cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Hyoscyamus niger

Culture of segments of leaves, petioles, and stems and of germinated seeds and whole ovaries enclosing unpollinated ovules of Hyossyamus niger in a medium containg 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid caused massive growth of calluses. In cultured germinated seeds and ovaries, calluses were formed from the hypocotyl and placenta, respectively. Leaf and stem explants generally gave rise to hard, white, and compact calluses. Upon transfer of these calluses to an auxin-free medium they regenerated roots or buds but showed no further signs of morphogenesis. Calluses formed on petioles, germinated seeds, and ovaries were a mixture ofthe white, compact and brown, friable types. Subsequent morphogenesis of the friable calluses in a medium lacking auxin was characterized by the formation of somatic embryos whose pattern of development was similar to that of zygotic embryos.
Neutron conversion efficiency and gamma interference with gadolinium

Gadolinium (Gd) neutron capture plays an important role in both Gd neutron capture therapy and neutron detection. Detailed information about the low-energy electron spectrum emitted after Gd neutron capture is essential for accurately determining the dose delivery to the target and healthy tissues, as well as the effectiveness of Gd against other neutron convertors such as boron (B) and lithium (Li). Owing to issues such as charge extraction associated with the low energy of internal conversion electrons (ICEs) and high gamma interaction of Gd, its competitiveness for certain applications remains debatable. We measured the ICE spectrum of Gd, compared the energy deposition rates of neutron capture products from Gd, B, and Li compounds, and discussed issues associated with gamma sensitivity of Gd.
Silencing GADD153/CHOP Gene Expression Protects against Alzheimer's Disease-Like Pathology Induced by 27-Hydroxycholesterol in Rabbit Hippocampus

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sustained ER stress leads to activation of the growth arrest and leucine zipper transcription factor, DNA damage inducible gene 153 (gadd153; also called CHOP). Activated gadd153 can generate oxidative damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS), increase β-amyloid (Aβ) levels, disturb iron homeostasis and induce inflammation as well as cell death, which are all pathological hallmarks of AD. Epidemiological and laboratory studies suggest that cholesterol dyshomeostasis contributes to the pathogenesis of AD. We have previously shown that the cholesterol oxidized metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) triggers AD-like pathology in organotypic slices. However, the extent to which gadd153 mediates 27-OHC effects has not been determined. We silenced gadd153 gene with siRNA and determined the effects of 27-OHC on AD hallmarks in organotypic slices from adult rabbit hippocampus. siRNA to gadd153 reduced 27-OHC-induced Aβ production by mechanisms involving reduction in levels of β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and β-secretase (BACE1), the enzyme that initiates cleavage of APP to yield Aβ peptides. Additionally, 27-OHC-induced tau phosphorylation, ROS generation, TNF-α activation, and iron and apoptosis-regulatory protein levels alteration were also markedly reduced by siRNA to gadd153. These data suggest that ER stress-mediated gadd153 activation plays a central role in the triggering of AD pathological hallmarks that result from incubation of hippocampal slices with 27-OHC. Our results add important insights into cellular mechanisms that underlie the potential contribution of cholesterol metabolism in AD pathology, and suggest that preventing gadd153 activation protects against AD related to cholesterol oxidized products.
Transcriptional target-based expression cloning of immunoregulatory molecules

Immunologic research has benefited tremendously from expression-cloning strategies designed to isolate genes responsible for a wide variety of immunomodulatory activities, including cytokines, receptors, signaling proteins, and transcription factors. Here, we discuss the use of expression-cloning strategies that have been modified to detect cDNAs that influence gene expression as assayed by a transcriptional reporter. We summarize our experience with these screens, review important parameters, and discuss potential modifications.
Relationships between wind and waves, Abbotts Lagoon, California

A series of observations on wind-generated waves was made in Abbotts Lagoon, California, to define better the relationships between wind and wave characteristics on relatively small bodies of water of limited fetch. The experimental methods are described and a relationship between wave height and period as a function of fetch and wind speed is presented. Other information presented includes a relationship between wave steepness and wave age, wind gradients, and a typical frequency distribution of wave heights.
Metalloporphyrin chelatase from barley.

1. 1. A soluble enzyme which catalyzes the insertion of both zinc and iron into porphyrins has been prepared from etiolated barley seedlings. Purification of about 30-fold has been achieved by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and chromatography on Sephadex G-150. Both zinc-chelatase and ferrochelatase activity fractionated in a parallel manner during all steps of purification. 2. 2. A simple and rapid procedure for determination of zinc-chelatase activity is described. This is based on fluorimetric determination of the rate of formation of zinc protoporphyrin. 3. 3. Evidence both favorable and opposed to the view that a single enzyme is involved in both iron- and zinc-chelatase action is discussed. Ferrochelatase activity was stimulated by preincubation with glutathione and dithiothreitol and was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetamide. Zinc chelatase activity was stimulated by ATP and was relatively insensitive to air. Both activities had the same pH-activity curve, and Fe2+ competitively inhibited zinc-chelatase activity.
New paradigms for the statistics profession

This paper is a presentation made in support of the statistics profession. This field can say it has had a major impact in most major fields of study presently undertaken by man, yet it is not perceived as an important, or critical field of study. It is not a growth field either, witness the almost level number of faculty and new PhD`s produced over the past twenty years. The author argues the profession must do a better job of selling itself to the students it educates. Awaken them to the impact of statistics in their lives and their business worlds, so that they see beyond the formulae to the application of these principles.
Cytological Studies of Monosomic and Derivative Types of Nicotiana tabacum

The meiotic behavior of the univalent chromosome in monosomic (2n-1) types of Nicotiana tabacum var. purpurea is described.Evidence is presented indicating that abnormal behavior of the univalent chromosome may provide the opportunity for new chromosomal rearragements.Various types of aberrant plants appearing in the progenies of the monosomic types are described. These inelude trisomics, triploids, and others having various structural rearrangements of the chromosomes.Monosomism creates a condition of genetical unbalance that may serve as the source of numerical or structural ehromosomal recombinations.
A new test for equitable real estate tax assessment

Paglin and Fogarty (1972) proposed a correct conceptual view of equitable property tax assessment, but attempts to find an empirical test of their model have become mired in technical issues. The new empirical test proposed here is based on the notion that the market value of an individual property is essentially unobservable.
Monolithic 1.55-μm GaInNAsSb Quantum Well Mode-Locked Lasers

The first monolithic GaInNAsSb/GaNAs 1550-nm mode-locked lasers are reported on a GaAs substrate. A repetition rate of 5.8 GHz has been realized.
SHELL GLAND FORMATION IN THE ILYANASSA EMBRYO.

Abstract The topography of the shell gland in relation to endodermal components in the Ilyanassa embryo has been described. It was concluded that the development of the archenteron, the position of the 4D macromere, or the proliferation of the enteroblasts does not influence shell gland formation in the Ilyanassa embryo. The RNA content of the cells of the shell gland was briefly discussed.
Macromolecular order in spin‐oriented nylon 6 (polycaproamide) fibers

Wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) has been used to characterize the ordered phases of spin-oriented nylon 6 fibers wound at speeds ranging from 5000 to 8000 m/min. Quantitative analysis of the radial diffractometer scans by a computerized curve-fitting procedure reveals that the unit-cell geometry of both the α and γ crystalline morphologies are highly dependent on winding speed and on annealing conditions. At 800° m/min, there is a particularly large reduction in the intermolecular distance along the van der Waals forces of the α unit cell, which is accompanied by substantial crystal growth in the hydrogen-bond direction. Similar increases in the width and perfection of the α crystals result from water annealing and steam treatment. The perfection of the γ crystals increases with winding speed and after annealing in water, but steam treatment increases the intermolecular distance along the hydrogen bonds while reducing it along the van der Waals forces. Using bulk density measurements and the experimentally determined crystalline density pc for each sample, the volume-fraction crystallinity (VFC) is shown to pass through a maximum at ca. 6500 m/min. This maximum arises from a decrease in α crystallinity with increasing winding speed together with an increase in γ crystallinity, which levels off above ca. 7000 m/min. It is demonstrated that the determination of VFC assuming constants pc would lead to large errors. The orientation of the α crystals is found to be much less than that of the γ crystals, but it increases quite rapidly with winding speed. Water and steam treatments cause increases in α orientation and decreases in γ orientation.
Movement and persistence of 2,4,5‐trichlorophenoxyacetic acid in a forest watershed in the Eastern United States

Approximately 98% of a 22-ha forest watershed in West Virginia was treated with 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) at a rate of 2.24 kg/ha. The average herbicide residue in the foliage and tips of four species of vegetation was 151 mg/kg immediately after application, 61 mg/kg after 1 week, and 24, 7.9, 4.6, 0.07 and less than 0.01 mg/kg after 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Residues in the forest floor decreased from 31 mg/m2 (0.31 kg/ha) immediately after application to 2 mg/m2 after 12 months and 1.6 mg/m2 after 24 months. The concentration in 0 to 15 cm soil decreased by 90% in 1 month and then remained relatively constant. No 2,4,5-T (<0.01 mg/kg) was found deeper than 15 cm after 3 months. Throughfall precipitation transferred 34 mg/m2 to the forest floor, with 80% occurring the first 2 weeks after application, during which time there was 16.9 cm precipitation. About 6 mg/m2 was transferred to the forest floor in freshfall litter. The highest concentration of 2,4,5-T in stream water during application was 0.012 mg/L, and the highest concentration during more than 2 years of measurement was 0.05 mg/L, measured 5 h after beginning application and about 1 h after 0.18 cm precipitation. No 2,4,5-T was found in stream water more than 13 d after application. A total of 8.4 g (0.017% of the amount applied) 2,4,5-T was discharged from the watershed in streamflow. The concentrations of 2,4,5-T in this forest are substantially below those likely to cause any adverse effects in animals.
High Resolution Crystal Structures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Adenosine Kinase INSIGHTS INTO THE MECHANISM AND SPECIFICITY OF THIS NOVEL PROKARYOTIC ENZYME

Adenosine kinase (ADK) catalyzes the phosphorylation of adenosine (Ado) to adenosine monophosphate (AMP). It is part of the purine salvage pathway that has been identified only in eukaryotes, with the single exception of Mycobacterium spp. Whereas it is not clear if Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) ADK is essential, it has been shown that the enzyme can selectively phosphorylate nucleoside analogs to produce products toxic to the cell. We have determined the crystal structure of Mtb ADK unliganded as well as ligand (Ado) bound at 1.5- and 1.9-A resolution, respectively. The structure of the binary complexes with the inhibitor 2-fluoroadenosine (F-Ado) bound and with the adenosine 5′-(β,γ-methylene)triphosphate (AMP-PCP) (non-hydrolyzable ATP analog) bound were also solved at 1.9-A resolution. These four structures indicate that Mtb ADK is a dimer formed by an extended β sheet. The active site of the unliganded ADK is in an open conformation, and upon Ado binding a lid domain of the protein undergoes a large conformation change to close the active site. In the closed conformation, the lid forms direct interactions with the substrate and residues of the active site. Interestingly, AMP-PCP binding alone was not sufficient to produce the closed state of the enzyme. The binding mode of F-Ado was characterized to illustrate the role of additional non-bonding interactions in Mtb ADK compared with human ADK.
Flow heterogeneity following global no-flow ischemia in isolated rabbit heart.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate flow heterogeneity and impaired reflow during reperfusion following 60 min global no-flow ischemia in the isolated rabbit heart. Radiolabeled microspheres were used to measure relative flow in small left ventricular (LV) segments in five ischemia + reperfused hearts and in five non-ischemic controls. Although variable in the post-ischemic hearts, flow heterogeneity was increased relative to pre-ischemia for the whole LV (0.92 plus or minus 0.41 vs. 0.37 plus or minus 0.07, P < 0.05) as well as the subendocardium (Endo) and subepicardium (Epi) considered separately (endo: 1.28 plus or minus 0.74 vs. 0.30 plus or minus 0.09; epi: 0.69 plus or minus 0.22 vs. 0.38 plus or minus 0.08; P < 0.05 for both comparisons) during early reperfusion. There were also segments with abnormally reduced reflow. The number of segments with abnormally reduced reflow increased as flow heterogeneity increased. Abnormally reduced reflow indicates that regional ischemia can persist despite restoration of normal global flow. In addition, the relationship between regional and global flow is altered and venous outflow is derived from regions with continued perfusion and not the whole LV. These observations emphasize the need to quantify regional reflow during reperfusion following sustained no-flow ischemia in the isolated rabbit heart.
Design and characterization of two-dye and three-dye binary fluorescent probes for mRNA detection

We report the design, synthesis and characterization of binary oligonucleotide probes for mRNA detection. The probes were designed to avoid common problems found in standard binary probes such as direct excitation of the acceptor fluorophore and overlap between the donor and acceptor emission spectra. Two different probes were constructed that contained an array of either two or three dyes and that were characterized using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence depolarization measurements. The three-dye binary probe (BP-3d) consists of a Fam fluorophore which acts as a donor, collecting light and transferring it as energy to Tamra, which subsequently transfers energy to Cy5 when the two probes are hybridized to mRNA. This design allows the use of 488 nm excitation, which avoids the direct excitation of Cy5 and at the same time provides a good fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency. The two-dye binary probe system (BP-2d) was constructed of Alexa488 and Cy5 fluorophores. Although the overlap between the fluorescence of Alexa488 and the absorption of Cy5 is relatively low, FRET still occurs due to their close physical proximity when the probes are hybridized to mRNA. This framework also decreases the direct excitation of Cy5 and reduces the fluorescence overlap between the donor and the acceptor. Picosecond time-resolved spectroscopy showed a reduction in the fluorescence lifetime of donor fluorophores after the formation of the hybrid between the probes and target mRNA. Interestingly, BP-2d in the presence of mRNA shows a slow rise in the fluorescence decay of Cy5 due to a relatively low FRET rate, which together with the reduction in the Alexa488 lifetime provides a way to improve the signal to background ratio using time-resolved fluorescence spectra (TRES). In addition, fluorescence depolarization measurements showed complete depolarization of the acceptor dyes (Cy5) for both BP-3d (due to sequential FRET steps) and BP-2d (due to the relatively low FRET rate) in the presence of the mRNA target.
Epidemiologic Analysis of Reactivated Cytomegalovirus Antigenemia in Patients with Cancer

The epidemiologic features of reactivated cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia were studied among 4,382 cancer patients who were cared for and tested at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 2001 to 2004. The effects of stem cell transplant (SCT) status, underlying disease, age, sex, ethnicity, and antibody status (prior to CMV exposure) on the incidence of CMV antigenemia were determined; and the CMV burdens were quantified. Antigenemia occurred in 9.3% of patients with non-SCT (n = 2511), 12.0% with autologous SCT (n = 582), and 39.1% with allogeneic SCT (n = 1289). Non-SCT patients with lymphoid tumors had a significantly higher rate of antigenemia than those with myeloid tumors (13.6% versus 3.9%) (P < 0.001); however, after allogeneic SCT, the underlying diseases had little effect, except for multiple myeloma (56.8%) (P = 0.014). Among the allogeneic SCT recipients, higher CMV antigenemia rates were also associated with female sex, older age, and positivity for pre-SCT CMV antibody. Depending on the underlying disease and its associated initial CMV risk, allogeneic SCT increased the risk by 2.6- to 29.6-fold (overall, 4.0-fold). With or without SCT, Asians had the highest CMV antigenemia rates and burdens, followed by blacks, Hispanics, and whites, and these partially correlated with antibody prevalence. Among the 808 patients with antigenemia, the circulating peak CMV burden was significantly higher among non-SCT patients (geometric mean, 18.7 positive cells per 10(6) leukocytes) than among allogeneic SCT patients (geometric mean, 7.7 positive cells per 10(6) leukocytes) or autologous SCT patients (geometric mean, 7.0 positive cells per 10(6) leukocytes) who underwent monitoring for CMV. Together, these results allow stratification of CMV risks and suggest a substantial CMV reactivation among non-SCT cancer patients and, thus, the need for better diagnosis and control.
Multipoint pacing: can we connect the dots to improve resynchronization therapy?

The utility of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for patients with congestive heart failure and electromechanical dyssynchrony is well established. This form of therapy has a salutary effect on both quality of life and survival. Nevertheless, approximately one-third of the patients may not experience clinical benefit. Furthermore, if reverse remodeling, defined as a 415% reduction in end systolic volume, is used as a marker of response, then as many as half of the patients may be considered nonresponders. 1 Several techniques have been used in an attempt to improve the efficacy of CRT. The optimization of AV and VV intervals has been used with marginal benefit. Large studies have suggested that simultaneous vs sequential activation of the ventricles has little effect on the vast majority. 2 Left ventricular (LV) stimulation alone has also been evaluated, and it demonstrated clinical outcomes similar to those demonstrated by biventricular stimulation. 2,3 However, it should be noted that an individual not responding to LV stimulation may benefit from a change to biventricular pacing. 3 Optimizing lead placement by either electrical or hemodynamic parameters has been investigated. Identifying sites of late LV activation and targeting such
Diffusion of Argon in a Potassium‐Lime‐Silica Glass

Diffusion coefficients for bulk diffusion of argon in a potassium-lime-silica glass have been determined at temperatures in the range 308° to 470°C. by a radioactive counting technique. Argon diffusion was found to follow classical bulk diffusion theory within the limits of experimental accuracy. From a plot of log D versus 1000/T, an activation energy of 42 kcal. per mole was obtained for the argon diffusion process. The activation energy and diffusion coefficients obtained for argon by the radioactive counting technique are compared with values for helium and argon obtained by other investigators by use of the permeation technique.
Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between thiosulfate and chlorite ions at 90°C

Cinetique de l'oxydation de S 2 O 3 2− par ClO 2 − en solution aqueuse basique a 90°C. Il y aurait attaque nucleophile de S 2 O 3 2− sur HClO 2 pour former un intermediaire contenant du chlore
Electron Microscopy of the Bovine Cutaneous Papilloma

Experimentally produced bovine cutaneous papillomas of 30, 76 and 112 days' duration as well as 3 naturally occurring bovine cutaneous papillomas were examined by light and electron microscopy. Degenerative changes were not observed in the fibromatous base of the 30-day-old papilloma. An alteration in all papillomas older than 30 days was cytoplasmic vacuolation in cells of the prickle cell and keratohyaline layers. As cells progressed upward their degeneration became more prominent. In the keratinized layers of 2 papillomas virus-like particles were observed within plasma membranes of keratinized cells.
Biological and technical considerations of carnivore translocation: a review

Carnivore translocations are usually risky and expensive, and a number of biological and non-biological factors can influence success. Biological considerations include knowledge of genetics, demographics, behavior, disease, and habitat requirements. This information is critical for determining if the translocation should be attempted, if it could be successful, and how it could be implemented in an efficient and effective manner. We stress that individual species will vary in their responses, and ideas should be tested scientifically. The technical considerations of translocation are closely related to the biological questions. They include legal framework, fiscal and intellectual resources, monitoring capacity, goals of the translocation, logistic challenges, and organizational structure of decision-making. We do not discuss socio-economic aspects of translocation because those challenges require detailed discussion in a separate paper. We suggest that because large carnivores often play key roles in regulating ecological interactions between trophic levels, restoring them is more than a single-species activity. By restoring carnivores in viable numbers, we can take a large step toward recovering ecological integrity of geographically extensive landscapes.
Inadequate outpatient medical therapy for patients with asthma admitted to two urban hospitals.

Purpose To determine the patterns of chronic outpatient management in urban patients with moderate and severe asthma, and to assess medical practice adherence to the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma from the National Asthma Education Program (NAEP). Patients and methods This is a cross-sectional survey of adult patients with asthma admitted to the general medical services at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center), Baltimore, Maryland. Subjects were 101 adults admitted with an asthma exacerbation from February 1992 through January 1993. Using a validated questionnaire, these subjects were surveyed within 48 hours of admission concerning their chronic outpatient medical management and the measures patients or their physicians took to alleviate symptoms during the asthma exacerbation leading to hospitalization. Results The average asthma admission rate in the past year for this group of patients was 2.5, indicative of moderate to severe disease. Less than half of these patients had been prescribed inhaled anti-inflammatory therapy. Of the patients who had previously been shown the metered dose inhaler technique by a health care professional, 11% could perform all components of this technique correctly. Only 28% of patients had been given an action plan by their physician in the event of an acute exacerbation. Sixty percent of patients who contacted their physician during the exacerbation that preceded admission had no changes made in their treatment regimen. In those whose exacerbation lasted at least 24 hours, the average beta-agonist metered dose inhaler use during the 24 hours prior to admission was 44.8 ± 7.8 puffs (mean ± standard error of the mean). Older age, current smoking, and race (black) were the most significant correlates of inhaled beta-agonist use during this period. Conclusions This is the first documentation of the multiple problems in conforming with the standards of care delineated by the NAEP as they relate to the outpatient management of inner-city patients with moderate to severe asthma in the United States. In this population of patients with asthma, management was characterized by underutilization of anti-inflammatory therapy, inability to use inhalation devices properly, inadequate communication between patient and physician of an action plan to be utilized in the event of an acute exacerbation, and inadequate physician intervention during the acute stages of the exacerbation. There was also overutilization of inhaled beta-agonists during exacerbations. It is imperative that these aspects of management, for which the NAEP has set standards of care, are addressed as part of the effort to reduce asthma morbidity in the urban United States.
p38 MAP kinase is required for STAT1 serine phosphorylation and transcriptional activation induced by interferons

Activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2 )(cPLA(2)) is a prerequisite for the formation of the transcription factor complex interferon-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) in response to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). Here we show that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), an activator of cPLA(2), is essential for both IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma signalling. SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38, was found to inhibit ISGF3 formation but had no apparent effects on signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 homodimer formation. Regardless of this, the antiviral activities of both IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma were attenuated by SB203580. Treatment with either IFN led to rapid and transient activation of p38. Both IFNs induced STAT1 Ser727 phosphorylation, which was inhibited by SB203580 but not by an extracellular signal related kinase (ERK)1/2 inhibitor (PD98059). In an inducible 3T3-L1 clone, expression of dominant-negative p38 led to defective STAT1 serine phosphorylation and diminished IFN-gamma-mediated protection against viral killing. Reporter activity mediated by ISGF3 or STAT1 homodimer was diminished by SB203580 and enhanced by a constitutively active mutant of MKK6, the upstream activator of p38. Therefore, p38 plays a key role in the serine phosphorylation of STAT1 and transcriptional changes induced by both IFNs.
Is major depression a neurologic disorder with psychiatric symptoms

In the last decade, multiple investigator groups have identified structural changes of various neuroanatomic structures in patients with idiopathic major depression and bipolar disorders. Using high-resolution MRI of the brain and functional neuroimaging studies (i.e., PET, SPECT), researchers have described decreases in the volume of hippocampal formation, amygdala, entorhinal cortex, various frontal lobe structures, and basal ganglia, in addition to abnormal cerebral blood flow and metabolic activity in these structures as well as in thalamic nuclei. Similar structural and functional changes have been identified in patients with depression associated with a variety of neurologic disorders (i.e., stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's dementia). In addition, recent data have shown that depression is a risk factor for the development of several neurologic disorders, including epilepsy, stroke, and Parkinson's disease and bears a negative impact on the course and outcome of most neurologic disorders. This article reviews these data and provides evidence that major depressive and bipolar disorders may in fact be neurologic disorders with psychiatric symptoms.
Evaluating the effect of predation mortality on forage species population dynamics in the Northeast US continental shelf ecosystem using multispecies virtual population analysis

Tyrrell, M. C., Link, J. S., Moustahfid, H., and Overholtz, W. J. 2008. Evaluating the effect of predation mortality on forage species population dynamics in the Northeast US continental shelf ecosystem using multispecies virtual population analysis. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1689-1700.An expanded version of multispecies virtual population analysis (MSVPA) is used to analyse the effects of predation by 14 key predators on Atlantic herring and Atlantic mackerel in the Northwest Atlantic ecosystem for the period 1982-2002. For herring, MSVPA produced greater abundance estimates than single-species assessments, especially for the youngest age classes. The average rate of predation mortality for herring aged 0 and 1 was also higher than the standard total natural mortality rate (0.2) for the 21-year time frame (0.84-3.2). The same was true for mackerel in this MSVPA (0.37-1.6). Consumptive removals of herring and mackerel generally increased over time. From 1999 to 2001, the biomass removed by predators exceeded each species' commercial landings. The sum of consumption and landings notably exceeded the multispecies maximum sustainable yield for herring for the years 1995-2002 and for mackerel for the period 1999-2002. We highlight the importance of accounting for predation on forage species in the context of changes to the fish community that have taken place in the Northwest Atlantic over the past few decades.
Inhibition of Janus kinase signaling during controlled mechanical ventilation prevents ventilation-induced diaphragm dysfunction

Controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) is associated with the development of diaphragm atrophy and contractile dysfunction, and respiratory muscle weakness is thought to contribute significantly to delayed weaning of patients. Therefore, therapeutic strategies for preventing these processes may have clinical benefit. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in CMV-mediated diaphragm wasting and weakness in rats. CMV-induced diaphragm atrophy and contractile dysfunction coincided with marked increases in STAT3 phosphorylation on both tyrosine 705 (Tyr705) and serine 727 (Ser727). STAT3 activation was accompanied by its translocation into mitochondria within diaphragm muscle and mitochondrial dysfunction. Inhibition of JAK signaling during CMV prevented phosphorylation of both target sites on STAT3, eliminated the accumulation of phosphorylated STAT3 within the mitochondria, and reversed the pathologic alterations in mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress in the diaphragm, and maintained normal diaphragm contractility. In addition, JAK inhibition during CMV blunted the activation of key proteolytic pathways in the diaphragm, as well as diaphragm atrophy. These findings implicate JAK/STAT3 signaling in the development of diaphragm muscle atrophy and dysfunction during CMV and suggest that the delayed extubation times associated with CMV can be prevented by inhibition of Janus kinase signaling.-Smith, I. J., Godinez, G. L., Singh, B. K., McCaughey, K. M., Alcantara, R. R., Gururaja, T., Ho, M. S., Nguyen, H. N., Friera, A. M., White, K. A., McLaughlin, J. R., Hansen, D., Romero, J. M., Baltgalvis, K. A., Claypool, M. D., Li, W., Lang, W., Yam, G. C., Gelman, M. S., Ding, R., Yung, S. L., Creger, D. P., Chen, Y., Singh, R., Smuder, A. J., Wiggs, M. P., Kwon, O.-S., Sollanek, K. J., Powers, S. K., Masuda, E. S., Taylor, V. C., Payan, D. G., Kinoshita, T., Kinsella, T. M. Inhibition of Janus kinase signaling during controlled mechanical ventilation prevents ventilation-induced diaphragm dysfunction.
A Comparison of the Influence of Purchaser Attitudes and Product Attributes on Organic Wine Preferences

Despite considerable theoretical support for the proposition that wine consumers’ purchase decisions would be influenced by whether a wine was organic, this study found that taste overwhelmed all o...
The Impact of Total External Beam Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy Package Duration on the Outcome of Cervical Cancer Treated With Radiation Alone or With Concomitant Chemotherapy

The Impact of Total External Beam Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy Package Duration on the Outcome of Cervical Cancer Treated With Radiation Alone or With Concomitant Chemotherapy J.K. Ma, R.M. Allbright, S. Packianathan, L. Harrell, E. Chinchar, W.F. Mourad, A. Albert, and S. Vijayakumar; University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
Entangled-photon imaging of a phase object

Previous experimental demonstrations of entangled-photon imaging have been limited to imaging amplitude objects. We report the first experimental results of entangled-photon imaging of a phase object in a reflection configuration.
The Novel Open‐Framework Vanadium Silicates K2(VO)(Si4O10)⋅H2O (VSH‐1) and Cs2(VO)(Si6O14)⋅3 H2O (VSH‐2)

Silicate layers cross-linked by interlayer VO5 square pyramids form the basis of the three-dimensional frameworks of the structures of the title compounds (the structure of K2 (VO)(Si4 O10 )⋅H2 O is depicted). Alkali metal cations (•) and water molecules (○) occupy nonframework sites in these structures, which were synthesized hydrothermally.
Cocaine Disposition in Meconium from Newborns of Cocaine-Abusing Mothers and Urine of Adult Drug Users

The analysis of meconium for cocaine and metabolites has proved to be a reliable method for the detection of fetal cocaine exposure. Better sensitivity and a larger gestational window of detection have been demonstrated for meconium testing as compared with neonatal urine testing. Cocaine and cocaine metabolites, including benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, cocaethylene, norcocaine, benzoylnorecgonine, and m-hydroxybenzoylecgonine, have been identified in meconium. The origin of these metabolites, whether maternal or fetal, has not been established. This study was conducted to compare the disposition of cocaine and metabolites in meconium from fetuses exposed to cocaine with that of urine from cocaine abusers. Meconium specimens were obtained from six neonates of mothers positive for cocaine use by urinalysis or self-reporting or both during pregnancy. Urine specimens were obtained from 17 adult female and 17 adult male cocaine users enrolled in a treatment program. Specimens were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for cocaine and 12 related analytes. The following analytes were identified and measured in meconium and urine: anhydroecgonine methyl ester; ecgonine methyl ester; ecgonine ethyl ester; cocaine; cocaethylene; benzoylecgonine; norcocaine; norcocaethylene; benzoylnorecgonine; m-and p-hydroxycocaine; and m-and p-hydroxybenzoylecgonine. In addition, both m-and p-hydroxybenzoylecgonine were found to exhibit approximately equal cross-reactivity with benzoylecgonine in the EMIT and TDx assays. The presence of p-hydroxybenzoylecgonine in meconium suggested that this newly identified metabolite, like m-hydroxybenzoylecgonine, might serve as a valuable marker of fetal cocaine exposure during pregnancy. The presence of cocaine and anhydroecgonine methyl ester in meconium was attributed to transfer across the placenta from the mother. However, the origin of the hydrolytic and oxidative metabolites of cocaine could not be established because they were also identified in urine specimens of adult female cocaine users and could have arisen in meconium from either fetal or maternal metabolism.
Relationships between aerosol and snow chemistry at King Col, Mt. Logan Massif, Yukon, Canada

Abstract Simultaneous samples of aerosol ( n = 48 ) and recent snow ( n = 193 ) chemistry were collected at King Col (4135 m) in the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, between 17 May and 11 June 2001. Major ion concentrations in aerosol samples were low with the total ionic burden averaging 5.52 neq m−3 at standard temperature and pressure (STP). Interspecies aerosol relationships indicate the presence of (NH4)2SO4 aerosol at King Col. An aerosol Cl− deficiency relative to seawater suggests volatilization of HCl by reaction with unneutralized SO 4 2 - that is present in half of the samples. Backwards trajectories for select aerosol concentration peaks document the transport of Asian dust and anthropogenic emissions, the eruption plume from the 22 May eruption of Sheveluch, Kamchatka, and sea salt from the marine boundary layer over the Gulf of Alaska to King Col during the sampling period. Fresh snow chemistry generally mimics aerosol chemistry with similar relative abundances and interspecies relationships except for large enrichments in snow Cl− and NO 3 - relative to aerosol due to snow scavenging of gas-phase HCl and HNO3. Although relatively strong correlations between aerosol and snow concentrations were observed for species associated with accumulation mode aerosols, e.g. NH 4 + ( r = 0.56 ) and SO 4 2 - ( r = 0.43 ), only weak correlations were observed for dust and sea-salt species. These results are influenced by greater variability in concentrations between replicate snow samples for species associated with coarse mode dust and sea-salt particles and by snow scavenging of gas-phase HCl and HNO3.
Creating a quantum degenerate gas of stable molecules via weak photoassociation

Quantum degenerate molecules represent a new paradigm for fundamental studies and practical applications. Association of already quantum degenerate atoms into molecules provides a crucial shortcut around the difficulty of cooling molecules to ultracold temperatures. Whereas association can be induced with either laser or magnetic fields, photoassociation requires impractical laser intensity to overcome poor overlap between the atom pair and molecular wave functions, and experiments are currently restricted to magnetoassociation. Here we model realistic production of a quantum degenerate gas of stable molecules via two-photon photoassociation of Bose-condensed atoms. An adiabatic change of the laser frequency converts the initial atomic condensate almost entirely into stable molecular condensate, even for low-intensity lasers. Results for dipolar LiNa provide an upper bound on the necessary photoassociation laser intensity for alkali-metal atoms {approx}30 W/cm{sup 2}, indicating a feasible path to quantum degenerate molecules beyond magnetoassociation.
Mathematical modeling of trypsin activation in acinar cell environment

s / Pancreatology 13 (2013) e1–e94 e79 Background: Endocrine insufficiency in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is believed to be a late manifestation occurring as a result of b cell apoptosis. It is now shown that significant b cell dysfunction exists even in early CP in the absence of clinical diabetes. Our earlier studies suggested that in CP, IFN-g is the predominant cytokine in pancreas responsible for b cell dysfunction. In this study we investigated the source of pancreatic IFN-g and its effect on b cell function and apoptosis. Methods: Pancreatic tissues were obtained from CP patients with and without diabetes (study group) and those undergoing surgery for non pancreatic malignancy (control). IFN-g producing T-helper cells were enumerated in pancreatic tissues and circulation on Flow cytometry and confirmed by immunoflorescence. Islets were sorted for b cells; markers of apoptosis and GSIR were evaluated from controls, CP patients and control islets exposed to IFN-g. Islet proteins from controls, CP patients and control islets exposed to IFN-g were probed on western blots for signal pathway intermediates of insulin gene transcription. Results: IFN-g producing T-helper cell subsets (Th1, Th17) were significantly higher (p<0.01) in circulation and in pancreatic tissues from CP patients as compared to controls. b cells from non-diabetic CP patients showed minimal apoptosis (2 0.8%) but significantly diminished GSIR (60 12%), while 40 9% b cells from diabetic CP patients were apoptotic and remaining 60 7.5% b cells had very minimal GSIR (2 1.5%). Similar results were seen on chronic exposure of normal islets to IFN-g. Preexposing b cells to EGCG (IFN-g inhibitor) reverted islet functions completely and reduced apoptosis significantly. Western blots of islet proteins revealed reduced phosphorylation of pdx1 (transcription factor) resulting in reduced insulin gene transcription and diminished GSIR. Conclusion: Our results suggest that arresting b cell dysfunction early in the course of CP can potentially prevent b cell apoptosis and diabetes.
Linoleic and linolenic acids are selectively secreted in triacylglycerol by hepatocytes from neonatal rats

To determine whether specific fatty acids are metabolized differently by neonatal liver, hepatocyte cultures from neonatal (age: 5, 11, and 21 days) and adult rats were incubated with radiolabeled 18:1, 18:2, or 18:3. At each age, the rate of oxidation was highest for 18:3 and lowest for 18:1. Conversely, esterification was highest for 18:1 and lowest for 18:3. Fatty acid esterification was of the order: day 5 > day 11 > adult > day 21. When incubations contained each of two of the above fatty acids, one radiolabeled and the other not, 18:1 inhibited oxidation of radiolabeled 18:2 by up to 45% in neonatal hepatocytes. In addition, added 18:1 increased glycerolipid accumulation from 18:2 and 18:3. Under these conditions, the relative proportion of triacylglycerol secreted in the medium, compared with that accumulated in the cells, was two- to fourfold higher for day 11 and 21 rat hepatocytes. The results suggest that a specific mechanism exists in the livers of neonatal rats to spare n-3 and n-6 fatty acids from oxidation and instead secrete them in triacylglycerol.
The Information Complexity Of Hamming Distance

The Hamming distance function Ham_{n,d} returns 1 on all pairs of inputs x and y that differ in at most d coordinates and returns 0 otherwise. We initiate the study of the information complexity of the Hamming distance function. We give a new optimal lower bound for the information complexity of the Ham_{n,d} function in the small-error regime where the protocol is required to err with probability at most epsilon < d/n. We also give a new conditional lower bound for the information complexity of Ham_{n,d} that is optimal in all regimes. These results imply the first new lower bounds on the communication complexity of the Hamming distance function for the shared randomness two-way communication model since Pang and El-Gamal (1986). These results also imply new lower bounds in the areas of property testing and parity decision tree complexity.
Electrically Small Folded Dipole Antenna for HF and Low-VHF Bands

A novel, highly miniaturized, lightweight antenna operating at the low-VHF band is presented. Earlier studies on an extremely short HF monopole antenna consisting of two in-phase vertical elements face an inevitable issue regarding an unbalanced coaxial cable feed due to the very small ground plane . To resolve this problem, as well as to achieve higher bandwidth, we introduce an electrically small folded dipole version of the same antenna having a fully balanced structure. The overall dimension and total mass of the proposed antenna are $10 \times 10 \times 15 ~\hbox{cm}^3$ . ( $0.013{\lambda _0} \times 0.013{\lambda _0} \times 0.02{\lambda _0}$ at 40 MHz) and 98 g, respectively. The gain and pattern of the fabricated antenna are measured in an elevated range that is in nearly free-space conditions. Measurements are shown to be in good agreement with the design predictions from simulation.
High-speed radiographic spray imaging with a broadband tube source

Interrogating the liquid core structure of optically dense sprays has necessitated the further development of imaging techniques. X-ray radiography can provide direct quantitative measurements of liquid mass distribution independent of local interferences in a variety of sprays. In the current work, we investigate the conditions under which broadband x-ray radiation from compact tube sources can be used to achieve time-resolved imaging. High-speed radiography is used to image sprays with different liquid path lengths; the effects of energy dependent x-ray attenuation are evaluated.
Thermochemical nonequilibrium modeling of electronically excited molecular oxygen

The thermochemical nonequilibrium of the three lowest lying electronic states of molecular oxygen, O2(X Σg , a ∆g, b Σg ), through interactions with argon is studied in the present work. The multi-body potential energy surfaces of O2+Ar are evaluated from the semiclassical RKR potential of O2 in each electronic state. The rovibrational states and energies of each electronic state are calculated by the quantum mechanical method based on the present inter-nuclear potential of O2. Then, the complete sets of the rovibrational stateto-state transition rates of O2+Ar are calculated by the quasi-classical trajectory method including the quasi-bound states. The system of master equations constructed by the present state-to-state transition rates are solved to analyze the thermochemical nonequilibrium of O2+Ar in various heat bath conditions. From these studies, it is concluded that the vibrational relaxation and coupled chemical reactions of each electronic state needs to be treated as a separate nonequilibrium process, and rotational nonequilibrium needs to be considered at translational temperatures above 10,000 K.
Abstraction hierarchy and self annotation update for fine grained activity recognition

Fine-grained activity recognition focuses recognition on sub-ordinate levels. This task is made difficult due to low inter-class variability and high intra-class variability caused by human motion and objects. We propose that recognition of such activities can be significantly improved by grouping and decomposing them into a hierarchy of multiple abstraction layers; we introduce a Hierarchical Activity Network (HAN). Recognition in HAN is guided by classifiers operating at multiple levels; furthermore, descriptions of different levels of abstraction are also generated from HAN, which may be useful for different tasks. We show significant improvements in accuracy of recognition compared to earlier methods. Besides, annotation for fine grained activity is challenging, and inaccurate annotation influences classification performance. We explore an automatic solution for improving the classification results while auto enhancing the annotation quality.
Effects of amiloride analogues on AVP binding and activation of V1-receptor-expressing cells.

We tested the interactions between amiloride analogues and V1 vascular arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptors of human platelets, rat glomerular mesangial cells, and A7r5 smooth muscle cells by using...