cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization and cADP-Ribose Activation of Reconstituted Ryanodine Receptors from Coronary Arterial Smooth Muscle

P144 Recent studies indicate that cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) serves as a second messenger to mobilize Ca 2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) independent of IP 3 . However, the mechanism by which cADPR activates Ca 2+ mobilization is poorly understood. In the present study, ryanodine receptors from SR of coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) were reconstituted into planar lipid bilayer. A unitary Ca 2+ current through this receptor/channel complex was detected at membrane potentials from -40 to +40 mV. Mean slope conductance of this current was 245 ± 4.5 pS in a symmetric cesium methanesulfonate solution. Ryanodine at 0.1-10 μM produced a typical subconductance with increased channel open probability (NP O ), and 50 μM ryanodine, however, decreased the NP O of the channels. These ryanodine effects represent a unique feature of this SR Ca 2+ release channel confirmed in other tissues. Addition of Ca 2+ into bath solution (0.01-10 μM) significantly increased the NP O of these SR Ca 2+ channels. cADPR significantly increased the channel NP 0 in a concentration-dependent manner. A 9.7-fold increase in the NP O was observed at a concentration of cADPR of 1 μM. This cADPR-induced activation of the SR Ca 2+ channels was completely abolished by 50 μM ryanodine. IP 3 had no effect on the activity of these reconstituted SR Ca 2+ channels even at the highest concentration studied (10 μM). It is concluded that ryanodine receptor/Ca 2+ channels are present in CASMCs and can be reconstituted into planar lipid bilayer. cADPR stimulates Ca 2+ release through the activation of ryanodine receptors on the SR of CASMCs.
Spatial Language Understanding with Multimodal Graphs using Declarative Learning based Programming

This work is on a previously formalized semantic evaluation task of spatial role labeling (SpRL) that aims at extraction of formal spatial meaning from text. Here, we report the results of initial efforts towards exploiting visual information in the form of images to help spatial language understanding. We discuss the way of designing new models in the framework of declarative learning-based programming (DeLBP). The DeLBP framework facilitates combining modalities and representing various data in a unified graph. The learning and inference models exploit the structure of the unified graph as well as the global first order domain constraints beyond the data to predict the semantics which forms a structured meaning representation of the spatial context. Continuous representations are used to relate the various elements of the graph originating from different modalities. We improved over the state-of-the-art results on SpRL.
Opinion and Special Articles: Mentoring in neurology: Where are the clinician-scientists? Is residency to blame?

From Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin in 1928 to the recent awarding of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology to Tasuku Honjo for his work with James Allison on immune checkpoints, physician-scientists have made and continue to make critical contributions to biomedical research. These include internists working in neuroscience such as Roderick MacKinnon, Robert Lefkowitz, and Brian Kobilka and physician-scientists trained in neurology such as Stanley Prusiner and David Hubel. With only 1.5% of physicians conducting research as their primary profession1 and competing with a much larger pool of PhDs, a compelling case can be made for why this small pool of physicians must be maintained and expanded.
Design Optimization of a 1500 V GaN-Based Solar Inverter Using Flying Capacitor Multi-Level Converter Stages

Utility scale solar installations are adopting 1500 V solar inverters with reduced cabling and installation costs. Flying capacitor multi-level (FCML) inverters with 650 V transistors offer unique system benefits, leading to lower volume and weight reductions while improving upon system efficiency. Here, we present the design optimization of FCML inverters for 1500 V with considerations of different switches, number of levels, switching frequency and passive components. The optimization informed the design of a 5-level FCML with 650 V GaN switches which was demonstrated successfully in hardware.
Plasma Prolactin and Progesterone Levels and the Risk of Gestational Diabetes: A Prospective and Longitudinal Study in a Multiracial Cohort

Objective: Prolactin and progesterone are implicated in glucose homeostasis in and outside of pregnancy. However, their associations with gestational diabetes (GDM) risk were not well-understood. This study investigates this question in a prospective and longitudinal cohort. Methods: This is a nested case-control study of 107 incident GDM cases and 214 matched non-GDM controls within the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies-Singleton Cohort. Blood samples were collected at gestational weeks 10-14, 15-26, 23-31, and 33-39. The odds ratios (OR) of GDM were estimated using conditional logistic regression. The longitudinal changes in prolactin and progesterone were estimated using linear mixed-effects models. Results: Compared to controls, cases have significantly higher prolactin levels at weeks 10-14 (median: 50.4 vs. 42.1 ng/mL), and significantly lower progesterone levels at weeks 10-14 (median: 109.4 vs. 126.5 nmol/L). Prolactin levels at weeks 10-14 were significantly and positively associated with GDM risk; the adjusted ORs across increasing quartiles were 1.00, 1.13, 1.80, 2.33 (p-trend = 0.02). A similar but slightly attenuated association was observed at weeks 15-26 (p-trend = 0.05). Progesterone was not associated with GDM risk at either time points. Longitudinal changes in prolactin and progesterone between the first two visits were not associated with GDM risk. In addition, prolactin was significantly and positively associated with insulin and C-peptide levels at weeks 10-14, and significantly and inversely associated with C-peptide levels at weeks 15-26; progesterone was significantly and inversely associated with glucose and insulin levels. Conclusions: This study provided the first prospective evidence of a positive association between prolactin levels in early pregnancy and GDM risk.
Sex-Specific Differences in C. elegans Meiosis

Meiosis is a highly conserved sexual process that leads to the production of haploid gametes. Despite its high conservation, significant differences in meiotic regulation have been observed between males and females in many species. We have identified a female-specific checkpoint in C. elegans meiosis that senses the onset of synapsis initiation. In both sexes, unsynapsed sets of chromosomes are normally targeted for enrichment of histone H3 lysine nine demethylation (H3K9me2). However, if synapsis is completely abrogated, no H3K9me2 enrichment is observed in female meiosis, whereas in males all chromosomes gain this modification. In contrast, if partial synapsis occurs in female meiosis, widespread H3K9me2 on unsynapsed chromosomes is observed. The absence of synapsis initiation halts meiotic progression before H3K9me2 targeting is triggered in female meiosis, but male meiosis proceeds and all chromosomes gain H3K9me2 despite complete synapsis failure. Furthermore, male synapsis appears to be more robust than female synapsis at higher temperatures, and a meiotic requirement for dynein in female meiosis is not apparent in males. It has been shown that male meiosis in C. elegans proceeds more rapidly than female meiosis. The absence of a delay-causing checkpoint in males could help account for this difference. We present evidence that a conserved spindle assembly protein, MDF-2, may function differently in male versus female meiosis and may play a role in the female-specific process.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the setting of a myasthenic crisis.

Myasthenic crisis is characterized by severe weakness in bulbar and respiratory muscles leading to respiratory failure and can be a natural result of myasthenia gravis or precipitate due to infecti...
Dual-Octave-Bandwidth RF-Input Pseudo-Doherty Load Modulated Balanced Amplifier with $\geq 10$ -dB Power Back-off Range

This paper presents the first-ever dual-octave bandwidth Pseudo-Doherty load-modulated balanced amplifier (PD-LMBA), well-suited for emerging 4G/5G communications and multi-band operations. This design is based on a special bias setting of balanced amplifier (peaking) and control amplifier (carrier), which are combined with proper amplitude and phase controls. The optimal load modulation (LM) of the balanced amplifier can be achieved together with reduced LM factor of the carrier amplifier, leading to maximized overall efficiency throughout extended output power back-off (OBO). With de-coupled cooperation of BA and CA, this architecture fundamentally breaks the bandwidth limitation imposed on load-modulated PAs. To demonstrate the principle, a ultra-wideband RF-input LMBA has been developed using GaN technology from 0.55-2.2 GHz. The experimental results exhibit an efficiency of 49-82% for peak output power and 40-64% for 10-dB OBO, respectively.
Is There A Scientific Basis for Accounting? Implications for Practice, Research, and Education

ABSTRACT: This essay is based on a keynote speech at the 2014 Journal of International Accounting Research (JIAR) Conference. That talk was built upon a 2009 American Accounting Association (AAA) A...
Ensembles of Subclass Characteristics in Physical Evidence Examination

Ensembles of class characteristics resulting from indifferent quality assurance in manufacturing techniques may legitimately transcend conventional attitudes concerning class characteristics. Ensembles of these subclass characteristics converge on individual characteristics. This is illustrated using the data describing Titan .25-caliber automatic pistols contained in the Criminalistics Laboratory Information System (CLIS) list.
On-line system identification using context discernment

Mathematical models are often used in system identification applications. The dynamics of most systems, however, change over time and the sources of these changes cannot always be directly determined or measured. To maintain model accuracy, it is desirable to design system identifiers that can adapt to these dynamical shifts. We use reinforcement learning to train an agent to recognize dynamical changes in a modeled system and to estimate new parameter values for the model. The subsequent actions of this agent are characterized as "moving" the parameterized model on an optimal trajectory in model parameter space. It is found that this method is capable of quickly and accurately discerning the correct parameter values.
The Interaction of Configurations: sd-p 2

It does not seem possible to account for the presence of singlets below their triplets in two electron spectra simply from the ordinary exchange integrals. The exchange integrals seem to be essentially positive. It is shown that the matrix component of electrostatic energy connecting the 3s3d^1D with 3p^2^1D in Mg I is sufficiently large to account for the occurrence of 3s3d^1D below 3s3d^3D as observed experimentally. Analytic radial wave functions of the type developed by Slater are used in the calculation of the nondiagonal elements.
Underreporting of needlestick injuries in a university hospital.

Abstract A survey of 1429 university hospital employees was conducted to estimate the extent of unreported needlestick injuries. Data based on 726 responses show that 40% of needlestick injuries within the past 3 months and 75% of needlestick injuries in the previous year had not been reported. Employees who did not report needlestick injuries were more likely to be new employees (
A Subject-Oriented Approach to Gifts Management and Donor Relations: Policy and Outreach

ABSTRACT Gift books can be an important part of collection development. They can replace or add relatively rare or out-of-print titles, fill in missing volumes of a serial, and augment stagnant or reduced budgets. The important issue is to try to receive titles that are needed or that are relevant to the library users, which can be much more difficult than traditional acquisition methods. The increased duties of the reference librarians at Texas A&M University, including liaison work and collection development, have opened a door for donations still wider: the academic faculty and departments. This paper provides an overview of recent trends in gifts via a review of citations, then describes how departmental restructuring and a new building at Texas A&M influenced the Gifts Unit, the new role the subject-specialist reference librarians have within this unit, and the benefits of the librarians' new liaison/collection development duties. Finally, general guidelines for processing gifts of serials and monogr...
An enzymic defect in ascites-tumor cells

This article, published a year after Nirenberg received his Ph.D., examines the correlation between ascites tumors and lack of phosphorylase activity, which can also lead to a lack of physical response to epinephrine or glucagons.
Ipsative Crystallization Effects on Wildland Fire Attitude—Policy Support Models

ABSTRACT Understanding public attitudes toward wildland fire management policies is important for effectively managing natural resources and communicating with the pubic. Ipsative crystallization is a measure of individual attitude consensus. This article examines the utility of ipsative crystallization (IC) measures in better understanding attitudes toward and support for three wildland fire management policies (let the fire burn, contain the fire, and put the fire out). Data were obtained from a mailed survey of 1269 visitors to three national forests adjacent to large urban areas of the western United States. IC was operationalized as each respondent's standard deviation from repeated measures of policy support across a set of wildland fire scenarios, and ranged from 0 (high crystallization) to 3.21 (low crystallization). Results indicated that between 41% (let the fire burn) and 53% (contain the fire) of the respondents were highly crystallized in their support for wildland fire policies. IC moderated...
Seeing Ring in Rang and Retain in Retention: On Recognizing Stem Morphemes in Printed Words.

Subjects judged whether pairs of words viewed simultaneously contained the same stem morpheme. Reaction times of same-different judgments were obtained for verb stems paired with inflected forms of the verbs (Experiment I) and for verb stems paired with derived adjectives and nouns (Experiment II). Same judgments were faster than different judgments in both studies, and were faster when the stem was spelled in the same way in both words, regardless of pronunciation, than when it was spelled and pronounced differently.
Traveling waves in time periodic lattice differential equations

Abstract The current paper concerns with traveling wave solutions to time periodic two-dimensional lattice differential equations of bistable type. Employing the so-called ‘vanishing viscosity’ approach, we obtain the existence of monotone traveling wave solutions connecting the two spatially homogeneous periodic solutions. Uniqueness of the wave speed and uniqueness of continuous wave front are shown by repeatedly utilizing comparison arguments. The existence and uniqueness results of the current paper together with the stability results proved in an author's earlier paper generalize those in the time-independent case.
Concerted Participation of NF-κB and C/EBP Heteromer in Lipopolysaccharide Induction of Serum Amyloid A Gene Expression in Liver

The promoter region of the rabbit serum amyloid A (SAA) gene contains two adjacent C/EBP and one NF-κB binding element. Involvement of these elements in SAA gene induction, following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of the liver, has been studied by investigating LPS-activated transcription factors and their interaction with the promoter elements of the SAA gene. Appearance of complexes in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay has indicated that DNA-binding proteins that interact with the NF-κB element of the SAA promoter are induced in the LPS-treated rabbit liver. Presence of RelA (p65 subunit of NF-κB) in these complexes was demonstrated by the ability of RelA-specific antisera to supershift the DNA-protein complexes. LPS also induced several members of the C/EBP family of transcription factors, which interacted with the C/EBP motifs of the SAA promoter. Activated C/EBP and RelA form a RelA•C/EBP heteromeric complex that associates with varying affinity to NF-κB and C/EBP elements of the SAA gene. Transfection assays using both transcription factor genes have demonstrated that the heteromeric complex of NF-κB and C/EBP is a much more potent transactivator of SAA expression than each transcription factor alone. The heteromeric complex efficiently promotes transcription from both NF-κB and C/EBP sites.
Toward a universal h-p adaptive finite element strategy, part 1. Constrained approximation and data structure

Abstract This is the first of a series of papers devoted to the development of an adaptive finite element method to solve various boundary value problems arising in solid and fluid mechanics. The paper deals with the general concepts of h-p finite element methods, constrained approximation, and data structure and related issues. Several numerical examples illustrate the main ideas of the method.
Trans-activation by HIV-1 Tat via a heterologous RNA binding protein

The HIV-1 trans-activator Tat increases levels of viral gene expression and replication. The target for Tat is an RNA stem-loop called TAR, located at the 5' end of all viral transcripts. To study the mechanism of action and map functional domains of Tat, we fused Tat to the coat protein of bacteriophage MS2, an RNA binding protein. TAR in the HIV-1 LTR was replaced by the operator, the RNA target of the coat protein. The hybrid Tat-coat protein trans-activated HIV-1 LTRs containing either TAR or operator sequences. Mutations in the operator that weaken binding of the coat protein in vitro led to decreased levels of trans-activation in vivo. Deletions in Tat within the hybrid Tat-coat protein identified activation and RNA binding domains of Tat. These experiments suggest that trans-activation by Tat can occur independently of TAR RNA and DNA binding proteins and that Tat exerts its effects on HIV-1 transcription by directly interacting with the TAR RNA stem-loop.
Emergency peripartum hysterectomy

OBJECTIVES: By means of hospital-based data over 9 years we sought to evaluate the clinical indications and incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy by demographic characteristics and reproductive history. STUDY DESIGN: From the obstetric records of all deliveries at Brigham and Women's Hospital between Oct. 1, 1983, and July 31, 1991, we identified all women undergoing emergency peripartum hysterectomy, calculated crude and adjusted incidence rates, conducted statistical tests of linear trends and heterogeneity, and observed the clinical indications preceding the onset of this procedure. RESULTS: There were 117 cases of peripartum gravid hysterectomy identified during this period, for an overall annual incidence of 1.55 per 1000 deliveries. The rate increased with increasing parity and was significantly influenced by placenta previa and a history of cesarean section. The incidence by parity increased from one in 143 deliveries in nulliparous women with placenta previa to one in four deliveries in multiparous women with four or more deliveries with placenta previa. Likewise, the incidence increased from one in 143 deliveries in women with one prior live birth and a prior cesarean section to one in 14 deliveries in multiparous women with four or more deliveries with a history of a prior cesarean section. Both these trends were highly significant ( p p CONCLUSIONS: The data identify abnormal adherent placentation as the primary cause for gravid hysterectomy. The data also illustrate how the incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy increases significantly with increasing parity, especially when influenced by a current placenta previa or a prior cesarean section. Maternal morbidity remained high although no maternal deaths occurred.
A Ruptured Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm Repaired by Combined Endovascular and Open Techniques

Aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal arteries (PDA) are rare, accounting for <2% of all visceral aneurysms. An association with celiac artery stenosis has been reported. Many present with rupture, and a high mortality can be expected. Treatment is therefore challenging. Arterial ligation, anuerysmectomy, or bypass has been the mainstay of treatment. We recently treated a patient (who had no celiac axis) with a ruptured PDA aneurysm with combined open and endovascular techniques. A 46-year-old man was transferred to our hospital with a 1-day history of abdominal pain and syncope. On admission, an abdominal and pelvis computerized tomographic (CT) scan identified a large mesenteric hematoma, a 1.9 cm PDA aneurysm, and an occluded celiac axis. Mesenteric angiography revealed no active aneurysm leak and a stenotic superior mesenteric artery (SMA) origin. All hepatic blood flow originated from the stenotic SMA via markedly enlarged PDA collaterals. The patient was brought to the operating room, where absence of the celiac axis was confirmed. An aorto-to-proper hepatic and SMA bypass was performed using a bifurcated polyester graft. The next day, the patient was brought to the angiography suite, where the PDA aneurysm was coiled. Postprocedure CT scans confirmed thrombosis of the aneurysm. Ruptured mesenteric artery aneurysms are a challenging problem for the vascular surgeon. PDA aneurysms are rare and often occur in an unfavorable location. There appears to be an association with anatomic anomalies of the mesenteric circulation. Prompt invasive and noninvasive diagnostic studies aid in the definitive management of this often fatal problem. Combined endovascular and open techniques can be used for successful treatment.
Detection of the large external transformation-sensitive protein on some epithelial cells

Abstract The large, external, transformation-sensitive (LETS) protein is detected on the surface of epithelial cells. Whereas fibroblasts build a massive network of fibrillar LETS protein in one-week-old confluent culture, epithelial cells do not. This observation may be useful for distinguishing epithelial cells from fibroblasts. When rat liver epithelial cells are continuously passaged in culture, surface LETS protein undergoes a significant alteration first from fibrillar organization to patch-like, then to complete absence.
An Animal Protection Perspective On 21st Century Toxicology

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) strongly endorses the vision for the future of toxicity testing proposed in the 2007 National Research Council report Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century. Although crafted primarily with the aim of better assessing the public health risks from chemical exposures, the vision would have a major impact on advancing both alternative testing methods and animal welfare. Consequently, The HSUS seeks to have the vision implemented expeditiously. The HSUS is pleased that the report has elicited considerable discussion and debate and garnered a certain level of approval and applaud current implementation efforts. However, these efforts do not fully capture the vision and strategy outlined by the NRC. The HSUS believes that the timely implementation of the NRC vision warrants a large-scale “Human Toxicology Project” akin to the Human Genome Project of the late 20th century. The HSUS spearheaded the formation of the Human Toxicology Project Consortium to help marshal th...
A filter-independent model identification technique for turbulent combustion modeling

Abstract In this paper, we address a method to reduce the number of species equations that must be solved via application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). This technique provides a robust methodology to reduce the number of species equations by identifying correlations in state-space and defining new variables that are linear combinations of the original variables. We show that applying this technique in the context of Large Eddy Simulation allows for a mapping between the reduced variables and the full set of variables that is insensitive to the size of filter used. This is notable since it provides a model to map state variables to progress variables that is a closed model. As a linear transformation, PCA allows us to derive transport equations for the principal components, which have source terms. These source terms must be parameterized by the reduced set of principal components themselves. We present results from a priori studies to show the strengths and weaknesses of such a modeling approach. Results suggest that the PCA-based model can identify manifolds that exist in state space which are insensitive to filtering, suggesting that the model is directly applicable for use in Large Eddy Simulation. However, the resulting source terms are not parameterized with an accuracy as high as the state variables.
Impact of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Carboxymethyllysine (an Advanced Glycation End Product) on Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Study

Abstract Objective Biomarkers of oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products (AGE) have been linked to the development of prostate cancer, but evidence from human studies is scarce or controversial. Methods We conducted a prospective nested case-control study among 48 men (24 prostate cancer cases and 24 controls) aged 48 to 76 years at baseline. The participants of our study were a part of the Fernald Community Cohort. Prostate cancer cases and controls were matched individually on age (± 3 years) with a 1:1 ratio. Biomarkers included urine F2-isoprostanes (markers of lipid oxidation), plasma fluorescent oxidation products (markers of global oxidation), and carboxymethyllysine (CML) (a major end-stage AGE). Results At baseline, cases had similar age, body mass index, proportion of family history of prostate cancer, history of benign prostatic hyperplasia, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, number of smokers, and plasma glucose levels compared with controls. Levels of plasma CML were significantly higher in cases than in controls (182 vs. 152 μg/mL, P Conclusions Higher levels of plasma CML were associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. This suggests a potential new pathway for prostate cancer prediction and treatment.
Does cyclosporine influence the results of cadaver retransplantation

Abstract The results of cadaveric retransplantation in 55 recipients immunosuppressed with cyclosporine and prednisone were compared to 156 recipients of primary renal allografts. By 3 yr posttransplant, there is no significant difference in patient survival, but the yearly graft survival for primary (79%, 72%, 72%) as compared to retransplant (69%, 58%, 58%) recipients was significantly (p
A Simple Method for Evaluating Textural Changes of Frozen Fish Minces

A simple and objective method for the evaluation of fracture force of frozen fish minces is presented. Fracture force determinations during frozen storage of red hake (Urophycis chuss) minces indicated a relative coefficient of variation of 4.7% and a significant correlation between fracture force data of frozen samples and force of compression data of thawed samples. No significant changes of fracture force of frozen samples have been observed between 2 and 45 days of storage, but fracture force increased five times between 45 and 90 days of frozen storage.
Numerical ellipsometry: Examination of growing nickel and rhenium thin films using n–k plane analysis and effective numerical substrates

Abstract Useful thin film information may be obtained using ellipsometry data recorded during film growth. In cases in which the growing film overlies a substrate already coated with other films, it is possible to use a model which includes prior knowledge of the optical properties and layer thicknesses of all underlying films and the substrate. However, accuracy of the analysis is limited by imprecision in knowledge of the underlying structure and is not possible if the underlying material structure is unknown. These problems may be addressed by substituting a four-variable “numerical substrate” in place of the underlying materials. The “numerical substrate” exactly mathematically replaces a model of the physical substrate. It is represented by two effective optical indices which are independent of the growing film and dependent only upon light incidence angle and wavelength. The method may be implemented with a set of five measurements at a single wavelength and incidence angle or a set of three measurements at each of two incidence angles. Measurements may be made in-situ during film growth or ex-situ using “step deposited” films of different thicknesses. The work presented here is to demonstrate the method for nickel and rhenium films deposited on a BK7 substrate by Yamamoto using ion sputtering.
‘Polyaniline’: Protonic acid doping of the emeraldine form to the metallic regime

Abstract The emeraldine base form of polyaniline, which consists of equal numbers of reduced [(C6H4)N(H)(C6H4)N(H)] and oxidized [(C6H4)N(C6H4)N] repeat units, is doped to the metallic conducting regime by aqueous 1 M HCl. The product is believed to consist of equal numbers of the reduced repeat units and the diprotonated oxidized repeat units, The resulting material appears to have significant π delocalization in the polymer backbone. The doping is of a type not hitherto observed in a conducting polymer. It results in the formation of an environmentally stable nitrogen base salt rather than of a carbonium ion as in conventional oxidative p-doping of a polymer. Unlike all other conducting polymers, its conductivity depends on two variables, namely the degree of oxidation and the degree of protonation of the material. Various relationships between conductivity, pH of the acid dopant solutions, percentage doping and pKa of the protonated emeraldine salt are described and discussed.
Ex Vivo Hemodialysis Culture of Microbial and Mammalian Cells

A small hemodialysis culture unit was developed which can be attached to an arterial-venous shunt and worn by an animal for days. The unit consists of a blood channel separated by a membrane from a dialysate chamber in which microbial or mammalian cells can be cultured. Bacterial multiplication proceeded first exponentially at the maximal rate and then arithmetically at a lesser, dialysis-limited rate. In a survey of 16 pathogenic microorganisms and five types of mammalian cell, results indicated that most of the aerobes grew well, but none of the obligate anaerobes grew at all. The separation of the culture from cellular and macromolecular host defense mechanisms allowed the cultivation of parasitic cells on an animal that was not naturally susceptible.
Nanoscale organization of β2-adrenergic receptor-Venus fusion protein domains on the surface of mammalian cells

Adrenergic receptors are a key component of nanoscale multiprotein complexes that are responsible for controlling the beat rate in a mammalian heart. We demonstrate the ability of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) to visualize b2-adrenergic receptors (b2AR) fused to the GFP analogue Venus at the nanoscale on HEK293 cells. The expression of the b2AR-Venus fusion protein was tightly controlled using a tetracycline-induced promoter. Both the size and density of the observed nanoscale domains are depen- dent on the level of induction and thus the level of protein expression. At concentrations between 100 and 700 ng/ml of inducer doxycycline, the size of domains containing the b2AR-Venus fusion protein appears to remain roughly constant, but the number of domains per cell increase. At 700 ng/ml doxycy- cline the functional receptors are organized into domains with an average diameter of 150 nm with a density similar to that observed for the native protein on primary murine cells. By contrast, larger micron-sized domains of b2AR are observed in the membrane of the HEK293 cells that stably overexpress b2AR-GFP and b2AR-eYFP. We conclude that precise chemical control of gene expression is highly advan- tageous for the use b2AR-Venus fusion proteins as models for b2AR function. These observations are crit- ical for designing future cell models and assays based on b2AR, since the receptor biology is consistent with a relatively low density of nanoscale receptor domains.
Sequential Planting for Single-Harvest Vegetables

ABSTRACT At Lane, Oklahoma, bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L., cv. ‘Pip’) was followed in sequence with cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., cv. ‘Calypso’), or processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L., cv. ‘Early Pear’), or bunch onion (Allium cepa [L.] Cepa group, cv. ‘Crystal Wax White’). Each crop was harvested once. Each sequence was begun monthly from mid-April to mid-July in each of two years, and with three fertilizer rates (recommended rate [1-fold], and 1.5- and 2-fold the recommended rate). For the earliest planting in both years, the time to first frost was long enough for a third crop. The fourth planting failed in both years. Tomato yields were below normal. The bell pepper and cucumber sequence had the highest yields for the first two planting dates. Increasing fertilizer rate reduced bell pepper yield, but had little effect on yield of crops planted in sequence with bell pepper. Further research is needed to determine how sequencing other crops will affect yield.
Evaluation of a New Cephalosporin Antibiotic, Cephapirin

Cephapirin sodium, a parenterally administered derivative of cephalosporanic acid, was tested in vitro against 150 stock cultures of Enterobacteriaceae and 30 stock cultures each of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Both broth- and agar-dilution techniques were employed with two sizes of inocula of organisms. At a concentration of 7.5 mug or less/ml, cephapirin inhibited and killed 100% of strains of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis and more than 80% of Klebsiella species when tested against an inoculum of 10(5) bacterial cells/ml. However, even at 100 mug/ml, only a few isolates of other Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas were inhibited. A 100-fold increase in the inoculum resulted in decreased susceptibility of organisms. All penicillin-susceptible as well as penicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates were inhibited and killed by 5 mug or less of cephapirin/ml when tested with an inoculum of either 10(4) or 10(6) organisms/ml. The drug also was studied in various doses in the treatment of 77 patients with diverse infections. Cephapirin was effective in the treatment of 27 of 32 patients with pulmonary infection, as well as in 6 of 7 patients with staphylococcal or streptococcal soft tissue infection. Of 25 patients with urinary-tract infections, 19 developed a negative culture during therapy. A single 4-g intramuscular dose of cephapirin was effective in only 2 of 11 patients with gonococcal urethritis or endocervicitis. Two patients with gonococcal urethritis treated with multiple injections were cured. The drug was well tolerated except for pain at the site of injection in 14 patients and phlebitis in 4 patients. No abnormalities in renal or hepatic function could be attributed to cephapirin. In addition, no abnormalities were found in the renal tubules of rabbits challenged with 500 mg of cephapirin/kg. If further studies document that cephapirin is well tolerated by the parenteral route, it may have advantages over cephalothin or cephaloridine.
Liksom's Short Story "We Got Married" and (Finnish) Identity Construction

In his paper, "Liksom's Short Story 'We Got Married' and (Finnish) Identity Construction," Kimmo Jokinen proposes the validity of common belief today that a shift into a late-modern era is taking place. It has often been claimed in contemporary sociological debates that our "postindustrial" life has become more thoroughly imbricated with culture and signs and sociologists, in their analyses of contemporary life, are interested especially in stories people tell, hear, and read. Based on readers' survey data in Finland, Jokinen analyses the ways in which Rosa Liksom's short story "We Got Married" is being employed in identity construction. For Jokinen, Liksom's text provides us with two different types of negotiation between reader and text: one that focuses on the construction of national identity and the other where the text is individualistic and playful, with focus on the theme of sexuality. Kimmo Jokinen, "Liksom's Short Story 'We Got Married' and (Finnish) Identity Construction" page 2 of 6 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 4.4 (2002):
Capsazepine as a selective antagonist of capsaicin-induced activation of C-fibres in guinea-pig bronchi.

Abstract We investigated the action of capsazepine, an antagonist of the actions of capsaicin on sensory neurones, on the contractile responses evoked by capsaicin or by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in guinea-pig bronchi. Capsazepine (10−5M) selectively inhibited responses to capsaicin, producing a significant change in EC50 values but not the Hill coefficient (nH), suggesting that capsazepine acts as a competitive antagonist (apparent pKB=5.12) whereas ruthenium red is a non-competitive antagonist. Capsazepine and ruthenium red were without effect on EFS-induced responses.
In situ bioremediation using biosurfactant produced by solid state fermentation

The discovery that certain microorganisms, living within a marine environment, can actually degrade components of oil, has made possible the utilization of biological methods for the treatment of oil spills. A biosurfactant accelerates the process of degradation of pollutant composites. The objective of this work was to study the bioremediation in situ of a diesel oil spill by utilizing a biosurfactant produced through fermentation and then compare it with chemical remediation. The quantification and identification of hydrocarbons were carried out by the process of gas chromatography. The soil indigenous microorganisms were monitored. The experiment with biosurfactant reached reductions of 99% of the aliphatic hydrocarbons, while that of the chemical disperser experiment reached a maximum of 90% reduction in 180 days. In 15 days the biosurfactant removed 77% of the aliphatic hydrocarbons, the diesel oil experiment 8.7% and the chemical disperser only 5%. The biosurfactant was 99% effective for the removal of aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons, up to 3 rings.
On the asymptotic behavior of Wightman functions in space-like directions

The asymptotic behavior of the truncated vacuum expectation value of a product ofN (unbounded) quasilocal operators,F(x)=〈Q1(x1) ...QN(xN)〉T, is investigated for some of the separations space-like. It is shown that unless all clusters {xi1, ...,xij} are partially time-like (or light-like) separated from their complements\(\left\{ {x_{i_{j + 1} } ,..., x_{i_N } } \right\}\),F(x) decreases faster than any inverse power of the diameter of the set {x1, ...,xN}.
Human Engineering for SOFIA

This paper presents the design research for Human Engineering to modify a 747SP aircraft for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. It summarizes the work of the Layout of Personnel Accommodations (LOPA) Team at NASA-Ames Research Center in developing the specifications and project documents to define the mission crew work areas, including consoles, equipment racks, and astronomer/experimenter work areas and facilities. It covers several key areas, including the Project's assumptions about the SOFIA personnel complement and the aircraft's operational scenarios, based upon a systematic comparison to the SOFIA'S predecessor, the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), a modified C-141. The LOPA Team analyzed these complex assumptions, requirements and goals for improved Mission crew productivity to develop a Human Engineering Design Guideline. This Human Engineering Guideline follows a Crew-Centered Design Philosophy that takes four perspectives: crew members as occupants, crew members as individual operators, crew members as leaders, and crew as team members. This Guideline evaluates the role of automation in crew productivity. It suggests verification metrics through the design, development, and pre-operations phases of the
Sorption of atrazine and dicamba in Delaware coastal plain soils: a comparison of soil thin layer and batch equilibrium results

The mobility and retention of atrazine and dicamba in six Atlantic Coastal Plain soils were estimated by soil thin-layer chromatography (soil-TLC). The soils studied were representative of the major agricultural regions in Delaware and were sampled, by horizon, to the water table. Four horizons from each profile were leached simultaneously with distilled water on one soil-TLC plate. Two values were obtained from each plate: the ratio of the distance traveled by the herbicide center of mass over that traveled by the solvent front (Rm), and a sorption distribution coefficient (Kd). The Rm values ranged from 0·06 to 0·94 for atrazine and from 0·80 to 0·94 for dicamba. Herbicide mobility was found to be greatest in coarse-textured soil horizons that contained low levels of organic matter, clay, and Fe and Al oxides. Correlation analysis indicated that effective cation exchange capacity, exchangeable acidity, exchangeable aluminum, and clay were useful predictive variables or both atrazine mobility and sorption. Organic matter was not useful for predicting soil-TLC derived sorption estimates; however, it was correlated to Kd-batch estimates. Distribution coefficients calculated from soil-TLC data were found to be in general agreement with Kd values obtained for the same soils by batch equilibrium techniques. The average Kd-soil-TLC values for atrazine and dicamba were 2·09(±2·24) and 0·03(±0·02), respectively. The ratio of the batch Kd to the soil-TLC Kd ranged from 0·1 to 19 (x=1·6, SD=3·8) for atrazine and from 2·9 to 38 (x=12·6, SD=8·7) for dicamba. Thus, although for some horizons agreement between the two methods was good, for other horizons significant discrepancies existed. It is suggested that the soil-TLC gives results under non-equilibrium conditions, whereas the batch procedure is, by definition, at quasi-equilibrium. These fundamental differences may account for the observed differences between the two methods. It is also suggested that, due to this difference, the soil-TLC procedure can provide additional information relevant to herbicide partitioning in the field environment that is not provided by traditional batch equilibrium techniques. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry
Nonlinear rule-based controller for missile terminal guidance

The design of a rule-based guidance law for homing missiles onto targets is presented. The stability of the missile-target dynamics is proven. Unlike conventional approaches that solve the Hamilton–Jacobi partial differential inequality associated with the missile guidance problem, the proposed guidance law is based on heuristic fuzzy rules. Furthermore, the proposed missile guidance control law guarantees that the missile can reach the impact region and destroy the target. An example is used to illustrate the application of the proposed design method.
Flexor tenosynovial fistulas in the palm.

Purpose Tenosynovial fistulas in the palm are rare. If conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgical treatment may include excision of the fistula and local flap coverage. In this article, I report 15 patients who were surgically treated for tenosynovial fistulas in the palm. Methods Between 1996 and 2009, I treated 15 patients for tenosynovial fistulas in the palm. There were 9 women and 6 men, with an average age of 42 years (range, 21–63 y). The index finger was involved in 5 patients, the long finger in 7, and the ring finger in 3. One patient had a fish fin injury, 6 had multiple surgeries for release of stenosing flexor tenosynovitis with intraoperative steroid injections, 1 had a pellet gun injury, and 7 had lacerations in the distal palm. Four patients had had unsuccessful closure of the fistula. All patients presented with a distal palm sinus draining clear frothy fluid. There were no signs of infection. Gram stains and cultures were negative. Smear and culture for Mycobacterium marinum were negative in the patient who had the fish fin injury. I tried conservative treatment in all patients for an average of 7 weeks. All patients were treated with excision of the sinus tract with partial resection of the A1 pulley and soft tissue coverage with a transposition flap. Pathological examination revealed epithelialization with nonspecific chronic inflammation. Results Postoperative follow-up averaged 59 months (range, 6–148 mo). All fistulas healed. Patients regained full range of motion and normal grip and pinch strength. One patient had transient tenderness of the scar for 3 months. There were no recurrences. Conclusions Tenosynovial fistulas may develop after an injury to the flexor tendon sheath or following the use of steroids after release of trigger fingers recurring after an initial surgical release. Surgical treatment with excision of the fistula and local flap coverage yields excellent results. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Air flow and convective heat loss from small mammals in laboratory metabolism chambers

Abstract 1. 1.Thermal conductance was determined from cooling curves of Mus domesticus carcasses at air flow rates ranging from still air to 0.91·min −1 STP. Thermal conductance was constant over this range of air flows. This indicates that free convection predominates over forced convection at these air flow rates. 2. 2.While non single set of conditions will be appropriate for all experiments, free convection conditions are appropriate for determination of minimal thermal conductance.
Contemporary homicide risks among women of reproductive age.

Context Homicide is a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. However, little is known about how risk for homicide differs among women from different racial and ethnic groups. Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify the risk of homicide mortality among Hispanic, Black and White females of reproductive age in the United States, and to describe differences between these groups. Methods A secondary data analysis of deaths certificates collected in the United States from 1999 to 2002 was conducted using descriptive statistics, χ2 analysis, and logistic regressions. Findings When controlled for education level, marital status, and year, the adjusted odds ratio for homicide mortality among Hispanics (2.6) and Blacks (2.1) were significantly greater than for Whites (1.0). Victim and homicide characteristics also differed across these groups. Conclusions Minority women are disproportionately at risk for homicide mortality. Homicide prevention programs and policies need to be developed to target the specific risks and unique characteristics of high risk groups in the United States.
SEAWATER STRONTIUM AND SR/CA VARIABILITY IN THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS

Abstract Seawater Sr and Sr/Ca exhibit spatial gradients of 2–3% globally, with the deep ocean more enriched relative to the surface. In latitudinal transects, the highest surface values are found at high latitudes and associated with areas of upwelling. A pronounced upper ocean vertical Sr gradient is attributable to the production of celestite skeletons by surface-dwelling acantharia, coupled to a shallow dissolution cycle. The upper ocean residence time of Sr with respect to celestite cycling is much shorter than its global oceanic residence time. Although the magnitude of seawater Sr/Ca variability is relatively small, it is significant with respect to high-precision paleoceanographic applications. Sr/Ca gradients in the contemporary ocean also complicates evaluating Quaternary changes in seawater Sr/Ca that may have resulted from other processes, such as aragonite recrystallization during sea-level low stands.