cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Association Between Marijuana Smoking and Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background The association between marijuana smoking and lung cancer is unclear, and a systematic appraisal of this relationship has yet to be performed. Our objective was to assess the impact of marijuana smoking on the development of premalignant lung changes and lung cancer. Methods Studies assessing the impact of marijuana smoking on lung premalignant findings and lung cancer were selected from MEDLINE, PSYCHLIT, and EMBASE databases according to the following predefined criteria: English-language studies of persons 18 years or older identified from 1966 to the second week of October 2005 were included if they were research studies (ie, not letters, reviews, editorials, or limited case studies), involved persons who smoked marijuana, and examined premalignant or cancerous changes in the lung. Results Nineteen studies met selection criteria. Studies that examined lung cancer risk factors or premalignant changes in the lung found an association of marijuana smoking with increased tar exposure, alveolar macrophage tumoricidal dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and bronchial mucosal histopathologic abnormalities compared with tobacco smokers or nonsmoking controls. Observational studies of subjects with marijuana exposure failed to demonstrate significant associations between marijuana smoking and lung cancer after adjusting for tobacco use. The primary methodologic deficiencies noted include selection bias, small sample size, limited generalizability, overall young participant age precluding sufficient lag time for lung cancer outcome identification, and lack of adjustment for tobacco smoking. Conclusion Given the prevalence of marijuana smoking and studies predominantly supporting biological plausibility of an association of marijuana smoking with lung cancer on the basis of molecular, cellular, and histopathologic findings, physicians should advise patients regarding potential adverse health outcomes until further rigorous studies are performed that permit definitive conclusions.
Correlation of acoustic and visual signals in the cichlid fish, Tramitichromis intermedius

We investigated acoustic and visual communication concurrently in wild caught adult and captive-born, first generation offspring of the East African Rift Lake cichlid fish Tramitichromis intermedius. Only males emit sound during courtship. Sound production is always accompanied by quivering, but quiver behavior is not always accompanied by sound. This separation of quivering and sound supports the hypothesis that sound production is intentional serving a communicative role. As spawning nears, both sound production and quiver behavior increase. In terms of the ontogeny of sound production, the first observation of courtship occurs just days before the first spawning event and the first sound emission accompanies the first courtship activity. The accompaniment of quivering with sound as well as the escalation of the two behaviors with the approach of spawning follows similar patterns in wild caught and captive-born males. The tight correlation between behavior and sound production in both groups indicates their simultaneous performance plays an important role in reproduction. It is probable that the ability to produce sound and perform quiver behavior at the same time may be a measure of mate quality.
Retrogenes moved out of the z chromosome in the silkworm.

Previous studies on organisms with well-differentiated X and Y chromosomes, such as Drosophila and mammals, consistently detected an excess of genes moving out of the X chromosome and gaining testis-biased expression. Several selective evolutionary mechanisms were shown to be associated with this nonrandom gene traffic, which contributed to the evolution of the X chromosome and autosomes. If selection drives gene traffic, such traffic should also exist in species with Z and W chromosomes, where the females are the heterogametic sex. However, no previous studies on gene traffic in species with female heterogamety have found any nonrandom chromosomal gene movement. Here, we report an excess of retrogenes moving out of the Z chromosome in an organism with the ZW sex determination system, Bombyx mori. In addition, we showed that those “out of Z” retrogenes tended to have ovary-biased expression, which is consistent with the pattern of non-retrogene traffic recently reported in birds and symmetrical to the retrogene movement in mammals and fruit flies out of the X chromosome evolving testis functions. These properties of gene traffic in the ZW system suggest a general role for the heterogamety of sex chromosomes in determining the chromosomal locations and the evolution of sex-biased genes.
Alterations in motility and metabolism associated with sperm interaction with accessory sex gland fluids.

Sperm passing through the male tract interact with accessory sex gland fluids during ejaculation. Cellular metabolism is stimulated by this interaction for unknown reasons. These experiments involved calorimetric measurements [P. B. Inskeep and R. H. Hammerstedt (1983) J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods7, 199–210] on ejaculated sperm (EJS) and cauda epididymal sperm (CES) from bulls to establish the contribution of individual pathways to total cellular ATP synthesis. Parallel incubations outside the calorimeter yielded samples for oxygen consumption measurements and for motility analysis, the major ATP-consuming reaction of sperm. Energy charge values were identical for incubations of EJS and CES with glucose, thereby establishing that the ratios of rates of ATP synthesis and degradation were equivalent for these cells under this incubation condition. The total rate of ATP synthesis was greater for EJS than for CES (5 vs 13 μmol ATP h−1/108 cells) with <2 μmol ATP h−1 for each cell type coming from degradation of endogenous reserves. Thus, ejaculation is associated with a large increase in catabolic rate that is satisfied by degradation of extracellular glucose. No difference in percentage of motile sperm was noted, but mean velocity was lower for CES (58 μm s−1) than for EJS (85 μm s−1). A difference in forward motility pattern was observed (wig-wag to flipping). We conclude from these data that interaction with accessory sex gland fluids alters ATP requiring activities of sperm, with one obvious alteration being their motility pattern. The increase in ATP requirement is satisfied by increased degradation of extracellular substrates, but not intracellular reserves, to provide sufficient ATP to satisfy cellular needs.
Membrane Topology of Human Insig-1, a Protein Regulator of Lipid Synthesis

Insig-1 is an intrinsic protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that regulates the proteolytic processing of membrane-bound sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs), transcription factors that activate the synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids in mammalian cells. When cellular levels of sterols rise, Insig-1 binds to the membranous sterol-sensing domain of SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), retaining the SCAP/SREBP complex in the ER and preventing it from moving to the Golgi for proteolytic processing. Under conditions of sterol excess, Insig-1 also binds to the ER enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, facilitating its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Here, we use protease protection, glycosylation site mapping, and cysteine derivitization to define the topology of the 277-amino acid human Insig-1. The data indicate that short segments at the N and C termini of Insig-1 face the cytosol. Most of the protein is buried within the membrane, forming six transmembrane segments separated by five short luminal and cytosolic loops that range from ∼5 to 16 amino acids. The membranous nature of Insig-1 is consistent with its sterol-dependent binding to hydrophobic sterol-sensing domains in SCAP and HMG CoA reductase.
Single ion conductors—polyphosphazenes with sulfonimide functional groups

Abstract A novel single ion conductive polymer electrolyte was developed by covalently linking an arylsulfonimide substituent to the polyphosphazene backbone. Polymeric single-ion conductors incorporate the anion of a salt either into the polymer backbone or as a pendent group linked to the polymer backbone. Immobilization of the anion could provide access to electrochemical devices that would be less vulnerable to increased resistance associated with salt concentration gradients at the interfaces during charging and discharging. In this work, an immobilized sulfonimide lithium salt is the source of lithium cations, while a cation-solvating cosubstituent, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy, was used to increase free volume and assist cation transport. The ionic conductivities showed a dependence on the percentage of lithiated sulfonimide substituent present. Increasing amounts of the lithium sulfonimide component increased the charge carrier concentration but decreased the ionic conductivity due to decreased macromolecular motion and possible increased shielding of the nitrogen atoms in the polyphosphazene backbone. Maximum ionic conductivity values of 2.45 × 10 − 6 S/cm at ambient temperature and 4.99 × 10 − 5 S/cm at 80 °C were obtained. Gel polymer electrolytes containing N -methyl-2-pyrrolidone gave ionic conductivities in the 10 − 3 S/cm range. The ion conduction process was investigated through model polymers that contained the non-immobilized sulfonimide — systems that had higher conductivities than their single ion counterparts.
Bilateral Congenital Mydriasis

Summary A 73-year-old white woman with bilateral congenital mydriasis had no other obvious abnormalities. The pupils reacted almost imperceptibly to light. There was no detectable reaction to accommodation and convergence. Pupillary response to pilocarpine 4% solution indicated the presence of the sphincter muscle. However, the failure of the pupil to react to a potent cholinesterase inhibitor (demecarium bromide 0.25%) suggested an abnormality relative to acetylcholine production in the iris. Rapid and marked pupillary response to phenylephrine 10% solution indicated the presence of the dilator muscle. Analysis of the family history with eight known cases of bilateral congenital mydriasis occurring only in females suggested that the mechanism of inheritance is most probably autosomal dominant. A degree of sex limitation cannot be absolutely excluded.
Shortcuts in shape classification from two images

Abstract Exact structure from motion is an ill-posed computation and therefore is sensitive to noise. It is shown here that a qualitative shape feature, the classification of surfaces into convex, concave, cylindrical, planar, and hyperbolic regions, can be computed directly from motion disparities, without the computation of an exact depth map. It is also shown that humans can judge the curvature sense of three points undergoing apparent motion from two, three, and four views with success rate significantly above chance.
Further hydraulic studies of fire hose

This is the third in a series of papers describing the authors' findings in hydraulic tests performed on fire hose and nozzles available at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory. The work reported here was intended to determine the effects of pressure on the length and diameter of fire hose.
Chronic hypertension and risk of placental abruption: is the association modified by ischemic placental disease?

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the increased risk of placental abruption among women with chronic hypertension is modified by ischemic placental disease, specifically pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and fetal growth restriction (FGR). Study Design We used the US linked natality and fetal death data files (1995-2002) and restricted the analysis to women who had a singleton birth at ≥22 weeks of gestation and to fetuses who weighed ≥500 g (n = 30,189,949). Fetal growth was defined both on a continuum ( 90th percentile (large for gestational age [LGA]). All analyses were adjusted for potential confounding factors through multivariable logistic regression. Results Rates of abruption among women with and without chronic hypertension were 15.6 and 5.8 per 1000 pregnancies, respectively (relative risk [RR], 2.4; 95% CI, 2.3, 2.5). In comparison with normotensive women with appropriately grown babies (ie, 10th-90th percentile), the association between chronic hypertension and abruption was modified in the presence of FGR (RR, 3.8; 95% CI, 3.6, 4.1) and PIH (RR, 7.7; 95% CI, 6.6, 8.9). However, the highest risk was seen among women with chronic hypertension, PIH, and LGA (RR, 9.0; 95% CI, 7.2, 11.3). A dose-response relationship was observed between the risk of abruption and fetal growth (assessed on a continuum), with the risk being lowest among LGA babies. Conclusion The association between chronic hypertension and abruption is strong; ischemic placental disease (PIH and FGR) modified this relationship. These findings suggest an etiologic relationship between abruption and chronic placental disease. Chronic hypertension, if associated with LGA, is not associated with abruption; however, chronic hypertension with superimposed PIH accompanied by LGA is associated with significantly increased risk.
Aesthetic perception of faces during infancy

This study explores the visual preferences of young infants for faces that differ with respect to their perceived attractiveness, as evaluated by adult raters. Black-and-white slides were presented to infants in 12 paired comparisons. Both 3-month-old (n = 26) and 6-month-old (n = 35) infants looked longer at the faces rated attractive. Pairs were constructed so that members of each pair were as similar as possible in gross physical appearance, differing only in rated attractiveness. The implications of an aesthetic sensitivity in such young infants are briefly explored.
Switched Stiffness Vibration Controllers for Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composites

This paper investigates semi-active vibration control using Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composites (F2 MC) as variable stiffness components of flexible structures. The stiffness of F2 MC tubes can be dynamically switched from soft to stiff by opening and closing an on/off valve. Fiber reinforcement of the F2 MC tube changes the internal volume when externally loaded. With an open valve, the fluid in the tube is free to move in or out of the tube, so the stiffness is low. When the valve is closed, the high bulk modulus fluid resists volume change and produces high stiffness. The equations of motion of an F2 MC-mass system is derived using a 3D elasticity model and the energy method. The stability of the unforced dynamic system is proven using a Lyapunov approach. To capture the important system parameters, nondimensional full order and reduced order models are developed. A Zero Vibration (ZV) state switch technique is introduced that suppresses vibration in finite time, and is compared to conventional Skyhook semiactive control. The ITAE performance of the controllers is optimized by adjusting the open valve flow coefficient. Simulation results show that the optimal ZV controller outperforms the optimal Skyhook controller by 13% and 60% for impulse and step response, respectively.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Alkaloids in the Mite Scheloribates laevigatus: Further Alkaloids Common to Oribatid Mites and Poison Frogs

Poison frogs are chemically defended from predators by diverse alkaloids, almost all of which are sequestered unchanged from alkaloid-containing arthropods in the frog diet. Oribatid mites recently have been proposed as a major dietary source of poison frog alkaloids. Here, we report on alkaloids common to an oribatid mite and poison frogs. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of methanol extracts of adult Scheloribates laevigatus (Oribatida: Scheloribatidae) revealed nine alkaloids. Five of these have been detected previously in the skin glands of poison frogs: two isomers of the pumiliotoxin 291G, two isomers of the 5,6,8-trisubstituted indolizidine 209C, and the 5,6,8-trisubstituted indolizidine 195G. The other four alkaloids, a pumiliotoxin, a tricyclic (coccinelline-like), and two isomers of an izidine, were not previously known, but are similar in structure to alkaloids found in poison frogs. Alkaloids were not detected in immature S. laevigatus, suggesting that they are adult-specific and possibly the result of mite biosynthesis. Although most of the alkaloids detected in S. laevigatus are common to poison frogs, the geographic distributions of these organisms are not sympatric. The findings of this study indicate that oribatid mites, and in particular, members of the genus Scheloribates, represent a relatively unexplored arthropod repository for alkaloids and a significant dietary source of alkaloids in poison frogs.
History of Linguistics, 'Standard Latin', and Pedagogy

SUMMARYRecent work in the history of early medieval linguistics has challenged a number of assumptions about the representation of Latin and language usage during the period. Given the way Latin is often positioned as a standard for literacy and schooling, these revisions of early medieval linguistics also raise questions for teaching literacy, language arts, and standard English. Late classical and early medieval grammatical discourse presents not a monolithic view of Latin but various accounts of pronunciation, spelling, and semantics. Some stigmatize contemporary usage, others do not. In addition, historical texts such as the 9th-century History of the Langobards represent heterogeneous and bilingual speech communities in which Latin and Germanic languages are used in different contexts. Rather than constraining the history of linguistics as a 'specialist's add on', we can reconcep-tualize writing histories of linguistics as contributions to a critical cultural history, uncovering the assumptions and practices of not only linguistic theory and description but also language teaching practices, ideological constructions of national languages, representations of language differences and identity, and attitudes toward language usage and standardization.RESUMERecemment les travaux consacres a l'histoire de la pensee linguistique du moyen âge ont mis en question un certain nombre d'hypotheses concernant la representation du latin et de l'usage langagier pendant cette periode. Etant donne que le latin est souvent presente comme le standard pour l'enseignment, les revisions concernant la linguistique au debut de la periode medievale soulevent egalement des questions au sujet de l'enseignement des lettres et de l'anglais standard. Le discours grammatical vers la fin de la periode classique et du debut de la periode medievale ne represente pas une perspective monolithique mais plutot des traitements varies de la prononciation, de l'orthographe et de la semantique. Quelques-uns stigmatisent l'usage contemporain, d'autres ne le font pas. De plus, les textes historiques comme par exemple l'Histoire des Langobardes, datant du IXe siecle refletent des communautes heterogenes et bilingues dans lesquelles le latin et le germanique sont utilises dans des contextes differents. Au lieu de restreindre l'histoire de la linguistique a un ajout a la linguistique tout court, l'auteur propose une reorientation du sujet qui apporteront des contributions importantes et judicieuses a l'histoire culturelle en decouvrant les suppositions et les pratiques de la theorie et de la description linguistique aussi bien que de l'enseignement des langues, de la construction ideologique des langues nationales, des representations des differences et de l'identite langagieres et des attitudes envers l'usage et la standardisation.
Dryland grain sorghum tillering: clumps vs. uniform planting geometries.

When plant populations are reduced to 5.0 to 7.0 plants m−2to conserve soil water, sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL. Moench) forms two to three tillers, but these often produce little grain. We hypothesized that under dryland conditions manipulating planting geometry into clumps spaced 0.75 m apart might result in greater yield by reducing the number of tillers and increasing the percentage of tillers that produce panicles compared with uniform spacing. A field study was conducted during 2007 at Bushland, Texas, with two planting geometries (clump vs. equidistant), two irrigation methods (LEPA vs. LESA) at three irrigation levels (dryland, 50 mm and 100 mm). Clump plants had only 0.6 tillers compared with 1.5 tillers per plant for rows. Tillers accounted for 33% of stover for the equidistant plants but only 23% of the grain under dryland. Our results suggest that growing sorghum in clumps may be a useful strategy in semiarid dryland areas.
Electromagnetic field near focus as seen by a moving particle

In a number of recent experiments, moving atoms are allowed to interact with the focused light from a resonant-dye laser. In such cases the frequency content of the light seen by the atom depends on its trajectory. The electromagnetic field produced by a laser beam near the focus of an ideal aplanatic lens has been calculated in the frame of a nonrelativistic particle moving at right angles to the optic axis. The frequency content of this field can be approached in two different ways—via its power spectrum, and via an envelope representation that yields the instantaneous frequency as a function of time. Both quantities have been evaluated for a number of different trajectories, and are found to be entirely different, in general. Whereas the power spectrum falls to zero for frequency deviations in excess of the maximum Doppler shift associated with the converging cone of light, there is no corresponding limit to the excursions of the instantaneous frequency.
National practice patterns for management of adult congenital heart disease: operation by pediatric heart surgeons decreases in-hospital death.

Background— Surgery for grown-up (age ≥18 years) patients with congenital heart disease (GUCH) is frequently performed by surgeons without specialization in pediatric heart surgery. We sought to define national practice patterns and to determine whether outcomes for GUCH patients are improved if they are treated by specialized pediatric heart surgeons (PHSs) compared with non-PHSs. Methods and Results— We identified index cardiac procedures in patients with 12 congenital heart disease diagnostic groups using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 1988 to 2003. PHSs were defined as surgeons whose annual practice volumes were made of >75% annual pediatric heart cases. GUCH operations were defined as operations within these 12 diagnoses occurring in patients ≥18 years of age. We identified 30 250 operations, yielding a national estimate of 152 277±7875 operations. Of these, 111 816±7456 (73%) were pediatric operations, and 40 461±1365 (27%) were GUCH operations. PHSs performed 68% of pediatric operations in all dia...
The job satisfaction of physician assistants: a causal analysis.

Abstract The general level of job satisfaction and the influences upon satisfaction have been determined for a nationwide sample of physician assistants. Physician assistants express an overall level of job satisfaction which compares favorably to that reported for other professionals. Indirect measures of job satisfaction (career satisfaction and anticipated job turnover) are quite favorable as well. The major determinants of job satisfaction appear to be the professional and personal support provided by one's supervising physician, amount of responsibility for patient care, opportunities for career advancement, and location in smaller communities. In addition, we find that job characteristics mediate a number of effects of personal background and work environment variables upon job satisfaction. These findings have been obtained by means of path analysis of a multivariate causal model of job satisfaction.
Redundant networks and minimum distance

Abstract Networks in which each node is directly linked to its nearest neighbors exhibit high reliability and message handling capability. The construction of such networks guaranteeing minimal length, for a given degree of redundancy, is formulated in zero-one integer linear programming terms. Initial feasible solutions to the programs are presented, but connectedness is not guaranteed. In the latter case further zero-one integer programs are proposed assuring connectedness, with given initial feasible solutions. The inefficiency of zero-one programs for large networks leads to consideration of alternate redundant connected networks, without guaranteed minimal length. These networks are based on “nearest- neighbor edge sets”, and are simple to construct. Various theorems on the properties of such networks are presented with applications to one-way communicability.
On the harmonic measure of slit domains

Let be distinct real numbers mod 2π and K be a closed subset of [0,1]. Define Ω to be the unit disk Δ from which the slits e i,a K. j = 1,…n have been removed, and let u be the harmonic measure of ∂Δ relative to Ω. Let v be the corresponding harmonic measure when the a j. are changed to In case Ω is simply connected Dubinin has proved that v(0) u(0). It is not known whether this holds in general when Ω is multiply connected. In this paper, we prove it is true when n n  3. In fact, using ∗-function arguments, we obtain a much stronger theorem involving integral means.
Historicidad, Juridicidad y Para-Literatura: En torno a Francisco de Vitoria (1486-1546)

This article focuses on the Spanish Dominican Francisco de Vitoria (1486-1546), one of the most influential intellectual figures in the Early Modern transatlantic world, specifically on his Salamanca University courses commonly called Indian Lectures. This article engages with the complete bibliography on Vitoria. It recreates a few official celebrations in memory of the possible historical legacy inside the Spain of Primo de Rivera and outside. The epistemic assumptions of Early Modern and colonial history, literature and law (or the repressive culture) are analyzed. The notion of “para-literature” is proposed to thus take into account hermeneutic problems generated, for contemporary readers today, by this monastic and university-based construction of an expansive natural-law normativity that is parallel to the already existing book and print technologies. We look into the form and content, social function and consequences of the official rationale or legal logic (so called “titles”) of Western expansionism and the conquest and colonization of America.
Nutri-epigenetics ameliorates blood-brain barrier damage and neurodegeneration in hyperhomocysteinemia: role of folic acid.

Epigenetic mechanisms underlying nutrition (nutri- tion epigenetics) are important in understanding human health. Nutritional supplements, for example folic acid, a cofactor in one-carbon metabolism, regulate epigenetic alter- ations and may play an important role in the maintenance of neuronal integrity. Folic acid also ameliorates hyperhomo- cysteinemia, which is a consequence of elevated levels of homocysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia induces oxidative stress that may epigenetically mediate cerebrovascular remod- eling and leads to neurodegeneration; however, the mecha- nisms behind such alterations remain unclear. Therefore, the present study was designedtoobserve the protectiveeffects of folic acid against hyperhomocysteinemia-induced epigenetic and molecular alterations leading to neurotoxic cascades. To testthishypothesis,weemployed8-weeks-old malewild-type (WT) cystathionine-beta-synthase heterozygote knockout methionine-fed (CBS +/− +Met), WT, and CBS +/− +Met mice supplemented with folic acid (FA) (WT+FA and CBS +/− + Met+FA, respectively, 0.0057-μ gg −1 day −1 dose in drinking water/4 weeks). Hyperhomocysteinemia in CBS +/− +Met mouse brain was accompanied by a decrease in methylenetet- rahydrofolate reductase and an increase in S-adenosylho- mocysteine hydrolase expression, symptoms of oxidative stress, upregulation of DNA methyltransferases, rise in matrix metalloproteinases, a drop in the tissue inhibitors of metallo- proteinases, decreased expression of tight junction proteins, increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, neuro- degeneration, and synaptotoxicity. Supplementation of folic acid to CBS +/− +Met mouse brain led to a decrease in the homocysteine level and rescued pathogenic and epigenetic al- terations, showing its protective efficacy against homocysteine- induced neurotoxicity.
Predictive schemes for the reactivity of borane carbonyl and the stability of carbonyltrihydroborate anions, BH3C(O)X

The reactivity of borane carbonyl (BH3CO) and its isoelectronic counterpart the acetylium cation (CH3CO+) are compared resulting in the formulation of (carbonyl)trihydroborate anions, BH3C(O)X−, which are isoelectronic and isostructural with organic carbonyls. By analogy with the ease of reduction of organic carbonyl compounds by hydroborate, the relative stability towards self-reduction-oxidation (hydride transfer from boron to carbonyl carbon) in BH3C(O)X− is proposed. The postulated order, with increasing stability is BH3C(O)Cl− < BH3C(O)H− < BH3C(O)R− < BH3C(O)OR− < BH3C(O)NR−2 < BH3C(O)O2−. Experimental results of this study together with known chemistry are shown to be consistent with the proposed order. Further, it is suggested that a similar predictive scheme may be applicable to the chemistry of the amine-carboxyboranes (boron analogues of α-amino acids) and their derivatives.
Phenotypic traits of the hypothalamic PVN cells innervating airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons

The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) integrates multiple inputs via projections from arginine vasopressin (AVP)- and oxytocin (OXT)-containing neurons to the brain stem and spinal cord as well as regulates respiratory and cardiovascular stress-related responses, which also affect airway function. In the present study, we used immunocytochemistry and the retrograde transneuronal tracer, Bartha strain of pseudorabies virus expressing green fluorescent protein (PRV-GFP), to localize AVP- and OXT-producing neurons that project to airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons (AVPNs) innervating intrapulmonary airways. PRV-GFP was microinjected into the upper right lung lobe, and after 4 days survival, hypothalamic tissue sections were processed for co-expression of PRV-GFP and AVP or PRV-GFP and OXT. In addition, in a separate group of five rats, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHAL), an anterograde tracer, was injected unilaterally into the PVN and cholera toxin β subunit was microinjected into the tracheal wall. Analysis of five successfully infected animals showed that 14% of PRV-GFP labeled neurons express AVP traits and 18% of transneuronally-labeled neurons contain OXT. Furthermore, the identified AVPNs innervating extrathoracic trachea receive axon terminals of the PVN neurons. The results indicate that AVP- and OXT-producing PVN cells, via direct projections to the AVPNs, could modulate cholinergic outflow to the airways, as a part of overall changes in response to stress.
Hematocrit as a predictor of significant injury after penetrating trauma

A study was undertaken to determine if there are differences in hematocrit (HCT) during the initial evaluation of patients with and without significant visceral intrathoracic or intraabdominal injury after penetrating trauma and, if so, the predictive value of this parameter. Sixty consecutive adults with potentially significant penetrating trauma who presented to an urban municipal trauma center during a 10-week period were studied. Diagnostic variables were recorded for all patients at risk for significant injury, defined as intrathoracic or intraabdominal injury requiring surgical intervention. Patients were ultimately grouped on the basis of operative findings or observation to discharge. Acquired variables included vital signs, initial HCT (HCT-0), HCT at 15 minutes (HCT-15), HCT at 30 minutes (HCT-30), and fluid administered. Twenty-one patients had significant injuries (INJ), and 39 did not (NO-INJ). INJ patients had lower HCT values than NO-INJ on presentation (35% +/- 6% and 41% +/- 5%, respectively). At presentation, a low HCT was predictive of significant injury, but a normal HCT did not preclude injury. The changes in HCT from arrival to 15 minutes, between INJ and NO-INJ patients, were similar (-1.5% +/- 3% and -0.6% +/- 3% respectively). Only when the decrease in HCT was > or =6.5% from presentation measurements was it predictive of injury. During the first 15 minutes a decrease in HCT of > or =6.5% had a positive predictive value and specificity of 1.0. The change in HCT between 15 and 30 minutes was less useful. There was a large difference between the amounts of fluid given to injured and uninjured patients, which may have been responsible for some of the differences in HCT between the two groups. These results show that HCT may have some diagnostic utility during the early management of penetrating trauma. Presentation with an HCT below normal, or an early decrease in HCT, is an indicator of potential injury. Although many patients with serious internal injuries do not manifest large decreases early after presentation, those who do have a high probability of internal injury. The lower the HCT, or the greater the decrease, the greater the probability that a significant injury exists.
Effect of Mass Transfer on the Performance of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Systems

This paper presents a computational investigation of the effect of mass transfer on the performance of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts, which are employed to reduce NO x emissions from diesel engines. The paper employs a single-channel based, one-dimensional, isothermal model. The heterogeneous surface chemistry is modeled by considering standard and fast SCR mechanisms, and the mass transfer rate is described by using a one-dimensional film model and dimensionless Sherwood (Sh) number. The paper investigates the effect of Sh numbers on the catalyst conversion performance at various temperatures and space velocities. The results show that the effect of the Sh number on the SCR catalyst performance is temperature dependent and is more pronounced at high space velocities. In general, higher Sh numbers lead to increased conversion efficiencies.
Nonisothermality in packed bed reactors for steam reforming of methanol

Abstract We have studied the kinetics of methanol steam reforming on a commercial CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst in a packed bed reactor. The objective of this work was to assess the impact of deviations from isothermality in packed bed reactors on the rates of methanol steam reforming. Preliminary experiments with catalyst dilution showed higher apparent rate constants as the catalyst was diluted, implying heat transfer limitations in the bed. We therefore varied the reactor diameter from 4.1 mm down to 1 mm in order to improve heat transfer. The smaller diameter reactor showed higher apparent catalyst activity. This increased reactivity could be explained using a 2D pseudo-homogeneous reactor model. The heat transfer limitations result in a temperature gradient of up to 40 K in the 4.1 mm reactor. Even the 1 mm reactor suffers from temperature variations of up to 22 K. Since packed bed reactors are most commonly used for the production of H2 via steam reforming, it is important to recognize the role of these heat transfer limitations. Transport limitations can lead to falsified kinetics and lowered catalyst productivity.
Diclofenac and acute myocardial infarction in patients with no major risk factors.

What is already known about this subject We recently published the results of a study on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in users of five nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the years 2001 to 2005. The results demonstrated, as has been reported in randomized trials, that rofecoxib and celecoxib increase the risk of AMI when taken for at least 10 months. As expected, ibuprofen and naproxen did not materially increase the risk. However, long-term users of diclofenac were at an increased risk of AMI similar to that of users of rofecoxib and celecoxib. What this study adds Extensive use of diclofenac, similarly to rofecoxib and celecoxib, substantially increases the risk of AMI. There is little suggestion of such an effect in users of ibuprofen and naproxen. Aims To explore further a recent finding that long-term users of diclofenac are at increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) similar to users of rofecoxib and celecoxib.
Isolation and characterization of the bovine hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor.

Abstract A 41 amino acid peptide with high intrinsic corticotropin-releasing activity was isolated from 1000 bovine hypothalami by means of immunoaffinity chromatography, gel filtration, and two steps of reverse phase HPLC. The primary structure of the amino terminal 39 amino acids was characterized by gas phase sequence analysis. The sequence of the amidated car☐yl terminal dipeptide was established by digestion of the intact natural product with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, dansylation of the digest and comparative reverse phase liquid chromatography studies with the synthetic dansylated dipeptides Ile-Ala-NH 2 , Ile-Ala-OH, Ala-Ile-NH 2 and Ala-Ile-OH. The complete structure of the bovine corticotropin-releasing factor was established as: Ser-Gln-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu- Glu-Met-Thr-Lys-Ala-Asp-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Asn-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu- Asp-Ile-Ala-NH 2 using approximately 650 pmol of material.
The Genetic Architecture of Skeletal Convergence and Sex Determination in Ninespine Sticklebacks

Summary The history of life offers plentiful examples of convergent evolution, the independent derivation of similar phenotypes in distinct lineages [1]. The emergence of convergent phenotypes among closely related lineages (frequently termed "parallel" evolution) is often assumed to result from changes in similar genes or developmental pathways [2], but the genetic origins of convergence remains poorly understood. Ninespine ( Pungitius pungitius ) and threespine ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ) stickleback fish provide many examples of convergent evolution of adaptive phenotypes, both within and between genera. The genetic architecture of several important traits is now known for threespine sticklebacks [3–10]; thus, ninespine sticklebacks provide a unique opportunity to critically test whether similar or different chromosome regions control similar phenotypes in these lineages. We have generated the first genome-wide linkage map for ninespine sticklebacks and used quantitative trait locus mapping to identify chromosome regions controlling several skeletal traits and sex determination. In ninespine sticklebacks, these traits mapped to chromosome regions not previously known to control the corresponding traits in threespine sticklebacks. Therefore, convergent morphological evolution in these related, but independent, vertebrate lineages might have different genetic origins. Comparative genetics in sticklebacks provides an exciting opportunity to study the mechanisms controlling similar phenotypic changes in different animal groups.
Elementary proof of the transformation formula for Lambert series involving generalized Dedekind sums

Abstract An elementary proof is given of the author's transformation formula for the Lambert series G p (x) = Σ n−1 ∞ n −p x n (1−x n ) relating Gp(e2πiτ) to Gp(e2πiAτ), where p > 1 is an odd integer and Aτ = (aτ + b) (cτ + d) is a general modular substitution. The method extends Sczech's argument for treating Dedekind's function log η(τ) = πiτ 12 − G 1 (e 2πiτ ) , and uses Carlitz's formula expressing generalized Dedekind sums in terms of Eulerian functions.
Ethanol Self-Infusion Into the Ventral Tegmental Area by Alcohol-Preferring Rats

Abstract The ventral tegmental area (VTA) and its projections have been implicated in the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. Selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) and alcohol-nonpreferring (NP) lines of rats were used to evaluate the reinforcing actions of ethanol in the VTA using intracranial self-administration (ICSA) operant procedures. P rats self-administered nanoliter quantities of 50–200 mg% ethanol in artificial CSF directly into the VTA whereas NP rats had low levels of responding at these ethanol concentrations. Responses on the active lever were 50-fold higher for the P compared with the NP rats for the self-infusion of 150 mg% ethanol. NP rats responded at the same level on the active and inactive levers at all ethanol concentrations and had low responses/session (3 to 15 total responses) at all concentrations. Further, operant responding on the active lever was reduced when artificial CSF alone was substituted for 100 mg% ethanol, and responding on the active lever was reinstated when ethanol was returned. For one group of rats, an illuminated house light served as a discriminative stimulus, which signalled the availability of ICSA, while a cue light was paired with the onset of ethanol infusion. Extinction in the presence of these stimuli required 6–7 sessions. However, only 2–3 extinction sessions were necessary for another group trained without stimulus cues, suggesting that cues paired with the ICSA of ethanol can acquire conditioned reinforcing properties. The findings indicate that ethanol can act as a reinforcer when administered directly into the VTA. Furthermore, since ethanol maintained responding significantly more in the P than NP rat, the results suggest that the neurobiological substrates in the VTA, which subserve the reward-relevant actions of alcohol, may be genetically influenced.
Mass spectrometry in structural and stereochemical problems—CLXXI: Factors governing the preferential loss of small vs. Large radicals in the α‐fission of aliphatic amines

A study of the α-cleavage processes of aliphatic amines (using RLCH2N(R)CH2Rs and RLCH(NR)Rs1 as typical substrates) at several ionizing voltages indicates that the loss ratio of large and small alkyl radicals, [M RL]/[M Rs], decreases with ionizing voltage. This ratio, greater than 1·0 at 70 eV, may become less than unity at low voltage (15 eV, 10 eV) in some cases. Comparison of similarly structured compounds with nitrogen or oxygen as the heteroatom suggests that the effects of ionizing voltage are lessened when the fragment is of greater stability (e.g. amine vs. ether or imine vs. ketone). The effects of lowering the ionizing voltage became much less pronounced as the alkyl groups become larger or similar in size.
A method for partitioning the journal literature

Citation databases can be readily partitioned by examining the extent to which journals “feed back” to one another. A method has been developed to divide large files into clusters of journals without requiring the use of arbitrary starting points. Results are discussed relative to biomedical literature, and these findings are shown to be subsumed under a more general hypothesis regarding the structure of scientific literature.
Investigation of stimulated Brillouin scattering switching in mid infrared fibers

Backward stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) has been experimentally studied in midinfrared transparent AgCl and KRS-5 fibers. In the present scheme, pump transmission through the fibers and acoustooptic radiative effects are simultaneously observed. The SBS shifted scattered light spectrum is investigated by laser heterodyne spectroscopy using HgCdTe and very fast metal-oxide-metal diode broadband mixers. The results suggest that reflection under high incident laser power departs from simple Fresnel surface reflection.
Thidiazuron stimulates adventitious shoot production from Hydrangea quercifolia Bartr. leaf explants

The goal of this research was to study the effects of thidiazuron (TDZ) on adventitious shoot production from oakleaf hydrangea. Leaves were excised from year-old shoot cultures and were cut in half and placed in vitro on MS medium containing 1 μM IBA and 0.05, 0.1, 0.5. 1.0, or 5.0 μM TDZ. Lower concentrations of TDZ resulted in low number of long shoots, whereas the higher concentrations of TDZ resulted in many short adventitious shoots. Shoots were rooted ex vitro and acclimatized to greenhouse conditions.
DNA Damage is the Triggering Event for Apoptosis in Fanconi Anemia (FA) ♦ 748

FA is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with chromosomal instability, pancytopenia and risk of neoplasia. De novo and in the presence of DNA alkylating agents, FA cells have increased chromosome breaks, prolonged G2/M phase of the cell cycle and increased apoptosis relative to normal. Studies were performed to determine if FA cells have an intrinsically increased rate of apoptosis or whether the observed apoptosis is an appropriate cellular response following unrepaired DNA damage. FA and non-FA fibroblast cell lines exposed to varying concentrations of nitrogen mustard[NM] were studied using flow cytometry. At each [NM] the percent of cells in G2/M arrest and the percent of apoptotic cells was quantitated and threshold[NM] for increased cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were correlated. For Lesch-Nyhan and normal cells the threshold [NM] triggering increased G2/M arrest were 0.125 or 0.25 μg/ml respectively. Accumulation of apoptotic cells did not occur until these thresholds were met or exceeded. In FA cell lines the threshold [NM] triggering increased G2/M arrest and apoptosis was reduced (0.005-0.0125 μg/ml). As with non-FA cells, accumulation of apoptotic FA cells did not occur until the threshold [NM] for increased G2/M arrest was met or exceeded. These data (table) indicate that, in all cell lines tested, DNA damage, as detected using G2/M arrest as a surrogate marker, is the primary insult and that apoptosis is a cellular response to DNA damage. We conclude that the increased apoptosis detected in FA cells is an appropriate cellular response to unrepaired DNA damage rather than a primary pathophysiologic process.
Assay Validation for Identification of Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer-Causing Mutations in Mismatch Repair Genes MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6

Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) 114500) is an autosomal dominant disorder that is genetically heterogeneous because of underlying mutations in mismatch repair genes, primarily MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6. One challenge to correctly diagnosing HNPCC is that the large size of the causative genes makes identification of mutations both labor intensive and expensive. We evaluated the usefulness of denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) for scanning mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6) for point mutations, small deletions, and insertions. Our assay consisted of 51 sets of primers designed to amplify all exons of these genes. All polymerase chain reaction reactions were amplified simultaneously using the same reaction conditions in a 96-well format. The amplified products were analyzed by DHPLC across a range of optimum temperatures for partial fragment denaturation based on the melting profile of each specific fragment. DNA specimens from 23 previously studied HNPCC patients were analyzed by DHPLC, and all mutations were correctly identified and confirmed by sequence analysis. Here, we present our validation studies of the DHPLC platform for HNPCC mutation analysis and compare its merits with other scanning technologies. This approach provides greater sensitivity and more directed molecular analysis for clinical testing in HNPCC.