cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aquacultural approaches to recycling of dissolved nutrients in secondarily treated domestic wastewaters—I Nutrient uptake and release by artificial food chains

Abstract Wastewater based artificial food chains composed of sequential monocultures of a suspended unicellular green alga, of an herbivorous cladoceran crustacean, and of an herbivorous or a carnivorous teleost fish and of filamentous green algae were studied in an effort to find efficient, potentially economically viable mechanisms for the biological capture (tertiary treatment) of nutrients (especially nitrate and phosphate) in wastewaters processed by small to medium size two-stage treatment plants that primarily handle domestic and agricultural wastes. All experiments were carried out on laboratory scale systems with a low technology approach to keep apparatus and procedures as simple and reliable as possible. Among all organisms tested as components of the artificial food chains only the unicellular green alga Scenedesmus , the filamentous green algae Cladophora and Ulothrix , the cladoceran crustaceans Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex , and the teleost fishes Notemigonus crysoleucas, Pimephales promelas and Notropis lutrensis were found to be suitable. Unmodified secondarily treated domestic effluents were both iron deficient and lacking in buffering capacity necessary for optimal algal growth. Additions of both ferrous iron (1 ppm) and carbon dioxide (5%) were required to achieve good quality cultures suitable for feeding cladocerans. Most removal of nutrients occurred in the first algal stage of the food chain. Nitrate removal averaged 78%, phosphate removal 55% in buffered algal cultures. In unbuffered cultures nitrate removal was 30%, phosphate removal 98%. The near complete removal of phosphate in unbuffered algal cultures was probably due to physico-chemical precipitation of phosphate complexes formed as a result of high pH levels (pH > 10) reached within 24 h of culture initiation. Cladoceran and fish stages added nutrients (mostly ammonia and phosphate) back into the effluent. A final stage of Ulothrix and Cladophora algae removed nutrients regenerated by cladocerans and fishes. A 12 h light–12 h dark cycle statistically significantly reduced levels of nutrient removal by both unbuffered and buffered algal cultures below removal rates measured in algae cultured in continuous light. Daily harvesting rates of 25–75% of culture volumes had no significant effect upon removals of nitrate by buffered algal cultures; phosphate removals were inversely proportional to harvesting rates in these cultures. Important theoretical and technical points are discussed.
Longitudinal Study of Middle Grades Chemistry Professional Development: Enhancement of Personal Science Teaching Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy

The purpose of this research was to enhance self-efficacy beliefs, chemistry content, and pedagogical content knowledge of middle grades teachers by incorporating specific design elements into professional development. This study analyzed the influence of program design on achieving gains in personal science teaching self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, chemistry content, and pedagogical content knowledge in 4 discrete cohorts (N = 135). Significant changes were produced in self-efficacy at .01 in each cohort, personal science teaching self-efficacy was significantly enhanced in Cohorts 1, 2, and 4 at .01, and outcome expectancy was significantly enhanced in Cohorts 1 and 3 at .01 and in Cohort 4 at .05. Professional development that enhances personal science teaching self-efficacy and outcome expectancy should be recognized as essential to achieving scientific literacy for all students.
Tail structure and bed friction velocity distribution of gravity currents propagating over an array of obstacles

The bed friction velocity distribution and sediment entrainment potential of Boussinesq compositional gravity currents propagating over a series of obstacles and over a smooth surface, respectively, are analysed based on high-resolution, three-dimensional large-eddy simulations. The investigation focuses on the parameter regime for which currents with a high volume of release go through an extended slumping phase with approximately constant front velocity (Tokyay, Constantinescu & Meiburg, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 672, 2011, 570–605). Under these conditions, a quasi-steady regime is reached between consecutive obstacles that is similar to the steady regime observed for constant-density channel flows over bottom obstacles. At a given location, this quasi-steady regime is reached in the tail of the current after the passage of the front and the associated hydraulic jumps reflected from the first few downstream obstacles. A double-averaging procedure is employed to characterize the global changes in the structure of the tail region between currents with a high volume of release propagating over smooth surfaces and over obstacles. Reynolds-number-induced scale effects on the flow and turbulence structure within the tail region are discussed in some detail. The presence of this quasi-steady regime is significant, since the simulations with obstacles show that most of the sediment is entrained by the tail of the current, rather than by its front. A detailed analysis of the effects of the obstacle shape on the quasi-steady mean flow and turbulence structure is presented, which provides insight into why gravity currents over dunes can entrain more sediment than gravity currents over ribs of comparable size. Finally, the bed friction velocity distributions and the potential to entrain sediment are compared for a compositional current with a high volume of release during the slumping phase, and a current with a low volume of release for which transition to the buoyancy–inertia phase occurs a short time after the release of the lock gate.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol suppresses tumor necrosis factor α maturation and secretion but not its transcription in mouse macrophages

Various in vitro studies have shown that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of marijuana, has a variety of inhibitory effects on immune functions including effects on macrophages. The present studies have examined the mechanism of THC's effects on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), a major macrophage-produced cytokine and an important mediator involved in cytokine networks and in host defense mechanisms. Exposure of macrophages to medium containing THC has resulted in low levels of soluble TNF-α protein and reduced TNF-α bioactivity in the culture supernatant. However, THC did not inhibit the levels of LPS-induced TNF-α mRNA and intracellular TNF-α precursor protein, had only a weak effect on expression of membrane-bound TNF-α, but suppressed TNF-α maturation/secretion by macrophages. The higher the THC concentration in the medium during TNF-α induction, the greater the amount of intracellular TNF-α precursors that accumulated in the activated macrophages and the less mature TNF-α was released from the cells. Data suggest that TNF-α production by macrophages was altered greatly by exposure to THC at the levels of TNF-α precursor maturation and secretion.
Total Synthesis of Lycogarubin C and Lycogalic Acid

Two complementary concise total syntheses of lycogarubin C (1) and lycogalic acid (2, aka chromopyrrolic acid) are detailed utilizing a 1,2,4,5-tetrazine --> 1,2-diazine --> pyrrole Diels-Alder strategy and enlisting acetylenic dienophiles.
Lessons learned in applying accelerometers to nuclear effects testing

Exoatmospheric nuclear effects, such as those that would be encounter by reentry bodies, provide instantaneous (near zero-duration), impulsive loading of structures. Endoatmospheric nuclear effects possess an impulse that is finite in duration, but whose rise time is still instantaneous. The commonality of these loadings is that they initiate waves propagating through structures, resulting in extremely short duration accelerations to free surfaces where accelerometers are mounted. Over the years, attempts have been made to measure free surface accelerations using ceramic, quartz, and piezoresistive accelerometers. This paper describes the lessons learned, and looks to the future. It also provides a history of shock accelerometer development.
Abstract 2611: Cisplatin negatively affects CNS progenitor cells and behavior in the adult mouse

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Patients that are treated with chemotherapy exhibit long term changes in cognitive function, decreasing quality of life (Van Dam et al 1998). Although much work has been done characterizing these changes in the patient, there is little research on the possible cellular changes. Additionally, little has been done studying the effects of a single chemotherapeutic agent on cognitive function. Our laboratory has previously shown that chemotherapy, including cisplatin, decreases neural progenitor cell division and increases cell death in the mouse brain (Dietrich et al 2006; Han et al., 2008). Here, we have studied the effects of cisplatin on CNS progenitor cells and also on behavior. We found that cisplatin negatively affects progenitor cells throughout the CNS: progenitor cells migrating from the subventricular zone to the olfactory bulb, the olfactory epithelium, the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the corpus callosum. The subventricular zone, rostral migratory stream and olfactory bulb all showed increases in cell death and decreases in the neuroblast population. This change in progenitor cell numbers remained significant compared to vehicle control for as long as six months. In the olfactory epithelium, we found a significant decrease in proliferation of olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) progenitor cells. There was also a decrease in proliferation and an increase in cell death in the oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) population of the corpus callosum and in the dentate gyrus. Using a fixed interval-60s operant schedule we examined the effects of cisplatin on performance. This schedule allows for the operant response rate to vary widely without altering the rate of reinforcement. When compared to the vehicle control, we found significant changes in response rate. These findings demonstrate that even in the absence of underlying cancer, cisplatin has adverse effects on CNS progenitor cells in multiple regions and negatively impacts behavioral outcomes. This work provides animal models of potential value in developing treatments to prevent the neurotoxic side effects of cisplatin, thus improving quality of life in recipients of this therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2611.
Drying of chitosan in a spouted bed: The influences of temperature and equipment geometry in powder quality

Abstract The influence of temperature and spouted bed geometry in drying chitosan with relation to powder quality (molecular weight, deacetylation degree, particle size, color) and operation characteristics (product recovery and mass accumulated) were investigated. Chitosan paste was obtained from shrimp wastes and dried in a spouted bed (slot-rectangular and conical-cylindrical geometries) with different inlet air temperatures (90, 100 and 110 °C). Thermogravimetric curves, infra-red analysis and scanning electron microscopy were carried out in order to verify powder quality. Chitosan paste used in drying experiments showed solid content 4%, molecular weight 140 kDa and deacetylation degree 85%. In all drying experiments deacetylation degree was not modified and final moisture content was in the commercial range (10%). Temperature increase caused an increase in molecular weight, powder darkening and increased particle size. The best powder quality was obtained in slot-rectangular spouted bed at 90 °C. In this condition product recovery was 65%, accumulated mass was 20% and the powder presented faint yellow coloration, high thermal stability and porous heterogeneous surface.
Gain-of-function mutations in a human calmodulin-like protein identify residues critical for calmodulin action in yeast.

A human epithelial cell-specific transcript (NB-1) encodes a calmodulin-like protein (hCLP), which is identical in length and 85% identical in amino acid sequence to authentic human calmodulin (hCaM). Although hCaM shares only 60% amino acid sequence identity with yeast calmodulin (CMD1 gene product), hCaM was able to substitute functionally for Cmd1 in yeast cells. In contrast, hCLP was unable to support either spore germination or vegetative growth in Cmd1-deficient yeast cells, even when stably expressed at a level at least an order of magnitude above that of hCaM. Thus, hCLP provides an indicator protein for discerning those residues that are critical for calmodulin function in vivo. In addition to 20 conservative amino acid replacements, hCLP differs from hCaM (and other vertebrate calmodulins that are able to complement acmd1 null mutation) by only three nonconservative substitutions. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to convert these three positions back to residues more typical of those found in authentic calmodulins and to prepare all possible combinations of these three mutations, specifically: three single mutants (R58V, R112N, and A128E), three double mutants (R58V A128E, R112N A128E, and R58V R112N), and the triple mutant (R58V R112N A128E). The triple mutant and one of the double mutants (R58V A128E) were able to restore an apparently normal growth rate to acmd1Δ strain, indicating that the altered hCLPs have acquired the ability to behave as functional calmodulins in yeast. The other two double mutants were able to support growth of Cmd1-deficient cells only weakly, but cells expressing the R112N A128E mutant grew noticeably better than those expressing the R58V R112N mutant. Remarkably, one single mutant (A128E), but not the other two single mutants, was also reproducibly able to support weak growth of acmd1Δ strain. The properties of these gain-of-function, or neomorphic, mutations implicate E128, and to a lesser extent V58, as residues critical for calmodulin action in vivo. Molecular modeling of these positions within the structure of a Ca2+-calmodulin · peptide complex indicates that E128 projects directly into the central cavity occupied by the bound peptide. Thus, E128 may contribute a contact that is vital for the interaction of Cmd1 with one or more of the targets that are essential for yeast cell growth.
Fermi velocity of silver from proximity effect tunnelling

We have measured the tunneling characteristics of a series of Al-oxide-(Ag 1-xErx)Pb proximity effect sandwiches for normal metal thicknesses ranging from 500 A to 3 000 A and parallel magnetic fields of 0-1 000 gauss. Second derivative characteristics (d2V/dI2) reveal the Pb phonon structure through electron interference effects and also reveal structure at the Ag phonon frequencies. Application of a magnetic field less than the critical field of the sandwhich reduces the Ag phonon structure. Introduction of impurities reduces the interference effects with little effect on the Ag phonon structure. We are thus able to separate the two contributions to the tunnelling characteristics. Comparison with the theory of McMillan and Rowell then allows determination of VF. Comparison of the theoretical and experimental curves for the interference term shows a frequency dependent mean free path from phonon emission and allows an independent measure of the electron-phonon coupling in the normal metal.
The Role of Regulatory Genes During Maize Domestication: Evidence From Nucleotide Polymorphism and Gene Expression

We investigated DNA sequence variation in 72 candidate genes in maize landraces and the wild ancestor of maize, teosinte. The candidate genes were chosen because they exhibit very low sequence diversity among maize inbreds and have sequence homology to known regulatory genes. We observed signatures of selection in 17 candidate genes, indicating that they were potential targets of artificial selection during domestication. In addition, 21 candidate genes were identified as potential targets of natural selection in teosinte. A comparison of the proportion of selected genes between our regulatory genes and genes unfiltered for their potential function (but also with very low sequence diversity among maize inbreds) provided some weak evidence that regulatory genes are overrepresented among selected genes. We detected no significant association between the positions of genes identified as potential targets of selection during domestication and quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for maize domestication traits. However, a subset of these genes, those identified by sequence homology as kinase/phosphatase genes, significantly cluster with the domestication QTL. We also analyzed expression profiles of genes in distinct maize tissues and observed that domestication genes are expressed on average at a significantly higher level than neutral genes in reproductive organs, including kernels.
Introduction Politics and the American City, 1940–1990

Authors of articles in this issue identify two themes in American urban history. First, between 1950 and 1980, politicians including St. Louis mayors as well as New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefel...
Molecular Mechanisms of High-Affinity Phosphoinositide Binding by the Tandem C2 Domains of Granuphilin/Slp-4

Membrane-targeting proteins are crucial components of many cell signaling pathways, including the secretion of insulin. Granuphilin, also known as synaptotagmin-like protein 4, functions in tethering secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane prior to exocytosis. Granuphilin docks to insulin secretory vesicles through interaction of its N-terminal domain with vesicular Rab proteins; however, the mechanisms of its plasma membrane targeting and release are less clear. Granuphilin contains two C2 domains, C2A and C2B, that interact with the plasma membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]. Here we identify membrane-binding mechanisms, affinities, and kinetics of both granuphilin C2 domains using fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. Results indicate that both C2A and C2B bind anionic lipids in a Ca2+-independent manner. The C2A domain binds liposomes containing a physiological mixture of lipids including 2% PI(4,5)P2 or PI(3,4,5)P3 with high affinity (apparent Kd of 2-5 nM), and binds nonspecifically with moderate affinity to anionic liposomes lacking phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIPx) lipids. The C2B domain binds with sub-micromolar affinity to liposomes containing PI(4,5)P2 but does not have a measurable affinity for background anionic lipids. Both domains can be competed away from their target lipids by the soluble PIPx analogue inositol-(1,2,3,4,5,6)-hexakisphosphate (IP6), which is a positive regulator of insulin secretion. The results suggest potentially significant roles of granuphilin C2 domain-lipid interactions in the membrane docking and release of this protein during secretory signaling.
Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonitis in Patients with Lung Cancer

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was histologically documented in five patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. All patients had been treated with combination antineoplastic chemotherapy. Two patients received no corticosteroids, two received no chest radiotherapy, and one received neither radiotherapy nor corticosteroids. This suggests that as more patients with lung cancer are treated with intensive chemotherapy, pulmonary infection with P carinii may become an important differential diagnostic consideration in the presence of pulmonary infiltrates.
High-resolution carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies of maize proteins

The first high-field, high-resolution 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of zein, and two sub-fractions obtained by extraction in aqueous alcohol systems, are reported. Solubility of zein was also investigated in fourteen different organic solvents and found to be optimal in 100% DMSO and 50% pyridine-water. The effects of extraction or pretreatment of zein with specific solvents were also investigated. Spectral assignments are proposed for zein based on a comparison of the 13 C chemical shift values for peaks in the zein spectra with previously published 13 C chemical shift assignments for proteins. Biochemical characterization of the protein samples by SDS-PAGE and amino acid analysis were carried out in parallel with the NMR studies to aid in the interpretation of NMR spectra.
Increased frequency of deletions in DNA polymerase mutants of Escherichia coli.

Mutants of E. coli, deficient in DNA polymerase activity in vitro, spontaneously generate chromosomal deletions at a high frequency. Such deletions may arise from the inability of these strains to repair single-strand breaks in DNA efficiently.
Graphs containing triangles are not 3-common

A finite graph G is k-common if the minimum (over all kcolourings of the edges of Kn) of the number of monochromatic labelled copies of G is asymptotically equal, as n tends to infinity, to the expected number of such copies in a random k-colouring of the edges of Kn. Jagger, Stovicek and Thomason showed that graphs which contain K4 are not 2-common. We prove that graphs which contain K3 are not 3-common.
Formation and cell translocation of carbon nanotube-fibrinogen protein corona.

The binding of plasma fibrinogen with both single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs and MWNTs) has been examined. Specifically, our absorbance study indicated that MWNTs were coated with multi-layers of fibrinogen to render a “hard protein corona,” while SWNTs were adsorbed with thin layers of the protein to precipitate out of the aqueous phase. In addition, static quenching as a result of energy transfer from fluorescently labeled fibrinogen to their nanotube substrates was revealed by Stern-Volmer analysis. When exposed to HT-29 cells, the nanotubes and fibrinogen could readily dissociate, possibly stemming from their differential affinities for the amphiphilic membrane bilayer.
Adducin Promotes Micrometer-Scale Organization of β2-Spectrin in Lateral Membranes of Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Adducin promotes assembly of spectrin-actin complexes, and is a target for regulation by calmodulin, protein kinase C, and rho kinase. We demonstrate here that adducin is required to stabilize preformed lateral membranes of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells through interaction with beta2-spectrin. We use a Tet-on regulated inducible small interfering RNA (siRNA) system to deplete alpha-adducin from confluent HBE cells. Depletion of alpha-adducin resulted in increased detergent solubility of spectrin after normal membrane biogenesis during mitosis. Conversely, depletion of beta2-spectrin resulted in loss of adducin from the lateral membrane. siRNA-resistant alpha-adducin prevented loss of lateral membrane, but only if alpha-adducin retained the MARCKS domain that mediates spectrin-actin interactions. Phospho-mimetic versions of adducin with S/D substitutions at protein kinase C phosphorylation sites in the MARCKS domain were not active in rescue. We find that adducin modulates long-range organization of the lateral membrane based on several criteria. First, the lateral membrane of adducin-depleted cells exhibited reduced height, increased curvature, and expansion into the basal surface. Moreover, E-cadherin-GFP, which normally is restricted in lateral mobility, rapidly diffuses over distances up to 10 microm. We conclude that adducin acting through spectrin provides a novel mechanism to regulate global properties of the lateral membrane of bronchial epithelial cells.
SURFACE TENSION OF SERUM : XII. A TECHNIQUE FOR THE ACCURATE STUDY OF THE DROP IN FUNCTION OF THE TIME.

A technique is described for the study of the adsorption in function of the time of molecules of colloidal substances in the surface layer of water. This technique eliminates previous causes of error, in particular the individual coefficient. The curves obtained by plotting the data for serum at various dilutions give a clear picture of the phenomenon, and show that the low values of the initial surface tension of pure serum and serum at low dilutions are due to the extreme rapidity of adsorption of the molecules in the surface layer, owing to their high concentration. Evidence is given that colloidal substances in solution substantially lower the surface tension of the solvent, even when they are in too small a number to form an homogeneous monolayer.
In Vitro Fructooligosaccharide Utilization and Inhibition of Salmonella spp. by Selected Bacteria

Abstract In vitro experiments were conducted to determine: 1) inhibitory capacities of potential direct-fed microbial bacteria against Salmonella serotypes; and 2) the ability of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactococcus lactis, Pediococcus sp., and Salmonella spp. to grow in media containing fructooligosaccharides (FOS-50® or FOS pure formulation) as the only carbohydrate source. Thirteen bacteria (two strains of Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, B. bifidum, faecium, two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, Pediococcus sp Propionibacterium acidopropionici, P. jensenii, and Propionibacterium sp.) tested for inhibition of six Salmonella serotypes (S. California, S. enteritidis, heidelberg, S. mission, S. senftenberg, and S. typhimurium) using a spot-the-technique. Bifidobacterium bifidum, E. faecium, all lactobacilli, and Pediococcus sp. clearly inhibited growth of all Salmonella serotypes. In the growth experiments, E. faecium, L. lactis, and Pediococcus sp. grew in media with either FOS-50® or the pure formulation of FOS as the sole carbohydrate source. All tested Salmonella serotypes utilized FOS-50® for growth; however growth varied among the serotypes. In contrast, none of the Salmonella serotypes grew in media containing the pure formulation of FOS as the only carbohydrate source.
A Time-Varying Hybrid Model for Dynamic Motion Planning of an Unmanned Air Vehicle

Future unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) missions are likely to include those for which the characteristic dimensions of the environment are similar in scale to the characteristic dimensions of the vehicle dynamics. This class of missions will require precision trajectory planning and tracking that utilizes the full agility of the vehicle to ensure safety and performance. Hybrid models consisting of a set motion primitives allow for the safe integration of aggressive maneuvers into a motion plan; however, planning precision is limited by the finite set of primitives. This paper presents an extension of existing hybrid modeling strategies to allow for a variable set of motion primitives that are tailored to the current mission-performance requirements. A randomized sampling-based planning approach is then adopted to plan trajectories using this modeling strategy. Performance of the resulting trajectory-planning system is demonstrated through a simulated example.
Pathologic and immunologic responses of the fetal lamb to Brucella ovis.

Ewes were exposed to live Brucella ovis either by the intrauterine or the intraconjunctival routes prior to breeding, at breeding and at various stages of gestation. Serological and immunochemical analyses were performed on all ewe and lamb sera and gross and microscopic examinations were made of fetuses.Infections of fetuses in the ewes exposed intraconjunctivally were confined to those groups exposed between 3 and 12 weeks post breeding. Intrauterine exposures indicated (1) that the organism does not appear to remain in the nonpregnant uterus for any extended length of time, (2) probably causes the death of the ovum and embryo, and (3) fetuses of 6 weeks of gestational age are able to withstand the microbial invasion for extended periods of time. All fetuses exposed in utero from the sixth post breeding week to term were infected, as determined by immunological, bacteriological and pathological examinations.Regardless of the route of inoculation, lesions of the infected fetuses were found in the placent...
Increased Endothelial Monolayer Permeability is Induced by Serum from Women with Preeclampsia but not by Serum from Women with Normal Pregnancy or that are not Pregnant

Objective. To determine if endothelial monolayer permeability could be altered by serum from preeclampsia (PE). Methods. Confluent normal endothelial cells (ECs) were incubated with 20% serum from nonpregnant females, normal and PE pregnancies or combined with antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) for 8 hr. Confluent PE ECs were incubated with 20% serum from normal pregnancies. EC barrier function of monolayer permeability was accessed by measuring EC electrical resistance (ER) and the leakage of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) passing through EC filters. Plasma concentrations of IL‐8 and lipid peroxides by MDA were also measured. We determined 1) if serum from PE could affect EC permeable function; 2) if antioxidant and serum from normal pregnancies could preserve PE EC barrier function; 3) if lipid peroxides and cytokine IL‐8 were increased in PE blood samples. Data are presented as mean±SE. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. A p level less than 0.05 was considered statistically different. Results. ...
A Dynamic Relationship between Intracellular and Extracellular Pools of Aβ

The accumulation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in the brain is considered to have a primary role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition to the extracellular accumulation of Aβ in the parenchyma and cerebrovasculature, emerging evidence indicates that intraneuronal Aβ also plays a pathophysiological role in AD. It is unclear, however, if the intracellular and extracellular pools of Aβ are unrelated or connected. In these studies, we sought to establish a relationship between these two pools of Aβ. We identified an inverse relationship between intracellular and extracellular Aβ in the 3xTg-AD transgenic model of AD. Using an immunotherapy approach, we further found that extracellular Aβ was cleared before intracellular Aβ. After the antibody dissipated, however, the reappearance of extracellular plaques was preceded by the accumulation of intraneuronal Aβ. Taken together, these results provide strong experimental evidence that intraneuronal Aβ may serve as a source for some of the extracellular amyloid deposits.
Are affluent youth truly "at risk"? Vulnerability and resilience across three diverse samples.

Building upon prior findings of elevated problems among East Coast suburban youth through the 11th grade, this study establishes disproportionately high incidence of maladjustment across three disparate samples: East Coast Suburban youth at the end of their senior year in high school, and 11th and 12th graders in (a) a Northwest suburb and (b) an East Coast city. Both East Coast samples showed pronounced elevations in substance use, whereas the Northwest suburban sample showed marked vulnerability in serious internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Across all samples, parents’ low perceived containment for substance use (lax repercussions on discovering use) was a major vulnerability factor, followed by parents’ knowledge of their teens’ activities. Overall, adolescents’ symptom levels were more strongly related to their relationships with mothers than with fathers. An exception was boys’ apparent vulnerability to fathers’, but not mothers’, perceived depressive symptoms. As with affluent eighth graders, we found that “overscheduling” in extracurriculars is not a critical vulnerability factor among these high school students. Finally, youth reports suggested that most affluent parents do not indiscriminately bail their children out of all problem situations (although a small subset, apparently, do). Results are discussed along with the implications for practice and for future research.
Myocardial energetics during ventricular fibrillation investigated by magnetization transfer nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is known to produce alterations in myocardial energetics, but the mechanism of these changes remains unclear. To investigate energy metabolism during VF, phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetization transfer were applied to isolated perfused ferret hearts. VF was induced either by perfusion with digitalis (strophanthidin, 30 microM) or by high-frequency electrical stimulation. We measured the flux in two critical reactions: from inorganic phosphate (Pi) to ATP (ATP synthesis rate) and from phosphocreatine (PCr) to ATP (energy transfer capacity). During digitalis-induced VF, energy-related phosphates showed changes similar to those during hypoxia: myocardial [Pi] increased and [PCr] decreased. Concomitantly, the ATP synthesis rate increased to levels about threefold higher than control, whereas oxygen consumption increased by only 16%. The ATP synthesis rate exhibited a strong negative correlation with left ventricular pressure during VF (r = -0.95, n = 5, p 0.05). On the other hand, energy transfer capacity catalyzed by creatine kinase was significantly smaller during VF than in the control condition but still higher than the simultaneous ATP synthesis rate. In contrast to the marked energetic deterioration during VF induced by digitalis, electrically induced VF led to only a small increase in [Pi] and a small decrease in [PCr], and there were no significant changes in the ATP synthesis rate, energy transfer capacity, or O2 consumption. These results indicate that the rundown in energy metabolism during VF induced by digitalis was mainly attributable to a limitation of energy production through oxidative phosphorylation as well as to a marked increase in energy consumption. In contrast, myocardial energy generation remained unimpaired during VF induced by electrical stimulation. Intracellular calcium overload is more severe during VF induced by digitalis than during electrically induced VF (Circ Res 1991;68:1378-1389); severe calcium overload would be expected to compromise the capacity for energy generation by mitochondria. Thus, we propose that known differences in cellular calcium loading underlie the discrepant energetic patterns of the two types of VF.
Effect of losartan on degree of mitral regurgitation quantified by echocardiography

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of oral losartan on the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR). The regurgitant volume and effective regurgitant orifice were quantified using 3 methods (flow convergence, quantitative Doppler, and quantitative 2-dimensional echocardiography) in 32 patients (26 men, mean age 67 +/- 14 years) with MR, both at baseline and 4 hours after losartan (50 mg orally). Twenty-eight patients were also reevaluated after 1 month of continued treatment with losartan (50 mg/day). With treatment, systolic blood pressure decreased from 143 +/- 16 to 130 +/- 18 mm Hg and left ventricular end-systolic wall stress from 173 +/- 46 to 156 +/- 44 g/cm2 (both p 0.15). Treatment of MR using the angiotensin receptor antagonist losartan produces a significant and sustained decrease in the degree of MR, with decreases in regurgitant volume and effective regurgitant orifice. However, the changes are of modest and variable magnitude.
Patient centered outcomes in prostate cancer treatment: predictors of satisfaction up to 2 years after open radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Purpose: Few groups have examined satisfaction after prostate cancer treatment. We determined 1) predictors of satisfaction between 3 months and 2 years after open radical retropubic prostatectomy, and 2) whether these factors are time dependent.Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study included 1,542 men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy from October 2000 to July 2008. The primary outcome was satisfaction self-assessed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. We used multivariate logistic regression and repeated measures analysis to determine predictors of satisfaction, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics.Results: Median followup was 24 months. About 93% of the men were satisfied. On multivariate analysis men were significantly less satisfied at 3 months when the urinary catheter was indwelling for 3 weeks or greater (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.10–0.54), or they required intervention for anastomotic stricture (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.11–0.49) or experienced 4-point or greater worsening in A...
Transmission through axisymmetric, cascaded cylindrical cavities coupled by apertures - part I: structures with coaxial and circular-cylindrical cross-sections

A technique is presented for determining the field in a series of cascaded, axisymmetric cylindrical cavities excited by a /spl phi/-independent source. The constituent cavities are either coaxial or circular-cylindrical. The field in each cavity is expressed in terms of the electric field in the apertures at the interfaces where adjacent cavities join. Coupled integral equations are formulated in the frequency domain from which these aperture fields are computed. From knowledge of the aperture fields, the complete field in the cavity structure can be determined. The frequency-domain data are used to compute the time-domain field in the system of cavities. Cavities were constructed and experiments performed to corroborate the computed data.
Single incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer: less is more?

Single incision laparoscopic colectomy has been reported to be safe and feasible using several techniques and devices. The authors’ report their experience with a single incision laparoscopic colec...
What's on your mind? Social media monopolies and noopower

This paper explores the age–old tension between the radical possibilities of thought and the institutions seeking to constrain thought as this tension plays out in social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google. I argue that these social media sites are becoming key institutions of noopower, or the power to modulate thoughts. Older institutions of power, such as states, militaries, and marketers, have begun to exercise noopower through and at social media in an effort to always be on our minds.
Multiple transcription factors regulating the IL-6 gene are activated by cAMP in cultured Caco-2 cells

Mucosal and enterocyte IL-6 production is increased during sepsis and endotoxemia. Recent studies suggest that cAMP potentiates IL-6 production in endotoxin- or IL-1β-stimulated enterocytes, but th...
The Conjugal Intermediate of Plasmid RSF1010 Inhibits Agrobacterium tumefaciens Virulence and VirB-Dependent Export of VirE2

Agrobacterium tumefaciens causes crown gall disease by transferring oncogenic, single-stranded DNA (T strand), covalently attached to the VirD2 protein, across the bacterial envelope into plant cells where its expression results in tumor formation. The single-stranded DNA binding protein VirE2 is also transferred into the plant cell, though the location at which VirE2 interacts with the T strand is still under investigation. The movement of the transferred DNA and VirE2 from A. tumefaciens to the plant cell depends on the membrane-localized VirB and VirD4 proteins. Further, the movement of the IncQ broad-host-range plasmid RSF1010 between Agrobacterium strains or from Agrobacterium to plants also requires the virB-encoded transfer system. Our earlier studies showed that the presence of the RSF1010 plasmid in wild-type strains of Agrobacterium inhibits both their virulence and their capacity to transport VirE2, as assayed by coinfection with virE mutants. Here we demonstrate that the capacity to form a conjugal intermediate of RSF1010 is necessary for this inhibition, suggesting that the transferred form of the plasmid competes with the VirD2-T strand and/or VirE2 for a common export site.
Synthesis using path-based scheduling: algorithms and exercises

Path-based scheduling algorithms consider all possible sequences of operations (called paths) in a control-flow graph. Unlike most scheduling techniques used in high-level synthesis, they stress optimization across conditional branches. This paper presents several path-based algorithms. An exact algorithm finds the minimum number of control steps required for each possible path being executed. Heuristic solutions were also implemented. Extensive application of these algorithms to the benchmarks of the High-Level Synthesis Workshop showed the practical feasibility of such methods.
The Rush Mothers' Milk Club: breastfeeding interventions for mothers with very-low-birth-weight infants.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence‐based breastfeeding program (Rush Mothers' Milk Club) for mothers and their very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants. Design and Setting Retrospective analysis of hospital records for 207 eligible VLBW infants cared for in a 52‐bed urban neonatal intensive‐care unit for a 24‐month period in 1997–1998. Patients/Participants Entire medical records were reviewed for 207 VLBW infants whose mothers (44.9% African American, 35.7% White, 17.9% Latina) were eligible to provide own mothers' milk (OMM). Interventions Standardized evidence‐based interventions through the Rush Mothers' Milk Club program. Main Outcome Measures Lactation initiation rate; mean dose of OMM at 15, 30, and 60 days postbirth; mean percent of fed‐hospital days equal to exclusive and some OMM feedings. Results Lactation initiation rate was 72.9%. Mean dose of OMM over the first 15, 30, and 60 days postbirth was 81.7%, 80.1%, and 66.1%, respectively, of total volume fed. Exclusive and some OMM was received for a mean of 57.2% and 72.5%, respectively, of fed‐hospital days. The outcomes for low‐income African American women are the highest reported in the literature. Conclusion The Rush Mothers' Milk Club effectively achieved lactation outcomes that approach the national health objective, although the mothers had significant risk factors for initiating and sustaining lactation. The findings have important implications for clinicians, researchers, administrators, and policy makers.
Tomographic radiopharmaceutical imaging

Tomographic radiopharmaceutical imaging, or emission computed tomography (ECT), provides in vivo three-dimensional maps of a pharmaceutical labeled with a gamma-ray-emitting radionuclide. ECT has developed in two complimentary directions based on the type of radionuclide that is used. Positron emission computed tomography (PET) detects the two coincident 511-keV annihilation photos from position emitters such as /sup 11/C, /sup 13/N, /sup 15/O, and /sup 18/F. Single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) involves detection of gamma rays emitted singly, and sequentially, by the radionuclide tracer. The author presents examples of PET and SPECT imaging devices and reviews a widely used reconstruction algorithm. Current research areas that are under active investigation are also described. >
Applying broad constraints for efficient processing of XML tree pattern queries

Efficient query optimization is critical to the performance of query processing in a database system. The same is true for XML databases and queries. XML queries naturally carry a tree-shaped search pattern which usually contains redundancies. Efficient minimization of the tree patterns of XML queries forms an integral and important part of XML query optimization. This short paper sketchily presents our approach for XML tree pattern query minimization that explores a variety of XML constraints.
ACUTE INFLAMMATION AND TISSUE MAST CELLS IN ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS WITH CUTANEOUS MUCORMYCOSIS

The effects of the absence of adrenal tissues on the inflammatory reaction and on the relationship of the tissue mast cells to the inflammatory process have been studied histologically in rats with cutaneous Rhizopus oryzae infection. Degranulation and regranulation of the tissue mast cells at the site of injury have been found to correlate respectively with the onset and subsidence of the exudative cellular phase of inflammation. In the adrenalectomized animals regranulation of these cells and correspondingly termination of the exudative phase are delayed. In the lesions of these rats the numbers of eosinophiles are increased. The proliferative cellular processes of inflammation, although delayed in onset, progress in essentially normal manner but result in some increased collagen deposition. The lack of adrenal secretions does not enhance fungus proliferation and is not associated with spread of the infection. In the present experiments the effectiveness of inflammation does not differ in normal and adrenalectomized rats.
The application of subband coding to improve quality and robustness of the sinusoidal transform coder

In an attempt to improve the performance of the sinusoidal transform coder (STC) in the presence of channel errors, a structure evolved that was similar to a subband coder. Using some new ideas for subband coding, such as vector quantization of the subband energies and adaptive bit allocation based on the decoded energies, a new quantization algorithm for STC evolved that was not only more robust in channel errors, but led to improved quality, particularly at the 2400 bit/s data rate. It may be possible further to improve the speech quality at this rate by using vector quantization to code the shape of the subband channel gains. >
Phosphorylation of Trask by Src Kinases Inhibits Integrin Clustering and Functions in Exclusion with Focal Adhesion Signaling

Trask is a recently described transmembrane substrate of Src kinases whose expression and phosphorylation has been correlated with the biology of some cancers. Little is known about the molecular functions of Trask, although its phosphorylation has been associated with cell adhesion. We have studied the effects of Trask phosphorylation on cell adhesion, integrin activation, clustering, and focal adhesion signaling. The small hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of Trask results in increased cell adhesiveness and a failure to properly inactivate focal adhesion signaling, even in the unanchored state. On the contrary, the experimentally induced phosphorylation of Trask results in the inhibition of cell adhesion and inhibition of focal adhesion signaling. This is mediated through the inhibition of integrin clustering without affecting integrin affinity state or ligand binding activity. Furthermore, Trask signaling and focal adhesion signaling inactivate each other and signal in exclusion with each other, constituting a switch that underlies cell anchorage state. These data provide considerable insight into how Trask functions to regulate cell adhesion and reveal a novel pathway through which Src kinases can oppose integrin-mediated cell adhesion.
Irrigation System Modernization: Case Study of the Middle Rio Grande Valley

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District MRGCD was officially founded in the 1920s, but it may well be the oldest operating irrigation system in North America. Currently the MRGCD serves about 22,300 ha of irrigated land and provides additional benefits to the Middle Rio Grande MRG Valley by providing proper soil drainage and protection against flooding. In recent years, the demand for water in the MRG Valley has increased drastically due to explosive population growth, expanding industry, and water allocated for environmental and ecological concerns, which include two federally listed endangered species—the silvery minnow Hy- bognathus amarus and the southwestern willow fly catcher Empidonax traillii extimus. In response to the call for more efficient water use, the MRGCD embarked on a program of irrigation system modernization with supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA incorporation. Over the past few years, the MRGCD has developed a SCADA system focused on improving water use efficiency throughout the MRG Valley. This paper examines the five components of the system and how each component was developed and incorporated in the overall SCADA system. The SCADA system and related improvements in operational practices have reduced MRGCD river diversions from 7.410 8 m 3 /year a decade ago to an average of 4.317210 8 m 3 /year over the last 3 years.