cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of oxygen and light in guiding “photoaccumulation” in the Paramecium bursaria‐Chlorella symbiosis

Groups of Paramecium bursaria, containing the symbiotic alga Chlorella, aggregate in a “light trap” – a spot of light in a dark field. Cell populations conform to the shape of the light trap because (1) individual cells in the light either move slowly or not at all; and (2) individuals also, upon leaving the spot of light, undergo a short avoiding reaction – a step-down response – changing the direction of their forward movement back toward the light. Upon removing the light source, cells become more motile and disperse from the area of the light trap. A similar result is produced in the light by the addition of 10−6 molar 3-(3,4-dichloropheny1)-1,1-dimethyl urea, (DCMU), which completely inhibits the photosynthetic evolution of O2 by Chlorella-bearing P. bursaria. However, in the presence of DCMU the step-down response is not affected. We conclude that P. bursaria accumulates in light through two mechanisms: an “aeroreceptor” senses changes in concentrations of O2 and a “photoreceptor” senses decrease in light intensity. Additionally, methods of quantifying photobehavior have been developed and have been used to show that blue light is a more effective inducer of step-down photobehavior than is red light. Further studies are underway to examine the roles of ions and of the symbiont in mediating the response of P. bursaria to light.
Montmorillonite: Electron-Optical Observations

Fine-grained micas are consistent impurities in Camp-Berteaux (Morocco) and Wyoming montmorillonities. These micas give selected-area electron diffraction spot patterns with triclinic, monoclinic, and hexagonal symmetries similar tO those reported previously for monmorillonites. Camp-Berteaux montmorillonite appears as folded and flexible polycrystalline aggregates with pronounced texturing along the [02],[11], and[1ī] directions. Wyoming montmorillonite displays better crystallinity and larger crystallite size, and its structure is no longer truly "turbostratic".
Celiprolol: a positive inotropic β-adrenoceptor blocking agent in conscious dogs

1. beta-Adrenoceptor blocking agents are used to manage various cardiovascular disorders. A limiting factor in their use is the suppression of the cardiac contractile state. In our study, we examined the cardiac effects of celiprolol, a new beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent with reported positive inotropic effects. 2. Dogs were instrumented by use of sterile surgical techniques for the study of myocardial inotropic state, heart rate and internal left ventricular dimensions. Following complete recovery from surgery, experiments were conducted in the conscious state. 3. Intravenous injection of celiprolol (3 mg kg-1) in nine dogs, increased LV dP/dt by 13 +/- 2.6%, velocity of shortening (LV dD/dt) by 9.2 +/- 3.4%, and heart rate by 19 +/- 4.6% and decreased LV end-diastolic diameter by 1.8 +/- 0.8%, all significantly (P less than 0.05). Celiprolol blocked the inotropic actions of isoprenaline (0.5 micrograms kg-1) but only partially reduced its hypotensive effects. Propranolol, in contrast, reduced LV dP/dt by 17 +/- 3.3% and heart rate by 8.1 +/- 2.7% (P less than 0.05) while totally abolishing the hypotension, tachycardia and increase in LV dP/dt caused by isoprenaline. Following beta-adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol and with heart rate held constant by electrical pacing, celiprolol increased LV dP/dt by 16 +/- 4.0%, LV dD/dt by 12 +/- 3.0% and reduced LV end-diastolic diameter by 3.5 +/- 0.5% (P less than 0.05). 4. Thus, in conscious dogs, celiprolol increases inotropic state and reduces preload independently of beta 1-adrenoceptor mechanisms and the Bowditch phenomenon, while effectively blocking beta 1-receptors in the heart. These properties would make celiprolol useful in patients where a conventional beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent might lead to pump failure.
Beryllium sensitization and lung function among former workers at the Nevada Test Site.

Background Beryllium use at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) was not acknowledged until the late 1990's. Subsequently, the ongoing U.S. DOE funded medical screening program, which began in 1998, started testing former workers of the NTS for beryllium sensitization (BeS) in 2001 to identify individuals who may be at higher risk of developing chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Methods An observational study was conducted to identify work-related factors associated with the odds of having BeS. Work history questionnaires were administered and principal components analysis was used to identify categories of related tasks associated with BeS. Results Of the 1,786 former workers tested for BeS, 23 had a confirmed positive result. An increased risk of BeS was found among workers who performed cleanup (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.10, 6.56) and those who worked in Building B where beryllium parts were machined (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.02, 6.19), though no significant increased risk was found when categories of related tasks were used. Additionally, the number of years worked at the NTS was associated with increased risk of BeS. There was no difference in pulmonary function, chest X-ray abnormalities, or respiratory symptoms between those who were sensitized and normal. Conclusions The prevalence of BeS among former workers of the NTS who participated in our screening program was 1.3%. Former workers who performed specific job tasks may be at greater risk of developing BeS. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:512–523, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Scalable Services Architecture

Data centers constructed as clusters of inexpensive machines have compelling cost-performance benefits, but developing services to run on them can be challenging. This paper reports on a new framework, the scalable services architecture (SSA), which helps developers develop scalable clustered applications. The work is focused on non-transactional high-performance applications; these are poorly supported in existing platforms. A primary goal was to keep the SSA as small and simple as possible. Key elements include a TCP-based "chain replication" mechanism and a gossip-based subsystem for managing configuration data and repairing inconsistencies after faults. Our experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the approach
A new factor affecting the consumption of ethyl alcohol and other sapid fluids

Abstract In an attempt to explain the fact that we were unable to repeat the results of previous experiments on lateral hypothalamic electrical stimulation induced ethanol consumption, we discovered that the apparent change in preference-aversion might be due to brief periods of withdrawal of one of the solutions or the presentation of the ethanol solutions to the animals only on every other day. Results of five experiments are presented. Prolonged exposure to ethanol resulted in unpredictable periodic increases and a more gradual increase in the ethanol consumption of most of the animals studied. Many of the increases occurred with relatively high concentrations of ethanol which the animals had avoided previously. Increased consumption of ethanol occurred in some animals very rapidly following the periodic presentation and withholding of ethanol solutions for two days every other two days. The effect was not specific to ethyl alcohol and occurred with dilute solutions of quinine monohydrochloride and 0.05% o-benzoic sulfimide (saccharin). As a similar effect was observed during four 24 hr food deprivation periods every other day in two out of six animals and in three animals with 24 hr water deprivation every other day, a possible explanation in terms of the lateral hypothalamus and general arousal was discussed. In addition, the specificity of the alcohol deprivation effect was not confirmed as it was shown to occur in this study with a 0.05% saccharin solution. Also, the results reported here indicate that whether or not lateral hypothalamic electrical stimulation alone is a sufficient condition to enhance the consumption of ethanol has not been determined adequately.
Synergistic Effect of Imidacloprid and Two Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Behavior and Survival of Larvae of Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Soil

The impact of sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid and the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and Beauveria bassialla (Balsamo) Vuillemin alone or in combination on mobility, mortality, and mycosis of 1st instars of the citrus root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.), was evaluated in a series of laboratory bioassays. Initial studies were conducted to determine the effect of soil moisture and depth on the rate of larval movement. Movement of 2-d-old larvae in sandy soil was not affected by soil moisture ranging from 2 to 12%, but they did not penetrate soil with <1% moisture. Movement of 2-d-old larvae was retarded as moisture and soil depth increased. Newly hatched larvae exhibited poor vertical movement, suggesting that larval age is an important factor to consider in experimentation. In all bioassays, soil application of either M. anisopliae or B. bassiana at 5 ×103, 5 ×104, and 5 × 105 conidia per gram of soil as an oil or wettable powder formulation had no effect on the movement oflarvae of D. abbreviatus in soil at different moistures. The addition of imidacloprid to the soil at doses of 5 µg/g soil or greater significantly impaired larval movement. When the chemical was applied with a fungus, however, larval movement was more severely impaired. Soil treatment with unformulated conidia of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana as wettable powder at 5× 103, 5 ×104, and 5 ×105 caused minimal larval mortality of D. abbreviatus. In fact, larval mycosis (10.2%) was found only for the B. bassiana oil formulation at 5 × 105 conidia per gram soil. When sublethal doses of imidacloprid were combined with conidia of either fungus and applied to the soil, both larval mortality and mycosis increased synergistically. When M. anisopliae at 5 × 105 conidia per gram soil were applied alone or in combination with imidacloprid at 25 µg/ g of soil, larval mortality, and mycosis decreased as soil moisture increased from <1 to 14%.
Surface chemistry of labradorite feldspar reacted with aqueous solutions at pH = 2, 3, and 12

The reaction of feldspar with an aqueous solution is examined by complementing dissolution rate measurements with analysis of mineral surface chemistry. Rates of feldspar dissolution were measured in H{sub 2}O-HCl and D{sub 2}O-DCl solutions. These measurements were combined with elastic recoil detection (ERD) analysis of hydrogen isotope concentration, and Rutherford backscattering analysis (RBS) of silicon, aluminum and calcium concentrations near the surface of the mineral. Dissolution rates of labradorite feldspar in H{sub 2}O-HCl solutions (pH = 1.7) are 33% more rapid than in D{sub 2}O-DCl mixtures (pD = 1.7). The depth of penetration and inventory of hydrogen in the feldspar is a strong function of solution pH, temperature, and reaction time. Hydrogen infiltrates the feldspar more extensively from an acidic solution than from a basic solution, and complete isotopic exchange between the hydration layer and water proceeds in time on the order of hours. The hydrolysis of bridging Si-O-Al bonds by reaction with a strongly acidic solution for several hundreds of hours progresses to depths of several hundreds of Angstroms into the mineral. Calcium is also removed from the mineral to this depth during reaction with an acidic solution. The composition of the reacted surface, however, cannot be explained solelymore » on the basis of ion exchange or depolymerization reactions. The data suggest that the silicon-rich surface of feldspar continually repolymerizes during reaction, and that this repolymerization eliminates hydrogen from the hydration layer.« less
DEMAND FOR LOCAL PUBLIC GOODS: EMPIRICAL TEST OF A MEDIAN VOTER MODEL FOR 205 COUNTIES IN THE U.S.A.

This paper can be integrated in the set of studies that following the first work by Borcheding and Deacon have tested different specifications of Median Voter Models. The main innovation in this paper results from the use of a proxy variable for income distribution, in order to test in what degree the amount demanded of public goods reflects the existence of different income concentrations. An adjustment in the tax share for spatial tax incidence is also used. Finally, the fit of the model for counties above and under median population is analyzed allowing us to make some inference about the relationship between the adequacy of the analysis and “distance” between voters and representatives.
The evolution of body size distributions.

Body size, or perhaps more appropriately body mass, is arguably the single most important organismal variable; the attention paid to this parameter, as reviewed in TREE by Blackburn and GastonI, is entirely warranted. The distributions of body sizes in communities, guilds and clades have the potential to tell us a great deal about how ecosystems function and evolve, if only we can decipher the assembly rules. Blackburn and Gaston succinctly reviewed hypotheses for modern animal distributions, but basically rejected macroevolutionary models that included selective extinction and speciation, either because they lack the appeal of other models or because they ‘...explicitly depend on additional underlying mechanisms...‘. I certainly agree that some macroevolutionary hypotheses are unsatisfying because they lack an adequate mechanism, but to dismiss them because they need to invoke corollary influences at another scale is probably somewhat premature. This is particularly true for speciation potential. Gould and Eldredge2 suggested that the explanation for right-skewed size distributions might be higher speciation rates in taxa of small size. I examined this idea in modern and Quaternary North American mammals3, along with a number of other evolutionary hypotheses (including a geographic scaling function, disproportionate extinction of large species, and differential species longevity) and tentatively concluded that the data were best explained by differential speciation rates. Differential rates appear to be generated by varying energetic requirements, home range size, habitat specificity and hereditary outcomes. Small mammals are relatively more stenotopic, have smaller home range sizes, and have a greater tendency towards population fragmentation than large mammals. Thus, higher speciation rates of small mammals can explain the right-skewed pattern, but the proximate cause of increased rates obviously is to be found at the individual or microevolutionary level. Both explanatory tiers meld seamlessly and necessarily. My main point here is that any model proposed to explain modern animal size distributions must be comprehensive and include a historical perspective. Reasonably dense data sets from late Cenozoic sediments and accurate body mass estimation techniques4 offer unique opportunities for ecologists and paleontologists to cooperate in resolving basic questions about the origin of biological diversity.
Fatigue Life Prediction of Al-Li Alloy Butt-Welded Joints in Aerospace Structures

Friction-Stir-Welding (FSW) has been adopted as a major process for welding Aluminum aerospace structures. AA-2195 is one of the new generations Aluminum alloy (Al-Li) that has been used on the new super lightweight external tank of the space shuttle. The Lockheed Martin Space Systems (LMSS), Michaud Operations in New Orleans is continuously pursuing FSW technologies in its efforts to advance fabrication of the external tanks of the space shuttle. The future launch vehicles which will have to be reusable, mandates the structure to have good fatigue properties, which prompts an investigation into the fatigue behavior of the friction-stir-welded aerospace structures. The butt-joint specimens of Al-2195 are fatigue tested according to ASTM-E647. The effect of Stress ratios, Corrosion-Preventive-Compound (CPC), and periodic Overloading on fatigue life is investigated. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is used to examine the failure surfaces and examine the different modes of crack propagation i.e. tensile, shear, and brittle modes. It is found that fatigue life increases with the increase in stress ratio, the fatigue life increases from 30–38% with the use of CPC, the fatigue life increases 8–12 times with periodic overloading; crack closure phenomenon dominates the fatigue facture. Numerical Analysis using FEA has also been used to model fatigue life prediction scheme for these structures, the interface element technique with critical bonding strength criterion for formation of the new surfaces has been used to model crack propagation. The fatigue life predictions made using this method are within the acceptable ranges of 10–20% of the experimental fatigue life. This method overcomes the limitation of the traditional node-release scheme and closely follows the physics of crack propagation.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Quantitative assessment of respiratory function following contusion injury of the cervical spinal cord

Abstract In this study, we describe a new method for quantitative assessment of phrenic inspiratory motor activity in two models of cervical spinal cord contusion injury. Anesthetized rats received contusion injury either to the descending bulbospinal respiratory pathway on one side of the spinal cord alone (C 2 lateralized contusion) or to both the descending pathway, as well as the phrenic motoneuron pool bilaterally (C 4 /C 5 midline contusion). Following injury, respiratory-associated phrenic nerve motor activity was recorded under standardized and then asphyxic conditions. Phrenic nerve efferent activity was rectified, integrated, and quantitated by determining the mean area under the integrated neurograms. The mean integrated area of the four inspiratory bursts recorded just before turning off the ventilator (to induce asphyxia) was determined and divided by the integrated area under the single largest respiratory burst recorded during asphyxia. This latter value was taken as the maximal inspiratory motor response that the rat was capable of generating during respiratory stress. Thus, a percentage of the maximal inspiratory motor drive was established for breathing in control and injured rats under standardized conditions. The results indicate that noninjured rats use 52 ± 1.8% of maximal inspiratory motor drive under standardized conditions. In C 2 -contused rats, the results showed that while the percentage of maximal inspiratory motor drive on the noncontused side was similar to the control (55 ± 4.1%), it was increased on the contused side (78 ± 2.6%). In C 4/5 lesions, the results indicate that this percentage was increased on both sides (77 ± 4.4%). The results show the feasibility for performing quantitative evaluation of respiratory dysfunction in an animal model of cervical contusion injury. These findings lend to further development of this model for investigations of neuroplasticity and/or therapeutic interventions directed at ameliorating respiratory compromise following cervical spinal cord trauma.
Long time exposure to soy/isoflavone-rich diet enhances testicular and prostate health in Long-Evans rats

Abstract Soy isoflavone consumption appears to be beneficial for several health parameters. We report the influence of (lifelong exposure to) a high soy/isoflavone (High-Iso) compared to a low soy/isoflavone (Low-Iso) diet on body weight (BW), white adipose tissue (WAT) deposition, prostate weight (PW), testicular weight (TW), and testosterone levels in young adult male Long-Evans rats. WAT deposition and the WAT/BW ratios were significantly less in High-Iso vs. the Low-Iso fed animals. TW and TW/BW ratios were significantly greater in High-Iso vs. Low-Iso fed animals. Sertoli cell area, seminiferous tubule lumens and seminiferous tubule areas were significantly greater in High-Iso vs. Low-Iso animals. These data suggest that consumption of a soy diet high in isoflavone/polyphenolic molecules from conception appear to be beneficial in decreasing PW and WAT deposition while increasing TW, Sertoli cell area and seminiferous tubule volume.
Tarp and Arp: How Chlamydia induces its own entry

Chlamydia species have been known to cause human disease since antiquity. Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of preventable blindness (Trachoma) in developing nations and sexually transmitted diseases and noncongenital infertility in the Western world (1). Chlamydia psittaci causes illnesses in psatticine birds and occasionally humans by accident (Psittacosis). More recently, Chlamydia pneumoniae has been recognized as a significant cause of upper and lower respiratory infections. An intriguing association between seropositivity to C. pneumoniae and chronic human diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, has been observed, although causal effect has yet to be definitively demonstrated (2). The rapid progress in understanding microbial pathogenesis afforded by the exploitation of bacteria genetics has, until recently, left chlamydiae behind due to the inability to stably introduce DNA into this obligate intracellular pathogen and the inability to grow this bacteria ex vivo . However, through recent advances in host cell biology, some of the intimate secrets and tricks of this enigmatic but fascinating pathogen are being revealed. In this issue of PNAS, Hackstadt and coworkers (3) now add another chapter into the fascinating story of C. trachomatis . Chlamydia species undergo a biphasic developmental cycle (ref. 4 and Fig. 1). The infectious hardy, spore-like, and metabolically inert extracellular form [elementary body (EB)] induces its own uptake by a diverse range of both nonphagocytic and phagocytic cultured cells, including insect cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and macrophage and monocyte-derived cell lines (Fig. 1. A–D ). Once internalized in a membrane-bound compartment (the chlamydial inclusion), the EB transforms into a larger and more conventional bacterial form [the reticulate body (RB); Fig. 1 E ] that translocates through a dynein-dependent mechanism to the peri-Golgi region (5) and replicates by binary fission (Fig. 1 F ). Through unknown signals, the RBs reconvert to EBs after 24–72 h (Fig. 1 G ) and are released from the …
Mind over matter in the postinfective irritable bowel

See article on page 400 In recent years, our understanding of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has evolved from being considered solely a disorder of motility, to one that is characterised by dysregulation of brain–gut function, manifest by gut motor hyper-reactivity and enhanced visceral sensitivity to various stresses.1 In this regard, several psychosocial factors, namely life stress, abuse, psychological co-morbidity, and illness behaviour, have been implicated in the clinical expression of IBS.2 However, although most published studies have shown an association of psychosocial factors with IBS, only one study until now, has reported that psychosocial distress in patients with acute infectious diarrhoea predicted the later development of IBS symptoms.3 In a follow up study in this issue, Gwee et al (see page 400) elaborate upon this observation by describing the psychosocial, physiological and histopathological features of individuals who develop postinfectious IBS symptoms. In a sample of 94 patients with acute gastroenteritis studied in an infectious disease unit, 22 (23%) were found three months later to fulfil Rome criteria for IBS.4 When comparing this group of symptomatic patients (IBS+) to the remaining sample (77%) who resolved their gut symptoms (IBS−), three major findings were noted. (1) Psychosocial difficulties were again shown to influence who with acute gastroenteritis would remain symptomatic. Specifically, in a regression analysis, pre-existent life stress and hypochondriasis were the strongest predictors of the IBS+ group, and the development of IBS-like symptoms was not explained by illness behaviours. (2) Acute gastroenteritis was associated with increased …
Growth hormone-binding protein determination in plasma: a comparison of immunofunctional and growth hormone-binding assays.

The recent development of an immunofunctional assay for GH-binding protein (GHBP) facilitates measurement of GHBP in biological fluids. Previous methods employed GH binding followed by size exclusion chromatography to determine GHBP levels (GH binding assay), and a considerable body of information exists based on data obtained with that type of assay. To cross-validate the two methods and permit comparison of results obtained in the two assays, we measured GHBP by both methods in 61 plasma samples from normal adults (aged 19-69), 10 patients with acromegaly, 2 patients with Laron dwarfism, and in a normal adult plasma pool. The results show a good overall correlation between the two methods (r = 0.669). However, for individual observations, the coefficient of determination was not high enough to permit interconversion of data with high precision. There is both biological and methodological variation in GHBP levels, rendering the interpretation of a single observation difficult except in the extreme range. The range of values was wider in the immunoassay (56-1187 pmol/L) than in the GH-binding assay (12.1-36.1% GH bound/400 microL). There was no significant sex difference in plasma GHBP levels, nor was there an age-dependent trend in adult subjects as assessed by both assays. Patients with acromegaly had significantly decreased GHBP levels in both assays, but the majority of the values were within the low normal range. The two patients with Laron dwarfism had undetectable GHBP in both assays. The previously defined unit of GHBP (i.e. the amount contained in 1 ml pooled adult plasma) corresponds to 256 fmol GHBP as determined by immunofunctional assay.
Gamma Discrimination and Sensitivities of Averaging and RMS Type Detector Circuits for Campbelling Channels

Experiments are described in which the performance of a linear type detector circuit is compared with a mean square type detector circuit for Campbell measurements. The need for pulse overlap is demonstrated for the linear type detector which requires a minimum angular cutoff frequency, ?L, equal to the lowest desired pulse rate. Measurements with the two types of detector circuits in a high gamma background and measurement of gamma and neutron sensitivities indicate a gamma discrimination figure of merit of 5 R per hr./nv. Application of counting and Campbelling techniques to a single ten decade log channel is described along with an electronic combining circuit for producing a single continuous output of such a channel.
Orthogonalization-Triangularization Methods in Statistical Computations

Abstract Procedures are presented for reducing a data matrix to triangular form by using orthogonal transformations. It is shown how an analysis of variance can be constructed from the triangular reduction of the data matrix. Procedures for calculating sums of squares, degrees of freedom, and expected mean squares are presented. It is demonstrated that all statistics needed for inference on linear combinations of parameters of a linear model may be calculated from the triangular reduction of the data matrix.
Integrin mediated attachment of periodontal ligament to titanium surfaces.

Abstract Objective Reducing the force between the implant and the bone by recapitulating a similar matrix has the potential to reduce implant failure. To begin to pursue the goal of creating a periodontal ligament interface between a dental implant and bone, the mechanism of cellular attachment to dental implant surfaces must be characterized. Methods In this study we examined the role of integrin receptors in the attachment of periodontal ligament fibroblasts to titanium surfaces utilized on dental implants; those surfaces included smooth polished titanium, acid pickled titanium, ground titanium, sandblasted and acid etched titanium, non-oxidized titanium that has been sandblasted and acid etched, hydroxyapatite coated titanium, titanium plasma sprayed or uncoated titanium. For these studies integrin mediated fibroblast attachment was blocked by the integrin blocking peptide GRGDSP or anti-integrin β1 antibody or a combination of the two. Quantitation of periodontal ligament fibroblast attachment was completed by counting cells on the various implant surfaces after culturing in vitro for 24 h with and without the integrin receptor blockers. Results Antibody and peptide treatment significantly reduced the number of fibroblasts cells attached to the various implant surfaces but this effect varied significantly depending on the surface. Moreover, increased levels of peptide further decreased fibroblasts attachment in a dose dependent manner. Significance Blocking studies suggest first, that integrin receptors function in periodontal ligament attachment to titanium surfaces and second, that different integrin subunits are important in attachment to a particular surface.
Homoerotic development during childhood and adolescence

To adequately understand the diversity of child and adolescent homoeroticism, a differential developmental trajectories perspective is proposed that integrates recent research about the development of sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual identity. Only the latter two can be altered therapeutically. Biologic theories of homosexuality are reviewed. Homoerotic youth are shown to be similar and dissimilar to heterosexual youth; more variability occurs within than among sexual orientation groups. Contemporary homoerotic youth recognize their sexuality, self-label, and accept their sexuality at earlier ages than previous generations and many are rejecting traditional identity labels. Clinical recommendations offer ways to assess sexual orientation and help patients to achieve acceptance of their sexuality.
Differential down-regulation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor subtypes

The regulation of G protein-coupled receptor expression is important in the physiology of an organism and can occur at any of the steps between gene transcription to turnover of the receptor protein itself. Agonist stimulation causes receptor desensitization, which is characterized by a rapid reduction in response to the agonist. Down-regulation often occurs after prolonged agonist treatment and is manifested as a decrease in receptor density. Short term desensitization results from a rapid (in minutes) and reversible uncoupling of the receptor-G protein complex, followed by sequestration and/or internalization of receptors from the cell surface. Receptors are not degraded as removal of agonist rapidly restores receptor function. Down-regulation, on the other hand, displays a much longer time-course (hours to days) and is characterized by a decrease in receptor density as determined by radioligand binding. Removal of agonist will only slowly reverse down-regulation, because new receptor synthesis is required in most cases (1;2). The mechanism of receptor down-regulation is not well understood, but may include an accelerated rate of removal of receptors, a decrease in the rate of appearance of receptors, or both. Our previous studies have shown significant differences in the concentration of agonist required to produce down-regulation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor subtypes (3;4). Here we review the mechanisms and molecular determinants for receptor down-regulation as well as our own data exploring the subtype-specific differences in alpha-2 receptor down-regulation. We find that the extent and time-course of agonist-induced down-regulation occurs in a similar fashion regardless of the receptor subtype or the cell line in which it is expressed. The mechanism for receptor down-regulation in all cases is an increase in the rate of receptor disappearance.
Relationship of EMAST and microsatellite instability among patients with rectal cancer.

Background Elevated microsatellite instability at selected tetranucleotide repeats (EMAST) is a genetic signature identified in 60% of sporadic colon cancers and may be linked with heterogeneous expression of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein hMSH3. Unlike microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) in which hypermethylation of hMLH1 occurs followed by multiple susceptible gene mutations, EMAST may be associated with inflammation and subsequent relaxation of MMR function with the biological consequences not known. We evaluated the prevalence of EMAST and MSI in a population-based cohort of rectal cancers, as EMAST has not been previously determined in rectal cancers.
Stimulus-dependent changes in optical responses of the dorsal cochlear nucleus using voltage-sensitive dye

Optical imaging with voltage-sensitive dye was used to examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of stimulus-driven activity on the surface of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). Stimulation with tones at low to moderate levels produced localized regions of activation that were most commonly elongated rostrocaudally. The size of these activation areas expanded with increases in sound level, while their centers shifted from the lateral direction to the medial direction with increases in stimulus frequency. In contrast to the tonotopic patterns of activation evoked by tones, electrical stimulation of the DCN surface resulted in bands of activation that were elongated along the medial-lateral axis; response latencies increased with distance along these bands from the point of stimulation. Shifting the site of electrical stimulation from the rostral direction to the caudal direction induced corresponding shifts in the rostrocaudal location of the activation band; moving the electrode tip to subsurface depths resulted in loss of the elongated band. Transecting the DCN along the rostrocaudal axis midway between its medial and lateral extremities blocked propagation of the response to the half of the DCN distal to but not proximal to the stimulating electrode. The results suggest that the two modes of stimulation activated two distinct populations of neurons, one involving primarily tonotopically organized cells and the other crossing these tonotopic zones and likely representing the activation of parallel fibers. These results reveal a number of new features in the spatial patterns of tone-elicited activation that are not readily predicted by responses recorded electrophysiologically.
Prevalence and cost of diagnosed opioid abuse in a privately insured population in the United States.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, associated healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and costs of diagnosed prescription opioid abusers (abusers) in a managed care population. Methods: Patients aged ≥ 12 years with a claim for opioid abuse were identified in the Thomson MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental research databases between January 1, 2005 and September 30, 2010. HRU and costs (per patient per month) were calculated for all patients with an index date (date of opioid abuse diagnosis) from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009 and continuous eligibility through 6 months prior to (preindex) and 12 months after (postindex) date. Abusers were matched 1:3 on demographics to nonabusers. Results: The overall prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse was 0.195 percent during 2005-2010, with a twofold increase from 2005 to 2010. Diagnosed abuse was more prevalent in males (0.220 percent), those aged 18-25 years (0.271 percent), those from the Northeast region (0.231 percent), those with a comorbidity of pain (0.462 percent), and those with an opioid prescription (0.924 percent). A total of 15,398 abusers were matched to 46,194 nonabusers. Medical comorbidities were significantly higher (all p < 0.0001) in abusers versus nonabusers in the preindex and postindex periods. Each healthcare resource measured was significantly higher for abusers than nonabusers in the preindex and postindex periods (p < 0.0001). Total all-cause costs were higher for abusers than nonabusers in the preindex ($1,856 vs $372, respectively) and postindex ($2,138 vs $408) periods (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Opioid abuse increased over time and abusers were associated with significantly greater HRU and costs compared with nonabusers before and after the diagnosis of abuse. Keywords: opioid abuse, prevalence, healthcare resource utilization, cost DOI:10.5055/jom.2013.0158
Anticoagulant therapy by continuous heparinization in newborn and older infants

In order to evaluate the metabolism and anticoagulant effect of heparin in the newborn infant and young child, 15 babies were monitored during continuous intravenous heparinization for documented large vessel thromboses. Infants with the most significant thromboses had the highest clearance rates for heparin. Plasma heparin levels in the therapeutic range (0.3 to 0.5 U/ml) and clinical resolution of the thrombi were associated with heparin doses of 16 to 35 U/kg/hour (mean=27 U/kg/hour). A micro whole blood clotting time was evaluated and shown to be a useful guide to heparin effect in these infants. With the exception of excessive oozing from puncture sites in one infant, no complications of heparin therapy were noted. The newborn infant appears to require a larger amount of heparin than adults in order to achieve adequate heparinization.
LCAT Modulates Atherogenic Plasma Lipoproteins and the Extent of Atherosclerosis Only in the Presence of Normal LDL Receptors in Transgenic Rabbits

Abstract —Elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations are independent risk factors for coronary heart disease. We have previously demonstrated that overexpression of an enzyme with a well established role in HDL metabolism, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), in New Zealand White rabbits not only raises HDL-C concentrations but reduces those of LDL-C as well, ultimately preventing diet-induced atherosclerosis. In the present study, the human LCAT gene (hLCAT) was introduced into LDL receptor (LDLr)–deficient (Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic) rabbits to (1) investigate the role of the LDLr pathway in the hLCAT-mediated reductions of LDL-C and (2) determine the influence of hLCAT overexpression on atherosclerosis susceptibility in an animal model of familial hypercholesterolemia. Heterozygosity or homozygosity for the LDLr defect was determined by polymerase chain reaction, and 3 groups of hLCAT-transgenic (hLCAT+) rabbits that differed in LDLr status were established: (1) LDLr wild-type (LDLr+/+), (2) LDLr heterozygotes (LDLr+/−), and (3) LDLr homozygotes (LDLr−/−). Data for hLCAT+ rabbits were compared with those of nontransgenic (hLCAT−) rabbits of the same LDLr status. Plasma HDL-C concentrations were significantly elevated in the hLCAT+ animals of each LDLr status. However, LDL-C levels were significantly reduced only in hLCAT+/LDLr+/+ and hLCAT+/LDLr+/− rabbits but not in hLCAT+/LDLr−/− rabbits (405±14 versus 392±31 mg/dL). Metabolic studies revealed that the fractional catabolic rate (FCR, d−1) of LDL apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 was increased in hLCAT+/LDLr+/+ (26±4 versus 5±0) and hLCAT+/LDLr+/− (4±1 versus 1±0) rabbits, whereas the FCR of LDL apoB-100 in both groups of LDLr−/− rabbits was nearly identical (0.16±0.02 versus 0.15±0.02). Consistently, neither aortic lipid concentrations nor the extent of aortic atherosclerosis was significantly different between hLCAT+/LDLr−/− and hLCAT−/LDLr−/− rabbits. Significant correlations were observed between the percent of aortic atherosclerosis and both LDL-C ( r =0.985) and LDL apoB-100 FCR (−0.745), as well as between LDL-C and LDL apoB-100 FCR (−0.866). These data are the first to establish that LCAT modulates LDL metabolism via the LDLr pathway, ultimately influencing atherosclerosis susceptibility. Moreover, LCAT’s antiatherogenic effect requires only a single functional LDLr allele, identifying LCAT as an attractive gene therapy candidate for the majority of dyslipoproteinemic patients.
Modulation of the axial water hydrogen-bonding properties by chemical modification of the substrate in resting state, substrate-bound heme oxygenase from Neisseria meningitidis; coupling to the distal H-bond network via ordered water molecules.

The hydrogen bonding of ligated water in ferric, high-spin, resting-state substrate complexes of heme oxygenase from Neisseria meningitidis has been systematically perturbed by variable electron-withdrawing substituents on the hemin periphery. The pattern of 1H NMR-detected dipolar shifts due to the paramagnetic anisotropy is strongly conserved among the four complexes, with the magnitude of dipolar shifts or anisotropy increasing in the order of substituent formyl vinyl > methyl. These results establish the axial anisotropy (and D) as a sensi...
Analytic Representations of Standard Atmosphere Temperature Profiles

Abstract Analytic functions which approximate six commonly used standard temperature profiles (the AFGL set, and the 1976 U.S. Standard) are described. These provide a uniform way of rounding off the sharp corners of the original models, and have been used in a recent radiation model intercomparison study.
Lentiviral-Transduced Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Persistently Express Therapeutic Levels of Enzyme in a Xenotransplantation Model of Human Disease

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising platform for cell- and gene-based treatment of inherited and acquired disorders. We recently showed that human MSCs distribute widely in a murine xenotransplantation model. In the current study, we have determined the distribution, persistence, and ability of lentivirally transduced human MSCs to express therapeutic levels of enzyme in a xenotransplantation model of human disease (nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient mucopolysaccharidosis type VII [NOD-SCID MPSVII]). Primary human bone marrow-derived MSCs were transduced ex vivo with a lentiviral vector expressing either enhanced green fluorescent protein or the lysosomal enzyme β-glucuronidase (MSCs-GUSB). Lentiviral transduction did not affect any in vitro parameters of MSC function or potency. One million cells from each population were transplanted intraperitoneally into separate groups of neonatal NOD-SCID MPSVII mice. Transduced MSCs persisted in the animals that underwent transplantation, and comparable numbers of donor MSCs were detected at 2 and 4 months after transplantation in multiple organs. MSCs-GUSB expressed therapeutic levels of protein in the recipients, raising circulating serum levels of GUSB to nearly 40% of normal. This level of circulating enzyme was sufficient to normalize the secondary elevation of other lysosomal enzymes and reduce lysosomal distention in several tissues. In addition, at least one physiologic marker of disease, retinal function, was normalized following transplantation of MSCs-GUSB. These data provide evidence that transduced human MSCs retain their normal trafficking ability in vivo and persist for at least 4 months, delivering therapeutic levels of protein in an authentic xenotransplantation model of human disease.
Responsible Leadership as Virtuous Leadership

Responsible leadership is rare. It is not that most leaders are irresponsible, but responsibility in leadership is frequently defined so that an important connotation of responsible leadership is ignored. This article equates responsible leadership with virtuousness. Using this connotation implies that responsible leadership is based on three assumptions—eudaemonism, inherent value, and amplification. Secondarily, this connotation produces two important outcomes—a fixed point for coping with change, and benefits for constituencies who may never be affected otherwise. The meaning and advantages of responsible leadership as virtuous leadership are discussed.
Prognostic significance of alkaline phosphatase measurements in patients with osteogenic sarcoma receiving chemotherapy

During the period January 1975 to August 1977, alkaline phosphatase levels in 30 patients with osteogenic sarcoma were closely followed in an attempt to determine if these measurements had clinical value in predicting the course of patients with this disease. Of 17 patients with elevated preoperative alkaline phosphatase levels, 12 recurred. Of 13 patients with normal preoperative alkaline phosphatase levels, only 4 recurred (p <.05). Thus, alkaline phosphatase levels that were elevated preoperatively were correlated with poor prognosis. A similar correlation between postoperative alkaline phosphatase levels and prognosis could not be made.
Classification of intersubjective illocutionary acts

An illocutionary act presupposes not only a speaker, but also an other who is the intended recipient of the utterance's illocutionary force. Thus every illocutionary act has an intersubjective component; it connects two centers of experience in a particular way. This article proposes that the intersubjective illocutionary force of an utterance depends on (1) whether it concerns the speaker's or other's experience, (2) whether it takes the speaker's or other's viewpoint, and (3) whether or not the speaker must presume specific knowledge of the other to make the utterance. These three dichotomous principles of classification are called source of experience, frame of reference, and focus, respectively. The eight possible combinations of “speaker” and “other” values define a mutually exclusive and exhaustive set of families of intersubjective illocutionary acts – Disclosure, Advisement, Edification, Confirmation, Question, Interpretation, Acknowledgment, and Reflection – which I have elsewhere called “verbal response modes.” The modes are associated with characteristic grammatical forms, which retain a “formal” portion of their illocutionary force even when used to express a different intent, yielding a taxonomy of 64 distinct form-intent combinations. Differences between this taxonomy and other taxonomies of illocutionary acts are partially traceable to the present system's roots in the study of psychotherapeutic processes and the previous systems' roots in the study of explicit performatives.
Stochastic layer scaling in the two-wire model for divertor tokamaks

The question of magnetic field structure in the vicinity of the separatrix in divertor tokamaks is studied. The authors have investigated this problem earlier in a series of papers, using various mathematical techniques. In the present paper, the two-wire model (TWM) [Reiman, A. 1996 Phys. Plasmas 3 , 906] is considered. It is noted that, in the TWM, it is useful to consider an extra equation expressing magnetic flux conservation. This equation does not add any more information to the TWM, since the equation is derived from the TWM. This equation is useful for controlling the step size in the numerical integration of the TWM equations. The TWM with the extra equation is called the flux-preserving TWM. Nevertheless, the technique is apparently still plagued by numerical inaccuracies when the perturbation level is low, resulting in an incorrect scaling of the stochastic layer width. The stochastic broadening of the separatrix in the flux-preserving TWM is compared with that in the low mn (poloidal mode number m and toroidal mode number n) map (LMN) [Ali, H., Punjabi, A., Boozer, A. and Evans, T. 2004 Phys. Plasmas 11 , 1908]. The flux-preserving TWM and LMN both give Boozer–Rechester 0.5 power scaling of the stochastic layer width with the amplitude of magnetic perturbation when the perturbation is sufficiently large [Boozer, A. and Rechester, A. 1978, Phys. Fluids 21 , 682]. The flux-preserving TWM gives a larger stochastic layer width when the perturbation is low, while the LMN gives correct scaling in the low perturbation region. Area-preserving maps such as the LMN respect the Hamiltonian structure of field line trajectories, and have the added advantage of computational efficiency. Also, for a degree of freedom Hamiltonian system such as field lines, maps do not give Arnold diffusion.