cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excess lead in the neural retina in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose To measure lead and cadmium in retinal tissues of human donor eyes with and without age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Laboratory investigation. Methods Lead and cadmium concentrations in retinal tissues (neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium [RPE]–choroid complex) in 25 subjects with AMD (50 donor eyes) and 36 normal subjects (72 donor eyes) were determined by using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Severity of AMD was graded by using color fundus photographs and the Minnesota Grading System. Differences in metal concentrations were compared by using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results The neural retinas of subjects with AMD had increased lead concentrations (median, 12.0 ng/g; 25% to 75% interquartile range, 8 to 18 ng/g; n=25) compared with normal subjects (median, 8.0 ng/g; 25% to 75% interquartile range, 0 to 11 ng/g; P = .04; n=36). There was no difference in lead concentration in the RPE–choroid complex between subjects with AMD (median, 198 ng/g; 25% to 75% interquartile range, 87 to 381 ng/g) and normal subjects (median, 172 ng/g; 25% to 75% interquartile range, 100 to 288 ng/g; P = .25). Cadmium concentration in the neural retina (median, 0.9 μg/g; 25% to 75% interquartile range, 0.7 to 1.8 μg/g) and RPE–choroid complex (median, 2.2 μg/g; 25% to 75% interquartile range, 1.8 to 3.7 μg/g) in subjects with AMD was not different from concentrations in the neural retina (median, 0.9 μg/g; 25% to 75% interquartile range, 0.7 to 1.4 μg/g; P = .32) and RPE–choroid complex (median, 1.5 μg/g; 25% to 75% interquartile range, 0.9 to 2.5 μg/g; P = .12) of normal subjects. Conclusions AMD is associated with excess lead in the neural retina, and this relationship suggests that metal homeostasis in AMD eyes is different from normal.
The Metropolitan Readiness Test as a Descriptor and Predictor of Children's Competence in Kindergarten Through Grade Two

This study examined the use of the Metropolitan Readiness Test (MRT) as a descriptor and predictor of children's abilities and competence in kindergarten through grade two. Four hundred and four children were assessed at kindergarten entry, grade one, and grade two with a variety of academic, cognitive, and social-emotional measures. The MRT demonstrated significant correlations (r = .36 to .68) with these criterion measures and was a strong predictor of children's social competence in early elementary school. The MRT was moderately correlated with and highly predictive of (r = .45 to .76) academic and cognitive tests administered in grades one and two. The results are discussed in terms of an ecological framework and address current issues in the field of early childhood education related to screening for the identification of children at risk for school failure.
An introduction–and some conclusions

This text introduces articles from a Stanford conference on regulating PGD. The conference supported research on preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) safety, but did not support moral regulation, although foreseeable scientific changes may alter the second conclusion.
Homogeneous nucleation kinetics

Homogeneous nucleation kinetics are rederived in a manner fundamentally similar to the approach of classical nucleation theory with the following modifications and improvements. First, the cluster is a parent phase cluster and does not require energization to the parent state. Second, the thermodynamic potential used to describe phase stability is a continuous function along the pathway of phase decomposition. Third, the kinetics of clustering corresponds directly to the diffusional flux of monomers through the cluster distribution and are formally similar to classical theory with the resulting kinetic equation modified by two terms in the preexponential factor. These terms correct for the influence of a supersaturation dependent clustering within the parent phase and for the influence of an asymmetrical cluster concentration as a function of cluster size at the critical cluster size. Fourth, the supersaturation dependence of the nucleation rate is of the same form as that given by classical nucleation theory. This supersaturation dependence must however be interpreted in terms of a size dependent surface tension. Finally, there are two scaling laws which describe supersaturation to either constant nucleation rate or to the thermodynamically determined physical spinodal.
Economic competitiveness of windmills

Abstract The conditions under which windmills become competitive with the generation of electric power from fossil fuels are examined. The influence of cost of construction, financing arrangements, and the future cost of fuels is shown. Energy storage and network arrangements for mills are considered briefly, as are alternate uses for mills, e.g. the utilization of mill output directly for heating or for the production of a fuel.
Development of utility programs for a cold drawing process

Abstract Utility programs were developed for a cold draw process of hollow sections to determine proper hot-rolled tube size, die and mandrel geometries, processing parameters, expected final product dimensions, mechanical properties and drawing forces. The utility programs were separated into three parts: geometrical design, finite element analysis and special pre- and post-processing. The geometrical design program determines hot-rolled tube size, number of passes, die and mandrel geometries and processing parameters. A special purpose pre-processing program interfaces the geometrical design program with the ABAQUS finite element analysis program. The ABAQUS program was employed to determine metal flow, strains and stresses. A special post-processing program calculates final product dimensions, mechanical properties and drawing force from the analysis results.
Catabolite repression of the SirA regulatory cascade in Salmonella enterica

Orthologs of the Salmonella BarA/SirA two-component system are required for virulence, motility, secondary metabolism and stress survival throughout the γ-proteobacteria. BarA is a sensor kinase that responds to an unknown signal by phosphorylating the response regulator SirA. SirA increases the expression of genes within Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1) that encode a type III secretion system (TTSS-1). SirA does this by directly activating the hilA and hilC regulatory genes encoded within SPI1. SirA also directly activates the csrB regulatory RNA gene. This RNA antagonizes the activity of the post-transcriptional regulatory protein CsrA that binds the mRNA of its targets to regulate SPI1, motility and secondary metabolism. A second regulatory RNA, csrC, is also strongly regulated by SirA, although gel mobility shift assays do not demonstrate a direct interaction. Additionally, we have determined that the sirA gene is activated by crp and cya. The effects of crp and cya were also observed on the downstream members of the SirA regulon, hilA, sopB, csrB, and csrC. However, gel mobility shift experiments and DNA sequence analysis suggest that the regulation of sirA by CRP is probably indirect. Although SirA does not regulate csrA, this gene was also under crp/cya control. Supplementation of a rich medium with phosphate diminished the catabolite control of the csr portion but not the virulence portion of the SirA regulon.
GPS-free cooperative mobile tracking with the application in vehicular networks

In this paper, the problem of mobile tracking in dense environments is studied. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the most accessible positioning technique. However, GPS does not work properly in indoor and dense areas, as the receiver typically does not have access to a sufficient number of line-of- sight satellites. Therefore, localization in these networks can be alternatively done by using measurements collected within the network and without the aid of any external resources (e.g., GPS). The mobile tracking problem includes several static reference nodes whose locations are fixed and known, and many mobile nodes whose locations are unknown and needed to be determined. The problem of mobile tracking can be solved in two forms: centralized and distributed. A centralized algorithm can result in high complexity and latency, while a distributed algorithm might lead to large estimation errors. In this paper, a novel cooperative localization technique is introduced which is able to deliver a promising localization accuracy while maintain the latency and complexity as low as possible. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with those of other algorithms in terms of localization accuracy, latency, and required data communication through computer simulations. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in comparison with either centralized and distributed algorithms. An important application of this work is vehicle localization in dense environments where the vehicles do not have access to GPS satellites and must be localized by the elements within the network. Index Terms—cooperative tracking, centralized and distributed tracking, vehicle tracking.
Thermodynamic origin of the increased rate of hydrolysis of phosphate and phosphorothioate esters in DMSO/water mixtures.

The hydrolysis rates of the dianions of phosphate and phosphorothioate esters are substantially accelerated by the addition of polar aprotic solvents such as DMSO and acetonitrile. The activation barrier ΔG⧧ is smaller due to a lower enthalpy of activation. The enthalpy of transfer of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) and p-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (pNPPT), from water to 0.6 (mol) aq DMSO (60 mol % water in DMSO) were measured calorimetrically. The enthalpies of activation for the hydrolysis reactions in the two solvents permitted the calculation of the enthalpy of transfer of the transition states. This transfer is thermodynamically favorable for both the reactants and the transition states but is more favorable for the transition states. In the case of pNPP, the enthalpy of transfer of the reactant is −23.9 kcal/mol, compared to −28.3 for the transition state. The difference is greater for pNPPT, where the enthalpy of transfer of the reactant is −23.2 kcal/mol and that for the transition state is −35.3...
Molecular struggle for transcriptional control

What DNA interactive ligands, such as antitumour agents and carcinogens, can do is well known, but exactly how they do it has been a mystery until now.
Chfr and RNF8 synergistically regulate ATM activation

RNF8 is an E3 ligase that functions in the DNA damage response by promoting the ubiquitination of histone proteins at double-strand breaks. Now, analysis of mice with a double knockout of RNF8 and related E3 ligase Chfr reveals that these two proteins collaborate to activate ATM via ubiquitination of H2B and consequent recruitment of MRG15, a component of HAT complexes, resulting in histone H4 Lys16 acetylation and chromatin relaxation.
Dose-response data for toxiferine dichloride in monkeys and guinea pigs

Abstract The maximum tolerated dose, the LD50 and median effective dose (ED50), and the dose required to paralyze or cause loss of the righting reflex in 99% of the sample population (ED99) for toxiferine dichloride, injected iv and im in rhesus monkeys and im in guinea pigs, were determined. The data derived from the dose-response determinations were utilized in computation of the therapeutic index and margin of safety.
Direct quantification of cocaine in urine by time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The direct quantification of cocaine in urine has been achieved using time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The dynamic range of the TOF-SIMS is four orders of magnitude using one internal standard concentration. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) have been determined to be 3 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL, respectively, for MeOH standards; the LOD and LOQ have been 33 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL, respectively, in urine samples. Coefficients of variation have ranged from 0.7 to 2.7 for the MeOH standards and 2.5 to 8.0 for the urine samples. The use of TOF-SIMS to simultaneously detect multiple drugs in urine is also demonstrated. The advantages and disadvantages of directly quantifying drugs in urine are discussed. Practical considerations regarding the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for multi-component analysis are also presented.
Substituent effects on 2-aza-5-hexynyl radical cyclization regiochemistry

Abstract Cyclizations of several N-acyl-2-aza-5-hexynyl radicals are described. The regiochemical course of these cyclizations depend on the nature of substituents at the alkyne terminus.
World Cities and Global Change: Observations on Monumentality in Urban Design

A prominent urban geographer presents a sweeping review essay on monumentality in the urban design of world cities. After outlining a number of the large, grand urban plans and projects of the past and present, he focuses on the four components of monumental urban design: comprehensive conceptions of legible urban form; iconic buildings; integrated urban transportation hubs; and planned downtown and midtown redevelopment projects. Concentrating on the trends prevailing at present and over the near future, the author notes factors that may exert a special impact on emerging world cities in Russia and China and argues for the importance of process in the geography of monumentality. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O18, R51, R53. 14 figures, 37 references.
Resumption of Puberty in Girls and Boys Following Removal of the Histrelin Implant

Objectives To determine time to menarche in girls and testicular volume increase in boys after removal of a histrelin implant, which causes profound hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis suppression. Study design Medical records of patients treated with a histrelin implant were reviewed. Seventy-one patients (56 girls) treated with the histrelin implant were identified, of these patients, 37 explanted girls (68% naive) and 6 explanted boys (83% naive) were included in the analysis. Time to menarche after explantation in girls and time to testicular volume increase after explantation in boys were determined. Additional variables investigated included indication for and duration of treatment, history of menarche (girls), previous therapy, and age at beginning and end of histrelin treatment. Results Of the girls, 30 were treated for central precocious puberty (CPP), 26 had menarche at an average of 12.75 months after explantation. Of the 30, 7 were treated for other indications, of whom 6 had reached menarche. In girls with CPP, older age at explantation correlated with sooner menarche ( P = .04). All boys achieved spontaneous testicular enlargement within 1 year of explantation. Conclusions This study documented resumption of puberty after histrelin explantation in treatment naive and non-naive boys and girls with and without CPP. Menarche in girls with CPP occurs within a similar timeframe to that observed after other treatment approaches.
ASTERIX: scalable warehouse-style web data integration

A growing wealth of digital information is being generated on a daily basis in social networks, blogs, online communities, etc. Organizations and researchers in a wide variety of domains recognize that there is tremendous value and insight to be gained by warehousing this emerging data and making it available for querying, analysis, and other purposes. This new breed of "Big Data" applications poses challenging requirements against data management platforms in terms of scalability, flexibility, manageability, and analysis capabilities. At UC Irvine, we are building a next-generation database system, called ASTERIX, in response to these trends. We present ongoing work that approaches the following questions: How does data get into the system? What primitives should we provide to better cope with dirty/noisy data? How can we support efficient data analysis on spatial data? Using real examples, we show the capabilities of ASTERIX for ingesting data via feeds, supporting set-similarity predicates for fuzzy matching, and answering spatial aggregation queries.
Gas chromatography of alkaloids with polar stationary liquids

Abstract A number of alkaloids have been gas chromatographed on columns containing stationary liquids of varying degrees of polarity. The moderately polar cyanosilicone XE-60 has given particularly good results and appears to be the stationary liquid of choice for most alkaloid sepaations. A combination of two columns, one with silicone rubber SE-30 and another with cyanosilicone XE-60, is recommended for purposes of identification.
Effects of carbon tetrachloride on adrenocortical structure and function in guinea pigs

Abstract Studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) on adrenocortical structure and function in guinea pigs. Treatment with CCl 4 reduced adrenal microsomal cytochrome P -450 concentrations and markedly decreased adrenal benzo(a)pyrene (BP) hydroxylase and benzphetamine (BZ) demethylase activities. Adrenal microsomal 17α- and 21-hydroxylase activities were relatively unaffected by CCl 4 . Similar changes in adrenal metabolism resulted from incubation of microsomal suspension with CCl 4 plus NADPH in vitro . Morphologically, CCl 4 treatment resulted in necrotic changes in the inner portions of the adrenal cortex. The zona reticularis and inner fasciculata contained numerous cells with pyknotic nuclei, fragmented nuclei, and vacuolated cytoplasm. Cells in the outer fasciculata and zona glomerulosa of the adrenals appeared normal. In adrenals obtained from normal guinea pigs, xenobiotic metabolism was highly localized to the inner portion of the cortex, the site of CCl 4 -induced necrosis. The CCl 4 -induced type I spectral change, a tentative measure of binding to cytochrome(s) P -450, was also greater in microsomes from the inner than from the outer zones. In addition, the initiation of lipid peroxidation by CCl 4 plus NADPH, as well as the formation of covalently bound metabolites from 14 CCl 4 , was far greater with inner than outer zone microsomes. The results indicate that the effects of CCl 4 on the adrenal cortex are localized to the inner zone which probably represents the site of activation of the toxin. In addition, adrenal xenobiotic-metabolizing monooxygenases seem to be more vulnerble to the toxic effects of CCl 4 than the microsomal steroid hydroxylases.
Evidence that the substantia nigra is a component of the endogenous pain suppression system in the rat

The present study sought to determine whether opiate receptors in the substantia nigra may mediate antinociception produced by systemic morphine. Bilateral intranigral microinjection of naloxone-HCl (0.3-10 micrograms) suppressed the antinociceptive effects of systemically administered morphine sulfate (5 mg/kg, s.c.) on the tail-flick and hot-plate tests in a dose-related manner. Injection of naloxone (3 micrograms) into the ventral tegmental area did not alter antinociception produced by systemic morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.). These findings support the argument that the substantia nigra is an essential, and previously unrecognized, component of the endogenous pain suppression system.
Activation energy for Ni2Si and NiSi formation measured over a wide range of ramp rates

Abstract The activation energies, E a , for Ni 2 Si and NiSi formation were determined using in-situ resistance measurements with ramp rates ranging from 0.01 °C s −1 to 100°C s −1 . Measurements were performed using both conventional furnace and rapid thermal annealing. Ni films were evaporated on undoped polycrystalline Si and single-crystal Si on sapphire substrates. The E a values determined from Kissinger plots were 1.65 ± 0.07 to 1.68 ± 0.08 eV for Ni 2 Si formation and 1.84 ± 0.05 to 1.87 ± 0.06 eV for NiSi formation. These are the first reported measurements of E a values for Ni 2 Si and NiSi formation over such a wide range of heating rates (four orders of magnitude) and at such high heating rates. The phase-formation sequence remained the same for the range of heating rates examined.
Signals and Spillover: Brown v. Board of Education and Other Social Movements

The watershed Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education affected activist politics on issues that extend well beyond African-American civil rights or education. The apparent success of the Court decision in spurring social change encouraged activists in other social movements to emulate the NAACP Legal Defense Fund's litigation strategy, and to adapt organizational structures, political strategies, and rhetoric borrowed from the civil rights movement. We examine how a Supreme Court decision and its subsequent interpretation influenced the development of other social movements. Borrowing from work on social movements, we contend that the Court decision signaled judicial openness to stand up for minority points of view on questions of fundamental rights, and that the civil rights movement spilled over to affect other movements. Activists continued to respond to that signal decades after Brown, even when that signal of judicial responsiveness and openness did not reflect the real prospects for achieving influence through a litigation-based strategy.David S. Meyer is Professor of Sociology and Political Science (dmeyer@uci.edu) and Steven A. Boutcher is Doctoral Candidate (sboutche@uci.edu) in Sociology, University of California, Irvine. We are grateful for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper from Lisa Garcia Bedolla, Catherine Corrigall-Brown, Stephanie DiAlto, Sharon Lean, Sharon Oselin, and Su Yang.
Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of glycogen-containing vacuoles in gastrodermal cells in developing hydranths of a hydromedusan coelenterate

Abstract Hydranth buds from the colonial hydroid Sertularia pumila (Hydromedusae) were observed by electron microscopy during their development. Before hydranth expansion, the gastrodermal columnar digestive cells had large numbers of vacuoles. These vacuoles contained many membranous components as well as α-glycogen and dense ring- and crescent-shaped bodies. The rings and crescents were not osmiophilic, but did react to periodic acid oxidation in the PA-TSC-SP test for carbohydrate. These structures were digestible by α-amylase and pullulanase. The chemical analyses and the close association of the rings and crescents to α-glycogen particles showed that they may be a highly condensed form of glycogen. Golgi bodies in association with the gastrodermal vacuoles had acid phosphatase activity. This enzyme was only slightly active in the vacuoles. It is suggested that the vacuoles arc primarily storage organelles with a potential for digestion.
Impulse‐momentum and resistance analysis of reinforced concrete structures

The viability of most analytical approaches developed to predict the inelastic response of Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures requires the load-deformation relationship to have a positive slope. In many realistic cases the slope is not positive. When this happens, most analytical approaches consider the maximum point as the failure point or use unrealistic material laws, e.g., the assumption of a positive slope when it really is negative. Hence, there is a need to develop a new analytical approach which recognizes load-deflection relationships which have ascending and descending branches. A method based on the impulse momentum principle and the resistance force (IMR) of an RC structure is developed. The resistance force vector {R(t)} is used in place of the stiffness approach. The material non-linearity of RC systems can be elegantly accounted for in the {R(t)} vector. An examination of numerical properties of the IMR method shows that stability and convergence are dependent on a time step length ratio. Applications of the IMR method which predict the inelastic seismic response of RC structures are performed.
Vanillin and o-vanillin oligomers as models for dendrimer disassembly

Linear analogs have been synthesized to model disassembling dendrimers. These linear analogs provide a facile synthesis to molecules that can be used to test new trigger groups and cleavage vectors. Vanillin and o-vanillin were used as the monomer units of these analogs and two trigger groups, allyl and o-nitrobenzyl, were chosen to test the disassembly process. Allyl triggered analogs 1a–d and 3a–d and o-nitrobenzyl triggered analogs 2a–c and 4a–c showed good to excellent disassembly as followed by the evolution of p-nitrophenoxide reporter ion by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The rate and yield of disassembly was shown to depend on experimental conditions as well as length of the cleavage vector.
Assessment of Large-Scale Pressurized Thermal Shock Experiments Using the FAVOR Fracture Mechanics Computer Code

Large-scale experiments of pressure vessels performed at the Oak National Laboratory (ORNL)1 in the mid 1980s validated the applicability of the linear-elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) computational methodology for application to fracture analysis of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) in nuclear power plants. The current federal regulations to insure that nuclear RPVs maintain their structural integrity, when subjected to transients such as pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events, were derived in the early-mid 1980s from a comprehensive computational methodology of which LEFM is a major element. Recently, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) has conducted the PTS re-evaluation project that has the objective to establish a technical basis for a potential relaxation to the current PTS regulations which could have profound implications for plant license-extension considerations. The PTS re-evaluation project has primarily consisted of the development and application of an updated risk-based computational methodology that has been implemented into the F racture A nalysis of V essels: O ak R idge (FAVOR) computer code. LEFM continues to be a major element of the updated computational methodology. As part of the PTS re-evaluation program, there has been an extensive effort to validate that FAVOR has an accurate implementation of the LEFM methodology. This effort has consisted of the successful benchmarking of thermal analysis, stress analysis, and LEFM fracture analysis results between FAVOR and ABAQUS, a commercial general-purpose finite element computer code that has fracture mechanics capabilities, for a range of transient descriptions. The NRC has also participated in international round-robin benchmarking exercises in which FAVOR-generated solutions to well-specified PTS problems have been compared to solutions generated by other research institutions. A more fundamental aspect of the ongoing validation of FAVOR is demonstration that FAVOR can be used to successfully predict the results of large-scale fracture experiments. The objective of this paper is to document the FAVOR analysis of the first large-scale pressurized thermal shock experiment (PTSE) performed at ORNL. Results of these analyses provide validation that FAVOR accurately predicts the cleavage fracture initiation of a long surface breaking flaw in a large-scale thick-walled pressure vessel.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Improved estimate of the scalar-glueball mass.

We present results for the ${0}^{++}$ glueball mass (${m}_{G}$) and the string tension ($\ensuremath{\sigma}$) in pure gauge lattice QCD with a four-parameter improved action. We suggest and confirm that previous estimates for $\frac{{m}_{G}}{\sqrt{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$ have been too low because of the influence of the unphysical and nonuniversal phase structure in the fundamental-adjoint coupling plane. We find that ${m}_{G}\ensuremath{\approx}1200\ensuremath{-}1400$ MeV using $\sqrt{\ensuremath{\sigma}}=420$ MeV.
Women's gymnastics injuries A 5-year study

A 5-year prospective study on the time course of women's gymnastics injuries was conducted on a successful NCAA Division I team. Gymnasts recorded injuries on a computer terminal or via computer dot sheets immediately before each training session, including the injured body part, the event or activity, and the date of the injury. The definition of injury was "any damaged body part that would interfere with training." Athletes recorded injuries on the 1st day of onset and subsequently until the injury was healed. The initial onset of injury was considered a new injury. Subsequent records of the injury were considered continuing injury. Thirty-seven athletes participated through five collegiate seasons. They accounted for 5602 total training exposures with an average of 151.4 exposures per athlete. The analyses showed that gymnasts trained with an injury approximately 71% of the exposures, and a new injury could be expected from a gymnast during approximately 9% of the exposures. The largest number of injuries were of the repetitive stress syndrome type. The time series information showed that total injuries tended to increase until the middle of the competitive season, while new injuries showed prominent increases during specific training periods and during competition preparation and performance.
Portfolios on the precipice

Abstract In summary, the conference and these chapters made me realize more thoroughly than I ever had that portfolios have the ability to nurture what is most needed in our society today: some way of recognizing and rewarding diversity both within individuals and within society as a whole, some way of dispersing power more equally throughout this diversity, and some way of encouraging negotiation and collaboration within this diversity so that difference leads us to collaborate...rather than to compete. —Patricia A. Belanoff, Chapter 15, p. 357
Control ofDrosophilaRetinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein Expression by Retinoids and Retinoic Acid: Northern, Western and Immunocytochemical Analyses

In Drosophila, thorough retinoid deprivation is possible, optimizing investigation of the effects of vitamin A metabolites and retinoic acid on the visual system. Retinoids had been found to control transcription and translation of Drosophila's opsin gene. To follow this line of inquiry, we examined the effect of retinoids on the translation and transcription of a Drosophila Retinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein. Western blots showed that this protein is high in retinoid replete flies and low in deprived flies. Flies grown on media capable of activating the opsin gene's transcription and which contain alternate transcription activators including retinoic acid yielded extracts containing significant amounts of Retinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein. Immunocytochemistry confirmed its absence in deprived flies and its presence in flies reared or replaced on these diverse media containing retinoids or general nutrients. Immunocytochemistry localized Retinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein to the Semper (cone) cells and the intraommatidial matrix (the interphotoreceptor matrix of the ommatidium). Positive staining of Semper cells in mutants of the opsin gene and a mutant lacking receptors suggests that Retinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein does not depend on presence of opsin and that it is not synthesized in receptor cells respectively. Northern blots demonstrated greatly diminished mRNA for Retinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein in flies grown on deprivation food relative to flies grown on normal food. Although the synthesis of Retinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein does not require chromophore precursors as does that of opsin, the control of Retinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein and opsin transcription by retinoids including retinoic acid might very well be the same. Our results suggest that Retinoid and Fatty Acid Binding Glycoprotein may be involved in retinoid transport. Also, Semper cells may be analogous to vertebrate retinal pigment epithelium in retinoid metabolism and/or delivery.
HIV-associated lymphoma: the evidence for treating aggressively but with caution.

Purpose of the review The aim of this article is to review key reports regarding the biology and management of HIV-associated lymphoma during the past year. Recent findings The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been associated with a reduced risk of primary cerebral and systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a stable or slightly increased risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma, and improved prognosis for those who develop HIV-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's lymphoma. Emerging evidence suggests that patients with HIV-associated lymphoma should be treated in a similar manner as immunocompetent patients with the same disease, especially if the CD4 count is 50–100 cells/μl or higher. Use of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in combination with chemotherapy appears to result in improved control of B-cell lymphoma, but may come at the expense of an increased risk of bacterial and viral infections. Summary Although the evidence currently supports an aggressive and curative approach for the management of HIV-associated lymphoma, clinicians must be vigilant about implementing infection prophylaxis and promptly recognizing, diagnosing, and treating bacterial, parasitic, fungal, and viral infections that may occur as a consequence of therapy.
PHI-1 induced enhancement of myosin phosphorylation in chicken smooth muscle

Herein, we provide evidence that in chicken smooth muscle, G-protein stimulation by a Rho-kinase pathway leads to an increase in myosin light chain phosphorylation. Additionally, G-protein stimulation did not increase MYPT1 phosphorylation at Thr695 or Thr850, and CPI-17, was not expressed in chicken smooth muscle. However, PHI-1 was present in chicken smooth muscle tissues. Both agonist and GTPγS stimulation result in an increase in PHI-1 phosphorylation, which is inhibited by inhibitors to both Rho-kinase (Y-27632) and (PKC) GF109203x. These data suggest that PHI-1 may act as a CPI-17 analog in chicken smooth muscle and inhibit myosin phosphatase activity during G-protein stimulation to produce Ca2+ sensitization.
Random vibration of structures by the finite element method

Abstract This paper is directed at two objectives: (1) to develop an improved finite element formulation of beams subjected to random loading; (2) to provide a benchmark example which can also be solved exactly. Systematic formulation of element and global spectral matrices of both the excitation and response are presented. Two approximations for evaluation of the element spectral densities of excitation are compared with the result of direct numerical calculation. It is shown that, in the benchmark example, the finite element and exact solutions are in perfect agreement.
Antioxidant constituents of almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] hulls.

Almond hulls (Nonpareil variety) were extracted with methanol and analyzed by reversed phase HPLC with diode array detection. The extract contained 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (cryptochlorogenic acid), and 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (neochlorogenic acid) in the ratio 79.5:14.8:5.7. The chlorogenic acid concentration of almond hulls was 42.52 +/- 4.50 mg/100 g of fresh weight (n = 4; moisture content = 11.39%). Extracts were tested for their ability to inhibit the oxidation of methyl linoleate at 40 degrees C. At an equivalent concentration (10 microg/1 g of methyl linoleate) almond hull extracts had higher antioxidant activity than alpha-tocopherol. At higher concentrations (50 microg/1 g of methyl linoleate) almond hull extracts showed increased antioxidant activity that was similar to chlorogenic acid and morin [2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one] standards (at the same concentrations). These data indicate that almond hulls are a potential source of these dietary antioxidants. The sterols (3beta,22E)-stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol (stigmasterol) and (3beta)-stigmast-5-en-3-ol (beta-sitosterol) (18.9 mg and 16.0 mg/100 g of almond hull, respectively) were identified by GC-MS of the silylated almond hull extract.
Effect of Graded Doses of Intraluminal H+, Prostaglandin E2, and Inhibition of Endogenous Prostaglandin Synthesis on Proximal Duodenal Bicarbonate Secretion in Unanesthetized Rat

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of graded doses of intraluminal HCl and prostaglandin E 2 on proximal duodenal bicarbonate secretion in unanesthetized rats. Basal bicarbonate secretion was ∼14 µmol/cm · h and increased significantly in a dose-related manner to 50, 100, and 150 mM HCl as follows: 22.0 ± 1.5, 29.2 ± 4.0, and 42.0 ± 4.3 µmol/cm · h, respectively (mean ± SE). After a single 5-min infusion of 150 mM HCl, duodenal bicarbonate secretion remained significantly above basal for almost 3 h. The responses to 100 mM HCl and 10 −4 M prostaglandin E 2 were similar (29.2 ± 4.0 and 26.9 ± 4.4 µmol/cm · h, respectively). Indomethacin (4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) suppressed the bicarbonate response to 150 mM HCl; whereas the response to 10 −4 M prostaglandin E 2 was unaltered. These studies in the in vivo rat indicate that (a) graded doses of intraluminal HCI produced graded increases in proximal duodenal bicarbonate secretion; (b) the bicarbonate output in response to a 5-min infusion of HCl persisted for almost 3 h; and (c) the bicarbonate response to HCl was essentially abolished by Indomethacin pretreatment, suggesting that endogenous prostaglandins are at least in part involved in acid-induced proximal duodenal bicarbonate secretion.
Further studies on the action of prolactin on fluid and ion absorption by the rat jejunum.

The influence of administration of ovine prolactin in vivo on intestinal fluid and ion transport in vitro was investigated using intact and hypophysectomized male rats. Prolactin administration significantly stimulated fluid, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride transport across everted jejunal sacs. The last two ions were affected less than the others. Hypophysectomy caused a significant decrease in fluid and sodium absorption, but prolactin treatment for 2 days restored normal absorption rates but not uniformly in all sacs. Prolactin action on fluid and sodium absorption showed a dose-dependent tendency, maximal stimulation resulting from administration of 1.0 to 2.0 mg prolactin daily; higher doses failed t o elicit significant response. The stimulatory action of prolactin was inhibited by a simultaneous administration of vasopressin which when given alone had no effect on intestinal absorption. In the absence of glucose or in the presence of phlorizin, fluid transport was inhibited, the ...
Open reduction internal fixation versus hemiarthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty in the elderly: a review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Abstract Background Total hip arthroplasty (THA), hemiarthroplasty (HA), and open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) are treatment options for femoral neck fractures. However, the optimal surgical treatment remains unclear. The present study aimed to describe the 30-d postoperative outcomes of THA, HA, and ORIF among patients aged ≥65 y with femoral neck fractures within a national surgical database. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for January 2005 through December 2009 was conducted. We included patients aged ≥65 y who had undergone THA, HA, or ORIF for femoral neck fractures. We collected information on patient demographics, comorbidities, risk factors, and complication rates. A logistic regression model was used to assess the variation in overall morbidity and mortality after surgery. Results Overall, 3423 patients met the inclusion criteria: 674 underwent ORIF, 428 HA, and 2321 THA. Most patients were white (83.6%, n = 2862), female (64.4%, n = 2204), and >70 y old (78.4%, n = 2682). On adjusted multivariate analysis, no differences were found in the 30-d mortality rates among the ORIF, HA, and THA groups. Patients who underwent ORIF (odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.94) and HA (odds ratio 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.22–0.84) had a lower likelihood of developing respiratory complications compared with those who underwent THA. Conclusions No differences were found in the 30-d mortality rates among the ORIF, HA, and THA groups. ORIF and HA resulted in a lower likelihood of developing respiratory complications than THA.
Rapid method for fabricating polymeric biconvex parabolic lenslets

Microlenslets as well as microlens arrays have shown tremendous attractions and successes in miniature optical systems in recent decades. However, the fabrication methods for microlenslets and microlenslet arrays are limited. In this Letter, a rapid and low-cost method for fabricating polymeric biconvex lenslets is presented. This newly developed process is simply based on wetting behavior at interface and is able to produce high-quality biconvex lenslets with controllable size and shape. This technology will greatly simplify the production process and reduce the manufacturing costs for micro-optics.
Differential capacitance studies of the specific adsorption of thiosulfate on silver

The differential capacitance of a polycrystalline Ag electrode was measured in a NaClO4 electrolyte containing Na2S2O3 at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 20mm and at electrode potentials ranging from −0.9 to −0.3V vs SCE. The differential capacitance measurements were analysed to obtain the surface coverage of specifically adsorbed thiosulfate (S2O32−) as a function of both electrode potential and bulk concentration. The various forms for the adsorption isotherm at an electrochemical interface which are commonly employed are reviewed and discussed. The adsorption behaviour is best explained by the formation of image dipoles by the specifically adsorbed ions, whose energetic interactions are then dominated by repulsion of like dipoles. The adsorption data is quantitatively fit to an adsorption isotherm for interacting dipoles, yielding an effective dipole moment of 0.72D for the system S2O32−/Ag.
Analysis of Pressure Losses in the Hemodialysis Graft Vascular Circuit Using Finite Element Analysis

Vascular access complications (stenosis and thrombosis) present the greatest morbidity associated with chronic hemodialysis. Understanding the hemodynamics of the vascular access circuit is essential identify problems. We developed a finite element model based on a previously- reported experimental vascular circuit model, and compared pressure losses at segments within the circuit determined by the finite element model with experimental results and with an analytical model based on the circuit. In most cases the finite element model better predicted the pressure losses than did the analytical model. The finite element model also revealed the complex flow patterns that can occur in hemodialysis vascular access circuits that may explain some of the variance with the analytical model.
Geographic Differentiation in the House Fly Estimated by Microsatellite and Mitochondrial Variation

Gene flow over very large geographic scales has been investigated in few species. Examples include Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila subobscura, Drosophila simulans, and the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata). The cosmopolitan house fly, a highly vagile, fecund, colonizing species offers an additional exemplar. Genotypes at seven microsatellite loci were scored in 14 widely separated natural house fly populations from the Nearctic, neotropics, Afrotropics, Palearctic, and Asia. Allelic diversities and heterozygosities differed significantly among populations. Averaged over all populations, Weir and Cockerham’s h 5 0.13 and RST 5 0.20. Pairwise genetic distance measures were uncorrelated with geographic distance. Microsatellite frequencies were compared with mitochondrial data from 13 of the same populations in which h 5 0.35 and Nei’s GST 5 0.72. Mitochondrial variation indicated up to threefold greater indices of genetic differentiation than the microsatellites. We were unable to draw any biogeographical inferences from these results or from tree or network topologies constructed from the genetic data. It is likely that high microsatellite diversities, mutation rates, and homoplasy greatly compromised their usefulness in estimating gene flow. House fly colonization dynamics include a large number of primary and secondary colonizations coupled with substantial genetic drift, but no detectable bottlenecks.
NEW APPROACHES TO CALIBRATION AND SEGMENTATION IN INTERVENTIONAL ULTRASOUND

We outline new approaches to ultrasound (US) probe calibration and US image segmentation that we have developed for computationally guided minimally invasive interventions. Computational US guidance generally requires tracking of the ultrasound images relative to a surgical tool such as a needle or tissue ablator. This in turn necessitates a calibration process. We present a calibration method that is accurate, easy to perform, and supports calibration quality control during use. Treatment planning and monitoring often involves segmentation of anatomical details and structures in the US images. We present new model-based methods for segmenting anatomic structures using tissue stiffness properties calculated from displacement and strain images. We present preliminary results of these methods in phantom and ex-vivo animal experiments.
Enhancement of breakdown strength of polyetherimide laminates

The breakdown strength of polymer laminates, polymer base films coated with thin layers of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), was investigated. The PVDF film was coated using a spin coating technique. The DC breakdown strength was studied using an ASTM standard and could be increased by as much as 20% for the polyetherimide laminates. It was found that this breakdown strength was insensitive to the thickness of the polymer base films and the PVDF films. Other dielectric properties such as the dielectric constant dissipation factor were also studied for the samples with and without PVDF coatings. Possible mechanisms for the enhancement of breakdown strength are discussed. >
Endostatin-mediated concomitant resistance in neuroblastoma.

Abstract Purpose Concomitant resistance, the phenomenon whereby a primary malignancy inhibits the growth of metastatic lesions, is likely caused by the production of endogenous anti-angiogenic factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the angiogenesis inhibitor, endostatin, expressed by primary sites of neuroblastoma, on synchronous disease. Methods Two neuroblastoma models were used. In one, the growth of a second primary tumor in mice with an already established primary tumor was compared with tumor growth in naive mice. In the other, the growth of liver metastases arising spontaneously from a subcutaneous tumor was compared in mice in which the primary tumor was either excised or left in place. Systemic endostatin levels and endothelial cell density, vascularity, and degree of apoptosis in the secondary tumors and liver metastasis were evaluated. Results Subcutaneous tumors in mice with preexisting neuroblastoma were significantly smaller than in mice without an established primary tumor; systemic endostatin levels at the time of tumor implantation in mice with preexisting tumors were nearly 3 times that of naive mice. Decreased angiogenesis and increased apoptosis were seen in the secondary tumors of mice with preexisting tumors. Similarly, the weight of liver metastases was significantly less in mice in which the primary tumor was left in place as compared with those in which the primary tumor had been excised. Systemic endostatin levels in this model paralleled the status of the primary tumor; levels decreased with primary tumor excision but increased when the primary tumor was retained and allowed to grow. Although no difference in microvessel density was seen between groups in the liver metastasis, more tumor cell apoptosis was seen in liver metastasis when the primary tumor was retained. Thus, the presence of an established primary neuroblastoma had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of secondary disease in both models and was associated with elevated systemic endostatin levels. Conclusions Concomitant antitumoral resistance occurred in these experimental murine models of neuroblastoma and appears to be caused, at least in part, by angiogenesis inhibition mediated by endostatin elaborated from primary tumors.