cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease targeting CD33 reduces amyloid beta accumulation and neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is a key contributor to the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). CD33 (Siglec-3) is a transmembrane sialic acid-binding receptor on the surface of microglial cells. CD33 is upregulated on microglial cells from post-mortem AD patient brains, and high levels of CD33 inhibit uptake and clearance of amyloid beta (Aβ) in microglial cell cultures. Furthermore, knockout of CD33 reduces amyloid plaque burden in mouse models of AD. Here, we tested whether a gene therapy strategy to reduce CD33 on microglia in AD could decrease Aβ plaque load. Intracerebroventricular injection of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based system encoding an artificial microRNA targeting CD33 (miRCD33) into APP/PS1 mice reduced CD33 mRNA and TBS-soluble Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels in brain extracts. Treatment of APP/PS1 mice with miRCD33 vector at an early age (2 months) was more effective at reducing Aβ plaque burden than intervening at later times (8 months). Furthermore, early intervention downregulated several microglial receptor transcripts (e.g. CD11c, CD47 and CD36) and pro-inflammatory activation genes (e.g. Tlr4 and Il1b). Marked reductions in the chemokine Ccl2 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine Tnfα were observed at the protein level in the brain of APP/PS1 mice treated with miRCD33 vector. Overall, our data indicate that CD33 is a viable target for AAV-based knockdown strategies to reduce AD pathology. One Sentence Summary: A gene therapy approach for Alzheimer’s disease using adeno-associated virus vector-based knockdown of CD33 reduced amyloid beta accumulation and neuroinflammation.
Speckle-reduced holographic projection with a piston-mode spatial light modulator

Computer-generated holography, a disruptive technology for projection displays, enables variable projection distance by combining a variable lens hologram with an image hologram and encoding it onto a phase-modulating spatial light modulator. The basic structure of a holographic projector includes a spatial light modulator (SLM) to modulate the phase of an incident reconstruction light beam, i.e., a coherent light source (i.e., LASER). Speckle appears in the projected content due to the quasi-random interference of a coherent light source on an optically rough surface that serves as a projection screen. A partially coherent light source, such as a light emitting diode can be used in holographic projection, but image sharpness is sacrificed. Furthermore, due to the limitation of the phase retrieval algorithm, which calculates the hologram to be encoded on the spatial light modulator from a given graphic, the resulting projected content can look speckly due to phase retrieval algorithm imperfections. In this work, we demonstrate reduction in speckle arising from phase retrieval algorithm imperfections through the use of a piston-mode spatial light modulator. The SLM is a two-dimensional micromirror array with extraordinarily fast switching characteristics that enables the implementation of a temporal averaging method for speckle reduction without additional optical components and keeps the benefits of holographic projection.
Criteria for resumption of assisted reproductive technology intervention after fertility-sparing treatment of atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify criteria for safe resumption of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in women diagnosed with atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AH) or endometrial cancer (EC) during infertility evaluation and managed with a fertility-sparing approach. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of women diagnosed with AH or EC during infertility workup at a multi-site academic tertiary care center between 1/1/2009 and 12/1/2018. The primary outcome was the number of benign endometrial samplings required by clinicians prior to resumption of ART. Secondary outcomes included recurrence rates, type and duration of treatment, and sampling modalities. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Results: In this pragmatic sample, 22 women were treated for AH (55%) and EC (45%). Two failed medical management and proceeded with hysterectomy and five were lost to follow-up or deferred fertility. Fifteen women (68%) achieved pathologic response and were cleared to resume ART. Mean age of this subset was 34.8 (±4.0) years with mean BMI 33.9 (±10.6) kg/m2. Oncologic diagnosis was AH in 87% and EC in 13%. Uterine factor (60%) and ovulatory dysfunction (47%) were the two most common infertility diagnoses. Initial treatments included oral progestins (73%), levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (13%), or a combination of these two modalities (13%). Of these fifteen women, eleven (73%) were cleared for ART after one benign endometrial sampling (“one-sample”) and four (27%) were cleared after two consecutive benign endometrial samplings performed three to four months apart (“two-sample”). In the one-sample group, D&C was used for sampling in 73% and EMB in 27%. The benign sampling that cleared the patient for ART was the first sampling performed during treatment in 64%. In the two-sample group, all samplings were performed using EMB. The average treatment duration was 6.3 vs 10.9 months in the one- vs two-sample subsets. One woman from each group underwent hysterectomy despite clearance. Four of the remaining ten women in the one-sample group (40%) experienced recurrence, compared to zero in the two-sample group. All recurrences were managed with resumption of progesterone-based treatment. One woman (25%) was cleared after one subsequent benign sampling and three (75%) after two. Conclusions: Most gynecologic oncologists cleared patients to proceed with ART after a single endometrial sampling demonstrated pathologic response following progesterone-based treatment for AH/EC. Short interval recurrence was common, but with potential for salvage response. Future work should utilize prospective analyses to evaluate for differences in recurrence rates based on various clearance criteria.
The Effect of COVID-19 on Domestic Violence and Assaults:

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of COVID-19 on four outcomes including calls for service for domestic violence, calls for service for assaults, arrests for domestic violence,...
Comparative Strategies of Animal Virus Replication

Publisher Summary A profusion of journal articles has appeared in recent years on the molecular mechanisms of animal virus replication. Much of this work is so highly specialized that, all too frequently, only those scientists who are engaged in research on the same family of viruses have the interest and background necessary for following the complexities of the mechanisms being described in this chapter. Review articles help to provide the required background information, but almost all of them are highly exhaustive treatments of individual virus families. Articles that attempt to present comprehensible overviews of the molecular biology of animal viruses as a whole are extremely rare. This chapter is an attempt to bring more order to the seemingly bewildering variety of information now available on animal virus replicative processes. The diagram on replicative pathways is presented in this chapter, together with explanations in the text, to make animal virus replicative processes and comparisons of these processes among virus families better understood by a wider audience.
Invasive Tumors Induced in Rats with Actinomycin D

Summary Multiple i.p. injections of actinomycin D induced invasive, transplantable tumors, but actinocylgramicidin S did not. The mechanism of oncogenesis by actinomycin D may be dependent upon the intact peptide lactone moieties, since the analog, actinocylgramicidin S, which contains the universal actinomycin chromophore but does not bind with DNA, was not oncogenic. Most of the actinomycin-induced tumors displayed a variety of gross features and histological patterns. Grossly, the tumors appeared as multiple, gray or yellow, firm, irregular, predunculated, or sessile nodules 2 to 10 mm in diameter attached to peritoneum, mesentery, and serosal surfaces of the abdominal viscera. In addition to this surface growth, there was invasion into the muscularis of the bowel and, occasionally, infiltration between pancreatic lobules as well as into portal tracts of the liver. Microscopically, each tumor contained a variety of histological patterns; in most instances, a fibrosarcomatous appearance predominated but, within the same tumors, there were areas resembling hemangioma, dilated cysts, an alveolar pattern, osseous foci, and, in peripancreatic tissue, adenocarcinoma. Because of the prominent surface growth and the variation in histology, the tumors were interpreted tentatively as mesotheliomas. Preliminary electron microscopic examination revealed that the tumors had ultrastructural features similar to those reported in mesotheliomas in humans. No insulin-like activity was detected. The solid tumor and ascites form were transplantable through several generations.
Kidney stones : medical and surgical management

Biophysical and biological bases of stone formation clinical and laboratory evaluation of urolithiases surgical management of stones medical and surgical management of specific stone types struvite stones.
Influence of hydraulic property correlation on predicted dense nonaqueous phase liquid source zone architecture, mass recovery and contaminant flux

[1] Organic liquid saturation distributions resulting from a simulated tetrachloroethene (PCE) spill were generated with alternative models of spatially varying aquifer properties for a statistically homogeneous, nonuniform sand aquifer. The distributions were analyzed to quantify DNAPL source zone characteristics and then incorporated as initial conditions for simulated PCE recovery using surfactant-enhanced aquifer remediation (SEAR). The predicted evolution of the spatial distribution of DNAPL saturations or source zone ‘‘architectures’’ and associated remediation efficiencies are strongly influenced by the spatial correlation of aquifer parameters and multiphase flow constitutive relationships. Model predictions suggest that removal of 60 to 99% of entrapped PCE can reduce dissolved contaminant concentration and mass flux under natural gradient conditions by approximately two orders of magnitude. Aqueous phase contaminant flux, however, does not vary consistently as a function of the percentage of DNAPL removed, and notable differences in flux evolution were observed for models incorporating correlated versus uncorrelated capillary entry pressure and permeability fields. Simulation results demonstrate that the application of alternative models of aquifer parameter spatial variability can influence predicted DNAPL infiltration, entrapment, and recovery, even for relatively homogeneous aquifers of the type investigated here. Results also demonstrate potential benefits, in the form of reduced mass flux, accruing from partial mass removal that may not be readily predicted from analyses relying on simplified conceptual models for DNAPL source zone architecture or aquifer flow fields. INDEX TERMS: 1829 Hydrology: Groundwater hydrology; 1832 Hydrology: Groundwater transport; 1831 Hydrology: Groundwater quality; KEYWORDS: contamination mass flux, DNAPL remediation, DNAPL source zone, heterogeneity, nonuniformity
Contraceptive choice and prevalence of cervical dysplasia and carcinoma in situ.

Abstract Whether use of oral contraceptives is associated with subsequent development of cervical neoplasia is an important public health question. Before evaluating this issue, we must determine if choosing oral contraceptives identifies a woman who is intrinsically at high risk of developing cervical neoplasia. We have examined the demographic and reproductive characteristics as well as cervical premalignant changes manifest by 15- to 44-year-old black women who enrolled in a public family-planning clinic. When compared to IUD acceptors, oral contraceptive acceptors did not have a disproportionately large number of women with traits which predicted for high risk of developing cervical neoplasia. Oral contraceptive acceptors, compared to IUD acceptors, did not have a higher prevalence rate of carcinoma in situ. Oral contraceptive acceptors with no Pap smears prior to initial choice of contraceptive method did have a 1.4-fold higher prevalence rate of cervical dysplasia than IUD acceptors. These results suggest that the decision to use oral contraceptives, per se, does not identify a group of women at higher risk to develop cervical carcinoma in situ. Such a decision may, however, identify a group with a small increased propensity for developing cervical dysplasia.
Tension characteristics of the stress-relaxed collagen matrix (733.3)

The stress-relaxed collagen matrix is a simple yet appropriate experimental model to study the myofibroblast of wound healing and pathological contractures, because cells are able to generate force...
Gastrointestinal motor dysfunction in acquired selective cholinergic dysautonomia associated with infectious mononucleosis

This report documents the disturbance in gastrointestinal motor function in a patient with selective cholinergic dysautonomia that occurred following acute infectious mononucleosis. Apart from the gut, other organs affected included the pupils, sweat glands, lacrimal and salivary glands, and urinary bladder. Autonomic function tests showed the preservation of sympathetic adrenergic functions in contrast to the generalized involvement of postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic cholinergic nerves, including denervation hypersensitivity of the pupil and urinary bladder to exogenous cholinergic agonists. Cardiac and abdominal vagal responses were abnormal. Colon myenteric plexus ganglion cells were normal by morphological and immunohistochemical studies, suggesting that the selective cholinergic dysautonomia was the most likely pathophysiologic process responsible for the observed motility disorder. This study documents the occurrence of selective cholinergic dysautonomia following a viral illness, the importance of the extrinsic neural control on the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract, and the usefulness of combined motility and autonomic function testing in the evaluation of patients with symptoms suggestive of gut dysmotility.
Gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) flight behavior and phenology based on field-deployed automated pheromone-baited traps.

Populations of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), are extensively monitored in the United States through the use of pheromone-baited traps. We report on use of automated pheromone-baited traps that use a recording sensor and data logger to record the unique date-time stamp of males as they enter the trap. We deployed a total of 352 automated traps under field conditions across several U.S. states over a 5-yr period. In many cases, there was general congruence between male moth capture and the number of recorded events. Although it was difficult to decipher an individual recording event because of the tendency for over-recording, the overall distribution of recorded events was useful in assessing male gypsy moth flight behavior and phenology. The time stamp for recorded events corroborated a previous report of crepuscular gypsy moth male flight behavior, because, although most moths were trapped between 12 and 16 h, there was a consistent period of flight activity between 20 and 22 h. The median male flight duration was 24 d (228 DD, base threshold = 10°C), but there were several traps that recorded flight periods >42 d that could not be explained by overcounting given the congruence between moth capture and the number of recorded events. Unusually long flight periods could indicate the introduction of male moths or other life stages that developed under different climatic conditions.
Dynamic m6A mRNA methylation directs translational control of heat shock response

The most abundant mRNA post-transcriptional modification is N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A), which has broad roles in RNA biology. In mammalian cells, the asymmetric distribution of m(6)A along mRNAs results in relatively less methylation in the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) compared to other regions. However, whether and how 5'UTR methylation is regulated is poorly understood. Despite the crucial role of the 5'UTR in translation initiation, very little is known about whether m(6)A modification influences mRNA translation. Here we show that in response to heat shock stress, certain adenosines within the 5'UTR of newly transcribed mRNAs are preferentially methylated. We find that the dynamic 5'UTR methylation is a result of stress-induced nuclear localization of YTHDF2, a well-characterized m(6)A 'reader'. Upon heat shock stress, the nuclear YTHDF2 preserves 5'UTR methylation of stress-induced transcripts by limiting the m(6)A 'eraser' FTO from demethylation. Remarkably, the increased 5'UTR methylation in the form of m(6)A promotes cap-independent translation initiation, providing a mechanism for selective mRNA translation under heat shock stress. Using Hsp70 mRNA as an example, we demonstrate that a single m(6)A modification site in the 5'UTR enables translation initiation independent of the 5' end N(7)-methylguanosine cap. The elucidation of the dynamic features of 5'UTR methylation and its critical role in cap-independent translation not only expands the breadth of physiological roles of m(6)A, but also uncovers a previously unappreciated translational control mechanism in heat shock response.
Regulation of protease inhibitors and plant defense

Protease inhibitors are an important element of the plant defense response to insect predation, and may also act to restrict infection by some nematodes. Production of these inhibitors is highly regulated by a signal transduction pathway that is initiated by predation and transduced as a wound response. Local and systemic extracellular inducers of the signal pathway are released by injury. Current evidence suggests that the production of the inhibitors occurs via the octadecanoid pathway, which catalyzes the breakdown of linolenic acid and the formation of jasmonic acid to induce protease inhibitor gene expression.
Thermodynamics of forming water clusters at various temperatures and pressures by Gaussian-2, Gaussian-3, complete basis set-QB3, and complete basis set-APNO model chemistries; implications for atmospheric chemistry.

The Gaussian-2, Gaussian-3, complete basis set- (CBS-) QB3, and CBS-APNO methods have been used to calculate ΔH° and ΔG° values for neutral clusters of water, (H2O)n, where n = 2−6. The structures are similar to those determined from experiment and from previous high-level calculations. The thermodynamic calculations by the G2, G3, and CBS-APNO methods compare well against the estimated MP2(CBS) limit. The cyclic pentamer and hexamer structures release the most heat per hydrogen bond formed of any of the clusters. While the cage and prism forms of the hexamer are the lowest energy structures at very low temperatures, as temperature is increased the cyclic structure is favored. The free energies of cluster formation at different temperatures reveal interesting insights, the most striking being that the cyclic trimer, cyclic tetramer, and cyclic pentamer, like the dimer, should be detectable in the lower troposphere. We predict water dimer concentrations of 9 × 1014 molecules/cm3, water trimer concentration...
Material Culture and the Dobsonian Telescope

This article examines the Dobsonian Telescope as an object of material culture, showing how starting with the materiality of a scientific instrument opens up new perspectives that are lost by focusing purely on its instrumentality. It argues that the simple design and homely materials of the Dobsonian telescope, as well as the gestures that it requires from its users, are at the core of its significance to the popularization of amateur astronomy and amateur telescope making.
A comparative analysis of DBSCAN, K-means, and quadratic variation algorithms for automatic identification of swallows from swallowing accelerometry signals

Background: Cervical auscultation with high resolution sensors is currently under consideration as a method of automatically screening for specific swallowing abnormalities. To be clinically useful without human involvement, any devices based on cervical auscultation should be able to detect specified swallowing events in an automatic manner.Methods: In this paper, we comparatively analyze the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise algorithm (DBSCAN), a k-means based algorithm, and an algorithm based on quadratic variation as methods of differentiating periods of swallowing activity from periods of time without swallows. These algorithms utilized swallowing vibration data exclusively and compared the results to a gold standard measure of swallowing duration. Data was collected from 23 subjects that were actively suffering from swallowing difficulties.Results: Comparing the performance of the DBSCAN algorithm with a proven segmentation algorithm that utilizes k-means clustering demonstrated that the DBSCAN algorithm had a higher sensitivity and correctly segmented more swallows. Comparing its performance with a threshold-based algorithm that utilized the quadratic variation of the signal showed that the DBSCAN algorithm offered no direct increase in performance. However, it offered several other benefits including a faster run time and more consistent performance between patients. All algorithms showed noticeable differentiation from the endpoints provided by a videofluoroscopy examination as well as reduced sensitivity.Conclusions: In summary, we showed that the DBSCAN algorithm is a viable method for detecting the occurrence of a swallowing event using cervical auscultation signals, but significant work must be done to improve its performance before it can be implemented in an unsupervised manner. HighlightsThree swallowing segmentation algorithms were compared.The new DBSCAN algorithm can be used to segment swallowing vibrations.The DBSCAN algorithm is outright superior to the k-means algorithm.The DBSCAN algorithm has similar sensitivity to the quadratic variation algorithm.The DBSCAN algorithm is the fastest and most easily applied to general data.
Robust Control of Magnetostrictive Actuators With Uncertain System

In this paper, the problem of designing a state feedback controller over a wide frequency range (0 – 1 kHz) for a magnetostrictive actuator connected to a mechanical system is discussed. Our model for the magnetostrictive actuator includes hysteresis, classical and excess eddy current losses. The hysteresis nonlinearity is modeled using a classical Preisach operator, and it is assumed that the density function is approximately known. The feedback controller achieves uniform ultimate boundedness — a property weaker than global asymptotic stability when the trajectory to be tracked is zero — in the presence of exogenous disturbances and uncertainty in the model. The main objective of the paper is to demonstrate that knowledge of the induced emf can be used to eliminate the need for hysteresis compensation in the control scheme. The novelty of this work is that we utilize the induced emf in the actuator coil as an observed variable, and also demonstrate how this quantity can be measured in real-time. Most controllers use inverse compensators to cancel out actuator hysteresis nonlinearity. We show that we can achieve uniform ultimate bounded control without an explicit inverse computation (using least squares minimization or otherwise).Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Independent and cooperative roles of tumor necrosis factor‐α, nuclear factor‐κB, and bone morphogenetic protein‐2 in regulation of metastasis and osteomimicry of prostate cancer cells and differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3‐E1 osteoblast‐like cells

The molecular mechanisms involved in prostate cancer (PC) metastasis and bone remodeling are poorly understood. We recently reported that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) mediates transcriptional regulation and activation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 signaling by nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB in bone metastatic prostate cancer cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that NF-kappaB, whether activated by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or by ectopic expression of the p65 subunit, is involved in extracellular matrix adhesion and invasion of osteotropic PC-3 and C4-2B, but not LNCaP, cells. The enhanced metastatic potential was associated with transcriptional upregulation of osteopontin, osteocalcin, and collagen IA1 in osteotropic PC cells, suggesting their role in osteomimicry of PC cells. Unlike BMP-4, BMP-2 protein enhanced the invasive properties of C4-2B cells, but not in LNCaP cells. Also, this effect was nullified by Noggin. In addition, BMP-2 mediates TNF-alpha-induced invasion of C4-2B cells in a NF-kappaB-dependent fashion. TNF-alpha or conditioned media (CM) of TNF-alpha-stimulated C4-2B cells upregulated BMP-2 and BMP-dependent Smad transcripts and inhibited receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand transcripts in RAW 264.7 preosteoclast cells, respectively, implying that this factor may contribute to suppression of osteoclastogenesis via direct and paracrine mechanisms. In contrast, CM of TNF-alpha-stimulate or BMP2-stimulated C4-2B cells induced in vitro mineralization of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells in a BMP-2-dependent and NF-kappaB-dependent manner, respectively. Taken together, the results suggest that mutual interactions between these factors may be pivotal not only in enhancing the osteomimicry and metastatic potential of PC cells, but also in bone remodeling and in shifting the balance from osteoclastogenesis towards osteoblastogenesis.
Coupling of CO2 laser energy into ionized blowoff material

The fraction of incident laser energy coupled into laser-produced ions has been measured for CO2-TEA laser pulses incident on aluminum surfaces in vacuum. The fraction increases with increasing laser power density, reaching a value of 0.06 at 1.85 X 10(8) W/cm2 .
The morphology of the polysaccharide coat of mammalian cells.

Abstract 1. 1. The present state of knowledge about the structure of the surface carbohydrates (sphingoglycolipid, glycoprotein and free polysaccharide) is reviewed and related to the chemical structure and possible conformation of the carbohydrate components. 2. 2. The structure of the surface coat as revealed by light and electron microscope techniques (scanning, shadowing, replication, freeze etching, thin sectioning, negative staining, etc.) is discussed. The electron microscope problem of how attempts can be made to directly resolve individual molecular assemblies of the carbohydrate components is discussed with respect to: (a) preserving the surface coat in its natural wet state, (b) obtaining adequate contrast and resolution, and (c) minimizing electron beam radiation damage. Some recent progress in instrumentation to meet this goal is reported. 3. 3. The significance of obtaining better morphology of cell surface coats to the problems of decreased adhesiveness, greater surface mobility and loss of contact inhibition of cancer cells is briefly reviewed.
Identification of the Myxococcus xanthus 59-kDa membrane-associated GTP-binding protein as a proton-translocating ATPase

Five GTP-binding proteins have been detected in Myxococcus xanthus by photoaffinity cross-linking with azido-GTP [Munoz-Dorado et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265 (1990a) 2702-2706]. One of them, the 59-kDa membrane-associated GTP-binding protein, has been purified. The N-terminal sequence of a 10-kDa fragment from the protease V8 digestion of the purified protein has been determined and degenerate oligodeoxyribonucleotides based on that sequence have been used to isolate and clone the gene that encodes the GTP-binding protein. The gene was sequenced and further analysis of the sequence revealed that the protein encoded by this gene shows very high homology with the alpha subunit of proton-translocating ATPases.
Chromosome analyses in a rhabdoid tumor of the brain

A malignant rhabdoid tumor of the brain from a 19-month-old child was studied. Two related clones, 46,XX,-8,+der(8)t(8;22)(p11;q?12)x2,-22,del(22)(q12q?13) and 46,XX-8,+der(8)t(8;22) (p11;q?12) x2,-22,r(22) were found after chromosome analyses of primary and recurrent tumor, and multiple nude mouse passages of the tumor. Breakpoints were studied using FISH.
The Influence of Age on Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Objectives: Studies of the influence of age on health and well-being in chronically ill patients have produced mixed findings. This study examined young (20-39), middle-aged (40-59), and older (60-85) individuals with fibromyalgia (FMS), a chronic pain condition. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were differences among the age groups in symptomatology and to examine potential mediating psychosocial variables. Methods: Participants were 600 (95% female, mean age = 54, SD = 11) diagnosed FMS patients who were members of a health maintenance organization. Multivariate analyses of covariance were used to examine differences. Results: There were significant differences among the age groups in most of the variables: With increasing age symptom duration increased but FMS symptomatology decreased. No age differences were found among the psychosocial mediators. The results suggest that the effects of FMS decrease over time.
Resequencing of comonomer units of well-defined vectra oligomers during MALDI-TOF mass spectral measurements

To aid in the detailed characterization of the LCP polymer Vectra A950, 20 alternating dimers and 10 alternating tetrameric model oligomers were synthesized and subjected to detailed MALDI and ESI spectral characterization. The model compounds were synthesized using stepwise reactions on 4-hydroxybenzoic and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acids using protection−deprotection strategies. MALDI-TOF spectra of these compounds in both the positive and negative modes were determined using dithranol, 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)-benzoic acid (HABA), and and its methyl ester (MHABA) as matrixes and in the presence or absence of silver trifluoroacetate. The “coolest” matrix, leading to least fragmentation, proved to be dithranol with silver trifluoroacetate, while the “hottest” was dithranol alone. On the positive side, the majority of ions detected other than the parent ions proved to be acylium ions resulting from cleavage of the unexpectedly fragile aryloxy-to-carbonyl bond. At higher applied laser power, the extrusion of oxy...
How English-origin nouns (do not) pluralize in French

While French and English share the same pluralization morpheme, a dictionary corpus sanctioned by press usage reveals that a small set of nominal anglicisms, particularly compounds, fail to receive inflection in French (e.g., des black-jacks, des happy ends, des beagles vs. des black-out, des has been, des people). This study interprets patterns of inflectional variation and reveals inflection-inhibiting constraints for these bare borrowings and thus contributes to explaining the little-researched morphology of anglicisms in French. The findings clearly demonstrate that the absence of inflection, seemingly atypical, is systematically rooted in the parameters of French morphology. The analysis simultaneously though secondarily documents phases, mechanisms, and processes of integration for contemporary borrowing — e.g., patterns of simplification with regularization of irregularities, a well-attested contact phenomenon; borrowing as a non-homogeneous phenomenon (English loans vs. other-language loans); and anglicisms as tools for creative, playful language.
A graph structured text field index based on word fragments

Abstract An indexing technique for text data based on word fragments is described. In contrast to earlier approaches the fragments are allowed to be overlapping and are linked in a directed graph structure reflecting that many fragments (“Superstrings”) contain other fragments as substrings. This leads to a redundant free set of primary data pointers. By classifying the set of Superstrings belonging to a fragment according to the position of the fragment in the Superstring, one gains a novel possibility of supporting exact match-, partial match-, and masked partial match-retrieval by an index. The search strategies for the various retrieval cases are described.
Synthesis of a mannosyl phosphoryl polyprenol by the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract A membrane fraction isolated from the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum was incubated with GDP-[ 14 C]mannose and found to catalyze the incorporation of [ 14 C]mannose into an endogenous acceptor to yield a product with the chemical and chromatographic properties of a polyprenol phosphate sugar derivative. These result suggest that D. discoideum can synthesize a mannosyl phosphoryl polyprenol.
AOAC INTERNATIONAL's three validation programs for methods used in the microbiological analysis of foods

The sheer number of microbiological methods, both rapid and conventional, that have become available during the past ten years has underscored the need for methods validation. The Association of Official Analytical Chemists INTERNATIONAL has responded by offering a variety of validation programs, each with different objectives, approaches, requirements and advantages. The harmonization of these validation efforts with those of other international organizations is needed to achieve uniformity of methods in an expedient and cost-effective manner.
Sapphire tube waveguide as a potential basis for high-temperature Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy has become an established method for determining the composition of gaseous samples at low temperatures ( 1000°C) remains elusive. This work investigates the feasibility of high-temperature Raman spectroscopy utilizing a monolithic sapphire tube as a sample cell and signal collection optic. The insertion loss of small-diameter, single-crystal sapphire tubing is measured to be 0.26-0.40dB/cm, proving its potential for use as a short-distance waveguide. Relevant system losses are characterized for a fiber-based, reflection mode Raman sensor, and expected Raman signal powers are predicted by simulation for the gaseous combustion products of ethylene: N 2 , CO, CO 2 , H 2 , and H 2 O. The successful implementation of a Raman sensor as described by this research could enable real-time analysis of exhaust gases from a hydrocarbon combustor. Furthermore, the extension of Raman spectroscopy to high temperatures would be a critical step towards more precisely controlled, fuel-efficient technologies.
Sexual offending on elderly women: A review

Despite the not infrequent occurrence of the rape of an elderly woman and the subsequent public shock that is generated, this type of offence remains poorly reported in the medical and scientific literature. This article reviews what little literature is available and brings together the existing knowledge about the phenomenon. The paucity of hard data is emphasized along with the almost complete lack of understanding in respect of the underlying motivations within this offender group. Further work is required, namely the development of theoretical models and the conducting of robust observational studies.
Ventral marking in black and agouti gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Male and female Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) of both agouti and black coat color variations were tested for ventral marking in an open field. Males marked more than females and black gerbils marked more than the agouti animals. Black females marked at levels equal to those of agouti males, and thus they may be useful in future investigations of neural and hormonal factors affecting ventral marking in females. Such research was difficult in the past because of the extremely low levels of marking normally exhibited by agouti females.
Protein folding: To knot or not to knot?

A knot-containing protein is found to fold reversibly at biologically relevant timescales despite not having naturally evolved for this ability.
The hippocampal system and declarative memory in animals

Theoretical arguments and empirical data are presented in favor of the hypothesis that the hippocampal system supports a declarative memory capacity in animals as well as humans. This view is advanced by identifying two prominent characteristics of human declarative memory and by operationalizing and evaluating them using both experimental lesion and single unit recording studies on animals. First, hippocampal processing is not selective to any particular category of learning materials; instead, it supports comparisons among all kinds of information in memory, resulting in a representation of critical relations between items. Conversely, individual representations are supported outside the hippocampal system. Second, hippocampal-dependent, relational memory representations involve a flexible organization that permits inferences from memory in novel situations. Conversely, hippocampal-independent individual representations can support only repetition of procedures acquired during original learning. Correspondences between the neuropsychological and neurophysiological findings presented serve to indicate how these properties of hippocampal representation support declarative memory across behavioral paradigms and across species.
Reimagining the emerging economies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the future role of emerging economies in the global marketplace. The paper highlights current trends in the global market and the changing role of emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses various perspectives on the role of emerging economies in a globalized world. The paper relies on recent debates on the state of the global economy and the changing positions of emerging economies in the world market. Findings – The paper devises six categories for today’s emerging economies: advancing player, reluctant player, repositioning player, the defender, the chained player and the retreating player. These classifications set the stage for a thoughtful discussion on the potential roles of emerging economies in a world that is characterized by constant changes and alternating positions of major players. Originality/value – The paper provides unique perspectives on emerging economies, while refuting those who attempt to marginalize their...
Effects of Pulmonary Insufficiency on Biventricular Function in the Developing Heart of Growing Swine

Background— This study was conducted to determine the effects of chronic pulmonary insufficiency (PI) on right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular function in young growing swine. Methods and Results— Six PI and 5 control animals were studied. PI was induced by transcatheter placement of stents across the pulmonary valve. Indices of systolic function (ejection fraction, cardiac output, and cardiac functional reserve), diastolic function (compliance), and myocardial contractility (the slope of the relationship of end-systolic pressure versus end-systolic volume [Emax] and the slope of the dP/dtmax–end-diastolic volume relationship [MdP/dt]) were assessed within 2 days of intervention and 3 months later. MRI was used to quantify PI and ventricular volumes. Conductance catheter techniques were used to obtain indices of contractility and diastolic compliance from pressure-volume relations at rest and under dobutamine infusion. In the PI group, pulmonary regurgitant fraction was 49.2±5.9% at 3-month follow-up. RV c...
Critical Thicknesses in Superconducting Thin Films

Direct observations of the magnetic-field distribution in thin films of Pb, Sn, and In indicate that the critical thicknesses separating intermediate-state and mixed-state behavior in these systems are accurately given by theoretical calculations and are much lower than has been believed on the basis of critical-field measurements.
Modulation of pre- and postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptor function by the selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593.

The repeated administration of selective kappa-opioid receptor agonists prevents the locomotor activation produced by acute cocaine administration and the development of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization. Previous studies have shown that dopamine (DA) D2 autoreceptors modulate the synthesis and release of DA in the striatum. Evidence that kappa agonist treatment downregulates DA D2 receptors in this same brain region has recently been obtained. Accordingly, the present studies were undertaken to examine the influence of repeated kappa-opioid receptor agonist administration on pre- and postsynaptic DA D2 receptor function in the dorsal striatum using pre- and postsynaptic receptor-selective doses of quinpirole. Rats were injected once daily with the selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593 (0.16-0.32 mg/kg s.c.) or vehicle for 3 days. Microdialysis studies assessing basal and quinpirole-evoked (0.05 mg/kg s.c.) DA levels were conducted 2 days later. Basal and quinpirole-stimulated locomotor activity were assessed in a parallel group of animals. The no-net flux method of quantitative microdialysis revealed no effect of U69593 on basal DA dynamics, in that extracellular DA concentration and extraction fraction did not differ in control and U69593-treated animals. Acute administration of quinpirole significantly decreased striatal DA levels in control animals, but in animals treated with U69593, the inhibitory effects of quinpirole were significantly reduced. Quinpirole produced a dose-related increase in locomotor activity in control animals, and this effect was significantly attenuated in U69593-treated animals. These data reveal that prior repeated administration of a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist attenuates quinpirole-induced alterations in DA neurotransmission and locomotor activity. These results suggest that both pre- and postsynaptic striatal DA D2 receptors may be downregulated following repeated kappa-opioid receptor agonist administration. Synapse 39:343-350, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SRF Function in Vascular Smooth Muscle When Less is More

See related article, pages 427–433 The transcription factor serum response factor (SRF) controls the expression of genes involved in promoting the proliferation and differentiation of muscle and nonmuscle cells.1,2 In this issue, Kaplan-Albuquerque et al3 report that depletion of SRF from cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) through RNA interference blocks expression of SM-specific proteins as expected, but surprisingly also promotes cell migration and proliferation. If confirmed, these unforeseen effects of SRF could have important mechanistic implications for pathological conditions involving abnormal VSMC proliferation and migration. SRF binds to the 10-bp CArG motif found in the regulatory regions of several muscle-specific genes and also located in the serum response elements of mitogen-inducible gene promoters. In smooth muscle cells, 2 families of SRF-interacting coactivators, …
Post-beta-receptor defect in isolated hearts of obese-hypertensive rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is a defect in the post-beta-receptor signaling pathway in isolated hearts of obese, hypertensive rabbits compared with their lean, normotensive counterparts. DESIGN: Female New Zealand white rabbits were fed a maintenance (n = 5) or a 10% fat diet (n = 6) for 12 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: After 12 weeks, rabbits were weighed and resting blood pressure and heart rate measured in the conscious animal using a central ear artery catheter. The isolated heart preparation was used to measure peak developed pressure, peak rate of pressure rise (+dP/dt), and peak rate of pressure decline (-dP/dt) under control and 10(-6) M forskolin-stimulated conditions. RESULTS: In response to forskolin, developed pressure increased 55% in lean rabbits, but only 18% in obese rabbits. Similarly, the increase in +dP/dt in response to forskolin was attenuated in obese rabbits (+52%) compared with lean rabbits (+121%). Relaxation (-dP/dt) in response to forskolin was also impaired, increasing 113% in lean rabbits but only 58% in obese rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: Since forskolin bypasses the beta-receptor to directly stimulate adenylate cyclase, these results suggest that obesity-hypertension is associated with a defect in post-beta-receptor signaling pathways.
An economic analysis of child labor

Abstract This paper shows how poverty in combination with credit constraints can give rise to the phenomenon of child labor in developing countries. It further shows how banning child labor can reduce the welfare of the households intending to send their children to work, and suggests some alternative policies.
Outsourcing in higher education: an empirical examination

Purpose – To measure the degree of implementation and satisfaction level with the outsourcing initiatives from higher education institutions.Design/methodology/approach – Uses a survey questionnaire to measure the levels of satisfaction with the institutions’ services and the questionnaire was based on six factors that are deemed significant in making a privatization decision. It was tested for validity and was then e‐mailed to a total of 138 presidents and/or vice‐presidents of all private and public schools in the states of Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia in the USA.Findings – It was observed that the vast majority of institutions in all three states surveyed hold on to the concept of outsourcing according to their position in the system. The research shows that the possible motivations for outsourcing are cost savings and budgetary constraints, improvement of quality of services and staffing, lack of capability, safety concerns or liability of service, command from governing bodies, and pressure...