cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Raman spectra of crystalline C3S2

Raman spectra of crystalline carbon sulphide (C3S2) were measured at 77°K from 10 to 2200 cm−1. Bands assigned to components of the first overtone (2ν7) of ν7, the central carbon bending mode, were observed at 236 and 244 cm−1. The spectra are discussed in terms of possible structures of crystalline C3S2, and the form of the ν7 potential of C3S2 in the solid is considered.
Dual regulation of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta by the alpha1A-adrenergic receptor.

Catecholamines, acting through adrenergic receptors, play an important role in modulating the effects of insulin on glucose metabolism. Insulin activation of glycogen synthesis is mediated in part by the inhibitory phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). In this study, catecholamine regulation of GSK-3β was investigated in Rat-1 fibroblasts stably expressing the α1A-adrenergic receptor. Treatment of these cells with either insulin or phenylephrine (PE), an α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, induced Ser-9 phosphorylation of GSK-3β and inhibited GSK-3β activity. Insulin-induced GSK-3β phosphorylation is mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. PE treatment does not activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or Akt (Ballou, L. M., Cross, M. E., Huang, S., McReynolds, E. M., Zhang, B. X., and Lin, R. Z. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 4803–4809), but instead inhibits insulin-induced Akt activation and GSK-3β phosphorylation. Experiments using protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors suggest that phorbol ester-sensitive novel PKC and Go6983-sensitive atypical PKC isoforms are involved in the PE-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3β. Indeed, PE treatment of Rat-1 cells increased the activity of atypical PKCζ, and expression of PKCζ in COS-7 cells stimulated GSK-3β Ser-9 phosphorylation. In addition, PE-induced GSK-3β phosphorylation was reduced in Rat-1 cells treated with a cell-permeable PKCζ pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor. These results suggest that the α1A-adrenergic receptor regulates GSK-3β through two signaling pathways. One pathway inhibits insulin-induced GSK-3β phosphorylation by blocking insulin activation of Akt. The second pathway stimulates Ser-9 phosphorylation of GSK-3β, probably via PKC.
Mapping and assessing seagrass along the western coast of Florida using Landsat TM and EO-1 ALI/Hyperion imagery

Abstract Seagrass habitats provide a variety of ecosystem functions thus monitoring of seagrass habitat is a priority of coastal management. Remote sensing techniques can provide spatial and temporal information about seagrass habitats. Given the availability and accessibility of Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and the advanced nature of Earth Observing-1 Advanced Land Imager (ALI) and Hyperion (HYP), we compared the capability of the three 30 m resolution satellite sensors and tested regression models based on two seagrass metrics [percent cover of submerged aquatic vegetation (%SAV) and leaf area index (LAI)] for mapping and assessing seagrass habitats within a shallow coastal area along the central western coast of FL, USA. We also evaluated a water depth correction approach to create water depth-invariant bands calculated from the three sensors' data. Then a maximum likelihood classifier was used to classify the %SAV cover into two classification schemes (3-class and 5-class). Based upon the two seagrass metrics measured in the field, six multiple regression models were developed and %SAV and LAI were estimated with spectral variables derived from the three sensors to assess the seagrass habitats in mapped units. Our results indicate that the HYP sensor produced the best seagrass cover maps in the two classification schemes: 3-class [overall accuracy (OA) = 95.9%] and 5-class (OA = 78.4%) and the best %SAV and LAI estimation models [R2 = 0.78 and 0.59, and cross-validation (CV) = 18.1% and 1.40 for %SAV and LAI, respectively] for assessing seagrass habitats. These results are likely due to the many narrow bands in the visible spectral range and rich subtle spectral information available in the HYP hyperspectral data. ALI outperformed TM (OA = 94.6% vs. 92.5% for the 3-class scheme, and OA = 77.8% vs. 66.0% for the 5-class scheme) for mapping %SAV likely due to its higher radiometric resolution. Our findings also demonstrate that the water depth correction approach was effective in mapping the detailed seagrass habitats with the data from the three sensors. The protocol developed and utilized here represents a new contribution to the existing set of tools used by researchers for documenting the amount of seagrass and which can guide future studies.
Relaxation and fluctuation effects near the melting transition in a two-dimensional solid

A molecular-dynamics simulation was used to examine the approach to equilibrium of a two-dimensional solid near the melting transition. The system examined consisted of 256 particles interacting through an ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ repulsive potential. It was found that near the transition the behavior is characterized by both increasing relaxation times and increasing thermodynamic fluctuations. No true metastable states were observed. This behavior appears to be the critical slowing down that accompanies continuous transitions, supporting the view that melting in two dimensions, at least under some circumstances, is continuous. Estimates of the effects of those fluctuations which are suppressed because of the finite size of the system further supports this view. The transition temperature was found to be consistent with the Kosterlitz-Thouless dislocation hypothesis for melting but the system was too small to make any reliable statements about the existence of the hexatic phase proposed by Nelson and Halperin.
Grout-Induced Temperature Rise Surrounding Wells

Cement grout surrounding a well casing generates heat, called heat of hydration, as it hardens. This heat can raise the temperature of the casing-grout-soil system significantly. Because the strengths of plastic casing materials decrease relatively rapidly with increasing temperature, it is important to have some idea of the temperature increase to be expected. Solution of the radial heat-flow equation predicts temperature rises at the outer casing boundary of 9°C (16.2°F) to 55°C (99°F) as the grout envelope around a 6-inch, water-filled casing varies from 1.5 inches to 12 inches. The time required for the peak temperature to be reached varies from 7 to 22 hours. The temperature increase is relatively insensitive to casing diameter and thermal properties of the casing and soil. It is relatively sensitive to the type of cement used in the grout and the material filling the casing while the grout is curing. All types of plastic casing have been used successfully for years. This is due partly to the fact that in most grouting operations from the bottom up, forces on the casing are such that there is little or no tendency for collapse. However, if an air-filled, plastic casing were grouted from the top down, heat-induced collapse would be much more likely, particularly in zones where caving took place during well drilling.
Symplectic subspaces of symplectic Grassmannians

Let V be a non-degenerate symplectic space of dimension 2n over the field F and for a natural number l2 we classify subspaces S of C"l(F) where [email protected]?C"m","k(F).
VEGF mRNA is reversibly stabilized by hypoxia and persistently stabilized in VEGF-overexpressing human tumor cell lines.

AbstractSolid tumor growth is dependent upon angiogenesis, a process by which soluble factors released from a tumor induce the sprouting and growth of new blood vessels from nearby venules into the tumor. This process of tumor vascularization provides tumor cells with nutrients, oxygen, and an enhanced ability to establish metastasis at peripheral sites by migration through the circulatory system. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a potent angiogenic factor that is expressed at low levels by most normal cells, can be upregulated in normal cells by exposure to hypoxia or phorbol esters, and exhibits high levels of constitutive expression in some human tumors and tumor cell lines. The mechanism underlying the stable change that results in VEGF overexpression in tumors is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that both hypoxia and TPA induce stabilization of VEGF mRNA, that stabilization by hypoxia is rapidly reversible upon reexposure to normoxia, and that tumor cell lines exhibiting constitutive overexpression...
Commitment — An Overlooked Variable in Marital Adjustment?

conviction, the senior author proposed that personal commitment to one's marriage be explored as a possible factor in marital success. A search of 27 leading texts in marriage and the family failed to turn up a single instance of commitment even being mentioned as a potential variable in marital success. This study, then, represents an attempt to help account for those succeeding in marriage who "shouldn't" or those failing to succeed when they "should" according to marriage prediction scores (Burgess, Locke, Thomes, 1971). Logically, Waller's (1951) "principle of least interest" might be considered the obverse of commitment, though the implicit suggestion of a positive force has not been exploited. Theoretically, it would seem that commitment in marital success might well be included under Levinger's (1965) "Sources of Attraction" rubric. In his social systems analysis of family cohesion, he cited several studies which indicated that among the centripetal forces in marital relationships were esteem for spouse and desire for companionship. Commitment, theoretically, would strengthen the internal cohesion of the group. Commitment, for the purposes of this investigation, was defined as the strength of an individual's desire and determination to continue a
Intellectual Curiosity and the Scientific Revolution: Prelude to the Grand Synthesis

Before we look at the new synthesis of astronomy, the science of mechanics, and other forces, we should recall the scientific context outside Europe, especially in the Muslim world, regarding astronomy and the science of motion. Earlier, in Chapter 5, I outlined developments in optics, astronomy, and the science of motion in the Muslim world up to the end of the seventeenth century. We saw that when the telescope arrived in Mughal India (1615), in the Ottoman Empire (ca. 1630), and the broader Middle East, there was no response triggering an upsurge in astronomical activity. No new telescopes were designed, no new observatories were built, and no new astronomical observations were compiled using the telescope.
Intralitter Transmission of Haemophilus influenzae Type b in Infant Rats and Rifampin Eradication of Nasopharyngeal Colonization

The dynamics of nasopharyngeal colonization, bacteremia, and transmission of infection due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in infant rats were studied. Intranasal inoculation resulted in nasal colonization in 99% and bacteremia in 88% of infant rats. H. influenzae type b was transmitted to 93% of exposed, uninoculated littermates. Pretreatment with burro antibody to H. influenzae type b prevented bacteremia but not nasal colonization. Rifampin, in a dose of 20 mg/kg twice daily for two days, was 97% and 1000%o effective in eradicating two strains of H. influenzae type b from the nasopharynx. Efficacies of 10 mg/kg twice daily and 5 mg/kg twice daily for two days were 86% and 607o, respectively. No rifampin-resistant isolates were encountered in animals still colonized after rifampin therapy. This model for haemophilus colonization and intralitter transmission could be used to evaluate other chemoprophylactic agents and may provide additional insight into the epidemiology and immunology of haemophilus infections. Young children who live in the same household or attend the same day-care center as a child with meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type
Stimulation of commercial algal biomass production by the use of geothermal water for temperature control.

The first pilot algal biomass production project to use geothermal water for the maintenance of optimal culture temperatures in Nevada is described. The project was initiated during the fall of 1982 by TAD's Enterprises, Inc., Wabuska (near Yerington), Nevada. The facility was designed to produce Spirulina under conditions that would more than meet the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale to the health food market. As a result, the algae were grown in large plastic bags in order to prevent contamination by extraneous organisms. Although this system has not been tuned to its optimum potential, preliminary yields obtained over most of a year indicate not only the feasibility of the project but also a stimulation of daily output yields when compared to the daily growth yields for Spirulina reported by Israel.
Compartmentalization in proteinoid microspheres

Proteinoid microspheres with stable internal compartments and internal structure are made from acidic proteinoid and basic proteinoid with calcium. The populations of microspheres are characterized by a wide diversity of structure. A model of primitive intracellular communication is suggested by the observed movement of internal particles between compartments of a multicompartmentalized unit. Differential response to pH change and to temperature change has been demonstrated within one population and suggests one mode of adaptive selection among primordial cell populations.
Explicit Friction Factor Correlation for Turbulent Flow in Smooth Pipes

We present a truly explicit representation of the Nikuradse, Prandtl, von Karman (NPK) friction factor equation for turbulent fluid flow in smooth pipes. Specifically, the Lambert W function is used to relate the friction factor explicitly to the Reynolds number. In addition to the elegance of an explicit expression, this new representation allows for the computation of friction factor values that are accurate to machine precision. As this is an exact explicit representation, it is far more accurate than current methods such as graphical estimation of friction factors from friction factor versus Reynolds number charts or several other explicit approximations of the NPK equation. We believe that this is the first truly explicit representation of the NPK equation and the elegance and high accuracy of this representation should make it the method of choice for estimating turbulent flow friction factors in smooth pipes.
Planning computer services for a complex environment

A responsibility that is being faced by more and more corporations, research laboratories, universities, government agencies, and other large complex organizations is that of providing effective computer services from a variety of sources to serve a multiplicity of user needs. At Harvard University this problem has been faced for a number of years and various planning processes have been developed to cope with it. In the 1970--71 academic year a new office was created, the Office for Information Technology, with planning and coordination of computer services as its first priority.
Abstracting and extracting: Causal coherence and the development of the life story

This study compared life story memories of emerging adults and early adolescents to other autobiographical memories. Participants described three scenes of their respective life stories, a high point, low point, and turning point narrative, and described the connections between them in a fourth narrative. Participants also related four autobiographical narratives from corresponding time periods for comparison. Narratives were analysed for two measures of causal coherence, narrative complexity and meaning making, and for thematic coherence. Life story narratives contained more self-related lessons and insights and greater recognition of complexity than non-life-story narratives, but these differences were confined to narratives of turning points and connections between events. Thematic connections between narratives were more abstract and self-related in life story narratives. Emerging adults' narratives, when compared to those of early adolescents, showed more evidence of self-related abstract thinking and recognition of multiple dimensions. Findings indicate consistent ways in which life story memories differ from other autobiographic memories, and show evidence of development in adolescence.
Using Our Knowledge of Typical Language Development

Purpose In this column, the editor introduces the articles in the April issue of LSHSS (Volume 45, Issue 2). All are part of a Clinical Forum, with a thought-provoking lead article by Alan Kamhi an...
A metamodel-based towed system simulation

Abstract The objective of this exercise was the development of a computer simulation of a US Navy towed system (towed body and line array) capable of near real-time predictive capabilities. The purpose of the computer simulation was to be able to determine the lateral motion of the towed body in response to ship maneuvers. The theoretical approach was to develop a spatial-domain computer simulation of each of the towed system components treated as a system, and then develop a “metamodel” of the response by using simple algebraic expressions. At-sea trials were conducted aboard US Navy vessels to verify the simulation and fine-tune its performance.
Recurrent "fever blister" and "canker sore". Tests for herpes simplex and other viruses with mammalian cell cultures.

Abstract Specimens from lesions of eleven patients with recurrent herpes labialis and thirty-one with recurrent aphthous ulcerations were tested for herpes simplex and other viruses in cultures of rabbit kidney, monkey kidney, HeLa, and human skin cells. Of twenty-five herpetic lesions cultured, thirteen, representing seven patients, yielded herpes simplex virus; none of the twenty-five gave evidence of any other virus. None of 100 recurrent aphthous ulcertations showed viral activity by cytopathic effects or haemadsorption tests in primary cultures and subcultures.
Analysis of inhibition of photosynthesis due to water stress in the C3 species Hordeum vulgare and Vicia faba: Electron transport, CO2 fixation and carboxylation capacity

A C3 monocot, Hordeum vulgare and C3 dicot, Vicia faba, were studied to evaluate the mechanism of inhibition of photosynthesis due to water stress. The net rate of CO2 fixation (A) and transpiration (E) were measured by gas exchange, while the true rate of O2 evolution (J O2) was calculated from chlorophyll fluorescence analysis through the stress cycle (10 to 11 days). With the development of water stress, the decrease in A was more pronounced than the decrease in J O2 resulting in an increased ratio of Photosystem II activity per CO2 fixed which is indicative of an increase in photorespiration due to a decrease in supply of CO2 to Rubisco. Analyses of changes in the J O2 A ratios versus that of CO2 limited photosynthesis in well watered plants, and RuBP pool/RuBP binding sites on Rubisco and RuBP activity, indicate a decreased supply of CO2 to Rubisco under both mild and severe stress is primarily responsible for the decrease in CO2 fixation. In the early stages of stress, the decrease in C i (intercellular CO2) due to stomatal closure can account for the decrease in photosynthesis. Under more severe stress, CO2 supply to Rubisco, calculated from analysis of electron flow and CO2 exchange, continued to decrease. However, C i, calculated from analysis of transpiration and CO2 exchange, either remained constant or increased which may be due to either a decrease in mesophyll conductance or an overestimation of C i by this method due to patchiness in conductance of CO2 to the intercellular space. When plants were rewatered after photosynthesis had dropped to 10–30% of the original rate, both species showed near full recovery within two to four days.
Special issue for data intensive eScience

Data-intensive science is enabled by the data deluge and has been called the “fourth paradigm” of scientific discovery. New fields are being born, such as drug discovery based on large scale study of correlations in published papers and climate implications from data on the accelerating pace of changes in previously quiescent ice sheets. Astronomy and the search for fundamental particles at the Large Hadron Collider drive mainstream aspects of data-intensive science with many petabytes of data derived from large advanced instruments. Medical imagery and genomics have as much data but from a slew of distributed instruments. It is projected that there will be 24 billion devices on the Internet by 2020. Most of this “Internet of Things” will be small sensors that produce streams of information which will be processed and integrated with other streams and turned into knowledge. The deluge and its impact are pervasive. In synergy with moving to a data-driven world, we are also in the midst of an evolution in the compute landscape of hardware systems. We now live in the world of massive multi-core and GPU processing systems, very large main memory systems, fast networking components, fast solid state drive, and large data centers that consume massive amounts of energy. Computing paradigm is changing and suggesting new programming models, new data structures and more attention to fault tolerance while enabling much easier access to computing. It is clear that many aspects of how we have dealt with data processing have to change in this new world.
Testing baseline stability of some neutron monitors in Europe, Africa, and Asia

For six decades, the global network of neutron monitors (NMs) has provided a continuous stream of very valuable data to the heliophysics community, leading to many insights into the myriad modes of charged particle transport in the tangled magnetic fields that permeate the 3D heliosphere. Earlier, Ahluwalia and Ygbuhay (2012) reported on the drifts in some high latitude NM counting rates in the American zone. We continue our enquiry by testing the stability of the counting rate baselines of some NMs operating in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The data from these detectors have been extremely valuable for the short-term time variation studies, but caution is advised in using the data for long-term studies from NMs with baselines that are drifting for cause(s) unknown.
Increased CRF signalling in a ventral tegmental area-interpeduncular nucleus-medial habenula circuit induces anxiety during nicotine withdrawal

Increased anxiety is a prominent withdrawal symptom in abstinent smokers, yet the neuroanatomical and molecular bases underlying it are unclear. Here we show that withdrawal-induced anxiety increases activity of neurons in the interpeduncular intermediate (IPI), a subregion of the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). IPI activation during nicotine withdrawal was mediated by increased corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor-1 expression and signalling, which modulated glutamatergic input from the medial habenula (MHb). Pharmacological blockade of IPN CRF1 receptors or optogenetic silencing of MHb input reduced IPI activation and alleviated withdrawal-induced anxiety; whereas IPN CRF infusion in mice increased anxiety. We identified a mesointerpeduncular circuit, consisting of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons projecting to the IPN, as a potential source of CRF. Knockdown of CRF synthesis in the VTA prevented IPI activation and anxiety during nicotine withdrawal. These data indicate that increased CRF receptor signalling within a VTA-IPN-MHb circuit triggers anxiety during nicotine withdrawal.
Structuring contention-based channel access in wireless sensor networks

In a wireless network using CSMA for MAC, packet collisions can result either because of the vulnerability stemming from the idle channel detection delay of the radio device or because of the hidden terminal problem. Both of these collision scenarios can be addressed by applying some additional structure to carrier sense-based channel access, sacrificing throughput to improve collision protection. Specifically, we assign a unique time slice to each contending transmitter that is designed to allow collision-free access to each data slot while still using carrier sense as the mechanism to determine channel state. The width of each time slice is equal to the idle channel detection delay of the radio. We prepend a fixed-length time interval to each transmitted packet whose length is proportional to the idle channel detection delay of the radio device and the node density. We discuss this method of channel access including tradeoffs and requirements, and analyze the performance in comparison with existing MAC strategies.
Recombinant FSH Preparations for Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in Assisted Reproduction: A Comparison of Gonal F and Follistim.

were transferred and 247 were cryopreserved; for the control media, from 640 cleaving embryos, 103 were transferred and 255 were cryopreserved. Conclusions: This study represents one of the largest for culture media so far undertaken. Preliminary results indicate that the new sequential media series are as good as, if not better than, the current media being used in one facility. Based on these observations, it is unlikely that Phase II of the study will be conducted. PII S0015-0282(01)01737-X
Oxygen isotope fractionation between zoisite and water

Abstract Oxygen isotope fractionations between zoisite and water have been studied at 400–700°C, PH2O = 13.4 kbar, using the three-isotope method described by Matsuhisa et al. (1978) and Matthews et al. (1983a). The zoisite-waier exchange reaction takes place extremely slowly and consequently direct-exchange calibration of equilibrium 18 O 16 O fractionation factors was possible only at 600 and 700°C. Fractionation factors at 400–600°C were determined from samples hydrothermally crystallized from a glass of the anhydrous zoisite composition. At 600°C, both exchange procedures gave identical fractionations within experimental error. Scanning electron microscope studies showed that the zoisite-water exchange reaction occurs largely by solution-precipitation mass-transfer mechanisms. The slow kinetics of zoisite-water exchange may be typical of hydrous silicates, since additional experiments on tremolite-water and chlorite-water exchange also showed very low rates. When the zoisite-water fractionation factors determined in this study are combined with the quartz and albite-water data of Matsuhisa et al. (1979) and the calcite-water data of O'Nell et al. (1969), mineral-pair fractionations are obtained for which the coefficients “A” in the equation 1000 In α = A × 106T−2 are: Ab Cc Zo Q 0.50 0.50 1.56 Ab 0.00 1.06 Cc 1.06 Fractionation data on coexisting quartz-zoisite (epidote) ± calcite in metamorphic rocks yield temperatures which do not appear to represent peak metamorphic conditions and possibly reflect the complexity of the chemistry of the epidotes and/or the complexity of zoisite and epidote parageneses.
Comparison of different global information sources used in surface radiative flux calculation: Radiative properties of the near‐surface atmosphere

[1] Direct estimates of surface radiative fluxes that resolve regional and weather-scale variability over the whole globe with reasonable accuracy have only become possible with the advent of extensive global, mostly satellite, data sets within the past couple of decades. The accuracy of these fluxes, estimated to be about 10–15 W/m2, is largely limited by the uncertainties of the input data sets. This study presents a fuller, more quantitative evaluation of these uncertainties, mainly for the near-surface air temperature and humidity, by comparing the main available global data sets from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, NASA, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) and the Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique that are treated as ensemble realizations of actual climate such that their differences represent an estimate of the uncertainty in their measurements (because we do not know the absolute truth). The results are globally representative and may be taken as a generalization of our previous ISCCP-based uncertainty estimates for the input data sets. Near-surface atmospheric properties have the primary role in determining the surface downward longwave (LW) flux. From this study, the most important quantity, the surface air temperature, has a uncertainty of about 2–4 K (3 K on average), which would easily induce about 15 W/m2 uncertainty for surface downward LW flux. The humidity profile comparison suggests an uncertainty of 20–25% for the atmospheric column precipitable water below the 300 hPa level, which would cause ≲10 W/m2 uncertainty for surface downward LW flux, making it the second largest source of uncertainty. The comparison for the difference between surface skin and air temperature shows its uncertainty is about 2–3 K, which translates into 10–15 W/m2 uncertainty for surface net LW flux. The used atmospheric data set from ISCCP represents the diurnal variations better than the other available sources (as it was designed to do) and the synoptic variations only slightly better than the other sources, but it still has notable clear-cloudy sky biases and interannual variations that are dominated by spurious changes introduced by methodology changes in the original TOVS product. In a companion paper, the work is extended to evaluate the uncertainties of surface radiative properties.
Atoms, Strings, Apples, and Gravity: What the Average American Science Teacher Does Not Teach

American science teachers in elementary and middle school face a dilemma as they prepare students for high school physics and advanced placement classes. The dilemma lies in ensuring that these students are equipped with the high-level science content they need to thrive in such classes. Aside from life sciences and chemistry sciences, how are our students learning physics at a young age? Do our elementary and middle school teachers know the current content in physics required to prepare our students for the top levels of science education? The author argues that many lower-school teachers are either shying away from such content or are unaware of the latest developments in the field.
A profile of the in vitro antitumor activity of lissoclinolide.

Abstract Lissoclinolide is a small non-nitrogenous lactone isolated from the marine ascidian Lissoclinum patella . Previous studies of lissoclinolide (isolated from a fungus and an actinomycete) have identified varying activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, lissoclinolide was able to inhibit cell growth in various mammalian tumor lines at an average IC 50 of 395 nM (determined by MTT conversion after 48-h treatment). Treatment of HCT 116 human colon tumor cells with 2.4 μM lissoclinolide resulted in a strong arrest in the G 2 /M phase of the cell cycle after 24-h exposure. A daughter cell line lacking p53 showed an identical response while there was a slight increase in cytotoxicity towards a p21 null cell line. Although treatment with 2.4 μM lissoclinolide did not result in apoptosis after 48 h, this arrest was not reversible when drug wash out was attempted. The mechanism of action does not appear to involve tubulin, ubiquitin-specific isopeptidases, p53 or p21. COMPARE analysis in the NCI 60 cell line tumor panel revealed a moderate selectivity towards colon tumor cell lines.
Prostaglandin E2 induces interleukin-6 expression in human chondrocytes via cAMP/protein kinase A- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent NF-κB activation

Elevated levels of prostaglandin (PG)E2 and interleukin (IL)-6 have been reported in the cartilage and synovial fluid from patients with arthritic disorders. PGE2 regulates IL-6 production in numer...
Naturally occurring antisense RNA

Within the last few years a number of mammalian genes have been found for which there exist naturally occurring "antisense" RNA species with complementarity to mRNAs. Effects of antisense RNA on "sense" RNA have yet to be established. Nevertheless, it is apparent that mammalian cells have devoted genetic information and machinery to processing RNA:RNA hybrids, and it is becoming clear that there may be many more genes than previously suspected to which natural antisense RNAs exist. If naturally occurring antisense RNAs are mediators of alterations in gene expression, the question arises as to whether these pathways can be exploited pharmacologically.
A Possible Effect of Salinity Fluctuation on Abundance of Benthic Vegetation and Associated Fauna in Northeastern Florida Bay

In southern Florida, a vast network of canals and water control structures mediate freshwater discharge into the coastal zone. Management protocol for one such canal network (C-111) is being modified in part to try to improve habitat for estuarine fish and wading birds in northeastern Florida Bay, an estuarine part of Everglades National Park. Changes in canal management could alter the spatial and temporal salinity regime in the estuary. To better predict the effect of such changes on estuarine habitat, abundances of submersed vegetation and benthic animals were sampled repeatedly at 12 stations that differed in salinity. A variety of other parameters were also measured (nutrients, light, temperature, oxygen, sediment characteristics, and others). Mean salinity among stations ranged from 11.4‰ to 33.1‰. Densities of benthic plants and animals differed among stations by several orders of magnitude. The standard deviation of salinity was the best environmental correlate with mean plant biomass and benthic animal density: less biota occurred at stations with greater fluctuations in salinity. The two stations with the least plant biomass also had the highest mean water temperatures. In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, standard deviation of salinity accounted for 59% of the variation in the logarithm of mean plant biomass among stations. For every 3‰ increase in the standard deviation, total benthic plant biomass decreased by an order of magnitude. Mean water temperature accounted for only 14% of the variation, and mean salinity was not included for lack of significance. At stations with widely fluctuating salinities, not only was biomass low, but species dominance also frequently changed. Severe fluctuation in salinity may have prevented abundant benthos by causing physiological stress that reduced growth and survival. Salinity may not have remained within the range of tolerance of any one plant species for long enough to allow the development of a substantially vegetated benthic community. Hence, gaining control over salinity fluctuation may be the key to estuarine habitat improvement through canal management in southern Florida.
Evolutionary stability and media of exchange

Abstract The Kiyotaki and Wright model (1989) of money as a medium of exchange is analyzed within an evolutionary framework. It is shown that fundamental, speculative, and polymorphic states can all be stable, and that there may exist a multiplicity of stable states. Stringent assumptions regarding information and rationality are therefore unnecessary in order to explain the use of money as a medium of exchange, even when the existence of a stable medium requires some individuals to trade their production good for one with a higher storage cost, or when otherwise identical individuals must adopt different exchange strategies.
Aqueous Humor Rapidly Stimulates Myocilin Secretion from Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Myocilin, a protein associated with the development of glaucoma, is expressed in most eye tissues with highest expression observed in trabecular meshwork cells. In culture, primary human trabecular meshwork cells incubated in 10% fetal bovine serum have reduced myocilin expression compared to in vivo, but incubation in human aqueous humor, their normal in vivo nutrient source, restores myocilin expression to near in vivo levels. To investigate the mechanism by which human aqueous humor stimulates myocilin accumulation in conditioned media from normal human trabecular meshwork cells, three independent trabecular meshwork cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) containing various supplements: fetal bovine serum (10%), human serum (0.2%), porcine aqueous humor (50%), bovine serum albumin (0.1%), dexamethasone (10(-7)M), human aqueous humor (50%) or heat-inactivated human aqueous humor (50%). Conditioned media from cultured primary trabecular meshwork cells following incubation in human aqueous humor showed significant accumulation of myocilin in a time- (15 min) and dose-dependent manner (half maximal effective concentration ∼ 30%) while intracellular myocilin levels decreased. Minimal myocilin accumulation was observed in conditioned media isolated from trabecular meshwork cells cultured in DMEM containing fetal bovine or human serum, bovine serum albumin, porcine aqueous humor, dexamethasone or DMEM alone. Heat inactivation of human aqueous humor nearly eliminated human aqueous humor-stimulated myocilin secretion. Inhibitors of new protein synthesis, gene transcription, the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi system and endocytic/exocytic secretory pathways failed to inhibit human aqueous humor-stimulated myocilin secretion. Using immunolabeling and transmission electron microscopy, myocilin was found associated with 70-90 nm vesicle-like structures within the cytoplasm of human aqueous humor treated trabecular meshwork cells. These studies suggest that myocilin secretion from trabecular meshwork cells occurs in a Golgi-independent manner following human aqueous humor treatment. Heat-labile factors in human aqueous humor are responsible for the time- and dose-dependent release of myocilin from vesicle-like structures within the cytoplasm of trabecular meshwork cells.
Infected nonunions of diaphyseal fractures of the forearm

There are no reported series that specifically deal with repair of infected nonunions of the diaphysis of the forearm bones. We sought to determine whether a standardized treatment protocol we have utilized for 15 patients from 1989 to 2005 results in a high union rate, resolution of infection, and a good functional outcome. The study cohort included nine male and six female patients who presented to a University hospital setting with an infected nonunion of the diaphysis of the radius or ulna. Every patient had a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The average patient age was 45 years (range 17–79). Eight of the patients had fractures involving their dominant arm. Thirteen patients had initially fractured both the radius and ulna, but two of these patients had subsequently healed one of the bones. One patient had an isolated radius fractures, and one patient fractured the ulna alone. All patients underwent a protocol that combines aggressive surgical debridements as necessary, definitive fixation after 7–14 days, tricortical iliac crest bone grafting for segmental defects, leaving wounds open to heal by secondary intention, 6 weeks of culture-specific intravenous antibiotics, and early active range of motion (ROM) exercises. We sought to report our success rate of nonunion repair, number of re-interventions, complication rate, final ROM, and the ability to eradicate the infection using this treatment regimen. At most recent follow-up (average 5 years, range 2–15 years), all patients had united and resolved their infections. One case was considered a failure, although he did go on to unite a one-bone forearm and was free of infection at most recent follow-up. All but three patients, including the one failure, had at least 50° of supination/pronation and 30–130° of flexion/extension arc. Excluding the one failure that united his one-bone forearm at 46 months, the average time to union was 13.2 weeks (range 10–15 weeks). The results of this study indicate that our standard protocol for treatment of infected nonunion of the shafts of the radius and ulna is reliable at obtaining fracture union with a good functional result, while also resolving the infection.
Effective oral presentation of scientific and technical information

Prepared for engineering and science students, this article stresses the preparation for the talk, the judicious use of notes, and the effective use of visual aids. To deliver a talk effectively, students must know the elements of delivery: ample projection of the voice, natural movements, relevant gestures, and eye contact. Furthermore, students should be aware of such errors as the following: poor board work, lack of movement and enthusiasm, overuse of notes, monotonous voice, poor eye contact, repetition, and the use of slang and colloquialisms. To make effective oral presentations, one should develop an extensive vocabulary and should evaluate his delivery.
Controls on sequence stratigraphy of a middle Miocene–Holocene, current-swept, passive margin: Offshore Canterbury Basin, New Zealand

The offshore Canterbury Basin exemplifies sequence development on a prograding passive margin influenced strongly by submarine currents. Nineteen middle Miocene–Holocene, regional, sequence-bounding unconformities are interpreted by using high-resolution multichannel seismic data. The sequences can be grouped into larger units based on seismic geometry and facies that reflect different combinations of controls on sequence architecture. Correlation with oxygen isotope records suggests that eustasy controls the timing of sequence boundaries. The number of sequences is similar to that of coeval cycles on a temperature-adjusted, Miocene and early Pliocene δ 18 O record. The late Pliocene–Pleistocene sequence record is of lower frequency than the isotopic record of this period, either because of the limitations of seismic resolution or because of removal of sequence boundaries by erosion associated with high-amplitude eustasy. However, the last two sequence boundaries correlate well with the last two 100 k.y. isotopic cycles. In contrast, sequence architecture is influenced strongly by local processes. Along-strike currents create large, elongate sediment drifts that control sequence thickness; current erosion in drift moats forms diachronous unconformities. Drifts focus deposition on the slope, reducing the rate of basinward advance of the shelf edge, but increasing that of the slope toe, thereby reducing slope inclination. Replacement of along-strike processes by downslope processes increases rates of shelf-edge progradation, and the slope steepens as the reduced accommodation space over the expanded slope is filled. Clinoform geometries along strike from active drifts suggest that currents might influence clinoform formation even in locations lacking seismic evidence of current reworking.
Anti-glomerular antibody in chronic active and chronic persistent hepatitis.

In the initial stages of the disease, chronic active hepatitis cannot always be differentiated from chronicpersistent hepatitis. The prognosis and treatment are quite different for the two diseases and differentiation is made primarily upon the histologic picture and clinical course. In a recent study of these two groups of patients, we noted the presence of antiglomerular antibody in the sera of 12 of 12 patients with chronic active hepatitis. None of five patients with chronic persistent hepatitis demonstrated this antibody. The presence of antiglomerular antibody may provide a useful serologic method to help in the distinction of the two diseases.
Differential effects of thiazolidinediones on adipocyte growth and recruitment in Zucker fatty rats.

Background Adipose tissue grows by two mechanisms: hyperplasia (cell number increase) and hypertrophy (cell size increase). Thiazolidinediones are insulin-sensitizing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists that are known to affect the morphology of adipose tissue. Methodology In this study, adipose cell-size probability distributions were measured in six Zucker fa/fa rats over a period of 24 days, from four weeks of age, using micro-biopsies to obtain subcutaneous (inguinal) fat tissue from the animals. Three of the rats were gavaged daily with rosiglitazone, a thiazolidinedione, and three served as controls. These longitudinal probability distributions were analyzed to obtain the rate of increase in cell-size diameter in rosiglitazone-treated animals, and the hyperplasia induced by treatment quantitatively. Conclusions We found that treatment leads to hypertrophy that leads to an approximately linear rate of cell diameter increase (2 m/day), and that the hyperplasia evident in treated animals occurs largely within the first eight days of treatment. The availability of additional lipid storage due to treatment may alleviate lipotoxicity and thereby promote insulin sensitivity. The hypothesis that a TZD regimen involving repeated treatments of limited duration may suffice for improvements in insulin sensitivity merits further investigation.
β-d-glucosidase activity in developing leaves of Nicotiana tabacum☆

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Burley 21) leaves were assayed for β-d-glucosidase activity, using esculin as substrate. The enzymatically produced esculetin was silylated and quantitatively measured by GLC, using a tritium foil electron-capture detector. In field-grown plants, the activity in mid-stalk leaves increased with plant maturation; conversely, the activity in the top leaves decreased.
Competitive ion-exchange evaluation of the bromide interference on anodized silver/silver chloride electrodes

Abstract The bromide interference on rotating anodized silver/silver chloride electrodes of different thicknesses is investigated by potentiometric monitoring of mixed bromide/ chloride solution activity steps. Potential—time transients consist of four distinct regions which are related to different stages in the process of surface coverage by silver bromide. The bromide depletion in solution is monitored so that chloride activity, and the total amounts of AgCl and AgBr can be calculated by assuming the stoichiometric metathesis reaction AgCl + Br - ⇌ AgBr + Cl - . Selectivity coefficients vary with surface coverage and time. Thin electrodes quickly reach the upper limiting value of 450, the approximate ratio of the solubility products, while thick electrodes with mixed precipitates retain a selectivity coefficient of about 10 in bromide activities less than 10 -3 M. Bromide surface coverage of the anodized electrodes is best modeled by a mixed rather than a constant surface potential. The resultant “rate constant” of the forward reaction in the plateau region averages 5.18 ± 0.80 × 10 -4 s -1 . The reverse reaction is at least 200 times slower. Impedance measurements verify the ion-exchange mechanism and the degree of electrode interconversion.
Sepsis After Platelet Transfusions

To the Editor. —I read with interest the painstaking and well-executed study of Morrow et al 1 on transfusion-associated sepsis (TAS) after platelet transfusion. transfusion-associated sepsis occurred in seven of 29 738 transfusions, of which 10219 were platelet pools from multiple donors (MD) and 19519 were single donors (SD) obtained by apheresis. However, since the 10219 MD transfusions averaged 7.3 U of platelet concentrates per transfusion, a more pertinent denominator is the sum of all donor exposures, not transfusions. Thus, TAS occurred in seven of 94118 [(10219 × 7.3) + 19519] donor exposures, a rate of 0.0074%, or about one per 13460 exposures. This risk is some 30 to 40 times less than that of TA hepatitis and about five to 10 times greater than that of TA human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 2 When the data in Morrow et al's Table 1 is recalculated (Table) using donor exposures as the