cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of adenosine receptor antagonists on pial arteriolar dilation during carbon dioxide inhalation.

The role of adenosine in the cerebrovascular response to carbon dioxide inhalation was evaluated in two sets of experiments. The pial circulation was recorded by a Laser-Doppler flow probe placed over a closed cranial window in methoxyflurane anesthetized rats. Topical application of the nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine (1 mM), the selective A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX,1 μM), or the selective A2A receptor antagonist 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a]triazin-5-yl amino]ethyl) phenol (ZM 241385, 1 μM) all failed to affect mean arterial blood pressure, basal cerebral blood flow, or the carbon dioxide-evoked hyperemia. Systemically administered caffeine (20 mg/kg) also had no significant effects. However, following the systemic administration of the nonselective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 20 mg/kg), the topical application of both caffeine and ZM 241385 (but not DPCPX) significantly reduced the carbon dioxide-evoked hyperemia. l-NAME (20 mg/kg) administered intravenously, evoked a significant increase in mean arterial blood pressure, a slow progressive decline in cerebral blood flow and, during brief (60–90 s) periods of 7.5% carbon dioxide inhalation, a significant decrease in arterial blood pressure. l-NAME failed to reduce the carbon dioxide-evoked increase in cerebral blood flow as measured by the area under the curve (AUC), although it did reduce the peak flow response. Topically applied l-NAME (1 mM) failed to alter mean arterial blood pressure, basal cerebral blood flow, or the carbon dioxide-evoked increases in cerebral blood flow. In a second series of experiments, we evaluated the ability of 10% carbon dioxide inhalation for 8 min to elicit a release of adenosine from the cerebral cortex. Adenosine levels in the cortical superfusates rose significantly during periods of carbon dioxide inhalation. The data suggest that following the removal of the confounding effects of nitric oxide, which are unlikely to be mediated locally, a significant contribution by adenosine A2A receptor activation to the carbon dioxide-evoked cortical hyperemia was evident.
Trends in the maternal investment of harbour porpoises are uncoupled from the dynamics of their primary prey

Harbour porpoises in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine feed primarily on Atlantic herring. Herring stocks have undergone dramatic fluctuations in abundance over the past three decades due to changes in fishing intensity. In order to understand the effects of these changes in prey abundance on the patterns of maternal investment, I examined interdecadal variation in the size of porpoise calves measured in August prior to weaning. Female harbour porpoises exhibited significant variation in maternal investment between 1970 and 1999. During the 1980s, females consumed more herring and produced larger calves. Surprisingly, however, this increased maternal investment occurred during the period of lowest prey abundance, perhaps because the herring stock assessment does not reflect the availability or quality of prey to female porpoises.
Growth of Streptococcus mutans in a chemostat

Abstract A strain of Streptococcus mutans isolated from a carious lesion of a patient and known to cause caries in hamsters and monkeys were grown in a complex medium in a chemostat. There were changes in the ability of the organism to stick to surfaces, glucose utilization, and acid production of the organism when grown at different dilution rates.
Extraction and Visualization of the Central Chest Lymph-Node Stations

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is expected to account for nearly 30% of all cancer deaths in 2007. Central to the lung-cancer diagnosis and staging process is the assessment of the central chest lymph nodes. This assessment typically requires two major stages: (1) location of the lymph nodes in a three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution volumetric multi-detector computed-tomography (MDCT) image of the chest; (2) subsequent nodal sampling using transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA). We describe a computer-based system for automatically locating the central chest lymph-node stations in a 3D MDCT image. Automated analysis methods are first run that extract the airway tree, airway-tree centerlines, aorta, pulmonary artery, lungs, key skeletal structures, and major-airway labels. This information provides geometrical and anatomical cues for localizing the major nodal stations. Our system demarcates these stations, conforming to criteria outlined for the Mountain and Wang standard classification systems. Visualization tools within the system then enable the user to interact with these stations to locate visible lymph nodes. Results derived from a set of human 3D MDCT chest images illustrate the usage and efficacy of the system.
Dual Inhibition of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL Strikingly Enhances PI3K Inhibition-Induced Apoptosis in Human Myeloid Leukemia Cells through a GSK3- and Bim-Dependent Mechanism

Effects of concomitant inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and Bcl-2/Bcl-xL (BCL2L1) were examined in human myeloid leukemia cells. Tetracycline-inducible Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL dual knockdown sharply increased PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor lethality. Conversely, inducible knockdown or dominant-negative AKT increased whereas constitutively active AKT reduced lethality of the Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor ABT-737. Furthermore, PI3K/mTOR inhibitors (e.g., BEZ235, PI-103) synergistically increased ABT-737-mediated cell death in multiple leukemia cell lines and reduced colony-formation in leukemic but not normal CD34+ cells. Notably, increased lethality was observed in 4/6 primary AML specimens. Responding, but not non-responding, samples exhibited basal AKT phosphorylation. PI3K/mTOR inhibitors markedly down-regulated Mcl-1 but increased Bim binding to Bcl-2/Bcl-xL; the latter effect was abrogated by ABT-737. Combined treatment also markedly diminished Bax/Bak binding to Mcl-1, Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL. Bax, Bak, or Bim (BCL2L11) knockdown, or Mcl-1 over-expression significantly diminished regimen-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, pharmacologic inhibition or shRNA knockdown of GSK3α/β significantly attenuated Mcl-1 down-regulation and decreased apoptosis. In a systemic AML xenograft model, dual tet-inducible knockdown of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL sharply increased BEZ235 anti-leukemic effects. In a subcutaneous xenograft model, BEZ235 and ABT-737 co-administration significantly diminished tumor growth, down-regulated Mcl-1, activated caspases, and prolonged survival. Together, these findings suggest that anti-leukemic synergism between PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors and BH3 mimetics involves multiple mechanisms, including Mcl-1 down-regulation, release of Bim from Bcl-2/Bcl-xL as well as Bak and Bax from Mcl-1/Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, and GSK3α/β, culminating in Bax/Bak activation and apoptosis. They also argue that combining PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors with BH3-mimetics warrants attention in AML, particularly in the setting of basal AKT activation and/or addiction.
Habituation of gastric function suppression in monkeys after repeated free-operant avoidance sessions

Gastric fluid and hydrogen ion secretory rates as well as concurrent fractional emptying rates were determined in monkeys subjected to repeated sessions of free operant avoidance. During the first avoidance session, fractional emptying rate and fluid and hydrogen ion secretory rates were all reduced as compared to preavoidance control rates. By the time the monkeys were performing avoidance stably, fluid and hydrogen ion secretory rates had returned to control levels while fractional emptying tended to return to control levels. Our interpretation that this represented habituation of the stomach to the stressor was buttressed by another experiment in which response-contingent shock was superimposed upon the baseline avoidance schedule. Gastric fractional emptying and fluid and hydrogen ion secretory rates remained at control levels despite the increase in shock frequency related to this new paradigm.
On dissolute spaces

Abstract Compact subspaces and metrizable subspaces of dissolution locales A d (the locale defined by the frame of congruence relations on the frame of A ) are investigated. Separable metrizable ones are countable, and every countable metric space can be so embedded. Compact ones are scattered, but there is a further restriction: the space admits a partial ordering whose principal ideals are open and closed.
Corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in hydrochloric acid by furan derivatives

Abstract The efficiency of three furan derivatives (2-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol and furfurylamine), as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in 1 M HCl, has been determined by gravimetric and electrochemical measurements. These compounds inhibit corrosion even at very low concentrations, and furfuryl alcohol is the best inhibitor. Polarization curves indicate that all compounds are mixed inhibitors, affecting both cathodic and anodic corrosion currents. Adsorption of furan derivatives on the carbon steel surface is in agreement with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, and the calculated Gibbs free energy values confirm the chemical nature of the adsorption. The structural and electronic properties of these inhibitors, obtained using AM1, PM3, MNDO and MINDO/3 semi-empirical self-consistence field methods, are correlated with their experimental efficiencies.
Separation of cesium and strontium by electrodialysis

Abstract Electrodialysis methods employing Permutit anion exchange membranes (3148) and cation exchange membranes (3142) have been investigated for the separation of strontium from cesium. The methods were based on the formation of strontium chelate complexes with EDTA and DTPA. Separations of radio-strontium and radio-cesium in equilibrium with their daughter decay products were made with two-cell and three-cell electrodialysers. The best results were obtained with EDTA at an initial pH of 11·0 employing anion exchange membranes. The data suggest that this method is feasible for the separation and purification of radioactive cesium and strontium.
Synthesis and Identification of the Primary Degradation Product in a Commercial Ophthalmic Formulation Using NMR, MS, and a Stability-Indicating HPLC Method for Antazoline and Naphazoline

HPLC analysis of an anti‐infective ophthalmic solution (Albalon‐A), containing the active drugs naphazoline and antazoline, revealed a degradation peak of unknown identity. To elucidate the identity of the degradant, the active drugs were each hydrolyzed by refluxing at high pH, and their respective hydrolysis products were isolated and spectrally characterized by NMR, FT‐IR, and MS for conclusive structure elucidation. The degradant's identity was confirmed by HPLC‐MS analysis of Albalon‐A ophthalmic solution to be the antazoline hydrolysis product N‐[(N‐benzylanilino)acetyl]ethylenediamine (IV). A stability‐indicating HPLC method was then developed which was able to resolve IV from the active drugs. This HPLC method was then validated for quantitating the active drugs and IV. Validation studies demonstrated linear UV response at 280 nm, recovery > 98%, good reproducibility, and a detection limit of 2 μg/mL IV. Overall, the data demonstrated that the HPLC method was quantitative and specific for antazoline, naphazoline, and IV. Analysis of an expired stabilitry lot of the ophthalmic solution indicated the concentration of IV was 0.002% (w/v).
Epigenetic marks identify functional elements

Enhancers and transcription factor binding sites that control cell-specific transcription in higher eukaryotes can be found up to hundreds of kilobases from the promoters that they control, making their identification challenging. A new study uses a model based on histone modifications and chromatin dynamics to predict functional elements involved in androgen receptor response.
Public affairs events at Fall Meeting

AGU's Public Affairs team presented two workshop luncheons and hosted 17 oral and poster sessions at the 2011 Fall Meeting. Topics ranged from defining the importance of the geosciences, to climate change science for communities and institutions. The workshop luncheon “How to Be a Congressional Science Fellow or Mass Media Fellow” was a well-attended event with more than 115 participants. The luncheon provided the opportunity for audience members to ask fellow scientists about their experiences working either in Congress or as a reporter for a news organization. For scientists looking to expand their expertise outside the academic environment, these AGU fellowships are fantastic opportunities.
Characterization of herbicidal injury by acifluorfen-methyl in excised cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons☆

Abstract Initial signs of herbicidal injury by several diphenyl ether herbicides were monitored by following the efflux of 86Rb+ from treated cucumber (Cucumis sativis L.) cotyledons after exposure to light (600 μE m−2 sec−1; measured as PAR, i.e., photosynthetically active radiation between 400 and 700 nm). This very sensitive, rapid, and quantitative bioassay proved quite useful in (a) a structure-activity correlations study of the diphenyl ether compounds investigated and (b) an examination of herbicidal characteristics. The following diphenyl ether herbicides were analyzed: acifluorfen, sodium 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluormethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate; acifluorfen-methyl (MC-10108), methyl 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate; bifenox, methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate; nitrofen, 2,4-dichlorophenyl p-nitrophenyl ether; nitrofluorfen, 2-chloro-1-(4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene; oxyfluorfen, 2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene; MC-7783, potassium 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate; and MC-10982, ethyl 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate. Of the compounds investigated, acifluorfen-methyl (AFM) had the greatest degree of herbicidal activity. Cucumber cotyledons placed in high light (600 μE m−2 sec−1; PAR) with 10 nM AFM showed a significant increase in the efflux of 86Rb+ within 2 to 4 hr. Light was required for herbicidal activity by AFM, and when treated cotyledons were returned to darkness, no further damage to the tissue occurred. By decreasing the quantity of light, the effect of the compound was delayed, although the magnitudes of the responses at the different intensities (600, 300, 150, and 75 μE m−2 sec−1; PAR) were nearly equal. By increasing the length of time of dark pretreatment with 1 μM AFM, 86Rb+ efflux could be detected as early as 10 to 15 min after exposure to light (600 μE m−2 sec−1; PAR). Following light activation of AFM there was a simultaneous efflux of 86Rb+, 36Cl−, 45Ca2+, 3-O-methyl-[14C]glucose, and [14C]methylamine+. These data suggest the initial response to the herbicidal activity of AFM is expressed as a general increase in membrane permeability.
How do Students Respond to Labor Market and Education Incentives? An Analysis of Homework Time

This study examines the extent to which high school students respond to education and labor market incentives when making decisions about homework. Student and state fixed effects estimators are used to control for unobserved individual and geographic heterogeneity and selection. I find that students’ choices about homework respond to unemployment rates and changes in the minimum wage, but not to changes in the price of higher education. These responses are not constant throughout the population: female students, low income students, and low achieving students in particular increase their homework time in response to a higher minimum wage, while male students are more responsive to changes in the unemployment rate.
Sleep quality improved following a single session of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in older women: Results from a pilot study.

Abstract Background Poor sleep quality is associated with adverse effects on health outcomes. It is not clear whether exercise can improve sleep quality and whether intensity of exercise affects any of the effects. Methods Fifteen healthy, non-obese (body mass index = 24.4 ± 2.1 kg/m 2 , mean ± SD), sedentary ( 2peak ) was evaluated using a graded exercise test on a treadmill with a metabolic cart. Following a 7-day baseline period, each participant completed two exercise sessions (separated by 1 week) with equal caloric expenditure, but at different intensities (60% and 45% VO 2peak , sequence randomized) between 9:00 and 11:00 am. A wrist ActiGraph monitor was used to assess sleep at baseline and two nights following each exercise session. Results The average duration of the exercise was 54 and 72 min, respectively at 60% (moderate-intensity) and 45% VO 2peak (light-intensity). Wake time after sleep onset was significantly shorter ( p = 0.016), the number of awakenings was less ( p = 0.046), and total activity counts were lower ( p = 0.05) after the moderate-intensity exercise compared to baseline no-exercise condition. Conclusion Our data showed that a single moderate-intensity aerobic exercise session improved sleep quality in older women.
Fourier packing ordinate: A univariate size-independent measurement of the polygonal packing variation in Paleozoic bryozoans

The Fourier packing ordinate provides a highly sensitive, univariate, and size-independent measurement of the polygonal packing variation in Paleozoic bryozoan colonies. It is potentially useful in quantifying a wide variety of natural packing arrays or polygonal networks, and is preferable to counting the sides of polygons, the frequency of triple or quadruple junctions, the nearest-neighbor statistic, measurements of surface area per unit cell, or individual harmonic amplitudes. Fourier shape analysis provides exact measurements of the levels of two- to six-fold rotational symmetry in all natural packing gradients. In bryozoans these symmetries are intercorrelated because as each order of symmetry is increasing, the previous order is decreasing. Shapes in these packing arrays are normally hybrids of two or more orders of rotational symmetry. The levels of rotational symmetry involved in these packing gradients are significantly correlated with a single principal component, the Fourier packing ordinate, which is independent of both size and cell boundary phenomena. Spatial analysis of the Fourier packing ordinate within an Ordovician bryozoan colony reveals both variation in packing caused by subcolony budding, as well as large scale trends which vary from the colony center to the free-growing margin.
SC-GRAPPA: Self-constraint noniterative GRAPPA reconstruction with closed-form solution

Purpose: Parallel MRI (pMRI) reconstruction techniques are commonly used to reduce scan time by undersampling the k-space data. GRAPPA, a k-space based pMRI technique, is widely used clinically because of its robustness. In GRAPPA, the missing k-space data are estimated by solving a set of linear equations; however, this set of equations does not take advantage of the correlations within the missing k-space data. All k-space data in a neighborhood acquired from a phased-array coil are correlated. The correlation can be estimated easily as a self-constraint condition, and formulated as an extra set of linear equations to improve the performance of GRAPPA. The authors propose a modified k-space based pMRI technique called self-constraint GRAPPA (SC-GRAPPA) which combines the linear equations of GRAPPA with these extra equations to solve for the missing k-space data. Since SC-GRAPPA utilizes a least-squares solution of the linear equations, it has a closed-form solution that does not require an iterative solver. Methods: The SC-GRAPPA equation was derived by incorporating GRAPPA as a prior estimate. SC-GRAPPA was tested in a uniform phantom and two normal volunteers. MR real-time cardiac cine images with acceleration rate 5 and 6 were reconstructed using GRAPPA and SC-GRAPPA. Results: SC-GRAPPA showed a significantly lower artifact level, and a greater than 10% overall signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain over GRAPPA, with more significant SNR gain observed in low-SNR regions of the images. Conclusions: SC-GRAPPA offers improved pMRI reconstruction, and is expected to benefit clinical imaging applications in the future.
The Polarized American Views on Humanity and the Sources of Hyper-Partisanship

In recent years, many possible explanations have been offered for why America has become a more polarized country. In this article, we introduce a new variable to the discussion. Rather than focusi...
Sliding-mode observers with compound manifolds for the induction motor

The paper discusses the problem of speed and flux estimation for the induction motor (IM) drive and presents a series of Sliding Mode Observers (SMOs) that are constructed using compound manifolds. Observers with compound manifolds have not been widely investigated because they cannot be designed following a standard procedure; however, it is shown that they have unique and useful properties. The paper introduces the candidate manifolds associated with IM estimation and shows various approaches for designing SMOs with compound manifolds. Generally, using the IM model, it is typical to design observers with simple manifolds. However, since the state transition matrix of the IM model depends on the motor speed, the problem is more complicated – the speed must either be known or it must be estimated. In the paper, several sensored and sensorless observer designs are presented. The paper presents the theoretical developments and shows simulations and experimental results.
Mechanism of enhanced responses after combination photodynamic therapy (cPDT) in carcinoma cells involves C/EBP-mediated transcriptional upregulation of the coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPO) gene

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with aminolevulinate (ALA) is widely accepted as an effective treatment for superficial carcinomas and pre-cancers. However, PDT is still suboptimal for deeper tumors, mainly due to inadequate ALA penetration and subsequent conversion to PpIX. We are interested in improving the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for deep tumors, using a combination approach (cPDT) in which target protoporphyrin (PpIX) levels are significantly enhanced by differentiation caused by giving Vitamin D or methotrexate (MTX) for 3 days prior to ALAPDT. In LNCaP and MEL cells, a strong correlation between inducible differentiation and expression of C/EBP transcription factors, as well as between differentiation and mRNA levels of CPO (a key heme-synthetic enzyme), indicates the possibility of CPO transcriptional regulation by the C/EBPs. Sequence analysis of the first 1300 base pairs of the murine CPO upstream region revealed 15 consensus C/EBP binding sites. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSA) proved that these sites form specific complexes that have strong, moderate or weak affinities for C/EBPs. However, in the context of the full-length CPO promoter, inactivation of any type of site (strong or weak) reduced CPO promoter activity (luciferase assay) to nearly the same extent, suggesting cooperative interactions. A comparative analysis of murine and human CPO promoters revealed possible protein-protein interactions between C/EBPs and several neighboring transcription factors such as NFkB, Sp1, AP-1, CBP/p300 and CREB (an enhanceosome complex). Overall, these results confirm that C/EBP’s are important for CPO expression via complex mechanisms which upregulate PpIX and enhance the outcome of cPDT.
Performance of Reactive Powder Concrete Containing Arsenic

A mixture of arsenic contaminated soil and reactive powder concrete (RPC) was developed to study the effect of arsenic contaminated soil on RPC mortar and the effectiveness of the mortar in containing the contaminant. The sufficient containment of arsenic contaminated waste products is important to protection of ground and surface water sources. A three phase experiment was designed to study the permeability, absorption coefficients, and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) leachate concentrations resulting from the application of a range of arsenic concentrations. The results showed that the permeability values for mixes containing different arsenic concentrations did not increase noticeably with adequate curing time. The percentage of absorption slightly increased with increasing arsenic content as did the TCLP leachate concentrations. Statistical analyses, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Paired T-test, were performed to analyze percent absorption, and TCLP results. Based on the results it was concluded that percent absorption decreased significantly with increase in curing time. Although, the TCLP concentrations increased with increased curing time, the increase was not statistically significant.
Triangulability criteria for additive group actions on affine space

This paper concerns algebraic one-parameter subgroups of GAn(k), the group of k-algebra automorphisms of the polynomial ring in n variables over a field k: Rn = k[X1, …, Xn]. These subgroups are of the form exp(tD) (t ϵ k), where D is a locally nilpotent derivation of Rn. The rank of D is defined; this reduces to the usual notion of rank when D is a linear derivation. A characterization is given of all rank 1 derivations. In addition, the rank of D is used to give two criteria for the triangulability of certain actions induced by D (Propositions 2 and 3). These criteria are used to show the existence of tame non-triangulable actions in dimension 4 or greater.
High-resolution large-area high-energy x-ray tomography

An x-ray tomography system is being developed for high resolution inspection of large objects. The goal is to achieve 25 micron resolution over object sizes that are tens of centimeters in extent. Typical objects will be metal in composition and therefore high energy, few MeV x-rays will be required. A proof-of-principle system with a limited field of view has been developed. Preliminary results are presented.
Mass Movement Effects on Grassland Vegetation and Soils on Santa Cruz Island, California

Abstract Two types of mass movement are studied to test the hypothesis that spatial heterogeneity would affect species richness of grassland communities. Rotational slumps are low-moderate intensity disturbances that generate a variety of new microhabitats (scarp and toe versus flatter middle). Concave shallow slips are higher intensity disturbances that create one new type of soil microhabitat (uniform exposed subsoil inside). Plant species response fails to conform to predictions that heterogeneity would foster greater species richness. The more intense slip disturbance provides sites for four new species to colonize, but the overall landscape richness is lower than elsewhere. The new colonizers are mostly shrubs characteristic of nearby coastal sage communities. Most native perennials are only in non-slip areas. The most successful colonizers are the dominant introduced European annuals, which occur everywhere. The greater heterogeneity of slumps does not affect richness of the grassland community. All...
Factors Related to Admissions to a Psychiatry Unit from a Medical Emergency Room : The Role of Social Work

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with psychiatry hospital admissions from a medical emergency room and discuss the role of social work in relation to psychiatry referrals. There were three possible outcomes: admission to the hospital's medical/surgical unit; admission to a psychiatry unit; or non-admission. Social workers collected data based on patient demographics, resource problems, interventions, and dispositions for 3370 patients. Outcome data were denoted on scan sheets for each patient seen by a social worker. Most patients were not admitted (83.8%; n = 2832); almost 10% (n = 335) were admitted to the hospital's psychiatric unit; and 6.3% (n = 212) were admitted to the medical/surgical unit. Age, gender, “Adjustment problems,” and “Behavior problems” had statistically significant coefficients for medical/surgical admission. “Care/activities of daily living (ADL) problems,” “Relationship problems,” and “Environmental problems” had statistically significant coeffic...
Ballistic electron transport in non-equilibrium warm dense gold

Abstract We have measured the time evolution of the phase shift at the front and back surfaces of gold nano-foils that have been excited with a 150 fs ( λ = 400 nm) laser pulse. The thickness of the foils (d∼30 nm) is roughly one-third of the ballistic electron transport range at ambient conditions (∼100 nm). At lower pump fluences, the front and back sides of the foil behave similarly, indicating uniform heating by ballistic electrons. As the pump fluence is increased, the phase shift on the front side is higher than that on the back, indicating a significant reduction in the ballistic electron transport range.
Effects of C5a on guinea pig lung: histamine release and mechanism of contraction.

Abstract C5a, a product of complement system activation, causes a significant contraction of the isolated guinea pig trachea, and the antihlstamine diphenhydramine does not altter the rate, amplitude, or duration of the contraction (Regal et al., 1980). The present study demonstrates that over the ronge of C5a concentrations investigated, the C5a-induced contractile response of the trachea maximized, whereas the contraction of lung parenchymal strips and the release of histamine from chopped lung did not. In addition, the antihistamines, diphenhydramine and pyrilamine, caused a significant delay in the onset of the C5a-Induced contraction of lung parenchymal strips. When parenchymal strips from nonperfused lung were used, the maximum of the contraction was also reduced by pyrltamine. Aspirin and indomethacin effectively inhibited the C5a-induced contraction of tuns parenchymal strips, and Inhibition by a combination of aspirin and pyrilarnine was the mm of the inhibition by aspirin and the Inhibit ton by pyrilamine. The SRS-A antagonist, FPL 55712, caused a more rapid retaxation of the C5a-induced response over control. These studies suggest that products of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway are mediators involved in the C5a-Induced contraction of lung parenchyma, with histamine and leukotrienes contributing as well.
Block microstructural characterization of copolymers formed from fluorinated and non-fluorinated alkyl polyisocyanates using desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract Homopolymers and copolymers of 1-isocyanato-4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-tridecafluorononane (monomer F ) and n -hexylisocyanate (monomer H) were examined by desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry (DCI-MS) to obtain information on the monomer distribution in the copolymers. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to characterize ions generated by DCI in the mass spectrometer ion source; ammonia and isobutane were selected as chemical ionization (CI) reagent gases. The major peaks in the ammonia DCI mass spectrum of poly(4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-tridecafluorononyl)isocyanate (poly ( F )) are protonated and ammoniated trimers. This result suggests that on pyrolytic degradation poly ( F ) forms cyclic trimers as do alkyl isocyanate polymers. The isobutane DCI mass spectra display the characteristic alkene elimination sequence characteristic of poly( n -hexyl)isocyanate and poly(2,6-dimethylheptyl)isocyanate but with additional extensive fragmentation. The major fragment ion is the protonated monomer. The monomer distributions in copolymers comprised of monomer F and monomer H were deduced from the abundances of various protonated and ammoniated trimers in the ammonia DCI mass spectra using Markovian statistics. Both soluble and insoluble copolymer samples were isolated and found to have non-random monomer distributions. The soluble fraction is dominated by monomer H blocks while the insoluble fraction also contains a majority of monomer H blocks but relatively more monomer F blocks. This forms an example in the polyisocyanates, which hitherto exhibited only random copolymerization, of a non-living method of polymerization yielding a block microstructure for a mixture of two monomers with virtually identical polymerizable functions. Mass spectrometry offers information on chain microstructure which would be unavailable by other means.
Spending time: The impact of hours worked on work-family conflict

Scholars have long assumed that as workers spend more time at work fewer hours are available for their non-work lives leading to negative effects in both domains, and most studies examining the impact of work hours on work and life domains have supported this viewpoint. However, the majority of these studies have used one-dimensional measures of work–family conflict (WFC) and family–work conflict (FWC) on homogenous samples which included primarily married managers and professionals with children. Further, despite calls to examine non-linear relationships between work hours and WFC and FWC, few studies have done so. This study uses multi-dimensional measures to examine the linear and non-linear (quadratic) effects of work hours on WFC and FWC in a heterogeneous sample and examines the moderating effects of several work and family characteristics on these relationships. The findings indicate that whereas work hours have a linear relationship with WFC, the relationship between work hours and FWC is curvilinear. Managerial support was found to moderate the relationship between work hours and one dimension of FWC. Number of children moderated the relationships between work hours and WFC and another dimension of FWC.
On certain finite dimensional numerical ranges and numerical radii

Abstract : This expository solicited paper consists of two parts: The first discusses properties of the classical numerical range and the corresponding numerical radius; the second is devoted to C-ranges and C-radii which are generalizations of the classical concepts. Although the ranges and radii treated here are associated with finite dimensional complex matrices, many of the mentioned results hold for linear operators on arbitrary Hilbert spaces as well. (Author)
Phase 1 results of safety and tolerability in a rush oral immunotherapy protocol to multiple foods using Omalizumab

Up to 30% of patients with food allergies have clinical reactivity to more than one food allergen. Although there is currently no cure, oral immunotherapy (OIT) is under investigation. Pilot data have shown that omalizumab may hasten the ability to tolerate over 4 g of food allergen protein. To evaluate the safety and dose tolerability of a Phase 1 Single Site OIT protocol using omalizumab to allow for a faster and safe desensitization to multiple foods simultaneously. Participants with multiple food allergies received OIT for up to 5 allergens simultaneously with omalizumab (rush mOIT). Omalizumab was administered for 8 weeks prior to and 8 weeks following the initiation of a rush mOIT schedule. Home reactions were recorded with diaries. Twenty-five (25) participants were enrolled in the protocol (median age 7 years). For each included food, participants had failed an initial double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge at a protein dose of 100 mg or less. After pre-treatment with omalizumab, 19 participants tolerated all 6 steps of the initial escalation day (up to 1250 mg of combined food proteins), requiring minimal or no rescue therapy. The remaining 6 were started on their highest tolerated dose as their initial daily home doses. Participants reported 401 reactions per 7,530 home doses (5.3%) with a median of 3.2 reactions per 100 doses. Ninety-four percent (94%) of reactions were mild. There was one severe reaction. Participants reached their maintenance dose of 4,000 mg protein per allergen at a median of 18 weeks. These phase 1 data demonstrate that rush OIT to multiple foods with 16 weeks of treatment with omalizumab could allow for a fast desensitization in subjects with multiple food allergies. Phase 2 randomized controlled trials are needed to better define safety and efficacy parameters of multi OIT experimental treatments with and without omalizumab.
Joint Estimates of Quantitative Trait Locus Effect and Frequency Using Synthetic Recombinant Populations of Drosophila melanogaster

We develop and implement a strategy to map QTL in two synthetic populations of Drosophila melanogaster each initiated with eight inbred founder strains. These recombinant populations allow simultaneous estimates of QTL location, effect, and frequency. Five X-linked QTL influencing bristle number were resolved to intervals of ∼1.3 cM. We confirm previous observations of bristle number QTL distal to 4A at the tip of the chromosome and identify two novel QTL in 7F–8C, an interval that does not include any classic bristle number candidate genes. If QTL at the tip of the X are biallelic they appear to be intermediate in frequency, although there is evidence that these QTL may reside in multiallelic haplotypes. Conversely, the two QTL mapping to the middle of the X chromosome are likely rare: in each case the minor allele is observed in only 1 of the 16 founders. Assuming additivity and biallelism we estimate that identified QTL contribute 1.0 and 8.7%, respectively, to total phenotypic variation in male abdominal and sternopleural bristle number in nature. Models that seek to explain the maintenance of genetic variation make different predictions about the population frequency of QTL alleles. Thus, mapping QTL in eight-way recombinant populations can distinguish between these models.
Plumage brightness, vigilance, escape potential, and predation risk in male and female Eurasian Siskins (Spinus spinus)

ABSTRACT According to the “sexual selection hypothesis” (SSH), plumage conspicuousness has evolved through mate choice because it signals the quality of the bearer, and this is an honest signal because it involves a predation cost in terms of increased detectability to predators. Alternatively, according to the “unprofitable prey hypothesis” (UPH), conspicuousness is an aposematic signal indicating higher escape potential. We should expect the animals with higher predation risk (either conspicuous or dull, depending on the hypothesis) to have evolved antipredator behaviors to compensate for their higher predation risk (i.e. the “compensation hypothesis”). We tested these hypotheses by studying the vigilance behavior of wintering Eurasian Siskins (Spinus spinus) foraging on three feeders with different predation-risk and competition levels. Males were, on average, 50% more brightly colored than females. Males and females had similar wing loading, which allows us to reject male unprofitability related to hi...
Mitochondria: hubs of cellular signaling, energetics and redox balance. A rich, vibrant, and diverse landscape of mitochondrial research

Mitochondria have become the cornerstone of cellular biology, opening new frontiers in health and disease. Poised at the convergence of most catabolic and anabolic pathways, mitochondria constitute the center of heterotrophic aerobic life, processing and generating key metabolites that feed into pathways leading to growth, division, and signaling. As such, mitochondria play the role of hubs in the overall metabolic network; thus their failure risks the collapse of most crucial cellular functions. The protagonist role of mitochondria is underscored by the existence of tightly regulated cellular processes that include autophagy/mitophagy and metabolically tuned morphological changes induced by fusion-fission dynamics. Mitochondria are also involved in a myriad of signaling cascades regulating cell survival vs. death. They provide the energy for the cell, a hub for biosynthetic processes and they contain a self-destructive arsenal of apoptotogenic factors that can be unleashed to promote apoptotic signaling. Consequently, it is no wonder that mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the aging phenomenon, and in numerous human maladies including metabolic disorders, cardiomyopathies, and neurodegeneration. Indeed, diseases characterized by altered gene-nutrient interactions, such as diabetes and cancer, exhibit elevated levels of reac
Natural resource depletion and social income accounting: sustainable income in petroleum-dependent economies

Definition et mesure d'un revenu soutenable, a partir de l'extraction des ressources naturelles. Application de cette methodologie au PIB. Analyse de l'impact sur le developpement economique. Application a l'Alaska et aux economies dependant fortement du petrole
Genomics of Olfactory Receptors

In many species, the sense of smell plays important roles in locating food, detecting predators, navigating, and communicating social information. The olfactory system has evolved complex repertoires of odor receptors (ORs) to fulfill these functions. Through computational data mining, OR repertoires of multiple species were identified, revealing a surprisingly large OR gene family in rodents and evolutionary fluctuation among different organisms. Characteristics of OR genes were explored through computational and experimental methods, showing a complicated gene structure and special genomic distribution. Utilizing high-throughput OR microarrays, expression profiles of the mouse and human OR repertoire were examined, their olfactory functions verified, and their zonal, ectopic and developmental expression determined. Variation in human smelling abilities results from different functional OR repertoires, variable expressional levels and polymorphisms in the copy number of the OR genes. These genomic approaches have both provided new data and generated new questions.
Statistical Regularization for Identification of Structural Parameters and External Loadings Using State Space Models

A novel numerical approach is presented, in the time domain, to simultaneously identify structural parameters and unmeasured input loadings using incomplete output measurement only. The identification problem is formulated as an optimization process, wherein the objective function is defined as the discrepancy between the measured and the predicted data, and is solved by a damped Gauss-Newton method. Because the proposed algorithm is a time domain technique, forward analyses are required to obtain predicted system responses so as to compute the discrepancy. Therefore, we propose an input force estimation scheme in the identification process to complete the task of input-output forward analyses, for the case of output-only measurement. The relationship between the unknown input loadings and the output measurement is established through a state space model, which basically formulates an ill-posed least squares problem. A statistical Bayesian inference-based regularization technique is presented to solve such a least squares problem. Finally, the proposed approach is illustrated by both numerical and experimental examples using output-only measurements of either acceleration or strain time histories. The results clearly show the robustness and the applicability of the proposed algorithm to simultaneously identify structural parameters and unmeasured input loadings with a high accuracy.
Zebrafish hox genes: expression in the hindbrain region of wild-type and mutants of the segmentation gene, valentino

The developing hindbrain is organized into a series of segments termed rhombomeres which represent lineage restricted compartments correlating with domains of gene expression and neuronal differentiation. In this study, we investigate the processes of hindbrain segmentation and the acquisition of segmental identity by analyzing the expression of zebrafish hox genes in the hindbrains of normal fish and fish with a loss-of-function mutation in the segmentation gene valentino (val, the homologue of mouse kreisler; Moens, C. B., Cordes, S. P. Giorgianni, M. W., Barsh, G. S. and Kimmel, C. B. (1998). Development 125, 381-391). We find that zebrafish hox genes generally have similar expression profiles to their murine and avian counterparts, although there are several differences in timing and spatial extent of expression which may underlie some of the functional changes that have occurred along the separate evolutionary lineages of teleosts and tetrapods. Our analysis of hox gene expression in val- embryos confirms that the val gene product is important for subdivision of the presumptive rhombomere 5 and 6 territory into definitive rhombomeres, suggests that the val gene product plays a critical role in regulating hox gene transcription, and indicates that some neural crest cells are inappropriately specified in val- embryos. Our analysis of gene expression at several developmental stages has allowed us to infer differences between primary and secondary defects in the val mutant: we find that extended domains of expression for some hox genes are secondary, late phenomena potentially resulting from inappropriate cell mixing or lack of normal inter-rhombomeric interactions in the caudal hindbrain.
Topology redesign for performance by large admissible perturbations

A methodology is developed for optimal structural topology design subject to several performance constraints. Eight-node solid elements are used to model the initial structure, which is a uniform solid block satisfying the boundary conditions and subjected to external loading. The Young modulus of each solid element or group of elements is used as redesign variable. A minimum change function is used as an optimality criterion. Performance constraints include static displacements, natural frequencies, forced response amplitudes, and static stresses. These constraints are treated by the large admissible perturbation methodology which makes it possible to achieve the performance objectives incrementally without trial and error or repetitive finite element analyses for changes in the order of 100–300%. Thus, the optimal topology is reached in about four to five iterations, where each iteration includes one finite element analysis and setting of an upper limit for the value of the modulus of elasticity to produce a manufacturable structure. Several numerical applications are presented using three different benchmark structures to demonstrate the methodology and the impact of performance constraints on the generated topology.
Comparative Effects of pH and Ionic Strength on Protein–Protein Interactions, Unfolding, and Aggregation for IgG1 Antibodies

Changes in protein-protein interactions, protein unfolding, and nonnative aggregation were assessed for a series of human IgG1 antibodies as a function of pH and solution ionic strength (I). Unfolding transitions were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry. Protein-protein interactions were characterized with the apparent second virial coefficient (A(2)) from light scattering. Aggregation pathways were assessed using size-exclusion chromatography and multi-angle laser light scattering, aggregation kinetics, and structural changes monitored by circular dichroism spectroscopy and thioflavine T (ThT) binding. Ionic strength had relatively minor qualitative effects on unfolding, while pH had large effects for all four antibodies. A(2) was sensitive to both pH and I, and indicated that electrostatic interactions and nonuniform surface-charge distributions were important near neutral pH. Depending on solution pH and I, distinct aggregation pathways were found for each antibody, and these shared similar patterns versus pH, I, and A(2). Main differences observed across different antibodies included thermal unfolding transitions in DSC and the effects of pH and I on aggregation kinetics and pathways. These correlated strongly with whether aggregates of a given antibody bound ThT, suggesting possible differences with respect to conformational changes and/or regions of the proteins that are structurally involved in stabilizing the aggregates.