cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of stem cells in aging.

Abstract The objectives of this review were first to critically review what is known about the effects of aging on stem cells in general, and hematopoietic stem cells in particular. Secondly, evidence is marshaled in support of the hypothesis that aging stem cells play a critical role in determining the effects of aging on organ function, and ultimately on the lifespan of a mammal. Aging has both quantitative and qualitative effects on stem cells. On balance, the qualitative changes are the more important since they affect the self-renewal potential, developmental potential, and interactions with extrinsic signals, including those from stroma. Although hematopoiesis is generally maintained at normal and life-supporting levels during normal aging, diminished function is acutely apparent when old stem cells are subjected to stress. There is ample evidence of diminished self-renewal capacity, restriction of the breadth of developmental potency, and decreased numbers of progeny of old stem cells subjected to hematopoietic demands. The prediction is made that whatever plasticity in developmental potential possessed by a young stem cell is lost during aging. Those parts of the world enjoying an ever-increasing standard of living are also inhabited by an increasingly elderly population. The effects of age on many physiological functions are not well studied or appreciated. A public health challenge to provide increased quality of life for this growing segment of the population requires more attention to the variable of age in experimental studies. Stem cell populations are likely to be a fruitful subject for studies of this type.
Golden Rule Revisited: Introduction.

In this article, the author provides an overview of the “Golden Rule” issue, including a summary of legislative and judicial activity aimed at extending the Golden Rule idea, the opposition of professional associations to such proposals, and activity at the Educational Testing Service to take differential item functioning into account in test construction.
Influence of Processing Methodology on Quality of Cucumber Pickles

A study was conducted on the influence of fruit size, blanch temperature, treatment with calcium, and type of acid in cover brine on quality attributes and carbohydrates in nonfermented and fermented cucumber pickles. Firmness was improved by blanching, especially in CaCl2 solution in both fermented and fresh-pack pickles. Fermentation and acetic acid brine treatments produced the firmest pickles. Size of fruit and length of storage affected quality attributes. The carbohydrate fractions, water-soluble pectin and sodium hexametaphosphate-soluble (SPS) pectin, were correlated with shearpress and sensory firmness. It was concluded that method of processing had a significant effect on quality of pickles.
Quality control using a multivariate injection molding sensor

Injection molding part quality is modeled using a multivariate sensor. Melt pressure and temperature are respectively obtained through the incorporation of a piezo-ceramic element and infrared thermopile within the sensor head. Melt velocity is derived from the transient response of the melt temperature as the polymer melt flows across the sensor’s lens. The apparent melt viscosity is then derived based on the melt velocity and the time derivative of the increasing melt pressure given the cavity thickness. Quality metrics taken into account are finished part thickness, width, length, weight, and tensile strength. A 12-run, blocked half-fractional design of experiments was performed to derive predictive models for part mass, dimensions, and structural properties. Several predictive part quality models were created using data from the machine, a suite of commercial sensors, the multivariate sensor, and combinations thereof. The results indicate that multiple orthogonal streams of process data yield higher-fidelity models with coefficients of determination approaching one. Furthermore, best subset analysis indicates that the most important process data are gathered from in-mold sensors, where the acquired information is closest to the states of the polymer forming the final product.
Residential Irrigation Water Use in Central Florida

Automatic inground irrigation is a common option for residential homeowners desiring high-quality landscapes in Florida. However, rapid growth is straining water supplies in some areas of the state...
The shallow salinity minimum and variance maximum in the central North Pacific

Abstract The variance maximum is a depth zone in the main pycnocline of the central North Pacific with relatively greater heterogeneity in temperature, salinity, and density. It is a depth zone characterized by an intrusion of low-salinity water (the shallow salinity minimum), numerous finescale temperature inverssions, and a maximum in the depth variance of isotherms and isopycnals. The variance maximum feature was apparent on each of five summers, but it varied between years in depth and temperature-salinity characteristics. The observation that there is both a low-salinity intrusion and relatively greater water motion (shown by the isopycnal variance maximum) is consistent with relatively enhanced mixing in the depth zone of the variance maximum. These observations support our previous hypothesis that changes in the relation of the depth of the variance maximum to the depth of the nutrocline may affect the rate of vertical nutrient input and, ultimately, primary and secondary production in the central North Pacific.
Synthesis of oligo(ethylene glycol) substituted phosphatidylcholines: secretory PLA2-targeted precursors of NSAID prodrugs.

Abstract A series of new phosphatidylcholine analogues with structurally modified sn-2-substituents have been prepared. The synthetic compounds include oligo(ethylene glycol) derivatives with chain-terminal pharmacophores that upon catalytic hydrolysis by phospholipase A2 yielded a series of oligo(ethylene glycol)-conjugates of the respective drugs. The approach here outlined may open a new way to employ OEG derivatives of phospholipids for therapeutic applications as secretory PLA2-targeted precursors of prodrugs.
Experiments with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in spinal nerve ligated rats provide no evidence of a role for nitric oxide in neuropathic mechanical allodynia.

Abstract We have investigated the effect of treatment with N ω -nitro- l -arginine methylester ( l -NAME), a non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NOS), both before and after the induction of mechanical allodynia by tight ligation of the left L5 and L6 spinal nerves in rats (SNL rats). The degree of mechanical allodynia was measured by tactile threshold for paw flinching with von Frey filaments. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of l -NAME (3–30 mg/kg) 1 week after the spinal nerve ligation produced a dose-dependent reduction of the behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia, but the effect was not reversed by pretreatment with l -arginine (300 mg/kg). N ω -Nitro- l -arginine ( l -NNA, i.p., 30 mg/kg), aminoguanidine (AG, i.p., 30 mg/kg) and a potent neuronal NOS inhibitor (LY457963, i.p., 30 mg/kg) did not reduce mechanical sensitivity in the SNL rats. Furthermore, using an ex vivo NOS activity assay, l -NAME partially inhibited the spinal NOS activity, whereas LY457963 almost completely inhibited the spinal NOS activity. Prior administration of l -NAME (i.p., 30 mg/kg) or of MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg), an NMDA antagonist, 30 min before the spinal nerve ligation significantly prevented the development of mechanical allodynia after spinal nerve ligation for an extended period of time. High doses of l -arginine (100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg, i.p.), however, did not reverse the preemptive effect of l -NAME. These results suggest that neither the anti-allodynic nor the preemptive effects of l -NAME are mediated by NOS inhibition.
Full Rate Space Time Codes for Large Number of Transmitting Antennas with Linear Complexity Decoding

Among the specification of the 5G networks two crucial aspects are the support of fast mobility and high data rates. With fast mobility, the fading channels phenomenon become crucial, resulting in the need for multiple input/output channel to create spatial diversity. Space time codes (STC) have been shown to be well used with the Multiple Input Multiple Output channel. The Orthogonal STC (OSTC) family of codes is known to achieve full diversity as well as very simple implementation of the Maximum Likelihood (ML) decoder. However, it was also proven that with a complex symbol constellation one cannot achieve a full rate code when the number of transmitting antennas is larger than two. Quasi-OSTC (QSTC) can have full rate even for more than two transmitting antennas but with the penalty of decoding complexity which becomes severe if the constellation size is large. In order to tackle this inherent drawback of the OSTC/QSTC and to be able to support the 5G high data rate demand, we have come up with a different STC code that, when used with a new transmission and decoding methods, achieves full rate while maintaining linear complexity decoding for any number of transmit antennas. It can also be shown that when the transmitter knows the strongest channel (through minimal feedback) the code also achieves full diversity along with better error rate than the OSTC and the QSTC.
Observation of exciton surface polaritons at room temperature

Exciton surface polaritons have been detected by the technique of attenuated total reflection at 295 K on the (110) surface of the organic dye crystal γ-cyclopropyl-bis (,3,3-trimethyl-indoline-2-yl) pentamethinium tetrafluoroborate. This is the first time that an exciton surface polariton has been reported at room temperature on any material. The dispersion of the surface polariton was determined in the range 1.95 eV to 2.81 eV by measuring the change in the p-polarized reflectivity with angle at fixed wavelength.
Mecamylamine attenuates the subjective stimulant-like effects of alcohol in social drinkers.

Background: Recent studies have implicated central nicotinic cholinergic receptor systems in the reinforcing properties of alcohol. In laboratory animals, mecamylamine, a central nicotinic receptor antagonist, reduces the consumption of and preference for alcohol. This study investigated the effect of mecamylamine on the subjective responses to alcohol in humans. It was hypothesized that mecamylamine (7.5 and 15 mg) would attenuate the stimulant-like subjective effects of alcohol (0.8 g/kg) and decrease the self-reported desire to consume additional alcohol beverages. Methods: Fourteen male and 13 female nonsmokers participated in 6 laboratory sessions. During each session, subjects received, in randomized order under double-blinded conditions, a capsule containing mecamylamine (7.5 or 15 mg) or placebo followed by a beverage containing alcohol (0.8 g/kg) or placebo. Physiologic and subjective-effect measures were taken at 30-min intervals for 2 hr after beverage consumption. Results: Mecamylamine attenuated the stimulant and euphoric effects of alcohol and reduced the self-reported desire to consume additional alcohol beverages. This effect was most pronounced in men, even though women exhibited greater physiologic reactions to mecamylamine. Conclusions: These findings suggest that nicotinic cholinergic receptors are involved in mediating some of the stimulant-like effects of alcohol.
Boundary formulation and numerical analysis of elastic bodies with surface-bonded piezoelectric films

The behavior of an elastic body with surface-bonded piezoelectric films is studied in this paper. The elastic body is modeled by the three-dimensional equations of elasticity, while the thin piezoelectric film is modeled by the two-dimensional equations of piezoelectric shells. It is shown that the governing equations can be written as a system of boundary integral-differential equations. These equations are solved numerically by the boundary element method in an example.
Apolipoproteins and Apolipoprotein Mimetic Peptides Modulate Phagocyte Trafficking through Chemotactic Activity

The plasma lipoprotein-associated apolipoproteins (apo) A-I and apoE have well described anti-inflammatory actions in the cardiovascular system, and mimetic peptides that retain these properties have been designed as therapeutics. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of apolipoprotein mimetics, however, are incompletely defined. Whether circulating apolipoproteins and their mimetics regulate innate immune responses at mucosal surfaces, sites where transvascular emigration of leukocytes is required during inflammation, remains unclear. Herein, we report that Apoai−/− and Apoe−/− mice display enhanced recruitment of neutrophils to the airspace in response to both inhaled lipopolysaccharide and direct airway inoculation with CXCL1. Conversely, treatment with apoA-I (L-4F) or apoE (COG1410) mimetic peptides reduces airway neutrophilia. We identify suppression of CXCR2-directed chemotaxis as a mechanism underlying the apolipoprotein effect. Pursuing the possibility that L-4F might suppress chemotaxis through heterologous desensitization, we confirmed that L-4F itself induces chemotaxis of human PMNs and monocytes. L-4F, however, fails to induce a calcium flux. Further exploring structure-function relationships, we studied the alternate apoA-I mimetic L-37pA, a bihelical analog of L-4F with two Leu-Phe substitutions. We find that L-37pA induces calcium and chemotaxis through formyl peptide receptor (FPR)2/ALX, whereas its D-stereoisomer (i.e. D-37pA) blocks L-37pA signaling and induces chemotaxis but not calcium flux through an unidentified receptor. Taken together, apolipoprotein mimetic peptides are novel chemotactic agents that possess complex structure-activity relationships to multiple receptors, displaying anti-inflammatory efficacy against innate immune responses in the airway.
Interspecific territoriality in red-breasted meadowlarks and a method for estimating the mutuality of their participation

1. Three species of red-breasted meadowlarks (Aves, Icteridae, Sturnella) coexist on the pampas of southern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The species differ somewhat in size and shape but have very similar color patterns. 2. In the nearly homogeneous habitat provided by wheat fields, S. defilippii and S. militaris superciliaris have nonoverlapping territories that are maintained by interspecific aggression and that are not related to vegetation discontinuity. Maintenance of interspecific territoriality (IST) was not mutual, for the larger species (defilippii) had a much stronger tendency to attack and exclude the smaller species than vice versa. However, once a superciliaris male did establish a territory, it was capable of defending it against defilippii males. A third species, S. loyca, had territories that overlapped those of the other two species, and although the largest of the three, it seldom engaged in interspecific aggression. 3. The observed interspecific aggression seems due to close similarities in plumage and behavior of defilippii and superciliaris, reflecting their close phylogenetic relationship. No evidence has been adduced indicating how or whether the IST is adaptive, and no reason for predicting character convergence emerges from this study. 4. This paper describes a method for quantifying the relative contribution of two or more species to interspecific aggression, including methods for correcting for the actual availability of heterospecific and conspecific males.
Toward a national core course in agricultural medicine and curriculum in agricultural safety and health: the "building capacity" consensus process.

ABSTRACTThe agricultural industry poses specific hazards and risks to its workers. Since the 1970s, the University of Iowa has been establishing programs to educate rural health care and safety professionals who in turn provide education and occupational health and safety services to farm families and farm workers. This program has been well established in the state of Iowa as a program of Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH). However, the National 1989 Agriculture at Risk Report indicated there was a great need for agricultural medicine training beyond Iowa’s borders. In order to help meet this need, Building Capacity: A National Resource of Agricultural Medicine Professionals was initiated as a project of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-funded Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health in 2006. Before the first phase of this project, a consensus process was conducted with a group of safety and health professionals to determine topics and learning o...
Pseudogap and its critical point in the heavily doped Ba ( Fe 1 − x Co x ) 2 As 2 from c -axis resistivity measurements

Temperature-dependent interplane resistivity, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}(T)$, was used to characterize the normal state of the iron-arsenide superconductor $\text{Ba}{({\text{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Co}}_{x})}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$ over a broad doping range $0\ensuremath{\le}xl0.50$. The data were compared with in-plane resistivity, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{a}(T)$, and magnetic susceptibility, $\ensuremath{\chi}(T)$, taken in $H\ensuremath{\perp}c$, as well as Co NMR Knight shift, $^{59}K$, and spin-relaxation rate, $1/{T}_{1}T$. The interplane resistivity data show a clear correlation with the NMR Knight shift, assigned to the formation of the pseudogap. Evolution of ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}(T)$ with doping reveals two characteristic energy scales. The temperature of the crossover from nonmetallic, increasing on cooling, behavior of ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}(T)$ at high temperatures to metallic behavior at low temperatures, ${T}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}$, correlates well with an anomaly in all three magnetic measurements. This characteristic temperature, equal to approximately 200 K in the parent compound, $x=0$, decreases with doping and vanishes near ${x}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}\ensuremath{\approx}0.25$. For doping levels $x\ensuremath{\ge}0.166$, an additional feature appears above ${T}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}$ with metallic behavior of ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}(T)$ found above the low-temperature resistivity increase. The characteristic temperature of this charge-gap formation, ${T}_{\text{CG}}$, vanishes at ${x}_{\text{CG}}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.30$, paving the way to metallic, $T$ linear, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}(T)$ close to ${x}_{\text{CG}}$ and superlinear $T$ dependence for $xg{x}_{\text{CG}}$. None of these features are evident in the in-plane resistivity ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{a}(T)$. For doping levels $xl{x}_{\text{CG}}$, $\ensuremath{\chi}(T)$ shows a known, anomalous, $T$-linear dependence, which disappears for $xg{x}_{\text{CG}}$. These features are consistent with the existence of a charge gap, accompanying formation of the magnetic pseudogap, and its critical suppression with doping. The inferred $c$-axis charge gap reflects the three-dimensional character of the electronic structure and of the magnetism in the iron arsenides.
The direct acylamination of pyridine 1-oxides. Effect of substituents in N-phenylarylimidoyl chloride. Trapping with thiols

The effect of a para-substituent in the benzoic acid portion of the arylimidoyl chloride on the nature and yield of products in the reaction with pyridine 1-oxide has been studied. When an electron-withdrawing substituent is present no acylamination product is formed and only 2- and 3-chloropyridine are isolated. When benzenethiol is added a respectable yield of 3-phenylthiopyridine is obtained, but alkanethiols gave low yields of 3-alkylthiopyridines.
Effects of a juvenile hormone mimic on flight in the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus.

Abstract Since it has been proposed that juvenile hormone may inhibit migration in insects, a juvenile hormone mimic was applied to adult Oncopeltus fasciatus which were then flight-tested repeatedly. Significantly more males and females receiving the treatment made long, presumably migratory, flights initially than did controls, and treated males continued to make long flights for several weeks.
Transatlantic disjunction in fleshy fungi. I. The Sparassis crispa complex

Phylogenies based on ITS and LSU sequences show that the Sparassis crispa complex comprises several monophyletic clades, in some cases co\rresponding to named taxa (i.e. S. crispa, S. radicata), but others lacking names (i.e. eastern and southwestern North American S. “crispa”). In our study, morphological examination of numerous collections also distinguished subtle differences correlated with geographic distribution. Underlying these problems, several taxa lacked type specimens for taxonomic analysis. In this paper, appropriate epitypes are designated and names assigned. Extensive sexual compatibility experiments, described within, indicate that monokaryon, haploid isolates of collections from North America and Europe are consistently sexually compatible to some degree. Inherent in the study, different “species concepts” were tested, with the “biological species concept,” based on sexual compatibility, being the least restrictive. We propose two new taxa, S. americana and S. americana f. arizonica.
Intracoronary Fiducial Embolization After Percutaneous Placement for Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Although well established for the treatment of intracranial and prostatic pathology, stereotactic radiosurgery has only recently emerged as a modality for the treatment of malignant lung lesions. Utilization of radio-opaque markers, called fiducials, facilitate dose-intensive radiation focused on the tumor with sparing of surrounding normal tissue. There is a paucity of literature regarding complications that occur secondary to placement of these fiducials. The following report details a case in which intracoronary migration resulted in a hemodynamically significant acute coronary syndrome.
Implantable electrolyte conductance-based pressure sensing catheter, II. Device construction and testing

Direct measurements of arterial blood pressure most commonly use bulky external instrumentation containing a pressure transducer connected to an ex vivo fluid-filled arterial line, which is subject to several sensing artifacts. In situ blood pressure sensors, typically solid state piezoresistive, capacitive, and interferometric sensors, are unaffected by these artifacts, but can be expensive to produce and miniaturize. We have developed an alternative approach to blood pressure measurement based on deformation of an elastic tube filled with electrolyte solution. Simple measurement of the electrical conductance of this solution as the tube dimensions change allows determination of the external pressure. The sensor is made from inexpensive materials and its miniaturization is straightforward. In vitro static testing of initial sensor prototypes mounted on a catheter tip showed a linear response with applied pressure and a resolution of 1 mmHg. In vivo sensing followed catheterization of the sensor into the femoral artery of a porcine model through a 7F catheter port. The sensor performed comparably to a commercial pressure transducer also connected to the catheter port. Due to its scalability and cost, this sensor has the potential for use in a range of pressure sensing applications, such as measurement of intracranial, spinal, or interstitial pressures.
Motor-auditory-visual integration: The role of the human mirror neuron system in communication and communication disorders.

Abstract The mirror neuron system (MNS) is a trimodal system composed of neuronal populations that respond to motor, visual, and auditory stimulation, such as when an action is performed, observed, heard or read about. In humans, the MNS has been identified using neuroimaging techniques (such as fMRI and mu suppression in the EEG). It reflects an integration of motor–auditory–visual information processing related to aspects of language learning including action understanding and recognition. Such integration may also form the basis for language-related constructs such as theory of mind. In this article, we review the MNS system as it relates to the cognitive development of language in typically developing children and in children at-risk for communication disorders, such as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or hearing impairment. Studying MNS development in these children may help illuminate an important role of the MNS in children with communication disorders. Studies with deaf children are especially important because they offer potential insights into how the MNS is reorganized when one modality, such as audition, is deprived during early cognitive development, and this may have long-term consequences on language maturation and theory of mind abilities. Learning outcomes: Readers will be able to (1) understand the concept of mirror neurons, (2) identify cortical areas associated with the MNS in animal and human studies, (3) discuss the use of mu suppression in the EEG for measuring the MNS in humans, and (4) discuss MNS dysfunction in children with (ASD).
Comment on "Modified full-field optical coherence tomography: A novel tool for rapid histology of fresh tissues".

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is one of several three-dimensional microscopy techniques that may revolutionize pathology practice.[1] These techniques essentially create histology-like images without glass microscope slides. This type of imaging can even be performed in vivo,[2] and represents a tremendous opportunity for pathology as a medical specialty. Not only can we pathologists revolutionize our workflow to drastically decrease turn-around time; we can also begin to project our substantial microscopic diagnostic expertise into realms that were previously off limits (i.e., in vivo diagnostics). Mukherjee et al.[1] present an excellent report of their experience with a novel “full-field” OCT-based imaging platform. They demonstrate high quality images that resemble low-to-medium magnification histopathology photomicrographs. This is extremely exciting, and one can imagine potential applications for such images: enhanced specimen grossing; reduced need for frozen sections during intraoperative consultation; perhaps even sign-out of specific surgical pathology tests such as postpartum tubal ligation specimens. This last may seem controversial, but existing OCT images may already be of high enough quality to permit assessment for the presence of complete cross sections of fallopian tube tissue.[3] It is likely that image quality will continue to increase, perhaps to the extent that it may rival what is possible with traditional microscopy (i.e., “routine” diagnostic work). Maturation of 3D histopathology may push OCT and related techniques far beyond glass-based methods, especially with computer-assisted diagnostic tools.[4] It is very possible that diagnostic-quality in vivo images may even make traditional biopsy obsolete, especially in certain situations (i.e., surveillance of Barrett's esophagus). Mukherjee's experience is also interesting because they are reporting on a system that it is commercially available, designed for use with histopathology specimens, and produces DICOM-compatible images that by definition can be incorporated into existing image management infrastructure such as radiology PACS systems. The rise of three-dimensional microscopic imaging modalities represents a fabulous opportunity for Pathology, but it also may foreshadow the end of traditional microscope-based practice. The stakes are very high, and we may have to compete with other specialties for “turf”. We should do so vigorously, leveraging our strong advantages related to existing microscopic morphology expertise, our culture of providing definitive diagnosis (vs. “impressions”), and possibly even cost. If we do not seize this opportunity we may be left in a passive role as these technologies develop around us, perhaps even rendering our old microscopic techniques obsolete. Mukherjee et al have provided us with a tantalizing glimpse of the future, and it is bright.
Special session — Attracting and supporting military veterans in engineering programs

The Post-9/11 GI Bill overhauled the educational benefits available to military veterans. Additionally, the Yellow Ribbon Program makes private institutions more affordable to veterans. Consequently, more veterans are seeking undergraduate degrees, and many schools are seeing significant numbers of veterans for the first time. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recognized that veteran engineers may address shortages in the engineering workforce and has funded projects to develop models for helping veterans make the transition from active duty to successful student. This special session provides a forum for several awardees to describe their work and to engage a larger audience in discussions about engineering education for veterans. The goals for this session are to raise awareness in the engineering education community about the issues facing veteran engineering students, identify issues commonly encountered as veterans transition from service to the classroom, promote the dissemination of results from NSF-supported efforts to support veterans in engineering programs, provide a forum for sharing best practices related to the successful transition of a veteran from the military to engineering programs, and establish relationships between schools with the shared interest of serving military veteran students.
Simultaneous photoreduction and photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 in Photosystem II treated with carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone.

The possibility of a Photosystem II (PS II) cyclic electron flow via Cyt b-559 catalyzed by carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) was further examined by studying the effects of the PS II electron acceptor 2,6-dichloro-p-benzoquinone (DCBQ) on the light-induced changes of the redox states of Cyt b-559. Addition to barley thylakoids of micromolar concentrations of DCBQ completely inhibited the changes of the absorbance difference corresponding to the photoreduction of Cyt b-559 observed either in the presence of 10 μM ferricyanide or after Cyt b-559 photooxidation in the presence of 2 μM CCCP. In CCCP-treated thylakoids, the concentration of photooxidized Cyt b-559 decreased as the irradiance of actinic light increased from 2 to 80 W m-2 but remained close to the maximal concentration (0.53 photooxidized Cyt b-559 per photoactive Photosystem II) in the presence of 50 μM DCBQ. The stimulation of Cyt b-559 photooxidation in parallel with the inhibition of its photoreduction caused by DCBQ demonstrate that the extent of the light-induced changes of the redox state of Cyt b-559 in the presence of CCCP is determined by the difference between the rates of photooxidation and photoreduction of Cyt b-559 occuring simultaneously in a cyclic electron flow around PS II. We also observed that the Photosystem I electron acceptor methyl viologen (MV) at a concentration of 1 mM barely affected the rate and extent of the light-induced redox changes of Cyt b-559 in the presence of either FeCN or CCCP. Under similar experimental conditions, MV strongly quenched Chl-a fluorescence, suggesting that Cyt b-559 is reduced directly on the reducing side of Photosystem II.
Effects of haloperidol and clozapine on tongue dynamics during licking in CD-1, BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice

Rationale: In an initial effort to describe how genetic background influences the differential motor effects of haloperidol, a drug with high extrapyramidal side effect (EPS) liability, and clozapine, an antipsychotic low in EPS, both drugs were studied in inbred strains of mice (BALB/c and C57BL/6) previously shown to have differential sensitivities to haloperidol. Objectives: Behavioral differences in lick dynamics for male BALB/c, C57BL/6 and CD-1 (an outbred strain) were characterized. Effects of dose ranges of haloperidol and clozapine were then evaluated in the three strains. Methods: The mice learned to lick milk from a force-sensing disk during daily 2-min sessions, while a computer counted the number of licks and measured lick peak force and lick rhythm. After training, acute doses of haloperidol (0.08–2.0 mg/kg) or clozapine (0.5–8.0 mg/kg) were administered i.p. 45 min before sessions. Results: Prior to drug treatment, substantial quantitative strain differences in licking behavior were observed: C57BL/6 mice made fewer licks, licked with lower peak force per lick, and had a slower lick rhythm than the BALB/c and CD-1 mice. As in rats, clozapine slowed the lick rhythm in all three mouse strains much more than haloperidol did. Haloperidol produced a 50% greater suppression of number of licks in BALB/c than in C57BL/6 mice (ED50 values were 0.82 mg/kg and 1.22 mg/kg, respectively). For clozapine, lick suppression was greater in the C57BL/6 than in the BALB/c strain (ED50 values were 1.88 mg/kg and 2.65 mg/kg, respectively). Among the three strains examined, CD-1 was the most sensitive to haloperidol’s suppression of licking, while its sensitivity to clozapine’s lick-suppressing effect was similar to C57BL/6 mice. Clozapine lowered the lick peak force in the CD-1 and BALB/c strains more than in the C57BL/6 strain. Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that genetic variables may influence both mice’s tongue dynamics and their alteration by both typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. In addition, while the BALB/c strain was more sensitive to haloperidol’s lick-disruptive effects than the C57BL/6 strain, the size of the difference between strains was much smaller than the reported difference between the strains in the catalepsy test.
Diagnosing acute traumatic aortic injury with computed tomography angiography: signs and potential pitfalls.

Acute traumatic aortic injury (ATAI) is usually caused by a high-speed motor vehicle collision, fall, or direct crushing injury to the chest. Early diagnosis is imperative, because ATAI is almost always fatal if left untreated. With the introduction of the helical computed tomography (CT) technique, CT has become the primary imaging modality of ATAI in many trauma centers. The recent implementation of the multi-slice helical CT technique has improved the quality of reformatted images and shortened examination times. At our institution, definitive diagnosis is usually made with multi-slice helical CT alone, obviating catheter angiography in almost all cases. This pictorial essay presents various CT signs of ATAI on axial and multiplanar reformatted images and discusses possible pitfalls.
Author retrospective for synthesizing transformations for locality enhancement of imperfectly-nested loop nests

This paper describes a technique for transforming imperfectly-nested loops to enhance locality of reference. The key idea is to embed the iteration space of every statement in the loop nest into a special iteration space called the product space. The product space is interpreted as a perfectly-nested loop that is transformed to enhance locality and enable tiling; after that, fully permutable loops are tiled, and a new imperfectly-nested loop with better locality than the original one is generated. Experimental results show that this approach is effective in locality enhancement for dense matrix factorization codes and relaxation codes, among others.
A Computational Study for Motor Vehicle Crash Injuries of Obese Child Passengers

According to current definitions [1], individuals ages 2 to 18 years are determined to be overweight (≥ 85th and < 95th percentile [of prior population distributions]) or obese (≥ 95th percentile) based on U.S. age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) charts updated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2000 [2]. The prevalence of being obese among children has increased over the last several decades and is a major public health concern. A recent survey [3] indicated that 16.3% of children and adolescents aged 2 through 19 years were at or above the 95th percentile of the BMI-for-age growth charts.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Radiotherapy of retinoblastoma. A review of 63 children treated with different irradiation techniques.

This is a retrospective review of treatment results in 63 children with retinoblastoma (RB) who received therapeutic irradiation from January 1975 to June 1988. Patient ages ranged from birth to 5 years with a mean age of 12.5 months. Three treatment groups were identified. in Group A, episcleral plaque was the only irradiation modality. in this group, 24 patients and 25 eyes with tumors of Reese-Ellsworth Stages I to III, and selected Stage VB tumors were irradiated using eye plaques. Twenty-two of 25 (88%) eyes are without evidence of disease (NED), and all patients are alive. Two eyes were enucleated for recurrent RB. Two of 23 eyes developed minimal cataracts. in Group B, external-beam was the only irradiation modality. Twelve patients with 21 involved eyes comprise this group. Thirteen eyes received EBRT alone. Seventy-seven percent of 13 eyes have NED. Four eyes developed cataracts. Three of 13 eyes required enucleation for progression of disease; one of these was Stage IVA and two of them were Stage VA. for Group C, external-beam plus episcleral plaque was used. Twenty-seven patients and 51 eyes with advanced retinoblastoma were included in this group. Episcleral plaque was used in 29 eyes as a salvage procedure for recurrent RB, or in selected cases was used as a boost after initial external beam irradiation. Fifteen of 29 eyes (52%) remain with NED with useful vision, and nine developed cataracts. Enucleation was performed in 14 eyes for recurrent RB. The authors conclude that radiation therapy has a major role in the management of RB due to its ability to control even advanced disease, allowing preservation of vision in a significant number of patients.
Deletion of the c‐Ha‐ras‐1 Allele in Human Skin Cancers

Previous studies have shown that c-Ha-ras-1 and other genes located on the short arm of chromosome 11 are frequently lost in a number of human tumors. We investigated whether similar losses of the c-Ha-ras-1 allele occurred in human squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). DNAs were isolated from 35 pairs of skin tumors (25 BCCs and 10 SCCs) and matching normal skin from the same patients and analyzed for c-Ha-ras gene polymorphism by Southern blot hybridization. Sixteen BCC patients and 1 SCC patient were constitutionally heterozygous for the c-Ha-ras gene in their normal skin DNA. Of these 17 patients, five patients (four with BCC and one with SCC) (29%) showed loss of one of the c-Ha-ras alleles in their tumor DNA. One of the constitutionally heterozygous BCC patients exhibited deletion of the 6.6-kb c-Ha-ras allele and an extra copy of the 7.8-kb allele. In summary, loss of heterozygosity at the c-Ha-ras locus occurred frequently (29%) in the 17 human skin cancers studied. However, our finding that 90% of the patients with SCC, as opposed to 36% of the patients with BCC, had only one of the c-Ha-ras alleles in their normal skin tissue requires further study. Whether c-Ha-ras homozygosity has any bearing on genetic susceptibility to SCC remains to be established.
The relationship of life history attributes to toxicant tolerance in fishes

The relationship between tolerance to toxicants and fish species longevity, maximum weight attained, and fecundity is demonstrated. It is concluded that among species longevity and maximum weight attained is negatively related to tolerance to toxicants, while fecundity is positively related to toxicant tolerance. It is also concluded that mode of action of toxicants is related to longevity and fecundity among species.
Evolving Relationship Marketing into a Discipline

Abstract Relationship marketing is considered a paradigm change in both academic and practitioner literature. However, despite its popularity, relationship marketing has not yet evolved into becoming a discipline. The authors propose focus on eight areas to help relationship marketing evolve into a discipline. They compare the successful evolution of consumer behavior, services marketing and marketing strategy with the failure of international marketing, social marketing and business marketing as a discipline.
Climate and very large wildland fires in the contiguous western USA

Very large wildfires can cause significant economic and environmental damage, including destruction of homes, adverse air quality, firefighting costs and even loss of life. We examine how climate is associated with very large wildland fires (VLWFs ≥50000 acres, or ~20234ha) in the western contiguous USA. We used composite records of climate and fire to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of VLWF–climatic relationships. Results showed quantifiable fire weather leading up and up to 3 weeks post VLWF discovery, thus providing predictors of the probability that VLWF occurrence in a given week. Models were created for eight National Interagency Fire Center Geographic Area Coordination Centers (GACCs). Accuracy was good (AUC>0.80) for all models, but significant fire weather predictors of VLWFs vary by GACC, suggesting that broad-scale ecological mechanisms associated with wildfires also vary across regions. These mechanisms are very similar to those found by previous analyses of annual area burned, but this analysis provides a means for anticipating VLWFs specifically and thereby the timing of substantial area burned within a given year, thus providing a quantifiable justification for proactive fire management practices to mitigate the risk and associated damage of VLWFs.
Identification and localization of a limited number of predominant conformation-independent antibody epitopes of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitus virus

Abstract Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)-induced demyelinating disease in mice is a well established animal model for human multiple sclerosis (MS). Identification of pathogenic epitopes may be helpful in understanding the pathogenesis of this immune-mediated disease. In order to analyze the viral epitopes, we have generated approx. 150 recombinant λgt11 clones expressing various capsid areas of TMEV. Six predominant areas, ranging from 13–26 amino acid residues, (3 in VP1, 2 in VP2 and 1 in VP3) are readily recognized by conformation-independent antibodies from virus-infected mice. These areas have been designated as A-1A (VP1 13–27th residues), A-1B (VP1 145–167), A-1C (VP1 251–276), A-2A (VP2 2–14), A-2B (VP2 165–179), and A-3A (tentatively VP3 24–43). Antibodies from TMEV-infected susceptible SJL/J mice strongly react with A-1B, A-2A and A-2B, in contrast to antibodies from resistant BALB/c mice which mainly recognize A-1A and A-2A. Interestingly, the reactivity pattern of antibodies from TMEV-infected mice are somewhat different from that of antibodies from TMEV-immunized mice. Although the majority of antibodies in TMEV-infected mice recognizes conformation-dependent epitopes, the differential recognition of the conformation-independent antibody epitopes by susceptible mice may play a role in TMEV-induced demyelination.
Revisiting ... Retrieving the baby from the bathwater: slum upgrading in Sub-Saharan Africa

The impetus This research project started at the World Bank in 2000. Urban practitioners working on the Africa region were concerned that almost all African cities were struggling with the slum problemoslums were everywhere and growing rapidly. It was clear that something needed to be done, but the `what' was far from obvious. A key issue was that the Bank's own experience with investing in slums had not been resoundingly successful. The Bank pioneered slum upgrading programs in the 1970s and had invested heavily in them for the next two decades. By the early 1990s, however, the verdict was that these upgrading programs were not working and, consequently, the Bank's financing for them had dwindled significantly. Additionally, there were few recent, large-scale, and representative studies of slums, especially in Africa. There were, hence, few reliable data on the numbers of people residing in these slums, the level of services they had, and their quality of life and living conditions. The research team decided on a two-pronged approachoa retrospective that culled insights from prior project experience as well as existing literature, and an empirical update based on carefully sampled surveys of slum residents in a few African cities. ` Retrieving the baby from the bathwater: slum upgrading in Sub-Saharian Africa'' (Gulyani and Bassett, 2007) is a part of the retrospective analysis.We ploughed through volumes of project documents and evaluations, specially commissioned updates from ten countries, and a huge body of academic literature. We were struck by the host of issues subsumed under `slum upgrading' and the diversity of opinions on each. Clearly, there was variation in project performance and significant innovation in practice, but, on balance, the critics had been more articulate and seemed to have won the case. In our paper, instead of debating whether upgrading was a success or failure, we decided to highlight `what had worked, what had not, and why?' We also chose to focus on two aspects that were emerging as key determinants of living conditions in slumso tenure and infrastructure. Most of the literature focuses on either one or the other, but we felt that they are strongly related and needed to be understood in concert with each other. Revisiting ... Retrieving the baby from the bathwater: slum upgrading in Sub-Saharan Africa
Differential transcription of the two Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes encoding elongation factor 2

Abstract The single polypeptide chain of elongation factor 2 (EF-2) is encoded by two Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes ( EFT1 and EFT2 ) with unique flanking sequences. One gene is necessary and either is sufficient for cell viability. In the present work, we have analyzed the transcription of EFT1 and EFT2 . Although both genes harbor multiple transcription start points, EFT1 initiates primarily at residue C at −39 and EFT2 at residue C at −37. Several candidate TATA boxes were identified in each gene. Deletion analysis employing lacZ promoter fusions demonstrated that the promoter for EFT2 is located within a 79-bp region beginning 335 nucleotides (nt) upstream from the start ATG codon. This region contains two overlapping sequences with homology to the consensus binding site for the yeast transcription factor, Rap1p/Grf 1p/Tuf. In contrast, the sequences essential for the transcription of EFT1 were localized to the region between the start ATG and the stop codon of the VPS17 gene that terminates 267 nt upstream on the same strand. Analysis of promoter strengths using lacZ fusions indicated that the promoter for EFT2 is approx. 2.5-fold more active than that of EFT1 . Analysis of the steady-state levels of mRNAs revealed that EFT2 contributes approx. 70% of the total EF-2 mRNA while the remaining 30% is produced by EFT1 We conclude that the difference in expression of EFT1 and EFT2 is due to the differential transcription of their promoters.
Analytical Solutions to Axisymmetric Plane Strain Porous Media-Transport Models in Large Arteries

Theoretical and numerical finite element models (FEMs) have been developed for analysis of coupled structural-fluid-species transport in soft tissues [1–3]. Here analytical solutions for coupled diffusive-convective transport of a single, neutral species in soft tissues are presented. Based on experimental observations [4], osmotic pressure and partial Onsager coupling of species transport can be neglected for large mobile species in rabbit carotid arteries. These analytical solutions provide a starting point for development of solutions to more complex problems and allow verification of the associated FEMs under development in our laboratory. The analytical solutions will allow comparison of elastic and poroelastic-species transport for axisymmetric, plane strain in thick-walled arteries including expressions for displacement, strain, stress, pore fluid pressure, and concentration fields. The initial models considered here will be steady state (SS) solutions for compressible, linear, isotropic materials undergoing small strains.Copyright © 2008 by ASME