cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3895: Metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 as a novel target for the anti-angiogenic treatment of breast cancer.

Introduction: Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are normally expressed in the central nervous system where they mediate neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release. However, certain cancers including melanoma and gliomas, have been shown to express various mGluR subtypes. Recently, we detected the metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 subtype (gene: GRM1; protein: mGluR1) in breast cancer and have demonstrated its role in the regulation of cell proliferation and tumor growth. In addition to cancer cells, brain endothelial cells have been shown to express mGluR1. In light of these studies and since angiogenesis is a known prognostic indicator of early relapse in cancer correlating with a poorer prognosis, we wished to examine a potential role for mGluR1 in mediating endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis in breast cancer. Methods: To do this, we analyzed several primary endothelial cells for mGluR1 protein and mRNA expression and looked at their potential role in mediating cell proliferation and angiogenesis using various mGluR1 inhibitors or by silencing the gene for mGluR1 (GRM1). Cell proliferation was determined by MTT analysis or by cell counting and angiogenesis was determined in vitro using the matrigel tube formation assay. Angiogenesis was also determined in vivo using human dermal micro-endothelial cells (HDMEC) embedded in a matrigel sponge and implanted into the flanks of nude mice treated with the mGluR1 inhibitors, BAY36-7620 or Riluzole. The role of mGluR1 in mediating tumor-induced angiogenesis was also examined using the 4T1 tumor model in the presence of these same inhibitors. Results: We detected mRNA and protein expression of mGluR1 in various human endothelial cells and, using mGluR1-specific inhibitors, have demonstrated its ability to regulate cell growth as well as matrigel tube formation. Both BAY36-7620 and Riluzole inhibited cell growth and matrigel tube formation in a dose-response manner. BAY36-7620, which is a more specific-inhibitor than Riluzole, inhibited tube formation by almost 90% compared to 50% by Riluzole, at the highest doses tested. These results were confirmed using mGluR1-silenced cells. In addition, both BAY36-7620 and Riluzole inhibited angiogenesis in the in vivo matrigel sponge model by approximately 50% each, compared to vehicle treated mice. Conclusion: These results suggest a role for mGluR1 in the development and progression of breast cancer and thus, provide a potential new molecular target for the anti-angiogenic treatment of breast cancer. Citation Format: Cecilia L. Speyer, Ali H. Hachem, Ali Assi, John A. DeVries, David H. Gorski. Metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 as a novel target for the anti-angiogenic treatment of breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3895. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3895
The Immunologic Role of the Ethanol-Soluble Enterobacterial Common Antigen Versus Experimental Renal Infection

Members of the Enterobacteriaceae contain a common antigen (CA) which is found in the ethanol-soluble fraction (ESF) of heat-killed culture supernates. The ESF of an E. coli 06 strain was shown to be virtually endotoxin-free. Preliminary chemical studies revealed that the dry ESF, including salts, contained 20% protein and less than 1% carbohydrate. Chloroform/methanol-soluble lipid accounted for approximately 2% of the material.Vaccination of rabbits with such enterobacterial CA elicited protection against renal disease due to retrograde challenge with Proteus mi rabil is or to hematogenous challenge with E. coli 075. Protection was not demonstrated against a heavily encapsulated strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae which, as demonstrated by in vitro phagocytosis, was not opsonized by antibody to CA. These results suggest that further investigation of enterobacterial CA as a vaccine is warranted.
Epidemiology of HIV Among Injecting and Non-injecting Drug Users: Current Trends and Implications for Interventions

Injecting drug use is a major driver of HIV infections in Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, North Africa, the Middle East, and many parts of Asia and North America. We provide a global overview of the epidemiology of HIV infection among drug users and present current drug use trends that may constitute important epidemic drivers. We describe trends in ethnic disparities among injecting drug using (IDU) populations in the United States, and comment upon how these trends may now be changing. We present examples where HIV infection among non-IDUs who use cocaine, crack, and methamphetamine by other routes of administration is similar to that among IDUs, and discuss potential mechanisms of HIV spread in this overlooked population. Finally, we comment upon the potential implications of these observations for HIV interventions among IDU and non-IDU populations, taking into account different strategies that are needed in settings where HIV and/or injecting drug use has been established, or threatens to emerge.
Amino acid sequence of a light chain variable region of a human rheumatoid factor of the Wa idiotypic group, in part predicted by its reactivity with antipeptide antibodies.

Antipeptide antisera were raised to the second and third complementarity-determining regions of the light chain derived from a human monoclonal IgM (Sie) which had antigammaglobulin activity and belonged to the Wa cross-reactive idiotypic group of human rheumatoid factors, two of whose members (Sie, Wol) had been previously sequenced in our laboratory (Andrews and Capra, Biochemistry20, 5816–5822, 1981). These antisera were found to react with the light chain of another human monoclonal IgM (Gol) that shared the Wa idiotype while antipeptide antisera made to the third CDR of the Sie heavy chain failed to react. The amino acid sequence of the variable region of the Gol light chain was found to be highly homologous to the light chain of Sie from which the synthetic peptides were derived, particularly in the framework regions and the second and third CDR. This study illustrates that antipeptide antisera are valuable and specific probes for determining the relationship between molecules which exhibit similar antigen binding or idiotypic specificities and, furthermore, such antisera are able to predict amino acid sequences with surprising precision.
Die Auflösung von Indium‐Metall in Säuren und die Desintegrierung des Metalls

Bei der Auflosung von In in Salzsaure geht das Metall dreiwertig in Losung. Coulometrische Messungen Mit In-Amalgan als Anode (in HCl, HClO4 und H2SO4) zeigten ebenfalls nur In3+-Ionen an. Die Annahme einer vorubergehenden Bildung von In+-Ionen in wasrigen Losungen mus deshalb abgelehnt werden. Gleichzeitig mit der anodischen Auflosung erfolgt ein teilweiser Zerfall der Anode in sehr feine metallische In-Teilchen (Durchmesser 6 · 10−5mm). Das erklart die Abweichung vom Faradayschen Gesetz bei der anodischen Auflosung von In-Metall. Homogene In/Cd-Legierungsanoden desintegrieren bei anodischer Auflosung ebenfalls. Enthalt die Legierung zwischen 6 und 12 Gew.-% Cd, so enthalten die Teilchen im wesentlichen die kubische InCd-Phase, bei hoheren Cd-Gehalten hauptsachlich Cd.
Increasing Quantitation Accuracy of Fluorescent Excitation Analysis (Fea) Systems by Pulse Rise-Time Discrimination

The quantitation accuracy of FEA systems is dependent on the characteristic x-ray to background ratio. This background appears as a continuum of energy lower than the primary Compton scatter peak (PCSP) from the sample being assayed. In a well designed FEA system most of this low energy background does not arise from multiple Compton scatter in the sample or collimators. Rather, it results from interaction between the PCSP and the Si(Li) detector system. Although guard-ring anticoincidence or narrow collimation help to reduce background, in a good detector edge field effects play a small role, and background appears to be a volume effect. Polarized FEA has been shown to improve quantitation by reducing the PCSP to characteristic x-ray ratio, but the basic detector problem remains. We describe a pulse risetime discrimination scheme whereby slow pulses arising in the detector are discarded. For FEA of iodine with Am-241, this addition to the system produces a halving of background with a minimal impact (1-3% loss) on count-rate of iodine K x-rays. Similar results are obtained for FEA of bromine with Cd-109.
Vitamin D levels in children undergoing adenotonsillectomies

Abstract Objective Because of the recent data supporting an immunoregulatory role for vitamin D, we evaluated levels of vitamin D in children undergoing adenotonsillectomies (T&A) and controls. Methods We prospectively collected data from 47 children undergoing T&As and 15 undergoing unrelated elective procedures at a tertiary care children's hospital. Demographic and disease specific data was obtained in addition to a blood sample for the measurement of 25-hydroxy (OH)-vitamin D. Results There were no differences in vitamin D levels between the groups and levels did not correlate to any disease parameters in the children undergoing T&A. The only significant differences were related to race in that African American children had significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to Caucasians. Conclusion This pilot study did not show an association between serum vitamin D and the need to have adenotonsillectomy.
Two cheers for direct democracy or who's afraid of the initiative process?

Between 1898 and 1992 over 1700 initiatives relating to either statutory or constitutional changes were placed before US voters at state level. Shaun Bowler and Todd Donovan argue that the initiative process is intended as a complement to ‐ not a replacement for ‐ representative democracy.
An experimental analysis of digital video library servers

Much work on video servers has concentrated on movies on demand, in which a relatively small number of titles are viewed and users are given basic VCR-style controls. This paper concentrates on analyzing video server performance for non-linear access applications. In particular, we study two non-linear video applications: video libraries, in which users select from a large collection of videos and may be interested in viewing only a small part of the title; and video walk-throughs, in which users can move through an image-mapped representation of a space. We present a characterization of the workloads of these applications. Our simulation studies show that video server architectures developed for movies on demand can be adapted to video library usage, though caching is less effective and the server can support a smaller user population for non-linear video applications. We also show that video walk-throughs require extremely large amounts of RAM buffering to provide adequate performance for even a small number of users.
A specific harmaline-evoked increase in cerebellar 5′-nucleotidase activity

This study examines harmaline-induced changes in 5′-nucleotidase (5′-ND) activity in cerebellar fractions from rats with an intact inferior olive (IO) or prior destruction of the IO by 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP) intoxication. Harmaline markedly increased 5′-ND activity in the crude homogenate (P<0.05) and P2 fraction (P<0.001) of cerebella from rats with an intact IO. This increase was absent in the P1, P3 and S3 fractions and it was abolished by 3-AP olivectomy. It was also absent in basal ganglia P2 fractions. Since harmaline produces rhythmic complex spike discharges of Purkinje cells by activating IO neurons [4, 18], these data suggest that climbing fiber activation per se increases 5′-ND activity in the P2 fraction. This raises the possibility that a climbing fiber-induced local increase in 5′-ND activity at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses results in a local increase in adenosine concentration. This may account for climbing fiber-evoked suppression of simple spike activity [12, 13, 28].
Net primary productivity of forest stands in New Hampshire estimated from Landsat and MODIS satellite data

A simulation model that relies on satellite observations of vegetation cover from the Landsat 7 sensor and from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was used to estimate net primary productivity (NPP) of forest stands at the Bartlett Experiment Forest (BEF) in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Net primary production (NPP) predicted from the NASA-CASA model using 30-meter resolution Landsat inputs showed variations related to both vegetation cover type and elevational effects on mean air temperatures. Overall, the highest predicted NPP from the NASA-CASA model was for deciduous forest cover at low to mid-elevation locations over the landscape. Comparison of the model-predicted annual NPP to the plot-estimated values showed a significant correlation of R2 = 0.5. Stepwise addition of 30-meter resolution elevation data values explained no more than 20% of the residual variation in measured NPP patterns at BEF. Both the Landsat 7 and the 250-meter resolution MODIS derived mean annual NPP predictions for the BEF plot locations were within ± 2.5% of the mean of plot estimates for annual NPP. Although MODIS imagery cannot capture the spatial details of NPP across the network of closely spaced plot locations as well as Landsat, the MODIS satellite data as inputs to the NASA-CASA model does accurately predict the average annual productivity of a site like the BEF.
Salivary Excretion of Lithium: II. Functional Analysis

Salivary Li+ was actively secreted by the cat submaxillary gland, inversely to the rate of flow, at concentrations above serum level. Stop-flow studies indicated ductal secretion of Li+ by a HgCl2 and ouabain-sensitive mechanism. Salivary secretion of Li+ did not resemble Na+ but was similiar to K+ secretion.
Functional imaging of airway narrowing

The report will focus on studies that illustrate how high resolution computed tomography can be used to provide new insights into airway and lung function, that cannot be obtained with any other methodology in humans or animal models. In one series of experiments, we have clearly demonstrated that even large cartilaginous airways are capable of complete closure in vivo. These unequivocal in vivo results invalidate the ubiquitous concept that there is a limit to airway narrowing in normal subjects. In another series of experiments, we have investigated potential reasons why asthmatic subjects might show airway constriction following deep inspiration instead of the normal dilation. Experimental results show that a constrictor response to deep inspiration can be generated in normal airways simply by minimizing tidal stresses. The absence of these normal rhythmic stresses alters the smooth muscle throughout the airway tree, such that subsequent large stresses lead to a further constriction. These results also offer a possible mechanism by which the response to deep inspiration is altered in asthmatic subjects. By allowing accurate measurement of the size of individual airways, computed tomography with modern commercially available scanners thus provides a unique opportunity to evaluate specific hypotheses regarding mechanisms underlying lung disease.
Differential regulation of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor by Na+ and guanine nucleotides

Many hormones interact with receptors which stimulate the enzyme adenylate cyclase. Less well characterized ar those receptors which mediate an inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. However, guanine nucleotides are clearly important in the regulation of both stimulatory and inhibitory receptors. Monovalent cations, notably Na+, regulate many inhibitory receptor systems but apparently not stimulatory receptors. We investigate here the effects of Na+ and guanine nucleotides on the adenylate cyclase-coupled inhibitory alpha 2-adrenergic receptor of the rabbit platelet. Computer modelling of adrenaline competition curves with 3H-dihydroergocryptine (3H-DHE) indicates that adrenaline induces two distinct affinity states of the alpha 2 receptor--one of higher (alpha 2H) and the other of lower (alpha 2L) affinity. Guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) seems to reduce adrenaline affinity to converting the high-affinity state into the low-affinity form of the receptor. In contrast, Na+ reduces adrenaline affinity at both the high- and low-affinity states of the alpha 2 receptor while preserving receptor heterogeneity. Thus, guanine nucleotides and Na+ differ in the manner by which each reduces agonist affinity for the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor.
Terahertz-Radiation-Enhanced Emission of Fluorescence from Gas Plasma

We report the study of femtosecond laser-induced air plasma fluorescence under the illumination of terahertz (THz) pulses. Semiclassical modeling and experimental verification indicate that time-resolved THz radiation-enhanced emission of fluorescence is dominated by the electron kinetics and the electron-impact excitation of gas molecules or ions. We demonstrate that the temporal waveform of the THz field could be retrieved from the transient enhanced fluorescence, making omnidirectional, coherent detection available for THz time-domain spectroscopy.
Room-Temperature Formation of Hollow Cu2O Nanoparticles

Monodisperse Cu and Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized using tetradecylphosphonic acid as a capping agent. Dispersing the NPs in chloroform and hexane at room temperature results in the formation of hollow Cu2O NPs and Cu@Cu2O core/shell NPs, respectively. The monodisperse Cu2O NPs are used to fabricate hybrid solar cells with efficiency of 0.14percent under AM 1.5 and 1 Sun illumination.
The dark side of DNA repair

The BER pathway is widely used to repair DNA damage in cells, but it can also introduce unwanted mutations and is sometimes hijacked by other pathways.
Thermodynamic reevaluation of the Mg–Tl system

Abstract Using the CALPHAD technique, the phase diagram and thermodynamic data of the Mg–Tl system are critically reevaluated. The liquid, hcp and bcc phases are treated with the substitutional solution model, where the excess Gibbs free energies are expressed in Redlich–Kister polynomials. All the intermetallic phases are treated as stoichiometric compounds. A self-consistent thermodynamic description of the Mg–Tl system is obtained. The calculated phase diagram and thermodynamic properties are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental results.
Sparse Randomized Maximum Likelihood (SpRML) for subsurface flow model calibration and uncertainty quantification

Despite their apparent high dimensionality, spatially distributed hydraulic properties of geologic formations can often be compactly (sparsely) described in a properly designed basis. Hence, the estimation of high-dimensional subsurface flow properties from dynamic performance and monitoring data can be formulated and solved as a sparse reconstruction inverse problem. Recent advances in statistical signal processing, formalized under the compressed sensing paradigm, provide important guidelines on formulating and solving sparse inverse problems, primarily for linear models and using a deterministic framework. Given the uncertainty in describing subsurface physical properties, even after integration of the dynamic data, it is important to develop a practical sparse Bayesian inversion approach to enable uncertainty quantification. In this paper, we use sparse geologic dictionaries to compactly represent uncertain subsurface flow properties and develop a practical sparse Bayesian method for effective data integration and uncertainty quantification. The multi-Gaussian assumption that is widely used in classical probabilistic inverse theory is not appropriate for representing sparse prior models. Following the results presented by the compressed sensing paradigm, the Laplace (or double exponential) probability distribution is found to be more suitable for representing sparse parameters. However, combining Laplace priors with the frequently used Gaussian likelihood functions leads to neither a Laplace nor a Gaussian posterior distribution, which complicates the analytical characterization of the posterior. Here, we first express the form of the Maximum A-Posteriori (MAP) estimate for Laplace priors and then use the Monte-Carlo-based Randomize Maximum Likelihood (RML) method to generate approximate samples from the posterior distribution. The proposed Sparse RML (SpRML) approximate sampling approach can be used to assess the uncertainty in the calibrated model with a relatively modest computational complexity. We demonstrate the suitability and effectiveness of the SpRML formulation using a series of numerical experiments of two-phase flow systems in both Gaussian and non-Gaussian property distributions in petroleum reservoirs and successfully apply the method to an adapted version of the PUNQ-S3 benchmark reservoir model.
Digger's Decline: A Fable for Civil Engineers

A timely fable to encourage civil engineers to do what they are supposed to do best—think. The law of supply and demand was in full effect long before Adam Smith wrote so eloquently about the invisible hand of the market. The law is still with us, undiminished by the profession’s denial. Civil engineering’s continuing and compulsive predictions of engineering shortages and fervent recruiting have contributed to an oversupply of engineers, depressed salaries, and extremely destructive price competition. These conditions make high standards of creativity, excellence in design, and fully ethical and professional conduct impractical for many who want to stay in business, or stay employed. Recruiting students partly on the basis of shortages that never happen raises additional and unaddressed ethical considerations. Recruiting should be stopped. Public relations efforts are simply embarrassing and irrelevant. This simple fable is offered in the hope that it will help the profession take a fresh look at the question of supply and demand for civil engineers.
ON-SITE PRACTICE ASSESSMENT OF POLIOVIRUS VACCINE (PV) SCREENING: HOUSTON, TX. † 785

We report the results of an on-site study of PV screening for 107 children seen in 28 pediatric practices. Participating practices were 54% group; 21% HMO; 18% solo; 8% other; all physicians were pediatricians. On-site evaluations included physician vaccine practice survey, direct screening practice observation, screening tool review, patient interview, and patient record review. Ability to administer enhanced inactivated poliovirus vaccine(e-IPV) or oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was reported by 82% of practices. All practices used screening: 71% direct patient query (active), 29% distribution of printed information (passive). Printed screening tools were prepared by national/local health agencies. Vaccine risk, consent process, immunocompromise and travel queries were most often included in screening tools; household immunization, occupational or childcare setting histories were least included. Screening documentation in the medical record was noted for 79% of children. On direct interview, 10/107 children reported an e-IPV indication not identified at practice screening; all received OPV. In our study, PV screening was prevalent but appeared inadequate (9% of observed children reported a missed e-IPV indication). Our study suggests that PV educational efforts are needed for this urban center, which may not significantly differ from other urban centers. Recent discussions of changes to the US PV schedule afford an opportunity for healthcare agencies to enhance PV educational efforts and improve screening tools nationwide.
Investigation of the enhanced signals from cations and dopamine in electrochemical sensors coated with Nafion

An electrochemical sensor for the detection of dopamine (DA) was designed using a modified Nafion membrane on a glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical signals from dopamine were enhanced more than 10-fold on a Nafion membrane coated electrode relative to a bare electrode. The hypothesis that the origin of the signal enhancement was due to the accumulation of cationic dopamine in the Nafion was tested using Pd ions as an analog which undergo a two electron reduction similar to dopamine. Electroless deposition of palladium was used to deposit palladium on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface with and without the Nafion membrane. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) significantly greater deposits of metallic Pd were observed on the Nafion coated surfaces than in the absence of Nafion and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed quantitatively greater Pd deposition on the Nafion coated surfaces.
How Large Are Low-Lying Molecular Rydberg States? Comparisons Between Experiment and Theory

Abstract The "sizes" of low-lying molecular Rydberg states, estimated experimentally from the results of pressure perturbation spectroscopy, are compared with the results of ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Lennard-Jones 6-12 parameters associated with absorber-perturber pairs were assigned to the ground and excited states on the basis of pressure perturbation spectroscopy. These data are reported for the lowest Rydberg transitions of NH 3 , acetone, and CH 3 I, as well as for the first two transitions of 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (ABCO). Increases in the sizes of these excited states relative to the respective ground states were compared with the results of ab initio calculations of the root-mean-square values of the electronic displacement, RMS R . Excited state calculations using configuration interaction (singles) with the 6-31+ G * basis set (augmented in the case of CH 3 I) were performed. Calculations are also reported for CH 2 O, SO 2 , CS 2 , and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Results show that increases in molecular size for intravalence transitions are nearly zero, while for the lower Rydberg transitions, Δ(RMS R ) values range between 0.23 A (for ABCO) and 0.95 A (for NH 3 ). The calculations on ABCO and acetone indicate the involvement of C atom 3 s orbitals in the lowest excited (Rydberg) states. These findings are consistent with the experimental results obtained from pressure perturbation spectroscopy.
Pathologic alterations in pre- and postsynaptic elements in aged mouse sympathetic ganglia.

Dysfunction of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system is an increasingly recognized, although poorly understood, complication of increasing age in experimental animals and man. In this study of young adult (4–6 months old) and aged (12– 24 months old) mice we have examined the ultrastructural appearance of perikarya, dendritic processes, preterminal axons, and synapses in selected sympathetic ganglia as well as the three-dimensional structure of the dendritic arborizations of principal sympathetic neurons using intracellular injections of Lucifer Yellow. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated numerous markedly enlarged presynaptic terminal axons and synapses which distorted the contours of perikarya and dendrites of neurons within the prevertebral celiac/superior mesenteric and paravertebral superior cervical and stellate sympathetic ganglia of aged mice. Dilated preterminal axons had the distinctive ultrastructural appearance of neuroaxonal dystrophy, a pathologic process described in a wide variety of clinical and experimental entities. Dystrophic axons were identical in ultrastructural appearance in young and old animals, differing only in frequency. A distinctive type of ultrastructural alteration, characterized by markedly distended neurites containing numerous vacuoles, was confined to the superior cervical ganglia and also increased in frequency with aging. Although many intraganglionic vacuolated processes disappeared with surgical interruption of the cervical sympathetic trunk, which contains the preganglionic axons innervating the superior cervical ganglia, others persisted. In addition, the presence in some processes of admixed ribosomes, lipofuscin, or continuity with the cell body indicated that numerous neuritic alterations within aged sympathetic ganglia were likely of dendritic origin. Intracellular injections of Lucifer Yellow into principal sympathetic neurons demonstrated that the dendritic arborizations of the celiac/superior mesenteric ganglia neurons of young adult mice were significantly more complex and extensive than those of the superior cervical ganglia. Sympathetic neurons of aged superior cervical ganglia, but not superior mesenteric ganglia, appeared significantly smaller with regard to total dendritic length, extent, and branching when compared to those of young animals. In the aged superior cervical ganglia, short, stunted dendritic processes also exhibited large, focal, often multiple, swellings, a phenomenon infrequently observed in the superior cervical ganglia of young animals. The celiac/ superior mesenteric ganglia of aged or young adult mouse failed to exhibit comparable dendritic swellings. These observations may provide a neuropathological basis for understanding age-related changes in autonomic function observed in animals and man, and provide a model system in which age-related pathogenetic mechanisms resulting in neuroaxonal dystrophy and dendritic alterations can be studied.
Transfemoral amputations: is there an effect of residual limb length and orientation on energy expenditure?

Background Energy cost of ambulation has been evaluated using a variety of measures. With aberrant motions resulting from compensatory strategies, persons with transfemoral amputations generally exhibit a larger center of mass excursion and an increased energy cost. However, few studies have analyzed the effect of residual femur length and orientation or energy cost of ambulation.
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the commercially important grapefruit cultivar Rio Red (Citrus paradisi Macf.)

Transgenic plants of grapefruit cv. Rio Red (Citrus paradisi Macf.) have been obtained by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer using seedling-derived epicotyl segments as explants and kanamycin as the selective agent. The transformation procedure includes a shoot elongation phase with a liquid medium overlay, which provides additional selection against non-transgenic shoots. Transformed shoots are invigorated and multiplied on a non-selective medium prior to grafting, thus assuring that plants can be recovered from transgenic shoots. We have constructed a binary vector, pBin34SGUS, with an intron-containing β-glucuronidase gene (uidA) under the control of the Figwort mosaic virus 34S promoter. The 34S promoter efficiently drives uidA gene expression both in transient assays and in transgenic Rio Red leaf tissue, although at levels five- to sevenfold lower than the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. An untranslatable coat protein gene (uncp) of the Citrus tristeza virus strain SY568 and the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin gene (gna) were inserted into pBin34SGUS and transgenic plants have been obtained. Stable integration of the uncp and gna genes was confirmed by Southern hybridization and gna gene expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis.
Optical Echoes from the Moon

EXPERIMENTS have been conducted to focus pulsed optical radiation on to the surface of the Moon and to detect the echoes.
The Chemistry Of LiNb0 3 As An Optoelectronic Material

The chemistry of LiNb03 as an optoelectronic materialD. M. SmythMaterials Research Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015AbstractThe wide compositional variability of the LiNb03 phase in terms of Li /Nb ratio and oxygencontent can be used to optimize the processing of optoelectronic devices. Interactions ofthese two types of nonstoichiometry can lead to unforeseen consequences, however. As anexample, it is shown that reduction drives LiNb03 toward the Li20 -rich phase boundary, andexperimental observation suggests that this can result in phase separation and loss oftransparency.IntroductionLiNb03 is a ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and optoelectronic material that is widelyused in surface acoustic wave devices and is of increasing interest for optoelectronicapplications such as optical switches, second harmonic generation, and parametric amplifi-cation. In order to optimize the processing and properties of such devices it is importantto understand the solid state chemistry of LiNb03, particularly the compositional range ofstability of the structure.LiNb03 is known to tolerate an appreciable amount of Li20-deficiency1,2 The stability
On the accuracy of spectrum analysis of red noise processes using maximum entropy and periodogram methods: Simulation studies and application to geophysical data

Power spectra, estimated by the maximum entropy method and by a fast Fourier transform based periodogram method, are compared using simulated time series. The times series are computer generated by passing Gaussian white noise through low-pass filters with precisely defined magnitude response curves such that the output time series have power law spectra in a limited frequency range: P(f) = Af −p, f1 ≤ f ≤ f2. Ten different values of p between 0.5 and 5.0 are used. Using 4000 independent realizations of these simulated time series, it is shown that maximum entropy results are superior (usually greatly superior) to the periodogram results even when end-matching or windowing or both are used before the power spectra are estimated. Without the use of end-matching or windowing or both, the periodogram results are useless at best and very misleading at worst. For an application to geophysical data, a 5-min section of ionospheric scintillation data from the MARISAT satellite was chosen because it illustrates a transition from low-level background noise to moderate scintillation and another transition to fully saturated scintillation. This section was broken into 60 sections, each 10 s long and overlapped by 5 s. Order 5 Burg-MEM spectra from the raw data are compared with periodograms computed from end-matched and windowed data. The superiority of Burg-MEM rests largely in the smoothness of the spectrum: real changes in spectral shape are not obscured by meaningless detail.
Use of cognitive strategies in rats: The role of estradiol and its interaction with dopamine

Accumulating evidence suggests a role for estrogen in the use of a particular cognitive strategy when solving a maze task. In order to confirm the role of estrogen in this phenomenon, ovariectomized (OVX) female rats receiving either high ( approximately 90 pg/ml) or low ( approximately 32 pg/ml) circulating levels of 17beta-estradiol benzoate (E2) performed a plus maze task for a reward. Consistent with previous research, OVX rats receiving low levels of E2 utilized a striatum-mediated response strategy while OVX rats administered high levels of E2 employed a hippocampus-mediated place strategy. Furthermore, following a systemic injection of a moderate dose of either a dopamine D1 (SKF 83566, 0.1 mg/kg IP) or D2 (raclopride, 0.5 mg/kg IP) receptor antagonist, low E2 rats were seen to use the opposite strategy and exercise a hippocampus-mediated place strategy in order to obtain the reward. At the same doses, high E2 rats did not change from using a place strategy. At a lower dose, these drugs shifted high E2 rats such that they showed an equal propensity for either strategy; this was not observed in low E2 rats. These results corroborate previous findings that E2 plays a significant role in the use of either a response or place strategy when solving a maze for a reward. In addition, the shift in strategy after dopamine receptor blockade implies the importance of central dopamine function in selecting a cognitive strategy to solve such tasks. It is suggested that estrogen alters cognitive strategy not only by improving hippocampal function, but also by altering dopamine-regulated striatal function.
LIGHT-INDUCED ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTIONS BETWEEN CHLOROPHYLL and ELECTRICALLY CHARGED ACCEPTORS IN POSITIVELY and NEGATIVELY CHARGED LIPID BILAYER VESICLES*

— The effects of electrostatic interactions on the dynamics of photoinduced electron transfer reactions involving chlorophyll and electrically charged acceptors (either positively charged methyl viologen or negatively charged sulfonated quinones) have been investigated by laser flash photolysis in lipid bilayer vesicles into which varying amounts (0-30 mole percent) of positively or negatively charged surfactants were incorporated. Chorophyll triplet decay kinetics were modified due both to vesicle expansion caused by charge repulsion effects, and to changes in the local concentration of quenchers resulting from attractive or repulsive interactions with the vesicle surface. Radical yields were either increased or decreased as a result of electrostatic interactions which occurred between the radical products of triplet quenching and the charged surface, and which acted upon the radical ion-pair separation process. In some cases, these effects were quite large. Radical decay halftimes were also changed by large amounts as a consequence of either attractive or repulsive forces acting upon the acceptor ion-radical species, which influenced its ability to undergo reverse electron transfer to oxidized chorophyll. In the most favorable case, approximately 100% of the chlorophyll triplets produced by pulsed laser excitation were converted into radicals, which decayed by reverse electron transfer with a halftime of 70 ms.
Measuring What Matters: A Call for a Meaningful Metric of Affordable Rental Housing Production Cost-Efficiency

The metric commonly used in debates and research concerning the cost-efficiency of multifamily rental housing production, total development cost per unit, sacrifices too much analytical power in return for its ease of computation. This article proposes a replacement metric, the subsidy per housing affordability equivalent (SHARE) ratio. This measure is applied to a set of 399 nonprofit-sponsored rental housing developments completed in California over the past decade. Evidence suggests that the use of SHARE would evaluate deeply subsidized family projects and mixed-use projects with commercial space more favorably than total development cost per unit would. The reverse is true for projects restricted to seniors and for those financed with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
A source of resistance to seed shattering in kleingrass, Panicum coloratum L.

Seed of kleingrass, P. coloratum, ripen nonuniformly and shatter readily at maturity. Consequently, it is difficult to maximize both seed quality and yield. A source of resistance to seed shattering is needed. In this investigation, two kleingrass populations, the cultivar Selection-75, and an introduction from South Africa, PI 410177, were evaluated for seed shattering during three seed production seasons. Individual inflorescences from field-grown plants were enclosed in seed traps and all shattered seed was collected at weekly intervals until 49 days after anthesis. Although there were seasonal differences, PI 410177 always shattered seed at a slower rate than Selection-75 in each of the three seasons. Averaged over all seasons Selection-75 had shattered 74% of its seed by 49 days after anthesis while PI 410177 shattered only 37%. A separate greenhouse-field experiment demonstrated that seasonal differences in seed shattering are primarily the result of varying weather conditions during the period of seed production. PI 410177 is the first reported source of resistance to seed shattering in P. coloratum.
Interinterpreter Variability in Determining the SP/AP Ratio in Clinical Electrocochleography

Calculating the SP/AP ratio in electrocochleography requires the interpreting audiologist to unequivocally identify the peak of the SP wave form. If different points are selected, different SP/AP ratios will result. To investigate this effect, 50 electrocochleographic tracings were sent to 10 different audiologists (500 tracings). Twenty of the wave forms sent to each audiologist were identified as "easy," 10 as "somewhat difficult," 10 as "very difficult," and 10 as "no response." The ranges and standard deviations of the resulting SP/AP ratios were quite high. Analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences in the very difficult and no response group. There is significant interinterpreter difference among SP/AP ratios calculated from the same tracing. This variability affects clinical patient management and investigational projects.
The temporal transferability of calibrated parameters of a hydrological model

The SLURP model was tested for the transferability of calibrated model parameters for different time periods in the Aksu Basin in the Black Sea region in Turkey. Two different scenarios were tested. The first scenario used three data sets: 1980–1982 data for calibration, 1983–1984 data for validation, and 1995–2000 data for evaluation. The second scenario used two data sets: 1995–2000 data for calibration and 1980–1984 data for evaluating transferability. Because a decrease in model performance occurred whenever using the calibrated parameters before and after calibration periods, the authors recommend updating calibrated model parameters whenever marked changes occur in the watershed.
Thermal ion structure of the plasmasphere

Plasmasphere thermal positive ion structure, determining distribution of hydrogen and helium positive ions in magnetosphere from OGO
Predicting observation unit treatment failures in patients with skin and soft tissue infections.

Skin and soft tissue infections are a common admission diagnosis to emergency department (ED) observation units (OU). Little is known about which patients fail OU treatment. This study evaluates clinical factors of skin or soft tissue infections associated with further inpatient treatment after OU treatment failure. A structured retrospective cohort study of consecutive adults treated for abscess or cellulitis in our OU from April 2005 to February 2006 was performed. Records were identified using ICD-9 codes and were abstracted by two trained abstractors using a structured data collection form. Significant variables on univariate analysis P 15,000 on presentation to the ED, regardless of gender, were 4 times more likely to require hospitalization.
Growth Factor Targets for Orthodontic Treatments

The use of growth factors to modulate the craniofacial skeleton is poised to become a new avenue of therapy for the orthodontic community. Growth factor actions occur not only directly on cells within bone but may also stimulate other tissues, such as skeletal muscle that can indirectly modify skeletal growth. The interaction of direct and indirect targets that lead to skeletal changes must be recognized to design effective treatment regimens. As an example of this concept, this review will focus on insulin-like growth factor-1; its actions in muscle, bone, and cartilage; and how the interplay among its effects on multiple targets could ultimately modulate craniofacial growth.
Ischemic preconditioning attenuates functional, metabolic, and morphologic injury from ischemic acute renal failure in the rat.

Ischemic preconditioning has been shown to ameliorate injury due to subsequent ischemia in several organs. However, relatively little is known about preconditioning and the kidney. To address this, rats were randomized to control (C, N=14), 2 min of ischemic preconditioning (P2 N=10), 3 periods of 2 min of ischemia separated by 5 min periods of re-flow (P2,3 N=7), or three 5 min periods of ischemia separated by 5 min of reflow (P5,3 N=6) prior to 45 min of bilateral renal ischemia followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. We observed a lower serum creatinine after 24 hours ofreflow in P2, P2, 3 but not P5, 3 rats compared with C. Histology was examined in the C and P2, 3 groups and demonstrated less severe injury in the P2, 3 group. To gain insight into the mechanism by which preconditioning ameliorated ischemic injury, we performed near IR spectroscopy and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Based on near IR spectroscopy, the P2, 3 group had closer coupling of cytochrome aa3 redox state with that of hemoglobin during reflo...
Perinatal Nutritional Iron Deficiency Impairs Noradrenergic-Mediated Synaptic Efficacy in the CA1 Area of Rat Hippocampus

Many studies have shown that perinatal nutritional iron deficiency (ID) produces learning impairments in children. Research has also shown that catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine play a pivotal role in the consolidation of memories. In this study, we sought to determine if perinatal ID impairs the following: 1) noradrenergic synaptic function in the hippocampus; and 2) several forms of hippocampus-dependent fear learning. Electrophysiological brain slice methods were used to examine noradrenergic-mediated synaptic efficacy in the CA1-hippocampus of rats that were subjected to perinatal ID or control (CN) diets. Rats were fed ID (3 mg Fe/kg) or CN (45 mg Fe/kg) diets on gestational d 14. These diets were maintained until postnatal d (P) 12 after which all rats were switched to the CN diet. Hippocampal slices were prepared between P26 and P30. The noradrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO) (1, 2, or 4 μmol) was used to induce modulatory increases in synaptic efficacy in the hippocampal slices. CN slices showed a long-lasting increase in synaptic efficacy as the result of ISO perfusion in the slice bath, whereas ID slices did not show increases in synaptic efficacy as the result of ISO perfusion. ID and CN groups did not differ when ISO was perfused through slices from adult rats (P61). Both young and adult ID rats showed reduced levels of hippocampus-dependent fear learning compared with the young and adult CN rats. Together, these findings suggest that ID may impair early forms of noradrenergic-mediated synaptic plasticity, which may in turn play a role in adult learning deficits.
Preconditioning during simulated MIDCABG attenuates blood flow defects and neutrophil accumulation.

Abstract Background. Ischemic preconditioning (IP) may be cardioprotective in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass where cardioplegia is not used. This study tested the hypothesis that IP of the area at risk (AAR) would attenuate postischemic injury from transient coronary artery occlusion. Methods. In 19 anesthetized dogs, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 30 minutes (simulating coronary occlusion during anastomosis) followed by 3 hours of reperfusion. In 10 dogs, occlusion was preceded by 5 minutes of occlusion and 5 minutes of reperfusion (IP), whereas 9 other dogs had no IP (control, C). Results. Thirty minutes of left anterior descending occlusion caused comparable dyskinesis (systolic shortening, sonomicrometry) in the AAR in C (baseline, 29% ± 3% to 3% ± 2%) and in IP (baseline, 29% ± 2% to −0.3% ± 2%). After 3 hours of reperfusion, systolic shortening was significantly depressed in C (20% ± 4%), and was not significantly improved by IP (24% ± 3%, p = 0.8 versus C). Postischemic diastolic stiffness in the AAR was not altered by IP versus C (0.60 ± 0.12 versus 0.41 ± 0.13). Plasma creatine kinase activity was similar between C and IP at the end of reperfusion (20 ± 11 versus 16 ± 5 U/g). Postischemic AAR blood flow (in milliliters per minute per gram of tissue) at 180 minutes of reperfusion decreased by 56% versus baseline in C (from 1.04 ± 0.4 to 0.46 ± 0.12; p Conclusions. Ischemic preconditioning does not decrease postischemic wall motion and only modestly increases postischemic blood flow abnormalities in the AAR, but does significantly inhibit neutrophil accumulation.