cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Permeability of the blood-brain barrier to a novel satiety molecule nesfatin-1

Nesfatin-1 has recently been identified as a hypothalamic and brain stem peptide that regulates feeding behavior. Here, we determined the ability of nesfatin-1 to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of mice. We used multiple-regression analysis to determine that radioactively labeled nesfatin-1 injected intravenously entered the brain. The entry rate (K(i)) of (131)I-nesfatin-1 from blood-to-brain was 0.20+/-0.02 microl/g min. This modest rate of entry was not inhibited by the administration of nonradioactive nesfatin-1, suggesting that BBB transport of nesfatin-1 into the brain is by a nonsaturable mechanism. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and acid precipitation showed that most of the injected radiolabeled nesfatin-1 reached the brain as intact peptide, and capillary depletion with vascular washout revealed that 67% of (131)I-nesfatin-1 crossed the BBB to reach the brain parenchyma. Efflux of labeled nesfatin-1 from brain back into blood was by way of bulk flow. These findings demonstrate that nesfatin-1 crosses the BBB in both the blood-to-brain and brain-to-blood directions by nonsaturable mechanisms.
The Fanconi anemia group C gene product modulates apoptotic responses to tumor necrosis factor-α and Fas ligand but does not suppress expression of receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily

Abstract Exposure of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) from mice and humans with Fanconi anemia group C (FAC) to interferon-γ (IFN- γ ) or tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ) at doses too low to inhibit growth of normal HPC induces profound apoptotic responses. Because the IFN- γ hypersensitivity of cells lacking the FAC protein is mediated, in part, through priming of the Fas pathway, and because several other members of this family are capable of inducing apoptosis either alone or in concert with each other, we tested the hypothesis that IFN- γ induces increased expression of members of the TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily in cells nullizygous for the FAC gene. Using isogenic human Epstein–Barr virus-transformed lymphoblast cell lines and c-kit + bone marrow cells from mice with inactivating mutations of the FAC locus, we quantified mRNA levels by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and surface expression of the gene products by flow cytometry of TNFR1, TNFR2, Fas, CD30, CD40, and nerve growth factor receptor. We found that neither constitutive nor IFN- γ –induced expression of these receptors was influenced by the absence of a functional FAC gene product, and expression of these receptors was not suppressed in nullizygous cells complemented with the normal FAC cDNA. We conclude that, although exaggerated apoptotic responses in FAC-deficient cells are at least partially mediated through activation of members of the TNFR superfamily, the normal FAC protein does not function as a direct suppressor of this family of molecules and inactivation of FAC does not augment expression of these proteins.
Life cycle analysis and ecological balance: Methodical approaches to assessment of environmental aspects of products

Abstract Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a method which allows the development of objective criteria and procedures for the assessment of the environmental impacts of products, based on the total life cycle of the product (from cradle to grave). Packaging materials are taken as an example in order to demonstrate the principle of “eco-balancing” or comparing different products which fulfil the same function. This comparative assessment is the real strength of LCA. The criteria to be used are described and a general way of performing an LCA is presented. As an example, different packaging used for milk is analysed by means of LCA and eco-balancing.
Mechanical signals in plant development: a new method for single cell studies

Cell division, which is critical to plant development and morphology, requires the orchestration of hundreds of intracellular processes. In the end, however, cells must make critical decisions, based on a discrete set of mechanical signals such as stress, strain, and shear, to divide in such a way that they will survive the mechanical loads generated by turgor pressure and cell enlargement within the growing tissues. Here we report on a method whereby tobacco protoplasts swirled into a 1.5% agarose entrapment medium will survive and divide. The application of a controlled mechanical load to agarose blocks containing protoplasts orients the primary division plane of the embedded cells. Photoelastic analysis of the agarose entrapment medium can identify the lines of principal stress within the agarose, confirming the hypothesis that cells divide either parallel or perpendicular to the principal stress tensors. The coincidence between the orientation of the new division wall and the orientation of the principal stress tensors suggests that the perception of mechanical stress is a characteristic of individual plant cells. The ability of a cell to determine a shear-free orientation for a new partition wall may be related to the applied load through the deformation of the matrix material. In an isotropic matrix a uniaxial load will produce a rotationally symmetric strain field, which will define a shear-free plane. Where high stress intensities combine with the loading geometry to produce multiaxial loads there will be no axis of rotational symmetry and hence no shear free plane. This suggests that two mechanisms may be orienting the division plane, one a mechanism that works in rotationally symmetrical fields, yielding divisions perpendicular to the compressive tensor, parallel to the long axis of the cell, and one in asymmetric fields, yielding divisions parallel to the short axis of the cell and the compressive tensor.
Epidemiology of bovine brucellosis in the coastal region of Baja California Norte, Mexico: Results of path analyses in an area of high prevalence

Abstract Data for path analysis on the epidemiology of bovine brucellosis were collected on 110 premises in the Coastal Administrative Region of Baja California Norte, Mexico. Two structural models were used to identify the significant contributory variables on the bovine brucellosis seropositivity. The first model identified six variables significantly related to seropositivity for bovine brucellosis, and the second model identified five such variables, four of which were the same in both models. These four variables are (1) capital invested in livestock, (2) number of animals eligible for testing, (3) the policy of the owner/manager in regard to the disposal of reactor (infected) animals and (4) the number of cows that aborted in the previous year. Preliminary serotesting revealed this to be an area of relatively high prevalence. The significant contributory variables found in this analysis are compared to a previous and identical analysis on data collected in Mexicali Valley, Mexico, an area with low prevalence and with different herd sizes and management styles.
Parallel velocity and temperature of argon ions in an expanding, helicon source driven plasma

The parallel ion flow in a high-density helicon source plasma expanding into a region of weaker magnetic field is measured as a function of neutral pressure, magnetic field strength, rf power and rf driving frequency. The dependence of the parallel ion flow and parallel ion temperature, measured by laser induced fluorescence, on the plasma density, electron temperature and floating potential, measured with an rf-compensated Langmuir probe, is also examined. At the end of the helicon plasma source, the ion velocity space distribution changes from a single subsonically drifting Maxwellian population to a supersonic ion beam (≈15 eV) plus a cold, subsonically drifting background ion population. At 38 cm into the expansion region beyond the end of the plasma source, the supersonic ion beam is not observed.
High diffraction efficiency from one- and two-dimensional Nyquist frequency binary-phase gratings

We examine the diffraction properties of one- and two-dimensional binary-phase gratings encoded onto pixelated liquid crystal displays (LCDs). We find that the first-order diffracted intensity from these binary-phase patterns can reach 100% of the zero-order intensity when the period of the grating approaches the Nyquist limit of the LCD. Experimental results show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. This is a surprising result that has a number of implications for the encoding of diffractive optical elements.
Paleozoic Stratigraphy of Black Mesa Basin, Northeastern Arizona and Surrounding Areas: ABSTRACT

Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the subsurface of the Black Mesa basin of northeastern Arizona include: 0-800 feet of Cambrian dolomite, sandstone, shale, and minor limestone; 0-300 feet of Devonian dolomite and sandstone; 0-500 feet of Mississippian dolomite and limestone; 0-500 feet of Pennsylvanian redbeds and limestone; and about 2,000 feet of Permian redbeds and eolian sandstone capped by 0-400 feet of dolomite near the western edge of the basin. These rocks do not crop out, and only a few wells have penetrated them to date. Isopach and lithofacies maps show that in all Paleozoic systems the thick marine carbonate sections of northwestern Arizona and southwestern Utah pinch out, become more clastic, or interfinger with continental sedimentary rocks southeast in the direction of the Black Mesa. At no time during the Paleozoic or Mesozoic era was the Black Mesa area a basin in the sense that it was the site of deposition of marine sediments significantly thicker than in surrounding areas. The Black Mesa structural basin was formed by differential uplift in Cenozoic time. When the Colorado Plateau was uplifted the Black Mesa rose 3,500-7,000 feet less than surrounding areas. Possibilities for oil and gas discoveries in stratigraphic traps seem best in the northern and western parts of the Black Mesa basin, where several permeable formations appear to pinch out. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1096------------
Alternate Evaluation Criteria of Piezoelectric Motors

In this article, four types of piezoelectrically driven motors are evaluated: linear, horn-type, unidirectional rotary, and bidirectional traveling wave. Experimental results for velocity, power, and specific power are presented as a function of mechanical load. Analytical and experimental energy densities are compared based upon applied electrical potential. The bidirectional ultrasonic motor exhibited 34% of its available energy density, while the other motors produced values ranging from 0.63 to 9.5% of their respective available energies. The piezoelectric material specific power values ranged from 4500 W/kg for the bidirectional motor to 6.53 W/kg for the linear piezo motor. Results suggest that comparing piezoelectric motors based on individual mechanical parameters does not accurately describe motor design and drive train energy transmission.
In vitro and in vivo effects of thymulin on rat testicular steroid synthesis

Abstract Although the stimulatory effects of immunological hormone thymulin on ovarian function are documented, responses of the testis to thymulin are unknown. Effects of thymulin and thymulin augmentation of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation of testicular steroidogenesis were analyzed via incubation of testis from 3-, 6-, and 9-week-old rats with 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml of thymulin or thymulin plus hCG (1 IU/ml). At three weeks of age, thymulin decreased testosterone and estrone synthesis. By 6 and 9 weeks of age, lower doses of thymulin (0.1 and 1 ng/ml) stimulated testosterone and estrone synthesis. Increased doses of thymulin (100 ng/ml) resulted in decreased testicular steroid synthesis. No thymulin augmentation of hCG stimulation of testicular steroidogenesis was noted in vitro . Responses in vitro may have been confounded with the endocrine status at the time of incubation. Thymulin levels are increased at 3 weeks of age and decline at 6 and 9 weeks of age whereas gonadotropin levels are just the opposite pattern; these in vivo endocrine changes may have influenced the in vitro responses. Analysis of in vivo response to thymulin was pursued in pituitary intact, hypophysectomized and hCG primed (12 h before thymulin injection) hypophysectomized rats (5 weeks of age) with 1 and 10 μ g of thymulin injected intravenously. Thymulin had no effect on testicular steroidogenesis in hypophysectomized rats 30, 60, and 120 min post injection). In pituitary intact rats, thymulin reduced testosterone and estrone concentrations. In hCG primed hypophysectomized rats, thymulin injection was followed by significant increases in testosterone levels and declines in estrone concentrations. These studies indicated that any increases in testicular steroidogenesis from thymulin required gonadotropin stimulation and increased concentrations of thymulin had inhibitory effects on testicular steroidogenesis.
Monte Carlo Analysis of Obstructed Diffusion in Three Dimensions: Application to Molecular Diffusion in Organelles

Molecular transport in the aqueous lumen of organelles involves diffusion in a confined compartment with complex geometry. Monte Carlo simulations of particle diffusion in three dimensions were carried out to evaluate the influence of organelle structure on diffusive transport and to relate experimental photobleaching data to intrinsic diffusion coefficients. Two organelle structures were modeled: a mitochondria-like long closed cylinder containing fixed luminal obstructions of variable number and size, and an endoplasmic reticulum-like network of interconnected cylinders of variable diameter and density. Trajectories were computed in each simulation for >10(5) particles, generally for >10(5) time steps. Computed time-dependent concentration profiles agreed quantitatively with analytical solutions of the diffusion equation for simple geometries. For mitochondria-like cylinders, significant slowing of diffusion required large or wide single obstacles, or multiple obstacles. In simulated spot photobleaching experiments, a approximately 25% decrease in apparent diffusive transport rate (defined by the time to 75% fluorescence recovery) was found for a single thin transverse obstacle occluding 93% of lumen area, a single 53%-occluding obstacle of width 16 lattice points (8% of cylinder length), 10 equally spaced 53% obstacles alternately occluding opposite halves of the cylinder lumen, or particle binding to walls (with mean residence time = 10 time steps). Recovery curve shape with obstacles showed long tails indicating anomalous diffusion. Simulations also demonstrated the utility of measurement of fluorescence depletion at a spot distant from the bleach zone. For a reticulum-like network, particle diffusive transport was mildly reduced from that in unobstructed three-dimensional space. In simulated photobleaching experiments, apparent diffusive transport was decreased by 39-60% in reticular structures in which 90-97% of space was occluded. These computations provide an approach to analyzing photobleaching data in terms of microscopic diffusive properties and support the paradigm that organellar barriers must be quite severe to seriously impede solute diffusion.
Zeolite Growth by Addition of Subcolloidal Particles: Modeling and Experimental Validation

Seeded growth of tetrapropylammonium (TPA)-silicalite-1 is studied using simulations and dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy experiments. The effects of the total silica concentration, temperature, and total seed concentration are examined. When the composition of silica in solution is above a critical value, growth is observed. In such a case, the size of the seeds increases linearly with time, with a growth rate that is not significantly affected by the total silica concentration. Growth appears to be activated with an activation energy of 90 kJ/mol for a range of seed concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering indicate the presence of subcolloidal particles. Simulations of the growth of a static particle in a suspension of subcolloidal particles are carried out. Good agreement with experimental results regarding the growth rate and the apparent activation energy is possible by considering DerjaguinLandau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) interactions with electrostatic repulsion described with a constant surface charge model. The type of interaction was also verified with atomic force microscopy force measurements between a silicalite surface and a glass sphere. By use of these types of interactions, it is also possible to explain the stability of the seeded suspension and show that only a relatively narrow size distribution of growth precursors participate in the growth of the seeds. Our results support the possibility that under the conditions studied, growth of silicalite seeds proceeds by a mechanism with the rate-limiting step being the addition of subcolloidal particles.
An expanded scope for behavior modification in school settings

Abstract Behavior modification in the school setting has consisted primarily of the manipulation of consequent conditions to vary children's social and academic behaviors within classrooms. The scope of behavior modification within school settings may fruitfully be expanded by furthering the investigation and application of these additional areas: the interaction between the modification of social and academic behaviors, the manipulation of antecedent conditions in order to evoke reinforceable responses, the use of controlling variables on a school-system-wide basis, and the use of standardized tests as an additional dependent measure.
Identification of a subset of breast carcinomas characterized by expression of cytokeratin 15: Relationship between CK15+ progenitor/amplified cells and pre-malignant lesions and invasive disease

Recently, we presented evidence – based on the analysis of benign hyperproliferative lesions of the breast – for the presence of cells that express the stem cell marker cytokeratin (CK) 15 in combination with CK19, a protein widely expressed by mammary epithelial cells. Here we report the finding of a subset of breast carcinomas characterized by expression of CK15. CK15 expressing tumors constituted 5% (6 out of 120; 4 of ductal type and 2 of lobular type) of the high-risk breast carcinomas examined by gel-based proteomics and immunohistochemistry. Five out of the six CK15+ carcinomas were CK15+/CK19−. The remaining tumor was mainly composed of cells expressing both CK15 and CK19 (CK15+/CK19+), but it also contained invasive areas with cells expressing only one of these makers (CK15+/CK19− and CK15−/CK19+ cells). To address the relationship between putative luminal progenitor/amplified CK15+ cells and malignant disease, and to determine whether cells/lesions lose expression of CK15 as a result of tumour initiation and/or progression, we searched among our sample set for carcinomas in which invasive tumor areas co-existed with non-malignant cells and hyperproliferative and known pre-malignant lesions. Only one such tumour was found (T71), a CK15−/CK19+/p53+ carcinoma that contained p53 negative non-malignant epithelial cells exhibiting a variety of, CK15/CK19 cellular phenotypes (CK15+/CK19+; CK15+/CK19−; CK15−/CK19+; CK15−/CK19−), often associated with simple columnar cells. Single layers of epithelial cells exhibiting all four CK15/CK19 phenotypes were observed contiguous to areas of atypical ductal hyperplasia that contained p53 positive cells that lost CK15 expression (CK15−/CK19+) and had a very similar phenotype to those of the neighboring ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive cells. The undifferentiated CK15+/CK19+ cells, which had the phenotype CK15+/CK19+/CK14+/CK8+ and −/ER−/PgR−/AR−/CD44+ (weak)/CK17−/p63−/vimentin+/Ki67−/Bcl-2+ (weak)/GATA-3−/p53−, most likely correspond to lineage-restricted luminal progenitor cells able to generate the other more differentiated CK15/CK19 cellular phenotypes, thus giving rise to the daunting intratumour heterogeneity displayed by carcinoma T71. Cells with a very similar phenotype to the CK15+/CK19+ progenitor cells were observed in a juvenile fibroadenoma as well as in the large collecting ducts of the breast. The latter, however, expressed in addition CK14 and had a phenotype (CK15+/CK19+/CK14+/CK8+ (weak)/ER−/PgR−/AR−/CD44+ (weak)/CK17−/p63−/vimentin−/Ki67−/Bcl-2+/GATA-3−/p53−) that resembled that of the putative normal adult breast stem cells as inferred from published data. Further molecular characterization of these progenitor cells as well as unraveling of the signaling pathways that regulate their growth and differentiation may prove invaluable for developing novel therapeutic strategies that target cancer at an early stage.
Microburst Rotation: Simulations and Observations

Abstract Microburst rotation can be determined by measuring the difference in azimuths between the maximum approaching and maximum receding velocity centers on a Doppler radar. Nonrotating microbursts would have these centers exactly along the same radial from the radar. Microbursts rotating clockwise would have the approaching center clockwise of the receding center, and vise versa. In the fist part of this study the authors develop the relationships between the uniform wind, source strength, and rotational strength using potential flow theory and apply this to simulating real microbursts. In the second part the authors give observations of microburst rotation based on measurements of 908 microbursts made near Orlando, Florida, during 1992. While most microbursts had little rotation, 55.4% rotated cyclonically. The average tangential velocity of the rotational component was 1.1 m s−1; 5% had rotations equal to or greater than 2.5 m s−1. This may have significant implications for aviation. Finally, microb...
Cognitive and Developmental Effects on Item Performance in Intelligence and Achievement Tests for Young Children.

Performance on items in intelligence and achievement tests can be represented in terms of child development and information processes. Research is reviewed on item performance that supports developmental and information processing effects, particularly in children. Some suggestions for item development in intelligence and achievement tests are presented.
Inhibition of Lupus by Genetic Alteration of the Interferon-α/β Receptor

Type I interferons (IFN-αβ) are immunoregulatory cytokines that promote both innate and adaptive immune responses. Although they have been implicated in human SLE, recent studies in mice have helped solidify this connection. By using lupus-prone mice with knockout of the IFN-αβ receptor, we and others have documented that lack of IFN-αβ leads to a marked reduction in disease manifestations, including autoantibody production, target organ damage and mortality. Furthermore, IFN-αβ was found to potentially contribute to several levels of disease pathogenesis. These included the differentiation and activation of dendritic cells, the activation and proliferation of T cells, T cell survival and the activation and survival of autoantibody-producing B cells. These findings strongly support the targeting of IFN-αβ in SLE and suggest that definition of the specific pathways critical for disease induction will be important for optimal intervention.
Is the Dust Obscuring Supernovae in Distant Galaxies the Same as Dust in the Milky Way

Previous attempts to correct type Ia supernovae (SN Ia's) for host galaxy extinction have given strange results: increased dispersion on the Hubble diagram or impossibly low values of the reddening ratio for dust in distant galaxies. The cause is the incorrect assumption that SN Ia's have a uniform intrinsic luminosity and color at maximum light. Our multicolor light-curve shape (MLCS) method establishes the relation between intrinsic luminosity and color for SN Ia's using information in light-curve shapes. Here we estimate the B - V, V - R, and V - I color excess for 20 SN Ia's using MLCS and estimate the reddening ratios of dust in distant galaxies. The ratios of selective to total absorption from dust in distant galaxies hosting SN Ia's are consistent with the galactic extinction law. The SN Ia's in late-type galaxies are often obscured by dust, while those in early-type galaxies are dust free. This suggests that SN Ia extinction is caused by interstellar (not circumstellar) dust, with similar optical properties as the dust in the Milky Way.
Adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate and guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate: A simultaneous protein binding assay

The adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate and guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate contents of microliter quantities of urine can be determined simultaneously by combining individual protein binding assays for the two nucleotides. 32P-labeled adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate is bound to a protein from bovine skeletal muscle, while a lobster muscle protein preparation is utilized for binding of 3H-labeled guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate.
Catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of excess oxygen by Pd supported on pillared clays

Abstract The catalytic reduction of NOx with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of excess oxygen was studied over Pd-based catalysts with various pillared clays (PILC) as the support. The results showed that the Ti-PILC-supported Pd catalyst gave high NO conversions and the highest N2 product selectivity (compared to known catalysts) at low temperatures. For example, the N2 selectivity at 140 °C was 90% for Pd/Ti-PILC catalyst while that for the Pd/TiO2/Al2O3 catalyst was 50%. The effects of feed gas composition, CO concentration and H2O/SO2 were also studied.
About the nonlinear fluctuation-dissipation theorem for plasmas in two and three dimensions

Abstract The authors establish for the first time the fundamental nonlinear fluctuation-dissipation theorem for classical electron films trapped on liquid helium surfaces. When formulated in a reduced polarizability language, this theorem becomes identical to its three dimensional counterpart.
pH-sensitive interaction of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) with organic anion transporting polypeptide 2B1.

The human organic anion transporting polypeptide 2B1 (OATP2B1, SLCO2B1) is ubiquitously expressed and may play an important role in the disposition of xenobiotics. The present study aimed to examine the role of OATP2B1 in the intestinal absorption and tissue uptake of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins). We first investigated the functional affinity of statins to the transporter as a function of extracellular pH, using OATP2B1-transfeced HEK293 cells. The results indicate that OATP2B1-mediated transport is significant for rosuvastatin, fluvastatin and atorvastatin, at neutral pH. However, OATP2B1 showed broader substrate specificity as well as enhanced transporter activity at acidic pH. Furthermore, uptake at acidic pH was diminished in the presence of proton ionophore, suggesting proton gradient as the driving force for OATP2B1 activity. Notably, passive transport rates are predominant or comparable to active transport rates for statins, except for rosuvastatin ...
Detection of Pathogenic and Non-pathogenic Bacteria in Drinking Water and Associated Biofilms on the Crow Reservation, Montana, USA

Private residences in rural areas with water systems that are not adequately regulated, monitored, and updated could have drinking water that poses a health risk. To investigate water quality on the Crow Reservation in Montana, water and biofilm samples were collected from 57 public buildings and private residences served by either treated municipal or individual groundwater well systems. Bacteriological quality was assessed including detection of fecal coliform bacteria and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) as well as three potentially pathogenic bacterial genera, Mycobacterium, Legionella, and Helicobacter. All three target genera were detected in drinking water systems on the Crow Reservation. Species detected included the opportunistic and frank pathogens Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium flavescens, Legionella pneumophila, and Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, there was an association between HPC bacteria and the presence of Mycobacterium and Legionella but not the presence of Helicobacter. This research has shown that groundwater and municipal drinking water systems on the Crow Reservation can harbor potential bacterial pathogens.
Effects of constant temperature, relative humidity, and simulated rainfall on development and survival of the spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis).

Experiments were conducted on Fraser fir, Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir, seedlings or cut terminals. Results indicate that Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) responds most favorably to temperatures approximating 26 °C and to relative humidity levels approaching 50 to 60%. Developmental time, time to 50% mortality, net reproductive rate, mean generation time, intrinsic rate of natural increase, finite rate of increase, and days for populations to double were computed for each temperature and relative humidity regime. Simulated rainfall severely limits population density on Fraser fir seedlings.
DLPC and SAMe prevent α1(I) collagen mRNA up-regulation in human hepatic stellate cells, whether caused by leptin or menadione

Abstract We previously reported that the combination of dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), which have antioxidant properties and antifibrogenic actions, prevented leptin-stimulated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 production in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by inhibiting H2O2-mediated signal transduction. We now show that DLPC and SAMe inhibit α1(I) collagen mRNA expression induced by leptin or menadione in LX-2 human HSCs. We found that DLPC and SAMe prevent H2O2 generation and restore reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion whether caused by leptin or menadione. Blocking H2O2 signaling through ERK1/2 and p38 pathways resulted in a complete inhibition of leptin or menadione-induced α1(I) collagen mRNA. The inhibition of collagen mRNA by DLPC and SAMe combined is at least two times more effective than that by DLPC or SAMe alone. In conjunction with the prevention of TIMP-1 production, the ability of DLPC and SAMe to inhibit α1(I) collagen mRNA expression provides a mechanistic basis for these innocuous compounds in the prevention of hepatic fibrosis, because enhanced TIMP-1 and collagen productions are associated with hepatic fibrogenesis and their attenuation may diminish fibrosis.
Symbolically-aided simulation of nonlinear passive components

This paper describes a symbolically-aided computational procedure for building algebraic companion form (ACF) models of nonlinear passive components for use in time-domain circuit simulators. This procedure is based on the automatic differentiation technique (ADT) and requires the computation of the sensitivity or Jacobian matrices as do many other implicit integration algorithms. The ADT is utilized for the effective computation of the required sensitivity matrices, which leads to significant savings of the CPU time compared to other commonly employed numerical differentiation techniques. To demonstrate its capabilities, ACF models of nonlinear passive components are built employing ADT and are used in practical power electronic circuits. Specifically, the effects of nonlinear capacitors and inductors in PWM inverter circuits are analyzed.
Helicopter rotor-blade modulation of antenna radiation characteristics

This paper investigates rotor modulation on the gain and input impedance of an antenna mounted on a helicopter's fuselage. The rotor blades, which are rotating about an axis with a given angular velocity, continuously modulate the signal transmitted by the antenna and adversely affect the established communication links. In this study, particular emphasis is placed on wire antennas operating within the HF and VHF bands. Specifically, the Doppler spectrum of the magnitude and phase of the radiated field from a vertical and a horizontal short dipole underneath the rotors is computed and analyzed. The variation of the corresponding antenna gain as a function of rotor angle and frequency is also investigated. The same type of analysis is then extended to a 14-ft towel-bar antenna mounted on the tail boom of a 10:1 scaled helicopter model. In addition to gain, the variation of input impedance versus angle and frequency is computed within the HF band. Finally, the bit error rate (BER) assuming a quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation is evaluated assuming linearly and circularly polarized receiving antennas.
Lateral roentgenographic projections of the acromioclavicular joint

Although the acromioclavicular joint is frequently injured in both contact and noncontact sports, the treatment is nonspecific, as demonstrated by the numerous methods of treatment currently employed. Despite treatment, some shoulders still develop chronic symptoms and disability during overhead lifting, throwing, and swinging. Perhaps these difficulties develop as a result of an incomplete evaluation of the joint and because the exact nature of the injury is not appreciated. Therefore, the shoulder develops chronic problems. We have routinely utilized a lateral roentgenogram of the acromion to evaluate the acromioclavicular joint. This has significantly aided us in the diagnosis and treatment of acromioclavicular joint injuries, especially when there was posterior dislocation of the distal clavicle. This presentation reviews standard roentgenography of the acromioclavicular joint and illustrates the method of obtaining the lateral projection as described by O. M. Alexander. We will also show how this method has helped us clinically in detecting posterior dislocations of the distal end of the clavicle.
Laboratory Studies of Ion Chemistry in the Interstellar Medium

Studies of gas phase ion-neutral reactions provide insight into many areas of astrochemistry, including the elusive characterization of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs). This presentation gives an overview of our experimental studies of several classes of positive and negative ions, using the flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube and a newly modified ion trap. Earlier studies of carbon chain anions and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) cations, both of which have been suggested as carriers of the DIBs, are described. More recent work including isomeric PAHs, nitrogen-containing PAHs, negative ions of PAHs, and negative ions of 5-membered heterocyclic rings are discussed. Finally, the study of quantitative thermochemistry by coupling our results with data from Photoelectron Spectroscopy is described.
Recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) system for functional genomics studies in Mycoplasma mycoides

Background We have previously established technologies enabling us to engineer the Mycoplasma mycoides genome while cloned in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, followed by genome transplantation into Mycoplasma capricolum recipient cells to produce M. mycoides with an altered genome. To expand the toolbox for genomic modifications, we designed a strategy based on the Cre/loxP-based Recombinase-Mediated Cassette Exchange (RMCE) system for functional genomics analyses.
Evaluating feedforward spiking neuron networks using a novel decoding strategy

Introduction Investigating how information is represented within a population of model neurons is a primary focus of computational neuroscience research. In feed-forward systems, a fundamentally related question is how this representation changes as it advances through the network. In this letter, we explore the capabilities of several kinds of feed-forward network architectures at transmitting complexly coded information using a large, heterogeneous populations of model neurons. For a suitably elaborate input, we employ a realistic model of the auditory periphery, the Meddis Inner-Hair Cell Model [1]. To interpret the spike train responses for sizeable neuronal populations, we introduce a novel method for decoding based on a discrete version of the reconstruction method [2]. By combining an interspike interval (ISI) representation with support vector machine (SVM) classifiers, we successful decode information from layers of 200 spiral ganglion cells of 20 different types. Furthermore, this method makes no assumptions about the spike train's encoding.
The Perception of Symmetry in Depth: Effect of Symmetry Plane Orientation.

Abstract: The visual system is sensitive to symmetr ies in the frontoparallel plane, and bilateral symmetry about a vertical axis has a particular salience. However, these symmetries represent only a subset of the symmetries realizable in three-dimensional space. The retinal image symmetries formed when viewing natural objects are typically the projections of three-dimensional objects—animals, for example—that have a symmetry in depth. To characterize human sensitivity to depth symmetry, experiments measured observers’ ability to discriminate stereo displays that were symmetrically distributed in depth and those that were asymmetrically distributed. Disparity values were distributed about one of four planes passing through the z -axis and differing in frontoparallel orientation. Asymmetrical patterns were generated by perturbing one of these disparities. Symmetrical-asymmetrical discrimination thresholds were lowest for symmetry about the vertical plane and highest for the horizontal plane. Thresholds for discriminating repetitions and non-repetitions of depth values did not differ across the four planes, whereas discriminations for depth gradients differed from both the symmetry and repetition cases. The heightened sensitivity to symmetry in depth about the vertical plane is a 3-D analog of 2-D mirror-image symmetry performance and could be its source.
Feeding enrichment and body weight in captive chimpanzees

Although positive behavioral consequences have been attributed to feeding enrichment, physiological changes may also occur. In this study, the body weight records of a large chimpanzee colony were reviewed to determine if body weight was affected by the implementation of a daily enrichment program, including food items offered three to four times per week. Comparing the mean body weight by age groups indicated that the weight of female chimpanzees was significantly greater after feeding enrichment but that male body weight did not differ.
Nondestructive Testing of Thin-walled Ceramic Matrix Composites with Matrix Cracks Using Thermography

Three problems related to a nondestructive detection of matrix cracks in thin-walled ceramic matrix composite components are considered. First, the necessary background for the analysis of a cross-ply component with matrix cracks undergoing small-amplitude forced vibrations is prepared by specifying the stiffness that is affected by the presence of cracks. The second problem solved in the paper is the steady-state surface temperature rise over the ambient temperature in a vibrating component with cracks. This temperature depends on local stresses what explains the necessity in the analysis of forced vibrations. Finally, an exact solution of the problem of heat transfer in a component with matrix cracks in the central transverse layer is considered, including the transient period. The principal conclusion obtained based on numerical examples is that thermography is a feasible and reliable method capable of detecting matrix cracks in ceramic matrix composites.
REAL AND ILLUSORY ASPECTS OF AN OVERVALUED EXCHANGE RATE:THE PAKISTAN CASE 1

IT is well recognized that a system of offsetting export subsidies and import tariffs is a substitute, in the sense of producing the same trade effects, for a change in the official exchange rate. In fact, there exists an infinite set of combinations of official exchange rates, coupled with tariffs and subsidies, which can produce the same effective exchange rate.2 What is not so widely recognized is that in a country where foreign trade is significant and where there are large inflows of foreign resources, the levels of several financial flows, important from a planning and government policy point of view, are highly sensitive to alternative choices of a nominal exchange rate with the appropriate offsetting subsidies and taxes. This paper shows, for the year 1964/5,3 the pattern of direct resource transfers, the government budget, and domestic resource mobilization, which would emerge in Pakistan when financial flows are measured using alternative exchange systems having the same effective exchange rate, and hence the same structure of relative prices and resource use, but which have different nominal or 'official' exchange rates. Also, average and marginal savings rates are calculated for various time periods, using the alternative exchange systems. The calculations presented demonstrate the extent to which one 's view 1 This paper was initiated while the author was at the Economic Growth Center at Yale
USING GENETIC MARKERS TO DIRECTLY ESTIMATE MALE SELECTION GRADIENTS

Abstract We present an analysis of Raphanus raphanistrum and simulations illustrating the utility of directly estimating male phenotypic selection gradients using genetic markers. The method offers a much more refined characterization of selection than attempting to assign paternity to individual progeny. Our analysis of R. raphanistrum reveals selection on remarkably fine features of floral morphology, including anther exsertion, that were opaque to previous approaches. The new results also undermine a previous conclusion that selection on wild radish floral morphology acts primarily through female fitness. Simulation results show that selection gradients on the order of β = 0.1–0.2 can be readily detected with allozyme markers in moderate-sized (< 200 paternal individuals) populations. Highly polymorphic (e.g., microsatellite) markers will likely detect fine scale selection (β < 0.1) in larger populations (≥ 400 individuals). Increased progeny sample size, by sampling either additional maternal families...
Sequential activation of heterotrimeric and monomeric G proteins mediates PLD activity in smooth muscle

The identity of G proteins mediating CCK-stimulated phospholipase D (PLD) activity was determined in intestinal smooth muscle cells. CCK-8 activated Gq/11, G13, and G12, and the monomeric G protein...
Development of a new field-based approach for estimating consumption rates of fishes and comparison with a bioenergetics model for lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus)

Development of quantitative tools to characterize the nature of predator–prey interactions is an essential component of the science supporting ecosystem-based management and conservation. A common ...
Identification of Genes Encoding tRNA Modification Enzymes by Comparative Genomics

As the molecular adapters between codons and amino acids, transfer-RNAs are pivotal molecules of the genetic code. The coding properties of a tRNA molecule do not reside only in its primary sequence. Posttranscriptional nucleoside modifications, particularly in the anticodon loop, can modify cognate codon recognition, affect aminoacylation properties, or stabilize the codon-anticodon wobble base pairing to prevent ribosomal frameshifting. Despite a wealth of biophysical and structural knowledge of the tRNA modifications themselves, their pathways of biosynthesis had been until recently only partially characterized. This discrepancy was mainly due to the lack of obvious phenotypes for tRNA modification-deficient strains and to the difficulty of the biochemical assays used to detect tRNA modifications. However, the availability of hundreds of whole-genome sequences has allowed the identification of many of these missing tRNA-modification genes. This chapter reviews the methods that were used to identify these genes with a special emphasis on the comparative genomic approaches. Methods that link gene and function but do not rely on sequence homology will be detailed, with examples taken from the tRNA modification field.
An Analysis of Subject Coverage and Worldwide Involvement of E-LIS: the International Repository for Library and Information Science.

E-LIS, E-prints for Library and Information Science, is a subject-oriented repository initiated in January 2003 by a group of European information specialists. E-LIS is an open-access repository run by experts and editors from many different countries and with holdings originating in 110 countries. The first purpose of this study is to provide a description of E-LIS with special attention to the types of documents archived and the geographical distribution of its contributors. The second purpose is to determine the subject coverage, which is done by using several well-known bibliometric techniques. Using co-occurrences of subject terms, a cluster analysis is performed, producing four major clusters; a correspondence analysis of keywords and subject terms produces eight groups of association.
OBSERVATIONS ON BAGGING

Bagging is a device intended for reducing the prediction error of learning algorithms. In its simplest form, bagging draws bootstrap samples from the training sample, applies the learning algorithm to each bootstrap sample, and then averages the resulting prediction rules. More generally, the resample size M may be dieren t from the original sample size N, and resampling can be done with or without replacement. We investigate bagging in a simplied situation: the prediction rule produced by a learning algorithm is replaced by a simple real-valued U-statistic of i.i.d. data. U-statistics of high order can describe complex dependencies, and yet they admit a rigorous asymptotic analysis. We show that bagging U-statistics often but not always decreases variance, whereas it always increases bias. The most striking nding, however, is an equivalence between bagging based on resampling with and without replacement: the respective resample sizes Mwith = withN and Mw=o = w=oN produce very similar bagged statistics if with = w=o=(1 w=o). While our derivation is limited to U-statistics, the equivalence seems to be universal. We illustrate this point in simulations where bagging is applied to cart trees.
Relationships Matter: The Importance of Relationships in the Fed Funds Market

We examine the relevance of search costs and the transmission of liquidity shocks in the US overnight interbank market. There is large and persistent heterogeneity in how banks form borrowing relationships in this market: while some banks mainly rely on spot transactions, most form stable borrowing relationships with at least one lender. These lenders tend to be in the same state as the borrower, but their business is less likely to be correlated with the borrower’s. We find that borrowers pay lower prices and borrow more from their relationship lenders. To assess the importance of search frictions, we exploit idiosyncratic demand shocks and exogenous supply shocks. Borrowers appear to increase borrowing from their most concentrated lenders on days when they idiosyncratically demand more funds, without paying significantly higher prices. Thus idiosyncratic demand shocks are not transmitted to the rest of the market (there is no impact on the market wide interest rate or liquidity). In contrast, exogenous shocks to the supply of liquidity as proxied for by days with low GSE lending lead to a market wide drop in liquidity and a rise in interest rates. However, borrowers with lending relationships are able to insulate themselves almost completely from the shock. This suggests that search costs are relatively more important than bargaining in this market.