cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Galanin Receptor Agonist, Galnon, Attenuates Cocaine-Induced Reinstatement and Dopamine Overflow in the Frontal Cortex

Relapse represents one of the most significant problems in the long-term treatment of drug addiction. Cocaine blocks plasma membrane monoamine transporters and increases dopamine (DA) overflow in the brain, and DA is critical for the motivational and primary reinforcing effects of the drug as well as cocaine-primed reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats, a model of relapse. Thus, modulators of the DA system may be effective for the treatment of cocaine dependence. The endogenous neuropeptide galanin inhibits DA transmission, and both galanin and the synthetic galanin receptor agonist, galnon, interfere with some rewarding properties of cocaine. The purpose of this study was to further assess the effects of galnon on cocaine-induced behaviors and neurochemistry in rats. We found that galnon attenuated cocaine-induced motor activity, reinstatement and DA overflow in the frontal cortex at a dose that did not reduce baseline motor activity, stable self-administration of cocaine, baseline extracellular DA levels or cocaine-induced DA overflow in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Similar to cocaine, galnon had no effect on stable food self-administration but reduced food-primed reinstatement. These results indicate that galnon can diminish cocaine-induced hyperactivity and relapse-like behavior, possibly in part by modulating DA transmission in the frontal cortex.
Kolmogorov complexity in the Milky Way and its reduction with warm dark matter

We discuss the Kolmogorov complexity of primordial patches that collapse to form galaxies like the Milky Way; this complexity quantifies the amount of initial data available to form the structure. We also speculate on how the quantity changes with time. Because of dark-matter and baryonic collapse processes, it likely decreases with time, i.e.\ information sinks dominate sources. But sources of new random information do exist; e.g., a central black hole with an accretion disk and jets could in principle broadcast small-scale quantum fluctuations over a substantial portion of a galaxy. A speculative example of how this concept might be useful is in differentiating between warm (WDM) and cold (CDM) dark matter. With WDM, the initial patch that formed the Milky Way would have had few features, making the present high degree of structure a curiosity. The primordial patch would have had only several billion independent information-carrying `pixels' if the WDM particle had a mass of 1 keV. This number of `pixels' is much less than even the number of stars in the Milky Way. If the dark matter is proven to be warm, the high degree of structure in the Milky Way could have arisen in two ways: (1) from a high sensitivity to initial conditions, like an intricate fractal arising from a relatively simple computer code; or (2) from random information generated after the galaxy formed, i.e.\ not entirely deterministically from the initial conditions.
Southern legislator responsiveness to blacks: The conditioning effect of urbanization

The impact of black voter participation since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has received much attention. Although researchers have generally concluded that blacks have had some impact on inducing southern congressmen to be more responsive to their needs, they are less sure about the relationship. This research explores the possibility that urbanization may be conditioning the effect of race as a cause of legislator responsiveness. The essential finding is that race is a predictor of responsiveness only when a significant number of blacks reside in urban districts.
Eating rate during a fixed-portion meal does not affect postprandial appetite and gut peptides or energy intake during a subsequent meal

article i nfo Eating rate has recently been shown to influence energy intake and appetite during an ad libitum meal, and alter postprandial secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide-YY (PYY) following a fixed-portion meal. Whether these effects influence satiety, as measured by energy intake at the subsequent meal, is unclear. We manipulated eating rate during a fixed-portion meal in order to examine how eating behavior and associated periprandial and postprandial responses of putative endocrine mediators of appetite would affect energy intake at the following meal in fifteen non-obese (BMIb 25 kg/m²) and ten obese (BMI≥ 30 kg/m²) healthy adult men and women. In random order, each participant consumed a standardized, fixed-portion meal in 7 (FM), 14 (MM) or 28 (SM) minutes. Fullness, measured by the Satiety Labeled Intensity Magnitude (SLIM) scale, serum insulin, glucose, leptin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), PYY, GLP-1, neuropeptide-Y, and plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) were measured for 3 h following the fixed-portion meal.Adlibitum energy intake at the next meal was then measured. Eating slowly delayed time to peak fullness (P ≤ 0.05), but did not alter peak fullness. Peak PP concentrations were attenuated during FM compared to MM and SM (P ≤ 0.05) and were reached earlier during MM compared to SM (P ≤ 0.05). A meal-by-time interaction (P ≤ 0.05), but no differences in AUC, peak, or time to peak were observed for CCK. No additional between meal differences in AUC, peak or time to peak for any endocrine mediator of appetite was observed.Adlibitum energy intake was not different between trials. In conclusion, the rate at which a fixed-portion meal is consumed does not appear to alter satiety despite a small effect on PP and CCK responses.
An automated patient registration and treatment randomization system

Centralized patient registration and treatment randomization for multicenter clinical trials has many advantages over other approaches. Our Automated Patient Registration and Treatment Randomization system is a fully automated Interactive Voice Response, microcomputer-based application which can operate unattended and is continuously available to provide patient registration and treatment randomization. Several techniques are employed to ensure security of the system and validity and accuracy of the data. Several randomization methods were implemented to support different study designs including balanced block randomization, stratified permuted block scheme, and a sophisticated randomization design based on the minimization method and Zelen's adaptive randomization method for institution balancing.
Dither modulation : a new approach to digital watermarking and information embedding

We consider the problem of embedding one signal (e.g., a digital watermark), within another 'host' signal to form a third, 'composite' signal. The embedding must be done in such a way that minimizes distortion between the host signal and composite signal, maximizes the information-embedding rate, and maximizes the robustness of the embedding. In general, these three goals are conflicting, and the embedding process must be designed to efficiently trade-off the three quantities. We propose a new class of embedding methods, which we term quantization index modulation (QIM), and develop a convenient realization of a QIM system that we call dither modulation in which the embedded information modulates a dither signal and the host signal is quantized with an associated dithered quantizer. QIM and dither modulation systems have considerable performance advantages over previously proposed spread-spectrum and low-bit(s) modulation systems in terms of the achievable performance trade-offs among distortion, rate, and robustness of the embedding. We also demonstrate these performance advantages in the context of 'no-key' digital watermarking applications, in which attackers can access watermarks in the clear. We also examine the fundamental limits of digital watermarking from an information theoretic perspective and discuss the achievable limits of QIM and alternative systems.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Regulation of Fas Expression by STAT3 and c-Jun Is Mediated by Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-AKT Signaling

Cooperation between STAT3 and c-Jun results in suppression of Fas Receptor (FasR) transcription, which is often seen in advanced human tumors. To identify requirements for STAT3-Jun cooperation, we elucidated the role of protein kinases that affect both transcription factors. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling pathway was found capable of down-regulating both STAT3- and c-Jun-dependent transcription, resulting in derepression of FasR transcription. Conversely, inhibition of PI3K-AKT signaling via the specific pharmacological inhibitor LY294002 up-regulated AP1/Jun- and STAT-dependent transcriptional activities, resulting in suppression of the FasR promoter activities and decreased FasR surface expression. PI3K-AKT's ability to affect FasR transcription was not observed in c-jun null fibroblasts, suggesting that c-Jun is required for PI3K/AKT-mediated regulation of FasR transcription. Interestingly, the dominant negative form of Rac1 (RacN17) was also efficient in relieving FasR expression, suggesting that the increase in FasR expression following AKT stimuli could be mediated via AKT ability to elicit suppression of Rac1, which in turn decreases JNK activities and c-Jun phosphorylation. Overall, our findings demonstrate that through its negative effects on both c-Jun and STAT3, the PI3K-AKT pathway disrupts cooperation between c-Jun and STAT3, which is required for silencing the FasR promoter, resulting in increased expression of surface FasR and concomitant sensitization to FasL-mediated programmed cell death.
The effect of hydrazine sulfate on prostate cancer growth

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American males and is the second leading cause of cancer death in this group. Hydrazine sulfate, an inhibitor of gluconeogenesis, has been proposed as a means to improve nutritional status and improve survival in patients with solid tumors. We investigated the effects of hydrazine sulfate on both in vitro and in vivo models of prostate cancer. We examined the cytotoxicity of hydrazine sulfate in both human (LNCaP and PC-3) and animal (MAT-LyLu) prostate cancer cell lines. No growth inhibition was observed. In vivo, hydrazine sulfate did not suppress the growth of implanted Dunning rat prostate MAT-LyLu cells. Hydrazine sulfate does not have activity in these models of prostate cancer and may not be an appropriate therapy for patients with prostate cancer.
Renal response to Indomethacin in congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

The impact off nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIOs) on renal function has not been evaluated in patients with congestive heart failure. Therefore, the renal effects of indomethacin were examined in patients with chronic heart failure, and the relation between the changes in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow after indomethacin administration was assessed. Twentyfive patients with congestive heart failure and an ejection fraction <40% were evaluated. At baseline, renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were measured, using disappearance from the serum of intravenously injected 131I-orthodihippurate and urinary accumulation of intravenously injected technetium-99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, respectively. After 3 days, 75 mg of sustained release indomethacin were administered, and repeat renal function tests were performed. Mean glomerular filtration rate decreased from 40 ± 21 to 32 ± 16 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.05), and mean renal plasma flow decreased from 242 ± 122 to 222 ± 110 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the changes in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow after indomethacin administration. It is concluded that 1 dose of an NSAID may cause marked and clinically important alterations in renal function in patients with heart failure. However, the decrease in glomerular filtration rate does not merely reflect a decrease in renal plasma flow, but probably the effects of NSAIDs on the intraglomerular actions of prostaglandins.
Amino acid oxidase activity in the fat body and Malpighian tubes of some insects

Abstract By incubating the fat body or the Malpighian tubes in a saline-buffer amino acid mixture, α-keto acids were produced from a number of D - and DL -amino acids. These results suggest the presence of a D -amino acid oxidase in the fat body and Malpighian tubes of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), and the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), and in the fat body of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.). Other tissues from these insects as well as the fat body and Malpighian tubes of the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dall.), gave negative results.
Mild tremor in relatives of patients with essential tremor: what does this tell us about the penetrance of the disease?

Background Mild tremor may occur in relatives of patients with essential tremor (ET). However, this phenomenon has not been studied quantitatively or with a comparison group. Such a study may provide information on the penetrance of ET. Objective To obtain data on the magnitude of tremor in case and control relatives who did not meet diagnostic criteria for ET. Methods Cases with ET and control subjects from the Washington Heights–Inwood community in northern Manhattan, NY, were enrolled in a family study. Their first- and second-degree relatives underwent a videotaped tremor examination. Two neurologists rated the severity of tremor, assigning a total tremor score (0-36 [maximum]). Data were analyzed on 201 case relatives and 212 control relatives who did not meet diagnostic criteria for ET. Results The mean total tremor score of first-degree case relatives was higher than that of first-degree control relatives (4.9 vs 3.9; P P = .68). A larger percentage (55.2% vs 36.6%; P = .01) of first-degree case relatives had total tremor scores of 4 or more. Among first-degree relatives who were older than 60 years, 13 case relatives (59.1%) and 18 control relatives (45.0%) had total tremor scores of 4 or more. Conclusions A considerable number of seemingly normal case relatives may have a genetic predisposition for tremor. Even among older case relatives (≥60 years of age), there was an increased prevalence of higher tremor scores, suggesting that in that age group, subclinical ET may be present and penetrance still may not be complete.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis does not increase pregnancy rates in patients at risk for aneuploidy

Objective To investigate the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) as a method for increasing pregnancy success rates in patients at high risk for aneuploidy. Design Literature review and discussion of current evidence. Conclusion(s) Preimplantation genetic diagnosis selects euploid embryos for transfer in assisted reproduction. Some investigators argue that it might be used to increase pregnancy rates in patient populations at high risk of aneuploidy, such as those with advanced maternal age (AMA), recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and recurrent IVF failure. Although analysis with PGD confirms a high rate of aneuploidy in patients with AMA, RPL, and recurrent IVF failure, its use in these patient populations has not been consistently shown, in the literature, to increase pregnancy rates. Randomized controlled trials with large patient populations, performed in programs with expertise in PGD technology, are needed before PGD can routinely be recommended as a means for increasing pregnancy rates in patients with AMA, RPL, and recurrent IVF failure.
Utilization of extracted dust at the Suvorov Ore-Smelting Organization

In order to utilize the dust extracted from the effluent gases from the rotary furnaces in the chamotte-firing shop (CFS) of the Suvorov Ore-Smelting Organization, the All-Union Institute of Refractories has developed a production process based on the Institute's development of a method of preparing compacted powders from finely dispersed materials by briquetting them before firing, on their results from a study of the equipment required for this method, and also on a production trial of chamotte made from the dust in the No. 6 shop of the Borovich Refractory Combine.
Nine-point difference solutions for Poisson's equation

Abstract It is shown that “stencils” exist for the sixth order solution of Poisson's equation by use of a nine-point difference approximation.
Initial sizes of planetesimals and accretion of the asteroids

Abstract The present size frequency distribution (SFD) of bodies in the asteroid belt appears to have preserved some record of the primordial population, with an excess of bodies of diameter D ∼ 100 km relative to a simple power law. The survival of Vesta’s basaltic crust also implies that the early SFD had a shallow slope in the range ∼10–100 km. (Morbidelli, A., Bottke, W.F., Nesvorny, D., Levison, H.F. [2009]. Icarus 204, 558–573) were unable to produce these features by accretion from an initial population of km-sized planetesimals. They concluded that bodies with sizes in the range ∼100–1000 km and a SFD similar to the current population were produced directly from solid particles of sub-meter scale, without experiencing accretion through intermediate sizes. We present results of new accretion simulations in the primordial asteroid region. The requisite SFD can be produced from an initial population of planetesimals of sizes ≲0.1 km, smaller than the usual assumption of km-sized bodies. The bump at D ∼ 100 km is produced by a transition from dispersion-dominated runaway growth to a regime dominated by Keplerian shear, before the formation of large protoplanetary embryos. Thus, accretion of the asteroids from an initial population of small (sub-km) planetesimals cannot be ruled out.
Gender in Close Relationships: Public Policy vs. Personal Prerogative

The interface of research on gender in close relationships with applications to social issues is considered within the context of the dialectic between public policy and private transactions. The distinctions between public and private are discussed in terms of three dimensions proposed by Benn and Gaus (1983): access, agents, and interest. Each of these dimensions may play a role in determining how interpretations of public and private translate across particular issues. The principle of interest is expanded to demonstrate how close relationship research and public policy may be reciprocally influenced. Conceptualizations of gender will also influence choice of policy interventions with respect to transactions within close relationships. Three concepts of gender are defined, and are applied to specific contexts in which social policy implications can be drawn. It is suggested that in research on close relationships as well as in relevant applications to social policy, public and personal values may influence both the scientific effort and its applications to social action.
The Temperature Dependence of the Electrical Conductivity, Density and Tautomerism of Solid Anthrone

Abstract The electrical conductivity, density and tautomerism of solid anthrone have been measured as a function of temperature. The coefficient of volume expansion increases by a factor of about 2.3 above 84°C; at or near the same temperature there is an increase in the energy of activation for conduction (E) and in the rate of tautomerism of anthrone to its enol form, anthranol. E and the temperature at which it changes abruptly are independent of the anthranol content of the solid. We conclude that near 84°C an order-disorder transition occurs which produces the observed results.
Antibody recognition of calcium-binding proteins depends on their calcium-binding status.

: Previous studies have revealed changes in immunohistochemical stains for calcium-binding proteins after manipulations that influence intracellular calcium. Cases have been revealed in which these changes in immunoreactivity were not correlated with changes in protein amounts. The present experiments examined whether these effects might be explained by changes in antiserum recognition due to calcium-induced changes in protein conformation. Calretinin, calbindin D28k, and parvalbumin incubated in high calcium were recognized by antisera better than when they were incubated in low calcium. Using a calbindin D28k antibody, it was shown that this effect occurs within physiological calcium concentrations. Formalin fixation of the proteins in the presence of calcium resulted in greater antibody recognition than did fixation of proteins in calcium-free states. The calretinin antiserum appeared to recognize a portion of the molecule previously shown to undergo calcium-dependent conformational changes. A calcium-insensitive antiserum was made to a different fragment of calretinin. These results indicate that some antibodies to calcium-binding proteins preferentially recognize particular calcium-induced protein conformations. Given the potential for wide fluctuations in neuronal calcium, the present results indicate that quantitative estimates of intracellular calcium-binding proteins obtained from immunohistochemical studies of neurons must be interpreted with caution.
Use of Hickman Right Atrial Catheter in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Eighteen pediatric oncology inpatients had 21 Hickman right atrial catheters placed for total venous access; 16 patients received parenteral nutrition. Mean duration of catheterization was 43 +/- 29 (SD) days. Four catheters had to be removed for infection or clotting. The catheter-related sepsis rate was 10%. Serious catheter-related complications were no more frequent in this population than in patients receiving only parenteral nutrition via Broviac or pediatric Broviac catheters.
Study of Fuel Composition, Burner Material, and Tip Temperature Effects on Flashback of Enclosed Jet Flame

Flashback is a key challenge for low NOx premixed combustion of high hydrogen content fuels. Previous work has systematically investigated the impact of fuel composition on flashback propensity, and noted that burner tip temperature played an important role on flashback, yet did not quantify any specific effect. The present work further investigates the coupling of flashback with burner tip temperature and leads to models for flashback propensity as a function of parameters studied. To achieve this, a jet burner configuration with interchangeable burner materials was developed along with automated flashback detection and rim temperature monitoring. An inline heater provides preheated air up to 810 K. Key observations include that for a given condition, tip temperature of a quartz burner at flashback is higher than that of a stainless burner. As a reasult, the flashback propensity of a quartz tube is about double of that of a stainless tube. A polynomial model based on analysis of variance is presented and shows that, if the tip temperature is introduced as a parameter, better correlations result. A physical model is developed and illustates that the critical velocity gradient is proportional to the laminar flame speed computed using the measured tip temperature. Addition of multiple parameters further refined the prediction of the flashback propensity, and the effects of materials are discussed qualitatively using a simple heat transfer analysis.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Pretreatment of corn stover by soaking in aqueous ammonia.

Soaking in aqueous ammonia (SAA) was investigated as a pretreatment method for corn stover. In this method, the feedstock was soaked in aqueous ammonia over an extended period (10–60 d) at room temperature. It was done without agitation at atmospheric pressure. SAA treatment removed 55–74% of the lignin, but retained nearly 100% of the glucan and 85% of the xylan. The xylan remaining in the corn stover after SAA treatment was hydrolyzed along with the glucan by xylanase present in the Spezyme CP enzyme. In the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) test of SAA-treated corn stover, using S. cerevisiae (D5A), an ethanol yield of 73% of theoretical maximum was obtained on the basis of the glucan content in the treated corn stover. The accumulation of xylose in the SSF appears to inhibit the cellulase activity on glucan hydrolysis, which limits the yield of ethanol. In the simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) test, using recombinant E. coli (KO11), both the glucan and xylose were effectively utilized, resulting in on overall ethanol yield of 77% based on the glucan and xylan content of the substrate. When the SSCF process is used, the fact that the xylan fraction is retained during pretreatment is a desirable feature since the overall bioconversion can be carried out in a single step without separate recovery of xylose from the pretreatment liquid.
Crystal structures of Toxoplasma gondii adenosine kinase reveal a novel catalytic mechanism and prodrug binding.

Abstract Adenosine kinase (AK) is a key purine metabolic enzyme from the opportunistic parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii and belongs to the family of carbohydrate kinases that includes ribokinase. To understand the catalytic mechanism of AK, we determined the structures of the T. gondii apo AK, AK:adenosine complex and the AK:adenosine:AMP-PCP complex to 2.55 A, 2.50 A and 1.71 A resolution, respectively. These structures reveal a novel catalytic mechanism that involves an adenosine-induced domain rotation of 30° and a newly described anion hole (DTXGAGD), requiring a helix-to-coil conformational change that is induced by ATP binding. Nucleotide binding also evokes a coil-to-helix transition that completes the formation of the ATP binding pocket. A conserved dipeptide, Gly68-Gly69, which is located at the bottom of the adenosine-binding site, functions as the switch for domain rotation. The synergistic structural changes that occur upon substrate binding sequester the adenosine and the ATP γ phosphate from solvent and optimally position the substrates for catalysis. Finally, the 1.84 A resolution structure of an AK:7-iodotubercidin:AMP-PCP complex reveals the basis for the higher affinity binding of this prodrug over adenosine and thus provides a scaffold for the design of new inhibitors and subversive substrates that target the T. gondii AK.
Antibiotic induced bacterial killing activates vascular endothelial cells and whole blood cells Role of free lipopolysaccharide and soluble CD14

We have combined an ex vivo whole blood and a Transwell insert system to evaluate the biological relevance of antibiotic-induced lipopolysaccharide (LPS) release, and have shown that this event res...
Chronotropic incompetence predicts mortality in severe obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract We evaluated the prevalence of chronotropic incompetence (CI), a marker of autonomic dysfunction, and its prognostic value in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We performed a retrospective analysis of 449 patients with severe COPD who underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test, after excluding patients with lung volume reduction surgery, left ventricular dysfunction and those not in sinus rhythm. CI was defined as percent predicted heart rate reserve (%HRR). Events were defined as death or lung transplant during a median follow-up of 68 months. Median age was 61 years; median percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (%FEV1) of 25% and median %HRR of 33%. The hazard ratio for an event in the lowest quartile of %HRR, taking the highest quartile as reference, was of 3.2 (95% confidence interval: 2.1–4.8; p
Isotopic evolution of the mantle: the role of magma mixing

Trace element and isotopic data for magmas from the two major mantle reservoirs appear to be inconsistent. The incompatible elements and Sr and Nd isotopes show that abyssal tholeiities (MORB) are form a reservoir that has current and time-integrated depletions of the elements that are fractionated into a melt. MORB, however, have206Pb/204Pb and207Pb/204Pb ratios suggesting long-term enrichment in U/Pb (i.e. future single-stage ages). Alkali basalts and tholeiities from continents and oceanic islands are derived from LILE-and U/Pb-enriched reservoirs. Sr and Nd isotopic ratios, however, appear to indicate that some of these basalts are derived from unfractionated reservoirs and others from reservoirs with time-integrated depletions. The apparent stages of the mantle reservoirs are much younger than the ages of continental shields. These inconsistencies can be reconciled by assuming that oceanic and continental basalts are mixtures of magmas from depleted and enriched reservoirs. MORB are slightly contaminated, depleted magmas while ocean island and continental basalts are mixtures of MORB, or a depleted picritic parent magma, and an enriched end-member having trace element patterns similar to high-K magmas such as kimberlites or nephelinites. The mixing relations are such that mixtures can be enriched in U/Pb, Rb/Sr, Nd/Sm,206Pb/204Pb relative to primitive mantle, yet appear to have time-integrated depletions in143Nd/144Nd and87Sr/86Sr. A small amount of contamination by material from an enriched reservoir can explain the Pb results for MORB. Depleted basalts are more sensitive to Pb than to Rb or Nd contamination. The238U/204Pb of uncontaminated MORB may be about 7 compared to 7.9 for the primary growth curve and >10 for the enriched reservoirs. Similarly, continental and ocean island basalts may represent mixtures of enriched and depleted magmas. If so, the ages of mantle reservoirs have been underestimated. We propose that both of the major mantle magmas source are in the upper mantle and that both are global in extent. The shallower one, <200 km depth, is inhomogenous, having been enriched (metasomatised) at various time by fluids from the depleting layer. It may also be the sink of subducted sediments and hydrothermally altered oceanic crust. The deeper source, 220–670 km depth, is more homogenous, more garnet-rich and provides depleted magmas which however, become contaminated as they rise through the shallow encriched layer. Partial melting and diapiric ascent originated in the thermal boundary layer between the two chemically distinct layers. Magma mixing, prior to eruption, is an inevitable consequence of a chemically layered mantle with depleted magmas rising through an enriched uppermost mantle. This allows quantification of the heretofore nebolous concept of mantle metasomatism.
Modulation Spectroscopy Of Semiconductor Microstructures: An Overview

Modulation spectroscopy utilizes a general principle of experimental physics, in which a periodically applied perturbation either to the probe or the sample leads to derivative-like features in the optical response of the sample. We review the application of the modulation techniques of electroreflectance, photoreflectance and piezomodulation to microstructure such as quantum wells, superlattices and modulation doped heterojunctions. It is shown that modulation spectroscopy is a powerful set of optical tools for the characterization of microstructures.
Marrow hypoplasia associated with a monoclonal CD8 large granular lymphocyte proliferation: reversal with cyclophosphamide and prednisone

We describe an 37-year-old woman who presented with pancytopenia in association with a CD8 clonal population of large granular lymphocytes. Treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisone resulted in normalization of her cell counts, which paralleled a marked suppression of the large granular lymphocyte clone, as documented by T-cell receptor gene rearrangement studies
From ‘palace’ to ‘town’: Northampton and urban origins

In the second half of the twelfth century Northampton was one of the largest and wealthiest towns in all England. This represented, however, only a transient phase, since by the early part of the fourteenth century the town had assumed a more modest position. As a result of a series of disastrous fires in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, little now survives to remind us of Northampton's former medieval glories, and its earlier development has been until recently but dimly perceived. Over the last decade, however, archaeological and other research has facilitated the identification of elements of continuity in the upper Nene basin (in which Northampton lies) stretching back several thousand years. In particular it is now possible to demonstrate that the late Saxon borough emerged as the culmination of a gradual evolutionary process throughout the Anglo-Saxon period rather than as the result of a single dramatic act of foundation. This has important implications for ideas relating to the re-emergence of towns in the ninth and tenth centuries and is particularly significant in that Northampton has no obvious major Romano-British antecedent.
‘Don’t Know Much about the French I Took’ A Contemporary Case for Second Language Study in the Liberal Arts

Language study can be immensely valuable, but language educators have typically relied on arguments and defenses of second/foreign language study that confuse the benefits of language knowledge wit...
O 17 NMR Evidence for Orbital Dependent Ferromagnetic Correlations in Sr 2 RuO 4

We probed spin correlations in Ru ${4d}_{\mathrm{xy}}$ and ${4d}_{yz,zx}$ orbitals separately in the unconventional metallic state of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{RuO}}_{4}$ by ${}^{17}\mathrm{O}$ NMR. We establish that spin correlations are orbital dependent, and only the Ru ${4d}_{\mathrm{xy}}$ spin susceptibility ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\mathrm{xy}}$ increases significantly with decreasing temperature prior to the crossover to the canonical Fermi liquid state at ${T}_{\mathrm{FL}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}25\mathrm{K}$. The temperature dependence of ${}^{17}\mathrm{O}$ and ${}^{101}\mathrm{Ru}$ nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rates $^{17,101}1/{T}_{1}$ uncovers interplay between the growth of ferromagnetic spin fluctuations and anomalous charge transport properties.
Heat in male contraception (hot water 60 °C, infrared, microwave, and ultrasound)

Abstract Spermatogenesis in the mammalian male is disturbed by high ambient temperature. 300 male rats weighing 250–300 gm were divided into 5 groups. Group I, control; Group II, testes were exposed for 15 minutes to water at 60 °C; Group III, testicular temperature was raised to 60 °C for 15 minutes by infrared spot heater concentrating radiant energy from a 750 watt iodine cycle lamp focused on the testes; Group IV, testes were treated with a microwave diathermy unit radiating energy at 2450 megacycles/second for 1, 5, or 15 minutes; Group V, ultrasound 1.0 w/sq cm was applied once or twice, or 2.0 w/sq cm was applied once. The animals were mated with proestrus females 24 hours after treatment, then followed each 5 days with another female until pregnancy was documented to have occurred in females. This was continued for 10 months, the duration of this experiment. Group II males impregnated females after 30–35 days, while those in Group III impregnated females after 60–75 days. Groups IV and V impregnated females after 65–80 days, after 150–210 days, or did not impregnate females during the 10-month stuay—depending on the power and duration in the case of microwave, and the dosage, duration, and frequency of application in the case of ultrasound. No significant difference in blood testosterone levels occurred in treated animals. Seminiferous tubules were either normal in histological appearance or showed partial degranulation, especially in Groups IV and V. Long-term effects of recurrent heat application are under investigation. This pilot study offers the possibility of reversible and irreversible sterilization for human males as well as a new method of animal population control in the U.S.A.
Lewis Acid-Mediated Copolymerization of Methyl Acrylate and Methyl Methacrylate with 1-Alkenes

The addition of the Lewis acid, Sc(OTf)3, to 2,2‘-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN)-initiated copolymerizations of both methyl acrylate (MA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 1-alkenes results in increased reaction rate and increased incorporation of the latter monomer into the polymer backbone. As little as 4 mol % of the Lewis acid is effective in forming a nearly alternating copolymer of MA and ethene at 67% MA conversion. This procedure allows for the control of copolymer composition independent of the starting monomer feed ratio.
A Theoretical Exploration of Expectational Gaps in the Corporate Issue Construct

The aim of this paper is to expand the corporate issue construct by presenting a theory discussing how ‘expectational gaps’ arise as a result of differences in the perceptions of stakeholders in light of corporate activities, and by providing a more detailed discussion about how moral values can come to affect firms. These differing perceptions are formed because the mental models held by different constituents select different facts as being relevant to the issue at hand. Finally, a typology of interest-based judgements and three research propositions are presented in an effort to aid theorists and managers regarding how best to address the stakeholder concerns that are central to issues resolution.
Glatiramer acetate-reactive T cells produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Experimental and MRI evidence suggest that glatiramer acetate's (Copaxone) therapeutic effect in multiple sclerosis (MS) could be mediated by anti-inflammatory GA-reactive Th2 cells that enter the brain, cross-react with myelin antigens, and produce bystander suppression. Furthermore, a neuroprotective effect, possibly mediated by neurotrophic factors such as BDNF, has been suggested based on experimental evidence in animal models, and the observation that inflammatory cells can elaborate BDNF. Therefore, we examined BDNF production in 73 GA, 13 MBP, and 22 TT-reactive short-term T-cell lines from 12 MS patients treated with GA. Ten of 73 GA-TCL (14%), 1 of the MBP-TCL (3%), and 2 of the TT-TCL (9%) produced BDNF levels two standard deviations above the mean levels produced by resting TCL. RT-PCR analysis confirmed BDNF expression in some GA- and MBP-reactive TCL. The mean BDNF level produced by GA-TCL was significantly higher than that for MBP-TCL, or TT-TCL when lines originating from the same patients were compared (P=0.033). All 10 high BDNF-producing GA-reactive TCL were Th2-biased as determined by the IL-5/IFN-gamma levels ratio. A positive correlation was observed between BDNF and IL-5 (Th2 indicator) (P=0.006) but not with IFN-gamma Th1 indicator) levels in GA-TCL derived from MS patients during but not pre-treatment. We conclude that while BDNF production by T cells is not antigen-specific, GA-reactive TCL are more likely to produce BDNF, and to be Th2-biased.
A method for rapid liquid-solid phase solubility measurements using the protein lysozyme

Using hen's egg white lysozyme crystals as the test material, a simple system was developed for rapidly and unambiguously determining solubilities in (aqueous) solutions. The system is based upon a maximization of the solid surface area available for solute transfer to or from the solution, and a minimization of both the solution volume which must be equilibrated and the distance over which diffusive solute exchange occurs. This technique is further enhanced by using duplicate test systems which differ only in that one approaches equilibrium from an oversaturated solution, while the other from an undersaturated solution. Thus, the resulting data pair brackets the solubility value. In practical terms, the data points are found to usually be within 3 percent of each other, and individual solubility data points may usually be made at this resolution within 8-24 h depending upon the temperature change made since the previous determination.
Organic matter in small mesopores in sediments and soils

The three-way correlation among organic matter concentrations, specific surface area and small mesopores observed for many soils and sediments led to the hypothesis that enclosure within the pores might explain the apparent protection of organic matter by minerals. We test this hypothesis by examining whether the bulk of organic matter resides within small mesopores. Pore volumes as a function of pore width were measured before and after organic matter removal, and the volume differences ascribed to organic matter filling of pores. Minor changes in small mesopore size distributions upon treatments such as centrifugation and muffling indicate the robustness of the mineral matrices that form these pores. We developed an additional method to assess organic matter densities using high-resolution pycnometry, and used these densities to convert pore volumes to organic matter contents. Although smaller mesopores are shown to have sufficient volumes to contain significant fractions of the total organic matter, only small fractions of total organic matter were found to reside in them. These results are consistent with preferential association between organic matter and aluminous clay particle edges, rather than the largely siliceous clay faces that contribute most surface area and form pore walls. While simple enclosure within smaller mesopores cannot, therefore, explain protection, network effects working at larger size scales may account for exclusion of digestive agents and hence organic matter protection.
Epigenetics advancing personalized nanomedicine in cancer therapy

Personalized medicine aims to deliver the right drug to a right patient at the right time. It offers unique opportunities to integrate new technologies and concepts to disease prognosis, diagnosis and therapeutics. While selective personalized therapies are conceptually impressive, the majority of cancer therapies have dismal outcome. Such therapeutic failure could result from no response, drug resistance, disease relapse or severe side effect from improper drug delivery. Nanomedicine, the application of nanotechnology in medicine, has a potential to advance the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and the delivery of right drug to disease sites. Epigenetic aberrations dynamically contribute to cancer pathogenesis. Given the individualized traits of epigenetic biomarkers, epigenetic considerations would significantly refine personalized nanomedicine. This review aims to dissect the interface of personalized medicine with nanomedicine and epigenetics. I will outline the progress and highlight challenges and areas that can be further explored perfecting the personalized health care.
Retrieval of cloud phase and crystal habit from Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data

[1] A method of retrieving cloud phase and the dominant ice crystal habit from radiances measured by the Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) has been developed. The retrieval method takes advantage of the differences in the phase function of various particle shapes as a function of scattering angle. Three case studies are presented which illustrate the retrieval method. A comparison with semi-coincident in situ observations for one case study indicates that the retrieved crystal habits are consistent with the observations.
The influence of aorta-aneurysm geometry upon stress in the aneurysm wall

Finite element analysis (FEA), a computer-based method for solving complex structural problems, was used to determine the wall stress distribution in three cases of model infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms representing common problems in determining risk of aneurysm rupture. The point of maximum circumferential wall stress in a spherical model aneurysm was located near the junction of the aneurysm and the nondilated aorta, while maximum longitudinal wall stress was located at the point of maximum diameter of the aneurysm. FEA showed that cylindrically shaped constant thickness model aneurysms had a higher maximum circumferential stress (sigma c = 11.9 X 10(5) dyn/cm2) and a comparable maximum longitudinal wall stress (sigma L = 6.6 X 10(5) dyn/cm2) when compared with spherical model aneurysms of the same diameter (sigma c = 8.1 X 10(5) dyn/cm2 and sigma L = 6.2 X 10(5) dyn/cm2). Analysis of the aorta to aneurysm diameter ratio (A:a gradient) indicated that aortic size is important in determining aneurysm wall stress and that the relationship between aortic size and wall stress is dependent upon aneurysm wall thickness. We conclude that the ability of the aneurysm wall to withstand stress in the longitudinal as well as the circumferential direction is an important factor determining aneurysm rupture. Finally, this investigation showed that FEA is a versatile tool for use in studying the mechanics of vascular structures, making it potentially more useful than size alone in estimating the clinical significance of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization establishes the order cen-DXS28(C7)-DXS67(B24)-DXS68(L1)-tel in human chromosome Xp21.3.

Abstract We report here on the order of three DNA markers, C7, B24, and L1, based on the arrangement of their fluorescently labeled hybridization sites in interphase cell nuclei. The three markers map distal to the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD), and adrenal hypoplasia (AHC) loci on human chromosome Xp21.3. Their order has been a matter of controversy. In interphase chromatin, B24 maps between C7 and L1. We estimate from interphase distance that C7 and L1 are 300–500 kb apart. When the three markers are hybridized to interphase cells of Nijmegenl, a patient with DMD, GKD, and AHC, only C7 appears to be deleted, rather than both C7 and L1, as had been reported elsewhere. C7 is also the only one of the three markers deleted in several other DMD patients studied by others. The deletion results indicate that C7 is the most proximal of the three markers and allow the trio of ordered probes to be oriented on the chromosome: cen-C7(DXS28)-B24(DXS67)-L1(DXS68)-tel.
Characterization of the stage in natural killer cell development in 14.5-day mouse fetal liver using adult bone marrow stroma

Abstract Nonstimulated fetal liver (FL) from 14.5-day gestation mice had no natural killer (NK) cell activity and + with high NK activity and 5%–10% were NK1.1 - B220 + . With stroma, but no IL-2, equivalent proliferation occurred, but differentiated cells were predominantly NK1.1 - B220 + , not NK cells. Culture for 13 days without stroma, but with either IL-2, IL-15, FLTK3-ligand (L) or stroma-conditioned medium, resulted in less than fivefold expansion, and minimal NK activity. Culture with combinations of FLTK3-L or ckit-L plus IL-15 or IL-2 increased both cell number and NK activity, but the increase in cell number was less than that seen with stroma plus IL-2. By limiting dilution assay on stroma plus IL-2, the precursor frequency was 1/(2660 ± 292) whole FL cells and the absolute number, but not the frequency, increased during culture on stroma without IL-2. The NK cell progenitors were found in sorted NK1.1 − and Sca-1 + c-kit + lineage - subpopulations at a frequency of 1/(156 ± 52.5). Together, these data suggest that the NK lineage cells in FL are primarily in early stages of development. They are highly proliferative, respond to early acting cytokines and express stem cell markers.
Genetic galactosylceramidase deficiency (globoid cell leukodystrophy, Krabbe disease) in different mammalian species.

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease) in man is a rare genetic disorder caused by deficiency of galactosylceramidase activity. Clinical and pathological manifestations are almost exclusively confined to the nervous system, particularly to the white matter and the peripheral nerve. The disease also occurs in four other mammalian species: dog, cat, sheep and mouse. Except for the feline disease, for which enzymatic information is lacking, these animal models are genetically equivalent to the human disease. The clinical and pathological features are fundamentally similar in all species, as might be expected from the same underlying genetic defect. Nevertheless, significant species differences are observed in the clinical course, severity of pathological alterations, and analytical biochemistry. These genetically “authentic” animal models provide an invaluable tool for studies of the rare human genetic disorder. Results of studies already done and the future potentials are discussed.