrent Activation of the Nucleus Accumbens Shell

Background The lateral hypothalamic neuropeptide orexin (or hypocretin) is implicated in drug addiction. Although a role for orexin has been shown in reward and dependence, the molecular and neural mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the mechanism and neuroanatomic basis of orexin's role in morphine withdrawal. Methods C57BL/6J mice received chronic morphine followed by naloxone (0 or 1 mg/kg, subcutaneous) to precipitate withdrawal. Before naloxone, mice received SB-334867 (0 or 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), an orexin 1 receptor (Ox1r) antagonist. Using immunohistochemistry, c-Fos, a marker of cell activation, was quantified in the nucleus accumbens (Acb), lateral hypothalamus (LH), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and locus coeruleus (LC). Retrograde tracing with fluorogold (FG) was performed to determine whether orexin neurons project directly to the Acb. Results SB-334867 before naloxone significantly attenuated withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal was accompanied by an increase in c-Fos expression in the Acb shell (AcbSh), which was reduced by SB-334867 but had no effect on the VTA or the LC. Morphine withdrawal increased c-Fos expression in the dorsomedial (DMH) and perifornical (PFA) regions but not in the lateral region of the LH (LLH). Orexin neurons do not appear to form direct connections with Acb neurons. Conclusions Altogether, these data demonstrate that orexin, acting via Ox1r, is critical for the expression of morphine withdrawal. AcbSh activation during withdrawal is dependent on Ox1r function and is likely mediated by indirect action of LH orexin neurons.
Metastases to bones.

Metastatic tumors involving the bones may derive from a number of visceral primary sites, and they can assume several histological appearances. In selected instances, diagnostic confusion with some primary bone tumors may eventuate, necessitating the use of adjunctive pathologic studies to reach a final interpretation. This review considers metastatic osseous neoplasms in the small-cell, large-polygonal-cell, and spindle-cell-pleomorphic microscopic categories. The use of immunohistology and molecular analysis to study such tumors is discussed.
Highly divergent duplicate mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (Mpi) genes in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis

Gene duplication has been hypothesized to play a major role in the evolution of genes and genomes and in generating phenotypic diversity among the proteins those genes encode. We have identified duplicate genes for the glycolytic enzyme mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (MPI: EC 5.3.1.8) in marine mussels in the genus Mytilus. Overall, there was only 52% sequence identity (72% similarity) between the proteins encoded by these two genes, designated as Mpi-A and Mpi-B. Based on a comparison of the rate of non-synonymous substitution between orthologous and paralogous Mpi coding sequences obtained from Mytilus edulis and the congener M. trossulus we estimate that the duplication of Mpi in mussels occurred ~170 MYA. We detected paralog-specific differences in the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions (k(a)/k(s)) and in the predicted net charge for MPI-A and MPI-B. Using a real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay we observed substantial changes in Mpi-A and Mpi-B transcript levels between tissue types; the strongest expression of Mpi-A was observed in mantle tissue while Mpi-B expression exceeded that of Mpi-A in gill and hepatopancreas tissues. Taken together, these observations suggest that different functional roles have evolved for these two Mytilus Mpi genes subsequent to gene duplication.
Learning Sparse Representations of Depth

This paper introduces a new method for learning and inferring sparse representations of depth (disparity) maps. The proposed algorithm relaxes the usual assumption of the stationary noise model in sparse coding. This enables learning from data corrupted with spatially varying noise or uncertainty, such as that obtained by laser range scanners or structured light depth cameras. Sparse representations are learned from the Middlebury database disparity maps and then exploited in a two-layer graphical model for inferring depth from stereo, by including a sparsity prior on the learned features. Since they capture higher order dependencies in the depth structure, these priors can complement smoothness priors commonly used in depth inference based on Markov random field (MRF) models. Inference on the proposed graph is achieved using an alternating iterative optimization technique, where the first layer is solved using an existing MRF-based stereo matching algorithm, then held fixed as the second layer is solved using the proposed nonstationary sparse coding algorithm. This leads to a general method for improving solutions of state-of-the-art MRF-based depth estimation algorithms. Our experimental results first show that depth inference using learned representations leads to state-of-the-art denoising of depth maps obtained from laser range scanners and a time of flight camera. Furthermore, we show that adding sparse priors improves the results of depth estimation methods based on graph cut optimization of MRFs with first and second order priors.
TRPV1 shows dynamic ionic selectivity during agonist stimulation

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is an ion channel that is gated by noxious heat, capsaicin and other diverse stimuli. It is a nonselective cation channel that prefers Ca2+ over Na+. These permeability characteristics, as in most channels, are widely presumed to be static. On the contrary, we found that activation of native or recombinant rat TRPV1 leads to time- and agonist concentration-dependent increases in relative permeability to large cations and changes in Ca2+ permeability. Using the substituted cysteine accessibility method, we saw that these changes were attributable to alterations in the TRPV1 selectivity filter. TRPV1 agonists showed different capabilities for evoking ionic selectivity changes. Furthermore, protein kinase C-dependent phosphorylation of Ser800 in the TRPV1 C terminus potentiated agonist-evoked ionic selectivity changes. Thus, the qualitative signaling properties of TRPV1 are dynamically modulated during channel activation, a process that probably shapes TRPV1 participation in pain, cytotoxicity and neurotransmitter release.
Genetic variation in sex-steroid receptors and synthesizing enzymes and colorectal cancer risk in women

Several lines of evidence have suggested that female hormones may lower the risk for developing colorectal cancer. However, the mechanisms by which sex hormones affect colorectal cancer development remain unknown. We sought to determine whether the association may be under genetic control by evaluating genetic variation in estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2), progesterone receptor (PGR), aromatase cytochrome 450 enzyme (CYP19A1), and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 gene (HSD17B2). We included 158 incident cases of colorectal cancer and 563 randomly chosen control subjects from 28,345 women in the Women’s Health Study aged 45 or older who provided blood samples and had no history of cancer or cardiovascular disease at baseline in 1993. All cases and controls were Caucasians of European descent. A total of 63 tagging and putative functional SNPs in the 5 genes were included for analysis. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There was no association between variation in ESR1, ESR2, PGR, CYP19A1 and HSD17B2 and colorectal cancer risk after correction for multiple comparisons (p values after correction ≥0.25). There was also no association with any of the haplotypes examined (p ≥ 0.15) and no evidence of joint effects of variants in the 5 genes (p ≥ 0.51). Our data offer insufficient support for an association between variation in ESR1, ESR2, PGR, CYP19A1, and HSD17B2 and risk for developing colorectal cancer.
Family Functioning Is Associated With Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of Acute Stroke Survivors

Abstract Epstein-Lubow GP, Beevers CG, Bishop DS, Miller IW. Family functioning is associated with depressive symptoms in caregivers of acute stroke survivors. Objective To determine whether family functioning is uniquely associated with caregiver depressive symptoms in the immediate aftermath of stroke. Design Cross-sectional data from the baseline assessment of an intervention study for stroke survivors and their families. Setting Neurology inpatient service of a large urban hospital. Participants Stroke survivors (n=192), each with a primary caregiver. The mean age of stroke survivors was 66 years, and most, 57%, were men (n=110). The mean age of caregivers was 57 years, and 73% (n=140) of the caregivers were women. Eighty-five percent of caregivers were white. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Measures were chosen to assess caregivers' depressive symptoms (Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), family functioning (Family Assessment Device), and additional factors such as health status (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) and stroke survivors' cognitive abilities (modified Mini-Mental State Examination) and functional impairments (FIM and Frenchay Activities Index). Results Depressive symptoms were mild to moderate in 14% and severe in 27% of caregivers. Family functioning was assessed as unhealthy in 34% of caregiver-patient dyads. In statistical regression models, caregiver depression was associated with patients' sex, caregivers' general health, and family functioning. Conclusions Forty-one percent of caregivers experienced prominent depressive symptoms after their family member's stroke. Higher depression severity in caregivers was associated with caring for a man, and having worse health and poor family functioning. After stroke, the assessment of caregivers' health and family functioning may help determine which caregivers are most at risk for a depressive syndrome.
Magnetoelastic Effects and the Magnetic Properties of Rare-Earth Metals

We show that the driving force for the spiral-to-ferromagnet transition in Dy and Tb is the energy of cylindrical symmetry associated with the lowest order magnetostriction effects. We also point out that the experimental temperature dependence of the spinwave energy gap for Tb does not agree with that calculated using the frozen-lattice approximation suggested by Turov and Shavrov for magnetoelastic effects.
Delocalization of the excitons via the X-valley in GaAs/A1As quantum wells

The results of magnetoreflection, photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation experiments are reported in GaAs-AlAs multiple quantum wells of different well widths, demonstrating the influence of the X-band in the AlAs on the electron levels in GaAs. Evidence is presented for the existence of an exciton formed from a delocalized electron, and for the conduction of electrons from narrow wells to wide wells via the X-band of AlAs.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Multifaceted Self Effect: Flexibility or Merely Self-Enhancement? ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Previous research has shown that people ascribe more traits to themselves than to others, and more traits to liked others than to disliked others, suggesting that the self and liked others are viewed as “multifaceted.” A limitation of those studies was their use of generally desirable traits. The present studies asked subjects to describe themselves and liked and disliked well-known others and acquaintances on trait pairs spanning the full range of social desirability. The results for desirable traits replicated previous studies, but the results for undesirable traits did not. Subjects judged themselves to have the same number of undesirable traits as others and judged liked others to have fewer undesirable traits than disliked others. Nondepressed subjects showed these biases to enhance the self and liked others to a greater degree than did depressed subjects.
A Two-Stage Sequential Strategy in the Placement of Students in an Undergraduate Mathematics Curriculum

In the past few years there have been some radical and basic changes in the mathematics curriculum in the high schools (Henderson, 1963); in general, these changes have resulted in higher levels of achievement among the graduates. Recognizing this general rise in achievement, colleges have begun to upgrade their curriculum. However, the rate, direction, and level of change taking place in particular high schools have not been uniform, resulting in wide variations in individual achievement among the entering freshmen. This initial discrepant background of incoming students, and the changes being made in the college curriculum have created problems in the development of courses and adequate placement procedures. It has become increasingly apparent that the traditional placement test, validated against conditions which existed in the past, is no longer functioning as an adequate predictor of course performance. The mathematics course under study in this report was introduced into the mathematics program of a large state university in response to the need for a transitional course from algebra to calculus. The content of the course involved algebraic operations as applied to elementary functions and equations, graphs, trigonometric functions, lines, and conics. The prerequisites for the course were two years of high school algebra and one year of plane geometry, or some equivalent from many variations possible in the "new math" curricula in the high schools. Teaching methods for the Pre-Calculus Mathematics course were developed around a closed circuit television
Constraining the Higgs boson width with ZZ production at the LHC

We point out that existing measurements of $pp \to ZZ$ cross-section at the LHC in a broad range of ZZ invariant masses allow one to derive a model-independent upper bound on the Higgs boson width, thanks to strongly enhanced off-shell Higgs contribution. Using CMS data and considering events in the interval of ZZ invariant masses from 100 to 800 GeV, we find $\Gamma_H \le 38.8 \times \Gamma_H^{SM} \approx 163$ MeV, at the $95\%$ confidence level. Restricting ZZ invariant masses to $M_{ZZ} \ge 300$ GeV range, we estimate that this bound can be improved to $\Gamma_H \le 21 \times \Gamma_H^{SM} \approx 88$ MeV. Under the assumption that all couplings of the Higgs boson to Standard Model particles scale in a universal way, our result can be translated into an upper limit on the branching fraction of the Higgs boson decay to invisible final states. We obtain $Br(H \to inv) < 0.84 (0.78)$, depending on the range of ZZ invariant masses that are used to constrain the width. We believe that an analysis along these lines should be performed by experimental collaborations in the near future and also in the run II of the LHC. We estimate that such analyses can, eventually, be sensitive to the Higgs boson width as small as $\Gamma_H \sim 10 \times \Gamma_H^{SM}$.
Cuticular reactivity of early larval stages of Ascaris suum: binding of fractions of immune serum to the surface of infective and parasitic stage larvae as detected by the mixed antiglobulin test.

Abstract Infective stage and early parasitic larvae of Ascaris suum were evaluated for surface reactivity with serum from uninfected and hyperimmune guinea-pigs. Cuticular binding of serum components was assessed by the mixed antiglobulin test. Ensheathed infective larvae bound both normal serum proteins and 7S protein from immune serum over the entire sheath surface. Parasitic larvae recovered at 16 and 25 h post infection (h.p.i.) were poorly reactive, and binding occurred only to sites on the head and tail regions. Larvae recovered at 48 and 72 h.p.i. were highly reactive over the entire cuticle. Host serum protein was not detectable on the surface of parasitic larvae when harvested from guineapigs after a primary infection until the larvae had been in the host for 72 h. However larvae recovered from hyperimmune animals had host serum protein detectable on the cuticle as early as 16 h.p.i.
Phase-Locking Precision Is Enhanced by Multiquantal Release at an Auditory Hair Cell Ribbon Synapse

SUMMARY Sound-evoked spikes in the auditory nerve can phase-lock with submillisecond precision for prolonged periods of time. However, the synaptic mechanisms that enable this accurate spike firing remain poorly understood. Using paired recordings from adult frog hair cells and their afferent fibers, we show here that during sine-wave stimuli, synaptic failures occur even during strong stimuli. However, exclusion of these failures leads to mean excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) amplitudes that are independent of Ca 2+ current. Given the intrinsic jitter in spike triggering, evoked synaptic potentials and spikes had surprisingly similar degrees of synchronizationtoasine-wavestimulus.This similaritywasexplained by an unexpected finding: large-amplitude evoked EPSCs have a significantly larger synchronization index than smaller evoked EPSCs. Large EPSCs therefore enhance the precision of spike timing.Thehaircells’unique capacityforcontinuous, large-amplitude, and highly synchronous multiquantal release thus underlies its ability to trigger phaselocked spikes in afferent fibers.
Patients with existing pressure ulcers admitted to acute care

Abstract Purpose: This study describes the characteristics of patients with pressure ulcers present on admission to the hospital and predictors of pressure ulcer presence and severity. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting and subjects: Adults (n = 267) admitted to a Pacific Basin military hospital who were expected to stay more than 24 hours. Instruments: Braden scale, portable vital sign machine, and pulse oximeter. Methods: Pressure ulcer risk was evaluated and skin inspection was performed. Demographic, physiologic, and laboratory data were obtained. Medical history and patient acuity were recorded. Results: Thirty-four of 267 subjects (12.8%) had a pressure ulcer. Most were male and white. Their mean age was 65.7 years; mean albumin level, 2.9 g/dL; mean hematocrit level, 31.9 vol%; mean oxygen saturation, 95.3 mm Hg; and mean hemoglobin level, 10.7 g/dL. The mean Braden scale score for subjects without ulcers on admission was 19.7, and it was 15.9 for those with ulcers ( P P P Conclusions: Poorer nutritional status and decreased oxygen perfusion were predictors of pressure ulcers on admission. Nutrition and length of stay were predictors of ulcer severity. Further research is warranted. (J WOCN 2000;27:216–26)
Ultrastructure of a bio-electrolytic methanogenic/methanotrophic granular biofilm for the complete degradation of tetrachloroethylene in contaminated groundwater

The electrolytical methanogenic/methanotrophic coupling (eMaMoC) process was tested in a laboratory-scale single-stage reactor for the treatment of tetrachloroethene (PCE)-contaminated waters. A water electrolysis cell was placed directly in the effluent recirculation loop for the supply of both O 2 and H 2 to the system: H 2 serving as the electron donor for both carbonate reduction into CH 4 and reductive dechlorination. The concurrent presence of O 2 and CH 4 could be used by the methanotrophs for co-metabolically oxidising the chlorinated intermediates left over by the anaerobic transformation of PCE. At a PCE inlet of 33–52 μM and a hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 5.6 days, PCE reductive dechlorination to dichloroethene (DCE) was over 95% with a maximum DCE mineralisation of 83%. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation with 16S rRNA probes related to type I and type II methanotrophic bacteria were utilised to localise the methanotrophic communities in the anaerobic/aerobic granules. It evidenced that with operational time, along with increasing oxygenation rate, methanotrophic communities were specifically colonising onto the outermost layer of the anaerobic/aerobic granule.
Sex differences in sensitivity to the depressive-like effects of the kappa opioid receptor agonist U-50488 in rats.

Background Dynorphin, an endogenous ligand at kappa opioid receptors (KORs), produces depressive-like effects and contributes to addictive behavior in male nonhuman primates and rodents. Although comorbidity of depression and addiction is greater in women than men, the role of KORs in female motivated behavior is unknown. Methods In adult Sprague-Dawley rats, we used intracranial self-stimulation to measure effects of the KOR agonist (±)- trans -U-50488 methanesulfonate salt (U-50488) (.0–10.0 mg/kg) on brain stimulation reward in gonadally intact and castrated males and in females at estrous cycle stages associated with low and high estrogen levels. Pharmacokinetic studies of U-50488 in plasma and brain were conducted. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify sex-dependent expression of U-50488-induced c-Fos in brain. Results U-50488 dose-dependently increased the frequency of stimulation (threshold) required to maintain intracranial self-stimulation responding in male and female rats, a depressive-like effect. However, females were significantly less sensitive than males to the threshold-increasing effects of U-50488, independent of estrous cycle stage in females or gonadectomy in males. Although initial plasma concentrations of U-50488 were higher in females, there were no sex differences in brain concentrations. Sex differences in U-50488-induced c-Fos activation were observed in corticotropin releasing factor–containing neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and primarily in non–corticotropin releasing factor–containing neurons of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Conclusions These data suggest that the role of KORs in motivated behavior of rats is sex-dependent, which has important ramifications for the study and treatment of mood-related disorders, including depression and drug addiction in people.
A randomized nearest-neighbor approach for assessment of character displacement: the vulture guild as a model

Abstract Character displacement has been analysed in the past but not with an approach that considers nearest-neighbor distances between members of a guild. Vultures provide a model system in which to test a new analytical approach presented here to assess character displacement. Vultures are represented by two geographically isolated and taxonomically distinct groups: the Old World accipitrids and New World vultures. These two groups provide an excellent case of convergent evolution in which functional similarities can be compared among obligate carrion-feeding birds. The vulture guild was analysed from several geographic regions where species occur in a high diversity: East Africa, South Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Amazonia, and the pleistocene deposits from Rancho La Brea, California. A three-dimensional morphospace was constructed derived from features of the skull, beak, and mandible to assess feeding capabilities. Species packing and their distribution within the morphospace were compared using a nearest-neighbor approach through Monte Carlo simulations. Vultures seem to exhibit a similar array of ecomorphological types wherever they occur in a high diversity, even though there are phylogenetic differences among some regions. Phylogenetic effects appear to have little influence on the distribution of functional types in each region and evidence for character displacement was found only at Rancho La Brea where both Old and New World vultures were present.
Medial thalamic lesions in the rat: Effects on the nociceptive threshold and morphine antinociception

Abstract The medial thalamus of rats was electrolytically destroyed. Examination of the nociceptive threshold by means of the tail flick, hot plate and shock titration tests revealed no change in the postoperative response on these tests regardless of lesion size or location. In contrast, animals having lesions which encompassed more than 40% of the medial thalamus showed a significant potentiation of the antinociceptive action of morphine as measured with the tail flick, hot plate and shock titration tests. Because of the lack of correlation of effect with total lesion volume and because there was no change as a function of time after the lesion in the ability of the lesion to potentiate the effect of morphine, the possibility of a nonspecific effect on the blood-brain barrier was excluded. It appears likely that in the presence of morphine, the lesion serves to uncover in the rat an ongoing functional modulation by the medial thalamus of other brain regions directly mediating the antinociceptive action of morphine.
Fibrinogen inhibits red cell adhesion to glass.

Studies of human erythrocyte adhesion to glass have demonstrated consistently greater adhesion with serum-containing media than with a comparable concentration of plasma. This serum-plasma difference is explained by the adhesion-inhibiting property of plasma fibrinogen. The fibrinogen effect is probably mediated through its firm binding to glass, since no adsorption onto the red cell surface could be demonstrated. The ability of more red cells to adhere to a foreign surface after plasma coagulation (the formation of serum from plasma) may be significant in the red cell surface interactions necessary for the formation of a fibrin-red cell thrombus.
Variable stiffness structures utilizing fluidic flexible matrix composites

In this research, the capability of utilizing fluidic flexible matrix composites (F2MC) for autonomous structural tailoring is investigated. By taking advantage of the high anisotropy of flexible matrix composite (FMC) tubes and the high bulk modulus of the pressurizing fluid, significant changes in the effective modulus of elasticity can be achieved by controlling the inlet valve to the fluid-filled F2MC structure. The variable modulus F2MC structure has the flexibility to easily deform when desired (open-valve), possesses the high modulus required during loading conditions when deformation is not desired (closed-valve — locked state), and has the adaptability to vary the modulus between the flexible/stiff states through control of the valve. In the current study, a 3D analytical model is developed to characterize the axial stiffness behavior of a single F 2MC tube. Experiments are conducted to validate the proposed model, and the test results show good agreement with the model predictions. A closed/open...
Efficient Joint Source and Sensor Localization in Closed-Form

This letter considers the problem of simultaneously locating multiple disjoint sources and refining erroneous sensor positions using TDOA measurements. The previous work by Yang and Ho to solve this problem cannot provide optimum accuracy for the sensor positions. The proposed estimator improves the previous method so that both the source and the sensor position estimates can achieve the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) accuracy. The theoretical derivation is corroborated by simulations.
Catheter complications associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Abstract Intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy in ovarian carcinoma is currently under investigation. Numerous recent publications have described clinical studies employing a variety of chemotherapeutic drugs. Little information exists regarding the delivery systems employed or the complications encountered. This study reviews our experience with "single-use" and "long-term" catheters. Thirty-three catheters were placed in 28 patients. Of these catheters, 12 were long-term Tenckhoff catheters and 21 were temporary single-use catheters. Both types of catheters had complications associated with their usage. However, there was a dramatic difference in the number and severity of complications when the two groups were compared. Sixty-seven percent of the Tenckhoff catheters were associated with complications. Nineteen percent of the patients with single-use catheters experienced complications. This 19%, however, represented only 3.8% of the total number of single-use catheter insertions. In our hands, the temporary percutaneous approach has been a safe one, which is technically easy to perform with minimal complications.
H ∞ optimal filtering and control of wind energy conversion systems

This paper presents a reduced-order H∞ optimal control for wind energy conversion systems. Two different timescale (slow and fast) dynamics of wind energy conversion systems are separated and processed independently using the singular perturbation theory. By using the decomposition technique, low-order, independent H∞ optimal filters and controllers are obtained, which provide computational advantages and enable implementations with different sampling rates. The control robustness and efficiency are shown by computer simulations.
Test results on pulsed cesium amalgam flashlamps for solid state laser pumping

Test results on pulsed cesium amalgam flashlampsfor solid state laser pumpingHarald WittingGE Corporate Research and Development CenterSchenectady NY 12301ABSTRACTInitial tests on experimental cesium amalgam flashlamps have yieldedpromising results: These lamps will pump Nd:YAC lasers with efficiencies thatare comparable to those of conventional xenon and krypton flashlamps, but withsubstantially longer lamp life due to the vapor replenishment of the cesiumcathode activator.1. INTRODUCTIONFlashlamps that contain cesium have potentially very long life when corn-pared to conventional xenon and krypton flashlamps. This is because cesiumreduces the deleterious effect of cathode erosion by the arc discharge.In conventional flashlamps, the cathodes are made of tungsten and containan electron emission material such as thorium or barium. During lamp opera-tion, the emission material is eroded by the arc discharge and deposited onthe arc tube wall. This reduces the light output and limits the useful lamplife. The coating also absorbs radiation, which increases the wall loadingand contributes to cracking of the arc tube. Ultimately, the cathode becomesdepleted of emission mix and the lamp may fail to start.In the cesium amalgam flashlamps that are described in this paper, theelectrodes are made of pure tungsten, and the arc tube is dosed with acesium-mercury amalgam and xenofl gas. During lamp operation, the arc tubetemperature is raised above 500 C in order to evaporate a portion of thecesium dose to a vapor pressure above 10 Torr. The cesium vapor is adsorbedstrongly on the tungsten cathode, forming a dense surface layer. This layeracts as an mission material, since it greatly increases the electron emissionof tungstenThe discharge will erode the cathode surface of cesium flashlamps just asin a conventional flashlamp. However, the eroded cesium is not permanentlydeposited on the lamp wall, but it replenishes the cathode surface continu-ously from the vapor phase.The vapor replenished cesium cathode has provided remarkably long flash-lamp lifetimes (billions of pulses) in a low power application whee theflashlamp output was used to trigger high voltage photo-thyristors .
Vesicularity and CO2 in mid-ocean ridge basalt

Vesicles and included CO2are enriched in deep-sea basalts that are also enriched in light rare earth and incompatible elements. This enrichment probably results from a unique deep mantle origin of such melts but may have been modified by CO2 bubbles rising in shallow magma chambers.
Schulerfolg und Akkulturationsleistungen von Grundschulkindern mit Migrationshintergrund

Nach einem kurzen Uberblick uber den Forschungskontext der Grundschulstudie „Sozialisation und Akkulturation in Erfahrungsraumen von Kindern mit Migrationshintergrund — Schule und Familie” (SOKKE) werden zunachst die zentralen Konstrukte der Untersuchung — Selbstkonzept und Selbstwertgefuhl sowie deren mogliche Auswirkungen auf die schulische Leistung von Kindern mit Migrationshintergrund dargestellt. Danach werden die von Zuwandererkindern zu erbringenden Akkulturationsleistungen skizziert und in einem weiteren Schritt auf forschungsleitende Annahmen uber Faktoren bezogen, die die Entwicklung des Selbstkonzeptes und des Selbstwertgefuhls beeinflussen. Es folgen ausgewahlte Ergebnisse der Vorstudie, in deren Zentrum eine Erhebung uber die Klassenstrukturen (u.a. Migrationshintergrund, Familiensprachen, Deutschkenntnisse) einer groseren suddeutschen Stadt steht. Vor dem Hintergrund der Struktur der untersuchten Grundschulpopulation wird deutlich, in welchen Dimensionen sich Heterogenitat im heutigen Schulbetrieb manifestiert. Abschliesend wird die interkulturelle Validierung von Instrumenten zur Erhebung von Selbstkonzept und Selbstwertgefuhl beschrieben, die in der derzeit laufenden Hauptstudie zum Einsatz kommen.
Step-pool formation models and associated step spacing

Step–pool bedforms develop under conditions of high flow rates and high sediment influx and transport rates. Step setting events are capable of mobilizing and rearranging the large step-forming grain sizes. Thus, observations of the processes of step formation are limited to flume experiments. The results of laboratory experiments involving active transport of widely sorted sediment, including large grains whose deposition readily formed steps, are presented. Over 350 step formations were observed and documented, creating a large data set for detailing and evaluating step formation processes. Existing step-formation models focus on step development from antidunes, particle clusters, transverse ribs or depositional berms, or from a hydraulic regime that includes cascade flow and hydraulic jumps. These models were developed using field measurements of artificial grade control structures or stable step–pool systems during low flow conditions, or degradational flume experiments where flows elucidated the step–pool bedform in the channel profile but did not create equilibrium transport of the large, step-forming clasts. This research evaluates the pre-existing formation models and proposes three new models: the rough bed, exhumation and dune models. The rough bed model was dominant throughout the experiments, followed by the exhumation model and then the dune model. A single model was not responsible for all step formations. The rough bed, exhumation and dune models all influenced step development, and every step sequence was created through a mixture of formation processes. This research generated a large data set, where each step spacing is paired with the corresponding step formation model, making it possible to identify a distinct exclusion zone length for each model. Thus, given knowledge of the step formation model, the minimum distance to the next step downstream can be predicted. From the final spacing of a step sequence, it may be possible to deduce the likely formation mechanisms active during a step resetting event. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microstructural evolution and metastability in active materials

Metastable systems pose significant problems in both analysis and simulation. We discuss here the evolution of microstructure in a shape-memory alloy where energetic contributions from disparate scales play determining roles. This is a challenge for modelling since the finest length scales cannot be ‘seen’ at macroscopic level. We then provide a mechanism for kinetics that gives a different notion metastability.
Salivation and depression: a role for appetitive factors.

A decrease in salivary flow rate (SFR) is associated with depressive illness although the mechanisms underlying this association are unknown. Appetitive factors are known to influence SFR, but are not adequately considered in the studies of salivation and depression. Diminished SFR in depressive illness may be more closely related to the apetite disturbances commonly associated with depressive illness than to mood disorder or depressive illness per se. The implications for considering SFR as a physiological correlate of depressive illness are discussed in light of this possibility.
Treatment of steal syndrome in a distal radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula using intravascular coil embolization

Steal syndrome is a well-described complication of arteriovenous fistulas used for hemodialysis access. Although distal revascularization with interval ligation appears to offer the greatest likelihood of symptom relief and vascular access salvage, not all fistulas are amenable to this procedure, particularly distal radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas. In this report, we describe the treatment of steal syndrome in a patient with a distal radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula using a percutaneous approach and endovascular coils. After coil embolization of the distal radial artery and multiple collateral vessels, steal was no longer visualized using angiography, and the patient's symptoms resolved.
Two component charged condensate in white dwarfs

Abstract The possibility of the formation of a condensate of charged spin-0 nuclei inside white dwarf cores, studied in [G. Gabadadze, R.A. Rosen, JCAP 0810 (2008) 030, arXiv:0806.3692 ] and [G. Gabadadze, D. Pirtskhalava, JCAP 0905 (2009) 017, arXiv:0904.4267 ], is pursued further. It has been shown, for cores composed mainly of one element (helium or carbon), that after condensation phonons become massive and the specific heat drops by about two orders of magnitude. In this Letter we extend that analysis by considering the coexistence of the nuclei of both types (helium and carbon), whose condensation points are generically different. An effective field theory is developed to describe the system when both elements are condensed. The spectrum of fluctuations of this two component charged condensate possesses a collective massless mode with ω ∝ k 2 . Assuming that the fraction of the less abundant element is greater than ∼ 1 / 100 , the thermal history changes as follows: There is a softer discontinuity in the average specific heat after the condensation of first sector, resulting in slower cooling and a milder drop in luminosity function. The specific heat remains almost constant until the condensation of the second sector, then starts to declines as T 3 / 2 .
Atomistically informed solute drag in Al–Mg

Solute drag in solute-strengthened alloys, caused by diffusion of solute atoms around moving dislocations, controls the stress at deformation rates and temperatures useful for plastic forming processes. In the technologically important Al–Mg alloys, the solute drag stresses predicted by classical theories are much larger than experiments, which is resolved in general by eliminating the singularity of the dislocation core via Peierls–Nabarro-type models. Here, the drag stress versus dislocation velocity is computed numerically using a realistic dislocation core structure obtained from an atomistic model to investigate the role of the core and obtain quantitative stresses for comparison with experiment. The model solves a discrete diffusion equation in a reference frame moving with the dislocation, with input solute enthalpies and diffusion activation barriers in the core computed by or estimated from atomistic studies. At low dislocation velocities, the solute drag stress is controlled by bulk solute diffusion because the core diffusion occurs too quickly. In this regime, the drag stress can be obtained using a Peierls–Nabarro model with a core spreading parameter tuned to best match the atomistic models. At intermediate velocities, both bulk and core diffusion can contribute to the drag, leading to a complex stress–velocity relationship showing two peaks in stress. At high velocities, the drag stress is controlled solely by diffusion within and across the core. Like the continuum models, the drag stress is nearly linear in solute concentration. The Orowan relationship is used to connect dislocation velocity to deformation strain rate. Accounting for the dependence of mobile dislocation density on stress, the simulations are in good agreement with experiments on Al–Mg alloys over a range of concentrations and temperatures.
Total Dietary Fiber Variability in a Cross Section of Crotalaria juncea Genetic Resources

Sunn hemp seeds contain several phytochemicals including fiber with potential phytopharmaceutical use. A study of 15 sunn hemp, Crotalaria juncea L., accessions demonstrated that total dietary fiber and protein content are significantly variable. As dietary fiber increases in the sunn hemp seed, protein decreases. Differences in total dietary fiber suggest that sufficient variability exists in this trait to allow enhancement in sunn hemp cultivars through plant breeding.