cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mediation of epinephrine effects on memory processes by alpha- and beta-receptors.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the studies that provide the support for a differential role of alpha- and beta-receptors in mediating the memory impairing or facilitating actions of epinephrine. Post-trial injections of epinephrine (0.1 mg/kg) facilitate later retention of inhibitory (passive) avoidance training with weak footshock. The same dose of epinephrine impairs retention of high footshock. These experiments provide evidence that hormones can facilitate and impair time-dependent memory processes. In these studies, rats were trained on a one-trial inhibitory (passive) avoidance task with a weak footshock. Immediate post-trial injections (subcutaneous) of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or ACTH facilitated retention performance of the avoidance response as measured 24-h after training. The effectiveness of the treatments in facilitating retention decreased as the time between training and injection was increased.
The Essential Decade for Human Rights

The Breakthrough: Human Rights in the 1970s. Edited by Jan Eckel, Samuel Moyn. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014, 339 pp., $79.95 hardcover (ISBN-13: 978-0812245509). The 1970s has long been a forgotten decade among historians, sandwiched in between the ostensibly more noteworthy 1960s and 1980s, with those writing about it forced to claim that “something happened” (Berkowitz ⇓). Recently, the decade has garnered more attention in its own right, particularly with the publication of The Shock of the Global: The 1970s in Perspective (Ferguson et al. ⇓). One of the factors driving concentration on the 1970s has been the increased attention devoted to human rights in that decade by elite and non-governmental actors. To explore human rights politics in the 1970s in greater depth, Jan Eckel and Samuel Moyn have put together a volume that examines the decade as the time of a “moral breakthrough of human rights” (p. 3). The collected essays are written by a diverse range of contributors, based in the United States and Europe and at various stages in their careers. The authors examine human rights activism in at least ten countries and focus on broader themes such as the influence of decolonization, globalization, and detente on developments in the decade. This book's target audience is at specialists in the history of human rights. As such, it assumes knowledge of the historiography and key terminology. For a book focused so heavily on periodization, however, the coeditors do not explicitly define the 1970s, leaving the authors of each chapter to …
Induction of avian tumor viruses in normal cells by physical and chemical carcinogens.

Abstract Avian tumor viruses were induced in normal chicken cells treated with ionizing radiations or chemical carcinogens and mutagens. The induced leukosis viruses possess a buoyant density, DNA polymerase, polypeptides, and 70S RNA typical of avian tumor viruses. Induced leukosis viruses act as helper agents for the defective Bryan high titer strain of Rous sarcoma virus and with one exception belong to subgroup E as judged by host-range, interference, and neutralization patterns. Induction of leukosis viruses was successful in chicken cells lacking the “natural” group specific (gs) antigen of the avian tumor viruses as well as in cells carrying this antigen. This observation indicates that the viral genome is present in gs+ and in gs− cells. Therefore, the chromosomal locus which controls the presence of natural gs antigen in chicken cells does not represent the viral genome itself but regulates its expression in normal cells. These findings have implications for the origin of RNA tumor viruses and for theories of carcinogenesis.
Dimension Polynomials of Intermediate Fields and Krull-type Dimension of Finitely Generated Differential Field Extensions

Let K be a differential field of zero characteristic and let L be a finitely generated differential field extension of K. We introduce the concept of a transcendence type and dimension of the extension L/K considering chains of intermediate differentials fields of this extension. Using the technique of differential dimension polynomials we obtain relationships between the transcendence type and dimension of L/K and differential birational invariants of this extension carried by its dimension polynomials.
Atlantic Coastal Plain Terraces and Terrace Formations: ABSTRACT

The relation between coastal-plain terraces and their underlying formations has long been obscure. Atlantic coastal-plain terraces are underlain by "cyclic formations" in the sense proposed by Stephenson (1928). They consist of continental and marine contemporaneous cyclic sequences. The continental sequence consists of stream, fresh-water, marsh, lacustrine, estuarine, and deltaic sedimentary facies. The marine cycle consists of littoral, sublittoral, bar, barrier island-lagoon, and barrier-island tidal-marsh sedimentary facies. The two sequences are gradational within estuarine facies and disconformable along former strandlines. The cyclic formations overlie an unconformity that has been cut into older stratigraphic units. Landward the unconformity surface consists of stream valleys and divides over which the continental sequence was deposited during a rise in sea-level. Seaward the unconformity has been modified by marine scour. The marine sedimentary sequence occurs on this scoured surface. Initial marine erosion proceeds landward during a rise in sea-level until estuaries are filled and sediments supplied to the ocean balance sediments being eroded. From this stage onward, during slow transgression through subsequent regression, coastal-plain accretion takes place seaward with construction of one or more barrier-island and tidal-marsh stages and seaward growth of deltas. The terminal surface of the cyclic formation is the terrace which contains both continental and marine land forms representing the last processes operative in the area during regression. Thus geomorphology and pedology reflect the terminal nature of the underlying litho-, bio-, and environmental facies. The underlying stratigraphic facies illustrate the cyclic sequence of environmental stages necessary to develop the terminal land form. End_of_Article - Last_Page 459------------
Effects of temperature on denervated carotid body (glomus) cells.

Abstract Cat carotid bodies were denervated for 3–31 days by sectioning the carotid nerve. The normal response of glomus cells to cooling by about 6 °C, namely, membrane depolarization and reduced input resistance (R o ) was altered. At 3 days, cooling induced normal depolarization although R o decreased more markedly. At 7 days, cooling depolarized 53% of the cells which was accompanied by variable R o changes. Forty-seven percent of the cells were hyperpolarized and their R o increased. At 16 days, a fall in temperature depolarized 25% of the cells which showed variable changes in R o , whereas the rest showed hyperpolarization and increased R o . At 31 days, cooling weakly depolarized 64% of the cells together with a small reduction in R o whereas 28% showed some hyperpolarization and larger R o . It is concluded that sensory denervation alters the membrane of glomus cells, the preneuronal component of the receptor complex.
Effect of Foliar Fertilizers on the Growth of Soybean Cultivars

Foliar fertilizers (FF) applied at the reproductive growth stage was reported to increase soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) yield in field trials. But yield increases have not been consistent. Field experiments were conducted on Calloway silt loam soil in 1981—1982 to determine the effect of two foliar fertilizer (FF) formulations, 16N + 4P + 4K + 1 S (Hanway) and 12 N + 4 P + 4 K + 0.5 S (Folian), and time of application, 0800- and 1900-h, on the growth of seven soybean cultivars from maturity groups V, VI, and VII. Foliar fertilizers were applied at a rate of 187 L/ha−1 in water by a backpack CO2 pressure sprayer at R5 to R6 growth stages. Foliar fertilizers caused no crop injury (leaf burn) when applied at 1900-h but caused moderate injury at 0800-h, which caused a yield reduction. The most significant crop injury was caused by Hanway formulation when applied at 0800-h. Yields were significantly reduced by FF in 1981 but not in 1982. Generally, Folian formulation treatments had higher yields than Hanway formulation treatments, but neither formulation increased yield above that of the untreated plants. The Bragg cultivar exhibited the least amount of crop injury and the most positive yield response to FF. Plant height, 100-seed weight and lodging rates were not adversely affected by the foliar applications. Due to the general lack of consistent yield increases or in some instances yield reduction from FF applications, the formulations used cannot be recommended for use by soybean producers.
Correction/Completion of the Yeast Actin, Alanine Scan Alleles

IN 1992, the first alanine scanning mutagenesis was performed on the yeast actin gene ACT1 ([Wertman et al. 1992][1]). This collection of mutants has proven to be a very useful set of reagents for probing the structure/function relationships in the actin cytoskeleton. Recently, we realized that
Blowoff dynamics of bluff body stabilized turbulent premixed flames

This article concerns the flame dynamics of a bluff body stabilized turbulent premixed flame as it approaches lean blowoff. Time resolved chemiluminescence imaging along with simultaneous particle image velocimetry and OH planar laser-induced fluorescence were utilized in an axisymmetric bluff body stabilized, propane-air flame to determine the sequence of events leading to blowoff and provide a quantitative analysis of the experimental results. It was found that as lean blowoff is approached by reduction of equivalence ratio, flame speed decreases and the flame shape progressively changes from a conical to a columnar shape. For a stably burning conical flame away from blowoff, the flame front envelopes the shear layer vortices. Near blowoff, the columnar flame front and shear layer vortices overlap to induce high local stretch rates that exceed the extinction stretch rates instantaneously and in the mean, resulting in local flame extinction along the shear layers. Following shear layer extinction, fresh reactants can pass through the shear layers to react within the recirculation zone with all other parts of the flame extinguished. This flame kernel within the recirculation zone may survive for a few milliseconds and can reignite the shear layers such that the entire flame is reestablished for a short period. This extinction and reignition event can happen several times before final blowoff which occurs when the flame kernel fails to reignite the shear layers and ultimately leads to total flame extinguishment.
Molecular docking and synthesis of novel quinazoline analogues as inhibitors of transcription factors NF-κB activation and their anti-cancer activities

NF-kB is a transcription factor protein complex that can be found in almost all animal cell types and is a key player in some cancers and inflammatory responses. It can enhance the proliferation rate, reduce apoptosis, as well as creating more blood flow to ensure the survival of cancer, thus blocking the NF-kB pathway has potential therapeutic benefit. We designed a series of compounds based on a quinazoline scaffold pharmacophore model which may have high binding affinity with the p50 subunit of NF-kB. The compound series with phenyl substitution at the 2 position of the quinazoline proved to be more effective at inhibiting NF-kB function both theoretically and experimentally. These compounds also reduce the proliferation of numerous tumor cell lines and the mean GI(50) for compound 2a is 2.88 μM against the NCI-60 cell line. At the same time, compound 2a can induce significant apoptosis in EKVX cell line at the concentration of 1 μM.
Chemical properties of atoll soils in the Marshall Islands and constraints to crop production

Abstract The sandy carbonatic soils of Pacific atolls are considered infertile and poorly suited to agriculture. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is comprised predominantly of atolls, and there is scant information on the fertility status of the Marshall Island soils. We conducted a survey of the soils to quantify chemical properties and determine significant trends related to soil distribution and climate. A total of 116 surface (0–15 cm) soil samples from 13 atolls and 42 subsoil (15–45 cm) samples from five of the atolls were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and nutrient levels. A missing element study in the greenhouse on a typical soil from Majuro Atoll was conducted to rank soil nutrient deficiencies. There were some strong differences in soil chemical properties between the two depths, but not necessarily between the two soil series constituting the sampled soils. Soil chemical properties were not affected by a strong rainfall gradient running from the southern (≈ 4000 mm) to the northern (≈ 1350 mm) atolls, but human activity had a significant effect on some properties. Soils located near the center of islands tend to show higher concentrations of OC than soils located along the ocean exposed shoreline. The missing element study indicated that the soil was deficient in Cu, P, N, S, and K. Potassium was the most serious nutrient constraint whereas the micronutrients Fe, Mn, Zn, and B did not limit maize growth significantly in a greenhouse pot experiment. Interpreting soil test data on atoll soils, however, remains difficult for two reasons: (i) the soil tests have not been calibrated with crop growth, and (ii) standard soil tests may not be applicable to the unique physical and chemical properties of atoll soils.
M13 coat protein as a model of membrane assembly

Abstract Studies of the synthesis of membrane-bound coat protein of M13 virus reveal general themes of protein secretion and membrane assembly. These include: (i) soluble intermediates in membrane assembly, (ii) a requirement for the membrane electrical potential to drive protein insertion, and (iii) accurate cleavage by leader peptidase. These themes of coat-protein biosynthesis are discussed with respect to the secreted and membrane proteins of bacteria and eukaryotes.
New insights into the structure and function of glutamate receptors: the orphan receptor δ2 reveals its family's secrets

The ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) form ligand-gated ion channels that mediate the vast majority of excitatory neurotransmission in the mammalian brain. These receptors play central roles not only in normal neurodevelopmental and neurophysiological processes but also in certain neuropathological processes. Molecular cloning of genes for iGluRs in the past decade has advanced our understanding of the basic properties of iGluRs, such as ion selectivity, ligand binding, and anchoring at synapses. Although the gene for the δ2 glutamate receptor (GluRδ2) was cloned on the basis of homology screening, GluRδ2 has been referred to as an “orphan” receptor because it does not form functional glutamate-gated ion channels. However, ataxia in many types of mice is caused by spontaneous mutation of GluRδ2. Analysis of two such mutants, lurcher and hotfoot, has provided key insights into the GluRδ2 signaling in neurons. Furthermore, characterization of mutant GluRδ2 has revealed unexpected clues to two fundamental features regarding the structure and function of iGluRs gating and assembly. Studies have recently shown that the transmembrane region where the lurcher mutation is located probably plays a crucial role in channel gating. The mechanism that controls iGluR subunit assembly seems to involve the extracellular N-terminal domain where the hotfoot mutation is located. An understanding of mechanisms responsible for gating and assembly is essential for the comprehension of neuronal function and dysfunction. Although reverse genetics is useful in deciphering glutamate signaling, these findings demonstrate the power of classic approaches to forward genetics on mutant mice.
C. Wright Mills, The Sociological Imagination: A Reappraisal

nals and professional associations. The related methodological and ideological splintering appears to be both symptom and cause of the fragmentation in the social sciences. Indeed, the contemporary situation in sociology is the fragmen tation of the discipline?a proliferation of paradigms. It can be argued, however, that as regards some major aspects of American sociology, Mills's prescriptions have carried the day or at least made serious inroads. This is evident in the skepticism that now exists toward the claim that sociology, or any of the rest of the "social studies," as Mills liked to call them, are or can become value-free forms of inquiry. The view is now often voiced that moral, political and aesthetic values are inescapably embedded in sociological inquiry and should not be submerged under the imperatives of professional "objectivity" or the camouflage of scient ism. However, it is also to Mills's credit that he did not denigrate all quantitative statistical work nor call for its abandonment; rather, what he demanded was a more sophisticated use of empirical methods and their enrichment by the socio logical imagination. Those values which Mills thought social scientists should prize on behalf of the community are equality, reason, freedom and self-realization and, for themselves as academics, intellectual craftsmanship and commitment to progressive social change through political involvement. As regards the latter, Mills looked to schol arly endeavor, the writing of polemical tracts and to political activism as the
Practical program analysis using general purpose logic programming systems—a case study

Many analysis problems can be cast in the form of evaluating minimal models of a logic program. Although such formulations are appealing due to their simplicity and declarativeness, they have not been widely used in practice because, either existing logic programming systems do not guarantee completeness, or those that do have been viewed as too inefficient for integration into a compiler. The objective of this paper is to re-examine this issue in the context of recent advances in implementation technologies of logic programming systems.We find that such declarative formulations can indeed be used in practical systems, when combined with the appropriate tool for evaluation. We use existing formulations of analysis problems --- groundness analysis of logic programs, and strictness analysis of functional programs --- in this case study, and the XSB system, a table-based logic programming system, as the evaluation tool of choice. We give experimental evidence that the resultant groundness and strictness analysis systems are practical in terms of both time and space. In terms of implementation effort, the analyzers took less than 2 man-weeks (in total), to develop, optimize and evaluate. The analyzer itself consists of about 100 lines of tabled Prolog code and the entire system, including the components to read and preprocess input programs and to collect the analysis results, consists of about 500 lines of code.
Anthropology and ethnography: contributions to integrated marketing communications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which anthropological research, specifically ethnography, can be useful in an integrated marketing communication (IMC) approach.Design/methodology/approach – Starting from a brief description of the different ways in which the discipline of anthropology has studied consumption, the paper turns to review how it can serve effectively to understand both the corporate as well as the consumer culture.Findings – The role that the anthropological discipline plays in IMC strategies is presented, along with some examples of how different firms have used it.Originality/value – This paper is an approach to understanding ethnography, not only as a market research methodology, but also as a corporate tool.
Noncompliance with Medication Regimens in Severely and Persistently Mentally Ill Schizophrenic Patients

Medication noncompliance contributes significantly to recurrence of symptoms and readmission to the hospital of schizophrenic patients. The purpose of this study was to determine factors identified...
Spectral characterization of the effect of viscosity on Fura-2 fluorescence: Excitation wavelength optimization abolishes the viscosity artifact

A systematic study of the spectral characteristics of the viscosity artifact in Fura-2 based [Ca2+] measurements reveals that, by selecting excitation wavelengths approximately 10 nm longer than those routinely employed and modestly reducing excitation bandpasses, the magnitude of the artifact can be reduced to experimentally undetectable levels without greatly impairing [Ca2+] measurements. The feasibility of this approach was confirmed on a ratio imaging microscope; the magnitude of the artifact observed in dextran-conjugated Fura-2 solutions prepared in water or in 50% sucrose was not statistically significant using an excitation wavelength pair of 361389nm, whereas at 350380nm [Ca2+] was underestimated by 34% in the higher viscosity solution. Thus, provided potential pitfalls are taken into account, a simple change in imaging protocol can avoid the viscosity artifact without recourse to correction factors. This approach may be employed either routinely, or else merely to test whether apparent [Ca2+]i differences observed at more conventional wavelengths arise from the viscosity artifact.
Simple quantitative analysis of Escherichia coli K-12 internalized in baby spinach using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Bacterial contamination continues to be a serious concern for food safety. Although washing fresh produce helps in reducing pathogen levels, pathogen internalization often limits the effectiveness of washing. When pathogens internalize in leafy vegetables, the method of identification and quantitative measurement would be called into question. This study was aimed to use Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy integrated with an attenuated total reflectance kit for quantification of Escherichia coli K-12 internalized in baby spinach. The bacteria were inoculated into vascular and intracellar tissues of spinach leaves by syringe injection and the distribution of internalized E. coli K-12 cells was confirmed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR measurement following the preparation of bacterial suspension from spinach leaves with high speed pulverizing enabled to detect the absorbance peaks in the amide II region between 1590 and 1490 cm −1 as a fingerprint for the microbes. It was found that the estimated concentrations of E. coli K-12 agreed well with the concentrations determined by plate counting with R 2 values of 0.98 and 0.97 in peptone water and spinach extracts, respectively. The results demonstrated that FTIR can identify and quantify E. coli K-12 in baby spinach extracts at a limit of detection of approximately 100 CFU/mL in 5 min. The developed method is expected to be suitable for the analysis of pathogenic E. coli strains and other bacterial species in fresh vegetables.
The theory of population dynamics—II. Physiological delays

Traditional population models describe changes in population size as a function of changes in the resources. Such first-order models cannot describe certain properties of population dynamics. General models with delays can account for all the observed dynamic complexities but are judged overgeneralized. It is proposed that the simplest model of intermediate complexity that explains such dynamic properties is a second-order model, which describes population dynamics as a function of a physiological variable, the dynamics of which in turn depends on resources. Data on accelerated decline of populations in the absence of food from experiments with brown and green hydra as well as literature data support the arguments.
A 13C-NMR study of glucose oxidation in the intact functioning rat heart following diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy.

A causative factor in the development of diabetes-induced heart dysfunction may be abnormalities in myocardial energy metabolism. Using 13C-NMR spectroscopy, we investigated the effects of experimentally induced diabetes (streptozotocin 65 mg/kg, i.v.) on glucose metabolism and contractile function in the isolated perfused rat heart. Hearts from streptozotocin-treated and untreated control rats were perfused with 11 mM [1-13C]glucose as substrate and 1H-decoupled 13C-spectra recorded for up to 90 min. Incorporation of label from [1-13C]glucose into lactate and glutamate was observed in hearts from control animals, consistent with metabolism through glycolysis and TCA cycle, respectively. Diabetic hearts did not incorporate label into lactate or glutamate. Addition of insulin (0.05 U/ml) to the buffer resulted in the appearance of [3-13C]lactate, although glutamate labeling was not observed. Addition of insulin plus dichloroacetate (2 mM) resulted in incorporation of label from [1-13C]glucose into 2-, 3- and 4-13C-glutamate, indicating glucose entry into the TCA cycle. Addition of insulin, or insulin plus dichloroacetate to control hearts did not alter labeling of either lactate or glutamate. Cardiac function in hearts from the diabetic group was depressed compared to controls and declined significantly over the duration of the experiment. These studies show that concomitant with a decrease in cardiac function, glucose oxidation is profoundly inhibited following the induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. These observations are consistent with a combination of decreased glucose transport and a decrease in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity.
The Modeling of Lift and Dispersion Forces in Two-Fluid Model Simulations: Part I — Jet Flows

Two-fluid model simulations of a bubbly vertical jet are presented. The purpose of these simulations is to assess the modeling of turbulence dispersion and lift forces in a free shear flow. Although turbulence dispersion forces have previously been validated using simpler canonical flows and microscopic particles or bubbles, there was a need to asses the model performance for larger bubbles in more turbulent flows. This method, of validating two-fluid models in flows of increasing complexity has the advantage of excluding, or at least minimizing, the possibility of cancellation of errors when modeling several forces. In a companion paper (see Part-II), the present two-fluid model is extended to a boundary layer in which forces induced by the presence of a wall are important. The turbulent dispersion models used herein are based on the application of a kinetic transport equation, similar to Boltzmann’s equation, to obtain the turbulent diffusion force for the dispersed phase [1, 2]. They have already been constituted and validated for the case of particles in homogeneous turbulence and jets [3] and for microscopic bubbles in grid generated turbulence and mixing layers [4]. It was found that it is possible to simulate the experimental data in Ref. [5] (See Figures-1 to 4) for a bubbly jet with 1 mm diameter bubbles. Good agreement is obtained using the model of Brucato et al. [7] for the modulation of the drag force by the liquid phase turbulence and a constant lift coefficient, CL . However, little sensitivity is observed to the value of the lift coefficient in the range 0 < CL < 0.29.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Distinct muscle targets do not vary in the developmental regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Developing neurons depend on many target-derived signals. One of these signals is the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Exogenous application of BDNF in vitro and in vivo rescues a population of lumbar motoneurons from programmed cell death. Given that BDNF does not rescue all motoneurons and that motoneurons differ in trophic factor receptor expression, subpopulations of motoneurons may have different sensitivities to the factor. These differences may be reflected in distinct target muscles specialized to produce different protein concentrations, or muscles may contain equal amounts of the factor and receptor expression determines motoneuron responsiveness. By using a sensitive electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA), we measured normal developmental changes in BDNF protein concentration in anatomically and functionally distinct chick embryonic thigh muscles from E6 to E18. We found that there were no significant differences in BDNF protein concentration between muscles classified according to function (fast vs. slow) or anatomical position (flexor vs. extensor) and that the quantity of BDNF in the target did not appear to be activity dependent. These results suggest that, during development, the differences in the response of motoneurons to BDNF are not due to the anatomical or functional diversity of muscle targets. J. Comp. Neurol. 470:330-337, 2004.
Epileptic spasms and partial seizures as a single ictal event.

Summary: Purpose: To investigate the phenomenon of epileptic spasms (ESs) associated with other seizure types in a single ictal event and to study the predictive value of this phenomenon regarding etiology and prognosis. Methods: We selected retrospectively eight female and five male patients, who had ESs and other seizure types within a single seizure event and for whom a video-EEG recording of the phenomenon was performed in at least one situation. Results: The seizure type associated with ESs was a partial seizure in all patients. We identified three groups with different seizure patterns regarding the temporal association of ES and partial seizures (PSs): (a) PS followed by ES; (b) PS appearing during a cluster of ESs without interrupting the cluster; and (c) complex seizure interaction with a succession of ESs and PSs in a close but variable temporal association. Underlying disorders included cortical dysplasia (three patients), complex cerebral malformations (two patients), and perinatal anoxic–ischemic injuries (two patients); four cases were classified as cryptogenic, and in two children, etiology was unknown, but prenatal origin was suspected. Outcome was poor in nine cases with intractable epilepsy; four cases had a favorable outcome, defined as complete cessation of epileptic seizures. Conclusions: The phenomenon of associated ESs and PSs as a single ictal event can be related to different etiologies and should not be considered distinctive for cortical malformations or severe brain damage. Different seizure patterns of associated ESs and PSs provide no hint for etiology or prognosis. Outcome is prevalently but not constantly unfavorable in patients with the phenomenon.
Refractive index measurement using an optical cavity based biosensor with a differential detection

We proposed a low cost optical cavity based biosensor with a differential detection for point-of-care diagnosis. Two lasers at different wavelengths are used for the differential detection. This method enhances the sensitivity through higher responsivity and noise cancelation. To reduce noise further, especially due to the unstable low cost laser diode output, we employed a referencing method in which a reference pixel value in each CMOS image frame is subtracted from all other pixels. To validate the designed structure and demonstrate the sensitivity of it, we perform refractive index measurements of fluids with our design. In this presentation, we will discuss our design, simulation results, and measurement results.
Experimental studies on high current arc discharges for magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters

Experimental studies at the University of Southern California (USC) in the Laboratory of Astronautical Plasma Dynamics are focused on prolonging the operational life of magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster cathodes. Optical pyrometric measurements of 2 percent thoriated tungsten cathodes have provided axial temperature profiles revealing locations of peak operating temperature. In addition, the trends between maximum temperature and varying discharge currents and mass flow rates are examined. The electron temperatures and electron densities near the active zone (the surface area of the cathode responsible for approximately 70% of the emitted current) were measured using Langmuir probing. The results will be set as boundary conditions for solid cathode models currently in development at USC. To lengthen survivability, cathodes have been constructed from thoriated tungsten due to its combined high melting temperature and low work function. Multiple trial runs varying in length and current on thoriated tungsten cathodes examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) have revealed typical pathways of thorium migration as well as changes in surface composition.
LYSOSOMES IN LYMPHOID TISSUE: III. Influence of Various Treatments of the Animals on the Distribution of Acid Hydrolases

The density-distribution patterns of various enzymes and of labeled materials have been determined by isopycnic centrifugation in a sucrose—0.2 M KCl gradient on homogenates of lymphoid tissues from rats injected with Triton WR-1339, 14C-labeled dextran, 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes, and cortisol. The results confirm and extend the conclusion, derived from previous investigations on normal animals, that the lysosomes of lymphoid tissues form two and possibly three, distinct populations. The evidence indicates that the L19 population belongs to macrophages and the L15 group to lymphocytes. The L30 population appears to be associated with a special type of phagocyte with a high capacity for dextran storage. All three populations seem to contribute to the activities found in soluble form in homogenates of normal lymphoid tissues.
Peptide sequences that target cytosolic proteins for lysosomal proteolysis

Lysosomes take up and degrade intracellular proteins in cultured cells in response to serum deprivation, and in tissues of organisms in response to starvation. One mechanism by which proteins enter lysosomes for subsequent degradation requires that substrate proteins contain peptide sequences biochemically related to Lys-Phe-Glu-Arg-Gln (KFERQ).
Composition of oxygenated monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid hydrocarbons from the cortical oleoresin of Abies magnifica A. Murr.

Abstract Turpentine from cortical oleoresin of Abies magnifica A. Murr. was analyzed by a combination of gas-liquid and column chromatography, and the individual materials separated were identified by u.v., i.r., Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectral (MS) data as well as by the GLC retention data. Nineteen monoterpenoids and twenty-six sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were identified (Tables 1 and 2) including two new compounds, γ-humulene and cyclosativene, whose structures were determined.
Level structure of A40

Abstract The energy spectrum of inelastically scattered protons leading to excited levels in A 40 has been measured at bombarding energies of 7.32 and 9.39 MeV using the Livermore variable-energy cyclotron. The argon target was contained in a 7 cm diameter gas cell with maylar window extending uninterruptedly for about 300° except for the region within 15° of the beam line. The protons were observed in a “particle-namer” detector incorporating a gas proportional counter and p-n junction solid-state detector. Twenty-one levels were observed up to an excitation energy of 6.65 MeV.
Electron paramagnetic resonance study of hydrogen-incorporated ultrananocrystalline diamond thin films

Hydrogen-incorporated ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) thin films have been deposited in microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPECVD) system with various hydrogen concentrations in the Ar/CH4 gas mixture, and characterized by several techniques including electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and dc conductivity measurements. The EPR spectrum of diamond film was composed of two Lorentzian lines with different g factors. When hydrogen concentration in the plasma increased during diamond growth, the spin density of the narrow line decreased, whereas the spin density of the broad signal remained roughly constant. We propose that the two EPR components can be attributed to two different phases in the diamond film, i.e., the narrow line is originated from the highly defective grain boundary region and the broad line is related to the defects in the diamond grains.
Behçet's disease: New perspectives on an enigmatic syndrome

Behcet's disease is a multifaceted syndrome characterized by oral and genital ulcerations and ocular abnormalities including keratitis, optic neuritis, and uveitis. The disease has multiple systemic associations that include involvement of the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems as well as the joints, blood vessels, and lungs. Infrequently observed in the Americas and Western Europe, it has been more commonly seen in Turkey and Japan. Human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-Bw51, HLA-B27, and HLA-B12 have each been associated with various manifestations of Behccet's disease. Numerous etiologies have been proposed, including environmental, virologie, bacterial, and immunologic factors; an autoimmune basis, characterized by circulating immune complexes and complement activation, has gained increasing acceptance. Although tetracycline remains the drug of choice for the oral ulcers of Behcet's disease, topical corticosteroids and topical anesthetics have been used for both oral and genital involvement. Oral corticosteroids continue to be the mainstay of systemic therapy, although various immunomodulators and anti-inflammatory agents, such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, colchicine, dapsone, and cyclosporine, have been employed successfully.
Thomas Reid on truth, evidence and first principles

Reid had a theory of the human mind containing a theory of truth, both of our evidence of truth and the conditions of truth, fully consistent with empiricism. The justification and evidence of first principles is something felt in consciousness rather than some external relation. This is the result of our faculties, original and natural powers of our constitution. Original convictions and conceptions arise from our faculties in response to experience as a result of our natural development. Reid combines elements of foundationalism, coherentism, falliblism and nominalism. I distinguish and compare Reid to Hume, Moore, Quine, James and Wittgenstein.
Selenium regulation of thioredoxin reductase activity and mRNA levels in rat liver

Abstract Mammalian thioredoxin reductase (TRR; NADPH 2 :oxidized thioredoxin oxidoreductase, E.C. 1.6.4.5) is a new member of the family of selenocysteine-containing proteins. TRR activity in Se-deficient rat liver is reported to decrease to 4.5 to 15% of the activity in Se-adequate rat liver, similar to the fall in Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase-1 activity. Both glutathione peroxidase-1 enzyme activity and mRNA levels decrease dramatically in Se deficiency, whereas glutathione peroxidase-4 activity only decreases to 40% of Se-adequate levels and mRNA level is little affected by Se deficiency. The purpose of these experiments is to study the effect of Se status on TRR mRNA levels and enzyme activity in our well-characterized rat model, and to compare this regulation directly to the regulation of other Se-dependent proteins in male weanling rats fed Se-deficient diets or supplemented with dietary Se for 28 days. In two experiments, TRR activity in Se-deficient liver decreased to 15% of Se-adequate activity as compared to 2% and 40% of Se-adequate levels for GPX1 and GPX4, respectively. Using ribonuclease protection analysis, we found that TRR mRNA levels in Se-deficient rat liver decreased to 70% of Se-adequate levels. This decrease in TRR mRNA was similar to the GPX4 mRNA decrease in Se-deficient liver in these experiments, whereas GPX1 mRNA levels decreased to 23% of Se-adequate levels. This study clearly shows that TRR represents a third pattern of Se regulation with dramatic down-regulation of enzyme activity in Se deficiency but with only a modest decrease in mRNA level. The conservation of TRR mRNA in Se deficiency suggests that this is a valued enzyme; the loss of TRR activity in Se deficiency may be the cause of some signs of Se deficiency.
Akt2 deficiency promotes cardiac induction of Rab4a and myocardial β-adrenergic hypersensitivity.

Patients with diabetes mellitus can develop cardiac dysfunction in the absence of underlying coronary artery disease or hypertension; a condition defined as diabetic cardiomyopathy. Mice lacking the intracellular protein kinase Akt2 develop a syndrome that is similar to diabetes mellitus type 2. Expression profiling of akt2−/− myocardium revealed that Rab4a, a GTPase involved in glucose transporter 4 translocation and β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) recycling to the plasma membrane, was significantly induced. We therefore hypothesized that Akt2 deficiency increases myocardial β-adrenergic sensitivity. Confirmatory analysis revealed up-regulation of Rab4a mRNA and protein in akt2−/− myocardium. In cultured cardiomyocyte experiments, Rab4a was induced by pharmacological inhibition of Akt as well as by specific knockdown of Akt2 with siRNA. Isolated akt2−/− hearts were hypersensitive to isoproterenol (ISO) but exhibited normal sensitivity to forskolin. Prolonged ISO treatment led to increased cardiac hypertrophy in akt2−/− mice compared to wild type mice. In addition, spontaneous hypertrophy was noted in aged akt2−/− hearts that was inhibited by treatment with the βAR blocker propranolol. In agreement with previous results demonstrating increased fatty acid oxidation rates in akt2−/− myocardium, we found increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) activity in the hearts of these animals. Interestingly, increased myocardial Rab4a expression was present in mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of PPARα and was also observed upon stimulation of PPARα activity in cultured cardiomyocytes. Accordingly, propranolol attenuated the development of cardiac hypertrophy in the PPARα transgenic mice as well. Our results indicate that reduced Akt2 leads to up-regulation of Rab4a expression in cardiomyocytes in a cell-autonomous fashion that may involve activation of PPARα. This maladaptive response is associated with hypersensitivity of akt2−/− myocardium to β-adrenergic stimulation.
Relationship of vaginal bacteria and inflammation with conception and early pregnancy loss following in-vitro fertilization.

Objective: The aim of this study was investigate the impact of vaginal flora and vaginal inflammation on conception and early pregnancy loss following in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: We enrolled 91 women who were undergoing IVF. At embryo transfer (ET), all of the women had quantitative vaginal culture, ET catheter-tip culture, and vaginal Gram stain scored for bacterial vaginosis and quantitated for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Conception and early pregnancy loss were compared with culture and Gram stain results. Statistical analyses included the Chi-square test, Fisher’ s exact test and the Mann‐ Whitney U-test. Results: The overall live birth rate (LBR) was 30% (27/91), and the rate of early pregnancy loss was 34% (14/41). In women with bacterial vaginosis, intermediate flora and normal flora, the conception rates were 30% (3/10), 39% (12/31) and 52% (26/50), respectively ( p = 0.06 for trend). Early pregnancy loss occurred in 33% (1/3), 42% (5/12) and 31% (8/26) of women, respectively ( p = 0.06, comparing intermediate and normal flora). The vaginal log concentration of hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli was 7.3 ± 1.7 in women with a live birth ( n = 27) and 4.9 ± 2.5 in those with early pregnancy loss ( n = 14) (p = 0.1). Conclusions: IVF patients with bacterial vaginosis and with a decreased vaginal log concentration of hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli may have decreased conception rates and increased rates of early pregnancy loss. A larger prospective treatment trial designed to evaluate the impact on IVF outcomes of optimizing the vaginal flora prior to IVF may be warranted.
B-Mode Ultrasound Assessment of Diaphragm Structure and Function in Patients With COPD

BACKGROUND Electromyographic evaluation of diaphragmatic neuromuscular disease in patients with COPD is technically difficult and potentially high risk. Defining standard values for diaphragm thickness and thickening ratio using B-mode ultrasound may provide a simpler, safer means of evaluating these patients. METHODS Fifty patients with a diagnosis of COPD and FEV 1 RESULTS There was no significant difference in diaphragm thickness or thickening ratio between sides within groups (control subjects or patients with COPD) or between groups, with the exception of the subgroup with severe air trapping (residual volume > 200%), in which the only difference was that the thickening ratio was higher on the left ( P = .0045). CONCLUSIONS In patients with COPD presenting for evaluation of coexisting neuromuscular respiratory weakness, the same values established for healthy control subjects serve as the baseline for comparison. This knowledge expands the role of ultrasound in evaluating neuromuscular disease in patients with COPD.
Dosimetric considerations of commercially fabricated esophageal applicators

Abstract Two commercially fabricated esophageal applicators for low dose rate intraluminal brachytherapy were compared using the dose non-uniformity ratio (DNR). One of the applicators has a single afterloading catheter while the other applicator has six afterloading catheters to accommodate low dose rate 192 Ir ribbon or wire sources. Five sets of source configurations, each with a different ribbon length in the range of 5–17 cm were analysed using the DNR. The DNR shows the delivery of relatively higher total doses at higher dose rates to tissues closer to the applicators. The difference in the inhomogeneity of dose rates and the treatment volume exposed to higher dose rates than the prescribed dose rate between the two applicators are minimal. The dose homogeneity is better for the single-source applicator while the worst dose homogeneity for the six-source applicator is caused by the placement of each source closer to the surface of the applicator. The implications of higher dose rates were discussed using the αβ model.
Development of a New Cobalt Catalyst System for the [4 + 2 + 2] Cycloadditions of Functionalized Norbornadienes and Butadiene

The combination CoX2/ligand/reducing agent/Lewis acid generates effective catalysts for the transition metal catalyzed [4 + 2 + 2] homo Diels−Alder reactions of norbornadienes with butadienes, lead...
Connections between accuracy and stability properties of linear multistep formulas

This paper is concerned with stability and accuracy of families of linear k-step formulas depending on parameters, with particular emphasis on the numerical solution of stiff ordinary differential equations. An upper bound, p = k, is derived for the order of accuracy of A∞-stable formulas. Three criteria are given for A0-stability. It is shown that (1) for p = k, k arbitrary, A∞-stability implies certain necessary conditions for A0-stability and for strict stability (meaning that the extraneous roots of r(z) satisfy |z|
Intranasal fentanyl for pain control: current status with a focus on patient considerations

Of several newer delivery systems under development and investigation for the administration of opioids, the intranasal route has received a substantial amount of attention. Intranasal administration is a convenient form of delivery that is applicable to several opioids. It has the potential for self-administration, combined with a rapid onset of action, allowing for patient-controlled analgesia. In clinical practice, intranasal administration has been found to be a reliable drug delivery method that is familiar to patients. Intranasal opioids have proven to be useful in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital pain management settings. Fentanyl, a highly lipophilic step 3 opioid, has been evaluated for intranasal administration. The purpose of this review is to examine the role of the nasal route of opioid administration and examine the evidence base for the use of fentanyl intranasally.