cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulating cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate: “Sources,” “sinks,” and now, “tunable valves”

A number of hormones and growth factors stimulate target cells via the second messenger pathways, which in turn regulate cellular phenotypes. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger that facilitates numerous signal transduction pathways; its production in cells is tightly balanced by ligand-stimulated receptors that activate adenylate cyclases (ACs), that is, "source" and by phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that hydrolyze it, that is, "sinks." Because it regulates various cellular functions, including cell growth and differentiation, gene transcription and protein expression, the cAMP signaling pathway has been exploited for the treatment of numerous human diseases. Reduction in cAMP is achieved by blocking "sources"; however, elevation in cAMP is achieved by either stimulating "source" or blocking "sinks." Here we discuss an alternative paradigm for the regulation of cellular cAMP via GIV/Girdin, the prototypical member of a family of modulators of trimeric GTPases, Guanine nucleotide Exchange Modulators (GEMs). Cells upregulate or downregulate cellular levels of GIV-GEM, which modulates cellular cAMP via spatiotemporal mechanisms distinct from the two most often targeted classes of cAMP modulators, "sources" and "sinks." A network-based compartmental model for the paradigm of GEM-facilitated cAMP signaling has recently revealed that GEMs such as GIV serve much like a "tunable valve" that cells may employ to finetune cellular levels of cAMP. Because dysregulated signaling via GIV and other GEMs has been implicated in multiple disease states, GEMs constitute a hitherto untapped class of targets that could be exploited for modulating aberrant cAMP signaling in disease states. This article is categorized under: Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models Biological Mechanisms > Cell Signaling.
Measurements of Polarization Transfer Observables in (\left( {\vec{p},\vec{p}'} \right)) Reactions at Intermediate Energies

It has now been almost ten years since a charged-particle polarimeter was first coupled to a high resolution spectrometer, the HRS at Los Alamos National Laboratory, for use at intermediate energies. During this time, polarimeters of similar design and comparable performance have been built at TRIUMF and at IUCF. Yet despite this apparent potential for generating a wide variety of new data, this goal has not yet been fully realized. Despite the obvious advantages of determining, not just two, but up to eight independent parameters for a particular transition at each energy and angle, our progress in understanding these transitions has been slow. And despite some of the early claims that these types of measurements would allow for ‘clean’ isolation of individual terms in the nucleon-nucleon (NN) effective interaction, the waters today appear only slightly less muddy than they were ten years ago. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits derived from this early work was the optimistic fervor that prevailed for a few years in the mid 80’s, when an impressive amount of theoretical effort was expended towards understanding these first results, and when experimentalists were measuring observables as rapidly as Advisory Committees would let them.
Regions of Highly Recurrent Electrogram Morphology at Sites of Low Cycle Length Accurately Reflect Arrhythmogenic Substrate for Atrial Fibrillation – Implications For a New, Mechanism Guided Therapeutic Approach for Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACT Background Although atrial electrograms (EGMs) are thought to reflect pathophysiological substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF), it is not known which electrograms are suitable targets during AF ablation. We hypothesized that electrogram morphology recurrence (EMR) better reflects arrhythmogenic AF substrate than traditional frequency and complexity measures of AF. In a canine rapid atrial pacing (RAP) model of AF, we assessed the relationship between EMR and traditional AF electrogram measures, rotational activity in the atria, fibrosis, myofiber orientation and parasympathetic innervation. Methods Persistent AF was induced in 13 dogs by RAP for 6-8 weeks. High-density epicardial mapping (117 electrodes) was performed in six atrial sub-regions. EMR measures Recurrence percentage (Rec%) and cycle length of the most frequent electrogram morphology (CLR), Fractionated Interval (FI), Organization Index (OI), Dominant Frequency (DF) and Shannon’s Entropy (ShEn) were analyzed before and after atropine administration. Myocyte fiber orientation, amount of fibrosis and spatial distribution of parasympathetic nerve fibers were quantified. Results Rec% was greatest in the appendages, and CLR was lowest in the posterior left atrium. Rec%/CLR correlated with FI, OI and the complexity measure ShEn, but not with DF. All electrogram measures were poorly correlated with fibrosis and myofiber anisotropy. Rec% correlated closely with stability of rotational activity. Unlike other measures, Rec% correlated closely with spatial heterogeneity of parasympathetic nerve fibers; this was reflected in CLR response to atropine. Conclusion EMR correlates closely with stability of rotational activity and with the pattern of atrial parasympathetic innervation. CLR may therefore be a viable therapeutic target in persistent AF.
Increased mortality in very young children with traumatic brain injury due to abuse: A nationwide analysis of 10,965 patients.

Abstract Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in young children; however, the impact of mechanism on outcomes has not been fully evaluated. We hypothesized that children with TBI due to abuse would have a higher mortality than children with accidental TBI due to motor vehicle collisions (MVC). Methods We performed a retrospective review of the National Kids’ Inpatient (KID) hospitalizations database of children Results Of 10,965 children with TBI, 65.2% were due to abuse. Overall mortality was 9.8% (n = 1074). Abused children had longer LOS (5.7 vs 1.6 days, p Conclusion Children with abusive traumatic brain injury have increased risk of mortality, longer LOS, and higher hospital charges compared to children with TBI due to motor vehicle collision after adjusting for relevant confounders. Resources must be directed at prevention and early identification of abuse.
Do State and Local Government Employees Save Outside of Their Defined Benefit Plans When They Need To

As state and local policymakers enact benefit cuts to reduce the cost of their pension systems, the life-cycle model suggests that workers will adjust by saving more on their own. But, whether workers actually respond to pension characteristics remains an open question. After all, income received far in the future may not be salient to young workers deciding how much of their earnings to consume in the present. To answer the question, this paper links the Survey of Income and Program Participation to the Public Plans Database and explores whether state and local workers consider the amount of their pension savings, the funded status of their plan, or their Social Security coverage when deciding whether to participate in a supplemental defined contribution (DC) plan. The paper found that: • Employees whose pensions provide less income are more likely to participate in a supplemental DC plan, but the effect is small. • Members of poorly funded pension plans are not more likely to participate in supplemental plans than members of well-funded plans. • Employees without Social Security coverage are not compensating with greater participation in supplemental plans. The policy implications of the findings are: • If state and local employers are forced to further curtail their pensions, employees are unlikely to replace that income with outside savings. • In the event that poorly funded pension plans end up reducing retirement income for current employees, those employees are unlikely to have been saving more in anticipation. • In short, states and localities – especially those whose workers are not covered by Social Security – should not count on outside savings to replace pension income.
Kant's Mathematical World: Mathematics, Cognition, and Experience

Kant's Mathematical World aims to transform our understanding of Kant's philosophy of mathematics and his account of the mathematical character of the world. Daniel Sutherland reconstructs Kant's project of explaining both mathematical cognition and our cognition of the world in terms of our most basic cognitive capacities. He situates Kant in a long mathematical tradition with roots in Euclid's Elements, and thereby recovers the very different way of thinking about mathematics which existed prior to its 'arithmetization' in the nineteenth century. He shows that Kant thought of mathematics as a science of magnitudes and their measurement, and all objects of experience as extensive magnitudes whose real properties have intensive magnitudes, thus tying mathematics directly to the world. His book will appeal to anyone interested in Kant's critical philosophy -- either his account of the world of experience, or his philosophy of mathematics, or how the two inform each other.
Quantification of Workload and Wellness Measures in a Women's Collegiate Volleyball Season

The purpose of this paper was to quantify internal and external loads completed by collegiate volleyball athletes during a competitive season. Eleven players were sampled (using accelerometers and subjective wellness surveys) during the practice (n = 55) and game (n = 30) sessions over the 2019 season. Longitudinal data were evaluated for trends across the preseason, non-conference play, and conference play periods. Data were also analyzed with respect to positional groups. Longitudinal analysis of accelerometer data showed higher workload demand during practices than games. Positional group differences were most when evaluating jump count and height. Setters accrued over twice as many jumps in a practice than during a game and had similar overall jump counts in practice to attacking positions. Average team wellness values varied with time in the season, especially during times of congested travel. This is the first study to look at both game and practice workload and wellness measures in collegiate women's volleyball. The results suggest athlete monitoring can be used to understand the demands of volleyball and used in the future to enhance practice and recovery day design to optimize athlete well-being.
Poor Early Growth and Adult Mental and Somatic Health

Early growth and adult psychoneuroimmunology are usually seen as two separate ends of the life course, but in some ways they may be inextricably linked. This chapter presents a rationale and preliminary evidence suggesting that poor early growth may be a factor in adult psychoneuroimmunology.
Parameteridentifikation: Das inverse Problem

Eine Vielzahl an Vorgangen in der Natur lasst sich uber PDGLs beschreiben. Deren Losung liefert eine Vorhersage uber das Verhalten eines Systems unter der Annahme, dass die zugehorigen Systemparameter bekannt sind. Diese sind jedoch in der Regel nicht a priori verfugbar. Mit dieser Schwierigkeit vor Augen wird das nachste Forschungsfeld im Zusammenhang mit der in Kapitel 3 (siehe s. 31 ff.) vorgestellten Modellierung beschritten – die Kalibrierung des Modells.
Induction Cell Design Tradeoffs and Examples

A brief history of induction accelerator development was covered in Chap. 2. The induction accelerators constructed since the early 1960s can be categorized as short-pulse if the pulse duration is less than 100 ns and long-pulse if it is longer. The distinction between short-pulse and long-pulse is arbitrary; it mainly reflects the type of magnetic material that was typically used in the cell. Examples of short-pulse induction accelerators are the electron ring accelerator (ERA, \(\Delta t=30\) ns) [1], the advanced test accelerator (ATA, \(\Delta t=70\) ns) [2] and the experimental test accelerator (ETA-II, \(\Delta t=70\) ns) [3]. Examples of long-pulse accelerators are the Astron (\(\Delta t=400\) ns) [4, 5] and the second axis of the dual axis radiographic hydro test accelerator (DARHT-II, \(\Delta t=2{,}000\) ns) [6]. In this chapter the cell design of several of these accelerators will be described in detail. We will discuss how the physics, economics, and space requirements often lead to a non-optimum design from the accelerator systems vantage point. Although modulators are covered in Chap. 4, some specific designs will be discussed on how the constant voltage (flat-top) was achieved in concert with the cell design and compensation network .
m-LoCos UI: a universal visible language for global mobile communication

The LoCoS universal visible language developed by the graphic/sign designer Yukio Ota in Japan in 1964 may serve as a usable, useful, and appealing basis for a mobile phone applications that can provide capabilities for communication among people who do not share a spoken language. User-interface design issues including display and input are discussed in conjunction with prototype screens showing the use of LoCoS for a mobile phone.
Self-encoded spread spectrum modulation with differential encoding

In this paper we analyze self-encoded spread spectrum (SESS) modulation with differential encoding and decoding. We show that this structure eliminates the BER effect of error propagation. We also investigate maximum likelihood sequence detection (MLSD) of SESS sequence using the Viterbi algorithm. The results show that MLSD outperforms the feedback detector in terms of the BER performance.
Managed Courts Under Unstable Political Environments: Recruitments and Resignations in the 1990s Japanese Judiciary

Because of the risk of political interference, in countries with managed courts jurists who share ruling-party preferences disproportionately self-select into judicial careers. During political turmoil, such jurists will find judicial careers less attractive. Orthodox potential jurists will disproportionately shun the courts, and orthodox incumbent judges will disproportionately resign. Unorthodox potential jurists, on the other hand, might find the judiciary more attractive. Combining data on a random sample of 1,605 Japanese lawyers and all 2,502 judges hired between 1971 and 2001, we locate evidence consistent with these hypotheses: after the political crisis of 1993, the recruitment of young lawyers from elite universities lagged, while the number of early resignations increased.
Effects of Calisthenics and Volleyball on the AAHPER Fitness Test and Volleyball Skill

Abstract The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of different amounts of calisthenics and volleyball in tenth grade physical education classes on the AAHPER fitness test and volleyball skill. Seventy-six boys participated in the following classes: (a) combination of calisthenics and volleyball, (b) calisthenics, and, (c) volleyball. The subjects were tested prior to (T-1), during the third week (T-2) and at the conclusion of the five-week unit (25 class sessions) (T-3). The reliability coefficients were determined by test-retest prior to the unit. The differences among the three groups were determined by a one-way analysis of variance at T-1 and analysis of covariance at T-2 and T-3 (using the T-1 data as the covariates). Whenever there was a significant difference (.05 level) among the groups, Duncan's Multiple Range was used to determine which groups were significantly different from each other. After five weeks of training, the combination group had made significantly greater improvements...
A Review of “Urban Tomographies”

Martin Krieger has written an odd, funny, smart, personal, informative, engaging, and, ultimately, significant book.He presents a fresh, well-defined, yet also open-ended method for reading urban l...
Review of The Finite Element Method for Solid and Structural Mechanics, 6th Edition, by O. C. Zienkiewicz and R. L. Taylor

The 6th edition of the classic text on The Finite Element Method by O. C. Zienkiewicz has come a long way since it was published first in 1967 by McGraw-Hill, Berkshire, England. The original 272 pages of text on The Finite Element Method in Structural and Continuum Mechanics written in collaboration with Y. K. Cheung, University of Hong Kong, has increased more than six-fold and turned into a comprehensive treatment comprised of three substantial volumes of more than 600 pages each: • The FEM: Its Basis & Fundamentals by Zienkiewicz, Taylor & Zhu • The FEM for Solid & Structural Mechanics by Zienkiewicz & Taylor • The FEM for Fluid Dynamics by Zienkiewicz, Taylor & Nithiarasu This review is limited to the first two volumes of the sixth edition with focus on the second volume because of the interest and background of the reviewer. The first volume on The FEM: Its Basis and Fundamentals of FEM sets the stage for linear applications. Although introductory in nature, this volume is not a text book in the usual sense of classroom use with homework assignments and solution manuals. It is a powerful review of current findings, with numerous historical anecdotes and references to recent and past publications at the end of each of the 19 chapters. Among the classical topics on finite-element approximations in 1D, 2D, and 3D, the first volume addresses mixed element formulations, error estimates, PUM approximations and extended finite-element methods as well as time discretization methods. The second volume on The FEM for Solid and Structural Mechanics contains 19 chapters and two appendices. Roughly speaking, Chapters 1, 2, and 3 set the stage for nonlinear analysis of solids in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 which deal with nonlinear material behavior, nonlinear geometric problems and the combination of these two sources of nonlinearity. Chapter 4 provides a concise
Interstate Cigarette Smuggling

In recent years sizable differences between state cigarette taxes have led to the rise of interstate smuggling. This study presents an interstate demand analysis, using quarterly state sales data, to examine this and other aspects of the cigarette market. For the cases examined, nonresident purchases for 1970–1971 are estimated to have accounted for approximately 15% of the sales in the low tax states. In addition to price elasticities, income elasticities, “health scare,” and seasonal effects are estimated. The determinants of retail state cigarette prices are also explored in the Appendix.
Bias due to misclassification in the estimation of relative risk.

Lack of bias in the estimation of relative effect in epidemiologic studies depends on the internal validity of the study. This paper conveys in graphic and tabular form the direction and magnitude of bias due to misclassification of study subjects. A series of computer-generated graphs shows that the departure of the estimate of effect (relative risk or odds ratio) from its true value is a function of sensitivity and specificity (measures of classification validity), disease frequency, and exposure frequency. The discussion of bias emphasizes misclassification of the "outcome" variable; i.e., disease occurrence in a cohort study and exposure rate in a case-control study. Examples are used to illustrate that the magnitude of the bias can be large under circumstances which occur readily in epidemiologic research. When misclassification is equal for the two compared groups, the estimate is biased toward the null value, and in some instances beyond; when differential misclassification occurs (as in selective recall in case-control studies) the bias can be in either direction, and may be great. Formulas are derived to estimate the underlying true value of the relative risk or odds ratio using the investigator's observations together with the estimated sensitivity and specificity of the classification procedure.
Cell type conversion and galactosyltransferase in lens regeneration.

Abstract The level of galactosyltransferase activity was followed during conversion of iris epithelial cells into lens cells in lentectomized adult newts. A moderate increase during the dedifferentiation phase is followed by a remarkable increase when the lens tissue is differentiating. Maturation of the lens is associated with a decline in the enzyme activity.
Surveying proteolytic processes in human cancer microenvironments by microdialysis and activity-based mass spectrometry.

Purpose: We present a strategy to survey proteolytic processes that occur in human cancer microenvironments. Experimental design: In situ microdialysis during oral cancer surgery was combined with mass spectrometry-based proteomics to analyze interstitial fluid surrounding tumors and anatomically matched normal sites. Protease activity-based 18O-profiling was utilized to reveal peptides that were processed by co-collected proteases ex vivo. Results: We demonstrated for the first time the use of microdialysis in humans to collect interstitial fluid from cancer microenvironments. Proteomic profiling identified proteases and inhibitors in the microdialysis samples. A subset of peptides displayed characteristic 18O-isotope patterns that indicated processing by endogenous proteases. Conclusions and clinical relevance: The presented approach provides unprecedented views of in vivo targets of proteases without disrupting the cancer or surrounding tissue. The methodology can be broadly adapted to other physiological conditions in which proteolytic mediators are involved (e.g. arthritic joints, inflamed muscle, other types of cancer) and where a comparison of normal and pathological tissue is sought.
Far-end crosstalk reduction in PCB interconnects using stepped impedance elements and open-circuited stubs

In this work, new trace configurations using stepped impedance elements and open-circuited stubs to reduce far-end crosstalk in printed circuit board (PCB) interconnects are introduced. The goal of this study is to reduce crosstalk without using additional PCB components in the design. Specifically, we use stepped impedance elements and open-circuited stubs of uniform length and width on the victim traces to suppress high-frequency electromagnetic interference and to equalize propagation delays or capacitive and inductive couplings between PCB traces. The overall design is very similar to the usual low-pass filter configurations, which are difficult to implement in the prototype testing. The proposed approach shows remarkably better results when compared with conventional intervening guard trace schemes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changes in steady-state levels of mRNAs coding for type IV collagen, laminin and fibronectin following capillary basement membrane thickening in human adult onset diabetes.

The development of capillary basement membrane thickening has been linked to microvascular changes known to occur in tissues of patients with type II diabetes. Previous evidence has suggested that capillary basement membrane thickening is due to increased basement membrane synthesis. In this study, skin samples from 8 diabetic patients with confirmed capillary basement membrane thickening and 7 non-diabetic controls were used to assess steady state levels of mRNAs coding for several basement components including proα1(IV) collagen, laminin and fibronectin. Total RNA was extracted from abdominal skin samples and levels of mRNAs coding for the basement membrane components laminin, fibronectin and proα1(IV) collagen, a fibrillar collagenous protein, proα1(I) collagen and an intracellular polypeptide, -γ-actin, were determined by dot blot hybridization analysis. While there were no changes of steady state levels of proα1(I) collagen mRNA and laminin mRNA, a significant reduction was noted in the quantitative ...
The Contours of Polished Surfaces of Complete Dentures: A Review of the Literature

Polished surfaces play an important role in denture retention, stability, esthetics, and phonetics. In fact, the success of a denture may depend on proper treatment of these surfaces. The literature suggests that functionally and mechanically formed contours are equally effective.
Comment on "Testing Hypotheses about Sun-Climate Complexity Linking"

A Comment on the Letter by M. Rypdal and K. Rypdal, Phys Rev. Lett. 104, 128501 (2010). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.
Core-modified porphyrins. Part 5: Electronic effects on photophysical and biological properties in vitro

21,23-Dithiaporphyrins 2-11 were prepared as analogues of 5,20-diphenyl-10,15-bis(4-carboxylatomethoxy)phenyl-21,23-dithiaporphyrin 1 to examine the impact of electronic properties at the 5- and 20-meso-positions. The effects of the electronic properties at the meso-rings were not significant with respect to absorption spectra, quantum yields for the generation of singlet oxygen and for fluorescence. While some differences were noted in the n-octanol/pH 7.4 buffer partition coefficient, log D(7.4), among the compounds, log D(7.4) did not critically influence the cellular uptake or phototoxicity. None of the dithiaporphyrins 1-11 displayed dark toxicity at concentrations up to 1 x 10(-5) M. Once irradiated with 5 J cm(-2) of 350-750 nm light, five porphyrins 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 killed over 80% of R3230AC rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells at 5 x 10(-7) M photosensitizer. Among these five, compound 3 bearing 5-phenyl and 20-(4-fluorophenyl) substituents was the most potent photosensitizer toward R3230AC cells showing 67% cell kill at 1 x 10(-7) M 3. Bulky substituents at the 5- and 20-positions gave photosensitizers with minimal phototoxicity.
Cytoskeletal Structures and Oligodendroglial Differentiation in C-6 Glial Cells

The relationship of the cytoskeleton to a biochemical expression of oligodendroglial differentiation was studied in cultured C-6 glial cells. Specifically, we investigated the effect of the cytoskeletal perturbants, colchicine and cytochalasin D, on the induction of the oligodendroglial marker enzyme, 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP), caused by removal of serum from the culture medium. Each drug inhibited CNP induction in a concentration-dependent manner, and essentially complete inhibition of induction was observed with 0.25 microM colchicine or 2.0 microM cytochalasin D. Detailed study of the effect of colchicine was carried out. This antimicrotubular agent not only totally prevented induction if added at the onset of serum removal, but also prevented further induction when added at various times after serum removal. That the effect of colchicine related to the drug's effect on microtubules was supported by the demonstration that lumicolchicine, a colchicine isomer which has no effect on microtubules, had no effect on the CNP induction. Moreover, colchicine, but not lumicolchicine, prevented the morphological signs of differentiation provoked by serum removal. The effect of colchicine was reversible and relatively specific. Thus, no concomitant effect of colchicine on the activity of another plasma membrane enzyme of C-6 cells, i.e., (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase, or on the rate of incorporation of [3H]leucine into total protein of intact cells could be discerned. The possibility that the site of the effect of colchicine is on intracellular events was suggested by the observation that the drug inhibited the induction of CNP by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The data suggest that the cytoskeleton is involved in oligodendroglial differentiation.
Abstract 4422: Methylcytosine topology: potential of a DNA landmark in pre-clinical epigenetic drug toxicology.

Cellular reprogramming through drug-based epigenetic intervention has become a novel approach in the treatment of complex diseases and in regenerative medicine towards reconstitution of normal cell, tissue and organ function. Within this context, non-specific and off-target global DNA demethylation — either directly induced by DNA demethylating drugs or indirectly caused by histone modifiers or any other agent with epigenetic consequences — could impact the cells’ DNA methylation pattern and lead to unwanted cryptic DNA methylation toxicity and carcinogenesis: by influencing chromatin conformation, genome organization, and cellular gene expression programs. The Translational Cytomics Group at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles) has developed 3D quantitative DNA Methylation Imaging (3D-qDMI), a non-disruptive image-cytometrical method that measures the differential load and spatial distribution of methylated cytosine (MeC) within individual nuclei of thousands of cells in a cell-by-cell fashion. Thus the technology has the additional capability of capturing cellular heterogeneity regarding global DNA methylation properties in response to drug exposure. Utilizing 3D-qDMI we are currently evaluating these topological parameters, which translate to differential DNA methylation phenotypes (MeC phenotypes), as potential chromatin signatures (textures) to be utilized in the characterization of cells during reprogramming, and for genotoxicity assessment of drugs. Citation Format: Jian Tajbakhsh. Methylcytosine topology: potential of a DNA landmark in pre-clinical epigenetic drug toxicology. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4422. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4422
Potential cerebral perfusion agents. Synthesis and evaluation of a 1,4‐disubstituted dihydropyridine analogue

The synthesis of a 1,4-disubstituted dihydropyridine, 1-(E-1[125I]iodo-1-penten-5-yl)-4-(β-N-acetylaminoethyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine ([125I]10), is described. Acetylation of 4-(β-aminoethylpyridine) with acetic anhydride followed by condensation with E-1-borono-5-iodo-1-pentene (7) gave 1-(E-1-borono-1-penten-5-yl)-4-(β-N-acetylaminoethyl)pyridinium iodide (8). Chloramine-T and sodium iodide iodination of 8 gave the corresponding E-1-iodo compound 9 which was reduced with sodium borohydride to furnish 1-(E-1-iodo-1-penten-5-yl)-4-(β-N-acetylaminoethyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine (10). The corresponding radioiodinated compound was prepared similarly using Na[125I]. The tissue distribution studies in rats indicate that [125I]10 crosses the blood brain barrier (0.49% dose/g in the brain) but gradually washes out from the brain.
Causes of Career‐relevant Interest Changes Among First‐Year Law Students: Some Research Data

The third report in a study of career-relevant changes in interests, attitudes, and personality characteristics among first-year law students at Brigham Young University, this article examines the impacts of five kinds of possible causes of interest changes. The author elaborates what it means to say that a career-relevant interest has “changed” in light of changes due in part to both reconceptions of the content of law and of the demands and rewards of various work settings and to changes in the students' conceptions of themselves which carry with them changes in career interests.
Heparin inhibits the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent, but not the independent, calcium release induced by guanine nucleotide in vascular smooth muscle.

Summary The effects of heparin on the release of intracellular Ca2+, assessed by tension development in saponin-permeabilized rabbit main pulmonary artery, were determined. Heparin inhibited (IC50 = 5μg/ml) inositol2+ 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-induced, but not caffeine-induced, Ca2+ release. The initial (InsP3-dependent) component of GTPγS-induced Ca2+-release was also inhibited by heparin, but the InsP3-independent component was resistant to both heparin and procaine. These results support the existence of a G protein activated mechanism of Ca2+ release that is not mediated by InsP3 or by Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release.
Fabrication of a Thin Palladium Membrane Supported in a Porous Ceramic Substrate by Chemical-Vapor-Deposition

Abstract A thin, gas-tight palladium (Pd) membrane was prepared by the counter-diffusion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process employing palladium chloride (PdCl2) vapor and H2 as Pd precursors. A disk-shaped, two-layer porous ceramic membrane consisting of a fine-pore γ-Al2O3 top layer and a coarse-pore α-Al2O3 substrate was used as Pd membrane support. A 0.5–1 μm thick metallic membrane was deposited in the γ-Al2O3 top layer very close to its surface, as verified by XRD and SEM with a backscattered electron detector. The most important parameters that affected the CVD process were reaction temperature, reactants concentrations and top layer quality. Deposition of Pd in the γ-Al2O3 top layer resulted in a 100- to 1000-fold reduction in He permeance of the porous substrate. The H2 permeation flux of these membranes was in the range 0.5–1.0 × 10−6 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 at 350–450°C. The H2 permeation data suggest that surface reaction steps are rate-limiting for H2 transport through such thin membranes in the temperature range studied.
Modulation of Lymphatic Spontaneous Contractions by EDRF

Abstract Mesenteric lymph vessels exhibit spontaneous contractions that are critical in lymph fluid propulsion. We hypothesized that endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), recently identified as being released by lymph vessels, regulates contractile activity in mesenteric lymph vessels. Porcine mesenteric lymph vessel rings in vitro were administered either prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ; 10 -6 M ), which increases contractile activity, N G -monomethyl- l -arginine ( l -NMMA; 10 -4 M ), which blocks EDRF production, or PGF 2α + l -NMMA, while paired control vessel rings remained in Krebs buffer alone. Vessel segments stimulated with PGF 2α exhibited repetitive contractions with more regular rhythm and uniform morphology than control segments and significantly greater frequency, amplitude, and trough and active tensions. Inhibition of EDRF production significantly enhanced the frequency (3.9 ± 0.5 vs 2.1 ± 0.4 min -1 ) and amplitude (555 ± 42 vs 378 ± 62 mg) of basal spontaneous contractions compared to controls and appeared to elicit more uniform contractions with respect to rhythm and morphology. PGF 2α -stimulated vessels pretreated with l -NMMA demonstrated uniform contractions with significant increases in contraction frequency (6.3 ± 0.7 vs 2.4 vs 0.9 min -1 ), amplitude (846 ± 120 vs 495 ± 99 mg), trough tension (738 ± 146 vs -6 ± 32 mg), and active tension (1584 ± 192 vs 489 ± 111 mg) compared to controls ( P l -NMMA on unstimulated vessels were reversed by the addition of l -arginine but not by d -arginine (10 -4 M for each). The data suggest that mesenteric lymph vessels exhibit basal EDRF release and that PGF 2α , in addition to its direct agonist actions, stimulates EDRF release. We conclude that EDRF contributes to the regulation of spontaneous contractile activity in resting and PGF 2α -stimulated porcine mesenteric lymph vessel rings.
Probing Inter- and Intra-chain Excitonic Coupling in Crystalline Polythiophene Nanofibers and Nanoparticles

We summarize some recent new results probing inter- and intra-chain coupling in aggregated P3HT in isolated nanoparticles and nanofibers. Time-resolved photoluminescence studies show interesting correlations between amplitude and decay constant for different decay components that are tied to both polymer regio-regularity and nanoparticle processing conditions. In the frequency domain, we observe distinct signatures of both H- and J-aggregate type exciton coupling, manifested as different vibronic progressions with different electronic origins, linewidths, and Huang-Rhys factors. We show how the extent of this H/J composite coupling can be tuned to a certain extent by changes in molecular parameters (polymer molecular weight and regioregularity) and by solvent processing conditions. Finally we discuss recent results of near-field optical absorption probes of nanoparticles and nanofibers where optical contrast is afforded by the different absorption cross-section (at 532 nm) for aggregated vs. unaggregated P3HT.
Effect of nadolol on flushing reactions in rosacea

The effect of nadolol versus placebo on both flushing provoked in a laboratory setting and spontaneous flushing was studied in 15 patients with erythematous telangiectatic rosacea. The intensity of the flushing reactions was assessed in the laboratory by the cutaneous perfusion index method with laser-Doppler velocimetry. No effect of nadolol on the flushing reactions provoked in the laboratory was detected.
Supporting Nested Locking in Multiprocessor Real-Time Systems

This paper presents the first real-time multiprocessor locking protocol that supports fine-grained nested resource requests. This locking protocol relies on a novel technique for ordering the satisfaction of resource requests to ensure a bounded duration of priority inversions for nested requests. This technique can be applied on partitioned, clustered, and globally scheduled systems in which waiting is realized by either spinning or suspending. Furthermore, this technique can be used to construct fine-grained nested locking protocols that are efficient under spin-based, suspension-oblivious or suspension-aware analysis of priority inversions. Locking protocols built upon this technique perform no worse than coarse-grained locking mechanisms, while allowing for increased parallelism in the average case (and, depending upon the task set, better worst-case performance).
A comparison of experimental and predicted results for laminar natural Convection in an enclosure

Abstract An experimental and numerical study of laminar natural convection in a water-filled enclosure with an aspect ratio of 2:1 was conducted. Two opposing vertical walls were held at different uniform temperatures. The remaining four walls of the enclosure were insulated. The Rayleigh number based upon the height of the enclosure was 6.4×10 8 while that based upon the distance between the two isothermal plates was 8×10 7 . The mean vertical velocities were measured using a two-beam laser Doppler anemometer system with forward scatter. The mean temperature profiles were obtained using a small, 0.07 mm diameter, chromelalumel thermocouple probe. A multilevel-multigrid algorithm was used to predict the flow for the experimental conditions studied. The predicted and experimental results for the mean vertical velocity profiles were compared and found to be in excellent agreement.
Foeto-maternal morbidity in the presence of antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi

Pregnancy outcome and maternal morbidity were analysed in 302 pregnant women with positive Machado-Guerreiro Complement Fixation Test (MGCFT) for antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi and 302 women with a negative MGCFT resident of Cordoba, Argentina. A comparison of positive and negative cases was employed to investigate the association between MGCFT reaction and pregnancy outcome assessed from abortion and perinatal infant mortality rates; similarly, the data were analysed for demographic and socio-economic factors, numbers of previous pregnancies (birth order) and maternal complications. A twofold increase in the risk of pregnancy loss associated with a positive MGCFT was found. The incidence of polyhydramnios and varicosities of the leg was significantly higher in the serologically reactive group.
Use of real time PCR to determine population profiles of individual species of lactic acid bacteria in alfalfa silage and stored corn stover

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify seven species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in alfalfa silage prepared in the presence or absence of four commercial inoculants and in uninoculated corn stover harvested and stored under a variety of field conditions. Species-specific PCR primers were designed based on recA gene sequences. Commercial inoculants improved the quality of alfalfa silage, but species corresponding to those in the inoculants displayed variations in persistence over the next 96 h. Lactobacillus brevis was the most abundant LAB (12 to 32% of total sample DNA) in all of the alfalfa silages by 96 h. Modest populations (up to 10%) of Lactobacillus plantarum were also observed in inoculated silages. Pediococcus pentosaceus populations increased over time but did not exceed 2% of the total. Small populations (0.1 to 1%) of Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactococcus lactis were observed in all silages, while Lactobacillus pentosus and Enterococcus faecium were near or below detection limits. Corn stover generally displayed higher populations of L. plantarum and L. brevis and lower populations of other LAB species. The data illustrate the utility of RT-PCR for quantifying individual species of LAB in conserved forages prepared under a wide variety of conditions.
Transient Monoparesis Due to Brainstem and Thalamic Herpes Simplex 2 Encephalitis

PCR testing for herpesvirus infections has broadened our understanding of the full spectrum of central nervous system disorders seen as a result of herpesvirus infections. Herpesvirus infections of the brainstem are rare, and are usually due to HSV-1 or varicella zoster. Clinicians need to be aware of an ever increasing variety of presentations for these neurological syndromes. Over time, through case reports, we may see patterns emerge concerning the clinical presentations of particular herpesvirus family members. We add to a group of rare reports of brainstem involvement in HSV-2 infection (more commonly due to HSV-1). J Med Cases. 2013;4(9):591-593 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jmc1319w
The distribution of methyl mercury in a contaminated salt marsh ecosystem

Elevated Hg concentrations (<1–60 ppm) were found in several components of a salt marsh (Spartina alterniflora) ecosystem which had been industrially contaminated with inorganic Hg. Methyl mercury levels were low (<0·002 ppm) in sediments and plants, but accounted for most of the Hg found in tissues of higher organisms.
Root growth, yield, and fruit quality responses of reticulatus and inodorus melons (Cucumis melo L.) to deficit subsurface drip irrigation

Abstract Water scarcity associated with intense and frequent droughts has increased the need for the implementation of drought adaptation strategies that can save water and sustain crop productivity in water limited environments. A two season (2011 and 2012) study evaluated root growth, yield and fruit quality responses of cvs. Mission (muskmelon; reticulatus ), Da Vinci (tuscan; reticulatus ) and Super Nectar (honeydew; inodorus ) of melon ( Cucumis melo L.) to two irrigation rates (100% and 50% crop evapotranspiration (ETc)) on a silty clay soil under the semi-arid conditions of Texas. Deficit irrigation (50% ETc) increased root length density (RLD) in Mission, decreased in Da Vinci and did not affect in Super Nectar. Marketable fruit yield at 100% ETc irrigation was 77.1 t ha −1 in 2011 and 78.7 t ha −1 in 2012, but deficit irrigation caused a 30% decrease in marketable yield in both seasons, mainly due to a reduction in fruit size. Yield responses to deficit irrigation also varied with cultivar. A significant yield reduction of 43% in 2011 and 33% in 2012 was measured in Super Nectar, while for cvs. Mission and Da Vinci the reduction in yield was 24% and 30%, respectively in 2012. Deficit irrigation had no adverse impact on melon fruit quality; rather it increased total soluble solids content (23%) in Mission and β-carotene content (25%) in Da Vinci in 2011. At 50% ETc, agronomic water use efficiency (WUE; kg ha −1 mm −1 ) was improved in Mission (13%) in 2012 while it decreased in Super Nectar (21%) in 2011. These results showed that deficit irrigation can save 37–45% of irrigation water in Mission and Da Vinci cultivars ( reticulatus ) with a moderate reduction in economic yield. This practice may not be applicable for cv. Super Nectar ( inodorus ), as it reduced yield without improving water use efficiency.
Jean Rhys's feminism: Theory against practice

(1988). Jean Rhys's feminism: Theory against practice. World Literature Written in English: Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 326-336.
Hip disarticulation for severe lower extremity infections.

Hip disarticulation is rarely performed for infections and variable mortality rates have been reported. We determined the number of deaths following hip disarticulation for severe lower extremity infections in 15 patients. Indications for hip disarticulation were necrotizing soft tissue infections in seven patients and persistent infections of the proximal thigh in eight patients. The most common microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus, present in eight patients. Hip disarticulation was performed emergently in seven patients and electively in eight patients. All patients survived the operation and at 1 month postoperatively 14 of 15 patients were alive. Hip disarticulation for these severe infections had high survival, even when performed emergently for life-threatening infections. We believe hip disarticulation is a reasonable option treating severe infections of the lower extremity and should be part of the armamentarium of the orthopaedic surgeon.
Surface and micellar properties of a long-chain nonionic surfactant.

In order to study the surface-chemical behavior of a highly polyoxyethylated surfactant without the masking influence of species of low degrees of polyoxyethylation, a dodecanol adduct with an average of 30 ethylene oxide molecules, C12(EO)30, was stripped of low molecular weight species, up to C12(EO)6 or C12(EO)10, by molecular distillation. The components of highest molecular weight and polyethylene glycols were removed by ultrafiltration, leaving a product of rather narrow molecular weight distribution with the average composition C12(EO)28. Surface tension-concentration relationships, measured at 15, 25, 40, and 55°, were used to derive values for the following parameters: critical micelle concentration (CMC), plateau surface tension above the CMC, surface excess and limiting area per surfactant molecule adsorbed at the water/air interface, and free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes of micellization. Reduced hydration of the polyoxyethylene portion of the surfactant with increasing temperature lowered its hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. This resulted in lower CMC and plateau surface tension values, smaller area per molecule at the water/air interface, and greater negative free energy of micelle formation. The heat and entropy change of micelle formation were constant and positive between 15 and 55°. This indicates that the latter is responsible for the formation of micelles. The corresponding increase in randomness was attributed mainly to water surrounding the hydrocarbon chains of single surfactant molecules and trapped in their coiled polyoxyethylene chains, which loses its contact with the surfactant molecules and hence its structure when they ag-gregate into micelles. These properties were compared with those of a surfactant of nearly the same average degree of polyoxyethylation but containing a fraction of low degree of polyoxyethylation.
Exercise and caffeine improve sustained attention following fatigue independent of fitness status

Background: Exercise improves cognition, but whether fitness status and caffeine modulate this effect remains unclear. Purpose: To determine if sustained attention is improved following exercise with and without caffeine in endurance-trained vs. sedentary adults. Methods: A continuous performance task (CPT), that is, a 20 min measure of sustained attention to assess accuracy and precision, was used to induce mental fatigue. Following the 20 min CPT, trained (n = 12) and sedentary (n = 12) participants completed either 30-min rest or 30-min moderate-intensity cycling below lactate threshold. Exercise trials were completed with placebo and caffeine (3 mg/kg) followed by cycling to volitional fatigue. Results: Exercise, as compared to rest, improved (p < .05) accuracy and precision after a mentally fatiguing task (CPT) and was not different between endurance-trained and sedentary groups. During the CPT, accuracy and precision declined (p < .05) with placebo, but both were maintained with caffeine following b...