cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative ultrastructural localization of the NMDAR1 glutamate receptor in the rat basolateral amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) has been implicated in activity-dependent plasticity important for cortically evoked acquisition of fear-potentiated startle response. We examined the ultrastructural immunoperoxidase labeling of the R1 subunit of the NMDA receptor in the BLA of adult rats to determine the potential cellular and subcellular sites mediating the effects generated by NMDA activation. The localization was compared with that seen in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), the major efferent pathway from the central nucleus of the amygdala, which has a more pronounced involvement in autonomic function. Electron microscopy established that in the BLA, 68.4% (n = 177) of the profiles showing NMDAR1-like immunoreactivity (NMDAR1-LI) were dendrites, and 19.8% were distal tips of astrocytic processes. In contrast, profiles containing NMDAR1-LI (n = 262) in the BNST were more equally distributed between dendrites (37.4%) and axons (38.2%). The subcellular localization of NMDAR1 immunoreactivity was, however, similar in both regions. Our findings provide the first ultrastructural evidence that glutamate may prominently act through NMDAR1 receptors to elicit postsynaptic actions on intrinsic neurons in the BLA and BNST. The results also indicate that, in the BLA, the NMDAR1 receptor plays an important role in astrocytic function, whereas the receptor is more preferentially a presynaptic modulator in axons which terminate in or pass through the BNST.
First FDA Approval of Dual Anti-HER2 Regimen: Pertuzumab in Combination with Trastuzumab and Docetaxel for HER2-positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

On June 8, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pertuzumab (Perjeta, Genentech) for use in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech) and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who have not received prior anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Approval was based on the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 808 patients with HER2-positive MBC. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive pertuzumab (n = 402) or placebo (n = 406) in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) and a key secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). A statistically significant improvement in PFS (difference in medians of 6.1 months) was observed in patients receiving pertuzumab [HR, 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.51-0.75; P 30%) observed in patients on the pertuzumab arm included diarrhea, alopecia, neutropenia, nausea, fatigue, rash, and peripheral neuropathy. No additive cardiac toxicity was observed. Significant manufacturing issues were identified during the review. On the basis of substantial evidence of efficacy for pertuzumab in MBC and the compelling public health need, FDA did not delay availability to patients pending final resolution of all manufacturing concerns. Therefore, FDA approved pertuzumab but limited its approval to lots not affected by manufacturing problems. The applicant agreed to multiple manufacturing and testing postmarketing commitments under third-party oversight to resolve manufacturing issues.
Rescue Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Immediately Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Perioperative graft failure after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) can result in acute myocardial infarction with dire clinical consequences. We report a case of rescue percutaneous coronary intervention immediately after unsuccessful CABG. This approach salvaged the patient from cardiogenic shock and should be recognized as a viable alternative to immediate reoperation for certain patients.
If you have a strong union, you don’t need a necktie: U.S. labor and global solidarity

Global solidarity between waterfront locals emerged through the use of the electronic and computer communication networks and technologies when their national and international organizations failed to act in the interests of the working class and showed themselves to be conservative and reactionary. Given current failures of the labor movement, both in the U.S. and internationally, this article describes how the protracted struggle around the Charleston 5 builds toward reform within unions such as the ILA and international organizations such as the ITF. These events show how in recent years an older leadership is being replaced by younger, brasher, and more combative leadership from the ranks of workers who understand their common interests and act upon them following the example of the ILWU.
Assessment of Second Harmonic Properties of Tumor Collagen

We utilize the polarization and directionality of second harmonic generation to study molecular structure of fibrillar collagen in mouse mammary tumor models and in healthy mammary fat pad.
The dogear game: a social bookmark recommender system

We describe the Dogear Game, which works with an enterprise social bookmarking system. The game is designed to accomplish individual, collaborative, and organization goals. Individual players receive entertainment and learn about their colleagues' bookmarks. The player's colleagues receive recommendations of websites and documents of potential interest to them. And the organization benefits from a richer knowledge-base of bookmarks as recommendations are accepted. The Dogear Game builds on von Ahn's "serious games," useful in motivating and distributing game-like entertaining "work" to a large group of game players. This note presents the design and implementation of a working prototype and some initial user feedback.
Ethnic differences in smoking rate, nicotine dependence, and cessation-related variables among adult smokers in Hawaii.

This study tests hypotheses concerning ethnic disparities in daily cigarette smoking rates, nicotine dependence, cessation motivation, and knowledge and past use of cessation methods (e.g., counseling) and products (e.g., nicotine patch) in a multiethnic sample of smokers in Hawaii. Previous research has revealed significant differences in smoking prevalence among Native Hawaiians, Filipinos, Japanese, and Caucasians in Hawaii. However, no study has examined differences in dependence and cessation-related knowledge and practices among smokers representing these ethnic groups. Participants were recruited through newspaper advertisement as part of a larger smoking cessation intervention study. Participants (N = 919; M age = 45.6, SD = 12.7; 48 % women) eligible to participate provided self-report data through mail and telephone. Participants included 271 self-identified Native Hawaiians, 63 Filipinos, 316 Caucasians, 145 “East Asians” (e.g., Japanese, Chinese), and 124 “other” (e.g., Hispanic, African-American). Pair-wise comparisons of means, controlling for age, gender, income, education, and marital status, indicated that Native Hawaiian smokers reported significantly higher daily smoking rates and higher levels of nicotine dependence compared to East Asians. Native Hawaiian smokers reported significantly lower motivation to quit smoking than Caucasians. Further, Filipino and Native Hawaiian smokers reported lesser knowledge of cessation methods and products, and less frequent use of these methods and products than Caucasians. The results suggest that Native Hawaiian and Filipino smokers could be underserved with regard to receiving cessation-related advice, and may lack adequate access to smoking cessation products and services. In addition, cessation interventions tailored for Native Hawaiian smokers could benefit from a motivational enhancement component.
Sex differences in acoustic startle responses and seizure thresholds between ethanol-withdrawn male and female rats.

Aims: We have found consistent and significant sex differences in recovery from the increased seizure susceptibility observed during ethanol withdrawal (EW) in our rat model system. The main objective of the present study was to determine if sex differences in EW generalized to an additional behavioral measure startle reactivity. Methods: Acoustic startle or seizure threshold responses were measured in separate groups of rats at 1 day or 3 days of EW. Results: Both pair-fed control and EW males showed greater increases in acoustic startle responses than either the female or ovariectomized female (OVX) counterparts. There was a selective effect of pregnanolone on acoustic startle in that it reduced peak force of response only at 3 days EW in male rats. Unexpectedly, it modestly increased startle reactivity in control female and OVX rats. Acute treatment with low-dose ethanol trended toward reducing startle responses in control animals, as expected, while generally enhancing startle responses during EW. All sex conditions showed an enhanced startle response during EW following administration of the higher dose of estradiol compared to control animals. Estradiol did not alter seizure thresholds in control animals. However, it was anticonvulsant for males at 3 days EW, females and OVX at 1 day EW. Conclusions: Observed sex differences in the startle reactivity during EW were consistent with earlier findings comparing EW seizure risk in male and female rats. Responses of OVX suggested that both hormones and differences in brain structures between males and females have a role in these sex differences. Our findings add weight to recommendations that treatment of alcohol withdrawal in humans should consider hormonal status as well as withdrawal time.
Abstract 3438: Integrated analysis of germline and somatic variants in renal clear cell carcinoma

Each year in the United States, there are approximately 54,000 new cases of kidney and upper urinary tract cancers and 13,000 deaths. Renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer comprising more than 75% of cases. It is known that certain genetic syndromes strongly increase risk for renal cell carcinoma including Von Hippel Lindau disease (VHL) that is caused by germline mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene. However, there are a large number of cases with familial RCC that are not explained by germline VHL mutations. Publically available data generated through large scale genomic sequencing projects such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provides new opportunities for identifying both known and novel germline cancer susceptibility variants. Moreover, the availability of matched tumor and normal genomic sequencing data from cancer patients (including RCCC) through TCGA allows for integrated analyses of germline and somatic interactions. Toward this end, we analyzed the TCGA exome sequencing data from 499 RCC cases. We employed GATK, VarScan, and Pindel tools to identify germline single nucleotide variants and indels and identified 10,492 candidate germline rare truncation variants (X truncation variants were in cancer genes). All the truncation candidates in commonly mutated cancer driver genes were manually reviewed, resulting in a total of 119 high confidence germline truncation variants in cancer genes. To date, we have identified one nonsense mutation in the VHL gene. In addition, there was one nonsense mutation and a frame-shift deletion in WRN and a nonsense and a splice-site mutation in BAP1, a recently identified RCC predisposition gene. Moreover, we also identified 6,079 candidate missense variants in known cancer driver genes, among a total of 179,066 rare missense variants. Future directions for this project will be to use the burden analysis to determine genes with significant enrichment for deleterious variants. We will also examine loss of heterozygosity patterns to evaluate germline somatic interactions. Citation Format: Jiayin Wang, Charles Lu, Mingchao Xie, Piyush Tripathi, Michael McLellan, Feng Chen, Kimberly J. Johnson, Li Ding. Integrated analysis of germline and somatic variants in renal clear cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3438. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3438
Reentrant superconductivity in the orthorhombic system (Tm1−xLux)RuB2

Abstract The boundaries between the paramagnetic, superconducting and magnetically ordered phases in the orthorhombic pseudoternary system (Tm1−xLux)RuB2 have been established by means of ac magnetic susceptibility measurements down to 1.2 K. Reentrant superconductivity occurs between x = 0.52 and x ≅ 0.68. The absence of coexistence between superconductivity and long range magnetic order in this region suggests a ferromagnetic-like nature of the magnetic state. The initial linear depression of superconducting transition temperature (Tc) gives a coupling constant value N(EF) J 2 between conduction electrons and magnetic Tm3+ moments of 6.7 × 10−4 eV-atom-states/ spin direction.
Coping, individual differences, and strain: A longitudinal study of short‐term role overload

SUMMARY This study attempted to determine which personality dimensions and coping strategies would reduce or prevent strain in a context of naturally-occurring short-term role overload. Subjects were 106 adult undergraduate evening students enrolled in an intensive three-week summer school session. The median age was 26 years, and 72 per cent of the students worked full-time. Using a repeated-measures panel design, the study tested the effectiveness of three types of coping derived from Hall's (1972) typology. Longitudinal analysis using cross-lagged correlations and structural regressions showed little support for the predicted effects of Hall's three types of coping on subsequent strain. However, a fourth type of coping, Planned Task Management emerged during the analysis and showed a reciprocal relationship with strain. Both variables appeared to influence each other over time, although the effect of prior coping on subsequent strain was slightly but not significantly stronger. Also, alienation (defined as lack of commitment) had a significant moderator effect on the relationship between perceived overload and strain.
A tris(alkyl)yttrium compound containing six beta-agostic Si-H interactions.

The new homoleptic rare earth compound [Y(C(SiHMe2)3)3] (2) is prepared in 82% yield by salt metathesis of YCl3 and 3 equivalents of [KC(SiHMe2)3] (1); two β-agostic Y⋯(H–Si) interactions are observed for each C(SiHMe2)3 ligand in 2, giving six agostic interactions per yttrium(III) center.
Experimental demonstration of standby power reduction using voltage stacking in an 8Kb embedded FDSOI SRAM

Voltage stacking has been proposed as an efficient solution for power delivery in high performance processors, for 3D ICs, for pin-limited ICs, and for implicit sleep mode (standby) DC/DC conversion. In this paper we demonstrate voltage stacking for an 8Kb embedded SRAM in 180nm fully-depleted SOI (FDSOI) which leads to 88.6% reduction in standby power, including overhead. The SRAM is formed of two 4Kb subarrays which are powered in parallel during active mode, and stacked in series during standby. The SRAM uses no explicit decoupling or regulating and achieves active-to-sleep and sleep-to-active transitions of less than 10ns and a breakeven time of 20ns.
We Are Family

Sociologist Katie L. Acosta explores the centrality of family in lesbian, bisexual and queer Latinas’ lives and the efforts they make to integrate their families of choice and origin into one suppo...
Worksite e-mail health promotion trial: Early lessons

In preparation for an electronic mail (e-mail) and web-based health promotion intervention across multiple worksites, secure, regulatory-compliant, user-friendly e-mail and Internet applications were used to recruit potential participants across worksites, to enroll participants, and to collect baseline health assessment data. Specific hardware and software information technology environments were required of the 19 participating worksites. Sequential e-mails introduced the study and invited participation. Twenty-four percent of all employees (1106 of approximately 4600) provided consent. E-mail delivered a web link for the baseline study assessment, and reminder e-mails were sent to prompt completion. Of those who consented, 888 (80%) completed baseline health and behavior data surveys. An HTML-native web survey software was more stable across computing environments. Using e-mail and web assessment, this research recruited, enrolled, and collected data from more than 850 participants. Technical and operational challenges emerged at each step. Solutions and recommendations are discussed. Overall, this experience suggests that the use of e-mail and web software can facilitate recruitment, enrollment, and data acquisition through direct contact with study participants. This experience yields a series of lessons learned for using e-mail and the Internet to support multi-site trials.
Effects of pentobarbital and Ca2+ on the resting and k+-stimulated release of several endogenous neurotransmitters from rat midbrain slices

Abstract The release of endogenous amino acids [γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, aspartate, glycine and alanine] and of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and acetylcholine (ACh) from rat midbrain slices was examined under various conditions of superfusion. Depolarization with high K+ stimulated the release of all substances examined, but the K+-stimulated release was Ca2+ dependent only for GABA, glutamate, aspartate, 5-HT and ACh. Pentobarbital, although not substantially affecting resting release, inhibited the K+stimulated release of GABA, glutamate, aspartate and ACh markedly and significantly. The effect of pentobarbital on K+-stimulated 5-HT release was not statistically significant in this series of experiments. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the barbiturate inhibits stimulated transmitter release by inhibiting Ca2+ influx during depolarization. The tissue content of amino acids and 5-HT decreased considerably from fresh tissue levels after 50 min of perfusion in regular low K+ medium; in contrast, ACh tissue levels increased slightly during this time. K+ stimulation resulted in an increased synthesis particularly of GABA, glutamate, glycine, alanine and ACh, for the amount released into the medium was far more than that lost from the tissue. 5-HT and possibly aspartate, on the other hand, were released into the medium on stimulation largely at the expense of tissue stores, under our experimental conditions.
An investigation of the relation between bright chromospheric eruptions and fade-outs of high-frequency radio transmission

In October, 1935, Dr. J. H. Dellinger of the National Bureau of Standards described some sudden and remarkable fade-outs of high-frequency radio transmissions, affecting the daylight-side of the Earth and lasting for about 15 minutes each. He suggested that the fade-outs might be connected with solar eruptions and urged that special efforts be made to observe the Sun continuously to see if any unusual sunspot-activity occurred at the time of the next fade-out, which Dr. Dellinger believed might be expected after an interval of about 54 days. An examination of the hydrogen and calcium speetroheliograms taken at Mount Wilson as part of the routine solar work showed that on three occasions bright chromospheric eruptions had been photographed within a few minutes of the radio fade-outs reported by Dr. Dellinger. Speetroheliograms had not been taken at the time two other fade-outs were observed. This agreement was so striking that it was decided to make special observations for several days before and after the date of the next predicted disturbance of radio transmission.
Increased non-angiotensin II [125I]CGP 42112 binding in rat carotid artery after balloon injury.

Abstract In this study, [ 125 I] CGP 42112, a ligand of high affinity and selectivity for the angiotensin II AT 2 receptor, was used to detect and quantify a non-angiotensin II binding site in the balloon-injured carotid artery of the rat. The amount of [ 125 I] CGP 42112 binding was significantly enhanced in the adventitia of the injured arteries. Localization of the binding site using emulsion autoradiography and immunocytochemistry suggests that the binding sites may be expressed by macrophages in the inflamed tissue surrounding the injured artery.
Backbone Topology, Access, and the Commercial Internet, 1997–2000:

As the Internet grows in popularity, telecommunications infrastructure in the United States continues to increase in capacity and geographic reach to meet market demand. Important components of thi...
Anomalous Binding of Radiolabeled Oligonucleotide Probes to Plaques and Tangles in Alzheimer Disease Hippocampus

Several reports indicate that Alzheimer disease (AD) brain contains elevated levels of heat shock 70 proteins. To determine the cellular localization of the heat shock 70mRNAs, specific oligonucleotide probes werein situ hybridized to AD and control brains. When oligonucleotides werein situ hybridized to brain sections with no AD neuropathology, hybridization was cell-specific and prior ribonuclease (RNase) treatment of adjacent sections resulted in no hybridization signal. However,in situ hybridization to AD hippocampus resulted in heavy grain deposition over senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Despite altering a number of experimental variables, we observed a similar pattern of grain deposition with most of the oligonucleotides tested, including one oligonucleotide specific for glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA.In situ hybridization with either an RNA probe for glutamic acid decarboxylase or an oligonucleotide probe specific for 18S rRNA did not show this pattern of grain deposition. In control studies a sense hsc70 oligonucleotide showed no grain deposition in either cerebellum or hippocampus. Sections from AD hippocampus pretreated with RNase prior toin situ hybridization demonstrated enhanced grain deposition with the majority of probes tested. Anomalousin situ hybridization to AD hippocampus was usually eliminated by removing formamide from the posthybridization weshes, although post-RNase sticking often remained intense. These findings indicate that artifactual probe binding to senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles may complicate the analysis ofin situ hybridization studies using oligonucleotide probes to determine mRNA distribution in AD brain.
Retrospective evaluation of steroid hormone intermediates in dogs with alopecia

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are specific steroid hormonal aberrations associated with suspect endocrine alopecias in dogs where hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism have been excluded. Steroid hormone panels submitted to the UTCVM endocrinology laboratory over a 7.5-year period (783 samples) from dogs with alopecia were reviewed. To be included in the final analysis, complete information about age, sex, neuter status and breed was required; hypothyroidism had been ruled out; and cortisol concentration post-ACTH stimulation was less than 200 ng mL−1. A total of 276 dogs met the criteria for inclusion (seven intact females, 32 intact males, 134 spayed females, 103 neutered males) and comprised of 54 different breeds. Approximately 73% of dogs had at least one steroid hormone intermediate greater than the normal range. The most frequent hormone elevation was noted in baseline and/or post-ACTH stimulation progesterone (57.9% of samples). Breeds that contained seven or more dogs were statistically compared. Only malamute dogs failed to show an increase in progesterone for any dog. When compared with normal dogs, oestradiol was significantly greater in keeshond dogs and baseline progesterone was significantly greater in pomeranians and husky breed dogs. While significant difference existed among breeds, neither baseline nor post-stimulation 17-hydroxyprogesterone differed significantly from normal values. Chow-chow and malamute dogs had the greatest percentage of dogs with completely normal steroid hormone intermediates. Results of this study suggest that the pathomechanism of the alopecia, at least for some breeds, may not relate to steroid hormone intermediates. Funded by the Companion Animal Fund, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.
Model theory for hyponormal contractions

Agler's abstract model theory is applied to the family of hyponormal contractions. A sufficient condition for an operator to be extremal in this family is given, and this is used to show that the boundary, or smallest model, for the family is the whole family.
Shouldering the Weight of the World: The Sensational and Global Appeal of John Wayne’s Body

Abstract Despite the fact that John Wayne is often understood as a uniquely American star, he was the world's most popular actor in the 1950s. This article, therefore, explores the international resonance of Wayne, connecting the sensations evoked by Wayne's body with the embodied experiences of global capitalism and modernization.
The low incidence of multiple sclerosis in areas near the equator may be due to ultraviolet light induced supressor cells to melanocyte antigens

It has been shown by Elmets et al. (1) that ultraviolet irradiation of the skin followed by the application of a normally sensitizing antigen results in tolerance induction to the antigen. This tolerance is due to the induction of suppressor T-cells specific for the antigen. Multiple sclerosis is more common in certain climates distant from the equator where there is less ultraviolet light (sunlight). I postulate that people near the equator are exposed to more sunlight and that the ultraviolet light from the sunlight aids in the induction of suppressor cells specific for melanocyte associated antigens. Since melanocytes are of neural crest origin and share antigenic determinants with neural tissues these suppressor cells may act to protect against multiple sclerosis which is probably an autoimmune disease directed against neural tissues.
Adaptive significance of postcopulatory guarding of mates and nonmates by male Calopteryx maculata (Odonata)

1. The postcopulatory behavior of the damselfly Calopteryx maculata (De Beauvois) (Odonata: Calopterygidae) was studied in field populations to determine the adaptive significance of guarding of ovipositing females by males. Of particular interest was an explanation for the guarding of ovipositing nonmates by males. A promiscuous mating system and the large variation in mating success (Table 1) among territorial males indicated that sexual selection may have been a significant factor in the evolution of C. maculata postcopulatory behavior. 2. Territorial males defend ovipositing mates by chasing and displaying toward conspecific males attempting takeovers. Guarded mates averaged 12–15 min of undisturbed oviposition while unguarded females averaged only 1–2 min of oviposition prior to disturbance by males. Postcopulatory guarding is advantageous to both sexes because it allows undisturbed oviposition. 3. During mating, 88%–100% of the sperm stored by a female from a previous mating was removed by a male before he transferred his own sperm to her storage organs. Given this potential for sperm displacement, postcopulatory guarding is advantageous to the guarding male since it assures him of fertilizing a substantial number of eggs prior to a subsequent mating by his mate. 4. The duration of guarding (interval between matings) for males was 10–15 min. It did not differ significantly between two populations in on year. Guarding duration did not significantly change with (a) time of day, (b) time devoted to defensive behavior, (c) female arrival rate, and (d) presence of absence of an ovipositing female (Table 2). 5. Males frequently guarded females with which they did not mate. Nonmates were guarded only when the male was simultaneously guarding a mate or had recently mated. These nonmates deposited eggs fertilized by rival males. Their presence did not significantly increase the time and energy expended by guarding males but did attract additional females (Table 3). However, these additional females did not lead to an increase in mating frequency for the guarding male. 6. Three factors appeared to limit the ability of guarding males to exclude or attempt matings with arriving nonmates: (a) a lack of individual recognition, (b) a risk of losing a previous mate while failing to copulate with an arriving female, and (c) a probable physiologic limit to mating frequency. These limitations in male postcopulatory behavior were exploited by females. 7. Some males were not territorial. While appearing less effective at obtaining mates, they devoted no time and energy to defending territories or mates. Because of sperm displacement, their reproductive success depended upon the ability of their mates to exploit the limitations in guarding behavior of territorial males.
Fine line thin dielectric circuit board characterization

The rough surface of the copper foil, introduced to enhance its interfacial adhesion to the dielectric medium, will increase the signal propagation time constant and reduce the characteristic impedance of a signal line. The influence increases as the dielectric thickness decreases. Two high resolution resonant measurement techniques will be presented for such studies. The additional delay term due to the internal inductance at the frequency of interest is proportional to the square root of the signal rise time in the transient measurement. The additional delay associated with the signal rise time degradation due to skin effect resistance loss is minimized by measuring the delay at 1% of the voltage swing. We will also compare the results of different measurement techniques in this paper.
Infrared LEDs and microcavities based on erbium-doped silicon nanocomposites

Abstract We demonstrate stable room-temperature electroluminescence at 1.54 μm under both forward and reverse bias conditions from erbium-doped silicon nanocomposites. We also show enhanced and tunable emission from erbium when incorporated in porous silicon based microcavities. Erbium is infiltrated in the pores by cathodic electrochemical migration of the ions followed by high temperature annealing (600–1100°C) to produce a composite material made of silicon nanocrystals and silicon dioxide. The devices exhibit an exponential electroluminescence dependence in both bias conditions as a function of the driving current and driving voltage. In reverse bias, the external quantum efficiency reaches 0.01%. The devices show a large temperature dependence of the electroluminescence intensity. The electroluminescence intensity decreases by a factor of 24 in reverse bias and 2.6 in forward bias when the temperature increases from 240 to 300 K. The photoluminescence from the erbium-doped microcavity resonators is enhanced by more than one order of magnitude and tuned to emit in areas where the natural erbium emission is very weak.
Estrogen Replacement and Cardiomyocyte Protection

The effects of estrogen on vascular function have been studied extensively; however, much less is known regarding the effect of estrogen on myocardial function and cardiomyocyte biology. We recently examined the effects of estrogen on infarct size and left ventricular remodeling after induction of myocardial infarction by permanent coronary ligation in ovariectomized female mice. These studies demonstrated that physiologic replacement with 17β-estradiol (E 2 ) reduced infarct size and reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis at 24 and 72 hours post–myocardial infarction. In vivo, physiologic E 2 replacement rapidly activated the Akt signaling pathway within the myocardium. In vitro, physiologic concentrations of E 2 rapidly activated Akt via estrogen receptor α (ERα) and phosphoinositide-3 (PI3)-kinase-dependent mechanisms. Moreover, estrogen mitigated anthracycline-induced apoptosis in vitro via ER- and PI3-kinase-Akt-dependent mechanisms. Our data therefore support that estrogen favorably influences cardiomyocyte survival both in a coronary occlusion model in vivo and in cultured cardiomyocytes in vitro. Further work is necessary to more completely understand the complex effects of sex hormones on cardiomyocyte biology.
On the Architecture of Pānini's Grammar

The descriptive technique of Pānini's Aṣṭ ādhyā yī has deeply influenced modern linguistic theory and practice. Pānini's had no predetermined "theory of grammar". The rich array of formal devices and categories of his analysis emerge from nothing more than rigorously making it as short as possible. I review the overall organization of his grammar, the types of rules and the categories that they apply to, and the principles which govern their application and interaction in the system. I present in outline Pānini's treatment of the major topics of Sanskrit grammar: syntax, word-formation (primary and secondary derivation, compounding), nominal and verbal inflection, and phonology. The analysis reveals that central aspects of what linguistics ascribes to Universal Grammmar, including levels of representation, thematic roles, and rule ordering, are motivated within the Aṣṭ ādhyā yī merely by the goal of achieving maximum compression. This finding is itself of considerable theoretical interest.
Targeting DNA repair and the cell cycle in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is a disease with poor outcomes despite standard therapy. Specific targeting of the DNA damage response is a strategy that is becoming increasingly employed in oncology and has intriguing potential for improving outcomes in glioblastoma. DNA damage targeting has implications for improving current therapy as well as the potential to leverage inherent differences in glioblastoma cells to widen the therapeutic window.
The mitomycin bioreductive antitumor agents: Cross-linking and alkylation of DNA as the molecular basis of their activity

This review focuses on the chemical and enzymatic aspects of the reductive activation of mitomycin C, its disulfide analogs KW-2149 and BMS-181174, and, in less detail, FR66979 and FR900482, newly discovered antitumor antibiotics related to mitomycins. Furthermore, structural aspects of DNA damage induced by these drugs in vitro and in vivo are described, including the chemical and conformational characteristics of DNA interstrand and intrastrand cross-links and monofunctional alkylation products, with emphasis on DNA adducts of mitomycin C. The DNA sequence specificity of the damage and its mechanism is reviewed. The relationship between the chemical and structural properties of the DNA damage on the one hand, and the antitumor and other biological activities of the mitomycins on the other, is discussed.
1,2-Diacylglycerols do not potentiate the action of phospholipases A2 and C in human platelets

Abstract 1,2-Diacylglycerol has recently been reported to potentiate the ability of phospholipases A and C to hydrolyze phospholipids in a cellfree system. The present study has been undertaken to investigate whether 1,2-diacylglycerol can also perform this function in intact cells using the platelet as a test system. Exogenous 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) and 1,2-didecanoylglycerol, at concentrations sufficient to produce maximal phosphorylation of a 40,000 dalton protein, caused no significant formation of [ 3 H]inositol phosphates and [ 32 P]phosphatidic acid (products of phospholipase C activation) or [ 14 C]arachidonic acid metabolites and lysophosphatidyl[ 3 H]inositol (products of phospholipase A 2 activation). These data therefore imply that 1,2-diacylglycerols do not potentiate the actions of phospholipases A 2 and C in intact platelets at concentrations that are physiologically relevant.
Non-NMDA glutamate receptor binding in canine brain after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.

We employed a canine model to test the effects of global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion on binding to α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole proprionate (AMPA), kainate (KA), and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Ischemia was induced by 10 min of cardiac arrest, followed by restoration of spontaneous circulation for periods of 0, 0.5, 2, 4, and 24 h. Frozen sections were prepared from parietal and temporal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, and in vitro autoradiography was performed with one of three radioligands: [3H]AMPA, [3H]KA, or [3H]glutamate (using conditions allowing specific labeling of the metabotropic binding site). In striatum, metabotropic binding was unchanged, whereas AMPA and KA binding decreased by 20–30% at 30 min postischemia, remaining depressed through 24h. In cortex, AMPA and metabotropic binding were decreased at several timepoints after ischemia and recirculation, particularly in parietal cortex, whereas KA binding was unaffected in this tissue. Binding to hippocampal regions was largely unchanged, except for a decrease in KA binding at 2 and 4 h postischemia. These findings contrast with results from parallel studies showing increased striatal binding to NMDA receptors following ischemia. Decreased binding to non-NMDA glutamate receptors in striatum and parietal cortex may serve to protect against damage mediated through these receptors.
Do narrow Σ hypernuclear states exist

Abstract The Σ hypernuclear problem has been the subject of intense experimental and theoretical debate for more than 15 years. Despite these efforts, the Σ-nucleus interaction is not well understood. Experimental data have been taken on different targets at different momenta and at different conditions. These data suffer from poor resolution and insufficient statistics. Contradictions among the different sets of data often resulted more in clouding the issues than clarifying them. This paper aims at clearing up this long-standing problem. Hypernuclear mass spectra for in-flight ( K − , π ± ) reactions from 1 H, 2 H, 6 Li and 9 Be have been measured. Preliminary results based on analysis of the ( K − , π ± ) spectra from 9 Be are discussed.
The formation of solar prominences by magnetic reconnection and condensation

A model for solar quiescent prominences nested in a ‘Figure 8’ magnetic field topology is developed. This topology is argued to be the natural consequence of the distention of bipolar regions upward into the corona. If this distention is slow enough so that hydrostatic equilibrium holds approximately along the field lines, the transverse gas pressure forces fall exponentially with height whereas the inward Lorentz forces fall as a power law. At a low height in the corona, the pressure forces cannot balance the Lorentz forces provided the field lines remain tied to the photosphere and an inward collapse with subsequent reconnection at the point of closest approach should occur. Because of initial shear in the magnetic field, the reconnection would produce isolated helices above the point of reconnection since field lines would not interact with themselves but with their neighbors. This resulting topology produces a field above the elevated neutral line which is opposite in polarity to that of the photospheric field as in the current sheet models of Kuperus and Tandberg-Hanssen (1967). Raadu and Kuperus (1973), Kuperus and Raadu (1974), and Raadu (1979) and in agreement with recent observations of Leroy (1982), and Leroy et al. (1983). Assuming the isolated helices formed by reconnection are insulated from coronal thermal conduction and heating, the radiative cooling process and condensation is considered for the temperature range of 104-6000 K. This condensation results in a steady downflow to the bottom of the helices as the temperature scale-height falls, thus forming a dense, cool, prominence at the bottom of the helical configuration resting on the elevated neutral line with the remainder of the helix being essentially evacuated of material. We identify this neutral line at the bottom of the prominence with the sharp lower edge often seen when viewing quiescent prominences side-on and the evacuated helix with the coronal cavity observed around prominences when seen during total eclipses. Downflow speeds associated with the condensation process are calculated for prominence temperatures and yield velocities in the range of the observed downflows of about 1 km s−1.
Thermochemistry of the decomposition of nitramines in the gas phase

The mechanism of decomposition of nitramines has been studied theoretically using the quantum chemical Bond-Additivity-Corrected Moller-Plesset fourth order pertrubation theory method (BAC-MP4). The BAC-MP4 method is used to calculate the heats of formation and free energies of the nitramines H 2 NNO 2 and CH 3 NHNO 2 as well as of the molecular radical species which might arise from the decomposition process. The thermochemical properties of transition state activated complexes have also been calculated. The bond energies and dissociation energies obtained from these calculations are used to determine decomposition pathways of propellant nitramines such as HMX and RDX. The results indicate that at high temperatures, bond fission of the nitro group (with a bond energy of ≈200 kJ-mol −1 ) should play an important role as the initial decomposition step. At lower temperatures, the five-centered HONO elimination with a dissociation energy of ∼170 kj-mol −1 is possible but has a small preexponential factor compared to experimental decomposition rates. We propose a new decomposition mechanism, involving attack by autocatalytic generated H atoms, which provides a lower energy pathway (∼128 kJ-mol −1 ) which can form nitrosamines as intermediate products leading to N 2 O formation. The H atom attack can also lead to HCN and NO 2 formation through pathways analogous to the initial N−NO 2 bond breaking process.
Lysophosphatidic acid increases soluble ST2 expression in mouse lung and human bronchial epithelial cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a naturally occurring bioactive lysophospholipid increases the expression of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators in airway epithelial cells. Soluble ST2 (sST2), an anti-inflammatory mediator, has been known to function as a decoy receptor of interleukin (IL)-33 and attenuates endotoxin-induced inflammatory responses. Here, we show that LPA increased sST2 mRNA expression and protein release in a dose and time dependent manner in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs). LPA receptors antagonist and Gαi inhibitor, pertussis toxin, attenuated LPA-induced sST2 release. Inhibition of NF-κB or JNK pathway reduced LPA-induced sST2 release. LPA treatment decreased histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) expression and enhanced acetylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 that binds to the sST2 promoter region. Furthermore, limitation of intracellular LPA generation by the down-regulation of acetyl glycerol kinase attenuated exogenous LPA-induced histone H3 acetylation on sST2 promoter region, as well as sST2 gene expression. Treatment of HBEpCs with recombinant sST2 protein or sST2-rich cell culture media attenuated endotoxin-induced phosphorylation of PKC and airway epithelial barrier disruption. These results unravel a novel sST2 mediated signaling pathway that has physiological relevance to airway inflammation and remodeling.
Topical cocaine for relief of mucosal pain.

Painful mucosal lesions negatively affect quality of life. When located in the oral cavity, they can cause pain that interferes with speech and swallowing. Acute pain from intra-oral lesions is dif...
Scrapie infectious agent is virus-like in size and susceptibility to inactivation

The virions of all known viruses are composed of small amounts of genomic nucleic acid enveloped by proteins and other macromolecules. The aetiological agents of scrapie disease and the other subacute spongiform virus encephalopathies (SSVE), a group of slow, fatal degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, are, based on their resistance to sterilization and on indirect measurements suggesting subviral size, thought to have non-viral structures (see refs 1-3 for reviews). The kinetic studies reported here demonstrate that scrapie's resistance to many inactivants is limited to small subpopulations of the total infectivity, the majority population being highly sensitive to inactivation. Moreover, control inactivations of conventional viruses provide examples of both scrapie-like resistant subpopulations and complete insensitivity to virucidal agents, especially when those viruses, like scrapie, are suspended in hamster brain homogenate. Virus controls further establish that the ability of the scrapie agent to penetrate dilute agarose-acrylamide electrophoretic gels is shared by conventional viruses. Direct comparison of scrapie's resistance to ionizing radiation with the resistances of other viruses places scrapie with the smaller viruses, as opposed to requiring a subviral size as claimed.
Forces in rotary motion systems

In many coating chambers substrates are moved by simple or planetary rotary motion systems. Isaac Newton already taught that an object in uniform motion tends to stay in uniform motion unless acted upon by a net external force. To move a substrate on a rotary trajectory, centripetal and gravitational forces must act upon the substrate. The substrate must be somehow confined. Confinement options range from firm attachment to a fixture to loose placement in a pocket. Depending on the rotary motion pattern, a loosely held substrate may slide once against a confinement boundary and then stay, or may constantly slide around. 'Rattling around' may be undesirable as it could lead to edge destruction, debris formation, precession of the substrate, and other adverse effects. Firm attachment is advantageous in most cases, but often adds process complexity. We examine the forces present on substrates in typical rotary motion systems and discuss the implications of different confinement methods.
The distribution of calmodulin in living mitotic cells

Calmodulin has been labeled with rhodamine isothiocyanate (CaM-RITC) and used as a probe for the location of calmodulin in vivo. CaM-RITC retains its capacity to regulate the activity of brain phosphodiesterase in a Ca2+-dependent manner in vitro, indicating that the labeled protein is still active. After injection into living mammalian cells CaM-RITC incorporates rapidly into the mitotic spindle; the details of its localization there mimic closely the distribution of calmodulin seen by immunofluorescence. In interphase cells the CaM-RITC is excluded from the nucleus, but shows no region of specific concentration within the cytoplasm. Neither a 2-fold increase in cellular CaM nor the injection of anti CaM has any observable effect on the progress of mitosis.