cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct Activation of Cloned KATP Channels by Intracellular Acidosis

ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channels may be regulated by protons in addition to ATP, phospholipids, and other nucleotides. Such regulation allows a control of cellular excitability in conditions when pH is low but ATP concentration is normal. However, whether the KATP changes its activity with pH alterations remains uncertain. In this study we showed that the reconstituted KATP was strongly activated during hypercapnia and intracellular acidosis using whole-cell recordings. Further characterizations in excised patches indicated that channel activity increased with a moderate drop in intracellular pH and decreased with strong acidification. The channel activation was produced by a direct action of protons on the Kir6 subunit and relied on a histidine residue that is conserved in all KATP. The inhibition appeared to be a result of channel rundown and was not seen in whole-cell recordings. The biphasic response may explain the contradictory pH sensitivity observed in cell-endogenous KATP in excised patches. Site-specific mutations of two residues showed that pH and ATP sensitivities were independent of each other. Thus, these results demonstrate that the proton is a potent activator of the KATP. The pH-dependent activation may enable the KATP to control vascular tones, insulin secretion, and neuronal excitability in several pathophysiologic conditions.
Animal Models as a Tool for Studying Mechanisms of Co-Abuse of Alcohol and Tobacco

T HAS BEEN evident for many years that the vast majority (80%) of alcoholics are smokers and that alcoholics who smoke use more cigarettes per day than do nonalcoholic smokers (Dawson, 2000; Keenan et al., 1990; Marks et al., 1997; Pfefferbaum et al., 2002). Unfortunately, minimal progress has been made toward gaining an understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to these phenomena. Studies that attempt to explain the actions of two drugs are complicated, but it may be that studying the actions of two drugs may simplify things in much the same way as simultaneous equations help the mathematician solve equations with more than one unknown. The trick, mathematically, is to develop equations that describe the same phenomenon. By analogy, it may be that studying the common actions of alcohol and nicotine may provide muchneeded insight into the mechanisms that underlie the coabuse of tobacco and alcohol.
First Report of Blossom Blight of Strawberry Caused by Xanthomonas fragariae and Cladosporium cladosporioides in California.

In the spring of 1996, severe blossom blight occurred in some strawberry fruit production fields in the Watsonville area. The symptoms, in addition to blighting of entire flowers, were as follows: on the lower surface of the calyx, watersoaked lesions that appeared dark green under reflected light and translucent under transmitted light; necrotic calyces of seemingly healthy green and ripe fruits; watersoaking of the base of the calyx that extended into the pedicel; green-gray sporulation on dead anthers; and presence of flower clusters with small and irregularly shaped fruits. Yellow bacterial colonies were consistently isolated from water-soaked and necrotic lesions on calyces and pedicels. These colonies were entire, circular, raised, glistening, mucoid, and slow growing, characteristics typical of Xanthomonas fragariae on nutrient agar-glucose-yeast extract medium. The bacterial isolate was also identified by rep-polymerase chain reaction as X. fragariae. In addition to the yellow bacteria, a fungus w...
Reduction of Warmed-Over Flavor Volatiles from Freeze-Dried Lean by Supercritical CO2 Extraction

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO 2 ) was used to extract warmed-over flavor (WOF) volatiles from cooked, freeze-dried beef at 40°C and pressures of 10.3 MPa or 30 MPa after 2 days storage. WOF markers, hexanal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal, and 2,3-octanedlone, were identified in the volatiles profile of precooked beef by dynamic headspace extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry before and after CO 2 extraction. TBARS and levels of WOF markers increased over 2 days storage. There was a reduction in WOF markers at both extraction pressures. The higher pressure led to greater reduction of WOF markers (e.g., hexanal: 73.5%) than the lower pressure (e.g., hexanal: 60.3%), notably for heptanal and nonanal. SC-CO 2 may be applicable for reducing WOF volatiles from precooked meats.
Nutritional and hormonal control of lung and liver fatty acid synthesis

Abstract During starvation and in streptozotocin-induced diabetes, the total activities of rat lung acetyl CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase are reduced to one-third of the normal values. Refeeding of the starved animals or administration of insulin to diabetic animals restores the levels to the original values. The insulin effect is dose and time dependent. These data contrast with those in the liver, where a 30- to 50-fold depression of these enzymes is observed in the diabetic state and administration of insulin is actually followed by doubling of the activity over normal controls. Fat-free high-fructose diet (containing 60% fructose by weight) enhances the activities of liver enzymes 3- to 6-fold over the values of controls on laboratory diet but has no effect on the lung enzymes. Long-term feeding of fructose diet also increases the activities of liver enzymes from diabetic animals to twice the value of normal controls on laboratory diet. Insulin administration to fructose-fed diabetic animals restores the enzyme activities to those obtained with fructose-fed normal controls. However, the stimulation of lung enzymes of diabetic animals can be effected either by fructose or by insulin. Antigen-antibody titrations and measurements of the rate of protein synthesis show that the increased activity of the lung and liver fatty acid synthetase is due to enhanced content rather than increased specific activity. These data suggest that insulin or fructose effects on fatty acid-synthesizing enzymes are mediated through intermediate(s) whose concentration is affected in the experimental diabetes. Furthermore, all tissues may not have stringent insulin requirements since the lung enzymes can be stimulated by fructose alone.
Visual design for E-commerce and performance tools

User interface design requires good visual design of metaphors, mental models, navigation, appearance, and interaction to represent data, functions, tasks, roles, organizations, and people. Techniques of simplicity, clarity, and consistency can improve the communication effectiveness of user interfaces for performance (productivity) tools, multimedia, and the Web. In particular, the use of appropriate typography, layout, color, animation, and symbolism can assist developers to achieve more efficient, effective o communication to more diverse user communities.
Covariant phenomenological field theory for extended hadrons

The authors study the topological structure of integral equations for vertex functions classified by their external points n and minimum number of intermediate-state particles i. They consider their representations not only in the usual covariant Minkowski space but also in the space of invariant distances which characterize the interactions of extended objects. For each topological class or skeleton diagram, the domain of integration over invariant lengths is compactified by the geometry of Minkowski space, combined with the topology of the diagram, the time-orderings of the vertices, and their nonlocality. The authors argue that the degree of compactification predicts the smoothness of each vertex contributions and suggest how the extended structure of hadrons permits a consistent phenomenology with a finite set of non-local effective interactions. 16 refs., 9 figs.
Bidirectional Reflection Measurements of Periodically Microstructured Silicon Surfaces

Surface modifications have a great potential for selective emission and absorption for applications in photonics, energy conversion, and biosensing. Pattern-induced radiative property changes can be an important issue in the manufacturing and diagnostics of microelectronic devices. This work investigates the polarized diffraction of micromachined silicon wafers. Both one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) periodic microstructures are manufactured by plasma-assisted anisotropic etching. The rotating mask method is used to produce 2.25 × 106 2-D structures in a single sample (7.5 × 7.5 mm2). Surface topography is characterized by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A bidirectional scatterometer with high accuracy and angular resolution measures the diffraction patterns from the microstructured silicon surfaces at a wavelength of 635 nm. The diffraction patterns follow the grating equation, which are caused by microstructures and their orientations. Predicted diffraction angles are in excellent agreement with the experimental results.
Focused ion beam systems for materials analysis and modification

Abstract The development of the liquid metal ion source has had a significant impact upon the applications of focused ion beam systems. Recent developments in the fields of microcircuit fabrication technology and analytical microscopy have been directly inspired by the LMIS and are reviewed here.
Modification of ASTM E 2187 for Measuring the Ignition Propensity of Conventional Cigarettes

Current existing and proposed US flammability standards for soft furnishings such as mattresses and upholstered furniture specify a “standard” cigarette as the ignition source in smoldering resistance performance tests. With the increasing prevalence of reduced ignition propensity cigarettes in the marketplace, the conventional cigarette that has been most widely used in smolder resistance testing is no longer in production. To support manufacturers and testing organizations in product design and testing, and to assist regulators in the compliance evaluation process, a continuing supply of standard conventional cigarettes is required. A key first step in establishing such a supply is the development of a measurement method for quantifying the ignition propensity of a standard cigarette similar to the one currently used for testing soft furnishings. This article describes such a measurement method. It also reports performance data for the conventional test cigarette and other contemporary cigarettes.
Biological control is more than just natural enemies

The past decade has given rise to exciting new developments in the field of community ecology that have profound implications for biological control. The recognition that biological invasions offer unprecedented opportunities to investigate the nature of community assembly has swept invasive species studies to the forefront of popular ecology. Meanwhile, progress in research on facilitation, competition, predation, parasitism, behavior, complexity and diversity has lead to greater understandings of the roles these forces play in determining the strength and nature of direct and indirect effects in community ecology. Given that biological control is, fundamentally, deliberate community assembly, applying knowledge of how these forces converge to determine the outcome of community assembly holds great promise for the advancement of biological control. For these reasons, I was excited at the prospect of finding this new information integrated into the latest textbook on biological control.
Caregiver Knowledge and Self-Confidence of Stress Dosing of Hydrocortisone in Children With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare disorder characterized by cortisol deficiency, with/without aldosterone deficiency, and androgen excess. The purposes of this descriptive, exploratory study were to assess caregiver knowledge of CAH, adrenal crisis, and stress dosing of hydrocortisone during times of acute illness and to assess caregivers' self-efficacy in managing adrenal crisis and stress dosing of children with CAH. A survey was distributed that collected information about child and family demographics and about caregiver knowledge of the disorder and stress dosing instruction history and evaluated their self-efficacy. Caregivers of children with CAH (N = 60) have a solid knowledge base of the disorder and maintain a reasonably high degree of self-efficacy of stress dosing. Although most that were surveyed currently had a filled prescription for injectible hydrocortisone, less than 40% received the prescription at the time of their child's diagnosis. Only 70% surveyed had received a written guideline sheet outlining proper stress dosing procedure, and only half of them received an injection technique demonstration. Caregivers who received written instruction and demonstration of injection technique scored significantly higher in self-efficacy for managing adrenal crisis and the injection procedure.
ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING: A Synoptic Approach for Assessing Cumulative Impacts to Wetlands

/ The US Environmental Protection Agency's Wetlands ResearchProgram has developed the synoptic approach as a proposed method forassessing cumulative impacts to wetlands by providing both a general and acomprehensive view of the environment. It can also be applied more broadly toregional prioritization of environmental issues. The synoptic approach is aframework for making comparisons between landscape subunits, such aswatersheds, ecoregions, or counties, thereby allowing cumulative impacts tobe considered in management decisions. Because there is a lack of tools thatcan be used to address cumulative impacts within regulatory constraints, thesynoptic approach was designed as a method that could make use of availableinformation and best professional judgement. Thus, the approach is acompromise between the need for rigorous results and the need for timelyinformation. It is appropriate for decision making when quantitative,accurate information is not available; the cost of improving existinginformation or obtaining better information is high; the cost of a wronganswer is low; there is a high demand for the information; and the situationcalls for setting priorities between multiple decisions versus optimizing fora single decision. The synoptic approach should be useful for resourcemanagers because an assessment is timely; it can be completed within one totwo years at relatively low cost, tested, and improved over time. Anassessment can also be customized to specific needs, and the results arepresented in mapped format. However, the utility of a synoptic assessmentdepends on how well knowledge of the environment is incorporated into theassessment, relevant to particular management questions.KEY WORDS: Cumulative impact assessment; Landscape ecology; Regionalprioritization
Very low temperature thermoelectric ratio of KRb, KNa, and LiMg alloys

Abstract Measurements of the thermoelectric ratio, G, for KRb, KNa, and Li M9 alloys at temperatures below 1K reveal no evidence of anomalies. The characlteristic thermoelectric ratio for impurity scattering in Li Mg, Goa( Li Mg) = - 0.2 ± 0.2 V1, does not require many-body effects for its explanation.
Injury to the lung from cancer therapy: Clinical syndromes, measurable endpoints, and potential scoring systems

Toxicity of the respiratory system is a common side effect and complication of anticancer therapy that can result in significant morbidity. The range of respiratory compromise can extend from acute lethal events to degrees of chronic pulmonary decompensation, manifesting years after the initial cancer therapy. This review examines the anatomic-histologic background of the lung and the normal functional anatomic unit. The pathophysiology of radiation and chemotherapy induced lung injury is discussed as well as the associated clinical syndromes. Radiation tolerance doses and volumes are assessed in addition to chemotherapy tolerance and risk factors and radiation-chemotherapy interactions. There are a variety of measurable endpoints for detection and screening. Because of the wide range of available quantitative tests, it would seem that the measurement of impaired lung function is possible. The development of staging systems for acute and late toxicity is discussed and a new staging system for Late Effects in Normal Tissues (LENT) is proposed.
Mercury abundances and isotopic compositions in the Murchison (CM) and Allende (CV) carbonaceous chondrites

The abundance and isotopic composition of Hg was determined in bulk samples of both the Murchison (CM) and Allende (CV) carbonaceous chondrites using single- and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The bulk abundances of Hg are 294 6 15 ng/g in Murchison and 30.0 6 1.5 ng/g in Allende. These values are within the range of previous measurements of bulk Hg abundances by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Prior studies suggested that both meteorites contain isotopically anomalous Hg, with d l 96/202Hg values for the anomalous, thermal-release components from bulk samples ranging from 2260 %o to 1440 9/00 in Murchison and from 2620 9/00 to 1540 9/00 in Allende (Jovanovic and Reed, 1976a; 1976b; Kumar and Goel, 1992). Our multi-collector ICP-MS measurements suggest that the relative abundances of all seven stable Hg isotopes in both meteorites are identical to terrestrial values within 0.2 to 0.5 9/00m. On-line thermal-release experiments were performed by coupling a programmable oven with the singlecollector ICP-MS. Powdered aliquots of each meteorite were linearly heated from room temperature to 900 C over twenty-five minutes under an Ar atmosphere to measure the isotopic composition of Hg released fiom the meteorites as a h c t i o n of temperature. In separate experiments, the release profiles of S and Se were determined simultaneously with Hg to constrain the Hg distribution within the meteorites and to evaluate the possibility of Se interferences in previous NAA studies. The Hg-release patterns differ between Allende and Murchison. The Hg-release profile for Allende contains two distinct peaks, at 225" and 343"C, whereas the profile for Murchison has only one peak, at 344 C. No isotopically anomalous Hg was detected in the thermal-release experiments at a precision level of 5 to 30 9/00, depending on the isotope ratio. In both meteorites the Hg peak at ;340"C correlates with a peak in the S-release profile. This correlation suggests that Hg is associated with S-bearing phases and, thus, that HgS is a major Hg-bearing phase in both meteorites. The Hg peak at 225 C for Allende is similar to release patterns of physically adsorbed Hg on silicate and metal grains.
Upset among youth in response to questions about exposure to violence, sexual assault and family maltreatment

To assess whether youth are upset by being asked questions about sensitive kinds of abuse, victimization, family maltreatment, and sexual victimization in the course of standard epidemiological surveys. A national sample of youth aged 10-17 were interviewed on the telephone by experienced interviewers as part of the National Survey of Children Exposed to Violence. At the end they were asked whether answering questions had upset them. Of the youth interviewed, 4.5% reported being at all upset and 0.8% reported being pretty or a lot upset. However, only a minority of those upset, .3% of the total sample, said they would not participate again had they known about the content. But even in this group, the regret about participation was mostly due to the length of the survey, not the types of questions being asked. Thus, asking about exposure to abuse and sensitive kinds of victimization in standard interview surveys is associated with low levels of respondent upset due to the nature of the questions. Language: en
DNA replication may be uncoupled from nuclear and cellular division in temperature-sensitive embryonic lethal mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract The nuclear and DNA contents of 18 temperature-sensitive embryonic lethal mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans have been determined at the time of arrest. After each mutant was shifted to restrictive temperature, the embryonic arrest stage was recorded by the number of nuclei counted in embryonic squashes and as DNA nuclear equivalents recorded by flow cytometry. Together the two methods complemented each other and provided qualitative and quantitative information concerning nuclear number, DNA content, morphological stage of arrest, and presence of anucleate embryonic cells. The arrest stage for most of the embryonic lethal mutants demonstrated their potential to continue nuclear division and DNA replication beyond their respective temperature-sensitive periods. These results suggested that the mutants' primary defect did not reside on a pathway closely coupled to DNA replication or nuclear division. For example, B65 contained up to 650 DNA nuclear equivalents beyond the end of its temperature-sensitive period at the 20- to 30-cell stage. B65 is of additional interest because it continued DNA synthesis beyond the normal 550-cell stage and at the same time failed to progress beyond the morphogenetic period. The presence of enlarged nuclei that contained extra DNA demonstrated that DNA replication was independent of nuclear and cellular division. For example, B1 and B244 arrested with 1 to 50 and 1 to 200 nuclei, respectively. However, they both contained 250 to 400 nuclear equivalents of DNA. Conversely, the presence of embryonic cells without nuclei suggested that cell division may also be independent of nuclear division or nuclear migration. The enlarged nuclear and anucleate embryonic cells were observed only in those mutants requiring a normal parental function.
Response: Cautious interpretation of assessment of AID variant activities using cells with endogenous AID expression

Response In their correspondence, although van Maldegem and colleagues confirmed much of what we reported,[1][1] they concluded instead that activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) splicing variants were nonfunctional. They first used a green fluorescence protein (GFP) reversion assay and
The Alameda County Study: A Systematic, Chronological Review

Abstract This study is a systematic review of the Alameda County study findings and their importance in establishing a link between lifestyle and health outcomes. A systematic review of literature was performed and data indicating important links between lifestyle and health were synthesized. Although initial studies focused on the associations between health outcomes and personal health habits known as the “Alameda 7,” subsequent studies focused on the relationships between social variables, religiosity, several chronic health problems, and long-term health. Significant findings during periodic assessments of the original 1965 cohort yielded strong support for a link between lifestyle habits and long-term health outcomes. Additionally, social networks, religiosity, and several demographic variables were found to be associated with chronic disease development.
Ambivalence and the Learning of Drinking Behavior in a Peruvian Community1

DRINKING and drunkenness are virtually universal among adult males in the Peruvian community of Lunahuana. Drinking has a prominent integrative role to play in the functioning of the society, while drunkenness is culturally accepted within an extremely wide range of occasions and situations. Despite the frequency of drinking and drunkenness, alcohol addiction appears to be infrequent in Lunahuana; this must be attributed in large part to the fact that all drinking is limited to social contexts-this provides vast latitude within which drinking is accepted, and drinking is defined mainly as an integral part of the culture and only minimally as a response to the needs of the individual.2 In a recent discussion of the literature on the sociocultural aspects of drinking, Ullman (1958:50, 52) makes the point that in any group or society where drinking customs are well established and consistent with the rest of the culture the rate of alcoholism will be low; whereas in societies in which drinking customs are not well integrated (the Yankees of Northeastern United States and Irish-Americans are offered as examples) alcoholism rates are likely to be high. Ullman (1958:50) goes on to say that members of societies of the first type are free from ambivalence about drinking because their culture is so consistent in this regard, whereas it can be assumed that individuals in the second type of society will have ambivalent feelings about drinking since ambivalence is the psychological product of unintegrated drinking customs. The case of Lunahuana offers unequivocal support for the first part of Ullman's proposition, but is in direct opposition to the second part in that Lunahuanenos are by no means free from ambivalence about drinking. In a previous analysis of drinking patterns in Lunahuana (1959) the writer described this ambivalence as deriving from feelings of shame rather than from feelings of guilt and sinfulness. This relationship between integrated drinking customs, low addiction, and the attitude that drinking in itself is good but may bring shameful consequences in its wake is comparable to Lemert's (1954) findings with regard to the Salish Indians of the Northwest Coast. This paper considers the relationship between the learning of drinking behavior and the ambivalence in attitudes toward drinking in Lunahuana, and is thus concerned with the process by which Lunahuanehos take on both attitude and behavior patterns with regard to drinking that are characteristic of the society. This discussion is intended as a contribution to an understand-
Structural investigations of the hexavanadium core {V6O19} in ‘oxidized’, mixed valence and ‘reduced’ clusters of the type [VV6−nVIVn O13−n(OH)n{(OCH2)3CR}2]2−, n=0, 3 and 6

Abstract The reactions of [(n-C4H9)4N]3[H3V10O28] with the tris(hydroxymethyl)methane derived ligands (HOCH2)3CR yield hexavanadate clusters of the type [(n-C4H9)4N]2[V6O13{(OCH2)3CR}2] (R−NHC(O)CHCH2 (1) and −NO2 (1a)) and [C5H5NH]2[V6O13{(OCH2)3CCH3}2]·2Me2NCOH (2). These V(V) clusters are readily reduced by organohydrazines to yield the mixed valence V(V)/V(IV) cluster [(n-C4H9)4N]2[VV3VIV3O10(OH)3{(OCH2)3CNO2}2]·0.67CH2Cl2 (3) and the reduced V(IV) cluster [(n-C4H9)4N]2[VIV6O7(OH)6{(OCH2)3CCH3}2]·2HNPhNHPh (4). Complexes 1–4 share the common hexametalate core {M6O19} which is, however, distorted from the regular octahedral symmetry adopted by [Mo6O19]2− and [Nb6O19]8− because of the substitution of doubly-bridging oxo groups of the parent structure type by alkoxy donor oxygens and as a consequence of the reduction of metal sites in 3 and 4. Crystal data: 1, space group P21/c, a=10.602(3), b=17.774(5), c=16.451(6) A, β=95.42(2)°, V=3086(2) A3, Z=2, Dcalc=1.44 g/cm3; R=0.060 based on 2631 reflections. 2, orthorhombic Pbca,a=16.966(4), b=20.235(4), c=11.524(2) A, V=3956(2) A3, Z=4, Dcalc=1.77 g/cm3; R=0.034 based on 2729 reflections; 3, triclinic P1, a=13.526(2), b=27.032(5), c=12.950(2) A, α=100.70(1), β=104.33(1), γ=75.56(1)°, V=4403(2) A3, Z=3, Dcalc=1.52 g/cm3; R=0.058 based on 4494 reflections. 4, monoclinic P21/c, a=13.357(2), b=14.416(2), c=21.584(4) A, β=105.83(2)°, V=3998(2) A3, Z=2, Dcalc=1.33 g/cm3; R=0.058 based on 2972 reflections.
Indium triflate-assisted nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions of nitrosobezene-derived cycloadducts with alcohols.

Exclusive nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen in conjunction with cleavage of the N−O bond was observed when nitrosobenzene-derived nitroso cycloadducts were treated with indium triflate in the presence of alcohols. Aromatic alkoxylated syn-1,4 aminocycloalkenol products with good to excellent regioselectivity (16:84 to 0:100, ortho:para) were obtained.
Image coding via morphological transformations: a lossless approach

In this paper, the invertibility of the morphological representation of binary images is investigated. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the exact reconstruction of a binary image from its morphological representation. The necessary and sufficient conditions obtained are given by a restriction defined in terms of the morphological thinning transformation. Subsequently, sufficient conditions, for the exact reconstruction of a binary image from its morphological representation, given by a direct restriction on the morphological thinning transformation, are determined. Additionally, we derive necessary conditions, for the exact reconstruction of a binary image from its morphological representation, given by a direct restriction on the morphological thinning transformation.
Suppressed Accumulation of Cerebral Amyloid β Peptides in Aged Transgenic Alzheimer’s Disease Mice by Transplantation with Wild-Type or Prostaglandin E2 Receptor Subtype 2-Null Bone Marrow

A complex therapeutic challenge for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is minimizing deleterious aspects of microglial activation while maximizing beneficial actions, including phagocytosis/clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides. One potential target is selective suppression of microglial prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype 2 (EP2) function, which influences microglial phagocytosis and elaboration of neurotoxic cytokines. To test this hypothesis, we transplanted bone marrow cells derived from wild-type mice or mice homozygous deficient for EP2 (EP2−/−) into lethally irradiated 5-month-old wild-type or APPswe-PS1ΔE9 double transgenic AD mouse model recipients. We found that cerebral engraftment by bone marrow transplant (BMT)-derived wild-type or EP2−/− microglia was more efficient in APPswe-PS1ΔE9 than in wild-type mice, and APPswe-PS1ΔE9 mice that received EP2−/− BMT had increased cortical microglia compared with APPswe-PS1ΔE9 mice that received wild-type BMT. We found that myeloablative irradiation followed by bone marrow transplant-derived microglia engraftment, rather than cranial irradiation or BMT alone, was responsible for the approximate one-third reduction in both Aβ plaques and potentially more neurotoxic soluble Aβ species. An additional 25% reduction in cerebral cortical Aβ burden was achieved in mice that received EP2−/− BMT compared with mice that received wild-type BMT. Our results provide a foundation for an adult stem cell-based therapy to suppress soluble Aβ peptide and plaque accumulation in the cerebrum of patients with AD.
Modulation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function by the ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low carbohydrate diet that is used as a therapy for intractable epilepsy. However, the mechanism(s) by which the KD achieves neuroprotection and/or seizure control are not yet known. The broad efficacy of the KD in diverse epilepsies coupled with its profound influence on metabolism suggests that mitochondrial functions may be critical in its mechanism(s) of seizure control. Mitochondria subserve important cellular functions that include the production of cellular ATP, control of apoptosis, maintenance of calcium homeostasis and the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review will focus on recent literature reporting the regulation of mitochondrial functions and redox signaling by the KD. The review highlights a potential mechanism of the KD involving the production of low levels of redox signaling molecules such as H(2)O(2) and electrophiles e.g. 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), which in turn activate adaptive pathways such as the protective transcription factor, NF E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). This can ultimately result in increased production of antioxidants (e.g. GSH) and detoxification enzymes which may be critical in mediating the protective effects of the KD.
Marine particle nucleation: Observation at Bodega Bay, California

[1] A TSI nano-SMPS was installed in a lab at Bodega Bay, about 50 m from the coastline and 5 m above sea level. On the basis of measurements conducted from June to December 2001 and from January to June 2003, we have observed two kinds of nucleation events, i.e., long-term (a few hours) and short-term (a few minutes) particle bursts. The long-term events mostly occur during daytime in the summer, lasting from 0.5 to 8 hours. Narrow spikes (short-term events) that occur year-round, both day and night, last only a few minutes to a half hour but contain particle number concentrations comparable to some of the long-term events. Wind direction and speed affect the occurrence and intensity of the particle burst. Nucleation mostly takes place during northwesterly onshore wind for both long- and short-term events, and the probability of nucleation occurrence is higher at higher wind speed. However, in contrast to what has been observed at Mace Head, Ireland, nucleation at Bodega Bay does not correlate with tidal height. Instead, the seasonal and interannual variations of ultrafine particle number concentration N3–10nm appear to correlate with ocean upwelling, a characteristic of currents along the west coast of the United States that brings up nutrients from subsurface waters, promoting plant productivity. Simultaneous measurements of nucleation at the coast and 1.6 km out suggest that nucleation is a coastal phenomenon, supporting the contention that it is related to direct or biogenic emission of precursor gases from the coastal area during the sea upwelling periods.
Errors in Potassium Measurement: A Laboratory Perspective for the Clinician

Errors in potassium measurement can cause pseudohyperkalemia, where serum potassium is falsely elevated. Usually, these are recognized either by the laboratory or the clinician. However, the same factors that cause pseudohyperkalemia can mask hypokalemia by pushing measured values into the reference interval. These cases require a high-index of suspicion by the clinician as they cannot be easily identified in the laboratory. This article discusses the causes and mechanisms of spuriously elevated potassium, and current recommendations to minimize those factors. "Reverse" pseudohyperkalemia and the role of correction factors are also discussed. Relevant articles were identified by a literature search performed on PubMed using the terms "pseudohyperkalemia," "reverse pseudohyperkalemia," "factitious hyperkalemia," "spurious hyperkalemia," and "masked hypokalemia."
Air-ground channel measurements and modeling for UAS

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are expected to be used in greatly increasing numbers in the near future. To safely integrate them into the National Airspace System (NAS) [1] requires highly reliable communication links for control and nonpayload communications (CNPC) [2]. Although spectrum allocations for UAS appear to be in place, UAS missions can differ markedly from those of conventional piloted aircraft, and new challenges will appear. One of these challenges is the potential detrimental effects of the air-ground (AG) channel [3]. For past systems that used elevated ground site (GS) antennas in open areas, multipath propagation was minimal. Data rates and bandwidths of past systems were also small, rendering the multipath issue either inconsequential or easily overcome by (sometimes large) transmit power increases or longer latencies. Legacy voice communication systems are also comparatively low rate and forgiving of delay and can usually resort to repetition to improve reliability.
Analysis and optimization of a solid oxide fuel cell and intercooled gas turbine (SOFC-ICGT) hybrid cycle

Abstract The power generation community faces a major challenge: to protect the environment while producing a plentiful supply of clean low-cost energy. “21st Century Energy Plants” (Vision 21 Plants) have been proposed and conceptualized to meet the energy and environmental challenges. The solid oxide fuel cell and intercooled gas turbine (SOFC–ICGT) hybrid cycle introduced in this work is one example of a Vision 21 Plant. The system includes an internal-reforming tubular-SOFC, an intercooled gas turbine, a humidifier, and other auxiliary components. A recently developed thermodynamic analysis computer code entitled advanced power systems analyses tools (APSAT) was applied to analyze the system performance of the SOFC–ICGT cycle. Sensitivity analyses of several major system parameters were studied to identify the key development needs and design and operating improvements for this hybrid cycle. A novel optimization strategy including a design of experiments (DOEx) approach is proposed and applied to the hybrid system. Using this optimization strategy, a system electrical efficiency higher than 75% (net ac/lower heating value (LHV)) could be achieved when the system was designed to operate under a high operating pressure (50 bara) and with a low percent excess air (EA) (55%) in the SOFC.
Locations and stability of Agrobacterium-mediated T-DNA insertions in the Lycopersicon genome

The genomic distribution and genetic behavior of DNA sequences introduced into the tomato genome by Agrobacterium tumefaciens were investigated in the backcross progeny of 10 transformed Lycopersicon esculentum x L. pennellii hybrids. All transformants were found to represent single locus insertions based on the co-segregation of restriction fragments corresponding to the T-DNA left and right border sequences in the backcross progeny. Isozyme and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were used to test linkage relationships of the insertion in each backcross family. The T-DNA inserts in 9 of the 10 transformants were mapped in relation to one or more of these markers, and each mapped to a different chromosomal location. Because only one insertion did not show linkage with the markers employed, it must be located somewhere other than the genomic regions covered by the markers assayed. We conclude that Agrobacterium-mediated insertion in the Lycopersicon genome appears to be random at the chromosomal level. No discrepancies were found between the T-DNA genotype and the nopaline phenotype in the 322 backcross progeny of the nopaline positive transformants. Backcross progeny of two nopaline negative transformants showed incomplete correspondence between the T-DNA genotype and the kanamycin resistance phenotype. No alteration of T-DNA was observed in progeny showing a discrepancy between T-DNA and kanamycin resistance. However, two kanamycin resistant progeny plants of one of these two transformants possessed altered T-DNA restriction patterns, indicating genetic instability of the T-DNA in this transformant.
Cooperative interaction of B lymphocytes with antigen-specific helper T lymphocytes is MHC restricted.

To produce antibody, bone-marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes generally require the synergistic action of a thymus-derived (T) lymphocyte, termed a helper T cell (Th)1. The interaction of Th with B cells is antigen specific and requires that both the T and the B cell be specific for physically linked antigenic determinants2. More recently it has been demonstrated in numerous systems that the interaction of Th and B cells is governed by antigens encoded within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), such that Th and B cells must be identical in the I region of the MHC in order to cooperate efficiently3–5. This finding has been termed MHC restriction. However, studies using populations of T cells as a source of Th could be influenced by the presence of alloreactive T cells, suppressor T cells and other T-cells subsets, thus making interpretation difficult. Moreover, it has been proposed6 that MHC restriction governs not the interaction of Th with B cells, but rather the interaction of Th cells with antigen-presenting cells (APCs), whereafter the interaction of Th with B cells is said to be unrestricted. We have now attempted to clarify this situation by examining the interaction of soft agar colonies and clones of antigen-specific, MHC-restricted proliferating T cells7,8 with purified B cells using several different assays. We conclude that the antigen-specific cooperative interactions between Th and B cells are themselves MHC restricted, and that B cells bearing the wrong MHC-encoded antigens cannot be activated by addition of APCs matched to the Th cell but differing from the B cell at MHC.
Intramyocellular lipid dependence on skeletal muscle fiber type and orientation characterized by diffusion tensor imaging and 1H-MRS

When muscle fibers are aligned with the B0 field, intramyocellular lipids (IMCL), important for providing energy during physical activity, can be resolved in proton magnetic resonance spectra (1H-MRS). Various muscles of the leg differ significantly in their proportion of fibers and angular distribution. This study determined the influence of muscle fiber type and orientation on IMCL using 1H-MRS and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Muscle fiber orientation relative to B0 was estimated by pennation angle (PA) measurements from DTI, providing orientation-specific extramyocellular lipid (EMCL) chemical shift data that were used for subject-specific IMCL quantification. Vastus lateralis (VL), tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SO) muscles of 6 healthy subjects (21-40 yrs) were studied on a Siemens 3T MRI system with a flex 4-channel coil. 1H-MRS were acquired using stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM, TR=3s, TE=270ms). DTI was performed using single shot EPI (b=600s/mm2, 30 directions, TR=4.5s, TE=82ms, and ten×5mm slices) with center slice indexed to the MRS voxel. The average PA’s measured from ROI analysis of primary eigenvectors were PA=19.46±5.43 for unipennate VL, 15.65±3.73 for multipennate SO, and 7.04±3.34 for bipennate TA. Chemical shift (CS) was calculated using [3cos2θ-1] dependence: 0.17±0.02 for VL, 0.18±0.01 for SO and 0.19±0.004 ppm for TA. IMCL-CH2 concentrations from spectral analysis were 12.77±6.3 for VL, 3.07±1.63 for SO and 0.27±0.08 mmol/kg ww for TA. Small PA’s were measured in TA and large CS with clear separation between EMCL and IMCL peaks were observed. Larger variations in PA were measured VL and SO resulting in an increased overlap of the EMCL on IMCL peaks.
Media Communications and Sustainable Tourism in Batangas

This paper focuses on the role of media communications in the sustainability of tourism as determined by the number of travelers who visited the different tourist destinations in Batangas from 2004 to 2008. The Batangas Provincial Tourism Office primarily uses the internet in promoting tourism in the province. It also uses other media forms like print and mobile communication in enhancing tourism promotion. Besides, the office initiates projects and programs and participates in celebrations and festivities in the different municipalities in the province. Foreign tourists coming from Asia, America, Oceania, Africa, and Europe, OFWs, and domestic tourists frequent different destinations. During the month of February, those from Korea, USA, Australia, South Africa, and United Kingdom are mostly observed to be visiting the different tourist spots while during the month of April, both OFWs and domestic tourists are the main visitors. Each year, the number of visitors in the different Batangas tourist spots increases which manifests that as media communications advance, the more that the travelers become aware and exposed to the pride of the province. Keywords - Media Communication, tourism, Batangas,
FPGA routing and routability estimation via Boolean satisfiability

Guaranteeing or even estimating the routability of a portion of a placed FPGA remains difficult or impossible in most practical applications. In this paper we develop a novel formulation of both routing and routability estimation that relies on a rendering of the routing constraints as a single large Boolean equation. Any satisfying assignment to this equation specifies a complete detailed routing. By representing the equation as a Binary Decision Diagram (BDD), we represent all possible routes for allnets simultaneously. Routability estimation is transformed to Boolean satisfiability, which is trivial for BDDs. We use the technique in the context of a perfect routability estimator for a global router. Experimental results from a standard FPGA benchmark suite suggest the technique is feasible for realistic circuits, but refinements are needed for very large designs.
Effects of non-uniform inlet boundary conditions and lift force on prediction of phase distribution in upward bubbly flows with Fluent-IATE

Abstract This study investigates the profile effects of the boundary conditions in two-phase flows, such as the inlet void fraction, interfacial area concentration, and phase velocity, on the predictions of flow behaviors downstream. Simulations are performed for upward air–water bubbly flows in a 48.3-mm inner diameter pipe by employing Fluent's two-fluid model together with an interfacial area transport equation (IATE) model. The IATE was developed in the literature to model the interfacial area concentration by taking into account the bubble coalescence and disintegration, and phase change effects. In this study, two types of inlet boundary conditions are considered, one being a uniform-profile boundary condition in the radial direction with area-averaged experimentally measured values while the other being a non-uniform profile condition based on the actual measured profiles at the inlet. The numerical predictions of downstream profiles of the phase distributions indicate that the two types of boundary conditions yield similar results for the downstream flow behaviors for the bubbly flow conditions investigated. In addition, the results with and without the lift force demonstrated that the lift force is essential to obtain accurate lateral phase distribution.
Exercise-induced coronary angiogenesis: a review

ABSTRACT Numerous studies have examined the effects of exercise training on coronary angiogenesis. Although the conclusions drawn from these studies are sometimes conflicting, variabilities in training (magnitude, type and intensity), age and other factors need to be closely examined. Most studies on young animals indicate that capillary growth occurs providing that the training intensity is appropriate. Furthermore, there is evidence that growth of arteries and resistance vessels can occur as indicated by 1) direct measurements of vessels and 2) calculation of minimal coronary vascular resistance during pharmacologically induced vasodilation. Although the mechanism(s) underlying exercise-induced angiogenesis is unknown, mechanical events associated with increased flow and/or increased venous return, as well as resting bradycardia may serve to trigger growth factors involved in mitogenic, migratory, and tube formation of endothelial cells. In contrast, exercise training per se does not appear to enhance collateral vessel growth. However, there is evidence that collateral growth is accelerated with training in animals with coronary artery occlusion.
Structure of human phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase at 2.3 A resolution.

Summary Serine misincorporation in coenzyme A biosynthesis would result in the formation of oxo-coenzyme A in The structure of human phosphopantothenoylcysteine which the cofactor thiol is replaced by an alcohol. Be- (PPC) synthetase was determined at 2.3 Aresolution. cause the thiol group plays a key role in the biochemistry PPC synthetase is a dimer with identical monomers. of this cofactor, oxo-coenzyme A is likely to inhibit cell Some features of the monomer fold resemble a group growth. PPC synthetase shows high selectivity for cys- of NAD-dependent enzymes, while other features re- teine over serine (our unpublished results). The mecha- semble the ribokinase fold. The ATP, phosphopanto- nistic basis for this selectivity is a fundamental problem