cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gated, ion-selective channels observed with patch pipettes in the absence of membranes: novel properties of a gigaseal

Gigaohm seals made between patch pipettes and hydrophobic substrates have a finite conductance which are cation-selective and capable of producing quantized gating indistinguishable from the gating of biological ion channels. The selectivity sequence and streaming potentials of these seals suggests the existence of a pore of similar dimensions to the nicotinic acetylcholine channel. The ionic selectivity of these seals appears similar to the seal selectivity observed with membrane patches (Fischmeister, R., R. K. Ayer, and R. L. DeHann. 1986. Pfluegers Arch. 406:73–82) and the possibility of discrete gating within the seal region suggests caution when interpreting patch clamp data from unfamiliar preparations. The data suggests that the permeation pathway is the narrow space between the hydrophobic substrate and the pipette. Since this space has one hydrophobic wall, a hydrophilic channel lining may not be essential for channel permeation and gating.
Using item response theory to examine the White Bear Suppression Inventory

The White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI; Wegner & Zanakos, 1994) was designed to assess thought suppression as a dispositional characteristic. Researchers examining the WBSI have found support for a unidimensional construct although multi-dimensional factorial solutions have been suggested. In the current study, we used item response models to examine the primary factor underlying the WBSI. Item response analyses suggested significant overlap in information provided by WBSI items. Six of the 15 items were identified as providing unique information about individual levels of latent thought suppression and were determined to provide good discrimination across varying levels of the trait. When compared to the full WBSI, the six-item index of thought suppression retained almost identical correlations to measures of worry, emotional avoidance and depression. Implications for the assessment of thought suppression as an individual difference variable are discussed.
Rethinking the properties of the quark-gluon plasma at T c T 4 T c

We argue that although at asymptotically high temperatures the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) in bulk behaves as a gas of weakly interacting quasiparticles (modulo long-range magnetism), it is different at temperatures up to few times the critical temperature ${T}_{c}$. In particular, we emphasize the role of several zero binding lines on the phase diagrams, below which $\overline{c}c$, light quarks, $gg$ as well as exotic $gq,qq$ bound states exist. Near these lines quasiparticle rescattering is enhanced dramatically, possibly explaining why heavy-ion collisions at the relativistic heavy-ion collider exhibit robust collective phenomena. Although in QCD the coupling constant in the QGP phase reaches only values $g\ensuremath{\sim}1$, using Maldacena duality one may study these phenomena in the strong coupling limit ${g}^{2}{N}_{c}⪡1$ in conformal gauge theories at finite temperature [e.g., $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SUSY YM)]. Trapped atoms is another system which allows us to study strongly interacting matter, in the limit of infinite scattering length.
Cell wall composition of calcium-treated apples inoculated with Botrytis cinerea

Abstract The role of calcium in maintaining cell wall integrity was investigated in cortical tissue of apple fruit. Carbohydrate, phenolic, protein and mineral element composition were determined in cell walls of high- and low-calcium content fruit inoculated with Botrytis cinerea . Cell walls in fungal-infected tissue of low-calcium fruit showed a decrease in non-cellulosic polysaccharides containing galacturonosyl, rhamnosyl, arabinosyl, xylosyl and galactosyl moieties and increases in cellulose, wall-bound phenolics, protein and mineral elements. In infected tissue of high-calcium fruit, the compositional changes in the cell wall were generally smaller compared with those observed in the low-calcium treatment. The results of this investigation indicate that the effect of calcium in reducing decay is associated with maintaining cell wall structure by delaying and/or modifying chemical changes in cell wall composition.
Expression of Mouse Apolipoprotein SAA1.1 in CE/J Mice: Isoform-Specific Effects on Amyloidogenesis

Amyloid A (AA) amyloid deposition in mice is dependent upon isoform-specific effects of the serum amyloid A (SAA) protein. In type A mice, SAA1.1 and SAA2.1 are the major apolipoprotein-SAA isoforms found on high-density lipoproteins. During inflammation, both isoforms are increased 1000-fold, but only SAA1.1 is selectively deposited into amyloid fibrils. Previous studies showed that the CE/J mouse strain is resistant to amyloid induction. This resistance is not due to a deficiency in SAA synthesis, but is probably related to the unusual SAA isoform present. The CE/J mouse has a single acute-phase SAA protein (SAA2.2), which is a composite of the SAA1.1 and SAA2.1, with an amino terminus similar to the nonamyloidogenic SAA2.1. Recently, genetic experiments suggested that the SAA2.2 isoform might provide protection from amyloid deposition. To determine the amyloidogenic potential of the CE/J mouse, we generated SAA adenoviral vectors to express the various isoforms in vitro and in vivo. Purified recombinant SAA proteins demonstrated that SAA1.1 was fibrillogenic in vitro, whereas SAA2.2 was unable to form fibrils. Incubation of increasing concentrations of the nonamyloidogenic SAA2.2 protein with the amyloidogenic SAA1.1 did not inhibit the fibrillogenic nature of SAA1.1, or alter its ability to form extensive fibrils. Injection of the mouse SAA1.1 or SAA2.2 adenoviral vectors into mice resulted in isoform-specific expression of the SAA proteins. Amyloid induction after viral expression of the SAA1.1 protein resulted in the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the CE/J mouse, whereas SAA2.2 expression had no effect. Similar expression of the SAA2.2 protein in C57BL/6 mice did not alter amyloid deposition. These data demonstrate that the failure of the CE/J mouse to deposit amyloid is due to the structural inability of the SAA2.2 to form amyloid fibrils. This mouse provides a unique system to test the amyloidogenic potential of altered SAA proteins and to determine the important structural features of the protein.
Management of general medical patients with symptoms of depression.

Abstract This article describes the management of depressive symptoms in a group of ambulatory patients in general medical care during a 1-year period. It also examines patient outcomes by types of management and aggressiveness of treatment. Subjects are 112 male patients longitudinally enrolled in a V.A. General Medical Clinic who screened positively on both the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale and the DSM-III criteria. Medical records were abstracted to obtain information on mental health management. During the follow-up year, 48% of the moderately depressed patients received some form of mental health management compared to 92% of the severely depressed patients. Of the treatment modes, only patients who had a mental health clinic visit and/or psychiatric consultation were significantly more improved than those not so treated—but only at 6 months ( p = 0.09) and 9 months ( p = 0.02). Actual treatment experience was then classified into three levels based on intensity, duration, and combinations of treatments. Of the three levels, only those patients in the moderately aggressively treated condition were significantly more improved at 3 months ( p = 0.02) and at 6 months ( p = 0.04) than those in the notreatment condition.
Endodermal and mesenchymal cross talk: a crossroad for the maturation of foregut organs

The developmental stages of each foregut organ are intimately linked to the development of the other foregut organs such that the ultimate function of any one foregut organ, such as the metabolic function of the liver, depends on organizational changes associated with the maturation of multiple foregut organs. These changes include: (i) proliferation of the intrahepatic bile ducts and hepatoblasts within the liver coinciding with parenchymal expansion, (ii) elongation of extrahepatic bile ducts, which allows for proper gallbladder (GB) formation, and (iii) duodenal elongation and rotation, which coincides with all of the above to connect the intrahepatic, extrahepatic, and pancreatic ductal systems with the intestine. It is well established that cross talk between endodermal and mesenchymal components of the foregut occurs, particularly regarding the vascularization of developing organs. Furthermore, genetic mutations in mesenchymal and hepatic compartments of the developing foregut result in similar foregut pathologies: hypoplastic liver, absence of GB, biliary atresia (intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic), and failure of gut elongation and rotation. Finally, these shared pathologies can be linked to deficiencies in genes specific to the septum transversum mesenchyme (Hes1, Hlx, and Foxf1) or liver (Hhex and Hnf6), illustrating the complexity of such cross talk.
Striving for Disciplinary Literacy Instruction: Cognitive Tools in a World History Course.

Abstract The authors present a case study of a world history teacher's mediation of her students' world historical thinking and writing through unit-level cognitive tools. They analyze both scaffolding and disciplinary tools that the teacher constructed for her students in order to improve their world historical thinking, and the degree to which the students used these supports. Ms. Stark's World History classroom and her teaching provide an instructive case that highlights potential avenues for supporting the development of historical disciplinary literacy and gives insight into the challenges in helping students make sense of large amounts of time and space in world history. This article corroborates research on the challenges of using scaffolding tools to teach history and the complexity of teaching disciplinary literacy, and illustrates the importance of close examinations of how teachers scaffold student acquisition of important disciplinary tools that support their thinking and writing in history in...
Effectiveness and Safety of Nicardipine and Labetalol Infusion for Blood Pressure Management in Patients with Intracerebral and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Nicardipine and labetalol are two commonly used antihypertensives for treating elevated blood pressures in the setting of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There are no studies comparing these two agents as continuous infusions. A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients admitted between November 2009 and January 2011 with ICH and SAH to compare effectiveness and safety between both agents. Percent time spent at goal was set as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included blood pressure variability, time to goal, incidence of bradycardia, tachycardia, and hypotension. A total of 81 patients were available for analysis, 10 initiated on labetalol (LAB), 57 on nicardipine (NIC), and 14 required the combination of these agents (COMB) to reach goal. We found no difference between NIC, LAB, and the COMB groups in the median percent time at goal [88 % (61–98); 93 % (51–99); 66 % (25–95), (p = NS)]. Median percentage of blood pressure variability, hypotension, and bradycardia were also comparable between groups, however, more tachycardia was observed in the COMB group versus both LAB and NIC groups (45 vs. 0 vs. 3 %; p < 0.001). Mean time to goal SBP in 24 patients who had BP readings available at 1st h of initiation was 32 ± 34 min in the NIC group and 53 ± 42 min in the LAB group (p = 0.03). Both agents appear equally effective and safe for blood pressure control in SAH and ICH during the initial admission hours. A prospective study is needed to validate these findings.
Blast Waves in Rotating Media

The accumulating evidence for the occurrence of violent events in the nuclei of galaxies1,2 suggests the investigation of the propagation of blast waves in media rotating in a gravitational field. The requirement that the mean free path for the gas in such systems be small (on the scale of kiloparsecs) is easily met; an estimate of λ≡(σn)−1 for the Galaxy suggests a typical value on the order of 10−6 kpc.
Phase I trial of vertebral intracavitary cement and samarium (VICS): novel technique for treatment of painful vertebral metastasis.

Purpose: Kyphoplasty is an effective procedure to alleviate pain in vertebral metastases. However, it has no proven anticancer activity. Samarium-153-ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate ({sup 153}Sm-EDTMP) is used for palliative treatment of bone metastases. A standard dose of 1 mCi/kg is administrated intravenously. The present study was conducted to determine the feasibility of intravertebral administration of {sup 153}Sm with kyphoplasty. Methods and Materials: A total of 33 procedures were performed in 26 patients. Of these 26 patients, 7 underwent procedures performed at two vertebral levels. The mean age of the cohort was 64 years (range, 33-86). The kyphoplasty procedure was performed using a known protocol; 1-4 mCi of {sup 153}Sm was admixed with the bone cement and administered under tight radiation safety measures. Serial nuclear body scans were obtained. Pain assessment was evaluated using a visual analog pain score. Results: All patients tolerated the procedure well. No procedure-related morbidities were noted. No significant change had occurred in the blood counts at 1 month after the procedure. One case was not technically satisfactory. Nuclear scans revealed clear radiotracer uptake in the other 32 vertebrae injected. Except for the first patient, no radiation leakage was encountered. The mean pain score using the visualmore » analog scale improved from 8.6 before to 2.8 after the procedure (p < .0001). Follow-up bone scans demonstrated a 43% decrease in the tracer uptake. Conclusion: The results of our study have shown that the combination of intravertebral administration of {sup 153}Sm and kyphoplasty is well tolerated with adequate pain control. No hematologic adverse effects were found. A reduction of the bone scan tracer uptake was observed in the injected vertebrae. Longer follow-up is needed to study the antineoplastic effect of the procedure.« less
Geometrical channel models for space-time systems

Based on the unified concept of space-time system field theory, a general space-time channel model can be constructed from the statistics of the space-time system field function (S-TSFF) for an arbitrary medium. This statistical characterization of the medium (channel) can be expressed in terms of the space-time correlation function, or, equivalently, the space-time power spectral density of the S-TSFF. The space-time correlation function of the S-TSFF generalizes the concept of the mutual coherence function (MCF) for a random electric field to an arbitrary space-time field. There are three different geometrical channel models depending on the choice of the coordinate systems, e.g. rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical. Using the notions of channel correlation time and correlation distance— i.e. doppler spread and delay spread—various geometrical tap-delay channel models are derived. From a system point of view, the space-time correlation parameters can be interpreted as a measure of the spatial and tem...
A potential role of somatostatin and its receptor SSTR4 in the migration of hepatic oval cells

Somatostatin (SST) is a regulatory peptide that activates G protein-coupled receptors comprised of five members (somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) 1–5). Despite the broad use of SST and its analogs in clinical practice, the spectrum of SST activities has been incompletely defined. Recently, it has been demonstrated that SST can be a chemoattractant for hematopoietic precursor cells. Since hepatic oval cells (HOCs) share common characteristics with hematopoietic stem cells, we hypothesized that SST could act as a chemoattractant for HOCs by stimulating SSTRs. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assay revealed an increased expression of SST in the 2-acetyl-aminofluorene (2AAF)/partial hepatectomy (PHx) HOC induction model. Immunohistochemical staining showed the expression of SST in 2AAF/PHx-treated rat liver, as compared to normal liver. Proliferation and migration assays demonstrated that the increase of SST was related to migration of HOCs, but not their proliferation. RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR showed that SSTR4 was preferentially expressed by HOCs. Western blot assay and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the expression of SSTR4 by HOCs. In addition, pretreatment with anti-SSTR4 antibody cultures resulted in a dramatic reduction of cell migration as compared to that of control. Lastly, SST stimulated the rearrangement of actin filaments in HOCs, while HOCs treated with anti-SSTR4 antibody failed to do so. These results suggest a positive role for SST in the migration of HOCs, and that this effect is mediated through SSTR4.
Genetics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Results of behavioral genetic and molecular genetic studies have converged to suggest that both genetic and nongenetic factors contribute to the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Family, twin, and adoption studies provide compelling evidence that genes play a strong role in mediating susceptibility to ADHD. In contrast to a handful of genome-wide scans conducted thus far, many candidate gene studies of ADHD have produced substantial evidence implicating several genes in the etiology of the disorder. Yet, even these associations are small and consistent with the idea that the genetic vulnerability to ADHD is mediated by many genes of small effects. These small effects emphasize the need for future candidate gene studies to implement strategies that will provide enough statistical power to detect such small effects.
Chemical and physical properties of adeno-associated satellite virus DNA produced during coinfection with herpes simplex virus

Infectious DNA from adeno-associated satellite virus (ASV) has been isolated from cells coinfected with a temperature-sensitive mutant of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 in the absence of contaminating HSV DNA. This satellite virus DNA does not appear to differ in its physical, chemical and biological properties from DNA isolated directly from virions or from cells co-infected with adenovirus. The DNA is double-stranded with a buoyant density of 1.718 gm/cm(3). It sediments at 16S in both neutral and alkaline sucrose gradients. Single-stranded DNA from alkaline sucrose gradients has a modal length of 1.5 mum and demonstrates evidence of internal redundancies in the electron microscope.
Arthur J. May, 1899–1968

The many friends, colleagues, and students of Prof. May were genuinely shocked when they learned of his untimely death on June 17, 1968. Certainly nobody who saw the commanding figure of this man preside with customary charm, wit, and vigor over a panel on Austrian history at the American Historical Association convention in Toronto in December, 1967, would have expected this tragic news.
Enrollment management and career services: Translating concepts into practice

We in career services must move from feeling that “enrollment management is not our job” to the realization that much of what we already do positively impacts recruitment and retention. We must become more proactive in our efforts, and more demonstrative of our impact. Our image with students, parents, staff, faculty and alumni should include what we do to help bring students to our campus, and what we do to help make them successful learners, both while on campus and throughout their work life.
The Danger In Viewing Addicts As Victims: A Critique Of The Disease Model Of Addiction

This article critiques the medical model of addiction by examining the historical roots of this addiction model and its recent extension to excessive behaviors involving gambling, sex, shopping, ov...
Quasi-free Δ isobar production in the 13C(p,d) 12C∗ reaction☆

Abstract The bump found in the Δ isobar energy region in the 13 C(p,d) 12 C ∗ reaction at E p = 800 MeV is interpreted as due to the successive quasi-free pion production and annihilation through Δ isobar excitation. The two nucleon P-wave mechanism for pion production and annihilation together with the nuclear Fermi motion provides both the angle dependent bump in the 13 C(p,d) 12 C ∗ spectrum and the angle independent one in the triple coincidence deuteron spectrum with back-to-back two protons.
Spectra and structure of small ring compounds. XLIX: Raman and infrared spectra, conformational analysis and vibrational assignment of methylcyclobutane and methyl-d3-cyclobutane

The Raman (3500–20 cm−1) and infrared (3500–50 cm−1) spectra of gaseous and solid methylcyclobutane and methyl-d3-cyclobutane have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectra of the pure liquids have been recorded and qualitative depolarization values have been obtained. The spectra have been interpreted on the basis that both the axial and equatorial conformers are present in the fluid phases and that the equatorial form is thermodynamically preferred and the only form present in the annealed solid. All 39 of the normal vibrational modes have been assigned for both the d0 and d3 compounds. An abundance of spectral evidence is presented which indicates extensive coupling between the vibrations associated with the ring and those of the methyl group. The CH3 internal torsional mode has been observed in the Raman spectrum of the solid at 232 cm−1 and utilizing this frequency the periodic threefold barrier to internal rotation has been calculated to be 1190 cm−1 (3.40 kcal mol−1). The fundamental ring puckering mode has been assigned from the Raman spectra of the gases to weak features observed at 161 and 154 cm−1 for the d0 and d3 compounds, respectively. All of these results are compared with the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.
Some Considerations as to the Determination and Significance of Biologic Half-Life

The biologic half-life of a drug as determined from the terminal exponential phase of appropriate semilogarithmic plots is shown to dictate the steady-state levels of drug upon repetitive dosing, regardless of how low the plasma concentrations are or how little drug remains in the body, after a single dose, before the terminal exponential phase occurs. Accordingly, premature termination of pharmacokinetic studies may yield erroneous underestimates of half-life and, in turn, poor predictions of steady-state levels. Since the plasma levels of a drug after administration of a single dose may be so low upon attainment of the terminal exponential phase that they are not detected by presently available analytical methods, the true biologic half-life of certain drugs may be indeterminable from single-dose studies. The possible lack of attainment of the terminal exponential phase is also of concern in repetitive dosing pharmacokinetic studies where the half-life is determined after each dose. Under these conditions, not only may the true half-life be underestimated but the artifactual, apparent half-life may increase with increasing dose, erroneously suggesting self-inhibition of biotransformation processes or capacity-limited elimination.
Classifying patients suspected of appendicitis with regard to likelihood

Study objectives: We classify patients with regard to likelihood of acute appendicitis using clinical elements in combination with laboratory findings. Methods: This was a prospective observational study enrolling all patients with acute right lower quadrant pain or tenderness at an urban emergency department. Patients were excluded for recent trauma or previous appendectomy. Appendicitis was determined by surgical pathology, and all patients were followed up at 7 days for resolution of symptoms. Elements of the medical history, physical examination, and laboratory investigation were incorporated into a random partition model. The random partition model was used to develop and cross-validate the appendicitis likelihood model (ALM), which identified patients with either a high or low likelihood of appendicitis. The ALM was evaluated assuming that all patients with high likelihood would have an immediate operation, low likelihood would receive outpatient observation, and all others would have advanced imaging. Results: A total of 481 patients presented with right lower quadrant pain or tenderness during the study period; 439 (91%) were enrolled, with follow-up available for 408 (93%). There was a 23% prevalence of acute appendicitis, 83% of all patients received advanced imaging, and 30% had an operation, with a negative laparotomy rate of 14%. The ALM identified patients at high likelihood of appendicitis if they had a WBC count of 13 cells/mL or greater and either rebound tenderness or voluntary guarding with neutrophil count of 82% or greater. Patients were low likelihood if they had a WBC count less than or equal to 9.5 cells/mL and either no right lower quadrant tenderness or a neutrophil count of 54% or less. The ALM as a clinical decision rule predicted a 4% negative laparotomy rate and 1 missed case of appendicitis (appendix in inguinal hernia sac without leukocytosis), with advanced imaging used in 63%. Conclusion: Random partition modeling is useful to identify variables in a hierarchical manner that can be used to classify patients with regard to appendicitis likelihood. Classifying patients with the ALM would have decreased the total number of imaging studies obtained while lowering the diagnostic error rate.
Caffeinated Alcohol, Sensation Seeking, and Injury Risk

Background: College students who consume caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CaffAlc) are at increased injury risk. This study examines the extent to which a sensation-seeking personality accounts for the relationship between consumption of CaffAlc and negative outcomes. Methods: A Web-based survey was administered to stratified random samples of 4907 college students from eight North Carolina universities in Fall 2009. Sensation seeking was assessed using the Brief Sensation-Seeking Scale (BSSS) (α=0.81). Data were analyzed using linear and logistic regression. Results: 3390 students (71.2%) reported past 30-day drinking, of whom 786 (23.2%) consumed CaffAlc. CaffAlc past 30-day drinkers had higher BSSS scores (3.8 vs. 3.4; p<0.001), compared to non-CaffAlc drinkers. Consumption of CaffAlc was associated with more frequent binge drinking (p<0.001) and drunken days in a typical week (p<0.001), even after adjusting for the BSSS score. CaffAlc students were more likely to be taken advantage of sexually (adjust...
A ligand field theory analysis of the spectra of the t2g3 levels of IrF6

Calculations and experimental data are presented for the t 2g 3 molecular levels of IrF6 which imply that a substantial interaction takes place between these 5d3-configuration states and charge transfer states at ca. 20 000 cm-1. This t 2g 3-charge transfer state configuration interaction is so extensive that the five t 2g 3 levels can only be fit with physically unreasonable values of the Racah (electrostatic) parameters and a spin orbit coupling parameter that is not consistent with expectations for 5d-series transition metal hexafluorides. Parameter values presented for IrF6 are thus determined from the lowest three levels only, as these should experience the smallest relative shift due to configuration interaction: B = 297 cm-1, C = 1167 cm-1, ζ5d = 4182 cm-1, and 10Dq = 35 000 cm-1. In order to corroborate the assertion that t 2g 3-charge transfer configuration interaction is an important factor for the determination of IrF6 crystal and molecular properties, a number of t 2g 3 spectroscopic propertie...
Strain differences in dopamine receptor function and the initiation of movement.

The relationship between voluntary movement initiation (VMI) and caudate nucleus dopamine receptor dynamics was analyzed in two rat strains. Charles River CD/F F-344 (CR-CD/F) and Zivic-Miller CD (ZM-CD) rats (male, 125–150 g) were trained to rapidly release and reset a response lever to avoid electric shock. Whereas 86% of all CR-CD/Fs completed training, only 43% of the ZM-CDs were able to do so. Of those rats completing training, the CR-CD/Fs showed marginally higher avoidance percentage and significantly faster VMI latencies. Physiologically, the more behaviorally-successful CR-CD/Fs showed significantly higher affinity for binding than the trained ZM-CDs and the large group of ZM-CDs which could not be successfully trained. In contrast, the trained ZM-CDs showed significantly higher density of dopamine receptors Bmax than the ZM-CDs which failed to train and the trained CR-CD/Fs. The behavior-physiology continuum is summarized as follows: CR-CD/F Rats=highest affinity and lowest Bmax—rapid, highest percentage avoidance; Trained ZM-CD Rats =lowest affinity and highest Bmax—slower, high percentage avoidance; ZM-CD rats that failed training=intermediate affinity and Bmax—avoidance failure.
Oviposition Responses of the Mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus to Experimental Plant Infusions in Laboratory Bioassays

Attraction of the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus to plant infusions was evaluated by using a modified sticky-screen bioassay that improved the resolution of mosquito responses to odorants. Under bioassay conditions, solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatographic analyses of the volatile marker chemical indole showed that odorants diffused from bioassay cups, forming a concentration gradient. Infusions were prepared by separately fermenting senescent leaves of eight plant species in well water. Plant infusions were evaluated over an 8-fold range of leaf biomass and/or a 28 d fermentation period. The responses of gravid females of both mosquito species varied with the plant species and biomass of plant materials used to make infusions, and with the length of the fermentation period. Infusions made from senescent bamboo (Arundinaria gigantea) and white oak (Quercus alba) leaves were significantly attractive to both mosquitoes. In general, infusions prepared by using low biomass of plant material over a 7-14 d fermentation period were most attractive to Ae. aegypti. In contrast, Ae. albopictus was attracted to infusions made using a wider range of plant biomass and over a longer fermentation period. Both mosquito species were more attracted to a non-sterile white oak leaf infusion than to white oak leaf infusion that was prepared using sterilized plant material and water, thus suggesting a role for microbial activity in the production of odorants that mediate the oviposition response of gravid mosquitoes.
An angle-resolved photoemission study of the chemisorption of chalcogens on Cu(100) III. Cu(100) + p(2 x 2)S

Abstract Starting with the three-step direct-transition model of ARPES for bulk materials, which was examined in the preceding paper, we propose a framework for describing changes in the photoemission spectra due to chemisorption. Normal emission ARPES data for Cu(100) with a c(2 × 2)O overlayer were obtained in the photon energy range hv = 11 to 34 eV. These spectra have been compared within the proposed framework with those obtained from clean Cu(100). Changes were found in the Cu emission features which could be explained by the relaxation of momentum conservation perpendicular to the surface in the optical excitation step and by the relaxation of momentum conservation parallel to the surface in the escape step. These changes include a photon energy dependent broadening of the d-band peak and the preferential attenuation of the sharp direct-transition feature associated with the sp-band. Some evidence for a surface resonance at the top of the d-bands has been obtained. Changes in the spectrum of scattered electrons were related to modifications of evanescent final states. A 1.3 eV wide band derived from the oxygen p x,y -orbitals was deduced from spectra obtained at normal emission and along the Γ X and Γ M lines of the surface Brillouin zone. On the other hand, no emission was clearly detected from the oxygen p z -orbitals. Oxygen induced emission above the Cu d-bands was observed and attributed to antibonding states. This emission was directed towards the bulk [011] directions.
Measurement of systemic and pulmonary blood flow and QP/QS ratio using doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography

A noninvasive method for measuring systemic and pulmonary blood flow using Doppler velocimetry combined with 2-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography has been developed. High correlations were found between Fick- and Doppler-derived indexed measurements of systemic and pulmonary flow as well as the pulmonary to systemic flow ratio in 33 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization (systemic flow [n = 28], r = 0.78; pulmonary flow [n = 21], r = 0.88; Qp/Qs ratio [n = 24], r = 0.85). The random errors of the 2 methods were not significantly different. Outflow tract obstruction, semilunar valve regurgitation, and patent ductus arteriosus were the only lesions in which limitations to the use of this method were encountered. We anticipate that this method will be of use in initial and serial evaluations of adult and pediatric patients with low cardiac output or intracardiac shunts.
Hope Deferred: Theological Reflections on Reproductive Loss (Infertility, Stillbirth, Miscarriage)

This essay examines the human experience of reproductive loss and grief surrounding infertility, miscarriage and stillbirth, in particular why such painful silences persist where one might least expect it; namely, in feminist communities and in churches. By bringing into conversation feminist theory and systematic theology on this topic, the author effectively crosses (and cross-fertilizes) the boundaries of two important sets of discourse with the hope of better understanding why painful silences persist concerning reproductive loss and what theological – in particular Trinitarian – resources are available to help the church think about the issue (both those who suffer this loss and the broader community who seeks to understand it).
Deep prepiriform cortex modulates kainate-induced hippocampal injury

As seizure propagation within limbic structures is mediated in part by a small area of deep prepiriform cortex (area tempestas), we investigated the role of area tempestas in modulating hippocampal injury induced by systemic kainate administration. Injury was quantitated by counting the numbers of neurons that stained for the 72,000 mol. wt heat shock protein and with acid-fuchsin dye. Status epilepticus induced these markers of neuronal injury in the CA1 and CA3a regions of the hippocampus, thalamus, piriform cortex and the amygdaloid complex. Microinjection of 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid, a competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate subclass of the glutamate receptor, into area tempestas prior to systemic administration of kainate attenuated both heat shock protein induction and acid-fuchsin labeling in CA1 and CA3a pyramidal neurons without reducing the duration of electrographic seizures. Injections of bicuculline, a GABA antagonist, into area tempestas produced hippocampal damage when given with subcytotoxic doses of intravenous kainate. Thus, area tempestas may be a uniquely sensitive anatomical structure involved not just in seizure propagation but also in modulating the extent and pattern of damage induced in hippocampal neurons as a result of prolonged, systemically induced seizures. These effects are due in part to excitatory and inhibitory projections to neurons in area tempestas.
Bacteria targeted by human natural antibodies using α-Gal conjugated receptor-specific glycopolymers

Synthesis of polymerizable beta-lactosyl, Galalpha1-->3Gal and alpha-mannosyl acrylamide derivatives with either a hydrophobic aromatic spacer or a hydrophilic biocompatible oligoethoxyl spacer was accomplished. Radical terpolymerizations of beta-lactosyl monomer. alpha-mannosyl monomer, and acrylamide were conducted in aqueous media with ammonium persulfate and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine as initiators. The resulting water soluble glycopolymers were further transformed efficiently by a recombinant alpha1-->3 galactosyltransferase to afford mediators bearing Galalpha1-->3Gal termini as xenoactive antigens and alpha-mannosyl termini as specific ligands for bacterial cells. The binding of the resulting multivalent glycopolymer to bacteria was tested by its ability to inhibit agglutination of yeast to E. coli. The binding of human natural anti-Gal antibodies to the alpha-Gal containing glycopolymers and a monovalent alpha-Gal-Man glycoconjugate was demonstrated by an ELISA inhibition assay.
Science and the rhetoric of reality

Given that scientific theories are symbolic representations of nature whose reality only comes about if their propounders can persuade enough people to regard them as real, by what means of persuasion have they accomplished the end? This essay examines this question and focuses specifically on some of the basic assumptions and concepts scientists have employed as topoi in developing their theoretical arguments into seemingly canonical explanations of reality. The philosophical/ethical perspective from which this examination is conducted is essentially one of sophistic skepticism. The essay concludes that the hope of understanding scientific knowledge and its rhetorical implications lies in uniting the knower with the known.
Actin and Light Chain Isoform Dependence of Myosin V Kinetics

Recent studies on myosin V report a number of kinetic differences that may be attributed to the different heavy chain (chicken vs mouse) and light chain (essential light chains vs calmodulin) isoforms used. Understanding the extent to which individual light chain isoforms contribute to the kinetic behavior of myosin V is of critical importance, since it is unclear which light chains are bound to myosin V in cells. In addition, all studies to date have used α-skeletal muscle actin, whereas myosin V is in nonmuscle cells expressing β- and γ-actin. Therefore, we characterized the actin and light chain dependence of single-headed myosin V kinetics. The maximum actin-activated steady-state ATPase rate (Vmax) of a myosin V construct consisting of the motor domain and first light chain binding domain is the same when either of two essential light chain isoforms or calmodulin is bound. However, with bound calmodulin, the KATPase is significantly higher and there is a reduction in the rate and equilibrium constant...
The effects of a granular gelatin preparation on the healing of experimental bone defects

Abstract A preclinical study using a granular gelatin preparation (with and without the addition of tetracycline HCL), Gelfoam powder, and a control was performed to determine if these substances have any detrimental effects on the healing of experimental bone defects. All defects were essentially healed within 7 weeks; the control group and the granular gelatin preparation with tetracycline group exhibited the least inflammation over the healing period.
Dynamics of Electrons in Solids in External Fields

A quantum-mechanical representation is defined by means of finite translations in direct and reciprocal space. The eigenfunctions of the finite translations are found and their connection with Bloch functions and Wannier functions is established. The new representation is used for describing the motion of a Bloch electron in a magnetic and in an electric field. For the first problem, well-known results are reproduced in an extremely simple and natural way. It is also shown that the representation introduced in this paper gives a straightforward way to compare classical and quantum dynamics for a Bloch electron in external magnetic and electric fields.
Evidence for an N2O intermediate in the catalytic reduction of NO to N2 on rhodium surfaces

Abstract Rates for isotopically labelled molecular nitrogen production during the isothermal steady-state reduction of NO to N 2 by CO on Rh(1 1 1) surfaces were measured by using a molecular beam technique. The replacement of surface 14 N by 15 N upon switching the isotopic nitrogen label in the NO (from 14 NO to 15 NO) was determined to occur via the exclusive formation of 14 N 15 N; no 14 N 14 N was detected in these experiments. This result provides direct kinetic evidence for a mechanism for molecular nitrogen production involving the formation of an N–NO intermediate. The implications for the design of catalytic converters are briefly discussed.
A new taxonomy for reconfigurable prefix adders

While previous taxonomies for prefix adders have focused on the design space of such adders with fixed topologies (in terms of fanout, radix, logic depth, wiring tracks), our work considers the design space of reconfigurable prefix adders (with applications in fault-tolerant adder design) by introducing several new degrees of freedom in the design space. Fault tolerance in general requires redundancy, so we start with a redundant structure which is a superset of the entire family of prefix adders with fanout-of-2 and then prune the redundant structure accordingly for the defect-free initial state or for when defects occur. In addition to the traditional prefix adders (Kogge-Stone, Han-Carlson, Brent-Kung) our taxonomy proposes several new variations that are equivalent in performance and complexity to the traditional structures, yet can mask different sets of faults.
Genetic interaction of RAD53 protein kinase with histones is important for DNA replication

Studies in budding yeast suggest the protein kinase Rad53 plays novel roles in controlling initiation of DNA replication and in maintaining cellular histone levels, and these roles are independent of Rad53-mediated regulation of the checkpoint and of nucleotide levels. In order to elucidate the role of Rad53 in replication initiation, we isolated a novel allele of RAD53, rad53-rep, that separates the checkpoint function of RAD53 from the DNA replication function. rad53-rep mutants display a chromosome loss phenotype that is suppressed by increased origin dosage, providing further evidence that Rad53 plays a role in the initiation of DNA replication. Deletion of the major histone H3-H4 pair suppresses rad53-rep-cdc7-1 synthetic lethality, suggesting Rad53's functions in degradation of excess cellular histone and in replication initiation are related. Rad53-rep is active as a protein kinase yet fails to interact with origins of replication and like the rad53D mutant, the rad53-rep mutant accumulates excess soluble histones, and it is sensitive to histone dosage. In contrast, a checkpoint defective allele of RAD53 with mutations in both FHA domains, binds origins, and growth of a rad53-FHA mutant is unaffected by histone dosage. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that the origin binding and the histone degradation activities of Rad53 are central to its function in DNA replication and are independent of its checkpoint functions. We propose a model in which Rad53 acts as a "nucleosome buffer," interacting with origins of replication to prevent the binding of excess histones to origin DNA and to maintain proper chromatin configuration.
Polypyrrole doped with 2 peptide sequences from laminin

In the field of neural tissue engineering, electrically conducting, biocompatible surfaces are of great interest. Over the past several decades conducting polymers have been studied as candidate surfaces because they fit these criteria. Several attempts have been made to combine the conductivity and biocompatibility of conducting polymers with biomolecules that could promote specific cell attachment and growth. In this report the laminin fragments CDPGYIGSR (p31) and RNIAEIIKDI (p20) are used as dopants in electropolymerization of the conducting polymer polypyrrole (PPy). The electrical properties of the resulting films are analyzed by impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry and compared to gold. PPy/p20 surfaces consistently demonstrate the lowest impedance and largest charge capacity for a given deposition charge. Next, in vitro studies using primary neurons cultured in a defined media and primary astrocytes in a serum containing media were performed; neuron density and neurite length, as well as astrocyte density, were quantified. Surfaces doped with a combination of the two peptides (PPy/p20-p31) consistently supported the highest neuronal density. It is shown that surfaces doped with the laminin fragment p20 had significantly longer primary neurites than either the p31 doped or poly(styrenesulfonate) doped PPy surfaces. Finally, the astrocyte studies demonstrate that PPy surfaces have significantly less astrocyte adhesion in culture than the common electrode material, gold.
Federalism and Property Rights: an Examination of Justice Rehnquist's Legal Positivism

QO BSERVERS of the decision-making process of the United States Supreme Court have been examining with increased interest the votes and opinions of William H. Rehnquist, who has been an associate justice since 1972. Rehnquist has established a record that has led scholars and journalists to label him variously as a "strict constructionist," 1 a "revisionist of a particular ideological bent" (Fiss and Krauthammer 1982: 20), a justice firmly committed to judicial self-restraint (Rydell 1975: 875), and an "activist devoted to achieving the supremacy of political conservatism" (Levy 1974: 54). While such labels may have descriptive value, they fail to explain Rehnquist's judicial behavior adequately. Not only do such labels contradict each other, they cannot resolve apparent inconsistencies in his deicisions.2 Consequently, if we are to achieve a thorough understanding of his jurisprudence, it is imperative to look beneath the labels and to identify the values underlying Rehnquist's decisions. The purpose of this paper is to explain Rehnquist's judicial philosophy in terms of the relationships between his methodology and his judicial values. Legal positivism is the methodology that he uses to order the values of federalism and private property. Although positivism is correctly termed a theory of law or a legal philosophy, for the purposes of this paper it is referred to as a methodology because it constitutes a method of applying a theory of law to judicial decision making. Thus, legal positivism incorporates not only a philosophy of law but also a method of reasoning and a distinct method of defining and applying the laws and the Constitution. Rehnquist's methodology of legal positivism leads him to place a preeminent value on federalism and to assign a subordinate value to private property. Owen Fiss and Charles Krauthammer have argued that Rehnquist places a high value on federalism because it is "consonant with classical laissez faire theory which reduces the function of government to protecting private exchanges and the aim of the Constitution to protecting the rights and expectations of property holders" (1982: 21). They assert, in effect, that for Rehnquist, property rights constitute the controlling value and federalism is a means of protecting that value. In contrast, this paper seeks to demonstrate that, as a result of his adherence to legal positivism, private property is a value that Rehnquist subordinates to federalism.
What story is told by oceanic tracer concentrations

In their report “Temporal trends in deep ocean Redfield ratios” (4 Feb., p. [831][1]), Pahlow and Riebesell suggest that the marine biota has changed in the last few decades in response to human activities. These findings challenge the steady-state paradigm of ocean biogeochemistry and might