cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporally Dependent Changes in Cocaine-Induced Synaptic Plasticity in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell are Reversed by D1-Like Dopamine Receptor Stimulation

Dopaminergic and glutamatergic inputs to the nucleus accumbens shell have a central role in reward processing. Non-contingent cocaine administration generates a number of long-term AMPA receptor-dependent changes in synaptic efficacy. However, the synaptic consequences of cocaine self-administration and the potential role of dopamine in these processes remain unclear. Here, we examined the influence of D1 dopamine receptor (D1DR) activation on excitatory synaptic plasticity in the accumbens shell of adult rats following cocaine self-administration. Our results indicated that during the first 2 days following cocaine exposure both pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms contribute to a net decrease in AMPA receptor-mediated signaling. This is reflected by decreased frequency of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) attributable to enhanced cannabinoid receptor activity, decreased mEPSC amplitude, and increased paired-pulse ratio of evoked EPSCs. In contrast, the only changes observed in the shell 3–4 weeks following cocaine self-administration were increased mEPSCs amplitudes and AMPA/NMDA ratios. We further found that although these cocaine-induced neuroadaptations during early and late abstinence have different synaptic expression mechanisms, they were normalized by stimulation of D1DRs. Thus, pre-exposure to the D1DR agonist, SKF38393, during the initial period of abstinence increased excitatory synaptic strength, but reduced excitatory signaling after weeks of abstinence. Taken together, these results indicate that the direction of changes in excitatory transmission induced by cocaine self-administration switches over the first few weeks of abstinence. Moreover, D1DRs gate the stability of these cocaine-induced changes at glutamatergic synapses in the accumbens shell by utilizing multiple temporally distinct mechanisms, which has implications for the treatment of cocaine craving and addiction.
Downwelling spectral irradiance during evening twilight as a function of the lunar phase

We measured downwelling spectral vector irradiance (from 350 to 800 nm) during evening civil and nautical twilight (solar elevation down to −12°). Nine sets of measurements were taken to cover the first half of the lunar cycle (from the new to full moon) and were also used to calculate chromaticity (CIE 1976 u′v′). The lunar phase had no consistent effect on downwelling irradiance until solar elevation was less than −8°. For lower solar elevations, the effect of the moon increased with the fraction of the illuminated lunar disk until the fraction was approximately 50%. For fractions greater than 50%, the brightness and chromaticity of the downwelling irradiance were approximately independent of the fraction illuminated, likely because the greater brightness of a fuller moon was offset by its lower elevation during twilight. Given the importance of crepuscular periods to animal activity, including predation, reproductive cycles, and color vision in dim light, these results may have significant implications for animal ecology.
Enhanced Cooling of a Liquid-Fueled Rocket Thrust Chamber by Metal Foams

DOI: 10.2514/1.B34422 As human beings pursue the deeper space exploration, advanced propulsion systems that deliver super performance and possess increased durability for the next generation spacecraft will be needed, despite current limitations on materials. A promising technology is to fill the current open cooling channels with open-cell metal foams to drastically enhance the cooling of the thrust chamber. After applying the methods developed for the feasibility evaluation, it is found that under equal pressure drop and coolant mass flow rate, the actual amount of increase in the heat transfer coefficient for the foamed channel over the open channel is approximately the same for any given pressure drop, while the percent heat transfer coefficient increase actually decreases with increasing pressuredropfrom99%at841 kPa=mto48%at3090 kPa=m.Itisalsoshownthatunderequalpressuredropand coolant mass flow rate in an actual rocket condition, the heat transfer coefficient of the foamed channel is 49581 W=m 2 K,whichismorethan110%enhancement,comparedwith23464 W=m 2 Kfortheopenchannel.That means that, under the same pressure drop and mass flow rate, the foamed channel has the capability to significantly enhance the cooling for the rocket engine thrust chamber.
Modeling biological visual processes for improved contrast enhancement and edge detection of artificial visual systems

Although the properties of the human visual system have been studied extensively, the knowledge of its operations are usually considered only for comparison, and models based on its function are rarely utilized. Complexity and speed of computation are often the most quoted reasons for choosing not to implement such models. Nonetheless, if we are to achieve the flexibility and power of the biological visual system, researchers would be wise to continue to explore practical, yet comprehensive models based on human vision. This paper examines the first stage of the primate visual system, the retina, and how simple models of its neurons, along with their properties and interactions, can mimic what is presently believed to be some of the initial forms of visual image processing. A static model based on the previously explored ideas of shunting dynamics will be presented along with the introduction of image (photoreceptor) blurring, driven by feedback from the shunting network. Simulations are used to demonstrate the model.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Heart rate response to non-signal tones

The heart rate response to onset of 18-sec, nonsignal tones heard over 71 dB white noise was solely decelerative and habituated rapidly; the response to tone offset was similar to the onset response. It was suggested that cardiac deceleration is a component of the orienting reflex.
PEDIATRIC ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY

Endoscopic sinus surgery has become an accepted method of treating chronic sinusitis in children. It has been shown to be a safe and well-tolerated procedure. The results of endoscopic sinus surgery from multiple institutions has shown approximately 85% efficacy, and there is now evidence that facial growth is not affected. Endoscopic sinus surgery is described in detail in this report.
Hypoglycemia in a child with congenital muscular dystrophy

Since skeletal muscle is an important source of precursor for gluconeogenesis, it would not be surprising if carbohydrate metabolism was altered in some muscle disorders. We report a 7–10/12-year-old white male with congenital muscular dystrophy whose recurrent episodes of vomiting and dehydration were due to fasting hypoglycemia. He was found to have a blood glucose of 21 mg/dl with an episode of vomiting and dehydration. Diagnostic fasting replicated the symptoms and hypoglycemia. Associated laboratory findings included hypoalaninemia, ketonemia, and acidosis. With use of frequent feedings, there were no further episodes over 1–9/12 years of observation. To our knowledge this is the first report of hypoglycemia complicating muscular dystrophy. However, hypoglycemia may not be diagnosed because of the nonspecific nature of the symptoms. Hypoglycemia should be considered when children with reduced muscle mass develop otherwise unexplained vomiting.
Linkage between low-density lipoprotein and igk light-chain genes in rabbits.

The rabbit geneLpq, which codes for a low-density serum lipoprotein2, is linked (34.6 ± 5.3 centimorgans) to the Ig kappa light-chain gene (Ab). There is no evidence thatLpq is linked to another gene,Prt, that was previously found to be linked to theAb gene. This suggests that the gene order for the three genes isPrt- Ab- Lpq.
Maxillo-facial and palatal reconstructions with the deltopectoral flap

A flexible method for reconstruction of the defects resulting from radical orbito-maxillary resections is described with 7 illustrative case reports, using the deltopectoral flap.
Conformal proton beam therapy of prostate cancer--update on the Loma Linda University medical center experience.

The ability to eradicate localized prostate cancer is dependent upon the radiation dose which can be delivered to the prostate. This dose is often limited by the tolerance of normal organs (rectum, bladder). Conformal beam therapy takes advantage of the unique depth dose characteristics of heavy charged particles (the Bragg Peak) to escalate the radiation dose delivered to the prostate while minimizing treatment-related toxicity. 643 patients with localized prostate cancer were treated with protons alone or a combination of protons and photons. All treatment was planned on a 3-D planning system and all received doses between 74–75 CGE (Cobalt Gray Equivalent) at 1.8–2.0 CGE/day. Patients were evaluated for toxicity and response to treatment. Five-year actuarial clinical and biochemical disease-free survival rates for the entire group are 89 and 79% respectively. A statistically significant difference in biochemical disease-free survival was seen between patients in the “early” (T1b-2b, PSA 15 or T2c-T4, PSA<50) subgroups (89% vs. 68% at 4.5 years, p<0.001). A PSA nadir of less than 0.51 ng/ml predicted for the highest chance of freedom from biochemical recurrence. Minimal radiation proctitis was seen in 21% of patients; toxicity of greater serverity was seen in less than 1%. Conformal proton beamt therapy produced high rates of response and minimal toxicity. A phase III dose escalation trial is in progress to help define the optimum radiation dose for the treatment of early stage prostate cancer.
Multicolor Conjugated Polymer Dots for Biological Fluorescence Imaging

Highly fluorescent conjugated polymer dots were developed for demanding applications such as fluorescence imaging in live cells. These nanoparticles exhibit small particle diameters, extraordinary fluorescence brightness, and excellent photostability. Single particle fluorescence imaging and kinetic studies indicate much higher emission rates (∼108 s−1) and little or no blinking of the nanoparticles as compared to typical results for single dye molecules and quantum dots. Analysis of single particle photobleaching trajectories reveals excellent photostability—as many as 109 or more photons emitted per nanoparticle prior to irreversible photobleaching. The superior figures of merit of these new fluorescent probes, together with the demonstration of cellular imaging, indicate their enormous potential for demanding fluorescence-based imaging and sensing applications such as high speed super-resolution single molecule/particle tracking and highly sensitive assays.
Protective effects of chromium on the toxicity of cadmium in vivo.

Abstract The acute toxicity of cadmium is known to be less in animals pretreated with zinc. However, the ability of other metals to decrease the toxicity of cadmium has not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine if chromium will decrease the acute toxicity of cadmium. Rats received one of the following treatments: (1) saline, saline; (2) saline, cadmium; (3) chromium, cadmium; (4) zinc, cadmium; and (5) chromium, saline. The first of each treatment pair was administered i.p. 36 h and 12 h prior to the second of the pair, which was given i.v. The dose of chromic and zinc chloride was 100 μmol/kg and that for cadmium was 9 μmol/kg except for the lethality study in which 35 μmol/kg was used. Chromium decreased the number of animals that died from cadmium. Furthermore, testicular atrophy due to cadmium was also prevented by pretreatment with chromium. However, chromium did not block the cadmium-induced decrease in hepatic microsomal metabolism as evidenced by a fall in both cytochrome P-450 and aniline metabolism. The observed effects of chromium were not due to an alteration in cadmium distribution. This study demonstrates that chromium can reduce some of the acute toxic effects of cadmium and re-emphasizes the requirement for knowledge not only of individual metals but also for the interactions among such chemicals.
Multipliers and generalized multipliers of cyclic objects and cyclic codes

Abstract In (European J. Combin. Theory 8 (1987), 35–43) Palfy answers the question: Under what conditions on n is it true that two equivalent objects in any class of cyclic combinatorial objects on n elements implies the objects are equivalent, using one of the ϕ(n) multipliers i → ai mod, n, with gcd(a, n) = 1. Palfy proved that this is true precisely when n = 4 or gcd(n, ϕ(n)) = 1. For any odd prime p, we prove that two equivalent objects in any class of cyclic combinatorial objects on n = p2 elements are equivalent using a permutation from a list of no more then ϕ(n) = p(p − 1) permutations. We introduce permutations called generalized multipliers, and we show that two permutation equivalent cyclic codes of length p2 are equivalent by a generalized multiplier times a multiplier. We also develop properties of generalized multipliers and generalized affine maps when n = pm, show that they map cyclic codes to cyclic codes, and show that certain of these maps are in the automorphism group of a cyclic code.
HIV serostatus and risk behaviors in a multisite sample of drug users

Abstract In developing HIV prevention efforts, it is critical to determine whether interventions are effective in achieving declines in risk behavior among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. Based on a multisite intervention study of injection drug users (IDUs) and crack smokers, 488 seropositive IDUs and 364 seropositive crack users were compared with randomly selected matched samples of seronegatives (with matching based on recruitment site, gender, age group and ethnicity) at baseline and six-month follow-up to compare changes in risk behaviors by serostatus. Results indicated that overall, risk behaviors declined substantially over time; significant interaction effects indicated that seropositives reported a greater decline in sex risk behaviors than seronegatives. These data support the utility of HIV testing for high-risk drug users, and indicate that interventions have produced red uctions in risk behaviors of both seropositives and seronegatives. Further research on the impact of site...
Development of a Microfluidic Method for Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells

Circulating tumor cells can provide important diagnostic information using blood samples instead of direct biopsy of a solid tumor. We report development of an optical microfluidics method for molecular analysis of circulating tumor cells.
Evaluation of an Internet- Based Nutrition Education Course for K-12 Teachers

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine the usefulness of eight Internet resources as tools for educating K-12 teachers about nutrition. An 8-week internet-based course in nutrition following the USDA H&G Bulletins #253–1–8, Dietary Guidelines and Your Diet, was developed for K–12 teachers. The goals were for participants to increase nutrition knowledge and behavior, integrate nutrition activities in their teaching, and improve computer skills, in particular, the use of Internet. Access to Internet was through UMassK12, a menu–driven Internet host service for K–12 teachers and students, and was supplemented by print materials and Internet resources: World Wide Web, on–line dietary analysis, real time chat, local newsgroups, and e–mail. The course, which began and ended with in–person workshops, was attended by elementary, and middle or high school teachers of science, health, physical education, and family and consumer sciences (n=44). Each of the 8 units encouraged personal nutrition behavior change, included directions for hands–on activities for home or classroom, presented discussion questions, directed participants to resources for on-line information searches and required development of lesson plans. Four of the units included topics for on-line chat sessions. Usefulness of the hands-on activities, discussion questions, searching for resources, lesson plan development and chat sessions was rated by a 5-point Likert scale (5="very useful") to be 4.4, 3.8, 4.4, 3.6, and 4.1, respectively. The print materials, World Wide Web page developed specifically for the course, and on-line dietary analysis were rated 4.7, 4.4, and 4.4, respectively. Instructors provided quick and ample feedback which was rated for usefulness at a level of 4.6. Overall course value, feelings of accomplishment, and computer competence were rated 4.8, 4.6, and 4.2 on a 5-point Likert scale (5="a great deal"). Qualitative evaluation revealed that all but 3 participants have made or plan to make changes in their teaching as a result. Because the course was more time consuming than anticipated, for both instructors and participants, students did not find sufficient opportunity to read and respond to discussions posted by others, thus participant-participant interaction received a sufficiency rating of 3.5 out of 5, vs. 4.4 for participant-instructor interaction. Overall, participants were enthusiastic and felt that course goals were achieved. Recommendations for future courses of this type include continuation of prompt instructor feedback and additional opportunities for participant-participant interaction. Funded in part by a Public Service Endowment Grant from the Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Epidermal growth factor stimulates serine/threonine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion protein paxillin in a MEK-dependent manner in normal rat kidney cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated proliferation of renal epithelial cells plays an important role in the recovery of kidney tubule epithelia following exposure to insult. Numerous studies have demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion protein paxillin mediates in part the effects of growth factors on cell growth, migration, and organization of the actin-based cytoskeleton. The experiments in this report were designed to determine the effect of EGF on paxillin phosphorylation in normal rat kidney (NRK) epithelial cells. Interestingly, treatment of NRK cells with EGF stimulated paxillin serine/threonine phosphorylation, which caused a reduction in the mobility of paxillin on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The EGF-stimulated mobility shift of paxillin was independent of an intact cytoskeleton, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activation, protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and cellular adhesion. However, inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase abrogated the EGF-stimulated change in paxillin mobility. In addition, the EGF-stimulated change in paxillin serine/threonine phosphorylation was not accompanied by a profound reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. These results identify paxillin as a component EGF signaling in renal epithelial cells and implicate members of the MAP kinase pathway as critical regulators of paxillin serine/threonine phosphorylation.
TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) causes increases in protein kinases particularly protein kinase C in the hepatic plasma membrane of the rat and the guinea pig.

Summary To study the cause of TCDD-evoked changes in the functions of plasma membrane constituents TCDD's effects on protein kinase activities in the liver of rats and guinea pigs were investigated. TCDD was found to cause a sharp increase in both c-AMP independent and dependent protein kinase activities in plasma membrane preparations from rat liver within 48 hours from the time of administration. Such effects reached maxima around day 20, and were quite noticeable even 40 days after a single administration of TCDD. As a result of SDS-polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis several substrate proteins for these increased protein kinases were observed. Among them are 170 K – 150 K bands, representing EGF receptor protein. TCDD was found to particularly stimulate protein kinase C which is known to influence many enzyme and receptor functions through protein phosphorylation. The possible significance of such an action of TCDD is discussed.
Elemental Analysis of Organic Species with Electron Ionization High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

We present a new elemental analysis (EA) technique for organic species (CHNO) that allows fast on-line analysis (10 s) and reduces the required sample size to ∼1 ng, ∼6 orders of magnitude less than standard techniques. The composition of the analyzed samples is approximated by the average elemental composition of the ions from high-resolution electron ionization (EI) mass spectra. EA of organic species can be performed on organic/inorganic mixtures. Elemental ratios for the total organic mass, such as oxygen/carbon (O/C), hydrogen/carbon (H/C), and nitrogen/carbon (N/C), in addition to the organic mass to organic carbon ratio (OM/OC), can be determined. As deviations between the molecular and the ionic composition can appear due to chemical influences on the ion fragmentation processes, the method was evaluated and calibrated using spectra from 20 compounds from the NIST database and from 35 laboratory standards sampled with the high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). The a...
Development of risk-based nanomaterial groups for occupational exposure control

Given the almost limitless variety of nanomaterials, it will be virtually impossible to assess the possible occupational health hazard of each nanomaterial individually. The development of science-based hazard and risk categories for nanomaterials is needed for decision-making about exposure control practices in the workplace. A possible strategy would be to select representative (benchmark) materials from various mode of action (MOA) classes, evaluate the hazard and develop risk estimates, and then apply a systematic comparison of new nanomaterials with the benchmark materials in the same MOA class. Poorly soluble particles are used here as an example to illustrate quantitative risk assessment methods for possible benchmark particles and occupational exposure control groups, given mode of action and relative toxicity. Linking such benchmark particles to specific exposure control bands would facilitate the translation of health hazard and quantitative risk information to the development of effective exposure control practices in the workplace. A key challenge is obtaining sufficient dose–response data, based on standard testing, to systematically evaluate the nanomaterials’ physical–chemical factors influencing their biological activity. Categorization processes involve both science-based analyses and default assumptions in the absence of substance-specific information. Utilizing data and information from related materials may facilitate initial determinations of exposure control systems for nanomaterials.
Type III phosphodiesterase plays a necessary role in the growth-promoting actions of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, and Ha p21ras in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Three phosphodiesterase (PDE) type III inhibitors were tested and found to inhibit Xenopus oocyte maturation induced by insulin with apparent IC50 values of 2.2 ± 0.2 μM CI-930, 25 ± 3 μM imazodan (CI-914), and 786 ± 237 μM piroximone (MDL 19,205). The same rank order of potencies was observed for inhibition of insulin-like growth factor-l (IGF-l)-induced oocyte maturation, with IC50 values of 5.5 ± 0.9 μM CI-930, 54 ± 4 μM imazodan, and 1190 ± 395 μM piroximone. Oocyte maturation induced by microinjection of Ha p21 ras was also inhibited by pretreatment of oocytes with CI-930 or imazodan, with IC50 values of 4.3 ± 1.2 and 59 ± 4 μM, respectively. Progesterone-induced maturation was not affected by PDE III inhibitor action; and, neither type IV PDE inhibitors (Ro 20,1724 or rolipram) nor dipyridamole (a type V PDE inhibitor) inhibited cell division induced by IGF-I or microinjected Ha p21ras. In addition, while insulin-stimulated oocyte PDE activity measured in vivo after microinjection of 200 MM [3H] cAM...
Work in Progress - A New Program to Increase High School Students&#8217; Interest in Engineering

The United States Coast Guard Academy provides more than 80% of the Coast Guard's engineers. In order to meet Coast Guard needs, the Academy must attract increased numbers of cadet candidates who are interested in and capable of pursuing engineering as a course of study. In July 2004 the Academy conducted a new engineering-focused recruiting program for five hundred high school juniors. Called the Academy Introduction Mission, this summer program brought a diverse group of students from all over the country to New London, Connecticut, for a six-day campus experience. The primary focus of the summer program is an engineering project in which the high school students work in teams throughout the week to build a radio-controlled floating robotic craft. This paper describes this new summer program and its engineering component. The Academy Introduction Mission has increased the engineering and technological literacy of the participating high school students and is expected to improve engineering recruitment and retention
Topological reactions of optical correlation vortices

It is now well-appreciated that the correlation functions of partially coherent optical wavefields may possess phase singularities with properties similar to those that appear in monochromatic wavefields. Though much work has been done to investigate the generic properties of such correlation vortices, little effort has gone towards studying topological reactions associated with these vortices. In this paper we investigate three such reactions: (1) The break-up of a second-order optical vortex into first-order correlation vortices. (2) Creation and annihilation of correlation vortices. (3) The behavior of correlation vortices on propagation. These results clearly demonstrate the relationship between optical vortices and correlation vortices, and suggest the possible use of correlation vortices as a probe of the statistical properties of a field or a medium.
The regulatory approval process of animal drugs

The market for animal drugs is viable and lucrative, yet little information on the regulatory processes for them is readily available. This paper provides a review of the regulatory process for animal drugs, directed toward the pharmaceutical professional who understands the regulatory approval process of human drugs but has little exposure to the approval process for animal drugs. Comparisons will be made between the human and animal drug approval process.
Identification from Noisy Examples

When some of the training examples may be incorrect, none of the foregoing identification strategies are effective: With algorithms based on identification by enumeration (including refinement algorithms), an incorrect example may cause a correct hypothesis to be discarded. Even if correct hypotheses occur infinitely often in the enumeration, errors can cause them to be discarded infinitely often, and thereby frustrate convergence. With pac-identification, the fundamental strategy of choosing a hypothesis consistent with the examples may fail, because there may be no such hypothesis.
The Process of Reflexión in Bridging Testimonios Across Lived Experience

From Latinas’ locations in the margins of academe and society emerges a unique set of challenges complicated by racism, sexism, and classism. One form of resistance to these multiple marginalities involves drawing upon and (re)telling one's lived experience to expose oppression and systemic violence. Testimonio is a conceptual and methodological tool that transforms personal narrative into this type of resistance. In this article, the authors employ testimonio to document, from an intergenerational perspective, critical consequences and benefits of the academic socialization process for Latina academics. In examining the exchange between and among four established and four emerging Latina scholars, the authors uncovered an innovative methodological technique for bridging testimonios across lived experience; this technique is referred to as reflexion and enhances the level of knowledge construction that testimonio offers in formulating a collective consciousness across generations and social identities, cr...
Environmental Toxin–Linked Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Hepatic Metabolic Reprogramming in Obese Mice

Obesity is associated with strong risks of development of chronic inflammatory liver disease and metabolic syndrome following a second hit. This study tests the hypothesis that free radical metabolism of low chronic exposure to bromodichloromethane (BDCM), a disinfection byproduct of drinking water, causes nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), mediated by cytochrome P450 isoform CYP2E1 and adipokine leptin. Using diet-induced obese mice (DIO), mice deficient in CYP2E1, and mice with spontaneous knockout of the leptin gene, we show that BDCM caused increased lipid peroxidation and increased tyrosine nitration in DIO mice, events dependent on reductive metabolism by CYP2E1. DIO mice, exposed to BDCM, exhibited increased hepatic leptin levels and higher levels of proinflammatory gene expression and Kupffer cell activation. Obese mice exposed to BDCM also showed profound hepatic necrosis, Mallory body formation, collagen deposition, and higher alpha smooth muscle actin expression, events that are hallmarks of NASH. The absence of CYP2E1 gene in mice that were fed with a high-fat diet did not show NASH symptoms and were also protected from hepatic metabolic alterations in Glut-1, Glut-4, phosphofructokinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expressions (involved in carbohydrate metabolism), and UCP-1, PGC-1α, SREBP-1c, and PPAR-γ genes (involved in hepatic fat metabolism). Mice lacking the leptin gene were significantly protected from both NASH and metabolic alterations following BDCM exposure, suggesting that higher levels of leptin induction by BDCM in the liver contribute to the development of NASH and metabolic alterations in obesity. These results provide novel insights into BDCM-induced NASH and hepatic metabolic reprogramming and show the regulation of obesity-linked susceptibility to NASH by environmental factors, CYP2E1, and leptin.
Assessment of myocardial contractility in children and young adults from ventricular pressure recordings.

Abstract The index V pm (the actual or physiologic maximal shortening velocity of the contractile element) has been obtained from the analysis of left ventricular pressure recordings and then applied to the assessment of myocardial contractility in man. Pressures during the isovolumic period of ventricular systole were recorded during routine catheterization of 46 patients with a variety of cardiac lesions. The quantity V pm , that is (dp/dt/kp) max , was compared with the hemodynamic evaluation of each patient based on the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, ejection fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic volume. V pm was selected for this study since it appeared to be largely independent of load and does not require biplane angiocardiography and extrapolation analyses. Preliminary results suggest that a value of V pm greater than 1.6 sec −1 indicates normal myocardial function; lower values indicate abnormal function. In several instances this index was not in agreement with the hemodynamic measures, but in most cases the clinical assessment supported the conclusion drawn from V pm . This study suggests that reliable guides to myocardial contractility can readily be obtained from high fidelity pressure recordings alone.
Activation of PI3-kinase/PKB contributes to delay in neutrophil apoptosis after thermal injury

Neutrophil apoptosis is delayed under trauma and/or sepsis injury conditions. The molecular mechanism for the delay in apoptosis has not been well defined. We investigated whether activation of pho...
Living Jazz, Learning Jazz: Thoughts on a Responsive Pedagogy of Early Childhood Music.

In this article, jazz music is used as a lens through which early childhood music pedagogy is viewed, specifically thinking about swing and improvisation—the listening and responding to what is heard and seen, and the openness to possibility. These two concepts are defined by prominent jazz musicians and are traced in the child development literature as inherent ways of relating both to both music and others. Practice that involves finding innovative and mutually supportive ways to share musical space creates opportunities for collective growth; attending to the spaces between thematic, predetermined structures creates opportunities to observe and engage with spontaneous moments of musical innovation. Such an approach to teaching and learning suggests a theoretical framework attuned to the connections between jazz and childhood development that translates to artistically authentic classroom strategies relevant to students. Direct and indirect implications are offered.
Hedging functions of the Bulgarian discourse marker xajde

Abstract The Bulgarian discourse marker xajde (‘come on/let's/why don’t we,…’) is analyzed in terms of speech act and politeness theory, focusing primarily on its hedging functions in informal symmetrical discourse. Xajde is usually phonologically reduced, utterance-initial, and has “social and/or expressive” rather than “referential or descriptive functions” [Schiffrin, Deborah, 1987. Discourse Markers. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge [reprinted 1996]]. Analysis of informal spoken and e-mail data shows that xajde : (1) prefaces action-initiating utterances such as orders/requests, advice/suggestions, warnings, offers, promises, etc.; (2) marks leave-taking as a pre-closing or closing device; (3) accompanies agreements or (4) expressions of surprise. Basically, xajde is a redundant but effective politeness marker or a hedge, which minimizes the imposition on hearer's autonomy in action-initiating utterances, or minimizes a potential threat to other speakers’ positive face in responses to their utterances. These functions reflect relationships among speakers from closely-knit networks, their need to maintain bonds, and focus on emotions and empathy. Using xajde appropriately can bridge the gap between sounding coercive and empathizing with people, and between being rude and being polite. Overusing the marker or using it with imperative intonation, however, can express impatience and increase pressure on the hearer.
Tipping the Balance in Metabolic Regulation: Regulating Regulatory T Cells by Costimulation

A growing epidemic of obesity is threatening the health of millions of people around the world. In recent years, the fields of immunology and metabolism are rapidly converging (1). Studies have established that obesity is associated with systemic low-grade chronic inflammation, which may play a causal role in obesity-associated insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and other complications (2,3). Notably, many immune cells infiltrate and populate in tissues, such as adipose tissue, during obesity and influence nutrient metabolism and tissue inflammation (1). Despite these advances, however, how inflammatory responses are maintained at a low level in obesity remains poorly understood. This is an important question because an overt immune response in obesity would compromise the immune system’s ability to preserve immune “tolerance” of self while maintaining the ability to fight off foreign pathogens. T lymphocytes, both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, play an essential role in the initiation and regulation of adaptive immunity to foreign and native antigens. CD4+ T lymphocytes recognize polypeptides presented by class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Activated effector CD4+ T cells release cytokines that recruit other immune cells to the area, leading to inflammation. In addition to functionally distinct effector T-helper (Th) 1, Th2, and Th17 cells, CD4+ effector T cells can differentiate into immunosuppressive CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) …
RHE: A Lightweight JVM Instructional Tool

Teaching Java Virtual Machine (JVM) has become essential in training the next generation of Web application engineers, embedded software engineers, as well as virtual machine researchers and practitioners. However, due to the lack of a suitable instructional tool, it is difficult for students to get a sufficiently deep understanding of JVM design. In this paper, we introduce RHE (Reduced version of Harmony for Education), a lightweight JVM instructional tool. Due to its modular design and simple implementation, RHE can also be used as a research prototype with quick turnaround time. Our experience shows that with RHE, engineers with little or no knowledge of JVM design can become familiar with various JVM components within a week.
Design and measurements of dual-polarized wideband constant-beamwidth quadruple-ridged flared horn

A quad-ridged, flared horn achieving nearly constant beamwidth and excellent return loss over a 6∶1 frequency bandwidth is presented. Radiation pattern measurements show excellent beamwidth stability from 2 to 12 GHz. Measured return loss is > 10 dB over the entire band and > 15 dB from 2.5 to 11 GHz. Using a custom physical optics code, system performance of a radio telescope is computed and predicted performance is average 70% aperture efficiency and 10 Kelvin of antenna noise temperature.
Implications of electron attachment to highly-excited states in pulsed-power discharges

We point out the possible implications of electron attachment to highly-excited states of molecules in two pulsed power technologies. One involves the pulsed H/sub 2/ discharges used for the generation of H/sup -/ ion beams for magnetic fusion energy and particle accelerators. The other is the power modulated plasma discharges used for material processing.
Contributions to the History of Psychology: CXVI. An Oral History of C. Kermit Phelps, an 89-Year-Old African American Clinical Psychologist

In a previous article, the authors presented a brief overview of the findings of four audiotaped interviews with C. Kermit Phelps, an 89-year-old African American who earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1952 from the University of Kansas. Dr. Phelps, who spent his professional career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, also maintained a private clinical practice. The present article provides a comprehensive account of the structured interviews.
Brains and Sprains: The Brain's Role in Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Small mental errors in judgment or coordination at illtimed phases of movement planning could lead to the rapid, premature onset of large joint forces during sports. If these loads are not fully anticipated, then preprogrammed muscle contractions may be insufficient for stiffness levels to provide dynamic restraint, regardless of sex. This sequence of events would limit the capacity of muscles to act in a load-compensating manner, thereby exposing capsuloligamentous structures to failure. The importance of various neuropsychological characteristics in injury proneness should be explored to enhance prevention and rehabilitation strategies.
Characterization of Vibrio cholerae outer membrane vesicles as a candidate vaccine for cholera.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) offer a new approach for an effective cholera vaccine. We recently demonstrated that immunization of female mice with OMVs induces a long-lasting immune response and results in protection of their neonatal offspring from Vibrio cholerae intestinal colonization. This study investigates the induced protective immunity observed after immunization with OMVs in more detail. Analysis of the stomach contents and sera of the neonates revealed significant amounts of anti-OMV immunoglobulins (Igs). Swapping of litters born to immunized and nonvaccinated control mice allowed us to distinguish between prenatal and neonatal uptakes of Igs. Transfer of Igs to neonates via milk was sufficient for complete protection of the neonates from colonization with V. cholerae, while prenatal transfer alone reduced colonization only. Detection of IgA and IgG1 in the fecal pellets of intranasally immunized adult mice indicates an induced immune response at the mucosal surface in the gastrointestinal tract, which is the site of colonization by V. cholerae. When a protocol with three intranasal immunizations 14 days apart was used, the OMVs proved to be efficacious at doses as low as 0.025 μg per immunization. This is almost equivalent to OMV concentrations found naturally in the supernatants of LB-grown cultures of V. cholerae. Heterologous expression of the periplasmic alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) of Escherichia coli resulted in the incorporation of PhoA into OMVs derived from V. cholerae. Intranasal immunization with OMVs loaded with PhoA induced a specific immune response against this heterologous antigen in mice. The detection of an immune response against this heterologously expressed protein is a promising step toward the potential use of OMVs as antigen delivery vehicles in vaccine design.
Synergistic effects of tumor necrosis factor-α and thrombin in increasing endothelial permeability

Because activation of the coagulation cascade and the generation of thrombin coexist with sepsis and the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, we determined the effects of TNF-α on the mechanis...
Curvilinear streaks in multifocal choroiditis.

PURPOSE. Discreet chorioretinal spots, neovascular maculopathy peripapillary atrophy and peripheral curvilinear pigmentary-atrophic streaks are characteristic of Multifocal Choroiditis. We report the presence of curvilinear streaks in the posterior pole. METHODS. Observational series. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS. Like chorioretinal discreet spots, peripheral curvilinear atrophic-pigmentary streaks may also appear in the posterior fundus, including the macular region, in Multifocal Choroiditis.
The Impact of Social Media Marketing Campaigns on Consumer Perceptions of the Food Animal Industry.

3 Introduction 3-4 Conceptual Framework 5 Problem Statement 5 Objectives 6 Materials and Methods 6-7 Results and Discussion 7-18 Conclusion 19-20 Bibliography 20 Appendix 20-24
Charity, Trusteeship, and Social Change in India: A Study of a Political Ideology

D uring the Indian Independence struggle, Mahatma Gandhi devised a shrewd ideological version of the concept of social trusteeship, rooted firmly in the strong religio-social traditions of India. Gandhian trusteeship was criticized, but for the most part it functioned effectively to gain and hold for the Independence movement the support of several sectors of India's highly segmented society. Significantly, moreover, many of those who most vehemently criticized Gandhian trusteeship have expressed their acceptance of this idea since Independence.
The Use of Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Primary Treatment of Cartilage Injuries in the Knee

Objectives:To assess the clinical outcome of OCA transplantation used as primary treatment for chondral and osteochondral lesions in the knee. In most treatment algorithms, osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is regarded as a salvage procedure when previous treatments have failed. No publications have assessed the outcome of OCA transplantation used as primary treatment for cartilage lesions in the knee.Methods:Our OCA outcomes database was used to identify 61 patients who underwent OCA transplantation as primary treatment for a chondral or osteochondral defect and had a minimum follow-up of two years. None of the patients had previous surgery on the involved knee prior to the OCA. Included in the analysis were 32 males and 29 females with a mean age of 32.9 years (range 15.7-67.8 years). The most common diagnoses were osteochondritis dissecans (44.3%) and avascular necrosis (31.1%), followed by osteoarthritis (8.2%), degenerative chondral lesion (6.6%), traumatic chondral injury (6.6%), and fra...
Analysis on Current Status of Rice Breeding in Jilin Province

Productivity,quality and resistance to rice blast of strains which were tested in 2004 to 2006 in Jilin province were analyzed.The results showed that percentage of superior productive strains was less.Yield of 5% of tested strains increased by 8% comparing with the control and 15% of tested strains increased by 5%.Grain quality was very low also.Only 1% of tested strains reached the first class and less than 10% of that reached the second class.The resistance to rice blast was pretty well among tested strains.35% of tested strains reached medium resistant,but the percentage of resistant decreased in strains which has been regional trial planted.Reasons which caused these problems and solution were discussed in the paper.
Seizures and Seizure-Like States in the Child: An Approach to Emergency Management

A practical approach to the emergency management of seizures and seizure-like nonepileptic states in childhood has been presented. The management of tonic-clonic, absence, partial complex, and focal status epilepticus was discussed. Management of the child who has had a recent episode but does not present with a seizure was outlined, with particular attention to relevant history taking, general and neurologic examinations, laboratory tests, and treatment options. Finally, seizure-like nonepileptic disorders were reviewed and differential diagnostic points highlighted.
Phenomenology and Matthew Arnold: An Uncollected Episode

Matthew Arnold was a man of mystery. He was not conscious of this fact; but in his bearing, manner, and conversation, he produced this image. There are reasons, I think, for this. Arnold was Celtic in origin; and the imaginative mind, the reflective bent, and the interest in the supernatural that we associate with Celtic natures were his. Furthermore, Arnold grew up in the Lake Country of England, the haunt of the Romantics. And here as a young man, he was sensitive and receptive to the legends and tales of the weird and uncanny happenings of the area. His walks often carried him far from home and alongside the lakes on dark and misty nights where his imagination mingled with the unnatural sounds and scenes of the area.
Approaches to food journaling on mobile devices

A healthy diet has the power to both prevent and heal disease, and the high rates of lifestyle- and diet-related disease in America indicates the need for tools to help improve diet. Self-monitoring one's food intake is considered key to improve one's eating behaviors. The consumer demand for health and wellness tools, especially on personal, always-with-us mobile devices, shows both the interest on behalf of users and the resources on behalf of creators. However, few individuals are able to sustain the self-monitoring practice for an appropriate length of time, and many people complain about the poor experience they have had using food journals. I examine self-monitoring of food intake using mobile phones. The BALANCE project examines a more traditional approach of using an extensive food database to look up and monitor calorie counts. The POND project addresses challenges of the traditional approach by focusing on monitoring the pattern of food intake in terms of food groups and key nutrients. Overall, I characterize problems people encounter using a traditional database-oriented food journal, provide motivation for rethinking this approach, and describe a series of studies that investigate the use of a reduced-detail self-monitoring tool for dietary intake.