cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 589: Macrophage SR-BI Binds GST-Pi and Suppresses Cell Apoptosis in Atherosclerosis

Background: Oxidative stress accelerates atherosclerosis by promoting cell death. We hypothesize that macrophage scavenger receptor class B I (SR-BI) inhibits apoptosis by reducing oxidative stress in atherosclerosis. Methods and Results: Macrophage SR-BI deficiency led to 2.1-, 1.9-, and 2.7-fold more apoptosis after treatment with OxLDL, H2O2, or isolevugladin-phosphatidylethanolamine (IsoLG-PE) versus WT cells (P<0.05), respectively. To examine the impact of SR-BI deficiency in atherosclerosis, bone marrow (BM) transplantation studies were performed using apoE-/- and LDLr-/- recipient mice fed a Western diet for 8 or 16 weeks, respectively. Apoptosis as measured by active Caspase 3 was increased 2.6-fold in atherosclerotic lesions of LDLr-/- recipients of SR-BI-/- versus WT BM (P<0.01). Consistent with SR-BI reducing oxidative stress, the lesions of ApoE-/- mice reconstituted with SR-BI-/-ApoE-/- versus ApoE-/- BM showed 5.1-fold higher immunostaining for 4-HNE (P<0.05) and 70.4% lower GSH/GSSG ratio as determined by an enzymatic assay of aortic tissue lysates (P<0.01). Similarly, OxLDL treatment resulted in a 64.5% decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio in SR-BI-/- versus WT macrophages. ER stress was significantly increased in SR-BI-/- versus WT macrophages treated with OxLDL as evaluated by CHOP and BiP (P<0.05). Similarly, ER stress was increased in atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE-/- recipients of SR-BI-/-ApoE-/- versus ApoE-/- BM. Importantly, an antibody-based proteomic assay revealed that macrophage SR-BI interacts with glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi). SR-BI deficiency caused a 48.7% reduction of GST-pi expression in atherosclerotic lesions (P<0.05) and a 51.3% decrease in macrophage GST activity (P<0.05). Forced expression of GST-pi rescued OxLDL-induced apoptosis in SR-BI-/- macrophages. A lipid-protein overlap assay showed SR-BI binds IsoLG-PE, but not native PE, suggesting that SR-BI recognizes oxidized lipid for clearance via a GST-pi detoxification pathway. Conclusion: Macrophage SR-BI interacts with GST-pi and suppresses oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in atherosclerosis. This novel finding of SR-BI GST-pi interaction provides a new target for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Enzyme activities in the larval salivary secretion of Calliphora erythrocephala

Abstract 1. 1. A procedure is described for isolating relatively large amounts of larval salivary secretion from Calliphora. 2. 2. The secretion contains high levels of alkaline phosphatase and amino peptidase activities, along with a general protease activity. 3. 3. These activities are not associated with the main secretory proteins which may serve some non-enzymatic function.
Effects of training and 17-B estradiol upon heart rates, organ weights, and liganientous strength of female rats

The effects of training in 3 different female rat populations (NOR, OV, and OV + EST) were studied. Trained rats were exercised in motor driven treadmills for 9 weeks and were capable of running at speeds in excess of 1 mile per hour for 1 h at the end of the training program. OV rats did not appear to be different than the other rats in their ability to run in the treadmills. Three training effects were observed in the OV and NOR rats: lower body weights, lower resting heart rates and heavier adrenal glands. Two unexpected findings were the failure of trained female rats to have heavier hearts or stronger knee ligaments.
Aromatization and catecholization of the A-ring of nor-19-methyl steroidal 3-keto-epoxides by trimethylsilylation

Abstract The reaction of 3-keto-nor-19-methyl-4,5 or 1,2-epoxy steroids with trimethylsilylating reagents has been investigated by NMR and GC-MS. Aromatization of the A-ring was found to be induced not only by thermal effects in the GC injection port but also as a function of the silylation reaction conditions. The strength of the silylating reagent was influential in the type of product formed in the reaction of 17β-hydroxy-4β,5β-epoxyestr-1-ene-3-one.
Ontogeny of T-cell mitogen response in Lewis rats: II. Early appearance and loss of suppressor activity

Spleen cells from rats 2 to 132 days old were cultured with 1-125 micrograms/ml Concanavalin A (Con A). At high doses of Con A, the high spontaneous thymidine uptake of spleen cells from rats 15 to 21 days old was suppressed, whereas spleen cells from younger rats showed no suppression of spontaneous mitogenesis at equally high Con A doses. Removal of either plastic-, nylon wool-, or carbonyl iron (cFe) adherent cells not only removed suppression of background by high Con A doses, but also allowed mitogenic responses at adult levels in normally unresponsive 15 to 21 day old pups. Low doses of X-irradiation did not cause a similar loss of suppression. We suggest that although there is an influx of ConA responsive cells into the rat spleens at 15 to 16 days, the mitogen responses of these cells are suppressed by an adherent cell population which is activated by high doses of Con A.
FUNDAMENTALS OF TURBULENT MOTION, MIXING AND KINETICS∗

Abstract The principles of mixing on a macroscopic level have been known and used for a number of years for the scale-up of mixing processes. However, these scale-up methods have been empirical in nature due to the lack of information about mixing theory on a microscopic level. The complexity of problems involving turbulence, such as mixing, has made a quantitative description difficult. However, the modern turbulence approach has led to a much deeper understanding of the field of mixing and of related turbulent scalar transport processes. The analysis allows us to define measurable mixing criteria. A knowledge of the parameters of the turbulence provides the information necessary to estimate the degree of mixing. The parameters can often be estimated from the geometry of the flow system and from simple empirical relationships. With a knowledge of the mixing, the problem of chemical kinetics, when mixing cannot be ignored, can be studied. A theoretical approach is possible that with limited assumptions al...
Absence of chromosomal abnormalities in herniated orbital fat.

Aims Lipomatous tumours of the orbit are rare, and can sometimes be difficult to characterize. Herniated orbital fat is thought to be a reactive process, but its presentation can mimic a lipomatous tumour such as an atypical lipomatous tumour or spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma. Genetic studies to determine if it is indeed a reactive process rather than an adipocytic neoplasm have not been performed. Methods and results Four samples of herniated orbital fat were reviewed clinically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was used to search for genome-wide copy number alterations within the tumours. Histological evaluation revealed that all four tumours contained collections of adipocytes surrounded by fibrous septae. Lochkern cells and floret-like multinucleated giant cells were present, consistent with herniated orbital fat. CD34 was positive in all tumours. Staining for MDM2 and CDK4 was negative. ACGH analysis demonstrated no copy number alterations. Conclusions Herniated orbital fat may share some histopathological features with lipoma and atypical lipomatous tumour, but the absence of copy number gains or losses is consistent with the impression that herniated orbital fat is a reactive process. Genetic analysis may be another method to help differentiate herniated orbital fat from a lipomatous orbital tumour when the diagnosis is in question.
Ribosomal RNA precursors of Bacillus subtilis

Abstract The DNA sequence of the region corresponding to the 5'-end of a 16S rRNA gene of B. subtilis 168 was determined. Comparison of this sequence with the sequences flanking other 16S and 23S rRNA coding regions (1-4) indicated that large RNA stem structures, surrounding the mature 16S and 23S rRNAs, could form in a precursor rRNA. The 5'-ends of the precursors of 16S and 23S rRNAs (p16S and p23S) were mapped to the middles of these potential RNA stem structures. We propose that the initial cleavages of the primary rRNA transcript occur near the "opposed G's" which interrupt the basepairing of each of these stem structures. This model is supported by the finding that the 5'-end of the 5S rRNA precursor, p5A (5), maps to the region of the "opposed G's" in the 23S rRNA stem structure.
Probing a deeper understanding of modern physics concepts

A variety of assessment tools have become more prevalent in introductory physics courses as a way to enhance and assess conceptual learning. At the interface of modern physics and quantum mechanics, these tools are not presently as widely used. The Modern Physics course at American University presents an ideal opportunity for conceptual assessment given its somewhat atypical student composition. In this study both qualitative and quantitative measures of student understanding of a key concept in modern physics, the photoelectric effect are utilized. As a quantitative overall baseline for gain, the Quantum Physics Conceptual Survey (QPCS) was implemented [1]. A set of questions on the photoelectric effect that required both a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the photoelectric effect were then given on both the midterm and final exams. The results of the QPCS, and a subset of QPCS questions solely on the photoelectric effect, are statistically compared to the more focused approach for assessing the photoelectric effect. Additionally, correlations between subsets of the student population and their gains on the various assessments were investigated. The results from these assessment methods will be discussed in the larger context of how assessment measures can be maximized to enhance student understanding in a modern physics course. In particular this study shows how there may be a correlation between a student's background preparation, and their gain on different types of assessments.
DIRECT OBSERVATION OF ELECTRON TRANSFER ACROSS A LIPID BILAYER: PULSED LASER PHOTOLYSIS OF AN ASYMMETRIC VESICLE SYSTEM CONTAINING CHLOROPHYLL, METHYL VIOLOGEN AND EDTA*

Electron transfer across lipid bilayer vesicle walls was examined by laser flash photolysis to determine the mechanisms of charge transport across the membrane. The discussion is restricted to vesicles whose walls contain phosphatidylcholine, chlorophyll a, and valinomycin. (ACR)
Bose-Einstein condensation of trapped atoms with dipole interactions

The path-integral Monte Carlo method is used to simulate dilute trapped Bose gases and to investigate the equilibrium properties at finite temperatures. The quantum particles have a long-range dipole-dipole interaction and a short-range s-wave interaction. Using an anisotropic pseudopotential for the long-range dipolar interaction and a hard-sphere potential for the short-range s-wave interaction, we calculate the energetics and structural properties as a function of temperature and the number of particles. Also, in order to determine the effects of dipole-dipole forces and the influence of the trapping field on the dipolar condensate, we use two cylindrically symmetric harmonic confinements (a cigar-shaped trap and a disk-shaped trap). We find that the net effect of dipole-dipole interactions is governed by the trapping geometry. For a cigar-shaped trap, the net contribution of dipolar interactions is attractive and the shrinking of the density profiles is observed. For a disk-shaped trap, the net effect of long-range dipolar forces is repulsive and the density profiles expand.
Complexity of event structure in IE scenarios

This paper presents new Information Extraction scenarios which are linguistically and structurally more challenging than the traditional MUC scenarios. Traditional views on event structure and template design are not adequate for the more complex scenarios.The focus of this paper is to show the complexity of the scenarios, and propose a way to recover the structure of the event. First we identify two structural factors that contribute to the complexity of scenarios: the scattering of events in text, and inclusion relationships between events. These factors cause difficulty in representing the facts in an unambiguous way. Then we propose a modular, hierarchical representation where the information is split in atomic units represented by templates, and where the inclusion relationships between the units are indicated by links. Lastly, we discuss how we may recover this representation from text, with the help of linguistic cues linking the events.
Mechanism of the membrane interaction of polynuclear platinum anticancer agents. Implications for cellular uptake.

The interaction between phospholipids and polynuclear platinum drugs was studied as a mechanism model for cellular uptake of anticancer drugs. The interaction was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The transition temperature, enthalpy, and entropy of negatively charged phospholipids DPPS, DPPA, and DPPG were changed upon reaction with the trinuclear platinum complex [{trans-PtCl(NH3)2}2μ-Pt(NH3)2{H2N(CH2)6NH2}2](NO3)4 (I, BBR3464) and the dinuclear analogue [{trans-PtCl(NH3)2}μ-{(NH2)(CH2)3NH2(CH2)4(NH2)}Cl3 (II, BBR3571). This suggests that these platinum complexes interacted not only with the phosphate headgroup but also with the region of the fatty acid tail of liposomes and finally changed the fluidity of the membrane. Both noncovalent (presumably electrostatic and hydrogen bonding) and covalent interactions were...
First qualification study of serum biomarkers as indicators of total body burden of osteoarthritis.

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating chronic multijoint disease of global proportions. OA presence and severity is usually documented by x-ray imaging but whole body imaging is impractical due to radiation exposure, time and cost. Systemic (serum or urine) biomarkers offer a potential alternative method of quantifying total body burden of disease but no OA-related biomarker has ever been stringently qualified to determine the feasibility of this approach. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of three OA-related biomarkers to predict various forms or subspecies of OA and total body burden of disease.
Noninvasive oxygen measurements and mass transfer considerations in tissue culture flasks.

Murine hybridomas were cultivated in tissue culture flasks. Dissolved oxygen tensions in the gas and liquid phases during cell growth were monitored. Oxygen levels were measured noninvasively by interrogating an oxygen-sensitive patch mounted on the interior surface of the tissue culture flask with an optrode from outside the tissue culture flask. Readings were made in tissue culture flasks with caps both cracked open and completely closed. Although the oxygen in the gas phase remained near atmospheric oxygen levels in both flasks, over time the liquid-phase oxygen tension at the bottom of the flasks reached zero during cell growth in both the open and closed tissue culture flasks. These results suggest that the widespread practice of cracking open tissue culture flask caps during cell growth with a view to supplying adequate oxygen to cells is ineffective and probably unnecessary.The mass transfer characteristics of the tissue culture flask were also studied. The dominant resistance to oxygen mass transfer to the sensor and the cells was through the liquid media. The mass transfer rates through the liquid layer under standard laboratory conditions were found to be greater than those predicted by diffusion alone. This suggests that mixing at a microscale occurs. Volumetric and specific oxygen consumption rates were also calculated from the sensor data. These consumption rates were comparable with values published elsewhere. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Weighted Generalized Estimating Equations Approach for the Evaluation of Medical Diagnostic Test at Subunit Level

Sensitivity and specificity are common measures used to evaluate the performance of a diagnostic test. A diagnostic test is often administrated at a subunit level, e.g. at the level of vessel, ear or eye of a patient so that the treatment can be targeted at the specific subunit. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the diagnostic test at the subunit level. Often patients with more negative subunit test results are less likely to receive the gold standard tests than patients with more positive subunit test results. To account for this type of missing data and correlation between subunit test results, we proposed a weighted generalized estimating equations (WGEE) approach to evaluate subunit sensitivities and specificities. A simulation study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the WGEE estimators and the weighted least squares (WLS) estimators (Barnhart and Kosinski, 2003) under a missing at random assumption. The results suggested that WGEE estimator is consistent under various scenarios of percentage of missing data and sample size, while the WLS approach could yield biased estimators due to a misspecified missing data mechanism. We illustrate the methodology with a cardiology example.
Diffusion through foams and fractal-like cellular solids

The diffusion of gases through foams with nonuniform cell sizes is described using fractal models. These models correspond to the limit of extreme nonuniformity, since essentially all cell sizes are present in fractal-like foams. The calculated diffusion currents in the fractal models are anomalous, and a diffusion current entering a fractal surface, J(t), can exhibit a power-law time dependence [J(t)\ensuremath{\approxeq}${\mathit{t}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}$]. The exponent \ensuremath{\alpha} depends on the structure of the model. In the simplest one-dimensional case, \ensuremath{\alpha} is determined by the fractal dimension. For the three-dimensional fractal models, \ensuremath{\alpha} is related to an additional parameter that compares the resistances of large and small cells to the current flow. Qualitatively, we show that diffusion in foams with a large variety of cell sizes can be anomalously large or anomalously small, and the unusual currents depend as much on the distribution of cell-wall thicknesses as they depend on cell-wall sizes.
Clinical usefulness of chest wall stimulation in patients with automatic tachycardia-terminating pacemakers.

Chest wall stimulation may be used diagnoslically and therapeutically in the follow-up of patients with automatic tachycardia-terminating pulse generators. In this report, we present our experience with chest wall stimulation in the follow-up of five patients with implanted Intermedics CyberTach 60 automatic tachycardia-terminating pacemakers (three for supraventricular tachycardia and two for ventricular tachycardia). Chest wall stimulation delivered at a rate faster than the rate detection criterion of the pulse generator often precipitates reentry tachycardia, making it possible to perform a noninvasive electrophysiologic study. In addition, chest wall stimulation may be invaluable in the termination of reentry tachycardia which is unsensed by an implanted pulse generator either because the rate is too slow, or below the rate detection criterion, or because the intracardiac signal does not attain the sensitivity of the pulse generator.
FRET Two-Hybrid Mapping Reveals Function and Location of L-Type Ca2+ Channel CaM Preassociation

L-type Ca(2+) channels possess a Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation (CDI) mechanism, affording feedback in diverse neurobiological settings and serving as prototype for unconventional calmodulin (CaM) regulation emerging in many Ca(2+) channels. Crucial to such regulation is the preassociation of Ca(2+)-free CaM (apoCaM) to channels, facilitating rapid triggering of CDI as Ca(2+)/CaM shifts to a channel IQ site (IQ). Progress has been hindered by controversy over the preassociation site, as identified by in vitro assays. Most critical has been the failure to resolve a functional signature of preassociation. Here, we deploy novel FRET assays in live cells to identify a 73 aa channel segment, containing IQ, as the critical preassociation pocket. IQ mutations disrupting preassociation revealed accelerated voltage-dependent inactivation (VDI) as the functional hallmark of channels lacking preassociated CaM. Hence, the alpha(1C) IQ segment is multifunctional-serving as ligand for preassociation and as Ca(2+)/CaM effector site for CDI.
Isolation of permanent clonal bone marrow stromal cell lines derived from viable moth-eaten and severe combined immunodeficiency mutant mice

Long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMCs) were established from bone marrow of mev/mev mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) and their normal littermates, and permanent stromal cell lines were derived. In cultures from mutant mev/mev mice, an adherent layer containing around 10% of fibro-endothelial cells and 90% macrophage-like cells was observed. A permanent cell line actively inhibited hematopoiesis resulting in an 80-fold decrease in production of cumulative colony-forming unit culture units (CFU) including granulocyte, erythroid, macrophage, megakaryocyte (CFU-GEMM) and granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM). To confirm active inhibition, we performed coculture experiments using permanent cell lines and engrafted each in vitro with hematopoietic progenitors from normal mouse LTBMCs. "Cobblestone island" and nonadherent cell production were observed adding hemopoietic progenitors to coculture of fibroblastic cells of mev/mev cultures with lines from normal littermates. In contrast, macrophage cell line Mev #5 suppressed hemopoiesis and itself had a proliferative advantage. Thus, bone marrow stromal cell lines from mev/mev mice reproduce some characteristics of the hematopoietic microenvironmental defect in vitro.
Controls design challenge - A variable structure approach

The purpose of this paper is to investigate variable structure control as a tool for the design of flight control systems. Variable structure control allows the direct incorporation of model uncertainties and nonlinearities in the design process, yielding a piecewise continuous structure for the compensator that maintains the system dynamics along specified stable trajectories (sliding hypersurfaces). Under mild restrictions, the resulting control law is robust with respect to unknown but bounded parameter variations and other uncertainties. A linearized model of an aircraft is used for the design, and a flight control system is synthesized, which gives desired response to initial conditions and tracks a commanded altitude. The control synthesis and simulation are performed using computer-aided software on a personal computer.
THE EVALUATION OF AUTONOMIC AND MOTOR COMPONENTS OF THE NONAVOIDANCE CONDITIONED RESPONSE IN THE DOG.

Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP). and motor components of responses to non-reinforced and reinforced auditory stimuli were studied in six dogs over a period of 20 months. The experiment consisted of several phases: habituation, orienting training, conditioning, extinction, and reconditioning. Differentiated non-specific motor reactions in four of six dogs developed quickly and before the differentiated specific motor conditioned response (CR) and consistent HR or RR conditioned responses. The form of the gross organismic CR pattern differed in each dog. Yet the animals reliably maintained, in each separate system, their rank-order positions across experimental phases, suggesting that the CR is determined in part by innate or earlier acquired differences in functioning.
29 mammalian genomes reveal novel exaptations of mobile elements for likely regulatory functions in the human genome.

Recent research supports the view that changes in gene regulation, as opposed to changes in the genes themselves, play a significant role in morphological evolution. Gene regulation is largely dependent on transcription factor binding sites. Researchers are now able to use the available 29 mammalian genomes to measure selective constraint at the level of binding sites. This detailed map of constraint suggests that mammalian genomes co-opt fragments of mobile elements to act as gene regulatory sequence on a large scale. In the human genome we detect over 280,000 putative regulatory elements, totaling approximately 7 Mb of sequence, that originated as mobile element insertions. These putative regulatory regions are conserved non-exonic elements (CNEEs), which show considerable cross-species constraint and signatures of continued negative selection in humans, yet do not appear in a known mature transcript. These putative regulatory elements were co-opted from SINE, LINE, LTR and DNA transposon insertions. We demonstrate that at least 11%, and an estimated 20%, of gene regulatory sequence in the human genome showing cross-species conservation was co-opted from mobile elements. The location in the genome of CNEEs co-opted from mobile elements closely resembles that of CNEEs in general, except in the centers of the largest gene deserts where recognizable co-option events are relatively rare. We find that regions of certain mobile element insertions are more likely to be held under purifying selection than others. In particular, we show 6 examples where paralogous instances of an often co-opted mobile element region define a sequence motif that closely matches a transcription factor’s binding profile.
444 COMPARISON OF INTRAMUSCULAR AND SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTIONS OF GROWTH HORMONE

In the treatment of growth hormone deficiency, human growth hormone (hGH) injections are given intramuscularly (IM) since subcutaneous (SC) injections are considered to be immunogenic. We have demonstrated that antibody formation is likely secondary to aggregated hGH and individual susceptibility. Since GH preparations in the U.S. now contain <5% aggregated hGH, we have compared the integrated hGH concentration, growth response, antibody response, and pain associated with either IM or SC injection of hGH. Thirteen age-matched children received either IM or SC injections at a dose of 0.1 U/kg. The peak serum hGH concentration was not significantly different between IM and SC injections (38.6 and 41.8 ng/ml for IM and SC, respectively). The SC group had a significantly larger integrated growth hormone concentration (p<0.05) SC being 125.1 ng/ml and IM being 92.5 ng/ml. Subsequent growth velocity measurement on a standard dose of 0.1 U/kg (maximum 2 U/kg) 3 times a week were identical (8.16 cm/yr). The antibodies to hGH was similar in both groups. There was one compliance problem in the IM group and none in the SC group. Subjective questioning of parents revealed an increased amount of pain and apprehension in the IM group over the SC group. We conclude that there is no difference in peak value, growth velocity or antibody formation between the IM and SC groups. The lack of pain, ease of administration and the higher integrated hGH concentrations suggests that SC injection of hGH might be the preferred route of administration in GH deficiency.
Outcome of cardiac surgery for carcinoid heart disease

Abstract Objectives. The hypothesis was that cardiac surgery for symptomatic carcinoid heart disease in conjunction with adjunctive therapy could improve the long-term outlook of patients with carcinoid heart disease. Background. Patients with carcinoid heart disease have a dismal prognosis; most die of progressive right heart failure within 1 year after onset of symptoms. Improved therapies for the systemic manifestations of the carcinoid syndrome have resulted in symptomatic improvement and prolonged survival in patients without heart disease. Methods. Twenty-six patients with symptomatic carcinoid heart disease underwent valvular surgery. Preoperative clinical, laboratory, Doppler echocardiographic and hemodynamic factors were evaluated. The survival of the surgical group was compared with that of a control group of 40 medically treated patients. Results. There were nine perioperative deaths (35%), primarily from postoperative bleeding and right ventricular failure. Of the 17 surgical survivors, 8 were alive at a mean of 28 months of follow-up. The postoperative functional class of the eight surviving patients was substantially improved. Late deaths were primarily due to hepatic dysfunction caused by metastatic disease. The only predictor of operative mortality (p = 0.03) was low voltage on preoperative electrocardiography (limb lead voltage ≤ 5 mm). Predictors of late survival included a lower preoperative somatostatin requirement and a lower preoperative urinary 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid level. There was a trend toward increased survival for the surgical group compared with the control group. Conclusions. Because new therapies have improved survival in patients with the malignant carcinoid syndrome, cardiac involvement has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Valve surgery is the only definitive treatment. Although cardiac surgery carries a high perioperative mortality, marked symptomatic improvement occurs in survivors. Surgical intervention should therefore be considered when cardiac symptoms become severe.
Generation means analysis for productivity in two diverse peanut crosses

Utilization of exotic germplasm resources for population improvement in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) has increased as the need to increase genetic diversity among peanut cultivars was recognized. Progeny of crosses of two unadapted germplasm lines (GP-NC 343 and FESR-11-P11-32) with an adapted cultivar (‘NCV11’) of peanut were evaluated for the genetic factors influencing the inheritance of yield and fruit characters in crosses among diverse lines. Objectives were to (1) estimate the relative importance of additive and nonadditive genetic effects in the inheritance of yield and fruit characters in two diverse peanut crosses; (2) determine the proportion of exotic germplasm that gave the optimum combination of mean productivity and genetic variability for each of the crosses; (3) relate the results to theories regarding the transfer of desirable alleles from exotic germplasm into adapted breeding populations. Crosses and backcrosses were made to generate germplasm lines (ten generations) ranging from 0 to 100% exotic germplasm for each cross. The populations were evaluated in replicated field trials. Yield and six fruit characters were measured, and a weighted analysis of variance was conducted to determine if significant differences existed among generations. Generation means analyses were performed for each trait measured in each of the crosses using both three- and six-parameter models, which were tested for goodness-of-fit with a joint-scaling test. Significant differences were detected among generations for most traits measured in both crosses. Estimates of additive genetic effects were significant for pod weight and seed weight in cross 1 (‘NC-V11’ x GP-NC 343) and for all traits in cross 2 (‘NC-V11’ x FESR-11-P11-32) except seed∶pod ratio. Significant estimates of dominance effects were found for pod length, pod width, and pod weight in cross 1 and for pod length in cross 2. No significant estimates of digenic effects were observed in cross 1, whereas in cross 2 estimates of additive x dominance epistatic effects were significant for yield and pod length, while estimates of additive x additive effects were significant for seed number. Regression of trait means on generations showed a curvilinear response for all traits in cross 1 except seed weight, which gave a linear response. For all traits in cross 2, the relationship between productivity and proportion of unadapted germplasm was effectively linear. Based on generation means and variances, progeny from the first or second backcross generation to the recurrent parent should be expected to give an optimum combination of mean productivity and relative variability in the population.
A photochemical study of (E, E, E, E)-2-[9-(2-hydroxyethyl)imino-3,7-dimethyl-1,3,5,7-decatrien-1-yl]-1,3,3- trimethylcyclohexene, a derivative of all-trans-retinal and ethanolamine

A derivative of all-trans-retinal (RAL) and ethanolamine, A2-E, is the main fluorescent component of human retinal lipofuscin. The accumulation of lipofuscin has been correlated with exposure to ambient radiation and loss of photoreceptors. A possible precursor to A2-E is the imine formed from RAL and ethanolamine. This compound, (E,E,E,E)-2-[9-(2-hydroxyethyl)imino-3,7-dimethyl-1,3,5,7- decatrien-1-yl]-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexene (HIDD), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The photophysical and photochemical properties of HIDD and its protonated form, HIDD-H+, have been investigated using steady-state and time-resolved methods. Both HIDD and HIDD-H+ are weakly fluorescent, and the fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield for HIDD are ca 0.6 ns and 4.0 +/- 0.5 x 10(-4), respectively. HIDD forms a triplet excited state on direct excitation that decays with kd = 3.4 x 10(4) s-1. The extinction coefficient and quantum yield of intersystem crossing for the HIDD triplet are measured as 7.6 +/- 1.3 x 10(4) M-1 cm-1 and 0.055 +/- 0.006, respectively. The triplet excited state of HIDD-H+ can be sensitized by triplet energy transfer and has a decay rate constant of 1.6 x 10(4) s-1. The lifetime of the HIDD triplet excited state is observed to decrease with increasing concentration of the well-known electron or hydrogen atom donors, 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine and 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone, and the bimolecular rate constants for these reactions are approximately 5.4 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 and 1.7 x 10(8) M-1 s-1, respectively. These types of reactions may model photooxidative mechanisms of damage in the retina.
Seeking acceptance in an English-only research world

Abstract Many have noted the increasing concentration of gatekeeping power in the hands of mainstream English-only journals and made compelling cases for the need to bring more off-networked, multilingual voices into the global research conversation. Despite the hurdles that often face under-resourced off-network scholars, a number of them do find their way into the pages of mainstream Anglophone journals. How do some off-network scholars manage to successfully negotiate the mainstream journal gatekeeping that keeps others, both off-networked and networked, outside the gates, and what roles do journal manuscript (ms.) reviewers play in this negotiation? A sample of submission history documents for accepted and rejected manuscripts submitted to an applied linguistics journal was compiled and analyzed in an effort to shed light on these questions. Findings suggest that, among other things, authorial persistence, that is, willingness to continue revising and resubmitting when faced with extensive critical commentary from reviewers, can result in publication. Implications, especially for journal gatekeepers and those who support or are themselves off-network academic authors seeking acceptance in an English-only research world, are discussed.
Resonant Sound and Vibration Characteristics of a Truck Tire

Abstract Bias ply truck tire resonant vibration and sound fields were evaluated in the laboratory by standard vibration and sound measurement procedures. Four resonances were isolated between 90 and 250 Hz. Analysis of the sound and vibration fields showed that each isolated resonant mode radiates acoustic energy like a simple source. The modes investigated were determined to be acoustically slow with the attendant acoustic radiation emanating from a region within ¼ wavelength of the tire footprint.
Numerical simulation of a synoptic event in the Southern California Bight

[1] In the middle of March 2002 a synoptic upwelling event occurred in the Southern California Bight; it was marked by a precipitous cooling of at least 4°C within 10–20 km of the coast. By the end of the month the preevent temperatures had slowly recovered. The Regional Oceanic Model System (ROMS) is used to simulate the event with an atmospheric downscaling reanalysis for surface wind and buoyancy flux forcing. Lateral boundary conditions of temperature, salinity, velocity, and sea level are taken from a global oceanic product. Barotropic tidal fields from a global barotropic model are imposed along the open boundaries. The simulation reproduces well the upwelling process compared with observed data. The sensitivity of the simulation is examined to wind resolution, heat flux, and tidal forcing. The oceanic response to the different wind resolutions converges at the level of the 6 km resolution, which is the finest scale present in the terrain elevation data set used in the atmospheric downscaling. The combination of an analytical diurnal cycle in the solar radiation and the empirical coupling with the instantaneous ROMS sea surface temperature produces a similar oceanic response to the downscaled heat flux. Tidal effects are significant in the upwelling evolution due to the increase in wind energy input through a quasi-resonant alignment of the wind and surface current, probably by chance.
Estimating Escapement of Pacific Salmon: Marking Practices to Discriminate Wild and Hatchery Fish

Abstract Accurate discrimination between river returns of wild and hatchery anadromous Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) is necessary if the status of the two stocks is to be monitored and if the success of hatchery mitigation programs is to be assessed. Usual hatchery management practices, including release of large numbers of unmarked fish and variable fractional marking of releases, prevent such discrimination. Many Pacific-coast salmon hatcheries presently release some fish with an adipose fin clip and a binary-coded wire tag inserted in the nasal region (AD-CWT). If a constant fraction of remaining releases carried a distinctive identifying mark, then the proportion of hatchery fish in subsequent spawning runs could be estimated. Should the majority of hatchery fish in the spawning escapement return to the hatcheries of origin, then the expected change in hatchery fish proportions between river entry and natural spawning grounds, combined with known returns to the hatcheries, may be used to estimate...
Solution Synthesis of Alkyl- and Alkyl/Alkoxy-Capped Silicon Nanoparticles via Oxidation of Mg2Si

Alkyl-capped and alkyl/alkoxy-capped silicon nanocrystals have been prepared by the oxidation of magnesium silicide with bromine. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles and provided an average diameter of 4.5 (2.0) nm for the alkyl-capped and for the alkyl/alkoxy-capped nanoparticles. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the nanoparticles are composed of silicon, with no evidence of unreacted bromine. FTIR spectra were consistent with alkyl- and alkyl/alkoxy-capped surfaces. Fluorescence spectroscopy indicated strong ultraviolet-blue photoluminescence, which was attributed to both quantum confinement and surface termination. These nanoparticles displayed long-term stability and no degradation of the photoluminescence was observed for a period of 1 year.
NAC1, A POZ/BTB protein interacts with Parkin and may contribute to Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Loss-of-function in the Parkin protein is thought to play a part in causing neuronal cell death in patients with Parkinson’s disease. This study explores the effect of Parkin degradation, via the overexpression of nucleus accumbens 1 (NAC1), on cell viability. It was found that NAC1 and Parkin are co-localized within the cell and interact with one another, leading to a decrease in Parkin levels. Moreover, NAC1 down-regulates Parkin by presenting it for ubiquitin-dependent proteasome degradation, which causes a decrease in proteasomal activity in neuronal cells. Consequently, this decrease in proteasomal activity leads to an increase in the cells’ susceptibility to proteasome inhibition-induced toxicity. It was also found that Parkin and NAC1 are key proteins found to be present mainly in the cytoplasm and are co-localized in neurons of Parkinson’s disease patients. Interestingly, mutation in the POZ/BTB domain (Q23L) of NAC1 disrupts the co-localization and interaction of NAC1 with Parkin and it further abrogates the proteasome inhibition-induced toxicity. We further observed that co-transfection of the mutant form of NAC1 with Parkin reversed the proteasome activity and 20S proteasome protein levels. These results indicate a novel interaction between NAC1 and Parkin that leads to neuronal cell death, a main characteristic in Parkinson’s disease.
Shape guided 3D active contour model for automatic and accurate MRI prostate segmentation

We present a new 3D region-based active contour model that is driven by an automatic and accurate object initialization scheme guided by the prior shape information. Because Laplace-Beltrami spectrum is isometric invariant, it is one of the best ways to represent the clinical shape of prostate. The general geometrical information (i.e. the elliptical or walnut shape for the prostate) of volumetric prostate datasets is discovered and extracted by taking the eigenvalues of its Laplace-Beltrami operator. Specifically, we use the heat kernel to link the spectrum with the fingerprint of the volumetric data. Through the selection of eigenvector, the entire volumetric dataset is automatically divided into two classes: ROI and non-ROI. The boundary of these two classes can be used as the initial contour of our interest objects. The 3D region-based contour is further refined by minimizing the mean separation energy in a local region. By the comparison to edge-based methods, region-based contour models have better robustness against the initial curve placement and less insensitivity to image noise. Our automatically shape guided 3D active contour model results in more prominent boundaries compared to the classical gradient function based model (`snake'). We also evaluate segmentation results of our new contour method against the manually segmentation images to calculate the values of average overlap, sensitivity and specificity. These numbers demonstrate that our automatic object contour initialization scheme guided by the shape information is an ideal segmentation tool for the large number of prostate MRI datasets without the clear boundaries.
On Critical Regimes and Horizontal Concentration of Momentum in Ocean Currents with Two-Layered System

The principles of minimum momentum transport and minimum energy which are commonly used in hydraulics of an open channel are applied to the current in a two-layered ocean, in which the geostrophic relation holds. For a flow of a finite width over the motionless lower layer these principles with the constancy of total volume transport predict the critical values of current width and upper layer thickness which will be attained by the flow after losing momentum or energy by friction. The two principles lead to critical regimes with almost similar order of magnitude. The critical width thus determined is less than 100 km and the upper layer disappears at the left edge of the flow in the critical regime, being in good agreement with the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio. The analysis is also applied to a model of vertically continuous density stratification. Further the momentum transport of double jets often observed in actual currents is shown to be the minimum among multiple jets, next to a single jet corresponding to the critical regime. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1960.tb01293.x
HIRES, a high resolution Fly's Eye detector

Abstract The High Resolution Eye detector (HiRes), based on the Fly's Eye technique [1], is being developed at Dugway, Utah. Detector parameters and some preliminary test results will be given.
LONG TERM MORTALITY IN LOW RISK ADULT PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL LONG QT SYNDROME: LIFE INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS

To date most risk stratification studies in long QT syndrome (LQTS) have focused on identifying high-risk subjects. Current data on the long-term clinical course of low-risk adult LQTS patients are limited. Patients in this study were from the Rochester-based LQTS Registry. We hypothesized that
Pituitary responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone after treatment with the breast carcinogen nitrosomethylurea: inhibition of prolactin but not thyrotropin release.

N-Nitrosomethylurea (NMU) is a widely used experimental breast carcinogen. The present report describes the effects of NMU on the plasma PRL and TSH increases in response to exogenous TRH. Female Buffalo rats, 75–80 days old, were given a single ip injection of NMU (10 mg/100 g) or vehicle. At various times after injection, NMU-treated rats and vehicle-injected controls were tested with exogenous TRH (625 ng/100 g, ip). Groups of four to six rats were bled at 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 min after TRH and at 10 min after saline (baseline group). The response to TRH (A) was determined by subtracting the mean plasma PRL or TSH level of the baseline group from the mean peak level observed after TRH. For four separate control experiments, ΔPRL averaged 104± 19 ng/ml (mean± SE). At 20 h, 42 h, 6 days, and 2, 3,4, 8, and 12 weeks after NMU, ΔPRL was 87, 0, 0, 16, 10, 3, 49, and 65 ng/ml, respectively. Δ PRL was statistically significant in all four control experiment, and remained significant at 20 h after NMU. Howev...
Idazoxan blocks the nicotine-induced reversal of the memory impairment caused by the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist dizocilpine.

Abstract Rationale Alpha2-adrenoreceptor (α 2 -AR) antagonists have been shown to improve, while α 2 -AR agonists impair cognitive function in subjects with functioning NMDA receptors (NMDAR). In subjects with inhibited NMDAR (a model of schizophrenia) α 2 -AR agonists attenuate the cognitive impairments. The effect with α 2 -AR antagonists remains unclear. Objectives We investigated the effects of the α 2 -AR antagonist idazoxan on memory function in rats treated/not treated with NMDAR antagonist dizocilpine or a combination of dizocilpine and nicotine to clarify noradrenergic/cholinergic regulation of memory function. Methods Female Sprague–Dawley rats ( n = 12) were trained for food reward on the radial maze. Working and reference memory errors and response latency were assessed after injections of idazoxan (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg), dizocilpine (0.05 mg/kg), nicotine (0.2, 0.4 mg/kg) or vehicle, alone or in combination. Results Dizocilpine potently impaired memory. Nicotine (0.4 mg/kg) reversed this impairment. Idazoxan at the doses tested did not affect performance when given alone or with dizocilpine, but it did block the nicotine reversal of the dizocilpine-induced memory impairment. Three rats after 10–12 drug treatments developed limbic seizures. Our findings suggest that combination of drugs which block α 2 -AR with nicotinic agonists in schizophrenia may prevent therapeutic effect of nicotinic agonists and increase risk for convulsive activity with repeated administration.
Mapping rays and secondary craters from the Martian crater Zunil

[1] Zunil, a 10.1 km rayed crater in Elysium Planitia, Mars, produced more than 7 × 107 secondary craters ≥15 m in diameter. We mapped Zunil's rays from thermal IR THEMIS nighttime images up to 1700 km from the primary crater and mapped bright and dark ejecta craters (candidate secondaries) up to 3600 km range. Ray segments were mapped up to 450 km east of Zunil and up to 1700 km to the west. Both rays and bright ejecta craters are best detected over terrains with moderate thermal inertia, which are abundant west of but not east of Zunil. Nevertheless, our interpretation is that Zunil was created by a moderately oblique impact from the east. Zunil secondaries are abundant over all terrain types except the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF). Given the likely age of Zunil (<100 Ma), parts of the MFF must be eroding at ≥0.08 m/Ma. The size-frequency distribution of the secondaries in Zunil's rays and probable distant secondaries (750–1700 km to the west of Zunil) have a cumulative power law exponent near –5, whereas secondaries between the major rays have an exponent near −3.4. We modeled the size-velocity relationship for Zunil's ejected fragments; it is consistent with the predictions of Melosh (1984) for spallation of a strong surface layer and demonstrates that the inverse size-velocity correlation continues up to at least 2 km/s.