cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Processing of Wild‐Type and Mutant Familial Alzheimer’s Disease‐Associated Presenilin‐1 in Cultured Neurons

Abstract: Mutations of presenilin (PS)-1, an endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi transmembrane protein, have been associated with early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). In mammalian brain, PS1 exists primarily as its processed fragments; however, the role of this cleavage event in PS1 function remains unclear. Although some investigators have shown that mutant PS1 processing is unaltered (with the exception of PS1-ΔE9, which lacks the cleavage site) in stably transfected cells and PS1-FAD transgenic mice, other investigators have reported altered FAD mutant PS1 and PS2 protein processing in transiently transfected cells and human FAD patients. The present study uses recombinant replication-defective adenoviral vectors to transiently express wild-type (WT) or mutant PS1 in various cells, including primary cultured hippocampal neurons. We show that in contrast to PS1-WT, overexpression of mutant PS1 results in an increased ratio of mutant holoprotein to endoproteolytic products that is dependent on cell type and differentiation state. In addition, mutant PS1 overexpression leads to an increase in caspase-type protease derived fragments above that seen with PS1-WT overexpression. Furthermore, overexpression of at least one mutant significantly alters the processing of coexpressed PS1-WT, suggesting that mutant PS1 may affect PS1-WT function. These findings suggest that a defect in PS1 holoprotein stability may be a general defect seen in cells expressing mutant PS1, especially neuronal cells, and may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of FAD.
Supporting Birth Parents in Adoption: A Couple Treatment Approach

Adoption yields benefits to most participants in the adoption triad; however, relinquishing a child is often a profound loss in birth parents’ lives. Although existing research suggests treatment considerations, there is a need for a comprehensive, systemic treatment approach to best support birth parents. This article proposes a couple treatment approach that incorporates suggestions from the birth parent literature with emotionally focused couple therapy, an empirically supported therapy model. The approach comprehensively addresses the needs of birth parents by punctuating couple strengths and resources, empowering couples, addressing the emotional experience of relinquishment, and acknowledging the contextual influences and consequences of relinquishment.
Characteristics And Types Of Participation In Social Worlds

The concept of social world is given greater analytical power by categorizing differential participation through a typology of social types—strangers, tourists, regulars, and insiders. These trans-situational social types are examined in terms of their commitment, relationships, experiences, and orientation to social worlds. Social worlds are also discussed in terms of three qualities of interaction—relevance, accessibility, and receptivity.
L-Ascorbic Acid: A Multifunctional Molecule Supporting Plant Growth and Development

L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is as essential to plants as it is to animals. Ascorbic acid functions as a major redox buffer and as a cofactor for enzymes involved in regulating photosynthesis, hormone biosynthesis, and regenerating other antioxidants. Ascorbic acid regulates cell division and growth and is involved in signal transduction. In contrast to the single pathway responsible for ascorbic acid biosynthesis in animals, plants use multiple pathways to synthesize ascorbic acid, perhaps reflecting the importance of this molecule to plant health. Given the importance of ascorbic acid to human nutrition, several technologies have been developed to increase the ascorbic acid content of plants through the manipulation of biosynthetic or recycling pathways. This paper provides an overview of these approaches as well as the consequences that changes in ascorbic acid content have on plant growth and function. Discussed is the capacity of plants to tolerate changes in ascorbic acid content. The many functions that ascorbic acid serves in plants, however, will require highly targeted approaches to improve their nutritional quality without compromising their health.
SU‐FF‐J‐55: Acceptance Testing and Quality‐Assurance Protocols for the Calypso® 4D Localization System™ and Q‐Fix®/Calypso® Couchtop

Purpose: To develop quality‐assurance (QA) protocols for the Calypso® 4D Localization System including acceptance testing, commissioning, daily QA, monthly QA, and annual QA. Method and Materials: The following acceptance testing/commissioning/QA protocols were developed following the implementation of the Calypso System at our institution. Both the Calypso System itself and a new Q‐fix/Calypso couch‐top were tested. The Calypso System tests consisted of (1) transponder imaging and treatment planning, (2) localization and tracking accuracy, (3) accuracy of motion measurements, (4) operational range of the array and system integration, (5) on‐board x‐ray imaging when using the array, (6) safety and collision checks, (7) automatic couch repositioning accuracy and functionality, (8) clinical application protocols and workflow. The Q‐fix/Calypso® couch‐top tests included mechanical tests (accuracy of motion along the three axes, angle indicator accuracy, isocentricity, and sag) as well as measurements of the attenuation through the new couch top and rails. Results:Localization/Tracking Accuracy: The Calypso‐measured displacements agreed with the known displacements within 1mm. Motion: The Calypso System measured the period and amplitude of the longitudinal sinusoidal motion within 0.1s and 0.1cm. Operational Range: We measured the operational range of the Calypso® array to be 14cm lateral, 15.8cm longitudinal, and 28.7cm vertical. Imaging: kV imaging clearly delineates the transponders. The presence of the array introduces significant noise into the CBCT scan, but still allows for localization of the transponders. Safety Checks: The appropriate warning messages were generated when the test patient plans were used. Automatic Couch Repositioning: The ACR correctly repositioned the phantom within 0.05cm of a known 3D shift. Q‐Fix/Calypso® Couch‐top: Recalibrating the vertical couch position was required (3mm change). The maximum couch attenuation was 3.6%, and rail attenuation was 9.9%. Conclusion: The Calypso® 4D Localization System was successfully implemented. Collection of baseline accuracy is important to ensure the continuing functionality of the system.
Quantitative measures of job variety: an experimental study-based on a psychophysical scaling technique

This paper presents some quantitative measures of job variety based on entropy statistics of information theory and on a modification of the Turner-Lawrence measure. By means of the psychophysical scaling technique of magnitude estimation, subjective judgements of variety for a number of different job situations were obtained from a total of 42 subjects. Power models or linear models between perceived variety and its physical correlates were found to explain up to 99% of the variation in perceived variety. Since job variety is generally considered to have a significant influence on motivation and job satisfaction, such quantitative models may possess practical utility for job design and for systematic programmes of job enlargement or enrichment.
The luminosity functions of embedded stellar clusters. 2: Numerical results

We use the theory developed previously to calculate the evolving luminosity functions of very young stellar clusters. The luminosity function of the protostars alone quickly attains a characteristic, sharply peaked shape, which it maintains throughout the time of cluster formation. For the pre-main-sequence stars, the function continually changes but displays a pronounced 'step' near a luminosity of 10 Solar luminosity for a prolonged period. At most times, the vast majority of cluster members are pre-main-sequence stars. However, the total cluster luminosity is dominated first by the protostellar and later by the main-sequence component. At these late times, it is the brightest stars which reach the main sequence first. Finaly, a preliminary application of our model to the rho Ophiuchi embedded cluster indicates that star formation has proceeded in that region for 1 x 10(exp 6).
Heat transfer in a laminar flow in a helical pipe filled with a fluid saturated porous medium

Abstract This paper presents the first attempt to investigate numerically heat transfer in a helical pipe filled with a fluid saturated porous medium; the analysis is based on the full momentum equation for porous media that accounts for the Brinkman and Forchheimer extensions of the Darcy law as well as for the flow inertia. Numerical computations are performed in an orthogonal helical coordinate system. The effects of the Darcy number, the Forchheimer coefficient as well as the Dean and Germano numbers on the axial flow velocity, secondary flow, temperature distribution, and the Nusselt number are investigated.
Tuning the Work Function of Gold with Self-Assembled Monolayers Derived from X−[C6H4−C⋮C−]nC6H4−SH (n = 0, 1, 2; X = H, F, CH3, CF3, and OCH3)

Changes in the work function of gold, ΔΦAu, induced by the formation of chemisorbed self-assembled monolayers derived from the series of titled arenethiol adsorbates X − (C6H4 − C⋮C−)nC6H4−SH (1, n = 0; 2, n = 1; 3, n = 2) have been measured by the Kelvin probe method. An analysis of these data indicates that variation in work function for a given chain length can be effectively modeled with two dipole sheets, as has been shown for other classes of self-assembled monolayers. Importantly, it is shown that monolayers of class 1 produce larger relative changes in work function for a given substituent X than those of either 2 or 3, presumably as a result of the larger polarizability of the longer chains present in the latter. Accordingly, these commercially available adsorbates are attractive for use in device applications requiring work function modification.
Zooplankton distribution in three estuarine bayous with different types of anthropogenic influence

Zooplankton was sampled in three tributaries of the Calcasieu Estuary: one flowing through an area of petrochemical industries, one through a municipal area, and one through an agricultural area. Synoptic comparisons among the bayous were made on eight trips over a two-year period. Additionally, each bayou was sampled intensively for small-scale distribution on four occasions. Numbers of all zooplankton taxa were consistently higher in the agricultural bayou than in either of the other bayous. Patterns of small-scale spatial variability also differed among the bayous. The agricultural bayou appeared to be a relatively healthy estuarine tributary. The municipal bayou was probably subjected to chronic environmental stress that is very severe in the vicinity of the municipal sewage and storm-drain outfalls. Evidence indicated that the industrial bayou suffered from frequent, but not continuous, episodes of environmental stress throughout its length.
Transient cortical blindness: a complication of bronchial artery embolization.

veno-occlusive disease in elderly man: case report and review of the literature. Jpn Circ J 1984; 48: 602-609. 6. Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital (Case 21-1986). N Engl J Med 1986; 314: 1435-1445. 7. Leinonen H, Pohjola-Sintonen S, Krogerus L. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Acta Med Stand 1987; 221: 307-3 10. 8. Schiller NB, Himelman R. Echocardiography and Doppler in clinical cardiology. In: Chaterjee K, Cheitlin MD, Karlinev Y, Parmley WW, Rapaport E, Scheinman M, eds. Cardiology: An Illustrated Text/ Reference. New York: Gower Medical Publishing, 1991: Chapter 4: 33-106. 9. Veyrat C, Kalmanson D, Farjou M, Manin JP, Abitbol G. Non-invasive diagnosis and assessment of tricuspid regurgitation and stenosis using one and twodimensional echopulsed Doppler. Br Heart J 1982; 47: 596-605. CASE REPORTS 983
Satellite observations of the ice cover of the Kuril Basin region of the Okhotsk Sea and its relation to the regional oceanography

For the period 1978-1982, this paper examines the nature of the sea ice which forms over the Kuril Basin of the Okhotsk Sea and describes the impact of this ice on the regional oceanography. The oceanographic behavior during the heavy ice season associated with the cold 1979 winter is compared with the behavior during the lighter ice years of 1980 and 1982. Examination of the oceanography in the Okhotsk and the adjacent Pacific shows that the early summer water column structure depends on the heat loss from the Okhotsk during the preceding ice season, the total amount of Okhotsk ice formation, and, specifically, the amount of the ice formation in the Kuril Basin. Following the 1979 ice season, the upper 200-300 m of the Kuril Basin waters were cooler, less saline, and richer in oxygen than for the other years. This modification appears to be a process local to the Kuril Basin, driven by eddy-induced mixing, local cooling, and ice melting.
The development of male-oriented behavior in rams

The sheep offers a unique mammalian model in which to study paradoxical same-sex sexual partner preferences. Variations in sexual partner preferences occur spontaneously with as many as 8% of rams in a population exhibiting a sexual preference for other rams (male-oriented). The current review presents an overview and update of the male-oriented ram model and discusses several theories that have been invoked to explain same-sex preferences in this species. Although our understanding of the biological determinants and underlying neural substrates of sexual attraction and mate selection are far from complete, compelling evidence is discussed that supports the idea that neural substrates regulating sexual partner preferences are organized during prenatal development. The challenge for future research will be to construct an integrated picture of how hormones, genes, and experience shape sexual partner preference.
Biophysical Studies of the c-MYC NHE III1 Promoter: Model Quadruplex Interactions with a Cationic Porphyrin

Regulation of the structural equilibrium of G-quadruplex-forming sequences located in the promoter regions of oncogenes by the binding of small molecules has shown potential as a new avenue for cancer chemotherapy. In this study, microcalorimetry (isothermal titration calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry), electronic spectroscopy (ultraviolet-visible and circular dichroism), and molecular modeling were used to probe the complex interactions between a cationic porphryin mesotetra (N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphine (TMPyP4) and the c-MYC PU 27-mer quadruplex. The stoichiometry at saturation is 4:1 mol of TMPyP4/c-MYC PU 27-mer G-quadruplex as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry, circular dichroism, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The four independent TMPyP4 binding sites fall into one of two modes. The two binding modes are different with respect to affinity, enthalpy change, and entropy change for formation of the 1:1 and 2:1, or 3:1 and 4:1 complexes. Binding of TMPyP4, at or near physiologic ionic strength ([K+] = 0.13 M), is described by a “two-independent-sites model.” The two highest-affinity sites exhibit a K1 of 1.6 × 107 M−1 and the two lowest-affinity sites exhibit a K2 of 4.2 × 105 M−1. Dissection of the free-energy change into the enthalpy- and entropy-change contributions for the two modes is consistent with both “intercalative” and “exterior” binding mechanisms. An additional complexity is that there may be as many as six possible conformational quadruplex isomers based on the sequence. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments demonstrated two distinct melting events (Tm1 = 74.7°C and Tm2 = 91.2°C) resulting from a mixture of at least two conformers for the c-MYC PU 27-mer in solution.
External beam radiotherapy for primary spinal cord tumors

Of 34 evaluated patients with primary spinal cord tumors, 32 were irradiated at our institutions between 1969 and 1983. The results are reported of 32 patients, 16 with ependymoma and 16 with astrocytoma, who were treated with postoperative external beam radiotherapy following biopsy or subtotal resection. Twenty-nine patients received 45–55 Gy megavoltage beam irradiation in five to six weeks, and the remaining three patients received less than 40 Gy. The minimum follow-up was five years. Five- and ten-year actuarial survival rates for the entire group of patients were 73% (22/30) and 50% (8/16), respectively, including three patients who were salvaged by surgery after radiotherapy failures. Corresponding five- and ten-year relapse-free survival rates were 60% (18/30) and 32% (6/19), respectively. Of the 29 patients who received more than 45 Gy, relapse-free survival at five years was 63% (17/27). Treatment failed in 13 patients, and all of those failures were within the irradiated portals. Patients with ependymomas have significantly better relapse free survival than those with astrocytomas, 80% vs. 40% (p 0.05). No radiotherapy-related neurological deficit was noted with a maximum 20 year follow-up. This study confirms that external beam radiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment modality for primary spinal cord tumors.
Inducible and Cell-Type Restricted Manipulation in the Entorhinal Cortex

The entorhinal cortex functions as the gateway to the hippocampal formation. However, its role in formation and consolidation of hippocampus-dependent memory remains relatively unexplored. In this issue of Neuron, Yasuda and Mayford report an elegant cell-type restricted inducible transgenic mouse overexpressing a mutant form of CaM kinase II selectively in superficial layers of medial entorhinal cortex and its upstream regions. These animals display a selective spatial memory deficit during the immediate posttraining period as well as during acquisition in the Morris water maze. Similar to the hippocampus, this time-limited involvement of entorhinal cortex in spatial memory processing suggests a crucial role for hippocampal-entorhinal circuitry in spatial memory formation.
Inhibition of protein–protein interaction of HER2–EGFR and HER2–HER3 by a rationally designed peptidomimetic

Protein–protein interactions (PPI) play a crucial role in many biological processes and modulation of PPI using small molecules to target hot spots has therapeutic value. As a model system we will ...
Long-Term Crop and Soil Response to Biosolids Applications in Dryland Wheat

Biosolids have the potential to improve degraded soils in grain-fallow rotations. Our objectives were to determine if repeated biosolids applications in wheat ( L.)-fallow could supply adequate but not excessive N for grain production and increase soil C without creating a high risk of P loss. A replicated on-farm experiment was established in 1994 in central Washington, comparing anaerobically digested biosolids with anhydrous NH and a zero-N control. Biosolids were applied at 5, 7, and 9 Mg ha every fourth year through 2010 and incorporated 10 cm deep, while anhydrous NH plots received 56 kg ha N every second year. Grain yield and protein were determined. Soil chemical, biological, and bulk density analyses were made in 2012. Medium and high biosolids rates significantly increased grain yield (3.63 vs. 3.13 Mg ha) and protein (103 vs. 85 g kg) compared with anhydrous NH averaged across all crops. The medium biosolids rate had significantly lower bulk density (1.05 vs. 1.22 g kg) and greater total C (0-10-cm depth) (16.9 vs. 9.4 g kg), mineralizable N (156 vs. 52 mg kg), and extractable P (114 vs. 16 mg kg) than anhydrous NH. The P index site vulnerability increased from low for anhydrous NH to medium for the biosolids treatments. Soil NO-N was nearly always <10 mg N kg soil (0-30-cm depth). Medium and high biosolids rates significantly increased bacteria/fungi ratios, Gram-negative bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria markers compared with anhydrous NH. Biosolids can be an agronomically and environmentally sound management practice in wheat-fallow systems.
3D Target Scale Estimation and Target Feature Separation for Size Preserving Tracking in PTZ Video

To achieve size preserving tracking, in addition to controlling the camera's pan and tilt motions to keep the object of interest in the camera's field of view (FOV), the camera's focal length is adjusted automatically to compensate for the changes in the target's image size caused by the relative motion between the camera and the target. The estimation accuracy of these changes determines the effectiveness of the resulting zoom control. The existing method of choice for real-time target scale estimation applies structure from motion (SFM) based on the weak perspective projection model. In this paper we propose a target scale estimation algorithm with a linear solution based on the more advanced paraperspective projection model, which improves the accuracy of scale estimation by considering center offset. Another key issue in SFM based algorithms is the separation of target and background features, especially when composite camera (pan/tilt/zoom) and target motions are involved. This paper designs a fast target feature separation/grouping algorithm, the 3D affine shape method. The resulting separation automatically adapts to the target's 3D geometry and motion and is able to accommodate a large amount of off-plane rotation, which most existing separation/grouping algorithms find difficult to achieve. Experimental results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scale estimation and feature separation algorithms in tracking translating and rotating objects with a PTZ camera while preserving their sizes. In comparison with the leading size preserving tracking algorithm described by Tordoff and Murray, our algorithm is able to reduce the cumulative tracking error significantly from 17.4% to 3.3%.
Laser Studies of the SiH Radical/Surface Interaction During Deposition of a thin Film

This paper presents a new method for studying the interaction of radicals with the surface of a depositing film using a combination of laser spectroscopy and molecular beam techniques. The reactivity of SiH molecules with the surface of a depositing a-Si:H film is measured to be at least 0.95, with no strong dependence on rotational state.
Relativistic electron motion in a resonant cavity with time varying and inhomogeneous magnetic fields

An electron rotating under the influence of a magnetic field can be accelerated by a resonant rotating RF electric field. To prolong this interaction the magnetic field is inhomogeneous in space (magnetic mirror), and time varying for the dynamic adjustment of the synchronism. The acceleration process is described by the relativistic and nonlinear equations for the motion and the fields. The process can be better understood through simulations which predict the electron trajectory and the gain in kinetic energy under various field configurations. The simulation program was tested for cases with known results with good agreement. Subsequently, many simulations were done for the general case to investigate the influence of the injection position and velocity of the electron, and the configuration and strength of the fields. Critical comparison of these results allowed optimization for maximum energy gain.
The Linguistic Consequences of Boundaries, Borderlands, and Frontiers

This article reviews research in several branches of linguistic scholarship which deal with language boundaries and with the effects of boundaries and frontiers on language. The purpose is to demonstrate the relevance of that research to borderland studies.
Hydration status affects sodium, potassium, and chloride transport across rat urothelia

Recent data suggest possible net transport of urinary constituents across mammalian urinary tract epithelia (urothelia). To evaluate the effect of animal hydration status on such transport, we instilled urine collected during 2-day water deprivation, water loading, or ad libitum water intake into isolated in situ bladder(s) of groups of rats undergoing one of the same three hydration states. After 1-h bladder dwell, we retrieved the urine and measured differences in volume and solute concentrations between instilled and retrieved urine. We previously reported results regarding changes in urine volume and net urea and creatinine transport and herein report the results of net urinary sodium, potassium, and chloride transport in the same animals. During water-loading conditions, urinary concentrations of Na, K, and Cl rose 4.9 (30.7%), 2.6 (16.5%), and 6.0 meq/l (26.8%), respectively, indicating urothelial secretion into urine. During ad libitum water intake, urinary K and Cl concentrations fell 33.6 (14.8%) and 28.4 meq/l (12%), respectively (Na did not change), and during water deprivation urine Na, K, and Cl concentrations fell dramatically by 53.2 (18.6%), 159.4 (34.6%) and 133.7 meq/l (33.8%), respectively, reflecting urothelial reabsorption of each ion. For each ionic species, two factors independently influenced transport: instilled urinary ion concentration and animal hydration state. These results demonstrate significant regulated ion transport across mammalian urothelia, support the notion that lower urinary tract modifies final urine, and suggest that the lower urinary tract may play a role in local and whole animal solute homeostasis.
The multidimensional nature of perceived barriers: global versus practical barriers to HPV vaccination.

OBJECTIVE Perceived barriers are one of the strongest determinants of health behavior. The current study presents a novel conceptualization of perceived barriers by testing the following hypotheses: (a) perceived barriers are multidimensional and thus should cluster into distinct factors; (b) practical barriers should be salient for individuals intending to engage in a particular health behavior, whereas global barriers should be salient for individuals not intending to enact the behavior; and (c) whereas global barriers should be negatively associated with behavioral intentions, practical barriers should be positively related to intentions. METHODS The context for this investigation was young adult women's perceived barriers to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Two months after viewing an educational video about HPV vaccination, women (aged 18-26) who had not received any doses of the HPV vaccine (n = 703) reported their perceived barriers to HPV vaccination and intentions to receive the vaccine. RESULTS Relative to the conventional single-factor approach, a five-factor model provided a better fit to the data and accounted for a larger proportion of variance in vaccination intentions. The relative salience of different perceived barriers varied as a function of women's intentions. Participants who were not intending to get vaccinated cited global concerns about vaccine safety and low perceived need for the vaccine. In contrast, participants intending to get vaccinated cited practical concerns (cost, logistical barriers) related to carrying out their intentions. Moreover, whereas global perceived barriers were associated with lower intentions, practical barriers were associated with higher intentions. CONCLUSIONS Perceived barriers are multidimensional and vary systematically as a function of people's behavioral intentions.
Inflation-deployed camera and hyper-thin mirrors

Inflatable optics have the potential for large reduction in launch mass and volume, but they involve significant challenges to achieve the wavefront accuracy required for diffraction-limited operation in the visible and near IR. Current studies identify two major subsets of this topic: 1) inflation-deployed structures with a monolithic, but rolled, hyper-thin primary mirror and 2) an inflatable structure and inflatable membrane primary mirror. We address the current state of the art, the challenges involved, and a program development plan.
Analogue fault diagnosis of active networks via bias modulation

A new branch fault location technique for active networks is proposed, which requires a single excitation source at one test frequency. Diagnosable branch-diagnosis equations are constructed by modulating the bias of nonlinear devices in the network. The constraints on the bias transitions and test frequency are addressed for a general network where q network elements are modulated or q bias transitions are used. A network element whose value is varied externally (i.e. by test equipment) is defined as a modulated element. An example of the proposed technique applied to a two-stage cascade amplifier is given.
Random Accessibility as a Parallelism to Reliability Studies on Simple Graphs

ABSTRACT Graphs are classified according to the numbers of vertices and edges they contain. For simple graphs a concept of accessibility is defined and its relation to the graph reliability problem is investigated. Exact results are derived for special subclasses of bipartite and tripartite graphs in relation to accessibility. Several conjectures on the relation of accessibility and all-terminal reliability are numerically illustrated without proof.
C‐6 Glioma Growth in Rats: Suppression with a β‐Adrenergic Agonist and a Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor

Rat C-6 glioma possesses a beta-adrenergic receptor which, when activated, raises intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cultured C-6 glioma cells. The present study shows that growth of C-6 glioma is suppressed in rats treated with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. Addition of papaverine, a cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, to the treatment schedule augments this effect. Pharmacological agents that elevate intracellular cAMP levels may retard the growth of neural tumors in vivo.
Myoplasmic calcium changes precede metabolic and clinical signs of porcine malignant hyperthermia.

This study examines the chronologic relationship of the biochemical and clinical development of malignant hyperthermia (MH) in susceptible swine. Four pigs previously established by challenge to be susceptible to MH were studied. Monitors included end-tidal CO2 (ETco2), transcutaneous oxygen saturation (Spo2), intraarterial blood pressure, rectal temperature, electrocardiogram (ECG), and train-of-four twitch measurements. Calcium-selective micro-electrodes were used to monitor changes in the concentration of free myoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]i). The animals were studied in the resting state, during the development of the syndrome, and after treatment with dantrolene sodium. The increase in [Ca2+]i preceded the increase in ETco2 that preceded a decrease in Spo2 that preceded the classic first sign, tachycardia, and all preceded the increase in rectal temperature. Dantrolene reversed all of these physiologic changes in the same order of precedence as the increase.
Changes in the prolactin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) during the menstrual cycle of normal women.

Serum prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) levels were measured after iv administration of 200μg of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in 20 normal women ages 18 to 34. Ten women received TRH on days 7 to 8 of the menstrual cycle and 10 women received TRH on days 21–22. Although there was no difference in the dose of TRH relative to body weight in the two groups of women, the peak PRL level after TRH stimulation was greater in the women studied on day 21–22 (48.5±5.7 ng/ml, mean±SE) than on day 7–8(35.2±4.2 ng/ml) of the cycle (P<0.05). In contrast, TSH rose to a greater degree in the preovulatory phase (13.8±1.8μU/ml) than the luteal phase (7.7±0.7μU/ml of the cycle (P<.01). Studies of the PRL and TSH response after TRH administration should take the phase of the menstrual cycle into account.
Identification of the urethane‐epoxy reaction product

The probable molecular structure resulting from a reaction of equal parts of a Bisphenol A/Epichlorohydrin epoxy and a Tolylene Diisocyanate Prepolymer with a selected diamine has been identified by using spectrometry. This identification presents additional opportunities for attaching other complex molecules to either of the basic resins. Not only can this technique lead to an interesting family of hybrid plastics, but it is another step toward designing specific molecules for specific applications.
An Outpatient Drug Program for Adolescent Students: Preliminary Evaluation

Adolescent students with drug problems were rostered by their schools at the program facility one-half day per week. Treatment was aimed at increasing communicativeness through art, video, music, group therapy, and individual counseling when appropriate. After 4 months, school personnel, students, and treatment staff indicated that drug taking had decreased and general adjustment improved. Statistically, the treatment group (N = 42) improved significantly more than a control group (N = 37) in school attendance. They also tended to do better in academic, behavior, and work habit grades although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Further similar early intervention studies are warranted.
The performance of play, the “great poem,” and ethics

Research on play typically approaches the phenomenon as a strategy for managing and manipulating interactive episodes. Drawing on speculations recently advanced in the area of conversation analysis, this essay develops a more philosophical appreciation of the matter. Theories of play found in the works of Martin Heidegger, Jacques Derrida, and Hans‐Georg Gadamer are discussed to suggest how the performance of play defines a phenomenon that is not simply the play of someone who is playing but that nevertheless is fundamentally related to who we are as language‐users, as creatures of conversation, as beings who make the world meaningful and ethical by way of our discursive practices. Special attention is given to the relationship that exists between play and ethics and how this relationship may or may not be a sign of what has been termed “the great poem speaking us into being.”
Aortic atresia with interruption of the aortic arch and an aortopulmonary fistulous tract: Case report

We present a case of interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) in association with aortic atresia. A pulmonary artery to ascending aorta fistulous channel at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva of the pulmonary artery was present and supplied the ascending aorta and coronary arteries. The communication had a significant length, so embryologically it is not an aortopulmonary window. There have been only three reported cases in the literature of IAA with aortic atresia; in none was a pulmonary artery to ascending aorta fistulous tract present.
Climatic aspects of extreme temperatures in coastal waters

[1] Daily temperature records from Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA are used to examine characteristics of temperature extremes from 1945 to 2006. Winter extreme temperatures are increasing at 2.0 degrees C/century compared to the rate of summer extremes of 0.8 degree C/century, which leads to a reduction of the annual temperature range. An even more intriguing result is that while summer peak is not changing, winter minimum and spring are arriving earlier by approximately 22 and 10 days/century, respectively. The results seem to suggest that the unequal seasonal distribution of greenhouse gases could be the cause for faster winter warming trend. The mean values of the scale and shape parameters of the Weibull probability density functions for winter and summer observations are identical. The Weibull distribution parameters derived in this study can be used to estimate the hottest and coldest daily temperatures for any given year provided the mean temperature is known.
FOUR THEORIES OF FILIAL DUTY

Children have special duties to their parents: there are things that we ought to do for our parents, but not for just anyone. Three competing accounts of filial duty appear in the literature: the debt theory, the gratitude theory and the friendship theory. Each is unsatisfactory: each tries to assimilate the moral relationship between parent and child to some independently understood conception of duty, but this relationship is different in structure and content from any that we are likely to share with anyone apart from a parent. A more promising account will concentrate on what is unique about the parent-child relationship. I articulate and defend the ‘special goods theory’, according to which filial duties arise from the distinctive kinds of goods that healthy parent-child relationships typically involve.
Somatic ‘Soluble’ Adenylyl Cyclase Isoforms Are Unaffected in Sacytm1Lex/Sacytm1Lex ‘Knockout’ Mice

Background Mammalian Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC, Adcy10, or Sacy) represents a source of the second messenger cAMP distinct from the widely studied, G protein-regulated transmembrane adenylyl cyclases. Genetic deletion of the second through fourth coding exons in Sacytm1Lex/Sacytm1Lex knockout mice results in a male sterile phenotype. The absence of any major somatic phenotype is inconsistent with the variety of somatic functions identified for sAC using pharmacological inhibitors and RNA interference. Principal Findings We now use immunological and molecular biological methods to demonstrate that somatic tissues express a previously unknown isoform of sAC, which utilizes a unique start site, and which ‘escapes’ the design of the Sacytm1Lex knockout allele. Conclusions/Significance These studies reveal increased complexity at the sAC locus, and they suggest that the known isoforms of sAC play a unique function in male germ cells.
Chronic social stress in the visible burrow system modulates stress-related gene expression in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

Abstract Prolonged social subjugation produces physiological indices of chronic stress in rats. In the current study, we examined the impact of social stress on glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) isoforms, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin mRNA expression in forebrain stress circuitry, using the visible burrow system model of dominance–subordination. Subordinate male rats develop behavioral and neuroendocrine changes consistent with exposure to chronic stress, including marked loss of body weight and elevation of basal plasma corticosterone relative to dominant rats. Forebrain GAD65, GAD67, CRH and vasopressin mRNA expression in central stress-regulatory circuits were examined by in situ hybridization. Elevated CRH mRNA was observed in the oval nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) of subordinate males. In contrast, GAD67 expression was decreased in the interfascicular nucleus of the BST in both the subordinate and dominant rats compared to non-burrow control rats. No changes in CRH, GAD or vasopressin were observed in amygdaloid nuclei, other BST nuclei or in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Collectively, these data suggest that exposure to the visible burrow system attenuates BST GAD expression regardless of social status, whereas the enhanced physiological responses to social stress seen in subordinates may be associated with enhanced CRH expression in the oval nucleus of the BST.
Deformation and diagenesis in an ancient mud diapir, southwest Japan

Sandstone blocks in an ancient mud diapir in the Tertiary Shimanto belt record isotropic dilation in the form of a three-dimensional (3-D) disaggregation texture that is similar to textures documented in ancient and active mud diapirs in many locations worldwide. We attribute this unusual texture to the combination of porosity loss in the margins of the sandstone block due to diagenetic reactions, and decompression as the diapir was emplaced. The expansion and degassing of pore-filling fluids, coupled with the low porosity, resulted in the isotropic dilation of the blocks. Similar porosity-reducing diagenetic reactions may seal off permeable wall-rock units penetrated by mud diapirs and thus aid in the generation and maintenance of overpressures. In addition, the textures we document may be useful in recognizing mud diapirs in the rock record.
Energy‐absorbing characteristics of foamed polymers

The energy-absorbing characteristics of a foam are determined by its load–compression response, and hence reflect the geometric structure and physical properties of the matrix material. In this report, the energy-absorbing characteristics are expressed in terms of three dimensionless quantities: (1) K, the energy-absorbing efficiency, (2) I, the impact energy per unit volume divided by Ef, and (3) I/K, the maximum decelerating force per unit area divided by Ef, where Ef is the apparent Young's modulus. Using the calculation procedures described in this report, it is now possible to delineate the geometric structure and physical properties a foam matrix must possess to meet a given energy absorption specification. This approach shows that: (1) the energy-absorbing characteristics of a brittle foam are superior to those of a ductile foam, (2) the optimum energy-absorbing foam has a large cell size, a narrow cell size distribution, and a minimum number of reinforcing membranes between the cells, (3) foam composites offer no significant advantage over a single foam, and (4) the optimum energy-absorbing region obtains over a tenfold change in impact velocity and can be extended in a given system only if the foam stiffness increases while the impact velocity is increased, as in a fluidfilled foam.
Simple Microfluidic Integration of 3D Optical Sensors Based on Solvent Immersion Lithography

We will present Solvent Immersion Lithography (SIL) for microsystem prototyping in less than one minute. Our focus will primarily be on 3D optical sensor integration for biological applications in microfluidics and chemical microreactors.
Boosting the performance of flow-sensitive points-to analysis using value flow

Points-to analysis is a fundamental static analysis technique which computes the set of memory objects that a pointer may point to. Many different applications, such as security-related program analyses, bug checking, and analyses of multi-threaded programs, require precise points-to information to be effective. Recent work has focused on improving the precision of points-to analysis through flow-sensitivity and great progress has been made. However, even with all recent progress, flow-sensitive points-to analysis can still be much slower than a flow-insensitive analysis.In this paper, we propose a novel method that simplifies flow-sensitive points-to analysis to a general graph reachability problem in a value flow graph. The value flow graph summarizes dependencies between pointer variables, including those memory dependencies via pointer dereferences. The points-to set for each pointer variable can then be computed as the set of memory objects that can reach it in the graph. We develop an algorithm to build the value flow graph efficiently by examining the pointed-to-by set of a memory object, i.e., the set of pointers that point to an object. The pointed-to-by information of memory objects is very useful for applications such as escape analysis, and information flow analysis.Our approach is intuitive, easy to implement and very efficient. The implementation is around 2000 lines of code and it is more efficient than existing flow-sensitive points-to analyses. The runtime is comparable with the state-of-the-art flow-insensitive points-to analysis.
International Customers, Suppliers, and Document Delivery in a Fee-Based Information Service

The Purdue University Libraries library fee-based information service, the Technical Information Service (TIS), works with both international customers and international suppliers to meet its customers' needs for difficult and esoteric document requests. Successful completion of these orders requires the ability to verify fragmentary citations; ascertain documents' availability; obtain pricing information; calculate inclusive cost quotes; meet customers' deadlines; accept international payments; and ship across borders. While international orders make up a small percent of the total workload, these challenging and rewarding orders meet customers' needs and offer continuous improvement opportunities to the staff.
Pharmacokinetics of Calcium Antagonists Under Development

Calcium antagonist drugs under clinical development are of the Type I (verapamil, diltiazem-like) and Type II (nifedipine-like) classes. Tiapamil, the only Type I drug currently available, is a high clearance, widely distributed drug which undergoes extensive presystemic elimination. Pharmacokinetically it is quite similar to verapamil; however, it does have increased biliary excretion and decreased binding to plasma proteins. Eight Type II (dihydropyridine) drugs are reviewed. Seven of these drugs (felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nilvadipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine and nitrendipine) are pharmacokinetically similar to nifedipine, with high clearance, extensive distribution, and significant presystemic elimination. Amlodipine has lower clearance, even greater peripheral distribution, and greatly decreased presystemic elimination. Three of the 8 dihydropyridines have been reported to have plasma protein binding greater than 90%. Unlike nifedipine, each dihydropyridine drug under development has an asymmetric centre; therefore each in fact is a racemic mixture. Human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data have not been reported for any of the racemates. Each of the drugs has been studied in patients with hepatic and renal disease. Predictably, patients with severe hepatic disease have decreased presystemic clearance and, in some cases decreased clearance after intravenous administration of the dihydropyridines, although renal failure has little influence on their pharmacokinetics. Unfortunately, disease-drug interaction studies of this class of drugs do not generally report plasma protein binding. The effect of age on the disposition of 2 of the dihydropyridines has been reported; however, only for nicardipine can a conclusion be drawn, namely that volume of distribution may increase with age and clearance may remain unchanged. A variety of potential drug-drug interactions have been evaluated, most commonly the effect of these drugs on cardiac glycoside disposition and effect, and the effect of cimetidine on the disposition of dihydropyridines. Tiapamil, like verapamil, impairs digoxin clearance significantly. Among the dihydropyridines, although minor pharmacokinetic effects have in some cases been reported, the magnitude of the interactions suggest they have limited clinical importance. From drugs currently under development, it is clear that a large number of calcium antagonists will soon be introduced into clinical use. Only 1 of the newer drugs, amlodipine, has significant pharmacokinetic differences from the agents currently in use, although possible pharmacodynamic differences among the drugs have been suggested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The direct basophil degranulation test and the intracutaneous test: A comparison using food extracts

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the direct basophil degranulation test (DBDT) of Hirsch and Zastrow 9 with the intracutaneous (IC) test in subjects with and without histories of food allergy. The DBDT was performed by incubating the concentrated leukocytes of subjects with dilutions of the suspected allergenic extract and comparing the number of nondegranulated basophils remaining in the test samples with the number remaining in a control. The test sample with the least number of basophils represents maximal basophil degranulation. The DBDT was performed with extracts of the suspected food on 14 subjects with reliable clinical histories and positive IC tests indicative of food hypersensitivity. Thirteen of these 14 food-sensitive subjects also had IC and DBDTs to the extracts of foods to which they were not clinically sensitive. Fourteen different subjects not allergic to foods were also tested with food extracts by the IC and DBDTs. There was a 92% correlation between the IC test and the DBDT, a 90% correlation between the IC test and the history, and an 86% correlation between the DBDT and the history. We conclude that, in this study of subjects clearly sensitive to foods, the DBDT correlates favorably with the history and IC test.