cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in Glaucoma

The anterior segment optical coherence tomography provides an objective method to assess the anterior segment of the eye, including the anatomy of the anterior chamber angle. This technology allows both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the angle and has shown potential in detecting and managing angle-closure glaucoma. In addition, it has a role in identifying pathology in some forms of secondary open-angle glaucoma and postsurgical management of glaucoma. Limitations of this technology include its cost and inability to visualize well structures posterior to the iris, such as the ciliary body. This paper focuses on potential benefits and limitations of anterior segment optical coherence tomography when compared with conventional gonioscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Various clinical entities will be described to discuss its potential role in glaucoma practice.
Image Control and Posttraumatic Symptoms in Children following Scud Missile Attacks

Based on previous studies reporting an association between high image control and low posttraumatic symptoms in adults exposed to a traumatic event, this study explored whether a high capacity for image control by children may serve as protective factor against the long-term effect of trauma. The sample consisted of 39 children displaced due to the destruction of their homes after the missile attack on Tel-Aviv during the Gulf War. Analysis confirmed the hypothesis that low scores on the Test of Visual Image Control were associated with specific posttraumatic symptoms but not with general ones.
The Parallel Solution Of Eigenproblems On Multiprocessor Systems

We describe here 'one-sided' Jacobi methods for solving eigenproblems on parallel architectures. These methods are modifications of the procedure introduced by Hestenesl, which uses only columns of the matrix. Thus, only 'local' information is needed in each processor. The Jacobi angle is determined from columns of the factored matrix and columns of the matrix which ultimately becomes the eigenvector matrix. The singular value decomposition may be considered as a special case. The eigenvalue decompositions for symmetric, real normal, and, orthogonal matrices may be regarded as generalizations. Extensions to the complex field are easily derived. We also describe a new formation of Jacobi rotation sets. These require only one send and one receive per set, and a complete set is found in the minimal n-1 steps. We use the ordering of the diagonal elements of the matrix so that, in general, one may obtain only a few of the eigenvalues (and vectors) as required. Implementations of these algorithms may be made on various kinds of parallel architectures, including the hypercube.
Proton association constants of His 37 in the Influenza-A M218-60 dimer-of-dimers.

The membrane protein M2 from influenza-A forms a single-pass transmembrane helix that assembles in lipid membrane as homotetramers whose primary function is to act as a proton transporter for viral...
Induction of a Ca2+-activated K+ channel in human erythrocytes by mechanical stress

Mechanical deformation of normal ATP-replete human erythrocytes increased their permeability to Ca2+ sufficiently to turn on the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel (the Gardos channel). When Ca2+ is absent, mechanical deformation of normal erythrocytes induces an equivalent increase the permeability of both Na+ and K+, In the presence of 0.1 to 1 mM Ca2+, a further increase in the K+ efflux rate was seen. There was no increase in Na+ flux above that induced by deformation itself. The involvement of the Ca(2+)-activated H channel was verified by showing the specific inhibitors of the channel, quinine and charybdotoxin, prevent the Ca(2+)-induced increase in K+ efflux. These results are consistent with a model of sickle cell dehydration proposed by Bookchin et al. ((1987) Prog. Clin. Biol. Res. 240, 193-200). The estimated rate of Ca2+ entry under these conditions (37 degrees C, 1000 dyne/cm2, and laminar shear) was about 1 mmol/loc per h.
Adsorbate Interactions in Metal Organic Frameworks Studied by Vibrational Spectroscopy

The role played by vibrational spectroscopy, in particular infrared absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering, is reviewed with a focus on its contribution to understanding adsorption mechanisms, specific interactions, and adsorption-induced structural changes in metal organic framework (MOF) materials. Through examination of subtle changes in the vibrational frequencies of both adsorbed gases and frameworks modes, specific interactions and dynamics occurring at the molecular level can be unraveled to an extent that is not possible with adsorption isotherm studies.
A Framework for Investigating the Link between Workplace Romance and Sexual Harassment

Workplace romance and sexual harassment are pervasive social-sexual phenomena in organizations. However, the processes through which dissolved workplace romances are most likely to foster sexually harassing behavior between former romantic partners are not known. The authors propose that the following factors play a critical role in influencing the likelihood that terminated workplace romances lead to sexually harassing behavior: (a) type of workplace romance as defined by pairing of each partner’s primary romance motive, (b) partners’ social power, (c) initiation of romantic relationship dissolution, (d) male partner’s sexual harassment proclivity, (e) nature of each partner’s residual affective state, and (f) organization’s tolerance for sexual harassment. Based on the role of these factors, the authors provide a framework and propositions that serve to guide future research addressing the link between dissolved workplace romances and sexually harassing behavior. Methodological considerations and implic...
Monoamine oxidase A and B substrates: probing the pathway for drug development

Drug-discovery and -development efforts focused on the MAOs have increased at an accelerated rate over the past decade. Since the first crystal structure of human MAO-B was solved in 2002, over 40 additional structures have been reported and have helped define new, or confirm speculative, binding modes of inhibitors. The detailed mechanism of the MAO-catalyzed oxidation of amine substrates has not been fully elucidated, but its significance is central in the development of new mechanism-based inactivators. Novel fungal MAO-N variants derived from directed evolution strategies are enabling the production of new chiral amine products. Robust assays have been established for measuring MAO status in tissue and cells, while improved MAO radioligands are being deployed for PET imaging studies. This review will attempt to highlight the more recent and salient aspects of MAO research in drug discovery and development, with emphasis on substrates 'probing the pathway'.
Need of LS-Dependent Energy Parameters in the Second Spectra of the Fifth-Group Elements*

In the analysis of As ii, the usual Slater–Condon treatment was found unsatisfactory for the multiconfiguration group 4s4p3–4p4d–4p5d–4p6d–4p7s. It was found that when LS-dependent parameters were introduced there was a substantial improvement of the agreement between experimental and calculated energy levels and for the Lande g factors as well. We carried out Hartree–Fock (HF) solutions for each term of this multiconfiguration and obtained convincing evidence of the necessity for LS-dependent parameters. In N ii, P ii, Sb 1i, and Bi ii, we found the same pattern to hold in the HF solutions for the sp3 and the corresponding first three pd configurations.
The influence of external debt on Latin American metal and mineral exports

Abstract Payment obligation on external debt often creates pressure on export expansion to earn the hard currency required to make debt service payment. This paper finds that debt service obligation is an important determinant of export supply of metals and minerals for some highly indebted Latin American countries. Export supply of metals and minerals from these countries increased during the last two decades, to meet rising debt service payments in the face of deteriorating export prices. This may have implication for metal and mineral consumption in these countries and therefore, for supply and prices in the world market.
Compatibility of the components of nitrogenase from soybean bacteroids and free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Abstract The ability of the components of nitrogenase from free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria to cross-react and form active enzyme complexes with the components of the enzyme isolated from a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing system was tested. Nitrogenase components of Azotobacter vinelandii, Bacillus polymyxa cross-reacted with components of nitrogenase from Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids. No evidence of a cross reaction was obtained in the case of Clostridium pasteurianum .
Activation of Th1 and Tc1 cell adenosine A2A receptors directly inhibits IL-2 secretion in vitro and IL-2-driven expansion in vivo

To evaluate the direct effect of adenosine on cytokine-polarized effector T cells, murine type 1 helper T cells (Th1) and type 1 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc1) and Th2/Tc2 cells were generated using an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-free method. Tc1 and Tc2 cells had similar adenosine signaling, as measured by intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) increase upon adenosine A(2A) receptor agonism by CGS21680 (CGS). CGS greatly reduced Tc1 and Tc2 cell interleukin 2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion, with nominal effect on interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion. Tc2 cell IL-4 and IL-5 secretion was not reduced by CGS, and IL-10 secretion was moderately reduced. Agonist-mediated inhibition of IL-2 and TNF-alpha secretion occurred via A(2A) receptors, with no involvement of A(1), A(2B), or A(3) receptors. Adenosine agonist concentrations that abrogated cytokine secretion did not inhibit Tc1 or Tc2 cell cytolytic function. Adenosine modulated effector T cells in vivo, as CGS administration reduced CD4(+)Th1 and CD8(+)Tc1 cell expansion to alloantigen and, in a separate model, reduced antigen-specific CD4(+) Th1 cell numbers. Remarkably, agonist-mediated T-cell inhibition was abrogated by in vivo IL-2 therapy. Adenosine receptor activation therefore preferentially inhibits type I cytokine secretion, most notably IL-2. Modulation of adenosine receptors may thus represent a suitable target primarily for inflammatory conditions mediated by Th1 and Tc1 cells.
A survey of attack and defense techniques for reputation systems

Reputation systems provide mechanisms to produce a metric encapsulating reputation for a given domain for each identity within the system. These systems seek to generate an accurate assessment in the face of various factors including but not limited to unprecedented community size and potentially adversarial environments.We focus on attacks and defense mechanisms in reputation systems. We present an analysis framework that allows for the general decomposition of existing reputation systems. We classify attacks against reputation systems by identifying which system components and design choices are the targets of attacks. We survey defense mechanisms employed by existing reputation systems. Finally, we analyze several landmark systems in the peer-to-peer domain, characterizing their individual strengths and weaknesses. Our work contributes to understanding (1) which design components of reputation systems are most vulnerable, (2) what are the most appropriate defense mechanisms and (3) how these defense mechanisms can be integrated into existing or future reputation systems to make them resilient to attacks.
CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES IN LACCARIA (AGARICALES). I. MEIOSIS AND POSTMEIOTIC MITOSIS

In the genus Laccaria, basidial formation, dikaryotic basidia, karyogamy, and meiosis were generally similar to structures and phenomena reported for other Agaricales. The haploid nuclei of dikaryotic basidia resided side by side in the basidium prior to karyogamy. Following karyogamy a single nucleolus was observed in L. montana (four-spored species); several nucleoli remained in the nucleus of L. tortilis (two-spored species). The haploid number of chromosomes for L. montana appeared to be n = 9. Postmeiotic mitosis typically occurred in the basidiospores resulting in binucleate basidiospores for four-spored species and quadrinucleate basidiospores for two-spored species. Postmeiotic mitosis sometimes occurred in the sterigmata and basidia proper. In instances where postmeiotic mitosis occurred in basidia, mature basidiospores were not formed and the basidia were collapsed, and contained up to eight nuclei.
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF AMERICAN INDIAN DRINKING: Perceptions of American Indian and White Officials

Research has shown that alcohol abuse is a significant problem among American Indians. It has been suggested, however, that American Indians and whites interpret the behavioral pattern differently,...
PEITC induces G1 cell cycle arrest on HT-29 cells through the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), an isothiocyanate abundantly found in cruciferous vegetables have been shown to induce apoptosis through MAPK pathway in prostate and colon cancer cells. In the present study, we investigate the effect of PEITC on cell cycle regulation of HT-29 colon cancer cells. Using flow cytometry and Western blot analyses, we found that PEITC significantly induced G1 cell cycle arrest in HT-29 cells. We showed that the cell cycle arrest was not related to beta-catenin translocation into the nucleus. Interestingly, inhibition of p38 attenuated the cell cycle arrest, suggesting that cell cycle arrest by PEITC was caused by the activation of MAPK pathway. Treatments of PEITC resulted in a dose-dependent down-regulation of cyclins A, D, E and pRb protein expression. The down-regulation can be attributed to the activation of the p38 pathway, since inhibition of its activities by specific inhibitor blocked PEITC’s ability to decrease the expression level of cyclins A and D and attenuate cell cycle arrest effect of PEITC. In conclusion, this study shows for the first time that PEITC can arrest HT-29 cells in G1 phase by down-regulation of cyclins through the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Asynchronous Progression through the Lytic Cascade and Variations in Intracellular Viral Loads Revealed by High-Throughput Single-Cell Analysis of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or human herpesvirus-8) is frequently tumorigenic in immunocompromised patients. The average intracellular viral copy number within infected cells, however, varies markedly by tumor type. Since the KSHV-encoded latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) tethers viral episomes to host heterochromatin and displays a punctate pattern by fluorescence microscopy, we investigated whether accurate quantification of individual LANA dots is predictive of intracellular viral genome load. Using a novel technology that integrates single-cell imaging with flow cytometry, we found that both the number and the summed immunofluorescence of individual LANA dots are directly proportional to the amount of intracellular viral DNA. Moreover, combining viral (immediate early lytic replication and transcription activator [RTA] and late lytic K8.1) and cellular (syndecan-1) staining with image-based flow cytometry, we were also able to rapidly and simultaneously distinguish among cells supporting latent, immediate early lytic, early lytic, late lytic, and a potential fourth "delayed late" category of lytic replication. Applying image-based flow cytometry to KSHV culture models, we found that de novo infection results in highly varied levels of intracellular viral load and that lytic induction of latently infected cells likewise leads to a heterogeneous population at various stages of reactivation. These findings additionally underscore the potential advantages of studying KSHV biology with high-throughput analysis of individual cells.
The Dynamics of Micronuclear Mitosis in the Living Ciliate Spirostomum teres as Revealed by Polarization Microscopy1

. Micronuclear mitosis in living Spirostomum teres has been studied by sensitive polarization microscopy, and the dynamic aspects of micronuclear division are described. The small, spherical, interphase micronuclei lie in form-fitting depressions in the macronuclear surface. Nuclear division begins with the rounding and slight swelling of the macronucleus and, coincidentally, the micronuclei move out of the depressions and away from the macronucleus, increase in size, and become weakly birefringent. As mitosis proceeds, the micronuclei increase in uniaxial birefringence and elongate to form irregular ovoids that convert to angular structures displaying principal axes of positive birefringence so divergent as to appear oriented at a right angle to one another. Micronuclei maintain this appearance for as long as 60 min and then abruptly change to rectangular-shaped structures, increase in uniaxial birefringence, and begin anaphase elongation. The somewhat dumbbell-shaped micronuclei lengthen at the constant rate of 2.0 μm/min to reach lengths >70 μm. It appears that little half-spindle shortening occurs during spindle elongation. Accompanying the changes in micronuclear spindle length are changes in birefringence. Just before elongation begins, presumably metaphase, the micronucleus is uniformly and intensely birefringent. At the magnifications employed, a chromosome plate is not clearly visible as a region of reduced birefringence. As elongation begins, the putative half-spindles are more birefringent than is the interzone, a condition that is maintained until the spindles have achieved ∼30% elongation, at which time a region of increased birefringence develops at the center of the interzone. This pattern persists for a very short time, then gives way to a uniform birefringence of the entire separation spindle that is maintained until elongation is completed. The rate of micronuclear spindle elongation, changes in micronuclear dimensions, and corresponding changes in birefringence are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms of mitosis.
Flexible graphite under repeated compression studied by electrical resistance measurements

Flexible graphite (a gasket material) under repeated compression was studied by real-time measurement of the electrical resistance perpendicular to the flexible graphite sheet, which was sandwiched by copper. The resistance decreased reversibly upon compression perpendicular to the sheet, due mainly to the reversible conformability of flexible graphite and the consequent reversible decrease of the contact resistivity between flexible graphite and copper. Two cycles of compression largely eliminated the irreversible resistance and strain changes. A low stress amplitude (<4 MPa) and a low strain amplitude (<25%) were necessary in order to minimize irreversible deformation of the flexible graphite itself.
Antigen retrieval reveals widespread basolateral expression of syntaxin 3 in renal epithelia.

SolubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins play a key role in docking and fusion of intracellular transport vesicles and may regulate apical and basolater...
The physics of particle acceleration at the heliospheric termination shock

Abstract Cosmic rays are ubiquitous in space, and the essential similarity of their energy spectra in many different regions places significant general constraints on the mechanisms for their acceleration and confinement. Diffusive shock acceleration is at present the most successful acceleration mechanism proposed, and, together with transport in Kolmogorov turbulence, can account for the universal specta. A unique laboratory for studying the acceleration and transport of charged particles is the outer heliosphere, including the solar wind termination shock and heliosheath. A widely accepted paradigm for the transport and acceleration of energetic particles in the heliosphere has evolved over the last few decades. This picture has successfully explained many features of the modulation of galactic cosmic rays and the transport and acceleration of anomalous cosmic rays at the solar-wind termination shock. Recent Voyager observations near and beyond the termination shock have revealed new, and in some cases, unexpected phenomena which have led to questions concerning the established paradigm. The physical interpretation of the observations requires a blunt termination shock, rapid inward motion of the shock and temporal variations over time scales ranging from hours to 22 years. Incorporation of these into the physics has promise of explaining most, if not, all of the observed phenomena while retaining the advantages of the termination shock paradigm for both galactic and anomalous cosmic rays.
Low Frequency Dielectric Dispersion of Clay-Water-Electrolyte Systems

—The dielectric properties of saturated kaolinite clay-water-electrolyte systems were determined over the frequency range of 30–105c/s. Very large dielectric constants are observed at low frequencies. Since the experimental data approach constant values at each end of this frequency spectrum, they can be described by a fairly well defined spectrum of relaxation times. The particle size and orientation, the type and amount of electrolyte, and temperature affect the low frequency dielectric increment and the average relaxtion time. Several physical processes, such as relaxtion due to dipolar rotational polarization, interfacial polarization, free space charge and bound ion polarization, are examined in an attempt to explain the observed data. It is concluded that there exists at present no theory to explain all the data, but the bound ion polarization mechanism appears to explain some of the results.
Pilgrims and progress: How magazines made thanksgiving

William Bradford wrote, at the beginning of his history Of Plymouth Plantation, “I must begin at the very root and rise” of the story, setting events down “in a plain style, with singular regard unto the simple truth in all things.” He intended to produce an accurate and clear account of the way the Plymouth settlers' lives unfolded. Readers after postmodernism may note with skepticism the governor's claim that his portrayal set down only the perfectly discoverable truth of the matter. Yet certain sparely depicted moments in his history lead us to accept the description “the simple truth” as the only one appropriate to his work.
The Coase Theorem and Suboptimization in Marketing Channels

Analytic and institutional approaches to channel coordination have developed independent of each other. This paper attempts to integrate both approaches by using the Coase Theorem, which has had wide application in the economics of natural resources and the law. Suboptimization means that total channel profits are lower than maximum attainable channel profits. Applying the Coase Theorem suggests that total channel profits can be maximized if property rights in the channel are well defined. Channel coordination is viewed in terms of defining rights, and several hypotheses regarding channel behavior are developed.
Identification and Validation of Novel Spinophilin-associated Proteins in Rodent Striatum Using an Enhanced ex Vivo Shotgun Proteomics Approach

Spinophilin regulates excitatory postsynaptic function and morphology during development by virtue of its interactions with filamentous actin, protein phosphatase 1, and a plethora of additional signaling proteins. To provide insight into the roles of spinophilin in mature brain, we characterized the spinophilin interactome in subcellular fractions solubilized from adult rodent striatum by using a shotgun proteomics approach to identify proteins in spinophilin immune complexes. Initial analyses of samples generated using a mouse spinophilin antibody detected 23 proteins that were not present in an IgG control sample; however, 12 of these proteins were detected in complexes isolated from spinophilin knock-out tissue. A second screen using two different spinophilin antibodies and either knock-out or IgG controls identified a total of 125 proteins. The probability of each protein being specifically associated with spinophilin in each sample was calculated, and proteins were ranked according to a χ2 analysis of the probabilities from analyses of multiple samples. Spinophilin and the known associated proteins neurabin and multiple isoforms of protein phosphatase 1 were specifically detected. Multiple, novel, spinophilin-associated proteins (myosin Va, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, neurofilament light polypeptide, postsynaptic density 95, α-actinin, and densin) were then shown to interact with GST fusion proteins containing fragments of spinophilin. Additional biochemical and transfected cell imaging studies showed that α-actinin and densin directly interact with residues 151–300 and 446–817, respectively, of spinophilin. Taken together, we have developed a multi-antibody, shotgun proteomics approach to characterize protein interactomes in native tissues, delineating the importance of knock-out tissue controls and providing novel insights into the nature and function of the spinophilin interactome in mature striatum.
Enzymatically cross-linked injectable gelatin gel as osteoblast delivery vehicle:

Injectable and degradable hydrogels are potential candidates as cell delivery vehicles for the regeneration of osseous defects. We evaluated the potential of injectable enzymatically cross-linked gelatin gel as an osteoblast delivery vehicle using murine preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Injectable hydrogels were prepared by enzymatic cross-linking of the phenol derivatives of gelatin (tyramine-modified) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and horseradish peroxidase. The effect of gelatin concentration on gel morphology and in supporting the adhesion and spreading of encapsulated MC3T3-E1 cells, activation of intercellular signaling in MC3T3-E1 cells by extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, β-catenin and Runx2 was evaluated. Both tyramine-modified and unmodified gelatins as well as gelatin gels did not activate intercellular signaling pathways in MC3T3-E1 cells. The encapsulated cells in gelatin gel showed extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and active β-catenin expr...
The Erdős-Szemerédi problem on sum set and product set

Summary The basic theme of this paper is the fact that if A is a finite set of integers, then the sum and product sets cannot both be small. A precise formulation of this fact is Conjecture 1 below due to Erd˝ os-Szemeredi (E-S). (see also (El), (T), and (K-T) for related aspects.) Only much weaker results or very special cases of this conjecture are presently known. One approach consists of assuming the sum set A + A small and then deriving that the product set AA is large (using Freiman's structure theorem) (cf. (N-T), (Na3)). We follow the reverse route and prove that if |AA| c � |A| 2 (see Theorem 1). A quantitative version of this phenomenon combined with the Plunnecke type of inequality (due to Ruzsa) permit us to settle completely a related conjecture in (E-S) on the growth in k .I f
Salt and solvent effects in “living” carbocationic polymerization

Carbocationic polymerization is strongly affected by medium and salt present in the system. The increase of solvent polarity enhances overall rates of cationic polymerization because it increases the proportion of carbocations in equilibrium with dormant covalent species. Higher solvent polarity might also increase molecular weights due to the reduction of transfer to counterions and may broaden polydispersity by slowing down an exchange between active and dormant species. Added salts may increase the proportion of ionic species by the ionic strength effect. The salts with common ions suppress free ions and lead to a monomodal molecular weight distribution by eliminating free ionic species with long lifetimes. The addition of tetrabutylammonium salts in the polymerization of styrene, initiated by 1-phenylethyl chloride and catalyzed by tin tetrachloride is a typical example. The special salt effect based on exchange of counterions may enhance or reduce the proportion of ionic species and may accelerate the exchange between active and dormant species, affecting the polymerization rates and polydispersities.
Morphology and Low Temperature Electrical Transport in Heteroepitaxial Indium Nitride Films

The correlation of low temperature electrical transport with the evolution of heteroepitaxy and morphology for sputtered indium nitride thin films has been studied. A series of indium nitride films were deposited at temperatures ranging from 50–650 °C by reactive rf magnetron sputtering onto the (00.1) face of sapphire. Above 350 °C, a transition occurs from a continuous morphology, in which grains are in intimate electrical contact, to an open, porous morphology with poor electrical contact. This transition in morphology deeply affects the electrical transport of the semiconductor. At low deposition temperature, the electrical transport is dominated by the relatively weak intergrain scattering leading to films with moderate mobility. As the deposition temperature is raised, the increasingly porous nature of the film leads to a deterioration in electrical mobility. It is proposed here that the relevant physics of these films is analogous to that for granular solids with a distribution of electrical connectivities that suggests a scattering potential dominated by disorder. In fact, the temperature dependence of the resistivity is found to be analogous to that observed in disordered and amorphous materials. In particular, the resistivity is characterized by: 1) A very weak temperature dependence; 2) The observation of a resistance minimum; and, 3) A steep rise in the low temperature (<4K) resistivity that follows a T1/2 dependence.
Relationship Between Acute Morphine and the Course of PTSD in Children With Burns

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the dose of morphine administered during a child’s hospitalization for an acute burn and the course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms over the 6-month period following discharge from the hospital. Method: Twenty-four children admitted to the hospital for an acute burn were assessed twice with the Child PTSD Reaction Index: while in the hospital and 6 months after discharge.The Colored Analogue Pain Scale was also administered during the hospitalization. All patients received morphine while in the hospital. The mean dose of morphine (mg/kg/ day) was calculated for each subject through chart review. Results: The Pearson product moment correlation revealed a significant association between the dose of morphine received while in the hospital and a 6-month reduction in PTSD symptoms. Children receiving higher doses of morphine had a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms over 6 months. Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility that acute treatment with morphine can secondarily prevent PTSD. This result is discussed in terms of the possible effect of morphine on fear conditioning and the consolidation of traumatic memory. J. Am.
Nonparametric Latent Feature Models for Link Prediction

As the availability and importance of relational data—such as the friendships summarized on a social networking website—increases, it becomes increasingly important to have good models for such data. The kinds of latent structure that have been considered for use in predicting links in such networks have been relatively limited. In particular, the machine learning community has focused on latent class models, adapting Bayesian nonparametric methods to jointly infer how many latent classes there are while learning which entities belong to each class. We pursue a similar approach with a richer kind of latent variable—latent features—using a Bayesian nonparametric approach to simultaneously infer the number of features at the same time we learn which entities have each feature. Our model combines these inferred features with known covariates in order to perform link prediction. We demonstrate that the greater expressiveness of this approach allows us to improve performance on three datasets.
Visual learning with reliable and unreliable features.

Existing studies of sensory integration demonstrate how the reliabilities of perceptual cues or features influence perceptual decisions. However, these studies tell us little about the influence of feature reliability on visual learning. In this article, we study the implications of feature reliability for perceptual learning in the context of binary classification tasks. We find that finite sets of training data (i.e., the stimuli and corresponding class labels used on training trials) contain different information about a learner’s parameters associated with reliable versus unreliable features. In particular, the statistical information provided by a finite number of training trials strongly constrains the set of possible parameter values associated with unreliable features, but only weakly constrains the parameter values associated with reliable features. Analyses of human subjects’ performances reveal that subjects were sensitive to this statistical information. Additional analyses examine why subjects were sub-optimal visual learners.
Murine Cytomegalovirus Is Regulated by a Discrete Subset of Natural Killer Cells Reactive with Monoclonal Antibody to Ly49h

Antiviral roles of natural killer (NK) cell subsets were examined in C57BL/6 mice infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and other viruses, including lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), vaccinia virus (VV), and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). Each virus vigorously induced an NK cell infiltrate into the peritoneal cavity and liver, causing some redistributions of NK cell subsets defined by monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against Ly49A, C/I, D, and G2. Striking results were seen with a mAb (1F8) reactive with the positively signaling molecule Ly49H, present in MCMV-resistant C57BL/6 mice. mAb 1F8 also stains Ly49 C and I, but exclusion of those reactivities with mAb 5E6, which recognizes Ly49 C and I, indicated that Ly49H(+) cells infiltrated the peritoneal cavity and liver and were particularly effective at synthesizing interferon gamma. Depletion of 1F8(+) but not 5E6(+) cells in vivo by mAb injections enhanced MCMV titers by 20-1,000-fold in the spleen and approximately fivefold in the liver. Titers of LCMV or VV were not enhanced. These anti-MCMV effects were attributed to prototypical NK1.1(+)CD3(-) NK cells and not to NK1.1(+)CD3(+) "NK/T" cells. This is the first evidence that control of a virus infection in vivo is mediated by a distinct NK cell subset.
A second-generation system for unbiased reading frame selection

Reading frame selection of nucleic acids has important implications for protein engineering and genomics. Current methods are limited because selection of the gene of interest inevitably depends on the solubility of its translated product. Here we report the construction of the pInSALect vector, which provides strict reading frame selection without concomitant selection for protein solubility or folding. This plasmid incorporates the cis-splicing VMA intein sequence from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to facilitate the post-translational self-excision of the protein of interest, thereby eliminating potential aggregation problems. Results from two libraries of chimeric glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferases confirm the superior performance of pInSALect over existing reading frame selection systems.
Comparison of interval timing behaviour in mice following dorsal or ventral hippocampal lesions with mice having δ -opioid receptor gene deletion

Mice with cytotoxic lesions of the dorsal hippocampus (DH) underestimated 15 s and 45 s target durations in a bi-peak procedure as evidenced by proportional leftward shifts of the peak functions that emerged during training as a result of decreases in both 'start' and 'stop' times. In contrast, mice with lesions of the ventral hippocampus (VH) displayed rightward shifts that were immediately present and were largely limited to increases in the 'stop' time for the 45 s target duration. Moreover, the effects of the DH lesions were congruent with the scalar property of interval timing in that the 15 s and 45 s functions superimposed when plotted on a relative timescale, whereas the effects of the VH lesions violated the scalar property. Mice with DH lesions also showed enhanced reversal learning in comparison to control and VH lesioned mice. These results are compared with the timing distortions observed in mice lacking δ-opioid receptors (Oprd1(-/-)) which were similar to mice with DH lesions. Taken together, these results suggest a balance between hippocampal-striatal interactions for interval timing and demonstrate possible functional dissociations along the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus in terms of motivation, timed response thresholds and encoding in temporal memory.
MESIC DECIDUOUS FOREST AS PATCHES OF SMALL-MAMMAL RICHNESS WITHIN AN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN FOREST

Forests of Southern Appalachia are critical habitats with respect to biodiversity, with a large portion of these forests residing on public multiuse lands. With pressure to extract timber from maturing forests, there is a need to identify the relative importance of forest types within the larger forest matrix. We examined small-mammal populations at 350 sample points across 157 km 2 of forested habitat in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Virginia, to determine landscape and habitat correlates of species abundance and richness. A total of 3,955 individuals representing 20 species were captured using live trap and pitfall sampling at each point during 1996 and 1997. Nine species were sufficiently common to examine their abundance relative to landscape and habitat features. We found species abundance and richness to be highest in mesic deciduous forest types, with the exception of Peromyscus leucopus. Soil moisture capacity and the proportion of mesic habitat within 100 m of the sample point were also important for several species. If mesic deciduous forest can be considered patches within a matrix of xeric forest, then the abundance of 4 species and species richness could be predicted based on the distance of the sample point to the nearest mesic patch and the abundance of 3 species inside mesic patches was related to patch size. At least 73% of mesic patches within this forest were ,25 ha and separated from other patches by .100 m. Our results indicate that mesic forest patches contain the bulk of the species richness for small mammals in the Southern Appalachian ecotype. Designing timber harvests that minimize use of mesic deciduous forest type and that does not decrease patch numbers would achieve the largest benefits to small mammals within the region.
Understanding Tidal Marsh Sedimentation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California

ABSTRACT Over 90% of the once vast tidal-freshwater wetlands of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta have been leveed and removed from tidal and floodwater inundation. Contemporary restoration efforts breach and/or remove the levees surrounding delta islands with the goal of regaining wetland habitat. However, experience so far with levee-breaches, both planned and unplanned, has shown that the transition from shallow open water to Tule marshes occurs slowly, if at all. Sedimentation rates in tidal marshes are an important control on this transition. This two-year study examined potential controlling factors on vertical accumulation including sediment type, and inorganic and organic soil components. Measured rates of surface accretion are in excess of 10 mm/yr. Gravimetric determinations show the main control on variations in soil accretion appears to be mineral sediment accumulation, with highest rates being close to inputs from the Sacramento River and lowest rates in interior marshes in the south-central d...
Machine learning guided exploration for sampling-based motion planning algorithms

We propose a machine learning (ML)-inspired approach to estimate the relevant region of a motion planning problem during the exploration phase of sampling-based path-planners. The algorithm guides the exploration so that it draws more samples from the relevant region as the number of iterations increases. The approach works in two steps: first, it predicts if a given sample is collision-free (classification phase) without calling the collision-checker, and it then estimates if it is a promising sample, i.e., if it has the potential to improve the current best solution (regression phase), without solving the local steering problem. The proposed exploration strategy is integrated to the RRT# algorithm. Numerical simulations demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Dehydropericyclic Reactions: Symmetry-Controlled Routes to Strained Reactive Intermediates.

The conceptual dehydrogenation of pericyclic reactions yields dehydropericyclic processes, which usually lead to strained or reactive intermediates. This is a simple scheme for inventing new chemical reactions. Computational results on two novel dehydropericyclic reactions are presented here. Conjugated enynes undergo a singlet-state photoisomerization that transposes the methylene carbon. We previously suggested excited-state closure to 1,2-cyclobutadiene followed by thermal ring opening. CCSD(T)//DFT computations show two minima of similar energy corresponding to 1,2-cyclobutadiene, one chiral and closed shell and the second a planar diradical. The chiral structure has a low barrier to ring opening and may best explain results on enyne photoisomerization. The first examples of 1,3-diyne + yne cycloadditions to give o-benzynes were reported in 1997. Computations on intramolecular versions of this tridehydro (−3H2) Diels–Alder reaction support a concerted mechanism for the parent triyne (1,3,8-nonatriyne)...
Towards half-dose pediatric brain F-18 FDG PET/CT

311 Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate if the radiation dose due to PET component in pediatric brain F-18 FDG PET/CT could be reduced by 50% using recently introduced PET time-of-flight (FX) technique and SharpIR (SIR) algorithm. Methods Five pediatric patients underwent whole brain F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging using D690 (GE) PET/CT scanner, following the administration of 0.15 mCi/kg. We obtained their brain PET images in 12-minute scans. We also simulated 50% dose reduction via reconstruction of simulated 6-minute scans from the acquired list data. FDG brain scans were reconstructed using VUE Point with FX and SIR algorithm. We used 2.0 mm Gaussian in-plane post filter, heavy axial filter and 18/4 and 16/8 subsets/iterations for full and half dose, respectively. Two groups of images were obtained: group A with 100% and group B with 50% dose, respectively. Four nuclear medicine physicians blinded to the administered activity independently reviewed the images and compared diagnostic quality of images. Results No significant differences were reported in the final interpretation of the images from A and B groups. Conclusions This study indicates that radiation dose from F-18 FDG PET for our 5 pediatric patients in whole brain PET/CT studies could be reduced 50% (i.e. allowing administration of 0.07 mCi/kg only) without compromising the diagnostic performance. The larger clinical trials are needed to confirm that 50% dose reduction could be applied to all pediatric patients
Let only millionaires vote

Satirical editorial in the Omaha World Herald, proposing that voting rights be limited to millionaires.
Conversion of metallic single-walled carbon nanotube networks to semiconducting through electrochemical ornamentation.

Field-effect transistors (FETs) that incorporate single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) networks experience decreased on–off current ratios (Ion/Ioff) due to the presence of metallic nanotubes. Herein, we describe a method to increase Ion/Ioff without the need for either specialized SWNT growth methods or post growth processing steps to remove metallic nanotubes. SWNTs that were grown using conventional arc discharge methods were deposited from aqueous suspension. Then, the SWNTs in the network were decorated with Cu2O nanoparticles that acted as controllable valves that restricted current flow at positive gate voltages. This resulted in an unprecedented reduction in Ioff, as the sub-10 nm sized nanoclusters acted as numerous tunable valves, providing greatly improved network sensitivity to gate voltages in the relatively small range of ±10 V, increasing Ion/Ioff by up to 205-fold. Larger nanoclusters were found to increase the network conductivity but decrease Ion/Ioff. The ability to convert metallic SWNT...
Oxidation of Phenol by Tris(1,10-phenanthroline)osmium(III)

Outer-sphere oxidation of phenols is under intense scrutiny because of questions related to the dynamics of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). Oxidation by cationic transition-metal complexes in aqueous solution presents special challenges because of the potential participation of the solvent as a proton acceptor and of the buffers as general base catalysts. Here we report that oxidation of phenol by a deficiency of [Os(phen)3]3+, as determined by stopped-flow spectrophotometry, yields a unique rate law that is second order in [osmium(III)] and [phenol] and inverse second order in [osmium(II)] and [H+]. A mechanism is inferred in which the phenoxyl radical is produced through a rapid PCET preequilibrium, followed by rate-limiting phenoxyl radical coupling. Marcus theory predicts that the rate of electron transfer from phenoxide to osmium(III) is fast enough to account for the rapid PCET preequilibrium, but it does not rule out the intervention of other pathways such as concerted proton–electron tran...
Excimer Laser Interactions with PTFE Relevant to Thin Film Growth

Recently, thin films of polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) have been grown using pulsed laser ablation of TeflonTM at 266 nm.1,2 To provide further insight into the growth mechanisms we have examined the neutral and charged particle emissions generated in vacuum by 0 - 3 J/cm2 pulses of 248 nm radiation incident on solid PTFE. Measurements include quadrupole and time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. We find in addition to the neutral monomer (C2F4), copious emissions of highly reactive neutral and charged radicals, e.g., CF2, CF3, CF, F, and Cx. A careful analysis of the fluence dependence of these products provides definitive evidence that their precursors are generated by a thermally driven unzipping reaction. Models for the production of the radical species with the observed energies (several eV) involving gas phase processes are presented. Implications for improving PTFE thin film growth will be discussed.
Advances and Prospects of Cold Tolerance in Rice

Development of types,physiological mechanism of chilling injury,identification methods,genetics and gene location of cold tolerance in rice were reviewed in this article.Advances and prospects on cold tolerance of rice in the future were also discussed.
The Significance of a Wall-bound, Hydroxyproline-containing Glyco-peptide in Lily Pollen Tube Elongation*

Publisher Summary Plant cell walls contain a structural glycoprotein, extensin, that has been proposed as a regulator of cell extension. Extensin is rich in hydroxyproline (hypro) that arises from the hydroxylation of peptide-bound proline. The regulation of pollen tube extension by endogenous substances, especially proteins, has received little attention. Although the presence of enzymes in pollen tube walls is well documented, the possibility that tube walls also contain structural proteins has not been widely considered. This chapter discusses a study to learn whether hypro is indeed a constituent of the lily pollen tube wall, whether the tube wall contains hypro-glycopeptides, and whether hypro-glycopeptides regulate tube elongation. The specific activities of wall-bound and cytoplasmic hypro differed with respect to both their levels and their labeling patterns.