cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muscarinic receptor binding increases in anterior thalamus and cingulate cortex during discriminative avoidance learning

Training-induced neuronal activity develops in the mammalian limbic system during discriminative avoidance conditioning. This study explores behaviorally relevant changes in muscarinic ACh receptor binding in 52 rabbits that were trained to one of five stages of conditioned response acquisition. Sixteen naive and 10 animals yoked to criterion performance served as control cases. Upon reaching a particular stage of training, the brains were removed and autoradiographically assayed for 3H-oxotremorine-M binding with 50 nM pirenzepine (OXO-M/PZ) or for 3H-pirenzepine binding in nine limbic thalamic nuclei and cingulate cortex. Specific OXO-M/PZ binding increased in the parvocellular division of the anterodorsal nucleus early in training when the animals were first exposed to pairing of the conditional and unconditional stimuli. Elevated binding in this nucleus was maintained throughout subsequent training. In the parvocellular division of the anteroventral nucleus (AVp), OXO-M/PZ binding progressively increased throughout training, reached a peak at the criterion stage of performance, and returned to control values during extinction sessions. Peak OXO-M/PZ binding in AVp was significantly elevated over that for cases yoked to criterion performance. In the magnocellular division of the anteroventral nucleus (AVm), OXO-M/PZ binding was elevated only during criterion performance of the task, and it was unaltered in any other limbic thalamic nuclei. Specific OXO-M/PZ binding was also elevated in most layers in rostral area 29c when subjects first performed a significant behavioral discrimination. Training-induced alterations in OXO-M/PZ binding in AVp and layer Ia of area 29c were similar and highly correlated.
The IMS Satellite Programme: Scientific Objectives

The International Magnetospheric Study is a proposed international co-operative enterprise during the years 1976–1978 whose aim is a quantitative understanding of the dynamic plasma and field environment of the Earth. Satellite programmes play a key role in this study, together with co-ordinated ground-based, balloon and rocket observations. Herein we review the presently announced IMS satellite programmes, and illustrate many of the objectives of the IMS satellite investigations with examples drawn from current research.
Fatigue of human cortical bone under axial-torsional loading

Since bone mass based measurements have demonstrated limited success in predicting age-related increase in fracture incidence, recent emphasis has been placed on quantification of bone quality. The current study reports the multiaxial failure characteristic of bone (quality) by conducting fatigue tests on human cortical bone specimens under physiologically relevant axial-torsional loading. Our results show for the first time that, compared to uniaxial tests, multiaxial fatigue tests show a four-fold reduction in the fatigue life of human cortical bone. Furthermore, the weak mode in physiologically relevant axial-torsional loading changes with age. Bones in the older group (> 50 yrs) were weaker in torsional than in axial loading and the bones in the younger donor group (< 50 yrs) were weaker in axial than torsional loading (p < 0.05).
Static and Dynamic Articular Facet Loads

The paper reports on a study to investigate the magnitude of the facet load during static and dynamic loading of an excised spinel segment. The applied load resulted in a close simulation of those experienced by the intervertebral disc during whole-body impacts. An intervertebral load cell was used as the controlling mechanism in the duplication of the whole-body run in a testing machine. During these tests, both the total spine load and the intervertebral load were measured and thus the facet load was determined without relying on any assumptions. Results from tests of 5 different cadaveric spinal segments, involving 32 static runs and 62 dynamic runs, are presented.
Students' workplace learning in two clerkship models: a multi-site observational study.

CONTEXT Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) are established, rapidly growing models of education designed to improve the core clinical year of medical school using guiding principles about workplace learning and continuity. This study is the first to report data from direct observations of workplace learning experiences of students on LICs and traditional block clerkships (BCs), respectively. METHODS This multi-institution study used an observational, work-sampling methodology to compare LIC and BC students early and late in the core clinical year. Trained research assistants documented students’ activities, participation (observing, with assistance, alone), and interactions every 10 minutes over 4-hour periods. Each student was observed one to three times early and ⁄ or late in the year. Data were aggregated at the student level and by in-patient or out-patient setting for BC students. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare two groups early in the year (LIC and BC students) and three groups late in the year (LIC, out-patient BC and in-patient BC students). RESULTS Early-year observations included 26 students (16 LIC and 10 BC students); late-year observations included 44 students (28 LIC, eight outpatient BC and eight in-patient BC students). Outpatient activities and interactions of LIC and BC students were similar early in the year, but in the later period LIC students spent significantly more time performing direct patient care activities alone (25%) compared with out-patient (12%) and inpatient (7%) BC students. Students on LICs were significantly more likely to experience continuity with patients as 34% of their patients returned to them, whereas only 5% of patients did so for outpatient BC students late in the year. CONCLUSIONS By late year, LIC students engage in patient care more independently and have more opportunities to see clinic patients on multiple occasions than BC students. Consistent with the principles of workplace learning, these findings suggest that yearlong longitudinal integrated education models, that rely mostly on ambulatory settings, afford students greater opportunities to participate more fully in the provision of patient care.
Developing citizen report cards for primary care: evidence from qualitative research in rural Tajikistan

Transparency interventions, such as public reporting, have emerged as a potential policy approach to improving the performance of health care providers in resource-constrained settings. We report on results from focus groups and key informant interviews in rural areas of two Tajik provinces, Soghd and Khatlon, with regards to three important initial considerations for developing a report card initiative for primary health care in this setting: selecting indicators for the report card, collecting data, and working with existing institutions and stakeholders. The findings suggest that citizens are able to articulate and prioritize concerns with respect to local health care services. Participants indicated a preference for arms-length collection of sensitive feedback on local providers. Because citizens and local institutions have close and important relations with their local health care providers, there may be scope for a trusted external actor, such as a non-governmental organization, to facilitate the report card process.
Superhydrophobic Materials for Tunable Drug Release: Using Displacement of Air To Control Delivery Rates

We have prepared 3D superhydrophobic materials from biocompatible building blocks, where air acts as a barrier component in a porous electrospun mesh to control the rate at which drug is released. Specifically, we fabricated poly(e-caprolactone) electrospun meshes containing poly(glycerol monostearate-co-e-caprolactone) as a hydrophobic polymer dopant, which results in meshes with a high apparent contact angle. We demonstrate that the apparent contact angle of these meshes dictates the rate at which water penetrates into the porous network and displaces entrapped air. The addition of a model bioactive agent (SN-38) showed a release rate with a striking dependence on the apparent contact angle that can be explained by this displacement of air within the electrospun meshes. We further show that porous electrospun meshes with higher surface area can be prepared that release more slowly than control nonporous constructs. Finally, the entrapped air layer within superhydrophobic meshes is shown to be robust in ...
Synuclein, dopamine and oxidative stress: co-conspirators in Parkinson's disease?

The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is presently unknown. The unifying hallmark of disease is depletion of dopamine and loss of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. Familial and sporadic forms of the disease are described. The familial mutations occur within α-synuclein and molecules involved in protein degradation and mitochondrial function. Sporadic PD is thought to involve the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Despite disparate initiating triggers, a convergent pathobiologic model for this common neurodegenerative disease has been proposed. Likely players have emerged that may form the basis for this common pathway model of disease. In this review, we examine the role of three most implicated PD pathogenic conspirators: synuclein, dopamine and oxidative stress.
Approximating the solutions of random Fredholm integral equations

On montre que la methode des moments peut s'appliquer a une classe plus grande d'equations integrales de Fredholm aleatoires
Alkaloids of Nelumbo lutea (Willd.) pers. (Nymphaeaceae)

A phytochemical investigation of an alcoholic extract of the petioles of Nelumbo lutea resulted in the identification of the alkaloids N-methylasimilobine, anonaine, and roemerine. The alkaloids nuciferine, armepavine, N-nornuciferine, and N-norarmepavine, previously reported in the whole plant, were also identified.
Studies of Thermal Reactions in the Solid State

Abstract In surveying reactions of molecular crystals it is instructive to consider them in the context of two hypothetical mechanisms illustrated in Figure 1. The first type which may be designated the “homogeneous mechanism would involve conversion of “A” molecules of the starting material in the initial crystal lattice to “B” molecules, the B molecales remaining in place at the lattice sites previously occupied by the A molecules from which they were formed.1 A single crystal of A would thus in the process of conversion to B pass through an essentially continuous series of solid solutions, first of B in A and later of A in B. The reaction would be topotactic, that is, the crystal structure of the product single crystal would be related to that of the parent crystal from which it was formed. The second hypothetical mechanism, the “heterogeneous mechanism”, would involve initiation of reaction at a nucleation site (or sites) and spread of a reaction front (or fronts) through the crystal as A molecules we...
A Role for Interaction of the RNA Polymerase Flap Domain with the σ Subunit in Promoter Recognition

In bacteria, promoter recognition depends on the RNA polymerase σ subunit, which combines with the catalytically proficient RNA polymerase core to form the holoenzyme. The major class of bacterial promoters is defined by two conserved elements (the –10 and –35 elements, which are 10 and 35 nucleotides upstream of the initiation point, respectively) that are contacted by σ in the holoenzyme. We show that recognition of promoters of this class depends on the “flexible flap” domain of the RNA polymerase β subunit. The flap interacts with conserved region 4 of σ and triggers a conformational change that moves region 4 into the correct position for interaction with the –35 element. Because the flexible flap is evolutionarily conserved, this domain may facilitate promoter recognition by specificity factors in eukaryotes as well.
Magnetic property variations in nickel caused by non-magnetic inclusions

A study of the effect of non-magnetic particles on the magnetic properties of nickel is reported. The presence of inclusions is known to affect the structure sensitive magnetic properties of materials. In this work, two kinds of inclusions, namely, alumina particles and voids were studied and their effects on the magnetic properties were investigated. Powder metallurgy techniques were used to produce nickel compacts with varying amounts of alumina present. While coercivity increased with the volume of inclusions present, initial permeability decreased. Other properties such as remanence and hysteresis loss did not show a significant variation due to their sensitivity to the demagnetizing effects of the inclusions. An attempt has been made in this paper to explain quantitatively the variation in the magnetic properties in terms of the amount of inclusions present. Magnetic property measurements could be a useful non-destructive technique for determining porosity in magnetic materials.
Recent development of dihydrolipoic acid appended ligands for robust and biocompatible quantum dots

Biocompatible nanoparticles have recently attracted significant attention due to increasing interest in their use for biological sensing, cellular labeling and in vivo imaging. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) with good colloidal stability as well as small hydrodynamic sizes are particularly useful within these applications. We have developed a series of dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) based surface ligands to enhance the colloidal stability and biocompatibility of water soluble QDs. Modification of DHLA with poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives provided the QDs with extended colloidal stability over a wide pH range and under high salt concentrations, which contrasts with the limited colloidal stability provided by DHLA alone. Functionalization of the PEG termini enabled one to have easy access to the QD surface and construct a variety of stable QD-biomolecules conjugates. A series of DHLA-based compact ligands with zwitterionic character has also been explored to develop compact sized QDs without sacrificing the colloidal stability. Despite their smaller sizes than the PEG analogs, the QDs coated with the zwitterionic ligands still have excellent colloidal stability and minimize nonspecific interactions in biological environments. Recent studies of thiol-based multidentate ligands and ligand exchange methods further improved the colloidal stability and fluorescence quantum yields.
Atmospheric Pressure and Seizure Frequency in the Epilepsy Unit: Preliminary Observations

Summary: Objective: To demonstrate that seizure frequency in patients undergoing video EEG telemetry does not correlate with atmospheric pressure (AP) changes. Method: Historical automated AP data from weather stations in the Seattle Metropolitan area were correlated to seizure frequency and type in consecutive patients undergoing video EEG telemetry at our institution from April 2005–April 2006. Daily maximum, minimum and range of atmospheric pressures were correlated to daily number of events (seizures, pseudoseizures, unknown) per patient. Alternatively, whether or not events occurred during a change of greater or less than 5.5 mBar per day were used to evaluate odds ratios of events occurring. Results: Of 191 patients, 96 were diagnosed with epilepsy, 60 with pseudoseizures, and 40 had different diagnoses. A total of 159 seizures, 59 pseudoseizures, and 40 unknown events occurred. No correlation between daily mean, maximum or minimum pressure change with seizure or other event frequency was seen. With increased daily AP range an increase in daily seizure per known seizure patient occurred (P = 0.03). Patients with known epilepsy showed an OR of a seizure occurring of 2.80 (95% CI 1.22–6.42 P = 0.02) if pressure changed more than 5.5 mBar that day. Conclusions: Surprisingly, in patients with known epilepsy, increased seizure frequency occurred with changes in barometric pressure, particularly over 5.5 mBar range per day. Speculative mechanisms of AP change on seizure susceptibility are discussed.
Direct vascular and cardioprotective effects of rosuvastatin, a new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Abstract Objectives We examined the possible effects of a novel 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, rosuvastatin, on endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Background Recent studies suggest that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors promote vascular endothelial function through enhanced endothelial NO production. However, it is unclear whether all statins share this beneficial side effect or whether this effect is limited to the “natural” statins. Methods Wild-type mice (n = 158) were subjected to 30 min of regional myocardial ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. Mice were treated with various doses of rosuvastatin (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mg/kg) 18 h before myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Results Rosuvastatin significantly increased NO production from the vascular endothelium following acute administration to mice. In addition, rosuvastatin increased myocardial endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) messenger ribonucleic acid levels. Myocardial necrosis was reduced by approximately 40% with rosuvastatin therapy. Rosuvastatin attenuated myocardial injury when it was administered 6 h, but not 0 h or 3 h, before myocardial ischemia. In additional studies, rosuvastatin did not affect myocardial infarct size in eNOS-deficient mice compared to vehicle-treated eNOS mice. Conclusions These data demonstrate that rosuvastatin increases vascular endothelial NO production and attenuates myocardial necrosis following ischemia and reperfusion in mice.
Quantum chemistry in the 21 st century (Special topic article)

Quantum chemistry is the field in which solutions to the Schrodinger equation are used to predict the properties of molecules and solve chemical problems. This paper considers possible future research directions in light of the discipline's past successes. After decades of incremental development-accompanied by a healthy dose of skepticism from the experimental community-the ready availability of fast computers has ushered in a "golden age" of quantum chemistry. In this new era of acceptance, theoretical predictions often precede experiment in small molecule chemistry, and quantum chemical methods play an ever greater role in biochemical and other larger systems. Quantum chemists increasingly divide their efforts along three fronts: high-level (spectroscopic) accuracy for small molecules, characterized by such techniques as Brueckner methods, r 1 2 formalisms, and multireference calculations; parameterization- or extrapolation-based intermediate-level schemes (such as Gaussian-N theory) for medium molecules; and lower-level (chemical) accuracy for large molecules, characterized by density functional theory and linear scaling techniques. These tools, and quantum chemistry as a whole, are examined here from a historical perspective and with a view toward their future applications.
A review of the effects of FSCV and microdialysis measurements on dopamine release in the surrounding tissue

Microdialysis is commonly used in neuroscience to obtain information about the concentration of substances, including neurotransmitters such as dopamine (DA), in the extracellular space (ECS) of the brain. Measuring DA concentrations in the ECS with in vivo microdialysis and/or voltammetry is a mainstay of investigations into both normal and pathological function of central DA systems. Although both techniques are instrumental in understanding brain chemistry each has its shortcomings. The objective of this review is to characterize some of the tissue and DA differences associated with each technique in vivo. Much of this work will focus on immunohistochemical and microelectrode measurements of DA in the tissue next to the microdialysis probe and mitigating the response to the damage caused by probe implantation.
Biocontrol attack increases pollen limitation under some circumstances in the invasive plant Centaurea solstitialis

Herbivore damage often deters pollinator visitation and many invasive plants in North America are pollinator-dependent. This has important implications for the biological control of invasive plants because it means that agents that deter pollinators may have a larger than expected impact on the plant. Yet interactions between pollinators and biocontrol agents are rarely evaluated. Centaurea solstitialis, one of the most problematic invasive species in California, is dependent on pollinators for reproduction. I factorially manipulated infection by a biocontrol pathogen and pollen supplementation to test for (1) pollen limitation in C. solstitialis, (2) whether infection increased pollen limitation, and (3) whether this varied across a soil moisture gradient. Plants growing on north-facing slopes where soil moisture was higher experienced mild pollen limitation in the absence of the pathogen and more pronounced pollen limitation when they were infected. Plants on drier south-facing slopes did not suffer from pollen limitation but instead appeared to suffer from resource limitation. Pathogen infection directly reduced seed set in C. solstitialis by 67–72 %. On north-facing slopes, infection had an additional, indirect effect by increasing the degree of pollen limitation plants experienced. The trait that mediates this indirect pathogen–pollinator interaction is the number of inflorescences plants produced: infected plants made fewer inflorescences which led to greater pollen limitation. Although in the present study this outcome is dependent on abiotic factors that vary over small spatial scales, exploiting other invasive plants’ dependence on pollinators by selecting agents that deter visitation may enhance agent impact.
Design and performance of noncoherent massive SIMO systems

A system with a single antenna transmitter and a large number of antennas at the receiver is considered. For this system we propose a simple noncoherent communication scheme based on energy detection that does not require knowledge of instantaneous channel state information at either the transmitter or the receiver. We also propose a constellation design based on the minimum distance criterion for this system and present numerical results to demonstrate the performance of this scheme for representative fading and noise statistics. Moreover, we show that this constellation design has the same scaling law performance as a system with perfect channel knowledge at the receiver.
Two potential theory problems for a semi-infinite cylinder

Abstract Two potential theory problems for a semi-infinite cylinder are solved when mixed boundary conditions are prescribed at its end. Using integral transform techniques the problems are reduced to integral equations which can be solved by standard numerical techniques. Although the problems considered here usually lead to integral equations, whose kernel is an infinite integral with divergent integrand, the technique employed circumvents this difficulty.
The modification of diet in renal disease study group

The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Trial is a multicenter randomized clinical trial for men and women aged 18-70 years with chronic renal disease who are not on dialysis and who have not had a kidney transplant. Study participants are randomized in a 2 x 2 factorial design to diets containing different amounts of protein and phosphorus and to two levels of blood pressure control. The prescribed modifications differ depending on the level of a patient's kidney function. The primary outcome variable to compare diet or blood pressure groups is each patient's slope (or the change) in glomerular filtration rate with time. This paper describes the study design with particular emphasis on sample size determination. Special statistical analysis issues that arise with slope as the outcome are also discussed.
[18F]-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings in Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus associated multicentric Castleman disease: correlation with clinical, inflammatory, and virologic parameters

[F]-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings in Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus associated multicentric Castleman disease: correlation with clinical, inflammatory, and virologic parameters Mark N Polizzotto, Corina Millo, Thomas S Uldrick, Karen Aleman, Millie Whatley, Kathleen M Wyvill, Deidre O’Mahony, Vickie Marshall, Denise Whitby, Seth M Steinberg, Richard F Little, Robert Yarchoan
A robust Nitsche’s formulation for interface problems

Abstract In this work, we propose a novel weighting for the interfacial consistency terms arising in a Nitsche variational form. We demonstrate through numerical analysis and extensive numerical evidence that the choice of the weighting parameter has a great bearing on the stability of the method. Consequently, we propose a weighting that results in an estimate for the stabilization parameter such that the method remains well behaved in varied settings; ranging from the configuration of embedded interfaces resulting in arbitrarily small elements to such cases where a large contrast in material properties exists. An important consequence of this weighting is that the bulk as well as the interfacial fields remain well behaved in the presence of (a) elements with arbitrarily small volume fractions, (b) large material heterogeneities and (c) both large heterogeneities as well as arbitrarily small elements. We then highlight the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed formulation through numerical examples, focusing particular attention on interfacial quantities of interest.
Factors Students Use When Evaluating Advisors

The current research examined student perceptions of advisors in an effort to more fully understand the dimensions that students use when evaluating advisors. Factor analysis of a 63-item structured questionnaire from a sample of 224 traditional-age college students revealed four primary factors and three secondary factors. The primary factors consisted of Socio-emotional Orientation, Meeting Dynamics, Knowledge, and global Problem dimensions. A secondary factor analysis of the Socio-emotional factor yielded three subfactors: Academic Caring, Personal Caring, and Good Person. Advisors and students who are aware of this structure can discuss these dimensions and emphasize behaviors that are closely related to advising performance. Finally, the authors suggest that this schematic structure be taken into account when developing advising assessment instruments.
Uptake of a chemical warfare agent simulant (DMMP) on TiO2: reactive adsorption and active site poisoning.

Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) we studied the overall reaction pathways and ultimate fate of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a chemical warfare agent simulant, on a commercial nanoparticulate (∼20 nm) titania material. Our data show that the initial uptake occurs through both molecular and reactive adsorption. Molecular adsorption is driven by hydrogen-bond formation to isolated hydroxyl groups. The reactive chemisorption appears to occur through interaction with both Lewis acid sites and active oxygen species present on the TiO2 surface. The reactive sites are found to be poisoned quickly by oxidation products that include a strongly bound, nonvolatile phosphorus compound. Thermal reactivation of the TiO2 in oxygen restores the physisorption capacity of the particles toward the DMMP, but the reactive adsorption pathway is nearly completely eliminated.
Effects of low and elevated CO2 partial pressure on growth and reproduction of Arabidopsis thaliana from different elevations

Atmospheric CO 2 partial pressure may have been as low as 18 Pa during the Pleistocene and is expected to increase from 35 to 70 Pa before the end of the next century. Low CO 2 reduces the growth and reproduction of C 3 plants, whereas elevated CO 2 often increases growth and reproduction. Plants at high elevation are exposed to reduced CO 2 partial pressure and may be better adapted to the low CO 2 of the Pleistocene. We examined genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana from different elevations for variation in growth and reproduction at the CO 2 levels of the Pleistocene, the present and the future. Genotypes exhibited limited genetic variation in the response of the production of biomass to changes in CO 2 , but showed significant variation in reproductive characters. We found evidence that plants from high elevations may be better adapted to low CO 2 when considering seed number, which is an important component of fitness. Genotypes showed greater variation in the response of seed number between 35 and 20 Pa CO 2 compared to 35 and 70 Pa CO 2 . We conclude that present-day C 3 annuals may have greater potential for evolution in response to the low CO 2 of the Pleistocene relative to the elevated CO 2 predicted for the future.
Witnessing the Engagement of Radiology, Neurology, Health Policy, Economics, and Technology in the Science of Healthcare Delivery for Stroke

See related article, p 807. Stroke is one of the most significant health problems in the United States and imposes a significant economic burden on our healthcare system. Stroke is ranked among the most expensive diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, and depression.1 Total direct and indirect cost resulting from stroke has been reported to exceed $65 billion.1 Direct cost encompasses all expenditures from hospitalization, including treatments and diagnostics, nursing homes, physicians, and other healthcare expenditures, pharmaceuticals, and other medical durables.1 Despite the high financial burden, there are only a limited number of health economic studies associated with stroke. A systematic review was conducted to determine current US costs of stroke and to assess whether a gap in available information exists.1 The literature review revealed that the …
Plate tectonic emplacement of upper mantle peridotites along continental edges

Recently developed ideas of global tectonics haye provided a new framework within which to consider the origin of alpine-type peridotites. In plate theory, compressional zones associated with island arcs are considered to represent plate boundaries where oceanic lithosphere is subducted. The subduction zones are characterized by lithospheric underthrusting, andesitic volcanoes, and deep seismic activity that generally dips under the continental edge (the Benioff zone). The presence of large oceanic-mantle crustal slabs thrust over or into continental edges contemporaneously with blueschist metamorphism in New Caledonia and New Guinea establishes an important variant of plate tectonics in the zones of compression. The ‘obduction’ zones are characterized by a complete lack of volcanic activity and by high-pressure metamorphism. During formation, they can be represented by shallow seismic zones dipping oceanward. The common association of peridotites and blueschists in these orogenic belts may result from the initial stage of compressional impact (or orogeny) between an oceanic and a continental lithospheric plate. Disturbed zones combined with a lack of high-temperature contacts at boundaries between cold mantle-peridotite slabs and trench sediments provide geologic evidence of emplacement by obduction (tectonic overriding). Internal subsolidus plastic deformation of these peridotites can be attributed to deep-seated strain within the upper mantle during spreading. Serpentinites represent alteration developed during tectonic emplacement into wet sediments of the continental plate, which produces a less dense and plastic envelope that facilitates further tectonic movement in these compressional zones. Recognition of these peridotite-serpentinite-blueschist belts within exhumed subduction or obduction zones will allow delineation of ancient compressional impacts between moving lithospheric plates.
Ventricular kinetic energy may provide a novel noninvasive way to assess ventricular performance in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract Objective Ventricular kinetic energy measurements may provide a novel imaging biomarker of declining ventricular efficiency in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Our purpose was to assess differences in ventricular kinetic energy with 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging between patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot and healthy volunteers. Methods Cardiac magnetic resonance, including 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging, was performed at rest in 10 subjects with repaired tetralogy of Fallot and 9 healthy volunteers using clinical 1.5T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanners. Right and left ventricular kinetic energy (KE RV and KE LV ), main pulmonary artery flow (Q MPA ), and aortic flow (Q AO ) were quantified using 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging data. Right and left ventricular size and function were measured using standard cardiac magnetic resonance techniques. Differences in peak systolic KE RV and KE LV in addition to the Q MPA /KE RV and Q AO /KE LV ratios between groups were assessed. Kinetic energy indices were compared with conventional cardiac magnetic resonance parameters. Results Peak systolic KE RV and KE LV were higher in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (6.06 ± 2.27 mJ and 3.55 ± 2.12 mJ, respectively) than in healthy volunteers (5.47 ± 2.52 mJ and 2.48 ± 0.75 mJ, respectively), but were not statistically significant ( P = .65 and P = .47, respectively). The Q MPA /KE RV and Q AO /KE LV ratios were lower in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (7.53 ± 5.37 mL/[cycle mJ] and 9.65 ± 6.61 mL/[cycle mJ], respectively) than in healthy volunteers (19.33 ± 18.52 mL/[cycle mJ] and 35.98 ± 7.66 mL/[cycle mJ], respectively; P MPA /KE RV and Q AO /KE LV were weakly correlated to ventricular size and function. Conclusions Greater ventricular kinetic energy is necessary to generate flow in the pulmonary and aortic circulations in repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Quantification of ventricular kinetic energy in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot is a new observation. Future studies are needed to determine whether changes in ventricular kinetic energy can provide earlier evidence of ventricular dysfunction and guide future medical and surgical interventions.
Stored and polysomal ribosomes of mouse ova

Abstract RNP particles of ovulated mouse ova, labeled by exposure of growing oocytes to [3H]uridine, were displayed on sucrose gradients. Under standard salt conditions, radioactivity was observed coinciding with liver ribosomal subunits, monomers, and polysomes. The RNA from each region of the gradient was isolated and was found to contain the expected species of labeled 18S and/or 28S ribosomal RNA. Heterogeneous RNP particles were widely distributed in the gradient. From data on RNase sensitivity and resistance to dissociation in high salt, it was estimated that 20–25% of the total ribosomes were in polysomes. No difference in the distribution was observed when ribosomes were labeled in the early or late growth phase of the oocyte. The evidence suggested that the nonpolysomal subunits and monomers were unable to form a high salt-stable complex in the presence of poly(U) and factors for protein synthesis. Thus, the bulk of the ribosomes are inactive in protein synthesis in ovulated ova and are apparently stored for use in embryonic development.
Reversal of protein S-glutathiolation by glutaredoxin in the retinal pigment epithelium

Abstract Protein cysteines can serve both sensory and activation roles in the regulation of protein function. The modulation of mixed disulfides with glutathione may promise to be a broad mechanism of redox signalling. Using both protein extract and intact RPE cells, we have generated covalent adduction of glutathione to protein cysteines and further show that glutaredoxin (Grx-1) is able to remove glutathione from protein S-glutathiolated substrates. Our data demonstrate that glutathione can modify a wide range of RPE proteins in intact cells, but that the reversal of this process–deglutathiolation and thiol bond restoration–may require a specific catalytic reaction with glutaredoxin. More generally, our experiments support the hypothesis that glutathione can non-specifically become adducted to protein cysteines during oxidative stress, but that the specific, functional reconstitution of protein thiols depends on recognition by an oxidoreductase such as glutaredoxin. This concept offers the idea that redox signalling involves both adduction of a non-specific non-protein reducing equivalent such as glutathione and specific protein based removal by glutaredoxin.
Dielectric relaxation of aqueous solutions of hydrophilic versus amphiphilic peptides.

We report on molecular dynamics simulations of the frequency-dependent dielectric relaxation spectra at room temperature for aqueous solutions of a hydrophilic peptide and an amphiphilic peptide at two concentrations. We find that only the high-concentration amphiphilic peptide solution exhibits an anomalous dielectric increment over that of pure water, while the hydrophilic peptide exhibits a significant dielectric decrement. The dielectric component analysis carried out by decomposing these peptide solutions into peptide, hydration layer, and outer layer(s) of water clearly shows the presence of a unique dipolar component with a relaxation time scale on the order of ∼25 ps (compared to the bulk water time scale of ∼11 ps) that originates from the interaction between the hydration layer water and the outer layer(s) of water. Results obtained from the dielectric component analysis further show the emergence of a distinct and much lower frequency relaxation process for the high-concentration amphiphilic pe...
A theoretical study of nonlinear damping by Helmholtz resonators.

Nonlinear response of single Helmholtz resonator subjected to finite amplitude pressure oscillations, detailing entrance, orifice and cavitational flow
Invisible Stripes? Formerly Incarcerated Persons' Perceptions of Stigma

A social psychological approach is used to examine stigma from the perspective of formerly incarcerated persons. Three scales were constructed to assess 229 formerly incarcerated persons' perceptions of stigma toward former prisoners as a group, themselves personally, and actual rejection experiences. Results indicate that perceiving more stigma is related to having multiple parole violations, identifying more strongly with other former prisoners, growing up in a neighborhood where going to prison is more normative, having weaker social bonds to family and friends, and a person's race/ethnicity (white, non-Latino). Implications for formerly incarcerated persons and the need for additional research about stigma are discussed.
Spacecraft materials HCl susceptibility assessments

The susceptibility of spacecraft materials to HCl exposure was investigated in light of concerns to potential contamination during evolved expendable launch vehicle (EELV) overflight scenarios. Overflight refers to the circumstance where one spacecraft, resident on a launch pad, may be exposed to HCl generated from an earlier solid rocket launch at an adjacent pad. One aspect of the overflight risk assessments involves spacecraft materials susceptibility to HCl exposure. This study examined a wide range of spacecraft materials after being exposed to HCl vapor in a well-characterized facility. Sample thermal/optical and electrostatic dissipation properties, as well as surface chemical and morphological features, were characterized before and after the HCl exposure. All materials tested, except for indium tin oxide (ITO) coated Kapton film, showed no significant degradation after HCl exposure of up to 4800 ppb-hr. The ITO coated Kapton sample showed slight signs of degradation after being exposed to 500 ppb-hr HCl, as the surface resistance was increased by a factor of 5. However, the potential HCl dose inside the payload fairing (PLF) was estimated to be far below 500 ppb-hr in an EELV overflight event. These results, along with other relevant laboratory test data on the HCl removal efficiency of the filtration media used on the launch sites, provide the technical rationale that properly filtered air as the PLF purge should pose little risk in terms of HCl contamination under EELV overflight scenarios.
Localization and DNA sequence of a replication origin in the rhodopsin gene locus of Chinese hamster cells.

A chromosomal origin of DNA replication has been localized within the single-copy rhodopsin gene locus in Chinese hamster (line CHO) cells using two methods. In the first method, single-copy segments were identified at 3 to 15 kb intervals within approximately 75 kb (kb = 103 bases) of cloned genomic DNA containing the early-replicating rhodopsin gene near its middle. The cloned single-copy segments were then used as hybridization probes to quantify the replication of their corresponding genomic segments as synchronized cells progressed into S phase. In the second method, genomic DNA synthesized in vivo or in permeabilized early S phase cells was hybridized with slot-blots of the cloned single-copy DNA segments to identify the earliest replicating part of the 75 kb mapped region. The first method indicates that the earliest replicating DNA is located within a 10 kb region beginning 4 kb upstream from and extending 1 kb beyond the rhodopsin gene. The second method confirms the location in the vicinity of the rhodopsin gene and indicates that the earliest replicating region is located within or very near the 4.5 kb rhodopsin gene itself. An extended region of 12 kb that encompasses the entire early-replicating region has been sequenced for analysis and comparison with currently characterized origin regions associated with the CHO dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and human c-myc genes. There are several sequence similarities between the dhfr rhodopsin origin regions, including common transcription promoter consensus sequences, rodent Alu repeats with their 3′-A + T rich flanking sequences, A + T-rich yeast ARS and Drosophila SAR concensus sequences, and simple (GA)n repeats, but there are no extended regions of direct similarity. The rhodopsin gene locus is the second sequenced CHO origin region.
Impact of variable initiative on a natural language dialog system

Flexible spoken natural language dialog systems should permit variable initiative behaviour. This is behaviour where the task initiative can vary from strongly computer controlled to strongly user controlled or somewhere in between. Such behaviour allows a system to effectively communicate with both task novices and experts as well as with intermediate levels of expertise. The paper outlines a mechanism for obtaining variable initiative behaviour and presents experimental results on the performance of an implemented system capable of variable initiative behaviour.
Absorption and disposition of florfenicol after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous dosing in alpacas.

The objectives of this study were to define disposition and systemic availability of florfenicol in alpacas. Administration of 20 mg/kg doses to 8 male alpacas by i.v., i.m. and s.c. routes was performed by randomized, 3-way crossover design. Clearance and steady state volumes (Vdss) after i.v. injection were 5 ml/min/kg and 775 ml/kg respectively. Mean residence time (MRT) and terminal phase half-life (T1/2λz) were 2.8 h and 2 h respectively. Maximum serum concentrations (Cmax) after i.m. were higher than s.c. administration (p = 0.034). After s.c. dosing, T1/2λz and MRT were greater than after i.m. injection (p 0.05). Serum florfenicol concentrations remained >1.0 µg/ml for 20 h after i.m. dosing. Differences in rate and extent of florfenicol absorption after extravascular dosing could influence therapeutic outcomes.
Stress-induced tuning of ultrasonic additive manufacturing Al-NiTi composites

This paper addresses the development of active metal-matrix composites manufactured by Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM), an emerging manufacturing process that allows the embedding of materials into seemingly solid metal components. In the UAM process, successive layers of metal tapes are ultrasonically bonded together at low temperatures to form a metal-matrix. Being a low-temperature process, UAM offers unprecedented opportunities to create metal components with embedded thermally-sensitive materials, such as shape memory alloys. In this study UAM is used to create composites with aluminum matrices and embedded NiTi ribbons. These composites exhibit tunability of both the coefficient of thermal expansion and natural frequencies. These effects are due to the phase-dependent modulus and transformation stresses developed by the prestrained NiTi phase. Since the embedded NiTi ribbons are constrained by the matrix, thermally-induced transformation from detwinned martensite to austenite will be accompanied by the generation of transformation stresses. The effect of transformation stress and changing phase of NiTi on thermally-induced strain is observed and modeled by combining strain matching algorithms with thermodynamic-based constitutive models. The composite model accurately describes effects due to changing NiTi modulus and strain recovery due to initial stress-induced martensitic volume fractions including a 200 μe contraction with increasing temperature. The observed dynamic behaviors include up to a 16.6% increase in natural frequency at 100°C as compared to room temperature tests. No substantial increase in damping ratio was observed relative to solid aluminum.
Secretory process in Brunner's glands during recovery from stimulation with a single dose of pilocarpine

The secretory pathway and kinetics of the secretory process were studied in Brunner's glands of mice after stimulation of secretion with a parasympathomimetic drug. Adult male mice were injected with pilocarpine. The animals were subsequently administered an intravenous injection of /sup 3/H-threonine, and tissue was prepared for electron microscope autoradiography at intervals ranging from 5 minutes to 2 hours after injection of the radioactive precursor. Stimulation with pilocarpine resulted in discharge of secretory granules, which was reflected in a significantly lower percentage of the cell volume occupied by granules. In both control and stimulated mice, at 5 minutes after injection of /sup 3/H-threonine, the highest percentage of silver grains was found over the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The proportion of silver grains over the rough endoplasmic reticulum declined at later intervals, and a peak of labeling was observed over the Golgi apparatus at 1 hour. Labeling of the secretory granules increased in the 1- and 2-hour samples from both control and stimulated mice, although the relative concentration of radioactivity in both Golgi-associated and apical secretory granules was greater in stimulated than control glands at 1 hour. The results suggest that the secretory protein produced by Brunner's glands was synthesized by themore » rough endoplasmic reticulum and transported to the Golgi apparatus where secretory granules were formed in both stimulated and control glands. Depletion of secretory granules by prior stimulation resulted in no change in the kinetics of arrival of radioactivity in the cell organelles involved in the secretory process. However, the drainage of the radioactive label from the rough endoplasmic reticulum was significantly slower in the stimulated glands than in the controls.« less
Postinfectious Leukoencephalitis Complicating Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection

• Neuropathological findings in a patient with fatal neurological complications due to infection withMycoplasma pneumoniaewere similar to those seen in postinfectious encephalitis and acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis. This case supports the hypothesis that immune mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of neurological symptoms during mycoplasmal infections.