cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A practical adaptive-grid method for complex fluid-flow problems

A practical solution, adaptive-grid method utilizing a tension and torsion spring analogy is proposed for multidimensional fluid flow problems. The tension spring, which connects adjacent grid points to each other, controls grid spacings. The torsion spring, which is attached to each grid node, controls inclinations of coordinate lines and grid skewness. A marching procedure was used that results in a simple tridiagonal system of equations at each coordinate line to determine grid-point distribution. Multidirectional adaptation is achieved by successive applications of one-dimensional adaptation. Examples of applications for axisymmetric afterbody flow fields and two dimensional transonic airfoil flow fields are shown.
Myoblastoma of the vulva.

Abstract 1. 1. Since granular-cell myoblastoma was first described in 1926, more than 300 cases of this tumor have been reported, 10 of which have occurred on the vulva. We have added 2 additional cases. 2. 2. The tumor occurs as a slowly growing, firm, nontender nodule either fixed to the skin or freely movable in the subcutaneous tissue. It may be present at any age, but is most common in the third, fourth, and fifth decades of life. 3. 3. The histopathology is distinctive, there being irregular strands of large cells containing an abundant amount of granular eosinophilic cytoplasm, and separated by a fibrous network. The nuclei vary somewhat in size and shape, and their morphology is not pathognomonic. 4. 4. The histogenesis of this tumor is disputed. It was originally believed to be derived from striated muscle. The concept of neural origin has recently received the strongest support, but the precise precursor cell—Schwann cell, histiocyte, or fibroblast—remains to be determined. 5. 5. Wide local excision of the tumor is considered curative. Proved instances of malignant change in myoblastoma are few.
The Significance of Charter Schools and the Privatization of Standards: Holding the Wolf by the Ears

The dynamics of educational policy discourse in the USA are illustrated by the highly contested positions on charter schools in three arenas: media debates, national policy and local school reform....
Time-resolved nonclassical photon field characterization

We demonstrate a new method to characterize nonclassical states that measures the temporal dependence of their statistical and coherent properties. We extract information about underlying physical processes in an InAs quantum dot in situ.
Developmental plasticity of NR1 and NR2B subunit expression in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus

Vasopressin and oxytocin neuroendocrine cells within the supraoptic nucleus of the adult hypothalamus (SON) display mRNA expression for the NMDA receptor subunits, NR1 and NR2B, NR2C and NR2D. The NR2B subunit confers slow decay kinetics (relative to NR1/NR2A receptors) and high magnesium sensitivity to NMDA receptor responses--properties which may contribute to the NMDA receptor-mediated bursting manifested by these cells. Therefore, we examined NR2B protein expression and its developmental profile in the SON and compared it to that in the cortex and cerebellum--areas which have been studied previously. We performed Western blot analysis on SON homogenates from embryonic, postnatal (PN7, 14, 21), and adult rats using an NR2B-specific antibody. Adult NR2B levels in the SON and PVN were similar but low relative to those of cortex. SON NR2B protein levels rose in the first postnatal week, remained high through PN21, and later declined to significantly lower levels in the adult. A similar profile was observed in cerebellum, where NR2B expression displayed a sharp peak at PN14 and later declined to minimal or undetectable levels in the adult. In contrast, NR2B continued to be overexpressed through adulthood in the cortex. The ontogenic pattern for NR1 expression, which included unregulation during early postnatal life and adulthood, was similar in the SON and cortex. A different pattern was observed for the cerebellum, where NR1 levels increased gradually after ED17 to reach significantly greater adult levels. Of all three areas studied, the SON displayed the earliest developmental rise in NR1 levels. SON explant cultures proved to be a useful preparation, since they contained neurons which synthesized NR1 and NR2B subunits in quantities similar to those of ED17 SON. Our findings suggest that NMDA receptors on SON neuroendocrine cells are assembled using NR1 and NR2B subunits, and that their plastic expression in early postnatal life may play a role during development.
Performance of Oak Seedlings Grown under Different Oust® XP Regimes

Herbaceous weed control (HWC) is prescribed for growing season control of vegetative competition in hardwood afforestation attempts on former agricultural areas. Without HWC, planted seedlings often exhibit poor growth and survival. While currently employed HWC methods are proven, there is a substantial void in research comparing HWC treatments spanning multiple years. A total of 4,320 bare-root seedlings of three oak species were planted on three Mississippi sites. All sites were of comparable soils and received above average precipitation for the majority of the three-year study. Eight combinations of HWC and mechanical site preparation were utilized at each site, with 480 seedlings planted in each of the nine blocks, and a total of 1,440 seedlings per species planted across all sites. Treatments were installed on 3.1 m centers, with mechanical treatments as follows: control, subsoiling, bedding, and combination plowing. HWC treatments included one and two-year applications of Oust® XP. Treatments were applied over seedlings post-planting in 1.5 m bands, at a rate of 140.1 g product/hectare. Excepting one species, HWC dependent height or groundline diameter differences were not detected among mechanical treatments, species, HWC regime, or combinations thereof. No survival differences were observed among site preparation treatments or species. However, analysis detected a growing season/HWC treatment interaction for seedling survival.
Breath Monitoring of Inhalation and Dermal Methanol Exposure

Abstract A fundamental assumption of monitoring breath for a toxicant is that the concentration of the toxicant in breath is proportional to the concentration in blood. The present study was designed, in part, to assess the conditions under which measurement of methanol in breath would be useful for estimating the blood concentration of methanol following inhalation or dermal exposures to methanol. Paid volunteer subjects underwent controlled inhalation exposure to methanol vapor at various concentrations for 8 hours, or dermal exposures (without inhalation exposure) to methanol for varying periods of time. Blood and end-expiratory air were analyzed for methanol from samples obtained prior to exposures, and at various times during and after exposures. The results demonstrate that blood and breath concentrations of methanol are disproportional for varying periods of time during and following cessation of methanol exposure, depending on the route of exposure (dermal versus inhalation). In settings where the...
Microglial numbers attain adult levels after undergoing a rapid decrease in cell number in the third postnatal week

Abstract During postnatal development, microglia, CNS resident innate immune cells, are essential for synaptic pruning, neuronal apoptosis and remodeling. During this period microglia undergo morphological and phenotypic transformations; however, little is known about how microglial number and density is regulated during postnatal CNS development. We found that after an initial increase during the first 14 postnatal days, microglial numbers in mouse brain began declining in the third postnatal week and were reduced by 50% by 6 weeks of age; these “adult” levels were maintained until at least 9 months of age. Microglial CD11b levels increased, whereas CD45 and ER-MP58 declined between P10 and adulthood, consistent with a maturing microglial phenotype. Our data indicate that both increased microglial apoptosis and a decreased proliferative capacity contribute to the developmental reduction in microglial numbers. We found no correlation between developmental reductions in microglial numbers and brain mRNA levels of Cd200, Cx3Cl1, M-Csf or Il-34. We tested the ability of M-Csf-overexpression, a key growth factor promoting microglial proliferation and survival, to prevent microglial loss in the third postnatal week. Mice overexpressing M-Csf in astrocytes had higher numbers of microglia at all ages tested. However, the developmental decline in microglial numbers still occurred, suggesting that chronically elevated M-CSF is unable to overcome the developmental decrease in microglial numbers. Whereas the identity of the factor(s) regulating microglial number and density during development remains to be determined, it is likely that microglia respond to a “maturation” signal since the reduction in microglial numbers coincides with CNS maturation.
Transcendental learning: the educational legacy of Alcott, Emerson, Fuller, Peabody and Thoreau

by John P. Miller, Charlotte, NC, Information Age Publishing, 2011, 137 pp., £26.13 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-61735-584-4 John P. Miller’s vision of the current state of the world is bleak, character...
Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) promotes the release of all-trans retinol from the isolated retina following rhodopsin bleaching illumination

Abstract All- trans retinol generated in rod photoreceptors upon the bleaching of rhodopsin is known to move from the rods to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), where it is enzymatically converted to 11- cis retinal in the retinoid visual cycle. Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) contained in the extracellular compartment (interphotoreceptor matrix) that separates the retina and RPE has been hypothesized to facilitate this movement of all- trans retinol, but the precise role of IRBP in this process remains unclear. To examine the activity of IRBP in the release of all- trans retinol from the rods, initially dark-adapted isolated retinas obtained from toad ( Bufo marinus ) eyes were bleached and then incubated in darkness for defined periods (5–180 min) in physiological saline (Ringer solution) supplemented with IRBP (here termed ‘IRBP I’) at defined concentrations (2–90 μ m ). Retinoids present in the retina and extracellular medium were then determined by extraction and HPLC analysis. Preparations incubated with ≥10 μ m IRBP I showed a pronounced release of all- trans retinol with increasing period of incubation. As determined with 25 μ m IRBP I, the increase of all- trans retinol in the extracellular medium was accompanied by a significant decrease in the combined amount of all- trans retinal and all- trans retinol contained in the retina. This effect was not mimicked by unsupplemented Ringer solution or by Ringer solution containing 25 or 90 μ m bovine serum albumin. However, incubation with ‘IRBP II’, a previously described variant of IRBP with altered lectin-binding properties, led to the appearance of substantial all- trans retinol in the extracellular medium. The results suggest that in vivo, IRBP plays a direct role in the release of all- trans retinol from the rods during operation of the visual cycle.
Intracellular recording in avian brain of a nicotinic response that is insensitive to K-bungarotoxin

We examined nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the avian brain using a combination of autoradiographic and intracellular electrophysiological techniques. We found that the lateral spiriform nucleus (SPL) in the mesencephalon has a very high density of 3H-nicotine binding sites but no detectable 125I-K-bungarotoxin (125I-K-BuTx) or 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin (125I-alpha-BuTx) bindings sites. Intracellular recordings in brain slices revealed that SPL neurons depolarize in response to nicotine and carbachol (in the presence of atropine). These depolarizations were blocked by the classic nicotinic antagonists d-tubocurarine and dihydro-beta-erythroidine. As predicted for nicotinic receptors with a high affinity for nicotine, neither K-BuTx nor alpha-BuTx blocked these nicotinic responses. Thus, although the existence of high-affinity 3H-nicotine binding sites has been known for some time, we now report the in situ detection of a functional nicotinic receptor that has a high affinity for nicotine and is K-BuTx-insensitive.
RELATIONSHIP OF CONCEPTUAL ABILITY AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT TO PROBLEM-SOLVING AND EXPERIENTIAL BACKGROUNDS OF RETARDATES',"

Sz~,mnzary.-A group of 126 Ss was divided into two equal groups of 63 Ss each, so that one group represented "good" performance and one group represented "poor" performance on each o€ the following measures: (a) Category Test, (b) Tactual Performance Test, (c) Block Design, (d) Wide Range Achievemenr Test, (e) Vocabulary, and (f) Information. These groups were then compared on measures which define a continuum ranging from tests highly related to problem-solving abiliry to rests highly related to experiential background. The results were primarily interpreted as support for caution in accepring an "omnibus" 1Q as a valid predictor of success or (ailure in widely variecl tasks.
Patient Preferences for Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography versus Conventional Catheter Angiography for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease

Rationale and Objectives The aims of the study were: 1) to assess the baseline health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) using the standard gamble; 2) to evaluate and compare patients' preference for catheter versus computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography using the wait tradeoff (WTO) and rating scales; and 3) to calculate test disutility for catheter and CT coronary angiography. Materials and Methods Thirty patients with CAD who underwent both CT and catheter angiography were interviewed by telephone within 6 months of testing. Patients were asked about their baseline symptoms and quality of life, their experience preparing for both CT and catheter angiography, their desire to undergo CT or catheter angiography, and immediate treatment versus having a waiting period between test results and treatment for a hypothetical “ideal test” with no side effects. Test disutility for CT and catheter angiography were calculated and compared. Results The mean and median baseline HRQOL utility values were 0.72 and 0.91. The patients were willing to wait a mean (median) time of 12 (3) days after the ideal test for the test results to avoid undergoing CT angiography. They were willing to wait a mean (median) of 7 (3) days after the ideal test for test results, to avoid undergoing catheter angiography. There was no significant difference between waiting times or between patients' rating for their experience preparing for the two tests. Test disutility for CT angiography was 1.30 quality-adjusted life days (QALD) versus 2.16 QALD for catheter angiography (P > .05). Conclusion There was no significant difference in patient preference and test disutility between CT and catheter angiography in our small series. Future rigorously planned and adequately powered studies are required to confirm these findings in larger patient populations.
Determinants of sensitivity of human T-cell leukemia CCRF-CEM cells to immucillin-H

Immucillin-H (BCX-1777, forodesine) is a transition state analogue and potent inhibitor of PNP that shows promise as a specific agent against activated human T-cells and T-cell leukemias. The immunosuppressive or antileukemic effects of Immucillin-H (ImmH) in cultured cells require co-administration with deoxyguanosine (dGuo) to attain therapeutic levels of intracellular dGTP. In this study we investigated the requirements for sensitivity and resistance to ImmH and dGuo. (3)H-ImmH transport assays demonstrated that the equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENT1 and ENT2) facilitated the uptake of ImmH in human leukemia CCRF-CEM cells whereas (3)H-dGuo uptake was primarily dependent upon concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs). Analysis of lysates from ImmH-resistant CCRF-CEM-AraC-8D cells demonstrated undetectable deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) activity, suggesting that dCK and not deoxyguanosine kinase (dGK) was the rate-limiting enzyme for phosphorylation of dGuo in these cells. Examination of ImmH cytotoxicity in a hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT)-deficient cell line CCRF-CEM-AraC-8C, demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to low concentrations of ImmH and dGuo. RT-PCR and sequencing of HGPRT from the HGPRT-deficient CCRF-CEM-AraC-8C cells identified an Exon 8 deletion mutation in this enzyme. Thus these studies show that specific nucleoside transporters are required for ImmH cytotoxicity and predict that ImmH may be more cytotoxic to 6-thioguanine (6-TG) or 6-thiopurine-resistant leukemia cells caused by HGPRT deficiency.
Laboratory-based smart power system, Part I: Design and system development

Summary form only given. This paper presents the design and development of a hardware-based laboratory smart grid test-bed. This system is developed at the Energy Systems Research Laboratory, Florida International University. The hardware/software based system includes implementation of control strategies for generating stations, and power transfer to programmable loads in a laboratory scale of up to 35 kilowatts in ac power and 36 kW in renewable sources and energy storages. Appropriate software was developed to monitor all system parameters as well as operate and control the various interconnected components in varying connectivity architectures. The interconnection of alternate energy such as wind emulators, PV arrays, and fuel cell emulators are implemented, studied and integrated into this system. Educational experiences were drawn during the design and system development of this laboratory-based smart grid. The real-time operation and analysis capability provides a platform for investigation of many challenging aspects of a real smart power system. The design, development, and hardware setup of this laboratory is presented here in Part I of this paper. This includes component development, hardware implementation, and control and communication capabilities. Part II of the paper presents the implementation of the monitoring, control, and protection system of the whole setup with detailed experimental and simulation results.
Optimal Hankel-Norm Approximation of Continuous-Time Linear Systems

A problem on optimal approximation of continuous-time linear systems is studied. The performance measure (error) is chosen to be the spectral norm of the difference between the Hankel operators associated with the original system and the approximant. It is shown that the Hankel operators associated with continuous-time systems and the Hankel matrices associated with discrete-time systems are related by an interesting correspondence property via bilinear transforms. This fact is then used to derive the continuous-time results (theory and algorithms) from the established discrete-time ones. Some simple examples are presented.
Encompassing anonymity in signaling games

Signaling games are an important class of games in the literature of game theory, finding wide spread application in modelling financial behavior in markets, economic reasoning in job searches, and evolutionary behavior in the emergence of languages. Fundamentally, signaling games consist of multiple senders and a common receiver. Each sender belongs to one of multiple types. Senders transmit their messages to the receiver. The receiver takes an action for each received message, which results in a pair of rewards for the receiver and the corresponding sender respectively. Each sender therefore chooses a message that maximizes his/her reward knowing the optimal response of the receiver. In classical signaling games, the senders reward is a deterministic function of the transmitted message and receiver's action, while the receivers reward is a function of the action and belief about the senders' type. Therefore, in a signaling game, the message received provides information about a sender's type which, in practical commercial contexts, is a violation of the sender's anonymity. In this work, the payoff of a signaling game is adjusted to incorporate the information revealed to the receivers such that this information leakage is minimized from the sender's perspective. The existence of Bayesian-Nash equilibrium is proven in this work for the signaling games even after the incorporation of “type anonymity”. In particular, when the reward is modeled as a weighted sum of the anonymity and direct signaling reward, there exists a threshold on the anonymity weighting coefficient; when the coefficient exceeds the threshold, a pooling equilibrium exists—senders of all types transmit the same message, and when the coefficient is below the threshold, a separating equilibrium exists—senders of each type transmit a distinct message. Furthermore when the cardinality of the message set is 2, the separating equilibrium is shown to be the unique Bayesian Nash equilibrium. The proposed signaling game is suitable to model the problem of routing in the datagram networking where Quality of service (delay or throughput) and the source-destination anonymity are competing requirements.
A molal-based model for strong acid chemistry at low temperatures (<200 to 298 K)

Abstract Geochemical processes occurring in cold environments on Earth, Mars, and Europa have elicited considerable interest in the application of geochemical models to subzero temperatures. Few existing geochemical models explicitly include acid chemistry and those that do are largely restricted to temperatures ≥0°C or rely on the mole-fraction scale rather than the more common molal scale. This paper describes (1) use of the Clegg mole-fraction acid models to develop a molal-based model for hydrochloric, nitric, and sulfuric acids at low temperatures; (2) incorporation of acid chemistry and nitrate minerals into the FREZCHEM model; (3) validation and limitations of the derived acid model; and (4) simulation of hypothetical acidic brines for Europa. The Clegg mole-fraction acid models were used to estimate activities of water and mean ionic activity coefficients that serve as the database for estimating molal Pitzer-equation parameters for HCl (188 to 298 K), HNO 3 (228 to 298 K), and H 2 SO 4 (208 to 298 K). Model eutectics for HNO 3 and H 2 SO 4 agree with experimental measurements to within ± 0.2°C. In agreement with previous work, the experimental freezing point depression (fpd) data for pure HCl at subzero temperatures were judged to be flawed and unreliable. Three alternatives are discussed for handling HCl chemistry at subzero temperatures. In addition to defining the solubility of solid-phase acids, this work also adds three new nitrate minerals and six new acid salts to the FREZCHEM model and refines equilibria among water ice, liquid water, and water vapor over the temperature range from 180 to 298 K. The final system is parameterized for Na-K-Mg-Ca-H-Cl-SO 4 -NO 3 -OH-HCO 3 -CO 3 -CO 2 -H 2 O. Simulations of hypothetical MgSO 4 -H 2 SO 4 -H 2 O and Na 2 SO 4 -MgSO 4 -H 2 SO 4 -H 2 O brines for Europa demonstrate how freezing can convert a predominantly salt solution into a predominantly acid solution at subzero temperatures. This result has consequences for the effects of salinity, acidity, and temperature as limiting factors for potential life on Europa. Strong acidity would limit life-forms to highly acidophilic organisms.
Providing Contraception for Women Taking Potentially Teratogenic Medications: A Survey of Internal Medicine Physicians’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Barriers

BACKGROUND The majority of women prescribed category D or X medications may not receive adequate contraceptive counseling or a reliable contraceptive method. Physicians who prescribe potentially teratogenic medications have a responsibility to provide women with contraceptive counseling, a method of highly-effective contraception, or both.
Effect of Spironolactone on Blood Pressure and the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Oligo-Anuric Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Through its actions on nonepithelial tissues, including brain, blood vessels, and heart, aldosterone may mediate hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Whether aldosterone has a direct pathogenic role in the development of cardiovascular complications in patients with end-stage renal disease is unknown. Oligo-anuric dialysis patients provide a clinical setting to study the effects of the mineralocorticoid receptor blocker spironolactone that are independent of the diuretic properties of the drug. We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study to assess the effect of spironolactone on blood pressure and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in oligo-anuric hemodialysis patients. Methods: Eight hemodialysis patients were administered either spironolactone, 50 mg, or placebo orally twice daily for 2 weeks, followed by a 3-week washout period, after which patients crossed over in their treatment arms for 2 more weeks. Results: Administration of spironolactone for 2 weeks decreased predialysis systolic blood pressure from 142.0 ± 19.6 to 131.4 ± 18.2 mm Hg ( P Conclusion: When administered for 2 weeks, spironolactone, 50 mg twice daily, reduced predialysis systolic blood pressure, but did not produce hyperkalemia in oligo-anuric hemodialysis patients.
Hydrogen bond donation to the heme distal ligand of Staphylococcus aureus IsdG tunes the electronic structure

Staphylococcus aureus IsdG catalyzes the final step of staphylococcal iron acquisition from host hemoglobin, whereby host-derived heme is converted to iron and organic products. The Asn7 distal pocket residue is known to be critical for enzyme activity, but the influence of this residue on the substrate electronic structure was unknown prior to this work. Here, an optical spectroscopic and density functional theory characterization of azide- and cyanide-inhibited wild type and N7A IsdG is presented. Magnetic circular dichroism data demonstrate that Asn7 perturbs the electronic structure of azide-inhibited, but not cyanide-inhibited, IsdG. As the iron-ligating α-atom of azide, but not cyanide, can act as a hydrogen bond acceptor, these data indicate that the terminal amide of Asn7 is a hydrogen bond donor to the α-atom of a distal ligand to heme in IsdG. Circular dichroism characterization of azide- and cyanide-inhibited forms of WT and N7A IsdG strongly suggests that the Asn7···N3 hydrogen bond influences the orientation of a distal azide ligand with respect to the heme substrate. Specifically, density functional theory calculations suggest that Asn7···N3 hydrogen bond donation causes the azide ligand to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the porphyrin plane and weakens the π-donor strength of the azide ligand. This lowers the energies of the Fe 3d xz and 3d yz orbitals, mixes Fe 3d xy and porphyrin a 2u character into the singly-occupied molecular orbital, and results in spin delocalization onto the heme meso carbons. These discoveries have important implications for the mechanism of heme oxygenation catalyzed by IsdG.
Infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization (IR-MALDESI) imaging source coupled to a FT-ICR mass spectrometer.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) allows for the direct monitoring of the abundance and spatial distribution of chemical compounds over the surface of a tissue sample. This technology has opened the field of mass spectrometry to numerous innovative applications over the past 15 years. First used with SIMS and MALDI MS that operate under vacuum, interest has grown for mass spectrometry ionization sources that allow for effective imaging but where the analysis can be performed at ambient pressure with minimal or no sample preparation. We introduce here a versatile source for MALDESI imaging analysis coupled to a hybrid LTQ-FT-ICR mass spectrometer. The imaging source offers single shot or multi-shot capability per pixel with full control over the laser repetition rate and mass spectrometer scanning cycle. Scanning rates can be as fast as 1 pixel/second and a spatial resolution of 45 μm was achieved with oversampling.
Nyama and Heka: African Concepts of the Word

Knowledge of the West African griot epic has advanced enormously in the last fifteen years with the publication of volumes by Thomas Hale, Scribe, Griot, Novelist: Narrative Interpreters of the Songhay Empire1 and Griots and Griottes: Masters of Words and Music,2 Stephen Belcher, Epic Traditions of Africa',3 and Barbara G. Hoffman, Griots At War: Conflict, Conciliation, and Caste in Mande.4 Despite the richness of these studies, the concept of nyama, the Mande word for occult "power" or "means," has remained a secondary concern of African cultural criticism. Fascination with the figure of the griot has tended to overshadow the problem of nyama, or, in some cases, generic considerations have taken precedence over matters of the occult. In the first instance, the critic risks subordinating nyama to a Western idealism, or a Platonic logic, in the second, to an old-fashioned essentialism, or an Aristo telian logic. However, the extent to which nyama may be construed as a force generative of both complexes remains unarticulated. By assuming that nyama flows from the abysmal no-place of the blood-filled receptacle, and not the Platonic simulacrum of the human soul, many hitherto unresolved enigmas about the griot may be resolved. While it is true that the griot must "learn
Sarcomere Length Dependence Of The Force-pCa Relationship In Cardiac Muscle Is Influenced By Properties Of Thin Filament Regulatory Units

Myocardial performance is tightly regulated by sarcomere length (SL), which is thought to be due at least in part to concurrent changes in myofilament lattice spacing and the relative proximity (and binding probability) of myosin heads to actin. Furthermore, crossbridge binding enhances Ca2+ binding to troponin (Tn) in cardiac muscle, a unique form of cooperative thin filament activation whose mechanism is currently unknown. Experiments here were designed to test the hypothesis that the properties of Tn are important in determining the SL dependence of force in cardiac muscle. We compared trabeculae exchanged with WT cTn vs. cTn containing a mutant (L48Q) cTnC with enhanced Ca2+ affinity. L48Q cTnC caused a left-shift in the force-pCa relationship at long (2.3 μm) SL as compared to WT cTnC. Interestingly, L48Q cTnC effectively eliminated SL-dependence of the force-pCa relationship, via a much larger left-shift at short SL, while SL dependence of Fmax was unaffected. This suggests that SL-dependence of cardiac force development can be greatly influenced by the properties of native cTn, perhaps by limiting crossbridge binding, and that this effect is likely most important at shorter SL. Furthermore, increasing the Ca2+ binding and/or cTnC-cTnI interaction properties of cTn (such as with L48Q cTnC) can reduce or eliminate this limitation. Ongoing experiments will determine whether TnI phosphorylation can restore SL dependence by decreasing Tn Ca2+ affinity, thereby reducing myosin access to actin binding sites. This will also be tested by exchange with I61Q cTnC-Tn, a mutant with reduced Ca2+ affinity. Overall, these results imply that the cardiac length-force relationship is governed, at least in part, by properties of thin filament regulatory units. Support appreciated from NIH R01 HL 65497 (MR) and T32 HL07828 (FSK).
Improving multifunctional behavior in structural electrolytes through copolymerization of structure- and conductivity-promoting monomers

Abstract Polymer electrolytes were developed to improve simultaneous demonstration of mechanical and electrochemical properties. Solvent-free random copolymers were synthesized using one monomer with poly(ethylene glycol) sidechains that promote lithium ion conduction and one crosslinking monomer that promotes high modulus. Sixty unique systems of monomer pairs were developed in this manner. The properties of the resulting copolymers were influenced by the monomer ratio and chemistry. The copolymers consistently exhibited improved electrochemical–mechanical multifunctionality with respect to the analogous homopolymers. The most promising systems included highly conductive components paired with highly structural components, suggesting that improved multifunctionality may be achieved through interpenetrating multicomponent systems in which each component demonstrates high efficiency in a single property. Electrochemical, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties are discussed with respect to composition and the glass transition temperature. Modeling of conductivity and modulus was employed to enable prediction of copolymer properties based on the ratio and properties of the constituents.
2,4,6-Tris(1′-phenyl­thio-1-ferrocenyl)­boroxin

The synthesis of 1′-phenyl­thio-1-ferroceneboronic acid resulted in its trimerization with the loss of three mol­ecules of water to form crystalline 2,4,6-tris(1′-phenyl­thio-1-ferro­cen­yl)­boroxin, C48H39B3Fe3O3S3 or [Fe3(C15H12B3O3)(C11H9S)3]. The asymmetric unit contains two boroxin mol­ecules conjugated with the attached cyclo­penta­dienyl rings to form an aromatic ring. The cyclo­penta­dienyl rings of five of the six ferrocenes are in an eclipsed conformation; the cyclo­penta­dienyl rings of the other ferrocene are in the gauche form. Hydro­lysis of the boroxin ring with aqueous base apparently is needed to produce the corresponding boronic acid required in a Suzuki coupling reaction.
Purification, identification and activity of phomodione, a furandione from an endophytic Phoma species.

Abstract Phomodione, [(4a S ∗ ,9b R ∗ )-2,6-diacetyl-7-hydroxy-4a,9-dimethoxy-8,9b-dimethyl-4a.9b-dihydrodibenzo[ b , d ]furan-1,3(2 H ,4 H )-dione], an usnic acid derivative, was isolated from culture broth of a Phoma species, discovered as an endophyte on a Guinea plant ( Saurauia scaberrinae ). It was identified using NMR, X-ray crystallography, high resolution mass spectrometry, as well as infrared and Raman spectroscopy. In addition to phomodione, usnic acid and cercosporamide, known compounds with antibiotic activity, were also found in the culture medium. Phomodione exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.6 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus using the disk diffusion assay, and was active against a representative oomycete, ascomycete and basidiomycete at between three and eight micrograms per mL.
The M2 splice isoform of pyruvate kinase is important for cancer metabolism and tumour growth

Many tumour cells express the M2 form of pyruvate kinase rather than the usual M1 form. PKM2 is now shown to promote tumorigenesis and switch the cellular metabolism to increased lactate production and reduced oxygen consumption, recapitulating key aspects of the Warburg effect.
Macrophage-dependent arachidonate metabolism in hydronephrosis

Macrophage-dependent arachidonate metabolism in hydronephrosis. Unilateral ureteral obstruction in rabbits leads to an influx of macrophages into the kidney, a proliferation of interstitial cells, and an increase in arachidonic acid metabolism. The role of the macrophage in the metabolic changes of hydronephrosis was investigated by using endotoxin and nitrogen mustard. The in vivo administration of endotoxin, a macrophage agonist, 1 hour before perfusion of the hydronephrotic kidney markedly enhanced (fourfold to tenfold) the peptide-stimulated arachidonic acid metabolism of the perfused kidney. Nitrogen mustard made animals leukopenic and prevented the influx of macrophages into the hydronephrotic kidney. The peptide-stimulated arachidonic acid metabolism of these kidneys was suppressed, and no enhancement was seen with in vivo endotoxin administration. The macrophage thus appears to be an essential determinant of the enhanced arachidonic acid metabolism seen in experimental hydronephrosis. An inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E 2 on macrophage function in this model of renal inflammation was also demonstrated. Hydronephrotic animals were given aspirin during the period of unilateral ureteral obstruction to prevent in vivo prostaglandin E 2 production. In the perfused hydronephrotic kidney, the peptide-stimulated arachidonic acid metabolism, which appears to be a marker of macrophage function in this model, was enhanced by aspirin treatment. Metabolisme dependant des macrophages de l'arachidonate lors de l'hydronephrose. L'obstruction ureterale unilaterale chez des lapins conduit a un afflux de macrophages dans le rein, a une proliferation des cellules interstitielles et a une elevation du metabolisme de l'acide arachidonique. Le role du macrophage dans les modifications metaboliques de l'hydronephrose a ete etudie en utilisant une endotoxine et une moutarde azotee. L'administration in vivo d'endotoxine, un agoniste des macrophages, 1 heure avant la perfusion du rein hydronephrotique a stimule de facon marquee (4 a 10 fois) le metabolisme de l'acide arachidonique stimule par les peptides dans le rein perfuse. La moutarde azotee a rendu les animaux leucopeniques et a empeche l'afflux de macrophages dans le rein hydronephrotique. Le metabolisme stimule par les peptides de l'acide arachidonique dans ces reins etait supprime, et aucune stimulation n'etait vue lors de l'administration in vivo d'endotoxine. Le macrophage apparait ainsi un determinant essentiel de la stimulation du metabolisme arachidonique observee lors de l'hydronephrose experimentale. Un effet inhibiteur des prostaglandines E 2 sur la fonction macrophagique a egalement ete demontre dans ce modele d'inflammation renale. Les animaux hydronephrotiques ont recu de l'aspirine pendant la periode d'obstruction ureterale unilaterale pour empecher la production in vivo de prostaglandines E 2 . Le metabolisme de l'acide arachidonique stimule par les peptides dans le rein hydronephrotique perfuse, quiapparait comme un marqueur de la fonction macrophagique dans ce modele, etait stimule lors du traitement par l'aspirine.
Association of diet alone, insulin, sulfonylureas, metformin, and thiazolidinediones with the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus

Coronary angiography was performed in 152 men and 163 women with diabetes mellitus, mean age 55 +/- 8 years, because of chest pain. Of 67 patients with 3-vessel or 4-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD), 17 (25%) were treated with diet alone, 29 (43%) with insulin, 18 (27%) with sulfonylureas, 12 (18%) with metformin, and 6 (9%) with thiazolidinediones. Of 76 patients with 2-vessel CAD, 20 (26%) were treated with diet alone, 36 (47%) with insulin, 21 (28%) with sulfonylureas, 21 (28%) with metformin, and 11 (14%) with thiazolidinediones. Of 40 patients with 1-vessel CAD, 15 (38%) were treated with diet alone, 11 (28%) with insulin, 8 (20%) with sulfonylureas, 12 (30%) with metformin, and 4 (10%) with thiazolidinediones. Of 132 patients with 0-vessel CAD, 18 (14%) were treated with diet alone, 21 (16%) with insulin, 7 (5%) with sulfonylureas, 75 (56%) with metformin, and 35 (26%) with thiazolidinediones. Cochran-Armitage trend tests were used to examine whether the use of treatment significantly increases or decreases as the number of arteries with CAD increases (P = 0.036 for diet alone; P < 0.0001 for insulin, for sulfonylureas, and for metformin; P = 0.002 for thiazolidinediones).
Acute toxicity of ganciclovir: Effect of dietary restriction and chronobiology☆☆☆

The effect of diet, age and time of dose delivery on the mortality of female B6C3F1 mice from ganciclovir sodium (DHPG) was determined for both single (SD: 400 mg DHPG/kg, ip) and multiple doses (MD; same dose ip for 10 additional days) of the drug. Young (7–10 months) and middle-aged (MA; 19–22 months) mice (B6C3F1), both fed ad lib. (AL) and calorie restricted (CR), were dosed at 0, 6, 12 and 18 hr after lights on (HALO; SD study) and at 12.00 hr (MD study). The SD study mortality rate was 38% (AL) and 1.7% (CR) (P < 0.00001). Mortality was 53% (AL, young: P < 0.00001), over 20% (AL, MA), over 1.8% (CR, MA; P = 0.00004) or more than 1.7% (CR, young; P = 0.00002). Effects were independent of lean body mass differences between AL and CR mice. In the SD study, comparing AL mice only, the greatest mortality was seen in young mice at 6 HALO, (73%; P = 0.0034) and lowest mortality in MA mice at 12 HALO (8%; P = 0.026), whereas in the MD study mortality was 63% AL and 33% CR (P = 0.015). By age, MD mortality was 80% (AL, young; P = 0.0035), 50% (CR, MA), 47% (AL, MA), and 15% (CR, young; P = 0.0013). CR protected both young and MA mice in SD and young mice in MD. Lowest mortality for AL was at 12 HALO. It is suggested that dosing at 12 HALO may protect by decreasing DHPG uptake during a period of minimal DNA synthesis in the affected organ(s). CR and timing of DHPG dose may obviate the necessity to discontinue DHPG because of toxicity in humans. The most significant finding of this study is the impact of diet on mortality.
Rapid atrial stimulation: Successful method of conversion of atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia

Atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia frequently pose difficult therapeutic problems. The established methods of treatment use various antiarrhythmic drugs or precordial countershock, or both. More recently, rapid atrial stimulation has been advocated as an alternative mode of conversion of these tachycardias. Most reports have shown a satisfying rate of conversion. Our experience represents the second largest reported series of patients to undergo cardioversion by this method. In all but 3 of 32 patients who underwent the procedure, either the atrial tachyarrhythmia was converted to sinus rhythm or the flutter-tachycardia was terminated with resultant atrial fibrillation. In 23 patients sinus rhythm was eventually established after atrial stimulation. This technique is confirmed as a safe and reliable method of terminating atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia. Reasons for preferring this mode of cardioversion of atrial tachy-cardia-flutter over direct-current countershock are discussed. Particular consideration should be given to conversion by rapid atrial stimulation in patients with possible digitalis toxicity and in all patients who have atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia or junctional tachy-cardia after open heart surgery.
Incentive compatibility and competitive allocations

Abstract It is shown that as the number of individuals in an economy grows, the demand functions which are optimal for an agent converge to the competitive (price-taking) demand.
Trio catalysis merging enamine, brønsted Acid, and metal lewis Acid catalysis: asymmetric three-component aza-diels-alder reaction of substituted cinnamaldehydes, cyclic ketones, and arylamines.

A trio catalyst system, composed of arylamine, BINOL-derived phosphoric acid, and Y(OTf)3, enables the combination of enamine catalysis with both hard metal Lewis acid catalysis and Bronsted acid catalysis for the first time. Using this catalyst system, a three-component aza-Diels–Alder reaction of substituted cinnamaldehyde, cyclic ketone, and arylamine is carried out with high chemo- and enantioselectivity, affording a series of optically active 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives are obtained in 91–99 % ee and 59–84 % yield. DHPs bearing a chiral quaternary carbon center are also obtained with good enantioselectivity and moderate yield (three examples). Preliminary mechanistic investigations have also been conducted.
Expression of cytochrome p450 aldosterone synthase and 11β-hydroxylase mRNA during adrenal regeneration

In situ hybridization histochemistry was used to monitor the expression of cytochrome P450 aldosterone synthase (P450aldo) and cytochrome P450 11β-hydroxylase (P45011β) mRNA in regenerating rat adrenals. Comparisons were made between regenerating adrenals from unilateral enucleated/unilateral adrenalectomized (ULE/ULA) and bilateral enucleated (BLE) rats. During the first week after enucleation, P45011β mRNA was expressed in all adrenals reflecting the presence of fasciculata cells; however, P450aldo mRNA was detected only in adrenals from ULE/ULA rats suggesting that the glomerulosa cell phenotype was absent after BLE. These findings suggest that the expression of glomerulosa cells during the early period of regeneration is influenced by the presence of a second regenerating adrenal.
Mass transfer from single gas bubble — a comparative study on experimental methods

A comparative study on the experimental techniques which have been used for the study of mass transfer from single gas bubble was made. The instantaneous mass transfer rates from a single carbon dioxide bubble rising through quiescent liquid medium (water) were measured using two different methods. For the first method, two movie cameras were placed on a moving platform along perpendicular directions and were used to record the position and size change of the bubble. The second method measured the mass transfer rates by recording the pressure changes in the free space at top of the bubble column, which was caused by the change of bubble size. The instantaneous mass transfer coefficients determined by either method exhibited wide scattering which is typical of work of this kind. Discussions are given on the relative merits of these two methods. On a fait une etude comparative des methodes experimentales utilisees pour l'etude du transfert de masse a partir d'une simple bulle gazeuse. On a mesure par deux methodes differentes les vitesses de transfert instantane de masse, a partir d'une simple bulle d'anhydride carbonique qui s'elevait dans un milieu liquide en reops (eau). Dans la premiere methode, on a place deux cameras cinematographiques sur un plateau mobile dans des directions perpendiculaires et les a utilises pour enregistrer la position et le changement des dimensions de la bulle. Dans la seconde mtehode, on a mesure les vitesses de transfer de masse en enregistrante les changements de pression dans l'espace libre au sommet de la colonne de la bulle qui etaient dus aux modifications des dimensions de la bulle. Les coefficients de transfert instantane de masse qu'on a determines par l'une ou l'autre methode ont mis en lumiere une dispersion prononcee qui est une caracteristique d'un travail de ce genre. On discute les avantages et inconvenients relatifs des deux methodes precitees.
Selective pharmacological modulation of renal peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding by treatment with diuretic drugs.

Abstract We have assessed the effects of in vivo administration of different classes of diuretic drugs on the experssion of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site (PBBS) in crude membranes derived from the cortex and outer medulla of rat kidney by saturation analysis with the PBBS-selective ligands [ 3 H]Ro5-4864 and [ 3 H]PK 11185 in cortex and [ 3 H]R05-4864 in outer medulla. Administration for 14–15 days of furosemide, a drug that blocks NaCl-KCl coupled transport in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, produced a significant doubling in the PBBS density (B max ) in outer medulla, a region of the kidney rich in thick ascending limbs, and produced a lesser but significant increase in PBBS density in the cortex. Conversely, administration for 14–15 days of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide, which acts predominantly in the proximal tubule, and hydrochlorothiazide, which acts predominantly in the early distal tubule, elicited statistically significant increases in PBBS density in renal cortex but not in renal outer medulla. Furthermore, all drug treatments were without effect on the equilibrium dissociation constants (K d s) of [ 3 H]R05-4864 and [ 3 H]PK 11195 binding to cortical and outer medullary membrane preparations. These findings demonstrate that the PBBS can be selectively “up-regulated” in different regions of the kidney by diuretic drugs with different modes/sites of action.