cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teratogenicity of Zinc Chloride, 1,10-Phenanthroline, and a Zinc-1,10-Phenanthroline Complex in Mice

Abstract Zinc chloride, in single doses of 12.5, 20.5, and 25 mg/kg ip on Day 8,9,10, or 11 of gestation in CF-1 albino mice, produced skeletal anomalies without accompanying soft tissue defects. Ripple ribs, the most unusual anomaly, first appeared when the zinc salt was given on Day 9 of gestation in a dose of 20.5 mg/kg, becoming more prevalent when 25 mg/kg of the drug was administered on Day 11.1,10-Phenanthroline, in single doses of 30 mg/kg ip on Day 8, 9,10, or 11 of gestation, elicited skeletal defects comparable to those caused by zinc chloride as well as soft tissue anomalies, but a significant incidence of the former occurred with this agent only following its injection on Day 8 of gestation. A zinc- 1, 10-phenanthroline complex in single doses of 50 mg/kg on Day 8,9,10, or 11 of gestation yielded significant incidences of skeletal and soft tissue anomalies only when the complex was administered on Day 8 or 9 of gestation. This dosage level was toxic to both the mother and fetus when given on Day 10 of gestation. However, when the complex was given on Day 8,9,10, or 11 in a dose of 25 mg/kg, neither toxic nor teratogenic effects were observed in the mother or fetus, respectively.
RESTITUTION OF STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETES MELLITUS IN NUDE MICE WITH PANCREATIC GRAFTS FROM THE RAT

Transplants of 1-3 rat pancreases have proven to restitute streptozotocin induced diabetes in athymic nude mice. One out of 9 diabetic nude mice showed restitution following subcutaneous implantation of 1 rat pancreas. Three out of 6 nude mice were restituted by 2-3 grafts. Implants of rat submandibular gland did not restitute nude mice similarly treated with streptozotocin. The model seems of interest in studies of inter-species transplantation of pancreas.
The use of microwave radiation in the determination of acetylcholine in the rat brain

Summary Cholinesterase (ChE) activity and acetylcholine (ACh) concentration in rat brains were determined following microwave irradiation. Twenty-second irradiation abolished all brain ChE activity in 230-g rats. Termination of brain ChE activity corresponded to temperatures of 60–75°C. The rate of temperature rise was found to be inversely proportional to weight of tissue irradiated. Decapitation prior to irradiation caused a significant decrease in brain ACh levels when compared to live irradiated controls. This decrease was assumed to be caused by increased susceptibility of ACh to hydrolysis by ChE due to decapitation and to presacrifice stress. It was postulated that the high brain ACh values (21–24 nmoles/g) obtained resulted from rapid inactivation of brain enzymes and to reduction of presacrifice and sacrifice stress. ACh concentrations in discrete brain areas were determined after irradiation and large differences between areas were shown to exist. It was concluded that sacrificing rats by microwave irradiation, coupled with pyrolysis-gas chromatographic analysis of ACh, permitted a more accurate and convenient determination of in vivo levels of ACh in brain areas.
The context of optimal experience: An exploratory model of the family

Abstract The present article attempts to integrate psychological perspectives which emphasize the importance of optimal experience for human development with perspectives on how social contexts subtly influence an individual's attention. An exploratory model of the family is proposed which addresses how an integrated and differentiated family may beneficially affect the optimal experience and development of children.
Characterizing the dynamics of geyser eruptions

Some geysers have predictable eruptions that make them ideal for study. Understanding geyser eruption dynamics can provide insight into other intermittent natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions, but most studies of geysers have focused on the processes that trigger geyser eruption. The eruption jet dynamics are less well characterized.
Free surface shape and AC electric current distribution for float zone silicon growth with a radio frequency induction coil

Abstract The float zone process involves a molten silicon zone between a melting polycrystalline feed rod above and a growing single crystal below. Frequently the feed rod is melted and the float zone is kept molten by the joulean heating from AC electric currents induced by a radio frequency induction coil around the float zone. The shape of the melt's free surface is determined by a balance of the hydrostatic pressure in the melt, the surface tension force and the inward electromagnetic body force due to the AC electric currents near the surface of the melt. For a given geometry of the induction coil, the distribution of AC electric currents depends on the free surface shape. Therefore the determination of the free surface shape and the determination of the distribution of the AC electric currents due to the induction coil are intrinsically coupled. This paper presents an iterative method to determine both the free surface shape and the AC electric current distribution. This treatment assumes that the zone's radial and axial dimensions are known. This method is illustrated with four cases combining two different induction coil shapes and two different AC voltages applied to the induction coil.
The Forehead V-to-T Plasty (Dieffenbach's Winged V-Plasty)

The principles of the V-to-T plasty (Dieffenbach's winged V-plasty) are adaptable to many regions of the forehead. This paper demonstrates the use of the V-to-T plasty to reconstruct an extensive area of the lower central forehead and glabella following excision for basal cell carcinomatosis. Dual hemi-forehead advancement-rotation flaps were used in a single-stage reconstruction. The same technique adapts to other forehead and facial areas as well.
Aging: Variations in opiate binding characteristics and dopamine responsiveness in subtidal and intertidal mytilus edulis visceral ganglia

Abstract 1. Opiate receptor densities for 1- and 2-year-old organisms were 90 and 95 pmol/g of protein, respectively, whereas 4-year-old organisms had 66 pmol/g of protein. 2. In both 1- and 2-year-old organisms the dopamine levels rose by over 40% when the visceral ganglion was challenged with 30 μM of DAMA or 10 μM of etorphine, whereas in 4-year-old animals the dopamine content increased by 20%. 3. The above results are correlated with age, not size, since intertidal organisms appear to be smaller than subtidal ones for a given age.
Tritium Production by High-Energy Protons

The cross sections for tritium production in various substances by 450-Mev and 2.05-Bev protons have been measured. The nitrogen and oxygen cross sections---25\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4 mb and 30\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4 mb, respectively, at 2.05 Bev---lead to a world-wide average tritium production rate by cosmic rays of ${0.14}_{\ensuremath{-}0.03}^{+0.10}$ tritons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ sec, in good agreement with the observed value. The iron cross section---53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}8 mb at 2.05 Bev---suggests a rate of production of 8.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ triton/g sec near the surface of a large meteorite in outer space. For the small Mt. Ayliff iron meteorite an age of 1.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$ years was calculated from the observed ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ content. Finally, the results for tritium production have been compared to those for other light particles.
Deletion of N-terminal myristoylation site of HIV Nef abrogates both MHC-1 and CD4 down-regulation

HIV-1 Nef is a desirable vaccine component because it is expressed early and abundantly during HIV infection, and contains many CTL, T-helper cell, and B-cell epitopes. Nef, however, down-regulates MHC-1 and CD4 cell surface expression, contributing to viral escape from host immunity. To prevent Nef from down-regulating both MHC-1 and CD4 while preserving most CTL epitopes, a panel of Nef mutants was constructed and assessed. Some mutants, as expected, modulated either MHC-1 or CD4 expression. Others prevented down-regulation of both proteins but sacrificed numerous immunogenic epitopes. Deletion of 19 N-terminal amino acids including the myristoylation signal from Nef completely abrogated both MHC-1 and CD4 down-regulation while preserving most CTL, T-helper and B-cell epitopes. Our results demonstrate that the myristoylation signal in the Nef protein is critical for Nef-mediated endocytosis of both MHC-1 and CD4. Non-myristoylated Nef containing a full complement of CTL epitopes has greater potential as a vaccine component than wild-type Nef.
Computer Generated a Three-Dimensional Holography from Two-Dimensional Photos

We present 3-D holography from 2-D photos using computer generated hologram (CGH). The photo is segment into foreground/middleground/background. Matlab is used to create the CGH. Both single-laser/dual-laser setups are investigated for the 3-D image recovering.
Metabolic relationships between myelin subfractions: entry of galactolipids and phospholipids.

— Partially purified myelin from the brains of 17-day-old rats was separated into 4 subfractions on a three-step sucrose gradient by virtue of heterogeneity in density and particle size. Precursor-product relationships between different membrane fractions were investigated by determining the specific radioactivity of individual lipids in each subcellular fraction 15 min after intracranial injection of an appropriate precursor. Rats were injected with [2-3H]glycerol. myelin subfractions prepared, and individual lipids separated by TLC. For choline and ethanolamine phospholipids, specific radioactivity was highest in the densest fraction (D), intermediate in the next densest fraction (C), and lowest in the lighter fractions (B and A). Similar results were observed for cerebroside and sulphatide when [3H]galactose was the precursor. These data are consistent with (but do not prove) a precursor-product relationship for individual lipids from the densest to the lightest subfraction. Another experimental design involving time staggered injections of [3H] and [14C] precursors was developed which enables a more definitive result with regard to precursor-product relationships to be obtained. A precursor-product relationship between a given lipid in a dense myelin membrane fraction, and the same lipid in a lighter subfraction, would be indicated by a change in isotope ratio. If there is no precursor-product relationship. Ihe isotope ratio should be constant. Such experiments were done with [3H] and [14C]glycerol. The data indicated that phosphatidyl ethanolamine and its plasmalogen analog were added first to the densest subfraction and then in turn to the lighter subfractions. In contrast, phosphatidyl choline and its plasmalogen analog were added “simultaneously” (i.e. with delays of much less than 15min) to each of the subfractions. Similar experiments with [3H] and [14C]galactose showed that cerebroside, sulphatide and galactosyl diglyceride also entered the subfractions simultaneously rather than in sequential order. Thus the assembly of the myelin sheath involves an obligate order of addition of certain lipids. while other lipids are probably added in a random order.
A growing family: New structures of coordination polymers containing adamantane-shaped phosphorus–nitrogen cage ligands

Abstract Two new structurally characterized coordination polymers containing the P4(NR)6 ligand system are described. A convenient one-pot synthesis of P4(NR)6 (R = benzyl) via reaction of lithiated primary amine with phosphorus trichloride demonstrates an expanded scope for the preparation of this adamantane-type structure. Reactions of P4(NR)6 (R = Et, Bn) with cuprous iodide yield different products due to the differences in steric demands of the ligands.
Optimal Design of Wireless Power Transmission Links for Millimeter-Sized Biomedical Implants

This paper presents a design methodology for RF power transmission to millimeter-sized implantable biomedical devices. The optimal operating frequency and coil geometries are found such that power transfer efficiency (PTE) and tissue-loss-constrained allowed power are maximized. We define receiver power reception susceptibility (Rx-PRS) and transmitter figure of merit (Tx-FoM) such that their multiplication yields the PTE. Rx-PRS and Tx-FoM define the roles of the Rx and Tx in the PTE, respectively. First, the optimal Rx coil geometry and operating frequency range are identified such that the Rx-PRS is maximized for given implant constraints. Since the Rx is very small and has lesser design freedom than the Tx, the overall operating frequency is restricted mainly by the Rx. Rx-PRS identifies such operating frequency constraint imposed by the Rx. Secondly, the Tx coil geometry is selected such that the Tx-FoM is maximized under the frequency constraint at which the Rx-PRS was saturated. This aligns the target frequency range of Tx optimization with the frequency range at which Rx performance is high, resulting in the maximum PTE. Finally, we have found that even in the frequency range at which the PTE is relatively flat, the tissue loss per unit delivered power can be significantly different for each frequency. The Rx-PRS can predict the frequency range at which the tissue loss per unit delivered power is minimized while PTE is maintained high. In this way, frequency adjustment for the PTE and tissue-loss-constrained allowed power is realized by characterizing the Rx-PRS. The design procedure was verified through full-wave electromagnetic field simulations and measurements using de-embedding method. A prototype implant, 1 mm in diameter, achieved PTE of 0.56% ( $-$ 22.5 dB) and power delivered to load (PDL) was 224 $\mu{\rm W}$ at 200 MHz with 12 mm Tx-to-Rx separation in the tissue environment.
The Importance of Studying Biomolecular Processes at the Single Molecular Level

Current biomolecular studies are unevenly tilted toward using statistical methods for analyzing molecular structures. However, such a procedure may be misleading when a macromolecular assmbly is involved. Two examples will be presented in which drastically different conclusions were derived when biological processes were analyzed at single molecular level using AFM and TEM. Based on statistical methods, lipoprotein(a), a molecule highly enriched in atherosclerotic plaques, was reported to consist of one or two apolipoprotein(a) bound to one low density lipoprotein (LDL). These plaques are the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. AFM images revealed unambiguously that one apolipoprotein(a) is bound to either one or two LDLs at one or two distant sites. This discovery led to a new theory on how lipoprotein(a) might promote LDL deposition onto the plaque. Protein self assembly to amyloid fibers is an early event in numerous human diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Accompanying this process is a conformational change to β-sheet regardless of the protein's sequence. It was generally believed that monomers, dimers or oligomers assembled directly to the tip of a growing fiber and, for prion proteins, misfolding of the molecule led to their aggregation. AFM, and later TEM, images, however, unambiguously revealed that large spheres consisting of dozens of monomers were first formed and then assembled linearly into amyloid fibers. This discovery led to the introduction of a controversial theory, which is currently challenged by some biomedical investigators while supported by many biophysical scientists, that amyloid fiber formation is a special colloidal phenomenon, starting from colloidal particle formation and followed by their linear aggregation. Formation of the spheres, an energy minimization process, drives the protein's conformational change to β-sheet (Amyloid, 2007, 14(2):119).
Incomplete reversal of β‐adrenoceptor desensitization in human and guinea‐pig cardiomyocytes by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors

1. The decreased response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation seen in heart failure may be related to a defect in cyclic AMP production. The inotropic effects of the selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) III inhibitors, SKF either at threshold or maximum inotropic concentrations, or by CPT cyclic AMP, an analogue of cyclic AMP.6. A significant potentiation of the maximum isoprenaline response by threshold inotropic concentrations was observed with SK&F 94120 (P<0.05), but not with IBMX or SK&F 94836, in myocytes isolated from noradrenaline-treated guinea-pig hearts. This potentiation, however, did not completely restore the response to levels seen in control myocytes.7. The extent of potentiation of the maximum isoprenaline response by maximum inotropic concentrations of either IBMX or CPT cyclic AMP, was no greater than that by threshold concentrations of IBMX, in myocytes isolated from noradrenaline-treated guinea-pig hearts.8. In cardiac myocytes isolated from the explanted hearts of 16 patients with heart failure, threshold concentrations of IBMX and SK&F 94120 decreased the isoprenaline EC50 by a factor of four and six,respectively, but potentiation of the maximum isoprenaline response occurred only with SK&F 94120.The attenuated isoprenaline response was increased from 60.3 +/- 4.5% to 74.3 +/- 4.2% as a % maximum calcium (P<0.05, n = 6), but remained substantially lower than the 116 +/- 7% (P<0.001, n = 6) seen in myocytes isolated from non-failing hearts.9. We conclude that the reduced maximum contraction amplitude with isoprenaline in cardiac myocytes from either patients in end-stage failure, or noradrenaline-treated guinea-pigs, is partly but not solely due to insufficient cyclic AMP levels, since inhibition of cyclic AMP degradation does not result incomplete reversal of the beta-adrenoceptor desensitization.
Factors governing water binding by hydroxylapatite

Abstract Water vapour adsorption by hydroxylapatite crystals is influenced by the presence or absence of small interstitial crevices capable of retaining water by capillarity. At low pressures where adsorption is more nearly monomolecular, the presence of such crevices is of no consequence. Alterations in the surface composition of apatite brought about by heterionic exchange brings about different amounts of water adsorption.
WordFreak: an open tool for linguistic annotation

WordFreak is a natural language annotation tool that has been designed to be easy to extend to new domains and tasks. Specifically, a plug-in architecture has been developed which allows components to be added to WordFreak for customized visualization, annotation specification, and automatic annotation, without re-compilation. The APIs for these plug-ins provide mechanisms to allow automatic annotators or taggers to guide future annotation to supports active learning. At present WordFreak can be used to annotate a number of different types of annotation in English, Chinese, and Arabic including: constituent parse structure and dependent annotations, and ACE named-entity and coreference annotation. The Java source code for WordFreak is distributed under the Mozilla Public License 1.1 via SourceForge at: http://wordfreak.sourceforge.net. This site also provides screenshots, and a web deployable version of WordFreak.
Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism on pregnancy outcome, enzyme activity, and zinc concentration

Objective: To evaluate the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotypes on pregnancy outcome, the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, and changes in blood pressure (BP) during pregnancy; and the relationship between plasma ACE activities and plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations in each genotype. Methods: The subjects (n = 191) were selected from 580 indigent African-American pregnant women who enrolled toward the end of a trial to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on pregnancy outcome. This selection resulted in 93 subjects who received zinc and 98 who received placebo. Sample size was calculated with a 0.50 correlation coefficient between plasma ACE activities and zinc levels and a power of 80%. This calculation indicated that the sample size in each ACE genotype should be more than 28. Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reaction. Blood pressure, plasma ACE activities, and plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations were measured at each prenatal clinical visit. Results: Pregnancy outcome, the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, and BP were not different among the three ACE genotypes. There was no significant correlation between plasma ACE activities and zinc concentrations. Zinc supplementation did not have a significant effect on either plasma ACE activities or zinc concentrations, probably because of the small sample size in our study. Conclusion: There was no effect of ACE gene polymorphism on pregnancy outcome, the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, or changes in BP during pregnancy. Among each ACE genotype, plasma ACE activities did not correlate significantly with plasma zinc concentrations.
Race, gender, and language concordance in the primary care setting.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine race, gender and language concordance in terms of importance to primary care.Design/methodology/approach – The 2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS) was used. Four distinguishing primary care attributes and selected measures were operationalized primarily from a sample subset that identified a usual source of care (USC): accessibility to USC; interface between primary care and specialist services; treatment decisions; and preventive services received from the USC. Bivariate and multivariate results are reported.Findings – Adjusting for covariates, the following items remained statistically significant: race – choosing primary care physician as USC, USC having office hours, and going to USC for new health problems; gender – choosing primary care physician as USC and USC having office hours; and language – lack of difficulty contacting the USC after hours. However, these items appear to be isolated cases rather than indicators that...
Regulation of adhesion to ICAM-1 by the cytoplasmic domain of LFA-1 integrin β subunit

Interactions between cytotoxic lymphocytes and their targets require the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and the integrin lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18). LFA-1 is not constitutively avid for its counter-receptors, intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs)-1 and -2. Cross-linking of the TCR transiently converts LFA-1 to a high avidity state and thus provides a mechanism for regulating cellular adhesion and de-adhesion in an antigen-specific manner. Truncation of the cytoplasmic domain of the beta, but not the alpha, subunit of LFA-1 eliminated binding to ICAM-1 and sensitivity to phorbol esters. Thus, LFA-1 binding to ICAM-1 was found to be regulated by the cytoplasmic domain of the beta subunit of LFA-1.
A comparison of low- and high-impact forced exercise: Effects of training paradigm on learning and memory

In this study we compared two types of forced exercise-a low impact paradigm to minimize stress, which included speeds up to 10 m/min and a stressful high impact paradigm, with speeds up to 21 m/min. 150 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the low impact, high impact, or sedentary control conditions and were tested on the rotorod and Morris water maze (MWM) as indices of motor learning and spatial memory. We found that 5 weeks of stressful high speed forced exercise led to significant improvement in rotorod performance, as high impact runners outperformed both low impact runners and controls at 15 and 25 rpm speeds. These differences were the result of improved physical fitness due to exercise and likely do not reflect enhanced learning in these mice. In the MWM, 5 weeks of stressful high impact exercise led to significant impairment in spatial memory acquisition compared to low impact runners and controls. Low impact exercise for 10 weeks significantly improved retention of spatial memory compared to high impact exercise. Results suggested that these two paradigms produced different effects of forced exercise on learning and memory. The low impact paradigm led to some improvements, whereas the stressful high impact program caused significant impairment. Comparison of these two paradigms begins to address the window between the beneficial and detrimental effects of forced exercise, and have suggested a boundary of exercise intensity that leads to impairment in learning.
Deoxyadenosine and Thymidine Bases Held Proximal and Distal by Means of a Covalently-Linked Dimensional Analogue of dA·dT: Intramolecular vs Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding1

Deoxyadenylic acid and deoxythymidilic acid have been attached to a covalently-linked cross section, dA dT, on the same side (proximal) and on opposite sides (distal) by synthetic sequences involving various combined protection/deprotection steps. The structures in aqueous solution buffered at pH 7.0 have been examined by 2D-NOESY NMR spectroscopy. The covalently-linked cross section provides a template that stabilizes dA·dT base pairing in the proximal isomer at 2 °C. In the distal isomer, it contributes to favorable conformations for intermolecular association.
Vertical crustal movements preceding and accompanying the San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971: A summary

Abstract Castle, R.O., Church, J.P., Elliott, M.R. and Morrison, N.L., 1975. Vertical crustal movements preceding and accompanying the San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971: A summary. In: N. Pavoni and R. Green (Editors), Recent Crustal Movements. Tectonophysics, 29 (1—4): 127—140.
Stochastic aspects of matrix cracking in brittle matrix composites

A computer simulation of multiple cracking in fiber-reinforced brittle matrix composites has been conducted, with emphasis on the role of the matrix flaw distribution. The simulations incorporate the effect of bridging fibers on the stress required for cracking. Both short and long (steady-state) flaws are considered. Furthermore, the effects of crack interactions (through the overlap of interface slip lengths) are incorporated. The influence of the crack distribution on the tensile response of such composites is also examined.
Properties of Helium bubbles in Fe and FeCr alloys

Abstract We investigate three aspects of He that are relevant for its behavior in FeCr alloys. (i) the EOS of pure He, as an auxiliary element to relate pressure and density inside a bubble; (ii) He bubbles in FeCr alloys, to explore the influence of Cr as solute and at α′ precipitates on the He precipitation behavior; (iii) the growth mechanism of a He bubble in Fe and Fe 15 at% Cr under the particular conditions of a He-rich and vacancy poor environment. This last case represents an extreme situation that reveals the maximum pressures that can be achieved by a bubble before the matrix yields. We observe the emission of interstitial dislocation loops as the mechanisms by which the bubble creates room to host the He atoms. We use molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo computer simulations based on a new ternary FeCr–He empirical potential, which is an extension of our previous composition-dependent model for FeCr (A. Caro et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 95 (2005) 075702).
Alpha-methylDOPA dissociates hypertension, cardiovascular reactivity and emotional behavior in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the centrally-acting hypotensive agent, alpha-methylDOPA (MD), in addition to lowering tonic or resting blood pressure (BP), suppresses the phasic increases in BP which accompany emotional arousal. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), chronically instrumented for computer-assisted recording of BP and heart rate (HR) from the aorta while awake and unrestrained, were subjected to classical fear conditioning. The next day, BP and HR were recorded before and 2 h following treatment (i.p.) with MD (3.75mg/kg,n= 7; 7.5mg/kg,n= 7; 15mg/kg,n= 10; 30mg/kg,n= 10;60mg/kg,n= 9; 120mg/kg,n= 9; 240mg/kg,n= 10) or saline (2ml,n= 10). Immediately thereafter, blood pressure and heart rate responses to the conditioned emotional stimulus were assessed. Additional SHRs were treated with MD (30mg/kg, n= 10; 60mg/kg, n= 10) or saline (2ml, n= 10) 2 hr prior to assessment of conditioned fear behavior (duration of immobilization or freezing behavior during a 300 s presentation of the conditioned emotional stimulus). Resting BP in saline controls was160 ± 5, and doses of MD of 7.5 mg/kg or more resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of resting BP, with the maximal hypotensive change (47 ± 5) produced by 60 mg/kg. The conditioned pressor response (averaged over the 10 s stimulus) was17 ± 3mm Hg in saline controls and was systemically reduced in groups treated with 15 mg/kg or more of MD, with the minimal response (maximal suppression) achieved by 60 mg/kg (4 ± 1mm Hg). Correlation analysis of the effects of MD on resting BP and on the conditioned BP response resulted in a low coefficient of correlation (4= −0.22). Freezing (in s) was not different in saline controls (160 ± 25) and animals treated with 30 mg/kg (170 ± 25) or 60 mg/kg (214 ± 11) of MD. MD thus suppresses the emotion-induced elevation of BP, independent of effects on resting BP and without altering emotional behavior. These findings suggest that MD is capable of regulating both basal BP and BP reactivity in hypertension, though through separate actions, and that central alpha-adrenergic mechanisms are involved in the autonomic, but not the behavioral, manifestation of emotional arousal.
Three-component commitment and turnover: An examination of temporal aspects

Abstract SEM ( N = 182) was employed to examine implied temporal aspects of three-component commitment theory as they relate to turnover. Consistent with expectations, affective commitment predicted subsequent turnover in an immediate and relatively short interval of 4 months, but failed to do in a much longer but outlying interval of 5–12 months. Side bet commitment failed to predict turnover in the short, immediate interval, but did so robustly over the longer albeit more distant interval. Normative commitment predicted turnover in neither the near term nor outmonths. Turnover rates for employees with low affective commitment were much higher than those with high affective commitment in the first quarter of a 1-year monitoring period, but subsequent turnover rates were roughly the same for the two groups. In contrast, turnover for employees with low side bet commitment was only slightly higher than the high side bet group in the first quarter, but over the remainder of the year cumulative turnover for the low side bet group exceeded that for the high side bet group by increasingly large margins. These results are consistent with theory suggesting that decrements in affective commitment (1) often occur suddenly and just prior to employees' leaving and (2) reflect general disaffection and an impetus to leave that is already exists at the point of attitude measurement. Results comport with theory describing side bet commitment as (1) an appraisal of leaving costs that, in the aggregate, are unlikely to change suddenly and (2) a relatively stable attitude that serves primarily to prevent turnover should some independent motivation to leave arise.
Organ transplantation from brain-dead donors: Its impact on short- and long-term outcome revisited*

In contrast to the marked improvement in early results, the rate of long-term survival of solid-organ allografts has improved only slowly over the last few years despite the introduction of new and potent immunosuppressive protocols, better organ-preservation techniques, and advances in perioperative management. Because of the universal shortage of donor organs, less-than-ideal donors are being accepted, and grafts of potentially diminished quality are being used for transplantation. Therefore, recent interest has focused on the systemic changes in peripheral organs occurring in the donor during brain death (BD), during the period of preservation, and after placement in the recipient. It has become increasingly apparent that not only immunologic, but also nonimmunologic injuries, such as BD and ischemia-reperfusion injury, are important risk factors for short-term and long-term allograft outcome after transplantation. The systemic effects of this central catastrophe have led to an increasing number of experimental and clinical studies designed to elucidate the complexity of its resultant hemodynamic, metabolic, and neurohormonal alterations, as well as the morphologic changes and immunologic consequences to organs used for transplantation.
Active nucleoprotein filaments of single-stranded binding protein and recA protein on single-stranded DNA have a regular repeating structure

When E. coli single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) coats single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2 it inhibits the subsequent binding of recA protein, whereas SSB binding to ssDNA in 12 mM MgCl2 promotes the binding of recA protein. These two conditions correspond respectively to those which produce 'smooth' and 'beaded' forms of ssDNA-SSB filaments. By gel filtration and immunoprecipitation we observed active nucleoprotein filaments of recA protein and SSB on ssDNA that contained on average 1 monomer of recA protein per 4 nucleotides and 1 monomer of SSB per 20-22 nucleotides. Filaments in such a mixture, when digested with micrococcal nuclease produced a regular repeating pattern, approximately every 70-80 nucleotides, that differed from the pattern observed when only recA protein was bound to the ssDNA. We conclude that the beaded ssDNA-SSB nucleoprotein filament readily binds recA protein and forms an intermediate that is active in the formation of joint molecules and can retain substantially all of the SSB that was originally bound.
Copper-granule-catalyzed microwave-assisted click synthesis of polyphenol dendrimers.

Syringaldehyde- and vanillin-based antioxidant dendrimers were synthesized via microwave-assisted alkyne–azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using copper granules as a catalyst. The use of Cu(I) as a catalyst resulted in copper contaminated dendrimers. To produce copper-free antioxidant dendrimers for biological applications, Cu(I) was substituted with copper granules. Copper granules were ineffective at both room temperature and under reflux conditions (<5% yield). However, they were an excellent catalyst when dendrimer synthesis was performed under microwave irradiation, giving yields up to 94% within 8 h. ICP-mass analysis of the antioxidant dendrimers obtained with this method showed virtually no copper contamination (9 ppm), which was the same as the background level. The synthesized antioxidants, free from copper contamination, demonstrated potent radical scavenging with IC50 values of less than 3 μM in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. In comparison, dendrimers synthesized from Cu(I)-cata...
Reflection properties of periodic surfaces of loaded dipoles

Two-dimensional periodic arrays of dipoles or slots act as reflecting or transmitting surfaces, respectively, which have bandpass filter characteristics. The resonant frequency and the bandwidth may be controlled by varying the length, spacing, and load impedance of the dipoles (slots). A theoretical and experimental investigation of the scattering by a two-dimensional array of loaded dipoles is described. The scattering through the resonance region shows that a unit reflection coefficient is achieved. The effect of grating-lobe radiation is included. The scattering properties as a function of the angle of incidence are given for both loaded and unloaded dipoles. The loaded dipole array described in this paper produces a narrower bandwidth than the array of unloaded dipoles, and the resonant frequency is much less dependent on the angle of incidence. The resonant frequency of the array as well as the bandwidth depends strongly on the resonant frequency of the dipole element as would be expected; however, it is also substantially influenced by the interelement spacing and the angle of incidence.
Cyclosporine directly causes oxidative stress and promotes Epstein-Barr virus transformation of human B cells.

Background. We have previously shown that oxidative stress alone can promote transformation of human B cells infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in vitro, an accepted model mimicking posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs). Our laboratory has investigated the direct effects of cyclosporine A (CyA) as an oxidant promoting B-cell transformation and we have proposed that CyA directly promotes B-cell transformation and that this effect can be blocked by antioxidants. Methods. Human splenocytes were prepared by centrifugation and plating technique to provide a greater than 80% pure preparation of B cells that was used for the direct oxidative stress experiments. These cells were cocultured with CyA (500 ng/ml) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 , 0.15 mM) with or without antioxidant vitamin E (40 μM). Oxidative stress was evaluated by using a commercial lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) assay kit. In another set of three separate experiments, human B lymphocytes infected with EBV were cultured with CyA (500 ng/ml), H 2 O 2 (0.15 mM), and vitamin E (40 μM). B-Cell transformation by EBV was evaluated by counting colony number and [ 3 H]-thymidine incorporation. Results. At therapeutic concentrations, CyA (500 ng/ mL) had an oxidative effect on human splenocytes in vitro, similar to the effect of H 2 O 2 (90 and 97% increases, respectively in LPO production over control P < 0.005), which was abrogated by the addition of vitamin E. Similarly, both CyA and H 2 O 2 promoted transformation of B cells infected with EBV(75 and 108% increases respectively in colony counts over control, P < 0.005). This effect was also blocked by vitamin E. Conclusions. Both CyA and H 2 O 2 have a direct oxidative effect on human B cells and cause promotion of EBV-induced transformation of B cells. These effects are blocked by the antioxidant vitamin E. These findings may have future therapeutic implications for PTLDs.
Detection of Yersinia pestis by pesticin fluorogenic probe-coupled PCR.

The > assay (PE Applied Biosystems) combines PCR with concomitant release of fluorogenic nucleotides for immediate product detection by fluorometry. Yersinia pestis, the etiological agent of bubonic plague, expresses species-specific genes known to be located on two unique plasmids (9.6-kb pPCP and 100.9-kb pMT). Pesticin (pst) is a unique gene located on pPCP which encodes for a bacteriocin. Using fluorogenic probe coupled PCR as few as three copies of pst targets were detected from total Y. pestis genomic DNA. The pst probe used in this report was positive only for pesticinogenic isolates and did not show complementarity with Yersiniae nor with other bacteria targeted in this study suggesting, that the pst probe is very specific for Y. pestis. Under optimal conditions of Mg(2+)concentration and thermal cycle number, addition of extraneous DNA to respective assay mixtures had no effect on detection.
“Ebilities” tourism: an exploratory discussion of the travel needs and motivations of the mobility-disabled

Abstract With the 1990 passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the earlier Air Carrier Access Act, US marketers began to pay some attention to one of the most important but overlooked of all market segments. This article discusses the importance to the travel and tourism industry of the US disabled market, concentrating on the mobility-challenged travelers, which number 36 million (Murphy & Baig, 1997). Post-ADA literature regarding marketing to the disabled is reviewed and results are reported of a focus group with one support group attended by wheelchair-bound members and survey respondents attending an Abilities Expo. Data are also collected from general tourists, eleven percent of whom indicated that they have a physical disability. Survey respondents reveal that word-of-mouth, the Internet and travel guides serve as the most important sources of information when planning travel. The main special interests they pursue while vacationing involve nature activities, often participating in sports. A temporary disability or “slowing down” does not stop their enjoyment of travel, especially nature travel. Tourism operators, especially those involved with heritage and nature activities, should consider appealing to the mobility challenged, as they do not shy away from travel. They are, however, careful in planning their travel and are impressed by “personal inspection” of hospitality facilities and accommodation.
Lattice dynamics of II-VI materials using the adiabatic bond-charge model.

We extend the adiabatic bond-charge model, originally developed for group IV semiconductors and III-V compounds, to study phonons in more ionic II-VI compounds with a zinc-blende structure. Phonon spectra, density of states, and specific heats are calculated for six II-VI compounds and compared with both experimental data and the results of other models. We show that the six-parameter bond-charge model gives a good description of the lattice dynamics of these materials. We also discuss trends in the parameters with respect to the ionicity and metallicity of these compounds.
Optimizing procedure calls in block-structured languages

Static chains and displays are two techniques used by compilers to implement variable references for black-structured programming languages. Both methods impose significant run-time overhead during procedure calls and variable references. This paper investigates several optimizations to improve upon common practice. The effectiveness of the various schemes is measured by collecting dynamic reference traces from executing Ada programs and assigning costs for procedure calls and variable references using two cost models. One model assumes a complex instruction-set architecture and the other assumes a reduced instruction-set architecture. Optimizations to the static chain scheme are found to significantly reduce its overall cost and approach the cost of the display scheme while using fewer registers than a display.
Endothelial, cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle exhibit different viscous and elastic properties as determined by atomic force microscopy

This study evaluated the hypothesis that, due to functional and structural differences, the apparent elastic modulus and viscous behavior of cardiac and skeletal muscle and vascular endothelium would differ. To accurately determine the elastic modulus, the contribution of probe velocity, indentation depth, and the assumed shape of the probe were examined. Hysteresis was observed at high indentation velocities arising from viscous effects. Irreversible deformation was not observed for endothelial cells and hysteresis was negligible below 1 microm/s. For skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle cells, hysteresis was negligible below 0.25 microm/s. Viscous dissipation for endothelial and cardiac muscle cells was higher than for skeletal muscle cells. The calculated elastic modulus was most sensitive to the assumed probe geometry for the first 60 nm of indentation for the three cell types. Modeling the probe as a blunt cone-spherical cap resulted in variation in elastic modulus with indentation depth that was less than that calculated by treating the probe as a conical tip. Substrate contributions were negligible since the elastic modulus reached a steady value for indentations above 60 nm and the probe never indented more than 10% of the cell thickness. Cardiac cells were the stiffest (100.3+/-10.7 kPa), the skeletal muscle cells were intermediate (24.7+/-3.5 kPa), and the endothelial cells were the softest with a range of elastic moduli (1.4+/-0.1 to 6.8+/-0.4 kPa) depending on the location of the cell surface tested. Cardiac and skeletal muscle exhibited nonlinear elastic behavior. These passive mechanical properties are generally consistent with the function of these different cell types.
Median bundle neurons coordinate behaviours during Drosophila male courtship.

Throughout the animal kingdom the innate nature of basic behaviour routines suggests that the underlying neuronal substrates necessary for their execution are genetically determined and developmentally programmed1,2. Complex innate behaviours require proper timing and ordering of individual component behaviours. In Drosophila melanogaster, analyses of combinations of mutations of the fruitless (fru) gene have shown that male-specific isoforms (FruM) of the Fru transcription factor are necessary for proper execution of all steps of the innate courtship ritual3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Here, we eliminate FruM expression in one group of about 60 neurons in the Drosophila central nervous system and observe severely contracted courtship behaviour, including rapid courtship initiation, absence of orienting and tapping, and the simultaneous occurrence of wing vibration, licking and attempted copulation. Our results identify a small group of median bundle neurons, that in wild-type Drosophila appropriately trigger the sequential execution of the component behaviours that constitute the Drosophila courtship ritual.
Changes in attention to an emotional task after sleep deprivation: Neurophysiological and behavioral findings

While sleep loss is shown to have widespread effects on cognitive processes, little is known about the impact of sleep loss on emotion processes. In order to expand on previous behavioral and physiological findings on how sleep loss influences emotion processing, we administered positive, negative, and neutral affective visual stimuli to individuals after one night of sleep deprivation while simultaneously acquiring EEG event related potential (ERP) data and recording affective behavioral responses. We compared these responses to a baseline testing session. We specifically looked at the late positive potential (LPP) component of the visual ERP as an established sensitive measure of attention to emotionally-charged visual stimuli. Our results show that after sleep deprivation, the LPP no longer discriminates between emotional and non-emotional pictures; after sleep deprivation the LPP amplitude was of similar amplitude for neutral, positive, and negative pictures. This effect was driven by an increase in the LPP to neutral pictures. Our behavioral measures show that, relative to baseline testing, emotional pictures are rated as less emotional following sleep deprivation with a concomitant reduction in emotional picture-induced anxiety. We did not observe any change in cortisol concentrations after sleep deprivation before or after emotional picture exposure, suggesting that the observed changes in emotion processing are independent of potential stress effects of sleep deprivation. Combined, our findings suggest that sleep loss interferes with proper allocation of attention resources during an emotional task.
The Blue Obelisk—Interoperability in Chemical Informatics

The Blue Obelisk Movement (http://www.blueobelisk.org/) is the name used by a diverse Internet group promoting reusable chemistry via open source software development, consistent and complimentary chemoinformatics research, open data, and open standards. We outline recent examples of cooperation in the Blue Obelisk group: a shared dictionary of algorithms and implementations in chemoinformatics algorithms drawing from our various software projects; a shared repository of chemoinformatics data including elemental properties, atomic radii, isotopes, atom typing rules, and so forth; and Web services for the platform-independent use of chemoinformatics programs.
Logjam at the Styx: Programmed cell death in plants

As in animals, programmed cell death (PCD) in plants plays important roles in embryonic, juvenile and adult phases of development. In addition, a type of PCD is often observed during the plant response to pathogen attack, where it is termed the ‘hypersensitive response' (HR). Here, examples of PCD are described to illustrate the diversity of initiation signals and potential mechanisms of PCD during plant development. Emerging systems are highlighted and, when appropriate, conclusions drawn from them are compared to paradigms of cell-death control in animals.