cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of epidermal growth factor on the synthesis of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme complex in rat ovarian granulosa cells in primary culture

Abstract The effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the synthesis of the components of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme complex (SCC) was studied in rat ovarian granulosa cells. The cells were cultured for 48 h in the presence or absence of EGF (15 ng/nil) and/or FSH (50 ng/ml) after which proteins were radiolabeled by incubation with [35S]methionine followed by immunoprecipitation of newly synthesized P-450scc or adrenodoxin (ISP) with polyclonal antibodies directed against the corresponding proteins from bovine adrenal cortex. In addition the action of EGF on the level of translatable RNA for P-450scc was evaluated using a cell-free translation system programmed with RNA isolated from treated and untreated cells, followed by immunoisolation of newly synthesized proteins. Immunoisolated proteins were separated by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, visualized by fluorography and quantified by densitometry. EGF stimulated progesterone formation by the cells 3-fold and potentiated the FSH-induced stimulation of progesterone formation, but had no effect on cAMP accumulation. EGF also stimulated the synthesis of P-450scc and ISP, and enhanced the FSH-induced synthesis of P-450 scc and ISP in a concentration-dependent fashion with a maximal stimulation attained at concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 100 ng/ml. No appreciable changes in the induction pattern were observed when EGF and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) were added together, as compared to when Bt2cAMP was added alone. Neither treatment affected the synthesis of the constitutive mitochondrial enzyme, F1~ATPase. Immunoisolation of P-450scc from the proteins synthesized in a rabbit reticulocyte in vitro translation system programmed with RNA isolated from EGF- and/or FSH-treated cells, revealed that EGF enhanced the FSH-stimulated synthesis of the precursor form of P-450 scc It is concluded that EGF stimulates the synthesis of the SCC components, either alone or together with FSH, through increasing levels of translatability of the mRNA encoding the precursor form of P-450 scc , independently of cAMP formation.
Amphotericin B lipid complex versus liposomal amphotericin B monotherapy for invasive aspergillosis in patients with hematologic malignancy.

BACKGROUND. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancy (HM). There are 2 lipid formulations of amphotericin B (AMB) currently in widespread use: AMB lipid complex (ABLC) and liposomal AMB (L-AMB). There are limited data comparing the efficacy and safety of these 2 agents in the treatment of IA in patients with cancer. METHODS. The authors retrospectively studied 381 consecutive patients with HM who had proven or probable IA (according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases criteria) between June 1993 and December 2005. Of these patients, 158 received primary antifungal therapy with either L-AMB (n = 106) or ABLC (n = 52). The number of salvage antifungal regimens given were 51 L-AMB regimens and 30 ABLC regimens. It should be noted that the population described in this report was not typical of the hematologic cancer population with IA because of the advanced stage and the severity of the underlying diseases. RESULTS. Risk factors for IA, such as underlying malignancy, neutropenia, steroid use, admission to an intensive care unit, and the presence of graft-versus-host disease, were comparable among the study drug group in the primary or salvage setting. Likewise, comparable distribution of types of Aspergillus species and the presence of disseminated IA were observed. Response to primary or salvage therapy was equally poor in both drug study groups regardless of treatment modality (range, 7.7–15.8% response). In the primary therapy group, ABLC was associated with significantly higher nephrotoxicity than L-AMB (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS. Among patients with HM, primary therapy and salvage therapy for IA with either ABLC or L-AMB as single agent were associated equally with poor outcome. L-AMB appeared to be less nephrotoxic in the primary therapy setting. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Further Results on Inversion of Aerosol Size Distribution Data: Higher-Order Sobolev Spaces and Constraints

The aerosol size distribution inversion algorithm of Crump and Seinfeld, based on the concept of regularization with generalized cross-validation, is extended to Sobolev spaces of order m. The use of the cross-validation function for choice of an appropriate value of m in a particular application is discussed. An inversion algorithm that constrains the size distribution to be nonnegative is introduced and shown to be of value for sharply peaked distributions.
Effects of layer waviness on the compression fatigue performance of thermoplastic composite laminates

The influence of layer waviness on the compression fatigue response of carbon/polysulphone composite laminates was studied. Specimens with a moderate level of layer waviness as well as wave-free control specimens were cycled to failure at a variety of maximum stress levels to establish S-N curves. A one and a half decade loss of compression fatigue life was observed for moderate layer wave specimens as compared with the control specimens. Brooming failure, characterized by through-the-thickness splaying of the layers and by numerous delaminations, was the common failure mode. The stress level corresponding to the 106 cycle run-out for these layer wave specimens was reduced to approximately 45% of the static compression strength of the wave-free laminate, as compared with a reduction to 75% for the control specimens. Moderate layer were specimens cycled to the 106 cycle run-out showed no evidence of delamination in the vicinity of the layer wave. Specimens with a mild layer wave failed in the grips away from the wave and exhibited fatigue life comparable to the wave-free specimens.
Void channels in the Nb3Te4, Ta2S, and Nb2Se structure types; the structure of Nb3Se4

Abstract The crystal structure of Nb3Se4 has been determined and refined by single-crystal X-ray methods. The final unweighted R factor of the hexagonal unit cell (space group P6 3 m , a = 10.007 4 ± 1 5 and c = 3.4667 ± 8 A ) equaled 0.058. The phase Nb3Se4 is isostructural with Nb3S4 and Nb3Te4. The existence of similar void channels in the Nb3Te4 structure type and the Ta2S and Nb2Se structures and a rationale for the nonexistence of a phase exhibiting the Nb3Te4 structure type in which another Group VB transition metal is substituted for Nb are discussed.
Explanation-based learning for knowledge-based systems

We discuss explanation-based learning for knowledge-based systems. First, we identify some potential problems with the typical means of acquiring a knowledge base: interviewing domain experts. Next, we review some examples of knowledge-based systems which include explanation-based learning moduluses and discuss two systems in detail: ACES ( Pazzani, 1986 a ) which learns heuristics for fault diagnosis from device descriptions, and OCCAM ( Pazzani, 1986 b ) which learns to predict the outcome of economic sanction episodes from simple economic theories. We conclude that explanation-based learning is a promising approach to constructing knowledge-based systems when the required information is available but not in the form of heuristic rules. In this case, the role of explanation-based learning is to explicate heuristics which are only implicit in deep models.
Some aspects of ionic regulation in the tadpole shrimp Triops longicaudatus

Abstract 1. 1. In deionized water and in the presence of a natural food source Trips longicaudatus rapidly lost hemolymph sodium and chloride, whereas calcium and magnesium remained little changed. Mean and maximum survival times were 10·2 adn 15 hr, respectively. In natural pond water hemolymph sodium and chloride were maintained agaist a high concentration gradient. 2. 2. These results on the American species, T. longicaudatus , are distinctly dissimilar to those obtained by Parry (1961) on the Eurasian species, T. cancriformis . Apparently these two species of Triops depend on different ionic regulatory mechanisms to maintain their hyperosmoticity.
Seeking the root of insect resistance to transgenic plants

Bt was first formally described from Thuringia, Germany, in 1911 and has been available in commercial formulations for insect control since the 1930s (3); yet until recently, it remained a minor component of pest management. Three factors set the stage for the emerging importance of Bt: evolution of resistance to insecticides in more than 500 species of insects and mites (4), rising concerns about environmental hazards of conventional insecticides, and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Genetic engineering has created transgenic varieties of many crops that express Bt toxins; such cultivars of transgenic corn, cotton, and potatoes were grown on a large scale in the United States for the first time during 1996. Transgenic plants armed with Bt toxins are defended against some of the most notorious pests, which reduces the need for insecticidal sprays. Because Bt is not toxic to arthropod natural enemies, opportunities for biological control are enhanced and the secondary pest outbreaks often caused by conventional insecticides are avoided. Thus, this new technology could yield enormous benefits for food production and environmental quality worldwide. Will the advent of Bt-expressing transgenic plants herald a new era of environmentally benign insect control? Or will the pests quickly adapt?
General methods for the preparation of α and/OR β deuterium labelled 6‐hydroxydopamine derivatives

A convenient synthetic method for the preparation of α and/or β deuterium-labelled 6-hydroxydopamines has been developed. Nitromethane was condensed with 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde to give 2,4,5-trimethoxy-α-nitrostyrene (2). The nitroethylene side chain of 2 was reduced with sodium borodeuteride to afford β-[2H]-β-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-α-nitroethane (3). A reduction with sodium borohydride in the presence of a deuterium source (e.g. EtOD) afforded mono and dideuterated α-[2H]-β- (2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-α-nitroethanes (9, 10). A reduction of the nitrostyrene 2 with sodium borodeuteride in EtOD resulted in the isolation of α,β-[2H]-β-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-α-nitroethanes (15 and 16). Subsequent reduction of the deuterated α-nitroethanes 3, 9, 10, 15 and 16 gave the appropriately labelled phenethylamine derivatives 5, 11, 12, 17 and 18. Removal of the phenol protecting groups afforded the deuterium labelled 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenethylamines (6-hydroxydopamines).
Influence of Biaryl Phosphine Structure on C−N and C−C Bond Formation

In order to understand how electronic and other structural characteristics of biphenyl phosphine ligands affect Pd-catalyzed C-N and C-C bond-forming reactions, a new ligand, 2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)-4'-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1,1'-biphenyl, was synthesized. This compound is isomeric with the commercially available 2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)-2'-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1,1'-biphenyl that has been useful in C-N bond-forming reactions of nucleosides. The new p-dimethylamino biphenyl ligand bears electronic similarities to the o-dimethylamino isomer, but it also possesses structural similarities to 2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)biphenyl, such as the unsubstituted ortho positions in the non-phosphine ring. Whereas 2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)biphenyl can support catalysts for C-C bond formation, it was not effective in promoting aryl amination of a nucleoside substrate. However, the new ligand proved to be effective in promoting both aryl amination and C-C bond-forming reactions of nucleoside substrates, with some reactions even occurring at room temperature. Thus, the composite structural elements of this new ligand are thought to be criteria for reactivity of the catalytic system derived from it. We have probed the structures of the isomeric N,N-dimethylamino biphenyl ligands by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Interactions of the two ligands with Pd(OAc)(2) have been investigated by (31)P NMR, and they show substantial stoichiometry-dependent differences. These results have been compared to the interactions of Pd(OAc)(2) with 2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)biphenyl as well as 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl, and they reveal marked differences as well. In this process, three cyclopalladated biaryl derivatives have been isolated and characterized by X-ray analysis.
Implications of Caritas in Veritate for Marketing and Business Ethics.

In an effort to assess the latest thinking in the Roman Catholic Church on economic matters, we examine the newest encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) for guidance concerning marketing and business strategy. Core ethical values, consistent with historical Catholic Social Teachings (CST), are retained. However, some important nuances are added to previous treatments, and, reflecting the mind of the current Pontiff, certain points of emphasis are shifted to account for recent global developments. Key areas of consistency and differences (as we perceive them) are spelled out along with some brief commentary on the evolution of the CST position on matters of importance to business decision makers. We close our analysis with a brief discussion of how the lessons of the encyclical can be applied to selected marketing problems embedded with ethical issues, including some criteria for evaluating marketing programs. Finally, we note some editorial commentary published in the wake of the letter’s release along with our own summation.
Chemical Analysis Using Scanning Force Microscopy. An Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment

This undergraduate laboratory experiment uses scanning force microscopy to perform chemical analysis at chemically designed surfaces. It involves lateral force measurements at self-assembled monolayers to provide chemical mapping capability. Monolayer patterns with different functional groups were prepared on gold substrates using a micro-contact printing method. The simplicity of the sample preparation and the relative ease of the microscope operation allowed students to gain hands-on experience in molecular assembling, image acquisition, and data interpretation. The images were analyzed and discussed in terms of tip-sample interaction forces and surface chemical composition of the patterned monolayers. This experiment helps students to grasp analytical concepts based on chemical interactions at atomic and molecular levels.
Taking a history of the patient with diplopia

The diagnosis and treatment of adult diplopia is challenging. Having a thorough and complete history of the patient can make this difficult process easier. This article describes the most important questions to ask when taking the history of a patient with diplopia and explains why a particular question is essential. Tips of what to search for in the patient's answers are also provided.
The conformational dynamics of a metastable serpin studied by hydrogen exchange and mass spectrometry.

Serpins are a class of protease inhibitors that initially fold to a metastable structure and subsequently undergo a large conformational change to a stable structure when they inhibit their target proteases. How serpins are able to achieve this remarkable conformational rearrangement is still not understood. To address the question of how the dynamic properties of the metastable form may facilitate the conformational change, hydrogen/deuterium exchange and mass spectrometry were employed to probe the conformational dynamics of the serpin human α1-antitrypsin (α1AT). It was found that the F helix, which in the crystal structure appears to physically block the conformational change, is highly dynamic in the metastable form. In particular, the C-terminal half of the F helix appears to spend a substantial fraction of time in a partially unfolded state. In contrast, β-strands 3A and 5A, which must separate to accommodate insertion of the reactive center loop (RCL), are not conformationally flexible in the meta...
Imaging, genetic testing, and biomarker assessment of follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide, and its incidence continues to increase. As such the approach to a recently identified thyroid nodule is important to understand. The relevant imaging, examination, and need for fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) are discussed. In approximately 25% of nodules, the diagnosis cannot be established with FNA-based cytology, and surgical excision is necessary for definitive diagnosis. Recent advances in genetic and molecular testing may increase the diagnostic accuracy of FNA in managing thyroid nodules.
Fluorescence Angiography in the Assessment of Flap Perfusion and Vitality

Indocyanine green angiography is increasingly being adopted by reconstructive surgeons for use in pedicle tissue flaps and microvascular free-tissue transfer procedures. With the increasing adoption of this technology, the postoperative complication rate and the need for reoperation can be decreased, making these reconstructive procedures more predictable. The main disadvantage of this technology is its cost; with time and greater adoption of this technology, the cost will eventually decrease. Decreased postoperative complications and reduced need for revision surgery with the use of this technology will play a significant role in decreasing the overall health care costs for these complex reconstructive procedures.
SU-E-J-147: Quantitative Analysis of 2.5 MV Portal Imaging Performance Compared to KV and 6MV Portal Imaging On the Novel Edge LINAC

Purpose: To quantitatively evaluate the performance of 2.5 MV imaging compared to traditional kV and 6MV imaging on the new Edge LINAC (Varian Methods: The high and low contrast resolution and contrast-tonoise ratios of kV, 2.5MV, and 6MV portal imaging were evaluated using Las Vegas, Leeds, CIRS torso, Rando torso, and BrainLab pelvis phantoms. Different thicknesses of solid water were added at both sides of phantom to simulate and assess the imaging characteristics associated with increased scatter in larger patients. The contrast-to-noise ratios of bone-to-soft tissue were obtained from aforementioned phantoms. Results: The 2.5 MV portal imaging resolved all objects in the Las Vegas phantom except the smallest object. 6 MV imaging couldn't image three smallest objects. From the Leeds phantom, kV, 2.5 MV, and 6 MV imaging achieve 2.24, 1.4, and 1.25 LP/mm with no additional slabs, respectively. With 10 cm slabs added, resolutions deteriorate to 1.6, 1.25, and 0.7 LP/mm. In low contrast detectability, kV, 2.5 MV, and 6 MV imaging visualize 18, 18, and 15 different-contrast objects in total. With 10cm slab added, they imaged 12, 15, and 8 objects. CIRS phantom CNRs of bone-to-soft tissue were 10, 27, and 17 for KV, 2.5 MV, and 6 MV, respectively with no slab added. Rando phantom CNRs were 11, 8, and 7 and similarly CNRs from the BrainLab pelvis phantom were 9, 13, and 11. With additional slab, KV imaging CNRs degraded much more than those of 2.5 MV and 6 MV imaging. Conclusion: In this study, we evaluated kV, 2.5 MV and 6 MV imaging using various phantoms. The 2.5 MV imaging shows better imaging performance at large phantom configurations in terms of high and low contrast resolutions and CNRs. We believe that the 2.5 MV portal imaging will be the next trend in portal imaging, especially for SRS/SBRT patient localization.
Petronation? Oil, gas, and national identity in Russia

Based on survey research, elite interviews, and an analysis of media treatment, this article explores the place of oil and gas in Russia's national narrative and self-identity. Objectively, Russia's economic development, political stability, and ability to project power abroad rest on its oil and gas resources. Subjectively, however, Russians are somewhat reluctant to accept that oil and gas dependency is part of their national identity. This is particularly true of the elites who play a crucial role in defining the dominant national narrative. Ordinary Russians generally have quite positive attitudes about the role of Gazprom and Russia's emergence as an “energy superpower” – while at the same time being wary of becoming a “raw materials appendage” of the outside world. One of the unexpected findings to emerge from the survey data is the strong regional differences on the question of whether Russia should be proud of its reliance on energy. Gazprom is popular in the Central Federal District, but less so ...
Adaptive response of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids to extrahepatic cholestasis

Experimental cholestasis induced by ligation of the common bile duct results in morphological and functional changes in the rat hepatocyte. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptive response of the transport process involved in the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts to obstructive cholestasis. Male Sprague-dawley rats with common bile duct ligation were killed after 48 and 72 hours. Portal and systemic blood and duodenal aspirates were collected. Taurocholate transport was measured in isolated ileal brush border (BBM) and liver basolateral membranes (BLM). Drastic reduction in intraluminal bile salt concentrations in ligated rats accompanied decreases in saturable taurocholate uptake by ileal BBMs. Kinetic analysis indicated that the decrease was attributable to reduction in transporter density and alteration in affinity for the substrate, both of which accentuated with increase in postligation time. In contrast, despite 20-fold higher portal venous bile salt concentrations, taurocholate uptake by hepatic sinusoidal membrane was lower in rats. Kinetic analysis and immunoblots developed using polyclonal antisera to the liver BLM bile acid transporter demonstrated a gradual decrease in transporter density with increase in postligation time accompanied by reduced taurocholate uptake by basolateral membrane. These results further support the concept that the ileal brush border membrane transporter is regulated by the availability of the substrate, whereas regulation of the bile salt transport across the liver BLM is independent of portal venous bile acid concentration.
Civil society, religious freedom, and Islam Karimov: Uzbekistan's struggle for a decent society

Kazanistan's system of law does not institute the separation of church and state. Islam is the favored religion, and only Muslims can hold the upper positions of political authority and influence t...
Tetracycline Degradation Products in Commercially Available Tetracycline-7-3H

The radiochemical purity of three commercially available tritium-labeled tetracycline products was investigated using TLC and spectrophotometry. All three products contained, in addition to tetracycline, substantial amounts of radioactively labeled 4-epitetracycline and anhydrotetracycline. Two products also contained an unidentified component which remained at the origin.
Polycystic ovary syndrome and its developmental origins

The prenatal testosterone (T)-treated adult female rhesus monkey is one animal model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women, with early prenatal T excess programming a permanent PCOS-like phenotype characterized by luteinizing hormone (LH) hypersecretion from reduced hypothalamic sensitivity to steroid negative feedback and relative insulin excess from increased abdominal adiposity. These combined reproductive and metabolic abnormalities are associated with ovarian hyperandrogenism and follicular arrest in adulthood, as well as premature follicle differentiation and impaired embryo development during gonadotropin therapy for in vitro fertilization (IVF). A second animal model for PCOS, the prenatal T-treated sheep also is characterized by LH hypersecretion from reduced hypothalamic sensitivity to steroid negative feedback, persistent follicles and insulin resistance, but also is associated with intrauterine growth retardation and compensatory growth after birth. The ability of prenatal T excess in both species to alter the developmental trajectory of multiple organ systems in utero provides evidence that the hormonal environment of intrauterine life programs target tissue differentiation, raising the possibility that T excess in human fetal development promotes PCOS in adulthood. Such a hypothesis must include data from clinical studies of PCOS women to clarify the homology between these PCOS-like animal models and PCOS per se in reproductive and metabolic function. Future studies should develop new clinical strategies that improve pregnancy outcome and minimize pregnancy loss in women with disorders of insulin action, including PCOS, obesity and diabetes mellitus as well as minimize transgenerational susceptibility to adult PCOS and its metabolic derangements in male close relatives.
Efficacy of conventional valves compared to programmable valves in managing children & adolescents with hydrocephalus: a 450 valve retrospective study

Materials and methods The authors collected computerized data for all patients subjected to a CSF shunt insertion or revision except those with brain tumours from the Patient Data Management System and the Computer Information System of the Seattle Children's Hospital from 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2008. Data collected included the patient's diagnosis, birth date, details of the operation insertion and components of revisions, valve type and location, type and timing of prophylactic antibiotic administration, time of day of the operation, duration of operation, presence of a trainee, incidence of shunt complications and white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell counts (RBC) in the CSF obtained at the time of operation. Patients were followed for a minimum of one year post-operatively and statistical analysis was done using Vassar STATS® and MedCalc® which included Chi Square, Kaplan Meier Survival Curves and multi-variant analysis. Results A total of 1,278 operations were analyzed that incorporated 450 valve (233 PVS & 217 NPVS) implantations (166) or revisions (284) for 306 patients. Patients with a PVS that were adjusted (≥ 6 mo after implantation) demonstrated no significant difference to rate of non-valve revision (X2 p = 0.63), infection(X2 p = 0.99), or overall valve survival (KM p = 0.24) compared to patients with NPVS. Complications leading to valve replacement of the initial implantation occurred in 42% of NPVS and 45% of PVS(X2 p = 0.89). By differentiating patients by their preoperative WBC (poly ≥ 3 or mono ≥ 50) and/or RBC ≥ 30 in the CSF (as indications for inflammation), revisions of NPVS were significantly greater in valve survival rate than the PVS (p = 0.002). No significant differences existed between the two valve systems for reason of revision, location, age of patient, time of day, duration of the operation type of antibiotic used or time of administration or presence of trainee.
Complex waves excited by an open-ended coaxial probe in layered media

Summary form only given. When an open-ended coaxial probe is placed against a material layer which is backed by air, surface wave modes can be excited in the layer. When the probe is placed against a material layer which is shorted by a metallic plate, radial guided waves can be excited in the layer. The excitation of these guided electromagnetic (EM) waves may affect the input impedance of the probe, thus influencing the quantification of EM properties of materials. The excitation of the complex waves by a probe in a layered medium was theoretically analyzed. A series of experiments was conducted to measure the input impedance of an open-ended coaxial probe placed against a layered medium. The effects of the excitation of complex waves on the probe input impedance and its consequences on the quantification of EM properties of the layered material were studied. >
Short-Term Changes in Ambient Temperature and Risk of Ischemic Stroke

Background: Despite consistent evidence of a higher short-term risk of cardiovascular mortality associated with ambient temperature, there have been discrepant findings on the association between temperature and ischemic stroke. Moreover, few studies have considered potential confounding by ambient fine particulate matter air pollution <2.5 μm in diameter (PM 2.5 ) and none have examined the impact of temperature changes on stroke in the subsequent hours rather than days. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changes in temperature trigger an ischemic stroke in the following hours and days and whether humid days are particularly harmful. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 1,705 patients residing in the metropolitan region of Boston, Mass., USA, who were hospitalized with neurologistconfirmed ischemic stroke, and we abstracted data on the time of symptom onset and clinical characteristics. We obtained hourly meteorological data from the National Weather Service station and hourly PM 2.5 data from the Harvard ambient monitoring station. We used the time-stratified case-crossover design to assess the association between ischemic stroke and apparent temperature averaged over 1–7 days prior to stroke onset adjusting for PM 2.5 . We assessed whether differences in apparent temperature trigger a stroke within shorter time periods by examining the association between stroke onset and apparent temperature levels averaged in 2-hour increments prior to stroke onset (0–2 h through 36–38 h). We tested whether the association varied by health characteristics or by PM 2.5 , ozone or relative humid
Vasopressin rapidly increases phosphorylation of UT-A1 urea transporter in rat IMCDs through PKA

The UT-A1 urea transporter plays an important role in maintaining the hyperosmolar milieu of the inner medulla. Vasopressin increases urea permeability in rat terminal inner medullary collecting du...
THE SYSTEMATICS OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN PARABUTHUS POCOCK (SCORPIONES, BUTHIDAE): REVISIONS TO THE TAXONOMY AND KEY TO THE SPECIES

Abstract The southern African species of Parabuthus Pocock 1890 are reviewed. Twenty valid species are recognized and an illustrated key is provided for their identification. The diagnosis of each species is revised, its known distributional range summarized, and notes on its ecology and conservation provided. Three species are redescribed and their distributions mapped: P. calvus Purcell 1898; P. capensis (Ehrenberg 1831); P. planicauda (Pocock 1896). Six new synonyms are proposed: Buthus brevimanus var. β segnis Thorell 1876 = P. granulatus (Ehrenberg 1831); Buthus villosus var. β dilutus Thorell 1876 = P. raudus (Simon 1888); P. granulatus strenuus Hewitt 1918 = P. granulatus (Ehrenberg 1831); P. capensis frenchi Purcell 1901 = P. planicauda (Pocock 1889); Scorpio teter Muller 1828 = P. transvaalicus Purcell 1899; P. brachystylus Lawrence 1928 = P. villosus (Peters 1862). Two species, synonymized by previous authors, but subsequently resurrected, are returned to synonymy: P. neglectus Purcell 1899 = P....
The Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Gene Is Regulated by Thyroid Hormone at the Level of Transcription in Vivo

The expression of the TRH gene in the paraventricular nucleus (PVH) of the hypothalamus is required for the normal production of thyroid hormone (TH) in rodents and humans. In addition, the regulation of TRH mRNA expression by TH, specifically in the PVH, ensures tight control of the set point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Although many studies have assumed that the regulation of TRH expression by TH is at the level of transcription, there is little data available to demonstrate this. We used two in vivo model systems to show this. In the first model system, we developed an in situ hybridization (ISH) assay directed against TRH heteronuclear RNA to measure TRH transcription directly in vivo. We show that in the euthyroid state, TRH transcription is present both in the PVH and anterior/lateral hypothalamus. In the hypothyroid state, transcription is activated in the PVH only and can be shut off within 5 h by TH. In the second model system, we employed transgenic mice that express the Cre recombinase under the control of the genomic region containing the TRH gene. Remarkably, TH regulates Cre expression in these mice in the PVH only. Taken together, these data affirm that TH regulates TRH at the level of transcription in the PVH only and that genomic elements surrounding the TRH gene mediate its regulation by T(3). Thus, it should be possible to identify the elements within the TRH locus that mediate its regulation by T(3) using in vivo approaches.
Understanding the context of patient experiences in order to explore adherence to secondary prevention guidelines after heart surgery

After coronary artery bypass surgery, many patients do not incorporate healthy behaviors into their postoperative lifestyle or enroll in cardiac rehabilitation, key aspects of secondary prevention. This qualitative study examined patients' post-coronary artery bypass surgery experiences to explore barriers in adhering to dietary and activity guidelines. We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 30 male patients from a military veteran's hospital, using emergent, thematic analysis to identify experiences that led to poor adherence. RESULTS were grouped according to barriers to diet, activities, and enrolling in cardiac rehabilitation. Overall, understandings of postoperative health, priorities that diverged from guidelines, and the context of household members and other health conditions impacted postoperative health behaviors. Many participants were familiar with secondary prevention guidelines. However, postoperative perceptions of health as well as the context of recovery influenced self-management. Providers must consider a patient's context when discussing secondary prevention. Venues such as cardiac rehabilitation may provide an opportunity to improve adherence to secondary prevention guidelines by expanding available class times, engaging patients' household members, or tailoring recommendations to also address other health conditions.
Evaluating the effectiveness of and patterns of interactions with automated searching assistance

We report quantitative and qualitative results of an empirical evaluation to determine whether automated assistance improves searching performance and when searchers desire system intervention in the search process. Forty participants interacted with two fully functional information retrieval systems in a counterbalanced, within-participant study. The systems were identical in all respects except that one offered automated assistance and the other did not. The study used a client-side automated assistance application, an approximately 500,000-document Text REtrieval Conference content collection, and six topics. Results indicate that automated assistance can improve searching performance. However, the improvement is less dramatic than one might expect, with an approximately 20% performance increase, as measured by the number of userselected relevant documents. Concerning patterns of interaction, we identified 1,879 occurrences of searcher– system interactions and classified them into 9 major categories and 27 subcategories or states. Results indicate that there are predictable patterns of times when searchers desire and implement searching assistance. The most common three-state pattern is Execute Query–View Results: With Scrolling–View Assistance. Searchers appear receptive to automated assistance; there is a 71% implementation rate. There does not seem to be a correlation between the use of assistance and previous searching performance. We discuss the implications for the design of information retrieval systems and future research directions.
Patterns in interspecies similarity correlate with nucleotide composition in mammalian 3′UTRs

Post-transcriptional regulation and the formation of mRNA 3' ends are crucial for gene expression in eukaryotes. Interspecies conservation of many sequences within 3'UTRs reveals selective constraint due to similar function. To study the pattern of conservation within 3'UTRs, we compiled and aligned 50 sets of complete orthologous 3'UTRs from four orders of mammals. We observed a mosaic pattern of conservation, with alternating regions of high (phylogenetic footprints) and low similarity. Conservation in 3'UTRs correlates with their base composition and also with the synonymous substitution rate in corresponding coding regions. The non-uniform distribution of conservation is more pronounced for 3'UTRs with a moderate or low level of overall conservation, where invariant nucleotides are more numerous, and their runs of lengths 4-7 occur more frequently than if conservation were random. Many runs of invariant nucleotides are AU-rich or pyrimidine-rich. Some of these runs coincide with known functional cis- elements of eukaryotic mRNAs, such as the U-rich upstream element, polyadenylation signal and DICE regulatory signal. More divergent regions of multiple alignments of 3'UTRs are often more G- and/or C-rich. Our results provide evidence on the importance of moderately conserved regions in 3'UTRs and suggest that regulatory functions of 3'UTRs might utilize gene-specific information in these regions.
Large Scale Comparative Proteomics of a Chloroplast Clp Protease Mutant Reveals Folding Stress, Altered Protein Homeostasis, and Feedback Regulation of Metabolism

The clpr2-1 mutant is delayed in development due to reduction of the chloroplast ClpPR protease complex. To understand the role of Clp proteases in plastid biogenesis and homeostasis, leaf proteomes of young seedlings of clpr2-1 and wild type were compared using large scale mass spectrometry-based quantification using an LTQ-Orbitrap and spectral counting with significance determined by G-tests. Virtually only chloroplast-localized proteins were significantly affected, indicating that the molecular phenotype was confined to the chloroplast. A comparative chloroplast stromal proteome analysis of fully developed plants was used to complement the data set. Chloroplast unfoldase ClpB3 was strongly up-regulated in both young and mature leaves, suggesting widespread and persistent protein folding stress. The importance of ClpB3 in the clp2-1 mutant was demonstrated by the observation that a CLPR2 and CLPB3 double mutant was seedling-lethal. The observed up-regulation of chloroplast chaperones and protein sorting components further illustrated destabilization of protein homeostasis. Delayed rRNA processing and up-regulation of a chloroplast DEAD box RNA helicase and polynucleotide phosphorylase, but no significant change in accumulation of ribosomal subunits, suggested a bottleneck in ribosome assembly or RNA metabolism. Strong up-regulation of a chloroplast translational regulator TypA/BipA GTPase suggested a specific response in plastid gene expression to the distorted homeostasis. The stromal proteases PreP1,2 were up-regulated, likely constituting compensation for reduced Clp protease activity and possibly shared substrates between the ClpP and PreP protease systems. The thylakoid photosynthetic apparatus was decreased in the seedlings, whereas several structural thylakoid-associated plastoglobular proteins were strongly up-regulated. Two thylakoid-associated reductases involved in isoprenoid and chlorophyll synthesis were up-regulated reflecting feedback from rate-limiting photosynthetic electron transport. We discuss the quantitative proteomics data and the role of Clp proteolysis using a “systems view” of chloroplast homeostasis and metabolism and provide testable hypotheses and putative substrates to further determine the significance of Clp-driven proteolysis.
Nutrient Bioassays of Growth Parameters for Algae in the North Bosque River of Central Texas1

Nutrient dose-response bioassays were conducted using water from three sites along the North Bosque River. These bioassays provided support data for refinement of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model used in the development of two phosphorus TMDLs for the North Bosque River. Test organisms were native phytoplanktonic algae and stock cultured Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) Hindak. Growth was measured daily by in vivo fluorescence. Algal growth parameters for maximum growth (μ(max)) and half-saturation constants for nitrogen (K(N)) or phosphorus (K(P)) were determined by fitting maximum growth rates associated with each dose level to a Monod growth rate function. Growth parameters of native algae were compared between locations and to growth parameters of P. subcapitata and literature values. No significant differences in half-saturation constants were indicated within nutrient treatment for site or algal type. Geometric mean K(N) was 32 μg/l and for K(P) 7 μg/l. A significant difference was detected in maximum growth rates between algae types but not between sites or nutrient treatments. Mean μ(max) was 1.5/day for native algae and 1.2/day for stock algae. These results indicate that watershed-specific maximum growth rates may need to be considered when modeling algal growth dynamics with regard to nutrients.
Operational perspective on the tactical use of meteor burst communications

A meteor burst communications network consisting of two master stations and several remote stations was tested during a recent NATO exercise. The author describes the results of these tests. The testing identified interface definition, formatted message processing, multifrequency usage, antenna design, encryption, and the man-machine interface as potential areas for improvement in meteor burst communications technology. In addition, master-station-to-master-station and master-station-to-remote data rate measurements were made in the theater during this exercise, revealing the existence of unusually long-duration meteor trails which were available during this exercise. >
Chylomicron-sized lipid particles are formed in the setting of apolipoprotein B deficiency

The mechanisms for packaging large quantities of neutral lipids into apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins (chylomicrons or VLDL) are incompletely understood. However, several lines of evidence have suggested that the addition of core lipids to apoB to form a lipoprotein particle within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) may involve two steps: first, the addition of small amounts of core lipids to membrane-bound apoB, generating a lipid-poor, small apoB-containing particle, and second, the fusion of that particle with a larger, independently formed triglyceride-rich and apoB-free "lipid particle." We sought to test this two-step hypothesis of apoB core lipidation by using electron microscopy to compare chylomicron assembly in mice that are genetically deficient in the ability to synthesize apoB in the intestine to control mice. In 19-day gestational mice (fasting setting) that were deficient in intestinal apoB synthesis, chylomicron-sized lipid particles in the lumen of the enterocyte ER were even more abundant and were 2- to 3-fold larger than those in the enterocytes of normal control mice. However, there were fewer lipid-staining particles in the Golgi apparatus, and many fewer particles in the extracellular space, compared with normal control mice. In both types of newborn suckling mice, much larger lipid particles were assembled within the lumen of the ER. They were however, less abundant and rarely reached the Golgi apparatus in fatty enterocytes of intestines deficient in apoB synthesis. These observations provide in vivo evidence that chylomicron formation could involve the synthesis of apoB-free triglyceride-rich particles within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen, and that the transport of these lipid particles out of the ER to Golgi apparatus and interstitium is facilitated by the acquisition of apoB.
Target Site Selection in Transposition

Transposable elements are discrete mobile DNA segments that can insert into non-homologous target sites. Diverse patterns of target site selectivity are observed: Some elements display considerable target site selectivity and others display little obvious selectivity, although none appears to be truly "random." A variety of mechanisms for target site selection are used: Some elements use direct interactions between the recombinase and target DNA whereas other elements depend upon interactions with accessory proteins that communicate both with the target DNA and the recombinase. The study of target site selectivity is useful in probing recombination mechanisms, in studying genome structure and function, and also in providing tools for genome manipulation.
NESTMOD simulation of DQDB metropolitan networks

Local area computer networks are well-established, and highly interconnected heterogeneous local networks are coming into prominence. NESTMOD is a combined analytical modeling and simulation tool, based on the existing tools NetMod and NEST, which is responsible for representing the topology of interconnected networks as well as providing library routines which describe the behavior of the interconnected networks. As an example of current technology, the metropolitan area network, DQDB(distributed queue dual bus), has been added to NESTMOD. The purpose of this paper is to describe the DQDB simulation and compare the simulation results with well known analytical results.
Psycho-visual based distortion measures for monochrome image and video compression

Describes quantitative distortion measures for compressed monochrome image and video based on a psycho-visual model. The model follows the human vision perception in that the distortion as perceived by a human viewer is dominated by the compression error uncorrelated with the local features of the original image and for a video sequence the distortion is perceived from two sources, the still areas and the motion areas of a video frame. The authors have performed subjective tests to obtain ranking results for compressed images and video sequences which were compressed using different compression algorithms and compared the results with the rankings obtained using their distortion measure and other existing mean-square error based measures. They have found that their distortion measure's ranking matches the subjective ranking accurately whereas the mean-square error and its variants performed poorly in matching the subjective ranking on an average. >
Attitudes toward their role set of graduate students preparing for school nursing or teaching or supervision in community health nursing

Resume On a etudie l'attitude envers l'entourage de soixante-douze candidates a la licence de nursing des collectivites et recouru a la technique de differenciation semantique pour comparer les etudiantes qui se preparaient au nursing scolaire et a l'inspection ou a l'enseignement dans le domaine du nursing des collectivites. Seize adjectifs couples ont ete utilises pour comparer neuf concepts de stimulation: le professeur, le medecin, le patient, l'infirmiere, soi-meme, l'inspecteur, l'homme, la femme et l'enfant. L'analyse des resultats par l'ordinateur a revele que le patient etait evalue a un niveau significativement plus bas que celui de tous les autres membres de l'entourage, meme l'enfant. Toutes les infirmieres ont situe le medecin au niveau le plus eleve. Les etudiantes qui se preparaient a l'enseignement ont situe l'inspecteur a un niveau significativement plus bas que dans les autres groupes.
Catatonia, Conversion, Culture: An Acute Presentation

Mr. G is a 34-year-old, married, Spanish-speaking male from Latin America with a history of gonorrhea and recently diagnosed gynecomastia. He presented to a tertiary care hospital emergency departm...