cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congo red and thioflavin-T analogs detect Aβ oligomers

Several small molecule ligands for amyloid-beta (Abeta) fibrils deposited in brain have been developed to facilitate radiological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, the build-up of Abeta oligomers (AbetaO) in brain has been recognized as an additional hallmark of AD and may play a more significant role in early stages. Evidence suggests that quantitative assessment of AbetaO would provide a more accurate index of therapeutic effect of drug trials. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop methods for efficient identification as well as structural analysis of AbetaO. We found that some well established amyloid ligands, analogs of Congo red and thioflavin-T (ThT), bind AbetaO with high affinity and detect AbetaO in vitro and in vivo. Binding studies revealed the presence of binding sites for Congo red- and thioflavin-T-analogs on AbetaO. Furthermore, these ligands can be used for imaging intracellular AbetaO in living cells and animals and as positive contrast agent for ultrastructural imaging of AbetaO, two applications useful for structural analysis of AbetaO in cells. We propose that by improving the binding affinity of current ligands, in vivo imaging of AbetaO is feasible by a 'signal subtraction' procedure. This approach may facilitate the identification of individuals with early AD.
ER Stress, Hypoxia Tolerance and Tumor Progression

The development of chronic and fluctuating hypoxic regions in tumors has profound consequences for malignant progression, response to therapy and overall patient survival. Understanding the events involved in hypoxia tolerance will offer new opportunities for antitumor modalities. A universal response of tumor cells to hypoxia is a rapid and substantial decrease in the rates of macromolecular synthesis. Hypoxia induces phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2alpha on Ser51 via activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident kinase PERK and that this modification is required for the rapid downregulation of global protein synthesis by this hypoxic stress. PERK-dependent phosphorylation of eIF2alpha is one component of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), a coordinated program that promotes cell survival under conditions of ER stress. Inactivation of PERK or eIF2alpha phosphorylation impairs cell survival under hypoxia, and transformed cells with inactivating PERK or eIF2alpha mutations form tumors in nude mice that are slower growing, and have higher levels of apoptosis in hypoxic areas compared to tumors with an intact UPR. Expression of the transcription factor ATF4, a downstream effector of eIF2alpha phosphorylation, is also upregulated by hypoxia in vitro and in human tumors and increases hypoxia tolerance. A second UPR pathway mediated by activation of IRE1 and its downstream target XBP1 is also required for hypoxia tolerance in vitro and for tumor growth. These results reveal a critical role for UPR activation for tumor cell resistance to hypoxia and tumor growth promotion and suggest that the UPR may be an attractive target for anti-tumor modalities.
Progressive lung disease in patients with tuberculosis and ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract Three men with ankylosing spondylitis had pulmonary tuberculosis. In two, chemotherapy led to sputum conversion and good radiographic clearing. Later they developed fresh disease which progressed and cavitated, causing the death of one at the age of 45. In the third, sputum conversion also occurred but instead of improvement there was increasing destruction. The lungs in all became colonised by aspergilli. Deterioration occurred despite repeatedly negative sputum tests for tubercle bacilli and further chemotherapy did not help. It is considered that these patients developed, in addition to tuberculosis, the progressive fibrotic and cavitating lung disease which is now recognized as a rare complication of ankylosing spondylitis.
B cell homeostasis in chronic hepatitis C virus–related mixed cryoglobulinemia is maintained through naïve B cell apoptosis

Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is the most common extrahepatic manifestation of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Although the formation of inflammation-triggering immune complexes is driven by clonal expansions of autoreactive B cells, we found total B cell numbers paradoxically reduced in HCV-infected patients with MC. HCV patients with MC (n = 17) also displayed a reduced number and a reduced frequency of naive B cells compared with HCV-infected patients without MC (n = 19), hepatitis B virus–infected patients (n = 10), and uninfected controls (n = 50). This was due to an increased sensitivity of naive B cells to apoptosis resulting in a reduction in the size of the naive B cell subset. In addition, 4-fold expansion and skewing (lower T1/T2-ratio) of the immature B cell subset was noted in MC patients, suggesting that apoptosis of naive B cells triggered the release of B cell precursors from bone marrow in an attempt to maintain normal B cell numbers. Following treatment of MC with the B cell–depleting antibody rituximab, the size of all B cell subsets, the T1/T2-ratio, and the cyroglobulin levels all normalized. Cryoglobulin levels correlated with in vivo proliferation of T2 B cells, suggesting a link between the skewing of the T1/T2 ratio and the formation of immune complexes. Conclusion: This study provides insight into the mechanisms maintaining B cell homeostasis in HCV-induced MC and the ability of rituximab therapy to restore normal B cell compartments. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:1602–1610)
Prostatic antibacterial factor identity and significance

Abstract Normal human prostatic fluid possesses pronounced antibacterial activity. This activity is absent or markedly diminished in the fluid of men with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Ion-probe and mass spectrographic analysis of this antibacterial factor has shown it to be a zinc salt. Prostatic fluid zinc levels in 15 men with chronic bacterial prostatitis averaged 50 μg. per milliliter (range 0 to 139 μg. per milliliter). The zinc level in the expressed prostate secretion (EPS) of 49 control men averaged 448 μg. per milliliter (range 150 to 1,000 μg. per milliliter). There was no overlap in the range of zinc values between the two groups. The decrease in EPS zinc concentration in the patient population was not secondary to a decreased serum zinc level. Exogenous zinc given orally did not increase the EPS zinc level. The decrease in EPS zinc was not limited to infected prostatic fluid cultures and may precede the entry of bacteria into the prostate. The data presented suggest that zinc may serve as an in vivo defense mechanism against prostatic invasion and subsequent urinary tract infections in men.
Crack kinetics during static and dynamic loading

Abstract Direct integration of the empirical relation between crack velocity and stress intensity factor results in the expression describing time variation of crack length in the subcritical region. With appropriate normalization, it is possible to plot crack length vs time. This is done for two types of loading: constant stress and constant stress rate. These plots show that crack growth in a given material, and at a specified stress or stress rate, is extremely slow during bulk of the life time and increases exponentially as failure time or failure stress are approached. Beyond the subcritical region, crack growth is extremely rapid and not of practical interest. The relationships between threshold stress/time, critical stress/time and stress corrosion constant for the two types of loading are discussed. By way of an application, crack growth during dynamic fatigue and its effect on strength loss are calculated for the case of tensile loading of glass fibers are verified experimentally.
Interplanetary particle beams

The purpose of this paper is to review the observations of particle beams of the kind that are frequently observed in the interplanetary medium, usually but not always accompanying a solar flare. Most frequent are beams of electrons. They are generally associated with radio bursts of type III and only sometimes with flares and X-ray bursts. The properties of these electron beams have been well studied using quasi-linear and nonlinear theory, in situ observations of electrons and of plasma waves, and remote observations of radio waves Thanks to the interaction between theory and observation, the decade of the 1980s has been one of great progress in understanding the main features of these beams and their associated plasma waves and radio bursts. However, uncertainties remain in terms of (1) whether fine scale features, filamentary structures or wave condensations, occur together with the beams, (2) whether quasi-linear or nonlinear wave emission is the dominant process, and (3) if wave condensations are important, what is the mechanism of conversion of some Langmuir wave energy into radio emission.
Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial of directly observed hepatitis C treatment delivered in methadone clinics

Background Most methadone-maintained injection drug users (IDUs) have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), but few initiate HCV treatment. Physicians may be reluctant to treat HCV in IDUs because of concerns about treatment adherence, psychiatric comorbidity, or ongoing drug use. Optimal HCV management approaches for IDUs remain unknown. We are conducting a randomized controlled trial in a network of nine methadone clinics with onsite HCV care to determine whether modified directly observed therapy (mDOT), compared to treatment as usual (TAU), improves adherence and virologic outcomes among opioid users.
Plant trait diversity buffers variability in denitrification potential over changes in season and soil conditions.

Background Denitrification is an important ecosystem service that removes nitrogen (N) from N-polluted watersheds, buffering soil, stream, and river water quality from excess N by returning N to the atmosphere before it reaches lakes or oceans and leads to eutrophication. The denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) assay is widely used for measuring denitrification potential. Because DEA is a function of enzyme levels in soils, most ecologists studying denitrification have assumed that DEA is less sensitive to ambient levels of nitrate (NO3−) and soil carbon and thus, less variable over time than field measurements. In addition, plant diversity has been shown to have strong effects on microbial communities and belowground processes and could potentially alter the functional capacity of denitrifiers. Here, we examined three questions: (1) Does DEA vary through the growing season? (2) If so, can we predict DEA variability with environmental variables? (3) Does plant functional diversity affect DEA variability? Methodology/Principal Findings The study site is a restored wetland in North Carolina, US with native wetland herbs planted in monocultures or mixes of four or eight species. We found that denitrification potentials for soils collected in July 2006 were significantly greater than for soils collected in May and late August 2006 (p<0.0001). Similarly, microbial biomass standardized DEA rates were significantly greater in July than May and August (p<0.0001). Of the soil variables measured—soil moisture, organic matter, total inorganic nitrogen, and microbial biomass—none consistently explained the pattern observed in DEA through time. There was no significant relationship between DEA and plant species richness or functional diversity. However, the seasonal variance in microbial biomass standardized DEA rates was significantly inversely related to plant species functional diversity (p<0.01). Conclusions/Significance These findings suggest that higher plant functional diversity may support a more constant level of DEA through time, buffering the ecosystem from changes in season and soil conditions.
Germany's red army faction: An obituary

Abstract The author believes that an April 1992 cease‐fire communique issued by the Red Army Faction (RAF), a German terrorist group, marks the end of the RAF as a viable terrorist group. This communique, and subsequent ones in June and August 1992, reflect the ideological fatigue, strategic confusion, and organizational isolation of the RAF. These communiques are also symptomatic of the decline of the European fighting communist terrorist groups that have plagued Western Europe since the late 1960s. In 1985, there were nine fighting communist terrorist organizations operating in Western Europe. As of late 1992, with the surrender of the RAF, there are only three left: the First of October Anti‐Fascist Resistance Group in Spain, the Revolutionary Organization 17 November in Greece, and the Revolutionary Left or Dev Sol in Turkey. All three have become the last representatives of an endangered species of terrorist group.
Generalized bending of a plate with a circular inclusion of arbitrary rigidity

The paper presents an exact closed-form solution for a thin isotropic plate containing a circular elastic inclusion and subjected to arbitrary bending moments at large distances from the hole. Quantitative results are presented for the bending stress concentration factors for the plate and for the inclusion.
The Presentation of Absorption Spectra Data

A survey has been made of the systems used for the presentation of absorption spectra data in textbooks and journals. An attempt has been made to determine the accepted nomenclature systems, and recommendations have been made where there is some uncertainty as to proper or desirable form of presentation. Examples of data and graphical relation of values have been given to show the relative form of data as presented by different systems.
Significant Others and Professionalized Sport Attitudes

Abstract Using an extension of Webb's concept of professionalized sport attitudes, it was explored whether the type of significant other and degree of parental psychological support were related to professionalized sport attitudes (win/skill orientation) or to nonprofessionalized sport attitudes (fair play/total participation orientation). Comparisons were made between 1236 economically disadvantaged boys and 1096 economically disadvantaged girls enrolled in the summer portion of the National Youth Sports Program, resulting in the following findings. Males demonstrated a more professionalized sport attitude than did females. Males perceived their father/male guardian as the most important significant other whereas females perceived their mother/female guardian as the most important significant other. No relationship was found between the type of significant other (mother/female guardian, father/male guardian, teacher/coach, or friend) and professionalized sport attitudes for both boys and girls. However, ...
Writing the claims for a patent

Most of the body of a patent is written in plain English. The exception is the claims section, which is the section of primary legal importance. The claims determine what aspects of the invention are protected by the patent. Attorneys write claims in claim language, a special style of writing. Claims are difficult to read when you are new to the patenting process and don't understand the basic structure and semantics of claim language. In this paper, the author explains the basic vocabulary and structure of a claim to demystify claim language.
In vitro biotransformations of [14C]captopril in the blood of rats, dogs and humans

Abstract The biotransformations of captopril (CP), an orally effective antihypertensive agent, were studied in vitro in whole blood, plasma, and washed blood cells of rats, dogs and humans, using 14C-labeled CP. Thin-layer chromatographic profiles of the radioactivity extracted into methanol showed that, in plasma and whole blood, [14C]CP was biotransformed to its disulfide dimer, [14C]CP-CP, and to two other compounds identified as the [14C]CP-glutathione and [14C]CP- l -cysteine mixed disulfides. After incubation with either washed blood cells or a saline control, most of the [14C]CP remained unchanged. Since not all of the radioactivity in the biological samples could be extracted, the nature of the unextracted radioactivity was investigated. Results obtained using methanol extraction, ultrafiltration and acid precipitation techniques indicated that [14C]CP was extensively and covalently bound to plasma proteins. In human plasma, [14C]CP was shown to be bound primarily to albumin through covalent disulfide bonds. In the plasma of all three species, these covalent disulfide bonds could be cleaved by glutathione or l -cysteine, resulting in the formation of mixed disulfides, or by dithiothreitol, resulting in the release of [14C]CP. The behavior of CP in vitro in blood was qualitatively similar to that reported for other endogenous and xenobiotic sulfhydryl compounds and was consistent with the results obtained from in vivo studies with CP.
A highly selective compound for lead : Complexation studies of decamethylcucurbit[5]uril with metal ions

Calorimetric and potentiometric studies indicate that a cage-type compound, decamethylcucurbit[5]uril (MC5), shows very high selectivity for Pb2+ over alkali, alkaline-earth, NH4+, and Cd2+ cations...
Ambivalence in play and ritual

Life is not breath, but action; to live is to make use of our organs, our senses, our faculties, every part of ourselves which gives us the feeling of our own existence.
THE SECRETORY PATHWAYS OF RAT SERUM GLYCOPROTEINS AND ALBUMIN : Localization of Newly Formed Proteins within the Endoplasmic Reticulum

These studies compare the secretory pathways of newly formed rat serum glycoproteins and albumin by studying their submicrosomal localization at early times after the beginning of their synthesis and also by determining the submicrosomal site of incorporation of N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, galactose, and leucine into protein. N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, and galactose were only incorporated in vitro into proteins from membrane-attached polysomes and not into proteins from free polysomes. Mannose incorporation occurred in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, was stimulated by puromycin but not by cycloheximide, and 90% of the mannose-labeled protein was bound to the membranes. Galactose incorporation, by contrast, occurred in the smooth microsome fraction and 89% of the radioactive protein was in the cisternae. Albumin was mostly recovered (98%) in the cisternae, with negligible amounts in the membranes. To determine whether the radio-active sugars were being incorporated into serum proteins or into membrane protein, the solubilized in vivo-labeled proteins were treated with specific antisera to rat serum proteins or to albumin. Immunoelectrophoresis of the 14C-labeled leucine membrane and cisternal proteins showed that the membranes contained radioactive serum glycoprotein but no albumin, while the cisternal fraction contained all of the radioactive albumin and some glycoproteins. The results indicate that newly formed serum glycoproteins remain attached to the membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum after they are released from the membrane-attached polysomes, while albumin passes directly into the cisternae.
Do Adults Show a Curse of Knowledge in False-Belief Reasoning? A Robust Estimate of the True Effect Size

Seven experiments use large sample sizes to robustly estimate the effect size of a previous finding that adults are more likely to commit egocentric errors in a false-belief task when the egocentric response is plausible in light of their prior knowledge. We estimate the true effect size to be less than half of that reported in the original findings. Even though we found effects in the same direction as the original, they were substantively smaller; the original study would have had less than 33% power to detect an effect of this magnitude. The influence of plausibility on the curse of knowledge in adults appears to be small enough that its impact on real-life perspective-taking may need to be reevaluated.
Light and electron microscopic observations of thyroid parafollicular cells of the opossum.

Abstract The thyroid parafollicular cells from adult opossums Didelphis virginiana are described by light and electron microscopy. In the light microscope, ovoid parafollicular cells are observed in abundance throughout the upper two-thirds of each lobe of the thyroid lobe. Under high magnification, parafollicular cells are observed to contain abundant lead hematoxylin and phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin-stained secretory granules. In sections of Zenker formol-fixed tissue, parafollicular cells also exhibited differential staining with lead hematoxylin and particularly with phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin. Occasionally, tightly knit clusters of cells which are lead hematoxylin positive are observed among the thyroid follicles. Serial sections taken through these cell clusters reveal that they represent solid masses of cells rather than thyroid follicles which are sectioned in the tangential plane. On the basis of observations made in the electron microscope, thyroid parafollicular cells of the opossum are confirmed to be parafollicular in terms of the established morphological criteria for that cell type. Parafollicular cells of the opossum lack contact with the lumen of the follicle, and they contain and abundance of round secretory granules in their cytoplasm. The granules average approximately 300–500 nm in diameter and vary markedly in their electron opacity in the same cell and between different parafollicular cells. Light microscopy of thick plastic-embedded sections stained with lead hematoxylin is used to correlate the information obtained by conventional light and electron microscopy. Those preparations indicate that parafollicular cells exhibiting dark lead hematoxylin reactivity contained granules which by electron microscopy showed mostly moderate to heavy electron opacity.
DNA Hairpins Containing the Cytidine Analog Pyrrolo-dC: Structural, Thermodynamic, and Spectroscopic Studies

Structures formed by single-strand DNA have become increasingly interesting because of their roles in a number of biological processes, particularly transcription and its regulation. Of particular importance is the fact that antitumor drugs such as Actinomycin D can selectively bind DNA hairpins over fully paired, double-strand DNA. A new fluorescent base analog, pyrrolo-deoxycytidine (PdC), can now be routinely incorporated into single-strand DNA. The fluorescence of PdC is particularly useful for studying the formation of single-strand DNA in regions of double-strand DNA. The fluorescence is quenched when PdC is paired with a complementary guanine residue, and thus is greatly enhanced upon formation of single-strand DNA. Hence, any process that results in melting or opening of DNA strands produces an increase in the fluorescence intensity of this base analog. In this study we measured the structural effects of incorporating PdC into DNA hairpins, and the effect of this incorporation on the binding of the hairpins by a fluorescent analog of the drug Actinomycin D. Two hairpin DNAs were used: one with PdC in the stem (basepaired) and one with PdC in the loop (unpaired). The thermal stability, 7-aminoactinomycin D binding, and three-dimensional structures of PdC incorporated into these DNA hairpins were all quite similar as compared to the hairpins containing an unmodified dC residue. Fluorescence lifetime measurements indicate that two lifetimes are present in PdC, and that the increase in fluorescence of the unpaired PdC residue compared to the basepaired PdC is due to an increase in the contribution of the longer lifetime to the average fluorescence lifetime. Our data indicate that PdC can be used effectively to differentiate paired and unpaired bases in DNA hairpin secondary structures, and should be similarly applicable for related structures such as cruciforms and quadruplexes. Further, our data indicate that PdC can act as a fluorescence resonance energy transfer donor for the fluorescent drug 7-aminoactinomycin D.
The Impact of IMF and World Bank Programs on Labor Rights

What effect do International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank programs have on collective labor rights? Labor rights advocacy networks and organized labor groups have long been critical of neoliberal policy prescriptions attached to loans by international financial institutions (IFIs), claiming that they harm the interests of workers. IFIs dispute these claims, noting that they work with relevant labor organizations and that many of their arrangements call for compliance with core labor standards. Yet very little research has been devoted to whether IFI programs affect labor laws and the actual labor practices of recipient countries. We argue that IFI programs undermine collective labor rights. Specifically, recommended policy reforms, as well as the broader signals connoted by participation in the programs, undermine labor organizations and the adoption of protective laws. To substantiate these claims, we use time-series cross-national data for a sample of 123 low- and middle-income countries for the y...
Organic reactions increasing the absorption index of atmospheric sulfuric acid aerosols

[1] Unlike most environments present at Earth's surface atmospheric aerosols can be favorable to organic reactions. Among them, the acid-catalyzed aldol condensation of aldehydes and ketones produces light-absorbing compounds. In this work the increase of the absorption index of sulfuric acid solutions 50–96 wt. % resulting from the uptake of gas-phase acetaldehyde, acetone, and 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone), has been measured in the near UV and visible range. Our results indicate that the absorption index between 200 and 500 nm for stratospheric sulfuric aerosols exposed to 100 pptV of acetaldehyde (1 pptV = 10−12 v/v) would increase by four orders of magnitude over a two-year lifetime. Rough estimates based on previous radiative calculations suggest that this reaction could result in an increase of the radiative forcing of sulfate aerosols of the order of 0.01 W m−2, and that these processes are worth further investigation.
The novel HSP90 inhibitor, PU-H71, suppresses glial cell activation but weakly affects clinical signs of EAE

Ansamycins are very effective HSP90 inhibitors that showed significant beneficial effects in the treatment of EAE. However, their toxicity and poor stability in solution limit their clinical use. In the present study we have characterized the anti-inflammatory properties of a novel HSP90 inhibitor, PU-H71, and tested its effects in EAE. Our findings show that PU-H71 reduced lipopolysaccharide astrocyte activation but failed to reduce the inflammatory cytokine activation. In contrast to ansamycins, PU-H71 weakly affects EAE clinical course. In conclusion, although PU-H71 displayed some anti-inflammatory properties, it appeared in vivo less effective than the more toxic HSP90 inhibitors.
Changes in intracellular calcium concentration in crustacean (Callinectes sapidus) Y-organs: relation to the hemolymphatic ecdysteroid titer.

Secretion of ecdysteroid molting hormones by crustacean Y-organs is negatively regulated (inhibited) by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), a neuropeptide produced by neurosecretory cells in eyestalk ganglia. The inhibitory effect of MIH is mediated by one or more cyclic nucleotide second messengers. In addition, available data indicate that ecdysteroidogenesis is positively regulated (stimulated) by intracellular calcium. However, despite the apparent critical role of calcium in regulating ecdysteroidogenesis, the level of Ca2+ in Y-organs cells has not been previously determined. In studies reported here, eyestalks were ablated from blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) to remove the endogenous source of MIH and activate Y-organs. At 0, 3, 6, and 9 days after eyestalk ablation (D0, D3, D6, and D9, respectively), the level of Ca2+ in Y-organ cells was determined using a fluorescent calcium indicator (Fluo-4), and the hemolymphatic ecdysteroid titer was determined by radioimmunoassay. Calcium fluorescence in D6 Y-organs was 3.5-fold higher than that in D0 controls; calcium fluorescence in D9 Y-organs was 3.9-fold higher than in D0 controls (P<0.05). Measurement of fluorescence along a transect drawn through representative cells indicated that the calcium fluorescence was localized to cytoplasm and not to nuclei. Associated with the increase in intracellular Ca2+ was a significant increase in the hemolymphatic ecdysteroid titer: The level of ecdysteroids in hemolymph rose from 5.5 ng/mL on D0 to 49.6 ng/mL on D6 and 87.2 ng/mL on D9 (P<0.05). The results are consistent with the hypothesis that ecdysteroidogenesis is stimulated by an increase in intracellular Ca2+. J. Exp. Zool. 315:56–60, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Multiple unit HLA-unmatched sex-mismatched umbilical cord blood transplantation for advanced hematological malignancy.

We investigated the effect of multiple-unit umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation on engraftment in the setting of severe human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch. Ten poor-risk adult patients w...
From the $psi$ to Charmed Mesons

This talk deals with my recollections about the discoveries of the J/ψ and ψ′ as well as psion spectroscopy and charmed mesons. I give a chronology for the ψ and ψ′ discoveries. I also discuss the events which led to the charmed meson discovery as well as detailed discussions on the proof that the resonance we observed in the K - π + system, at 1865 MeV, was indeed the predicted charmed meson.
Photoactive [2]rotaxanes formed by multiple π-stacking

Abstract A [2]rotaxane has been synthesized having an anthracenyl “stopper” at each end of a flexible polyether “thread” which folds to facilitate π-stacking between the centralized cyclophane and the anthracene moieties, forming a five-membered π-stack.
Chemically regenerative redox fuel cells

Exploratory experiments with three types of redox fuel cells utilizing the VO 2 + /VO2+-Sn2+/Sn4+, VO 2 + /VO2+-Fe2+/Fe3+ and VO 2 + /VO2+-Cu/Cu2+ redox couples are reported. The results show the major features and problems, and suggest possible solutions to some of the problems associated with operating redox fuel cells. In this phase of experimentation the best individual cell performances that were achieved showed that the VO 2 + /VO2+-Sn2+/Sn2+ redox cell had a power density of 0.049 W cm−2, the VO 2 + /VO2+-Fe2+/Fe3+ redox cell had a power density equal to 0.049 W cm−2 and the V 2 + /VO2+-Cu/Cu2+ redox fuel cell had a power density of 0.093 W cm−2.
Stromal cell-derived factor and granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor form a combined neovasculogenic therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy

Objective Ischemic heart failure is an increasingly prevalent global health concern with major morbidity and mortality. Currently, therapies are limited, and novel revascularization methods might have a role. This study examined enhancing endogenous myocardial revascularization by expanding bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells with the marrow stimulant granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and recruiting the endothelial progenitor cells with intramyocardial administration of the potent endothelial progenitor cell chemokine stromal cell-derived factor. Methods Ischemic cardiomyopathy was induced in Lewis rats (n = 40) through left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. After 3 weeks, animals were randomized into 4 groups: saline control, granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor only (GM-CSF only), stromal cell-derived factor only (SDF only), and combined stromal cell-derived factor/granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (SDF/GM-CSF) (n = 10 each). After another 3 weeks, hearts were analyzed for endothelial progenitor cell density by endothelial progenitor cell marker colocalization immunohistochemistry, vasculogenesis by von Willebrand immunohistochemistry, ventricular geometry by hematoxylin-and-eosin microscopy, and in vivo myocardial function with an intracavitary pressure-volume conductance microcatheter. Results The saline control, GM-CSF only, and SDF only groups were equivalent. Compared with the saline control group, animals in the SDF/GM-CSF group exhibited increased endothelial progenitor cell density (21.7 ± 3.2 vs 9.6 ± 3.1 CD34 + /vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2–positive cells per high-power field, P = .01). There was enhanced vascularity (44.1 ± 5.5 versus 23.8 ± 2.2 von Willebrand factor-positive vessels per high-power field, P = .007). SDF/GM-CSF group animals experienced less adverse ventricular remodeling, as manifested by less cavitary dilatation (9.8 ± 0.1 mm vs 10.1 ± 0.1 mm [control], P = .04) and increased border-zone wall thickness (1.78 ± 0.19 vs 1.41 ± 0.16 mm [control], P = .03). (SDF/GM-CSF group animals had improved cardiac function compared with animals in the saline control group (maximum pressure: 93.9 ± 3.2 vs 71.7 ± 3.1 mm Hg, P P P P Conclusion This novel revascularization strategy of bone marrow stimulation and intramyocardial delivery of the endothelial progenitor cell chemokine stromal cell-derived factor yielded significantly enhanced myocardial endothelial progenitor cell density, vasculogenesis, geometric preservation, and contractility in a model of ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Chloride-induced increment in short-circuiting current of the turtle bladder. Effects of in-vivo acid-base state.

Abstract Evidence for the participation of conductive and non-conductive (exchange) transmembrane anion pathways in the luminal acidification, alkalinization, and chloride-reabsorptive functions of the turtle bladder is provided from the pattern of Cl−-induced changes in transepithelial electrical parameters of isolated urinary bladders from three groups of donor turtles: control or post-absorptive turtles (those killed 5 days after feeding); acidotic turtles (NH4Cl-loaded); and alkalotic turtles (NaHCO3-loaded). The predominance of each of the three aforementioned transport functions as well as the response to Cl−-addition is altered by the in-vivo electrolyte balance of the turtle. In post-absorptive bladders, which are poised for acidification and Cl− reabsorption, the mucosal and serosal addition of Cl− to Na+-free, (HCO 3 − + CO 2 )-containing media increases the negative short-circuiting current ( I sc ). In acidotic bladders, which are poised for acidification but not Cl− reabsorption, mucosal Cl− addition has no effect on this I sc whereas serosal Cl− addition increases the negative I sc in a manner identical to that observed in the post-absorptive bladders. Alkalotic bladders do not possess an acidification function but instead are poised for Cl− reabsorption and cAMP-dependent electrogenic alkali secretion (positive I sc ). In these bladders, serosal Cl− addition is without effect while mucosal Cl− addition produces transient changes in this positive I sc . It is found that these results can be replicated by a model of the turtle bladder in which transmembrane Cl− and HCO3− conductive and exchange paths mediate transepithelial acidification, alkalinization and Cl− reabsorption.
Evidence for the propagation of the virus of serum hepatitis in the chick embryo.

Evidence has been presented which indicates that the virus of serum hepatitis (SH) has been carried through 15 passages in the amniotic cavity of the chick embryo. 1. Intramuscular injection of amniotic fluid of the 9th and 15th passage into volunteers induced hepatitis without jaundice in 4 out of 6 and 2 out of 5 individuals, respectively, after incubation periods in excess of 60 days. 2. Serum taken from one of the patients in the first group during the acute stage of illness, when given to additional 4 volunteers resulted in 3 cases of hepatitis with, and one without jaundice.
A test of the R-centroid method

Abstract The R-centroid method is shown to be exact when the molecular dipole transition moment, D(R), varies linearly with internuclear distance R, but may fail to give accurate results in the region of a maximum in D(R). Using individual line strengths computed for the X1Σ+—A1Σ+ system in LiH in which D(R) goes through a maximum, it is shown that good results can still be obtained if only the strongest transitions are used in the R-centroid analysis.
Heat flow modeling of chemical vapor deposition of tungsten for improved film thickness uniformity

The boundary element method is used to model the heat flow in a tungsten chemical vapor deposition (CVD W) reactor to determine the origin of the tungsten film thickness variation across a 125 mmp-type silicon wafer. The typical thickness nonuniformity is 7-10%. The model predicts temperature variations in the graphite susceptor which heats the wafers. The resulting temperature difference between the center and edge of a wafer can be up to 20 °C. Deposition rate experiments in a CVD W reactor confirm this. Experiments involving changes in the gas flow geometry have been conducted. It is concluded that the temperature gradient across the wafer, not the gas flow geometry, is the dominant factor controlling film thickness uniformity for this CVD W reactor.
Ligand structural effects on Cu2S2 bonding and reactivity in side-on disulfido-bridged dicopper complexes.

To assess supporting ligand effects on S−S bond activation, a series of [Cu2(μ-η2:η2-S2)]2+ complexes supported by various β-diketiminate or anilido-imine ligands (L) were synthesized via the reaction of Cu(I) precursors LCu(CH3CN) with S8. For the cases where L = β-diketiminate, the syntheses were complicated by formation of clusters [Cu(SR)]4, where SR represents the ligand functionalized by sulfur at the central methine position. The [Cu2(μ-η2:η2-S2)]2+ products were characterized by X-ray crystallography and electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Correlations among the Cu−S, Cu−Cu, and S−S distances and the ν(S−S) values were observed and interpreted within the framework of a previously described bonding picture (Chen, P.; Fujisawa, K.; Helton, M. E.; Karlin, K. D.; Solomon, E. I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 6394). Comparison of these data to those for other relevant species revealed a remarkable degree of S−S bond activation in the compounds supported by the β-diketiminate and anili...
DROUGHT RESISTANCE IN RANGE AND PASTURE GRASSES.

Rainfall is the limiting factor in the success of the livestock industry on the western range. Precipitation is especially critical in the southern Great Plains, the Southwest, and the semi-desert areas of the Intermountain Region. Here drought and its accompanying overgrazing constitute the major range problems and have been responsible for serious depletion of the forage resources of the region. Nelson (29) has shown that in years of drought basal area of black grama may fall as low as 10 or 11 per cent, of the maximum stand and 20 per cent, of a 13-year average. Craddock and Forsling (8) found in Southern Idaho that the volume of forage produced varied from 41 above to 33 per cent, below the nine-year average, largely as a result of winter and spring precipitation. Drought and overgrazing together result in much greater reduction than does drought alone or drought and moderate grazing (46, 47). Stewart (43) reported that Forest Service studies on western Utah winter ranges show that the drought from 1931 to 1934 caused a 20 per cent, decrease in available forage plants on ungrazed plots, but on overgrazed areas, depletion was approximately 60 per cent. Savage (36) and Savage and Jacobson (37), studying drought injury in the central and southern Great Plains, reported that as grazing was intensified all grasses decreased in all areas where drought was severe. Lantow and Flory (17), working on semi-desert grassland of New Mexico, concluded that permanent injury may be caused by drought on overgrazed range, but that on properly grazed range the recovery of the grass stand with increased precipitation is rapid. U. S. Forest Service workers (6, 7, 29, 33) have continuously stressed the injurious effect of drought on range plants. Boughman (3) showed that the root growth of several different range grasses is inhibited by clipping, the degree varying directly with the amount of clipping. Silker (41) found that drought survival of western wheat grass seedlings depended upon the formation of rhizomes.
Effects of grilling and roasting on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in beef and pork

Abstract The concentrations of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) viz. chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, and indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene in 150 samples of commercial meat products were determined. The PAHs were extracted with hexane, purified with Sep-Pak Florisil cartridges and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography using a fluorescence detector. Levels of PAHs were dependent on the method of cooking and type of heat source used. Relatively high levels of PAHs, 10.2 μg/kg on average, were found in charcoal-grilled pork samples. Average PAH levels in beef did not exceed 0.80 μg/kg. Charcoal grilling of pork samples resulted in extremely high levels of benzo(a)pyrene (3.0 μg/kg), while the average benzo(a)pyrene levels in charcoal-grilled beef samples were 0.15 μg/kg. These data can be used to estimate the dietary exposure of consumers to PAHs and to assess any potential risk associated with the ingestion of these foods.
CT utilization: the emergency department perspective

CT scan utilization in the pediatric emergency department (ED) has dramatically increased in recent years. This likely reflects the improved diagnostic capability of CT, as well as its wider availability. However, the utility of CT is tempered by the high radiation exposure to patients as well as cost. In this review we will consider the magnitude of changes in CT use in the pediatric ED, and we will examine some of the driving forces behind these increases. In addition, we will consider strategies to limit growth in CT scan utilization or even result in reductions in CT use in the future. These strategies include better physician and patient education, application of existing clinical decision rules to reduce CT utilization and development of new rules, technical alterations in CT protocols to reduce per-exam exposures, use of alternative imaging modalities such as US and MRI that do not expose patients to ionizing radiation, and expanded use of clinical observation in place of immediate diagnostic imaging. Reform of liability laws might alleviate another driving force behind high CT utilization rates. Protocols must be designed to maximize patient safety by limiting radiation exposures while preserving rapid and accurate diagnosis of time-sensitive conditions.
Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Education and Public Outreach Program

The Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) program serves as a pipeline of activities to inspire and educate a broad audience about Heliophysics and the Sun-Earth system, specifically the Van Allen Radiation Belts. The program is comprised of a variety of formal, informal and public outreach activities that all align with the NASA Education Portfolio Strategic Framework outcomes. These include lesson plans and curriculum for use in the classroom, teacher workshops, internship opportunities, activities that target underserved populations, collaboration with science centers and NASA visitors’ centers and partnerships with experts in the Heliophysics and education disciplines. This paper will detail the activities that make up the RBSP E/PO program, their intended audiences, and an explanation as to how they align with the NASA education outcomes. Additionally, discussions on why these activities are necessary as part of a NASA mission are included. Finally, examples of how the RBSP E/PO team has carried out some of these activities will be discussed throughout.
Age-related changes in Cngb1-X1 knockout mice: prolonged cone survival

The rod photoreceptor cGMP-gated cation channel has an essential role in phototransduction functioning as the primary point for calcium and sodium entry into the rod outer segment. The channel consists of two subunits, α and β. The α-subunit can function in isolation as an ion channel, and the β-subunit modulates channel activity and has a structural role. We previously reported that a mouse knockout (KO) of the β-subunit and related glutamic acid–rich proteins (GARPs) attenuates rod function and causes structural alterations and slowly progressive retinal degeneration. Here, we have extended our functional analyses of the KO mice evaluating rod and cone function using the electroretinogram in mice up to 4 months of age. Retinal stratification is preserved in the knockout mice at 3 months, and a significant number of cones remain up to 7 months based on PNA staining of cone sheaths. Electroretinography of KO mice at 1 month old revealed a diminished dark-adapted b-wave and normal light-adapted b-wave compared to wild-type mice. Over the next 3 months, both dark- and light-adapted b-wave amplitudes declined, but the reduction was greater for dark-adapted b-wave amplitudes. In one-month-old mice, the critical flicker frequency (CFF) was substantially lower for the KO mice at scotopic intensities, but normal at photopic intensities. CFF values remained stable in the KO mice as the b-wave amplitudes decreased with age. Declining b-wave amplitudes confirm an RP phenotype of rod followed by cone degeneration. Flicker responses show that the cone circuits function normally at threshold despite significant losses in the maximum light-adapted b-wave amplitude. These results confirm that rods are marginally functional in the absence of the β-subunit and in addition show that CFF may be a more sensitive measure of remaining functional cone vision in animal models of RP undergoing progressive rod–cone degeneration.
Using landscape trajectories to assess the effects of radiometric rectification

Abstract We demonstrate a simple procedure, landscape trajectories, for quantifying the effects of radiometric correction on image characteristics. Eleven Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images of tallgrass prairie spanning 1987 and 1988 were radiometrically rectified to a common date using a ‘pseudoinvariant features in real space’ method (Schott et ai 1988). The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated for each raw and corrected image. Four watersheds within the study area were subset and the images were decomposed into spectral intensity (SI), spatial eterogeneity (SH), and spatial dependence (SD) components. Time-ordered vectors in SI-SH-SD space described landscape trajectories. Vector lengths along trajectories were calculated and integrated. Differences between measures on raw and corrected images may be attributable to climatic forcings, time of season, time since fire, and watershed topography. The correction procedure changed SI most and SD least. While the rectification procedu...