cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracellular regulation of cell shape and motility in naegleria. First insights and a working hypothesis

Amoebae of Naegleria gruberi differentiate to temporary flagellates that have a regular, asymmetric, streamlined body contour. During the hour-long differentiation, amoeboid movement gradually ceases and as a consequence the cells round up. Subsequent elongation to flagellate shape includes the formation of a microtubular cytoskeleton. Both the loss of amoeboid motility and the formation of the flagellate shape require prior transcription and translation, suggesting the possibility that specific syntheses of RNA and protein may be required for each shape change. Flagellates can “revert” to motile amoebae within 20 sec after a suitable stimulus, indicating that the amoeboid motility system remains latent in flagellates. A cell-produced chemical factor extracted from Naegleria, Ψ, triggers a reproducible sequence of rapid shape changes in flagellates when added to their environment. Cells respond to the presence of external Ψ only “transiently,” and the reaction of flagellates to added Ψ requires extracellular Ca+2. Ionophore A23187 produces shape changes in flagellates similar to those produced by Ψ, supporting the conclusion that Ψ is involved in the movement of Ca+2. Normally Ψ is intracellular, and the intracellular distribution of Ψ changes during differentiation. These results lead to and support a working hypothesis to explain the rapid changes in shape and motility in Naegleria. Four elements are postulated: Ca+2; an actin-based amoeboid motility system that depends on free Ca+2 for functioning; a tubulin-based cytoskeleton that assembles and remains assembled only when free Ca+2 is low; and Ψ. The factor Ψ is postulated to regulate the intracellular release of Ca+2. According to the hypothesis, intracellular free Ca+2 is constantly swept up into Ca-reservoirs. Motility of amoebae depends on local release of Ca+2 from these reservoirs, which in turn is caused by the intracellular release of Ψ. During differentiation, Ψ is “compartmentalized” as part of the developmental program, and as a consequence intracellular Ca+2 is swept up into Ca-reservoirs but not released. As free Ca+2 becomes limiting, amoeboid movement stops, and the cells round up. Subsequently, in a process that depends on low free Ca+2, the microtubular cytoskeleton is assembled, and the flagellate shape is formed. During reversion of flagellates to amoebae, release of Ψ from its “compartments” permits local release of Ca+2, which then causes both disassembly of the flagellate cytoskeleton and immediate resumption of amoeboid movement. This testable hypothesis has implications for the study of cell shape, motility, and differentiation.
Determination of crosslink density by end group analysis after partial degradation: 1. Theory

Abstract A method is derived for estimating the intermolecular crosslink density of any polymeric gel, provided it can be partially solubilized by main-chain degradative procedures to yield a soluble fraction that can be analysed for end groups. Predicted end group concentration for a given solubilization is derived from a model that assumes uniform initial chain lengths before crosslinking, random crosslink sites, and random attack on main chain bonds. Results are almost invariant with respect to chain length, so that simpler expressions can be used that are derived for infinite chain length, and which have the advantage of being applicable to gels in which the initial chain molecular weight or its distribution is unknown.
College Students and Deliberation: A Benchmark Study

Deliberative democracy is often seen as a potential antidote to political alienation in the United States. This paper focuses attention on the potential of deliberation for citizenship training in the academy. We review literature on political alienation among college students, the pros and cons of deliberation, and deliberation's potential in the college classroom. We offer lessons learned from case studies of courses in communication and political science to demonstrate the degree to which problems faced with deliberation in the wider population manifest themselves in the classroom. Finally, we offer examples of how these problems might be overcome.
Bright artificial light produces subsensitivity to nicotine.

The authors used a thermoregulation paradigm to test the hypothesis that chronic treatment with bright artificial light produces subsensitivity to the hypothermic effects of clonidine, an alpha 2-agonist. One week of treatment produced blunting of the hypothermic response to clonidine (p less than 0.00001). These findings are consistent with previous reports that somatic treatments for depression produce subsensitivity of the alpha 2-receptor.
Mapping forest post-fire canopy consumption in several overstory types using multi-temporal Landsat TM and ETM data

To facilitate the identification of appropriate post-fire watershed treatments and minimize erosion effects after socio-economically important fires, Interagency Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) teams produce initial timely estimates of the fire perimeter and classifications of burn severity, forest mortality, and vegetation mortality. Accurate, cost-effective, and minimal time-consuming methods of mapping fire are desirable to assist rehabilitation efforts immediately after containment of the fire. BAER teams often derive their products by manually interpreting color infrared aerial photos and/or field analysis. Automated classification of multispectral satellite data are examined to determine whether they can provide improved accuracy over manually digitized aerial photographs. In addition, pre-fire vegetation data are incorporated to determine whether further gains in accuracy of mapped canopy consumption can be made. BAER team classifications from the Cerro Grande Fire were compared to estimates of overstory consumption produced using a pre-fire vegetation classification, and a change detection algorithm using bands 4 and 7 from July 1997 pre-fire Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and July 2000 post-fire Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) data. BAER team classifications are highly correlated to overstory consumption and should produce high Kappa statistics when verified using the same dataset. Our three-class supervised classification of the change image incorporating a pre-fire vegetation classification yielded the highest Kappa at 0.86. A three-class unsupervised classification of the change image yielded a lower Kappa of 0.72. BAER team classifications yielded Kappas ranging from 0.38 to 0.63 using the same verification dataset.
Image color-appearance specification through extension of CIELAB

An extension of the CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) color space, CIELAB is described for applications in color reproduction. This extension incorporates a more accurate model of chromatic adaptation, capability to distinguish between the modes of appearance of reflective and self-luminous stimuli, and adjustments to account for changes in surround. The extension of CIELAB is referred to as the RLAB color space. This color space can be used for calculating metrics of lightness, chroma, hue, and color difference. It can also be used to determine the required colors for reproduction across changes in media and viewing conditions. A pilot experiment testing the RLAB model for cross-media color reproduction is also described.
Plasma-Enhanced Synthesis of Bactericidal Quaternary Ammonium Thin Layers on Stainless Steel and Cellulose Surfaces

We have investigated bottom-up chemical synthesis of quaternary ammonium (QA) groups exhibiting antibacterial properties on stainless steel (SS) and filter paper surfaces via nonequilibrium, low-pressure plasma-enhanced functionalization. Ethylenediamine (ED) plasma under suitable conditions generated films rich in secondary and tertiary amines. These functional structures were covalently attached to the SS surface by treating SS with O2 and hexamethyldisiloxane plasma prior to ED plasma treatment. QA structures were formed by reaction of the plasma-deposited amines with hexyl bromide and subsequently with methyl iodide. Structural compositions were examined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface topography was investigated with atomic force microscopy and water contact angle measurements. Modified SS surfaces exhibited greater than a 99.9% decrease in Staphylococcus aureus counts and 98% in the case of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The porous filt...
A note on a strong germ-Markov property

In a seminal paper on Markovian germ fields, Knight [2] proposes five distinct definitions of the infinitesimal present and shows that these alternative formulations all lead to the same class of germ-Markov processes, but that they lead to different classes of strong germ-Markov processes. The same paper asserts that every germ-Markov process is strongly Markovian relative to a certain right germ field. This note will show that not every germ-Markov process (in fact, not every right continuous Markov process) is strongly germ-Markovian in such a sense. But if X=(Xt)t≧0 is germ-Markovian, then the process Y defined by Yt=(Xt, t), t≧0, is strongly germ-Markovian in a suitable sense. An analogous argument will settle a conjecture in [2] concerning left continuous processes and a germ-Markov property at stopping times of their natural histories not rendered right continuous.
Oral Medicine referrals at a hospital-based practice in the United States.

Objective The objective of this study was to characterize the outpatient oral medicine (OM) clinic at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), with particular emphasis on patient demographic characteristics and referral patterns. Materials and Methods A retrospective case record review of all initial consultations with OM experts at BWH from 2008 to 2010 was conducted. Data included demographic information, type of medical insurance, reason for referral, referring doctor's specialty, and distance between the patient's home and the referring doctor as well as BWH, number of prior doctors seen for the presenting problem (per patient report), tests ordered at the consultation visit, and clinical diagnoses. Results There were 1043 new outpatient consultation visits. Patients lived a median distance of 9.5 miles from the referring doctor and 18.9 miles from BWH and saw a median of one doctor (range 0-9) before consultation. Two thirds of patients were referred by physicians. The most common diagnoses included immune-mediated mucosal conditions (27.2%), orofacial pain disorders (25.1%), benign tumors or neoplasms (10.3%), and dysplasia and cancerous conditions (7.6%). Biopsy was the most frequent test performed at consultation. Conclusions Patients with oral conditions often see more than one doctor, before being referred to an OM expert and typically travel twice the distance to the expert compared with that between their home and the referring doctor. Equal efforts should be made to increase awareness of the importance of the specialty of OM among dentists, physicians, and the public.
STUDIES ON THE SITE OF SYNTHESIS OF SEVERAL SOLUBLE ENZYMES OF THE CELL NUCLEUS

Rats were given radioactive L-leucine intravenously. At various times after injection, the livers were removed and separated into nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions by a nonaqueous technique. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, aldolase, and lactic dehydrogenase were isolated from each cell fraction by antibody precipitation followed by gel electrophoresis, and the specific radioactivities of the isolated enzymes were determined. In all three cases, the onset of labeling and the rate of incorporation were the same for the nuclear enzyme as for the corresponding enzyme from the cytoplasm. If we assume that equilibration of the enzymes between the cytoplasmic and nuclear pools occurs slowly relative to the labeling times employed, we may conclude that the labeled nuclear enzymes either were synthesized in the nucleus or moved into the nucleus from a cytoplasmic site of synthesis without first passing into the cytoplasmic pool of enzyme. Treatment with puromycin, an antibiotic which depresses incorporation into cytoplasmic proteins to a greater extent than into nuclear proteins, led to a situation in which the specific activities of the nuclear enzymes were several times as high as those of the corresponding cytoplasmic enzymes following a short period of incorporation. These data substantiate the assumption that equilibration between the cytoplasmic and nuclear enzyme pools occurs slowly and provide further evidence that the labeled nuclear enzymes do not arise from the cytoplasmic enzyme pool.
LATTICE GAUGE THEORIES AT LARGE nf

Abstract We investigate the lattice gauge theory with fermions at infinite coupling and show that, after formal integration over the fermion fields, it reduces to the Wilson pure gauge theory in the limit when the number of fermion flavours n f approaches infinity. When the boson fields are integrated over instead, the action describes a local theory of Fermi fields only. For finite n f the fermion action contains a finite number of terms.
Bimetallic and Ternary Alloys for Improved Oxygen Reduction Catalysis

Using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and an array of experimental techniques including in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we identified, synthesized, and tested successfully a new class of electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) that were based on monolayers of Pt deposited on different late transition metals (Au, Pd, Ir, Rh, or Ru), of which the Pd-supported Pt monolayer had the highest ORR activity. The amount of Pt used was further decreased by replacing part of the Pt monolayer with a third late transition metal (Au, Pd, Ir, Rh, Ru, Re, or Os). Several of these mixed Pt monolayers deposited on Pd single crystal or on carbon-supported Pd nanoparticles exhibited up to a 20-fold increase in ORR activity on a Pt-mass basis when compared with conventional all-Pt electrocatalysts. DFT calculations showed that their superior activity originated from the interaction between the Pt monolayer and the Pd substrate and from a reduced OH coverage on Pt sites, the result of enhanced destabilization of Pt–OH induced by the oxygenated third metal. This new class of electrocatalysts promises to alleviate the major problems of existing fuel cell technology by simultaneously decreasing materials cost and enhancing performance.
In utero chemosensory experience alters taste preferences and corticosterone responsiveness.

Litters of rat pups were exposed in utero (on Day 20 of gestation) to taste/odor stimulation by injection of an apple juice solution into the amniotic fluid. One group of control litters was exposed to a saline solution while a second control group received a sham-injection treatment. All litters were delivered by cesarean section and fostered to females that had given birth to a litter normally. Offspring were tested as adults in one of two two-bottle preference tests (apple solution vs tap water or maple solution vs tap water). Measures of total fluid consumption were converted to preference scores and plasma levels of corticosterone were determined. Analyses of these data indicated that offspring exposed to the apple solution in utero showed an increased preference for apple postnatally. No increased preference for maple solution was shown. In both preference tests the offspring exposed to apple or saline solutions via amniotic injection had reduced pituitary—adrenal activity compared to sham-injected controls. The results are compared to findings of other studies of pre- and postnatal stimulation on offspring behavior and pituitary—adrenal activity.
On the distribution of source coherency in subsonic jets

Recent experimental and theoretical studies on the sources of far field noise generated by subsonic circular jets have given convincing indications that a coherent wave motion does exist in the potential core of subsonic jets. Cross-covariance measurements using single and cross hot-wire probes in the potential core as well as the turbulent mixing region and microphone measurements in the far field have resulted in cross-correlation coefficients of sufficiently high magnitudes to indicate that significant, if not dominant, noise sources may be located in the potential core. The paper presents the analytical and experimental results of this research.
Out-of-phase solutions to a second order linear differential equation with forced oscillation

Abstract A criterion is developed to determine the existence of an out-of-phase solution to a second order linear equation with an oscillatory forcing function. Although the general criterion is difficult to check, if a solution can be exhibited that has zeros at the zeros of the forcing function and the associated homogeneous equation is disconjugate, then the solution must be out-of-phase. In addition, a general class of examples is given which can be used to obtain easily verifiable criteria for specific examples.
The adsorption of salicylates by a milk chocolate-charcoal mixture

Study objective: To evaluate the adsorptive capacity of a milk chocolate-charcoal mixture to aspirin, compared with superactivated charcoal and conventional activated charcoal. Design: A prospective, randomized, crossover study. Setting: The Massachusetts Poison Control Center office in The Children's Hospital, Boston. Type of participants: Six healthy adult volunteers with no known allergies to aspirin or chocolate, bleeding disorders, or peptic ulcer disease. Interventions: Each participant ingested 975 mg of crushed aspirin on separate days, followed by either water; 10 g milk chocolate-charcoal mixture; 10 g SuperChar ® Liquid; or 10 g Actidose Aqua ® activated charcoal. Total serum salicylate concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography at zero, one, two, four, eight, and 24 hours after ingestion. Measurements and main results: Neuman-Keuls analysis was used to measure time-to-peak concentration, which was reduced by SuperChar ® Liquid, 67%; milk chocolate-charcoal mixture, 106%; and activated charcoal, 56%. Aspirin absorption was calculated using Neuman-Keuls analysis to measure area under the concentration-time curve. Total aspirin absorption was reduced by SuperChar ® , 67%; milk chocolate-charcoal mixture, 50%; and activated charcoal, 2%. There was no difference in serum salicylate concentrations between SuperChar ® and milk chocolate-charcoal mixture at all time intervals. Also, all serum salicylate concentrations with milk chocolate-charcoal mixture were consistently lower than with activated charcoal. Conclusion: Although the formulation of milk chocolate with activated charcoal reduces its adsorptive capacity compared with superactivated charcoal, it is still able to bind aspirin effectively and is superior to conventional activated charcoal. Further research may improve the binding and palatability of milk chocolate-charcoal mixture, especially for home use.
Tobacco industry sociological programs to influence public beliefs about smoking.

The multinational tobacco companies responded to arguments about the social costs of smoking and hazards of secondhand smoke by quietly implementing the Social Costs/Social Values project (1979–1989), which relied upon the knowledge and authoritative power of social scientists to construct an alternate cultural repertoire of smoking. Social scientists created and disseminated non-health based, pro-tobacco arguments without fully acknowledging their relationship with the industry. After the U.S. Surgeon General concluded that nicotine was addictive in 1988, the industry responded by forming “Associates for Research in the Science of Enjoyment” (c.1988–1999), whose members toured the world promoting the health benefits of the use of legal substances, including tobacco, for stress relief and relaxation, without acknowledging the industry’s role. In this paper we draw on previously secret tobacco industry documents, now available on the internet to show how both of these programs utilized academic sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists, psychologists, philosophers and economists, and allowed the industry to develop and widely disseminate friendly research through credible channels. Strategies included creating favorable surveys and opinions, infusing them into the lay press and media through press releases, articles and conferences, publishing, promoting and disseminating books, commissioning and placing favorable book reviews, providing media training for book authors and organizing media tours. These programs allowed the tobacco industry to affect public and academic discourse on the social acceptability of smoking.
SCR Switching with Ionizing Radiation

A model is developed that predicts the critical dose of ionizing radiation required to trigger an SCR as a function of device parameters and biasing. This model also explains the long delay time observed between the ionizing pulse and device switching. The model makes use of the charge control concept. In general, computer solutions are required. A linear approximation is also developed that gives a good estimate in many cases. A method to obtain all parameters needed in the model is presented.
Partial cardiac sympathetic denervation after bilateral thoracic sympathectomy in humans

Background Upper thoracic sympathectomy is used to treat several disorders. Sympathetic nerve fibers emanating from thoracic ganglia innervate the heart. Whether unilateral or bilateral upper thoracic sympathectomy affects cardiac sympathetic innervation in humans in vivo has been unclear. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess whether thoracic sympathectomy decreases cardiac sympathetic innervation, as indicated by positron emission tomographic scanning after intravenous injection of the sympathoneural imaging agent 6-[ 18 F]fluorodopamine. Methods Nine patients with previous upper thoracic sympathectomies (four right-sided, one left-sided, four bilateral) underwent thoracic 6-[ 18 F]fluorodopamine scanning between 1 and 2 hours after injection of the imaging agent. In each case, a low rate of entry of norepinephrine into the arm venous drainage (norepinephrine spillover) verified upper limb sympathectomy. Data were compared with those from the interventricular septum of patients with cardiac sympathetic denervation associated with pure autonomic failure and from normal volunteers. Results All four patients with bilateral sympathectomy had low septal myocardial 6-[ 18 F]fluorodopamine-derived radioactivity (2,673 ± 92 nCi-kg/cc-mCi at an average of 89 minutes after injection) compared with normal volunteers (3,634 ± 311 nCi-kg/cc-mCi at 83 minutes, N=22, P = .007) and higher radioactivity than in patients with pure autonomic failure (1,320 ± 300 nCi-kg/cc-mCi at 83 minutes, N=7, P = .003). Patients with unilateral sympathectomy had normal 6-[ 18 F]fluorodopamine-derived radioactivity (3,971 ± 337 nCi-kg/cc-mCi at 87 minutes). Conclusions Bilateral upper thoracic sympathectomy partly decreases cardiac sympathetic innervation density.
The North Carolina–Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP): Methods and design of a multidisciplinary population‐based cohort study of racial differences in prostate cancer outcomes

BACKGROUND The North Carolina–Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP) is a multidisciplinary study of social, individual, and tumor-level causes of racial differences in prostate cancer aggressiveness. METHODS A population-based sample of incident prostate cancer cases from North Carolina and Louisiana will include 1,000 African Americans and 1,000 Caucasian Americans. Study nurses administer structured questionnaires and collect blood, adipose tissue, urine, and toenail samples during an in-home visit. Clinical data are abstracted from medical records, diagnostic biopsies are reviewed and assayed, and tissue microarrays are constructed from prostatectomy samples. Prostate cancer aggressiveness is classified based on PSA, clinical stage, and Gleason grade. RESULTS Preliminary data demonstrate between- and within-group differences in patient characteristics, screening, and treatment by race and state. Participation exceeds 70% in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary data support the feasibility of this comprehensive study to help determine the focus of public health efforts to reduce racial disparities in prostate cancer mortality. Prostate © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Functional Collaboration of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor (IGF-1R), but Not Insulin Receptor (IR), With Acute GH Signaling in Mouse Calvarial Cells

GH signals through the GH receptor (GHR), a cytokine receptor linked to Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). GH activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), causing expression of genes including IGF-I. IGF-I binds IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), a heterotetrameric (α2-β2) tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor similar to insulin receptor (IR). In addition to this GH -> GHR -> IGF-I -> IGF-IR pathway, GH induces a complex including GHR, JAK2, and IGF-IR and deletion of floxed IGF-1R in primary murine calvarial cells with Cre-recombinase-expressing adenovirus (Ad-Cre) desensitizes cells to GH for STAT5 activation and IGF-I mRNA accumulation. Diminished GH-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in Ad-Cre-treated cells is rescued by adenoviruses encoding either IGF-IR or IGF-IR lacking the β-chain intracellular domain. Reasoning that IGF-IR's extracellular portion (α or extracellular β) mediates functional interaction with GH signaling, we pursued reconstitution studies. Although structurally related to IGF-IR, IR expressed adenovirally did not rescue GH-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in Ad-Cre-treated cells. We thus created chimeras, swapping homologous IR extracellular regions into IGF-IR. IR and IGF-IR possess N-terminal L1, cysteine-rich (CR), and L2 α-chain domains. We created Ad-IGF-IR/IR-L1 and Ad-IGF-IR/IR-L1-CR-L2, in which L1 alone or L1, CR, and L2 of IR replace corresponding IGF-IR regions, respectively. Ad-IGF-IR/IR-L1, but not Ad-IGF-IR/IR-L1-CR-L2, rescued GH-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in Ad-Cre-treated cells. Additionally, medium containing a soluble IGF-IR (including only L1-CR-L2) dampened GH-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in calvarial cells and two other GH-responsive cell lines. Thus, an extracellular determinant(s), likely in CR-L2, specifically allows IGF-IR to collaborate with GHR and JAK2 for robust GH-induced acute STAT5 phosphorylation.
Discovery of 3-(2-aminoethyl)-5-(3-phenyl-propylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione as a dual inhibitor of the Raf/MEK/ERK and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Abstract A thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivative, 3-(2-aminoethyl)-5-(3-phenyl-propylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (2), was identified as a dual inhibitor of the Raf/MEK/ extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling cascades. The discovered compound inhibited cell proliferation, induced early apoptosis, and arrested cells in G0/G1 phase in human leukemia U937 cells. These results indicate its potential as a new lead compound to develop novel dual signaling pathway inhibitors and anticancer agents.
Phytophthora species producing toxin active on tobacco

Abstract Extracts of oat cultures of 53 isolates of Pythium and Phytophthora and an isolate of Achlya were tested for their ability to cause watersoaking, laminar collapse, and dehydration of excised tobacco leaves. Extracts of oat cultures of 10 of 11 isolates of P. cryptogea Pethy. & Laff., 4 of 5 isolates of P. megasperma Drechs., all 5 isolates of P. drechsleri Tucker, and 3 of 4 isolates of P. erythroseptica Pethy, were toxic to tobacco laminae. Mycelial extracts of three P. cryptogea isolates obtained from three diverse sources had properties similar to a previously studied toxin from P. cryptogea . Extracts of oat cultures of three P. cryptogea isolates and an isolate of P. megasperma caused foliar toxicity and growth reduction of tobacco transplants. Mycelial extracts of isolates of four species of Phytophthora active on excised leaves were also active in inhibiting plant growth. Most isolates of these four species of Phytophthora appear to produce identical or similar toxins. Although not parasitic to tobacco, those species are potentially detrimental to tobacco.
Estimation of serum ferrium in HIV/AIDS patients

Serum iron was estimated in 105 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, 20 HIV-negative sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients and 25 voluntary healthy controls. Twenty-two clinical AIDS patients, 8 immunological AIDS patients, 2 HIV seropositive and 8 non-HIV STD controls had serum iron 161 µg/dl (Hb: 12-14 gm). Anemia was prevalent in AIDS cases, and the study of survival period may be unfolded in follow-up. Bone marrow biopsy could not be performed to identify the suppression of hemopoiesis in 4 patients, who showed >161 mg/dl of serum iron. Study of iron supplementation and long-term follow-up are necessary to unfold the risks and benefits of iron supplementation in HIV/AIDS patients.
Gain and startup conditions for the BNL visible FEL oscillator experiment

Abstract The Visible FEL oscillator experiment at BNL is designed to lase at 530 nm using the 50 MeV high-brightness ATF electron beam and a micro-undulator of 8.8 mm period. The relatively low energy and short wavelength of this FEL require a high-quality electron beam. In this paper, we study the necessary electron beam requirements via a one-dimensional first-order simulation method. This method takes into account the finite length of the micropulse and the bandwidth of the spontaneous emission. It assumes a long electron pulse, weak optical fields, and low gain. For our experiment, startup time is of particular concern because of the limited length of the macropulse. The simulation method is extended to include the effects of emittance and energy spread. The expected gain and startup conditions for different beam parameters are compared with measured parameters. Scaling of gain versus beam parameters is examined and an experiment is proposed to verify these results.
Time-Dependent Many-Electron Treatment of Electronic Energy and Charge Transfer in Atomic Collisions

Electronic energy and charge transfer in atomic collisions are described within a first principles molecular dynamics including an explicit treatment of electronic motions, in terms of time-dependent many-electron wavefunctions. Following an overview of treatments in the literature based on expansions in sets of adiabatic and diabatic electronic states, this article emphazises the use of time-dependent molecular orbitals and time-dependent Hartree−Fock states. Three fundamental problems are identified in a first principles dynamics, relating to the calculation of state-to-state transition probabilities and expectation values, to the translational motion of electrons moving with nuclei, and to the coupling of fast electronic transitions and slow nuclear motions. Solutions to these problems are described on the basis of an eikonal representation of wavefunctions and sums over initial conditions, of the use of traveling atomic functions to expand molecular orbitals, and of a relax-and-drive propagation proce...
State of Subdivision. V. Magnitude and Variations in Specific Surface Areas

In recent years interest has increased in the effect of particle sizes and specific surface areas of pharmaceutical powders and the way in which such parameters influence the degree of therapeutic action and the pharmaceutical technology of these products. A number of lots of different powders obtained from various sources were subjected to nitrogen adsorption studies to determine the relative average particle size of each chemical substance in its present commercial forms and the uniformity of specific surface area of these powders from lot to lot. Data are presented for measurements on zinc oxide, barium sulfate, ammoniated mercury, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth subcarbonate, and sulfathiazole. More precise particle size and surface area specifications for pharmaceutical powders are recommended.
On stabilizability and sampling for infinite dimensional systems

Some questions, either motivated by or related to time sampling, regarding the stabilizability of infinite-dimensional or distributed parameter systems are considered. In particular, these include the characteristics of those systems which are finite rank stabilizable, and the preservation of stabilizability under sampling. A pathological class of systems, which, when sampled, may be rendered unstabilizable by arbitrarily small perturbations in the sampling rate, is identified. The approach taken in establishing these results is based upon a spectral decomposition of the infinitesimal generator of the underlying open-loop semigroup. The results obtained apply to control systems with dynamics described by broad classes of partial and functional differential equations that arise frequently in applications. >
Physics of Extreme Quantum Confinement Exemplified by Si/SiO2 System

Since the introduction of superlattices1 and quantum well structures,2 quantum confinement in man-made structures has been an important area of research in semiconductor physics and material science, as well as many new functional devices3 utilizing the discrete nature of these artificially created energy states. Before explaining the physics of extreme quantum confinement and its manifestation in the Si/a-SiO2 system, we shall first examine what assumptions are involved in conventional quantum confinement. The following assumptions and situations are applicable in conventional quantum confinement.
Influence of lactation length and feed intake on reproductive performance and blood concentrations of glucose, insulin and luteinizing hormone in primiparous sows

Abstract Twenty-four pregnant gilts were assigned to four experimental treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. The first factor was lactation length (12 vs. 21 days) (LL); the second factor was a provided amount of diet (FF, full feeding vs. low, 2 kg/day). The same diet (1% lysine and 3.27 Mcal ME/kg) was used from farrowing to 1 day after weaning. Sow body weight, backfat thickness (BF), litter weights, and blood samples were measured prior to and 1 day after weaning. Sows were monitored for estrous once daily in the presence of a boar until 35 days after weaning or until estrous was detected. Average feed intake during lactation (ADFI) was 1.9 (low) and 4.0 (FF) kg/day. ADFI among individual sows varied from 1.8 to 4.9 kg/day. Positive effects of both LL and feed intake treatments were found (P
Effective Hamiltonian for nucleon decay

Renormalization effects for the SU(3) ⊗ SU(2) ⊗ U(1)-invariant baryon-number-violating operators of lowest dimension are calculated. Linear relations involving these operators are presented and a minimal set is given for nucleon decay processes.
Calculation of the standard binding free energy of sparsomycin to the ribosomal peptidyl-transferase P-site using molecular dynamics simulations with restraining potentials.

The standard (absolute) binding free energy of the antibiotic sparsomycin with the 50S bacteria ribosomal subunit is calculated using molecular dynamics (MD) free energy perturbation (FEP) simulations with restraining potentials developed by Wang et al. [Biophys. J. 91:2798–2814 (2006)]. In the simulation protocol, restraining potentials are activated for the orientational and translational movements of the ligand relative to the binding site when it is decoupled from the binding pocket, and then released once the ligand fully interacts with the rest of the system. A reduced system is simulated to decrease the computational cost of the FEP/MD calculations and the effects of the surrounding atoms are incorporated using the generalized solvent boundary potential (GSBP) method. The loss of conformational freedom of the ligand upon binding is characterized using the potential of mean force (PMF) as a function of the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) relative to the bound conformation. The number of water molecules in the binding pocket is allowed to fluctuate dynamically in response to the ligand during the calculations by combining FEP/MD with grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. The calculated binding free energy is about −6 kcal/mol, which is in reasonable agreement with the experimental value. The information gleaned from this study provides new insight on the recognition of ribosome by sparsomycin and highlights the challenges in calculations of absolute binding free energies in these systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When should high-grade heart block trigger a search for a treatable cardiomyopathy?

High-degree heart block is an uncommon manifestation of acute myocarditis in adults. The rate of heart block requiring a pacemaker in biopsy-proven acute lymphocytic myocarditis generally is low but has been reported in up to 8.3% of cases.1 Important exceptions include cardiac sarcoidosis and giant cell myocarditis (GCM), 2 uncommon and idiopathic disorders for which early immunosuppression may improve clinical outcomes. High-degree heart block occurs in the course of biopsy-proven cardiac sarcoidosis in 23% to 30% of cases (Table).2 In GCM, second- or third-degree heart block requiring a pacemaker occurs in 25% of cases.3 View this table: Table. Prevalence of Various Cardiac Findings in Cardiac Sarcoidosis During the Course of Disease Article see p 303 This relatively high rate of heart block reflects the severity of the clinical course of cardiac sarcoidosis and GCM, which have a higher rate of death and heart transplantation than lymphocytic myocarditis.1,4 Unlike acute lymphocytic myocarditis, for which immunosuppression usually is not beneficial,5 GCM or cardiac sarcoidosis may improve with certain combinations of immunosuppressive drugs. In the case of acute GCM, cyclosporine combined with corticosteroids and usually a T-cell lytic agent like muromonab-CD3 improves transplant-free survival.6 Uncontrolled case series also suggested that left ventricular (LV) dysfunction due to cardiac sarcoidosis may improve with corticosteroid therapy.7 Because GCM and cardiac sarcoidosis are rare disorders, endomyocardial biopsy is not routinely recommended to detect them in the setting of complete heart block unless cardiomyopathy is present.8 Although a recommendation class was not assigned to …
In‐office biopsy of upper airway lesions: Safety, tolerance, and effect on time to treatment

Objectives/Hypothesis Definitive tissue diagnosis for lesions warranting biopsy is shifting from the operating room to the office. Safety, tolerance, factors related to successful biopsy, and time to treatment are not well-defined. Methods Retrospective review of 116 patients undergoing in-office biopsy of oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx were included. Logistic regression determined if demographics, site, T-stage, or approach (transoral/transnasal) were related to success. Time to definitive treatment was also analyzed. Results Ninety-two transnasal and 24 transoral biopsies were performed on 73 laryngeal, 35 oropharyngeal, and 8 hypopharyngeal lesions. Of those, 97 of 116 diagnoses were made in-office. There were no complications; two patients did not tolerate the procedure. Success was not related to age (P = 0.374), site (P = 0.527), T-stage (P = 0.587), or approach (P = 0.566). Time to treatment was 24.2 ± 13.9 days with successful office biopsy and 48.8 ± 49.4 days without. Conclusions High procedural completion rate was observed across patients, sites, and approaches. All patients should be considered for in-office biopsy, a more time- and cost-effective option leading to earlier treatment. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 125:919–923, 2015
Mouse brain c-fos mRNA distribution following a single electroconvulsive shock.

Abstract: The regional distribution of c-fos mRNA in the mouse brain has been investigated by in situ hybridization autoradiography after seizures induced by an acute electroconvulsive shock (ECS). ECS led to a widespread induction of the proto-oncogene c-fos in the brain, with highest concentrations in discrete areas within the limbic system and also in the hypothalamus and cerebellum. The mild stress of sham treatment in earclipped animals induced a weaker and qualitatively different pattern of c-fos mRNA expression involving the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These data suggest the usefulness of c-fos in situ hybridization as a marker of neuronal stimulation and in mapping a range of effects from a mild stress to the robust changes of an electroconvulsive seizure.
The Meanings and Motivations of Learning during the Retirement Transition.

This study investigated learning as a strategy used in negotiating the retirement transition. Learning was defined broadly to include both formal and informal social contexts. The research was guided by How? and Why? questions as a way of determining the personal meanings attached to learning. The study was based upon a phenomenological paradigm and used a grounded theory methodology informed by the philosophical tenets of hermeneutics delineated by Hans Gadamer. Analysis focused upon the meanings attached to learning by examining the needs and goals stated by, or inferred from, the participants’ stories. The motivations for learning were found to be instrumentally or expressively oriented. Instrumental learning enabled the participants to manage basic survival needs and maintain a sense of personal effectiveness. Expressive learning was meaningful in that it satisfied needs and goals related to identity, affiliation, competence, and involvement in meaningful and purposeful activities. Furthermore, these ...
Cellular Localization of Chorionic Gonadotropin in Human Fetal Kidney and Liver

Earlier, we reported that second trimester human fetal kidney and, to a much lesser extent, human fetal liver were capable of synthesizing and secreting the beta-subunit of hCG. Recently, we also have shown that these tissues, likewise, synthesize and secrete the alpha-subunit of hCG. The hCG produced is biologically active. To determine the cellular localization of these peptides, immunocytochemical studies were performed on human fetal tissues using antibodies against beta hCG, alpha hCG, and the intact hormone. Placental syncytiotrophoblast served as an immunopositive control. In the human fetal kidney, the ascending (thick) limb of the loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and occasional cells in the collecting ducts were distinctly immunopositive for both beta hCG and the alpha-subunit. Small amounts of light positive staining occurred in only a few hepatocytes. Placental syncytiotrophoblast was routinely positive for both subunits, but fetal lung and striated muscle were negative. These immunocytochemical results indicate that immunoreactive beta hCG as well as the alpha-subunit are present in placental syncytiotrophoblast, in the distal renal nephron, and in a limited population of hepatocytes. The qualitative number and intensity of immunopositive cells closely correlate with the quantitative amounts of their hCG subunit synthesis. Taken together with our previous biosynthetic data, the immunocytochemical localization reported here indicates the probable cellular sites of alpha- and beta hCG synthesis in these tissues. The presence of comparable alpha- and beta-subunit staining in identical cell populations suggests that both hCG subunits and, therefore, perhaps intact hCG are produced at these same cellular sites during fetal life.
Elevated temperatures and ultraviolet radiation cause oxidative stress and inhibit photosynthesis in ymbiotic dinoflagellates

Elevated temperatures and solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation have been implicated as causes for the loss of symbiotic algae in corals and other invertebrates with photoautotrophic symbionts (i.e. bleaching). Significantly higher cellular concentrations of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide are observed when cultures of Symbiodinium bermudense are exposed to elevated temperatures with and without exposure to UV radiation. This increase in oxidative stress is accompanied by a reduction in the quantum yield of fluorescence for photosystem 2 and protein-specific activities of the carboxylating enzyme, Rubisco. An increase in antioxidant enzyme activities is unable to protect these cells from oxidative stress during exposure to UV radiation and elevated temperatures (3 1OC). The addition of exogenous scavengers of active oxygen, however, improves photosynthetic performance, but not to pre-exposure rates in zooxanthellae exposed to both elevated temperature and UV radiation, confirming a role for oxidative stress in the inhibition of photosynthesis by UV radiation and elevated temperatures. After exposure of zooxanthellae to UV radiation and elevated temperatures, an action spectrum for the inhibition of photosynthesis shows significantly greater wavelengthdependent effects of UV radiation between 290 and 375 nm than for zooxanthellae exposed to UV radiation alone.
Java-based application framework for visualization of gene regulatory region annotations

Motivation: The genome sequences of several organisms are either complete, or being sequenced. Each genome needs to be integrated with various types of annotations, e.g. locations of genes, promoters and other functional elements such as transcriptional regulatory elements. A robust application framework will be useful for developing web-based applications to visualize various genome annotations. Results: We developed genome data visualization toolkit (GDVTK) as an application framework that consists of a set of data structures and core classes, using Java™ technology. GDVTK is a sound framework for developing web-based applications to present the gene regulatory region annotations in visual form. The current version of GDVTK consists of eight packages and 38 Java classes that are portable, reusable and extensible for plugging in new data sources and models. We implemented GDVTK for visualization of promoter annotations in Mammalian Promoter Database (MPromDb), a web-based gene-regulatory information server. Availability: GDVTK is available under GNU general public license. Source code and software documentation can be found at the URL http://bioinformatics.med.ohio-state.edu/GDVTK.
Neural activity-dependent brain changes in development: Implications for psychopathology

In this paper we discuss the contribution of neural activity-dependent factors to shaping the brain in normal and pathologic development, and we discuss factors that determine the likelihood of recovery from the experience of abnormal neural activity during development.
Surgical intervention for traumatic cataracts in children: Epidemiology, complications, and outcomes.

Purpose To describe the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of a series of patients with unilateral traumatic cataracts. Methods Retrospective, noncomparative review of 25 consecutive children with unilateral traumatic cataracts managed at a single institution during a 5-year period with regard to demographic data, mode of injury, clinical course, and outcome. Results Paintball and BB gun injuries were the most common mode of injury, accounting for 28% of all cases, followed by injury from pens and pencils (16%). Preoperative visual acuity was poor in 19 patients (76%), and final postoperative visual acuity was poor (20/200 or worse) in 4 patients (16%); this difference was statistically significant ( p p = 0.29). Patients who developed poor final vision were younger on average than those who achieved satisfactory vision (5.25 years vs 7.5 years). Poor visual outcome did not appear to depend on the time from injury to presentation and time interval between injury and cataract extraction. Conclusions Children with visually significant traumatic cataracts can have good outcomes if they are managed aggressively and appropriately. In our patient population, paintballs and BB guns accounted for more than 25% of traumatic cataract injuries, and a large number of traumatic cataracts were sustained by pens and pencils.