cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential effects of extracellular calcium removal and nonspecific effects of Ca2+ antagonists on acid secretory activity in isolated gastric glands.

Abstract The role of extracellular calcium in the action of the secretagogues, carbachol, histamine and forskolin, on parietal cell HCl secretion was investigated using glands isolated from rabbit gastric mucosa. Omission of calcium from the cellular incubation medium and chelation of a major portion of contaminating calcium with EGTA resulted in a disappearance of the initial transient response to carbachol (as measured by uptake of the weak base, amino[ 14 C]pyrine), but the sustained response to carbachol persisted. Neither histamine nor forskolin-stimulated increase in amino[ 14 C]pyrine uptake were affected by omission of extracellular calcium. Furthermore, the potentiating interactions between histamine and carbachol and between forskolin and carbachol appeared to occur independent of extracellular calcium. Attempts to assess the contribution of intracellular calcium to secretory activity using the Ca 2+ antagonists, verapamil, nifedipine, nicardipine and lanthanum, and the putative intracellular Ca 2+ antogonist, TMB-8 (3,4,5-trimethyloxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)-octyl ester) were unsuccessful. Nifedipine had no effect on secretagogue stimulated amino[ 14 C]pyrine accumulation even at concentration well above the p A 2 reported for excitable tissues. Verapamil, nicardipine, lanthanum and TMB-8 all appeared to have nonspecific inhibitory effects on amino[ 14 C]pyrine uptake. From these results we conclude that: (1) parietal cell HCl secretion can occur independent of extracellular Ca 2+ ; (2) influx of extracellular Ca 2+ enhances the response to carbachol but has little influence on the secretory response initiated by cAMP-dependent secretagogues; and (3) parietal cell Ca 2+ channels have a different molecular configuration than Ca 2+ channels in excitable cells.
The Word Writing CAFÉ: Assessing Student Writing for Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency

The Word Writing CAFE is a new assessment tool designed for teachers to evaluate objectively students' word-writing ability for fluency, accuracy, and complexity. It is designed to be given to the whole class at one time. This article describes the development of the CAFE and provides directions for administering and scoring it. The author also describes typical scores by grade level and sex for one study of first- through sixth-grade students in three schools. Scores increased by grade level, and increasing gains were noted over grade levels for girls. The article also reports the 20 most commonly written words for each grade level. Teachers using the CAFE report that it is a quick and useful way to document student progress in word writing and to gain insight into individual student's strengths and weaknesses. The author includes an invitation for teachers to participate in a national study of the CAFE with 1st- through 12th-grade students.
Role of envelope proteins of paramyxoviruses in the modification of cell membrane antigens.

Adsorption of paramyxoviruses to separated membranes of tumor cells produces neoantigens that are immunogenic in syngeneic mice (xenogenization). Thus it became possible to study this process by using modified virus or virus fractions. Membranes with adsorbed viral derivatives produced an immune response which was measured by cytotoxic and complement fixing antibodies and the appearance of autoimmune disease. The effect of viral preparations with reduced F (fusion) protein activity was compared to treatment of membranes with equivalent amounts of active or inactive virus as measured by hemagglutination. Viral preparations without hemolytic activity showed diminished adsorption to membranes and the immune response was reduced. Triton X100 and desoxycholate extracted from membranes immunogenic material with associated paramyxovirus antigens.
PREPARATION OF 2-CHLORO-3-(PENTAFLUOROSULFUR)TETRAFLUOROPROPYLENE, AND ITS USE IN TELOMERIZATION REACTIONS

Abstract The synthesis of a new SF monomer, 2-chloro-3-pentafluorosulfur tetrafluoropropylene, SF 5 CF 2 C(Cl)CF 2 . is reported. We wish to report the synthesis of a new SF monomer, 2-chloro-3-pentafluorosulfur tetrafluoropropylene, SF 5 CF 2 C(Cl)CF 2 . The synthesis involves the following sequence of reactions: The preparation of (I), 1,2-dibromo-1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane, was carried out according to the method of Tarrant et al [1]. The preparation of (II), tetrafluoroallene (TFA), was essentially that of Muehlner [2] with slight modification. We were able to obtain consistent yields of about 70% using a larger excess of KOH with an efficient ice condenser. The reactor was heated slowly and held at about 90°C with a nitrogen sweep to remove TFA as it was formed. The preparation of (III), 2-chloro-3-pentafluorosulfur tetrafluoropropylene was carried out in a metal bomb at 90–100°C for 1 to 16 hours with a yield of 20 percent.
The relationship between pornography use and sexual behaviours among at-risk HIV-negative men who have sex with men

Objectives: Although pornography is widely available and frequently used among many adults in the USA, little is known about the relationship between pornography and risk factors for HIV transmission among men who have sex with men. Methods: Baseline assessments from a behavioural intervention trial for at-risk men who have sex with men were conducted in Atlanta, GA in 2009. Univariate and multivariate generalised linear models were used to assess the relationships between known risk factors for HIV infection, time spent viewing pornography, and sex behaviours. Results: One hundred forty-nine men reporting HIV-negative status and two or more unprotected anal sex partners in the past 6 months were enrolled in an intervention trial and completed survey assessments. Time spent viewing pornography was significantly associated with having more male sexual partners (B = 0.45, SE = 0.04, P < 0.001) and unprotected insertive anal sex acts (B = 0.28, SE = 0.04, P < 0.001). Moreover, increased substance use (drug use, B = 0.61, SE = 0.14, P < 0.001; alcohol use, B = 0.03, SE = 0.01, P < 0.01) and decreased perception of risk for HIV infection (B = -0.09, SE = 0.04, P < 0.05) were found to be significantly associated with greater time spent viewing pornography. Conclusions: This exploratory study is novel in that it sheds light on the associations between viewing pornography and sexual risk taking for HIV infection. Future studies in this area should focus on understanding how the content of pornography; in particular, the viewing of unprotected and protected sex acts, may affect sexual risk taking behaviour.
MASCULINITY AND DELINQUENCY

A strong positive association between masculinity and delinquency is on important assumption in theories which explain why (1) males are more delinquent than females and (2) females are becoming increasingly delin-quent. Self-report measures obtained from 1002 junior and senior high school students from a large Southeastern city constitute the data for an examination of the first of these relationships. Factor analytic procedures were used to identify the components of masculinity: leadership, aggressive-ness, competitiveness, ambitiousness, and successfulness. Separate models of masculinity, opportunity, attachment to conventional others, and belief in the moral validity of low are constructed for status, property, and aggressive offenses. For females, masculinity has no direct effects on any type of delinquency. For males, masculinity is directly related only to status offenses. The results are inconsistent with analyses of females' delinquency that emphasize their adoption of masculine characteristics.
Dense energetic compounds of C, H, N, and O atoms IV nitro and azidofurazan derivatives

Both diaminofurazan 5 (DAF) and diaminoazofurazan 6 (DAAF) were converted to 5-(4-amino-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)-1H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-3-yl-1H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c][1,2,5]oxadiazolium inner salt 8 (AMOTO) (25 and 91%) in oxidations with iodobenzene diacetate and to dinitroazoxyfurazan 13 (DNAF) (4 and 15%) in oxidations with a mixture of ammonium persulfate and hydrogen peroxide in concentrated sulfuric acid. The intermediacy of diaminoazoxyfurazan 7 was supported by its conversion under similar treatment to DNAF (60%). Further oxidation by ammonium persulfate converted AMOTO 8 to 5,5′[azobis-(1,2,5-oxadiazole-4,3 - diyl)]bis[1H(1,2,3)triazolo - [4,5-c][1,2,5]oxadiazolium]bis(inner salt) 10. Diazidofurazan 19 (tentative assignment) was obtained from DAF 5 by tetrazotization followed by treatment with sodium azide. Aminoazido-azofurazan 16 was obtained from diazotized DAAF by treatment with sodium azide and was converted to AMOTO 8 by an elimination of nitrogen at 25°C. Similar treatment converted tetrazotized DAAF to diazidoazofurazan 9 and 5-(4-azido-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl) - 1H -[1,2,3]-triazolo[4,5-c][1,2,5]-oxadiazolium inner salt 15 (AZOTO) after evolution of nitrogen. Aminofurazan-2-ONN-azoxyazidofurazan 17 (AAAF) was obtained from diazotized diaminoazoxyfurazan 7 by treatment with sodium azide. Excellent calculated detonation properties were obtained for DNAF 13, AZOTO 15, and AAAF 17.
What Is A Priori and What Is It Good For

L'A. propose une reformulation de la conception classique de l'a priori dans le sens d'une justification reflexive accessible a l'agent epistemique individuel. Dans le cadre du debat opposant empirisme et rationalisme, l'A. defend une definition de l'a priori de premier ordre (high-grade) en termes de verites fondees conceptuellement, d'une part, et compare la theorie syntaxique en linguistique a l'ideologie en philosophie, d'autre part.
Host mTORC1 Signaling Regulates Andes Virus Replication

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a severe respiratory disease characterized by pulmonary edema, with fatality rates of 35 to 45%. Disease occurs following infection with pathogenic New World hantaviruses, such as Andes virus (ANDV), which targets lung microvascular endothelial cells. During replication, the virus scavenges 5′-m7G caps from cellular mRNA to ensure efficient translation of viral proteins by the host cell cap-dependent translation machinery. In cells, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates the activity of host cap-dependent translation by integrating amino acid, energy, and oxygen availability signals. Since there is no approved pharmacological treatment for HPS, we investigated whether inhibitors of the mTOR pathway could reduce hantavirus infection. Here, we demonstrate that treatment with the FDA-approved rapamycin analogue temsirolimus (CCI-779) blocks ANDV protein expression and virion release but not entry into primary human microvascular endothelial cells. This effect was specific to viral proteins, as temsirolimus treatment did not block host protein synthesis. We confirmed that temsirolimus targeted host mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and not a viral protein, as knockdown of mTORC1 and mTORC1 activators but not mTOR complex 2 components reduced ANDV replication. Additionally, primary fibroblasts from a patient with tuberous sclerosis exhibited increased mTORC1 activity and increased ANDV protein expression, which were blocked following temsirolimus treatment. Finally, we show that ANDV glycoprotein Gn colocalized with mTOR and lysosomes in infected cells. Together, these data demonstrate that mTORC1 signaling regulates ANDV replication and suggest that the hantavirus Gn protein may modulate mTOR and lysosomal signaling during infection, thus bypassing the cellular regulation of translation.
The commercial marketing of healthy lifestyles to address the global child and adolescent obesity pandemic: prospects, pitfalls and priorities.

Public- and private-sector initiatives to promote healthy eating and physical activity, called ‘healthy lifestyles’, are a relatively recent response to the global obesity pandemic. The present paper explores different views about marketing healthy lifestyles with a special emphasis on private-sector initiatives and public–private partnerships designed to reach young people. We discuss aspects of these initiatives and partnerships from three perspectives: (i) the potential for commercial marketing practices to have a favourable influence on reversing global obesity trends (termed prospects); (ii) unresolved dilemmas and challenges that may hinder progress (termed pitfalls); and (iii) the implementation and evaluation of coordinated and systematic actions (termed priorities) that may increase the likelihood that commercially marketed healthy-lifestyle initiatives and public–private partnerships can make a positive contribution to reverse the rise in overweight and obesity among young people globally.
A High-Content Biosensor-Based Screen Identifies Cell-Permeable Activators and Inhibitors of EGFR Function Implications in Drug Discovery

Early success of kinase inhibitors has validated their use as drugs. However, discovery efforts have also suffered from high attrition rates; due to lack of cellular activity. We reasoned that screening for such candidates in live cells would identify novel cell permeable modulators for development. For this purpose, we have used our recently optimized EGFR biosensor (EGFRB) assay to screen for modulators of EGFR activity. Here, we report on its validation under HTS conditions displaying a S/N ratio of 21 and a Z’ value of 0.56; attributes of a robust cell based assay. We performed a pilot screen against a library of 6,912 compounds demonstrating good reproducibility and identifying 82 inhibitors and 66 activators with initial hit rates of 1.2% and 0.95 %, respectively. Follow up dose response studies revealed that 12 out of the 13 known EGFR inhibitors in the library confirmed as hits. ZM-306416, a VEGFR antagonist, was identified as a potent inhibitor of EGFR function. Flurandrenolide, beclomethasone and ebastine were confirmed as activators of EGFR function. Taken together, our results validate this novel approach and demonstrate its utility in the discovery of novel kinase modulators with potential use in the clinic.
Standard chemoradiation for glioblastoma results in progressive brain volume loss

Objective: To investigate the effects of chemotherapy and cranial irradiation on normal brain tissue using in vivo neuroimaging in patients with glioblastoma. Methods: We used longitudinal MRI to monitor structural brain changes during standard treatment in patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma. We assessed volumetric and diffusion tensor imaging measures in 14 patients receiving 6 weeks of chemoradiation, followed by up to 6 months of temozolomide chemotherapy alone. We examined changes in whole brain, gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), anterior lateral ventricle, and hippocampal volumes. Normal-appearing GM, WM, and hippocampal analyses were conducted within the hemisphere of lowest/absent tumor burden. We examined diffusion tensor imaging measures within the subventricular zone. Results: Whole brain ( F = 2.41; p = 0.016) and GM ( F = 2.13; p = 0.036) volume decreased during treatment, without significant WM volume change. Anterior lateral ventricle volume increased significantly ( F = 65.51; p t = 4.94; p F = 7.028; p Conclusions: We present evidence of significant and progressive treatment-associated structural brain changes in patients with glioblastoma treated with standard chemoradiation. Future studies using longitudinal neuropsychological evaluation are needed to characterize the functional consequences of these structural changes.
The Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort: constructing a deep phenotyping collaborative

Background An integrative multidisciplinary approach is required to elucidate the multiple factors that shape neurodevelopmental trajectories of mental disorders. The Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (PNC), funded by the National Institute of Mental Health Grand Opportunity (GO) mechanism of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was designed to characterize clinical and neurobehavioral phenotypes of genotyped youths. Data generated, which are recently available through the NIMH Database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP), have garnered considerable interest. We provide an overview of PNC recruitment and clinical assessment methods to allow informed use and interpretation of the PNC resource by the scientific community. We also evaluate the structure of the assessment tools and their criterion validity. Methods Participants were recruited from a large pool of youths (n = 13,958) previously identified and genotyped at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. A comprehensive computerized tool for structured evaluation of psychopathology domains (GOASSESS) was constructed. We administered GOASSESS to all participants and used factor analysis to evaluate its structure. Results A total of 9,498 youths (aged 8–21; mean age = 14.2; European American = 55.8%; African American = 32.9%; Other = 11.4%) were enrolled. Factor analysis revealed a strong general psychopathology factor, and specific ‘anxious-misery’, ‘fear’, and ‘behavior’ factors. The ‘behavior’ factor had a small negative correlation (−0.21) with overall accuracy of neurocognitive performance, particularly in tests of executive and complex reasoning. Being female had a high association with the ‘anxious-misery’ and low association with the ‘behavior’ factors. The psychosis spectrum was also best characterized by a general factor and three specific factors: ideas about ‘special abilities/persecution,’ ‘unusual thoughts/perceptions’, and ‘negative/disorganized’ symptoms. Conclusions The PNC assessment mechanism yielded psychopathology data with strong factorial validity in a large diverse community cohort of genotyped youths. Factor scores should be useful for dimensional integration with other modalities (neuroimaging, genomics). Thus, PNC public domain resources can advance understanding of complex inter-relationships among genes, cognition, brain, and behavior involved in neurodevelopment of common mental disorders.
Quantitation of "autophagic flux" in mature skeletal muscle

Reliable and quantitative assays to measure in vivo autophagy are essential. Currently, there are varied methods for monitoring autophagy; however, it is a challenge to measure "autophagic flux" in an in vivo model system. Conversion and subsequent degradation of the microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (MAP1-LC3/LC3) to the autophagosome associated LC3II isoform can be evaluated by immunoblot. However, static levels of endogenous LC3II protein may render possible misinterpretations since LC3II levels can increase, decrease or remain unchanged in the setting of autophagic induction. Therefore, it is necessary to measure LC3II protein levels in the presence and absence of lysomotropic agents that block the degradation of LC3II, a technique aptly named the "autophagometer". In order to measure autophagic flux in mouse skeletal muscle, we treated animals with the microtubule depolarizing agent colchicine. Two days of 0.4 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal colchicine blocked autophagosome maturation to autolys...
Mining the genome for causes and cures of neurological disease

Abstract The working draft sequence of the human genome is a tool for identifying genetic causes and therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurological disease. The emerging map contains 30 000–35 000 protein-coding genes and more than two million markers to help map disease-causing genes. Mining information from this database to further our understanding of human disease is the next great challenge.
Rapid yield estimation as a computer aid for analog circuit design

A rapid yield estimation methodology that aids the analog circuit designer in making design tradeoffs that improve yield is presented. This methodology is based on using hierarchical evaluation of analysis equations, rather than simulations, to predict circuit performance. The new analog rapid yield estimation (ARYE) method has been used to predict the yield of two-stage operational amplifiers and has been incorporated into the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) analog design system (ACACIA). An example of how ARYE allows analog designers to quickly explore the impact of design changes on yield is presented. The primary goal of ARYE is to make numerous early predictions of parametric yield economical for the analog circuit designer. >
A macroevolutionary expansion of the modern synthesis and the importance of extrinsic abiotic factors

This contribution examines the Modern Synthe- sis in the light of its historical underpinnings, attempts at expansion and treatment of macroevolutionary theory. Partic- ular emphasis is given to the need to better understand the patterns and processes operating on species and higher-level biological entities within a hierarchical framework, as they are often not congruent with lower-level processes. We then focus on the oft-overlooked importance of extrinsic abiotic drivers (e.g. tectonic change, sea-level and climatic fluctuations, as well as factors resulting in mass extinctions) in directing evolution. We propose that the fundamental niche is a species-level property useful in testing for the effects of extrin- sic abiotic drivers on macroevolutionary patterns and poten- tial instances of species-level selection. Integration of a diverse array of fields requires both the addition of new information and a standardized theoretical framework for understanding how the effects of change at one level reverberate to other levels. These are some of the remaining ingredients necessary for building a truly synthetic theory of evolution.
Human Immunoglobulin G Mediates Protective Immunity and Identifies Protective Antigens against Larval Strongyloides stercoralis in Mice

Protective immunity to larval Strongyloides stercoralis in mice has been shown to be dependent on antibody, complement, and granulocytes. The goals of the present study was to determine the following: (1) whether human serum could passively transfer immunity to mice, (2) the mechanism by which the serum mediated killing, and (3) whether the antigens (Ags) recognized by the protective human antibody could induce protective immunity in mice. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) from a S. stercoralis-seropositive individual passively transferred immunity to mice. The antibody required granulocytes, but not eosinophils, and complement activation to kill the larvae. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was not required for larval killing. Immunization of mice with soluble larval Ags isolated by use of the protective immune IgG resulted in protective immunity. In conclusion, immunity could be transferred to mice by IgG from immune humans, and Ags identified by the immune human IgG induced protective immunity in mice, which thereby suggests their possible use in a vaccine against this infection.
Prognostic Power of Ventilatory Responses During Submaximal Exercise in Patients With Chronic Heart Disease

Background Although parameters obtained during submaximal exercise are known to be useful for predicting mortality in cardiac patients, it has been a matter of debate whether the submaximal parameters are superior to peak oxygen uptake ( V ˙ o 2 ). For this purpose, we aimed to determine the best index among exercise variables in predicting long-term mortality in patients with chronic heart disease. Methods The study population consisted of 385 consecutive patients with chronic heart disease who performed a symptom-limited incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Breath-by-breath respiratory gas analysis was used to estimate the peak V ˙ o 2 , the ratio of the increase in V ˙ o 2 to the increase in work rate (WR) [ V ˙ o 2 /ΔWR], and the ratio of the increase in minute ventilation V ˙ e to the increase in carbon dioxide output ( V ˙ co 2 ) [Δ V ˙ e /Δ V ˙ co 2 ]. Results After 1,899 ± 495 days of follow-up (mean ± SD), 33 cardiovascular-related deaths occurred. Nonsurvivors achieved lower peak V ˙ o 2 , lower V ˙ o 2 /ΔWR, and higher Δ V ˙ e /Δ V ˙ co 2 compared to the survivors. In the univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, peak V ˙ o 2 , V ˙ o 2 /ΔWR, and Δ V ˙ e /Δ V ˙ co 2 were found to be significant prognostic indexes of survival. However, multivariate analysis revealed V ˙ o 2 /ΔWR as an independent predictor of mortality and Δ V ˙ e /Δ V ˙ co 2 as a slightly weaker predictor. In this analysis, the prognostic power of peak V ˙ o 2 was insignificant. Conclusion Submaximal respiratory gas indexes are very likely to be more sensitive than peak V ˙ o 2 for predicting poor survival in ambulatory patients with chronic heart disease.
Mechanisms of organophosphate, pyrethroid, and DDT resistance in citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Synergism with metabolic inhibitors showed that resistance to fluvalinate was polyfactorial in a strain of citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton). Mixed-function oxidases were responsible for a major portion of the resistance (synergism as much as 61-fold at LC90), followed by est erases (synergism as much as 14-fold at Le90) Glutathione S-transferases may or may not be involved in fluvalinate resistance. Lack of total fluvalinate synergism with combinations of metabolic inhibitors, as well as limited synergism of DDT with piperonyl butoxide + dichlorophenyl ethanol, suggests a knock-down resistance ( kdr ) component. Sesame oil synergized fluvalinate up to 48-fold at LC90, suggesting the possible use of this product in the field. Resistance to dimethoate that was apparent in the parental TB84 strain before selection with fluvalinate may be due to enhanced activity of mixed-function oxidases.
A self-consistent kinetic plasma model with rapid convergence

Algorithms for very efficient solution of kinetic equations have previously been developed and used to obtain a self-consistent kinetic description of electrons and ions in various plasmas, including RF glow discharges. Since RF discharge calculations may take many thousands of cycles to converge, a solution which follows the time evolution throughout this process is inevitably computationally costly. The authors have implemented a 'scaleup' procedure which obviates the need to follow the entire time evolution in this or other plasma models. When the applied RF frequency lies between the electron plasma frequency and the ion plasma frequency. By running the full calculation for a short-time, information which permits an extrapolation of the time evolution over a very long time, or a scaleup, is extracted. A detailed description of the basis for the scaleup is given, as well as an example of the use of a scaleup procedure, as applied to a moderately high-pressure RF discharge in helium. >
Modulation of inhibitory systems to enhance motor rehabilitation: insights for the use of noninvasive brain stimulation

impairment following stroke is a leading cause of disability in adults. Despite advances in motor rehabilitation techniques, many adult stroke survivors never approach full functional recovery. Intriguingly, children exhibit better rehabilitation outcomes when compared to adults suffering from comparable brain injuries, yet the reasons for this remain unclear. A common explanation is that neuroplasticity in adults is substantially limited following stroke, thus constraining the brain's ability to reorganize in response to neurological insult. This explanation, however, does not suffice for there is much evidence suggesting that neuroplasticity in adults is not limited following stroke. We hypothesize that diminished functional recovery in adults is in part due to inhibitory neuronal interactions, such as transcallosal inhibition, that serve to optimize motor performance as the brain matures. Following stroke, these inhibitory interactions pose rigid barriers to recovery by inhibiting activity in the affected regions and hindering recruitment of compensatory pathways. In contrast, children exhibit better rehabilitation outcomes in part because they have not fully developed the inhibitory interactions that impede functional recovery in adults. We suggest that noninvasive brain stimulation can be used in the context of motor rehabilitation following stroke to reduce the effects of existing inhibitory connections, effectively returning the brain to a state that is more amenable to rehabilitation. We conclude by discussing further research to explore this hypothesis and its implications. Keywords: stroke, motor recovery, plasticity, rehabilitation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation.
Effects of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide on hemoglobin-induced damage to intestinal mucosa.

Some “blood substitutes,” such as human diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin DBBF-Hb, can damage the intestinal mucosa. This response may be due to release of free iron from Hb leading to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides can bind and sequester iron. Therefore experiments were performed to test whether PS-ODN, composed of ten consecutive cytidines “C-10,” reduces Hb-induced ROS generation and damage in the mucosa. Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats (4–6 per group) were injected arterially with 1 mg C-10, followed two minutes later by 50 mg DBBF-Hb. The positive controls received only DBBF-Hb and the negative controls either saline or PS-ODN followed by saline. Either ROS formation was monitored using a fluorescence technique, or the intestine was fixed for microscopy after 8 or 30 min. Sixty villi per rat were assigned an epithelial integrity index (EI), ranging from 1 (intact) to 3 (some cell–cell and cell–basement membrane separation). Pretreatment with PS-OD...
Efficient integration of voice and data for transmission over digital subscriber lines (DSL)

Digital subscriber line (DSL) technology is being widely used to provide high-speed Internet access over the local loop. Nowadays, efforts are going on to efficiently integrate voice and data services over DSL. One of the main challenges remains the design and development of simple scheduling schemes able to guarantee the QoS requirements of voice and data services over the access segment. This paper describes and evaluates various traffic scheduling mechanisms designed specifically for the integration of voice and data services over DSL. A comparative evaluation of the various traffic scheduling algorithms is done in terms of delay and bandwidth efficiency. Our results show that an algorithm that prioritizes the voice traffic over data traffic while ensuring a minimum bandwidth reservation for data traffic can efficiently integrate voice and data.
Changes in the Growth Hormone Axis Due to Exercise Training in Male and Female Rats: Secretory and Molecular Responses*

GH secretion is altered by exercise in humans. In an attempt to investigate the underlying mechanisms, we developed a rodent model. GH secretion was assayed in male and female rats that were sedentary (not exercised), acutely exercised, and chronically exercised. Sedentary males showed typical pulsatile GH secretion. The acutely exercised males had low GH concentrations during the exercise bout, but showed partial recovery of GH pulses during the 5.5-h postexercise period. GH secretion in the chronically exercised males was low during both the exercise and postexercise periods. Sedentary females displayed the typical pattern of GH secretion for this sex. The acutely exercised females had low GH concentrations during the exercise period; the pulsatile pattern of GH secretion did not return during the postexercise period. In contrast, the chronically exercising females had suppressed GH secretion during the exercise bout, but concentrations immediately returned to normal during the postexercise bout. The effects of exercise on GH, GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), and somatostatin messenger RNA (mRNA) levels using Northern and slot blot analyses were also determined. Acutely and chronically exercised male rats had decreased levels of GH mRNA compared to sedentary male rats. The acutely exercised female rats had increased levels of GH mRNA compared to the sedentary females, whereas the chronically exercised females had decreased levels. GHRH mRNA levels in acutely exercising male rats was decreased and in chronically exercising male rats was increased compared to those in the sedentary controls. The pattern of GHRH mRNA in female rats was the opposite of this. Somatostatin mRNA levels decreased in acutely exercised male rats and were not affected in chronically exercised male rats. This signal increased in both acute and chronically exercised female rats. These studies suggest that GH secretion is suppressed in response to exercise in the rat. This contrasts with the increase observed after exercise in humans.
Endocrine abnormalities accompanying hepatic cirrhosis and hepatoma.

SINCE Silvestrini (1) and Corda (2) described the triad of testicular atrophy, gynecomastia and cirrhosis, a literature of considerable magnitude has appeared concerning endocrine imbalances associated with hepatic damage. Many of the signs and symptoms of cirrhosis have been demonstrated to be due to hormonal changes. Usually these reports have dealt with individual endocrine upsets in certain patients. The purpose of this paper is to consider in a clinicopathologic manner various endocrine glandular alterations observed at autopsy in men and women with cirrhosis, employing pituitary cell counts and including some newly described tissue changes induced by hormones. METHODS AND MATERIALS For this study, 100 rases of cirrhosis (involving 70 men and 30 women) were collected from autopsy files of hospitals in the Boston area. There were 67 cases of Laennec's cirrhosis (8 with accompanying hepatoma), 18 of post-necrotic cirrhosis (3 with hepatoma), 8 of biliary cirrhosis, 7 of hemochromatosis (5 with hepatoma...
Effect of frequency and duration of generating unit outages on distribution of system production costs

An investigation is conducted of the effects of the frequency and duration of generating unit outages on the variance of a power generation system's production costs. Conventional production costing models used by the electric utility industry evaluate the expected generation cost only, but a number of publications have advocated the additional computation of its variance. Analytical formulas are developed for computing this variance when the expected frequency and duration of generating unit outages are given in addition to the generating unit forced outage rates and system load profiles. It is seen that the expected energy produced does not depend on the expected frequency and duration of outages as long as the forced outage rates are kept fixed, but that the variances of the energy produced does. The larger the expected duration of the unit outages, the larger is the variance. A numerical example is given to illustrate this fact, and an explanation for this phenomenon is provided. A numerical example indicates that for a given load duration curve, the variance of the amount of energy produced are relatively insensitive to different chronological distributions of the load profiles. >
Transforming Research and Practice with the Human Becoming Theory

This article focuses on the human becoming theory as a guide to the transformation of research and practice. New knowledge gained from human becoming research guides the nurse in practice. Different ways of being in true presence in living the human becoming theory are discussed.
Successful treatment of pure red cell aplasia with a single dose of rituximab in a child after major ABO incompatible peripheral blood allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acquired aplastic anemia

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a well-known although infrequent hematologic complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. PRCA occurs in cases of major ABO-mismatch between donor and recipient and is believed to be due to inhibition of donor erythroid progenitors by residual host isohemagglutinins. We report a 10-year-old boy with post-hepatitis aplastic anemia (AA) who developed PRCA after HLA-matched familial peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (SCT) following conditioning with Cph 200 mg/kg + ATG 90 mg/kg. Granulocyte engraftment occurred on day +18, platelet engrafted on day +40, while reticulocytopenia at 0% persisted until day +118, and erythroid precursors were totally absent from bone marrow. After a single dose of rituximab 200 mg/m(2)administered on day +118 PRCA resolved and on day +132 the reticulocytes rose to 5.7%. On day +139 the Hb reached 137 g/l and the erythroid lineage in BM increased to 21%. We conclude that due to the rapid recovery from PRCA and lack of side effects, rituximab should be tried as first-line treatment of PRCA after allo-SCT.
Clinical Microwave Tomographic Imaging of the Calcaneus: A First-in-Human Case Study of Two Subjects

We have acquired 2-D and 3-D microwave tomographic images of the calcaneus bones of two patients to assess correlation of the microwave properties with X-ray density measures. The two volunteers were selected because each had one leg immobilized for at least six weeks during recovery from a lower leg injury. A soft-prior regularization technique was incorporated with the microwave imaging to quantitatively assess the bulk dielectric properties within the bone region. Good correlation was observed between both permittivity and conductivity and the computed tomography-derived density measures. These results represent the first clinical examples of microwave images of the calcaneus and some of the first 3-D tomographic images of any anatomical site in the living human.
Stability analysis of swarms in an environment with an attractant/repellent profile

In this article we specify an "individual-based" continuous time swarm model in n-dimensional space with an attractant/repellent profile. The motion of each individual is determined by three components: (i) attraction to the other individuals on long distances, (ii) repulsion from the other individuals on short distances, and (iii) attraction to the more favorable regions of the attractant/repellent profile. We study the stability properties of the collective behavior of the swarm for different profiles and provide conditions for collective convergence to more favorable regions of the profile.
The dynamic lift of developmental process

What are the essential properties of human intelligence, currently unparalleled in its power relative to other biological forms and relative to artificial forms of intelligence? We suggest that answering this question depends critically on understanding developmental process. This paper considers three principles potentially essential to building human-like intelligence: the heterogeneity of the component processes, the embedding of development in a social world, and developmental processes that change the cognitive system as a function of the history of soft-assemblies of these heterogeneous processes in specific tasks. The paper uses examples from human development and from developmental robotics to show how these processes also may underlie biological intelligence and enable us to generate more advanced forms of artificial intelligence.
An overview of concurrent engineering

Concurrent Engineering (CE), or Integrated Product Development, is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative for the defense industry; it has also been used very successfully by commercial industries. CE is applicable to any industry that develops its own products and wants to remain competitive in today's marketplace. The Computer-Aided Acquisition and Logistics Support (now called Continuous Acquisition and Life-Cycle Support) (CALS)/CE Industrial Steering Group (ISG), within the National Security Industrial Association (NSIA), chartered task groups to identify issues and guides to CE in the following areas: information exchange, electronic systems, mechanical systems, software, reliability and maintainability (R&M), manufacturing, and technical administration. This overview focuses on the electronic systems report, entitled First Principles of Concurrent Engineering: A Competitive Strategy for Electronic System Development. The core of the report defines the first principles and involves a technique for a self-assessment of the should be and the where is environment for CE. From the results of this self-evaluation, improvement planning and roadmap generation are possible from the report material. Also covered are benefits of CE, DoD, and industry obstacles to CE technology insights that enable CE, and recommendations to DoD and to industry to foster CE implementation. This report is the first primer on CE and should clarify the intent of CE as envisioned. This is a timely subject, as CE is now prone to many view points and ideas more aligned to partial instead of total implementation.
Chemical Changes in Natural Food Pigments

This symposium is structured around the chemical changes in food processing. While some of these changes are beneficial, most result in lowered quality. Nowhere is a change more apparent than one involving a change in pigmentation. This may result in a change in intensity as in bleaching of a food or a hue change resulting in off-color. Even if the color change is the only change, that difference could be sufficient for consumer rejection. Color also plays a role in product identification. Fabricated products, soda, candies, etc., and natural products such as trout and salmon are identified on the basis of color even though color affects only the visual appearance and is only related to diet as in the case of the salmonids.
Woody encroachment decreases diversity across North American grasslands and savannas

Woody encroachment is a widespread and acute phenomenon affecting grasslands and savannas worldwide. We performed a meta-analysis of 29 studies from 13 different grassland/savanna communities in North America to determine the consequences of woody encroachment on plant species richness. In all 13 communities, species richness declined with woody plant encroachment (average decline = 45%). Species richness declined more in communities with higher precipitation (r2 = 0.81) and where encroachment was associated with a greater change in annual net primary productivity (ANPP; r2 = 0.69). Based on the strong positive correlation between precipitation and ANPP following encroachment (r2 = 0.87), we hypothesize that these relationships occur because water-limited woody plants experience a greater physiological and demographic release as precipitation increases. The observed relationship between species richness and ANPP provides support for the theoretical expectation that a trade-off occurs between richness and productivity in herbaceous communities. We conclude that woody plant encroachment leads to significant declines in species richness in North American grassland/savanna communities.
Studies on the peripheral blood cell parameters and morphology of the red paradise fish, Macropodus opercularis. Effect of food deprivation on erythropoiesis

A description is presented of the peripheral blood cell values and blood cell morphology of both the normal and the starved red paradise fish. An inhibitory influence of food deprivation upon erythropoiesis was demonstrated in this fish by the significant decrease in red blood cell and hematocrit values. A comparative study showed that the size and numbers of erythrocytes present in teleost blood reflect its habitat, activity, and degree of evolution.
MIsoMine: a genome-scale high-resolution data portal of expression, function and networks at the splice isoform level in the mouse

Products of multiexon genes, especially in higher organisms, are a mixture of isoforms with different or even opposing functions, and therefore need to be treated separately. However, most studies and available resources such as Gene Ontology provide only gene-level function annotations, and therefore lose the differential information at the isoform level. Here we report MIsoMine, a high-resolution portal to multiple levels of functional information of alternatively spliced isoforms in the mouse. This data portal provides tissue-specific expression patterns and co-expression networks, along with such previously published functional genomic data as protein domains, predicted isoform-level functions and functional relationships. The core utility of MIsoMine is allowing users to explore a preprocessed, quality-controlled set of RNA-seq data encompassing diverse tissues and cell lineages. Tissue-specific co-expression networks were established, allowing a 2D ranking of isoforms and tissues by co-expression patterns. The results of the multiple isoforms of the same gene are presented in parallel to facilitate direct comparison, with cross-talking to prioritized functions at the isoform level. MIsoMine provides the first isoform-level resolution effort at genome-scale. We envision that this data portal will be a valuable resource for exploring functional genomic data, and will complement the existing functionalities of the mouse genome informatics database and the gene expression database for the laboratory mouse. Database URL: http://guanlab.ccmb.med.umich.edu/misomine/
A rapid colorimetric assay to evaluate the effects ofBacillus thuringiensis toxins on cultured insect cells

A new cytotoxicity assay has been developed to assess the activity of the toxins produced byBacillus thuringiensis kurstaki on CFl cells. The assay is performed in a 96-well plate using a tetrazolium salt, MTT, as the substrate. The compound diffuses through the cell membrane and is reduced by mitochondrial dehydrogenases of live cells to a purple color compound, which precipitates within the cells. The precipitate is dissolved by isopropanol and the absorbance at 570 nm is measured with a 96-well plate reader. The amount of dye converted is proportional to the number of liver cells and the length of incubation with substrate. The LC50 of the 60 kDa toxin, an activated form of the 130 kDaB. t. kurstaki toxin has been determined and found to be comparable to the data obtained by the trypan blue staining of dead cells.
Preventing Cell Phone Use in the Classroom

Some academics think that “professors are fighting a losing battle over controlling cell phones in the classroom” (Berry & Westfall 2015, 70). One way to gain significant ground in this battle is t...
Surface Sterilization of Tissues for Bacterial Studies

In a series of experiments for the purpose of studying the bacterial content of the prostate, certain difficulties were encountered with the methods commonly described for making cultures from tissues. It was found that by using the method recommended by Rosenow1 certain discrepancies occurred in the results which suggested that they may have been due to contamination introduced at some point between the time the tissue was exposed by the surgical scalpel and the final closure of the culture tube. In order to decide this question decisively it was determined to put a close check on each step in this process.
Lack of effect of alpha-ethyltryptamine on ACTH secretion when blood pressure is held constant.

SummaryWhen the rise in blood pressure usually produced by α-ethyltryptamine is prevented by hemorrhage, no inhibition of ACTH Secretion is observed in Surgically stressed dogs. These results suggest that it is the rise in blood pressure produced by α-ethyltryptamine that causes the inhibition of ACTH secretion.