cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defective blood vessel development and pericyte/pvSMC distribution in α4 integrin -deficient mouse embryos

Blood vessel development is in part regulated by pericytes/presumptive vascular smooth muscle cells (PC/pvSMCs). Here, we demonstrate that interactions between PC/pvSMCs and extracellular matrix play a critical role in this event. We show that the cranial vessels in α4 integrin-deficient mouse embryos at the stage of vessel remodeling are increased in diameter. This defect is accompanied by a failure of PC/pvSMCs, which normally express α4β1 integrin, to spread uniformly along the vessels. We also find that fibronectin but not VCAM-1 is localized in the cranial vessels at this stage. Furthermore, cultured α4 integrin-null PC/pvSMCs plated on fibronectin display a delay in initiating migration, a reduction in migration speed, and a decrease in directional persistence in response to a polarized force of shear flow. These results suggest that specific motile activities of PC/pvSMCs regulated by mechanical signals imposed by the interstitial extracellular matrix may also be required in vivo for the distribution and function of the PC/pvSMCs during blood vessel development.
OIL SPILL TREATMENT STRATEGY MODELING FOR GEORGES BANK

ABSTRACT As part of a larger project assessing the environmental impact of treated versus untreated oil spills, a fates model has been developed which tracks both the surface and subsurface oil. The approach used to spread, drift, and evaporate the surface slick is similar to that in most other oil spill models. The subsurface technique, however, makes use of a modified particle-in-cell method which diffuses and advects individual oil/dispersant droplets representative of a large number of similar droplets. This scheme predicts the time-dependent oil concentration distribution in the water column, which can then be employed as input to a fisheries population model. In addition to determining the fate of the untreated spill, the model also allows for chemical treatment and/or mechanical cleanup of the spilled oil. With this capability, the effectiveness of different oil spill control and removal strategies can be quantified. The model has been applied to simulate a 34,840 metric ton spill of a No. 2-type o...
Glutathione metabolism in normal and induced states of growth.

Abstract 1. 1. Liver glutathione concentrations were found to be significantly higher in rapidly growing immature normal rats than in normal adult rats. Stimulation of the latter with growth hormone resulted in a significant elevation in liver glutathione concentrations. 2. 2. Stimulation of the growth process in the hypophysectomized immature rat with growth hormone resulted in a significant elevation in the concentration of liver glutathione. 3. 3. The percentage of administered 15 N found in the liver glutathione nitrogen obtained from normal adult rats and from hypophysectomized immature rats is markedly reduced as a result of stimulation of these animals with anterior pituitary growth hormone. This appears to be largely due to alterations in the size of metabolic pool of liver glutathione. The relatively low percentage of administered 15 N found in the nitrogen of liver glutathione obtained from rapidly growing immature normal rats compared with that obtained from normal adult rats, on the other hand, can be accounted for only partially in terms of the dilution effect of a larger metabolic pool of liver glutathione. 4. 4. The 15 N enrichment of the nitrogen of total liver proteins of rats in normal or induced states of growth, during a 2 hour period of assimilation of 15 N glycine, does not appear to be significantly different from that observed in rats which the growth process is arrested.
Vargas-Style Revisionism and the Problem of Retributivism

Manuel Vargas advocates a revised understanding of the terms “free will” and “moral responsibility” that eliminates the problematic libertarian commitments inherent to the commonsense understanding of these terms. I argue that in order to make a plausible case for why philosophers ought to adopt his recommendations, Vargas must explain why we ought to retain the retributivist elements that figure prominently in both commonsense views about morality and philosophical discussions concerning free will and moral responsibility. Furthermore, I argue that his revisionist account lacks the resources necessary to accommodate retributivist attitudes and practices.
Language use, not language, is what develops in childhood and adolescence

That both language and novel life-history stages are unique to humans is an interesting datum. But failure to distinguish between language and language use results in an exaggeration of the language acquisition period, which in turn vitiates claims that new developmental stages were causative factors in language evolution.
Ordinal decompositions for preordered root systems

Abstract In this paper, we explore the effects of certain forbidden substructure conditions on preordered sets. In particular, we characterize in terms of these conditions those preordered sets which can be represented as the supremum of a well-ordered ascending chain of lowersets whose members are constructed by means of alternating applications of disjoint union and ordinal sums with chains. These decompositions are examples of ordinal decompositions in relatively normal lattices as introduced by Snodgrass, Tsinakis, and Hart. We conclude the paper with an application to information systems.
Palynology and paleoecology of lignites from the Manning Formation (Jackson Group) outcrop in the Lake Somerville spillway of east-central Texas

Abstract Four palynomorph assemblages, whose parent plants contributed to the formation of the lignite, occur in the lignite seams and associated sediments from the Manning Formation (Jackson Group) outcrop in the Lake Somerville spillway of Texas. The Cicatricosisporites-Laevigatosporites fern assemblage occurs in the middle and upper seam and probably derived from a freshwater herbaceous mire community. The Momipites coryloides-Arecipites columellus-Liliacidites assemblage occurs in all three seams and probably derived from a freshwater mire forest with an open canopy or shrub community. The Momipites coryloides-Nyssa-Rhoipites angustus assemblage occurs in the lower and middle seams and probably derived from a different freshwater mire forest. The Cupuliferoipollenites-Cupuliferoidaepollenites liblarensis-Siltaria cf. S. scabriextima assemblage occurs at the top of the lower and middle seams, which are overlain by marine sediments. The association between Cupuliferoipollenites dominance and the presence of marine diatoms and brackish or marine trace fossils in the lignite suggests that this assemblage may have derived from a mangrove (i.e. marine or brackish) mire forest. However, other factors may influence its distribution. Ailanthipites berryi , possibly derived from a tree or shrub related to the ‘tree of heaven’, predominates in the claystone underlying the lower lignite seam and may have colonized the coastal plain prior to the initiation of peat accumulation. We can differentiate lignite samples dominated by fern spores, Momipites pollen and Cupuliferoipollenites pollen based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fragmentograms of triterpanes (m/z 191) and steranes (m/z 217). The lignite layers dominated by each palynomorph assemblage appear to have distinct sources and different early diagenetic (pre-coalification) histories.
Structural Elements That Direct Specific Processing of Different Mammalian Subtilisin-like Prohormone Convertases

PC1 and PC2 are two important subtilisin-like prohormone convertases (PC) that undergo differential endoproteolytic processing steps and sequentially mediate proopiomelanocortin (POMC) processing. To investigate the structural elements directing the processing of different PCs, we constructed a series of mutant and chimeric PC proteins and expressed them in cell lines with different patterns of expression of endogenous PCs: AtT-20, hEK293, and hLoVo cells. The COOH-terminally truncated PC1 underwent efficient proregion cleavage and rapid secretion in all three cell lines, while proregion cleavage and secretion were completely blocked in an active-site mutant of PC1. The truncated PC1 produced dramatic changes in POMC processing in AtT-20 cells. PC2 with the potential oxyanion hole Asp residue changed to Asn was processed and altered several aspects of POMC processing in a manner similar to that of wild-type PC2. PC1 protein with its proregion substituted with that of furin was cleaved after its proregion, producing active PC1 enzyme. A similar furin/PC2 fusion protein underwent proregion cleavage at low efficiency. By contrast, when the proregions of PC1 and PC2 were substituted with one another, both fusion proteins failed to cleave the foreign prosequences, were unable to undergo oligosaccharide maturation, and remained in the ER. Although inactive PC mutants could theoretically function as dominant negatives, none interfered with the processing of endogenous active PCs or with POMC processing. We conclude that the COOH-terminal of PC1 plays an important role in the routing or storage of PC1, the proregions of these PC proteins are replaceable in a molecule-specific manner, removal of proregion is essential for routing and for endoproteolytic activity, and the role of the potential oxyanion hole in PC2 is still unclear.
Loratadine and ventricular tachycardia.

A Fricchione GL, Olson LC, Vlay SC. Psychiatric syndromes in patients with the automatic internal cardioverter defibrillator: anxiety, psychological dependence, abuse and withdrawal. Am Heart J 1989: 117: 1411-1414. 9. Cooper DK, Luceri RM, Tboox RJ, Myerburg RJ. The impact of the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator on quality of life. Clinical Prog Electraphysiol Pacing 1986;4:306-309. 10. Edwards MJ, Tolle SW. Disconnecting a ventilator at the request of a patient who knows he will die: the doctor’s anguish. Ann Intern Med 1992117: 254-256. ll. Neu S, Kjellstrand C. Stopping long-term dialysis: an empirical study of withdrawal of life-supporting treatment. N Engl J Med 1986;314:14-20. 12. Stb 318:286-290. U. Quill TE. Doctor, I want to die. Will you help me? JAMA 1993;270:870-874. l4. Conwell Y, Caine ED. Rational suicide and the right to die-reality and myth. N Engl J Med 1991; 325:110&l 103. lS. Quill T. Death and Dignity: Making Choices and Taking Charge. New York: W. W. Norton, 1993.
Reproducibility of serial peri-ictal single-photon emission tomography difference images in epilepsy patients undergoing surgical resection.

Peri-ictal single-photon emission tomography (SPET) difference images co-registered to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualize regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes and help localize the epileptogenic area in medically refractory epilepsy. Few reports have examined the reproducibility of SPET difference image results. Epilepsy patients having two peri-ictal and at least one interictal SPET scan who later underwent surgical resection were studied. Localization accuracy of peri-ictal SPET difference images results, interictal electroencephalography (EEG), and ictal EEG from the first (seizure 1) and second (seizure 2) seizure, as well as MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) findings, were compared using surgical resection site as the standard. Thirteen patients underwent surgical resection (11 temporal lobe and 2 extratemporal). SPET results from seizure 1 were localized to the surgical site in 12/13 (92%) patients, while SPET results from seizure 2 were localized in 13/13 (100%) patients. All other modalities were less accurate than the SPET results [interictal EEG – seizure 1 6/13 (46%); ictal EEG – seizure 1 5/13 (38%); interictal intracranial EEG – seizure 2 4/9 (44%); ictal intracranial EEG – seizure 2 results 8/9 (89%); MRI 6/13 (46%); PET 9/13 (69%)].SPET results were reproducible in 12/13 (92%) patients.SPET difference images calculated from two independent peri-ictal scans appear to be reproducible and accurately localize the epileptogenic area. While SPET difference images visualize many areas of rCBF change, the quantification of these results along with consideration of injection time improves the diagnostic interpretation of the results.
Comparison of mercury in atmospheric deposition and in Illinois and USA soils

It has been reported that most mercury (Hg) in USA soils is from atmospheric Hg deposition, mostly from anthropogenic sources. This paper compares the rates of atmospheric Hg deposition to amounts of Hg in Illinois and USA soils. The amounts of Hg in these soils are too great to be attributed mainly to anthropogenic atmospheric Hg deposition. Keywords: mercury, atmospheric deposition, soil, geology, Illinois, USA
Aggregation bias in natural resource price composites: the forestry case

In this paper, we use cointegration tests to evaluate whether two types of aggregation bias are likely to be present in the composite price time series of forestry products. We find that the two types of bias are likely to be present, and furthermore, that forestry price series tend to be difference, rather than trend, stationary processes. These results raise doubts about the information content of composite forestry price time series, and suggest that inferences from such information about timber scarcity trends will likely be spurious. If the time series properties of forestry price series hold for other natural resources, then inferences about resource scarcity trends will also be dubious in these cases. This possibility suggests the need for further research to explore the time series properties of other natural resources.
Glacial outburst flood sediments within Disenchantment Bay, Alaska: Implications of recognizing marine jökulhlaup deposits in the stratigraphic record

Abstract Glacial outburst floods have been observed or inferred in most glaciated regions of the world. Outburst flooding events along past ice-sheet margins have been discussed as possible causes for changes in ocean circulation while subglacial lake drainage under ice sheets may influence ice-sheet stability. The recognition of these geologically instantaneous events in the marine sediment or rock record is critical in order to characterize the magnitude and frequency of past outburst events as well as to predict the likelihood of future occurrences. In this paper, we characterize outburst lithofacies and infer depositional processes from two outburst floods within Disenchantment Bay, Alaska, and compare these deposits to other recognized outburst deposits within marine depositional settings. Here we show that the outburst deposits are lithologically similar and are composed of stratified mud, sand, and diamicton. We interpret these facies to have been formed by sediment gravity flows and hypopycnal plume sedimentation. These results show that the volume of sediment, lithofacies, and inferred depositional processes cannot be easily distinguished from normal sediment accumulation within the proximal temperate glacimarine depositional environment. The paucity of fluvial subglacial discharge in polar glacimarine environments suggests the potential for recognition of such deposits in the Antarctic.
Gene Expression in Wilms’ Tumor Mimics the Earliest Committed Stage in the Metanephric Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition

Wilms’ tumor (WT) has been considered a prototype for arrested cellular differentiation in cancer, but previous studies have relied on selected markers. We have now performed an unbiased survey of gene expression in WTs using oligonucleotide microarrays. Statistical criteria identified 357 genes as differentially expressed between WTs and fetal kidneys. This set contained 124 matches to genes on a microarray used by Stuart and colleagues (Stuart RO, Bush KT, Nigam SK: Changes in global gene expression patterns during development and maturation of the rat kidney. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2001, 98:5649–5654) to establish genes with stage-specific expression in the developing rat kidney. Mapping between the two data sets showed that WTs systematically overexpressed genes corresponding to the earliest stage of metanephric development, and underexpressed genes corresponding to later stages. Automated clustering identified a smaller group of 27 genes that were highly expressed in WTs compared to fetal kidney and heterologous tumor and normal tissues. This signature set was enriched in genes encoding transcription factors. Four of these, PAX2, EYA1, HBF2, and HOXA11, are essential for cell survival and proliferation in early metanephric development, whereas others, including SIX1, MOX1, and SALL2, are predicted to act at this stage. SIX1 and SALL2 proteins were expressed in the condensing mesenchyme in normal human fetal kidneys, but were absent (SIX1) or reduced (SALL2) in cells at other developmental stages. These data imply that the blastema in WTs has progressed to the committed stage in the mesenchymal-epithelial transition, where it is partially arrested in differentiation. The WT-signature set also contained the Wnt receptor FZD7, the tumor antigen PRAME, the imprinted gene NNAT and the metastasis-associated transcription factor E1AF.
Radioimmunoassay and competitive binding radioassay methods for the measurement of drugs.

Abstract Radioimmunoassay and competitive protein-binding radioassay methods have been used with increasing frequency in the measurement of drugs. The development of radioimmunoassays for drugs- has involved the conjugation of drugs as haptens to antigenic protein carriers, and the subsequent production of drug-specific antibodies by animals immunized with drug-protein conjugates. Using drug-specific antibodies elicited in this manner, radioimmunoassay methods have already been developed for barbiturates, digitalis glycosides, medroxyprogesterone acetate, morphine, penicillin, and D-tubocurarine. Nonimmunologic competitive protein binding radioassay methods have not yet been extensively used in the measurement of drugs, but digitalis glycosides have been measured by such a method that employs a guinea pig brain membrane fraction with specific glycoside-binding receptor sites.
Trading volume and firm size: A test of the information spillover hypothesis

Abstract This study investigates information transfer across firms by using the trading volume of large-and small-stock portfolios as a proxy for the flow of information in financial markets. I find bi-directional Granger-causality between the trading volume of large and small firms. The results do not support previous studies that report evidence of one-way information transfer using the returns and variances of different-sized firms. My findings suggest several explanations. Either information arrival in financial markets has a different impact on trading volume than it does on returns and variances, or certain information shocks may affect different firms more rapidly, with these shocks eventually influencing the volume of trade of all firms.
Accumulation of a glycine rich protein in auxin-deprived strawberry fruits.

Summary Growth of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. Ozark Beauty) receptacles is regulated by auxin supplied from the achenes. The receptacle growth can be stopped at any stage by deachening the fruits, and can be resumed by exogenous application of auxin. In our earlier studies we demonstrated auxin regulated polypeptide changes at different stages of strawberry fruit development. Removal of achenes from fruits and growing the receptacles without auxin resulted in the time-dependent accumulation of 52,000 Mr polypeptide. Amino acid analysis revealed that the protein is rich in glycine. Our studies, with normal and variant strawberry receptacles, indicate that the synthesis and accumulation of this glycine-rich protein correlates with cessation of receptacle growth. These results suggest a possible role for the glycine-rich protein in cessation of growth.
The timing of embryonic exposure to elevated temperature alters stress endocrinology in domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus).

Abstract Patterns of glucocorticoid (GC) release in response to stimuli vary both among individuals and within individuals across their lifetime. While much work has focused on how the prenatal steroid environment can affect GC release, relatively little is known about how environmental parameters, such as incubation temperature affect GCs. We tested the hypothesis that variation and timing of elevated incubation temperature within the thermoneutral zone can alter the pattern of GC release. We incubated domestic chicken eggs ( Gallus domesticus ) at the optimal incubation temperature (37.5 °C) or at a slightly higher temperature (+1.1 °C) either early, late, or throughout incubation. At three weeks post-hatch, all birds were (i) exposed to a capture-restraint stress to measure stress-induced GC release (naive). Three days following the naive stressor, birds were (ii) exposed to a heat challenge, which was followed the next day by a second capture-restraint stress (post-heat challenge). Regardless of treatment, birds had similar patterns of GC release following the naive stress series. However, during the post-heat challenge stress series, birds incubated at optimal temperatures increased their peak GC release. In contrast, birds exposed to slightly elevated temperatures for any period of development failed to increase peak GC release, and their specific response varied with timing of exposure to the elevated incubation temperature. Our results demonstrate that subtle variation in the embryonic environment, such as elevated incubation temperature within the thermoneutral zone, can impact the pattern of GC release of offspring. Further work is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these changes and the relationship between fitness and environmentally-altered phenotypes.
Newcastle Disease Virus Passage in MDBK Cells as an Aid in Detection of a Virulent Subpopulation

SUMMARY. Newcastle disease virus strains (NDV) La Sota, Texas GB (GB), and mixtures of the two strains were serially passaged in embryonated chicken eggs or the MDBK cell line, a more restrictive culture system than eggs for NDV. The two culture systems were compared by evaluating culture harvests for pathogenicity in inoculated chickens; the harvests were identified by hemagglutination-inhibition tests against monoclonal antibodies that can differentiate La Sota and GB cultures. Both viruses, inoculated alone or as mixtures, were propagated by passage in chicken eggs. La Sota strain failed to propagate by continuous passage in MDBK cells, and only GB was identified in culture harvests propagated in MDBK cells that had been inoculated with GB or mixtures of GB and La Sota. The results indicate that the MDBK cell line is a more selective substrate than chicken eggs and suggest that passage in MDBK cells may aid in selecting for more virulent subpopulations of NDV in a mixed culture. Other reference NDV strains, pigeon NDV isolates, and recent lentogenic NDV isolates from chickens were also passaged in MDBK cells; all strains except those that are classified as lentogens like La Sota could be serially propagated in MDBK cells.
SU‐E‐T‐371: Can Dose Matrix Mapping to Kilo‐Voltage Cone Beam CT Images Be Reliably Used to Monitor Weekly Dose Changes for Head and Neck Cancer Patients?

Purpose: In external beam radiotherapy for head‐and‐neck cancer, the actual dose delivered to the patients could considerably deviate from the planned dose due to volumetric and anatomic variations. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether direct dose matrix mapping can be reliably used to monitor weekly dose changes when compared to recalculation method on weekly kilo‐voltage CBCT images. Methods: Ten head‐and‐neck patients, each with a planning CT, a mid‐term replanning CT, and seven weekly CBCTs, were selected for this study. Contours of tumor volumes and radiosensitive normal structures were deformed from the planning CT to the CBCTs using a commercial program. These deformed contours were validated using the same day CT and CBCT. The daily doses were obtained by two Methods: (1)mapping the planned dose matrix to the corresponding CBCTs after rigid image registration; (2)recalculating dose on the CBCT images with the same planning beam configurations. For a fair comparison, density override of the external contours was performed for both methods. Results: No significant dose differences were seen comparing the dose matrix mapping and recalculation methods for both the target and sensitive structures(p≫0.05). From both dose mapping and recalculation methods, the difference in D95 between the dose of the day and planned dose was observed for the PTV with 1.7 ± 2.2% variations. Although no significant changes in the mean dose were observed for the other sensitive organs, the mean dose of the parotid glands increased 14.1 ± 14.9% for the right parotid and 7.5 ± 9.8% for the left parotid. Conclusion: Dose matrix mapping is an effective and practical method to monitor weekly dose changes for patients with HN cancer. With the deformed contours from the planning CT, both the dose matrix mapping and recalculation methods can provide quantitative dose analysis and physician guidance for decisions on the adaptive replanning.
A MODIFIED VAN DER PAUW SETUP FOR MEASURING THE RESISTIVITY AND THERMOPOWER OF THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS OF VARYING THICKNESSES

In the investigation of thermoelectric (TE) materials as a practical, and efficient, means of power generation/ refrigeration nearly ninety percent of the possible high-efficient binary compounds have been evaluated. But only a few proved to be useful such as Bi2Te3 alloys, PbTe and SiGe to name the most important materials. Therefore, in order to expand the research of high-efficiency TE materials new compounds and methods of efficiency optimization must be explored. There currently exist a vast number of uninvestigated ternary and quaternary materials that could be potential high-efficiency thermoelectric materials. The device and methodology discussed herein deal with rapidly measuring both the electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient of thermoelectric materials, at a set temperature of T ≈ 300 K. Using nontraditional resistivity measurements and rapid, room-temperature thermopower measurements, a reliable and time-efficient means of gauging the power factor (defined below) values of newly synthesized thermoelectric materials is achievable. Furthermore, the efficacy of the van der Pauw technique for measuring the resistivity of thermoelectric materials has been verified.
Direct electrochemistry of endonuclease III in the presence and absence of DNA.

The electrochemistry of the base excision repair enzyme Endonuclease III (Endo III) in the presence and absence of DNA has been examined on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). At the surface modified with pyrenated DNA, a reversible signal is observed at 20 mV versus NHE for the [4Fe−4S]3+/2+ couple of Endo III, similar to Au. Without DNA modification, oxidative and reductive signals for the [4Fe−4S] cluster of Endo III are found on bare HOPG, allowing a direct comparison between DNA-bound and free redox potentials. These data indicate a shift of approximately −200 mV in the 3+/2+ couple upon binding of Endo III to DNA. This potential shift reflects a difference in affinity for DNA of more than 3 orders of magnitude between the oxidized 3+ and reduced 2+ protein and provides quantitative support for our model utilizing DNA-mediated charge transport to redistribute base excision repair enzymes in the vicinity of damaged DNA.
The papain-catalyzed synthesis of hippuryl anilide. II. Variation of rate with substrate concentration and determination of the equilibrium constant.

Summary 1. The kinetics of the papain-catalyzed condensation of hippuric acid and aniline to form hippuryl anilide were followed at pH 4.9 and at 39° by observing the initial disappearance of amine. Initial rate data satisfied a rate law deduced from a mechanism in which one substrate, hippuric acid, is in equilibrium with the enzyme. Kinetic theory was introduced to provide a method for distinguishing two substrate reactions in which one product is present at zero time. For the case of papain (EC 3.4.4.10) the “quasi-equilibrium” assumption was found to apply, and K m , equal to K s for hippuric acid, was found to be 0.82 M. The value of ks was found to be 60.2 M −1 · min −1 and it was suggested that this bimolecular rate constant is associated with the decomposition of the acyl-enzyme, hippurylpapain. 2. The apparent equilibrium constant, K ′ e , was found to be 0.094 indicating that hydrolysis is the thermodynamically favored process. Thermodynamic arguments were presented to suggest that one substrate, hippuric acid, reacts with papain only in the form of the conjugate base, hippurate ion.
A framework for managing uncertainty in self-adaptive software systems

Self-adaptation endows a software system with the ability to satisfy certain objectives by automatically modifying its behavior. While many promising approaches for the construction of self-adaptive software systems have been developed, the majority of them ignore the uncertainty underlying the adaptation decisions. This has been one of the key inhibitors to widespread adoption of self-adaption techniques in risk-averse real-world settings. In this research abstract I outline my ongoing effort in the development of a framework for managing uncertainty in self-adaptation. This framework employs state-of-the-art mathematical approaches to model and assess uncertainty in adaptation decisions. Preliminary results show that knowledge about uncertainty allows self-adaptive software systems to make better decisions.
Acetylene reduction by effective and ineffective clover and soybean root nodules

Acetylene was reduced to ethylene by effective white clover nodules and by fully and partially effective intact nodules, nodule homogenates, and bacteroids of soybeans. Succinate and several amino acids markedly stimulated the reduction by effective soybean bacteroids, but the stimulation was slight with partially effective bacteroids. Acetylene metabolism by effective soybean bacteroids was also enhanced by excretions of in vitro-grown Rhizobium japonicum, excretions of bacteria derived from effective and ineffective nodules, and the soluble fraction from these nodules. Inhibitors of nitrogen fixation were not found in ineffective nodules. Ineffective soybean and white clover nodules and homogenates or isolated bacteria from ineffective soybean nodules did not reduce acetylene. Additions of succinate, amino acids, the soluble fraction of effective nodules, or excretions of effective bacteroids or of in vitro-grown cells of an effective R. japonicum strain did not promote nitrogen fixation by bacterial cells obtained from ineffective soybean nodules.
AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY OF CEMENTUM FORMATION.

(1964). An Ultrastructural Study of Cementum Formation. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 105-120.
Impact of 30-Day Oral Dosing with N-acetyl-l-cysteine on Sprague-Dawley Rat Physiology

A number of studies have demonstrated a protective effect associated with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) against toxic chemical exposure. However, the impact of long-term oral dosing on tissue pathology has not been determined. In this study, the authors assessed the impact of long-term oral NAC administration on organ histopathology and tissue glutathione (GSH) and total glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity levels in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Groups of 20 SD rats (10 males, 10 females), 8 weeks of age, were dosed daily by oral gavage with deionized H2O (negative controls) or NAC solution at a rate of 600 or 1200 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Animals were euthanized 6 h after treatment on study day 30. There were no significant differences in final body weights or weekly average weight gain between treatment groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were significantly elevated (p =.05) in NAC-treated animals compared to controls when measured on study day 30. Histopathologic evaluation of the stomach, small intestine, liver, kidneys, spleen, thymus, and lungs revealed no lesions associated with NAC administration. When measured on study day 30, total GST activity for kidney and skin from NAC-treated animals were increased 39% to 131% as compared to controls. Tissue GSH concentrations from NAC-treated animals were increased 24% to 81% as compared with negative controls. Further studies are needed to determine if the observed increase in tissue GSH concentration and GST activity provide a degree of chemoprotection against dermal and systemic chemical toxicants.
Effect of Alternative Sweeteners in Plain and Fruit-Flavored Yogurts, ,

Abstract Plain, strawberry, and cherry Swiss-style lowfat yogurts were produced from cream and reconstituted NDM utilizing alternative sweetening agents. The sweeteners studied were sucrose (control), aspartame, calcium saccharin, sodium saccharin, sorbitol, high fructose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup plus monoammonium glycyrrhizinate, sucrose plus monoammonium glycyrrhizinate, acesulfame-K, and dihydrochalcone. Measurements and evaluations of acid development, apparent viscosity, microbiological status, and sensory profiles by an expert panel were conducted at approximately 2, 14, 28, and 42 d. For each flavor and over all storage periods, yogurts sweetened with sorbitol or aspartame were among those consistently favored. There were no differences among the flavor scores for the first 28 d of storage. However, at 42 d scores decreased. No differences were observed between the body and texture scores assigned to the alternative sweeteners, although scores did increase for each flavor with prolonged storage. Apparent viscosity increased over time. Fructose samples had a significantly higher viscosity. Both time and sweetener type significantly affected the growth of the microorganisms.
The relationship of intestinal adhesions to infrared heating lamp exposure.

Abstract The incidence of postoperative intestinal adhesions and microscopic intestinal injury resulting from the use of overhead infrared heating lamps was studied in 45 rabbits. Exposure of intestine to infrared light for 2 hr or longer at a distance of 1-12 ft produced adhesions in 87% of the rabbits, whereas exposure to heat under the same conditions but at a distance of 3 ft resulted in adhesions in 37% of rabbits. The incidence and severity of adhesions correlated directly with the period of intestinal exposure to infrared heat. No histologic evidence of intestinal injury was apparent in intestine exposed to infrared heat under the conditions of this study.
Growth inhibition of rat mesangial cells by high glucose: effect of vitamin E

Background. We aimed to examine both whether vitamin E prevented and whether it reversed the growth inhibitory effect of high glucose. Methods. For the preventive experiment, rat mesangial cells (RMC) were grown in control glucose medium with the addition of 100 μM of vitamin E. High glucose (27.5 mM) was added to the medium concurrent with the vitamin E addition. The 3-(4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to measure RMC proliferation. Our data confirmed the growth inhibitory effect of high glucose and showed that the growth inhibition was prevented by vitamin E. To examine whether vitamin E reversed the growth inhibitory effects of high glucose, RMC were grown in control and high glucose medium. Contrary to previous prevention type studies, vitamin E was not added to the medium until growth inhibition of the RMC by the high glucose was established. Results. Our data show that it took 5 days of vitamin E administration to reverse the growth inhibitory effect of high glucose. Conclusion. This is the first time that vitamin E has been shown to reverse this high-glucose-induced inhibition of RMC, suggesting that vitamin E reverses a potentially important pathogenetic process.
Development of a porcine incisional wound model and novel scarring scales

A major goal of wound management is to reduce scarring. Prior to evaluating novel anti-scarring therapies, we developed a porcine incisional wound model and scarring outcome measures. Forty-eight full-thickness incisions (3 cm in length) and excisional wounds (3 x 0.5 cm) were created on two animals and closed with sutures (n=24) or tissue adhesive (n=24). Scars were evaluated using two validated clinical scar scales and a novel scale developed for animals. Full-thickness biopsies were obtained at 5 and 8 weeks for determination of scar morphology using H&E and Congo red staining with and without polarized light. Scar tissue was classified based on the collagen fiber morphology and "redness" ratio, which is a measure of the relative distribution of collagen fiber in all three spatial dimensions. The clinical cosmetic scales were highly reliable, yet nondiscriminatory. The novel gross cosmetic and histomorphological scores were both highly reliable (0.75 and 0.70, respectively), yet poorly correlated with each other (0.17). The "redness" ratio and cross-sectional surface area measurements were also highly reliable (r=0.96 and 0.99, respectively) but unrelated to cosmetic outcomes. However, the "redness ratio" did correlate with the histomorphologic appearance of the scars, with poorer appearing clinical scars receiving lower ratios (ANOVA p=0.001). Significant differences in cosmetic scores were noted between excisional and incisional wounds favoring incisions (p=0.0019). We describe a novel porcine model for incisional and excisional wounds. The new clinical and histomorphologic outcomes were highly reliable yet poorly correlated. In general, incisional wounds healed with less apparent scarring than excisional wounds.
ACE2 overexpression inhibits hypoxia-induced collagen production by cardiac fibroblasts.

Cardiac remodelling is a key risk factor for the development of heart failure in the chronic phase following myocardial infarction. Our previous studies have shown an anti-remodelling role of ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) in vivo during hypertension and that these protective effects are mediated through increased circulating levels of Ang-(1–7) [angiotensin-(1–7)]. In the present study, we have demonstrated that cardiac myocytes have modest ACE2 activity, whereas cardiac fibroblasts do not exhibit any endogenous activity. As fibroblasts are the major cell type found in an infarct zone following a myocardial infarction, we examined the effects of ACE2 gene delivery to cultured cardiac fibroblasts after acute hypoxic exposure. Cardiac fibroblasts from 5-day-old Sprague–Dawley rat hearts were grown to confluence and transduced with a lentiviral vector containing murine ACE2 cDNA under transcriptional control by the EF1α (elongation factor 1α) promoter (lenti-ACE2). Transduction of fibroblasts with lenti-ACE2 resulted in a viral dose-dependent increase in ACE2 activity. This was associated with a significant attenuation of both basal and hypoxia/re-oxygenation-induced collagen production by the fibroblasts. Cytokine production, specifically TGFβ (transforming growth factor β), by these cells was also significantly attenuated by ACE2 expression. Collectively, these results indicate that: (i) endogenous ACE2 activity is observed in cardiac myocytes, but not in cardiac fibroblasts; (ii) ACE2 overexpression in the cardiac fibroblast attenuates collagen production; and (iii) this prevention is probably mediated by decreased expression of cytokines. We conclude that ACE2 expression, limited to cardiac fibroblasts, may represent a novel paradigm for in vivo therapy following acute ischaemia.
Plant Anticancer Agents XXXIX: Triterpenes from Iris Missouriensis (Iridaceae)

Employing the roots of Iris missouriensis, two known triterpenes, iso-iridogermanal and zeorin, were isolated and identified. As presently reported, they were found to demonstrate cytotoxic activity toward cultured P-388 cells (ED50 = 0.1 and 1.1 μg/mL, respectively). Additionally, a new triterpene that demonstrated an ED50 of 8.5 μg/mL was isolated. On the basis of spectral analysis and chemical correlation with zeorin, the structure was shown to be 6α-hydroxy-A'-neogermmacer-22(29)-en-30-oic acid (missourin).
Down-regulation of hepatic high-density lipoprotein receptor, SR-B1, in nephrotic syndrome

Down-regulation of hepatic high-density lipoprotein receptor, SR-B1, in nephrotic syndrome. Background Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a prototype of acquired hypercholesterolemia. Hepatic synthesis and removal of cholesterol play major roles in the regulation of plasma concentration of this sterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles are the primary vehicles for cholesterol transport to the liver. We have recently demonstrated that NS results in acquired hepatic LDL receptor deficiency in rats. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of NS on hepatic expression of the newly discovered, long-sought HDL receptor. Methods Hepatic HDL receptor and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) expressions were studied in rats with puromycin-induced NS. The results were compared with those obtained in placebo-treated, normal controls. Results The NS group exhibited a marked reduction in hepatic tissue HDL receptor protein abundance when compared with the control group. In contrast, hepatic HDL receptor mRNA abundance in the NS group was similar to that of the control group. As expected, the NS group showed a marked increase in hepatic apo A-I mRNA abundance. Conclusions The study explored the effect of experimental NS on hepatic HDL receptor expression, and the results revealed a marked down-regulation of HDL receptor in rats with NS. In contrast, hepatic expression of Apo A-I, the principal protein constituent of HDL, was markedly increased in NS rats. The HDL receptor deficiency shown here can potentially limit the efficiency of HDL as the primary vehicle for reverse cholesterol transport in NS.
Desiring Images: Representation and Spectacle in Dogeaters

Abstract The following description of an Imelda Marcos “performance” during a 1965 political rally in Manila suggests the unstable boundaries between politics and spectacle, authority and image making, captivation and captivity: Led to the microphone, she touches it, and prepares to sing her winning repertoire. […] She has lost weight considerably […] it is a slight and vulnerable back that rises above the scoop of her neckline. […] She knows the excitement of power–the crowd waits, like a trapped and unresisting prey, for Imelda to begin using that power. [… T]he old charisma, with its look of suffering, potent tonight as never before, the brilliance of beauty commingling with the brilliance of pain, the haunted, agonized, tragic look encircling the plaza and holding her audience in thrall, (qtd. in Polotan, 59-60)
Disturbance rejection in a class of adaptive control laws for distributed parameter systems

A recently introduced class of the well-posed error systems and the corresponding robust model reference adaptive control laws for the systems represented by the parabolic or the hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs) with the spatially varying parameters and a distributed sensing and actuation is extended to encompass the disturbance rejection capability. The disturbance is modeled as a space–time-varying signal generated by a parabolic PDE with the known parameters, a spatially varying time-invariant signal, and a space–time-varying signal with the known time variation. The case of the time-invariant disturbance model is shown to lead to a distributed adaptive PI control law, thereby making a well-posed connection to the classical finite-dimensional control structures. The numerical simulations indicate that the control laws proposed are robust with respect to the plant/reference model as well as the disturbance/disturbance observer mismatch in the boundary conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospray tandem mass spectrometric study of ferrocene carbamate ester derivatives of saturated primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.

The fragmentation pathways and mechanisms for 27 ferrocene carbamate esters of saturated alkyl primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols were investigated using energy-resolved electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS). The mechanisms that control the formation and abundance of the three product ions common to all the derivatives, which appear at m/z 201, 227 and 245, were elucidated. Plotting the relative abundances of the three product ions versus a range of center-of-mass collision energies provided a graphical representation of the behavior of the fragmentation process that was directly comparable from compound to compound. As a result, it was possible to compare product ion spectra of the different derivatives to distinguish among different alcohol structural types. Straight-chain primary alcohols were easily distinguished from tertiary alcohols. Both of these structural types, including positional isomers, produced product ion spectra that were distinct from those of β-branched primary alcohols, or acyclic secondary alcohols or cyclic secondary alcohols. The latter three alcohol types display similar product ion spectra and therefore cannot be distinguished from one another on the basis of these spectra alone. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Landscape phage as a molecular recognition interface for detection devices

Filamentous phages are thread-shaped bacterial viruses. Their outer coat is a tube formed by thousands equal copies of the major coat protein pVIII. Libraries of random peptides fused to pVIII domains were used for selection of phages probes specific for a panel of test antigens and biological threat agents. Because the viral carrier in the phages borne bio-selective probes is infective, they can be cloned individually and propagated indefinitely without needs of their chemical synthesis or reconstructing. As a new bioselective material, landscape phages combine unique characteristics of affinity reagents and self-assembling proteins. Biorecognition layers formed by the phage-derived probes bind biological agents with high affinity and specificity and generate detectable signals in analytical platforms. The performance of phage-derived materials as biorecognition interface was illustrated by detection of Bacillus anthracis spores and Salmonella typhimurium cells. With further refinement, the phage-derived analytical platforms for detecting and monitoring of numerous threat agents may be developed, since phage interface against any bacteria, virus or toxin may be readily selected from the landscape phage libraries. As an interface in the field-use detectors, they may be superior to antibodies, since they are inexpensive, highly specific and strong binders, resistant to high temperatures and environmental stresses.
Abortive infection of Escherichia coli with the bacteriophage f1: Cytoplasmic membrane proteins and the f1 DNA-gene 5 protein complex

A partially purified cytoplasmic membrane fraction has been isolated from non-permissive Escherichia coli infected with various amber mutants of the bacteriophage f1. The bacteria were labeled with [ 14 C]lysine 20–40 min after infection and the proteins extracted and analyzed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and radio-autography. The f1 coat protein was present in the membrane of bacteria infected with all f1 amber mutants except gene 8. A complex composed of f1 single-stranded DNA and the f1 gene 5 protein was isolated with the inner membrane fraction. Approximately 300 molecules of this complex were found in bacteria infected with f1 wild type and all f1 amber mutants except those in gene 2 and gene 5. In bacteria infected with f1 wild type, the f1 single-stranded DNA was chased from the complex into phage and the displaced gene 5 protein appeared able to associate with another f1 single-stranded DNA molecule. In contrast, the f1 single stranded DNA-gene 5 protein complex was stable in the amber mutant infected bacteria. Two other proteins associated with the membrane of the amber mutant infected bacteria were tentatively identified as the products of gene 2 and gene 4.