cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) on expression of c-fos in rat mandibular molars: implications for tooth eruption.

The c-fos gene is expressed in the dental follicle of the first mandibular molar of rats. Molecules that accelerate tooth eruption, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), enhance the expression of the c-fos gene in vitro in both a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In vivo, EGF enhances c-fos expression in the follicle from day 0–7 postnatally, but by day 9 the follicle is refractory to this stimulus. Immunostaining reveals that the c-fos gene is translated in the cultured dental follicle cells, with staining seen in the nucleus and the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm. In vivo, immunostaining for c-fos is prominent in the dental follicle early postnatally, with little or no staining seen in the stellate reticulum and dental pulp. By day 10 postnatally, staining for c-fos is greatly reduced in the dental follicle. Thus, the presence of c-fos early postnatally in the tissue required for eruption, the dental follicle, as well as the enhancement of c-fos gene expression in the follicle by EGF or CSF-1, suggests that c-fos plays a role in tooth eruption. That role may be either to promote differentiation of mononuclear cells into osteoclasts needed for eruption or to recruit the mononuclear cells into the follicle.
Functional Survey for Heterologous Sugar Transport Proteins, Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a Host

Molecular transport is a key process in cellular metabolism. This step is often limiting when using a nonnative carbon source, as exemplified by xylose catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As a step toward addressing this limitation, this study seeks to characterize monosaccharide transport preference and efficiency. A group of 26 known and putative monosaccharide transport proteins was expressed in a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae host unable to transport several monosaccharides. A growth-based assay was used to detect transport capacity across six different carbon sources (glucose, xylose, galactose, fructose, mannose, and ribose). A mixed glucose-and-xylose cofermentation was performed to determine substrate preference. These experiments identified 10 transporter proteins that function as transporters of one or more of these sugars. Most of these proteins exhibited broad substrate ranges, and glucose was preferred in all cases. The broadest transporters confer the highest growth rates and strongly prefer glucose. This study reports the first molecular characterization of the annotated XUT genes of Scheffersomyces stipitis and open reading frames from the yeasts Yarrowia lipolytica and Debaryomyces hansenii. Finally, a phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that transporter function clusters into three distinct groups. One particular group comprised of D. hansenii XylHP and S. stipitis XUT1 and XUT3 demonstrated moderate transport efficiency and higher xylose preferences.
Chronic injection of pansomatostatin agonist ODT8-SST differentially modulates food intake and decreases body weight gain in lean and diet-induced obese rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the central actions of the stable pansomatostatin peptide agonist, ODT8-SST on body weight. ODT8-SST or vehicle was acutely (1μg/rat) injected or chronically infused (5μg/rat/d, 14d) intracerebroventricularly and daily food intake, body weight and composition were monitored. In lean rats, neither acute nor chronic ODT8-SST influenced daily food intake while body weight was reduced by 2.2% after acute injection and there was a 14g reduction of body weight gain after 14d compared to vehicle (p 0.05) compared to vehicle. In DIO rats, ODT8-SST reduced ambulatory (-27%/24h, p<0.05) and fine movements (-38%, p<0.01) which was associated with an increased positive energy balance compared to vehicle (+50g, p<0.01). Chronic central somatostatin receptor activation in lean rats reduces body weight gain and lean mass independently of food intake which is likely related to growth hormone inhibition. In DIO rats, ODT8-SST reduces lean mass but promotes food intake and fat mass, indicating differential responsiveness to somatostatin under obese conditions.
AN APPROXIMATE METHOD FOR SOLVING STOCHASTIC TWO-STAGE PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS

A procedure for solving stochastic two-stage programming problems has been developed. The approach consists of genetic algorithm optimization with point estimate procedures. It has several advantages over traditional methods, such as evaluating function values only, no continuous or gradient requirements and it can solve integer or continuous problems. To improve the performance of the method, a modification of a standard genetic algorithm is suggested and coded. Point estimation methods are used to efficiently evaluate the second stage expected value objective function. Finally, the overall procedure is applied to several linear and nonlinear problems
An analysis of heat transfer in Josephson junction devices

Josephson junctions are electronic devices made from superconducting materials that cycle between resistive and nonresistive states. Heat generated in the resistive state causes a temperature rise, which may adversely affect electrical behavior, by reducing the critical Josephson current. In this work, temperature distributions and resulting reductions in critical current are calculated for Josephson junctions made from low and high-temperature superconductors. It is found that an unacceptable reduction in critical current may occur for junctions made from high-temperature materials. This problem can almost certainly be overcome, but perhaps at the expense of one advantage of Josephson junctions, namely compactness.
Use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge to Reduce Striped Bass Bycatch in the Currituck Sound White Perch Gill-Net Fishery

Abstract The gill-net fishery for white perch Morone americana in upper Currituck Sound, North Carolina, currently is regulated by season, mesh-size, and net tending restrictions primarily intended for reducing the bycatch of striped bass Morone saxatilis. The fall fishery (September– December) cannot use small-mesh nets, and fishers must tend nets at all times within a distance of 91.4 m. The spring fishery (January–April) also has small-mesh restrictions, but fishers can leave nets unattended. Commercial fishers are concerned about these restrictions. We examined these concerns by designing a study in which randomly deployed gill nets were paired with nets set at sites chosen by a commercial fisher based on traditional ecological knowledge of the region. The commercial fisher reduced bycatch of striped bass while maintaining catches of white perch. Marketable quality (i.e., average size) of white perch was not significantly different between random sets and commercially designated sets. Most of the tota...
Gamma titanium aluminide alloys : an assessment within the competition of aerospace structural materials

Abstract In the late 1970s and early 1980s, intermetallic phases emerged from being alloys of laboratory curiosity, or precipitate structures to be avoided or controlled in many ‘real metals’, to being widely investigated alloys, especially as prospective structural materials. After nearly two decades of sustained world-wide research, selected materials are emerging with a balance of properties which improves engineered systems, while others are introducing compelling research questions and prospects for significantly improved materials. This manuscript briefly examines selected intermetallic alloys and how they compete with other structural materials. The examination focuses on gamma titanium–aluminide alloys, from the perspective of their balance of engineering properties, state of maturity, and prospects for impacting industrial needs. A variety of engineering and business challenges remain to be solved, some of which are discussed.
Interacting with complementary/alternative medical providers

Complementary/alternative medical (CAM) providers continue to have a strong presence in the health care of United States citizens. The osteopathic physician may be in the position of having to interpret unfamiliar interventions and unfamiliar terminology as applied to her patient, and runs the risk of being seen as adversarial if she shows resistance or confusion in the presence of CAM influences. This article will describe several common forms of complementary/alternative health interventions, discuss related scientific evidence, if any, and provide information which may be helpful to physicians and patients when considering or integrating different health care paradigms.
Replacing Ancient Forests

Anne Simon Moffat's article “Temperate forests gain ground” (News Focus, 13 Nov. p. [1253][1]) might more accurately have been titled “Industrial forests gain, ancient forests and biodiversity continue to lose.” Conservationists welcome reforestation in North America, but the working forests of industry or the mongrel successional forests of the suburbs and abandoned farms are not everywhere a fair trade for our native old-growth forests. The continued ecological losses that attend the destruction of bottom-land hardwood forests of the Southeast ([1][2]), the native oak woodlands of California ([2][3]), or the ancient temperate rain forests of the Pacific Northwest ([3][4]) are hardly rectified by the proliferation of genetically altered loblolly pine, exotic eucalyptus, or plantation Douglas-fir. The silvacultural trends described by Wernick et al. ([4][5]) are welcome not only if they can provide timber and fiber or sequester carbon but also if they can help stop the bleeding in our final few ancient forests. 1. [↵][6]An Ecosystem in Crisis: The Forested Wetlands of the Mississippi River (The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA, 1992). 2. [↵][7]1. B. M. Pavlik, 2. P. C. Muick, 3. S. Johnson, 4. M. Popper , Oaks of California (Cachuma, Los Olivos, CA, 1991). 3. [↵][8]1. K. Ervin , Fragile Majesty: The Battle for North America's Last Great Forest (Mountaineers, Seattle, WA, 1989). 4. [↵][9]1. I. Wernick 2. et al. , J. Indust. Ecol. 1, 125 (1997). [OpenUrl][10][CrossRef][11] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.282.5392.1253 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [8]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3 in text" [9]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4 in text" [10]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJ.%2BIndust.%2BEcol.%26rft.volume%253D1%26rft.spage%253D125%26rft.atitle%253DJ%2BINDUST%2BECOL%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1162%252Fjiec.1997.1.3.125%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [11]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1162/jiec.1997.1.3.125&link_type=DOI
Atomistic Simulations of the Plasticity Behavior of Shock-Induced Polycrystalline Nickel

Shock loading single crystalline nickel creates a defected nanostructure dominated by stacking faults and twins. This transformation is caused by a complex interplay between the incident waves, the waves reflected from sample-free surfaces, and the interference between reflected waves. The plasticity behavior of this shock-induced defected nickel was studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Compared to a perfect single-crystal nickel sample of the same size, the twinned sample has significantly less yield stress in compression, a slightly lower yield stress in tension, and a yield stress about 30 pct higher in shear. Importantly, our simulations reveal the underlying atomistic mechanisms of dislocation nucleation and twin growth. We observe that while strengthening under shear loading involves lattice dislocations cutting through twins, weakening arises from nucleation of dislocations on the twins under tensile and compressive loading. Also, we have discovered precursors to dislocation loop nucleation in these simulations.
A phase I and pharmacokinetic comparison of hepatic arterial and peripheral vein infusions of bisantrene for liver cancer

Bisantrene (NSC-337766) was administered to five patients with cancer of the liver (one case of hepatocellular carcinoma, two of metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary, two of metastatic colorectal carcinoma). Under fluoroscopic guidance, percutaneous hepatic venous catheters were placed in five patients and percutaneous hepatic arterial catheters in four. A fifth patient's hepatic arterial catheter was implanted at laparotomy. Hepatic plasma flow was estimated by the Fick principle using peripheral vein indocyanine green infusion. On the first day of treatment, patients received a 2- or 4 h hepatic arterial infusion of bisantrene (130 mg/m2); peripheral venous, hepatic arterial, and hepatic venous timed blood samples were drawn during and for 18 h after drug infusion. On the second day of treatment, 2- or 4 h peripheral vein infusion of bisantrene (130 mg/m2) was followed by the same blood sampling schedule. Patients were followed weekly for toxicity. Four patients received only one course of treatment, while a fifth received two courses. All patients experienced leukopenia (median nadir 2400/mm3; range 1400–2700/mm3). Two patients developed fever after drug infusion. No antitumor responses were observed. Plasma bisantrene concentrations were measured by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic analyses are reported for four patients. The hepatic extraction ratio ranged from 15% to 49%, hepatic plasma clearances were 0.029–0.353 l/min/m2; peripheral vein areas under the concentration-time curve during hepatic arterial infusion ranged from 35% to 50% of peripheral vein areas under the curve during peripheral vein infusion. We conclude that hepatic arterial bisantrene infusion offers only modest pharmacokinetic advantage to the target organ or to the systemic circulation over peripheral vein infusion.
Estimating Granger causality after stimulus onset: A cautionary note

How the brain processes sensory input to produce goal-oriented behavior is not well-understood. Advanced data acquisition technology in conjunction with novel statistical methods holds the key to future progress in this area. Recent studies have applied Granger causality to multivariate population recordings such as local field potential (LFP) or electroencephalography (EEG) in event-related paradigms. The aim is to reveal the detailed time course of stimulus-elicited information transaction among various sensory and motor cortices. Presently, interdependency measures like coherence and Granger causality are calculated on ongoing brain activity obtained by removing the average event-related potential (AERP) from each trial. In this paper we point out the pitfalls of this approach in light of the inevitable occurrence of trial-to-trial variability of event-related potentials in both amplitudes and latencies. Numerical simulations and experimental examples are used to illustrate the ideas. Special emphasis is placed on the important role played by single trial analysis of event-related potentials in experimentally establishing the main conclusion.
Soluble acidic species in air and snow at Summit, Greenland

Simultaneous measurements of the concentrations of soluble acidic species in the gas, aerosol and snow phases at Summit, Greenland were made during summer 1993. Mean concentrations of gas phase HCOOH, CH{sub 3}COOH, and HNO{sub 3} (49{+-}28, 32{+-}17 and 0.9{+-}0.6 nmol m{sup {minus}3} STP, respectively) exceeded the concentrations of aerosol-associated HCOO, CH{sub 3}COO, and NO{sub 3}{sup {minus}} by 1-3 orders of magnitude. On average, SO{sub 2} concentrations (0.9{+-}0.6 nmol in m{sup {minus}3} STP) were approximately 1/3 those of aerosol SO{sub 4}{sup =}, but this ratio varied widely due largely to changes in the concentration of aerosol SO{sub 4}{sup =}. Concentrations of aerosol SO{sub 4}{sup =} plus SO{sub 2} consistently exceeded the sum of aerosol NO{sub 3}{sup {minus}} plus HNO{sub 3}, yet NO{sub 3}{sup {minus}} was 3-20 times as abundant as SO{sub 4}{sup =} in surface snow. Gas phase concentrations of HCOOH and CH{sub 3}COOH at Summit were unexpectedly as large as those previously reported for several high latitude continental sites. However, carboxylate concentrations in snow were lower than those of SO{sub 4}{sup =}. The authors observation of post-depositional loss of these carboxylic acids within hours after a snowfall must partially explain the low concentrations found in snow. The relative abundance ofmore » soluble acids in summer snow at Summit was opposite of that in the overlying atmosphere. These results highlight the need for improved understanding of the processes controlling transfer of soluble atmospheric species between air and snow. 19 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.« less
Acquired dysfibrinogenemia secondary to mithramycin toxicity.

ABSTRACT A 58-year-old black woman with IgD multiple myeloma developed a hemorrhagic diathesis within 48 hours after receiving mithramycin (20 μg/kg/day) for therapy of hypercalcemia. Her coagulation studies were characterized by prolonged prothrombin, partial thromboplastin, thrombin, and reptilase clotting times. Her plasma and partially purified fibrinogen were inhibitory to the clotting of normal plasma and fibrinogen. The patient’s isolated fibrinogen showed a normal rate of fibrinopeptide release, but her fibrin monomer aggregation was markedly abnormal. These studies document the development of a dysfibrinogenemia secondary to mithramycin toxicity
Unoccluded Retinol Penetrates Human Skin In Vivo More Effectively Than Unoccluded Retinyl Palmitate or Retinoic Acid

The formation of all- trans retinoic acid is an oxidative process whereby retinol is converted to retinaldehyde and then to retinoic acid. Because retinol causes qualitative molecular changes similar to those produced by retinoic acid, we compared potency of retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate to retinoic acid and assessed the effects of occlusion. Retinoids were prepared in an experimental vehicle of 95% ethanol:propylene glycol (7:3) with anti-oxidant. Induction of retinoic acid 4-hydroxylase activity was the end point for comparison. Retinoic acid concentrations from 0.001% to 0.05% under occlusion produced a linear dose-response induction of 4-hydroxylase activity. The concentrations of the other retinoids under occlusion required to achieve significant induction of enzyme activity were 0.6% retinyl palmitate, 0.025% retinol, and 0.01% retinaldehyde. The linear dose-response was lost with retinoid concentrations in excess of 0.25% retinol or 0.5% retinaldehyde. Statistical analyses showed no difference in 4-hydroxylase activity between unocciuded and occluded retinol treated sites. By contrast, however, unoccluded sites treated with retinoic acid or retinyl palmitate had less induction of 4-hydroxylase activity than occluded sites. Retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate did not produce erythema but did increase epidermal thickness. Although retinol is a weaker retinoid than retinoic acid, the increased penetration of unoccluded retinol in comparison to unoccluded retinoic acid with this prototypic vehicle confers on retinol a more effective delivery of a retinoidal effect than unocciuded retinoic acid. Retinol at 0.25% may be a useful retinoid for application without occlusion because it does not irritate but does induce cellular and molecular changes similar to those observed with application of 0.025% retinoic acid.
Transcriptional regulation and cell specificity determinants of the rat nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α3 gene

Abstract The effects of increased cAMP level and reduced protein kinase C activity on transcription of the α3 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) gene in PC12 cells were examined. Two nAChR α3 transcripts (3.9 and 2.4 kb) are expressed in PC12 cells. When PC12 cells were grown in 2 μm phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 2 days to lower protein kinase C activity, the levels of both transcripts were increased. When PC12 cells were grown in 5 μm forskolin, the level of the 3.9 kb transcript was increased. We previously constructed clones containing promoter elements located upstream of the α3 gene which allow reporter gene expression in PC12 cells. These constructs were transfected into PC12 cells grown in PMA or forskolin. The increase in α3 trancripts in response to PMA or forskolin was shown to be mediated at least in part at the transcriptional level by elements located within 600 nucleotides of the transcriptional start sites. The promoter constructs were also used to demonstrate that element needed to restrict the expression of α3 in non-neuronal cells lie near to the 5′ end of the α3 gene.
Uniform asymptotic stability in infinite delay systems

Abstract Liapunov methods are used to give conditions ensuring that the zero solution of a system of functional differential equations with infinite delay is uniformly asymptotically stable. Several examples illustrate the application of these results, especially to integrodifferential equations.
The elasticities approach in general equilibrium: Real shock dynamics

This paper constructs a general equilibrium model that embodies: the elasticities approach to the trade balance in the long run, but allows for inelastic short run demand; and an asset market approach to the capital account, with uncovered interest parity and consistent expectations.
Effects of superoxide radicals on transport (Na + K) adenosine triphosphatase and protection by superoxide dismutase.

Membrane (Na+K)ATPase isolated from rat brain was preincubated in a medium in which superoxide radicals were generated enzymatically. Exposure to superoxide radicals caused an irreversible inactivation, which could be prevented by further addition of superoxide dismutase. (Na+K)ATPase was also protected by addition of allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, during preincubation. The K-activated nitrophenylphosphatase associated with (Na+K)ATPase was also found to be inactivated by preincubation with superoxide radicals, which could be prevented by superoxide dismutase.
Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of water and an excess proton in water confined in carbon nanotubes

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the effects of nanoscale confinement on the structural and dynamical properties of water and slightly acidic water. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of two different diameters (11.0 and 13.3 A) were used as confinement vessels, and the inner walls of the CNT were either left bare or fluorinated to explore the influence of the confined environment on the determined properties. The water molecules in the fluorinated nanotubes were found to preferentially localize near the CNT surface and exhibit highly ordered structures while those in the bare CNTs were more randomly distributed. Additionally, weak interactions that resembled hydrogen bonds between the water molecules and the fluorine atoms were observed which occurred at a greater frequency in the smaller diameter CNT indicating an influence of the confinement dimensions on these interactions. This was further pronounced when an excess proton was added where, on average, approximately half of the water molecules in the smaller tube were involved in these interactions. This also led to a structured hydrogen bond network with regular defect sites that hindered proton transfer along the channel axis. Addition of the proton in the larger fluorinated CNT, however, disrupted the structural ordering and proton transfer down the nanotube axis near the surface of the CNT wall readily occurred. Proton transfer through the channel was also observed in the smaller nonfluorinated system, however, the proton was located closer to the center of the CNT, while in the larger nonfluorinated CNT proton transfer exhibited less directional preference indicating an impact of the scale of confinement and nature of the surface on proton transfer.
Configurational transition in lysozyme

Abstract Experimental techniques have been developed for conveniently measuring the temperature dependence of rotation of proteins using relatively small quantities of material. Results of rotation-temperature studies on lysozyme in aqueous urea solutions are presented and compared to earlier results with ribonuclease. Both the ribonuclease and the lysozyme undergo an inverted configurational transition in concentrated urea solutions; i.e. , some protein goes from a “denatured” to a “native” state when the temperature is increased. The reversal of the transition was also studied and found to be first order in lysozyme and to have a large activation energy.
How Do Gangliosides Regulate RTKs Signaling

Gangliosides, the glycosphingolipids carrying one or several sialic acid residues, are located on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane in glycolipid-enriched microdomains, where they interact with molecules of signal transduction pathways including receptors tyrosine kinases (RTKs). The role of gangliosides in the regulation of signal transduction has been reported in many cases and in a large number of cell types. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biosynthesis of gangliosides and the mechanism by which they regulate RTKs signaling.
Effect of Band Tails on Stimulated Emission of Light in Semiconductors

The dependence of the stimulated emission of radiation in semiconductors on temperature and on impurity concentration has been calculated using a Kane model with a Gaussian band tail for the density of states, and an optical model with a constant matrix element and no selection rule for the radiative transitions. The screening length and the characteristic energies for the widths of the conduction- and valence-band tails are calculated by a self-consistent procedure, and the calculation has no adjustable parameters. Numerical results are obtained using parameters appropriate for GaAs injection lasers. The presence of band tails leads to a more nearly linear dependence of gain on excitation level, in better agreement with experiment, than did the calculation without band tails by Lasher and Stern. Increasing impurity concentration leads to a weaker temperature dependence of the excitation rate required to reach a given gain.
Nonsaturating magnetoresistance of inhomogeneous conductors: Comparison of experiment and simulation

The silver chalcogenides provide a striking example of the benefits of imperfection. Nanothreads of excess silver cause distortions in the current flow that yield a linear and nonsaturating transverse magnetoresistance (MR). Associated with the large and positive MR is a negative longitudinal MR. The longitudinal MR only occurs in the three-dimensional limit and thereby permits the determination of a characteristic length scale set by the spatial inhomogeneity. We find that this fundamental inhomogeneity length can be as large as 10μm. Systematic measurements of the diagonal and off-diagonal components of the resistivity tensor in various sample geometries show clear evidence of the distorted current paths posited in theoretical simulations. We use a random-resistor network model to fit the linear MR, and expand it from two to three dimensions to depict current distortions in the third (thickness) dimension. When compared directly to experiments on Ag_(2±δ)Se and Ag_(2±δ)Te, in magnetic fields up to 55T, the model identifies conductivity fluctuations due to macroscopic inhomogeneities as the underlying physical mechanism. It also accounts reasonably quantitatively for the various components of the resistivity tensor observed in the experiments.
Combination of a hydroxy-functional organophosphorus oligomer and a multifunctional carboxylic acid as a flame retardant finishing system for cotton: part ii. formation of calcium salt during laundering

Multifunctional carboxylic acids, such as 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), were used to bond a hydroxy-functional organophosphorus oligomer (FR) to cotton fabric in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2). Previously, it was found that the cotton fabric treated with FR and BTCA showed a high level of phosphorus retention after one home laundering cycle. However, the flame retardant properties quickly deteriorated as the number of home laundering cycles was increased. In this research, it was found that the free carboxylic acid groups bound to the cotton fabric form an insoluble calcium salt during home laundering, thus diminishing the flame retardant properties of the treated cotton fabric. It was also found that the free carboxylic acid groups on the treated cotton fabric were esterified by triethanolamine (TEA), and that the formation of calcium salt on the fabric was suppressed by the esterification of the free carboxylic acid groups by TEA. The cotton fabric treated with BTCA and the hydroxy-functional organophosphorus oligomer significantly improved its flame retardance when a new catalyst system consisting of hypophosphorous acid (H3PO2) and TEA was used in the system.
Tray system for measuring drought tolerance of forage grasses

A soil-tray system used in conjunction with a growth chamber was evaluated and used to determine drought tolerance of hybrids of Eragrostis curvula var. conferta Nees (boer lovegrass, 57-4-69)×E. curvula (Schrad.) Nees (common weeping lovegrass) and Plant Introductions (PIs) of kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.). The stress endpoint was based on a predetermined threshold gravimetric water loss
Light extraction efficiency enhancement for InGaN quantum wells light-emitting diodes with GaN micro-domes

The enhancement of light extraction efficiency for thin-film-flip-chip (TFFC) InGaN QWs LEDs with GaN microdomes on n-GaN layer was studied. The three dimensional FDTD method was used to calculate the light extraction efficiency for the TFFC InGaN QWs LEDs emitting at visible spectral regime, as compared to that of the conventional TFFC InGaN QWs LEDs. The calculation indicates significant dependence of the p-GaN layer thickness on the light extraction efficiency. Significant enhancement of the light extraction efficiency (2.5-2.7 times for λpeak=460nm and 2.7- 2.8 times for λpeak=550nm) is achievable from LEDs with GaN micro-domes with optimized micro-dome diameter and height.
Phagocyte dysfunction, tissue aging and degeneration

Immunologically-silent phagocytosis of apoptotic cells is critical to maintaining tissue homeostasis and innate immune balance. Aged phagocytes reduce their functional activity, leading to accumulation of unphagocytosed debris, chronic sterile inflammation and exacerbation of tissue aging and damage. Macrophage dysfunction plays an important role in immunosenescence. Microglial dysfunction has been linked to age-dependent neurodegenerations. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Despite several reports on the characterization of aged phagocytes, the role of phagocyte dysfunction in tissue aging and degeneration is yet to be fully appreciated. Lack of knowledge of molecular mechanisms by which aging reduces phagocyte function has hindered our capability to exploit the therapeutic potentials of phagocytosis for prevention or delay of tissue degeneration. This review summarizes our current knowledge of phagocyte dysfunction in aged tissues and discusses possible links to age-related diseases. We highlight the challenges to decipher the molecular mechanisms, present new research approaches and envisage future strategies to prevent phagocyte dysfunction, tissue aging and degeneration.
Large-Angle Quasielastic Electron-Deuteron Scattering

Measurements of differential cross sections for quasielastic electron-deuteron scattering $e+d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}e+p+n$ have been made in which recoil protons were detected in coincidence with the scattered electrons. The ratios of the elastic electron-neutron to the electron-proton scattering cross sections are derived from the proton coincidence data. For comparison, these ratios are also determined from the scattered-electron momentum spectra using the peak and area methods. The theory developed by Renard, Tran Thanh Van, and LeBellac, which includes corrections for the final-state interactions, is found to explain the proton coincidence results. The present measurements, made at an electron scattering angle of 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for four-momentum transfers of ${q}^{2}=7, 10, 15, \mathrm{and} 29$ ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, and at 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for ${q}^{2}=45$ ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, are combined with previous results to obtain the electromagnetic form factors of the neutron.
Vitamin D Metabolites and Parathyroid Hormone in Cushing’s Syndrome: Relationship to Calcium and Phosphorus Homeostasis

We studied the effects of glucocorticoid excess on calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in relation to vitamin D metabolites and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in seven patients with spontaneous ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. Remission of hypercortisolism resulted in a significant increase in tubular reabsorption of phosphate [from 76 +/- 4% to 89 +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM); P less than 0.01] and serum phosphorus (from 3.1 +/- 0.1 to 4.2 +/- 0.2 mg/dl; P less than 0.005). Serum calcium did not change, although there was a reduction in daily urinary calcium excretion from 0.23 +/- 0.02 to 0.107 +/- 0.02 mg calcium/mg creatinine. Serum immunoreactive PTH (iPTH) levels were normal during Cushing's syndrome (34 +/- 5 microleq/ml), but fell significantly after remission to 22 +/- 2 microleq/ml (P less than 0.05). This small decrease in iPTH did not correlate with the improvement of phosphate homeostasis. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH2)D] concentrations in Cushing's syndrome did not differ from measurements in 97 normal subjects. After treatment, 25OHD did not change, but 1,25-(OH)2D fell in each patient from a mean of 44 to 22 pg/ml (P less than 0.02). 1,25-(OH)2D was inversely correlated with serum phosphorus (r = 0.59; P less than 0.01), but did not correlate with iPTH. The known impairment of intestinal calcium absorption in Cushing's syndrome cannot be attributed to a decrease in the circulating levels of 1,25-(OH)2D. Endogenous hypercortisolism decreases tubular phosphate reabsorption and serum phosphorus, increase tubular phosphate reabsorption and serum phosphorus, increases iPTH, and results in an increase in 1,25-(OH)2D. These events may contribute to the severe loss of bone mass in such patients and may account for the calciuria and phosphaturia of Cushing's syndrome.
Dyslipidemia and lipid-lowering therapy in the elderly

According to the current evidence, the fastest growing proportion of patient populations seeking healthcare is those over 65 years of age. Coronary artery disease and subclinical atherosclerosis are highly prevalent in this group of patients and are strongly linked to dyslipidemia, a well-established risk factor for atherosclerosis. Treating dyslipidemia in this group of patients requires specific knowledge and understanding of common dyslipidemias and the relative safety of various pharmacologic agents in the presence of possible multiple comorbidities. Lifestyle modification remains the first step in the treatment of dyslipidemia; however, it can be difficult to sustain and achieve acceptable compliance in the elderly and it is best used in combination with drug therapy. Statins are widely accepted as the first-line therapy. Several recent studies have demonstrated that statins are safe and effective in the elderly. However, it is important to note that there is very limited data regarding the effects of dyslipidemia treatment on morbidity and mortality in patients over 85 years of age. In summary, the clinicians must recognize that the presence of dyslipidemia in the elderly poses substantial risk of coronary events and stroke. The available evidence has demonstrated that in most elderly patients who are at increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, treatment of dyslipidemia with appropriate therapy reduces the risk, and when used carefully with close monitoring for safety, the treatment is generally well tolerated. With increasing life expectancy, it is critical for physicians to recognize the importance of detection and treatment of dyslipidemia in the elderly.
A yeast 2‐hybrid analysis of human GTP cyclohydrolase I protein interactions

The yeast 2-hybrid system was used to identify protein domains involved in the oligomerization of human guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP) Cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) and the interaction of GCH1 with its regulatory partner, GCH1 feedback regulatory protein (GFRP). When interpreted within the structural framework derived from crystallography, our results indicate that the GCH1 N-terminal α-helices are not the only domains involved in the formation of dimers from monomers and also suggest an important role for the C-terminal α-helix in the assembly of dimers to form decamers. Moreover, a previously unknown role of the extended N-terminal α–helix in the interaction of GCH1 and GFRP was revealed. To discover novel GCH1 protein binding partners, we used the yeast 2-hybrid system to screen a human brain library with GCH1 N-terminal amino acids 1–96 as prey. This protruding extension of GCH1 contains two canonical Type-I Src homology-3 (SH3) ligand domains located within amino acids 1–42. Our screen yielded seven unique clones that were subsequently shown to require amino acids 1–42 for binding to GCH1. The interaction of one of these clones, Activator of Heat Shock 90 kDa Protein (Aha1), with GCH1 was validated by glutathione-s-transferase (GST) pull-down assay. Although the physiological relevance of the Aha1–GCH1 interaction requires further study, Aha1 may recruit GCH1 into the endothelial nitric oxide synthase/heat shock protein (eNOS/Hsp90) complex to support changes in endothelial nitric oxide production through the local synthesis of BH4.
Trauma patients receiving CPR: predictors of survival.

Objective:To determine whether prehospital clinical assessments are associated with the survival of traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest (TCPA) patients and to test recently issued clinical guidelines for prehospital cessation of resuscitative efforts published by the National Association of Emergency P
Truncation errors in the Monte Carlo renormalization group: A comparative study

An explanation is given for the impressive success Swendsen has had in the determination of critical exponents using his method of truncation in the space of operators. A by-product is a way to further improve his numbers and estimate residual truncation errors.
Effects of hypophysectomy and growth hormone on ploidy distribution and mitotic activity of rat liver.

Summary1) Ploidy distribution patterns and mitotic activity in livers of young rats have been studied at various times following hypophysectomy, and compared with distributions in livers of rats of comparable weight. 2) It was found, within the time limits of this experiment, that there is a shift of ploidy distribution from one in which the diploid class of nuclei predominates to one in which the tetraploid class predominates. During this period of time the mitotic activity in these same livers decreases. 3) Hypophysectomy results in an arrest of the ploidy distribution consistent with the ratios present at the time of hypophysectomy. This is accompanied by a marked reduction in mitotic activity. 4) Growth hormone replacement in the operated animals restores both ploidy distribution pattern and mitotic activity to that seen in intact controls of comparable weight.The authors wish to acknowledge the technical assistance of Marilyn White and Marjorie Stoffel.
A rapid engine test to measure injector fouling in diesel engines using vegetable oil fuels

Short engine tests were used to determine the rate of carbon deposition on direct injection diesel nozzles. Winter rape, high-oleic and high-linoleic safflower blends with 50% diesel were tested for carbon deposit and compared to that with D-2 Diesel Control Fuel. Deposits were greatest with the most unsaturated fuel, high-linoleic safflower, and least with winter rape. All vegetable oil blends developed power similar to diesel fueled engines with a 6 to 8% greater fuel consumption.
Synthesis of amino-containing oligophenylsilsesquioxanes

Abstract A series of aminophenylsilsesquioxanes were prepared from octaphenylsilsesquiox-ane (OPS), dodecaphenylsilsesquioxane (DPS) and two polyphenylsilsesquioxanes, one a low molecular weight LMW oligomer (PPS) and the other a high molecular weight (HMW) PPS (Mn of 1.3×103, PPS) and two polyhedral materials. LMS and HMW PPS were obtained by polycondensation of PhSi(OEt)3 to form oligomeric, incompletely-condensed frameworks. The oligomer was used as is for nitration to produce LMW polynitrophenylsilsesquioxane (PNPS). However, optimization of hydrolysis and condensation processes using KOH as catalyst, led to a route to HMW PPS (Mn of 2.5×104, Mw of 6.1×104), which was best prepared in EtOH. OPS, DPS, LMW PPS (Mn of 1.3×103), and HMW PPS (Mn of 2.5×104), were nitrated using 90% fuming HNO3, and then reduced using triethylamine, formic acid, and 5% Pd/C in THF. The products were characterized using 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR, GPC, FT-IR, and TGA. Amino groups (NH2) were introduced primarily in meta and ortho positions in a 70:25 ratio with the remainder being para. It was determined that little or no OPS or DPS cage cleavage occurred coincident with nitration or reduction if the latter process was run at 40 °C, whereas the MW of HMW PPS decreased to 1.6×103 after nitration and reduction. The Mn suggests that for both LMW and HMW PPS, the same PAPS product forms, which consists of monomer, dimer, and trimer species.
Dynamic image correlation spectroscopy (ICS) and two-color image cross-correlation spectroscopy (ICCS): concepts and application

The interaction of macromolecules in space and time are known to be important for the regulation of many biochemical reactions. Image correlation spectroscopy (ICS) was recently introduced as an imaging analog of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy optimized for measuring the aggregation state of fluorescently labeled macromolecules on the surface of biological cells. We present two novel developments of dynamic ICS that will greatly enhance our abilities to measure molecular interactions as a function of time and space in living cells. We illustrate the use of a rapid scan two-photon microscope system to collect image series at high time resolution (30 frames/s) for dynamic ICS analysis. Secondly, we demonstrate the implementation of two-color image cross-correlation spectroscopy (ICCS) with a CLSM using multiple wavelength excitation, and with two-photon excitation of samples containing two different fluorescent species. Cross-correlation analysis allows the degree of co- localization of two different fluorophores to be measured directly. By performing two-color ICCS, we can monitor the interactions of non-identical labeled macromolecules as a function of time and space. We describe the experimental setup for both methods and illustrate the application for measurements of the diffusion coefficients of singly and doubly labeled fluorescent microspheres in aqueous solutions.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Inhibition of oxytocin release by morphine and its analogs.

SummaryTwo synthetic morphine analogs, butorphanol and oxilorphan have been found to inhibit suckling induced oxytocin (OT) release in lactating mice. Morphine when tested in a similar experimental set-up produced even greater inhibition. Naloxone could effectively block inhibitions induced both by butorphanol and by morphine. When injected alone, naloxone did not produce any inhibition. These results indicate that (a) butorphanol, oxilorphan and morphine inhibit suckling induced OT release in mice, (b) the analgesic property of these compounds is responsible for the inhibition, and (c) inhibition produced by morphine and butorphanol is specific in nature since it could be reversed by naloxone.
Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events After Gynecologic Surgery

Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism) are serious preventable complications associated with gynecologic surgery. Preoperative risk assessment of the individual patient will provide insight into the level of risk and the potential benefits of prophylaxis. Common risks include a history of venous thromboembolism, age, major surgery, cancer, use of oral contraceptives or hormone therapy, and obesity. Based on the presence of risk factors, the patient should be categorized into one of four risk groups and appropriate thromboprophylaxis prescribed. Randomized clinical trials in gynecologic surgery and general surgery have established the significant value of thromboprophylaxis. For moderate- and high-risk patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecologic conditions, low-dose unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight (LMW) heparins, intermittent pneumatic leg compression, and graded compression stockings all have demonstrated benefit. If using low-dose unfractionated heparin in high-risk patients, the heparin should be administered 5,000 units every 8 hours. Because DVT often begins in the perioperative period, it is important to initiate low-dose unfractionated heparin or administer the first LMW heparin dose either 2 hours preoperatively or 6 hours after the surgical procedure. Low molecular weight heparin has the advantage of being administered once daily but is more expensive than low-dose unfractionated heparin. In addition, LMW heparin has not been shown to be more effective and has similar risk of bleeding complications when compared with low-dose unfractionated heparin. In the very high-risk patient, a combination of two prophylactic methods may be advisable and continuing LMW heparin for 28 days postoperatively appears to be of added benefit.
Fates and migratory routes of primitive streak cells in the chick embryo

We have used carbocyanine dyes to fate map the primitive streak in the early chick embryo, from stages 3+ (mid-primitive streak) to 9 (8 somites). We show that presumptive notochord, foregut and medial somite do not originate solely from Hensen's node, but also from the anterior primitive streak. At early stages (4- and 4), there is no correlation between specific anteroposterior levels of the primitive streak and the final position of their descendants in the notochord. We describe in detail the contribution of specific levels of the primitive streak to the medial and lateral halves of the somites. To understand how the descendants of labelled cells reach their destinations in different tissues, we have followed the movement of labelled cells during their emigration from the primitive streak in living embryos, and find that cells destined to different structures follow defined pathways of movement, even if they arise from similar positions in the streak. Somite and notochord precursors migrate anteriorly within the streak and pass through different portions of the node; this provides an explanation for the segregation of notochord and somite territories in the node.