cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Somatostatin decreases somatostatin messenger ribonucleic acid levels in the rat periventricular nucleus

Abstract Growth hormone (GH) secretion from the pituitary is known to be under the dual control of GH-releasing factor (GRF) and somatostatin (SRIF). Hypothalamic SRIF, the major inhibitor of pituitary growth hormone secretion, inhibits its own release by a negative ultrashort-loop feedback mechanism. However, it is not known whether this negative regulation is mediated by inhibition of SRIF mRNA production. GRF may also inhibit its own release, thereby modifying pituitary GH secretion, possibly through an ultrashort-loop feedback mechanism. Thus, SRIF production and GRF release are both regulated by SRIF. Periventricular nucleus (PeN) and mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) from adult male rats were incubated for 6 h in Waymouth’s medium with either SRIF or the SRIF agonist analog RC 160 (10−9 to 10−6 M). Levels of SRIF mRNA were determined by an S1 nuclease protection assay using a 32[P]-labeled rat SRIF riboprobe. SRIF (10−7 M) and RC 160 (10−8, 10−7 M) significantly (p ≤ 0.01) decreased SRIF mRNA levels in the PeN. The levels of SRIF mRNA in the MBH were not modified by either SRIF or RC 160. SRIF (10−7 and 10−6 M) significantly (p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.001, respectively) inhibited the release of GRF at 30 min in the MBH. Likewise, the release of GRF was slightly decreased by 10−7 M RC 160, and significantly inhibited by 10−6 M (p ≤ 0.001) at 30 min. At 6 h, the levels of GRF were significantly reduced by 10−7 M SRIF (p ≤ 0.05) and by RC 160 (10−7, 10−6 M; p ≤ 0.001 and p ≤ 0.05, respectively). In contrast with these results, the SRIF analog was unable to alter SRIF release at 30 min. At 6 h incubation, RC 160 (10−7 M) significantly (p ≤ 0.001) reduced SRIF release from MBH fragments. These results demonstrate that SRIF and a SRIF analog decrease SRIF mRNA levels in the PeN and inhibit the release of SRIF from the nerve terminals of the MBH. Thus, SRIF appears to regulate its own gene expression by negative ultrashort-loop feedback. Therefore, when SRIF is secreted from these neurons in response to GRF, it down-regulates the preceding stimulatory input as well as its own secretion.
Creating midgap states in the bulk – a proposed new phase-sensitive test on the pairing symmetry of high-Tc and other likely unconventional superconductors

We show how a kink state can be generated in a single crystal region of a high-Tc superconductor, if it has d-wave pairing. At the center of the kink there exists a sizable number of midgap states, so this kink state can be confirmed by observing a zero-bias conductance peak using STM or other forms of tunneling in the vicinity of the kink. This is a phase sensitive test of pairing symmetry since the method to generate the kink depends solely and crucially on the sign change of the order parameter on the Fermi surface. The kink region can potentially be driven to oscillate about an equilibrium position at a very low frequency, which may be the basis of some novel devices.
Isopod infestation of postspawning Nassau grouper around Little Cayman Island

Attacks by the isopod Excorallana tricornis tricornis on Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus caught in Antillean fish traps around Little Cayman Island, Cayman Islands, are recorded. Divers reported heavily parasitized fish during the study period, suggesting that trapping did not exclusively precipitate parasitism. Parasitic infestations were reported to be common in Nassau grouper immediately following their spawning season in mid-winter.
Function of cobalt in AB5Hx electrodes

Abstract The role of cobalt in the behavior of AB 5 H x electrodes has been investigated. Alloy compositions were as follows, LaNi 4.3− x Co x Mn 0.4 Al 0.3 ( x =0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.75) and MmNi 4.3− x Co x Mn 0.4 Al 0.3 ( x =0, 0.75). Cobalt was found to decrease the molar volume of hydrogen, V H , in the hydride phase. Both LaNi 4.3− x Co x Mn 0.4 Al 0.3 and MmNi 4.3− x Co x Mn 0.4 Al 0.3 alloy electrodes were subjected to repeated electrochemical cycling and corrosion rates measured. The corrosion rate was found to be inversely proportional to the cobalt content of the electrode.
Sex-specific effect of aging on submaximal leg exercise hemodynamics in middle-aged and older adults.

The purpose of the study was to examine predictors of the leg hemodynamic response to exercise in middle- and older-aged men and women. Femoral artery blood flow (FBF), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and femoral vascular conductance (FVC, calculated as the quotient of FBF and MAP) were measured at rest and during 5 min of single knee-extensor exercise at ~10 W workload in healthy men (n = 31) and women (n = 32) (age 40–72 years). Age, menopausal status, maximal quadriceps strength, blood lipids, vitamin D levels, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), physical activity, blood pressure, estimated quadriceps muscle mass, and body mass index (BMI) were also assessed. The effect of age on FBF and FVC was negative and significant in men (r = −0.44 and −0.42 and p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively) but was abolished by normalization to estimated quadriceps muscle (p = 0.18 and 0.73, respectively). There was no effect of age on leg hemodynamic responses to exercise in women (alone or normalized to quadriceps muscle), but menopausal status was a significant predictor of FVC and normalized FVC (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). The multivariate model for exercising FVC in men (in order of strongest to weakest predictors) included quadriceps strength, BMI, resting FVC, age, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The multivariate model for exercising FVC in women included quadriceps mass, systolic blood pressure, vitamin D, age, VO2max, waist circumference, and physical activity score. These findings suggest that factors besides chronological age mediate exercising leg hemodynamics in middle-aged to older adults and that these factors are sex-specific.
Neutron diffraction study of the magnetic structure of Er0.75 Lu0.25

Abstract Neutron diffraction studies of an Er 0.75 Lu 0.25 alloy single crystal show a transition to a c -axis longitudinal spin wave at 68 K and a transition to a slightly distorted antiferromagnetic conical structure at 40 K. No ferromagnetic transition has been observed down to 4.9 K.
An inverse polynomial method for the identification of the leading coefficient in the Sturm-Liouville operator from boundary measurements

An inverse polynomial method of determining the unknown leading coefficient k=k(x) of the linear Sturm-Liouville operator Au=-(k(x)u^'(x))^'+q(x)u(x), x@?(0,1), is presented. As an additional condition only two measured data at the boundary (x=0,x=1) are used. In absence of a singular point (u^'(x) 0,u^''(x) 0,@?x@?[0,1]) the inverse problem is classified as a well-conditioned . If there exists at least one singular point, then the inverse problem is classified as moderately ill-conditioned (u^'(x"0)=0,x"0@?(0,1);u^'(x) 0,@?x x"0;u^''(x) 0,@?x@?[0,1]) and severely ill-conditioned (u^'(x"0)=u^''(x"0)=0,x"0@?(0,1);u^'(x) 0,u^''(x) 0,@?x x"0). For each of the cases direct problem solution is approximated by corresponding polynomials and the inverse problem is reformulated as a Cauchy problem for to the first order differential equation with respect the unknown function k=k(x). An approximate analytical solution of the each Cauchy problems are derived in explicit form. Numerical simulations all the above cases are given for noise free and noisy data. An accuracy of the presented approach is demonstrated on numerical test solutions.
Report of the working group on detector design

Abstract This working group concentrated on the requirements of detectors for dedicated B experiments at hadron machines, particularly at the LHC. The requireme
ψ′ polarization as a test of colour octet quarkonium production

Abstract We calculate the α s corrections to the transverse polarization fraction of ψ′'s produced at the Tevatron. If the ‘ψ′-anomaly’ is explained by gluon fragmentation into a colour octet Fock component of the ψ′, the ψ′'s should be 100% transversely polarized at leading order in α s , up to spin symmetry breaking long-distance corrections. We find that the short-distance correction (due to gluon fragmentation) to the transverse polarization fraction is a few percent. A polarization measurement would thus provide a reliable test of the colour octet mechanism, particularly at large p T , where a potential loss of polarization due to non-fragmentation processes is avoided.
Relation between Appeal Value and Highbrow Status of Some Radio and Television Programs

The experiment reported here was undertaken with the following objectives: (a) to construct a scale which would represent the preferences for a group of entertainment programs, 8 on television and 1 on radio; ( b ) to obtain the rank values for the "highbrow status" of these same programs; (c ) to determine the median scale preference of the Ss involved; and (d ) to determine the relationship between program appeal and lowbrow-highbrow status. A group of 22 female college Ss were asked to furnish the names of 9 programs (television or radio) running from those which they considered to have lowbrow status through middlebrow to highbrow status, using these terms in the sense of the by-now famous article of Lynes (2 ). The 9 selections finally chosen were quite varied and were sardonically classified by some of our non-experimental Ss as either "Dizzie Lizzie" programs (daytime serial and soap opera types, and therefore, lowbrow), "horsin' around" programs (folksy, humorous, meaningless, and innocuous, and therefore, middlebrow), and "culture hound fodder" programs (highbrow), represented by better plays, classical music, etc. The selections finally chosen were: PIBrighter Day, P2-You Bet Your Life, P3-amnibus, P4-The Arthur Godfrey Show, P.5-Person-To-Person, P6-The $64,000 Question, P7-Truth or Consequences, P8-The Loretta Young Show, and P9-The Firestone Hour. Thereafter 63 experimental Ss were asked to state their preferences for each member of the 36 possible paired programs. Using the method of paired comparisons described by Edwards ( 1 ) the following scale was established for the programs.
Temperature and magnetic field dependence of the electronic and lattice conductivities of tin from 1.3 to 6°K

Extensive results are presented for the measurement of the components of the electrical- and thermal-resistivity tensors of pure tin in transverse magnetic fields up to 100 kG. The temperature dependence was studied between 1.5 and 6 K. From the thermal-resistivity measurements, the lattice conductivity of tin has been extracted. The results indicate that the lattice conductivity in the basal plane is significantly different from that obtained from dilute alloys. To study the temperature dependence of the electronic, electrical, and thermal conductivities it is necessary to neglect certain terms which arise in the inversion of the resistivity tensors. Within this approximation the temperature dependences are in agreement with Wagner's suggestion that the conductivities in the magnetic field should be simply related to the resistivities in zero field. The Lorenz number in a magnetic field is found to be field independent at high fields, and an increasing function of temperature.
Spectral decontamination of a real-time helicopter simulation

Nonlinear mathematical models of a rotor system, referred to as rotating blade-element models, produce steady-state, high-frequency harmonics of significant magnitude. In a discrete simulation model, certain of these harmonics may be incompatible with realistic real-time computational constraints because of their aliasing into the operational low-pass region. However, the energy is an aliased harmonic may be suppressed by increasing the computation rate of an isolated, causal nonlinearity and using an appropriate filter. This decontamination technique is applied to Sikorsky's real-time model of the Black Hawk helicopter, as supplied to NASA for handling-qualities investigations.
Weakly Mixing Invariant Tori of Hamiltonian Systems

We note that every finite or infinite dimensional real-analytic Hamiltonian system with a quasi-periodic invariant KAM torus of finite dimension d≥ 2 can be perturbed in such a way that the new real-analytic Hamiltonian system has a weakly mixing invariant torus of the same dimension.
Effect of carbamate thioester derivatives of methyl- and 2-chloroethyl isocyanate on glutathione levels and glutathione reductase activity in isolated rat hepatocytes

Abstract The present study examined the effects of S -( N -methylcarbamoyl)glutathione (SMG), S-(N methylcarbamoyl)- l -cysteine ( l -SMC) and some analogs of these S -linked conjugates of methyl isocyanate (MIC) on the activity of glutathione reductase (GR) in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and on the levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG) in exposed cells. Both SMG and its monoethyl ester (0.5 mM) were found to inhibit GR weakly, although l -SMC proved to be an effective inhibitor of the enzyme (60 ± 4% activity remaining after a 4-hr incubation at 0.5 mM). The cysteine adduct (SCC) of 2-chloroethyl isocyanate (CEIC) was a strong inhibitor of GR (27 ± 1% activity remaining after a 1-hr incubation at 0.1 mM) and was essentially equipotent with the antitumor agent N , N -bis(2-chloroethyl)- N -nitrosourea (BCNU). l -SMC depleted intracellular GSH in a timeand concentration-dependent manner up to 2 hr of incubation, beyond which time GSH levels began to recover. Exposure of cells to the enantiomeric conjugate, d -SMC, led to a similar concentrationand time-dependent inhibition of GR and fall in intracellular GSH, but in this case the depletion of GSH was extensive and was sustained throughout the 5-hr incubation period. Only a small amount (less than 10%) of the GSH that was lost from cells exposed to SMC was recovered in the medium, indicating that SMC did not cause efflux of GSH (most of the free cysteine released during breakdown of SMC was recovered in the medium). Experiments with hepatocytes exposed for 5 hr to SCC (0.1 mM) demonstrated that GSSG levels were elevated by 32 ± 5% relative to controls. Collectively, these results indicate that carbamate thioester conjugates of MIC and CEIC inhibit GR, probably via release of the free isocyanate at the cell surface, which then penetrates the hepatocyte. The inhibitory effects of the isocyanates on GR, coupled with their propensity to react spontaneously with GSH, combine to deplete significantly intracellular stores of GSH.
Analysis of organic gunshot residue permeation through a model skin membrane using ion mobility spectrometry

Identification and detection of gunshot residue (GSR) is useful in firearm related events and provides important evidence in trials and related cases. At present, methodologies based on the analysis of inorganic particles found in GSR are not amenable to rapid presumptive testing in the field or laboratory settings. An alternative is to target the organic analytes that are vaporized during the firing event and then re-condense on skin and other surfaces, such as clothing. Previous studies have demonstrated that the persistence of organic compounds, such as diphenylamine (DPA), from hand swabs of shooters as detected using commercial ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) instruments was 3–4 h. These same studies indicated that secondary transfer did not occur, which implied that losses of the organic compounds were attributable to absorption into the skin. The goal of this study was to assess the dermal absorption characteristics of organic gunshot residue (OGSR) using IMS. Two studies were conducted. First, a qualitative IMS method was developed for the in vitro analysis of select OGSR compounds. In vitro studies with medical grade silicone were conducted using Franz diffusion cells (FDCs). The results from this study demonstrated that OGSR was dermally absorbed. Second, a semi-quantitative IMS method was developed for an in vitro study of DPA. The skin permeability of DPA (Kp) was experimentally determined to be 2.6 × 10−2 cm/hr, the steady state flux (Jss) was 13 μg cm−2 hr−1, and the lag time was 8.9 h. The results show excellent correlation with the 3–4 h persistence previously reported.
A circular dichroism technique for the study of adsorbed protein structure

Abstract A cell that allows the structure of adsorbed protein layers to be examined by transmission circular dichroism is described. Sensitivity of the technique is demonstrated by presentation of spectra obtained from the adsorption of two blood proteins [bovine fibrinogen and human clotting factor XII (Hageman factor)] on a quartz substrate. The former does not undergo a conformational change on adsorption: the latter becomes activated and suffers a major structural change. It is suggested that such methodology is useful in the investigation of the interaction of blood components with prospective polymeric prosthetic implants.
Diel vertical movements, and effects of infection by the cestode Schistocephalus solidus on daytime proximity of three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus to the surface of a large Alaskan lake

We conducted a field study in Iliamna Lake, Alaska, to test the hypothesis that proximity of three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus to the lake’s surface during the daytime varies with macroparasitic cestode parasite Schistocephalus solidus infection in a manner consistent with enhanced vulnerability to avian predators. Extensive sampling in the lake and likelihood-based modeling revealed that sticklebacks displayed a diel vertical migration, being closer to the surface at night than during the evening and early morning. Additional sampling, also coupled with a likelihood-based modeling approach, showed that fish caught at the surface of the lake during the day were more often parasitized (76 vs. 65%), more heavily parasitized (26.8 vs. 22.7% of their body mass), and had larger individual parasites (0.24 vs. 0.20 g) than those caught at night. Parasite infection was related, non-linearly, to fish size, which also differed between day and night sampling at the surface. We performed statistical competitions among nested hierarchies of models that accounted for this effect of length. The most likely models indicated that fish captured during the day had greater parasite prevalence, higher parasite burdens, and larger parasites than did fish captured at night. Proximity to the surface during the day in this very clear lake would likely increase the vulnerability of sticklebacks to predation from birds, enabling completion of the parasite’s lifecycle.
An FBN1 pseudoexon mutation in a patient with Marfan syndrome: Confirmation of cryptic mutations leading to disease

Marfan syndrome (MFS) results from heterozygous mutations in FBN1. However, genetic analyses of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from approximately 10–30% of MFS patients who meet diagnostic criteria do not reveal an identifiable FBN1 mutation. In a patient who met the diagnostic criteria for MFS, bidirectional DNA sequencing of exons and intron–exon boundaries of FBN1 failed to reveal a mutation. Assessment of the FBN1 message in dermal fibroblasts from the patient revealed insertion of a pseudoexon between exons 63 and 64. Sequencing of intron 63 identified a point mutation, IVS63+373, located near the middle of intron 63 of FBN1 that created a donor splice site in intron 63, leading to inclusion of a 93-bp fragment of intronic sequence in the FBN1 message. Identification of a novel pseudoexon mutation in FBN1, in association with a clinical diagnosis of MFS, confirms that cryptic mutations that are missed by the current DNA-based diagnostic methods have a causative role.
CLASSIFICATION OF INVOLUTIONS OF SL(2, k)

ABSTRACT In this paper we give a simple characterization of the isomorphy classes of involutions of with k any field of characteristic not 2. We also classify the isomorphy classes of involutions for k algebraically closed, the real numbers, the -adic numbers and finite fields. We determine in which cases the corresponding fixed point group H is k -anisotropic. In those cases the corresponding symmetric k -variety consists of semisimple elements.
Magnetic resonance imaging-guided interstitial application of laser aided by fiber optic temperature sensing

In order to further understand signal variations observed on magnetic resonance imaging scans of interstitial laser heating, a commercial multichannel fluoroptic thermometer, equipped with fiber optic sensors, was employed in conjunction with the laser/MRI phototherapy system. Three calibrated fiber optic sensors of the thermometer were used to measure temperature changes in ex-vivo sheep's brain at various distances directly across from the beam of a Nd:YAG laser emitted from a bare fiber. Laser was operated at 5 W for 220 sec. Temperature was measured every 10 seconds and MR images were acquired during and after laser irradiation until temperature in all probes returned to the equilibrium level of prelaser irradiation. Image contrast analysis of the heated region showed that MRI signal variations, during heating and cooling periods, correlated well with the changes in temperature. It is concluded that direct thermometry of MRI-monitored laser application will aid in understanding the effects of high focal heating on the MRI signal.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Wedge Damper Modeling and Forced Response Prediction of Frictionally Constrained Blades

In this paper, an improved wedge damper model is presented, based on which the effects of wedge dampers on the forced response of frictionally constrained blades are investigated. In the analysis, while the blade is modeled as a constrained structure, the damper is considered as an unconstrained structure. The model of the damper includes six rigid body modes and several elastic modes, the number of which depends on the excitation frequency. In other words, the motion of the damper is not artificially constrained. When modeling the contact surfaces of the wedge damper, discrete contact points along with contact stiffness are evenly distributed on the two contact surfaces. At each contact point, contact stiffness is determined and employed in order to take into account the effects of higher frequency modes that are omitted in the dynamic analysis. Depending on the engine rpm, quasi-static contact analysis is initially employed to determine the contact area as well as the initial preload or gap at each contact point due to the centrifugal force. A friction model is employed to determine the three-dimensional nonlinear contact forces and the relationship between the contact forces and the relative motion is utilized by the Harmonic Balance method. As the relative motion is expressed as a modal superposition, the unknown variables, and thus the resulting nonlinear algebraic equations, in the Harmonic Balance method is in proportion to the number of modes employed, and therefore the number of contact points used is irrelevant. The developed method is applied to tuned bladed disk system and the effects of normal load on the rigid body motion of the damper are investigated. It is shown that, the effect of rotational motion is significant, particularly for the in-phase vibration modes.
On a series expansion for the solitary wave

Calcul des 27 premiers termes du developpement en series pour le profil d'une onde solitaire. On obtient des developpements en serie pour l'amplitude de l'onde, la masse et l'energie potentielle
Does d-amphetamine anorexia conform to the law of initial value?

d-Amphetamine reduced the milk consumption of fasted mice in a dose-related manner. Each dose level of d-amphetamine reduced milk intake by a fixed amount, which increased with dose, but which appeared to be independent of the level of milk intake of the concurrent control animals. These data suggest that the anorexic effects of d-amphetamine did not conform to the law of initial value; that is, following drug administration, the magnitude of response of the test system was not a function of, the initial state of the system.
Design of the magnet structure for the Advanced Photon Source superconducting undulator

A superconducting planar undulator with 9.5 mm pole gap, 16 mm period and required peak field 0.64 T is at present under development at the Advanced Photon Source. Magnet structure precision is a key component of the project. The current design of the magnet structure is based on the assembled jaws with individual poles, while previous designs utilized solid cores with machined coil grooves. Each jaw has a core with pole grooves and separate precise poles inserted in these grooves and fixed with small screws. This approach allows achieving a uniformity of the poles thickness to within 15 µm, improving the surface finish, as well as using magnetic poles with non-magnetic cores. Several 42-pole jaws have already been produced, wound and tested. Magnetic measurements of the first structure have confirmed the mechanical precision of the assemblies. Details of the magnet structure design and jaw assembly, and changes made from the first prototype system to the production unit, are presented here.
Comprehensive evaluation of long term trends in occupational exposure : part 1. Description of the database

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a comprehensive evaluation of long term changes in occupational exposure among a broad cross section of industries worldwide. METHODS: A review of the scientific literature identified studies that reported historical changes in exposure. About 700 sets of data from 119 published and several unpublished sources were compiled. Data were published over a 30 year period in 25 journals that spanned a range of disciplines. For each data set, the average exposure level was compiled for each period and details on the contaminant, the industry and location, changes in the threshold limit value (TLV), as well as the type of sampling method were recorded. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to identify monotonic changes in exposure over time and simple linear regression analyses were used to characterise trends in exposure. RESULTS: About 78% of the natural log transformed data showed linear trends towards lower exposure levels whereas 22% indicated increasing trends. (The Spearman rank correlation analyses produced a similar breakdown between exposures monotonically increasing or decreasing over time.) Although the rates of reduction for the data showing downward trends ranged from -1% to -62% per year, most exposures declined at rates between -4% and -14% per year (the interquartile range), with a median value of -8% per year. Exposures seemed to increase at rates that were slightly lower than those of exposures which have declined over time. Data sets that showed downward (versus upward) trends were influenced by several factors including type and carcinogenicity of the contaminant, type of monitoring, historical changes in the threshold limit values (TLVs), and period of sampling. CONCLUSIONS: This review supports the notion that occupational exposures are generally lower today than they were years or decades ago. However, such trends seem to have been affected by factors related to the contaminant, as well as to the period and type of sampling.
Helicobacter pylori, harmful to the brain?

See article on page 605 Traditional views of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) have emphasised the role of neurotoxins arising from the gut. These compounds gain access to the systemic circulation as a result of the combined effects of hepatocellular failure and portal-systemic shunting. In the past years, a new mechanistic paradigm has been developed, emphasising changes in brain astrocyte function with subsequent alterations in glial-neuronal communications.1 2 Astrocyte dysfunction results from several factors. These include a decrease in plasma osmolarity, effects of circulating cytokines, and the changes brought on by accumulation of glutamine, the product of ammonia detoxification in glial cells. After many years of research, ammonia continues to play a central role in the pathogenesis of HE. Under normal conditions, ammonia is generated in both the small bowel (from the effects of glutaminase on glutamine) and large intestine (from the urease activity of the colonic flora). The relative contribution of each site is difficult to quantitate but hyperammonaemic coma can still occur in hepatectomised germ free rats3 where the main source of ammonia is presumably the small bowel. Neomycin, an antibiotic active against urease containing bacteria in the colon, also inhibits …
Investigation of the lower thermosphere results of ten years of continuous observations with natural infrasound

Abstract Infrasound of 5 s period generated by ocean waves has been recorded for the past ten years at Palisades, N.Y. Infrasound from the east is reflected in the lower thermosphere during the months of September through April and provides a continuous record of the height of reflection, and thus the level of strong east winds, between 100 and 120 km throughout the day. By recording the trace velocity across a ground level array of sensors we also determine the sound velocity at the reflection height. Results of the ten year climatology of strong east wind occurrence in the lower thermosphere for each hour for each of the nine months are presented, as well as a detailed discussion of recurring effects, meridional winds, tidal effects and the influence of stratospheric warmings.
Acquisition of an insulin-sensitive activity of adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase during adipose conversion of 3T3-L2 cells.

Mouse 3T3-L2 fibroblasts differentiate when cultured and express a new phenotype which is characteristic of adipose cells. One aspect of this differentiation is the acquisition of hormone sensitivities typical of adipocytes. The sensitivity of adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase to brief insulin treatment in 3T3-L2 cells at various stages of adipose conversion was examined. The capacity to increase the activity of a low-Km form of the enzyme in response to acute insulin exposure is a property which is acquired as the cells begin to express the adipose phenotype. Enzyme activity in preadipocytes is not affected by insulin, nor is there an effect in the non-differentiating 3T3-C2 line under any of the conditions tested. Since insulin receptors and cAMP phosphodiesterase are both present in the preadipocytes, one result of this cytodifferentiation is to effectively couple receptors to the enzyme activity. Insulin-sensitive cAMP phosphodiesterase in 3T3-L2 adipocytes is characterized by a 40–50% increase in enzyme activity during insulin treatment when determined at 0.1 μM cAMP. This activation results from an increase in the apparent V of the enzyme and does not involve a change in enzyme-substrate affinity. Maximal stimulation is seen within 2–5 min and is sustained for at least 45 min when high levels of insulin (850 nM) are used. Lower concentrations of insulin (1.7 nM) also bring about rapid activation, although the activation is not completely sustained during longer incubations. Stimulated activity falls off to about 60% of peak values by 30 min. Re-addition of insulin after 30 min raises enzyme activity back to the maximal level. Further, the insulin response is completely reversible in that the insulin-sensitive cAMP phosphodiesterase activity disappears within 10 min after removal of insulin from the cultures.
Preparation and stability of glyceryl trinitrate sublingual tablets prepared by direct compression

Tablets of glyceryl trinitrate were prepared by direct compression employing microcrystalline cellulose. These tablets were nonfriable and exhibited sublingual availability comparable to commercially available hypodermic tablets. Compressed tablets of microcrystalline cellulose showed only slight loss of glyceryl trinitrate at 50° when compared to commercial hypodermic tablets which lost up to 95 per cent. Glyceryl trinitrate formulated in a directly compressed sublingual tablet of microcrystalline cellulose presents an aesthetic stable dosage form which is a marked improvement over presently available glyceryl trinitrate dosage forms.
Induction of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Expression by Angiotensin II in the Pancreatic Islets and β-Cells

Angiotensin II (AngII), the principal hormone of the renin-angiotensin system, is actively generated in the pancreas and has been suggested as a key mediator of inflammation. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine that plays an important role in the recruitment of mononuclear cells into the pancreatic islets. In this study, we investigated the potential molecular basis for the role of AngII in islet inflammation through studying its effect on MCP-1. AngII significantly increased the expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein in the RINm5F beta-cell line and activated MCP-1 promoter. AngII-MCP-1 mRNA induction was inhibited by an AngII type 1 receptor antagonist but was unchanged by an AngII type 2 receptor antagonist. AngII-MCP-1 induction was inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, suggesting a MAPK signaling mechanism. AngII activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but not p38 or c-Jun NH(2)-terminal MAPKs. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation reduced the AngII-induced MCP-1 synthesis. In nonobese diabetic mice pancreata, the temporal pattern of angiotensin-converting enzyme expression correlated well with progression of insulitis and beta-cell destruction. Immunostaining of pancreatic serial sections show colocalization of angiotensin-converting enzyme with MCP-1 in beta-cells in the islets. In freshly isolated islets from normoglycemic mice, AngII alone and in combination with IL-1beta elicited an inflammatory response by stimulation of MCP-1. Our data suggest a positive autocrine/paracrine action for the local pancreatic AngII-generating system during insulitis and provide the first insight into an AngII-initiated signal transduction pathway that regulates MCP-1 as a possible inflammatory mechanism in the islets.
Transformative Learning Intervention: Effect on Functional Health Literacy and Diabetes Knowledge in Older African Americans

This study evaluated the effect of a transformative learning (TL) intervention on functional health literacy and diabetes knowledge in older African Americans. Twenty participants from senior community centers completed a six-session intervention. The short-form Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (s-TOFHLA), Literacy Assessment for Diabetes (LAD), and Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT) were used to perform pre- and postmeasurements. Postintervention s-TOFHLA scores and DKT scores were significantly increased (p < .5). Participants' verbal responses further affirmed the positive influence of the TL principles.
Coronary artery abnormalities and right ventricular histology in hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Abstract Objectives . To determine whether right ventricular preservation is compromised in any anatomic subgroup of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, we assessed the coronary artery anatomy and myocardial histologic features of 151 postmortem specimens with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Background . Although previous studies have shown that coronary artery abnormalities are more prominent in the subgroup of patients who have a patent mitral valve and obstructed aortic valve, it has not been established that these abnormalities compromise right ventricular perfusion. Methods . Eighty-nine specimens with a patent mitral valve and aortic atresia, 52 with mitral and aortic atresia and 10 with patent mitral and aortic valves were examined. Histologic sections of the right ventricle, left ventricle and coronary arteries were obtained from 64 study hearts and 5 control hearts. Results . Gross coronary anomalies included coronary-cameral communications (n = 29), single left coronary artery (n = 2), single right coronary artery (n = 1) and tortuosity (n = 19). Coronary-cameral communications and tortuosity were significantly associated with the subgroup that had mitral hypoplasia and aortic atresia. Coronary artery wall thickness relative to lumen diameter was not different among the subgroups. No areas of coronary artery stenosis or interruption were discovered. Although endocardial fibroelastosis of the left ventricle was strongly associated with the mitral hypoplasia and aortic atresia group, the right ventricular histologic findings were similar in all subgroups and were not differentially affected by older age. Conclusions . Although the incidence of coronary abnormalities is greater in patients with mitral hypoplasia and aortic atresia, in this study there was no apparent difference in perfusion of the right ventricle among the anatomic subgroups of hearts with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Hydrogen-Tritium Exchange of the Random Chain Polypeptide

The Hydrogen–tritium exchange character of poly-D,L-alanine was studied in detail as a model for the hydrogen exchange behavior of the unhindered, polymeric peptide group. The random chain nature of poly-D,L-alanine was evident in the uniformity of exchange rate of all its hydrogens and in the similarity between this rate and that of random chain poly-D,L-lysine and other known, unhindered secondary amide groups. An equilibrium isotope effect favoring the binding of tritium over protium to the extent of 21% was measured. Specific acid and base catalysis of the exchange and the absence of detectable general catalysis were demonstrated. Apparent energy of activation is 17 kcal/mole for deprotonation, largely due to dependence of Kw on temperature, and 15 kcal/mole for protonation, which correlates with the extreme apparent pK. The hydrogen –tritium exchange half-time rate; of poly-D,L-alamine at any pH and temperature (T: °C) is given by the equation:
Upset now?: emotion contagion in distributed groups

The importance of emotion to group outcomes in FtF highlights the need to understand emotion contagion in distributed groups. The present study examines the transfer of negative emotion in online groups. Negative emotion was induced in one of three group members completing a task in CMC. The data suggest that emotion contagion took place at the group level, with partners experiencing more negative emotion, more disagreement, higher verbosity, and use of more complex language in induced groups compared to control groups. Induced groups also performed better on the group task, raising questions about the effects of negative emotion contagion in online groups.
Helping Students 0wn Their Own Code

It's a difficult mental exercise to simultaneously envision how a system could be forced to fail while you're busy designing how it's meant to work. At George Mason University, instructors give their students practice at this skill by requiring them to write attack scripts for all their assignments. Creating an attack script is a mental exercise for the student in which they align themselves with an attacker's perspective to formulate a structured plan of attack: a series of tasks and experiments that gain information about the internal state of the probed system. The purpose of this exercise is to help the student nurture a mindset in which they can appreciate how systems might be attacked in all their aspects, from design and implementation to runtime configuration.
Mental State Verb Production in the Oral Narratives of English‐ and Spanish‐Speaking Preadolescents: An Exploratory Study of Lexical Diversity and Depth

As a preface to future studies on language impairment in bilingual children, an exploratory analysis of lexical diversity and depth in the production of mental state verbs was conducted on the oral narratives of 9- and 11-year-old children who differed by language status. English-only (EO), bilingual (Spanish-English), and Spanish-only (SO) preadolescents produced oral narratives based on a wordless video. Prior to narrative elicitation, participants completed a priming task on mental state verbs and were instructed to focus on what the characters were thinking, saying, and feeling as they engaged in their narrative formulation. Colored still frames from the video were also available to reduce the memory load on recall. The resulting narratives were analyzed for mental state verb use by category (motivational, experiential, and belief) and the influence of the language of production. Lexical diversity was determined by number of different words (normalized to type-token ratio, TTR), and lexical depth was analyzed through a descriptive analysis of variations in the meaning of the belief verb think with respect to the expression of certainty/uncertainty. Results indicated that the EO children used the greatest proportion of experiential and belief mental states, while motivational verb use did not differentiate the language groups. In contrast, the SO group had the greatest TTR. The descriptive analysis of the belief verb think revealed greater lexical depth in the EO participants. Findings are discussed in terms of cross-language similarities and differences and their applications to the mental state framework for differentiating among bilingual children who may be at enhanced academic risk because of undetected language impairment.
Genistein induces apoptosis and topoisomerase II-mediated DNA breakage in colon cancer cells

The present study was undertaken to determine if (a) genistein induces topo II-mediated DNA damage in HT-29 colon cancer cells; and (b) if this damage is required to induce apoptosis. DNA damage was evaluated using the comet assay. Apoptosis was determined by the ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining technique. DNA breakage was noted within 1 h of treatment. Apoptosis was only induced with high concentrations (>/=60 microM) of genistein. Marked inhibition of HT-29 cell growth was evident at concentrations ranging from 60 to 150 microM. This was associated with a cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M. Similar findings were obtained in SW-620 and SW-1116 colon cancer cell lines. Aclarubicin, a topo II antagonist, reduced genistein-induced DNA breaks but did not reduce apoptosis. These data suggest that, in colon cancer cells, topo II serves as the enzymatic target of genistein. Furthermore, topo II-mediated DNA cleavage is not required for the induction of apoptosis.
CLUSTER ANALYSIS AFTER A PARTIAL GENETIC ALGORITHM SEARCH

After a few generations of a genetic algorithm minimization, the resulting population of design vectors will typically cluster around a small number of prospective global or relative minima. If these clusters can be identified, sequential search methods can often be used to more efficiently locate the isolated minima as part of a broad-based design process. Two such “cluster analysis” algorithms are proposed here: a frequency distribution technique and a community technique. The first sorts the genetic algorithm population into intervals for each design variable, while the second identifies those individuals with many close neigbors which are also distant from other such population centers. Numerical results from two small test problems are presented to demonstrate the use of these techniques.
Bending and twisting of 96.5Sn3.5Ag and 97.5Pb2.5Sn solder interconnects with creep

An exact analysis is presented for the creep deformation of a thin-walled circular solder cylinder under the simultaneous actions of bending and twisting moments. Dimensionless interaction curves and charts which relate the variables, interconnect geometry, solder material properties, bending moment, twisting moment, curvature rate, and twist rate are also provided for engineering practice convenience. The constitutive relationship of the 97.5Pb2.5Sn and 96.5Sn3.5Ag solder interconnects is described by the Garofalo-Arrhenius steady-state creep equation. >
Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of 24-hour infusion 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with organ dysfunction

ABSTRACT Background: Patients with hepatic or renal dysfunction are often treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), but there are few data to confirm the safety of this practice. Patients and methods: Patients with solid tumors were eligible if they were able to fit into one of three organ dysfunction cohorts: I, creatinine >1.5 but ≤3.0 mg/dl and normal bilirubin; II, bilirubin >1.5 but Results:Sixty-four patients were treated. Toxicities did not appear to be related to organ dysfunction cohort. A weekly dose of of 5-FU 2600 mg/m2 produced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in six of 20 evaluable patients.These DLTs included grade 3 fatigue (n = 3), grade 2 neutropenia precluding weekly dosing (n = 1), grade 3 thrombocytopenia (n = 1) and grade 3 mental status changes (n = 1). There was no relationship between serum bilirubin or serum creatinine and 5-FU clearance. Conclusions:Patients with elevated bilirubin may be safely started on a weekly regimen of 5-FU 2600 mg/m2 with leucovorin 500 mg/m2 as a 24-h continuous infusion.
Theoretical and Empirical Description of Adult Couples’ Collaborative Self-Care Systems:

Couples’ collaborative care systems wherein work of self-care is shared are described from the perspective of Orem’s nursing theory. Couples (N = 108) completed two forms of the Self-As-Carer Inventory: their perception of their own and of their partner’s self-care agency. Each completed the Couple Form of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales and self-reports of health at this moment and of health in general. The person identified by the couple as having more caregiving responsibilities completed the Caregiver Reciprocity Scale. Stepwise multiple regression yielded a three-variable model (cohesion, dyad gender, and health now), which explained 27% of the variance of collaborative care system score. A collaborative care system model is proposed.
203 mu A threshold current strained V-groove lasers

Strained, self-aligned, and self-isolated V-groove lasers, operating near 980 nm with a minimum threshold current of 203 mu A, have been fabricated using molecular-beam epitaxy. The structures nominally employ Ga/sub 0.8/In/sub 0.2/As as the active gain medium. The lasing wavelength is a function of operating current and varies by a few nm. The far-field patterns are nearly circular. The characteristic temperature of the lasers is approximately=184 K and under application of external uniaxial stress from compressive to tensile conditions, the threshold current increases monotonically. Transmission electron microscopy reveals an increase in the well-width at the bottom of the grooves and a decrease along the walls. The low threshold current, lowest reported to date for a semiconductor laser, with or without the use of high reflectivity mirrors, and the other observations, are consistent with effects of single dimensionality due to confinement, effects of strain, and a reduction in parasitic recombination and leakage current. The optical power per facet is approximately 10 mu W and the 3-dB small-signal modulation frequency is below 10 GHz. The latter, lower than that of strained ridge laser structures, is believed to be dominated by capture and transmission-line effects. >