cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conversion Factor for B-Scan Ultrasound Measurement of Intraocular Tumors With and Without the Sclera.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship between choroidal nevus and melanoma thickness measured with or without the sclera included by B-scan ultrasound and to present a simple conversion formula. METHODS Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for choroidal nevus or melanoma evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with B-scan ultrasound between February 4, 2004, and April 23, 2020. Charts were retrospectively reviewed for high-quality B-scan images in which the ultrasound transducer was perpendicular to the lesion, measuring the tumor thickness without the sclera included. Measurements were repeated with the sclera included for each patient. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors correlated with scleral thickness. RESULTS There were 201 tumors included in the study, with a mean patient age ± SD of 61 ± 14 years, largest tumor basal diameter of 11.8 ± 4.8 mm, tumor thickness without the sclera included of 3.72 ± 2.7 mm, and thickness with the sclera included of 4.54 ± SD 2.8 mm. On the univariate analysis, factors associated with perceived scleral thickness by B-scan ultrasound included age (P < .001), tumor thickness (P < .001), and basal diameter (P = .06). On the multivariate analysis, factors associated with perceived scleral thickness included age and tumor thickness (P < .001) for all tumors and for the subset of 141 tumors with a thickness of 2 mm or greater (P < .001). For tumors of 2 mm or greater in thickness, perceived scleral thickness by ultrasound can be estimated by the formula 0.00495(patient age) + 0.02451(tumor thickness without the sclera) + 0.42549. CONCLUSIONS We present a simple formula for converting between B-scan ultrasound measurements of choroidal nevus and melanoma measuring 2 mm or greater in thickness with and without the sclera included.
The Impact of Response Shift in a Two-Wave Mediation Model

When evaluating the mediating mechanisms of a randomized intervention, models are preferred that control for the initial level of the mediator, such as the two-wave mediation model (Figure 1; Cole ...
Dicamba drift alters plant-herbivore interactions at the agro-ecological interface

Natural populations evolve in response to biotic and abiotic changes in their environment, which shape species interactions and ecosystem dynamics. Agricultural systems can introduce novel conditions via herbicide exposure to non-crop habitats in surrounding fields. While herbicide drift is known to produce a variety of toxic effects in plants, little is known about its impact on non-target wildlife species interactions. In a two-year study, we investigated the impact of herbicide drift on plant-herbivore interactions with common weed velvetleaf (Abutlion theophrasti) as the focal species. The findings reveal a significant increase in the phloem feeding silverleaf whitefly (Bermisia tabaci) abundance on the plants exposed to herbicide at drift rates of 0.5% and 1% of the field dose. Additionally, we found evidence that drift imposes correlated selection on whitefly resistance and growth rate as well as positive linear selection on herbicide resistance. We also identified a significant phenotypic tradeoff between whitefly resistance and herbicide resistance in addition to whitefly resistance and relative growth rate in the presence of dicamba drift. These findings suggest herbicide exposure to non-target communities can significantly alter herbivore populations, potentially impacting biodiversity and community dynamics of weed populations found at the agro-ecological interface.
DIFFERENTIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AUSTRALIA: EVIDENCE FROM GOOGLE SEARCH DATA

Quantifying the immediate economic impact of COVID-19 is important to design proportionate relief and support policies. However, surveys of businesses and households are only typically available af...
Nuclear Energy for Space Exploration

Nuclear power and propulsion systems can enable exciting space exploration missions. These include bases on the moon and Mars; and the exploration, development, and utilization of the solar system. In the near-term, fission surface power systems could provide abundant, constant, cost-effective power anywhere on the surface of the Moon or Mars, independent of available sunlight. Affordable access to Mars, the asteroid belt, or other destinations could be provided by nuclear thermal rockets. In the further term, high performance fission power supplies could enable both extremely high power levels on planetary surfaces and fission electric propulsion vehicles for rapid, efficient cargo and crew transfer. Advanced fission propulsion systems could eventually allow routine access to the entire solar system. Fission systems could also enable the utilization of resources within the solar system. Fusion and antimatter systems may also be viable in the future
A moisture-related breakdown mechanism in low-k dielectrics using a multiple I-V ramp test

A Multiple I-V Ramp Test is designed to stress low-k SiCOH-based dielectrics that have absorbed moisture. Two conduction regimes are found based on the total injected fluence into the dielectric films and the concentration of water in the dielectric. The dielectric under stress is either characterized by electron trapping, or the generation of traps and/or interface states. A mechanism for moisture-related breakdown is proposed that is consistent with results from previous works on water-diffused silicon dioxide films.
Neuroimaging and human genetics.

The past few years have seen a rapid expansion of the application of neuroimaging tools to the investigation of the genetics of brain structure and function. In this chapter, we will (1) highlight the most important steps during the historical development of this research field, (2) explain the major purposes of using neuroimaging in genetic research, (3) address methodological issues that are relevant with regard to the application of neuroimaging in genetic research, (4) give an overview of the present state‐of‐research, and (5) provide several examples of how neuroimaging was successfully applied.
FOLLOW-UP STUDIES IN A BOY WITH MIXED ADRENAL CORTICAL DISEASE

Supplementary data are presented concerning the metabolic and physical status of a boy with apparent mixed adrenal cortical disease. These data suggest that he has been suffering from (a) at least a relative deficiency of the adrenal cortical Na-K regulating hormone and (b) both a relative and absolute excess of adrenal cortical androgens. It appears that the adrenal cortical sugar-fat-nitrogen regulating hormones were being produced in approximately normal amounts. The excess androgen production was associated with hyperplasia of adrenal cortical zona reticularis-like cells located both in the adrenals and the testes. It is suggested that the hyperplasia was the result of excess stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone. The effects of these derangements upon the patient9s growth and development are described.
DNA Damage Induced by Ultraviolet Radiation

It has been known for more than a hundred years that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can have adverse effects on the growth and development of living organisms. Degradation of stratospheric ozone and the resultant increase in UVB radiation at the earth's surface has focused our attention on the public health and environmental effects of solar DNA damage. With the advent and advancement of molecular biology over the past three decades, our understanding of the biochemical foundation of the cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects of UVR has greatly increased. Armed with an arsenal of powerful techniques, today's researchers are able to probe the intricate structure of UVR damage induction and repair in DNA. Indeed, recent advances in deciphering DNA repair in bacteria, yeast, and humans have greatly increased our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this complex and essential process. In concert with public awareness and political action, the adverse effects of global stratospheric deozonation can be mitigated by the development and application of basic photobiological research. Keywords: Dimerization; Endonuclease; Nucleotide Excision Repair; Photohydrate; Photoenzymatic Repair (PER); Photoproduct; Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS); Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR); Xeroderma Pigmentosum
Influence of sonophoresis and chemical penetration enhancers on percutaneous transport of penbutolol sulfate.

The effect of ultrasound and chemical penetration enhancers on transcutaneous flux of penbutolol sulfate across split-thickness porcine skin was investigated. Penbutolol sulfate is a potent, noncardioselective beta-blocker, which is used for the management of hypertension. The drug is one of the most lipid soluble of the β-adrenoceptor antagonists used clinically. It has an n-octanol/pH 7.4 buffer partition coefficient of 179 compared to a value of 22 for propranolol. The amount of penbutolol sulfate transported across the skin is low. In this project, we studied the effect of sonophoresis and chemical penetration enhancers on transdermal delivery of penbutolol sulfate. Low-frequency sonophoresis at a frequency of 20 kHz increased transcutaneous flux of penbutolol sulfate by 3.5-fold (27.37 ± μg cm-2 h-1) compared to passive delivery (7.82 ± 1.72 μg cm-2 h-1). We also investigated the effect of 50% ethanol, 1% limonene and 2% isopropyl myristate (IPM) on transcutaneous permeation of penbutolol sulfate. IPM, ethanol and limonene at the concentration of 1%, 50% and 2%, respectively, increased the steady-state flux values of penbutolol sulfate 2.2- (17.07 ± 3.24 μg cm-2 h-1), 2.6 - (19.40 ± 6.40 μg cm-2 h-1) and 3.4-times (26.38 ± 5.01 μg cm-2 h-1) compared to passive delivery (7.76 ± 2.9 μg cm-2 h-1). The results demonstrate that although there were slight increases in flux values, ultrasound, ethanol, limonene and IPM did not significantly enhance the transdermal delivery of penbutolol sulfate. Future studies will examine ways of optimizing sonophoretic and chemical enhancer parameters to achieve flux enhancement.
Family Emotional Processes and Adolescents' Adjustment

This study examined associations between parents' emotion coaching and emotional expressiveness, and adolescents' internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The sample included 131 16-year-olds and their mothers and fathers. Adolescents completed an open-ended interview about their parents' emotion coaching. Adolescents rated parents' negative emotional expressiveness, and parents and adolescents reported on adolescents' adjustment. Results indicated that mothers were more accepting and supportive of their children's expression of negative emotions than were fathers. Parents' coaching of emotions was associated with fewer adolescents' internalizing symptoms and was unrelated to their externalizing symptoms. Parents' negative emotional expressiveness was positively linked to adolescents' internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Parents' emotion coaching and negative emotional expressiveness explained unique variance in adolescents' internalizing symptoms. Results highlight the importance of the family's emotional climate for adolescents' well-being.
Comparison of solvents for the differentiating titration of phenols

Abstract Nine of the more commonly used solvents for the differentiating titration of acids have been compared for their ability to resolve phenols. Two methods of defining the differentiating quality of a solvent were used for this investigation. The first technique utilises the ΔHNP (solvent) vs pKa (H 2 O) curves described by Streuli. The magnitude of the slope of such curves determines the resolving power of the solvent. The other method used is based upon the practical observation that the extent of the first “break”, Δ E e. pt., for the potentiometric titration of a mixture of two phenols of similar pKa (H 2 O) will define the differentiating quality of the solvent. A nearly linear relationship exists between these two methods of defining the differentiating quality of the solvent. A good correlation has been observed between Δ E e. pt. and the dielectric constant of the solvent, and, in general, solvents with the lower dielectric constants have greater resolving powers. On the basis of this study t-butanol, the solvent recommended by Fritz and Marple, is superior to the other solvents investigated.
Chronic overexpression of corticotropin-releasing factor from the central amygdala produces HPA axis hyperactivity and behavioral anxiety associated with gene-expression changes in the hippocampus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus

Environmental stress has been demonstrated to increase susceptibility for mood and anxiety disorders, and hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the primary endocrine response to stress, is often observed in these patients. HPA axis activation is initiated by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) from the hypothalamus, leading to the hypothesis that hypothalamic CRF overexpression contributes to HPA axis hyperactivity in psychiatric patients. In addition, elevated CRF in cerebrospinal fluid is observed in mood and anxiety disorder patients, suggesting that CRF is also being overproduced from extrahypothalamic sources such as the central amygdala (CeA) and overactivity of the amygdala in neuroimaging studies is a consistent finding in anxiety and depression patients. Due to the importance of CRF and the amygdala in the etiology of stress-sensitive psychiatric disorders, the present study sought to further dissect the impact of CRF overexpression (OE) in the amygdala on downstream behavioral, endocrine, and gene-expression changes typically associated with chronic stress. To test the hypothesis that elevated CRF output from the amygdala would reproduce HPA axis hyperactivity and behavioral symptoms of chronic stress, we developed a lentiviral vector in which 3.0kb of the CRF promoter drives overexpression of CRF (LVCRFp3.0CRF). In adult male rats, Experiment-1 examined behavioral consequences of chronic CRF overexpression from the amygdala; the dexamethasone (Dex)/CRF test was used to measure HPA axis reactivity. Experiment-2 focused on HPA axis disruptions; the dexamethasone-suppression and CRF-stimulation tests as well as the Dex/CRF test were used. In both experiments, expression of HPA-axis related transcripts were assessed.
The production of robin pigment in White Leghorn feathers by grafts of embryonic robin tissue

1. Small pieces (0·6 × 0·3 mm.) of skin from the postero-lateral head region of robin embryos of developmental stages equivalent to 90–96 hr. chicks, were grafted (as free as possible of underlying mesenchyme) to the developing right wing bud of 72 hr. White Leghorn host embryos.
Transgenic mice that express Cre recombinase under control of a skeletal muscle-specific promoter from mef2c.

Genes expressed in skeletal muscle are often required in other tissues. This is particularly the case for cardiac and smooth muscle, both contractile tissues that share numerous characteristics with skeletal muscle, such that targeted inactivation can lead to embryonic lethality prior to a requirement for gene function in skeletal muscle. Thus, it is essential that conditional inactivation approaches are developed to disrupt genes specifically in skeletal muscle. In this report, we describe a transgenic mouse that expresses Cre recombinase under the control of a skeletal muscle-specific promoter from the mef2c gene. Cre expression in this transgenic line is completely restricted to skeletal muscle from early in development and is present in all skeletal muscles, including those of epaxial and hypaxial origins and in fast and slow fibers. This early skeletal muscle-specific Cre line will be a useful tool to define the function of genes specifically in skeletal muscle. genesis 42:28–32, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Heterologous expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and purification of the 9.2-kDa c-type cytochrome subunit of p-cresol methylhydroxylase.

Abstract The 9.2-kDa c-type cytochrome subunit (PchC) of the flavocytochrome p-cresol methylhydroxylase from Pseudomonas putida NCIMB 9869 has been overexpressed in recombinant form in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1-LAC, using the recently developed pUCP-Nde vector. Efforts to produce the cytochrome in Escherichia coli using a pET vector, with or without its signal peptide, were generally unsuccessful, yielding relatively low levels of the protein. In contrast, the mature form of PchC accumulated in the periplasmic space of P. aeruginosa PAO1-LAC to about 1 mg/g wet cell paste. A periplasmic fraction enriched to about 12% (w/w) of total protein with recombinant PchC was isolated from the remainder of the cells by a washing procedure using ethylenediaminetetraacetate in the presence of sucrose. The cytochrome was purified to homogeneity from the periplasmic extract by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE–Sepharose CL-6B followed by chromatofocusing on PolyBuffer Exchanger 94. Purified PchC was obtained in a yield of about 50% and was shown to be identical to that resolved from the native flavocytochrome isolated from P. putida. This system may prove to be of general use for the production of recombinant c-type cytochromes.
A low-cost, FPGA-based servo controller with lock-in amplifier

We describe the design and implementation of a low-cost, FPGA-based servo controller with an integrated waveform synthesizer and lock-in amplifier. This system has been designed with the specific application of laser frequency locking in mind but should be adaptable to a variety of other purposes as well. The system incorporates an onboard waveform synthesizer, a lock-in amplifier, two channels of proportional-integral (PI) servo control, and a ramp generator on a single FPGA chip. The system is based on an inexpensive, off-the-shelf FPGA evaluation board with a wide variety of available accessories, allowing the system to interface with standard laser controllers and detectors while minimizing the use of custom hardware and electronics. Gains, filter constants, and other relevant parameters are adjustable via onboard knobs and switches. These parameters and other information are displayed to the user via an integrated LCD, allowing full operation of the device without an accompanying computer. We demonstrate the performance of the system in a test setup, in which the frequency of a tunable external-cavity diode laser (ECDL) is locked to a resonant optical transmission peak of a Fabry-Perot cavity. In this setup, we achieve a total servo-loop bandwidth of ~ 7 kHz and achieve locking of the ECDL to the cavity with a full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) linewidth of ~ 200 kHz.
Inhibition by Mannose of In Vitro Colonization of Chicken Small Intestine by Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract The in vitro adherence of [3 H]thymidine-labeled Salmonella typhimurium isolates to the small intestine of one-day-old chickens was investigated. Bacteria were screened for mannose sensitivity and mannose-resistance binding properties. Type 1 fimbriae positive strains adhered significantly better than Type 2 fimbriae-negative strains. Adherence was significantly (P
Uncovering energy-efficiency opportunities in data centers

The combination of rapidly increasing energy use of data centers (DCs), which is triggered by dramatic increases in IT (information technology) demands, and increases in energy costs and limited energy supplies has made the energy efficiency of DCs a central concern from both a cost and a sustainability perspective. This paper describes three important technology components that address the energy consumption in DCs. First, we present a mobile measurement technology (MMT) for optimizing the space and energy efficiency of DCs. The technology encompasses the interworking of an advanced metrology technique for rapid data collection at high spatial resolution and measurement-driven modeling techniques, enabling optimal adjustments of a DC environment within a target thermal envelope. Specific example data demonstrating the effectiveness of MMT is shown. Second, the static MMT measurements obtained at high spatial resolution are complemented by and integrated with a real-time sensor network. The requirements and suitable architectures for wired and wireless sensor solutions are discussed. Third, an energy and thermal model analysis for a DC is presented that exploits both the high-spatial-resolution (but static) MMT data and the high-timeresolved (but sparse) sensor data. The combination of these two data types (static and dynamic), in conjunction with innovative modeling techniques, provides the basis for extending the MMT concept toward an interactive energy management solution.
Changing Patterns of In-Hospital Deaths Following Implementation of Damage Control Resuscitation Practices in US Forward Military Treatment Facilities

Importance Analysis of combat deaths provides invaluable epidemiologic and quality-improvement data for trauma centers and is particularly important under rapidly evolving battlefield conditions. Objective To analyze the evolution of injury patterns, early care, and resuscitation among patients who subsequently died in the hospital, before and after implementation of damage control resuscitation (DCR) policies. Design, Setting, and Participants In a review of the Joint Theater Trauma Registry (2002-2011) of US forward combat hospitals, cohorts of patients with vital signs at presentation and subsequent in-hospital death were grouped into 2 time periods: pre-DCR (before 2006) and DCR (2006-2011). Main Outcomes and Measures Injury types and Injury Severity Scores (ISSs), timing and location of death, and initial (24-hour) and total volume of blood products and fluid administered. Results Of 57 179 soldiers admitted to a forward combat hospital, 2565 (4.5%) subsequently died in the hospital. The majority of patients (74%) were severely injured (ISS > 15), and 80% died within 24 hours of admission. Damage control resuscitation policies were widely implemented by 2006 and resulted in a decrease in mean 24-hour crystalloid infusion volume (6.1-3.2 L) and increased fresh frozen plasma use (3.2-10.1 U) (both P P P Conclusions and Relevance There has been a significant shift in resuscitation practices in forward combat hospitals indicating widespread military adoption of DCR. Patients who died in a hospital during the DCR period were more likely to be severely injured and have a severe brain injury, consistent with a decrease in deaths among potentially salvageable patients.
A visit to Chernobyl

Details of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant were given by Soviet experts at a special International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in Vienna, Austria, in August 1986. Several unanswered questions were made much clearer by a visit to the decontaminated and operating power plant at Chernobyl and by discussions with Soviet scientists. The visit gives us insights into the way the Soviets design their technology, the consequences of the accident, and the magnificent way they coped with the disaster. Although there are general conclusions to be drawn for the rest of the world, such as the realization that operators of technological systems can and will deliberately cut out safety systems, the primary specific conclusion is to be grateful that the West did not follow the Soviet route in its development of nuclear power.
Effects of liquefaction time and temperature on heavy metal removal and distribution in liquefied CCA-treated wood sludge.

Wood liquefaction was studied as a recycling method for chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood waste. The effects of liquefaction temperature and time on the removal of the heavy metals and their distribution in liquefied CCA-treated wood sludge were investigated. The residue content decreased as the temperature increased from 120 to 180 °C regardless of the reaction time. It decreased gradually with the increase of reaction time under liquefaction temperatures 120 and 150 °C. But it decreased as the reaction time increased from 30 to 60 min then increased when the reaction time increased to 90 min under liquefaction temperature 180 °C due to the re-condensation of decomposed wood components. The total concentrations of arsenic, chromium, and copper in the sludge samples increased, while the percentage of the removed metals decreased, with increasing liquefaction temperature, which could be related to the changes of wood residue content and the fate of the heavy metals under different liquefaction conditions. The exchangeable/acid extractable fraction of all three heavy metals decreased as the liquefaction temperature increased. At the same time, Cr and As increased in both oxidizable and reducible fractions. The amount of Cr in the oxidizable fraction increased 40% as the liquefaction temperature increased from 120 to 180 °C. The major change of Cu distribution was the increase in reducible fraction with the increase of liquefaction time. The results of this study suggested that high liquefaction temperature tends to inhibit the heavy metal recovery when liquefaction is used as a recycling method for CCA-treated wood waste.
Direct observations of the behaviour of single silicon atoms on a metal surface

Abstract The behaviour of single silicon adatoms on the W {110} plane has been successfully studied for the first time. Single atom diffusion parameters are found to be E d = 0.70 ± 0.07 eV, and D 0 = 3.08 × 10 −4 × 10 ±1.28 cm 2 / s . The field desorption behavior of Si atoms is similar to that of metal adatoms. Si-Si adatom-adatom interaction shows nonmonotonic distance dependence, but the repulsive region around 3.2 A is much weaker than those found in metal adatom interactions.
Oxygen solubilization in egg lecithin dispersed in distilled water and physiological electrolyte fluids

Gaseous oxygen solubilization in egg lecithin dispersed in distilled water, saline, and a multi-ion physiological electrolyte solution was determined and compared to controls deficient in egg lecithin. Significant oxygen solubilization occurred in the presence of egg lecithin. Oxygen solubilization was significantly greater in saline and in the multi-ion physiological electrolyte solution than in distilled water.
Curcumin prevents human dendritic cell response to immune stimulants.

Curcumin, a compound found in the Indian spice turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, though the mechanism remains unclear. Dendritic cells (DCs) are important to generating an immune response and the effect of curcumin on human DCs has not been explored. The role curcumin in the DC response to bacterial and viral infection was investigated in vitro using LPS and Poly I:C as models of infection. CD14{sup +} monocytes, isolated from human peripheral blood, were cultured in GM-CSF- and IL-4-supplemented medium to generate immature DCs. Cultures were incubated with curcumin, stimulated with LPS or Poly I:C and functional assays were performed. Curcumin prevents DCs from responding to immunostimulants and inducing CD4{sup +} T cell proliferation by blocking maturation marker, cytokine and chemokine expression and reducing both migration and endocytosis. These data suggest a therapeutic role for curcumin as an immune suppressant.
The early stages of condensation of lead on tungsten

Abstract The growth of the first few layers of Pb on W {110} and {100} single-crystal surfaces has been studied by AES, LEED, work function measurements and thermal desorption spectroscopy in one combined experimental system also equipped with a quartz oscillator for absolute thickness determinations. The results show striking differences in film growth between {110} and {100} surfaces and a strong dependence of growth upon temperature on the {100} surface.
Thomson's Lamp is Dysfunctional

James Thomson envisaged a lamp which would be turned on for 1 minute, off for 1/2 minute, on for 1/4 minute, etc. ad infinitum. He asked whether the lamp would be on or off at the end of 2 minutes. Use of “internal set theory” (a version of nonstandard analysis), developed by Edward Nelson, shows Thomson's lamp is chimerical; its copy within set theory yields a contradiction. The demonstration extends to placing restrictions on other “infinite tasks” such as Zeno's paradoxes of motion and Kant's First Antinomy. Resolution of such logical-philosophical problems leads to some very general constraints which must be placed upon the syntax of physical theories. In particular, at some scale space and time would appear granular. The suitability of internal set theory for analyzing phenomena is examined, using a paper by Alper and Bridger (1997) to frame the discussion.
β-Endorphin modulation of IL-1-induced IL-2 production

We have studied the effects of natural opioids on interleukin-1 (IL-1) -induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by the lymphoid cell line EL-4. β-Endorphin (β-end) significantly enhanced IL-2 production by IL-1-stimulated EL-4-cells. Similar results were obtained using the LBRM33-1A5 cell line. β-End induced significant enhancement (35–100%) of IL-1-induced IL-2 production at all concentrations of IL-1 tested (2-0.25 U/ml) and the effects were seen with both IL-1α and IL-1β. The dose response of β-end augmentation of IL-1-induced IL-2 production was bimodal, with peak activities seen at high (10−8–10−10M) and low (10−16M) β-end concentrations. The specificity of β-end effect was studied using the opioid antagonist naloxone. Naloxone completely abolished the enhancing effects of β-end, indicating that the effects might be mediated through binding to opioid receptors. In addition, other opioid peptides, including γ-endorphin and enkephalins, elicited similar effects. Northern blotting analysis revealed higher levels of IL-2 mRNA in β-end-treated IL-1-induced EL-4 cells than in IL-1-induced control cells. Thus, β-end might enhance IL-2 production by either augmenting the transcription rate or increasing IL-2 mRNA stability. These results suggest that β-end might play an important role in the regulation of lymphokine production in the periphery in addition to its known interactions with IL-1 in the central nervous system.
Identification of dual cyclooxygenase-eicosanoid oxidoreductase inhibitors: NSAIDs that inhibit PG-LX reductase/LTB(4) dehydrogenase.

Abstract Eicosanoids play key roles in many physiologic and disease processes, and their regulation by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is critical to many therapeutic approaches. These autacoids are rapidly inactivated by specific enzymes such as 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) and 15-oxoprostaglandin 13-reductase/leukotriene B4 12-hydroxydehydrogenase (PGR/LTB4DH) that act on main series of eicosanoids (i.e., leukotrienes, prostaglandins), and recently found to act in lipoxin inactivation. Here, a panel of NSAIDs was assessed to determine each compound's ability to inhibit eicosanoid-directed activities of either the recombinant 15-PGDH or the PG-LXR/LTB4DH. The recombinant 15-PGDH that acts on both prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and lipoxin A4 (LXA4) was not significantly inhibited by the NSAIDs tested. In contrast, several of the widely used NSAIDs were potent inhibitors of the PG-LXR/LTB4DH that metabolizes 15-oxo-PGE2, and LTB4 as well as 15-oxo-LXA4. Diclofenac and indomethacin each inhibited PG-LXR/LTB4DH-catalyzed conversion of 15-oxo-PGE2 to 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-PGE2 by 70 and 95%, respectively. Also, a COX-2 inhibitor, niflumic acid, inhibited the PG-LXR/LTB4DH eicosanoid oxidoreductase (EOR) by 80% while other COX-2 inhibitors such as nimesulide and NS-398 did not inhibit this enzyme. These results indicate that certain clinically useful NSAIDs such as diclofenac and indomethacin, in addition to inhibiting cyclooxygenases (1 and 2), also interfere with eicosanoid degradation by blocking PG-LXR/LTB4DH (EOR) and are members of a new class of dual cyclooxygenase (COX)–EOR inhibitors. Moreover, they suggest that the impact of NSAIDs on PG-LXR/LTB4DH activities as targets in the local tissue regulation of eicosanoid-mediated processes should be taken into account.
Uniformly Sized Gold Nanoparticles Derived from PS-b-P2VP Block Copolymer Templates for the Controllable Synthesis of Si Nanowires

A monolayer of gold-containing surface micelles has been produced by spin-coating solution micelles formed by the self-assembly of the gold-modified polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer in toluene. After oxygen plasma removed the block copolymer template, highly ordered and uniformly sized nanoparticles have been generated. Unlike other published methods that require reduction treatments to form gold nanoparticles in the zero-valent state, these as-synthesized nanoparticles are in form of metallic gold. These gold nanoparticles have been demonstrated to be an excellent catalyst system for growing small-diameter silicon nanowires. The uniformly sized gold nanoparticles have promoted the controllable synthesis of silicon nanowires with a narrow diameter distribution. Because of the ability to form a monolayer of surface micelles with a high degree of order, evenly distributed gold nanoparticles have been produced on a surface. As a result, uniformly distributed, high-density silicon nanowires...
Biodiversity, Photosynthetic Mode, and Ecosystem Services Differ between Native and Novel Ecosystems

Human activities have caused non-native plant species with novel ecological interactions to persist on landscapes, and it remains controversial whether these species alter multiple aspects of communities and ecosystems. We tested whether native and exotic grasslands differ in species diversity, ecosystem services, and an important aspect of functional diversity (C3:C4 proportions) by sampling 42 sites along a latitudinal gradient and conducting a controlled experiment. Exotic-dominated grasslands had drastically lower plant diversity and slightly higher tissue N concentrations and forage quality compared to native-dominated sites. Exotic sites were strongly dominated by C4 species at southern and C3 species at northern latitudes with a sharp transition at 36–38°, whereas native sites contained C3:C4 mixtures. Large differences in C3:C4 proportions and temporal niche partitioning were found between native and exotic mixtures in the experiment, implying that differences in C3:C4 proportions along the latitudinal gradient are caused partially by species themselves. Our results indicate that the replacement of native- by exotic-dominated grasslands has created a management tradeoff (high diversity versus high levels of certain ecosystem services) and that models of global change impacts and C3/C4 distribution should consider effects of exotic species.
Tall Buildings and Damping: A Concept-Based Data-Driven Model

AbstractModern tall buildings are characterized by their slenderness and sensitivity to resonant wind effects. This is especially true considering the acceleration-based motion perception criteria under which they must be designed. In light of the significance of the resonant response, damping plays an important role in the design of tall buildings. Unfortunately, unlike other mechanical characteristics of structures, damping is far more difficult to estimate. This is due to the inherent complexity and high number of mechanisms responsible for damping. For this reason, the experimental determination of damping levels for tall buildings from full-scale data collected during monitoring programs has obtained a tremendous amount of interest over the past years. This paper firstly reviews the predictive damping models that are available in the literature highlighting their merits and shortcomings in light of the extensive experimental damping data collected over the past few years. A novel amplitude-dependent ...
Cervical aortic arch: A commentary

C ERVICAL AORTIC ARCH (CAA) was first described by Reid in 1914.’ Rare as it is, CAA provides a link in the embryogenesis of the great arteries of the thorax. Its interesting variations offer a clarifying dimension to the complex confusion of anomalies of the thoracic aorta. The high location of the CAA is usually attributed to persistence of the right or left third arch instead of the fourth arch, thereby rerouting the aorta via the neck. However, failure of the normal caudal migration of the fully developed fourth arch in the growing embryo from the occipital level in the thoracic cage at the seventh week of gestation has also been invoked as a cause of cervical ectopy of the aortic arch.* D’Cruz et al considered CAA to be the result of a confluence of the third and fourth arches as a result of anomalous growth of the pharyngeal pouch tissue, along with failure of the normal fourth arch to descend into the thorax with the heart.3 A good reason to separate CAA from the other forms of anomalous aortic arch is that its unusual connections confirm some of the views that have been expressed as being responsible for the maldevelopment of aortic arch (Felson, Letter from the Editor, p 69). For example, the separate
Neural control of bumblebee fibrillar muscles during shivering

Muscle potentials were recorded extracellularly from the fibrillar flight muscles ofBombus sonorus andB. fervidus during shivering and during flight. During some bouts of shivering motor units of the same muscles, of synergistic muscles, and of antagonistic muscles were excited with relatively synchronous bursts of impulses. These bursts were separated from each other by varying intervals. The latency between the beginning of bursts in different units of antagonistic muscles was usually less than 12 msec. However, during other bouts of less vigorous shivering the synchrony was less precise. During any one portion of flight the interspike intervals of any one muscle unit were relatively constant, and all possible phase relationships were observed between the different muscles. The results show that control of fibrillar muscle involves 1) the average frequency of activation of individual muscles and 2) timing of the activation of muscles with respect to each other.
Notes on Tragia, Dalechampia and Clutia (Euphorbiaceae) in Ethiopia and Somalia

Tragia mitis is lectotypified and T. cinerea is neotypified. T. abortiva, T. ashiae, T. crenata, T. doryodes, T. mixta, T. negeliensis, T. triumfettoides and T. uncinata are described as new. The new combination Dalechampia pavoniifolia is made. Clutia lanceolata is extended to include African material and the new combination Clutia lanceolata ssp. robusta made.
Social Networks of Family Members: Distinctive Roles of Mothers and Fathers.

The personal social networks of fathers, mothers, and adolescent children in a sample of intact family triads were examined in order to explore the effect of sex role on parent-adolescent continuities in social orientations. Comparison of father-adolescent and mother-adolescent associations in characteristics of personal networks revealed, overall, that adolescents were more consonant with mothers than with fathers, particularly in the area of kinship relations. Fathers' distinctive associations with adolescents were in the area of friendship relations and concerned affective aspects of relationships. These patterns of association were not dependent on gender of adolescent. Findings are interpreted in terms of the documented role of mothers as “kinkeepers” in family affairs and in terms of emerging work suggesting the salience of interaction with fathers for children's development of sensitivity to affective cues.
A high‐resolution molecular atlas of the fetal mouse lower urogenital tract

Epithelial-stromal interactions in the lower urogenital tract (LUT) are integral to prostatic and seminal vesicle development in males, vaginal and uterine development in females, and urethral development in both sexes. Gene expression profiling of isolated LUT stroma and epithelium has unraveled mechanisms of LUT development, but such studies are confounded by heterogeneous and ill-defined cell sub-populations contained within each tissue compartment. We used in situ hybridization to synthesize a high-resolution molecular atlas of 17-day post-coitus fetal mouse LUT. We identified mRNAs that mark selective cell populations of the seminal vesicle, ejaculatory duct, prostate, urethra, and vagina, subdividing these tissues into 16 stromal and 8 epithelial sub-compartments. These results provide a powerful tool for mapping LUT gene expression patterns and also reveal previously uncharacterized sub-compartments that may play mechanistic roles in LUT development of which we were previously unaware. Developmental Dynamics 240:2364–2377, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Theodore M. Hesburgh and his Philosophy of Catholic Higher Education

Abstract Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C. (aka “Father Ted”) is one of the leading living figures in the philosophy of Catholic higher education in the United States. He is not only recognized for a long and impressive tenure as president of the University of Notre Dame, but also revered as a priest whose intellectual and critical leadership blends a practical pedagogy of social change and vision. In this article, the author wishes to accomplish three things: (1) offer a brief sketch of Hesburgh's life and background; (2) discuss his philosophy of Catholic higher education through an examination of his principal works; (3) conclude with some thoughts on Hesburgh's legacy and implications for the field of religious education.
Cationic lipid-mediated NGF gene transfection increases neurofilament phosphorylation

We examined the effect of cationic lipid-mediated gene transfection of nerve growth factor (NGF) in primary septo-hippocampal cell cultures. Rat NGF cDNA was subcloned into a pUC19-based plasmid containing a CMV promoter. Two days after NGF gene transfection in primary cell cultures, ELISA confirmed increases in NGF protein secretion from transfected cells. To study the biological effect of cationic lipid-mediated NGF gene transfection, we analyzed the amount of neurofilament protein from NGF-transfected cell cultures. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses detected significant increases in the phosphorylated form of neurofilament proteins in the cultures after cationic lipid-mediated NGF cDNA transfection. Cationic lipid-mediated NGF cDNA transfection did not cause significant changes in the total amount of neurofilament protein. Our studies suggest that cationic lipid-mediated NGF gene transfection can increase neurofilament phosphorylation but not total neurofilament protein.
Electron Exchange and Conduction in Nontronite from First-Principles

Fe-bearing clay minerals serve as an important source and sink for electrons in redox reactions in various subsurface geochemical environments. We apply first-principles calculations using a small polaron hopping approach and Marcus electron transfer theory to examine electron exchange mobilities in an Fe-rich smectite, nontronite Fe2Si4O10(OH)2. GGA+U calculations provide rates of electron hopping that agree very well with values deduced from variable-temperature Mossbauer data (Schaefer et al. Environ. Sci. Technol.2011, 45, 540), indicating a surprisingly fast electron mobility at room temperature. Evaluation of the electron transfer (ET) rates within the Hartree–Fock cluster framework for the Fe2+/Fe3+ electron hopping in tetrahedral (TS) and octahedral sheets (OS), as well as across the sheets (TS–OS), shows that the dominant contribution to the bulk electronic conductivity should come from the ET within the OS. Deprotonation of structural OH groups mediating ET between the Fe ions in the OS is found...
Circadian surprise--it's not all about transcription.

The integral role of the circadian clock in numerous aspects of health has prompted extensive study of the molecular architecture of clock networks. Understanding how the clock controls downstream processes has widespread clinical impacts, as it affects many diseases and biological processes including immune responses, metabolism, and aging ( 1 – 3 ). The primary molecular components of the mammalian oscillator and a detailed understanding of the regulatory interactions among them have been well characterized ( 4 , 5 ). However, one critical question remains unanswered: How do the cogs of this clock translate the rhythmic regulatory relationship among themselves into the plethora of outputs that are under circadian control? On pages 349 and 379 of this issue, Koike et al. ( 6 ) and Morf et al. ( 7 ) investigate this problem from opposite ends of the spectrum—a genome-wide discovery approach and the functional characterization of a specific factor, respectively—yet they converge to emphasize the importance of posttranscriptional regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) levels on the clock.
Changes in subject performance during the semester: An empirical investigation

Two experiments were conducted to probe for performance differences between early-semester subjects and late-semester subjects in an introductory psychology subject pool. In Experiment 1A, hypotheses regarding changes in performance included differential effort, changes in subjects’ attention to the task, and changes in subjects’ sensitivity. A signal detection paradigm was used, and 278 subjects were sampled over the course of the semester. No evidence of changes in subject performance was found, in spite of sufficient power to detect relevant patterns of change. The results of a replication (N = 135) were consistent with those of Experiment 1A. Experiment 2 (N = 118) employed a text comprehension task to examine possible differences in subject performance with a more cognitive task. Again, there was no evidence to support the idea that late-semester subjects were performing differently from early-semester subjects.
Biochemical and morphological effects of fumonisin B1 on primary cultures of rat cerebrum

Abstract Chronic dietary consumption of the mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) is associated with leukoencephalomalacia and neuronal degeneration, but identification of the cellular mechanisms underlying this neurotoxicity is difficult due to concurrent adverse systemic changes. For this reason, the present investigation used an in vitro approach to assess the short-term consequences of direct FB1 (0.5–75 μM) exposure on astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in primary cultures of rat cerebrum. Beginning at 5 days in vitro, the cultures were exposed to FB1 at five concentrations (0.5–75 μM), and the cultures were evaluated at 10 and 15 days in vitro. The levels of the sphingolipid-associated constituents sphingosine and sphinganine were determined with a high-performance liquid chromatography. Relative to untreated cultures, exposure to FB1 diminished the levels of sphingosine at 15 days in vitro, whereas FB1-exposed cultures showed significantly increased sphinganine levels and sphinganine/sphingosine ratios. In addition to these changes in sphingolipid constituents, FB1-exposed (0.5–75 μM) cultures exhibited a two-fold increase in the number of process-bearing cells by 15 days in vitro. Also, the activity of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase, an enzyme associated with myelin and oligodendrocytes, was increased in FB1-treated cultures. This study suggests that short-term exposure to FB1 may modify the proliferation or differentiation of glial cells.
Phenotype ontologies: are homology relations central enough? A reply to Deans et al.

In a recent TREE article, Deans et al. [1] propose that formalized, ontology-based descriptions of phenotypes can revolutionize taxonomy and enhance its relevance to other biological domains. We welcome their cause and clear discussion of the benefits and challenges related to this vision. Nonetheless, the representation of homology relations in such ontologies deserves critical examination, due to major implications for ontology design and subsequent ability to accommodate systematic and evolutionary research.