cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of nicorandil and glyceryl trinitrate on infarct size, adenosine release, and neutrophil infiltration in the dog

Objective: The major aim of this study was to determine if nicorandil, a potassium channel opener nitrate, produces a reduction in myocardial infarct size at a non-hypotensive dose in dogs and to determine if this effect is the result of an increase in adenosine release or reduction in neutrophil infiltration into the ischaemic area. Glyceryl trinitrate was used for purposes of comparison. Methods: Barbitone anaesthetised dogs were subjected to 60 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Nicorandil (100 μg·kg−1 bolus followed by a 10 μg·kg−1·min−1 infusion; NC/pre group), glyceryl trinitrate (10 μg·kg−1 bolus followed by a 1 μg·kg−1·min−1 infusion; GTN/pre group), or an equivalent volume of saline (control group) were given intravenously 15 min before occlusion and continued to the time of reperfusion. In two other groups, nicorandil (NC/post group) or glyceryl trinitrate (GTN/post group) were given 10 min before reperfusion and continued until the end of the experiment. To measure the release of adenosine from the ischaemic region, coronary venous blood samples were collected before occlusion, during occlusion, and at various times following reperfusion. Myocardial infarct size was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride and transmural myocardial blood flow by radioactive microspheres. Transmural myeloperoxidase activity, an index of neutrophil infiltration, was measured in biopsies obtained from the area at risk. Results: Pretreatment with nicorandil and glyceryl trinitrate caused a marked reduction in myocardial infarct size expressed as percent of the area at risk [NC/pre group, 7.8(SEM 1.6)%; GTN/pre group, 11.9(2.3)%; control group, 31.0(5.6)%]. When nicorandil and glyceryl trinitrate were given before reperfusion, both drugs still produced a significant reduction in infarct size [NC/post group, 13.8(2.0)%; GTN/post group, 18.9(4.3)%]. Coronary venous adenosine concentrations during reperfusion were significantly lower in both nicorandil and glyceryl trinitrate pretreated groups, but not in the post-treated groups. Transmural myeloperoxidase activity was significantly lower in both nicorandil treated groups. Conclusions: Pretreatment with a non-hypotensive dose of nicorandil or glyceryl trinitrate markedly reduces myocardial infarct size and adenosine release from the ischaemic-reperfused area. These agents were also effective, but to a lesser degree, when given just before reperfusion. The cardioprotective actions of nicorandil appear to be related not only to its potassium channel opening activity but also in part to its nitrate activity.
Accelerated production of transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants.

We have developed a method for the accelerated production of fertile transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that yields rooted plants ready for transfer to soil in 8–9 weeks (56–66 days) after the initiation of cultures. This was made possible by improvements in the procedures used for culture, bombardment, and selection. Cultured immature embryos were given a 4–6 h pre-and 16 h post-bombardment osmotic treatment. The most consistent and satisfactory results were obtained with 30 μg of gold particles/bombardment. No clear correlation was found between the frequencies of transient expression and stable transformation. The highest rates of regeneration and transformation were obtained when callus formation after bombardment was limited to two weeks in the dark, with or without selection, followed by selection during regeneration under light. Selection with bialaphos, and not phosphinothricin, yielded more vigorously growing transformed plantlets. The elongation of dark green plantlets in the presence of 4–5 mg/l bialaphos was found to be reliable for identifying transformed plants. Eighty independent transgenic wheat lines were produced in this study. Under optimum conditions, 32 transformed wheat plants were obtained from 2100 immature embryos in 56–66 days, making it possible to obtain R3 homozygous plants in less than a year.
Aversive conditioning in prenatally X-irradiated rats.

Abstract Four experiments were performed. In Experiment I shuttle-box conditioning was more rapid in animals which had been exposed to 200 R on Day 16 of gestation than in control animals, but a 100 R-exposed group did not differ from controls. In Experiment II a 200 R- exposed group showed more rapid conditioning with a Sidman avoidance paradigm, but a 100 R- group did not differ from controls. In Experiment III a T-maze escape situation did not differentiate 200 R animals from controls in terms of days to criterion, but the irradiated group had fewer errors on the first test day. On discrimination reversal, on the other hand, the irradiated animals performed more poorly than did the controls. Finally in Experiment IV in a Lashley III electrified maze, 200 R- exposed rats made significantly more errors than did control animals. Increased fearfulness and/or a tendency to explore less on the part of the irradiated rats can account for the observations.
The International Opportunities Fund for global change research

Earthquakes, floods, and weather extremes are among a range of societal hazards that are increasingly studied by national and international researchers, but the absence of international collaboration and coordination is increasingly leading to inefficiencies and lost opportunities. The world's major funders of global change research are considering how best to align financial and human capital toward delivering the relevant knowledge that society will need in the 21st century. The Belmont Forum (named after the group's first meeting venue in Maryland in 2009) meets twice a year and is composed of funding executives from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Commission, together with the executive directors of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and International Social Sciences Council (ISSC); a full list of members is on the Belmont Forum Web site, http://igfagcr.org/index.php/belmont-forum.
Adaptive Control of Electrically Stimulated Muscle

A discrete time adaptive control system for electrically stimulated muscle has been designed and evaluated experimentally. The control system is based on a previously developed discrete time model of electrically stimulated muscle. Performance was evaluated on the basis of stability and responses to step, ramp, and sinusoidal inputs. Cat tibialis anterior muscles that had been previously electrically exercised were activated to control ankle joint torque via chronically implanted epimysial electrodes.
Systematic Study of the 87Sr Clock Transition in an Optical Lattice

With ultracold 87Srconfined in a magic wavelength optical lattice, we present the most precise study (2.8 Hz statistical uncertainty) to date of the 1S0-3P0 optical clock transition with a detailed analysis of systematic shifts (19 Hz uncertainty) in the absolute frequency measurement of 429 228 004 229 869 Hz. The high resolution permits an investigation of the optical lattice motional sideband structure. The local oscillator for this optical atomic clock is a stable diode laser with its hertz-level linewidth characterized by an octave-spanning femtosecond frequency comb.
Work–family interpersonal capitalization: Sharing positive work events at home

Abstract In a 3-week experience-sampling study of 52 full-time employees, the authors investigated the within-individual relationships among positive work events, affective states, and job satisfaction. They also examined the influence of work–family interpersonal capitalization (sharing work events with one’s spouse or partner at home) on employees’ job and relationship satisfaction. Results revealed that positive events influenced job satisfaction through positive affect, and work–family interpersonal capitalization on the most positive work event of the day positively impacted job satisfaction over and above the effects of the event’s pleasantness and of the number of other positive work events experienced that day.
Substrate specificity of a hypothalamic neurosecretory granule enzyme capable of processing pro-gonadotropin releasing hormone precursor protein.

Abstract We examined the specificity of a bovine hypothalamic neurosecretory granule enzyme which we discovered and which is capable of processing pro-gonadotropin releasing hormone precursor protein to yield gonadotropin associated peptide and a C-terminal extended form of gonadotropin releasing hormone (Palen et al. [7]). The sequence in the precursor protein that separates the two active peptides is -Gly-Gly-Lys-Arg- where the pair of basic residues, -Lys-Arg-, is the anticipated cleavage site. On the basis of Vmax/Km as the measure of substrate specificity, Benzoyl(Bz)-Gly-Gly-Lys-Arg-2-Napthylamide (NA) > Bz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Lys-2-NA >> Bz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-2-NA ≈ Bz-Gly-Gly-Lys-Lys-2-NA. Bz-Gly-Gly-Lys(N(ϵ)-acetyl)-Arg-2-NA is a very poor substrate. Our results indicate that the composition and sequence of the pair of basic residues at the primary cleavage site is important for enzyme specificity and that changes in the P 1 or P 2 residues of a potential substrate may affect both Km and Vmax. Hydrolysis of all substrates occurs at the P 1 -2-NA bond. We had previously shown that there is no cleavage between the pair of basic residues. With longer peptide substrates, Bz-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-Gly-Lys-Arg-2-NA > Bz-Gly-Leu-Arg(NO 2 )-Pro-Gly-Gly-Lys-Arg-2-NA > Bz-Gly-Gly-Lys-Arg-2-NA. Extending the substrate sequence to more closely resemble the amino acid sequence in the precursor protein improves Km 10-fold and Vmax about 5-fold. The Km of the nitro-Arg peptide is the same as the corresponding Arg peptide, but Vmax is about 8-fold poorer, probably due to unproductive interaction of the Arg(nitro) residue at the appropriate enzyme subsite. Various compounds were tested as inhibitors of the enzyme. The best inhibitors chelate metal ions; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (5 μM), o-phenanthroline (300 μM) and ethylene glycol bis(2-aminoethylether)-tetraacetic acid (500 μM) cause 50% inhibition of the enzyme in 50 min, but serine proteinase inhibitors (diisopropylfluorophosphate, tosyl lysylchloromethyl ketone, and phenyl methane sulfonyl fluoride) are poor inhibitors.
The Role of Nutrition Support Dietitians as Viewed by Chief Clinical and Nutrition Support Dietitians: Implications for Training

Abstract Objectives To determine current and ideal frequencies with which nutrition support dietitians perform each item on a list of 15 tasks and evaluate dietitian preparation for the practice of nutrition support. Design Data were collected using two questionnaires, one completed by the chief clinical dietitian and the other completed by the nutrition support dietitian at each hospital surveyed. Both versions of the questionnaires contained a list of 15 tasks that had been validated as being related to advanced nutrition support by a panel of 20 nutrition support experts using a modified Delphi method. Follow-up telephone calls were made to increase the number of responses. Sample Questionnaires were mailed to the chief clinical dietitian at 300 randomly selected, general medical/surgical hospitals with 300 or more beds in the United States and Puerto Rico. A total of 134 chief clinical dietitians (45%) and 129 nutrition support dietitians (43%) responded to the surveys; 124 (41%) and 120 (40%) questionnaires, respectively, were usable for statistical analyses. Statistical analyses The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test was used to determine differences between nutrition support dietitian actual and ideal frequencies and between chief clinical dietitian actual and ideal frequencies for each of the 15 tasks. The Mann-Whitney U-Wilcoxon rank sum W test was used to determine differences between nutrition support dietitian and chief clinical dietitian actual frequencies and between nutrition support dietitian and chief clinical dietitian ideal frequencies for each of the 15 tasks. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the questions regarding educational preparation for nutrition support practice and demographic data. Results The ideal frequency for each of the 15 tasks was significantly greater ( P P P Applications/conclusions Nutrition support dietitians desire increased responsibility for delivering nutrition support to their patients and this desire is largely supported by chief clinical dietitians. Nutrition support dietitians appear to have a strong interest in postregistration qualifying experiences that would provide a foundation for expanding their roles. According to the results of this study, programs designed to provide practical, clinical experience in nutrition support are needed. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97:1255-1260,1263.
Control of Uterine Estrogen Receptor Levels by Progesterone

The mechanism by which progesterone antagonizes estrogenic stimulation of uterine growth was examined in the immature rat. Rats received daily injections of 2.5 µg estradiol (E) for 2 days and on day3 either 2.5 pig E or 2.5 µg E plus 2.5 mg of progesterone (P). The quantity of nuclear andcytoplasmic estrogen receptor was determined by [3]] estradiol exchange at various intervals after injection of E or E + P. In both groups, nuclear receptor-estrogen complex (RnE) increased dramatically one hour after injection and showed a gradual decline from 4 to 24 h after injection. The quantity of cytoplasmic receptor, Rc decreased to low levels by one hour and began a gradual increase from 4 to 8 h in both groups. However, between 8 and 24 h after injection, the level of Rc continued to increase in the E treatment group (2.39 ± 0.21 pmol⁄uterus at 24 h) but remained at the 8 h level in the E ± P group (1.09 ±0.04 pmol⁄uterus at 24 h). This observation suggests that two separate processes are involved in the replen...
Ca++-dependent formation of brain adenylate cyclase-protein activator complex

Abstract In the presence of EGTA (ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethyl-ether) N,N′-tetraacetic acid), a Lubrol-PX solubilized rat brain adenylate cyclase (E.C. 4.4.1.1) and its protein activator were separated from each other in a Sephadex G-200 column. No activator was associated with the eluted enzyme, which required an exogenous activator for maximum activity. On the other hand, in the presence of Ca++, some of the activator was eluted with the enzyme, which was independent of an exogenous activator for maximum activity. Because neither Ca++ nor EGTA affected the elution profile of the activator in the filtration column, these results suggest that the formation of the enzyme-activator complex is dependent on Ca++. Separate experiments indicated that the effect of Ca++ on the formation of the enzyme-activator complex was immediate and reversible. Because the activator appears to be in excess of the enzyme, adenylate cyclase activityin vivo could be modulated by the cellular flux of Ca++.
Evolution of specialists in an experimental microcosm

The impact of adaptation on the persistence of a balanced polymorphism was explored using the lactose operon of Escherichia coli as a model system. Competition in chemostats for two substitutable resources, methylgalactoside and lactulose, generates stabilizing frequency-dependent selection when two different naturally isolated lac operons (TD2 and TD10) are used. The fate of this balanced polymorphism was tracked over evolutionary time by monitoring the frequency of fhuA-, a linked neutral genetic marker that confers resistance to the bacteriophage T5. In four out of nine chemostats the lac polymorphism persisted for 400-600 generations when the experiments were terminated. In the other five chemostats the fhuA polymorphism, and consequently the lac operon polymorphism, was lost between 86 and 219 generations. Four of 13 chemostat cultures monomorphic for the lac operon retained the neutral fhuA polymorphism for 450-550 generations until they were terminated; the remainder became monomorphic at fhuA between 63 and 303 generations. Specialists on each galactoside were isolated from chemostats that maintained the fhuA polymorphism, whether polymorphic or monomorphic at the lac operon. Strains isolated from three of four chemostats in which the lac polymorphism was preserved had switched their galactoside preference. Most of the chemostats where the fhuA polymorphism was lost also contained specialists. These results demonstrate that the initial polymorphism at lac was of little consequence to the outcome of long-term adaptive evolution. Instead, the fitnesses of evolved strains were dominated by mutations arising elsewhere in the genome, a fact confirmed by showing that operons isolated from their evolved backgrounds were alone unable to explain the presence of both specialists. Our results suggest that, once stabilized, ecological specialization prevented selective sweeps through the entire population, thereby promoting the maintenance of linked neutral polymorphisms.
Marijuana use development over the course of adolescence among North American Indigenous youth.

This study investigated the links between marijuana use trajectories and marijuana abuse/dependence (DSM-IV) using five waves of data from 718 North American Indigenous adolescents between 10 and 17 years from eight reservations sharing a common language and culture. Growth mixture models indicated that 15% of youth began using by 11–12 years of age and that another 20% began shortly thereafter. These early users had odds of abuse/dependence 6.5 times larger than abstainers. Girls were also unexpectedly found to be particularly at risk of early use, and this did not reflect other background and psychosocial factors, including friend use. While the timing, patterns, and consequences of use were similar to those reported for alcohol use previously, the social influences on use differed in important ways.
Modeling continuous aqueous two-phase systems for control purposes.

Abstract A mathematical model was proposed to allow the analysis of steady-state and transient behaviors of single-stage continuous aqueous two-phase systems. Since the complete system of simultaneous equations contains more equations than unknown variables, a program based on the method of least squares was developed to solve the problem. The methodology was tested using a system composed of thaumatin, sodium chloride, and a contaminant protein. A poly(ethylene-glycol)/phosphate salt/water system was selected to isolate the thaumatin. For the steady-state and transient operations, a constrained optimization procedure - from the Matlab Optimization Toolbox (MathWork, Inc.)—was implemented after recasting the system of equations as a minimization problem. Euler’s method was used in the transient case to discretize the differential equations. The steady-state concentrations agreed with published data. An input–output model based on a 4% step change decrease in the inlet stream flow rate showed that output variables such as concentrations of sodium chloride and phosphate salt settled to their final values in different time periods. The proposed analysis may be helpful in the dynamic control of large-scale commercial extractor units using advanced control schemes.
The role of hyperparathyroidism in the pathogenesis of renal anemia

L'hormone parathyroide est une toxine uremique qui contribuerait aux 3 differents facteurs primaires responsables d'anemie renale (erythropoese reduite, hemolyse accrue et perte de sang) alors qu'un trouble de l'erythropoese par la moelle osseuse fibrosee ne jouerait qu'un role secondaire
Approximate growth‐rate analysis in economics using calculus

Applications of mathematics in economics often involve the use of calculus based on the simplifying assumption that functions which are discrete‐valued can be approximated fairly well by continuous functions. The exact discrete analysis, though conceptually simpler, is generally less tractable than a calculus‐based approach, and as a result is rarely discussed in introductory mathematics textbooks intended for economics and business majors. For most standard applications, the solution using calculus or a strictly discrete approach is the same (except possibly for round‐offs). This paper is concerned with applications related to the simple but widely used technique of growth‐rate analysis in macroeconomics. The exact discrete‐time solution is derived and compared to the continuous‐time approximation used in standard economics textbooks. The problems examined are the relationships between the growth rate of (i) a ratio, (ii) a product, and (iii) a geometric average, and the growth rates of the individual fu...
Anti-GBM Antibody Mediated Glomerulonephritis

Fig 2. Early segmental fibrinoid necrosis with early cellular crescent formation without endocapillary proliferation or evidence of immune complexes in the remaining glomerular tuft. This light microscopic finding is that of a pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis, with a specific diagnosis of anti-GBM antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis made by immunofluorescence (see Fig 3) (Jones silver stain; original magnification 3400).
The marginal cost of electricity used as backup for solar hot water systems: A case study

Abstract In this study, a method is developed for estimating the long run marginal cost to electric utilities of providing backup service for solar residential heating and hot water (HHW) systems. This method accounts for all investment, fuel, and operating costs required to provide the added electric service for HHW. From the information produced using this method, the impacts of various rate design philosophies and of government tax and regulatory policies on annual homeowner costs, fuel consumption patterns, environmental pollutants, and the net social cost of providing HHW service can be computed. Also, the differences in these parameters among solar, electric, and conventional HHW systems can be compared. In an initial study, it was found that for one Northeastern utility the estimated marginal cost of electricity for backup to solar hot water (HW) systems was less than that for comparable electric HW systems for the period of the mid to late 1990s. Load management (shifting all electricity use to off-peak periods) substantially reduced marginal costs for both electric and solar systems and essentially eliminated any difference between them. In all cases, the marginal cost was lower than the average cost of all electricity generated for market penetration rates that can realistically be expected to be experienced. The impact on total annual costs to homeowners of various electricity rate schemes and the impacts of Federal tax credits and property tax exemptions were computed. Net changes in resource consumption patterns due to the use of solar systems were estimated.
Oxytocin-Stimulated Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis and Prostaglandin F Secretion by Luminal Epithelial, Glandular Epithelial, and Stromal Cells from Pig Endometrium. I. Response of Cyclic Pigs on Day 16 Postestrus

Oxytocin (OT) is the physiological stimulus for pulsatile release of endometrial prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha during luteolysis in domestic ungulates, and the cellular mechanism for this appears to involve phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis. To determine which endometrial cell type(s) was responsive to OT during luteolysis in swine, luminal epithelial (LEC), glandular epithelial (GEC), and stromal cells (SC) were isolated from endometrium by differential enzymatic digestion and sieve filtration on Day 16 postestrus and cultured. For PI hydrolysis in experiment 1, SC were most responsive to 100 nM OT (p < 0.001), whereas LEC were least responsive and GEC had an intermediate response (p < 0.001). For PGF secretion in experiment 2, the response to OT was greatest for SC, least for LEC, and intermediate for GEC. In experiment 3, 100 nM OT increased PI hydrolysis in SC within 30 min (p < 0.05) and in GEC within 60 min (p < 0.05) but did not increase PI hydrolysis in LEC. In experiment 4, PI hydrolysis in SC was increased (p < 0.05) by 33-333 nM OT but was not increased by </= 333 nM OT in GEC or LEC after 30 min. However, PGF secretion from SC was increased (p < 0.05) by 10-333 nM OT, and from GEC by 10-333 nM OT, but was not increased from LEC by </= 333 nM OT. Results of this study indicate that 1) there was differential responsiveness to OT among endometrial cell types, and 2) within cell type, there generally was a similar response to OT for both PI hydrolysis and PGF secretion, further implicating PI hydrolysis as the signaling pathway for OT-stimulated PGF2alpha release. The differential response of endometrial cell types may have an important role in the pattern of PGF2alpha secretion during luteolysis in swine.
Computational identification and experimental characterization of substrate binding determinants of nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 7

Background Nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 7 (NPP7) is the only member of the mammalian NPP enzyme family that has been confirmed to act as a sphingomyelinase, hydrolyzing sphingomyelin (SM) to form phosphocholine and ceramide. NPP7 additionally hydrolyzes lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), a substrate preference shared with the NPP2/autotaxin(ATX) and NPP6 mammalian family members. This study utilizes a synergistic combination of molecular modeling validated by experimental site-directed mutagenesis to explore the molecular basis for the unique ability of NPP7 to hydrolyze SM.
Synthesis, characterization, and computational modeling of benzodithiophene donor–acceptor semiconducting polymers

Donor–acceptor semiconducting polymers containing benzodithiophene with decyl phenylethynyl substituents have been synthesized. Density functional calculations on the polymers' band gaps and frontier orbitals energies provide reasonable agreement with cyclic voltammetry, photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV–vis absorption measurements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
An electronic gravimeter to measure g(r)

We point out that a battery may be designed so that in a gravitational field it will have a gravitationally induced emf in addition to an electrochemical one. The gravitationally induced emf of a battery with a small “effective” electrochemical potential and a long “effective” length can readily be measured to very high precision by means of any precise voltmeter, and in particular by a Josephson junction. Such a device may be employed to measure any component of the gravitational acceleration vector. It can be constructed compactly enough to be placed down a borehole. Thus, in principle it is an extremely precise and adaptable tool for geophysical exploration.
Investigating Mental Workload Changes in a Long Duration Supervisory Control Task

With improving automation in many critical domains, operators will be expected to handle long periods of low task load while monitoring a system, and possibly responding to emergent situations. Monitoring the psychophysiological state of the operator during low task load may detect maladapted attention states in order to predict performance and facilitate a more effective workload transition during critical periods. This research explored the question of detecting anomalous attention states during transitions to high workload following extended periods of boredom using a non-invasive neuroimaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Subjects at the point of lowest engagement and priming had a diminished hemodynamic response and performed worse on missile defense task, showing fNIRS may be useful for concurrent monitoring of the operator in such settings. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS • Functional near-infrared spectroscopy brain sensing is feasible for use in long duration (3 h) tasks. • Hemodynamic response was diminished during the middle of a long duration, low task load simulation when engagement and priming were lowest. • fNIRS did not detect a change in workload, but did reflect temporal changes in event onset, which could be used to automatically adapt a system when an operator is in a degraded attention state.
Drug delivery carriers on the fringes: natural red blood cells versus synthetic multilayered capsules.

Red blood cells (RBC) and synthetic multilayered nanocarriers may appear as distant ‘extremes' of the continuum of diverse drug delivery systems. The former are natural, old and simple, whereas the latter are artificial, novel and sophisticated. However, juxtaposition of features of these types of carriers, offered in a review article published in this issue, is instructive. Such an analysis helps to define both their distinctions and similarities (structural, functional, technological, specific areas of utility), and illustrates perspectives of their translation into the practice. Thus, synthetic multilayered carriers (which, in some embodiments, use elements of design inspired by RBC) represent an attractive research object offering high degree of control of their features. These carriers may find utility for intracellular delivery, controlled release of multiple cargoes and imaging. On the other hand, RBC provide arguably the most attractive carriers for sustained intravascular delivery of variety of d...
Phase analysis of stimulated Brillouin scattering in long, graded-index optical fiber

A continuous-wave beam was wavefront-split by a prism and propagated through separate paths before being coupled into a long, graded-index fiber. Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) was generated in the fiber and the phase of the reflection was compared to that of the pump using lateral shearing interferometers immediately after reflection and also after propagating back through the separate paths. To analyze the phase conjugating properties of SBS in the fiber, one of the paths included a pathlength oscillation. It was found that SBS from the long, graded-index fiber did not conjugate the phase of the pump. SBS formed a phase-locked beam immediately after reflection from the fiber, but did not lock the phases of the two beams after recombination as would be expected from a phase conjugate reflection.
Neural Probes for Concurrent Detection of Neurochemical and Electrophysiological Signals in vivo

Electrochemical sensing with microelectrode arrays provides a means for monitoring neurotransmitter dynamics across multiple locations within a micro-scale region of brain tissue. Here we present a multi-modal neural probe design for concurrent recording of neurochemical and electrophysiological signals in vivo. Prior to implantation, platinum sites on each array underwent platinum-black electroplating and Nafion electropolymerization, which increased sensitivity to dopamine by 74% and decreased sensitivity to common interferents by at least 89%. In a series of three rats, we applied various electrochemical waveforms to platinum sites and monitored neural activity on adjacent iridium sites. We found that chronoamperometry and constant-potential amperometry did not alter firing rates at +0.25, +0.50, and +0.75 V. In addition, we have demonstrated multi-modal recordings of striatal neurons in response to medial forebrain bundle stimulation
Race and ethnicity of mothers with Spanish surnames.

The objective of this study was to assess how hospital designation of race/ethnicity based on Spanish surnames of mothers correlated with the self-report, and explores how these mothers identified their own race/ethnicity using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) categories. 235 mothers were enrolled prospectively and asked to report their race/ethnicity. Positive predictive value (PPV) of using surnames as a tool for assigning race/ethnicity was determined. The PPV of using surnames to identify ethnicity and race was 79 and 30%, respectively. 57% of mothers could not identify their race by the NIH categories. Although Spanish surnames more accurately reflected ethnicity than race, its use was associated with substantial discrepancies. Key words: Race, ethnicity, self-report, Latino.
Assessing the Burden of Disease in the United States Using Disability-Adjusted Life Years

OBJECTIVES: Burden of disease studies have been implemented in many countries using the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) to assess major health problems. METHODS: We applied methods developed by the World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) to data specific to the United States to compute DALYs. We compared the results of this analysis to international estimates published by WHO for developed and developing regions of the world. RESULTS: In the mid-1990s, the leading sources of premature death and disability in the United States, as measured by DALYs, were cardiovascular conditions, breast and lung cancers, depression, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, and alcohol use and abuse. In addition, motor vehicle-related injuries and the HIV epidemic exacted a substantial toll on the health status of the U.S. population, particularly among racial/ethnic minorities. The major sources of death and disability in these latter populations were more similar to patterns of burden in developing rather than developed countries. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provides the first detailed, comprehensive estimates using DALYs of the fatal and nonfatal conditions that exact large health burdens in the United States.
Characterization of long transcribed microsatellites in Helianthus annuus (Asteraceae)

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Research on the evolutionary role of exonic microsatellites currently lacks an understanding of the evolutionary pressures that promote or limit their expansion. Contrasting levels of variability and genetic structures at anonymous and transcribed microsatellite loci of varying lengths are likely to provide useful insights regarding the relative strength of selection acting on different classes of microsatellites. We have developed primers for long transcribed microsatellites in Helianthus annuus to make these comparisons. METHODS AND RESULTS Eight relatively long microsatellites from sequences in the expressed sequence tag database of H. annuus were characterized. A total of 63 individuals from three populations in Kansas were genotyped. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 11 with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.723. CONCLUSIONS Our study has generated suitable tools for studying the population genetics of long transcribed microsatellites that are potentially influenced by selection.
Characterization and metabolic function of a peroxisomal sarcosine and pipecolate oxidase from Arabidopsis.

Sarcosine oxidase (SOX) is known as a peroxisomal enzyme in mammals and as a sarcosine-inducible enzyme in soil bacteria. Its presence in plants was unsuspected until the Arabidopsis genome was found to encode a protein (AtSOX) with 33% sequence identity to mammalian and bacterial SOXs. When overexpressed in Escherichia coli, AtSOX enhanced growth on sarcosine as sole nitrogen source, showing that it has SOX activity in vivo, and the recombinant protein catalyzed the oxidation of sarcosine to glycine, formaldehyde, and H2O2 in vitro. AtSOX also attacked other N-methyl amino acids and, like mammalian SOXs, catalyzed the oxidation of L-pipecolate to 1 -piperideine-6-carboxylate. Like bacterial monomeric SOXs, AtSOX was active as a monomer, contained FAD covalently bound to a cysteine residue near the C terminus, and was not stimulated by tetrahydrofolate. Although AtSOX lacks a typical peroxisome-targeting signal, in vitro assays established that it is imported into peroxisomes. Quantitation of mRNA showed that AtSOX is expressed at a low level throughout the plant and is not sarcosine-inducible. Consistent with a low level of AtSOX expression, Arabidopsis plantlets slowly metabolized supplied [ 14 C]sarcosine to glycine and serine. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed low levels of pipecolate but almost no sarcosine in wild type Arabidopsis and showed that pipecolate but not sarcosine accumulated 6-fold when AtSOX expression was suppressed by RNA interference. Moreover, the pipecolate catabolite -aminoadipate decreased 30-fold in RNA interference plants. These data indicate that pipecolate is the endogenous substrate for SOX in plants and that plants can utilize exogenous sarcosine opportunistically, sarcosine being a common soil metabolite.
Partially Adaptive STAP using the FRACTA Algorithm

A partially adaptive space-time adaptive processor (STAP) utilizing the recently developed FRACTA algorithm is presented which significantly reduces the high computational complexity and large sample support requirements of fully adaptive STAP. Multi-window post-Doppler dimensionality reduction techniques are employed to transform the data prior to application of the FRACTA algorithm. The FRACTA algorithm is a reiterative censoring (RC) and detection algorithm which has been shown to provide excellent detection performance in nonhomogeneous interference environments. Two multi-window post-Doppler dimensionality reduction techniques are considered: PRI-staggered and adjacent-bin. The partially adaptive FRACTA algorithm is applied to the KASSPER I (knowledge-aided sensor signal processing & expert reasoning) challenge datacube. The pulse repetition interval (PRI)-staggered approach with D=6 filters per Doppler bin is found to provide the best detection performance, outperforming the fully adaptive case while simultaneously reducing the runtime by a factor of ten. Using this implementation, partially adaptive FRACTA detects 197 out of 268 targets with one false alarm. The clairvoyant processor (the covariance matrix for each range cell is known) detects 198 targets with one false alarm. In addition, the partially adaptive FRACTA algorithm is shown to be resilient to jamming, and performs well for reduced sample support situations. When compared with partially adaptive STAP using traditional sliding window processing (SWP), the runtime of partially adaptive FRACTA is 14 times faster, and the detection performance is significantly increased (SWP detects 46 out of 268 targets with one false alarm).
Educational Disparities in Mortality Among Adults With Diabetes in the U.S.

OBJECTIVE To measure relative and absolute educational disparities in mortality among U.S. adults with diabetes and to compare their magnitude with disparities observed within the nondiabetic population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 85,867 individuals (5,007 with diabetes), aged 35–84 years, who participated in the National Health Interview Survey from 1986 to 1996 were followed for mortality through 31 December 2002. Relative and absolute educational disparities in all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and non-CVD mortality were measured. RESULTS In relative terms, the risk of all-cause mortality was 28% higher in diabetic adults with the lowest versus the highest position on the educational scale (relative index of inequality 1.28 [95% CI 1.08–1.53]). This inverse relationship reflected marked disparities in CVD mortality and was found in all age, sex, and race/ethnicity groups except Hispanics. Although substantial, this relative educational gradient in mortality among adults with diabetes was smaller than in the nondiabetic population. In absolute terms, diabetic adults with the lowest position on the educational scale suffered 503 excess deaths per 10,000 person-years of follow-up compared with those with the highest position. These absolute disparities were stronger than in the nondiabetic population. The results were even more striking for CVD mortality. CONCLUSIONS The risk of mortality differs substantially according to educational level among individuals with diabetes in the U.S. Although relative educational disparities in mortality are weaker in adults with versus without diabetes, their absolute impact is greater and translates into a major mortality burden.
A Life-Course Perspective on Housing Expectations and Shifts in Late Midlife

This study applies a life-course approach and retirement migration theory to develop a model of future housing expectations and actual moves for a random sample of men and women in late midlife. Results suggest that late-midlife workers and retirees expect to age in place; expectations to live in highly supportive environments are uniformly low. Older, nonmetropolitan respondents with less education and more years in their homes express the strongest expectations that they will age in place. Those people who rent their homes, have weaker ties to their communities, and have more symptoms of depression tend to foresee a move in the future. However, physical health of respondents and their spouses do not predict future housing expectations. Prior expectations about aging in place, residential history, and life-course changes in marriage and retirement predict actual moves within the next two years, with differing patterns for men and women.
Reproductive and transgenerational effects of methylmercury or Aroclor 1268 on Fundulus heteroclitus

This research determined the potential for methylmercury or Aroclor 1268 to disrupt reproduction and sexual differentiation in Fundulus heteroclitus. The research determined whether fish that are exposed to mercury or Aroclor 1268 survive and successfully reproduce; whether offspring of exposed fish hatch, survive, produce eggs, and fertilize them; and whether the second-generation offspring of exposed fish hatch and survive. Fundulus heteroclitus were exposed to mercury or Aroclor 1268 via contaminated food. Endpoints evaluated included survival, growth, fecundity, fertilization success, hatch success, larval survival, sex ratios, and the prevalence of gonadal abnormalities. In general, polychlorinated biphenyls were highly bioavailable and accumulated well through feeding. The only statistically significant effect observed as a result of treatment with Aroclor 1268 was an increase in growth in the offspring of exposed fish. Mercury was accumulated in a dose-dependent fashion via food exposures. Exposure to mercury in food increased mortality in male F. heteroclitus, which possibly occurred as a result of behavioral alterations. Increased mortality was observed at body burdens of 0.2 to 0.47 microgram/g. Offspring of F. heteroclitus fed mercury-contaminated food were less able to successfully reproduce, with reduced fertilization success observed at egg concentrations of 0.01 to 0.63 microgram/g, which corresponds with parent whole-body concentrations of 1.1 to 1.2 micrograms/g. Offspring of exposed fish also had altered sex ratios, with treatment at moderate concentrations producing fewer females and treatment at the highest concentration producing more females than expected. Alterations in sex ratios were observed at concentrations of less than 0.01 microgram/g in eggs or between 0.44 and 1.1 micrograms/g in parents. Offspring of mercury-exposed fish also had increased growth in moderate treatments, when egg concentrations were less than 0.02 microgram/g, or when parent whole bodies contained 0.2 to 0.47 microgram/g. In summary, exposure to mercury reduced male survival, reduced the ability of offspring to successfully reproduce, and altered sex ratios in offspring. Both direct effects on exposed fish and transgenerational effects were observed.
Abstract 12731: MicroRNAs 196b-5p and 411-5p Are Associated With Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) develops in 1/3 of patients undergoing cardiac surgery and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. MicroRNAs (miRs) are gene regulators linked to pathological atrial remodeling. Although genetic factors are implicated in susceptibility to POAF, no studies, to our knowledge, have examined atrial miR expression in relation to POAF. Hypothesis: Changes in miR expression (estimated as fold difference in the delta cycle threshold compared to global mean) in human atria can be associated with POAF. Methods: Atrial tissue (26 from right atrium; 2 from left atrium) was obtained from 28 participants with no history of atrial fibrillation undergoing elective cardiac surgery (36% coronary artery bypass grafting, 50% valve replacement and 14% combined surgeries or others). Based on pilot data and prior literature, the expression of 82 miRs was quantified using high-throughput quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We used l...
Board of County Commissioners v. Umbehr and the Extension of Public Employee Speech Protections

This brief essay discusses the Umbehr decision and its application of the public employee speech doctrine.
Exercising Effective Leadership

In order to exercise effective leadership in community psychiatry, one must be and do a variety of things: enjoy interfacing with people, be motivated and passionate about working in systems of care; be creative and innovative; be ready and willing to be an advocate for one’s self, one’s staff, and one’s patients in terms of providing quality care; practice a specific skills set; be willing to undergo training in a wide variety of topics; and be open to receiving, and changing from feedback. This chapter reviews the extant literature which describes the desired attributes of an effective leader, suggests venues of training necessary to support skills acquisition, and identifies system of care requirements to facilitate growth in leaders who understand and embrace community-based recovery-oriented systems of care.
Improvement and Use of Empirical Estimates of 29Si Chemical Shifts in Zeolites

29Si chemical shifts, δ, are for aluminosilicate zeolites expressed as δSi-4Al (which can be estimated from the T-O-T angles observed crystallographically) plus terms involving b1 and b2, the quantitative influences of first and second neighbor aluminum atoms. The former, b1, is assumed to be the sum of a fixed electrostatic component, α, and a framework-specific angular term, β(0 < β < 0.9 ppm), that reflects the generally smaller Si-O-Al angles compared to Si-O-Si. The compositional dependence of δ is approximated by an equal influence, b2, per added second neighbor aluminum atom, the concentration of which is assumed to vary linearly with composition. Values of δS-nAl; n=0-3 for representative L (LTL-framework) and omega (MAZ) zeolites calculated on this basis agree well with those observed. Applying this description of the compositional dependence to as-synthesized and dealuminated CSZ-1 zeolites enables the measurement of framework aluminum contents in this four T-site case.
A method for calibration of electronic voltage transformer

Considering the shortcomings of existing method for calibration of electronic voltage transformer,a method for calibration of electronic voltage transformer with analog and digital outputs is put forward.The method is based on the sampling measurement technology.And the ratio error and phase error are obtained by comparing the difference between the measurement result of the standard voltage transformer and that of the calibrated electronic voltage transformer.The error of the method is thoroughly analyzed;and its reasonableness and feasitility are also proved.A prototype of calibration system for electronic voltage transformer has been developed.The test that estimates the performance of the calibration system has been carried out in National Center for High Voltage Measurement.The tested results show that the system fulfills the requirements for calibrating electronic voltage transformers for use with electrical measuring instruments and with accuracy class up to 0.2,which testified the rationality and effectiveness of this method.
Verapamil therapy of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter following cardiac operation.

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter occur after cardiac operations, but prompt control of the rapid ventricular response is frequently difficult. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of using intravenous verapamil to treat these arrhythmias. Following cardiac operation, 28 patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter received either low-dose verapamil (0.075 mg/kg) or placebo, using a randomized double-blind crossover protocol. When low-dose verapamil was given to 21 patients with atrial fibrillation, the ventricular rate fell from 150 ± 22 to 102 ± 14 beats per minute (means ± SD) (p