cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction in adverse symptoms as blood pressure becomes controlled.

Study Objectives. To evaluate trends in adverse symptoms as blood pressure becomes controlled, and to determine if these symptoms are influenced by social support and self-efficacy. Design. Secondary analysis from a randomized controlled study of physician-pharmacist collaboration to improve blood pressure control. Setting. Five university-affiliated primary care clinics. Patients. A total of 179 patients (aged 21–85 yrs) with uncontrolled primary hypertension who were taking no antihypertensive drugs or up to three antihypertensive drugs at baseline were randomized to the intervention group, in which pharmacists were involved in their care, or to the control group, who received usual care from their physicians. Of these patients, 160 completed the study: 92 were in the intervention group, and 68 were in the control group. Intervention. In both groups, patient-reported symptoms suggestive of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were recorded at each study visit with use of a structured ADR questionnaire. Social support and self-efficacy questionnaires were also administered at each study visit. Measurements and Main Results. Patients' ADR scores decreased significantly from baseline to the end of the study in both the control (from a mean of 26.5 to 18.4) and intervention (from 29.9 to 22.7) groups (p<0.0001 for both comparisons), although no significant difference was noted between groups. The mean ± SD number of antihypertensive drugs/patient increased in both the intervention (from 1.5 ± 1.0 to 2.4 ± 0.9 drugs) and control (from 1.4 ± 1.0 to 1.9 ± 1.0 drugs) groups; however, the difference between groups was significant only at the end of the study. Additional analyses were performed on self-efficacy and social support to determine a potential reason for the reduction in ADR scores despite an increase in drug use. Improvements in self-efficacy and social support scores were significantly and independently associated with improvement in ADR score (p<0.05). Conclusions. In both groups, ADR scores improved despite an increase in antihypertensive drug use. Improvements in social support and, to a lesser extent, self-efficacy were associated with improvements in ADR scores. Patients should not expect an increase in distressful symptoms as their blood pressure becomes controlled with antihypertensive drugs, especially when adequate social support is available.
Reorganization of actin filaments enhances chondrogenic differentiation of cells derived from murine embryonic stem cells

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells is of great interest to developmental biology and regenerative medicine. This study investigated the effects of cytochalasin D (CD) on the distribution of actin filaments in mouse embryoid body (EB)-derived cells. Furthermore, CD was applied to chondrogenic medium to examine its chondrogenic effect. CD at a concentration of 1 microg/ml disrupted stress fibers in EB-derived cells. Actin filaments in treated cells reorganized into a peripheral pattern, and type II collagen was detected by immunocytochemistry. The expression of type II collagen, Sox9, and at a later time point, aggrecan was up-regulated after CD treatment. In the CD-treated cells, Oct4 and Sox2, representing undifferentiation, were down-regulated as well as Sox1, AFP, and CTN-1, representing ectoderm, endoderm, and cardiogenesis, respectively. In conclusion, CD treatment enhances chondrogenesis of EB-derived cells. Moreover, it promotes a more complete stem cell differentiation toward chondrogenesis, when cultured in chondrogenic medium.
Isometric embeddings of spherical spaceforms with cyclic fundamental groups

We construct a sequence of isometric embeddings of spherical spaceforms with cylcic fundamental groups. The standard sphere and Veronese embedding are the first two elements in this sequence. The embeddings are orbits under the unitary group and consequently the lengths of geometric quantities (like the 2nd fundamental form or the mean curvature vector) are constant.
PHOTOOXYGENATION OF 3‐HYDROXYFLAVONE IN A 12 K O2 MATRIX

— We present an infrared study of 3-hydroxyflavone in 12 K Ar and O2 matrices. Although it is extremely photostable in an Ar matrix, a remarkable oxygenation reaction for 3-hydroxyflavone takes place upon photoexcitation in an O2 matrix. The primary photoproduct is concluded to be a keto-hydroperoxide. On further photolysis the keto-hydroperoxide affords the photostable secondary product 2-(benzoyloxyl)benzoic acid, as well as CO and CO2 through two independent pathways.
Intermittent Parathyroid Hormone Treatment Increases Osteoblast Number, Steady State Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels for Osteocalcin, and Bone Formation in Tibial Metaphysis of Hypophysectomized Female Rats*

The effects of GH and PTH on cancellous histomorphometry were determined in the proximal tibial metaphysis of hypophysectomized (HYPOX) sexually mature female rats. HYPOX resulted in uterine atrophy and a loss in body weight. Longitudinal bone growth ceased and bone formation was greatly reduced. There were decreases in cancellous bone area, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness. Intermittent treatment with GH did not influence uterine weight in HYPOX rats. However, GH resulted in resumption of whole body weight gain, as well as maintenance of normal longitudinal bone growth. Additionally, GH partially maintained bone formation in HY POX rats and did not have a significant effect on steady state messenger RNA levels for osteocalcin. Intermittent treatment with PTH had no effect on whole body weight gain, uterine weight, or longitudinal bone growth. In contrast, PTH increased bone formation compared with the baseline, HYPOX, and GH-treated HYPOX rats, and dramatically increased osteocalcin messenger ...
Magnetorotational instability: recent developments

The magnetorotational instability is believed to play an important role in accretion disc physics in extracting angular momentum from the disc and allowing accretion to take place. For this reason the instability has been the subject of numerous numerical simulations and, increasingly, laboratory experiments. In this review, recent developments in both areas are surveyed, and a new theoretical approach to understanding the nonlinear processes involved in the saturation of the instability is outlined.
The supervision of student teaching: A review of research

(1991). The supervision of student teaching: A review of research. The Teacher Educator: Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 27-42.
Turnout in European parliament elections: Towards a European‐centred model

(2003). Turnout in European parliament elections: Towards a European‐centred model. British Elections & Parties Review: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 195-209.
Hyperinsulinemic Syndrome: The Metabolic Syndrome Is Broader Than You Think

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperinsulinemia. In 2011 we showed that gastric bypass (RYGB) corrects these high levels even though insulin resistance remains high, ie, the operation “dissociates” hyperinsulinemia from insulin resistance. RYGB produces reversal of T2DM along with other diseases associated with the metabolic syndrome. This observation led us to examine whether these illnesses also were characterized by hyperinsulinemia. Methods A systematic review was performed to determine whether hyperinsulinemia was present in disorders associated with the metabolic syndrome. We reviewed 423 publications. 58 were selected because of appropriate documentation of insulin measurements. Comparisons were based on whether the studies reported patients as having increased versus normal insulin levels for each metabolic disorder. Results The presence (+) or absence (−) of hyperinsulinemia was documented in these articles as follows: central obesity (4+ vs 0−), diabetes (5+ vs 0−), hypertension (9+ vs 1−), dyslipidemia (2+ vs 0−), renal failure (4+ vs 0−), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (5+ vs 0−), polycystic ovary syndrome (7+ vs 1−), sleep apnea (7+ vs 0−), certain cancers (4+ vs 1−), atherosclerosis (4+ vs 0−), and cardiovascular disease (8+ vs 0−). Four articles examined insulin levels in the metabolic syndrome as a whole (4+ vs 0−). Conclusion These data document that disorders linked to the metabolic syndrome are associated with high levels of insulin, suggesting that these diseases share a common etiology that is expressed by high levels of insulin. This leads us to propose the concept of a “hyperinsulinemic syndrome” and question the safety of insulin as a chronic therapy for patients with T2DM.
Palindrome and palindrome-like sequences of herpes simplex virus DNA

Abstract Herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA has been denatured, neutralized, and allowed to renature for very short periods of time. Under these conditions the rapid first-order foldback reaction occurred. Where there were palindrome or palindrome-like sequences on the duplex HSV DNA, corresponding stems or stem-and-loop structures appeared on the single-stranded HSV DNA. These structures have been visualized by electron microscopy.
β2-Adrenergic Receptor (β2-AR) Stimulation of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) Is Dependent on PKC and IP3-Mediated Ca2+ Signaling in Atrial Myocytes

We reported that inhibition of adenylate cyclase (AC)/cAMP by cell attachment to laminin (+LMN) or pharmacological (KT5720) inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in cells not attached to LMN (-LMN-PKA), activates β2-AR stimulation of ICa,L via cPLA2 signaling. The present study determined the role of PKC and IP3-mediated Ca2+ release in β2-AR/cPLA2 signaling. As previously reported, 0.1 μM zinterol (β2-AR agonist) stimulation of L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) was unaffected by 10 μM AACOCF3 (cPLA2 inhibitor) in cells not attached to LMN (-LMN) but was significantly inhibited in +LMN and -LMN-PKA myocytes. Zinterol stimulation of ICa,L in -LMN-PKA myocytes was blocked by 5 μM U73122 (PLC inhibitor) and significantly inhibited by 4 μM chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor). Zinterol stimulation of ICa,L in -LMN myocytes was unaffected by inhibition of IP3-receptors (IP3Rs) by 2 μM 2-APB, but was significantly inhibited in +LMN and -LMN-PKA myocytes. Cells were cultured on LMN (24 hrs) with an adenovirus IP3 affinity trap to inhibit IP3-dependent Ca2+ signaling. Compared to control cells (β-gal), zinterol stimulation of ICa,L was significantly inhibited in cells infected with IP3 trap. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (fluo-4) revealed that zinterol stimulation of +LMN myocytes elicited local intracellular Ca2+ release events in 1 mM tetracaine (blocks RyR Ca2+ release), that were blocked by 2-APB. We conclude that inhibition of cAMP/PKA activates β2-AR stimulation of ICa,L via cPLA2 which is dependent on PKC and IP3-mediated Ca2+ signaling. These findings may be relevant to the remodeling of β-AR signaling in diseased (fibrotic) and/or aging atria, both of which exhibit decreases in AC activity.
Inhibition of T-Cell Inflammatory Cytokines, Hepatocyte NF-κB Signaling, and HCV Infection by Standardized Silymarin

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis C is a serious global medical problem necessitating effective treatment. Because standard of care with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy is costly, has significant side effects, and fails to cure about half of all infections, many patients seek complementary and alternative medicine to improve their health, such as Silymarin, derived from milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ). Milk thistle's clinical benefits for chronic hepatitis C are unsettled due to variability in standardization of the herbal product. Methods: In the current study, we focused on the anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties of a standardized Silymarin extract (MK-001). Results: MK-001 inhibited expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in anti-CD3 stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and nuclear factor kappa B-dependent transcription in human hepatoma Huh7 cells. Moreover, MK-001 dose dependently inhibited infection of Huh7 and Huh7.5.1 cells by JFH-1 virus. MK-001 displayed both prophylactic and therapeutic effects against HCV infection, and when combined with interferon-α, inhibited HCV replication more than interferon-α alone. Commercial preparations of Silymarin also displayed antiviral activity, although the effects were not as potent as MK-001. Antiviral effects of the extract were attributable in part to induction of Stat1 phosphorylation, while interferon-independent mechanisms were suggested when the extract was biochemically fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Silybin A, silybin B, and isosilybin A, isosilybin B elicited the strongest anti-NF-κB and anti-HCV actions. These effects were independent of MK-001-induced cytotoxicity. Conclusions: The data indicate that Silymarin exerts anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects, and suggest that complementary and alternative medicine-based approaches may assist in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Maximizing the determinant of the information matrix with the effective independence method

A METHOD has been presented by Kammer that addresses the problem of optimally placing sensors on a large space structure for the purpose of on-orbit modal testing. The method ranks potential sensor sites according to their contribution to the independence of the target modes and iteratively deletes the sites that have the lowest ranking. It is implied that deleting sensor sites in this way tends to maximize the determinant of the Fisher information matrix (FIM). Numerical examples are given to demonstrate that the method maintains a larger determinant for the FIM when compared with the kinetic energy method of determining optimal sensor locations. However, no relationship between the effective independence ranking and the determinant of the FIM was proven. The purpose of this comment is to provide a proof that deleting the potential sensor location with the smallest effective independence distribution (ED) value will produce the smallest relative change in the determinant of the information matrix, and so this method does provide a local maximization of the determinant of the FIM. The formal statement is included in the following theorem where the notation closely follows that of the original paper. Theorem: Let A and B, respectively, be the Fisher information matrices before and after the /th sensor is deleted; then det B -(\ -EDi) det^4 , where EDi is the effective independence distribution of the /th sensor site. The theorem is a direct consequence of the following lemma. Lemma: If B=A R f R f , where Rt is a column vector, then
Vascular participation in tumor slice metabolism.

SummaryTissue slices from mammary carcinoma and diverse normal tissues of mice of different strains were incubated in TTC solutions with and without fluoride, malonate, azide and succinate. Frozen section examination after such treatment revealed formazan deposition in the vasculature and stroma of the tumor but none in the tumor cells, themselves. This manifestation of dehydrogenase activity in the stromal vessels was not inhibited by fluoride, malonate or azide; a finding confirmed by quantitative determinations of μ of TTC reduced per mg of acetone dried tumor tissue. No such stromal dehydrogenase activity was found in slices of normal mammary parenchyma, adrenal cortex or medulla, kidney, liver, skin or lymph node. These findings are discussed in terms of a unique function of tumor capillaries.
Studies of linkage in populations. XIII. A unique cause of linkage disequilibrium in natural populations of Drosophila robusta

Natural populations of Drosophila robusta are polymorphic for chromosomal gene arrangements in most of its range, the deciduous forests of North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Many of the gene arrangements are the result of paracentric inversions on both arms of the metacentric second chromosome. They are frequently in linkage disequilibrium, determined in many areas largely, or entirely, by differing frequencies of cis and trans forms of the double heterokaryotypes and their component linkage combinations. Presence and degree of linkage disequilibrium in these populations varies with locality and gender, with males from southern localities exhibiting the largest deviation from equilibrium. Analysis of the extensive karyotype data encompassing the entire species range collected over the past 50 years shows that natural selection is primarily responsible for maintaining these complex polymorphisms.
SIP-based VoIP experiment for sisadvantaged tactical edge networks

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) has potential to be selected as a control plane signaling protocol for delivering real-time multimedia applications in military networks. It is necessary to study behaviors of SIP and SIP-based real-time applications as well as to understand their limitations in a tactical network environment. The goals of this study are to assess SIP signaling protocol performance and SIP-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) performance in an emulated disadvantaged tactical edge network environment and to contribute some feasible solutions.
Novel synthesis of [13C4,15N]1H‐pyrrole‐2,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid: an important biomarker for melatonin metabolism

1H-pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid is a breakdown product of melatonin. A labeled version of this compound would serve as a key biomarker for drug candidates which track this substance to monitor their effectiveness (e.g. hyperpigmentation drugs). A Hantzsch synthesis using readily available starting materials was used to generate [13C4,15N]1H-pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid in six steps (12% overall yield). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demonstration of human pancreatic anionic trypsinogen in normal serum by radioimmunoassay

A specific radioimmunoassay for human pancreatic anionic trypsin has been developed. The trypsin employed as radioiodinated tracer in the assay was inactivated with tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone in order to prevent binding of the tracer to the serum inhibitors α1-antitrypsin and α2-macroglobulin. A normal serum level of immunoreactive anionic trypsin of 5.45 ng/ml was determined. The results of experiments in which serum was fractionated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration suggest that essentially all of the immunoreactive material in normal human serum is trypsinogen. This finding implies that a small fraction of the zymogens synthesized in the pancreas are released directly into the circulation.
Compact, 17W average power, 100kW peak power, nanosecond fiber laser system

We demonstrate a robust, compact, low-cost, pulsed, linearly polarized, 1064 nm, Yb:fiber laser system capable of generating ~100 kW peak power pulses and >17 W average power at repetition rates of 80 – 285 kHz. The system employs a configurable microchip seed laser that provides nanosecond (~1.0 – 1.5 ns) pulse durations. The seed pulses are amplified in an all-fiber, polarization maintaining, large mode area (LMA) fiber amplifier optimized for high peak power operation. The LMA Yb:fiber amplifier enables near diffraction limited beam quality at 100 kW peak power. The seed laser, fiber amplifier, and beam delivery optics are packaged into an air-cooled laser head of 152×330×87 mm3 with pump power provided from a separate air-cooled laser controller. Due to the high peak power, high beam quality, spectral purity, and linearly polarized nature of the output beam, the laser is readily frequency doubled to 532 nm. Average 532 nm powers up to 7 W and peak powers exceeding 40 kW have been demonstrated. Potential for scaling to higher peak and average powers in both the green and infrared (IR) will be discussed. This laser system has been field tested and demonstrated in numerous materials processing applications in both the IR and green, including scribing and marking. We discuss recent results that demonstrate success in processing a diverse array of representative industrial samples.
Visual dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging.

The four most common sight-threatening conditions in older adults in North America are cataract, ARM, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Even in their moderate stages, these conditions cause visual sensory impairments and reductions in health-related quality of life, including difficulties in daily tasks and psychosocial problems. Many older adults are free from these conditions, yet still experience a variety of visual perceptual problems resulting from aging-related changes in the optics of the eye and degeneration of the visual neural pathways. These problems consist of impairments in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color discrimination, temporal sensitivity, motion perception, peripheral visual field sensitivity, and visual processing speed. PD causes a progressive loss of dopaminergic cells predominantly in the retina and possibly in other areas of the visual system. This retinal dopamine deficiency produces selective spatial-temporal abnormalities in retinal ganglion cell function, probably arising from altered receptive field organization in the PD retina. The cortical degeneration characteristics of AD, including neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques, also are present in the visual cortical areas, especially in the visual association areas. The most prominent electrophysiologic change in AD is a delay in the P2 component of the flash VEP. Deficits in higher-order visual abilities typically are compromised in AD, including problems with visual attention, perceiving structure from motion, visual memory, visual learning, reading, and object and face perception. There have been reports of a visual variant of AD in which these types of visual problems are the initial and most prominent signs of the disease. Visual sensory impairments (e.g., contrast sensitivity or achromatopsia) also have been reported but are believed more reflective of cortical disturbances than of AD-associated optic neuropathy.
The impact of urban street canyons on population exposure to traffic-related primary pollutants

Abstract The relationship between emissions and population exposures to traffic-related air pollutants is a necessary component of any assessment of mobile source control strategies. In this analysis, part of the New York Metropolitan Exposure to Traffic Study (NYMETS), we simulated atmospheric dispersion and population exposure in densely populated street canyons in mid-town Manhattan. We estimated population exposure using the concept of an intake fraction (iF), defined as the fraction of material released from a source that is eventually inhaled or ingested by a population. We applied the Operational Street Pollution Model (OSPM) for inert pollutants (e.g., CO, PM 2.5 ), reactive pollutants (e.g., NO and NO 2 ), and ultrafine particles. Concentrations were linked with different subpopulations, including residents, workers, and pedestrians, incorporating time-activity patterns and differential breathing rates. For the base case scenario, the total iF for a 100-m-long street canyon including the contribution of different subpopulations is on the order of 10 −3 . Daytime office workers and pedestrians contribute most to the overall iF, together contributing over 80% for all pollutants. Univariate sensitivity analyses show that iFs are sensitive to the street configuration and slightly sensitive to traffic volume, speed, and percent of trucks. Our iF estimates are similar in magnitude to those found for indoor environmental tobacco smoke and are substantially higher than previous mobile source estimates, mainly due to the higher population density in street canyons. Our findings emphasize the importance of controlling emissions in urban street canyons, and the need to study high-resolution near-source exposures for primary pollutants in urban settings to inform cost–benefit analyses.
The Cancer Stem Cell Niche: How Essential Is the Niche in Regulating Stemness of Tumor Cells?

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are tumor cells that have the principal properties of self-renewal, clonal tumor initiation capacity, and clonal long-term repopulation potential. CSCs reside in niches, which are anatomically distinct regions within the tumor microenvironment. These niches maintain the principle properties of CSCs, preserve their phenotypic plasticity, protect them from the immune system, and facilitate their metastatic potential. In this perspective, we focus on the CSC niche and discuss its contribution to tumor initiation and progression. Since CSCs survive many commonly employed cancer therapies, we examine the prospects of targeting the niche components as preferable therapeutic targets.
Aspects of the marine nitrogen cycle of the Chukchi Sea shelf and Canada Basin

Abstract As a highly productive, seasonally ice-covered sea with an expansive shallow continental shelf, the Chukchi Sea fuels high rates of sedimentary denitrification. This contributes to its fixed nitrogen (N) deficit relative to phosphorus (P), which is among the largest in the global ocean, making the Chukchi Sea severely N-limited during the phytoplankton growth season. Here, we examine aspects of the N cycle on the Chukchi Sea shelf and the downstream Canada Basin using nutrients, dissolved oxygen (O 2 ), and the stable isotopes of nitrate (NO 3 − ). In the northward flow path across the Chukchi shelf, bottom waters experienced strong O 2 drawdown, from which we calculated a nitrification rate of 1.3 mmol m −2 d −1 . This nitrification was likely primarily in sediments and directly fueled sedimentary denitrification, historically measured at similar rates. We observed significant accumulations of ammonium (NH 4 + ) in bottom waters of the Chukchi shelf (up to >5 µM), which were inversely correlated with δ 15 N NO 3 , indicating a sediment source of 15 N-enriched NH 4 + . This is consistent with a process of coupled partial nitrification-denitrification (CPND), which imparts significant 15 N enrichment and 18 O depletion to Pacific-origin NO 3 − . This CPND mechanism is consistent with a significant decrease in δ 18 O NO 3 relative to Bering Sea source waters, indicating that at least 58% of NO 3 − populating the Pacific halocline was regenerated during its transit across the North Bering and Chukchi shelves, rather than arriving preformed from the Bering Sea slope. This Pacific-origin NO 3 − propagates into the Canada Basin and towards the North Atlantic, being significantly 15 N-enriched and 18 O-depleted relative to the underlying Atlantic waters.
AIDS Communication Campaigns in Uganda: Organizational Factors and Campaign Planning as Predictors of Successful Campaign Execution

About 60% of all the HIV/AIDS cases are found in sub-Saharan Africa (UNAIDS, 2007). While a few countries in the region have shown a decline in prevalence, most countries in southern Africa have made little progress in their fight against AIDS. The goal of this study was to provide empirical support to confirm and extend an earlier model of the effect of organizational factors and campaign planning on campaign execution to help answer the question of what makes for a successful communication campaign to change AIDS-related behavior. A survey of the top leaders of 120 Ugandan organizations delivering AIDS communication campaigns supports a model that illustrates the vital role of several features, such as focused campaign goals, the formality of organizational structure, and outreach worker supervision, on effective campaign execution. Surprisingly, financial resources are negatively related to goal extensiveness and message clarity and may be a distraction during campaign execution.
1-( m -Chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) Dissociates In Vivo Serotonin Release from Long-Term Serotonin Depletion in Rat Brain

Serotonin (5-HT) releasing agents such as d-fenfluramine are known to cause long-term depletion of forebrain 5-HT in animals, but the mechanism of this effect is unknown. In the present study, we examined the relationship between drug-induced 5-HT release and long-term 5-HT depletion in rat brain. The 5-HT-releasing actions of d-fenfluramine and a non-amphetamine 5-HT drug, 1-(m-chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP), were compared using in vivo microdialysis in the nucleus accumbens. The ability of d-fenfluramine and mCPP to interact with 5-HT transporters was tested using in vitro assays for [3H]5-HT uptake and radioligand binding. Local infusion of d-fenfluramine or mCPP (1–100 μM) increased extracellular 5-HT, with elevations in dopamine occurring at high doses. Intravenous injection of either drug (1–10 μmol/kg) produced dose-related increases in 5-HT without affecting dopamine. d-Fenfluramine and mCPP exhibited similar potency in their ability to stimulate 5-HT efflux in vivo and interact with 5-HT transporters in vitro. When rats received high-dose d-fenfluramine or mCPP (10 or 30 μmol/kg, i.p., every 2 h, 4 doses), only d-fenfluramine-treated rats displayed long-term 5-HT depletions. Thus, mCPP is a 5-HT releaser that does not appear to cause 5-HT depletion. Our data support the notion that 5-HT release per se may not be sufficient to produce the long-term 5-HT deficits associated with d-fenfluramine and other amphetamines.
Finite strain and strain variation analysis in the Sheeprock thrust sheet; an internal thrust sheet in the Provo salient of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt, central Utah

Abstract The Sheeprock thrust sheet in west-central Utah is an internal thrust sheet in the Provo salient of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt. We have measured finite strain in quartzites (the dominant lithology), sampled along a square grid within the thrust sheet, using the modified normalized Fry method (McNaught M.A. (1994) Modifying the normalized Fry method for aggregates of non-elliptical grains. Journal of Structural Geology16 493–503). The X Y and X Z axial ratios from unsampled locations within the sample area were estimated using the spatial statistics approach. The strain ellipsoids exhibit a variable three-dimensional orientation pattern resulting from modification of the initial layer parallel shortening (LPS) strain ellipsoid by fault parallel shear in conjunction with vertical flattening and/or horizontal stretching indicating that the thrust sheet did not undergo plane strain deformation in the transport plane. This suggests that the plane strain assumption used in drawing restorable balanced cross-sections breaks down for internal thrust sheets with more than one penetrative-strain producing deformation event. The X Z strain axial ratios decrease away from the thrust towards the middle of the sheet. The X Y strain axial ratios from interpolated image diagrams indicate transport-parallel stretching at the front end of the sheet and strike-parallel stretching at the back end of the sheet. The footwall and hanging wall finite strain patterns are similar indicating that most of the strain in the Sheeprock thrust sheet developed early in the deformation history of the thrust sheet before and perhaps during the growth of a large fault propagation fold pair.
In vitro selection to identify determinants in tRNA for Bacillus subtilis tyrS T box antiterminator mRNA binding

The T box transcription antitermination regulatory system, found in Gram-positive bacteria, is dependent on a complex set of interactions between uncharged tRNA and the 5′-untranslated mRNA leader region of the regulated gene. One of these interactions involves the base pairing of the acceptor end of cognate tRNA with four bases in a 7 nt bulge of the antiterminator RNA. In vitro selection of randomized tRNA binding to Bacillus subtilis tyrS antiterminator model RNAs was used to determine what, if any, sequence trends there are for binding beyond the known base pair complementarity. The model antiterminator RNAs were selected for the wild-type tertiary fold of tRNA. While there were no obvious sequence correlations between the selected tRNAs, there were correlations between certain tertiary structural elements and binding efficiency to different antiterminator model RNAs. In addition, one antiterminator model selected primarily for a kissing tRNA T loop–antiterminator bulge interaction, while another antiterminator model resulted in no such selection. The selection results indicate that, at the level of tertiary structure, there are ideal matches between tRNAs and antiterminator model RNAs consistent with in vivo observations and that additional recognition features, beyond base pair complementarity, may play a role in the formation of the complex.
Selective sensitivity of schedule-induced activity to an operant suppression contingency.

Abstract The sensitivity of pigeons' schedule-induced activity to operant consequences was studied in two experiments. During a 30-s interval between food presentations, a keylight stimulus brightened incrementally. Stable terminal key pecking and interim locomotor activity developed. An operant "setback" contingency was applied to activity. The contingency arranged for locomotor movements (detected by a nine-panel floorboard) to be followed by a resetting of the keylight brightness to a dimmer value and a 1-s delay of reinforcement (for individual responses). Experiment 1 showed that activity patterns were highly sensitive to their operant consequences. Accompanying key-peck rates were only transiently affected. In Experiment 2, the setback contingency was imposed during restricted portions of the trial, and differential operant control of activity was demonstrated. However, birds in this study produced higher rates of key pecking as activity rates were reduced. These results suggest that although schedule-induced activity arises in response to the temporal arrangement of stimulus events, this behavior may retain considerable sensitivity to response-consequence relations.
Acuracy of refined protein structures. II. Comparison of four independently refined models of human interleukin 1β

To assess the accuracy of refined structures, a comparison was made using independently determined structures of the same protein in the same crystal form. The models were re-refined against a common data set to minimize the effects of different data and different refinement protocols. The process did not converge to a single model. Rather the structures differed from each other by 0.84 A which was roughly three times that predicted by a Luzzati analysis [Luzzati (1952). Acta Cryst. 5, 802-810]. The individual structures are equally valid and at least partially independent as evidenced by a reduction of the R factor by 0.013 when a simple linear combination is used. Only 29 solvent molecules were common to all four models.
The effect of estrogen on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone binding sites in hypothalamic membranes

Abstract The binding sites for [ 125 I]LHRH were characterized in membranes from the hypthalamus and the effect of estrogen on the binding characteristics was studied in ovariectomized female rats. The radioligand, [ 125 I]LHRH, was found to bind specifically to membranes from the hypothalamus at a maximal level, with an optimal temperature of 0°C and a pH between 7 and 8. The binding was enhanced by NaCl at a concentration of 0.1-0.2 M. The specifically bound [[ 125 I]LHRH was only displaced by LHRH, but not by sodium iodide (NaI), bovine serum albumin and other hormones, such as thyrotropin-releasing hormone, bradykinin, oxytocin, prolactin, luteinizing hormone and growth hormone. The divalent metal ions, copper (Cu 2+ ) and mercury (Hg 2+ ), inhibited the specific binding of [ 125 I]LHRH completely, whereas magnesium (Mg 2+ ) and calcium (Ca 2+ ) caused a decrease in binding. As revealed from Scatchard plot analysis, the binding sites for [ 125 I]LHRH in the hypothalamus had a dissociation constant of 0.40 ± 0.03 μM and the maximum number of binding sites was 98.55 ± 4.34 pmol/mg protein. Treatment of female rates (ovariectomized for 3 weeks) with 4 μg of estradiol benzoate caused a statistically significant decrease in the maximal number of binding sites without any significant effect on the dissociation constant. However, the direct addition of estradiol hemisuccinate to the membrane preparations had no statistically significant effect on the specific binding off [ 125 I]LHRH. The present study provides the evidence that estrogen decreases the density of binding sites for [ 125 I]LHRH in the hypothalamus in vivo .
POLITICAL EDUCATION FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS

Incorporating democratic values into public administration education is not an easy task. To ignore democratic values completely, however, would be to tacitly condone the violation of these principles by an administrator thus making democracy training all the more essential. In this article, the ideas of the American Founders and the ideas of John Dewey regarding democracy in education are compared. It is the opinion of the author that the Founders and Dewey had such divergent views of teaching democracy precisely because they had very different definitions of democracy.
Ion-acoustic waves and drift waves in negative ion sources

Attention is directed towards instabilities induced in hydrogen plasmas due to the presence of the desired H/sup /minus// ions. Preliminary investigations indicate that when the electron temperature exceeds the temperature of the background ions (H/sup +/), the H/sup /minus// beam causes collective instabilities even at very low (even vanishing) beam velocities, provided that the non-ideal properties of the background plasma are taken into consideration. The most dangerous instabilities involve oscillations transverse to the direction of beam extraction, and may thereby degrade the beam emittance. 5 refs.
Evaluation in vivo of a potent parathyroid hormone antagonist: [Nle8,18,D-Trp12,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2.

In an effort to design and select potent parathyroid hormone (PTH) antagonists suitable for clinical utility, a PTH analog was evaluated in vivo in an animal model to assess its properties in preparation for human studies. The previously described PTH antagonist, [Nle 8,18 ,D-Trp 12 ,Tyr 4 ]bPTH(7-34)NH 2 , which is highly active in vitro, was documented in these studies to be an effective antagonist of the PTH-stimulated calcemic response in vivo. In thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats, the efficacy of the antagonist was demonstrated to be dose-dependent. Inhibition was demonstrated when intravenous administration of antagonist started 1 h prior to coinfusion with the PTH agonist [Nle 8,18 ,Tyr 34 ]bPTH(1-34)NH 2 . Maximal inhibition by antagonist (an 84% decline in serum calcium levels compared with agonist alone) of the calcemic response was observed when a 200-fold molar excess of antagonist (12 nmol/h) was administered. At dose ratios of antagonist :agonist as low as 10 :1, a 40-50% inhibition of PTH-stimulated calcemic response is evident, provided a longer (2 h) lead time for antagonist infusion is allowed. Based on these and related studies, the antagonist [Nle 8,18 ,D-Trp 12 ,Tyr 34 ]bPTH(7-34)NH 2 has displayed sufficient potency to obtain approval from the appropriate institutional and regulatory agencies for clinical trials in hypercalcemic states of parathyroid and tumor origin.
Superspace path integral measure of the N = 1 spinning string

Abstract Using the superspace formulation of the N = 1 spinning string, we obtain a path integral measure which is free from world-sheet general-coordinate as well as Q-supersymmetry anomalies. Using this measure the conformal anomaly is explicitly calculated by extending Fujikawa's method to superspace. A complete solution of the 2-dimensional supergravity constraints is given.
Use of macroreticular resins in the analysis of water for trace organic contaminants.

Abstract Organic impurities in water can be isolated by sorption on a small column of a macroreticular resin. The organics are readily eluted by diethyl ether: the eluate is then concentrated by evaporation, and the organics are separated and determined by gas chromatography. Studies on a large number of model compounds added to water in the 10- to 100-ppb range (20 parts per trillion for pesticides) demonstrated that this method is accurate and reliable. An extensive study of the procedure revealed several critical steps where proper technique and conditions are essential to avoid serious error. These include resin purification and handling, preparation of standard samples containing organic impurities, and the technique and apparatus used in concentrating the XAD column eluate.
Absorption and distribution of flurazole and acetochlor in grain sorghum

Abstract The site of uptake, absorption, and distribution of a safener, flurazole [2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-5-thiazolecarboxylic acid, (phenylmethyl ester)], and a herbicide, acetochlor [2-chloro- N -(ethoxymethyl)-6′-ethyl- O -acetoluidide], in grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench “G-522 DR”] were investigated in laboratory and growth chamber studies. Acetochlor was absorbed through shoots while flurazole was taken up primarily by roots. Uptake of [ 14 C]acetochlor into the plant was rapid, linear, and the 14 C was concentrated in primary roots by 7 days. Absorption of [ 14 C]flurazole by sorghum was immediate, leveled off at 4 days, and the 14 C was concentrated in primary roots by 7 days. Absorption and distribution of either chemical were not affected by the presence of the other. Flurazole had a slight effect on acetochlor metabolism at 3 days, but by 6 days no differences were noted.
SNVer: a statistical tool for variant calling in analysis of pooled or individual next-generation sequencing data

We develop a statistical tool SNVer for calling common and rare variants in analysis of pooled or individual next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. We formulate variant calling as a hypothesis testing problem and employ a binomial-binomial model to test the significance of observed allele frequency against sequencing error. SNVer reports one single overall P-value for evaluating the significance of a candidate locus being a variant based on which multiplicity control can be obtained. This is particularly desirable because tens of thousands loci are simultaneously examined in typical NGS experiments. Each user can choose the false-positive error rate threshold he or she considers appropriate, instead of just the dichotomous decisions of whether to 'accept or reject the candidates' provided by most existing methods. We use both simulated data and real data to demonstrate the superior performance of our program in comparison with existing methods. SNVer runs very fast and can complete testing 300 K loci within an hour. This excellent scalability makes it feasible for analysis of whole-exome sequencing data, or even whole-genome sequencing data using high performance computing cluster. SNVer is freely available at http://snver.sourceforge.net/.
Sustainable operation of membrane distillation for enhancement of mineral recovery from hypersaline solutions

Abstract Membrane distillation (MD) is an emerging desalination technology that has the ability to desalinate hypersaline brines, including those used in mineral production. MD can potentially replace evaporation ponds in conventional mineral production processes because of its small footprint and ability to utilize industrial low-grade heat. In the current study MD was investigated for sustained water recovery and concentration of hypersaline brines. Direct contact MD (DCMD) experiments were performed with water from the Great Salt Lake (>150,000 mg/L total dissolved solids) as the feed stream and deionized water as the distillate stream. DCMD was able to concentrate the feed solution to twice its original concentration, achieving close to complete inorganic salt rejection. During experiments water flux declined to 80% of its initial value (from 11 to 2 L m−2 h−1). Real-time microscopy revealed that precipitation of salts on the membrane surface was the main contributor to the decline in water flux. The application of novel scale-mitigation techniques was highly effective in preventing scale formation on membrane surfaces, sustaining high water flux and salt rejection, and eliminating chemical consumption used for membrane cleaning. MD was compared to natural evaporation and was found to potentially replace 4047 m2 (1 acre) of evaporation ponds with approximately 24 m2 (259 ft2) of membrane area and to be nearly 170 times faster in concentrating hypersaline brines.
THE BIMODAL TERMINATION OF DIAPAUSE IN THE LABORATORY BY HYALOPHORA CECROPIA

The emergence curve of wild Hyalophora cecropia or of a strain selected for emergence with the early mode was bimodal if the pupae were conditioned (= diapause-ending processes) in an outdoor insectary or in a 6° incubator. When pupae were periodically brought indoors during the winter, the time required for emergence gradually decreased and the emergence curve gradually became bimodal. The duration of the photophase had no apparent effect either during conditioning or pharate adult development. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG BIMODALE DIAPAUSEBEENDIGUNG IM LABORATORIUM BEI CECROPIA Puppen von Hyalophora cecropia (L.) wurden konditioniert (= Diapausebeendigung) und zwar in einem Freilandinsektarium bei Aussentemperaturen und bei drei unterschiedlichen Tageslangen (naturlich, Kurztag, Langtag). In regelmassigen Abstanden wurden solche Puppen wahrend des Winters zu 25° und Langtag verbracht. Mit zunehmender Konditionierung wurde die fur das Falterschlupfen erforderliche Zeit allmahlich kurzer und die Schlupfkurve allmahlich zweigipflig. Die wahrend der Konditionierung herrschende Tageslange hatte keinen merklichen Effekt. Auch die Tageslange nach der Konditionierung (bei 25°) hatte keinen erkennbaren Einfluss auf die Schlupfkurve. Puppen einer Rasse, die fur das Schlupfen im ersten Maximum selektioniert worden waren, hatten eine zweigipflige Schlupfkurve und zwar nach Konditionierung im Freilandinsektarium oder im 6°-Schrank. Die spatschlupfende Gruppe braucht eine zusatzliche Konditionierung, wenn die fruhschlupfende Gruppe voll konditioniert ist. Es gibt Anzeichen dafur, dass das zusatzliche Erfordernis eine ausreichende Temperatursumme uber einem unbekannten Temperaturminimum ist.
Neuronal RING finger protein 11 (RNF11) regulates canonical NF-κB signaling

The RING domain-containing protein RING finger protein 11 (RNF11) is a member of the A20 ubiquitin-editing protein complex and modulates peripheral NF-κB signaling. RNF11 is robustly expressed in neurons and colocalizes with a population of α-synuclein-positive Lewy bodies and neurites in Parkinson disease patients. The NF-κB pathway has an important role in the vertebrate nervous system, where the absence of NF-κB activity during development can result in learning and memory deficits, whereas chronic NF-κB activation is associated with persistent neuroinflammation. We examined the functional role of RNF11 with respect to canonical NF-κB signaling in neurons to gain understanding of the tight association of inflammatory pathways, including NF-κB, with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Luciferase assays were employed to assess NF-κB activity under targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of RNF11 in human neuroblastoma cells and murine primary neurons, which suggested that RNF11 acts as a negative regulator of canonical neuronal NF-κB signaling. These results were further supported by analyses of p65 translocation to the nucleus following depletion of RNF11. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that RNF11 associates with members of the A20 ubiquitin-editing protein complex in neurons. Site-directed mutagenesis of the myristoylation domain, which is necessary for endosomal targeting of RNF11, altered the impact of RNF11 on NF-κB signaling and abrogated RNF11’s association with the A20 ubiquitin-editing protein complex. A partial effect on canonical NF-κB signaling and an association with the A20 ubiquitin-editing protein complex was observed with mutagenesis of the PPxY motif, a proline-rich region involved in Nedd4-like protein interactions. Last, shRNA-mediated reduction of RNF11 in neurons and neuronal cell lines elevated levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and TNF-α mRNA and proteins, suggesting that NF-κB signaling and associated inflammatory responses are aberrantly regulated in the absence of RNF11. Our findings support the hypothesis that, in the nervous system, RNF11 negatively regulates canonical NF-κB signaling. Reduced or functionally compromised RNF11 could influence NF-κB-associated neuronal functions, including exaggerated inflammatory responses that may have implications for neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis and progression.