cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential changes in amygdala and frontal cortex Pde10a expression during acute and protracted withdrawal

Alcohol use disorders are persistent problems with high recidivism rates despite repeated efforts to quit drinking. Neuroadaptations that result from alcohol exposure and that persist during periods of abstinence represent putative molecular determinants of the propensity to relapse. Previously we demonstrated a positive association between phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) gene expression and elevations in relapse-like alcohol self-administration in rats with a history of stress exposure. Because alcohol withdrawal is characterized by heightened anxiety-like behavior, activation of stress-responsive brain regions and an elevated propensity to self-administer alcohol, we hypothesized that Pde10a expression also would be upregulated in reward- and stress-responsive brain regions during periods of acute (8-10 h) and protracted (6 wk) alcohol withdrawal. During acute withdrawal, elevated Pde10a mRNA expression was found in the medial and basolateral amygdala, as well as the infralimbic and anterior cingulate subdivisions of the medial prefrontal cortex, relative to alcohol-naive controls. The basolateral amygdala was the only region with elevated Pde10a mRNA expression during both acute and protracted withdrawal. In contrast to the elevations, Pde10a mRNA levels tended to be reduced during protracted withdrawal in the dorsal striatum, prelimbic prefrontal cortex, and medial amygdala. Together these results implicate heightened PDE10A expression in the basolateral amygdala as a lasting neuroadaptation associated with alcohol dependence.
Effect of Cystic Fibrosis-associated Mutations in the Fourth Intracellular Loop of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) contains multiple membrane spanning sequences that form a Cl− channel pore and cytosolic domains that control the opening and closing of the channel. The fourth intracellular loop (ICL4), which connects the tenth and eleventh transmembrane spans, has a primary sequence that is highly conserved across species, is the site of a preserved sequence motif in the ABC transporter family, and contains a relatively large number of missense mutations associated with cystic fibrosis (CF). To investigate the role of ICL4 in CFTR function and to learn how CF mutations in this region disrupt function, we studied several CF-associated ICL4 mutants. We found that most ICL4 mutants disrupted the biosynthetic processing of CFTR, although not as severely as the most common ΔF508 mutation. The mutations had no discernible effect on the channel's pore properties; but some altered gating behavior, the response to increasing concentrations of ATP, and stimulation in response to pyrophosphate. These effects on activity were similar to those observed with mutations in the nucleotide-binding domains, suggesting that ICL4 might help couple activity of the nucleotide-binding domains to gating of the Cl− channel pore. The data also explain how these mutations cause a loss of CFTR function and suggest that some patients with mutations in ICL4 may have a milder clinical phenotype because they retain partial activity of CFTR at the cell membrane.
Use of the strange-situation procedure in the diagnosis of attachment disorder

This study demonstrates the usefulness of developmental theory and research in understanding psychopathological development. It is a case history of a genetically vulnerable 2 1/2 year old child who experienced a major disruption in the attachment process as a function of precipitous and permanent separation from a positive attachment figure and placement in a home in which the new attachment figure was unresponsive to the child. The child's behavior and growth deteriorated requiring her to be hospitalized. Upon admission, she appeared functionally retarded and severely emotionally disturbed. A diagnosis of attachment disorder of infancy was made based upon history, response to treatment, and the use of the strange-situation procedure.
Surface structure of the (111) face of the non-ordered Fe32%Ni alloy

The structure of the fcc (111) face of the Fe32%Ni alloy has been determined by LEED intensity analysis. The choice of an alloy with two constituents of similar Z number simplified modeling of the non-ordered structure and resulted in one of the best R-factors in a structure determination by this lab. In this study both the Debye temperature and the “bulk” lattice constant were determined experimentally since reliable data is not available as a function of concentration. IV profiles using models with a range of different lattice constants led to different results for best value of contraction (relaxation) of surface interlayer spacing upon comparison with experiment. The negative correlation between surface interlayer spacing and bulk lattice constant for good R-factor shows importance of using correct lattice constant in alloy studies.
Neurosteroid regulation of GABAA receptors: Focus on the α4 and δ subunits

Neurosteroids, such as the progesterone metabolite 3alpha-OH-5alpha[beta]-pregnan-20-one (THP or [allo]pregnanolone), function as potent positive modulators of the GABA(A) receptor (GABAR) when acutely administered. However, fluctuations in the circulating levels of this steroid at puberty, across endogenous ovarian cycles, during pregnancy or following chronic stress produce periods of prolonged exposure and withdrawal, where changes in GABAR subunit composition may occur as compensatory responses to sustained levels of inhibition. A number of laboratories have demonstrated that both chronic administration of THP as well as its withdrawal transiently increase expression of the alpha4 subunit of the GABAR in several areas of the central nervous system (CNS) as well as in in vitro neuronal systems. Receptors containing this subunit are insensitive to benzodiazepine (BDZ) modulation and display faster deactivation kinetics, which studies suggest underlie hyperexcitability states. Similar increases in alpha4 expression are triggered by withdrawal from other GABA-modulatory compounds, such as ethanol and BDZ, suggesting a common mechanism. Other studies have reported puberty or estrous cycle-associated increases in delta-GABAR, the most sensitive target of these steroids which underlies a tonic inhibitory current. In the studies reported here, the effect of steroids on inhibition, which influence anxiety state and seizure susceptibility, depend not only on the subunit composition of the receptor but also on the direction of Cl(-) current generated by these target receptors. The effect of neurosteroids on GABAR function thus results in behavioral outcomes relevant for pubertal mood swings, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and catamenial epilepsy, which are due to fluctuations in endogenous steroids.
A Remark on the Computation of Optimum Media Schedules

The media scheduling problem of Ellis is transformed into an integer linear programming problem in zero-one variables. The transformed problem is recognized as the knapsack problem and exact and approximate algorithms are proposed.
Source parameters of earthquakes along the coastal margin of West Africa and comparisons with earthquakes in other coastal margin settings

Abstract The coastal margins of Western Africa and most of the eastern Americas are considered to be stable continental interiors where large earthquakes occur infrequently. Since these regions have similar geologic and tectonic histories, it might seem reasonable to expect similarities between their large earthquakes. On the other hand, current plate forces acting on these regions differ and may lead to regional differences in earthquakes. To examine the similarities of coastal margin earthquakes we first determined the source parameters for six earthquakes of M ⩾ 5.5 occurring along the coastal margin of West Africa, a region that has not previously been studied in detail. Results of this analysis indicate that the earthquakes are shallow (8–15 km) strike-slip events along high-angle faults (dips generally > 80°), with nodal planes having orientations similar to those of faults mapped in the exposed Precambrian basement. Five out of seven events show complexities in their source-time functions. East of the Cameroon line, most P axes trend northeast-southwest to east-west. Earthquakes west of the Cameroon line show less coherency of stress field, with P axes for onshore events trending northwest-southeast and for offshore events north-south to northeast-southwest. In contrast, M ⩾ 5.5 earthquakes of the eastern coastal margin of North and South America have reverse mechanisms, with more moderate dips on nodal planes (45–70°) and over 50% have east-west oriented P axes, which reflect stresses caused by the motion of North and South America relative to Europe and Africa. In North America, earthquakes appear to occur on faults that cannot be associated with surficial geology; occur shallower or deeper than West African events and have shorter rupture lengths for the equivalent moment. These differences suggest that West African events may not serve as useful analogs for events expected along the American coastal margin.
A study of glutamine interference in the acidified ninhydrin reaction for proline

Abstract In the application of the acidified ninhydrin reaction to the estimation of free proline in plant extracts, glutamine was a major source of interference, all others being minor, absent or removable with Permutit. Some characteristics of glutamine interference in this reaction are described. A ratio of linear errors method for the correction of proline values to the glutamine free state is introduced. The glycine and proline concentration in the reaction mixtures are prime factors in obtaining a ratio of linear errors by spectrophotometric measurement at 2 wavelengths.
Elevated CO2 and leaf shape: Are dandelions getting toothier?

Heteroblastic leaf development in Taraxacum officinale is compared between plants grown under ambient (350 ppm) vs. elevated (700 ppm) CO{sub 2} levels. Leaves of elevated CO{sub 2} plants exhibited more deeply incised leaf margins and relatively more slender leaf laminae than leaves of ambient CO{sub 2} plants. These differences were found to be significant in allometric analyses that controlled for differences in leaf size, as well as analyses that controlled for leaf development order. The effects of elevated CO{sub 2} on leaf shape were most pronounced when plants were grown individually, but detectable differences were also found in plants grown at high density. Although less dramatic than in Taraxacum, significant effects of elevated CO{sub 2} on leaf shape were also found in two other weedy rosette species, Plantago major and Rumex crispus. These observations support the long-standing hypothesis that leaf carbohydrate level plays an important role in regulating heteroblastic leaf development, though elevated CO{sub 2} may also affect leaf development through direct hormonal interactions or increased leaf water potential. In Taraxacum, pronounced modifications of leaf shape were found at CO{sub 2} levels predicted to occur within the next century. 33 refs., 5 figs.
Release of dissolved free and combined amino acids by bacterivorous marine flagellates

We measured the release of dissolved free (DFAA) and combined (DCAA) amino acids and ammonium by a microflagellate (Paraphysomonas imperforata) grazing on bacteria. The release rate of DFAA was determined from changes in DFAA concentrations and uptake rates of DFAA. Exponentially growing flagellates released 4–22% of ingested nitrogen as DFAA. The release of DFAA by flagellates was comparable to or higher than ammonium release when ingestion was high, but lower than ammonium release when ingestion was low. DCAA accumulated during the exponential growth phase of flagellates, suggesting that flagellates released DCAA. We also measured the release rate of 3H-labeled compounds by flagellates grazing on bacteria labeled with [3H]amino acids. The results suggested that flagellates release significant amounts of dissolved organic matter during the exponential growth phase, consistent with the measurements of amino acid release. Bacterivorous flagellates could be an important source of DFAA and DCAA in aquatic environments.
Combining Models and Guided Empirical Search to Optimize for Multiple Levels of the Memory Hierarchy

This paper describes an algorithm for simultaneously optimizing across multiple levels of the memory hierarchy for dense-matrix computations. Our approach combines compiler models and heuristics with guided empirical search to take advantage of their complementary strengths. The models and heuristics limit the search to a small number of candidate implementations, and the empirical results provide the most accurate information to the compiler to select among candidates and tune optimization parameter values. We have developed an initial implementation and applied this approach to two case studies, matrix multiply and Jacobi relaxation. For matrix multiply, our results on two architectures, SGI R10000 and Sun UltraSparc IIe, outperform the native compiler, and either outperform or achieve comparable performance as the ATLAS self-tuning library and the hand-tuned vendor BLAS library. Jacobi results also substantially outperform the native compilers.
432. Characterization of a Novel Oncolytic Measles Virus Retargeted Against the Urokinase Receptor: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Objective. The Edmonston vaccine strain of measles virus (MV- Edm) is a novel oncolytic agent with potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. In order to improve viral tumor specificity, suitable targets need to be identified. The |[ldquo]|ideal|[rdquo]| target for an oncolytic virus should be biologically relevant, overexpressed in tumor compared to normal cells, and preferably overexpressed by tumor stroma, to amplify the virus' antitumor effects. To test the retargeted virus' effects in appropriate syngeneic models, it should be relevant for murine tumors. The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a biologically validated tumor and stromal target that has been associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype in several cancer types. Our goals are to determine if uPAR is a suitable target for MV oncolytic virotherapy in human and mouse cancer models.
Out-of-School Time Science Activities and Their Association with Career Interest in STEM

Spurred by concerns about an inadequately sized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce, there has been a growing interest in out-of-school time (OST) science activities as a means to foster STEM career interest. This study examines the association between OST science activities and STEM career interest in university through a logistic regression model and the calculation of prototypical odds ratios. The analysis addresses two main research questions: What is the correlation among different forms of OST activities? And, controlling for student demographic and background variables, what specific forms of OST activities are associated with STEM career interest in university? The study uses data from the ‘Persistence Research in Science and Engineering’ survey (n = 6882), which employs a nationally representative sample of university students enrolled in introductory English courses. Results indicate that students’ participation in OST activities, as well as their middle school int...
Enantioselective Syntheses of Nonracemic Benzyl-α-d Alcohols via Catalytic Transfer-Hydrogenation with Ru, Os, Rh, and Ir Catalysts

The synthesis of chiral benzyl-α-d alcohols via the reduction of benzaldehyde-α-d derivatives has been investigated with a series of catalysts that were derived in situ from (1R,2S)-(+)-cis-1-amino-2-indanol and the chloro-bridged dimers of p-cymeneRu, p-cymeneOs, Cp*Rh, or Cp*Ir. An unusual trend was observed in which substrates containing electron-withdrawing substituents led to greater enantioenrichment than those with electron-donating substituents. All four catalyst systems were found to produce benzyl-α-d alcohols with high conversion (>98%). Modest to good enantioselectivities (up to 68% ee) were observed.
A Realization of the RAM Digital Filter

The digital filtering algorithm of W. D. Little, which employs a large RAM to obtain high speed, is implemented in a simple hardware configuration.
COMMENTS ON IONIC MASS TRANSFER RATES IN ELECTRODIALYSIS

Kitamoto and Takashima1, 2) have recently reported experimental data and some numerical computations for limiting current density in an electrodialysis-type system, under laminar as well as turbulent flow conditions. The purpose of this note is, first, to point out that the authors have not observed that their data for laminar flow is in good agreement with a previously published analytical theory3), reference to which is made in Ref. 2; second, to question their turbulent flow model for the correlation between concentration and electric field fluctuations; and last to raise some points concerning both the laminar and turbulent numerical calculations.
Medical management to prevent recurrent nephrolithiasis in adults: a systematic review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Guideline.

Effective strategies for preventing recurrence are important in the care of patients with kidney stones. This review evaluated the evidence on benefits and harms of treatments to prevent recurrent ...
“Full Utilization,” Equilibrium, and the Expansion of Production

I. The problem, 539. — II. The utilization of productive resources in a static equilibrium economy: (1) The formal theory of prices and price-margins in an equilibrium economy, 542; (2) Static equilibrium and continuity, 545; (3) The meaning of "full utilization" in a static equilibrium economy, 547. — III. The determinants of margins in a static equilibrium economy: (1) The limiting power of the strategic factor, 550; (2) Real costs as determinant of margins of utilization, 552; (3) Institutional limitations on the utilization of resources, 554; (4) The monetary supply as the limiting factor, 556. — IV. The expansion of production without increase of the supply of money: (1) Through saving of monetary income, 558; (2) Through technological improvement, 560. — V. Expansion of production with increase in the monetary supply, 561. — Overcoming inflated price-resistances, 562. — Effect of reduction in the interest rate, 564. — Conclusion, 564.
Peeking through a frosty window: molecular insights into the ecology of Arctic soil fungi.

Abstract Fungi are ubiquitous in Arctic soils, where they function as symbionts and decomposers and may affect the carbon balance of terrestrial ecosystems subjected to climate change, and yet little is known about soil fungi at high latitudes. Here we review data from recent molecular studies to determine broad patterns in Arctic soil fungal ecology. The data indicate comparatively high fungal diversity in Arctic soils, with currently no evidence for lower species richness at higher latitudes. The dominant fungi, and particularly ectomycorrhizal-forming fungi, appear to be cosmopolitan species. Arctic soil fungi are capable of growth at sub-zero temperatures, melanized forms are frequent, host specificity is low and there is evidence that community composition alters under experimental warming. Future challenges are to determine the drivers of fungal diversity, whether or not diversity alters at higher latitudes and how apparently cosmopolitan fungi are able to survive the extreme environments encountered in Arctic habitats.
Qualification of a free ligand assay in the presence of anti-ligand antibody Fab fragments.

The aim of this work was to develop and characterize an ELISA to measure free ligand concentrations in rat serum in the presence of a Fab to the same ligand. A variety of experiments were conducted to understand optimal assay conditions and to verify that only free ligand was detected. The parameters explored included sample incubation time on plate, the initial concentrations of Fab and ligand, and the pre-incubation time required for the Fab-ligand complex concentrations to reach equilibrium. We found the optimal experimental conditions to include a 10-minute on-plate incubation of ligand-containing samples, with a 24-hour pre-incubation time for test samples of Fab and ligand to reach equilibrium. An alternative approach, involving removal of Fab-ligand complexes from the solution prior to measuring concentrations of the ligand, was also used to verify that the assay only measured free ligand. Rats were dosed subcutaneously with Fab and the assay was used to demonstrate dose-dependent suppression of en...
Ultralow nanoscale wear through atom-by-atom attrition in silicon-containing diamond-like carbon

Understanding friction1,2,3,4 and wear5,6,7,8,9,10,11 at the nanoscale is important for many applications that involve nanoscale components sliding on a surface, such as nanolithography, nanometrology and nanomanufacturing. Defects, cracks and other phenomena that influence material strength and wear at macroscopic scales are less important at the nanoscale, which is why nanowires can, for example, show higher strengths than bulk samples12. The contact area between the materials must also be described differently at the nanoscale13. Diamond-like carbon is routinely used as a surface coating in applications that require low friction and wear because it is resistant to wear at the macroscale14,15,16,17,18,19,20, but there has been considerable debate about the wear mechanisms of diamond-like carbon at the nanoscale because it is difficult to fabricate diamond-like carbon structures with nanoscale fidelity. Here, we demonstrate the batch fabrication of ultrasharp diamond-like carbon tips that contain significant amounts of silicon on silicon microcantilevers for use in atomic force microscopy. This material is known to possess low friction in humid conditions, and we find that, at the nanoscale, it is three orders of magnitude more wear-resistant than silicon under ambient conditions. A wear rate of one atom per micrometre of sliding on SiO2 is demonstrated. We find that the classical wear law of Archard21 does not hold at the nanoscale; instead, atom-by-atom attrition7,8 dominates the wear mechanisms at these length scales. We estimate that the effective energy barrier for the removal of a single atom is ∼1 eV, with an effective activation volume of ∼1 × 10−28 m3. Ultrasharp scanning probe microscope tips made of diamond-like carbon that contains silicon and oxygen demonstrate very high levels of wear resistance.
Computational Modeling of Large Wildfires: A Roadmap

Wildland fire behavior, particularly that of large, uncontrolled wildfires, has not been well understood or predicted. Our methodology to simulate this phenomenon uses high-resolution dynamic models made of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models coupled to fire behavior models to simulate fire behavior. NWP models are capable of modeling very high resolution (
Potentiation of the ACTH response to metyrapone by L-dopa in the monkey.

The intravenous injection of L-Dopa (15 mg/kg) to monkeys (Macaca mulatto) failed to alter plasma concentrations of ACTH and of 11-deoxy-cortisol. When cortisol synthesis was blocked with iv metyrapone, potentiation of ACTH secretion by L-Dopa became apparent. Simultaneous injection of L-Dopa and metyrapone resulted in a marked increase in plasma ACTH from 93 ± 18 pg/ml to 432 ± 80 pg/ml, whereas plasma 11-deoxycortisol increased from 1.5 ± 0.2 μg/100 ml to 14.6 ± 1.0 μg/ .100 ml 90 min after treatment. Throughout the experiment the rise in ACTH and in 11-deoxycortisol following coadministration of L-Dopa and metyrapone was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that produced by metyrapone administration alone. The results suggest that acute administration of L-Dopa in monkeys enhances the response of ACTH to metyrapone. L-Dopa (or one of its metabolites) probably acts upon a noradrenergic or a dopaminergic system located in the hypothalamus to alter the release of hypothalamic corticotropin regulatory factor...
Line-of-duty deaths among U.S. firefighters: An analysis of fatality investigations

More than 100 firefighters die in the line-of-duty in the U.S. each year and over 80,000 are injured. This study examined all firefighter fatality investigations (N=189) completed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for fatalities occurring between 2004 and 2009. These investigations produced a total of 1167 recommendations for corrective actions. Thirty-five high frequency recommendations were derived from the total set: six related to medical fatalities and 29 to injury-related fatalities. These high frequency recommendations were mapped onto the major operational components of firefighting using a fishbone or cause-effect diagram. Over 70% of the 30 non-external recommendations were categorized within the personnel and incident command components of the fishbone diagram. Root cause techniques suggested four higher order causes: under-resourcing, inadequate preparation for/anticipation of adverse events during operations, incomplete adoption of incident command procedures, and sub-optimal personnel readiness. These findings are discussed with respect to the core culture of firefighting. Language: en
Determination of specific oxygen uptake rate of Photorhabdus luminescens during submerged culture in lab scale bioreactor

Photorhabdus luminescens, a bacterial symbiont of entomoparasitic nematodes, was cultured in a 10 L bioreactor. Cellular density and bioluminescence were recorded and volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa) and specific oxygen transfer rates were determined during the batch process. Exponential phase of the bacterium lasted for 20 h, showing a maximum specific growth rate of 0.339 h−1 in a defined medium. Bioluminescence peaked within 21h, and was maintained until the end of the batch process (48 h). The specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) was high during both lag and early exponential phase, and eventually reached a stable value of 0.33 mmol g−1 h−1 during stationary phase. Maintenance of 200 rpm agitation and 1.4 volume of air per volume of medium per minute (vvm) aeration, gave rise to a kLa value of 39.5 h−1. This kLa value was sufficient to meet the oxygen demand of 14.4 g L−1 (DCW) biomass. This research is particularly relevant since there are no reports available on SOURs of symbiotic bacteria...
New cell for asthma: enter the myeloid

The discovery of a new type of inflammatory cell1 would not feature in the wish list of a student of immunology grappling with the congested pathways of multiple cytokine molecules regulating a myriad of cell–cell interactions. However, the chest physician will be acutely aware that, with all our advanced knowledge of mechanisms underlying allergic asthma, there is clearly an unmet need for new therapy which will depend on further dissection of the cross-talk between immune and somatic cells in the lung. While the majority of patients with asthma respond to treatment with bronchodilator drugs and corticosteroids, others at the severe end of the spectrum are difficult to treat.2 These patients generate a substantial morbidity and socio-economic burden and asthma exacerbations carry a significant risk of fatal attacks. The new cell type discovered by Petersen et al surfaced in the analysis of data from a model of chronic asthma in the mouse. Animal models, particularly in the mouse, have given us a working hypothesis that underpins the understanding of basic mechanisms of allergy. Data that build on, or deviate, from this provide new opportunities to develop novel therapy that may prove effective in difficult-to-treat asthma, where corticosteroid insensitivity is a particular problem. A major advance from studies of mouse models was the recognition of the polarisation of CD4 thymus-derived lymphocytes into T-helper (Th) 1 cells specialised to help defend against, …
Therapeutic effect of diltiazem on myocardial cell injury during the calcium paradox

Abstract The calcium paradox induced massive structural damage to the sarcolemma and gap junctions. Treatment of these hearts with diltiazem, a calcium channel blocking agent, significantly prevented cell separation and rupture, gap junction alterations, and preserved tissue high energy phosphate content. It is suggested that the calcium paradoxical injury may be prevented with calcium channel blocking agents by maintaining the structural integrity of junctional sarcolemma and its components.
OPTIMAL DNA TIER FOR THE IRT/DNA ALGORITHM DETERMINED BY CFTR MUTATION RESULTS OVER 14 YEARS OF NEWBORN SCREENING

Background There has been great variation and uncertainty about how many and what CFTR mutations to include in cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening algorithms, and very little research on this topic using large populations of newborns.
Factors governing the vulnerability of DRL operant performance to the effects of ethanol.

The effects of various doses of ethanol on DRL performance was examined in rats under conditions of cued and non-cued DRL tasks and under conditions of low versus high baseline performance criteria. The dose-level at which ethanol produced a significant reduction in number of responses and reinforcements interacted in a complex fashion with level of baseline performance, the cue conditions, and the order of DRL tasks. Generally, performance was impaired at a lower dose level for groups initially trained to a low criterion of DRL performance than for groups later trained to a higher criterion of DRL performance, regardless of cue condition. Further, the dose level at which ethanol impaired performance (as indicated by number of reinforcements obtained) under non-cued DRL conditions was lower than that for the cued DRL conditions, but only on the initial task where baseline DRL performance criterion was lower. Finally, the group with a higher baseline level of responding (i.e., poorer DRL performance) was more vulnerable to the disrupting effects of ethanol on this measure than groups with lower baseline response rates.
An Efficient Algorithm for Polarizable Interactions: A Uniformly Distributed One-Dimensional Case

We present details of an algorithm for the solution of the one-dimensional atom–dipole interactions problem for a uniform distribution that is based on the combination of the full multigrid and cell multipole methods. The rate of convergence of this technique is faster than current iterative methods used to solve this problem. It can be extended to a three-dimensional algorithm that will allow people to include polarizable interactions in simulations for a more accurate description of simulated systems.
Effects of El Niño-Southern Oscillation on the climate, water balance, and streamflow of the Mississippi River basin

Abstract Climatic and hydrologic observations and results from a terrestrial ecosystem model coupled to a regional-scale river-routing algorithm are used to document the associations between the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon and anomalies in climate, surface water balance, and river hydrology within the Mississippi River basin. While no ENSO signal is found in streamflow at the outlet of the basin in Vicksburg, Mississippi, significant anomalies in all water balance components are found in certain regions within the basin. ENSO is mainly associated with positive winter temperature anomalies, but hydrologic patterns vary with season, location, and ENSO phase. El Nino precipitation anomalies tend to affect evapotranspiration (ET) in the western half of the basin and runoff in the eastern half. La Nina events are associated with ET anomalies in the central portion of the basin and runoff anomalies in the southern and eastern portions of the basin. Both ENSO phases are associated with decreas...
Enrollment of children in cardiac critical care clinical trials

Pediatric cardiac critical care trials are essential to the development of safe and effective management strategies for children with either congenital or acquired heart disease. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly 40,000 babies are born each year with a form of congenital heart disease. There are well over 35 forms of congenital heart defects that can be extremely complex in nature and physiology. Inter-disciplinary teams of physicians with varying backgrounds care for these infants and children throughout their lives. An increasing number of patients are living longer after surgical or catheter-based intervention and, therefore, patients are transitioned to adult congenital heart disease experts for their care, to assure adequate management of the consequences of congenital heart defects with time. Consequently, many patients receive care recurrently in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), which is a specialized unit committed to the critical care of patients with congenital or acquired heart disease. As with most of pediatric medicine, cardiac related multicenter trials are a rarity and pose difficult problems in development and execution. For example, only approximately 6% of the 80 most commonly used medications in infants and children are approved for pediatric use. Additionally, approximately 75% of all medications on the market do not have approved pediatric labeling. Caregivers choose medications based upon anecdotal experience and preference, extrapolation of adult studies and small studies in the pediatric population that often are not designed appropriately as a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial. The pediatric cardiac community depends heavily on professional interactions to establish quality assurance
Understanding the State of the Art for Measurement in Chemistry Education Research: Examining the Psychometric Evidence

Many of the instruments developed for research use by the chemistry education community are relatively new. Because psychometric evidence dictates the validity of interpretations made from test scores, gathering and reporting validity and reliability evidence is of utmost importance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate what “counts” as psychometric evidence within this community. Using a methodology based on concepts described and operationalized in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, instruments first published in the Journal between 2002 and 2011, and follow-up publications reporting the use of these instruments, were examined. Specifically, we investigated the availability of evidence based on test content, response processes, internal structure, relations to other variables, temporal stability, and internal consistency. Findings suggest that our peer review and reporting practices value some types of evidence while neglecting others. Results of this study serve...
Effects of Mate and Site Fidelity on Nest Survival of Western Sandpipers (Calidris Mauri)

Abstract We examined the effects of mate and site fidelity on Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) nesting success in a breeding population on the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta, Alaska (1998–2005). We estimated return rates (percentage of banded birds that returned to the site in the subsequent season) and mate fidelity among 533 individually marked birds (296 females and 237 males) and monitored 430 nests with sufficient data for nest-survival analyses. Return rates were lower for females (40%) than for males (65%). Annual divorce rates (both members of a pair returned and each mated with a new individual) ranged between 10 and 29%, with 4–26% of pairs reuniting annually. Reuniting pairs initiated clutches earlier than newly formed pairs, and clutches that were initiated early in the season had higher nest-success rates than those initiated later in the season. However, when initiation date was controlled, mate fidelity did not explain significant variation in daily nest survival rate. When we controlled for...
Nuclease digestion of circular TRP1ARS1 chromatin reveals positioned nucleosomes separated by nuclease-sensitive regions

TRP1ARS1 is a circular yeast DNA of 1453 base-pairs that contains the N-5'phosphoribosyl anthranilate isomerase (TRP1) gene and a sequence important for autonomous replication (ARS1). It exists extrachromosomally in 100 to 200 copies/cell and is presumably packed in nucleosomes. TRP1ARS1 has been partially purified as chromatin from lysed spheroplasts of yeast using gel filtration. A structural analysis of mapping micrococcal nuclease and DNAase I cutting sites with an accuracy of +/- 20 base-pairs is presented. Comparison of nuclease cleavage sites in chromatin and in purified DNA reveals that regions which are protected against nuclease attack are not distributed randomly. These regions are big enough to accommodate nucleosome cores. Three nucleosomes are positioned in the so-called ARS sequences, and are stable at low and high levels of digestion. The TRP1 gene region is covered by four nucleosomes, but they are neither randomly arranged nor precisely positioned. They are not stable and rearrange or disintegrate during digestion. The nucleosomal regions are separated by two segments of DNA (A, B), each about 180 base-pairs long, which are very sensitive to DNAase I and micrococcal nuclease and therefore presumably not packed in nucleosomes. Region B is found 5' to the TRP1 gene and might be related to transcription, whereas region A is centered around the termination codon of the TRP1 gene and the putative origin of replication.
Eunicenones A and B: Diterpenoid cyclohexenones of a rare skeletal class from a new species of the caribbean gorgonian eunicea

Abstract Eunicenones A and B (1 and 2), compounds of a mixed biosynthetic origin, have been isolated from a new species of the Caribbean gorgonian genus Eunicea. The new compounds are diterpenoid cyclohexenones of a new skeletal class related in part to the linear diterpenoid- substituted quinones and hydroquinones isolated from various plants and animals. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by spectral and chemical methods, and the absolute stereochemistries of these metabolites were determined by CD methods.
Clinical applications of commonly used contemporary antidotes. A US perspective.

Poisonings are a common problem. In 1995, over 2 million exposures were reported to American poison information centres alone. The majority of poisoning exposures can be treated without major therapeutic intervention. If therapy is indicated, it is usually in the form of gastrointestinal decontamination with activated charcoal, to prevent absorption of the toxin and the subsequent toxicity that may occur. In a limited number of cases, more aggressive life-support measures may be necessary to treat the adverse effects of poisons. Occasionally, that intervention may include the use of pharmacological antagonists, more commonly referred to as antidotes. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, the most commonly used antidotes are acetylcysteine, naloxone, atropine, deferoxamine (desferrioxamine) and antivenins. Overall, 17 antidotes account for 99% of all antidote use and those agents are reviewed in this article. With the exception of naloxone, most antidotes have pharmacological effects that are independent of their inherent antidotal properties. Therefore, antidotes should be used judiciously because their pharmacological properties may exacerbate pre-existing toxicity and only in rare circumstances are they used prophylactically. Some antidotes, such as digoxin-specific antigen binding fragments (digoxin immune Fab), are very expensive, and both the risk: benefit ratio and the associated cost should be considered before the antidote is administered. The principle aims are to ‘treat the patient, not the poison’ and to do no harm to the patient. Antidotes should be used only when they are indicated and may help a patient.
The Fate of Cities: Urban America and the Federal Government, 1945–2000 by Roger Biles

Roger Biles, The Fate of Cities: Urban America and the Federal Government, 1945–2000 (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2011).Historian Roger Biles has given us a comprehensive history of U.S. ...
Effects of ralfinamide, a Na+ channel blocker, on firing properties of nociceptive dorsal root ganglion neurons of adult rats

Recent studies revealed that ralfinamide, a Na(+) channel blocker, suppressed tetrodotoxin-resistant Na(+) currents in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and reduced pain reactions in animal models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Here, we investigated the effects of ralfinamide on Na(+) currents; firing properties and action potential (AP) parameters in capsaicin-responsive and -unresponsive DRG neurons from adult rats in the presence of TTX (0.5 microM). Ralfinamide inhibited TTX-resistant Na(+) currents in a frequency- and voltage-dependent manner. Small to medium sized neurons exhibited different firing properties during prolonged depolarizing current pulses (600 ms). One group of neurons fired multiple spikes (tonic), while another group fired four or less APs (phasic). In capsaicin-responsive tonic firing neurons, ralfinamide (25 microM) reduced the number of APs from 10.6+/-1.8 to 2.6+/-0.7 APs/600 ms, whereas in capsaicin-unresponsive tonic neurons, the drug did not significantly change firing (8.4+/-0.9 in control to 6.6+/-2.0 APs/600 ms). In capsaicin-responsive phasic neurons, substance P and 4-aminopyridine induced multiple spikes, an effect that was reversed by ralfinamide (25 microM). In addition to effects on firing, ralfinamide increased the threshold, decreased the overshoot, and increased the rate of rise of the AP. To conclude, ralfinamide suppressed afferent hyperexcitability selectively in capsaicin-responsive, presumably nociceptive neurons, but had no measurable effects on firing in CAPS-unresponsive neurons. The action of ralfinamide to selectively inhibit tonic firing in nociceptive neurons very likely contributes to the effectiveness of the drug in reducing inflammatory and neuropathic pain as well as bladder overactivity.
Optimizing capillary electrophoresis for top-down proteomics of 30–80 kDa proteins

The direct analysis of intact proteins via MS offers compelling advantages in comparison to alternative methods due to the direct and unambiguous identification and characterization of protein sequences it provides. The inability to efficiently analyze proteins in the "middle mass range," defined here as proteins from 30 to 80 kDa, in a robust fashion has limited the adoption of these "top-down" methods. Largely, a result of poor liquid chromatographic performance, the limitations in this mass range may be addressed by alternative separations that replace chromatography. Herein, the short migration times of CZE-ESI-MS/MS have been extended to size-sorted whole proteins in complex mixtures from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01. An electrokinetically pumped nanospray interface, a coated capillary, and a stacking method for on-column sample concentration were developed to achieve high-loading capacity and separation resolution. We achieved full width at half maximum of 8-16 s for model proteins up to 29 kDa and identified 30 proteins in the mass range of 30-80 kDa from P. aeruginosa PA01 whole cell lysate. These results suggest that CZE-ESI-MS/MS is capable of identifying proteins in the middle mass range in top-down proteomics.
Thinking through the issues in a code of ethics

A group of faculty, administrators, and students developed a code of ethics governing all members of a university community.
Seasonal changes in the physiology of shade leaves of Acer saccharum

Summary Changes in the physiology of shade leaves of sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum Marsh.) in eastern Massachusetts were monitored throughout several growing seasons. In the late spring, following leaf expansion, the sugar maple leaves showed high photosynthetic rates and a high carboxylation efficiency which increased only slightly into the early part of summer. In contrast, pigment and protein concentrations increased sharply from late spring to mid summer. The average photosynthetic rates remained fairly high during the summer and started to decrease in early September. This decrease was accompanied by decreases in leaf pigment, protein and nitrogen concentrations. In the last few weeks before leaf abscission photosynthesis was not limited by stomatal conductance as indicated by high internal CO2 concentrations. However, photosynthesis may have been CO2 limited at times during the summer. Low quantum yields of carbon fixation and low photosynthetic rates on some days during the summer indicated temporary stress. Experiments revealed that maple leaves responded to short-term stress by temporarily downregulating PSII. In general, leaves exhibited high Fv/Fm values throughout most of the year. Sustained photoinhibition as indicated by reduced Fv/Fm was only observed during the last few weeks before leaf abscission. Photochemical quenching remained high throughout the fall, indicating that the efficiency of excitation energy capture by open PSII reaction centers was the major reason for the decrease in photochemical efficiency of PSII during the last few weeks before the leaves were shed. At the same time the non-photochemical quenching increased throughout the fall and was only low in extremely yellow leaves.
I. Energy calculations for pure metals

Abstract The energies of voids, stacking-fault tetrahedra and vacancy loops in gold, silver, aluminium, copper, nickel, stainless steel, α-iron and molybdenum have been reexamined as a function of cluster size using established elastic continuum expressions. Stacking-fault tetrahedra and vacancy loops are the most stable small-cluster morphologies in all of the f.c.c. metals and in α-iron. The void is calculated to be the most stable small cluster in molybdenum. These results are in good agreement with recent experimental observations that have been made on high-purity metals. Once a void has nucleated and started to grow, it is very unlikely that it will collapse into a dislocation loop owing to the large energy barrier associated with the conversion process. The continuum calculations and experimental studies imply that impurities (such as gas) are necessary in order for void formation to be stable in most metals.
Fluid velocity greater than wavespeed and the transition from supercritical to subcritical flow in elastic tubes.

The behaviour of the flow regime downstream of the choke point in a flow-limited water filled penrose tube was examined. The transmural pressure along the length of the tube was measured with a moveable side-tap catheter and tube area and stiffness were derived from the tube's static pressure/area curve. Stable supercritical flow, in which the local fluid velocity is greater than the local speed of wave propagation, was demonstrated to extend downstream from the choke point. Speed ratios (fluid velocity divided by tube wavespeed) as large as ten were measured in tube segments in which the area changed so gradually with length as to rule out significant longitudinal tension effects on the tube pressure/area curve. The predicted transition from supercritical to subcritical velocity, or elastic jump, was also studied. Sidewall friction along the jump and longitudinal tension effects due to longitudinal wall curvature were found to be significant factors governing the variation of pressure within the jump. Taking friction into account, the flow momentum equation was found to describe the overall size of the elastic jump adequately if its upstream and downstream limits were taken at points where wall curvature effects were negligible.