cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of rat heart mitochondrial function and the production of reactive oxygen by vitamin E deficiency

Vitamin E, an antioxidant present in all cellular membranes, is associated with protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membranes and may affect oxidative changes which occur in these organelles when heart tissue is subjected to hypoxia. The effect of 60 min hypoxia, after a 30 min normoxic equilibration period, on the function and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by cardiac mitochondria from rats fed vitamin E sufficient or deficient diets for 9 weeks was examined. Mitochondria from the hearts of rats fed vitamin E deficient diets had 40-fold less vitamin E and were more susceptible to lipid peroxidation, as compared to heart mitochondria from rats fed vitamin E sufficient diet. Perfusion with normoxic, but not hypoxic, media significantly decreased cardiac vitamin E in deficient, but not sufficient rats. Hypoxia decreased the production of ROS by mitochondria from vitamin E sufficient hearts, compared to normoxia. A similar level of ROS production was seen after hypoxia in mitochondria from vitamin E deficient hearts. However, vitamin E deficiency alone decreased the production of ROS by mitochondria from normoxic hearts, relative to vitamin E sufficient animals. Under all conditions where the production of ROS was decreased, 1 microM calcium increased production to the maximum levels seen in vitamin E sufficient, normoxic heart mitochondria. Mitochondrial function was depressed in mitochondria from hypoxic hearts as compared to mitochondria from normoxic hearts of vitamin E sufficient rats. A similar depression of mitochondrial function was not seen in mitochondria from hypoxic hearts of vitamin E deficient rats. Compensatory changes in response to long-term vitamin E deficiency may be responsible for the differences in response to hypoxia of mitochondria from vitamin E sufficient and deficient rats.
Z-dependent spectral measurements of SASE FEL radiation at APS.

Abstract We report on the first measurements of the dependence on the axial distance z of the spectrum of self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser (SASE FEL) radiation. The measurements are performed under different FEL conditions in the wavelength range from 265 to 530 nm. Spectral measurements of the radiation at FEL saturation are included. The z-dependence of the radiation spectrum is compared with theory and simulations.
Drop mass transfer in a microfluidic chip compared to a centrifugal contactor

A model system was developed for enabling a multiscale understanding of centrifugal-contactor liquid–liquid extraction. The system consisted of Nd(III) + xylenol orange in the aqueous phase buffered to pH = 5.5 by KHP, and dodecane + thenoyltrifluroroacetone (HTTA) + tributyphosphate (TBP) in the organic phase. Diffusion constants were measured for neodymium in both the organic and aqueous phases, and the Nd(III) partition coefficients were measured at various HTTA and TBP concentrations. A microfluidic channel was used as a high-shear model environment to observe mass transfer on a droplet scale with xylenol orange as the aqueous-phase metal indicator; mass-transfer rates were measured quantitatively in both diffusion and reaction limited regimes on the droplet scale. The microfluidic results were comparable to observations made for the same system in a laboratory scale liquid–liquid centrifugal contactor, indicating that single drop microfluidic experiments can provide information on mass transfer in complicated flows and geometries. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3071–3078, 2014
Folk beliefs about second language learning and teaching

What do students and teachers believe about the second language learning process? What if these beliefs are in conflict with each other or with prevailing applied linguistic theories? These are the types of questions that are investigated within folk linguistic research. Some researchers have taken a quantitative approach that relied on questionnaires (e.g., Horwitz 1985), while others have delved into the cognitive foundations of beliefs (e.g., Woods 2003). Lastly, some have used discoursal approaches which use discourse analytic (e.g., Pasquale & Preston, forthcoming) and culturally contextualized approaches (e.g., Barcelos 1995) suggesting that folk belief is a dynamic process. Therefore, a discoursal approach may provide insights into respondents’ reasoning rather than what might be considered more static domains of belief.
Ultrastructure of the crayfish antennal gland revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy combined with ultrasonic microdissection.

The antennal gland of the crayfish Pacifasticus leniusculus was studied using standard techniques for scanning electron microscopy as well as newer procedures for ultrasonic microdissection. To clarify relationships in the nephron tubule, transmission electron microscopy was employed. The coelomosac contains elongated cells (podocytes) displaying microvilli and extensive apical blebbing. A smooth basal lamina lines the blood space that furnishes hemolymph to the coelomosac. The labyrinth consists of tall columnar cells displaying apical microvilli, numerous blebs that seem to represent an expansion of apical plasma membrane, and lateral interdigitations. The nephron tubule consists of two distinctly different areas: a proximal region of flattened cells with extensive intercellular fusions, and a distal segment of separate, dome-shaped cells. Despite many similarities between the crayfish kidney and the vertebrate nephron, there are striking differences. The amount of surface blebbing that occurs in the coelomosac and labyrinth far exceeds that of the vertebrate nephron and may reflect its importance in the function of the crayfish kidney. The cells of the coelomosac are taller than are the vertebrate podocytes and possess less obvious arms and pedicels. In addition, the proximal segment of the nephron tubule is notable for its intercellular fusions, which are not present in the vertebrate nephron. Although the function of the intercellular fusions is unknown, they may play a role in cellular communication or the redistribution of fluids or electrolytes between cells.
The gregarious lipid droplet.

Cytoplasmic lipid droplets were considered until recently to be in the same category as glycogen granules, simple storage sites for energy, waxing and waning as metabolic energy needs dictated, but otherwise inert particles. It has become clear, however, that droplets are much more than isolated storage depots in the cell and that they can skate around on the cytoskeleton, physically interact with several organelles over short or long durations, and be beasts of burden, storing important molecules unrelated to lipids for later use. Although important clues to the panoply of droplet functions have come to light as a result of several proteomics studies, some behavioral qualities of this organelle were apparent from older morphological studies. Droplets are indeed gregarious. In this Minireview, after first considering the basic biochemical properties of lipid droplets, I shall focus on their interactions with other organelles, as manifest by morphological and dynamic studies and hinted at by proteomics. The important functions of droplets in storing and chaperoning proteins are well covered in a recent review (1) and will not be discussed here.
Comment on "genomic hypomethylation in the human germline associates with selective structural mutability in the human genome".

Copy number variants (CNVs) are a dynamic feature of the human genome that play important roles in human adaptation and susceptibility to both common and rare disease [1]. The distribution of CNVs in mammalian genomes is nonrandom, and several sequence features have been associated with CNV breakpoints and regions of high structural mutability [2]–[8]. Based on an analysis of DNA methylation patterns in human sperm, Li et al. recently reported a significant relationship between CNVs and hypomethylation in the male germline [9], leading to the suggestion that DNA hypomethylation plays a causative role in the generation of structural variation. Given the potentially profound implications of this report for the study of human disease, we read the findings of Li et al. with great interest. However, after systematically reanalyzing the relationship between CNVs and DNA methylation patterns in sperm, we have identified several cryptic confounders in the data that we believe seriously undermine the conclusions of Li et al. We outline and discuss each of these in detail below.
Efficacy of vancomycin and daptomycin against Staphylococcus aureus isolates collected over 29 years

We investigated vancomycin and daptomycin efficacy for Staphylococcus aureus isolates at our institution by testing 221 methicillin-sensitive and 299 methicillin-resistant isolates recovered from serious infections between 1979 and 2007 using a microdilution method. The MIC(90)'s for vancomycin remained constant at 2 microg/mL for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). For MSSA, the geometric mean vancomycin MICs remained at 1.1 microg/mL but varied from 1.1 to 1.7 for MRSA. Tolerance to vancomycin was seen in 6.5% of MRSA and 10.5% of MSSA. Daptomycin MIC(90)'s remained at < or =1 microg/mL, and the daptomycin concentration at which 90% of the strains were killed (MBC(90)) remained at 2 microg/ml. Over 29 years, no trend was detected in vancomycin or daptomycin susceptibilities. Daptomycin had excellent inhibitory and bactericidal activities against all strains throughout the years. Although vancomycin's inhibitory activity was consistent over time, vancomycin-tolerant strains whose presence was not predicted by their MIC were found.
From the Outside Looking In: The Effect of Trading Blocs on Trade Disputes in the GATT/WTO

The increasing number and expansion of trading blocs is an important dimension of the contemporary international economy. This study examines the effects of such trading blocs on third parties and on the multilateral trading system. It is argued that trading blocs have negative economic effects on economic sectors in non-members' states. These sectors urge their governments to take political action vis-a-vis the trading bloc. Governments have several policy choices on their menu, and the attractiveness of these policies is determined by domestic and international incentives and constraints. I argue that filing a complaint in the GATT/WTO is an attractive and effective policy tool in the hands of third parties' governments. Thus, I hypothesize that the existence, deepening, and widening of trading blocs result in an increase in the number of complaints filed against their members in the multilateral trading system. I examine these propositions in the context of three important trading blocs—namely, the EU, NAFTA, and Mercosur—in the period 1948–2000. To test these hypotheses a time-series cross-section count model is performed. Controlling for conventional alternative explanations, the empirical analysis supports the theoretical framework.
Crossing-symmetric rising Regge trajectories

Corrections due to the exchange of the resonances lying on the leading crossed-channel Regge trajectory are calculated for a linearly rising Regge trajectory in a single-channel, single-trajectory model. The corrections are small, and the equations force no restriction on the slope or intercept of the trajectory. The integral equations for the Regge parameters are derived, and detailed numerical results for the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ trajectory are given. A method for determining the slope of the trajectory is proposed.
Dual basis sets in calculations of electron correlation

Abstract Correlation energies are evaluated at the MP2 level of theory, using a small basis set for occupied orbitals and a larger one for the virtual space. The results show that this method might be a valuable alternative for the study of systems which are currently too large for conventional methods.
Neuroprotective Properties of the Novel Antiepileptic Lamotrigine in a Gerbil Model of Global Cerebral Ischemia

Background and Purpose Elevated glutamate levels are thought to be a primary cause of neuronal death after global cerebral ischemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of lamotrigine, a novel antiepileptic drug that inhibits the release of glutamate in vitro, with both behavioral and histological measures of global ischemia in gerbils. Methods The common carotid arteries of gerbils were occluded for either 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Twenty-one days after reperfusion, gerbils were tested for impairments in a spatial memory task (Morris water maze). After water maze testing the animals were killed, and damage to hippocampal pyramidal cells was assessed. The effect of lamotrigine on the behavioral and histological outcome of either 5 or 15 minutes of global ischemia was evaluated. Results Bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 5 minutes resulted in severe degeneration of hippocampal CA1 and CA2 pyramidal cells. Lamotrigine significantly prevented loss of hippocampal CA1 neurons when administered acutely (100 mg/kg PO) immediately after reperfusion or when administered in two equal doses of 30 or 50 mg/kg 2 hours before and immediately after reperfusion. Gerbils subjected to 5 minutes of ischemic insult were not impaired in their ability to solve a spatial memory task 21 days after cerebral ischemia. However, gerbils subjected to 10 and 15 minutes of carotid artery occlusion showed significant impairment in their ability to solve a water maze task. Lamotrigine significantly protected against the cognitive deficits associated with 15 minutes of cerebral ischemia. Histologically, increased durations of cerebral ischemia resulted in a progressive loss of CA1, CA2, and CA3 pyramidal cells. Lamotrigine completely protected gerbils exposed to 15 minutes of cerebral ischemia against CA3 cell loss and greatly reduced damage to the CA1 and CA2 cell tracts of the hippocampus. Lamotrigine also reduced the mortality associated with 15 minutes of ischemia. Conclusions Lamotrigine had neuroprotective effects in a gerbil model of global cerebral ischemia. Lamotrigine protected gerbils against behavioral deficits resulting from 15 minutes of carotid occlusion and also prevented histological damage resulting from 5 and 15 minutes of global cerebral ischemia.
Counting lattice chains and Delannoy paths in higher dimensions

Lattice chains and Delannoy paths represent two different ways to progress through a lattice. We use elementary combinatorial arguments to derive new expressions for the number of chains and the number of Delannoy paths in a lattice of arbitrary finite dimension. Specifically, fix nonnegative integers n"1,...,n"d, and let L denote the lattice of points (a"1,...,a"d)@?Z^d that satisfy [email protected]?a"[email protected]?n"i for [email protected][email protected]?d. We prove that the number of chains in L is given by 2^n^"^d^+^[email protected]?k=1k"m"a"x^'@?i=1k(-1)^i^+^kk-1i-1n"d+k-1n"[email protected]?j=1d-1n"j+i-1n"j, where k"m"a"x^'=n"1+...+n"d"-"1+1. We also show that the number of Delannoy paths in L equals @?k=1k"m"a"x^'@?i=1k(-1)^i^+^k(k-1i-1)(n"d+k-1n"d)@?j=1d-1(n"d+i-1n"j). Setting n"i=n (for all i) in these expressions yields a new proof of a recent result of Duchi and Sulanke [9] relating the total number of chains to the central Delannoy numbers. We also give a novel derivation of the generating functions for these numbers in arbitrary dimension.
Bioaccumulation of Selenium by the Bryophyte Hygrohypnum ochraceum in the Fountain Creek Watershed, Colorado

Aquatic bryophytes, Hygrohypnum ochraceum, were deployed “in situ” at 14 sites in the Fountain Creek Watershed, spring and fall, 2007 to study selenium (Se) accumulation. Dissolved, total, and pore (sediment derived) water samples were collected and water quality parameters determined while plants were exposed to the water for 10 days. There was a trend showing plant tissue-Se uptake with distance downstream and we found a strong correlation between Se in the water with total hardness in both seasons. There was a modest association between Se-uptake in plants with hardness in the spring of 2007 but not the fall. Plants bioconcentrated Se from the water by a factor of 5.8 × 103 at Green Mountain Falls and 1.5 × 104 at Manitou Springs in the fall of 2007. Both are examples of the bioconcentration abilities of the plants, primarily in the upper reaches of the watershed where bioconcentration factors were highest. However, the mean minima and maxima of Se in the plants in each of the three watershed segments appeared similar during both seasons. We found direct relationships between the pore and dissolved Se in water in the spring (R 2 = 0.84) and fall (R 2 = 0.95) and dissolved Se and total hardness in the spring and fall (R 2 = 0.92). The data indicate that H. ochraceum was a suitable indicator of Se bioavailability and Se uptake in other trophic levels in the Fountain Creek Watershed based on a subsequent study of Se accumulation in fish tissues at all 14 sites.
Reaction of gossypol with amino acids and other amino compounds

The reactions of gossypol with certain amino acids and other amino compounds have been studied spectroscopically with respect to the effect of time and pH in the range from 5.7 to 7.5 at 37 C. The rate of reaction of gossypol with amino acids increases with increase in pH and has been shown to be related to the distance of the amino group from the carboxyl group within the molecule. Reaction products of gossypol with amino acids and other amino compounds were subjected to various purification procedures and analysis to determine combination ratios. In addition to the expected gossypol-to-amino compound ratio of 1:2, dictated by the formation of Schiff base-type bonds with the two aldehyde groups of gossypol, compounds with ratios of 1:3 and 1:4 were isolated. These results indicate that each of the two aldehyde groups of gossypol can react with two amino groups under the conditions studied.
Molecular modeling optimization of anticoagulant pyridine derivatives

Intravascular clotting remains a major health problem in the United States, the most prominent being deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and thromboembolic stroke. Previous reports on the use of pyridine derivatives in cardiovascular drug development encourage us to pursue new types of compounds based on a pyridine scaffold. Eleven pyridine derivatives (oximes, semicarbazones, N-oxides) previously synthesized in our laboratories were tested as anticoagulants on pooled normal plasma using the prothrombin time (PT) protocol. The best anticoagulant within the oxime series was compound AF4, within the oxime N-oxide series was compound AF4-N-oxide, and within the semicarbazone series, compound MD1-30Y. We also used a molecular modeling approach to guide our efforts, and found that there was good correlation between coagulation data and computational energy scores. Molecular docking was performed to target the active site of thrombin with the DOCK v5.2 package. The results of molecular modeling indicate that improvement in anticoagulant activities can be expected by functionalization at the three-position of the pyridine ring and by N-oxide formation. Results reported here prove the suitability of DOCK in the lead optimization process.
Pentecostal Witchcraft: Neoliberal Possession and Demonic Discourse in Ivoirian Pentecostal Churches

While Pentecostal churches derive their growing popularity in large part from their ability to combat witchcraft in society, I argue here that Pentecostalism is itself an alternative form of witchcraft discourse. As such, it falls prey to the same ambivalent relationship between power, success and social obligation that witchdoctors and politicians must face. I discuss Pentecostalism and witchcraft in terms of their relationship to neoliberal understandings of individual agency and economy in contrast to the moral economy of social obligations. At the same time I draw parallels between the ritual techniques of Pentecostalism and witchcraft cosmology, demonstrating that, despite Pentecostal churches' efforts to transcend the power of witchcraft, they in many cases become encompassed by witchcraft discourse, often taking on the appearance of witchcraft itself.
Electromyography of the thigh muscles during lifting tasks in kneeling and squatting postures

Underground coal miners who work in low-seam mines frequently handle materials in kneeling or squatting postures. To assess quadriceps and hamstring muscle demands in these postures, nine participants performed lateral load transfers in kneeling and squatting postures, during which electromyographic (EMG) data were collected. EMG activity was obtained at five points throughout the transfer for three quadriceps muscles and two hamstring muscles from each thigh. ANOVA results indicated that EMG data for nine of 10 thigh muscles were affected by an interaction between posture and angular position of the load lifted (p < 0.001). Muscles of the right thigh were most active during the lifting portion of the task (lifting a block from the participant's right) and activity decreased as the block was transferred to the left. Left thigh muscles showed the opposite pattern. EMG activity for the majority of thigh muscles was affected by the size of the base of support provided by different postures, with lower EMG ac...
Reduction in corticosteroids is associated with better health-related quality of life after liver transplantation.

Background Corticosteroid use during post-transplant immunosuppression contributes to documented long-term complications in liver transplant recipients. However, the effects of steroids on post-transplant physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have not been established. We aimed to test the association between steroid-based immunosuppression and post-transplant HRQOL in liver transplant recipients. Study Design We performed a retrospective analysis of prospective, longitudinal HRQOL measured using the Short Form 36 Health Survey physical and mental component summary scores, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Steroid use (none, low [ 12 weeks before HRQOL measurement) were determined at every post-transplant HRQOL data point. Linear mixed-effects models tested the effects of contemporaneous steroid use and dosing on post-transplant HRQOL. Results The sample included 186 adult liver transplant recipients (mean age 54 ± 8 years, 70% male) with pre- and at least 1 post-transplant HRQOL data point. Individual follow-up post-transplant averaged 21 ± 18 months (range 1 to 74 months). After controlling for pre-transplant HRQOL, time post-transplant, pre-transplant diagnosis group, and temporally associated episodes of rejection, post-transplant high-dose steroid use (≥10 mg/d) was associated with lower physical component summary (p Conclusions High-dose steroid use for post-transplant immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients was associated with reduced physical and mental HRQOL, and increased symptoms of anxiety. There was an association between better HRQOL and steroid reduction to
Tracking website data-collection and privacy practices with the iWatch web crawler

In this paper we introduce the iWatch web crawler, a tool designed to catalogue and analyze online data practices and the use of privacy related indicators and technologies. Our goal in developing iWatch was to make possible a new type of analysis of trends, the impact of legislation on practices, and geographic and social differences online. In this paper we present preliminary findings from two sets of data collected 15 months apart and analyzed with this tool. Our combined samples included more than 240,000 pages from over 24,000 domains and 47 different countries. In addition to providing useful and needed data on the state of online data practices, we show that iWatch is a promising approach to the study of the web ecosystem.
Optical frequency measurement: 40 years of technology revolutions

The past forty years have witnessed spectacular progress in precision measurements, beginning with the first coherent optical source, the HeNe CW laser. Almost immediately, the pioneers of the stable laser epoch introduced optical heterodyne techniques to explore the stability of the laser's optical frequency, expecting the few milliHertz linewidth predicted by the Schawlow-Townes formula for phase diffusion, and instead finding myriad physical processes that broaden and jiggle optical frequencies far beyond that narrow range. After a huge time and learning effort, most of these technical limitations can now be overcome. The paper is intended to offer a bystander/sometimes-participant's view into the advances in laser tools and the exciting scientific/technical worlds that were opened by them. Roughly one "zillion" further clever inventions and techniques have added capability to the laser and have enabled many bursts of productive research. Now, after nearly forty years of incremental progress, the astonishing reality is that within the past one year - absolute optical frequency measurements have suddenly become feasible, simple - even routine. This welcome and unexpected progress is based on the merger of techniques from the ultrastable lasers and the ultrafast lasers research communities. In a very real sense, these research objectives seem to be the exact opposites - the most unchanging versus the most quickly changing.
Expression of Extracellular Calcium (Ca2+o)-Sensing Receptor in the Clonal Osteoblast-like Cell Lines, UMR-106 and SAOS-2

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that plays key roles in extracellular calcium ion (Ca2 + o) homeostasis in parathyroid gland and kidney. More recent data have suggested the presence of this receptor in additional tissues, such as brain, intestine and skin. In this study, we examined the expression of the CaR in the rat and human osteosarcoma cell lines, UMR-106 and SAOS-2, respectively, which possess osteoblast-like characteristics. Both immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis, using a polyclonal antiserum specific for the CaR, detected CaR protein in UMR-106 and SAOS-2 cells. The use of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with CaR-specific primers, followed by nucleotide sequencing of the amplified products, also identified CaR transcripts in each cell line. Therefore, taken together, our data strongly suggest that the osteoblast-like cell lines, UMR-106 and SAOS-2, possess both CaR protein and mRNA very similar if not identical to those in parathyroid and kidney.
Visual search performance with 3-D auditory cues: effects of motion, target location, and practice.

Objectives: We evaluate visual search performance in both static (nonmoving) and dynamic (moving) search environments with and without spatial (3-D) auditory cues to target location. Additionally, the effects of target trajectory, target location, and practice are assessed. Background: Previous research on aurally aided visual search has shown a significant reduction in response times when 3-D auditory cues are displayed, relative to unaided search. However, the vast majority of this research has examined only searches for static targets in static visual environments. The present experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dynamic stimuli upon aurally aided visual search performance. Method: The 8 participants conducted repeated searches for a single visual target hidden among 15 distracting stimuli. The four main conditions of the experiment consisted of the four possible combinations of 3-D auditory cues (present or absent) and search environment (static or dynamic). Results: The auditory cues were comparably effective at reducing search times in dynamic environments (—25%) as in static environments (—22%). Audio cues helped all participants. The cues were most beneficial when the target appeared at large eccentricities and on the horizontal plane. After a brief initial exposure to 3-D audio, no training or practice effects with 3-D audio were found. Conclusion: We conclude that 3-D audio is as beneficial in environments comprising moving stimuli as in those comprising static stimuli. Application: Operators in dynamic environments, such as aircraft cockpits, ground vehicles, and command-and-control centers, could benefit greatly from 3-D auditory technology when searching their environments for visual targets or other time-critical information.
Snapshots of a dynamic folding nucleus in zinc-substituted Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin

Zinc-substituted Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin folds in two-state equilibrium and kinetic reactions. In the unfolded state, the zinc ion remains bound to the unfolded polypeptide via two native-state ligands (His117 and Cys112). The significantly curved Chevron plot for zinc-substituted azurin was earlier ascribed to movement of the folding-transition state. At low concentrations of denaturant, the transition state occurs early in the folding reaction (low Tanford β-value), whereas at high-denaturant concentration, it moves closer to the native structure (high Tanford β-value). Here, we use this movement to track the formation and growth of zinc-substituted azurin's folding nucleus with atomic resolution using protein engineering. The average phi (φ) value for 17 positions (covering all secondary-structure elements) goes from 0.25 in 0 M GuHCl (β ∼ 0.46) to 0.76 in 4 M GuHCl (β ∼ 0.86); a φ-value of 1 or 0 indicates native-like or unfolded-like interactions, respectively. Analysis of individual φ-values r...
Lithium treatment increases endothelial cell survival and autophagy in a mouse model of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy

Background Lithium previously has been shown to reduce both endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress in other in vitro and in vivo model systems. We investigated lithium’s effects on cultured corneal endothelial cells (CECs) exposed to these types of stress and in a mouse model of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Methods Viability of cultured bovine CECs was determined by CellTiter-Glo. 2-month-old Col8a2 Q455K/Q455K mutant (Q455K) and C57/Bl6 wild type animals were divided into two groups of 15 mice. Group I received 0.2% lithium carbonate-containing chow and Group II received control chow for 7 months. Confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot were performed. Results Pretreatment with lithium increased viability of cultured CECs after H2O2 and thapsigargin exposure compared with untreated controls (p<0.05). In vivo analysis of mouse corneal endothelium showed the following: endothelial cell density of lithium treated Q455K was higher than for untreated Q455K (p<0.01). transmission electron microscopy of lithium treated Q455K showed normal endothelium with enlarged autophagosomes, but untreated Q455K showed dilated ER and guttae. Compared with untreated Q455K endothelium, lithium treated Q455K showed significant upregulation of P62, Tmem74, Tm9sf1 and Tmem166 by RT-PCR and of Atg5-12 conjugate by western blotting indicating that lithium treatment increased autophagy. Although RT-PCR unexpectedly showed increased levels of lithium response genes, caspase 12, Gsk3β, Arrβ2 and Impa1, western blotting showed the expected downregulation of Arrβ2 and Impa1 proteins in response to lithium treatment. Conclusions Lithium increases cultured CEC survival against ER and oxidative stress. Increased autophagy in lithium treated endothelium in a mouse model of FECD suggests autophagy may contribute to increased endothelial cell survival.
Interactive deformations from tensor fields

This paper presents techniques for interactively visualizing tensor fields using deformations. The conceptual idea behind this approach is to allow the tensor field to manifest its influence on idealized objects placed within the tensor field. This is similar, though not exactly the same, to surfaces deforming under load in order to relieve built up stress and strain. We illustrate the effectiveness of the Deviator-Isotropic tensor decomposition in deformation visualizations of CFD strain rate. We also investigate how directional flow techniques can be extended to distinguish between regions of tensile versus compressive forces.
Independent and Hetero-Oligomeric-Dependent Sperm Binding to Egg Envelope Glycoprotein ZPC in Xenopus laevis

Vitelline envelopes are composed of glycoproteins that participate in sperm-egg interactions during the initial stages of fertilization. In Xenopus laevis, the vitelline envelope is composed of at least 4 glycoproteins (ZPA, ZPB, ZPC, and ZPX). A sperm binding assay involving the covalent coupling of envelope glycoproteins to silanized glass slides was developed. In our assay, sperm bound to the egg envelopes derived from oviposited eggs but not activated eggs. The majority of the egg envelope ligand activity for sperm binding was derived from the complex N-linked oligosaccharides of ZPC. This sperm binding involved N-acetylglucosamine and fucose residues, as binding was abolished after treatment with cortical granule β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and commercial β-N-acetylglucosaminidases and was reduced by 44% after treatment with α-fucosidase. Although both the envelope glycoproteins ZPA and ZPC possessed independent ligand activity, ZPC was the major ligand for sperm binding (75%). Mixing of isolated ZPA, ZPB, and ZPC in a ratio of 1:4:4 (equal to that in the egg envelope) resulted in sperm binding that was greater than that of the sum of the separate components. The egg glycoproteins acted in synergy to increase sperm binding. Thus, ZPC possessed both independent and hetero-oligomeric-dependent ligand activities for sperm binding.
Analysis of initial and delayed effects of orchidectomy and ovariectomy on pituitary and serum LH levels in adult and immature rats.

The initial LH secretory responses to castration were examined in adult and immature rats of both sexes, using an 0:0 radioimmunoassay for rat LH. The patterns of response differed markedly between males and females. Adult males exhibited a dramatic increase in serum LH levels, which was detectable by 8 hr after gonadectomy, and reached a plateau at about 20 times pre-castration levels by 18 hr. This plateau was sustained through the fourth day; serum LH levels then increased about 4-fold further over the next month. The initial response in females was less marked and no plateau phase was evident. Although serum LH levels did not match those of comparable males during the first 10 post-castration days, they did reach or surpass them later. The pattern of pituitary LH changes also differed: in males, LH stores initially fell, reaching a nadir at about day 4; females exhibited no such fall. This sex difference in the pattern of the initial LH secretory responses to castration was evident in prepubertal cast...
Imprecision in patient reports of dizziness symptom quality: a cross-sectional study conducted in an acute care setting.

OBJECTIVE To quantify precision in patient reports of different attributes of dizziness. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a cross-sectional study, we interviewed consecutive adult patients with dizziness at 2 urban academic emergency departments (EDs) from July 2, 2005, to August 26, 2005. We excluded patients who were too sick for an interview or who posed a risk to the interviewer. We included those who were "dizzy, light-headed, or off-balance" for 7 days or less or previously "bothered" by the same conditions. We assessed descriptions of dizziness quality elicited by 4 questions in different formats (open-ended, multiresponse, single-choice, and directed). Clarity was assessed qualitatively (vague, circular) and quantitatively (overlap of types of dizziness). Consistency was measured by frequency of mismatched responses across question formats. Reliability was determined by test-retest. RESULTS Of 1342 patients screened, 872 (65%) were dizzy, light-headed, or off-balance in the past 7 days (n=677) or previously bothered by dizziness (n=195). Among these 872 patients with dizziness, 44% considered dizziness "the main reason" or "part of the reason" for the ED visit. Open-ended descriptions were frequently vague or circular. A total of 62% selected more than 1 dizziness type on the multiresponse question. On the same question, 54% did not pick 1 or more types endorsed previously in open description. Of 218 patients not identifying vertigo, spinning, or motion on the first 3 questions, 70% confirmed "spinning or motion" on directed questioning. Asked to choose the single best descriptor, 52% picked a different response on retest approximately 6 minutes later. By comparison, reports of dizziness duration and triggers were clear, consistent, and reliable. CONCLUSION Descriptions of the quality of dizziness are unclear, inconsistent, and unreliable, casting doubt on the validity of the traditional approach to the patient with dizziness. Alternative approaches, emphasizing timing and triggers over type, should be investigated.
Thin-film tandem cells with thin CdTe

Models using realistic parameters indicate that two-terminal, double-junction tandem solar cells based on CdTe or CuInGaSe 2 and related alloys should be able to reach 25% efficiencies. 1 Key to achieving this is high transparency for below-band-gap photons. Cells with transparent back contacts (TBC) and CdTe thickness between 2.4 μm and 0.3 μm show over 65% average transmission for photons below bandgap. The short circuit current is not compromised as a 10.6% cell with only 0.5 μm CdTe is demonstrated with a Jsc of 23.1mA/cm2. For the bottom cell we have focused on optimizing Hg 1 - x Cd x Te, where a single junction efficiency of 6.7% was obtained. Calculations based on the transmission of cells and the quantum efficiency of the best HgCdTe cell indicate that efficiency gains can be made by making the CdTe layer thinner. Finally, a four terminal cell with 7.6% efficiency is discussed.
The z990 first error data capture concept

Superior availability is one of the outstanding features of modern zSeries® machines, among the most highly rated of any existing computer platforms in this reqard. Many features contribute to this characteristic, some in hardware, some in software. This paper describes the first error data capture (FEDC) concept in the zSeries 990. The concept is used for both zSeries integration efficiency and its ability to gain field data for problem determination in the user environment. FEDC is not a single function, but part of all internal software (firmware) in the z990. This paper explains the overall concept and implementation details of the various internal functional layers (subsystems).
Cognitive Theories of Depression in Children and Adolescents: A Conceptual and Quantitative Review

This paper quantitatively reviews longitudinal studies examining three central cognitive theories of depression—Beck’s theory, Hopelessness theory, and the Response Styles theory—among children (age 8–12) and adolescents (age 13–19). We examine the effect sizes in 20 longitudinal studies, which investigated the relation between the cognitive vulnerability–stress interaction and its association with prospective elevations in depression after controlling for initial levels of depressive symptoms. The results of this review suggest that across theories there is a small relation between the vulnerability–stress interaction and elevations in depression among children (pr = 0.15) and a moderately larger effect (pr = 0.22) among adolescents. Despite these important findings, understanding their implications has been obscured by critical methodological, statistical, and theoretical limitations that bear on cognitive theories of depression. The evidence base has been limited by poor measurement of cognitive vulnerabilities and over reliance on null hypothesis significance testing; these have contributed to a field with many gaps and inconsistencies. The relative paucity of research on developmental applications of such theories reveals that surprisingly little is known about their hypothesized etiologic mechanisms in children and adolescents. Ways to advance knowledge in the area of cognitive theories of depression among youth are discussed.
Spin exchange interactions and magnetic structures of extended magnetic solids with localized spins: theoretical descriptions on formal, quantitative and qualitative levels

Low-energy excitation energies of a magnetic solid with localized spins are probed by magnetic susceptibility, neutron scattering and Raman scattering measurements, and are analyzed using a spin Hamiltonian with a set of spin exchange parameters. The nature and values of the spin exchange parameters deduced from this analysis depend on what spin exchange paths one includes in the spin Hamiltonian. In this article, we review how spin exchange interactions of magnetic solids with localized spins are described on formal, quantitative and qualitative theoretical levels, investigate antisymmetric and anisotropic interactions for general spin dimers, and discuss the spin exchange interactions and magnetic structures of various extended magnetic solids on the basis of spin dimer analysis. Strongly interacting spin exchange paths of a magnetic solid are determined by the overlap between its magnetic orbitals, so that the strongly interacting spin unit of a magnetic solid does not necessarily have the same geometrical feature as does the arrangement of its magnetic ions or spin-carrying molecules. Therefore, in interpreting results of magnetic susceptibility, inelastic neutron scattering or Raman scattering measurements, it is essential to employ a set of spin exchange parameters chosen on the basis of proper electronic structure considerations. Spin dimer analyses based on extended Huckel tight binding calculations provide a reliable and expedient means to study the relative strengths of superexchange and super-superexchange spin exchange interactions.
THE CONCEPT OF GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM IN A MARKET ECONOMY WITH IMPERFECTLY COMPETITIVE PRODUCERS

This paper formulates a general equilibrium market economy where consumers are « perfect competitors » but producers take advantage of their ability to influence prices. It is shown that in such a model it is not reasonable for producers to attempt to maximize profits. Conditions are presented under which there exists a solution for such an economy which is Pareto-efficient for the owners of the firms. Finally, it is shown that a pecuniary externality makes the core a very weak solution concept to use in analysing rivalry among producers.
Influence of hamiltonian parameterization on convergence of kirkwood free energy calculations

Abstract Free energy differences between similar systems can be calculated by an integration technique due to Kirkwood, in which a Hamiltonian is constructed which varies continuously through functions intermediate between the initial and final functions according to the value of an independent parameter. A calculation for Lennard-Jones interactions using a Hamiltonian non-linear in the independent parameter is shown to converge much more rapidly than a linear parameterization, the latter having generally been used in calculations of this kind in the literature.
Mechanism of melibiose/cation symport of the melibiose permease of Salmonella typhimurium.

The MelB permease of Salmonella typhimurium (MelB-ST) catalyzes the coupled symport of melibiose and Na+, Li+, or H+. In right-side-out membrane vesicles, melibiose efflux is inhibited by an inwardly directed gradient of Na+ or Li+ and stimulated by equimolar concentrations of internal and external Na+ or Li+. Melibiose exchange is faster than efflux in the presence of H+ or Na+ and stimulated by an inwardly directed Na+ gradient. Thus, sugar is released from MelB-ST externally prior to the release of cation in agreement with current models proposed for MelB of Escherichia coli (MelB-EC) and LacY. Although Li+ stimulates efflux, and an outwardly directed Li+ gradient increases exchange, it is striking that internal and external Li+ with no gradient inhibits exchange. Furthermore, Trp → dansyl FRET measurements with a fluorescent sugar (2′-(N-dansyl)aminoalkyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside) demonstrate that MelB-ST, in the presence of Na+ or Li+, exhibits appKd values of ∼1 mm for melibiose. Na+ and Li+ compete for a common binding pocket with activation constants for FRET of ∼1 mm, whereas Rb+ or Cs+ exhibits little or no effect. Taken together, the findings indicate that MelB-ST utilizes H+ in addition to Na+ and Li+. FRET studies also show symmetrical emission maximum at ∼500 nm with MelB-ST in the presence of 2′-(N-dansyl)aminoalkyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside and Na+, Li+, or H+, which implies a relatively homogeneous distribution of conformers of MelB-ST ternary complexes in the membrane.
The Utility of Clinical Measures for the Diagnosis of Achilles Tendon Injuries: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Objective: To summarize and evaluate the current diagnostic accuracy of clinical measures used to diagnose Achilles tendon injuries. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and EMBASE...
Integration of clock skew and register delays into a retiming algorithm

The clock frequency of a synchronous circuit can be increased by retiming, an operation of temporally and physically relocating the registers. A new approach to the retiming process is presented which enables one to consider the effects on optimal retiming of electrical issues such as variable clock distribution delays and different register delays due to variable loads and cell instances. The algorithm provides increased accuracy in determining the maximum clock frequency and also eliminates any race conditions. Depending on the nature of the synchronous circuit, retiming using this algorithms may also provide an increase in system operating clock frequency. >
On the Use of Auxiliary Receive Channels for Clutter Mitigation With Phased Array Weather Radars

Phased array radars (PARs) are attractive in weather surveillance primarily because of their capability to electronically steer. When combined with the recently developed beam multiplexing (BMX) technique, these radars can obtain very rapid update scans that are useful in monitoring severe weather. A consequence is that the small number of contiguous samples of the time series obtained can be a challenge for temporal/spectral filters used for clutter mitigation. As a result, the accurate extraction of weather signals can become the limiting performance barrier for PARs that employ BMX in clutter-dominated scattering fields. By exploiting the spatial correlation of the auxiliary channel signals, the effect of clutter contamination can be reduced in these conditions. In this paper, three spatial filtering techniques that used low-gain auxiliary receive channels are presented. The effect of clutter mitigation was studied using numerical simulations of a tornadic environment for changes in signal-to-noise ratio, clutter-to-signal ratio, number of time series samples, varying clutter spectral widths, and maximum weight constraints. Since such data are not currently available from a horizontally pointed phased array weather radar, experimental validation was applied to an existing data set from the turbulent eddy profiler, which is a vertically pointed PAR. Although preliminary, the results show promise for clutter mitigation with extremely short nonuniform sampling.