cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA-associated acidic proteins

Abstract After previous removal of acid-soluble nuclear proteins and of RNA, 0.5 M hot perchloric acid extracts DNA together with associated acidic proteins from Ehrlich ascites cell nuclei. The specific activity of these DNA-associated proteins, after pulse-labeling of cells kept in minimal medium, is higher than the specific activity of other nuclear proteins. Their specific activity is proportional to the synthesis of RNA with DNA-like base composition and is not correlated with synthesis of ribosomal precursor RNA and DNA. Centrifugation in CsCl showed that labeled amino acids are associated with DNA in the form of protein molecules and not in the form of amino acids. Labeling experiments indicated that DNA-associated proteins are a mixture of proteins which are labeled independently of each other. Despite their close association with DNA, the synthesis of these proteins is inhibited to the same extent as synthesis of all other proteins by actinomycin D, puromycin and ribonuclease. This indicates that DNA-associated proteins are synthesized in the usual way, by translation of RNA on the ribosomal system. The presence of these proteins is not limited to Ehrlich ascites cells; DNA-associated proteins were also found in various organs of rats. Their specific activity is low in liver in vivo during synthesis of ribosomal precursor RNA. In the liver of starved animals where RNA synthesis is switched to synthesis of RNA with a DNA-like base composition the specific activity of DNA-associated proteins is substantially increased. All of these findings support the proposition that DNA-associated proteins are involved in the control of DNA-like RNA synthesis on DNA template.
White Blood Cell Telomerase Activity and Incident Respiratory Illness Among Community‐Dwelling Elderly Vaccinated Against Seasonal Influenza

Immune cell telomerase activity may impact vaccine response in the elderly. Fifty persons aged 60–100 years were tested for post-influenza vaccination telomerase RNA expression (TERT) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells to assess for an association with influenza antibody levels and influenza-like illness or incident respiratory infection (IRI) in the year following vaccination. High rates of seroprotective influenza antibody (⩾1:40 titers) were observed post-vaccination (86–92% to vaccine viral strains), with no association to TERT. No IRI occurred among persons in the top quartile of TERT expression, whereas the IRI rate was 33% in the lower three quartiles (Kaplan–Meier P=0.028). TERT expression was also IRI significantly higher in those who did not experience IRI than those who did in the follow-up period (0.845 vs. 0.301, P=0.024). These data suggest that telomerase expression may correlate with immune capacity for vaccine response in the elderly and could represent a target for recognizing risk for vaccine failure. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2007) 82, 694–699. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100410; published online 31 October 2007
Metaphyseal dysostosis and congenital nystagmus in a male infant with the fragile X syndrome

A 14-month-old male with congenital nystagmus, sparse scalp hair, protuberant ears, developmental delay, and radiologic manifestations of mild metaphyseal dysostosis was coincidentally found to have the fra(X) chromosome in 67% of analyzed metaphases. This observation underscores the need for fra(X) analyses in children with developmental deficit of unknown cause.
Transient Asynchronous Testicular Growth in Adolescent Males With a Varicocele

Purpose: We assessed the testicular growth of adolescent males followed nonsurgically for the presence of left varicocele.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of adolescent males with a diagnosis of unilateral left varicocele and ultrasound testis volume measurements seen during a 10-year period. A total of 161 boys underwent at least 2 testicular ultrasounds as part of the evaluation for left varicocele. Patients were excluded from study for a history of inguinal/scrotal pathology or endocrinopathy that could affect testicular size. Sonographic testicular volume was calculated using the Lambert volume (length × width × height × 0.71). The resulting volumes were compared to previously published criteria for surgical repair (15%, 20% and 2 cc size differentials).Results: Of the 71 boys with 3 followup ultrasounds 38 (54%) initially had a 15% or greater volume differential. After nonsurgical followup with ultrasounds for 2 years 60 boys (85%) had testicular volume differentials in t...
Variability of foliage terpenes of Fitzroya cupressoides

Abstract Foliage of 57 Fitzroya cupressoides trees from six locations in Chile was analysed for monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. A new monoterpene, ipsdienyl acetate (2-methyl-4-acetoxy-6-methylene-octa-2,7-diene), was found. No geographic variability in monoterpene composition was evident. Three distinct sesquiterpene chemotypes were found in the areas sampled. The basic chemotype produced sizeable amounts of germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, caryophyllene and several sesquiterpene alcohols including trans -nerolidol. The second chemotype elaborated in addition α-longipinene and an unknown sesquiterpene alcohol, as well as some β-longipinene, which has not been previously reported in higher plants. The third chemotype produced α- and β-acorenol and a number of cedrene-related hydrocarbons. Minor geographic variability in the sesquiterpene composition of the basic chemotype was indicated.
Energy transfer in one-dimensional substitutionally disordered systems. II. Experimental reresults for 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachlorobenzene

Abstract Experimental results for triplet energy partitioning between mobile and stationary states are analyzed in terms of several mechanisms for one-dinmensional exciton transfer in substitutionally disordered solids. It is shown that both tunneling and thermal detrapping contribute to triplet exciton mobility under the experimental conditions tested. In addition, singlet exciton migration before intersystem crossing was found to make an important contribution to trap equilibration. 1. (i) We have presented experimental energy-partitioning data between mobile and stationary trap states along a one-dimensional exciton conductor for both singlet and triplet excitation. The percentage of stationary trap phosphorescence increases with increasing mobile trap concentration, with increasing temperature, and is larger for singlet excitation than for triplet excitation. 2. (ii) Two simple models for (i) resonant tunnelling transfer and (ii) thermal detrapping and migration across a statistical distribution of barriers, do not; on an individual basis, accurately represent the experimental results for triplet excitation. Both mechanisms are important and contribute to exciton mobility over the temperature range studied. 3. (iii) Where competition between singlet and triplet manifolds for exciton migration occurs, the singlet may be much less efficient in the unperturbed crystal because of its short lifetime. In a substitutionally disordered crystal, the much wider bandwidth of the singlet may hide the perturbation of the potential surface and allow much more efficient exciton transfer than the triplet. The experimental data presented here shows that ≈80% of the excitons reach a supertrap in the singlet state before intersystem crossing and that this percentage is independent of the band composition.
Effects of 17β-estradiol and progesterone on mitogen-activated protein kinase expression and activity in rat uterine smooth muscle

Abstract Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) is a critical event in mitogenic signal transduction. MAPKs are activated by tyrosine phosphorylation and translocate to different cellular compartments affecting protein function and gene expression. MAPK expression and activity was examined in uterine smooth muscle from rats pretreated with estradiol-17β alone or with estradiol-17β and progesterone. MAPK expression was detected by immunoblotting using erk 1 2 antibodies. MAPK activity was detected by measurement of the phosphorylation of a MAPK-specific peptide sequence of myelin basic protein. Steroid treatment caused a modest (20%) decline in erk 1 and 2 expression in membrane and cytosolic fractions. Both estrogen and progesterone increased MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation and membrane-associated MAPK activity. Steroid treatment increased cytosolic MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation, but not enzymatic activity. These data suggest that gonadal steroid hormones, which stimulate uterine hypertrophy, may exert their hypertrophic effects by increasing MAPK activity.
Improved particle swarm optimization: Catching the big wave on the surf

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is relatively a new population-based intelligence algorithm and exhibits good performance on optimization. However, during the optimization process, the particles become more and more similar, and gather into the neighborhood of the best particle in the swarm, which makes the swarm premature convergence probably around the local solution. PSO technique can be augmented with an additional mutation operator that provides diversity and helps prevent premature convergence on local optima. In this paper, diversity concept is evaluated in commonly used PSO algorithms including constriction factor PSO, inertial weight PSO, Gaussian mutation PSO, and a new vibrational mutation PSO combining the idea of mutation strategy related to periodicity. New algorithm is tested and compared with selected PSO algorithms. The results give insight into how mutation operator affects the nature of the diversity and show that the addition of mutation operator with periodicity concept can significantly enhance optimization performance.
Reverse engineering systems models of regulation: discovery, prediction and mechanisms.

Biological systems can now be understood in comprehensive and quantitative detail using systems biology approaches. Putative genome-scale models can be built rapidly based upon biological inventories and strategic system-wide molecular measurements. Current models combine statistical associations, causative abstractions, and known molecular mechanisms to explain and predict quantitative and complex phenotypes. This top-down ‘reverse engineering’ approach generates useful organism-scale models despite noise and incompleteness in data and knowledge. Here we review and discuss the reverse engineering of biological systems using top-down data-driven approaches, in order to improve discovery, hypothesis generation, and the inference of biological properties.
North American college and university uses of micro computers in teaching accounting - 1983 survey

Abstract This paper reports the results of a survey of North American college and university accounting departments' uses of micro computer hardware and software.
Impact of regulated releases on periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities: The dynamic relationship between hydrology and geomorphology in frequently flooded rivers.

Flood-type disturbances affect both periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities depending on their frequency, magnitude and duration, but some impacts can be mitigated by geomorphic constraints. We studied four rivers in the Adirondack Mountains; the Indian River experienced regulated flow releases creating bank-full floods four times/week whereas other study sites provided a continuum of control conditions for comparison. We sampled periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities in each river along with channel hydrology, hydraulics and geomorphology. Periphyton abundance varied seasonally and among rivers depending on nitrate concentrations and scour. Flow releases created a static mosaic of patches consisting of heavily scoured bed sediment in the thalweg (high shear stress areas—HSS) which had very low periphyton abundance; boulders and rocky shoals created low shear stress areas (LSS) supporting mats of filamentous algae. Macroinvertebrate densities were highest in HSS areas whereas LSS areas had lower macroinvertebrate densities that were more similar to reference rivers, although both LSS and HSS areas had the lowest species diversity and richness. Macroinvertebrate composition in HSS areas was dominated by filter-feeders, whereas LSS areas had more gatherers and scrapers. While all rivers had high boulder densities, the Indian River could be considered geomorphically moribund—its substrate was immobile and the channel experienced no adjustments in spite of high flood frequencies. These physical characteristics help mitigate the severe hydrologic conditions that releases create because the static mosaic of low and HSS patches allow certain macroinvertebrates adapted to this level of disturbance to persist. This static mosaic is different from the shifting mosaic pattern often observed in streams following flood-type disturbances. Geomorphically moribund rivers may lack ecological sensitivity to hydrologic disturbances, and decisions to limit flow modification (e.g. recreational flow releases, hydropower generation) should consider whether assumed ecological impacts are likely to occur given local geomorphic conditions and constraints. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Esophageal carcinoma with respiratory tract fistula.

An experience with 27 patients with malignant respiratory tract fistula (RTF) is presented. The RTF was related to carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus in all the patients, involved the trachea in 11, left main bronchus in 7, right main bronchus in 3, and was more distal in 6 patients. Metastases were detectable in only four patients (15%) at the time of RTF diagnosis. Bronchoscopy examination in 13 patients prior to RTF development showed tracheobronchial invasion or impingement in all. The RTF was present at initial presentation in 11 patients (Group I), and developed after/during radiation therapy (RT) in 16 patients (Group II). Median survival from tumor diagnosis was 17 weeks in Group I and 37 weeks in Group II, while survival from RTF diagnosis was 16 weeks in Group I and 11 weeks in Group II. Cancer 53:1322-1328, 1984.
Optically interconnected static RAM for instruction-level parallel processors

In this paper we introduce a micro-optical architecture that uses meso-scopic diffractive optical elements (DOEs) as 3D interconnects in a memory system for high level instruction level parallelism (ILP) processors. By using meso-scopic DOEs we can rescue the scale of integration to the VLSI scale, ie.e., the micron scale, achieve submicron alignment tolerance, improve reliability due to monolithic integration, facilitate integration into the current manufacturing infrastructure, and offer the ability for higher bandwidth and high interconnect densities. To this end we are developing the component technologies needed to realize this system. In this paper we present our work in the development of a theoretical and experimental framework for the design and characterization of meso-scopic DOEs, preliminary experimental results of meso-scopic beam splitters, and a large scale demonstration of the ILP memory system.
Energy-optimal Batching periods for asynchronous multistage data processing on sensor nodes: foundations and an mPlatform case study

This paper derives energy-optimal batching periods for asynchronous multistage data processing on sensor nodes in the sense of minimizing energy consumption while meeting end-to-end deadlines. Batching the processing of (sensor) data maximizes processor sleep periods, hence minimizing the wakeup frequency and the corresponding overhead. The algorithm is evaluated on mPlatform, a next-generation heterogeneous sensor node platform equipped with both a low-end microcontroller (MSP430) and a higher-end embedded systems processor (ARM). Experimental results show that the total energy consumption of mPlatform, when processing data flows at their optimal batching periods, is up to 35% lower than that for uniform period assignment. Moreover, processing data at the appropriate processor can use as much as 80% less energy than running the same task set on the ARM alone and 25% less energy than running the task set on the MSP430 alone.
Catch Rates and Catchability of Walleyes in Angling and Spearing Fisheries in Northern Wisconsin Lakes

Abstract We examined relationships between angling and spearing catch rates (catch/h) and walleye population density (number/acre) in 118 northern Wisconsin lakes to determine if walleye catchability in these fisheries was density dependent. The densities of both adult and total walleye populations were unrelated to lake surface area. Similarly, the catchability of walleyes in angling and spearing fisheries was unrelated to lake surface area. Angling catch rates of walleyes were linearly related to total walleye population density, whereas spearing catch rates of walleyes were exponentially related to adult walleye population density. Walleye catchability in the angling fishery was not significantly related to population density, whereas walleye catchability in the spearing fishery was inversely related to population density. We conclude that walleye angling is density independent and is therefore self-regulating, whereas walleye spearing is density dependent and is therefore not self-regulating.
Assessment of Services Provided to NCAA Division I Athletes: Development of a Model and Instrument

In the United States, student-athlete welfare was adopted as a basic principle by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1995 (NCAA, 2005). In addition, the NCAA required that Division I institutions provide academic programs and career/life skills programs as well as athletic skills programs. These directives have resulted in the development of a complex array of services for student-athletes. As no studies have assessed the full range of services now provided to student-athletes, the purpose of this study was to develop a Model for Assessment of Services in Intercollegiate Athletics (MASIA) with an accompanying survey instrument. A total of 422 student-athletes, the entire population of one NCAA Division I-A institution, were surveyed for the model tests. Results of the structural and measurement model tests suggest that the MASIA is a reasonable fit to the data and that the survey scale developed to test the model is psychometrically sound. Implications and limitations of this study are discussed.
High efficiency intra-cavity sum-frequency-generation in a self-seeded image-rotating nanosecond optical parametric oscillator

ABSTRACT We have built and tested a highly ecient source of pulsed 320 nm light based on intra-cavity sum-frequency-generation in a self-injection-seeded image-rotating nanosecond optical parametric oscillator. The four-mirrornonplanar ring optical cavity uses the RISTRA geometry, denoting rotated-image singly-resonant twisted rect-angle. The cavity contains a type-II xz -cut KTP crystal pumped by the 532 nm second harmonic of Nd:YAG togenerate an 803 nm signal and 1576 nm idler, and a type-II BBO crystal to sum-frequency mix the 532 nm pumpand cavity-resonant 803 nm signal to generate 320 nm light. The cavity is congured so pump light passes rstthrough the BBO crystal and then through the KTP crystal with the 320 nm light exiting through the outputcoupler following the BBO sum-frequency crystal. The cavity output coupler is designed to be a high reector at532 nm, have high transmission at 320 nm, and reect approximately 85% at 803 nm. With this congurationweve obtained 1064 nm to 320 nm optical-to-optical conversion eciency of 24% and generated single-frequency = 320 nm pulses with energies up to 140 mJ.Keywords: Nonlinear optics, optical parametric oscillator, intra-cavity, sum-frequency generation, image rota-tion, nonplanar ring oscillator
Carbon dioxide impregnation of electrospun polycaprolactone fibers

Abstract The electrospinning of polymers has become a potentially important process for the production of tissue engineering scaffolds. CO 2 impregnation of these scaffolds may provide a method for tailoring the chemistry of these relatively high surface area scaffolds without altering their biomimetic architecture. In pursuing this we found that electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers melt when exposed to supercritical CO 2 even at room temperature. However, CO 2 exposures ranging from 10 to 25 °C and 1.0 to 3.44 MPa provided chemical impregnation without apparent changes in physical structure. A test compound, carboxytetramethylrhodamine, was embedded into electrospun PCL using CO 2 at 3.44 MPa and 25 °C for 10 h. The subsequent release of carboxytetramethylrhodamine into phosphate buffered saline at 37 °C was then monitored. Release was observed for 30 days after which the fibers were shown to retain 8.54 μg of carboxytetramethylrhodamine/mg of PCL. Control samples not exposed to CO 2 showed no detectable release after 5 days.
Mechanisms of Metastatic Tumor Dormancy

Tumor metastasis can occur years after an apparent cure due to a phenomenon known as metastatic tumor dormancy; in which tumor masses or individual tumor cells are growth restricted for extended periods of time. This period of dormancy is induced and maintained by several mechanisms, including: (1) Tumor microenvironment factors such as cytokine expression, immunosurveillance and angiogenesis; (2) Metastasis suppressor gene activity; and (3) Cancer therapeutics. Disseminated tumor cells (DTC) are the key cells that result in dormant tumors. However, many challenges exist towards isolating DTCs for mechanistic studies. The main DTC that may represent the dormant cell is the cancer stem cells (CSC) as they have a slow proliferation rate. In addition to limited knowledge regarding induction of tumor dormancy, there are large gaps in knowledge regarding how tumors escape from dormancy. Emerging research into cancer stem cells, immunotherapy, and metastasis suppressor genes, may lead to new approaches for targeted anti-metastatic therapy to prevent dormancy escape. Overall, an enhanced understanding of tumor dormancy is critical for better targeting and treatment of patients to prevent cancer recurrence.
The truly disadvantaged and the structural covariates of fire death rates

The present study investigates the social and demographic correlates of fire death rates for large metropolitan counties (N=199). Data were derived from the 1990 census and the Centers for Disease ...
Dimensionality reduction in Bayesian estimation algorithms

Abstract. An idealized synthetic database loosely resembling 3-channel passive microwave observations of precipitation against a variable background is employed to examine the performance of a conventional Bayesian retrieval algorithm. For this dataset, algorithm performance is found to be poor owing to an irreconcilable conflict between the need to find matches in the dependent database versus the need to exclude inappropriate matches. It is argued that the likelihood of such conflicts increases sharply with the dimensionality of the observation space of real satellite sensors, which may utilize 9 to 13 channels to retrieve precipitation, for example. An objective method is described for distilling the relevant information content from N real channels into a much smaller number (M) of pseudochannels while also regularizing the background (geophysical plus instrument) noise component. The pseudochannels are linear combinations of the original N channels obtained via a two-stage principal component analysis of the dependent dataset. Bayesian retrievals based on a single pseudochannel applied to the independent dataset yield striking improvements in overall performance. The differences between the conventional Bayesian retrieval and reduced-dimensional Bayesian retrieval suggest that a major potential problem with conventional multichannel retrievals – whether Bayesian or not – lies in the common but often inappropriate assumption of diagonal error covariance. The dimensional reduction technique described herein avoids this problem by, in effect, recasting the retrieval problem in a coordinate system in which the desired covariance is lower-dimensional, diagonal, and unit magnitude.
Spectrum and energy levels of thirteen-times ionized molybdenum (Mo XIV)

The spectrum of Mo xiv was observed with a low-inductance spark and a laser-produced plasma in the region from 70 to 630 A on the10.7-m grazing-incidence spectrograph at NBS. From the identification of 35 lines, a system of 22 energy levels was determined. The level system (Cu i isoelectronic sequence, 3d10nl) includes the series ns (n = 4–6), np (n = 4–6), nd (n = 4,5), nf(n = 4–6), and ng (n = 5–7). The observed energy levels are compared with Hartree-Fock calculations. The ionization energy is determined from the ng series (n = 5–7) to be 2 440 600 ± 300 cm−3 (302.60 ± 0.04 eV).
A comparison of microcrack closure load development for stage I and II cracking events for Al 7075-T651.

Closure stress measurements for both Stage I and II surface microcracks of lengths comparable to grain size are made using a compliance technique for Al 7075-T651 specimens fatigued in air at 30 pct relative humidity. As previously reported for Stage II cracking in Al 2219-T851, residual crack openings are observed for zero load which can be empirically related to the crack closure stress. This functional dependence is subsequently used to calculate closure stress values for both Stage I and II events for microcracks in Al 7075-T651 on the basis of residual crack opening values. Stage I crack interaction with grain boundaries is found to induce closure stresses close to the maximum applied stress, explaining the effective crack retardation of Stage I cracks by grain boundaries observed for Al 7075. In these cases the closure load is found to slowly fall as cracking continues by a Stage II mode into a second grain. For Stage n cracking it is possible to estimate the closure load from the cracking path as observed from the surface.
Thermal asperity detection and cancellation in perpendicular magnetic recording systems

During the defect scanning process on the production line, when asperities are detected on the surface of a magnetic storage medium, that location is marked, and no data are stored to marked locations. However, some asperities go undetected, and cause problems during data recovery. In this paper, we introduce a new method to detect and cancel the thermal asperity effects for perpendicular magnetic recording systems. We compare the new method to the existing methods in terms of the bit error rate after Viterbi detection.
Online Videogames in an Online History Class

This study examines use of an online history simulation videogame, Civilization, in an online college history class. Overall findings were that the game complements texts and lectures, aids speakers of English as a second language, creates empathy for past societies, encourages personal research, and creates a sense of community in the online class.
A Systematic Study of the Input/Output Properties of a 2 Compartment Model Neuron With Active Membranes

The input/output properties of a 2 compartment model neuron are systematically explored. Taken from the work of MacGregor (MacGregor, 1987), the model neuron compartments contain several active conductances, including a potassium conductance in the dendritic compartment driven by the accumulation of intradendritic calcium. Dynamics of the conductances and potentials are governed by a set of coupled first order differential equations which are integrated numerically. There are a set of 17 internal parameters to this model, specificying conductance rate constants, time constants, thresholds, etc. To study parameter sensitivity, a set of trials were run in which the input driving the neuron is kept fixed while each internal parameter is varied with all others left fixed. To study the input/output relation, the input to the dendrite (a square wave) was varied (in frequency and magnitude) while all internal parameters of the system were left fixed, and the resulting output firing rate and bursting rate was counted. The input/output relation of the model neuron studied turns out to be much more sensitive to modulation of certain dendritic potassium current parameters than to plasticity of synapse efficacy per se (the amount of current influx due to synapse activation). This would in turn suggest, as has been recently observed experimentally, that the potassium current may be as or more important a focus of neural plasticity than synaptic efficacy.
Replication but not transcription of simian virus 40 DNA is dependent on nuclear domain 10.

DNA viruses from several families including herpes simplex virus type 1, adenovirus type 5, and simian virus 40 (SV40), start their transcription and replication adjacent to a specific nuclear domain, ND10. We asked whether a specific viral DNA sequence determines the location of these synthetic activities at such restricted nuclear sites. Partial and overlapping SV40 sequences were introduced into a β-galactosidase expression vector, and the β-galactosidase transcripts were localized by in situ hybridization. Transcripts derived from control plasmids were found throughout the nucleus and at highly concentrated sites but not at ND10. SV40 genomic segments supported ND10-associated transcription only when the origin and the coding sequence for the large T antigen were present. When the large T-antigen coding sequence was eliminated but the T antigen was constitutively expressed in COS-7 cells, the viral origin was sufficient to localize transcription and replication to ND10. Deletion analysis showed that only the large T-antigen binding site II (the core origin) was required but the T antigen was needed for detectable transcription at ND10. Large T antigen expressed from plasmids without the viral core origin did not bind or localize to ND10. Blocking of DNA replication prevented the accumulation of transcripts at ND10, indicating that only sites with replicating templates accumulated transcripts. Transcription at ND10 did not enhance total protein synthesis of plasmid transcripts. These findings suggest that viral transcription at ND10 may only be a consequence of viral genomes directed to ND10 for replication. Although plasmid transcription can take place anywhere in the nucleus, T-antigen-directed replication is apparently restricted to ND10.
Intra-Arterial Nicardipine for the Treatment of Cerebral Vasospasm in Postpartum Cerebral Angiopathy: A Case Study and Review of Literature

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Postpartum cerebral angiopathy is one of the many neurological complications seen during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Management of these patients consists of optimal blood pressure control, and general supportive critical care. We present a case of diffuse cerebral vasospasm, which improved with intra-arterial nicardipine. This brief report addresses the utility of interventional management in cases of postpartum cerebral angiopathy. Case report: A 28-year-old female presented 1 week after cesarean delivery with altered mental status, endotracheal intubation for airway protection, thrombocytopenia, and hypofibrinogenemia. Cerebral angiogram revealed anterior and posterior circulation vasospasm, which responded to repeated selective intra-arterial injections of nicardipine. This treatment coupled with optimal blood pressure control resulted in complete recovery. Discussion: Our case report highlights the importance of cerebral angiography for the diagnosis and treatment of pa...
The kinetics of VP5 mRNA expression is not critical for viral replication in cultured cells.

We generated recombinant viruses in which the kinetics of expression of the leaky-late VP5 mRNA was altered. We then analyzed the effect of such alterations on viral replication in cultured cells. The VP5 promoter and leader sequences from positions −36 to +20, containing the TATA box and an initiator element, were deleted and replaced with a strong early (dUTPase), an equal-strength leaky-late (VP16), or a strict-late (U L 38) promoter. We found that recombinant viruses containing the dUTPase promoter inserted in the VP5 locus expressed VP5-encoding mRNA with early kinetics, while virus with the U L 38 promoter inserted expressed such mRNA with strict-late kinetics. Further, in spite of differences in its functional architecture, the VP16 promoter fully substituted for the VP5 promoter. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the amounts of VP5 capsid protein produced by the recombinant viruses differed somewhat; however, on complementing C32 and noncomplementing Vero cells, such viruses replicated to titers equivalent to those of the rescued wild-type virus controls. Multistep virus growth in mouse embryo fibroblasts, rabbit skin cells, and Vero cells also demonstrated equivalent replication efficiencies for both recombinant and wild-type viruses. Further, recombinant viruses did not show any impairment in their ability to replicate on serum-starved or quiescent human lung fibroblasts. We conclude that the kinetics of the essential VP5 mRNA expression is not critical for viral replication in cultured cells.
High Gain Photoconductive Semiconductor Switching

Switching properties are reported for high gain photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS). A 200 ps pulse width laser was used in tests to examine the relations between etectric field, rise time, delay, and minimum optical trigger energy for switches which reached 80 kV in a 50 /spl Omega/ transmission line with rise times as short as 600 ps. Infrared photoluminescence was imaged during high gain switching providing direct evidence for current filamentation. Implications of these measurements for the theoretical understanding and practical development of these switches are discussed.
Hedonics and the Lipemic Response to Oral Fat Exposure

Oral fat exposure elicits a first phase (within 30 m) and augmented second-phase (60–480 m) triacylglycerol (TAG) rise in humans. Two studies (N = 15 in each) with different control conditions were conducted to explore a hypothesized direct effect of stimulus palatability on these responses. Overnight fasted participants ingested 50 g of safflower oil in capsules (blocking oral fat exposure) followed by oral stimulation for 10 s at 30-s intervals over 15 min with cream cheese that was unflavored and fat free; full fat sweetened with sucrose (SFF); or unflavored and full fat (UFF) in study 1. In study 2, the stimuli were UFF, SFF, and full-fat samples with non-nutritive sweetener alone (NNSFF; nutrient control) or combined with quinine (SBFF; hedonic control). Blood samples were obtained at intervals over 360 min. Stimuli palatability was rated on a hedonic visual analog scale. The bimodal serum TAG peaks following SFF were robust in study 1, but the second peak was low during study 2, reflecting discrepant palatability ratings. In post-hoc analyses, individuals preferring either SFF or UFF had significantly higher second-phase TAG rises for the less-preferred sample. Furthermore, second-phase TAG responses were significantly lower for individuals liking versus disliking the UFF with a similar trend for the SFF sample. The difference in hedonic ratings between UFF and SFF and the difference in TAG area under the curve for the stimuli were correlated (r = 0.38, p = 0.034). It is hypothesized that these findings reflect palatability effects on insulin-mediated activity of lipoprotein lipase and TAG clearance.
Improvements in transfection efficiency and tests of RNA interference (RNAi) approaches in the protozoan parasite Leishmania.

Approaches which eliminate mRNA expression directly are ideally suited for reverse genetics applications in eukaryotic microbes which are asexual diploids, such as the protozoan parasite Leishmania. RNA interference (RNAi) approaches have been successful in many species, including the related parasite Trypanosoma brucei. For RNAi tests in Leishmania, we developed improved protocols for transient and stable DNA transfection, attaining efficiencies of up to 25 and 3%, respectively. This facilitated RNAi tests at the -tubulin locus, whose inhibition gives a strong lethal phenotype in trypanosomatids. However, transient or stable transfection of DNAs encoding mRNAs for an -tubulin stem-loop construct and GFP to monitor transfection resulted in no effect on parasite morphology, growth or tubulin expression in Leishmania majoror L. donovani. Transient transfection of a 24-nucleotide double-stranded -tubulin siRNA also had no effect. Similar results were obtained in studies targeting an introduced GFP gene with a GFP stem-loop construct. These data suggest that typical RNAi strategies may not work effectively in Leishmania, and raise the possibility that Leishmania is naturally deficient for RNAi activity, like Saccharomyces cerevisae . The implications to parasite biology, gene amplification, and genetic analysis are discussed. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Rawls and the Refusal of Medical Treatment to Children

That Jehovah's Witnesses cannot refuse life-saving blood transfusions on behalf of their children has acquired the status of virtual "consensus" among bioethicists. However strong the consensus may be on this matter, this article explores whether this view can be plausibly defended on liberal principles by examining it in light of one particularly well worked-out liberal political theory, that of Rawls. It concludes that because of the extremely high priority Rawls attributes to "freedom of conscience," and the implication from the original position that parents must act paternalistically toward their children as their protectors, Jehovah's Witnesses cannot legitimately be barred from making decisions on behalf of their children, even when the consequences of such decisions are serious and irremediable.
CATERPILLAR (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) FEEDING ON PASTURE GRASSES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

Abstract Stargrasses (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis) and bermudagrasses (C. dactylon (L.) Persoon) are important warm-season forage grasses, with several cultivars developed for conditions found in central and southern Florida. Major insect pests of these grasses include grass loopers (Mocis spp.) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)), which annually may impose economic losses for beef cattle and hay producers. Population studies conducted during a 3-year period showed that both species had similar profiles with respect to larval population seasonality but not abundance. Plot studies with 4 stargrass and 4 bermudagrass lines showed that higher grass looper populations were found in stargrasses than bermudagrasses. Laboratory studies found grass loopers and fall armyworm larvae generally developed faster with larger weights on lines of stargrass than lines of bermudagrass. The two fall armyworm host strains also can differ substantially in their larval weight, development...
Assessing the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease: current trends and future directions

With the advent of advances in biomarker detection and neuropsychological measurement, prospects have improved for identifying and tracking the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) from its earliest stages through dementia. While new diagnostic techniques have exciting implications for initiating treatment earlier in the disease process, much work remains to be done to optimize the contributions of the expanding range of tools at the disposal of researchers and clinicians. The present paper examines recent work in cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, neuropsychological measures, and functional assessment. The strengths and weaknesses of current methodologies are explored and discussed. It is concluded that AD from its mild cognitive impairment state through dementia represents a continuous process, and that progression over time can best be accomplished by interval-level variables. Biomarkers that are most sensitive to early AD may not be the most optimal for monitoring longitudinal change, and it is likely that multivariate models incorporating cognitive measures, functional variables and biomarker data will be the most fruitful avenues for future research.
Illustration and photography inspired visualization of flows and volumes

Understanding and analyzing complex volumetrically varying data is a difficult problem. Many computational visualization techniques have had only limited success in succinctly portraying the structure of three-dimensional turbulent flow. Motivated by both the extensive history and success of illustration and photographic flow visualization techniques, we have developed a new interactive volume rendering and visualization system for flows and volumes that simulates and enhances traditional illustration, experimental advection, and photographic flow visualization techniques. Our system uses a combination of varying focal and contextual illustrative styles, new advanced two-dimensional transfer functions, enhanced Schlieren and shadowgraphy shaders, and novel oriented structure enhancement techniques to allow interactive visualization, exploration, and comparative analysis of scalar, vector, and time-varying volume datasets. Both traditional illustration techniques and photographic flow visualization techniques effectively reduce visual clutter by using compact oriented structure information to convey three-dimensional structures. Therefore, a key to the effectiveness of our system is using one-dimensional (Schlieren and shadowgraphy) and two-dimensional (silhouette) oriented structural information to reduce visual clutter, while still providing enough three-dimensional structural information for the user's visual system to understand complex three-dimensional flow data. By combining these oriented feature visualization techniques with flexible transfer function controls, we can visualize scalar and vector data, allow comparative visualization of flow properties in a succinct, informative manner, and provide continuity for visualizing time-varying datasets.
The scaling of ruminoreticulum size with body weight in East African ungulates

Summary Data from the literature on the size of the ruminoreticulum of African herbivores is plotted against body weight. Estimates of rumen size vary depending on the method. The technique of estimating rumen size by the weight of contents systematically underestimates the organ size of small animals. The measurement of water-holding capacity of the ruminoreticulum overestimates the rumen size of small animals. These data suggest that rumen size increased isometrically with body size. RESUMEE Les donnees trouvees dans la litterature sur la taille du rumen d'herbivores africains sont correlees avec le poids du corps. Les estimations de la taille du rumen varient en fonction de la methode employee. La technique consistant a estimer la taille du rumen d'apres le poids du contenu sous-estime systematiquement la taille de I'organe chez les petits animaux, tandis que la mesure de la capacite de contenance en eau du rumen la surestime. Ces donnees suggerent que la taille du rumen augmente en fonction directe avec celle du corps.
New metabolites of monuron in excised cotton leaves

Abstract Two new metabolites of 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-dimethylurea (monuron) have been isolated from cotton leaves. They have been identified as β- d -glucosides of 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-hydroxymethyl-1-methylurea and 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-hydroxymethylurea. After 24 hr, both O-glucosides constitute 20–25% of the methanol soluble monuron metabolites present in treated leaf tissues. The isolation and identification of these polar monuron metabolites provides direct evidence for the formation of N-hydroxymethyl intermediates in the oxidative N-demethylation of substituted phenylurea herbicides by higher plants. The significance of reactive N-hydroxymethyl intermediates, particularly 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-hydroxymethylurea, in the formation of β- d -glucosides and other polar, unknown methanol soluble and insoluble monuron residues in higher plants is discussed.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Gold Vinylidene Complex Lacking π-Conjugated Heteroatoms

Hydride abstraction from the gold (disilyl)ethylacetylide complex [(P)Au{η1-CCSi(Me)2CH2CH2SiMe2H}] (P=P(tBu)2o-biphenyl) with triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate at −20 °C formed the cationic gold (β,β-disilyl)vinylidene complex [(P)AuCCSi(Me)2CH2CH2Si(Me)2]+B(C6F5)4− with ≥90 % selectivity. 29Si NMR analysis of this complex pointed to delocalization of positive charge onto both the β-silyl groups and the (P)Au fragment. The C1 and C2 carbon atoms of the vinylidene complex underwent facile interconversion (ΔG≠=9.7 kcal mol−1), presumably via the gold π-disilacyclohexyne intermediate [(P)Au{η2-CCSi(Me)2CH2CH2Si(Me)2}]+B(C6F5)4−.
Wave propagation in fluid-saturated media: waveform and spectral analysis

SUMMARY A new numerical approach to the solution of waves propagating in a fluid-saturated medium, using Biot’s theory as a foundation, has important implications for oil reservoir management and earthquake prediction. A numerical scheme is developed using an exponential transformation that explicitly treats the petrophysical and fluid properties of the medium within the framework of a generalized model. The scheme accounts for wave dissipation and velocity modifications. The numerical solution is used to perform numerical experiments to study the dynamic behaviour of waves in a fluid-saturated medium at well-logging frequencies (15 kHz). The results from the numerical experiments indicate that the degree of saturation by a high-viscosity fluid (HVF) such as oil, the temperature and the porosity of a medium strongly influence the spectral power distribution, frequency content and the velocity of waves propagating through the medium. An increase in HVF saturation causes enhanced attenuation of the low-frequency components, and increases the seismic velocity. An increase in porosity, however, enriches the low-frequency components and decreases the seismic velocity. A spectral quantification procedure is suggested and used to obtain information about the petrophysical and fluid properties of the medium from the spectral characteristics of the transmitted waveform. The procedure involves segmentation of the energy or power distribution of the transmitted waveforms into specified energy bands. The energy or power in these bands is then estimated. The extracted quantification variables are found to have strong correlations with the degree of HVF saturation, and the temperature and the porosity of the medium.
Analysis of Brain Disorders Using DNA Microarrays

Recent advances in DNA microarray technology have enabled researchers to simultaneously assess complex gene expression changes for tens of thousands of genes, making this an optimal approach for studying brain diseases. Discovered transcriptome changes are likely to reveal new information about the pathophysiology of disease states and identify novel genes that suggest previously unknown molecular interactions. In the years ahead, gene expression profiling may allow for the individualization of diagnosis, ultimately linking molecular phenotypes to the specific clinical profiles. Defining disease-specific transcriptome changes will also facilitate development of animal models that closely mimic common molecular events associated with schizophrenia, depression, autism or other mental disorders. In turn, this approach will lead to the improved application of pharmacogenomics, where compounds are screened for their ability to modulate the transcripts that are changed in a diagnosis-specific manner
Low temperature performance of nanophase Li4Ti5O12

Abstract The low temperature electrochemical performances of 700 and 350 nm Li4Ti5O12 were compared. At high rate, room temperature and at low rate and low temperature (0, −10, −20 and −30 °C), the 350 nm Li4Ti5O12 showed higher capacity than the 700 nm Li4Ti5O12. This difference is proposed to result from the shorter diffusion lengths and higher number of lithium insertion sites in the 350 nm Li4Ti5O12 compared to the 700 nm Li4Ti5O12. However, at high rate and low temperature, a transition in performance was observed, that is, the 700 nm material had higher capacity. At high rate and low temperature, it is proposed that interparticle contact resistance becomes rate limiting owing to the temperature dependence of this property and this accounts for the different behavior at low temperature and high rate.