cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipoprotein lipase activity and chylomicron clearance in rats fed a high fat diet

The relationships of tissue and plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities to tissue uptake and plasma clearance of 14C-labeled chylomicron-triglyceride (14C-CM-TG) were studied in female rats fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous control (12% kJ from fat) or high fat diets (72% kJ from fat) for 8 wk. Animals fed the high-fat diet had higher levels of fasting plasma triglycerides and lower LPL activities in heart, renal adipose tissue and post-heparin plasma. Changes in LPL activities of skeletal muscles varied among muscles with higher values in the soleus and plantaris (32-61%) and no differences in the gastrocnemius. The lower LPL activity in renal adipose tissue was associated with lower uptake of fatty acids from 14C-CM-TG by adipose. Fatty-acid uptake from labeled TG was not associated with tissue LPL activity in other tissues. Clearance of 14C-CM-TG from plasma and the half-lives of 14C-CM-TG were similar in both dietary groups. These data indicate that tissue and plasma LPL activities are not a direct index of uptake of fatty acids by tissues or clearance of chylomicron triglycerides.
MN Protein Immunolocalization in Uterine Cervix Carcinoma With Glandular Differentiation: A Clinicopathologic Study of a New Cancer-specific Biomarker

MN protein is the product of the newly described endogenous MN gene that is expressed in the tumorigenic phenotype of HeLa X fibroblast somatic cell hybrids. MN protein has carbonic anhydrase and putative DNA binding activity. With the exception of gastric mucosa, MN protein is expressed in neoplasia, particularly uterine cervix carcinoma, but not in benign tissue. This investigation examined the pathogenetic and prognostic significance of MN-protein immunoreactivity in uterine cervix carcinoma with glandular differentiation. Paraffin sections from 77 cervix carcinomas with glandular differentiations including 36 pure adenocarcinomas and 41 adenosquamous carcinomas were immunostained with anti-MN-protein (M-75 monoclonal proprietary; Ciba Corning Diagnostics, Alameda, CA). A total of 64.9% of cervix carcinomas with glandular differentiation exhibit MN-protein immunoreactivity localized to plasma membranes, cytoplasm, and some nuclei of neoplastic cells only, but not in adjacent benign tissue. The MN-prote...
Qex: symbolic SQL query explorer

We describe a technique and a tool called Qex for generating input tables and parameter values for a given parameterized SQL query. The evaluation semantics of an SQL query is translated into a specific background theory for a satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) solver as a set of equational axioms. Symbolic evaluation of a goal formula together with the background theory yields a model from which concrete tables and values are extracted. We use the SMT solver Z3 in the concrete implementation of Qex and provide an evaluation of its performance.
Bishop over “Those Outside”: Imperial Diplomacy and the Boundaries of Constantine’s Christianity

Constantine’s letter of 324 to Shapur II, rather than a threatening assertion of imperial patronage of Christians in Persia, can be seen to express his protection of Christians under his own rule, offered as an example for the shah to follow.
Characterization of the Caulobacter crescentus flbF promoter and identification of the inferred FlbF product as a homolog of the LcrD protein from a Yersinia enterocolitica virulence plasmid.

We have investigated the organization and expression of the Caulobacter crescentus flbF gene because it occupies a high level in the flagellar gene regulatory hierarchy. The nucleotide sequence comprising the 39 end of the flaO operon and the adjacent flbF promoter and structural gene was determined, and the organization of transcription units within this sequence was investigated. We located the 39 ends of the flaO operon transcript by using a nuclease S1 protection assay, and the 59 end of the flbF transcript was precisely mapped by primer extension analysis. The nucleotide sequence upstream from the 59 end of the flbF transcript contains -10 and -35 elements similar to those found in promoters transcribed by sigma 28 RNA polymerase in other organisms. Mutations that changed nucleotides in the -10 or -35 elements or altered their relative spacing resulted in undetectable levels of flbF transcript, demonstrating that these sequences contain nucleotides essential for promoter function. We identified a 700-codon open reading frame, downstream from the flbF promoter region, that was predicted to be the flbF structural gene. The amino-terminal half of the FlbF amino acid sequence contains eight hydrophobic regions predicted to be membrane-spanning segments, suggesting that the FlbF protein may be an integral membrane protein. The FlbF amino acid sequence is very similar to that of a transcriptional regulatory protein called LcrD that is encoded in the highly conserved low-calcium-response region of virulence plasmid pYVO3 in Yersinia enterocolitica (A.-M. Viitanen, P. Toivanen, and M. Skurnik, J. Bacteriol. 172:3152-3162, 1990). Images
Modeling sand response using two-surface plasticity

Abstract This paper presents a two-surface plasticity constitutive model based on critical-state soil mechanics and describes a practical process for the determination of its parameters. Determination of the constitutive model parameters can be done in a hierarchical manner, starting with the model parameters that have the most bearing on sand behavior and that can be determined using routine experimental procedures. Most parameters can be determined through simple curve fitting through experimental data points. The constitutive model is calibrated against experimental data for Toyoura sand, clean Ottawa sand and mixtures of Ottawa sand with non-plastic silt. The model simulates closely the mechanical response of sands under various loading conditions and predicts both drained and undrained behavior of sands at small and large strains using the actual small-strain shear modulus, as measured in resonant column or bender elements tests, along with realistic values of Poisson’s ratio. Performance of the model in simulating sand response is demonstrated for a variety of initial states and loading conditions.
Quality of life during and between hemodialysis treatments: Role of L- carnitine supplementation

Abstract End-stage renal disease affects every aspect of a patient's life, including perception of health and quality of life. It is likely that a hemodialysis patient's perceptions of health-related quality of life directly influence compliance with medical, nursing, and nutritional prescriptions. Because L-carnitine supplementation is known to enhance muscle strength and energy in hemodialysis patients, we hypothesized that L-carnitine supplementation would enhance a hemodialysis patient's perception of health-related quality of life. To test this hypothesis, 1 g L-carnitine or placebo was administered orally to 101 patients immediately before and after every hemodialysis treatment for 6 months. To assess health-related quality of life from the patient's perspective, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 instrument was administered before the study and at 1.5-month intervals for the duration of the study. In addition, a 10-item questionnaire designed to assess common intradialytic symptoms was administered at the end of each dialysis treatment. Other parameters analyzed included Kt/V(urea) and level of nutrition. In the 6-month group, oral L-carnitine supplementation had an early positive effect on general health (P
Food matrix effects on bioactivity of broccoli-derived sulforaphane in liver and colon of F344 rats

Sulforaphane (SF) is considered to be the major anticarcinogenic component in broccoli. The effects of feeding rats purified SF (5 mmol/kg of diet), broccoli containing SF formed in situ during laboratory hydrolysis (broccoli-HP; 20% freeze-dried broccoli diet, 0.16 mmol of SF/kg of diet), and broccoli containing intact glucosinolates (broccoli-GS; 20% freeze-dried broccoli diet, 2.2 mmol of glucoraphanin/kg of diet) were compared. Rats (male F344 rats, five per group) were fed control (modified AIN-76 B-40), SF, broccoli-HP, or broccoli-GS for 5 days. In rats fed broccoli-GS, quinone reductase activities (QR) in the colon and liver were greater (4.5- and 1.4-fold over control, respectively) than in rats fed broccoli-HP (3.2- and 1.1-fold over control, respectively). Broccoli-GS and SF diets increased QR to the same extent, even though the broccoli-GS diet contained far less SF (as the unhydrolyzed glucosinolate, glucoraphanin) than the purified SF diet. In a second experiment, rats were fed one of six diets for 5 days: (1) control; (2) 20% broccoli-GS; (3) diet 2 + low SF (0.16 mmol/kg of diet); (4) diet 2 + high SF (5 mmol/kg of diet); (5) low SF (0.32 mmol/kg of diet); or (6) high SF (5.16 mmol/kg of diet). In both liver and colon, QR was increased most by high SF plus broccoli-GS; individually, high SF and broccoli-GS had similar effects, and adding the low-dose SF to broccoli-GS had either no effect or a negative effect. In both experiments, urinary SF-mercapturic acid correlated with QR activity, not with dietary intake. It was concluded that all diets were substantially more effective in the colon than in the liver and that broccoli-GS was more potent than SF or broccoli-HP.
Vascular casting A new method for the study of the arterial endothelium

Vascular casts of the rat aorta were made using modified Batson's No. 17 anatomical corrosion compound. The outline of the silver-stained endothelial cell boundaries were clearly visible on the cast when examined using both scanning electron and light microscopy. The physical properties of the injectate were determined. The exothermic nature of the polymerization of the injectate did not grossly damage the endothelial cells. A method was developed for recovery, without damage, of the arterial tissue surrounding the cast. The technique of vascular casting appears to be a powerful tool for the study of the arterial endothelium which avoids shrinkage artifacts and maintains 3-dimensional geometry.
A comparison of multivariate forecasting procedures for economic time series

In the recent decade several multivariate time-series methods have become available for forecasting. As with univariate methods, choices must be made as to which methods to use in practice. This paper reports the results of out-of-sample forecasts for several well-known procedures. Three interesting sets of data are used, and the forecasts are made over a five-year period. The data and model specifications are available upon request, so that the statistics presented in this paper can be used as a basis of comparison for future research.
THEORETICAL PERFORMANCE OF PROPELLANTS SUITABLE FOR ELECTROTHERMAL JET ENGINES

The performance of eight possible propellants for electrothermal jet engines is evaluated theoretically. Performance characteristics are presented for enthalpies up to 200,000 Btu/lb, temperatures as high as 45,000 f R, pressures ranging from 0.0l to l00 atm, and specific impulses from 500 to 2000 sec. Of the propellants studied, hydrogen and helium appear to be the best for specific impulse in the vicinity of 1000 sec. At specific impulses greater than 1600 sec, lithium becomes more efficient. (auth)
Enhanced destruction of CH3Cl in postflame combustion gases

Abstract Chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) are some of the most difficult chemicals to incinerate. Regulatory requirements mandate destruction and removal efficiencies greater than 99.99%. High-temperature conditions needed for these destruction efficiencies also result in the formation of nitrogen oxides, as well as the possible formation of other hazardous pollutants such as dioxins. Reducing the temperature reduces the formation of NOx, but may lead to incomplete combustion of the wastes. In addition, incinerator temperatures outside the flame zone (averaging about 1000 K) may enhance byproduct formation in the presence of sufficient oxygen, even if the waste itself is destroyed. Experimental and numerical modeling results show that the concentration of CH3Cl in the exhaust gas influences the extent of destruction. There is an optimal concentration level (100 ppm) where CH3Cl is most effectively destroyed in the postflame region of our reactor. Levels higher or lower are more difficult to destroy in our system. The results indicate that the injection of fuels to the postflame region can increase the destruction efficiency or reduce the peak temperature needed for adequate destruction of CH3Cl by increasing the radical concentrations and the rate of subsequent destruction reactions. The postflame fuel injection not only enhances the destruction of initial compounds, but also helps destroy the byproducts.
Mechanisms of growth and loss of coherency of HfN particles in molybdenum

Abstract Internal nitriding of a Mo-1 at.% Hf solid-solution alloy produces a homogeneous dispersion of coherent plate-like HfN precipitates oriented on {001} planes of the Mo matrix. During nitriding growth of the HfN particles occurs principally at the advancing nitriding front by Ostwald ripening, which produces an increase in average particle size with increasing depth below the external surface. The high nitrogen activity in the alloy behind the nitriding front effectively inhibits dissociation and growth of the precipitates. The plate-like HfN particles grow in diameter in a coherent manner. Thickening of the particles occurs by the nucleation and growth of coherent ledges on the planar surfaces. This thickening process produces an increase in the coherency strain which is relaxed by the formation of intrinsic dislocation loops within the particles by the coalescense of vacancies. The large HfN particles developed by this growth mechanism retain substantial coherency strain. A severe particlecoarsening mechanism is operative at high temperatures in regions of the nitrided alloy containing a high density of small fully coherent precipitates. The coarsening occurs by the migration of grain boundaries which sweep up the small fully coherent precipitates, the components of which then feed large semicoherent particles growing behind the boundary.
THE CASE FOR LAPAROSCOPIC ADRENALECTOMY

Purpose: The current status of laparoscopic adrenal surgery was assessed.Materials and Methods: A current MEDLINE search revealed 308 articles pertaining to laparoscopic surgery of the adrenal gland. Based on this literature review laparoscopic surgical anatomy, current indications and contraindications, and laparoscopic techniques were identified. The role of laparoscopic surgery for various adrenal disorders, including aldosteroma, pheochromocytoma, Cushing’s syndrome, incidentaloma and adrenal cancer, were evaluated. Studies specifically comparing open versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy and the financial implications of laparoscopy were evaluated. Furthermore, newer advances in the minimally invasive management of surgical adrenal disease were identified.Results: Available data from multiple institutions imply that laparoscopic adrenal surgery is safe and efficacious for aldosteroma, pheochromocytoma, Cushing’s disease and incidentaloma. Compared to open surgery laparoscopy provides equally effective tr...
Interpretation of quasi-elastic light scattering data for flexible chains: model dependence

Abstract The autocorrelation functions and corresponding relaxation times obtained from the forward depolarized quasi-elastic light scattering experiment are exhibited for two quite similar models of flexible polymer chains in solution. A very small change in the chain dynamics is found to be sufficient to change the relaxation time from a relatively short time independent of chain length, with an autocorrelation function suggestive of an unweighted sum of contributions from all the relaxation times in the spectrum of chain motion, to a long time with an autocorrelation function identical with that for the end-to-end vector, strongly dependent upon chain length and dominated by the longest relaxation time in the spectrum. These results raise the question whether widely-used models in which information about short-range chain structure and motion is deliberately omitted can be expected to be appropriate for the interpretation of depolarized scattering experiments.
Mechanisms for CO production from CO2 using reduced rhenium tricarbonyl catalysts.

The chemical conversion of CO2 has been studied by numerous experimental groups. Particularly the use of rhenium tricarbonyl-based molecular catalysts has attracted interest owing to their ability to absorb light, store redox equivalents, and convert CO2 into higher-energy products. The mechanism by which these catalysts mediate reduction, particularly to CO and HCOO–, is poorly understood, and studies aimed at elucidating the reaction pathway have likely been hindered by the large number of species present in solution. Herein the mechanism for carbon monoxide production using rhenium tricarbonyl catalysts has been investigated using density functional theory. The investigation presented proceeds from the experimental work of Meyer’s group (J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun.1985, 1414–1416) in DMSO and Fujita’s group (J. Am. Chem. Soc.2003, 125, 11976–11987) in dry DMF. The latter work with a simplified reaction mixture, one that removes the photo-induced reduction step with a sacrificial donor, is used for val...
The Internal Politics of Parties: The Law of Curvilinear Disparity Revisited

One of the few efforts to link systemic and organizational determinants of party strategies is provided by what John May dubbed the ‘law of curvilinear disparity’. According to this law, voters, party activists and leaders have necessarily divergent political ideologies. These systematic differences are attributable to the activists' motivations and the constraints of party competition. This paper argues that the law is empirically valid only under distinctive behavioural, organizational and institutional conditions which are not specified in its general formulation. Thus, the law is only a special case in a broader theory reconstructing the interaction between constituencies, intra-party politics and party competition. This alternative theory is partially tested with survey data from party activists in the Belgian ecology parties Agalev and Ecolo.
Decision rules of listeners in spectral-shape discrimination with or without signal-frequency uncertainty.

A correlation technique was used to assess the decision rules of three listeners in two cases of spectral‐shape discrimination tasks. In one case the signal frequency was fixed, and in the other it was randomly varied within each block of trials. In order to estimate the decision rule of the listeners, the experimenter superimposed random level perturbations on each frequency component upon each stimulus presentation. Over many trials, correlation coefficients were computed between the random perturbations and the binary responses of the listeners, and were expressed as a function of signal level. For both the fixed‐ and random‐signal cases, the measured correlation functions were in reasonably good agreement with those predicted based on the likelihood‐ratio decision rules. Thus the listeners appeared to use information nearly optimally in discriminating spectral shapes. This investigation demonstrated that the correlation technique can be used to reveal the decision rules for cases where the decision statistics are nonlinear functions of the observations.
Inference in a Binary Response Model with Applications to Data Analysis

Standard errors of the coefficients of a logistic regression (a binary response model) based on the asymptotic formula are compared to those obtained from the bootstrap through Monte Carlo simulations. The computer intensive bootstrap method, a nonparametric alternative to the asymptotic estimate, overestimates the true value of the standard errors while the asymptotic formula underestimates it. However, for small samples the bootstrap estimates are substantially closer to the true value than their counterpart derived from the asymptotic formula. The methodology is discussed using two illustrative data sets. The first example deals with a logistic model explaining the log-odds of passing the ERA amendment by the 1982 deadline as a function of percent of women legislators and the percent vote for Reagan. In the second example, the probability that an ingot is ready to roll is modelled using heating time and soaking time as explanatory variables. The results agree with those obtained from the simulations. The value of the study to better decision making through accurate statistical inference is discussed.
Physiological variables affecting collagen lattice contraction by human dermal fibroblasts

Abstract Normal human dermal fibroblasts cultured in collagen lattices can compact that matrix by the process known as lattice contraction. That process is a model of the pathological one of scar contracture or wound contraction and is affected by several factors. Lattice contraction is promoted by the addition of adequate amounts of fetal bovine serum to the medium (maximum contraction with 10% serum). The process requires energy, of which glucose and pyruvate have been shown to be adequate sources. When glucose is used as the substrate, the major pathway of energy generation appears to be anaerobic metabolism. When pyruvate is the only substrate, aerobic metabolism may be crucial. The synthesis of DNA is not required for lattice contraction, while protein synthesis is, although the identities of the specific proteins are unknown. Impairment of calcium ion transport inhibits lattice contraction, and the specific inhibition of calmodulin-calcium interactions by W-7 blocks contraction. W-7 at a concentration of 6 × 10−6M blocks lattice contraction completely, while it has no effect at any lower concentration. Impairing dynamic microtubule activity impairs contraction. Disrupting microfilaments by cytochalasin B completely blocks lattice contraction. Microfilament function and calcium-calmodulin may be linked by a mechanism involving myosin-ATPase. The process of cell-mediated lattice contraction requires the production of energy, protein synthesis, and a functional cytoskeleton.
Hetero-Grafted Block Brushes with PCL and PBA Side Chains

Giant amphiphilic macromolecules, hetero-grafted block brushes with a crystalline poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) brushlike block and an amorphous poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA) brush as the second block, were synthesized entirely by the “grafting from” approach using a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The following steps were employed for the preparation of the brush: (1) A well-defined poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) was synthesized by ATRP. (2) PHEMA was used as a macroinitiator for chain extension with 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (HEMATMS) via ATRP to provide PHEMA-b-PHEMATMS. (3) The hydroxyl groups of PHEMA were transformed to bromoisobutyryl ATRP initiating groups to give poly[{2-(2-bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate}-block-(HEMATMS)], PBiBEM-b-PHEMATMS. (4) PBiBEM-b-PHEMATMS was transformed to PBiBEM-b-PHEMA by treatment with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in THF. (5) PCL was grafted from the PBiBEM-b-PHEMA macr...
Clinical Relevance of Sonographically Estimated Amniotic Fluid Volume: Polyhydramnios

Polyhydramnios is an excessive amount of amniotic fluid within the amniotic cavity. The etiology of polyhydramnios may be idiopathic, the consequence of fetal structural anomalies, or the consequence of various fetal and maternal conditions. The clinical importance of polyhydramnios is found in its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes and the risk of perinatal mortality. The antenatal management of polyhydramnios can be challenging as there are no formalized guidelines on the topic. The purpose of this review is to provide a literature-based overview on the subject of polyhydramnios in singleton pregnancies, demonstrate its clinical implications, and describe a practical approach to its management.
Laser applications in pediatric airway surgery

The smaller anatomy and limited access to instrumentation pose a challenge to the pediatric airway surgeon. The enhanced precision and ability to photocoagulate tissue while operating with the laser enhances the surgeon’s ability to successfully treat unique pediatric conditions such subglottic hemangiomas, congenital cysts, respiratory papillomatosis, and laryngeal or tracheal stenosis. Due to its shallow tissue penetration and thermal effect, the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is generally considered the laser of choice for pediatric airway applications. The potential for increased scarring and damage to underlying tissue caused by the greater penetration depth and thermal effect of the Nd:YAG and KTP lasers preclude their use in this population. In this review, we will describe the specific advantages of using lasers in airway surgery, the current technology and where the current technology is deficient.
Endothelin receptor antagonists for the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension.

Abstract Aims The demonstration that endothelin production is upregulated in pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) served as the rationale for developing endothelin-receptor antagonists (ERAs) as a treatment for PAH. This article reviews the primary studies demonstrating efficacy of ERAs in PAH. Main methods Multicenter, placebo-controlled trials and open-label extension studies. Key findings Two orally active ERAs are currently approved for the treatment of PAH — the dual receptor antagonist bosentan, and the more selective ETA receptor antagonist ambrisentan-based on multicenter randomized clinical trials demonstrating efficacy and safety. Long-term experience with both agents supports maintenance of therapeutic effects in most patients. Adverse effects, including altered liver function and edema may occur and require careful monitoring. Significance Despite failure to demonstrate efficacy of ERAs in other cardiopulmonary conditions, ERAs have a major role in the treatment algorithm for PAH.
TH-E-M100F-05: Optimization of Internal Margin to Account for Intra-Fractional Organ Motion

Purpose: Intra‐fraction organ motion may cause significant dosimetric uncertainty with respect to tumor coverage. Accounting for this motion by enlarging the internal margin also increases dose to normal organs near the tumor. Therefore, it is desirable to ensure adequate target dosimetric coverage while maintaining the smallest possible irradiation volume. We present an optimization of the internal margin used for intra‐fraction organ motion and study its dependence on other treatment planning parameters. Methods and Materials: Using a commercial treatment planning system, we created 3D conformal treatment scenarios for spherical targets of varying sizes. The treatment plans were designed to cover target with additional setup uncertainty and internal margins. Target dose was accumulated over 100 fractions using a custom developed software simulating treatment execution uncertainties as well as respiration motion. The internal margin was considered to be optimal if the dose to a moving target was equivalent to dose given to static target planned with no internal margin. Results: The optimum internal amount was found to be much smaller than the full amplitude of the motion. Symmetric margins of 1, 3 and 5 mm were found to be adequate for peak‐to‐peak respiration amplitudes of 10, 15 and 20 mm respectively. The optimal internal margin was also observed to be approximately independent of the margin chosen for setup uncertainties. Optimizations for several patient target volumes also confirmed that margins smaller than full amplitude were adequate. Conclusion: Our findings present significant implications for treatment planning of mobile targets, such as tumors found in the lung and upper abdomen. Using the full motion amplitude for the internal margin is overly conservative, and optimization of the internal margin provides improved sparing of nearby organs at risk without sacrificing dosimetric coverage for the target. Conflict of Interest: Sponsored in part by GE Healthcare.
Distribution of HER2V655 genotypes in breast cancer cases and controls in the United States

The minor variant frequency of a HER2 polymorphism (HER2V655) has been determined for 471 United States women enrolled in a multiracial case-control study. Allelic frequencies varied significantly by race. Genotypic distributions showed no excess breast cancer risk associated with inheritance of HER2V655 either as carriers (OR=1.2, 95% CI=0.8–1.9), heterozygotes (OR=1.2, 95% CI=0.8–1.9), or homozygotes (OR=1.4, 95% CI=0.4–4.2). Nor was there a significant association when each racial group was considered separately. The current study suggests the HER2V655 allele is not a breast cancer risk factor for Caucasians, African–Americans, or Latinas.
Uncoupling of Brain Activity from Movement Defines Arousal States in Drosophila

Abstract Background: An animal's state of arousal is fundamental to all of its behavior. Arousal is generally ascertained by measures of movement complemented by brain activity recordings, which can provide signatures independently of movement activity. Here we examine the relationships among movement, arousal state, and local field potential (LFP) activity in the Drosophila brain. Results: We have measured the correlation between local field potentials (LFPs) in the brain and overt movements of the fruit fly during different states of arousal, such as spontaneous daytime waking movement, visual arousal, spontaneous night-time movement, and stimulus-induced movement. We found that the correlation strength between brain LFP activity and movement was dependent on behavioral state and, to some extent, on LFP frequency range. Brain activity and movement were uncoupled during the presentation of visual stimuli and also in the course of overnight experiments in the dark. Epochs of low correlation or uncoupling were predictive of increased arousal thresholds even in moving flies and thus define a distinct state of arousal intermediate between sleep and waking in the fruit fly. Conclusions: These experiments indicate that the relationship between brain LFPs and movement in the fruit fly is dynamic and that the degree of coupling between these two measures of activity defines distinct states of arousal.
Correlations between heparan sulfate metabolism and hepatoma growth.

A rat hepatoma cell line (Gershenson et al., Science, 170:859–861, 1970) contains a dynamic steady-state pool of free heparan sulfate (HS) chains in the nucleus that increases in amount when growing cells reach confluence (Fedarko and Conrad, j. Cell Dioi, 102:587–599, 1986). In logarithmically growing cells labeled with 35SO42− steady-state levels of [35SO4]HS in the nucleus are altered by a variety of culture conditions. Rapidly dividing cells (doubling time = 18–22 h) growing under optimized conditions had steady-state levels of nuclear HS within the range of 40-50 pmol 35SO4 in nuclear HS/106 cells. The steady-state levels of nuclear HS were lowered by several changes in culture conditions, including 1) additions of 1 mM p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xyloside, 0.25–0.5 mM (+)-catechin, 0.5 ng/ml transforming growth factor β, 20 ng/ml phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP, or 1 mM inositol-2-PO4; 2) decreased levels of D-glucose; or 3) deletions of serum, insulin, or inositol. In all cases lowering of the nuclear HS level was accompanied by an increase in the cell doubling times, suggesting a correlation in which nuclear HS levels must be optimized for maximal growth rates. When cells cultured under optimal growth conditions reached confluence, the level of nuclear HS increased threefold and the cells stopped dividing. The same culture conditions that lowered the steady-state levels of HS in the logarithmically growing cells prevented this rise in the nuclear HS as the cells reached confluence and resulted in loss of contact inhibition and overgrowth of the confluent cultures. These observations suggest a second correlation in which elevated nuclear HS levels are found when cell growth is inhibited at confluence; prevention of this rise results in continued growth. Consistent with this correlation between elevated nuclear HS and reduced growth rates, it was observed that addition of either 0.5 μg/ml hydrocortisone or 0.05 μg/ml retinoic acid to the culture medium of logarithmically growing cultures resulted in.increases in steady-state levels of nuclear HS that were accompanied by increased cell doubling times. The two agents that increased the levels of nuclear HS in logarithmically growing cultures had little effect on levels of nuclear HS in confluent cells or on contact inhibition. These results show that cells growing at maximal rates maintain nuclear HS levels within a range of 40–50 pmol SO4 in HS/106 cells and that when the steady-state levels of nuclear HS either rise above or fall below this range, the growth rates in subconfluent cultures are decreased. As log-phase cells reach confluence and stop dividing, there is a rise in the level of nuclear HS. Under growth conditions which prevent this rise, cells lose contact inhibition.
Can patients with pulmonary hypertension travel to high altitude

Abstract Luks, Andrew M. Can patients with pulmonary hypertension travel to high altitude? High Alt. Med. Biol. 10:215–219, 2009.—With the increasing popularity of adventure travel and mountain act...
Curve of growth methodology applied to laser-induced plasma emission spectroscopy

Abstract The curve-of-growth (COG) method was applied to a laser-induced plasma. The plasma was produced by a Nd:YAG laser on the surface of steel samples containing 0.007–1.3% of Cr. The emission was collected from the top of the plasma by means of a 45° pierced mirror and aligned onto an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) with a gate width of 1 μs and a variable delay time. The resonance 425.4 nm Cr line was used for construction of the COG. The temperature of the plasma (∼8000 K at 5-μs delay) was determined from a Boltzmann plot. The damping constant a, proportional to the ratio of the Lorentzian to the Doppler line widths, was found from the best fit of a series of calculated COG to the experimental data points and was 0.20±0.05. The number density of neutral Cr atoms which corresponded to the transition between low and high optical densities, was ≈6.5·1012 cm−3. The cross-section for broadening collisions of Cr atoms with atmospheric species (presumably N2) was calculated to be (66±16) A. The shape of the 425.4-nm Cr line was additionally checked by scanning an ultra-narrow cw Ti:Sapphire laser across the atomic transition and found to be in agreement with preliminary estimates. The potential of the COG method for laser breakdown spectroscopy is discussed.
Recovering and Expanding the Normative: Marx and the New Sociology of Scientific Knowledge

It was customary in traditional approaches to the sociology of knowledge to bracket either questions about the possibility of the social determination of natural scientific ideas or questions about...
The Fertility Impact of Rural-to- Urban Migration in China

This paper provides insights into the relationship between migration and fertility in urban China. Data collected in five major Chinese cities during the China Urban Labor Survey of 2001 is used to compare the fertility patterns of rural-to-urban migrants with permanent urban residents. The analysis takes a life course perspective, taking into account the timing of major life events when estimating the impact of migration on fertility. These results suggest that migrants generally have higher fertility than native urban residents, but that the fertility patterns of migrants vary significantly by the relative timing of marriage and migration, and by educational attainment.
A Designed Single-Step Method for Synthesis and Structural Study of Organic−Inorganic Hybrid Materials: Well-Ordered Layered Manganese Oxide Nanocomposites

A fast and single-step method was successfully developed toward synthesizing well-ordered organic−inorganic hybrid layered manganese oxide (LMO) nanocomposites and Keggin/organic ions intercalated into layered manganese oxide at room temperature in 1 day. The ordering of layered structures is highly dependent on pH and drying conditions. The Keggin/organic intercalated LMO shows improved thermal stability of the layered structure over that of hybrid LMO.
Conscientious objection: does the zero-probability argument work?

Speaking generally, we find a great deal of the argumentation in Card's (2007) article to be incomplete. For example, although Card claims to have argued that referral is not an ethically acceptabl...
Fluid dynamics and heat transfer with phase change of multiple sperical droplets in a laminar axisymmetric gas stream

Abstract The transient gas-liquid velocity and temperature fields of interacting vaporizing n-haxine fuel droplets and water droplets have been analyzed for two sets of representative initial conditions. Laminar axysymmetric flow and three spherical droplets are the key assumptions for the present finite-element solution. During the start-up phase; fuel droplets exhibit dramatic changes in fluids properties and interfacial quantities, notably the individual vaporization rates and tangential velocities, which largely determine the multiple-droplet behavior. The gas-phase velocity/temperature fields and liquid-phase streamlines/isotherms shown reflect in detail the transient droplet interaction characteristics such as thick boundary layers, weak reciculation zones between pairing droplets, and vortex-dominated droplet temperature fields. In contrast, the dynamics of interacting water droplets is much less visible and takes far longer to develop than for (n-hexane) fuel droplets.
An ultrastructural and morphometric study of the liver of the lactating cow in starvation ketosis.

Abstract The ultrastructure of the liver in normal lactating cows and in lactating cows starved for six days was studied using morphometric methods. The principal findings in the liver of starved cows were (1) an increase in the size of hepatocyes (2) decrease in the volume of the cell occupied by glycogen and RER (3) a decrease in the number of mitochondria per hepatocyte with an enlargement of individual mitochondria and (4) a massive increase in the volume of the cell occupied by liposomes and lipid droplets. Evidence is presented to suggest that at least two factors, increased mobilisation of FFA from adipose tissue and inadequate transport of lipoprotein may be responsible for the development of the fatty liver in starved cows. The findings are discussed with reference to the fatty liver of bovine ketosis.
Evidence-based practices in mental health care

The term evidence-based medicine encompasses a variety of systematic attempts to bring scientific knowledge to bear on medical decision-making and thus to overcome the well-documented disjunction between scientific information regarding treatment effectiveness and actual practice. The core concept involves developing approaches to help patients and clinicians access current scientific information so that they can combine accurate knowledge with their values, resources, and preferences, among other factors, to make optimal decisions regarding health care. The principles, practices, training techniques, and controversies related to evidence-based medicine have been discussed extensively in the medical literature for more than 15 years. In addition, the methods of evidence-based medicine have been extended to identifying evidence-based practices and creating evidence-based health care systems. Despite this rich history, the concepts of evidence-based medicine are considered new, are poorly understood, and are somewhat controversial in the field of mental health. Professional and public awareness and debate, which comprise necessary positive steps, are just beginning among mental health stakeholders. Enormous interest and enthusiasm throughout the United States reflect a growing awareness that mental health treatments are effective, that people with mental disorders have a right to effective treatments, and that providers can be accountable for quality of care. At the same time, much of the discussion of evidence-based mental health practices reflects a misunderstanding of the basic issues. Robert E. Drake, MD, PhD
DFT/FPT studies of the structural dependencies of long‐range 1H,1H coupling over four bonds 4J(H,H′) in propanic and allylic systems

A study is presented of the structural dependencies for scalar J-coupling across four bonds in propanic and allylic systems. Density functional theory (DFT) and finite perturbation theory (FPT) were used to obtain the Fermi contact (FC) contributions to 1H,1H coupling. Interproton couplings 4J(H,H′) in propane were obtained as functions of the dihedral angles φ1 and φ3, which are measured about the C(1)—C(2) and C(2)—C(3) bonds, respectively, and on the C(1)—C(2)—C(3) internal angle θ2. A four-term trigonometric expression reproduces the dependence on φ1 and φ3 with a standard deviation of 0.1 Hz. The molecular structures for a series of bicycloalkanes were fully optimized and DFT/FPT results for 4J(H,H′) are in good agreement with the available experimental data. However, in non-W arrangements of bicyclic systems the propane trigonometric expression for 4J(H,H′) often gives signs opposite to those observed. It is now clear the conformational dependence of coupling constants in propane is not, in general, applicable to bicyclic systems. The DFT/FPT propane-based results for coupling involving a methyl group (H—C—C—CH3) are in better conformity with the experimental data. The DFT/FPT results for cisoid and transoid allylic coupling 4J(H,H′) in propene were obtained as functions of the dihedral angle φ measured about the C(2)—C(3) bond. Trigonometric expressions with three terms reproduce the calculated propene results with standard deviations 0.1 Hz. The molecular structures for a series of bicycloalkenes were fully optimized and DFT/FPT results for cisoid and transoid coupling are in fairly good agreement with the available experimental data. In contrast to the propanic coupling, the trigonometric expressions for propenic coupling constants are generally applicable to conformational analyses in bicycloalkenes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient method for isolating individual long-chain alkenones for compound-specific hydrogen isotope analysis.

Hydrogen isotope ratios ( 2 H/H or D/H) of long-chain unsaturated ketones (alkenones) preserved in lake and marine sediments hold great promise for paleoclimate studies. However, compound-specific hydrogen isotope analysis of individual alkenones has not been possible due to chromatographic coelution of alkenones with the same carbon chain length but different numbers of double bonds. Published studies have only reported the ‰D values of the mixture of coeluting alkenones. We developed an efficient procedure to isolate individual alkenones based on double-bond numbers using silica gel impregnated with silver nitrate. The chromatographic procedure is simple, inexpensive, and highly reproducible, offers 87-100% sample recovery, and allows for the first time hydrogen isotopic measurement on individual alkenones. ‰D values of specific di-, tri- and tetraunsaturated C 37 alkenones produced by an Emiliania huxleyi culture, as well as those isolated from Greenland lake sediments, differ consecutively by 43-65 ‰. These findings suggest that alkenones with different numbers of carbon-carbon double bonds express significantly different ‰D values and that coelution of different alkenones may lead to erroneous source water ‰D reconstructions. Our alkenone isolation approach opens a new avenue for paleoclimate reconstructions using hydrogen isotope ratios of individual alkenones.
Social status modulates basal IL-1 concentrations in the hypothalamus of pair-housed rats and influences certain features of stress reactivity.

Recent findings from our laboratory and others indicate that exposure to stress can increase expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1). In a series of studies examining this response, we observed pronounced differences in baseline levels of hypothalamic IL-1 of pair-housed rats. We hypothesized that these pair-wise differences might be a result of prolonged social stress associated with dominance/submissiveness, and that the submissive animal would show heightened baseline levels of IL-1. In order to test this hypothesis, we utilized a food competition paradigm (access to cheerios) to assess dominance within a dyad prior to the assessment of hypothalamic IL-1 levels. Based on the results of this test, clear dominance hierarchies were observed in ∼50% of the dyads, a ratio comparable to what has been reported previously. More importantly, this dominant/submissive categorization could be used to predict pair-wise differences in hypothalamic IL-1 with greater than 90% accuracy. Specifically, the submissive rat in each dyad (determined a priori) consistently evinced hypothalamic IL-1 levels that were nearly double that of its dominant cage mate. Further studies demonstrated that submissive rats showed a more rapid and pronounced hyperthermic response to novel environment stress relative to dominant rats. Interestingly, social status had no effect on corticosterone reactivity, even when the nature and intensity of the stressor was varied. Finally, maintenance of a clear dominance hierarchy obfuscated hypothalamic IL-1 responses to footshock exposure, with the most robust increases in hypothalamic IL-1 provoked by footshock being observed in pairs where there was no clear dominance hierarchy. Together, these findings suggest that social status can have a significant impact on stress reactivity and neuroimmune consequences of stressor exposure even in the unperturbed home cage environment.
Structure-reactivity relationships of Ni-NiO core-shell co-catalysts on Ta2O5 for solar hydrogen production

Abstract Ni–NiO core–shell co-catalyst structures on Ta2O5 have been investigated for solar H2 production. Core–shell co-catalysts with different morphologies resulted in large changes in photocatalytic activity. Increased H2 production was found to be related to an increase in the thickness of NiO shell due to suppression of the back reaction. Atomic level transmission electron microscopy showed that the core–shell co-catalyst structures deactivated primarily due to a loss of metallic Ni from the core structure. During deactivation, the catalyst transformed either to structures consisting of NiO nanoblocks or hollow NiO shells. The phase transformations occurring during deactivation were associated with Ni diffusion processes that are driven by light illumination.
Rapid construction of Campylobacter jejuni deletion mutants.

Aims: To develop a novel method for rapid construction of Campylobacter jejuni deletion mutants. Methods and Results: We used overlapping extension PCR protocol to amplify a target sequence region of Camp. jejuni genomic DNA in which an internal fragment, Cj0618 coding sequence, was replaced by a chloramphenicol resistance cassette. After the resulting PCR product was introduced into electrocompetent Camp. jejuni 81-176, chloramphenicol-resistant mutants in which the wild type allele has been replaced by the deletion cassette were selected. DNA sequencing confirmed precise deletion in the Cj0618 gene. As expected from the previously reported role of Cj0618 in chick colonization, the resulting deletion mutant showed a caecal colonization defect in chick infection. Conclusions: This method can be used for rapid construction of Camp. jejuni deletion mutants. Significance and Impact of the Study: The use of this method should facilitate functional characterization of various Camp. jejuni genes.
From tong war to organized crime: Revising the historical perception of violence in Chinatown

An analysis of New York City press accounts and official documents from 1894 to 1908 challenges many assumptions about Chinese organized crime in the United States. Contrary to conventional wisdom,...