cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using real-time quantitative TaqMan RT-PCR to evaluate the role of dexamethasone in gene regulation of rat P-glycoproteins mdr1a/1b and cytochrome P450 3A1/2.

Abstract Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) and p‐glycoproteins (Pgps) are believed to play important roles in drug absorption, metabolism, and elimination. Numerous drugs and environmental chemicals can modulate expression of these two classes of genes in different species. The present study investigated the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) on gene expression on both message and protein levels of mdr1a, mdr1b, CYP3A1, and CYP3A2 in small intestine, colon, liver, kidney, and brain microvessels of the rats treated orally with Dex at 1 or 20 mg/kg/day for 3 days. The basal expression of mdr1a mRNA was highest in the brain microvessels followed by colon, small intestine, liver, and kidney, and mdr1b mRNA was highest in the brain microvessels followed by kidney, liver, colon, and small intestine. After Dex treatment, mdr1a mRNA was increased by 5.5‐ and 10.7‐fold in the small intestine, decreased extensively by 85−90% in the liver, and showed little or no change in the colon, kidney, and brain microvessels compared to the control rats. A similar pattern was observed for mdr1b mRNA. CYP3A1 mRNA was increased in all tissues examined. CYP3A2 mRNA was not significantly changed with the exception that at 20 mg/kg CYP3A2 mRNA was increased 5‐ and 30‐fold in the colon and kidney. In general, Western blot analyses were consistent with mRNA changes. CYP3A protein expression was increased in all tissues examined. The disparity of the impact of Dex on the CYP 3A and Pgp expression in these studies suggest that the regulation of Pgp expression is very complex and is difficult to predict solely based on the PXR response to xenobiotics.
Oxidation of (+)-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene by mouse keratinocytes: evidence for peroxyl radical- and monoxygenase-dependent metabolism

The role of prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase and peroxyl radicals as well as cytochrome P-450 in the metabolism of 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BP-7,8-diol) was examined in fresh skin keratinocytes isolated from hairless mice. Labeled (+)-BP-7,8-diol was oxidized after incubation with the keratinocytes to syn- and anti-diolepoxides in greater than a 4:1 ratio as estimated by h.p.l.c. analysis of the stable hydrolysis products. Formation of diolepoxides was dependent on cell number and the concentration of BP-7,8-diol. Incubation in the presence of the PGH synthase substrate, 20:4 or the inhibitor, indomethacin did not alter the total formation or the ratio of diolepoxides. However, the addition of butylated hydroxyanisole (1 micron) an inhibitor of peroxyl radical dependent-metabolism significantly inhibited diolepoxide formation. The time course for the formation of the anti-diolepoxide and lipid peroxidation, measured as malondialdehyde was determined. The results suggest an excellent correlation between peroxyl radical and diolepoxide formation. Pretreatment of mice with the cytochrome P-450 inducer, beta-naphthoflavone greatly altered the metabolism of (+)-BP-7,8-diol by keratinocytes. The major metabolite was the syn-diolepoxide with significant formation of two unknown metabolites. Pretreatment of mice with BP-7,8-diol did not induce aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity but did increase the yield of syn-diolepoxide formed from labeled (+)-BP-7,8-diol by 1.5-fold. Our results suggest that peroxyl radical-mediated metabolism is primarily responsible for the oxidation of (+)-BP-7,8-diol in control animals while the cytochrome P-450 system is primarily responsible for oxidation in animals pretreated with inducers.
Geographic distribution of three alkaloid chemotypes of Croton lechleri.

Three known alkaloids, isoboldine (2), norisoboldine (1), and magnoflorine (8), have been isolated for the first time from Croton lechleri, a source of the wound healing latex “sangre de grado”. An HPLC system was developed, and a large number of latex and leaf samples of C. lechleri from 22 sites in northern Peru and Ecuador were analyzed to gain an understanding of the natural variation in alkaloid content for the species. Up to six alkaloids were found to occur in the leaves including, in addition to those listed above, thaliporphine (3), glaucine (4), and taspine (9), whereas the latex contained only 9. Taspine (9) is the component that has been previously found to be responsible for the wound healing activity of C. lechleri latex, and its mean concentration throughout the range examined was found to be 9% of the latex by dry weight. In addition, three chemotypes are defined based on the alkaloid content of the leaves, and the geographic distribution of these chemotypes is discussed along with a quant...
Coagulation cascade, fibrinolytic system, antithrombin III, protein C and protein S in patients maintained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

We studied the coagulation cascade, fibrinolytic system and naturally occurring anticoagulants in a group of 14 patients with end-stage renal disease maintained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The results were compared with those obtained in a group of ten normal volunteers. Plasma procoagulant activities of factors XII, XI, IX, VIII, VII, X and II were significantly greater in the CAPD group as compared to the normal control group. Likewise plasma concentrations of total and free protein S were increased in the CAPD group. Although the mean value for plasma factor V activity in the CAPD group was higher than that found in the control group the difference did not attain statistical significance. In addition plasma fibrinogen concentration and factor VIII-related antigen level were significantly increased in CAPD patients. No significant difference was found between the CAPD patients and the control group with respect to plasma levels of protein C, antithrombin III, plasminogen or alpha 2-antiplasmin. In summary, the results demonstrate a tendency for increased levels of various coagulation factors and protein S in CAPD patients with no significant alterations in the levels of various fibrinolytic and endogenous anticoagulant agents, i.e. antithrombin III and protein C. The clinical significance and the mechanism responsible for the observed changes require further investigation.
Vibrational spectra and structure of tricyclopropylsilane

The Raman spectra of tricyclopropylsilane were recorded for the condensed phases of this molecule, and infrared spectra (4000–400 cm−1) were obtained for all three states of this compound. In addition, a survey microwave spectrum of tricyclopropylsilane was recorded in the R-band region, and AM1 semi-empirical calculations were aslo undetaken for this molecule. Both the spectroscopic data and the theoretical results indicate that tricyclopropylsilane does not exhibit any low-energy structure having threefold symmetry. Instead, experimental evidence indicates the presence of at least two conformers of this molecule in the fluid phases, and only one of these conformers remains in the polycrystalline solid phase. The Raman and infrared spectra argue in favor of the fluid-phase tricyclopropylsilane conformers having the three cyclopropane rings arranged in a mixture of s–cis and gauche orientations relative to the SiH bond. These conclusions appear to be corroborated by the AM1 calculations, which indicate that the cis–cis–gauche rotamer of tricyclopropylsilane is the lowest in energy, followed by the cis–gauche–gauche and cis–gauche–gauche′ conformations, which are virtually equal in energy.
Consideration of uncertainties in seismic analysis of non-classically damped coupled systems

Abstract This paper proposes a method to evaluate the design response of a non-classically damped coupled primary–secondary system by statistically incorporating the effects of uncertainties in modal properties of its constituent uncoupled systems. Within the framework for the coupled system seismic analysis, the uncertainties can be accounted for by modeling the uncoupled modal properties of primary and secondary systems as random variables. Gupta and Choi (2005) proposed the Square-Root-of-Mean-of-Squares (SRMS) method which employs a limited Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the design response of the secondary system statistically. The SRMS approach was illustrated to work well with representative single degree of freedom (SDOF) primary–SDOF secondary systems. In this paper, we study the applicability of SRMS methodology to MDOF primary–MDOF secondary systems. In such systems, two or more modes are likely to have closely spaced frequencies. The individual probability density functions of the closely spaced frequencies overlap with each other. Simulation of such closely spaced frequencies as independent random can give incorrect set of frequencies in the sense that the frequencies do not remain as ordered sets. Rejection of these incorrect sets does not resolve the problem as the simulated density functions no longer maintain the originally assumed distribution. The simulation of ordered sets of natural frequencies of an MDOF structure can be achieved by using a joint density function that considers the necessary constraints. The SRMS method for MDOF primary–MDOF secondary coupled systems is modified by incorporating a closed-form formulation for the joint density function of closely spaced frequencies. The modified SRMS approach is validated for MDOF secondary systems that are both singly as well as multiply connected to the MDOF primary system.
Laser remote sensing of atmospheric temperature by observing resonant absorption of oxygen

A dual-frequency system is used to demonstrate the measurement of atmospheric temperature, through laser energy absorption monitoring at the center of an O2 resonant absorption line near 770 nm. It is shown that the average temperature of a 1 km path can be determined within 1.0 C, with a noise level of 0.3 C. An iterative algebraic expression for this method was developed, and is shown to be applicable in the troposphere; the effects of pressure and humidity on temperature determination were made clear by the algorithm and found to be small near the earth's surface.
Effect of ACTH on the stability of mRNAs encoding bovine adrenocortical P-450scc, P-45011β, P-45017α, P-450C21 and adrenodoxin

ACTH treatment of bovine adrenocortical cells in primary culture causes increased accumulation of mRNAs encoding cytochromes P-450 scc , P-450 11 β , P-450 17 α , P-450 C21 and adrenodoxin as well as increased transcriptional activity of their respective genes. In this study we have shown that ACTH does not greatly affect the half-life of mRNAs encoding P-450 11 β , P-450 17 α , P-450 C21 and adrenodoxin. However, in the case of P-450 scc mRNA, ACTH causes a five-fold increase in the half-life leading to a significant stabilization of P450 scc mRNA. Thus it appears that the levels of mRNAs encoding P-450 11 β , P-450 17 α , P-450 C21 and adrenodoxin are regulated by ACTH primarily at the transcriptional level, while that for P-450 scc is regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.
Arylallylic lithium compounds, internally versus externally coordinated: comparison of their structures and dynamic behavior via X-ray crystallography and NMR.

A comparison of externally coordinated arylallyllithiums with internally coordinated arylallyllithiums using a combination of X-ray and NMR studies shows that 2-bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1-phenylallyllithium 7, and 2-bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,3-diphenylallyllithi um 8, are indeed fully internally coordinated with all phenyls endo, and lithium is close to one terminal allyl carbon. By contrast, among the externally coordinated analogs 1-phenylallyl-lithium.(HMPT)4 5, and 1-phenylallyllithium.(THF) 6, both phenyls are exo and the proximity of lithium to anion was only detected in compound 6. Lithium-7 NMR clearly identifies the Li(HMPT)4+ complex in 5, whereas a 7Li{1H} HOESY experiment reveals 7Li to be coordinated to THF in 6 and close to the PhC terminal allyl carbon. Carbon-13 NMR shows that all of the above compounds are fully delocalized despite differences among the sites of lithium and their separations from the anions. Changes in the 13C NMR line shapes show that the diphenyl compound 8...
Rho GTPases as therapeutic targets for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Diseases related to inflammation are a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world and affect the functions of several tissues. The pathophysiology of these diseases involves release of many pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IL-1, in addition to anti-inflammatory molecules. Recent studies have demonstrated that neuroimmune interactions are important in the initiation and progress of inflammatory processes. TNF, IL-1 and neuropeptides such as substance P and neurotensin stimulate the release of chemokines, in particular IL-8, a potent neutrophil chemoattractant. Expression of IL-8 is regulated mainly by the transcription factors NF-kappaB, activating protein-1 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins. Recent exciting results indicate that the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins plays an important role in the expression of NF-kappaB-dependent genes and migration of leukocytes. These results suggest that these proteins may represent a potential therapeutic target to treat several inflammatory states.
Book Review: Dynamics of Extracellular Dopamine in the Acute and Chronic Actions of Cocaine

Cocaine amplifies dopaminergic neurotransmission via blockade of presynaptic neuronal uptake. This action is believed to be a crucial component of cocaine’s ability to exert its reinforcing effects. This review will provide a brief overview of extracellular dopamine dynamics associated with cocaine. The acute effects of cocaine reviewed include comparison of intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of administration to better understand how fast and slow routes (e.g., crack and intranasal) differ in their pharmacokinetics and neurochemical effects and how those differences relate to differences in abuse potential. Changes in the acute effects of cocaine within a session have been examined in neurochemical studies of acute tolerance to self-administered cocaine in rhesus monkeys, and the potential impact of that tolerance to patterns of use is discussed. Between-session sensitization of the dopaminergic response to cocaine is reviewed, and data indicating this also occurs in primates have been obtained in se...
Sodium and potassium regulation of guanine nucleotide-stimulated adenylate cyclase in brain.

Abstract The present study examines the influence of potassium and sodium ions on guanine nucleotide regulation of adenylate cyclase in various brain regions, including the locus coeruleus (LC), dorsal raphe (DR), ventral tegmentum (VT), hippocampus (HP), frontal cortex (FC), substantia nigra (SN), neostriatum (NS) and cerebellum (CB). Guanine nucleotide regulation of adenylate cyclase was highest in the LC, DR and VT and lowest in NS and CB. Sodium and potassium ions were found to stimulate basal or GTP-activated adenylate cyclase in NS and SN, whereas the cations were found to specifically inhibit guanine nucleotide-stimulated enzyme activity in all other brain regions with the exception of CB, where there was no effect. With regard to stimulation of adenylate cyclase, lithium was more potent than sodium which was more potent than potassium in SN and NS. With regard to inhibition of the enzyme, potassium was equipotent to lithium which was greater than sodium in the other brain regions examined. Both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of cations in the different regions were significant (P
Relationship of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure to Periodic Limb Movement Disorder in a Patient Without Sleep Apnea

The treatment of sleep apnea with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) occasionally has been associated with the appearance of periodic limb movement (PLM) disorder, but it has not been clear whether CPAP induces PLM, or whether the PLM is simply disguised until apnea is treated. We report the emergence of PLM after the inadvertent application of CPAP in a patient without sleep apnea.
Clinical risk factors of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin induced palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia in recurrent ovarian cancer patients.

Abstract Introduction Studies have shown that body composition, age, gender, changes in monocyte count and repeated dosing alter pharmacokinetic properties of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD). However, limited information exists regarding the clinical risk factors of ovarian cancer patients who develop palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) while receiving PLD for cancer recurrence. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of consecutive patients with recurrent ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer who were treated with PLD from 2005 to 2009. Clinical and pathologic data were abstracted from electronic medical records. Statistical analyses were performed using univariate and bivariate analyses, logistic regression, and log rank-tests. Results Twenty-three percent (31/133) of patients developed PPE. Age, body mass index (BMI), race, stage, and histology did not significantly differ between PPE and non-PPE patients. There was a possible trend for decreasing PPE with increasing body mass index (BMI) (24.5% of normal weight, 27.5% of overweight; 23.8% of obese class I; 13.3% of obese class II; and 0% of obese class III), though not statistically significant. The number of chemotherapy regimens prior to PLD, and the mean cycles of PLD received did not differ between patients with and without PPE. 77.4% of PPE cases occurred within the first 3 infusion cycles. PPE was not associated with time to progression. Conclusion Nearly one-quarter of ovarian cancer patients receiving PLD will develop PPE. Further investigation of factors such as BMI associated with PPE may aid in patient selection for PLD, and future development of other nanoparticle and liposomal agents.
Associations of Toenail Selenium Levels With Inflammatory Biomarkers of Fibrinogen, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, and Interleukin-6 The CARDIA Trace Element Study

The authors examined the associations of toenail selenium levels with blood concentrations of fibrinogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in an 18-year follow-up study comprising 4,032 Americans aged 20–32 years at baseline (1987) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Trace Element Study. Toenail samples were collected in 1987, and selenium concentrations were measured by means of instrumental neutron-activation analysis. Fibrinogen level was analyzed in 1990, 1992, and 2005; hs-CRP was assessed in 1992, 2000, and 2005; and IL-6 was measured in 2005. After adjustment for potential confounders, no statistically significant associations between toenail selenium levels and any of the 3 inflammatory biomarkers were documented. Comparing the highest quintile of toenail selenium level with the lowest, odds ratios for elevated levels of fibrinogen (>460 mg/mL), hs-CRP (>3 μg/mL), and IL-6 (>3.395 pg/mL, 80th percentile) were 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77, 1.38; P for trend = 0.76), 1.02 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.27; P for trend = 0.92), and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.71, 1.36; P for trend = 0.82), respectively. Gender, race/ethnicity, smoking status, and selenium supplementation did not appreciably modify these results. This study found no associations between toenail selenium and inflammation as measured by fibrinogen, hs-CRP, and IL-6.
The role of seawater constituents in light backscattering in the ocean

The significance of light backscattering in the ocean is wide ranging, especially in optical remote sensing. However, the complexity of natural seawater as an optical medium often obscures the measured optical signals to the point that our present-day interpretation and detailed understanding of major sources of backscattering and its variability in the ocean are uncertain and controversial. Here we review the roles played by various seawater constituents in light backscattering and we address a question of missing backscattering. Historically, this question has resulted from a hypothesis that under non-bloom conditions in the open ocean, phytoplankton make a significantly smaller contribution to the particulate backscattering coefficient than to the particulate (total) scattering coefficient. By discussing the backscattering properties and potential contributions of the various water constituents (colloids, bacteria, phytoplankton, biogenic detritus, minerogenic particles, bubbles), we show that due to substantial variability in water composition, different types of constituents can explain the missing backscattering. Under typical non-bloom conditions in the open ocean, the small-sized non-living particles appear to be the most important because of their high abundance relative to other particle types. These particles are believed to be primarily of organic origin but an important role of minerogenic particles cannot be excluded. Still, in the very clear ocean water the backscattering by water molecules themselves can contribute as much as 80% to the total backscattering coefficient in the blue spectral region. The general scenario of the dominance of molecules and small-sized particles can, however, be readily perturbed due to changes in local conditions. For example, bubbles entrained by breaking waves can intermittently dominate the backscattering at shallow depths below the sea surface, the calcifying phytoplankton (coccolithophores) producing calcite scales of high refractive index can dominate if present in sufficient concentration, and other plankton species can dominate during blooms. The role of
Uninterruptible power supplies: classification, operation, dynamics, and control

This paper presents a comprehensive review of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems in terms of topologies, operation, dynamics and control. UPS systems are classified with emphasis on static systems. This paper also addresses fundamental problems faced in these systems in different distributed and centralized applications. In addition, a brief description of the conventional UPS systems, their disadvantages, scope for improvement, advanced architectures, role of power electronics and current trends in UPS research are explained. Negative impedance dynamics in UPS systems with constant power loads are also introduced. Finally, this paper concludes with a brief outline of the advancement to be made in the future.
Pitfalls in normalization for intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning.

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) treatment planning often involves complex combinations of beam energies, treatment fields, and beam modifying devices. Even when a plan is devised that meets many treatment-planning objectives, limitations in the planner’s ability to further adjust beam characteristics may require the radiation dose prescription to be normalized to an isodose level that best covers the target volume. While these normalizations help meet the volume coverage goals, they also result in adjustment of the dose delivered to the normal tissues and must be carefully evaluated. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment planning allows combinations of complex dose patterns, in order to achieve the desired treatment planning goals. These dose patterns are created by defining a set of treatment planning objectives and then allowing the treatment planning computer to create intensity patterns, through the use of moving multileaf collimation that will meet the requested goals. Often, when an IMRT treatment plan is created that meets many of the treatment planning goals but falls short of volume coverage requirements, the planner is tempted to apply normalization principles similar to those utilized with 3D treatment planning. Again, these normalizations help meet the volume coverage goals, but unlike 3D planning situations, may result in avoidable delivery of additional doses to the normal tissues. The focus of this study is to evaluate the effect of application of normalization for IMRT planning using multiple patient situations. Recommendations would favor re-optimization over normalization in most planning situations.
Cerebrovascular Disease and Patterns of Cerebral Oxygenation During Sleep in Elders

Purpose: The aim of this descriptive exploratory study was to describe patterns of cerebral oxygen reserves during sleep and their association with cerebrovascular risk factors in elders. Method: P...
Multiple mycobacterial antigens are targets of the adaptive immune response in pulmonary sarcoidosis

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease for which the association with mycobacteria continues to strengthen. It is hypothesized that a single, poorly degradable antigen is responsible for sarcoidosis pathogenesis. Several reports from independent groups support mycobacterial antigens having a role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis. To identify other microbial targets of the adaptive immune response, we tested the ability of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to recognize multiple mycobacterial antigens. Methods: Fifty-four subjects were enrolled in this study: 31 sarcoidosis patients, nine non-tuberculosis mycobacterial (NTM) infection controls, and 14 PPD- controls. Using flow cytometry, we assessed for Th1 immune responses to ESAT-6, katG, Ag85A, sodA, and HSP. Results: Alveolar T-cells from twenty-two of the 31 sarcoidosis patients produced a CD4+ response to at least one of ESAT-6, katG, Ag85A, sodA, or HSP, compared to two of 14 PPD- controls (p = 0.0008) and five of nine NTM controls (p = 0.44), while eighteen of the 31 sarcoidosis subjects tested produced a CD8+ response to at least one of the mycobacterial antigens compared to two of 14 PPD- controls (p = 0.009) and three of nine NTM controls (0.26). Not only did the BAL-derived T cells respond to multiple virulence factors, but also to multiple, distinct epitopes within a given protein. The detection of proliferation upon stimulation with the mycobacterial virulence factors demonstrates that these responses are initiated by antigen specific recognition. Conclusions: Together these results reveal that antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responses to multiple mycobacterial epitopes are present within sites of active sarcoidosis involvement, and that these antigen-specific responses are present at the time of diagnosis.
Polycations Globally Enhance Binding of 14-3-3ω to Target Proteins in Spinach Leaves

;The binding of 14-3-3ω to phosphorylated nitrate reductase (pNR) is stimulated by cations such as Mg 2+ or spermine, and decreased by 5′-AMP. In order to determine whether binding to other cellular proteins is affected similarly, far-Western overlays of extracts prepared from lightor dark-treated spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves were performed using digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled Arabidopsis 143-3ω. When separated by SDS–PAGE, approximately 25 proteins of >35 kDa could be resolved that interacted with DIG-labeled 14-3-3ω in the absence of added cations. The presence of 5 mM Mg 2+ or 0.5 mM spermine enhanced binding to most of the target proteins to a maximum of about a doubling of the observed binding. In most cases, the binding was dependent on phosphorylation of the target protein, whereas that was not necessarily the case for binding to target proteins that were unaffected by polycations. The extent of stimulation varied among the target proteins, but there was no indication that the nature of the cation activator (e.g. Mg 2+ vs. spermine 4+ ) altered the specificity for target proteins. In addition, binding of DIG-labeled 143-3ω to some, but not all, target proteins was reduced by 5m M 5′-AMP. Interestingly, light/dark treatment of spinach leaves affected the subsequent binding of DIG-labeled 14-3-3ω in the overlay assay to only a few of the target proteins, one of which was identified as NADH:nitrate reductase. Overall, the results suggest that the binding of 14-3-3s to targets in addition to pNR may also be regulated by polycations and 5′-AMP.
Mongolian Music, Dance, and Oral Narrative: Performing Diverse Identities

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Carole Pegg Year: 2001 Pages: xvii + 377 Publisher: University of Washington Press
A mutation of the cellulose-synthase-like (CslF6) gene in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) partially affects the β-glucan content in grains

Abstract The chemical induced barley mutant m351 was first selected for its low level of mixed-linkage (1–3,1–4) beta-D-glucan (MLG) in an experimental effort to search for barley lines with varied grain MLG contents. The MLG decrease in m351 was associated with increased levels of fructans and crude fiber, but maintained the same plant characteristics under field conditions. The mutation was mapped to a genetic locus flanked by two SSR markers, Bmag369 and Bmag564, on chromosome 7H. Molecular cloning of the CslF6 gene from the m351 line revealed the presence of a point mutation, causing a substitution of an alanine for threonine at position 849 in the amino acid sequence of the corresponding protein. The resultant protein retains some functionality and affects other components in the m351 grain. Those metabolic changes associated with MLG reduction in m351 is the first case reported of a partially functional CslF6 gene in cereal grains. The results contribute to better understanding of the functional effects of the CslF6 gene and the mutant has potential implications in grain end-use quality improvement.
Space weather conditions during the Galaxy 15 spacecraft anomaly

On 5 April 2010, the Galaxy 15 spacecraft, orbiting at geosynchronous altitudes, experienced an anomaly near local midnight when it stopped responding to any ground commands. The anomaly has been reported as due to a lockup of the field-programmable gate array within the spacecraft baseband communications unit during an onboard electrostatic discharge (ESD). This study evaluates the space weather conditions at the time of the Galaxy 15 anomaly. The study also compares the plasma and geomagnetic environments around the anomaly to space weather observations over the operational lifetime of Galaxy 15 up to the anomaly time. On 5 April, the Galaxy 15 spacecraft encountered severe plasma conditions while it was in eclipse and during the subsequent anomaly interval. These conditions included a massive magnetic field dipolarization that injected energetic particles from the magnetotail during a substorm observed by GOES and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms satellites. Galaxy 15 was located at a near-optimum position and local time to experience the full impact of the injected energetic particles. During the largest previous storm experienced by Galaxy 15 in December 2006, evidence suggests that it would not have been exposed to the same level of space weather as on 5 April 2010. Hence, while Galaxy 15 was traversing the nightside on 5 April, it likely experienced, for a short period, the most severe local plasma conditions it had encountered since launch. The most likely contributions to the ESD were interactions of the spacecraft with substorm-injected energetic particles facilitating spacecraft surface charging and deep dielectric charging.
Assessing Detrital Garnet Chemical Composition as a Quantitative Provenance Tool: A Multivariate Statistical Approach

Abstract Chemical analysis of detrital garnet is a widely utilized quantitative tool for determining the provenance of sediments. The goal of this study is to investigate the ability of the compositions of detrital garnet to provide a direct linkage to the specific source rocks from which the garnet was derived. To achieve this goal, we analyzed detrital garnet isolated from alluvial samples collected from the French Broad River and several of its tributaries, a watershed that drains portions of the multiply deformed southern Appalachian Orogen, USA. To test whether potential linkages between detrital and potential source-rock garnet could be achieved, garnet crystals were chemically characterized from a wide variety of lithologies that crop out in the French Broad watershed, and thus are the most likely local sources of detrital garnet. Mahalanobis distances measured on canonical discriminant functions successfully differentiated garnet compositions among the 18 analyzed source rocks. These metrics were then applied to ∼ 2,300 detrital-garnet compositions to link each grain to its potential source rock. Approximately 94% of the detrital garnet crystals were linked to their potential source regions. Thus only 6% of the detrital crystals were treated as “unclassified.” We interpret the “unclassified” high Ca garnets to have been derived from minor sub-map-scale lenses and boudins of calc-silicate or skarns from exposed Ocoee or Ashe metaclastic units within the French Broad River watershed. The “unclassified” high-Mn detrital garnet grains are interpreted to have been derived from the various felsic granitiods and pegmatites that intrude the region of study.
Powers of 10: Modeling Complex Information-Seeking Systems at Multiple Scales

New models of information-seeking support systems offer two advantages: They move us from prescientific conceptual frameworks about information seeking to more rigorous scientific theories and predictive models while, at the same time, expanding the kinds of things we study and develop.
Chemistry in the college dating process: Structure and function

Males and females dating at the college level often state that there has to be chemistry between them and a dating partner. The present study was conducted to try to determine: (1) the structure of specific variables male and female daters apply to their concept of chemistry, and (2) how these variables apply to the dating process. The results indicated that physical attractiveness, similarity, spontaneous communication, reciprocity, warm personality, and longing tended to be the most important variables.
Epicardial Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause significant symptoms despite control of ventricular rate, and for some patients a rhythm-control strategy is more appropriate. Because antiarrhythmic drugs have limited efficacy for treating AF and can cause significant side effects, nonpharmacologic therapy has found a growing role in the treatment of this arrhythmia. While endocardial catheter ablation has shown superior results over drug therapy, long-term clinical outcomes are still disappointing, especially for persistent AF. This article discusses percutaneous epicardial catheter ablation, the rationale for using this approach to treat AF, anatomy relevant to the approach, challenges in performing such procedures, and finally, the potential future directions in this promising new field.
Telematics in historical survey and documentation projects: a report of work in progress

This paper describes current research activities oriented towards the development of an innovative methodology for survey and documentation activities in buildings that owing to their general characteristics challenge the use of traditional survey and documentation methodologies. In particular, the specific project of the survey and documentation of the Abbey of Valmagne in southern France is presented as an example of the use of telematics for conducting geographically distributed activities within a methodology specially designed for projects in which the location and complexity of historical structures poses a dramatic challenge. The paper ends by addressing a number of conclusions that can be applied to a general framework and their relation with future research and development work in this field.
ELICIT: a system for detecting insiders who violate need-to-know

Malicious insiders do great harm and avoid detection by using their legitimate privileges to steal information that is often outside the scope of their duties. Based on information from public cases, consultation with domain experts, and analysis of a massive collection of information-use events and contextual information, we developed an approach for detecting insiders who operate outside the scope of their duties and thus violate need-to-know. Based on the approach, we built and evaluated elicit, a system designed to help analysts investigate insider threats. Empirical results suggest that, for a specified decision threshold of .5, elicit achieves a detection rate of .84 and a false-positive rate of .015, flagging per day only 23 users of 1, 548 for further scrutiny. It achieved an area under an roc curve of .92.
ASSESSING CLIENTS' CONSTRUCTIONS OF THEIR PROBLEMS IN FAMILY THERAPY DISCOURSE

To study family members' narrative descriptions of their difficulties, we developed an observational coding system, the Cognitive Constructions Coding System (CCCS). In this system, 4 dimensions of clients' problem descriptions (intrapersonal-interpersonal) and causal explanations (internal-external, responsible-not responsible, linear-circular) are coded in the context of a Problem Elaboration Episode, a segment of psychotherapy discourse. In Studies 1 and 2 the reliability of the CCCS was assessed using transcripts from family therapy texts and interviews provided by 7 constructivist theorists. Across studies, mean interjudge agreements ranged from 56% to 98%; the mean reliability estimates were, however, more modest and variable (range .46 to .97). In Study 3, trained judges coded videotapes in which volunteers described personal problems that corresponded to specific CCCS codes. Results of this experiment showed that, on every dimension, the coding was more accurate than cahnce, all ps <.005. In Study 4, the CCCS successfully discriminated 6 of 8 family intake sessions in which the parents' descriptions of the presenting problem either did or did not shift from intrapersonal to interpersonal over the course of the interview. Directions for future research with the coding system are suggested, along with a discussion of its relevance for practice.
Fission of SNX-BAR-coated endosomal retrograde transport carriers is promoted by the dynamin-related protein Vps1.

Retromer is an endosomal sorting device that orchestrates capture and packaging of cargo into transport carriers coated with sorting nexin BAR domain proteins (SNX-BARs). We report that fission of retromer SNX-BAR–coated tubules from yeast endosomes is promoted by Vps1, a dynamin-related protein that localizes to endosomes decorated by retromer SNX-BARs and Mvp1, a SNX-BAR that is homologous to human SNX8. Mvp1 exhibits potent membrane remodeling activity in vitro, and it promotes association of Vps1 with the endosome in vivo. Retrograde transport carriers bud from the endosome coated by retromer and Mvp1, and cargo export is deficient in mvp1- and vps1-null cells, but with distinct endpoints; cargo export is delayed in mvp1-null cells, but cargo export completely fails in vps1-null cells. The results indicate that Mvp1 promotes Vps1-mediated fission of retromer- and Mvp1-coated tubules that bud from the endosome, revealing a functional link between the endosomal sorting and fission machineries to produce retrograde transport carriers.
Linear Actuation Using Milligram Quantities of CL‐20 and TAGDNAT

There are numerous applications for small-scale actuation utilizing pyrotechnics and explosives. In certain applications, especially when multiple actuation strokes are needed, or actuator reuse is required, it is desirable to have all gaseous combustion products with no condensed residue in the actuator cylinder. Toward this goal, we have performed experiments on utilizing milligram quantities of high explosives to drive a millimeter-diameter actuator with a stroke of 30 mm. Calculations were performed to select proper material quantities to provide 0.5 J of actuation energy. This was performed utilizing the thermochemical code Cheetah to calculate the impetus for numerous propellants and to select quantities based on estimated efficiencies of these propellants at small scales. Milligram quantities of propellants were loaded into a small-scale actuator and ignited with an ignition increment and hot wire ignition. Actuator combustion chamber pressure was monitored with a pressure transducer and actuator stroke was monitored using a laser displacement meter. Total actuation energy was determined by calculating the kinetic energy of reaction mass motion against gravity. Of the materials utilized, the best performance was obtained with a mixture of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) and bis-triaminoguanidinium(3,3′dinitroazotriazolate) (TAGDNAT).
Health status of individuals entering a cardiac rehabilitation program as measured by the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form survey (SF-36).

Background and Purpose. The goal of health care for individuals with chronic disease is the improvement of function and well-being. Although the individual's perception of his or her quality of life may be the best indicator of achievement of this goal, measurement of self-perceived quality of life, or health status, is not a routine component of evaluation. The purposes of this article are to describe the health status of individuals upon entry into a cardiac rehabilitation program and to demonstrate the use of a comprehensive, generic health status measure in this group. Subjects. The subjects of this study were 789 men and women enrolled in one of 13 cardiac rehabilitation programs in the state of Massachusetts. Methods. As part of a large database, subjects completed a 36-item generic questionnaire, Short Form 36 (SF-36), that examines eight health concepts. Scores range from 0% to 100%; a higher score is consistent with better health status. Results. Mean uncontrolled scores ranged from 26.6 to 70.8. Mean scores adjusted for sex, age, and education ranged from 27.1 to 70.9. In light of previously published data using a similar 20-item scale, our results show that cardiac disease is associated with reductions in health-related quality of life. Conclusion and Discussion. Health status measurement provides information that can supplement the usual measures of impairment in patients with cardiovascular disease. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of health status of individuals who enroll in cardiac rehabilitation programs. The health status instrument used in this study has potential as a useful, practical measurement tool for use in the clinical setting.
Effects of Plane Mapping on Sound Localization in a Virtual Auditory Environment

Virtual auditory environments (VAEs) can be used to communicate spatial information, with sound sources representing the location of objects. A critical factor in this type of immersive system is the degree to which the participant can interact with the virtual environment. Our prior work has demonstrated that listeners can successfully locate virtual spatialized sounds, delivered over headphones, in a VAE using a mouse and screen to navigate the virtual world. The screen indicates the avatars position on the vertical plane. The present study seeks to determine the effects of plane mapping on listener performance. In the horizontal-plane interface, the listener used a WACOM tablet and pen to navigate the VAE on the horizontal plane. Results suggest that there is no significant performance difference when locating a single sound source. In the multi-source context, it was observed that the time taken to locate the first sound was significantly larger than the time taken to locate the remaining sounds.
Benefits of Capstone Design Courses in Materials Education

The many educational benefits of capstone design courses are being realized in the rapidly growing number of universities whose engineering departments are inserting such courses into their curricula. As a part of a complete revision of the upper division curriculum, our department added a senior year (three academic terms at four credits per term (approximately 25% effort per term)) capstone course entitled “Materials Processing and Design” (MP&D). We have just completed the third offering of this course as of this writing. Previous papers focused on the development of MP&D were written and presented during the first1 and second2 years in which the course was offered.
Immune System Alterations in Acute Heart Failure

Acute heart failure has emerged as a major public health problem, with over 1 million hospitalizations annually, but debate continues concerning the pathophysiology of this syndrome. Whether there are unique and important mechanisms that mediate decompensation distinct from those operative in chronic heart failure or whether mechanisms in common to both play a more prominent role in acute heart failure remains to be determined. Maladaptive regulatory responses have been recognized as critical in the development and progression of acute and chronic heart failure, especially upregulation of a number of key neurohormonal systems. Relevant to this review, not only has activation of many mediators of the inflammatory response cascade now been demonstrated in patients with chronic heart failure, but also recent studies indicate abnormal activation in acute heart failure. The possibility that inflammatory activation could play a unique role in the pathophysiology of acute heart failure continues to be investigated.
Lysine and Sulfur Amino Acid Utilization in Eimeria acervulina-Infected Chicks as Affected by Narasin

The effects of supplemental narasin (80 mg/kg) on several dietary factors were investigated in chicks infected with Eimeria acervulina. In Trial 1, chicks were fed a lysine-deficient corn-corn gluten meal diet containing graded increments of crystalline L-lysine.HCl with or without narasin. Supplemental narasin increased weight gain and feed efficiency at all lysine levels fed. Based upon slope-ratio methodology, efficiency of L-lysine utilization was virtually the same in both narasin-fed and control chicks. Trials 2 and 3 evaluated the effect of narasin on methionine utilization in crossbred chicks fed a methionine-deficient soy-feather meal diet supplemented with graded levels of DL-methionine. Narasin supplementation increased weight gain, feed efficiency, and utilization of supplemental methionine in chicks infected with E. acervulina (Trial 2), but had no effect on any of the performance parameters in uninfected chicks (Trial 3). The effects of dietary protein level and source and dietary electrolyte balance on the narasin response of commercial broiler chicks infected with E. acervulina were studied in Trials 4 and 5, respectively. In Trial 4, narasin supplementation increased performance in all cases, and protein source or level had no effect on the narasin response. In Trial 5, rate and efficiency of gain were improved as the electrolyte balance (meq Na + K-Cl/kg diet) increased from 100 to 250, with no further improvement being observed from 250 to 350 meq. Supplemental narasin improved performance and no interaction between electrolyte balance and narasin was observed.
Amorphous Silicon Films from Dichlorosilane and Hydrogen

We deposited a-Si:H thin-films by PECVD of dichlorosilane (SiH2Cl2) diluted with H2 in a DC-triode glow-discharge reactor. The dilution ratio, given as the ratio of H2 to SiH2Cl2 flows, was varied from 0 to 130 and the pressure was varied from 0.3 to 0.75 Torr as the hydrogen fraction was increased. We report on the properties of the deposition plasma and the resulting films; namely the plasma pressure-voltage characteristics and the films' chemical composition, structure, and optoelectronic properties. For hydrogen dilution ratios greater than 2:1, dense, rigid films are deposited, with optical bandgaps from 1.75 to 1.9 eV. With increasing hydrogen dilution a growth rate of 5 A/s is maintained while photoconductivities increase and defect densities decrease. The best films are obtained at a dilution ratios of 16:1 to 32:1, where we have obtained a dark conductivity of 10−13 S/cm, a photoconductivity of 2×10−7 S/cm (at G=1020 cm-3 s−1) and a defect density of 1.5×1016 cm−3.