cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
VE Cadherin Positive Endothelial Cells Regulate Hematopoietic Reconstitution In Vivo.

Abstract Abstract 3734 We have recently demonstrated that targeted deletion of the pro-apoptotic genes, Bak and Bax, in Tie2+ bone marrow endothelial cells (BM ECs) causes the protection of the BM sinusoidal vasculature, and the BM hematopoietic stem cell (BM HSC) pool following high dose total body irradiation (TBI). Since Tie2 is expressed on BM ECs and a small subset of quiescent BM HSCs, we developed a complementary model utilizing VE-cadherin Cre mice to more specifically confirm the function of BM ECs in regulating hematopoietic reconstitution in vivo. VE-cadherinCre;Bak−/−;BaxFl/− mice, which bear deletion of Bak and Bax in VE-cadherin+ ECs, and VE-cadherinCre;Bak−/−;BaxFl/+ control mice were generated and we compared the hematopoietic responses of these animals to high dose TBI. At steady state, these mice showed no difference in total BM cells, bone marrow ckit+sca+lineage- (KSL) progenitor cells, BM colony forming cells (CFCs), or BM colony forming unit spleen day 12 (CFU-S12) counts. At 2 hours after exposure to 500cGy TBI, the mice also did not demonstrate any significant differences in total BM cells, BM KSL cells, CFCs, or CFU-S12. However, 7 days after exposure to 500cGy TBI, VE-cadherin;Bak−/−;BaxFl/− mice displayed a 2-fold increase in total BM cells (p=0.006), a 3-fold increase in BM CFCs (p=0.0009), and 4-fold increase in BM CFU-S12 (p=0.079) compared to VE-cadherinCre;Bak−/−;BaxFl/+ control mice. Microscopic examination confirmed severe hypocellularity and corruption of the BM sinusoidal vasculature at day +7 post-TBI in VE-cadherinCre;Bak−/−;BaxFl/+ mice, whereas VE-cadherinCre;Bak−/−;BaxFl/− mice displayed nearly normal cellularity and preserved BM sinusoidal vessels. Taken together, these data demonstrate that VE-cadherin+ BM ECs regulate hematopoietic reconstitution in vivo and that targeted therapies aimed at augmentation of BM EC function can accelerate hematopoietic regeneration in vivo. Currently, we are comparing the cytokine production and gene expression profiles of VE-cadherinCre;Bak−/−;BaxFl/− BM ECs versus VE-cadherinCre;Bak−/−;BaxFl/+ BM ECs to identify candidate BM EC-derived proteins which are responsible for the protection of the BM stem/progenitor cell pool from radiation injury. VE-cadherin+ BM ECs represent an attractive mechanistic target for the identification of signaling pathways that regulate hematopoietic regeneration following injury. Disclosures: Chao: Genzyme: Research Funding.
Delay Compression: Reducing Delay Calculation Requirements for 3D Plane-Wave Ultrasound

In 3D plane-wave ultrasound, computational requirements are directly proportional to the number of focal points in a volume. For a receive aperture of size of M x M y transducers, a beamforming aperture size of N x N y , and a depth of M z focal points, M x M y M z N x N y round-trip delays must be computed. To reduce this requirement, we decompose the planar transmit distance into two parts: (1) from the plane-wave’s origin to the first point in each focal line, and (2) from the plane when it is touching the first point in each focal line to each subsequent focal point along that line. The latter distance, as well as the reflection distances, are symmetric across beamforming apertures, and thus their computation can be shared. This decomposition results in up to a M x M y reduction in the number of unique delays while retaining full image quality. Using our technique, precomputing delays and storing them in look-up tables (LUTs) is now possible for 3D plane-wave ultrasound for the first time, opening new doors for computational architectures in this field. Our method works with 2D, 3D, and 3D-separable variants of plane-wave ultrasound.
Novel diets as nutraceuticals to alter lifespan and healthspan trajectories in C. elegans

Diet is one of the more variable aspects in life due to the variety of options that organisms are exposed to in their natural habitats. In the laboratory, C. elegans are raised on bacterial monocultures, traditionally the E.coli B strain OP50, and spontaneously occurring microbial contaminants are removed to limit experimental variability because diet - including the presence of contaminants, can exert a potent influence over animal physiology. In order to diversify the menu available to culture C. elegans in the lab, we have isolated and cultured three such microbes: Methylobacterium, Xanthomonas, and Sphingomonas. The nutritional composition of these diets is unique, and when fed to C. elegans, can differentially alter multiple life history traits including development, reproduction, and metabolism. In light of the influence each diet has on specific physiological attributes, we comprehensively assessed the impact of these diets on animal health and devised a blueprint for utilizing different diet combinations over the lifespan, as a nutraceutical for optimal longevity. The expansion of the bacterial diet options to use in the laboratory will provide a critical tool to better understand the complexities of gene-diet interactions for health.
Interpregnancy Body Mass Index Change and Offspring Mortality Risk following the Second Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to examine the impact of maternal interpregnancy body mass index (BMI) change on subsequent offspring mortality risk. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective cohort study of women who had two consecutive live singleton deliveries of at least 20 weeks' gestation from the Utah Population Database. Our exposure was defined as interpregnancy BMI change from the date of first delivery to the conception date of subsequent pregnancy. We categorized BMI change as: < - 1, -1 to 0, 0 to <1 (reference), 1 to 2, 2 to 4, ≥4 kg/m2. Our primary outcome was all-cause age-specific mortality during four time periods: neonatal (≤28 days), infant (29 days to <1 year old), childhood ((≥1 to <5 years old), and late childhood (5 to <18 years old). We also examined mortality specifically attributed to congenital anomalies. Analyses used Cox proportional hazard models stratified by full term (≥37 weeks) and preterm (<37 weeks) deliveries. All models were adjusted for relevant confounders. RESULTS Of 266,752 women, among full-term deliveries, women with a BMI increase of 4 kg/m2 or more had an increased risk of neonatal mortality in their subsequent pregnancy (hazard ratio or HR1.72, 95% confidence interval or CI 1.23-2.41) Women who lost 1 kg/m2 or more between deliveries also had increased neonatal mortality (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.04-2.05). There were no differences in infant, early, or late childhood mortality by interpregnancy BMI change. Maternal interpregnancy interval weight loss of 1 kg/m2 or more and weight gain of ≥4 kg/m2 also had increased risk of mortality associated with congenital anomalies or conditions arising during the neonatal period following their subsequent delivery. CONCLUSION Women with significant interpregnancy weight gain and modest weight loss have a significant increased risk of neonatal mortality following their subsequent pregnancy. KEY POINTS · Significant weight gain between deliveries increases the risk of neonatal death.. · Modest weight loss between deliveries increases the risk of neonatal death.. · This risk may be partially explained by increased risk of congenital malformations..
Episode-of-Care Costs for Revision Total Joint Arthroplasties by Decadal Age Groups

The demand for revision total joint arthroplasties (rTJAs) is expected to increase as the age of the population continues to rise. Accurate cost data regarding hospital expenses for differing age groups are needed to deliver optimal care within value-based healthcare (VBHC) models. The aim of this study was to compare the total in-hospital costs by decadal groups following rTJA and to determine the primary drivers of the costs for these procedures. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) was used to capture granular hospital costs. A total of 551 rTJAs were included in the study, with 294 sexagenarians, 198 septuagenarians, and 59 octogenarians and older. Sexagenarians had a lower ASA classification (2.3 vs. 2.4 and 2.7; p < 0.0001) and were more often privately insured (66.7% vs. 24.2% and 33.9%; p < 0.0001) as compared to septuagenarians and octogenarians and older, respectively. Sexagenarians were discharged to home at a higher rate (85.3% vs. 68.3% and 34.3%; p < 0.0001), experienced a longer operating room (OR) time (199.8 min vs. 189.7 min and 172.3 min; p = 0.0195), and had a differing overall hospital length of stay (2.8 days vs. 2.7 days and 3.6 days; p = 0.0086) compared to septuagenarians and octogenarians and older, respectively. Sexagenarians had 7% and 23% less expensive personnel costs from post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) to discharge (p < 0.0001), and 1% and 24% more expensive implant costs (p = 0.077) compared to septuagenarians and octogenarians and older, respectively. Sexagenarians had a lower total in-hospital cost for rTJAs by 0.9% compared to septuagenarians but 12% more expensive total in-hospital costs compared to octogenarians and older (p = 0.185). Multivariate linear regression showed that the implant cost (0.88389; p < 0.0001), OR time (0.12140; p < 0.0001), personnel cost from PACU through to discharge (0.11472; p = 0.0007), and rTHAs (-0.03058; p < 0.0001) to be the strongest associations with overall costs. Focusing on the implant costs and OR times to reduce costs for all age groups for rTJAs is important to provide cost-effective VBHC.
EU enlargements and U.S. FDI flows in the six core states

This paper addresses an under-researched question of whether regional integration with lower-income countries results in displacement of foreign direct investment (FDI) from high-income countries. ...
Passive Metasurface Antenna with Perfect Aperture Efficiency

A passive metasurface antenna with perfect aperture efficiency is presented. The metasurface consists of an inhomogeneous impedance sheet placed above a conductor-backed dielectric substrate. The metasurface antenna is fed by a line source placed within the substrate, which couples to the impedance sheet. The impedance sheet transforms the cylindrical wave of the line source into an aperture field with uniform amplitude and phase. Since the inhomogeneous impedance sheet is fully reactive and the aperture fields are uniform, the metasurface antenna has 100% aperture efficiency. The inhomogeneous impedance sheet is designed in three steps. First, an integral equation is constructed that relates the surface impedance to the desired total electric field along the aperture. The integral equation is solved via the Method of Moments to find the required impedance sheet. The resulting impedance is complex-valued since the metasurface reshapes the power density. Subsequently, an optimization strategy is used to remove the real part of the sheet impedance while still achieving the field transformation of the complex-valued sheet. The reactive sheet introduces surfaces by way of discontinuities, which shuttle power across the metasurface to reshape the power density profile. Finally, the inhomogeneous impedance sheet is realized through the patterning of a metallic cladding.
Subunit-selective mutagenesis of Glu-89 residue in human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase. Contribution of p66 and p51 subunits to nucleoside analog sensitivity, divalent cation preference, and steady state kinetic properties.

The E89G alteration in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase has been shown to confer resistance to nucleoside analogs and a loss of magnesium cation preference (Prasad, V.R., Lowy, I., De Los Santos, T., Chiang, L., and Goff, S.P. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 11363-11367. The wild type reverse transcriptase heterodimer, chimeric reverse transcriptases that contain the E89G alteration in one of the subunits (p66wt/p51m and p66m/p51wt), and the mutant enzyme (p66m/p51m) were prepared. Analysis of steady state kinetic parameters showed that the mutant enzyme (p66m/p51m) displayed a higher Vmax, a higher Km for 2'-deoxythymidine triphosphate, and a higher Ki for 2',3'-dideoxythymidine triphosphate than the wild type enzyme. The increased Km and Ki values were observed only when a heterodimer contained the alteration in the p66 subunit. Tests for divalent cation requirement showed that only the dimers containing the wild type p66 (p66wt/p51wt and p66wt/p51m) displayed a preference for magnesium. Our results indicate that p66 plays a dominant role in deoxynucleotide triphosphate substrate recognition (Km), nucleoside analog sensitivity (Ki), and magnesium preference. However, the increased Vmax displayed by the mutant enzyme (p66m/p51m) appeared to be determined by both of the subunits.
Geochemical controls on hydrothermal fluids from the Kairei and Edmond Vent Fields, 23°–25°S, Central Indian Ridge

Prior to 2000, no mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems were identified and sampled in the Indian Ocean. The Kairei field, Central Indian Ridge, was discovered and sampled in 2000 (Gamo et al., 2001; Hashimoto et al., 2001). This paper reports the chemical composition of hydrothermal fluids collected in 2001 from both the Kairei and newly discovered Edmond hydrothermal systems. Data are used to infer subsurface processes and conditions at the two sites, as well as to place them within the global context of known hydrothermal sites on the mid-ocean ridge system. While both sites are located on the intermediate spreading Central Indian Ridge, their hydrologic systems have affinities with those observed on slow spreading ridges. Although the compositions of fluids from the four individual vents sampled at Edmond and the three individual vents sampled at Kairei vary respectively, our interpretation is that a single source fluid at each site is subsequently modified by processes including phase separation, subsurface mixing with seawater, and deposition and/or remobilization of metal-sulfide deposits to generate the observed range of compositions. Both fields are located ≥6 km from the neovolcanic zone, on steps on the east wall of the axial valley, with the Edmond field ∼160 km north of Kairei and almost 1000 m deeper (3300 versus 2450 m). The Edmond fluids are extremely hot, with maximum measured temperatures of 382°C compared to 365°C for Kairei. All of the fluids sampled have chlorinities greater than local ambient seawater due to phase separation of seawater at supercritical conditions. Visual observations suggest both sites have been active for a substantial period of time, again similar to observations of slow spreading ridges. Our chemical data suggest that the substrate underlying Kairei is highly altered, while that at Edmond is not. Significant albitization appears to be occurring below the Edmond field, but not at Kairei. The Edmond fluids are by far the hottest brines yet observed venting from a mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal site, resulting in unusually high concentrations of several transition metals.
Social Problem-Solving Training for Severely Emotionally and Behaviorally Disturbed Children

A 15-lesson social problem-solving training program was developed and implemented with 25 severely disturbed children enrolled in a special day treatment school. Trained children generated signific...
Multiple-Stage Single-Product Factory Models

The mechanics for developing both exact and approximate single workstation models were developed in Chap. 3. Linking several workstations together is a necessary step towards more realistic factory models. In this chapter, the single workstation models are linked together to form more realistic factory models. The approach taken is to use general G/G/1 and G/G/c system approximations of Properties 3.3 and 3.5 as the building blocks for multiple workstation systems. To properly connect a series of workstations, the departure process of jobs from each workstation must be characterized.
Religious Non-Places: Corporate Megachurches and Their Contributions to Consumer Capitalism:

The corporate megachurch represents a pecuniarily driven institution that both emphasizes marketing for the purposes of constant growth, and focuses on the manufacture and delivery of consumer-cent...
Faltenachsen in Überschiebungszonen

Near the eastern base of the Taconic Range, in extreme southwestern Vermont, a complex of chlorite slate is exposed in the position of the floor of a thrust along which a mass of dolomite-limestone has been pushed from the east against, and over, the slate. In addition to the common structure, exhibiting westward-overturned open folds, with slip cleavage dipping eastward, about parallel with the axial pianos, the slate displays a number of subsidiary shears or thrust zones having the same orientation as the principal thrust. In these zones, a strong lineation as well as axes of small folds plunge E—SE, parallel with the direction of propagation of the thrust blocks. The origin of the lineation and lamination is believed to be identical with that of corresponding structures in rolled steel and glass. However, the formation of folds with axes parallel to the direction of thrust requires an additional shear stress acting perpendicularly to the direction of thrusting. The inhomogeneous composition, strength, and mobility of the flooring rocks are pointed out, and it is suggested that unequal rates of yielding of local rock masses below the thrust block generated these supplementary stresses, producing slight movements of small masses sideways. That this is a reasonable explantation is shown by experiments on salt dome structure byEscher andKuenen, in which also axes of folds and lineation parallel with the direction of maximum forward propagation were produced.
988-4 Hemorrhagic Stroke Associated with High aPTTs Following Thrombolytic Therapy and Heparin or Hirudin

In GUSTO lla, 2564 patients with acute coronary syndrome with ST deviation and symptoms within 12 hours were randomized to hirudin (0.6 mg/kg bolus, 0.6 mg/kg/hr infusion with out adjustment) or IV heparin (5,000 U bolus, 1100 to 1300 U/hr adjusted tD a target aPTF of 60–90 seconds) for 3–5 days. The 26 patients who suffered hemorrhagic stroke, as expected from previous studies examining risk factors, were older (median age 71 vs 65). had higher initial systolic blood pressure (142 vs 134 mmHg) and were more commonly female (42 vs 31%). Unexpectedly, hemorrhagic stroke patients weighed more (82 vs 77 kg), which may have reflected weight-adjusted dosing and consequent administration of more anticoagulant. Of the 26 patients, 23 were treated with thrombolytic therapy. In spite of concern over renal dysfunction contributing to increased risk, the baseline and 48 hour creatinine was similar among hirudin treated patients with (1.2,1.2) and without (1.1,1.1) hemorrhagic stroke. APTT was a predictor of hemorrhagic stroke, particularly in the hirudin assigned group. Download : Download high-res image (53KB) Download : Download full-size image Multivariable analysis will help to determine the relative importance of risk factors in GUSTO lla for hemorrhagic stroke, and whether the elevated aPTTs appear to fully explain the increased risk. These data illustrate the narrow therapeutic window for antithrombin therapy in conjuction with thrombolysis
Implementation of a Barotropic-Baroclinic Time Splitting for Isopycnic Coordinate Ocean Modeling

The motions seen in numerical models of ocean circulation typically include rapidly moving external gravity waves, which are essentially two-dimensional, and a variety of other motions which are much slower and generally three-dimensional. In a number of ocean models, the computational problems resulting from the multiple time scales are addressed by splitting the fast and slow dynamics into separate subproblems that are solved by different techniques. The present paper addresses the practical implementation of such a splitting for the case of isopycnic ocean modeling, in which the vertical coordinate is density or some other related quantity. During the implementation, a major task is to develop formulas suitable for usage with rapidly varying bottom topography. Compared to an earlier splitting, the present splitting has improved stability properties when analyzed in a simple linearized setting. When tested in the same model for which the earlier splitting was developed, the revised splitting substantially reduces a numerically induced sloshing pattern that is seen in the model. This phenomenon appears to be related to a residual term that appears in the momentum equations. In some examples, the residual is one to two orders of magnitude smaller in the case of the revised splitting.
Minocycline enhances MPTP toxicity to dopaminergic neurons.

Minocycline has been shown previously to have beneficial effects against ischemia in rats as well as neuroprotective properties against excitotoxic damage in vitro, nigral cell loss via 6-hydroxydopamine, and to prolong the life-span of transgenic mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated whether minocycline would protect against toxic effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a toxin that selectively destroys nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons and produces a clinical state similar to Parkinson's disease (PD) in rodents and primates. We found that although minocycline inhibited microglial activation, it significantly exacerbated MPTP-induced damage to DA neurons. We present evidence suggesting that this effect may be due to inhibition of DA and 1-methyl-4-phenylpridium (MPP+) uptake into striatal vesicles. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Components of racial variation in finger ridge-counts.

Principal components analysis was used to evaluate finger ridge–count variability as an indicator of genetic relationships between populations. The analysis was carried out on American White, American Black and African Black samples, each including both sexes. Each individual is represented as a vector of 20 counts, a radial and an ulnar count for each digit. No assumptions were made prior to analysis concerning the number of meaningful components, and all were examined sequentially. The first five eigenvectors extracted from the within-group correlation matrix have loadings very similar to those previously described by Roberts and Coope ('75). However, it is the component scores derived from the sixth eigenvector which show the most marked variation, accounting for 45% or more of the D2in all Black-White comparisons. A number of other components also show significant intergroup heterogeneity, but they often do not accord with what is known of the genetic relationships between the populations. Apparently a large amount of ridge-count variation is not genetically meaningful, at least as far as these populations are concerned.
Role Portrayals in British Magazine Advertisement

Provides an empirical view of sexism in British magazine advertising in order to determine the frequency of role portrayals and the extent to which they have become more progressive. Examines various categories of magazines for both men and women in order to detect any shifts in sexual stereotyping. Remarks that results show some change in portrayals from 1976 to 1982–1983, although these shifts were not dramatic. Concludes, however, that stereotypical images of men and women still persist in British magazines.
A Configuration Manifold Embedding Model for Dynamic Control of Redundant Robots

This paper presents a configuration manifold embedding model that provides a new approach to dynamic model reduction and adaptive control of redundant robotic systems. The proposed model is developed based on a geometrical and topological analysis of configuration manifolds (C-manifolds) hidden behind every robotic dynamic system that commonly obeys the Lagrange equation. With a detailed study of the C-manifold immersion and embedding into Euclidean space, the authors show that for a redundant robotic system, a subtask decision by choosing a certain null solution is technically equivalent to the C-manifold embedization. A direct adaptive control strategy is then developed based on the C-manifold embedding model for a specific application to model reduction and control of redundant robotic systems with both main tasks and subtasks represented in Cartesian space. It is also demonstrated that making only a kinematics model for a redundant robot can do the dynamic control job. Finally, a computer simulation study shows the effectiveness of this adaptive control algorithm.
Development of a longitudinal database for an integrated curriculum

Many medical schools have transitioned to an integrated curriculum to provide a more salient contextual appreciation of the practice of medicine. Various types of assessments are used in these curricula to support this integration. One of these, multidisciplinary exams, creates challenges for recognizing student performance in different disciplines. A concern for faculty is those students who pass the exams but upon closer scrutiny do poorly in one or more disciplines. Unfortunately, this trend can continue throughout preclinical training. We constructed a database of discipline-specific objective data for each course and that also provided cumulative data longitudinally through the curriculum. The data are used to populate reports for the students, advisors, and administrators. The database was broadened to include data from clerkship performance and residency match to provide a complete profile of student performance. Together, the data and reports provide a useful tool for student review and data-driven curriculum decisions.
A data model and architecture for long-term preservation

The National Geospatial Digital Archive, one of eight initial projects funded under the Library of Congress's NDIIPP program, has been researching how geospatial data can be preserved on a national scale and be made available to future generations. In this paper we describe an archive architecture that provides a minimal approach to the long-term preservation of digital objects based on co-archiving of object semantics, uniform representation of objects and semantics, explicit storage of all objects and semantics as files, and abstraction of the underlying storage system. This architecture ensures that digital objects can be easily migrated from archive to archive over time and that the objects can, in principle, be made usable again at any point in the future; its primary benefit is that it serves as a fallback strategy against, and as a foundation for, more sophisticated (and costly) preservation strategies. We describe an implementation of this architecture in a protoype archive running at UCSB that also incorporates a suite of ingest and access components.
Release of substance P from the cat spinal cord.

1. The present experiments examine the physiology and pharmacology of the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-l.i.), from the spinal cord in the halothane-anaesthetized, artificially ventilated cat. 2. Resting release of SP-l.i. was 36 +/- 4 fmol/30 min (mean +/- S.E.; n = 106). Bilateral stimulation of the sciatic nerves at intensities which evoked activity in fibres conducting at A beta conduction velocities (greater than 40 m/s), resulted in no change in blood pressure, pupil diameter or release of SP-l.i. Stimulation intensities which activate fibres conducting at velocities less than 2 m/s resulted in increased blood pressure, miosis and elevated release of SP-l.i. (278 +/- 16% of control). 3. The relationship between nerve-stimulation frequency and release was monotonic up to approximately 20 Hz. Higher stimulation frequencies did not increase the amounts of SP-l.i. released. At 200 Hz there was a reduction. 4. Capsaicin (0.1 mM) increased the release of SP-l.i. from the spinal cord and resulted in an acute desensitization to subsequent nerve stimulation. This acute effect was not accompanied by a reduction in spinal levels of SP-l.i. measured 2 h after stimulation. 5. Cold block of the cervical spinal cord resulted in an increase in the amounts of SP-l.i. released by nerve stimulation. 6. Pre-treatment with intrathecal 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (300 micrograms) 7 days prior to the experiment caused a reduction in the dorsal and ventral horn stores of SP-l.i., but had no effect on the release of SP-l.i. evoked by nerve stimulation. Similar pre-treatment with intrathecal capsaicin (300 micrograms) resulted in depletion of SP-l.i. in the dorsal but not in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and diminished the release of SP-l.i. evoked by nerve stimulation. 7. Intense thermal stimulation of the flank resulted in small (20-35%), but reliable increases in the release of SP-l.i. above control. 8. Putative agonists for the opioid mu-receptor (morphine, 10-100 microM; sufentanil, 1 microM), and for the delta-receptor (D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin, 1-10 microM; D-Pen2-D-Pen5-enkephalin, 10 microM), but not the kappa-receptor (U50488H, 100-1000 microM), produced a dose-dependent, naloxone-reversible reduction of the evoked, but not of the resting release of SP-l.i. (-)-Naloxone, but not (+)-naloxone, resulted in a significant increase in evoked but not resting SP-l.i. release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Light attenuation in a 14-year-old loblolly pine stand as influenced by fertilization and irrigation

We examined empirical and simulated estimates of canopy light attenuation at SETRES (Southeast Tree Research and Education Site), a 2×2 factorial study of water and nutrients. Fertilized plots had significantly lower under-canopy PAR transmittance (TC) when compared to non-fertilized plots. Light interception efficiency, as measured by the canopy cosine-corrected light extinction coefficient, G, was significantly lower in irrigated plots for all dates examined. Estimates of G ranged from a low of 0.36 in irrigated plots in September to a high of 0.64 in March for control plots. Study-wide analyses indicate that a G of 0.50 and a k (uncorrected light extinction coefficient) of 0.69 may be reasonable parameter estimates of canopy light extinction in intermediate-aged loblolly pine plantations across a range of stand conditions and seasons when site-specific data are unavailable. Simulated TC from our version of the BIOMASS model corresponded well to the empirical estimates. Varying the vertical distribution of foliage in simulations (from 10:60:30 to 40:40:10% in the upper, middle, and lower canopy positions, respectively) resulted in only a ±7% change in total PAR intercepted, whereas varying G from 0.3 to 0.7 resulted in a 67% and 31% increase in light intercepted for control and fertilized plots, respectively. Decreased G resulted in an increased proportion of beam radiation intercepted – 63–67% of total PAR intercepted – by the middle canopy where 55–60% of the foliage was found. We hypothesize that proportionally increased productivity observed in irrigated treatments may be attributed to increased beam radiation intercepted deeper into the canopy by a greater foliage area.
Regulation of MRP2-mediated transport in shark rectal salt gland tubules

We examined endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulation of the xenobiotic efflux pump, multidrug resistance-associated protein isoform 2 (MRP2), in intact dogfish shark rectal salt gland tubules using a fluorescent substrate sulforhodamine 101 and confocal microscopy. Subnanomolar to nanomolar concentrations of ET-1 rapidly reduced the cell-to-lumen transport of sulforhodamine 101. These effects were prevented by an ET(B) receptor antagonist but not by an ET(A) receptor antagonist. Immunostaining with an antibody to mammalian ET(B) receptors showed specific localization to the basolateral membrane of the shark rectal gland epithelial cells. ET-1 effects on transport were blocked by a protein kinase C (PKC)-selective inhibitor, implicating PKC in ET-1 signaling. A protein kinase A (PKA)-selective inhibitor had no effect. Forskolin reduced luminal accumulation of sulforhodamine 101, but inhibition of PKA did not block the forskolin effect. Consistent with this observation, a cAMP analog that does not activate PKA reduced luminal accumulation of sulforhodamine 101. These results indicate that shark rectal gland transport on MRP2 is regulated by ET acting through an ET(B) receptor and PKC. In addition, cAMP affects transporter function through a PKA-independent mechanism, possibly by competition for transport.
Microblogging To Foster Connections And Community in a Weekly Graduate Seminar Course

This study investigated the use of microblogs to enhance content learning and to foster community between participants in a weekly multidisciplinary graduate seminar on teaching and pedagogy. Data included students’ and instructor’s Twitter posts, an initial reaction paper, and an end-of-semester survey to determine if and how students’ attitudes about using Twitter had changed over the course of the semester. A content analysis of the data indicates that students did use Twitter to connect to the content and to each other. Recommendations are given for both instructors and students interested in using social media to extend the college classroom.
Influence of molecular interaction on the clausius-mossotti function for nonpolar gases

Abstract Calculations have been made of the effect of dispersion on the polarizability of He and Ar gases at finite temperature but for low densities. Inclusion of both this effect and De Boer's statistical correction to the Lorentz field leads to improved agreement with recent experimental data for the Clausius-Mossotti function for Ar.
The Meaning of freedom : economics, politics, and culture after slavery

The Price of Freedom - The Constraints of Change in Postemancipation America, Pieter C. Emmen The Economic Response to Emancipation and Some Economic Aspects of the Meaning of Freedom, Stanley L. Egerman Black Economic Entrapment After Emancipation in the United States, Jay R. Mandle The Economics and Politics of Slavery and Freedom in the US South, Gavin Wright The Politics of Freedom in the British Caribbean, O. Nigel Bolland The Inconvenience of Freedom - Free People of Colour and the Political Aftermath of Slavery in Dominica and Saint Domingue/Haiti, Michel-Rolph Trouillot Freedom and Community - The British West Indies, Jean Besson Redefining the Moral Order - Interpretations of Christianity in Post-Emancipation Jamaica, Diane J. Austin-Broos Panglosses and Polyannas - or Whose Reality Are We Talking About?, Sidney W. Mintz "Race", "Class" and "Gender" in the Transition to Freedom, Raymond T. Smith The Tragic Ear? - Interpreting Southern Reconstruction in Comparative Perspective, Peter Kolchin.
Message Intensity and Cognitive Representations of Discourse Effects on Inferential Processing

Two experiments were conducted to examine the influence of intensity on inferential processing. It was predicted that the likelihood and speed of inferential processing for high-intensity texts should be greater than for texts low in intensity. On a recognition task, both adults and children falsely recognized implicit text information after processing high-intensity texts. Further, high-intensity passages triggered inference making during recall more readily than did the texts low in intensity. In general, speed of inferential processing did not differ as a function of the intensity manipulation. Although there was some evidence indicating that fourth grade children were more sensitive to the manipulations than were kindergartners, there were no clear age-related differences in children's ability to make inferences. The results are interpreted from a general associative memory model.
Transgenic animals. New approaches to hypertension research.

The purpose of this article is to describe the procedures for generating transgenic animals, to discuss some major experimental opportunities that transgenic animals offer, to summarize a number of scientific advances outside the area of hypertension research, and to elaborate on the current state of the field and future directions as it partains to normal and altered blood pressure regulation
Cell-autonomous iodothyronine deiodinase expression mediates seasonal plasticity in immune function

Annual rhythms in morbidity and mortality are well-documented, and host defense mechanisms undergo marked seasonal phenotypic change. Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) exhibit striking immunological plasticity following adaptation to short winter day lengths (SD), including increases in blood leukocytes and in the magnitude of T cell-mediated immune responses. Thyroid hormone (TH) signaling is rate-limited by tissue-level expression of iodothyronine deiodinase types II and III (dio2, dio3), and dio2/dio3 expression in the central nervous system gate TH-dependent transduction of photoperiod information into the neuroendocrine system. THs are also potent immunomodulators, but their role in seasonal immunobiology remains unexamined. Here we report that photoperiod-driven changes in triiodothyronine (T3) signaling mediate seasonal changes in multiple aspects of immune function. Transfer from long days (LD) to SD inhibited leukocyte dio3 expression, which increased cellular T4→T3 catabolism. T3 was preferentially localized in the lymphocyte cytoplasm, consistent with a non-nuclear role of T3 in lymphoid cell differentiation and maturation. Exposure to SD upregulated leukocyte DNA methyltransferase expression and markedly increased DNA methylation in the dio3 proximal promoter region. Lastly, to bypass low endogenous T3 biosynthesis in LD lymphocytes, LD hamsters were treated with T3, which enhanced T cell-dependent delayed-type hypersensitivity inflammatory responses and blood leukocyte concentrations in a dose-dependent manner, mimicking effects of SD on these immunophenotypes. T3 signaling represents a novel mechanism by which environmental day length cues impact the immune system: changes in day length alter lymphoid cell T3-signaling via epigenetic transcriptional control of dio3 expression.
Characterization of an unexpected product in a schiff base condensation involving platinum(II)

Caracterisation et determination de la structure cristalline du complexe PtCl[(C 6 H 5 ) 2 PC 6 H 4 CHNC 6 H 4 COO]
Variations in estrone sulfatase activity in human leukocytes.

Peripheral blood leukocytes isolated from men and women were studied for their capacity to metabolize estrone (E1) sulfate. Fresh human leukocytes (granulocytes and mononuclear cells) were incubated in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing [3H]E1S for 1 h at 37 C. The samples were extracted with chloroform for measurement of the [3H]E1 formed, and the results were corrected for nonenzymatic hydrolysis. The mean E1 sulfatase activity in leukocytes isolated from normal women in the follicular phase of their cycle was 75% higher than that during the luteal [1840 ± 179 (±se) vs. 1048 ± 101 fmol E1 μg protein −1 h−1; P < 0.004] and higher than that in normal men (875 ± 123; P < 0.002), but was not different from that in menopausal (1349 ± 151) or hirsute women (1700 ± 222). In pregnant women, the mean leukocyte E1 sulfatase activity was significantly lower (861 ± 147) than that in nonpregnant women in the follicular phase (P < 0.003). These results suggest that progesterone may modulate Ei sulfatase activity, w...
Application of the spectral density function method to a composite system

The spectral density representation of Bergman [Ann. Phys. 138 (1982) 78] is applied to measurements of bulk permittivity on a composite system with various levels of filler concentration, in order to extract structural information such as shape and spatial arrangement of the filler particles. The composites are paraffin wax filled with metal-coated hollow glass micro-spheres. The inclusions have an outer layer of dielectric which prevents conduction between them. In the spectral density analysis, the dielectric permittivity of the matrix phase is used as measured. The permittivity of the particles is deduced by application of a mixture formula to the measured permittivity of the composite system with low concentrations of filler. The calculated spectral density functions for each concentration level indicate that the topology of the mixtures undergoes a transition when the inclusion concentration reaches approximately 25%.
Brazil's response: how did financial regulation and monetary policy influence recovery?

In the beginning of the international financial crisis, the fact that the interna‐ tional crisis was restricted to the developed countries, and the emerging countries’ fiscal and external situation was comfortable, led a number of analysts and policy‐ makers to give credence to the hypothesis of a ‘decoupling’ of emerging countries; that is, the notion that these economies would be able to sustain their dynamic performance and prove immune to contagion from the crisis. In 2008, moreover, the main concern among central banks, market analysts and multilateral organiza‐ tions was with the inflationary pressures that emerging countries might suffer as a result of strongly rising food and oil prices. however, particularly after Lehman Brothers failed in September 2008, eco‐ nomic agents’ expectations as to the magnitude of, and developments from, the international financial crisis changed radically. The crisis spread to the whole world economy by a contagion effect, affecting the credit and capital markets, as well as international trade, especially by countries dependent on commodity exports, whose prices fell abruptly. In that context, some emerging countries experienced not just macroeconomic instabilities (in terms of economic activity or price volatil‐ ity), but also situations of fiscal and external fragility, regardless of whether or not — prior to the crisis — they had displayed what were regarded as sound macro‐ economic fundamentals1. The outcome was no different in South America: by the end of 2008, most countries in the region had fallen into recession. In 2009, as shown in Graph 1 (Annex), GDP growth in the region’s main emerging countries was negative in
Max-Min ant system for generator maintenance scheduling in power systems

Ant colony optimization meta-heuristic algorithms become popular as a powerful optimization tool suitable for a variety of hard combinatorial problems. This paper tackles the generator maintenance problem — a well-studied problem in electric power industry — using Max-Min ant system, an ant colony optimization algorithm which extends the basic ant system. The algorithmic approach is outlined as well as the results for a generator maintenance problem instance.
Enhanced Angiogenesis and Reduced Contraction in Thrombospondin-2-null Wounds Is Associated With Increased Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 and -9, and Soluble VEGF

Thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) is an inhibitor of angiogenesis with pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects on endothelial cells. Mice deficient in this matricellular protein display improved recovery from ischemia and accelerated wound healing associated with alterations in angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. In this study, we probed the function of TSP2 by performing a detailed analysis of dermal wounds and wound-derived fibroblasts. Specifically, we analyzed incisional wounds by tensiometry and found no differences in strength recovery between wild-type and TSP2-null mice. In addition, analysis of full-thickness excisional wounds by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick-end labeling stain and MIB-5 immunohistochemistry revealed similar numbers of apoptotic and proliferating cells, respectively. In contrast, the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor were increased in wounds of TSP2-null mice. Evaluation of the ability of TSP2-null wound fibroblasts to contract collagen gels revealed that it was compromised, even though TSP2-null wounds displayed normal myofibroblast content. Therefore, we conclude that the lack of TSP2 leads to aberrant extracellular matrix remodeling, increased neovascularization, and reduced contraction due in part to elevated levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These observations provide in vivo supporting evidence for a newly proposed function of TSP2 as a modulator of extracellular matrix remodeling.
Impact analysis of wind power injection on time-scale separation of power system oscillations

In this work, we present an analytical relationship between the two time-scale behavior of coherent power system networks with increasing levels of wind penetration. We first derive a mathematical model coupling the electro-mechanical swing dynamics of the grid integrated with the dynamics of a doubly-fed induction machine via power flow. We then consider the system to be comprised of r coherent areas and apply a similarity transformation to explicitly show that the integrated system may exhibit a three time-scale behavior depending on the amount of wind power injection. This effect is illustrated using simulations of a model of the US Western Interconnection.
Fermentation of Mastitic Milk from Antibiotic Treated Cows

Abstract Effects of antibiotics on the rate and extent of fermentation of mastitic milk were sought. Normal milk, colostrum, mastitic milk from cows not treated with antibiotics, and mastitic milk samples from antibiotic treated cows (100,000 IU penicillin G and 150mg neomycin sulfate/one quarter each) were obtained from weigh jars during three consecutive morning milkings (four cows/treatment), inoculated with a commercial lactic starter culture, and fermented as individual-cow milkings. A drop in pH to 4.7 within 24h was the indicator of satisfactory fermentation. Normal milk required 15h, colostrum 49h, untreated mastitic 29h, and treated mastitic 53h to reach a pH of 4.7 when averaged across milkings. Because milking sequence seriously affected treated mastitic milk, fermentation samples were collected from four additional antibiotic-treated mastitic cows during the first six consecutive postantibiotic-treatment milkings and fermented as before. Postantibiotic treatment milkings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 required 100, 73, 23, 17, 12, and 10h to reach a pH of 4.7. Antibiotic concentration in mastitic milk declined to permit satisfactory fermentation by the third postantibiotic-treatment milking.
The effects of long-term ingestion of methimazole on the thyroids of rats.

Summary Harlan rats were fed methimazole in the diet at levels of 0, 5, 30 and 180 ppm for 2 yr. Survival was poor in the rats of the 180 ppm group and their growth was greatly retarded. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the thyroid occurred in rats of the 30 and 180 ppm groups but not in those of the 5 ppm group. In rats of the 30 and 180 ppm groups there was a high incidence of thyroid follicular adenoma and a lower incidence of follicular adenocarcinoma. A follicular adenoma was also found in one rat of the control group and one given 5 ppm methimazole, while one rat in the control group had a follicular adenocarcinoma. Incidence and induction time of neoplasias other than of the thyroid were similar in the treated and control groups. The no-effect dietary level of methimazole on the thyroids of rats was found to be 5 ppm.
Behavioral Intervention for Problem Behavior in Children with Fragile X Syndrome.

Parents and professionals typically report problem behavior as a significant concern for children with fragile X syndrome. In the present study, the authors explored whether behaviorally based interventions would result in a reduction in problem behavior and an improvement in quality of life for 3 children with fragile X syndrome and their families. A multiple baseline design was used to demonstrate intervention effects for specific high-priority contexts (i.e., bedtime, running errands, and toileting). A multicomponent intervention plan was developed to teach the parents and child to effectively cope with the particular context. After intervention, there were substantial improvements in problem behavior and family quality of life within the given contexts. Results of this study demonstrated the effectiveness of behavioral intervention for children with fragile X syndrome.