cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
XMM-NEWTON OBSERVATIONS OF NGC 507: SUPERSOLAR METAL ABUNDANCES IN THE HOT INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM

We present the results of the X-ray XMM-Newton observations of NGC 507, a dominant elliptical galaxy in a small group of galaxies, and report supersolar metal abundances of both Fe and α-elements in the hot interstellar medium (ISM) of this galaxy. These results are robust in that we considered all possible systematic effects in our analysis. We find ZFe = 2-3 times solar inside the D25 ellipse of NGC 507. This is the highest ZFe reported so far for the hot halo of an elliptical galaxy; this high iron abundance is fully consistent with the predictions of stellar evolution models, which include the yield of both Type II and Type Ia supernovae (SNe). Our analysis shows that abundance measurements are critically dependent on the selection of the proper emission model. The spatially resolved, high-quality XMM-Newton spectra provide enough statistics to formally require at least three emission components in each of four circumnuclear concentric shells (within 5' or 100 kpc): two soft thermal components indicating a range of temperatures in the hot ISM plus a harder component, consistent with the integrated output of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) in NGC 507. The two-component (thermal+LMXB) model customarily used in past studies yields a much lower ZFe, consistent with previous reports of subsolar metal abundances. This model, however, gives a significantly worse fit to the data (F-test probability < 0.0001). The abundance of α-elements (most accurately determined by Si) is also found to be supersolar. The α-element-to-Fe abundance ratio is close to the solar ratio, suggesting that ~70% of the iron mass in the hot ISM originated from Type Ia SNe. The α-element-to-Fe abundance ratio remains constant out to at least 100 kpc, indicating that Types II and Ia SN ejecta are well mixed on a scale much larger than the extent of the stellar body.
Transistor count-rate systems

Use of transistors in nuclear counting systems results in increased reliability, reduced space and power requirements, and lower initial cost. All-transistor systems have been built for use with boron trifluoride counters, Geiger counters, and scintillation probes.
A Long and Bumpy Road

RESENTATION 41-year-old African-American woman with a 4-year hisory of metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma was admitted for valuation of a newly-identified cardiac mass. Four years arlier, she presented to another hospital with abdominal ain and heaviness, as well as urinary hesitancy. Imaging tudies revealed a pelvic mass that obstructed the right reter, a finding substantiated by laparotomy. Resection of a arge retroperitoneal mass, involving the right distal ureter nd kidney, was performed concomitantly with right nehrectomy. Tissue microscopy proved the tumor to be a igh-grade uterine leiomyosarcoma. Surgery was followed y radiation therapy to the tumor-bed region. A social hisory revealed no exposure to carcinogens, and she had no amily history of carcinoma. One year later, follow up imaging studies illustrated 2 esions in the left lower and upper lobes of the lung. The atient underwent thoracotomy with resection of the leions, which were pathologically consistent with grade III eiomyosarcoma. Within the following 2 years, she had etastases to the adrenal gland and also developed 2 more ulmonary lesions, which were both resected and found to e leiomyosarcoma metastases. Before the current hospital admission, the patient began hemotherapy with mesna, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), ifosamide, and dacarbazine, a regimen known as MAID. hortly after receiving the first cycle, she developed wide omplex tachycardia that required urgent cardioversion.
Percutaneous thrombin injection in an infant to treat hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after failed embolization

Percutaneous thrombin injection has been described in case reports as an alternative to surgical intervention for the treatment of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms associated with high-grade liver lacerations in adults. However, there is limited description in the literature of this technique being applied in children, particularly in preadolescents, and no published literature describes its use in infants. The procedure can be performed by pediatric radiologists and pediatric interventional radiologists skilled in ultrasound-guided aspiration techniques. We report successful application of percutaneous thrombin injection in an infant to treat a pseudoaneurysm of a left hepatic arterial branch in an 11-month-old girl with a grade IV liver laceration after superselective transcatheter arterial embolization failed to achieve thrombosis.
Mn absorption: the use of CACO-2 cells as a model of the intestinal epithelia.

Abstract Manganese uptake and transport were examined with CACO-2 cells grown on polyethylene (PET) or polycarbonate (PC) semipermeable membranes. Cells were grown in growth medium (DME + 10% fetal calf serum; 0.1 μmol Mn/L) for 21 days. Apical to basolateral transport rate of Mn was lower than the basolateral to apical transport rate. Apical to basolateral Mn uptake and transport were strictly concentration dependent, but basolateral to apical uptake and transport were saturable. When cells were grown in media containing 30 μmol/L of various metal ions, Ni and Cu depressed Mn transport substantially, but 30 μmol Mn/L increased Mn transport. Apical to basolateral transport was relatively unaffected by temperature, the presence of ligands, and/or competing ions, however, all of these factors decreased basolateral to apical transport. When equal amounts of 54 Mn were put on both sides of the cellular monolayer, cells preferentially moved Mn to the apical side, creating an apical to basolateral concentration gradient for 54 Mn. These results show that Mn uptake and transport by CACO-2 cells are processes that differ for the apical and basolateral membrane.
Intravascular ultrasound predictors of restenosis after percutaneous transcatheter coronary revascularization

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to evaluate preintervention and postintervention intravascular ultrasound studies for potential predictors of angiographic restenosis and to use ultrasound predictors of restenosis to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of the restenosis disease process. Background. Restenosis remains the major limitation of percutaneous transcatheter coronary revascularization. Although its mechanisms remain incompletely understood, numerous studies have identified some of the clinical, anatomic and procedural risk factors for restenosis. Intravascular ultrasound imaging of target lesions before and after catheter-based treatmetn consistently demonstrates more target lesion calcium, more extensive reference segment atherosclerosis, smaller final lumen dimensions, significant residual plaque burden and a greater degree of tissue trauma than is evident by angiography. Methods. Intravascular ultrasound studies were performed in 360 nonstented native coronary artery lesions (final diameter stenosis 18 ± 11%) in 351 patients for whom follow-up angiographic data were available 6.4 ± 3.6 months later. Hospital charts were reviewed, and qualitative and quantitative coronary angiographic and intravascular ultrasound analyses were performed by independent core laboratories. Four dependent angiographic end points were tested: restenosis as a binary definition (⩾50% diameter stenosis at follow-up) was the primary end point; follow-up diameter stenosis, late lumen loss and follow-up minimal lumen diameter were the secondary end points. Results. Reference vessel size, the preintervention quantitative coronary angiographic assessment of lesion severity and the postintervention intravascular ultrasound cross-sectional measurements predicted the late angiographic results. In particular, the intravascular ultrasound postintervention cross-sectional narrowing (plaque plus media cross-sectional area divided by external elastic membrane cross-sectional area) predicted the primary end point (restenosi) and two of the three secondary end points (follow-up diameter stenosis and late lumen loss) and was therefore the most consistent predictor of restenosis. Conclusions. Intravascular ultrasound variables are more powerful and consistent predictors of angiographic restenosis than currently accepted clinical or angiographic risk factors.
Application of a Modified Health Belief Model to the Pro-Environmental Behavior of Private Well Water Testing†

A social cognition model of health behavior, the health belief model, was applied to the pro-environmental behavior of private well water testing. Conceptualizing environmental behaviors as health behaviors may provide new insight into pro-environmental behavior change. A groundwater education program was provided to K-12 children throughout New England. Both child participants and their parents completed surveys pertaining to private well water behavior. Results indicate that perceived barriers and socioeconomic status significantly influenced past well water testing of parent participants. Perceived barriers included: participants' concern related to the cost of treating their water, and how a well water problem would influence their property value. Parent participants also indicated that they would perform future well water testing if they received a reminder cue to action that might include: getting a discount or reminder in the mail, if a well testing program was available, and state or local requirement. Our findings reinforce the need for continued private well water research and parallels to additional environmental behaviors.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) attenuates post-resuscitation myocardial microcirculatory dysfunction.

Abstract Aim of the study Post-resuscitation syndrome leads to death in approximately 2 out of every 3 successfully resuscitated victims, and myocardial microcirculatory dysfunction is a major component of this syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine if glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) improves post-resuscitation myocardial microcirculatory function. Methods Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced electrically in 20 anesthetized domestic swine (30–35kg). Following 8min of untreated VF, animals were resuscitated with aggressive advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Animals were blindly randomized to receive a continuous infusion of either GLP-1 (10pM/kg/min) or equal volume saline as placebo (PBO) for 4h, beginning 1min after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Left ventricular (LV) haemodynamics, LV ejection fraction, cardiac output, and coronary flow reserve (CFR) [using a standard technique of intracoronary Doppler flow measurements before and after intracoronary administration of 60μg adenosine] were performed pre-arrest and at 1 and 4h post-resuscitation. In the present study, CFR is a measure of myocardial microcirculatory function since these swine had no obstructive coronary artery disease. Twenty-four hour post-resuscitation survival and neurological functional scores were also determined. Results CFR was significantly increased in GLP-1-treated animals, 1h (1.79±0.13 in control animals vs. 2.05±0.12 in GLP-1-treated animals, P = P = P = Conclusions In this swine model of prolonged VF followed by successful resuscitation, myocardial microcirculatory function was enhanced with administration of GLP-1. However, GLP-1 treatment was not associated with a clinically significant improvement in post-resuscitation myocardial function.
SU-C-19A-02: An Innovative Critical Organ Repositioner Device for Use During Radiotherapy Treatments

Purpose: In most radiation oncology applications the use of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation can be extremely beneficial in sparing normal structures by relocating them away from the path of the external beam, or placing distance between the structure and radiation source such as in Brachytherapy. Implementation of this organ repositioner device in conjunction with IMRT could open new possibilities for dose escalation and significant dose reduction to normal tissues. Similarly, in high dose rate brachytherapy applications, the ideal effective dose may not be delivered to the target volume due to toxicity concerns to adjacent critical structures. Here we present a dual functioning device manufactured from SMA materials to: 1) provide a desirable tool to reposition the organ at risk away from the radiation source, and 2) facilitate localization when imaging the area. Methods: A Nitinol based actuator with controlled force and displacement will be incorporated in the design of an organ repositioner (e.g., a rectal marker) with the ability to recall a pre-defined shape at temperature T1 (body temp) and shift back to its original shape at temperature T2 (to facilitate removal). An open distal end permits the marker to function as a part of a barium delivery system.more » Results: An example of this SMA manufactured in our laboratory for atrial fibrillation radio frequency ablation is the esophagus SMA positioner, designed to position the esophagus away from the ablation area. This device shows the maximum strain in the deflected esophagus to be less than 3%. The prototype positioner deflected the organ at risk by 5 cm away from the site of ablation. Conclusions: The organ repositioner device is feasible for use in clinics, provides patient comfort due to its gradual deflection, and has dual functionality in repositioning the organ at risk as well as serving as a localization device.« less
Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of three polyazamacrocycles having sulfonate pendant groups: Piperazinyl-monomethanesulfonic acid, sodium hydrogen 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N′-di(methanesulfonate) and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N′-di(methanesulfonic acid)

C5H10N2O3S,1, monoclinicC2/c,a=17.545(5),b=6.822(8),c=13.928(2),β=108.36(7),Z=8, MoKα, λ=0.7107 A,μ=3.56cm−1,R=0.061,Rw=0.099. C8H16N3O6S2Na·2H2O,2, orthorhombicPna21,a=17.964(8),b=10.157(1),c=8.263(4),Z=4, MoKα, λ=0.7107 A,μ=4.07 cm−1,R=0.040,Rw=0.043. C10H20N4O6S2·2H2O,3, monoclinicP21/n,a=9.142(9),b=13.576(7),c=14.028(8),β=94.096(8),Z=4, MoKα, λ=0.7107 A,μ=3.37 cm−1,R=0.063,Rw=0.074. Compounds1, 2, and3 were prepared from the pH-dependent sulfomethylation of the di- and polyazamacrocycles.
Directed evolution of Escherichia coli farnesyl diphosphate synthase (IspA) reveals novel structural determinants of chain length specificity

Directed evolution of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP, C15) synthase (IspA) of Escherichia coli was carried out by error-prone PCR with a color complementation screen utilizing C40 carotenoid pathway enzymes. This allowed IspA mutants with enhanced production of the C40 carotenoid precursor geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP, C20) to be readily identified. Analysis of these mutants was carried out in order to better understand the mechanisms of product chain length specificity in this enzyme. The 12 evolved clones having enhanced C20 GGPP production have characteristic mutations in the conserved regions of prenyl diphosphate synthases (designated regions I through VII). Some of these mutations (I76T, Y79S, Y79H, C75Y, H83Y, and H83Q) are found near or before the conserved first aspartate rich motif (FARM), which is involved in the mechanism for chain elongation reaction of all prenyl synthases. Molecular modeling suggested a mechanism for chain length determination for these mutations including substitutions at the 1st and 9th amino acids upstream of the FARM that have not been reported previously. In addition, a mutation on a helix adjacent to the FARM within the substrate-binding pocket (D115G) suggests a novel mechanism for chain length determination. One mutant IspA clone carries a mutation of C155G at the 2nd amino acid upstream of conserved region IV (GQxxDL), which was recently found to be an important region controlling the chain elongation of a Type III GGPP synthase. One IspA clone carries mutations (T234A and T249I) near the conserved second aspartate rich motif (SARM). As a verification of the in vivo activity of the mutant clones (represented as C40 carotenoid formation), we confirmed the product distribution of wild-type and mutant IspA using an in vitro assay.
Noncontact dielectric friction.

Dielectric fluctuations are shown to be the dominant source of noncontact friction in high-sensitivity scanning probe microscopy of dielectric materials. Recent measurements have directly determined the friction acting on custom-fabricated single-crystal silicon cantilevers whose capacitively charged tips are located 3−200 nm above thin films of poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl acetate), and polystyrene. Differences in measured friction among these polymers are explained here by relating electric field fluctuations at the cantilever tip to dielectric relaxation of the polymer.
The impact of infrastructure-related taxes and fees on domestic airline fares in the US

Abstract This paper estimates the impact of infrastructure-related add-on taxes and fees on the direct cost of domestic air travel in the US. We work with the large DB1A database of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the US Department of Transportation to conclude that the effective tax rate ( ETR ) on the average base fare ( BF ) was 15.5% in the Second Quarter of 2002. Depending on the filtering rules for extremely low and high fares in the database, the ETR ranges from 15.4% to 16.3%. The incidence is much heavier on the least expensive tickets, because three out of the four add-on taxes and fees are based on the passenger's itinerary and are independent of the BF . Partly as a result, the ETR on tickets issued by low-cost carriers is somewhat greater than on those issued by other airlines. A comparative analysis of 1993 data indicates that the ETR was 10.9% at the time. A large portion of the increase between 1993 and 2002 is due to a striking 25% decline in the yields achieved by the airlines during that period.
Synthesis of sulfonamide- and sulfonyl-phenylboronic acid-modified silica phases for boronate affinity chromatography at physiological pH.

Two new types of boronate affinity solid phases were synthesized and characterized. The materials were prepared by silylation of porous silica gel with monochlorosilane derivatives containing synthetic sulfonyl- and sulfonamide-substituted phenylboronic acids. The new solid phases were evaluated for boronate affinity chromatography with aryl and alkyl cis-diol compounds, and found suitable for the retention of cis-diols under acidic conditions. Significant correlations between the retention factor (K) and the pH of the mobile phase demonstrate that the binding of cis-diols to the solid phases is best rationalized by chelation. Based on the low ionization constant, caused by the electron-withdrawing effects of the sulfonyl and sulfonamide groups, these media display an enhanced affinity for cis-diols as compared to unsubstituted phenylboronic acid. Utilizing Isocratic elution, a mixture of various biologically relevant L-tyrosines, L-DOPA and several catecholamines were resolved with a mobile phase composed of 0.05 M, pH5.5 phosphate buffer. Mono-, di- and triphosphates of adenosine were also separated at pH 6.0. Hence, the new boronate solid phase offers efficient affinity separation and purification of cis-diol containg molecules under rather mild pH regions.
A COMPUTER-GENERATED SAMPLING TABLE FOR SELECTING RESPONDENTS WITHIN HOUSEHOLDS

In many surveys, individual respondents are the final units of analysis, even though entire households are the smallest practical sampling units. This means that the interviewer can be provided only with a list of dwelling units and that he is responsible for selecting a respondent within each one. When the variables of interest exhibit high intrahousehold correlation (e.g. time at which dinner is eaten), it may not be necessary to choose the respondent objectively; the person answering the door or the telephone will serve as well as any other household member. But when the variables of interest exhibit low intrahousehold correlation (e.g. attitudes related to sex or to age), it is necessary to choose one person from each household according to an objective sampling scheme. Various techniques have been suggested to specify the individual to be interviewed within each sampled dwelling unit. There are two criteria for judging such selection techniques: (1) each appropriate person in the household should have a known non-zero probability of being chosen, (2) the weight to be assigned to the selected person in later analyses should be determined during the selection procedure. The first criterion is satisfied if all appropriate persons in the household are enumerated in a sampling table that provides for the unbiased selection of one of them. The second criterion is satisfied if the interviewer records how many appropriate persons (e.g. adults) were found in the household. Since a person in a four-adult household is only half as likely to be selected as a person in a two-adult household, the reciprocal of the sampling probability becomes a weight for each individual when, in later analyses, it is desired to merge data from households of different sizes (assuming that the investigator seeks to generalize to a population of persons and not of households). One familiar technique for selecting respondents within sampled dwelling units has been described by Kish.' This technique requires that each appropriate person in the household be listed by name, in
Precursor frequency of antigen-specific T cells: Effects of sensitization in vivo and in vitro

Limiting dilution analysis (LDA) of primary lymphocyte cultures was used to determine the frequency of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-specific precursors in the peripheral blood of unimmunized individuals. The KLH-specific precursor frequencies ranged from 1:150,000 to 1:340,000. In contrast, frequencies of KLH-specific cells in the blood from immune donors ranged from 1:25,000 to 1:42,000. LDA of KLH-stimulated primary cultures indicated that the frequency of KLH-specific cells increased with time in culture reaching a four- to fivefold expansion relative to the frequency obtained prior to culture. The data presented suggest that the enhanced kinetics of secondary T-cell responses observed after in vitro sensitization are due to a decrease in the proportion of lymphocytes which exhibit a suppressor phenotype.
Two vascular apoptosis‐inducing proteins from snake venom are members of the metalloprotease/disintegrin family

Hemorrhagic snake venom induces apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells. In a previous report, we described the purification of a vascular apoptosis-inducing protein (VAP) from Crotalus atrox [Masuda, S., Araki, S., Kaji, K. & Hayashi, H. (1997) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 235, 59-63]. We report here the identification of a second vascular apoptosis-inducing protein, VAP2, in venom from C. atrox. When we fractionated crude venom from C. atrox by isoelectric focusing, we found two proteins with apoptosis-inducing activity, one was basic and the other acidic. The basic protein corresponded to VAP, and we named the acidic protein VAP2. VAP2 was a monomeric protein with molecular mass of 55 kDa and an isoelectric point of 4.5. VAP2 killed vascular endothelial cells in culture, and the death of cells exhibited the characteristic features of apoptotic activity of VAP2 seemed to be specific to endothelial cells, as reported for VAP. The half-lethal doses of VAP and VAP2 were 0.3 microg/ml and 0.1 microg/ml, respectively. Analysis of the partial amino acid sequences of VAP and VAP2 revealed similarities to members of the metalloprotease/disintegrin family. The sensitivity of VAP2 to changes in pH and temperature was distinct from that of VAP. Our results suggest that VAP and VAP2 are members of the metalloprotease/disintegrin family.
Profiling and inhibiting reversible palmitoylation

Protein palmitoylation describes the posttranslational modification of cysteines by a thioester-linked long-chain fatty acid. This modification is critical for membrane association, spatial organization, and the proper activity of hundreds of membrane-associated proteins. Palmitoylation is continuously remodeled, both by spontaneous hydrolysis and enzyme-mediated de-palmitoylation. Bioorthogonal pulse-chase labeling approaches have highlighted the role of protein thioesterases as key regulators of palmitoylation dynamics. Importantly, thioesterases are critical for regulating the spatial organization of key oncogenic proteins, such as Ras GTPases. New inhibitors, probes, and proteomics methods have put a spotlight on this emerging posttranslational modification. These tools promise to advance our understanding the enzymatic regulation of dynamic palmitoylation, and present new opportunities for drug development.
Deformation and failure of protein materials in physiologically extreme conditions and disease

Biological protein materials feature hierarchical structures that make up a diverse range of physiological materials. The analysis of protein materials is an emerging field that uses the relationships between biological structures, processes and properties to probe deformation and failure phenomena at the molecular and microscopic level. Here we discuss how advanced experimental, computational and theoretical methods can be used to assess structure-process-property relations and to monitor and predict mechanisms associated with failure of protein materials. Case studies are presented to examine failure phenomena in the progression of disease. From this materials science perspective, a de novo basis for understanding biological processes can be used to develop new approaches for treating medical disorders. We highlight opportunities to use knowledge gained from the integration of multiple scales with physical, biological and chemical concepts for potential applications in materials design and nanotechnology.
Personal Traits and "Success" in Schooling and Work

The group peer rating technique is employed to develop highly reliable measures of 16 personality traits for 445 adult workers and 237 high school seniors. Several of these traits are found to have high predictive validity for pay differentials, supervisor's ratings, and school grades. Dimensions derived from multidimensional scaling of the traits explain between 19 and 43 percent of the variance in criterion variables, and the corresponding validity coeficients are extremely high compared to those given in Ghiselli's (1966) comprehensive review study. Moreover, the results are robust in multivariate regressions with a series of other variables.
Sepsis-induced alterations in protein-protein interactions within mTOR complex 1 and the modulating effect of leucine on muscle protein synthesis.

Sepsis-induced muscle atrophy is produced in part by decreased protein synthesis mediated by inhibition of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). The present study tests the hypothesis that alteration of specific protein-protein interactions within the mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) contributes to the decreased mTOR activity observed after cecal ligation and puncture in rats. Sepsis decreased in vivo translational efficiency in gastrocnemius and reduced the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E-binding protein (BP) 1, S6 kinase (S6K) 1, and mTOR, compared with time-matched pair-fed controls. Sepsis decreased T246-phosphorylated PRAS40 (proline-rich Akt substrate 40) and reciprocally increased S792-phosphorylated raptor (regulatory associated protein of mTOR). Despite these phosphorylation changes, sepsis did not alter PRAS40 binding to raptor. The amount of the mTOR-raptor complex did not differ between groups. In contrast, the binding and retention of both 4E-BP1 and S6K1 to raptor were increased, and, conversely, the binding of raptor with eIF3 was decreased in sepsis. These changes in mTORC1 in the basal state were associated with enhanced 52032-AMP activated kinase activity. Acute in vivo leucine stimulation increased muscle protein synthesis in control, but not septic rats. This muscle leucine resistance was associated with coordinated changes in raptor-eIF3 binding and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. Overall, our data suggest the sepsis-induced decrease in muscle protein synthesis may be mediated by the inability of 4E-BP1 and S6K1 to be phosphorylated and released from mTORC1 as well as the decreased recruitment of eIF3 necessary for a functional 48S complex. These data provide additional mechanistic insight into the molecular mechanisms by which sepsis impairs both basal protein synthesis and the anabolic response to the nutrient signal leucine in skeletal muscle.
A novel USP apparatus 4 based release testing method for dispersed systems

A novel dialysis adapter has been developed for USP apparatus 4 for in vitro release testing of dispersed system dosage forms. This USP apparatus 4 method was optimized and compared with currently used dialysis and reverse dialysis sac methods. Optimization studies for the USP apparatus 4 method showed that release from solution, suspension and liposome formulations was not flow rate limited and was not affected by change in the dialysis adapter sample volume from 250microl to 500microl. The USP apparatus 4 method could discriminate between solution, suspension and liposome formulations of dexamethasone. On comparing the different methods, only the USP apparatus 4 method provided discrimination between dexamethasone release from extruded and non-extruded liposomes, as well as among non-extruded DMPC, DPPC and DSPC liposomes. The dialysis sac method could not discriminate between the release profiles of non-extruded DMPC and DPPC liposomes. The reverse dialysis sac could not discriminate between the release profiles of extruded and non-extruded DMPC liposomes. In addition, the USP apparatus 4 method provided the highest release and the smallest variation in the data. This novel adapter might address the problem of the lack of a compendial apparatus for in vitro release testing of dispersed system dosage forms.
The scent of alarm: ontogenetic and genetic variation in the osmeterial gland chemistry of Papilio glaucus (Papilionidae) caterpillars

Within a species, ontogenetic and genetic variation in defensive chemistry can provide the basis for natural selection from different predator types. The osmeterial chemistry of fifth (last) instar Papilio glaucus caterpillars is known to differ qualitatively from the composition of early instar caterpillars. However, the osmeterial chemistry of early instar caterpillars has not been thoroughly characterized and may change as the caterpillars undergo their first three molts. We have used GC/MS to identify a suite of about 50 different terpene compounds in the osmeterial secretions of P. glaucus caterpillars, and found the relative amounts of these compounds changed significantly with each molt. These quantitative changes preceded the more dramatic qualitative switch to the production of 2-methylbutyric and isobutyric acids after the molt to the fifth instar. We also examined the effects of diet and genetic background on the relative quantities of 15 terpenes present in the secretions of third instar caterpillars. Parentage was found to affect the percentages of many more of the individual components than did diet, although both exerted an effect. The ontogenetic and genetic variations in the composition of the osmeterial secretions appear to have an effect on would-be predators. In the laboratory, terpene secretion was found to discourage attack by ants, whereas the switch from terpene to acid production rendered the caterpillars less palatable to a larger predator, the green anole. In the field, the presence of functional osmeteria did not seem to dramatically increase survival in a field study, and only a small, non-significant advantage was seen. Similarly, field data was suggestive that parentage might affect the likelihood of survival in a natural setting, but the stage of the caterpillar and the field site significantly affected survivorship. Further studies with greater replicates will be needed to determine whether and to what extent chemical differences in osmeterial components as well as behavior contribute to differences in outcomes in the field.
An algorithm for automated authorship attribution using neural networks

We present an algorithm as evidence of the possibility of a truly automated stylometric authorship attribution tool, based on committees of artificial neural networks. Neural networks have an advantage over traditional statistical stylometry in that they are inherently nonlinear, and therefore can consider nonlinear interactions between stylometric variables. The algorithm presented (1) is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of an automated approach using neural networks and (2) highlights important areas for further research. We present results of two separate test experiments-Shakespeare and Marlowe, and the Federalist Papers-as a demonstration of the method's generality. In both cases, our algorithm produces committees that correctly predict the test works, without requiring the usual precursory statistical study to determine efficacious stylometric measures.
The distribution of ionic calcium in the tissues of the gynoecium ofAntirrhinum majus

The distribution of ionic calcium in the tissues of the gynoecium ofAntirrhinum majus flowers has been studied using the glyoxal bis (2-hydroxy-anil) staining procedure.
Adjustments of foliar morphology in the acclimation of understory Pacific silver fir following clearcutting

Abstract Growth, phenology, shoot morphology and water status of both newly exposed and unexposed understory Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis [Dougl.] Forbes) trees growing at 1200 m in the Washington Cascades were examined over a 3-year period. A transect was established in June 1981 perpendicular to the east-west edge of a clearcut made in February 1981. Trees from four plots along the transect were studied. Plots were from within the residual old-growth stand, on the inside edge, on the outside edge and well within the clearcut. The exposed plots were warmer, drier and brighter than the stand plots. Significant differences in water potential and leaf conductance were not observed and there were no apparent differences in the timing of bud burst between trees from the four plots. However, branch growth and shoot morphology (measured by Silhouette Area Ratio) were significantly altered. Foliage damage and leaf drop were three times higher in the center of the clearcut than along the edge of the clearcut. Photoinhibition, caused by sustained high light, appeared to be the major cause of this damage to the foliage. Although buds were preset under shady conditions, shoots emerging in the sun had a sun shoot morphology. Branch growth had fully recovered in exposed trees in 1982, and in 1983 both height and branch growth were increasing. Trees released by clearcutting in 1972, which had high rates of terminal growth in 1982, showed recovery patterns similar to the newly released study trees and thus provided a longer-term examination of the transition from shade to sun foliage morphology, crown structure and growth pattern.
Working memory, fluid intelligence, and science learning

A review of the history of working memory (WM) studies finds that the concept of WM evolved from short-term memory to a multi-component system. Comparison between contemporary WM models reveals: (1) consensus that the content of WM includes not only task-relevant information, but also task-irrelevant information; (2) consensus that WM consists of phonological and visuospatial components; (3) consensus that short-term memory storage is a function of WM; (4) disagreement as to whether an independent executive control is a necessary WM component; and (5) disagreement as to whether the control function is active or passive. Methods for measuring WM differed across studies with a preponderance of various dual-tasks; little psychometric work has been done on these measures. Correlational studies supported a close relationship between WM and measures of fluid intelligence and science achievement, but we found no experimental studies on the impact of WM training on science achievement. Finally we suggest how WM research findings may be applied to improve fluid intelligence and science achievement.
THE HYALINE CHANGE IN THE BASOPHIL CELLS OF THE PITUITARY BODY NOT ASSOCIATED WITH BASOPHILISM 1

In the 6 years since Harvey Cushing (1, 2) suggested an association between a striking clinical syndrome, which he designated pituitary basophilism, and a minute adenoma of the basophil cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary body, there has been extraordinary interest in this subject. The clinical picture, when fully developed (3, 4, 5) consists of obesity of the face, neck and trunk, but sparing the extremities, rapid in onset and possibly accompanied by tenderness; hypertrichosis of the face and trunk among women and young males; amenorrhea among women; impotence among men; purplish striae from distention of the skin, especially in the lower part of the abdomen; a tendency to bruising; arterial hypertension with its various sequelae; polycythemia and dusky facies; diminished sugar tolerance, which frequently is associated with hyperglycemia and glycosuria; osteoporosis with resultant kyphosis and pain, and general bodily weakness.
Race as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Religiosity and Political Alignment

Religiosity, especially religious fundamentalism, is often assumed to have an inherent connection with conservative politics. This article proposes that the relationship varies by race in the United States. In Study 1, race moderated the relationships between religiosity indicators and political alignment in a nationally representative sample. In Study 2, the effect replicated in a student sample with more reliable measures. Among both Black and Latino Americans, the relationship between religiosity and conservative politics is far weaker than it is among White Americans, and it is sometimes altogether absent. In Study 3, a tradition-focused view of religion was found to more strongly mediate the link between religiosity and political attitudes among Whites than it did among Blacks and Latinos. It is argued that the relationship between religiosity and political alignment is best understood as a product of cultural—historical conditions associated with group memberships.
An analytical comparison of two secondary index schemes: physical versus logical addresses

Abstract The use of indexes usually improves the performance of queries but degrades the performance of updates, inserts and deletes. This paper focuses on reducing the cost of index maintenance when tuples are inserted or deleted. We present a scheme where secondary indexes contain logical as opposed to physical pointers. We develop an analytical model for the total cost of processing queries, updates, inserts and deletes, for this scheme and compare it with the cost of the typical secondary index scheme that uses physical pointers. We find by modifying the parameters that reduce the query cost, such as reducing the probability of occurrence of a query or reducing the average selectivity of a secondary key that the logical pointer scheme can achieve a better performance than the physical pointer scheme. However, selecting one scheme over the other is highly dependent on a number of parameters that are germane to the particular database application environment.
Solid phase degradation of water insoluble peptides

A method for attaching water insoluble peptides to amine resins for sequence determination is presented. Derivitization of peptides with 4-sulfophenylisothiocyanate (s-PITC) greatly increased coupling efficiency. Conditions for removal of N-terminal s-PITC were investigated to maximize subsequent degradation of the resin bound peptides. Degradation of a resin bound, 24 residue peptide with thioacetylthioglycolic acid is described.
Inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide does not prevent the vitamin A and retinoic acid-induced increase in retinyl ester formation in neonatal rat lungs

Vitamin A (VA) plays an important role in post-natal lung development and maturation. Previously, we have reported that a supplemental dose of VA combined with 10 % of all-trans-retinoic acid (VARA) synergistically increases retinol uptake and retinyl ester (RE) storage in neonatal rat lung, while up-regulating several retinoid homeostatic genes including lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) and the retinol-binding protein receptor, stimulated by retinoic acid 6 (STRA6). However, whether inflammation has an impact on the expression of these genes and thus compromises the ability of VARA to increase lung RE content is not clear. Neonatal rats, 7- to 8-d-old, were treated with VARA either concurrently with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; Expt 1) or 12 h after LPS administration (Expt 2); in both studies, lung tissue was collected 6 h after VARA treatment, when RE formation is maximal. Inflammation was confirmed by increased IL-6 and chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) gene expression in lung at 6 h and C-reactive protein in plasma at 18 h. In both studies, LPS-induced inflammation only slightly reduced, but did not prevent the VARA-induced increase in lung RE. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that co-administration of LPS with VARA slightly attenuated the VARA-induced increase of LRAT mRNA, but not of STRA6 or cytochrome P450 26B1, the predominant RA hydroxylase in lung. By 18 h post-LPS, expression had subsided and none of these genes differed from the level in the control group. Overall, the present results suggest that retinoid homeostatic gene expression is reduced modestly, if at all, by acute LPS-induced inflammation and that VARA is still effective in increasing lung RE under conditions of moderate inflammation.
Biomedical and Folk Medical Concepts of Adult Onset Diabetes in Jamaica: Implications for Treatment

Adult onset diabetes is one of the five leading causes of death in Jamaica. Patients report that they are not adequately informed about the nature or the management of their illness. Structured que...
Novel piezoelectric ceramics and composites for sensor and actuator applications

Novel piezoelectric ceramic, and ceramic /polymer composite structures were fabricated by solid freeform fabrication (SFF) for sensor and actuator applications. SFF techniques including: Fused Deposition of Ceramics (FDC), and Sanders Prototyping (SP) were utilized to fabricate a variety of complex structures directly from a computer aided design (CAD) file. Many novel and complex composite structures including volume fraction gradients (VFG), staggered rods, radial and curved composites, and actuator designs such as tubes, spirals and telescoping were made using the flexibility provided by the above processes. Radial composites with various connectivities in the radial direction were made for towed array applications. VFG’s were incorporated into some of these designs, with the ceramic content decreasing from the center towards the edges. Many new designs are also being used to manufacture high authority actuators utilizing the FDC technique. The telescoping actuation of the device is the summation of actuation of all individual tubes making of the actuator, therefore, increasing the number of the tubes which are the driving component of the actuator will further enhance the displacement. The design, fabrication and electromechanical properties of these sensor and actuator structures are discussed in this paper.
Neuregulin-1 is Neuroprotective in a Rat Model of Organophosphate-Induced Delayed Neuronal Injury

Current medical countermeasures against organophosphate (OP) nerve agents are effective in reducing mortality, but do not sufficiently protect the CNS from delayed brain damage and persistent neurological symptoms. In this study, we examined the efficacy of neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) in protecting against delayed neuronal cell death following acute intoxication with the OP diisopropylflurophosphate (DFP). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with pyridostigmine (0.1 mg/kg BW, i.m.) and atropine methylnitrate (20 mg/kg BW, i.m.) prior to DFP (9 mg/kg BW, i.p.) intoxication to increase survival and reduce peripheral signs of cholinergic toxicity but not prevent DFP-induced seizures or delayed neuronal injury. Pretreatment with NRG-1 did not protect against seizures in rats exposed to DFP. However, neuronal injury was significantly reduced in most brain regions by pretreatment with NRG-1 isoforms NRG-EGF (3.2 μg/kg BW, i.a) or NRG-GGF2 (48 μg/kg BW, i.a.) as determined by FluroJade-B labeling in multiple brain regions at 24 h post-DFP injection. NRG-1 also blocked apoptosis and oxidative stress-mediated protein damage in the brains of DFP-intoxicated rats. Administration of NRG-1 at 1h after DFP injection similarly provided significant neuroprotection against delayed neuronal injury. These findings identify NRG-1 as a promising adjuvant therapy to current medical countermeasures for enhancing neuroprotection against acute OP intoxication.
Implementation and Testing of an Unaided Method for the Acquisition of Weak GPS C/A Code Signals

Fast Modified Double Block Zero Padding (FM-DBZP) is presented as a method for unaided acquisition of weak GPS C/A signals. FM-DBZP uses frequency-domain techniques for coherent integration over integer multiples of the data bit period to perform a search in code delay, Doppler frequency, bit combination, and bit edge. The FFT operation count grows linearly with coherent integration time. The Zoom FFT (ZFFT) further reduces the multiplication count by 28% and the addition count by 37%. The coherent integration time is set to minimize the total computational cost, given a specified acquisition threshold. Successful acquisition, at a design C/N0 of 15 dB-Hz, is demonstrated using a GPS signal simulator. The signal is further attenuated until the algorithm failed to acquire a satellite with a success rate better than 50%. This occurs at a C/N0 of 12.5 dB-Hz.
Relative response of the deuterated liquid scintillator NE232 to tritons

Abstract Light output for recoiling tritons at six energies from 2.3 to 4.1 MeV relative to recoiling 6.1 MeV deuterons has been measured and compared to a semi-empirical calculation.
Prevention of Intraventricular Hemorrhages and Periventricular Leukomalacia in the Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant

The purpose of this integrated review is to examine research on the prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage/periventricular leukomalacia in premature infants. Nursing and medical research literature was electronically searched through Pubmed, Medline, and Cinahl from 2000 to 2010. Hand searching by reviewing bibliographies of published studies and review of conference proceedings were also used. Key search words included the terms prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and premature infants. Study selection included randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis, and other comparative studies of the prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage/periventricular leukomalacia. Reports exploring the use of near-infrared spectroscopy measurement of cerebral oxygenation to determine risks associated with specific nursing care interventions leading to intraventricular hemorrhage/periventricular leukomalacia were also examined. Data synthesis revealed that prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage/periventricular leukomalacia in the preterm infant is a collaborative effort involving resources during the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods.