cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Melanocortin Tetrapeptide Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2 Modified at the Para Position of the Benzyl Side Chain (DPhe): Importance for Mouse Melanocortin-3 Receptor Agonist versus Antagonist Activity

The melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R, MC4R) have been implicated in energy homeostasis and obesity. Whereas the physiological role of the MC4R is extensively studied, little is known about the MC3R. One caveat is the limited availability of ligands that are selective for the MC3R. Previous studies identified Ac-His-DPhe(p-I)-Arg-Trp-NH2, which possessed partial agonist/antagonist pharmacology at the mMC3R while retaining full nanomolar agonist pharmacology at the mMC4R. These data allowed for the hypothesis that the DPhe position in melanocortin tetrapeptides can be used to examine ligand side-chain determinants important for differentiation of mMC3R agonist versus antagonist activity. A series of 15 DPhe7 modified Ac-His-DPhe7-Arg-Trp-NH2 tetrapeptides has been synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. Most notable results include the identification of modifications that resulted in potent antagonists/partial agonists at the mMC3R and full, potent agonists at the mMC4R. These SAR studies prov...
Abstract 3960: Whole body irradiation extends the duration of antitumor immunity toward established prostate tumors by adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells in TRAMP mice.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Adoptive T cell transfer following whole body irradiation (WBI) can induce dramatic tumor regression in a subset of metastatic melanoma patients. We previously found that this approach also eliminates established autochthonous SV40 T-antigen induced murine brain tumors. However, the broader utility of this immunotherapy approach has not been systematically evaluated in solid tumors of different tissue origin. Here, we assessed the efficacy of applying WBI with adoptive T cell transfer to an SV40 T-antigen driven murine model of prostate cancer (TRAMP) previously shown to rapidly tolerize tumor-specific CD8+ T cells. TRAMP mice bearing established prostate tumors were treated with 475cGy WBI followed by adoptive transfer of T-antigen-specific T cell receptor transgenic CD8+ T cells. Accumulation, phenotype and function of the transferred T cells were monitored by flow cytometry, while therapeutic impact on mouse prostate tumors was assessed by histological scoring. Transferred T cells proliferated in both irradiated and non-irradiated TRAMP mice, but accumulated to significantly higher levels and persisted longer in the secondary lymphoid organs and prostate of irradiated mice. WBI also significantly increased the proportion of T cells that produced the effector molecule granzyme B. Prostate-infiltrating T cells in both treatment groups exhibited an effector differentiated phenotype, although neither developed a significant population of IFNγ-producing cells. Gross observations revealed that the urogenital tract in irradiated TRAMP mice was significantly smaller than that of non-irradiated mice two weeks after transfer, corresponding with a modest but statistically significant drop in pathological score. By three weeks after transfer, when prostate-infiltrating T cells had dramatically contracted in irradiated TRAMP mice, cumulative histological scores were generally equivalent although only mice in the non-irradiated treatment group had progressed to adenocarcinoma. Our results suggest that the addition of irradiation extends the persistence of functional tumor-specific T cells in the highly tolerogenic microenvironment of the TRAMP prostate. T cell accumulation was associated with a short-term delay in progression of established tumors. Citation Format: Lindsay Ward-Kavanagh, Timothy Cooper, Todd D. Schell. Whole body irradiation extends the duration of antitumor immunity toward established prostate tumors by adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells in TRAMP mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3960. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3960
Calculation of inversion half-lives of aryl propionic acid class nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

Although inversion of the R-enantiomers of the aryl propionic acid (APA) class of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in humans and other mammals has been known for more than 20 years, no satisfactory method has been developed for evaluating the half-life of the inversion process. This parameter is useful in assessing the pharmacodynamic contribution of the R-prodrug to the cyclooxygenase-inhibiting S-enantiomers. Further, it provides a similar means of evaluating the analgesic contribution of R-enantiomers to racemic mixtures. Using human and animal data, we have mathematically determined the inversion half-life (t 1/2i ) for ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and fenoprofen. The relation of the sensitivity of this value to the terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of the R-enantiomers of APA class drugs also is discussed.
Tuza's Conjecture for graphs with maximum average degree less than 7

Tuza's Conjecture states that if a graph G does not contain more than k edge-disjoint triangles, then some set of at most 2 k edges meets all triangles of G . We prove Tuza's Conjecture for all graphs G having no subgraph with average degree at least 7 . As a key tool in the proof, we introduce a notion of reducible sets for Tuza's Conjecture; these are substructures which cannot occur in a minimal counterexample to Tuza's Conjecture. We also introduce weak Konig-Egervary graphs, a generalization of the well-studied Konig-Egervary graphs.
Constructivism in Synchronous and Asynchronous Virtual Learning Environments for a Research Methods Course

Virtual learning is a popular teaching modality, and it has been reported in research that there is no significant difference in academic outcome as compared with face-to-face courses. Not all researchers agree with this assertion and some claim it is more difficult to teach math-oriented subjects online. Given that educational psychology theories are effective for teaching quantitative topics in the face-to-face modality, this study proposes and tests methods for virtual learning. Constructivism learning theory is applied using knowledge management principles to teach an online masters-level research methods course at an Australian university. Asynchronous and synchronous tools are used in the VLE, and contrasted in a controlled experiment. The hypothesis is student grades will be significantly higher when the constructivist instructional method is applied to the synchronous VLE.
Output feedback control using reduced order models

Abstract A method is presented for designing linear output feedback controllers using reduced-order models. These reduced-order models retain only the modes that can be most affected by output feedback. A criterion for determining these modes is also derived. Examples are given to demonstrate the advantage of the proposed method over existing well-known techniques.
Observations on a foraging association between two freshwater stream fishes

On 3 occasions during summer 1977, small groups of a typically run- and pool-dwelling minnow (blacktail shiner, Cyprinella venusta) were observed feeding in a shallow riffle on items dislodged by foraging northern hog suckers (Hypentelium nigricans). Although such nuclear-attendant following behavior has been documented in marine systems and has been reported from some African freshwater lakes, descriptions from freshwater streams are rare. We describe the interaction and consider the probable development of the search behaviour of the blacktail shiners. We also explore the possible benefits of searching for hog suckers in small groups, as observed, rather than as individuals or in large groups. This feeding strategy may be an important mechanism of food acquisition for some individuals when usual resources are scarce.
A solar chromosphere and spicule model based on far-infrared limb observations

Techniques developed for LTE radiative transfer problems in a rough atmosphere were used to compute a model chromosphere containing spicules consistent with high-resolution solar limb observations from 100 microns to 2.6 mm. The model consists of a smooth, plane-parallel temperature minimum region extending from the photosphere to a height of 1000 km and randomly distributed cylindrical spicules above this height. It is found that the observed limb brightness profiles are well fitted by spicules with electron temperatures on the order of 7000 K.
Validating automatic semantic annotation of anatomy in DICOM CT images

In the current health-care environment, the time available for physicians to browse patients' scans is shrinking due to the rapid increase in the sheer number of images. This is further aggravated by mounting pressure to become more productive in the face of decreasing reimbursement. Hence, there is an urgent need to deliver technology which enables faster and effortless navigation through sub-volume image visualizations. Annotating image regions with semantic labels such as those derived from the RADLEX ontology can vastly enhance image navigation and sub-volume visualization. This paper uses random regression forests for efficient, automatic detection and localization of anatomical structures within DICOM 3D CT scans. A regression forest is a collection of decision trees which are trained to achieve direct mapping from voxels to organ location and size in a single pass. This paper focuses on comparing automated labeling with expert-annotated ground-truth results on a database of 50 highly variable CT scans. Initial investigations show that regression forest derived localization errors are smaller and more robust than those achieved by state-of-the-art global registration approaches. The simplicity of the algorithm's context-rich visual features yield typical runtimes of less than 10 seconds for a 5123 voxel DICOM CT series on a single-threaded, single-core machine running multiple trees; each tree taking less than a second. Furthermore, qualitative evaluation demonstrates that using the detected organs' locations as index into the image volume improves the efficiency of the navigational workflow in all the CT studies.© (2011) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Drug detection and trauma cause : a case control study of fatal injuries

Although drugs are frequently detected when studied in trauma series, the association between specific trauma types (such as gun shot wound) and drug use complicates interpretation of such reports. We carried out a case control study of trauma deaths with drug detection matched by cause with non-drug detection trauma fatality controls. We studied 117 case and control pairs identified from medical examiner's records. By multiple logistic regression analysis, younger adult age (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5 to 6.1) and black race (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 5.0) were both strongly associated with drug detection. In contrast, neither gender, intent (homicide, suicide or unintentional), primary trauma site, nor ethanol detection were significantly associated with drug detection. Our findings suggest that case mix variables should be considered when interpreting the drug use rates in trauma.
Dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide residues in fat from hogs foraging on corn stover in insecticidally treated fields

Hogs pasturing on corn stover in insecticidally treated fields accumulated measurable residues of dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide. Hogs weighing between 40 and 60 pounds were placed on these treated fields for varying periods of time. Residues of heptachlor epoxide and dieldrin accumulated in the fat to levels of from 0.032 to 0.071 ppm. of heptachlor epoxide and from 0.080 to 0.141 ppm. of dieldrin. Removal of the animals to concrete slabs for further fattening for varying periods of time reduced but did not eliminate these residues.
Circling in Guinea Pigs with Lesions in the Brain Stem

SummaryCircling to one or the other side has been observed in 13 animals with lesions in the medulla and pons. Lesions in Deiters' and in the descending vestibular nucleus produced circling toward the side of the lesion, while those in the medial vestibular nucleus, in the medial reticular formation, and in the medial longitudinal fasciculus resulted in circling toward the opposite side. Since the connections between the vestibular mechanism and the motor ocular nuclei and possibly, those between the former and some postural centers were interrupted, these observations are reported as confirmatory of the hypothesis put forward recently by Lurie and Dempsey to explain the circling observed in their experimental guinea pigs.
Do Remedial Programs Really Work

The results of an evaluative study demonstrate that the remedial reading-writing program at a large urban community junior college did not produce any meaningful differences in student withdrawals from college or in grade point averages during the second semester of college; did not improve achievement in social science, humanities, or English courses; and did not result in higher scores on writing and reading tests for those students in the remedial program than for those in a randomly selected control group who did not participate in the program.
Alterations of pancreatic islet size and growth following substantia nigra lesions in the rat

Lesions of certain autonomic centers in the brain are known to alter feeding behavior, body weight, and influence the morphology and function of the pancreatic islets. Because marked reductions of food intake and body weight have been reported following damage to the substantia nigra (SN), we investigated the role of this brain area as a potential regulator of the endocrine pancreas. Rats were given bilateral SN lesions using the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) at a dose of either 6 or 12 micrograms/hemisphere. Animals given sham lesions served as controls. Both the control and experimental rats were placed on a high-fat diet to minimize lesion-induced reductions of food intake and body weight. Eleven weeks following lesion placement, pancreatic tissues were collected and islet size and volume density were determined using point-counting stereological analyses. At the time of tissue collection, the body weights of control and experimental rats were comparable. Rats with SN lesions exhibited a reduction of pancreatic islet size and volume density, when compared with that of sham-lesioned controls. Moreover, the islets of SN-lesioned rats were comparable in size and volume density to that of younger animals. Hence, these observations suggest that damage to the SN produces an overall impairment of islet growth independently of changes in body weight.
Harvest contract price volatility for cotton

Changes in agricultural and international trade policy have increased attention to issues of price volatility and risk management. Previous work in the area of price volatility has typically focused on grains, with little work dealing with cotton. The objective of this analysis was to examine the determinants of price volatility for cotton, focusing on the growing season volatility of the harvest contract. Different econometric techniques, including ARCH/GARCH, were employed to estimate the effects of a set of variables on price volatility. The potential for a nonlinear relationship between price and volatility was examined. Findings suggest a significant seasonal pattern to volatility as well as a nonlinear relationship between price and volatility. The results also suggest that cotton price volatility has not significantly changed with respect to changes in agricultural policy. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 19: 717–733, 1999
Hydroxy acetone and lactic acid synthesis from aqueous propylene glycol/hydrogen peroxide catalysis on Pd-black

Abstract Here we report the reaction of propylene glycol with hydrogen peroxide/air sparging on a Pd-black catalyst under reflux conditions at 368 K. Major products include hydroxy acetone (HA) and acetic acid (AA) compounds, whereas a lesser abundant compound formed was lactic acid (LA). Product conversion data at near neutral pH versus hydrogen peroxide equivalents added is presented. Experiments revealed that although the product distribution in air sparged versus non-air sparged chemistries is similar, the amount of reactive oxygen is greatly enhanced (∼8-fold) with co-addition of O 2 /H 2 O 2 . Additional studies have revealed the amount of LA formed can be enhanced under mildly acidic conditions such that 26% of total product formation is LA.
Manifest Destiny Adapted for 1990s’ War Discourse: Mission and Destiny Intertwined

Civil religious themes have long been integral to public discourse in America. Specifically the themes of mission and destiny, best known in the form of Manifest Destiny, still carry the country through periods of foreign conflict. This paper analyzes the discourses of President George Bush during the Persian Gulf War and President Bill Clinton during the Kosovo conflict. I identify the themes of mission by example and mission by intervention and argue that these forms of mission are intertwined. The use of these themes by presidents of different political parties indicates that while they remain useful, they are adapting for a changing political and economic world system
Restoration of voiding in chronic urinary retention using the neuroprosthesis

Six women and one man presenting with chronic urinary retention for >1 year were restored to normal voiding after implantation of a neuroprosthetic device. Detrusor contractions could not be elicited in a preoperative urodynamic investigation, and failure of urethral sphincter relaxation was noted in all cases. Test stimulation of the pudendal and sacral nerve roots resulted in normal motor responses. A temporary wire electrode was inserted in either the S3 or the S2 foramen and the patient was connected to a self-controlled pulse generator for 3–5 days. Voiding returned within the first 24 h and continued for the duration of the test. Retention recurred after removal of the temporary wire electrode. Permanent electrodes were then inserted. Five patients continue to void normally at 2–48 months (mean, 16 months) postimplantation. These subjects demonstrate that chronic retention can be the result of impaired reflex triggering of the voiding reflex in the presence of completely normal motor pathways. Sacral nerve root stimulation can identify this subset of patients and restore their normal voiding function.
Transformation in Tetrahymena pyriformis: Description of an Inducible Phenotype*†

Transformation of Tetrahymena pyriformis to a rapid-swimming (presumably dispersal) form can be induced by washing cells and suspending them in distilled H2O, Dryl's solution or 10 mM Tris. Transformation is possible with high efficiency in mass cultures of axenically grown cells within approximately 5 h at 30 C. The radically different phenotype produced during transformation is characterized by a more elongate body form, increased numbers of somatic basal bodies and cilia, a long caudal cilium and oral membranelles positioned beneath the cell surface. DNA quantities characteristic of G1, S, and G2 cells are found in these transformed ciliates, suggesting that achievement of a particular stage in the DNA-division cycle is not a prerequisite for transformation. Preliminary observations on cells belonging to syngens 2-12 indicate that they also have a capacity to form a caudal cilium, but that the amicronucleate strain GL-C does not. Possible relevance of the transformed phenotype for taxonomy of Tetrahymena is discussed.
The mechanism of decrease in dynamic mitral regurgitation during heart failure treatment: importance of reduction in the regurgitant orifice size☆

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to quantify and characterize the regurgitant flow pattern and regurgitant orifice area in patients undergoing therapy for severe heart failure using contemporary echocardiographic techniques. Background. Mitral regurgitation may be dynamic in patients with heart failure and ultimately correlate with outcome in a group of patients. Methods. Fourteen patients with severe heart failure felt to require hemodynamic monitoring for the optimization of medical therapy were enrolled. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiograms were performed before and following invasively guided therapy. Hemodynamics and standard echocardiographic dimensions were determined as well as regurgitant volume and regurgitant orifice area derived from color M-mode and Doppler measurements. Results. Invasively guided therapy for heart failure was associated with a reduction in weight, filling pressures of the left and right heart, systemic vascular resistance, and echocardiographic left atrial, left ventricular and mitral annular dimensions. The mitral regurgitant volume decreased from 47 ± 27 ml before therapy to 14 ± 14 ml after therapy; p < 0.001. While therapy for heart failure markedly attenuated the volume of regurgitation, the pattern of regurgitant flow across the mitral valve was not significantly altered. In contrast, there was no difference in the velocity time integral of the continuous-wave Doppler spectra of mitral regurgitation with therapy (128 ± 23 cm to 123 ± 25 cm, p = 0.23). In all patients, the regurgitant orifice area decreased with therapy from 0.55 ± 0.38 cm2to 0.21 ± 0.20 cm2(p < 0.001). Conclusions. Pharmacologic reduction in filling pressure and systemic vascular resistance leads to a reduction in the dynamic mitral regurgitation of heart failure through a reduction in the regurgitant orifice area but not through a change in the gradient across the mitral valve. Reduction of the regurgitant orifice area is likely related to decreased left ventricular volumes and decreased annular distention.
Clinical Research: Perceptions, Reality, and Proposed Solutions

Context.—The proportion of investigators applying for clinical research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) who are physicians has declined from 40% 30 years ago to 25% today.Objective.—To recommend NIH policy changes that might encourage physician investigators to undertake careers in clinical research, eg, patient-oriented research, epidemiologic and behavioral studies, outcomes research, and health services research.Participants.—The NIH Director's Panel on Clinical Research comprised 14 physicians from academia and industry, chosen by the director. They met in numerous closed sessions and in 5 public meetings from July 1995 to November 1997.Consensus Process.—In addition to expert opinion and pertinent literature, data sources included the training characteristics of applicants to NIH who were funded or not. Topics considered included financing of clinical research, recruitment, training, and retention of future clinical investigators, conduct of clinical trials, and peer review of clinical research. Consensus was reached and recommendations were made in response to an interim report, widely circulated to the biomedical community, written by members of the panel, which contained preliminary recommendations.Conclusions.—The panel's final recommendations to NIH included maintaining at least the present proportion of NIH funding for clinical research; continuing mentored opportunities in clinical research for medical students; promoting clinical research training by offering didactic courses and grant opportunities in clinical research to nascent investigators emerging from specialty training programs and providing partial salary support for mentors; restructuring study sections that review patient-oriented research applications to include more physicians; encouraging clinical investigators and basic scientists to work closely together and weld collaborations between academic clinical investigators and colleagues in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; and developing a joint policy between academic health centers and NIH for the support of clinical research and clinical research training.
Sublimation pressures of solid solutions IV. (C6H5)4Si + (C6H5)4Sn, (C6H5)4Si + (C6H5)4Pb, and NH4Br + KBr

The sublimation pressures of the solid solutions in the binary systems (C6H5)4Si + (C6H5)4Sn, (C6H5)4Si + (C6H5)4Pb, and NH4Br + KBr, which show complete miscibility in the solid state, were measured as a function of composition from 453 to 488 K for the tetraphenylmetal mixtures using a differential manometer, and from 543 to 593 K for the third mixture using an isoteniscope. Only (C6H5)4Si and NH4Br are volatile at these temperatures. The results were fitted to ln p = A − BT−1 for the first two mixtures, and to ln p = A − BT−1 + C ln T for the third, and partial enthalpies of sublimation of the volatile component were obtained. The tetraphenylmetal mixtures are nearly ideal. Activity coefficients of both components in NH4Br + KBr were computed assuming the vapor to be completely dissociated into NH3 and HBr. This mixture shows positive deviations from ideality for both components. The results are discussed qualitatively in terms of lattice dimensions, and the effect of possible incomplete dissociation of NH4Br(g) is described.
Legionella pneumophila regulates the small GTPase Rab1 activity by reversible phosphorylcholination.

Effectors delivered into host cells by the Legionella pneumophila Dot/Icm type IV transporter are essential for the biogenesis of the specialized vacuole that permits its intracellular growth. The biochemical function of most of these effectors is unknown, making it difficult to assign their roles in the establishment of successful infection. We found that several yeast genes involved in membrane trafficking, including the small GTPase Ypt1, strongly suppress the cytotoxicity of Lpg0695(AnkX), a protein known to interfere severely with host vesicle trafficking when overexpressed. Mass spectrometry analysis of Rab1 purified from a yeast strain inducibly expressing AnkX revealed that this small GTPase is modified posttranslationally at Ser76 by a phosphorylcholine moiety. Using cytidine diphosphate-choline as the donor for phosphorylcholine, AnkX catalyzes the transfer of phosphorylcholine to Rab1 in a filamentation-induced by cAMP(Fic) domain-dependent manner. Further, we found that the activity of AnkX is regulated by the Dot/Icm substrate Lpg0696(Lem3), which functions as a dephosphorylcholinase to reverse AnkX-mediated modification on Rab1. Phosphorylcholination interfered with Rab1 activity by making it less accessible to the bacterial GTPase activation protein LepB; this interference can be alleviated fully by Lem3. Our results reveal reversible phosphorylcholination as a mechanism for balanced modulation of host cellular processes by a bacterial pathogen.
Does Index Speculation Impact Commodity Prices? An Intraday Analysis

Using intraday data, we find unidirectional causality from commodity index-linked futures to nonindex-linked commodity futures for up to one hour which disappears when using daily data. Also, the economic significance of index-linked to nonindex commodity transmission declines to zero within about an hour. Finally, we find that the magnitude of index-linked to nonindex return transmission is positively related to the amount of speculation, both long and short, in S&P GSCI commodity index futures. We conclude that speculative pressures exerted by commodity index futures can impact nonindex commodities, mainly through the activity of uninformed, positive feedback traders.
Poster: Balancing disclosure and utility of personal information

The ubiquity of smartphones and mobile and wearable devices allow people to collect information about their health, wellness and lifestyle and share with others. If it is not clear what they need to share to receive benefits, subjects (people whose information is collected) might share too much, thus disclosing unnecessary private information. On the other hand, concerned about disclosing personal information, subjects might share less than what the recipient needs and lose the opportunity to enjoy the benefits. This balance of disclosure and utility is important when the subject wants to receive some benefits, but is concerned about disclosing private information.We address this problem of balancing disclosure and utility of personal information collected by mobile technologies. We believe subjects can decide how best to share their information if they are aware of the benefits and risks of sharing. We developed ShareBuddy, a privacy-aware architecture that allows recipients to request information and specify the benefits the subjects will receive for sharing each piece of requested information; the architecture displays these benefits and warns subjects about the risks of sharing. We describe the ShareBuddy architecture in this poster.
A Bayes Sampling Allocation Scheme for Stratified Finite Populations With Hyperbinomial Prior Distributions

When sampling is carried out independently for the K strata of a finite stratified dichotomous population (defectives vs. standard items), and the number Zi of defectives per stratum sample is observed, the corresponding probability function for X = (Xi , …, xK ) is the product of hypergeometric functions which depend on the sample sizes ni , the stratum sizes Ni , and the number of defectives Mi in the stratum (i = 1, …, K). It is assumed that prior information is available about the Mi 's which can be expressed, by suitable choice of the parameters ai and bi , as the product of independent hyperbinomial functions. In each stratum the cost per observation is a known constant. Using squared error loss function, the prior Bayes risk is found for the linear function of interest, and the optimum allocation of sample sizes is found, the one for which the prior Bayes risk is minimum when the total sampling budget is fixed.
Hospice Use Among African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Whites: Implications for Practice

Objective: This study examined the characteristics of individuals in hospice care by racial/ethnic groups. Methods: A total of 22,936 patients served by a hospice in Central Florida during a four-y...
Adenosine, a "retaliatory" metabolite, promotes anoxia tolerance in turtle brain.

Summary: Contrary to what is found in most vertebrates, the brains of certain turtle species maintain ATP levels and ion homeostasis and survive prolonged anoxia. The hypothesis tested here is that the release of adenosine and its binding to A1 receptors are essential for this anoxic tolerance. Studies were conducted in the isolated turtle cerebellum, which did release adenosine to the extracellular space during anoxia. When adenosine receptor antagonists [theophylline, 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT), or 8-cyclopentyl-l,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX)] were added to the superfusate under control conditions, they had no effect on extracellular potassium ion activity ([K + ]o. During anoxia, however, these antagonists provoked maximal efflux of K+ (anoxic depolarization). Anoxic depolarization occurred earlier during anoxia with theophylline (a nonspecific adenosine receptor antagonist) than with CPT or DPCPX, which specifically block Al receptors. Therefore, adenosine release and effects mediated by A1 receptors are essential to anoxia tolerance in turtle brain.
Wear of iron–aluminide intermetallic-based alloys and composites by hard particles

Abstract In this study, the resistance of alloys and composites based on the intermetallic compounds Fe 3 Al and FeAl to wear by hard particles was assessed and compared to the behavior of selected metals, alloys, other intermetallic compounds and ceramics. Pin abrasion tests were performed on these materials at room temperature. Among other things, it was found that as the Al atomic percent in binary Fe–Al increased, the alloys became more abrasion resistant. In summary, the ranking of the alloys in terms of abrasion resistance from the most resistant to the least resistant proceeds as follows: FeAl>Fe 3 Al>α-Fe alloy with 16 at.% Al>pure Fe>pure Al. These results are discussed in terms of the hardnesses of the respective alloys. The addition between 40 and 70 vol.% of a hard second phase (e.g. TiC or TiB 2 ) decreased the wear rate of the Fe 3 Al and FeAl composites by an order of magnitude compared to the parent alloy. In addition, solid particle erosion tests were performed on an FeAl alloy, and FeAl+80 vol.% TiC, FeAl+80 vol.% WC, FeAl+80 vol.% TiB 2 cermets at 25, 180, 500 and 700°C, and the results were compared to erosion behavior of several conventional alloys and cemented carbides (WC–Co). The ranking of the erosion resistance of the FeAl alloys and composite materials was as follows: (most resistant) FeAl–WC>FeAl–TiB 2 >FeAl–TiC>FeAl (least resistant). This behavior was related to both the cermet microstructure and material removal mechanisms.
pH of seawater

Abstract The pH of seawater is a key quantity for the calculation of fossil fuel carbon dioxide transfer into the oceans and of the potential dissolution of calcareous organisms, a sink for the carbon dioxide. Thus, it is important to clarify what is meant by the pH of seawater. New data on chloride interactions with hydrogen ions affects this meaning and is discussed briefly in this work.
INDOCYANINE GREEN-PLASMA HALF TIME CLEARANCE (T 1/2) IN NORMAL BEAGLES.

Summary1. The mean plasma clearance half time of indocyanine green (ICG) was found to be 5.6 ± 0,8§ minutes in male beagles, and 7.0 ± 1.48 in female beagles, 2. Female dogs in this study cleared ICG significantly more slowly than the males. 3. Plasma volume estimated using ICG is 3 7.7 ± 6.0 ml/kg. This figure agrees with 37.5 ± 6.1 ml/kg found using radioiron (Fe-59).
Surveillance colonoscopy is cost-effective for patients with adenomas who are at high risk of colorectal cancer.

Background & Aims Guidelines recommend that patients with colon adenomas undergo periodic surveillance colonoscopy. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of these recommendations. Methods We developed a Markov model to study various surveillance strategies from the perspective of a long-term payer. We modeled a cohort of 50-year-old patients with newly diagnosed adenomas, following them until death. Thirty percent of the population was assumed to be at high risk for colorectal cancer. Costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were measured. Results Performing colonoscopies every 3 years in high-risk patients and every 10 years in low-risk patients (3/10 strategy) was more costly but also more effective than no surveillance, with an ICER of $5743 per QALY gained. Compared with this 3/10 strategy, a 3/5 strategy was considerably more costly but only marginally more effective, with an ICER of $296266 per QALY. A 3/3 strategy was more costly and less effective than a 3/5 strategy (dominated). Results were most sensitive to the annual probability of advanced adenoma formation and the relative risk (RR) of advanced adenoma formation in high-risk versus low-risk patients. Assuming that the probability of advanced adenoma formation was 1.3% per year (base: 0.5%), the ICER of the 3/5 strategy was Conclusions Surveillance colonoscopy is cost-effective for patients who are at high risk for developing colorectal cancer. Aggressive surveillance can be expensive or even harmful; efforts should be made to improve risk models for colonic neoplasia.
Dysphonia due to Kaposi's sarcoma as the presenting symptom of human immunodeficiency virus.

Dysphonia and airway obstruction are rarely caused by Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS). We present the case of a 40 year old man receiving his diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after presenting with hoarseness caused by laryngeal KS. HIV may contribute to KS growth by stimulating excess production of angiogenic lymphokines and monokines and by decreasing immune surveillance. Histopathology reveals proliferating endothelial cells, fibroblasts, thin vascular slits, and extravasated erythrocytes. A wide variety of localized treatment options exist, while chemotherapeutic agents and alpha -interferon are used for multifocal or widespread disease.
Dietary Quality and Relationships With Health Indicators Among Early Adolescents

Healthy eating patterns during adolescence support appropriate growth and development and influence eating habits later in life. Recent analyses of US adolescents’ diets have consistently demonstrated that significant numbers do not meet Institute of Medicine dietary reference intakes for macronutrients or micronutrients. The aims of this baseline study were to examine dietary intakes of a sample of seventh-graders and the associations between micronutrient and macro-nutrient intakes out of recommended range with health indicators. A total of 167 predominantly European American participants (54% female; mean age 12.6 years) completed a 24-hour diet recall with trained interviewers. Data were entered into the Food Processor computer program to assess dietary quality. Recommended intakes were calculated based on age, height, weight, and activity level (assessed by the previous day’s physical activity recall). Major findings were incongruence between dietary intake and recommendations among adolescents (eg, ...
Youth Perspective on Multiculturalism Using Photovoice Methodology

With increasing diversity and multiculturalism, there is a greater need to understand ways to foster positive intergroup interactions. In this study, youth ages 14 to 18 from three different regions in the United States (N = 21) were given camera phones and instructed to take pictures of what multiculturalism meant to them and how it played a role in their life. Interviews and focus groups were conducted and transcribed, followed by thematic coding. Generally, youth had ideal views and attitudes about multiculturalism, but they also expressed, to varying degrees, a lack of institutional support (i.e., educational opportunities) that encouraged acquiring knowledge about diversity and multiculturalism. Youth suggested that schools should formally incorporate dialogue about multiculturalism in the school curriculum, as a way to reduce misunderstandings among different groups which in turn may facilitate greater empathy and positive intergroup relationships.
Sexual abuse prevention training for preschoolers: Implications for moral development☆

Child sexual abuse prevention education is taught to children of all ages. The youngest students are preschool age children. Many programs focus on the moral ramifications of a sexual assault. The limitations of children's moral development, however, may hinder their ability to understand the concepts presented. In some instances, education may unwittingly foster sentiments of guilt in these very young children.
Sexual Minority Status, Peer Harassment, and Adolescent Depression

The well-documented higher rates of depression among sexual minority youth are increasingly viewed by developmentalists as a byproduct of the stigmatization of sexual minority status in American society and of the negative impact this stigma has on the processes associated with depression. This study attempted to spur future research by testing Hatzenbuehler's (2009) psychological mediation framework to investigate the ways in which peer harassment related to sexuality puts young people at risk by influencing the cognitive, social, and regulatory factors associated with depression. Analyses of 15 year olds in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development revealed that sexual minority status was largely associated with depressive outcomes via harassment, which was subsequently associated with depression via cognitive and social factors. Results point to various avenues for exploring the importance of the social world and self-concept for the outcomes of sexual minority adolescents in the future.
Sample cells for studies of catalytic materials by ESR and NMR spectroscopies

We describe the construction of sample cells for ESR and NMR spectroscopy of air-sensitive materials. The cells are designed for repeated exposure of the material to an atmosphere through attachment to a gas manifold, as would occur in studies of sorption onto heterogeneous catalysts and in flow systems.
Isosteric heat of adsorption of oxygen on silver

Adsorption isotherms have been measured on cleaned silver powder from 178 to 339°C at oxygen pressures of 0.226 Pa to 40 kPa using a vacuum ultramicrobalance. Adsorption equilibrium was found at all temperatures and pressures studied. The surface was prepared for the reproducible chemisorption studies and cleaned before the determination of each isotherm by an established method. Seven isotherms were measured that spanned the fraction of the surface covered ϑ from 0.17 to 1.0. The isosteric heat of adsorption q was determined by application of the the Clausius–Clapeyron equation at constant values of ϑ. From ϑ of 0.17 to 0.33, q decreases from 42 to 17.7 kcal/mol; it remains constant at 18.4±0.8 kcal/mol from ϑ of 0.33 to about 0.90, and then decreases to zero at the highest coverages and temperatures. By comparing the isosteric heat data with LEED and thermal desorption studies on Ag(111) by Rovida and coworkers, it is suggested the initial drop in q results from the formation of islands of surface silver oxide. The constant value is attributed to completion of the oxide layer and molecular adsorption on and/or through the oxide. The decrease in q at the highest coverages results from repulsions in the adlayer at T?275 and absorption at T≳302.
Management of major hemoptysis in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract Although bronchoscopy remains the best definitive method for localization of the site of hemorrhage in patients who have massive hemoptysis, angiography remains an important adjunct to this localization. When combined with embolization of the bleeding bronchial artery, it is an effective method of therapy for the management of massive hemoptysis in patients with cystic fibrosis.
An Inexpensive Continuous Positive End-expiratory Pressure (PEEP) Adaptor for Positive Pressure Respirators

A simple, easily constructed device for delivering PEEP with an intermittent positive pressure respirator is described with details of construction. It is inexpensive, accurate, and disposable. We feel it is important at this time when hospital costs are rising at an alarming rate to utilize inexpensive, albeit accurate devices.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Center for Cancer Research. I. Distribution of Intraspecies Types from Human and Environmental Sources

A total of 755 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were recovered in cultures from 242 patients and 13 environmental sources during a 19-month period. These strains were typed for a determination of prevalence as related to source of those causing infection and/or death by use of seven antisera based on studies of crossprotection. Types 1, 2, 6, and 7 colonized patients with greater frequency than did the other strains. There was evidence that different types had certain predilections for particular areas of the body; one or more types could occur concurrently in the same or different areas. Types that colonized patients were also occasionally recovered from such areas of the environment as ice machines, sinks, etc. Intraspecies monitoring of P. aeruginosa has further elucidated the behavior of endogenous and exogenous strains of this organism in high-risk patients.
DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF FUNCTION‐RELATED ANTIGENS ON NEWBORN AND ADULT MONOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS

Umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood monocytes were separated into two subpopulations, based on the intensity of CD14 expression, and the coexpression of various antigens associated with monocyte function was examined. The majority of cord and adult monocytes expressed CD14 at a high density (CD14bright) while approximately 15% of monocytes expressed this antigen at a lower level (CD14dim). Three times as many CD14dim monocytes expressed CD16 (Fc gamma RIII) as did CD14bright monocytes in both cord and adult preparations, while its level of expression (mean fluorescence intensity) was significantly reduced on cord CD14dim monocytes relative to adult CD14dim monocytes. The percentage of cord blood CD14dim monocytes expressing human leucocyte antigen-DR (major histocompatibility complex class II antigen) was significantly reduced relative to adult CD14dim cells; however, the level of expression of this antigen was greater on both cord and adult CD14dim monocytes compared with CD14bright cells. Cord CD14bright cells expressed CD36 (OKM5) to a greater extent than did their adult counterparts. The level of expression of CD62L was reduced on cord CD14dim cells compared with adult CD14dim cells. CD11b (CR3) was expressed both on a higher percentage of cells and also with a greater intensity on both cord and adult CD14bright monocytes compared with their CD14dim counterpart. These results show that significant differences exist between cord and adult monocyte subpopulations with regard to expression of various antigens associated with specific effector function.
Infancy Intervention: Historical perspectives

The pressures by working parents have emphasized the need for out-of-home care infants. What we know historically about drastic and distressing outcomes of group care for infants without attention to their special developmental needs has important lessons for us. With such careful attention, as several pioneer infant enrichment day care programs suggest, we can be more hopeful about mitigating the impact of other-than-mother infancy group care. Societal cautions are suggested in moving ahead with increased use of day care for infants.
Observation of a Ferromagnetic-to-Paramagnetic Phase Transition on a Ferromagnetic Surface Using Spin-Polarized Photoelectron Diffraction: Gd(0001)

Spin-polarized photoelectron diffraction (SPPD) has been used previously by the authors group to study two antiferromagnetic surfaces (KMnF{sub 3} (011) and MnO(001)) - these measurements provided evidence of a surface and/or short-range-order magnetic transition significantly above the bulk transition temperature. The authors here report the first use of SPPD to study the order-disorder transitions on a ferromagnetic surface: Gd(0001). Prior work on Gd(0001) suggests that it is unusual in having a surface transition temperature that is 20-60 K above the bulk transition temperature, but there is still not total agreement on the existence of this effect and its origins. The authors have thus used the multiplet-split Gd 4s and Gd 5s photoelectron spectra as sources of spin-polarized photoelectrons to study this magnetic transition.
Predictive value of meniscal and chondral injuries in conservatively treated anterior cruciate ligament injuries

Some degree of uncertainty remains in the natural history of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears treated conservatively with a supervised rehabilitation program, counseling, and activity modifications. Symptomatic ACL-deficient individuals usually present for treatment, whereas the asymptomatic may not, thus making the true outcome difficult to discern. The goal of this study was to identify which prognostic indicators available at the initial evaluation of an ACL-deficient knee could predict future disability. The hospital records of 107 individuals who presented with an ACL-deficient knee (confirmed by arthroscopy) were reviewed. Follow-up (mean 51.7 months) was obtained on 99 individuals (93%) by telephone interview. The study sample was composed of 72 males (67%), 83 acute injuries (78%), and 91 complete ACL tears (85%). Furthermore, 81 individuals presented initially with associated knee injuries (87%), whereas 73 injuries were sports related (68%). Associated injuries included 47 lateral meniscal tears (54%), 37 medial meniscal tears (42.5%), 52 hyaline cartilage injuries (59.8%), and 16 other ligament injuries (18.4%). Those individuals with associated injuries to the meniscus did not show a reduction in the ability to run, secondary to pain and/or swelling. However, those individuals with hyaline cartilage defects did decrease their running due to pain and swelling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)