cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flapping states of a flag in an inviscid fluid: Bistability and the transition to chaos

We investigate the "flapping flag" instability through a model for an inextensible flexible sheet in an inviscid 2D flow with a free vortex sheet. We solve the fully-nonlinear dynamics numerically and find a transition from a power spectrum dominated by discrete frequencies to an apparently continuous spectrum of frequencies. We compute the linear stability domain which agrees with previous approximate models in scaling but differs by large multiplicative factors. We also find hysteresis, in agreement with previous experiments.
Isolation of a Stachyose‐Sucrose Complex from Soybeans and Peanuts

A major component of the free carbohydrate pool from defatted soybean and peanut flours, initially resolved but not identifiable by HPLC, was isolated using cocoanut charcoal chromatography. Spectrophotometric and chromatographic analyses of the isolated component indicated the presence of glucose, fructose and galactose. After standing at 27°C for several weeks, the syrupy material transformed into a mixture of stachyose and sucrose. Their identities were confirmed by melting point, optical rotation, chromatography, and 13C NMR. It is proposed that the initial compound was a stachyose-sucrose complex.
Neuroprotection for ischemic stroke: Two decades of success and failure

Alteplase (rt-PA) is the first therapy successfully developed for acute stroke therapy. The success of rt-PA spurred development of new avenues for acute stroke management. For the last two decades, a great deal of attention has been paid to neuroprotective therapies. Initial preclinical studies demonstrated numerous drugs are effective for treating acute stroke in animal models; however, subsequent clinical trials have been frustrating, and none of the agents has proven effective. The various outcomes of preclinical and clinical trials have been the subject of much discussion. In this article, we review some key neuroprotective trials and the possible reasons for their failures. By identifying the discrepancies between preclinical studies and clinical trials, we may be able to set guidelines for future effective trials.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists reduce glutamate release from cultured Astrocytes

Astrocytes are thought to control extracellular glutamate concentrations ([Glu]o) in the brain, thereby protecting neurons from excitotoxic injury. We investigated the effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonists on glutamate transport and [Glu]o in primary hippocampal astrocytic cultures. Acute or chronic exposure of astrocytes to the mGluR agonist trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (trans-ACPD) or its active isomer 1S,3R-ACPD reduced [Glu]o in a time- and dose-dependent manner (44.5 ± 3.6% reductions of [Glu]o in astrocytes from P0–P10 rats and 65.9 ± 4.1 % from rats P20 by 100 μM 1S,3R-ACPD, EC50 ∼ 5 μM). 1S,3R-ACPD effects developed slowly (median effective at ∼60 min) and persisted for several hours after agonist removal. ACPD-pretreated astrocytes established lower steady-state [Glu]o levels. ACPD effects persisted in the presence of the glutamate uptake inhibitors D,L-threo-β-hydroxyaspartate (THA) and L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (PDC) but were impaired by disruption of the transmembrane Na+, K+, or H+ gradients. In addition, 1S,3R-ACPD had no effects on intracellular glutamate content and did not directly block glutamate transport. Furthermore, ACPD effects could be mimicked by glutamate per se and several other compounds presumed to be mGluR agonists, although (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), (2S,2R,3R)-2-(2,3-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG-IV), and L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) were without effect. These data suggest that glutamate and certain mGluR agonists may regulate [Glu]o by modulating the transmembrane equilibrium of glutamate transport, especially by attenuating glutamate release. GLIA 25:270–281, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Equal Protection of the Laws

The ancient political ideal of equality did not find explicit recognition in the text of the Constitution until the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868. Yet equality was an American ideal from the earliest colonial times. There was irony in the expression of the ideal in the Declaration of Independence; the newly independent states generally limited voting to white male property owners, and Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration's author, was the troubled owner of slaves. Even so, one feature of white American society that set it apart from Europe was an egalitarian climate for social relations. The Constitution's ban on titles of nobility symbolized the nation's determination to leave behind the old world's privileges of monarchy and aristocracy. Jefferson, who believed in an aristocracy of "'virtue and talents," understood that equality of opportunity was consistent with wide disparities among individuals' wealth and power. The equality he envisioned was, above all, equality before the law. The principle of universal laws, equally applicable to all citizens, itself provided a foundation for a market economy whose competitive struggles would lead to further inequalities. An equality that was formal, or legal, thus would undermine the "'equality of condition" that attracted some of Jefferson's contemporaries. Yet formal equality was something that mattered greatly in the nation's first decades, and it matters greatly today. When Europeans remark, as they still do, on America's relatively high degree of equality, they are referring not to equality of wealth or political power but to equality of social status. With pardonable literary exaggeration, Simone de Beauvoir said it this way: "the rich American has no grandeur; the poor man no servility; human relations in daily life are on a footing of equality... ?' The Fourteenth Amendment's wording emphasizes
Cross-cultural psychiatry and the DSM-IV

Abstract This report attempts to provide a theoretical frame-work for exploring the intersection between current work in psychiatric nosology and cross-cultural psychiatry. Three positions at this intersection are constructed and contrasted—a clinical approach, an anthropological approach, and a synthetic clinical-anthropological approach. These positions are used to consider a number of cross-cultural issues in the forthcoming DSM-IV, including a background statement, a cross-cultural axis, diagnostic categories and criteria, and culture-bound syndromes.
Hematogenous skin metastases from cervical cancer at primary presentation.

Abstract Objective. Cutaneous metastasis from carcinoma of the uterine cervix is an uncommon occurrence. The majority of cases are diagnosed as recurrent carcinoma. This is believed to be the first report of hematogenous skin metastases present at the diagnosis of cervical carcinoma. Methods. A case of a patient with cutaneous manifestations at the time of cervical carcinoma diagnosis is presented. Results. Two lesions on the patient's hand occurred at points of recent skin puncture. These were biopsy-proven metastases from her primary cervical carcinoma. Conclusion. Skin metastases from cervical carcinoma are rare and represent a poor prognostic sign.
Unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation for children and adolescents with aplastic anaemia or myelodysplasia.

Allogeneic transplantation from an HLA-matched family member has been shown to be effective in reconstituting normal haemopoiesis in young people with severe cytopenias, classified as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or severe aplastic anaemia (SAA). unrelated donor transplant is a therapeutic choice for patients without a suitable family member donor. We report the outcome of seven patients < 20 years old with SAA and 10 with MDS treated with BMT from an HLA A,B DRB1 matched (n = 8) or A or B locus mismatched (n = 9) unrelated donor at the University of Minnesota between March 1988 and August 1995. Primary graft failure occurred in two patients and secondary graft failure in one, who was subsequently successfully engrafted with a second donor marrow infusion. Grades II-IV GVHI) occurred in 10/16 (63%), and grades III-IV in 6/16 (37%) evaluable patients. Nine of the 1 7 patients (six with MDS and three with SAA) survive with full donor chimaerism, a median of 1.2 years post-BMT (range 3 months to 7 years). We recommend early referral for consideration of unrelated donor BMT for young patients with MDS, and patients with SAA without response to immunosuppression.
Recent results at HRIBF using neutron-rich radioactive ion beams

Several recent experiments at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility using neutron-rich radioactive ion beams (RIBs) are briefly described. These experiments contribute significantly to the growing list of techniques currently used with RIBs. Recent fusion-evaporation cross-section measurements below the Coulomb barrier for the 132Sn + 64Ni reaction suggest enhancement as compared to 124Sn + 64Ni reaction. These studies are being expanded to include reactions with 134Sn. The g factor of the first 2+ state in 132Te has been measured to be 0.35(5) through the recoil-in-vacuum technique. Angular distributions have been measured in the reaction 13C(134Te,135Te)12C at 550 MeV and used to suggest the spin and parity of a new 2109 keV state in 135Te as , suggesting a single-particle configuration of . Decay spectroscopy may be further enhanced using a ranging-out technique to reduce the isobaric impurity of neutron-rich beams.
DYNAMIC VOLTAGE SCALING CONTINUOUS ADAPTIVE-SIZE CELL DESIGN TECHNIQUE

In this paper, we present an adaptive circuit design that is capable of increasing the effective size-ratio of combinational logic gates to extend the balanced operation in the subthreshold region as well as to maintain high performance at the nominal VDD. We optimize the sizes of the PMOS transistors in the pull-up network for minimum power dissipation and propagation delay over a wide range of supply voltage. In addition to the minimized energy operation, the dynamically adjustable gate size-ratio allows the gate to preserve a symmetric voltage transfer characteristic at both normal supply and subthreshold operation, which translates to maximized noise margins. Simulation results show that up to 70.9% reduction in the energy can be achieved for a ring oscillator, as compared to the fixed size design capable of operating under supply voltage in the range of 75 mV to 1.2 V. For designs working under dynamic voltage scaling schemes, our technique presents a very effective and efficient solution for balanced minimum energy operation in the subthreshold region while preserving high performance at the nominal supply voltage.
Economics of Engineering: A New Fabric from Some Old Threads

Three axioms are used to present the basic fundamental ideas of engineering economics. These axioms are then used to derive a generalization of present value that includes both a local and global perspective. The relationship between the local and global concepts is derived and then used to solve cash flow problems that involve flows placed arbitrarily in time.
Improving marital quality in women with medical illness: integration of evidence-based programs into clinical practice.

Abstract Good marital quality (MQ) is associated with better outcomes in many medical illnesses, especially for women. However, improved outcome is only apparent when MQ is measured across a range of marital functioning and when it is statistically described as either good or poor functioning. This article describes the biological processes that have been shown to underlie this relationship and reviews the influence of MQ on patient outcomes in cardiovascular disease. Studies of interventions to improve MQ vary in level of sophistication, depending on the skill of the provider. This article describes successful evidence-based interventions and the skill sets associated with those interventions. In daily clinical practice, psychiatrists can assess MQ by using the Global Assessment of Relational Functioning (GARF) scale and by asking questions about several dimensions of functioning. Understanding how to apply findings from family research concerning outcomes of medical illness is especially important for psychiatrists who practice psychosomatic medicine. This article outlines how such findings can be applied in clinical practice.
The Risks and Benefits of Distal First Metatarsal Osteotomies

From a total of 138 patients who initially underwent either Chevron or Mitchell distal metatarsal osteotomies, 50 were available with complete pre- and postoperative data for study. Chevron osteotomies were performed on 60 feet (41 patients) and Mitchell osteotomies on 12 (nine patients). The results indicate that both procedures provide good or excellent subjective and objective results in about 90% of cases. There was no statistically significant difference between the procedures as regards the results. Age did not influence the outcome. Complications included damage to the proper digital nerve of the great toe in 30% indicating either direct injury to the nerve with subsequent neuroma formation or indirect injury by nerve entrapment. Osteonecrosis of the first metatarsal head occurred following Chevron osteotomies in 12 feet (12 of 60 or 20%) and following a Mitchell in one (one of 12 or 8%). However, four of the 10 (40%) patients who had a Chevron osteotomy plus a lateral adductor release developed osteonecrosis. Osteonecrosis is described and classified into three stages: stage I, the precollapse condition; stage II, the collapsed condition; and stage III, the osteoarthritic condition. The major causes of failure were preexisting osteoarthritis, injury to the dorsal proper digital nerve, and osteonecrosis. Theoretically, most of these should be avoidable. Significant metatarsus primus varus and MTP osteoarthritis are contraindications to distal metatarsal osteotomies. A tourniquet should be routine and the nerve, visualized and protected. If a distal osteotomy is performed, a concomitant lateral adductor release is contraindicated and stripping of the distal soft tissues should be minimal.
Discontinuing prophylaxis against recurrent opportunistic infections in HIV-infected persons: a victory in the era of HAART.

In this issue, Kirk and colleagues provide important data on discontinuation of secondary prophylaxis after episodes of cytomegalovirus disease, Mycobacterium avium complex disease, toxoplasmosis e...
Diversity in cascaded N*Nakagami channels

Short term fading conditions that are worse than those existing in typical Nakagami channels can be modeled using the cascaded approach where the received signal-to-noise ratio is treated as the product of N identical or nonidentical random variables that are either dependent or independent. Cascaded channels also permit the modeling of fading seen in amplify and forward relaying channels as well as keyhole channels. The simplest of these models, referred to as the N*Nakagami model, assumes that the received signal to noise ratio is the product of N independent and identically distributed gamma variables. The fading mitigation achieved in such cascaded channels through diversity is studied in this work. Through analytical approach and simulation, the performance of wireless channels is examined for the selection combining, equal gain combining, generalized selection combining, and maximal ratio combining algorithms. Results demonstrate the existence of severe degradations in cascaded fading channels and the comparative usefulness of the various algorithms in improving the data transmission capabilities. Even though the analysis was undertaken for the case of a coherent binary shift keying modem, results can easily be extended to other modems.
Factors Associated with Use of Hormone Therapy Among Women with Mobility Impairments

The purpose of the study was to examine the factors associated with hormone therapy (HT) use among women with mobility impairments. A non-probability sample of 188 menopausal women (average age = 53 years) from 38 states was recruited in 2004 for the study. Twenty-two percent of participants were currently taking HT; 33% were past users. Using multinomial logistic regression, this study found that those most likely to be taking HT now or in the past were older women, knowledgeable about HT, had had a hysterectomy, had bone loss, and had their provider's encouragement. Implications for health care providers are discussed.
Immunofluorescent study of a chick lens fiber cell membrane polypeptide.

Abstract A water-insoluble membrane rich fraction was isolated from the lenses of three-month-old chickens and subjected to electrophoresis on 5·13% polyacrylamide gels containing 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The major polypeptide (mol. wt. 26 000 daltons) was removed from several gels and used to immunize rabbits. The specific antiserum was used for the indirect immunofluorescent detection of the first appearance and localization of the major membrane polypeptide in embryonic and post-embryonic chick lenses. The membrane antigen was first detected after four days of incubation in the forming lens fibers just beneath the epithelium and it was restricted to the cell membranes. Thereafter, a positive reaction in the fiber membranes was found throughout the lens fiber mass but never in the epithelium. The lens cell membranes were seen to first become positive in the equatorial zone as the cells began to elongate and form fibers.
The “night stalker” effect: Are quality improvements with a dedicated night call rotation sustained?

The authors assessed whether the addition of a second-year diagnostic radiology resident assigned to cover the night shift at a major urban university hospital has a sustained effect on the number and clinical significance of “missed” radiologic findings. Radiographs interpreted overnight in the emergency department by radiology residents between January 1992 and December 1992 were reviewed daily by emergency radiology attending staff. A list of patients for whom there was a modification in the final radiologic interpretation was given to the emergency department physicians, who reviewed each case, scored the urgency of patient recall, and estimated the likelihood of patient morbidity attributable to the miss. The relative performance of after-hours residents was compared on the five nights per week with the dedicated night resident vs. the two nights per week without the dedicated night resident (control group).
Prostaglandin binding activity and myoblast fusion in aggregates of avian myoblasts.

Abstract Myoblast aggregates provide a system for studying cell interactions which have several advantages over standard, stationary cultures. In gyrotory rotation, aggregate size can be controlled and is independent of cell migration. In muscle aggregates, fibroblasts are excluded, yet myoblast differentiation and fusion occur in a highly synchronous fashion. Specific PG binding occurs in chick or quail myoblast aggregates: in chick the peak of binding is at 35–36 hr. Aggregation is complete 16 hr before PG binding activity appears. This suggests either that gyrotory aggregation is not identical to myoblast recognition, or that PG binding activity occurs subsequent to myoblast recognition. Myoblast aggregates begin to release PG before 18 hr. The amount detected remains constant until binding begins at 34 hr when PG binding to the aggregates begins. Thus, both the release of PG and PG receptor activity are characteristics of the myoblasts and release of prostaglandin precedes appearance of the binding activity. As a first step in identifying the PG receptor and determining its appearance on the myoblast cell surface, we have prepared antisera against myoblast surfaces which blocks receptor-ligand interaction and have absorbed it against both peripheral and intrinsic membrane fractions. The results indicate that the PG receptor is a myoblast peripheral membrane macromolecule.
A convenient self-referencing mood induction procedure

We describe a brief, convenient, and effective procedure for experimentally inducing mood states in the laboratory that are especially useful in the study of cognition and emotion. The procedure is like that of Velten’s (1968) in that a verbal self-instructional procedure is used to induce a temporary mood state. It differs from Velten’s in that the mood induction items contain current language usage familiar to typical college undergraduates, contain no reference to potential cognitive processing deficits or strategies that may either interfere with or facilitate performance on some criterion cognitive task, contain no reference to suicidal or somatic states, and is briefer than Velten’s procedure in that only 25, rather than 60, items are employed. Validation of the mood induction procedure demonstrated that the induction procedures were effective, as assessed by a depression adjective checklist (DACL), and that the induction of both sad and happy moods produced poorer recall than did a neutral mood control.
Structural phase transitions in InSb to 66 GPa

Phase transitions in InSb were studied with use of energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction with a synchrotron source to pressures of 66 GPa. InSb transformed from the quasi-fourfold-coordinated zinc-blende structure to a quasi-sixfold-coordinated orthorhombic structure [InSb(IV)] at 2.5 GPa. Previous workers have claimed that the structure of orthorhombic InSb(IV) is disordered with space group Pmm2. From the results of recent theoretical calculations, we suggest that the structure of InSb(IV) is ordered and has space group Amm2. Around 6 GPa, InSb transformed to another phase which subsequently continuously transformed to a quasi-eightfold-coordinated hexagonal structure. Upon a further increase in pressure to 28\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3 GPa, the sample transformed to an eightfold-coordinated cubic CsCl-type structure (if ordered) or to a bcc structure (if disordered). The structure remains cubic to at least 66 GPa, the highest pressure attained in this study. Both the hexagonal phase and the cubic phase are new phases of InSb. On the basis of theoretical calculations, all of these structures are expected to be ordered. The similarities between this phase-transition sequence in InSb and those of other III-V compounds as well as the isoelectronic element Sn are also discussed.
Dysfunction of the Beall mitral prosthesis and its detection by cinefluoroscopy and echocardiography.

Abstract Cinefluoroscopy and ultrasound were used to evaluate disc-in-cage motion of a partially obstructed Beall mitral valve prosthesis. Cocking of the disc was easily observed on cinefluoroscopic study and echocardiograms showed normal motion of the disc with respect to the inferior strut but demonstrated that the disc did not open completely with respect to the superior strut. The restricted disc motion was produced by thrombus on the ventricular side of the disc. Contact between the superior edge of the disc and the adjacent myocardium seen at autopsy may have predisposed to thrombus formation at this site. A small amount of granulation tissue was also found on the sewing ring causing uneven seating of the disc. This condition was detected with use of ultrasound as a 1 mm difference in disc excursion between the superior and the inferior aspects of the valve.
The effect of substrate orientation on oxidation-induced void formation in β-Ni–40Al–5Cr–0.03Y

Oxidation of a model β-phase Ni–40Al–5Cr–0.03Y (at.%) was studied in the temperature range 1000–1100 °C. Numerous voids formed at the oxide/alloy interface, and the coalescence of those interfacial voids caused extensive spallation of the thermally grown oxide during isothermal oxidation. The density of interfacial voids depends on the orientation of the bond coat alloy substrate, which suggests that the epitaxial Al 2 O 3 /alloy interface structure plays an essential role in the formation of interfacial voids during oxidation.
Theoretical study of the Cl-passivated Si(111) surface

Abstract The Cl-passivated Si(111) surface is studied using density functional theory, in conjunction with the B3LYP functional and the cluster model. We compute the Si–Cl frequency and the Si–Cl bond energy for R 3 SiCl, and the abstraction barrier for the reaction R 3 SiCl+H→R 3 Si+HCl using the B3LYP approach. We calibrate the B3LYP bond energy and the abstraction barriers using the values obtained using the G2MP2, G2 and CCSD(T) approaches. Our computed B3LYP Si–Cl frequency of 555 cm −1 is in good agreement with the experimental value of 588 cm −1 . The shift in the Si–Cl frequency as surface chlorine is added to the cluster agrees with experimental observations.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase is required for intracellular Listeria monocytogenes actin-based motility and filopod formation.

Motile nonmuscle cells concentrate phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) in areas of new actin filament assembly. There is great interest in assessing the in vivo functional significance of these phosphoinositides, and we have used Listeria monocytogenes to explore the contribution of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and PtdIns(4,5)P2 to its actin-based motility. In Listeria-infected PtK2 cells Akt-pleckstrin homology (PH)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) and phospholipase Cδ (PLCδ)-PH-GFP both first concentrate at the front of motile Listeria, subsequently surrounding the bacterium and then concentrating in the actin filament tail. Surprisingly, Listeria ActA mutant strains lacking the putative phosphoinositide binding site are also able to concentrate these probes. Reduction of available PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 by expression of Akt-PH-GFP and available PtdIns(4,5)P2 by expression of PLCδ-PH-GFP both significantly slow Listeria actin-based movement. Treatment of cells with the PI 3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002, dissociates Akt-PH but not PLCδ-PH, from the bacterial surface and cell membranes, and results in near complete inhibition of Listeria actin-based motility and filopod formation. Removal of LY294002 results in rapid and full recovery of Akt-PH localization, Listeria actin-based motility, and filopod formation. These findings suggest that PtdIns(4,5)P2 is concentrated at the surface of Listeria and serves as the substrate for PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 production, indicating a central role for PI 3-kinases in Listeria intracellular actin-based motility and filopod formation.
222Rn transport in a fractured crystalline rock aquifer: Results from numerical simulations

Abstract Dissolved 222 Rn concentrations in ground water from a small wellfield underlain by fractured Middle Proterozoic Pikes Peak Granite southwest of Denver, Colorado range from 124 to 840 kBq m −3 (3360-22700 pCi L −1 ). Numerical simulations of flow and transport between two wells show that differences in equivalent hydraulic aperture of transmissive fractures, assuming a simplified two-fracture system and the parallel-plate model, can account for the different 222 Rn concentrations in each well under steady-state conditions. Transient flow and transport simulations show that 222 Rn concentrations along the fracture profile are influenced by 222 Rn concentrations in the adjoining fracture and depend on boundary conditions, proximity of the pumping well to the fracture intersection, transmissivity of the conductive fractures, and pumping rate. Non-homogeneous distribution (point sources) of 222 Rn parent radionuclides, uranium and 226 Ra, can strongly perturb the dissolved 222 Rn concentrations in a fracture system. Without detailed information on the geometry and hydraulic properties of the connected fracture system, it may be impossible to distinguish the influence of factors controlling 222 Rn distribution or to determine location of 222 Rn point sources in the field in areas where ground water exhibits moderate 222 Rn concentrations. Flow and transport simulations of a hypothetical multifracture system consisting of ten connected fractures, each 10 m in length with fracture apertures ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm, show that 222 Rn concentrations at the pumping well can vary significantly over time. Assuming parallel-plate flow, transmissivities of the hypothetical system vary over four orders of magnitude because transmissivity varies with the cube of fracture aperture. The extreme hydraulic heterogeneity of the simple hypothetical system leads to widely ranging 222 Rn values, even assuming homogeneous distribution of uranium and 226 Ra along fracture walls. Consequently, it is concluded that 222 Rn concentrations vary, not only with the geometric and stress factors noted above, but also according to local fracture aperture distribution, local groundwater residence time, and flux of 222 Rn from parent radionuclides along fracture walls.
Dose‐dependent effects of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol on rates of local cerebral glucose utilization in rat

Recent reports have demonstrated that Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) stimulates locomotor activity at low doses ( 2.5 mg/kg) produce decreases in spontaneous activity. Using quantitative 2-[(14)C]deoxyglucose (2-DG) autoradiography, we systematically studied the effects of acute Delta(9)-THC on rates of local cerebral glucose utilization. The first series of experiments was designed to determine if Delta(9)-THC-mediated changes in cerebral metabolism followed a clear dose-response relationship. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with either vehicle or Delta(9)-THC (0.25-2.5 mg/kg) and the 2-DG procedure was initiated 15 min following exposure. Administration of 2.5 mg/kg Delta(9)-THC produced significant decreases in cerebral metabolism in most brain regions studied. In contrast, administration of 0.25 mg/kg Delta(9)-THC produced no significant alterations in any brain region studied, while 1.0 mg/kg of Delta(9)-THC produced a restricted pattern of metabolic decreases. Significant decreases in metabolism following 1.0 mg/kg were concentrated in structures subserving limbic and sensory functions. In a second series of experiments, the effects of pretreatment with the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A (1.0 mg/kg) on Delta(9)-THC-induced changes in functional activity were measured. Pretreatment with SR141716A attenuated the majority of functional changes produced by Delta(9)-THC, suggesting that these effects are primarily mediated by central cannabinoid receptors. Moreover, these findings indicate that the effects of Delta(9)-THC on cerebral metabolism are dose-dependent and that there are regional differences in the metabolic response to acute cannabinoid exposure.
Magnetic field dependence of proximity induced superconducting pair potential

The specific heat of superconductor-normal metal composites has been studied far below Tc in order to determine the size of the energy gap which is induced in the normal metal as a function of magnetic field. For Cu-Nb in situ composites having filament spacing comparable to the decay length of the pair potential in Cu, K−1N, the zero field energy gap is found to be about 0.35 meV in agreement with de Gennes boundary conditions. With the application of a magnetic field, the gap declines quickly and above 0.1 Tesla the Cu behave as a gapless superconductor. Results for Nb3Sn in Cu are similar.
Enzyme-linked small-molecule detection using split aptamer ligation

Here we report an aptamer-based analogue of the widely used sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This assay utilizes the cocaine split aptamer, which is comprised of two DNA strands that only assemble in the presence of the target small molecule. One split aptamer fragment is immobilized on a microplate, then a test sample is added containing the second split aptamer fragment. If cocaine is present in the test sample, it directs assembly of the split aptamer and promotes a chemical ligation between azide and cyclooctyne functional groups appended to the termini of the split aptamer fragments. Ligation results in covalent attachment of biotin to the microplate and provides a colorimetric output upon conjugation to streptavidin–horseradish peroxidase. Using this assay, we demonstrate detection of cocaine at concentrations of 100 nM–100 μM in buffer and 1–100 μM human blood serum. The detection limit of 1 μM in serum represents an improvement of two orders of magnitude over previously reported...
Applications of systems biology in cancer immunotherapy: from target discovery to biomarkers of clinical outcome

Immunotherapies are coming to the forefront as a treatment paradigm in cancer with multiple US FDA approvals in recent years and a better understanding of their therapeutic mode of action. The control of tumor growth by the immune system is orchestrated by a complex array of cellular interactions and molecular pathways, both in the immune cells as well as the tumor. Although research over the past three decades has elucidated many aspects of tumor immunosurveillance, given the inherent complexity of the immune cell phenotypes and function, high-throughput molecular profiling ('omics') approaches have now become essential to support the discovery and development of new therapies. Technologies, such as DNA and protein microarrays, deep sequencing, mass spectrometry, as well as the computational methods for their analyses, are advancing the contributions of systems biology towards the development and mechanistic understanding of cancer immunotherapies. In this review, the authors illustrate this through some recently reported studies.
Chimeric IgH-TCR/ translocations in T lymphocytes mediated by RAG

Translocations involving the T cell receptor alpha/delta (TCRα/δ) chain locus, which bring oncogenes in the proximity of the TCRα enhancer, are one of the hallmark features of human T cell malignancies from ataxia telangiectasia (AT) and non-AT patients. These lesions are frequently generated by the fusion of DNA breaks at the TCRα/δ locus to a disperse region centromeric of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus. Aberrant VDJ joining accounts for TCRα/δ associated DNA cleavage, but the molecular mechanism that leads to generation of the “oncogene partner” DNA break is unclear. Here we show that in ATM deficient primary mouse T cells, IgH/ TCRα/δ fusions arise at a remarkably similar frequency as in human AT lymphocytes. Recombinase-activating gene (RAG) is responsible for both TCRα/δ as well as IgH associated breaks on chromosome 12 (Chr12), which are subject to varying degrees of chromosomal degradation. We suggest a new model for how oncogenic translocations can arise from two non-concerted physiological DSBs.
Pheochromocytoma: current perspectives in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management

Pheochromocytomas (pheo) cause the most dramatic, life-threatening crises in all of endocrinology. A proper screening for pheo must be performed in any patient who has: 1) episodic headaches, tachycardia, and diaphoresis; 2) family history of pheo or multiple endocrine neoplasia; 3) incidental suprarenal mass; 4) paroxysms of tachyarrhythmias or hypertension; 5) adverse cardiovascular responses to anesthetic agents, histamine, phenothiazine, tricyclic antidepressants, etc); and 6) spells occurring during exercise, straining, etc. The key to diagnosing pheo is to suspect it, then to confirm it. Early recognition of its presence is critical to avoiding significant morbidity and mortality. Once suspected, the diagnosis can be confirmed with biochemical testing in virtually all patients. The combination of resting plasma catecholamines > or =2000 pg/mL and urinary metanephrines > or =1.8 mg/24 h has a diagnostic accuracy of 98% in both sporadic and hereditary pheos. When available, measurement of plasma free metanephrines should be performed especially in hereditary pheos. Provocative (glucagon) and suppression tests (clonidine) may be necessary when baseline measurements are inconclusive. CT and MRI are equally sensitive for localization (98% and 100%, respectively), but have lower specificities (70% and 67%). MIBG is 100% specific, but less sensitive (78%). The availability of various medical (selective alpha-1- and beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers) and surgical modalities have made successful management more promising than ever before.
A tuberculous granuloma of the oral mucosa and cervical lymph nodes. Report of a case.

Abstract A case of tuberculous granuloma of the oral mucosa and submental nodes, with additional findings of latent cerebrospinal lues, has been presented.
Stable isotope profiles of partially migratory salmonid populations in Atlantic rivers of Patagonia

In the present study, profiles of stable isotope composition were characterized for two species with partially migratory populations in rivers along the latitudinal gradient of Patagonia, brown trout Salmo trutta and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. The effects of factors (e.g. ontogeny of fishes, location, species and fasting) that may influence the stable isotope analysis (SIA) were evaluated, as was SIA evaluated as a tool to assign individual fish to their corresponding ecotype. Anadromous fishes exhibited enriched δ15N (15·2 ± 1·0‰; mean ±s.d.) and δ13C (−19·2 ± 1·3‰) relative to resident fishes’δ15N (8·8 ± 1·1‰) and δ13C (−23·2 ± 2·5‰). For both species, the difference in δ15N was larger between resident (range 6·8–10·7‰) and anadromous (range 14·3–17·8‰) fishes than that in δ13C. Values of δ13C, while not as dramatically contrasting in rainbow trout, provided a powerful anadromy marker for brown trout in the region. Increases were found in both δ15N and δ13C during the spawning migration of anadromous rainbow trout, most likely due to fasting. Differences in stable isotopes between location, size and species were found, suggesting different stable isotopes base levels in freshwater environments and different trophic levels and feeding location of anadromous populations. The SIA was demonstrated as a powerful tool for ecotype discrimination in Patagonian Rivers, overriding any effect of sampling location, size or species.
A comparison of epidemiologic and immunologic features of bronchiolitis caused by influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus

We studied epidemiologic and immunologic factors in infants with bronchiolitis caused by influenza virus. The proportion of these infants who were male and who had an immediate family member with a history of asthma was similar to that of a control group of infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. In subjects with influenza virus infection, concentrations of the beta chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1α), but not other beta chemokines, in nasopharyngeal secretions (NPS) were greater among infants with more severe, hypoxic bronchiolitis than in subjects with mild, nonhypoxic bronchiolitis, or upper respiratory tract infection alone. Quantities of MIP-1α were also correlated with lower values of oxygen saturation. These findings point out epidemiologic and immunologic similarities between bronchiolitis caused by influenza and RSV, and suggest that host factors are more important than the nature of the infecting virus in the development of severe forms of bronchiolitis caused by influenza and RSV. J. Med. Virol. 75:282–289, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Driving Cessation and Health Trajectories in Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Older adults who cease driving have poorer health than those who continue to drive. However, it is unclear whether the transition to driving cessation itself results in health declines or whether driving cessation subsequently exacerbates health declines over time. METHODS: The current study addresses these questions using multilevel modeling among 690 older adults from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly study. Driving status and health, as indicated by the SF-36 questionnaire, self-rated health, physical performance (Turn 360 degrees Test), and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up visits. RESULTS: The transition to driving cessation was accompanied by significant declines in physical and social functioning, physical performance, and physical role (ps Language: en
Influence of Long-term, Low-Dose, Diuretic-Based, Antihypertensive Therapy on Glucose, Lipid, Uric Acid, and Potassium Levels in Older Men and Women With Isolated Systolic Hypertension The Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program

BACKGROUND Previous studies often of short duration have raised concerns that antihypertensive therapy with diuretics and beta-blockers adversely alters levels of other cardiovascular disease risk factors. METHODS The Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program was a community-based, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of treatment of isolated systolic hypertension in men and women aged 60 years and older. This retrospective analysis evaluated development of diabetes mellitus in all 4736 participants in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, including changes in serum chemistry test results in a subgroup for 3 years. Patients were randomized to receive placebo or treatment with active drugs, with the dose increased in stepwise fashion if blood pressure control goals were not attained: step 1, 12.5 mg of chlorthalidone or 25.0 mg of chlorthalidone; and step 2, the addition of 25 mg of atenolol or 50 mg of atenolol or reserpine or matching placebo. RESULTS After 3 years, the active treatment group had a 13/4 mm Hg greater reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure than the placebo group (both groups, P<.001). New cases of diabetes were reported by 8.6% of the participants in the active treatment group and 7.5% of the participants in the placebo group (P=.25). Small effects of active treatment compared with placebo were observed with fasting levels of glucose (+0.20 mmol/L [+3.6 mg/dL]; P<.01), total cholesterol (+0.09 mmol/L [+3.5 mg/dL]; P<.01), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.02 mmol/L [-0.77 mg/dL]; P<.01) and creatinine (+2.8 micromol/L [+0.03 mg/dL]; P<.001). Larger effects were seen with fasting levels of triglycerides (+0.9 mmol/L [+17 mg/dL]; P<.001), uric acid (+35 micromol/L [+.06 mg/dL]; P<.001), and potassium (-0.3 mmol/L; P<.001). No evidence was found for a subgroup at higher risk of risk factor changes with active treatment. CONCLUSIONS Antihypertensive therapy with low-dose chlorthalidone (supplemented if necessary) for isolated systolic hypertension lowers blood pressure and its cardiovascular disease complications and has relatively mild effects on other cardiovascular disease risk factor levels.
Coral Reefs and Shoreline Sedimentation: Bathtub Rings around the Sea

Deep sea and ice cores show that sea level and thus global temperature fluctuated often during the past 1.8 million years. Fossil coral reefs, tidal flats, and beaches are precise indicators of former sea level. Although large fluctuations are indicated by the geologic record, this paper focuses on the younger well-documented fluctuations recorded by coral reefs and shoreline deposits that accumulated during the past 140,000 years. During this relatively short period, fossil coral species and depositional processes have remained unchanged and diagenetic alteration of fossils and sediments was minimal. Coral reefs and shoreline accumulations were selected as sea-level indicators for two reasons: (1) they serve as bathtub rings and/or dipsticks for determining former sea levels, and (2) human activity had no influence on the sea in which they grew or accumulated. Emergent coral reefs worldwide suggest that global sea level was at least 6 m above present during isotope stage 5e ∼120 ka. Drowned coral reefs and oolitic beaches indicate sea level was ∼100 m below present during stage 2 as little as 12 ka. As many as eight sea-level fluctuations occurred between stages 2 and 5e, each of which was greater than those projected to result from burning fossil fuels. Ice core data suggest even more fluctuations between stages 5a and 5e. Because the record is written in stone, geologists, especially sedimentologists, should be well qualified to make future predictions. Geologists have for the most part been excluded from official decision making. Direct measurements of air:sea CO2 gas fluxes and carbonate sediment production rates were measured in whitings located on the Great Bahama Bank and in laboratory cultures of calcifying cyanobacteria and unicellular green algae. In situ gas flux measurements showed a reduction in atmospheric CO2 relative to adjacent waters outside of whitings. Similar results were also observed in laboratory cultures. Calcification rates in whitings and laboratory cultures ranged from ∼0.06 to 34.5 g CaCO3m−3hr−1. These results suggest that production of microbial carbonates may serve as a sink for inorganic carbon. Laboratory cultures of calcifying microbes were subjected to biological buffers to examine the role of photosynthetic uptake of inorganic carbon species in calcification. Results from these experiments indicate that microbial calcification mechanisms depend upon the species of inorganic carbon available to cells for photosynthesis and, thus, atmospheric CO2 concentrations. These results suggest fluctuations in Phanerozoic dominance trends for calcareous cyanobacteria and algae may be linked to fluctuations in atmospheric CO2.
Topical antibiotic treatment reduces tympanostomy tube biofilm formation.

Objectives: Single doses of different ototopical antibiotic preparations (OAPs) have been shown to have an unequal reduction of post tympanostomy tube otorrhea (PTTO). Microbial biofilm formation on the tympanostomy tube (TT) has been implicated as one cause of PTTO. The goal of this study was to determine if TT exposure to a single dose of OAP reduces biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Study Design: Prospective and controlled. Methods: Fluoroplastic TTs were briefly exposed to plasma, followed by one of three OAPs (ofloxacin, neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone, or ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone) or saline (20 TT per group). TTs were placed in growth media with P. aeruginosa and incubated for 4 days, during which total bacterial growth was monitored by media turbidity. At 4 days, planktonic organisms were killed and biofilm development was measured with microbial counts. Results: Bacterial growth was significantly delayed by OAPs, with the least growth seen with ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone followed by ofloxacin and neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone (P ≤ .0001). At day 4, bacterial growth was less with ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone than ofloxacin and neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone (P .05). Conclusions: Treatment of TTs with ototopical antibiotic preparations reduces P. aeruginosa growth and biofilm formation in vitro. This may, in part, explain the reduction of PTTO rates observed with single doses of OAPs.
One-dimensional semilocal rings with residue domains of prescribed cardinalities

We determine those pairs consisting of a partially ordered set U and a collection C of cardinal numbers which can occur as Spec(R) and the collection C(R) of cardinalities of residue domains of R, respectively, where R is a one-dimensional semilocal (Noetherian) ring. This result is used to characterize Spec(R[x]), the spectrum of the polynomial ring in one variable over a one-dimensional semilocal ring R.