cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elevated postischemic tissue injury and leukocyte-endothelial adhesive interactions in mice with global deficiency in caveolin-2: role of PAI-1

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced rapid inflammation involving activation of leukocyte-endothelial adhesive interactions and leukocyte infiltration into tissues is a major contributor to postischemic tissue injury. However, the molecular mediators involved in this pathological process are not fully known. We have previously reported that caveolin-2 (Cav-2), a protein component of plasma membrane caveolae, regulated leukocyte infiltration in mouse lung carcinoma tumors. The goal of the current study was to examine if Cav-2 plays a role in I/R injury and associated acute leukocyte-mediated inflammation. Using a mouse small intestinal I/R model, we demonstrated that I/R downregulates Cav-2 protein levels in the small bowel. Further study using Cav-2-deficient mice revealed aggravated postischemic tissue injury determined by scoring of villi length in H&E-stained tissue sections, which correlated with increased numbers of MPO-positive tissue-infiltrating leukocytes determined by IHC staining. Intravital microscopic analysis of upstream events relative to leukocyte transmigration and tissue infiltration revealed that leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesive interactions in postcapillary venules, namely leukocyte rolling and adhesion were also enhanced in Cav-2-deficient mice. Mechanistically, Cav-2 deficiency increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) protein levels in the intestinal tissue and a pharmacological inhibition of PAI-1 had overall greater inhibitory effect on both aggravated I/R tissue injury and enhanced leukocyte-endothelial interactions in postcapillary venules in Cav-2-deficient mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that Cav-2 protein alleviates tissue injury in response to I/R by dampening PAI-1 protein levels and thereby reducing leukocyte-endothelial adhesive interactions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The role of caveolin-2 in regulating ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) tissue injury and the mechanisms underlying its effects are unknown. This study uses caveolin-2-deficient mouse and small intestinal I/R injury models to examine the role of caveolin-2 in the leukocyte-dependent reperfusion injury. We demonstrate for the first time that caveolin-2 plays a protective role from the I/R-induced leukocyte-dependent reperfusion injury by reducing PAI-1 protein levels in intestinal tissue and leukocyte-endothelial adhesive interactions in postcapillary venules.
A 60 GHz High Gain Narrow-Band 150 nm InGaAs based Power Amplifier

The feasibility of inductorless two-stage common-source power amplifier (PA) based on 150nmInGaAs pHEMT devices is evaluated for narrow-band applications at $\sim$60GHz. The PA uses carefully sized and shorted microstrip transmission lines in place of inductors for mm-wave operation. It achieves a maximum gain of 18 dB, an operating 3-dB bandwidth of 2.5 GHz at 62 GHz center frequency with a fractional bandwidth of 4%. The PAE and $P_{-\mathrm{i}dB}$ are 11.8 % and 8.1 dBm, respectively. The area of the layout of the PA is 0.22 mm2. The power delivered by the amplifier is 12.8 dBm. The power consumed by the PA is 135 mW at a source voltage of 4 V. A comparison of performance of the proposed PA with alternative technologies shows that it wm be a viable option in 60 GHz circuit design for ultra-short secured wireless links expected to be prevalent in the next decade.
Collaborative Annotation: Tools for Enhancing Learning and Scholarly Communication

Annotation is an centuries old method of communicating, organizing, and synthesizing information that becomes increasingly valuable the more widely it is shared. This article examines the growing d...
Effect of the Segmental Structure of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (Hardness) on the Interfacial Adhesion of Textile-Grade Carbon Fiber Composites

In polymer composites, the fiber–matrix interface is primarily influenced by the surface treatment of the fibers and polymer morphology. Previous studies have investigated the effect of surface tre...
Mysteries of the Cold War

The endgame: where did all the money go? - the 1980s US defence build-up and the end of the Cold War the pursuit of order, welfare and legitimacy - explaining the end of the Soviet Union and the Cold War the strange end of the Cold War - views from the former superpower. Adjusting and managing Cold War conflict: the US-Soviet tank confrontation at Checkpoint Charlie intelligence and disaster avoidance - the 1983 war scare in US-Soviet relations. Technology and strategy - the search for advantage: how the US came to deploy nuclear weapons in Europe high-tech adventurism - a Soviet laser attack?. Strategy and the Cold War: US maritime strategy and the Cold War Soviet soldier-internationalists in support of communist revolutions military adaptation and Soviet Cold War strategy.
Effects of intraseptal infusion of muscimol on inhibitory avoidance and spatial learning: Differential effects of pretraining and posttraining administration

Previous research in our laboratory showed that the pretraining administration of the GABAergic agonist muscimol into the medial septal area (MSA) of rats impaired place learning in a water-maze task. To determine whether this treatment impaired memory by acting at the time of training or after training, the first experiment examined the effects of posttraining intraseptal infusion of muscimol on retention in the place-learning task. The posttraining muscimol treatment facilitated learning on the second day of training (1 and 5 nmol) and produced an impairment on only one of the three retention measures on the free-swim trial (5 nmol). In additional experiments using an inhibitory avoidance task, pretraining, but not posttraining, administration of muscimol (5 nmol) into the MSA impaired retention. The findings of these experiments suggest that intraseptal administration of muscimol impairs memory formation primarily by affecting processes occurring at the time of training.
Total Colectomy and Proctocolectomy: Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Approach

Laparoscopic surgery has been shown to potentially have several advantages over an open approach, including reduced postoperative pain, faster postoperative recovery and shorter hospital stay, reduced complication rates, and improved cosmesis. Nevertheless, a steep learning curve and the need for specialized equipment have somewhat limited the adoption of minimally invasive colorectal surgery.
Influence of Beta-Hydroxybutyrate on Gene Expression of Hypothalamus and Pituitary Tissues in Castrated Male Lambs

The objective of these experiments was to identify pathways in the hypothalamus and pituitary that potentially mediate regulation of fertility by increasing BHB concentration. Ten castrated male la...
Robot‐assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for left clinical stage I non‐seminomatous germ cell testicular cancer: Focus on port placement and surgical technique

The aim of our report was to describe the feasibility of robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in the contemporary era. We suggest the linear port location and 90° robotic docking as the main key to minimizing instrument clashing and improving the range of surgical accessibility.
A correspondence principle for steady-state wave problems

A correspondence principle was developed for treating the steady state propagation of waves from sources moving along a plane surface or interface. This new principle allows one to obtain, in a unified manner, explicit solutions for any source velocity. To illustrate the correspondence principle in a particular case, the problem of a load moving at an arbitrary constant velocity along the surface of an elastic half-space is considered.
Collaborations in a Community of Practice Working to Integrate Engineering Design in Elementary Science Education.

The new standards for K-12 science education in the United States call for science teachers to integrate engineering concepts and practices within their science teaching in order to improve student learning. To accomplish this, teachers need appropriate instructional materials as well as the knowledge and skills to effectively use them. This mixed methods study examined participants’ perceptions of a STEM education partnership project in which university faculty members and elementary school teachers collaborated to develop and implement engineering design-based materials in elementary science education. Quantitative survey results suggested that both university faculty members and participating school teachers demonstrated elements of collaboration characteristic of an effective community of practice, and qualitative data from open-ended survey responses and interviews identified the factors that participants viewed as important. Results suggest that collaborations among community of practice participants are important to the success of school-based STEM education reform initiatives like the one described here.
Attenuation of Corpus Callosum Axon Myelination and Remyelination in the Absence of Circulating Sex Hormones

Sex differences in the structure and organization of the corpus callosum (CC) can be attributed to genetic, hormonal or environmental effects, or a combination of these factors. To address the role of gonadal hormones on axon myelination, functional axon conduction and immunohistochemistry analysis of the CC in intact, gonadectomized and hormone-replaced gonadectomized animals were used. These groups were subjected to cuprizone diet-induced demyelination followed by remyelination. The myelinated component of callosal compound action potential was significantly decreased in ovariectomized and castrated animals under normal myelinating condition. Compared to gonadally intact cohorts, both gonadectomized groups displayed more severe demyelination and inhibited remyelination. Castration in males was more deleterious than ovariectomy in females. Callosal conduction in estradiol-supplemented ovariectomized females was significantly increased during normal myelination, less attenuated during demyelination, and increased beyond placebo-treated ovariectomized or intact female levels during remyelination. In castrated males, the non-aromatizing steroid dihydrotestosterone was less efficient than testosterone and estradiol in restoring normal myelination/axon conduction and remyelination to levels of intact males. Furthermore, in both sexes, estradiol supplementation in gonadectomized groups increased the number of oligodendrocytes. These studies suggest an essential role of estradiol to promote efficient CC myelination and axon conduction in both sexes.
Evidence for motion between Nubia and Somalia along the Southwest Indian ridge

The East African rift marks the northern boundary of the Nubian (West African) and Somalian (East African) plates, and has formed by horizontal stretching due to the separation of these plates1. South of ∼20° S, any expression of deformation or seismicity due to the relative motion of these two distinct plates vanishes, although the boundary must continue until it intersects another plate boundary. The nearest such boundary is that of the Antarctic plate, marked by the Southwest Indian ridge. But previous analyses of plate-motion data have indicated no significant difference between Nubia–Antarctica and Somalia–Antarctica motion2,3. Here we show, using a large compilation of plate-motion data, that Nubia–Antarctica motion does differ from Somalia–Antarctica motion, and we determine a relative angular velocity of the two plates that has compact confidence limits. Our analysis places the pole of rotation near to the southern limit of African seismicity, implying that the southern part of the Nubian–Somalian plate boundary is a diffuse zone of convergence (up to ∼2 mm yr−1), whereas up to ∼6 mm yr−1 of separation is accommodated across the East African rift—about half the separation rate of the slowest mid-ocean ridge.
C/EBPα redirects androgen receptor signaling through a unique bimodal interaction

Nuclear expression of CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα), which supports tissue differentiation through several antiproliferative protein–protein interactions, augurs terminal differentiation of prostate epithelial cells. C/EBPα is also a tumor suppressor, but in many tumors its antiproliferative interactions may be attenuated by de-phosphorylation. C/EBPα acts as a corepressor of the classical androgen response element (ARE)-mediated gene activation by the androgen receptor (AR), but this is paradoxical as the genotropic actions of AR are crucial not only for the growth of the prostate but also for its maintenance and function. We show that DNA-bound C/EPBα recruits AR to activate transcription. C/EBPα-dependent trans-activation by AR also overrode suppression of AREs by C/EBPα elsewhere in a promoter. This mechanism was remarkable in that its androgen dependence was apparently for nuclear translocation of AR; it was otherwise androgen independent, flutamide insensitive and tolerant to disruption of AR dimerization. Gene response profiles and global chromatin associations in situ supported the direct bimodal regulation of AR transcriptional signaling by C/EBPα. This unique mechanism explains the functional coordination between AR and C/EPBα in the prostate and also shows that hormone-refractory AR signaling in prostate cancer could occur through receptor tethering.
Head regeneration in Hydra.

Hydra, a primitive metazoan, has a simple structure consisting of a head, body column, and foot aligned along a single oral-aboral axis. The body column has a high capacity for regeneration of both the head and foot. Because of the tissue dynamics that take place in adult Hydra, the processes governing axial patterning are continuously active to maintain the form of the animal. Regeneration in hydra is morphallactic and closely related to these axial patterning processes. As might be expected, analysis at the molecular level indicates that the same set of genes are involved in head regeneration and the maintenance of the head in the context of the tissue dynamics of the adult. The genes analyzed so far play roles in axial patterning processes in bilaterians.
Comparison of MHD Simulations of Isolated and Storm Time Substorms

The Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global magnetohydrodynamic simulation has been used to model the magnetosphere during a variety of solar wind conditions. Early work with the simulation was concentrated on modeling isolated substorms and the global characteristics of magnetic storms. In this paper we will compare the results from simulations of isolated substorms to those occurring during magnetic storms. The substorm which occurred on August 27, 2001 was a fairly typical isolated substorm which had extensive set of satellite and ground based observations. The LFM simulation of the interval agrees with some of these observations. The simulation results also show that thin current sheets develop during the growth phase of substorms and are disrupted, in part, by flows originating the in mid-tail region prior to ionospheric signatures of substorm onset. Furthermore, detailed analysis of the energy partitioning in the magnetotail shows the transfer of energy from the lobes into the plasma sheet occurs a few minutes before substorm onset. The magnetic storm which began on March 31, 2001 was one of the largest magnetic storms during this solar cycle. In this storm-time interval a very large substorm occurred with an onset at 0630 UT. Results from this simulation agree with some observations made by the constellation of spacecraft present during this substorm. Comparison between the simulation results for these two events indicates that storm-time and isolated substorms share the same essential features, development of intense thin current sheets during growth phase, disruption of this current sheet linked to activity in the mid-tail region, and rapid recovery phases.
Antenna Enhanced Graphene THz Emitter and Detector

Recent intense electrical and optical studies of graphene have pushed the material to the forefront of optoelectronic research. Of particular interest is the few terahertz (THz) frequency regime where efficient light sources and highly sensitive detectors are very challenging to make. Here we present THz sources and detectors made with graphene field effect transistors (GFETs) enhanced by a double-patch antenna and an on-chip silicon lens. We report the first experimental observation of 1–3 THz radiation from graphene, as well as more than 3 orders of magnitude performance improvements in a half-edge-contacted GFET thermoelectric detector operating at ∼2 THz. The quantitative analysis of the emitting power and its unusual charge density dependence indicate significant nonthermal noise contribution from the GFET. The polarization resolved detection measurements with different illumination geometries allow for detailed and quantitative analysis of various factors that contribute to the overall detector perf...
Extended Abstract: Structure Determination of Symmetric Protein Complexes by a Complete Search of Symmetry Configuration Space Using NMR Distance Restraints

Symmetric homo-oligomers are protein complexes with similar subunits arranged symmetrically [10]. Figure 1 illustrates the structure of a symmetric homo-oligomer called phospholamban. Phospholamban is a membrane protein that helps regulate the calcium level inside the cell and hence aids in muscle contraction and relaxation [7]; ion conductance studies [5] also suggest that phospholamban might have a separate role as an ion channel. A detailed molecular-level understanding of homo-oligomeric structures provides insights into their functions and, in some cases, how to design appropriate drugs. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy underlies many structural studies of homo-oligomers, but poses significant computational challenges in inferring threedimensional structures from indirect (and often sparse) measurements of geometry.
Development of a novel, nonimmunogenic, soluble human TNF receptor type I (sTNFR-I) construct in the baboon

Pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of six different recombinant human soluble p55 tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor I (sTNFR-I) constructs were evaluated in juvenile baboons. The constructs inc...
Determining the Prevalence of Bitter Tasters in a Sample of College Smokers

Social smoking is a growing trend among college students, characterized by occasional smoking, lack of nicotine dependence, and less intention to quit. Bitter taste phenotype (BTP), one’s ability to test bitter, may help tailor appropriate oral nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help students quit. Research questions examined differences in BTP and nicotine dependence among regular and social smokers. A bitter taste test determined ability to taste bitter. Carbon monoxide (CO) breath levels and salivary cotinine were used as biomarkers of smoking. A final sample of 22 revealed that 14 (63.6%) subjects considered themselves “social smokers.” Prevalence of bitter tasters was 59.1%, with 45.5% being categorized as medium tasters, 13.6% as supertasters, and 40.9% as nontasters. BTP was significantly and inversely correlated with smoking status; specifically, average number of cigarettes on a weekday (Kendall’s tau b = -.402), and percentage smoked with others (Kendall’s tau b = -.434). The trend of nontasters having a higher nicotine dependence score than bitter tasters was observed, although results were insignificant. As there is limited research about smoking habits of college students, understanding students’ social smoking, oral NRT use, and BTP will aid in determining the most effective cessation products and programs.
A database foundation to support software system evolution

Abstract Most software engineering researchers focus on supporting the maintenance of large-scale software systems to tackle problems such as managing source code alterations or automating the reconstruction and release of incrementally altered systems from descriptions of their configurations. In this paper, we take the view that information pertaining to the configurations of a system constitute a basic source of knowledge about the system's design and how its component modules fit together. This knowledge is articulated by the use of a special language called NuMIL, which captures the interdependencies between the interfaces of components within a system. We then use a relational database system to store the descriptions. This enables management of the description of large software configurations in an elegant manner, and it facilitates the interactive use of the descriptions in analyzing incremental system alterations and in enhancing the maintainer's understanding of a system.
Isomer‐specific separation and quantitation of tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxins by HRGC and HRGC/MS

A method is described for the determination of 22 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin isomers at the low part-per-trillion (ppt) level. High resolution, narrow bore, open tubular columns (OTCs) with 100 μm i.d. can achieve better separations than presently used 320 or 250 μm i.d. columns in about half the total time. Relative retention times and response factors for all 22 TCDD isomers are presented for the electron capture detection and for the molecular ion mass of individual isomers under electron impact ionization with selected ion monitoring (SIM).
Measuring symptom exaggeration in veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract Veteran subjects with chronic, combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently used as research subjects in the study of PTSD. However, questions have consistently been raised regarding PTSD symptom exaggeration in veteran populations due to the relationship between PTSD symptoms and disability payments within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. We used a variety of standardized forensic instruments frequently utilized in measuring symptom exaggeration – including the MMPI-2, the Structured Interview for Reported Symptoms (SIRS), the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS), and the Miller Forensic Assessment Test (MFAST) – to examine symptom report in a group of veterans presenting for treatment at a VA residential PTSD treatment program. The majority of Vietnam veteran subjects in our study (53%) exhibited clear symptom exaggeration by SIRS criteria. Within the entire subject group, total SIRS scores correlated significantly with reported PTSD symptom severity as measured by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS).
A survey of top 200 drugs—inconsistent practice of drug strength expression for drugs containing salt forms

Many ionizable drugs are developed and marketed as salt forms. However, there are no clear US regulatory guidelines on drug strength labeling for salts. The strengths of some drugs are expressed as salts and some as free acids/bases. This study surveyed the top 200 US drugs to assess the common practice in industry. The top 200 drugs prescribed in the United States were included in this survey. The drugs containing active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) salts were selected for analysis. Generic or combination products with redundant API salts were excluded. The package insert of each selected drug was reviewed, and the information on drug strength expression was extracted and categorized. Out of the top 200 drugs, 59 unique API salts were identified. The drug strengths were expressed as salts for 32 drugs (54%) and as free acids/bases for 27 drugs (46%). The survey results revealed the inconsistent practice among the industries regarding the drug strength expression for salts. Non-harmonized labeling practice can lead to confusions, potential calculation/dosing errors, and complications in labeling new products. The authors recommend the US Food and Drug Administration to standardize the labeling format for salts and preferably express the drug strengths based on the free acid/base forms.
Xenobiotic-metabolizing Cytochromes P450 Convert Prostaglandin Endoperoxide to Hydroxyheptadecatrienoic Acid and the Mutagen, Malondialdehyde *

Abstract Cyclooxygenases catalyze the oxygenation of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin endoperoxides. Cyclooxygenase-2- and the xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450s 1A and 3A are all aberrantly expressed during colorectal carcinogenesis. To probe for a role of P450s in prostaglandin endoperoxide metabolism, we studied the 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoate (HHT)/malondialdehyde (MDA) synthase activity of human liver microsomes and purified P450s. We found that human liver microsomes have HHT/MDA synthase activity that is concentration-dependent and inhibited by the P450 inhibitors, ketoconazole and clotrimazole with IC50values of 1 and 0.4 μm, respectively. This activity does not require P450 reductase. HHT/MDA synthase activity was present in purified P450s but not in heme alone or other heme proteins. The catalytic activities of various purified P450s were determined by measuring rates of MDA production from prostaglandin endoperoxide. At 50 μm substrate, the catalytic activities of purified human P450s varied from 10 ± 1 to 0.62 ± 0.02 min−1, 3A4 ≫ 2E1 > 1A2. Oxabicycloheptane analogs of prostaglandin endoperoxide, U-44069 and U-46619, induced spectral changes in human P450 3A4 with K s values of 240 ± 20 and 130 ± 10 μm, respectively. These results suggest that co-expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and P450s in developing cancers may contribute to genomic instability due to production of the endogenous mutagen, MDA.
Elder abuse and mortality: the role of psychological and social wellbeing.

Background: Elder abuse is a pervasive human right and public health issue. Objectives: We aimed to examine the mortality associated with elder abuse across level
Inhibition of cell adhesion to fibronectin by oligopeptide-substituted polynorbornenes.

Polynorbornenes substituted with two different peptide sequences from the RGD-containing integrin cell-binding domain of fibronectin are potent inhibitors of human foreskin fibroblast cell adhesion to fibronectin-coated surfaces. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using Ru═CHPh(Cl)_2(PCy_3)(DHIMes) (1) as an initiator produced polymers substituted with GRGDS and PHSRN peptide sequences. The inhibitory activity was quantified for these polymers and compared to the free peptides and GRGES-containing controls. A homopolymer substituted with GRGDS peptides was significantly more active than the free GRGDS peptide (IC_(50) of 0.18 ± 0.03 and 1.33 ± 0.20 mM respectively), and the copolymer containing both GRGDS and PHSRN is the most potent inhibitor (IC_(50) of 0.04 ± 0.01 mM). These results demonstrate that significant enhancements of observed biological activity can be obtained from polymeric materials containing more than one type of multivalent ligand and that ROMP is a useful method to synthesize such well-defined copolymers.
Vaginal absorption of polyvinyl alcohol in Fischer 344 rats.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a polymer with a wide range of molecular weights and uses. Recently, low molecular weight formulations of PVA have been used as components of contraceptive products designed for intravaginal administration in human females. Previous studies in animals have determined that little or no absorption of PVA occurs from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, there is some concern that PVA of lower molecular weights might be absorbed across membranes of the reproductive tract. Consequently, this work has investigated the absorption of low molecular weight PVA across biological membranes of the reproductive and GI tracts of Fischer 344 rats. Oral administration of ten consecutive daily doses of 14C PVA resulted in little apparent absorption of the dose from the GI tract. In contrast, intravaginal administration of 14C PVA resulted in increasing concentrations of PVA-derived radioactivity in major tissues following one, three or ten daily doses of the estimated human dose of 3 mg/kg. ...
Automatic subspace clustering of high dimensional data for data mining applications

Data mining applications place special requirements on clustering algorithms including: the ability to find clusters embedded in subspaces of high dimensional data, scalability, end-user comprehensibility of the results, non-presumption of any canonical data distribution, and insensitivity to the order of input records. We present CLIQUE, a clustering algorithm that satisfies each of these requirements. CLIQUE identifies dense clusters in subspaces of maximum dimensionality. It generates cluster descriptions in the form of DNF expressions that are minimized for ease of comprehension. It produces identical results irrespective of the order in which input records are presented and does not presume any specific mathematical form for data distribution. Through experiments, we show that CLIQUE efficiently finds accurate cluster in large high dimensional datasets.
Hydrologic restoration of a fen in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

Big Meadows, a 63-ha fen in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), was ditched for agricultural purposes in the early part of this century. Although use of the ditch ceased after the establishment of RMNP in 1915, it continued to intercept sheet flows in the central and southern portions of the fen, causing the ground-water level to decrease and aerobic soil conditions to develop in the mid- to late-summer of most years. In 1990, the ditch was blocked in an attempt to restore the hydrologic regime in the central and southern portions of the fen. Water-level data from three years prior to restoration and four years after restoration show that blocking the ditch successfully restored surface sheet flow, high late-summer watertable levels, and anaerobic soil conditions in much of the central and southern portions of the fen. Conditions in these areas are now similar to those in the northern portion of the fen. The long-term data from this site also indicate that summer rainfall has a greater influence on the magnitude of late-summer drying than the size of the winter snowpack. In a post-restoration year with extremely low rainfall in July and August, water levels throughout the fen decreased to levels similar to those observed throughout most of the pre-restoration period. The study suggests that this and other fens in the southern Rocky Mountains are extremely sensitive to summer precipitation and the hydrologic changes created by even small ditches or water diversions.
Effect of long-term nitrogen fertilization on mycorrhizal fungi associated with a dominant grass in a semiarid grassland

We studied the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in semiarid grassland and the effect of long-term nitrogen (N) fertilization on this fungal community. Root samples of Bouteloua gracilis were collected at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (New Mexico, USA) from control and N-amended plots that have been fertilized since 1995. Small subunit rDNA was amplified using AMF specific primers NS31 and AM1. The diversity of AMF was low in comparison with other ecosystems, only seven operational taxonomic units (OTU) were found in B. gracilis and all belong to the genus Glomus. The dominant OTU was closely related to the ubiquitous G. intraradices/G. fasciculatum group. N-amended plots showed a reduction in the abundance of the dominant OTU and an increase in AMF diversity. The greater AMF diversity in roots from N-amended plots may have been the result of displacement of the dominant OTU, which facilitated detection of uncommon AMF. The long-term implications of AMF responses to N enrichment for plant carbon allocation and plant community structure remain unclear.
Laser retroreflectance consistent with a polarized single-scatter weak electromagnetic-field localization-interference phenomenon.

A set of laser retroreflectance measurements at 0.6328 and 1.159 μm are presented for white and red Nextel paints, MgCO3, and Halon for phase angles from 12.1° to 0° with incident radiation perpendicular and parallel to the plane of vision, to determine plane- and cross-polarized components. It is shown that a physical optical retroreflectance can occur for a polarized single-asperity surface scatter or selected multiple scattering that preserves the source polarization and coherence. Also subsequent geometrical optical shadowing of the scattering can occur. At very high resolutions (~ 0.1°), an optical structure appears on the retroreflectance patterns suggesting a physical optical interference. The observations support a theory of retroreflectance based on weak electromagnetic-field localization, and extend these concepts with observations of unpolarized scattering. Ideally the dominant, sharp retroreflectance peak is theoretically predicted to be twice the diffuse-background level, and this has been observed for some samples. At higher angular and spectral resolutions, retroreflectance thus appears to be a combination of physical and geometrical optical effects.
Loss of biological activity of apomorphine from auto-oxidation.

Buffered and unbuffered solutions of apomorphine hydrochloride in physiological saline were incubated at 30° for 61 days and samples were periodically withdrawn for both chemical and biological assay. Within the limits of error, the loss of biological activity, as measured by the gradual diminution in the intensity of the pecking syndrome in pigeons, paralleled the disappearance of unoxidised apomorphine. The un-buffered solutions retained approximately 75 per cent of their biological activity after 60 days incubation while solutions buffered initially to pH 6·0 were biologically inert after 16 days. Extracted and concentrated degradation product(s) when administered to pigeons failed to initiate the pecking syndrome.
Effects of tachykinins on mucus secretion in human bronchi in vitro.

Abstract We examined the effects of mammalian tachykinins on human bronchial secretion in vitro using fucose as an endogenous marker for mucus. Substance P (SP, 10 −9 –10 −5 M) increased secretion in a dose-related manner and was more potent than neurokinin A or neurokinin B. The enkephalinase (endopeptidase 24.11) inhibitor phosphoramidon (10 −5 M) potentiated the effect of SP (10 −7 M). SP is a potent stimulant of secretion in human bronchi and enkephalinase may modulate its effects.
Some recent results in structured robust stability: An overview

Some recent results on robust stability with structured perturbations, using the polynomial framework, are presented in this paper without proof. As background we first describe Kharitonov's theorem and give an interpretation of it as a generalization of the Hermite—Bieler interlacing theorem. The need for a generalization of this result for tackling the control problem is explained, and our new results are then presented. An important generalization of Kharitonov's theorem that solves the box problem in parameter space is described. Some efficient formulae for the l2-stability margin in parameter space are also given. The results are illustrated by examples.
Cyclothiazide Treatment Unmasks AMPA Excitotoxicity in Rat Primary Hippocampal Cultures

Mechanisms of non-NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity were studied in embryonic rat hippocampal cultures using kainic acid (KA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) as agonists. Under basal culture conditions, overnight treatment with AMPA resulted in negligible excitotoxicity as assessed by phase-contrast microscopy and measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. In contrast, similar treatment with KA resulted in marked excitotoxic morphologic changes and release of LDH. Cotreatment of cultures with AMPA but not NMDA effectively blocked KA toxicity, suggesting that AMPA-induced rapid desensitization of the AMPA/KA receptor could account for the lack of prominent direct toxicity as well as AMPA's ability to block KA toxicity. To test this hypothesis, cultures were briefly pretreated with 10 microM cyclothiazide, a drug reported to block desensitization of the AMPA/KA receptor, and then exposed overnight to cyclothiazide plus AMPA and/or KA. Cyclothiazide-treated cultures were now vulnerable to AMPA as well as KA; moreover, AMPA was unable to block KA toxicity completely, suggesting that cyclothiazide impaired AMPA/KA receptor desensitization. These and related studies suggest that a regulatory site may exist on the AMPA/KA receptor that modulates non-NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity.
PTSD risk is associated with BDNF Val66Met and BDNF overexpression

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which regulates neuronal survival, growth, differentiation and synapse formation, broadly regulates the stress response.1 A common single-nucleotide polymorphism in the BDNF gene (Val66Met) influences hippocampal volume,2 memory3 and appears related to susceptibility to a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).1 Therefore, we hypothesized that BDNF may be an important mediator of the abnormal stress response contributing to PTSD. We analyzed genetic variation in 461 and the plasma levels of BDNF in 68 US. Army Special Operations soldiers deployed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. A probable-PTSD diagnosis was made if subjects endorsed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV PTSD criteria (at least one re-experiencing, three avoidance and two hyper-arousal symptoms) and had a total PTSD check list (PCL) score of 50 or above (see Supplementary Methods). We found that 42 (9%) participants met criteria for probable-PTSD, while the remaining 419 (91%) subjects did not. In those with probable-PTSD, the frequency of Met/Met was nearly threefold higher than in the controls. The allelic frequency of Met was twofold higher in individuals with probable-PTSD than in controls (Supplementary Information). BDNF levels in plasma of the subjects with PTSD were significantly higher than those in the non-PTSD controls. These results agree with evidence suggesting that BDNF is involved in the development of PTSD.1 Met carriers have a smaller hippocampus volume, relative to controls2 and perform more poorly than controls (Val/Val) on memory tasks.4 Veterans with psychotic PTSD carry more Met alleles than non-psychotic veterans with PTSD or veterans without PTSD,5 even though a case–control genetic association study showed no relationship between BDNF gene Val66Met and PTSD diagnosis.6
Deletion of the UL4 gene sequence of equine herpesvirus 1 precludes the generation of defective interfering particles

Serial, high multiplicity passage of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) leads to the generation of defective interfering particles (DIP). EHV-1 DIP inhibit and interfere with the replication of standard EHV-1, establishing a state of persistent infection. These DIP package severely truncated and rearranged forms of the standard viral genome. Contained within the DIP genome are only three genes: UL3, UL4, and a unique hybrid gene (Hyb). The hybrid gene forms through a recombination event that fuses portions of the early regulatory IR4 and UL5 genes and is essential for DIP-mediated interference. The UL4 gene is an early gene dispensable for lytic replication and inhibits viral and cellular gene expression. However, the contribution of the UL4 gene during DIP-mediated persistent infection is unknown. Here, we describe the generation of a completely deleted UL4 virus and its use to investigate the role of the UL4 gene in the generation of the defective genome. Deletion of the UL4 gene resulted in delayed virus growth at late times post-infection. Cells infected with a mutant EHV-1 that lacked expression of the UL4 protein due to an inserted stop codon in the UL4 gene produced defective particles, while cells infected with a mutant EHV-1 that had the complete UL4 gene sequence deleted were unable to produce DIP. These data suggest that the UL4 gene sequence, but not the UL4 protein, is critical for the generation of defective interfering particles.
Nearly 50 years in the making: defining the catalytic mechanism of the multifunctional enzyme, pyruvate carboxylase

Numerous steady-state kinetic studies have examined the complex catalytic reaction mechanism of the multifunctional enzyme, pyruvate carboxylase (PC). Through initial velocity, product inhibition, isotopic exchange and alternate substrate experiments, early investigators established that PC catalyzes the MgATP-dependent carboxylation of pyruvate by HCO3 (-) through a nonclassical sequential Bi Bi Uni Uni reaction mechanism. This review surveys previous steady-state kinetic investigations of PC and evaluates the proposed hypotheses concerning the overall catalytic mechanism, nonlinear kinetics and active site coupling in the context of recent structural and mutagenic analyses of this multifunctional enzyme. The determination several PC holoenzyme structures have aided in corroborating the proposed molecular mechanisms by which catalysis occurs and established the inextricable link between the dynamic protein motions and complex kinetic mechanisms associated with PC activity. Unexpectedly, the conclusions drawn from these early steady-state kinetic investigations have consistently proven to be in fundamental agreement with our current understanding of PC catalysis, which is a testament to the overarching sophistication of the methods pioneered by Michaelis and Menten and further developed by Northrop, Cleland and others.
Statistical thermodynamics of the liquid state, the liquid-glass transition and the glassy state of polymers

The principal question considered is the relationship between the liquid and the glassy state of amorphous polymers. It is discussed here in terms of the equation of state. A successful molecular theory can be formulated which contains as a structural quantity the hole fraction of the quasi-lattice. In terms of characteristic pressure, volume and temperature parameters it yields the equation of state of the liquid polymer and predicts the pressure coefficient of the glass temperature for a given polymer. A bridge between the statistical and the thermodynamic theory of frozen ordering parameters is established by treating the vacancy fraction 1 —y as such a parameter. For several polymers it has been shown thaty does not remain constant below the glass temperature but varies with temperature and pressure. By assuming thus that the only difference between the two states resides in the functional dependence ofy on the variables of state (determined in the liquid by the minimization of the configurational free energy), a semiempirical equation of state can be obtained which is valid between the glass temperature and theβ-relaxation region. These results indicate that a mechanism based on the picture of thermal vibrations cannot describe the configurational properties of the glass, except at extremely low temperatures. Here a successful theoretical equation of state and a low temperature theorem of corresponding states can be formulated, based on this concept. The approach discussed is general and should be extended to systems of low molecular weight as well.
Longitudinal evaluation of discrete consecutive gaze gestures for text entry

Eye-typing performance results are reported from controlled studies comparing an on-screen keyboard and Eye Write, a new on-screen gestural input alternative. Results from the first pilot study suggest the presence of a learning curve that novice users must overcome in order to gain proficiency in EyeWrite's use (requiring practice with its letter-like gestural alphabet). Results from the second longitudinal study indicate that EyeWrite's inherent multi-saccade handicap (4.52 saccades per character, frequency-weighted average) is sufficient for the on-screen keyboard to edge out Eye Write in speed performance. Eye-typing speeds with Eye Write approach 5 wpm on average (8 wpm attainable by proficient users), whereas keyboard users achieve about 7 wpm on average (in line with previous results). However, Eye Write users leave significantly fewer uncorrected errors in the final text, with no significant difference in the number of errors corrected during entry, indicating a speed-accuracy trade-off. Subjective results indicate that participants consider Eye Write significantly faster, easier to use, and prone to cause less ocular fatigue than the on-screen keyboard. In addition, Eye-Write consumes much less screen real-estate than an on-screen keyboard, giving it practical advantages for eye-based text entry.
Variable acquisition/communication split ratio for lasercom terminals

In a lasercom terminal with co-operative acquisition and tracking, it is desirable to be able to devote all of the received power to the acquisition function while the link is being established and then switch most or all of the power to the tracking and communication functions for link operation. This ability can be especially important in a backbone terminal that interoperates with a wide range of edge terminals with different capabilities, as it can eliminate the need to optimize for one edge terminal at the expense of the others. We begin by examining link budgets for hypothetical edge terminals to establish the potential benefit to the system. We then consider three different schemes for implementing a variable acquisition/communication ratio. The first uses a bifurcating mirror to passively separate the acquisition and communications receiver paths in the backbone terminal. The second uses separate wavelengths for the acquisition and communication functions. The third uses polarization with a rotatable wave pate or its equivalent and a polarization beam splitter to vary the split ratio. We find that all three schemes are viable; the bifurcating mirror scheme is completely passive, while the wavelength scheme offers all-electronic implementation, and the polarization scheme can be implemented completely at the receiver end of the link without coordination with the remote transmitter. Any of these schemes could be implemented to relax requirements one edge terminals, allowing lower cost solutions to proliferate.
A randomized clinical trial testing treatment preference and two dietary options in behavioral weight management: preliminary results of the impact of diet at 6 months--PREFER study.

Objective: The PREFER study objectives were to examine potential differences in weight loss during a standard behavioral intervention between subjects assigned to one of two calorie- and fat-restricted diets [standard behavior treatment (SBT) and lacto-ovo-vegetarian ([SBT+LOV)], with or without regard to their preferred dietary treatment. This article reports the differences in outcomes between diet groups after the first 6 months of the intervention. Research Methods and Procedures: The study used a four-group design. Subjects (n = 182) were randomized to a treatment preference group and then to a dietary treatment group. For this report, preference groups were combined to permit comparisons by dietary treatment only (SBT, n = 98; SBT+LOV, n = 84). Additional analyses compared SBT+LOV subjects who were 100% adherent (did not consume any meat, fish, or poultry, n = 47) to those who were <100% adherent (n = 24). Results: Significant differences were seen in the baseline to 6-month change scores between the two groups for carbohydrate consumption (p = 0.013), protein consumption (p < 0.001), polyunsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio (p = 0.009), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level (p = 0.013). Among SBT+LOV subjects, those who were 100% adherent experienced greater reductions in weight (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (p = 0.026), LDL-C (p = 0.034), and glucose (p = 0.002) and consumed less fat (p = 0.030) compared with those who were <100% adherent. Discussion: Differences between dietary treatment groups at 6 months were minimal, most likely because one-third of the SBT+LOV group did not follow the vegetarian diet and because both groups had the same calorie and fat restrictions. SBT+LOV subjects who were 100% adherent were more successful at both weight loss and cholesterol reduction than those who were <100% adherent, suggesting that vegetarian diets are efficacious for weight and cholesterol control.