cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Further Studies on the Nature of Phenylalanine Hydroxylation in Brain

Extract: It has been reported by Wapnir et al. that fetal and neonatal rat brains are capable of converting phenylalanine to tyrosine at a rate that is about 10% that of livers from mature animals; this report led to the speculation that “the gestational role of phenylalanine hydroxylase is to supply tyrosine to the fetal brain.” As our present results show, however, the relatively high activity observed by Wapnir et al. in rat brain extracts is caused by a nonenzymatic hydroxylation of phenylalanine under their assay conditions. The critical features of their assay are the use of relatively high (2 mM) 2-amino-6,7-dimethyl-4-hydroxytetrahydropteridine (DMPH4) concentrations and the reliance on a zero time control, i.e., a control to which trichloroacetic acid is added before incubation. Under these conditions, nonenzymatic hydroxylation of phenylalanine becomes significant. Although this nonenzymatic reaction is not troublesome when assaying tissues that have an active phenylalanine hydroxylase, such as liver, it can cause confusion when assaying a tissue with little or no hydroxylase, such as brain. Under the assay conditions used in our laboratory (0.2 rather than 2 mM DMPH4), there is essentially no difference between a zero time control and a boiled enzyme control, i.e., there is no detectable nonenzymatic hydroxylation of phenylalanine under our conditions. It can also be seen that there is no evidence for an enzyme-dependent hydroxylation under any of the assay conditions used. With higher amounts of protein and longer times of incubation, some phenylalanine hydroxylation can be detected in a brain extract from newborn rats. The activity found is equal to 0.33 μmol phenylalanine hydroxylated/hr/g protein. This value is less than 0.05% of the value for phenylalanine hydroxylation observed with liver extracts. That this low activity is caused by tyrosine hydroxylase is indicated strongly by the essentially complete inhibition of the reaction in the presence of 3-iodotyrosine. Speculation: There is no detectable phenylalanine hydroxylation in brain other than the very small amount caused by tyrosine hydroxylase. This finding rules out the possibility that brain phenylalanine hydroxylase can have a role in brain development in the normal or phenylketonuric individual.
Effectiveness of a music therapy intervention on relaxation and anxiety for patients receiving ventilatory assistance

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of music therapy on relaxation and anxiety reduction for patients receiving ventilatory assistance. DESIGN: Two-group, pretest-posttest experimental design with repeated measures. Subjects randomized to either a 30-minute music condition or a rest period. SETTING: Four urban midwestern intensive care units. SUBJECTS: Fifty-four alert, nonsedated patients receiving mechanical ventilation. OUTCOME MEASURES: State anxiety (pretest and posttest), heart rate, and respiratory rate obtained every 5 minutes for 30 minutes. RESULTS: Subjects who received music therapy reported significantly less anxiety posttest (10.1) than those subjects in the control group (16.2). Heart rate and respiratory rate decreased over time for those subjects in the music group as compared with the control group subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A single music therapy session was found to be effective for decreasing anxiety and promoting relaxation, as indicated by decreases in heart rate and respiratory rate over the intervention period with this sample of patients receiving ventilatory assistance.
Magnetic reversal on vicinal surfaces

We present a theoretical study of in-plane magnetization reversal for vicinal ultrathin films using a one-dimensional micromagnetic model with nearest-neighbor exchange, fourfold anisotropy at all sites, and twofold anisotropy at step edges. A detailed ``phase diagram'' is presented that catalogs the possible shapes of hysteresis loops and reversal mechanisms as a function of step anisotropy strength and vicinal terrace length. The steps generically nucleate magnetization reversal and pin the motion of domain walls. No sharp transition separates the cases of reversal by coherent rotation and reversal by depinning of a $90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ domain wall from the steps. Comparison to experiment is made when appropriate.
The organization of mechanoreceptive projections in the ventrobasal thalamus of sheep.

To determine the arrangement of projections in the somatic sensory nuclear region in the thalamus of sheep, microelectrodes were used to locate and map neural units and groups of units responding to mechanical stimulation of peripheral receptive fields in nine animals anesthetized with Dialurethane. Most of the sensory nuclear region (70–80%) contains projections from ipsilateral oral and perioral fields, Of this volume 16–25% (10–20% of the total) was responsive to stimulation of tissues inside the mouth. The ipsilateral projections are organized differently than are the meager projections from contralateral fields. The contralateral projections are ordered in the same general pattern seen in other mammalian thalami, with caudal fields represented laterally in the nucleus, rostral fields medially, axial fields and maxillary-nasal fields dorsally, and limbs and mandibular fields ventrally. In the ipsilateral projections, however, mandibular external fields are represented dorsally, and maxillary and nasal fields more ventrally. Still more ventral are projections from the teeth and palate, and most ventral is the representation of the tongue. In all of the ipsilateral projections, the more ipsilateral fields (fathest from the rostral midline) are represented more medially in the thalamus. The exaggerated relative volume of thalamus responding to stimulation of oral and perioral surfaces may reflect the behavioral specialization of a grazing animal.
Through the prison of prostitution : State, society and power∗

(1994). Through the prison of prostitution : State, society and power. Social History: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 1-15.
Covalent Grafting of Redox-Active Molecules to Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanofiber Arrays via “Click” Chemistry

Electrochemically active ferrocene groups were covalently linked to vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) in a simple and efficient manner via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), one form of “click” chemistry. The VACNFs were terminated with azide groups followed by the attachment of ethynylferrocene through a 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole linkage. Our results show that the CuAAC reaction goes to completion in one hour and provides highly stable attachment of electrochemically active ferrocene groups to the nanofibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of the density of surface-bound ferrocene molecules are in good agreement with those determined by cyclic voltammetry. The rates of electron transfer were found to be slightly faster than those measured previously through alkyl linkages to the VACNF surface. Stability tests show that the covalently grafted ferrocene groups are stable for more than 1500 repeated cyclic voltammograms and over a potential window of >1...
Measuring Self-Esteem using the Implicit Association Test: The Role of the Other

In two experiments, the use of a self-other Implicit Association Test (IAT) as a measure of implicit self-esteem was examined. In Study 1, participants completed two self-other IATs: one in which the other was unspecified and one in which the other was specified to be a close friend. Esteem-IAT scores were significantly higher for the unspecified other-IAT (d =. 82), indicating that the content of the other has a considerable influence on the over-all esteem-IAT scores. Study 2 provided a conceptual replication of these results and provided some initial evidence that the valence of an unspecified other is negative. Across both studies, the nature of the mental representation of the self, as measured by an esteem-IAT, changed as a function of the mental representation of the other. The crucial role of the other-associations in the esteem-IAT calls into question its use and interpretation as a measure of self-esteem.
Pulmonary Manifestations in Children with Invasive Community-Acquired Staphylococcus aureus Infection

Background. Primary pneumonia and metastatic pulmonary infection have become more common in patients with invasive community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus disease at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH; Houston).Methods. In this study, we sought to describe pulmonary involvement in children with community-acquired S. aureus invasive infection and to determine whether the presence of genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) (luk-S-PV and luk-F-PV) and collagen adhesin (cna) is correlated with pulmonary manifestations. Patients with invasive staphylococcal infections admitted to TCH between 1 August 2001 and 30 June 2004 were studied. Chest imaging and postmortem examination reports were reviewed. Isolates were tested for the presence of genes encoding PVL and collagen adhesin by PCR.Results. A total of 47 of 70 patients with community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection had abnormal pulmonary imaging findings, compared with 12 of 43 patients with community-acquired methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) infection (P < .001). Pneumonia and/or empyema, in addition to septic emboli, were the most common findings. Metastatic pulmonary disease occurred more frequently among patients with osteomyelitis. Severe necrotizing pneumonia was present in 3 children coinfected with influenza and parainfluenza virus. The presence of genes encoding PVL was investigated in 67 MRSA and 36 MSSA isolates. Abnormal chest imaging findings were observed for 51 of 80 patients with PVL-positive isolates, compared with 2 of 23 patients with PVL-negative isolates (P < .001). Only 2 isolates (both of which were MSSA) from patients with abnormal chest radiograph findings carried cna. PVL remained independently associated with abnormal chest imaging findings in patients with secondary pneumonia in a multivariate analysis (P = .03).Conclusions. Pulmonary involvement is commonly observed in patients with invasive community-acquired S. aureus infections. Community-acquired MRSA may cause primary community-acquired pneumonia, as well as metastatic pulmonary disease. The presence of genes encoding PVL is highly associated with pulmonary involvement by S. aureus.
New solitary wave solutions to the modified forms of Degasperis-Procesi and Camassa-Holm equations

Abstract In this work, we establish new solitary wave solutions to the modified forms of Degasperis–Procesi and Camassa–Holm equations. Unlike the standard Degasperis–Procesi and Camassa–Holm equations, where multi-peakon solutions arise, the modified forms cause a change in the characteristic of these solutions and change it to bell-shaped solitons, periodic, and complex solutions. The extended tanh method, the rational hyperbolic functions method, and the rational exponential functions method are employed to reveal these new solutions.
A Macro Keyboard for the dexterity impaired

The Access Macro Keyboard is a secondary input device that is used in conjunction with the standard keyboard of a personal computer. It allows persons with limited dexterity to enter command sequences or commonly used words and phrases with the touch of a single button. The macro keyboard provides 128 macros of up to 64 keystrokes in length.
Temporal separation of insulin-stimulated GLUT4/IRAP vesicle plasma membrane docking and fusion in 3T3L1 adipocytes.

Abstract Examination of the time and temperature dependence of insulin-stimulated GLUT4/IRAP-containing vesicle trafficking demonstrated an approximate 7-fold increase in the half-time for plasma membrane translocation at 23 °C (t = ∼30 min) compared with 37 °C (t = ∼4 min) without a significant change in the extent of either GLUT4 or IRAP translocation. Localization of the endogenous GLUT4 and expressed GLUT4-enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein in intact 3T3L1 adipocytes demonstrated that at 23 °C there was a time-dependent accumulation of discrete GLUT4-containing vesicles adjacent to the inner face of the cell surface membrane but that was not contiguous and/or physically incorporated into the plasma membrane. Together, these data demonstrate that the temperature-dependent decrease in the rate of GLUT4 and IRAP translocation results from a reduction in GLUT4/IRAP-containing vesicle fusion and not trafficking or docking to the plasma membrane.
Estimating the economic value of big game habitat production from prescribed fire using a time series approach

Summary This paper demonstrates a time-series production technique to quantify the deer harvest and deer hunting benefits of controlled burns or prescribed fire. The time series regression model showed a statistically significant and positive effect of prescribed fire on deer harvest. The net economic value of the resulting additional deer hunting benefit was estimated using the Contingent Valuation Method at $ 98 per additional deer harvested. The initial deer hunting benefits of an additional 1,000 acres of prescribed burning are between $ 2,674 and $ 3,128 or $ 2-3 per acre. The costs of prescribed burning greatly exceed these benefits, suggesting that deer hunting benefits represent only a small part of the multiple use benefits of prescribed fire.
Unwinding the functions of the Pif1 family helicases

Helicases are ubiquitous enzymes found in all organisms that are necessary for all (or virtually all) aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. The Pif1 helicase family is a group of 5'-->3' directed, ...
Dilator actions of endothelin in coronary resistance vessels and the abdominal aorta of the guinea pig

Endothelin has been characterized as a potent constricting factor. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible dilator effects of this peptide and to examine whether dilator responses occur through an endothelium-mediated mechanism in guinea pig coronary resistance vessels and isolated aortic rings. Changes in perfusion pressure after bolus injections of endothelin were measured using a constant-flow modified Langendorff preparation with a transducer between the flow pump and the heart. An immediate fall in perfusion pressure, averaging 6 mmHg, was observed after injection of endothelin (10(-14)-10(-12) moles). This effect was maximal at 1 minute and tended to return toward baseline levels within 4 minutes. In response to endothelin (10(-9) M), isolated aortic rings relaxed 35% after being contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha (10(-7) M). In both preparations, dilation was converted to constriction after endothelium damage by oxygen radicals or endothelium removal (mechanical rubbing). Dilator responses to endothelin were blocked by pretreatment for 30 minutes with indomethacin (14 microM) in the presence of an intact endothelium in coronary resistance vessels, whereas in the abdominal aorta they were not. We conclude that endothelin has significant dilator properties and that this effect is opposed by its constrictor action at higher doses. In addition, dilator responses to endothelin require an intact endothelium in both coronary vessels and abdominal aorta. Finally, endothelin-induced dilation in coronary resistance vessels appears to occur through a cyclooxygenase product-mediated mechanism.
On the dynamics and composition of the high-latitude thermosphere

An overview is presented of some of the more recent progress made in the study of the dynamics and composition of the high-latitude thermosphere at the University of Michigan, with emphasis on the interpretation of experimental measurements made from the DE-2 spacecraft and from ground-based observatories in Greenland. Attention is focused on perturbations to the solar-driven upper thermospheric winds, temperatures, and compositional structures due to forcing associated with high-latitude ionosphere-thermosphere coupling processes. The nature of the experimental measurements made on DE-2 is discussed. The vector spherical harmonic model, some sample results, and experiment-model comparisons are described using both satellite and ground-based measurements of high-latitude thermosphere dynamics. Considerations pertaining to compositional perturbations at high latitudes are presented.
Heterosexual fronteras: Immigrant mexicanos, sexual vulnerabilities, and survival

On the busy street corners of many U.S. cities, day laborers, known as jornaleros, wait patiently on sidewalks for someone to offer them work. These men remain invisible, however, in sexuality research with Latin American immigrant populations. Based on in-depth individual interviews with 20 self-identified heterosexual Mexican immigrant men living in Los Angeles, this article examines two ways in which migration destabilizes the boundaries of heterosexuality in these men’s lives. First, they work under conditions that expose them not only to economic exploitation but also to potential sexual harassment by their employers, frequently White gay men. And second, same-sex encounters with other immigrants are prompted by contexts of marginality and selective sexual agency. The fluid nature of heterosexuality within these specific migration-related contexts and new capitalist relations that globalize and commodify the bodies of Latin American men help to explain the vulnerabilities of poor Mexican immigrant men.
Some statistics for Fibonacci tableaux

Permutation statistics and their connections to Young tableaux have played an important role in enumerative combinatorics. Fibonacci tableaux were defined in 1975 by Stanley, but very few statistics have been defined for these tableaux. In this paper we give definitions for several statistics on Fibonacci tableaux and make connections between these statistics and known statistics for permutations. These connections allow for equidistribution results to be given on the set of standard Fibonacci tableaux.
Mercaptobenzothiazoles: A new class of matrices for laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

We report 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and its analogs as a class of new matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) at 337 nm. MBT has been used successfully for the desorption of proteins up to 100,000 u. A comparison with sinapinic acid and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid indicates that MBT provides the same level of sensitivity and resolution, but offers the advantage of higher tolerance to sample contaminants such as ionic detergents. 5-Chloro-2-mercaptobenzothiazole (CMBT), an analog of MBT, has been found not only effective for the analysis of peptides, low-mass proteins, and glycolipids, but also superior to conventional matrices for the analysis of muropeptides and at least some oligosaccharides. CMBT also exhibits excellent experimental reproducibility of MALDI-MS results owing to the homogeneous crystallization of the analyte/matrix mixture over the entire sample surface area. Finally, all five mercaptobenzothiazoles studied in this work are shown to be well suited for synthetic polymer analysis.
Dielectronic recombination of O

We have recalculated the dielectronic recombination rate coefficient for the special case of O{sup +} using an improved atomic structure. This removes the discrepancy between the results of Terao {ital et} {ital al}. (J. Phys. B 24, L321 (1991)) and of Badnell and Pindzola (Phys. Rev. A 39, 1690 (1989)).
Expression and nuclear translocation of glucocorticoid receptors in type 2 taste receptor cells

Abstract Stress increases the secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs), potent steroid hormones that exert their effects on numerous target tissues by acting through glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). GC signaling significantly affects ingestive behavior and taste preferences in humans and rodent models, but far less is known about the hormonal modulation of the peripheral sensory system that detects and assesses nutrient content of foods. A previous study linked restraint stress in rats to diminished expression of mRNA for one subunit of the sweet taste receptor (Tas1r3) in taste tissue and reduced gustatory nerve excitation by sweet compounds. Using RT-PCR, we detected mRNAs for GRα in circumvallate taste papillae and in oral epithelium devoid of taste buds (“non-taste” tissue). Further, circumvallate tissue was significantly enriched in GR mRNA compared to non-taste tissue based on quantitative PCR. Histologically, GR protein was expressed in all taste bud populations examined (circumvallate, foliate and fungiform papillae). Using transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein, almost all (97%) Tas1r3-positive taste cells (sweet-/umami-sensitive) expressed GR compared to a significantly smaller percentage (89%) of TrpM5-positive taste cells (sweet-, umami- and bitter-sensitive). When mice (n = 4) were restrain stressed, GR protein mobilized to the nucleus in Tas1r3-GFP taste cells (1.7-fold over controls). Our results suggest that GR can be activated in taste receptor cells and may play a role in specific taste qualities (e.g., sweet, umami, and bitter) to shape how the taste system responds to stress.
Canonical mean projections and confidence regions in canonical variate analysis

SUMMARY In developing confidence regions for canonical mean variates, Krzanowski (1989) made use of approximate asymptotic variances and covariances of the elements of the canonical variate coefficient vectors. This procedure is improved upon by the use of the asymptotically correct variances and covariances. However, comparisons of the confidence regions, with and without this improvement, reveal that both perform inadequately if the latent roots corresponding to the canonical variates involved are not well separated. An alternative method based on confidence regions for a canonical mean projection is proposed. The performances of these confidence regions are investigated in a simulation and the method is illustrated by a numerical example.
Oxidation of the S-methyl group by rat tissue preparations.

Abstract An enzymic activity was detected in cell-free preparations of rat tissues capable of oxidizing the methyl group of l -methionine and other S-methyl compounds to CO 2 . A stable powder was prepared from the supernatant fluid of a 50,000 g centrifugation of rat liver homogenates. A variety of labeled S-methyl compounds were oxidized by this preparation, and the pH optimum range, Km , and extents of reaction were determined for each compound. The enzyme activity was stimulated by additions of NAD and NADP and inhibited particularly by sulfhydryl compounds, sodium azide, and hydroxylamine. It is suggested that a peroxidative mechanism is involved in the oxidation of S-methyl groups to CO 2 .
Using Judgment Analysis in the Identification of Gifted and Talented Children

When multiple criteria are used to identify gifted and talented students personnel responsible for identification are often unaware of the weighting scheme they have chosen to use. If some kind of weighting scheme is chosen in order to reflect relative importance of criteria, the statistical properties of the combination of criteria and weights can lead to rankings of students which do not reflect the philosophy ofthose creating the weighting system. The method of Judgment Analysis (JAN) can be used to determine a weighting system which reflects an identification philosophy accurately.
Power series with integer coefficients in several variables

A classical theorem of Borel-Polya, which concerns rationality of an analytic function whose Taylor expansion at a point has integer coefficients, is generalized to several variables.
Observation of small gas-phase metal–oxygen dianions

Abstract Novel small metal–oxygen dianions have been produced in the gas phase by sputtering of metallic targets with simultaneous oxygen flooding. These exotic species were observed in a mass spectrometer for ion flight times of >10 μs. Both Cs + bombardment of an elemental Be metal surface and of a copper-based Cu(Be) alloy foil, with exposure of these sputtered surfaces to O 2 gas, produced the novel dianions of Be n - 1 O n 2 - with n = 4, 6. Be 3 O 4 2 - at m / z 45.5 and 46.5 was unambiguously identified by its isotopic abundance. In addition, CuBe 2 O 4 2 - at m / z 72.5 and 73.5 was detected for O 2 flooding of Cs + sputtered Cu(Be).
Memoirs of a Computer Pioneer

Maurice Wilkes is generally known today as the first professor of computers at Cambridge University (Cambridge, U. K. ), director of the Mathematical Laboratory (later Computer Laboratory) there, and designer of the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC) computer, the first operational machine to utilize the concept of stored program. His autobiography, Memoirs of a Computer Pioneer, should be of interest to geophysicists for at least several reasons.
Heteromeric Complexes of α5 and/or α7 Subunits: Effects of Calcium and Potential Role in Nicotine‐Induced Presynaptic Facilitation

Nicotine alters a broad spectrum of behaviors, including attention, arousal, anxiety, and memory. The cellular physiology of nicotine is comparably diverse: nicotine interacts with an array of ionotropic receptors whose gating can lead to direct depolarization of neurons or to an indirect modulation of neuronal excitability by presynaptic facilitation. Furthermore, as many laboratories have shown, the alpha- and beta-type subunits that comprise neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are encoded by multiple, homologous genes, yielding at least seven alpha and three beta subunits, distinct in primary sequence. nAChRs that differ in subunit composition differ in pharmacology, conductance, and kinetics as well as in their permeability to and modulation by calcium. We will first discuss recent studies on the biophysics of a special (peculiar?) subset of nAChRs, focusing on heteromeric nAChRs comprised of alpha 4 beta 2 +/- alpha 5 or alpha 7 +/- beta 2 and alpha 5. These nAChR channel subtypes are potently and differentially modulated by changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca]). Thus, the Po, tau o, and desensitization kinetics of alpha 4 beta 2 channels are altered by changes in [Ca]int from 0 to 50 microM; nAChRs that include the alpha 5 subunit are oppositely regulated. Mutagenesis of specific residues within the M1 and M2 domain of alpha 4, beta 2, and alpha 5 suggest a possible Ca binding "pocket." The assembly of functional nAChRs that include alpha 5 and/or alpha 7 and the potential role of these novel heteromeric complexes in presynaptic facilitation will also be presented.
Distribution and excretion of mercuric chloride in neonatal rats.

Seven-day-old rats received subcutaneous doses of [ 203 Hg]mercuric chloride and whole body retention of 203 Hg was monitored for the following 21 days. There was a slow decline in body burden of mercury over the first 8 or 9 days after dosing followed by the abrupt onset of a clearance process with a half-time of about 10.5 days. During the 21-day experimental period, kidneys, liver, and cerebrum accounted for increasing percentages of the body burden of mercury. The coupling of rising mercury burdens in these organs with the delay in onset of mercury excretion may introduce new factors into the assessment of the risk of mercury exposure during the neonatal period.
Exploration on the Underlying Mechanism of Female Predominance in Spasmodic Dysphonia: An Anatomical Study of Nodose Ganglion in Rats

To study the gender differences of amount of neurons in the nodose ganglions of rats. Fourteen Sprague–Dawley rats (7 males and 7 females) were selected. Bilateral nodose ganglions were dissected and serial sections of nodose ganglion were cut in a cryostat, followed by Cresyl-violet staining for neurons. Eight to ten consecutive sections from mid-portion of each nodose ganglion sample, which represent the most neuron number per section, were counted and averaged. Gender difference in the amount of neurons in the nodose ganglions was compared. No gender difference of neuron numbers was found in either side of nodose ganglion (p > 0.05). However, average neuron number of nodose ganglions on the left side of male (654 ± 60) and female (616 ± 37) were significantly more than that on the right side of male (470 ± 22) and female (453 ± 40) respectively (p < 0.05). There is no gender difference in total neuron number of nodose ganglions between male and female rat. However, the neuron number in the left nodose ganglion is greater than that in the right one. The difference may be due to the fact that left and right nodose ganglion is receiving different visceral sensory impulses separately, which is associated with different physiological functions. Further work should be carried out with retrograde tracing on neurons of nodose ganglions in an animal model, which are directly related to laryngeal sensory transmission, in order to determine the gender difference in the neuron number and morphology related to laryngeal functions.
Utilizing the peritoneum for gas exchange with oxygenated perfluorocarbons

Introduction: This pilot study attempted to determine if it was possible to deliver a clinically significant amount of oxygen to a large animal, with induced hypoxia, by perfusing the abdomen with oxygenated perfluorocarbons. Methods: 15 pigs weighing 45 to 55 kg were rendered hypoxic by ventilating them with a blend of nitrogen and oxygen to achieve sub-atmospheric inspired oxygen concentrations (FiO2) ranging from 18–10%, resulting in baseline arterial oxygen pressures (PaO2) of 65.9 ± 9.7 mmHg to 26.6 ± 2.8 mmHg, respectively. Peritoneal perfusion was then performed in 8 animals with oxygenated perfluorocarbon and 7 with oxygenated saline. This study was approved by the IACUC. Results: The average increase in PaO2 with oxygenated perfluorocarbon perfusion ranged from 8.1 to 18.2 mmHg. A common treatment effect of 12.8 mmHg (95% CI = 7.4 to 18.2; p-value < 0.001) was estimated across all FiO2 values, representing the average mean difference in oxygen uptake between PFC and saline when oxygenation was on, irrespective of the level of FiO2. The most clinically relevant results occurred at a FiO2 of 14%, resulting in a baseline PaO2 of 39.4 ± 5.0 mmHg, but increasing to 55.3 ± 7.6 mmHg with oxygenated perfluorocarbon perfusion. Control experiments with oxygenated saline did not demonstrate any significant gas exchange effects. Conclusions: The peritoneal cavity can be used for gas exchange and, in our model, yielded clinically relevant quantities of supplemental oxygen. This technique may have potential for supportive care of patients dying from hypoxia in the setting of a reversible lung injury.
Comparison of gastric lavage and thoracic cavity lavage in the treatment of severe hypothermia in dogs

A study was undertaken to compare warm gastric (Group 1) and closed thoracic cavity (Group 2) lavage for rewarming severely hypothermic dogs. Adult mongrel dogs were monitored by intra-arterial catheter, central venous catheter, and ECG, and by central venous, esophageal, and rectal temperature probes. Animals were externally cooled to an average of 21.2 C using ice bags. Eight Group 1 and eight Group 2 animals underwent continuous warm saline gastric or closed thoracic cavity lavage, respectively, using afferent and efferent nasogastric and thoracostomy tubes. No animal suffered ventricular fibrillation during tube placement. The closed lavage system consisted of a high-efficiency heat exchanger, a roller pump infusion device, and a heat exchange fluid bath. The lavage fluid circulated at a flow rate of 550 mL/min and a temperature of 39 C. Thoracic lavage animals were followed clinically for 24 hours for evidence of complications, then euthanized and autopsied. The mean time required to rewarm the animals 10 C by central venous temperature probe was 210.9 ± 18.6 minutes for the gastric group and 99.3 ± 23.0 minutes for the thoracic group ( P
Mug book exposure effects: Retroactive interference or criterion shift?

The purpose of this research was to test whether delay between a mug book task and a lineup task moderates a simple mug shot exposure effect. Following the witnessing of a simulated theft, participants searched either a small, large or no mug book. Participants then viewed a lineup that contained either the perpetrator or an innocent replacement; the lineup occurred either immediately after viewing the mug book or 48 hours later. There were fewer suspect identifications and more lineup rejections in the mug book conditions than the no mug book control; this was explained in terms of the criterion for making choices carrying over from the mug book to the lineup. There was qualified support for delay moderating the mug book exposure effect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Language: en
Inhibition of GSK-3β promotes survival and proliferation of megakaryocytic cells through a β-catenin-independent pathway

The interaction of thrombopoietin (TPO) with its receptor c-Mpl initiates intracellular signals that are critical for megakaryopoiesis. Previously we and others have shown that TPO activates PI3K and Akt and that this pathway is important for megakaryocyte growth. Here, we investigate the importance of the Akt substrate glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta in TPO signaling. GSK-3beta is phosphorylated and inhibited by Akt as part of the PI3K pathway. GSK-3beta can also be inhibited by Wnt signaling through a distinct mechanism, leading to reduced phosphorylation and accumulation of the transcription factor beta-catenin. Therefore, we asked if TPO and Wnt3a can both inhibit GSK-3beta in megakaryocytic cells, and if they can act synergistically to promote cell growth. Although both TPO and specific chemical inhibitors of GSK-3beta result in increased survival and proliferation in a megakaryocytic cell line model, treatment with Wnt3a failed to increase cell growth either in the absence or presence of TPO, despite inducing high levels of beta-catenin. Similarly, expression of a constitutively active version of beta-catenin did not increase cell growth either in the absence or presence of TPO, suggesting that the effects of GSK-3beta inhibition downstream of TPO signaling are distinct from those induced by Wnt3a and independent of beta-catenin. The growth promoting effects of TPO are not mediated by either of the two known GSK-3beta targets, cyclin D or HIF-1alpha. We conclude that GSK-3beta is phosphorylated and inhibited by TPO-induced Akt, promoting survival and proliferation in megakaryocytic cells through a pathway that does not involve beta-catenin.
Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Scheel (this issue) shows that the effectiveness and mechanism of action of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disordered (BPD) patients are not as conclusive or well understood as many have come to believe. Scheel's conclusions are well balanced, and she does point out the strengths of the DBT approach. Most important, Scheel provides clear guidance about the types of studies that need to be conducted to fully establish DBT as the treatment of choice for BPD. Future studies are going to have to forgo the TAU control and use well-established alternative treatments. Controls for dosage of the treatments, therapists, supervision, and therapeutic allegiance will have to be implemented. In addition, a broader, more representative outcome battery will need to be used. An important virtue of Scheel's review is that it exemplifies the virtues of the clinical science approach to evaluating psychosocial treatment through falsification of hypotheses.
Electrical Properties of Amorphous Thin Films of Ferroelectric Oxides Prepared by Sol-Gel Technique

Amorphous thin films of ferroelectric oxides including lead zirconate titanate (PZT), barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ) and lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ) on several kinds of substrates were prepared by a sol-gel technique. The heat-treatment temperatures for preparation of amorphous thin films were much lower than those for the corresponding crystalline ferroelectric thin films. Electrical properties of these amorphous thin films were measured and compared with those of corresponding crystalline films. These amorphous thin films exhibited ferroelectric-like behavior. A model of the microstructure of these films is proposed.
The decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in polystyrene

Polystyrene films containing benzoyl peroxide were heated in air at 73 and 90°C. and the products of decomposition were investigated. The products are benzoic acid, phenyl benzoate, polystyrene benzoate, and carbon dioxide. The same products, in very similar quantities, are formed at both 73 and 90°C., suggesting that diffusion of radicals out of the polymer cage is not an important occurrence either above or below the apparent second-order transition temperature of polystyrene. The change in the temperature dependence of peroxide decomposition rate above 80°C. seems to be associated with a greater ease of reaction of benzoyloxy radicals with the walls of the polymer cage above the glass temperature. Considerably more ester formation and less carbon dioxide evolution are observed in this decomposition than when benzoyl peroxide is decomposed in benzene or toluene. Attack by benzoyloxy radical occurs on both the ring and backbone of polystyrene, the backbone attack seeming to take place predominantly on the secondary carbon atoms of the backbone.
A distributed technique for recognition and retrieval of faces with time-varying expressions

Given a time-varying face image object, or only a sub-part of the image, the question of whether the template object image exists in a given image database is an important problem our days, which still remains in its infancy, due to the many challenges it involves. With the advantage of distributed computing, such as computation sharing and data storage sharing, the limitations of image retrieval in a centralized image database can be eliminated. In this paper, we present an efficient method and architecture to determine whether a given face, of sub-part (s) of it, with time-varying features, disguises, and facial expressions is stored in a collection of known faces stored in nominal configurations. We demonstrate If such image exists, a match report is presented and the image position and rotation are derived as well. We show here how by combining a distributed computing and image sub-patch correlation technique in the image pattern recognition phase, the performance of the image searching is significantly improved.
Foreign Direct Investment and the Environment, the Mitigating Influence of Institutional and Civil Society Factors, and Relationships Between Industrial Pollution and Human Health A Panel Study of Less-Developed Countries

The author engages multiple theoretical orientations to examine the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on industrial organic water pollution intensity in less-developed countries as well as the potential mitigating impacts of institutional and civil society factors. Results of panel regression analyses indicate that within less-developed countries, industrial water pollution is positively associated with FDI in the manufacturing sector. However, a stronger presence of environmental international nongovernmental organizations and the existence of environmental ministries both attenuate the environmental harms of secondary sector foreign investment, whereas state strength appears to have no such mitigating influence. These findings lend support to investment dependence theory and world society theory, and illustrate the potential environmental benefits of particular institutional factors. Further analyses suggest that industrial water pollution contributes to child and infant mortality in less-devel...
An Algorithm for Determining Volume Fractions in Two-Phase Liquid Flows by Measuring Sound Speed

This paper presents a method of determining the volume fractions of two liquid compo- nents in a two-phase flow by measuring the speed of sound through the composite fluid and the instantaneous temperature. Two separate algorithms are developed, based on earlier modeling work by Urick (Urick, 1947, "A Sound Velocity Method for Determining the Compressibility of Finely Divided Substances," J. Appl. Phys., 18(11), pp. 983-987) and Kuster and Toksoz (Kuster and Toksoz, 1974, "Velocity and Attenuation of Seismic Waves in Two-Phase Media: Part 1. Theoretical Formulations," Geophysics, 39(5), pp. 587-606). The main difference between these two models is the representation of the composite density as a function of the individual densities; the former uses a linear rule- of-mixtures approach, while the latter uses a nonlinear fractional formulation. Both approaches lead to a quadratic equation, the root of which yields the volume fraction (/) of one component, subject to the condition 0 � / � 1. We present results of a study with mixtures of crude oil and process water, and a comparison of our results with a Coriolis meter. The liquid densities and sound speeds are calibrated at various temperatures for each fluid component, and the coefficients are used in the final algorithm. Numerical studies of sensitivity of the calculated volume fraction to temperature changes are also presented. (DOI: 10.1115/1.4007265)
The degree of microbiome complexity influences the epithelial response to infection

The human microflora is known to be extremely complex, yet most pathogenesis research is conducted in mono-species models of infection. Consequently, it remains unclear whether the level of complexity of a host's indigenous flora can affect the virulence potential of pathogenic species. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the colonization by commensal species affects a host cell's response to pathogenic species beyond the direct physical saturation of surface receptors, the sequestration of nutrients, the modulation of the physico-chemical environment in the oral cavity, or the production of bacteriocins. Using oral epithelial cells as a model, we hypothesized that the virulence of pathogenic species may vary depending on the complexity of the flora that interacts with host cells. This is the first report that determines the global epithelial transcriptional response to co-culture with defined complex microbiota. In our model, human immortalized gingival keratinocytes (HIGK) were infected with mono- and mixed cultures of commensal and pathogenic species. The global transcriptional response of infected cells was validated and confirmed phenotypically. In our model, commensal species were able to modulate the expression of host genes with a broad diversity of physiological functions and antagonize the effect of pathogenic species at the cellular level. Unexpectedly, the inhibitory effect of commensal species was not correlated with its ability to inhibit adhesion or invasion by pathogenic species. Studying the global transcriptome of epithelial cells to single and complex microbial challenges offers clues towards a better understanding of how bacteria-bacteria interactions and bacteria-host interactions impact the overall host response. This work provides evidence that the degree of complexity of a mixed microbiota does influence the transcriptional response to infection of host epithelial cells, and challenges the current dogma regarding the potential versus the actual pathogenicity of bacterial species. These findings support the concept that members of the commensal oral flora have evolved cellular mechanisms that directly modulate the host cell's response to pathogenic species and dampen their relative pathogenicity.
Digital Hearing Aids From the Perspective of One Consumer/Audiologist:

Recent developments in hearing aids are reviewed in the context of the author's personal experience as an audiologist and as a hearing aid wearer. The need for evidence of benefit specific to digital signal processing in hearing aids is stressed, as well as addressing cost-benefit ratios in view of the high cost of digital hearing aids.
Contrast-enhanced MR angiography in infants and children.

MR imaging of vascular structures began with techniques such as time-of-flight and phase contrast that do not require administration of intravenous contrast. At the time, these techniques were considered advantageous when compared with other imaging modalities such as CT that required use of an intravenous contrast agent. Since the introduction of contrast-enhanced MR angiography in the early 1990s [1], however, contrast-enhanced MR angiography has become the most widely used MR angiographic technique. The clinical application of contrast-enhanced MR angiography in the pediatric population has lagged behind that in the adult population, especially in infants and children. The earliest references did not appear in the literature until in 1998 [2]. This delay is probably related, in part, to technical issues such as relatively long scan time and need for breath-holding. With newer highperformance gradients, MR imaging can now be performed much more rapidly, and these faster MR systems have become more widely available. Using current techniques, contrast-enhanced MR angiography can be performed safely even in infants and children, yielding clinically relevant data.
Effects of lifetime stress exposure on mental and physical health in young adulthood: How stress degrades and forgiveness protects health

To examine risk and resilience factors that affect health, lifetime stress exposure histories, dispositional forgiveness levels, and mental and physical health were assessed in 148 young adults. Greater lifetime stress severity and lower levels of forgiveness each uniquely predicted worse mental and physical health. Analyses also revealed a graded Stress × Forgiveness interaction effect, wherein associations between stress and mental health were weaker for persons exhibiting more forgiveness. These data are the first to elucidate the interactive effects of cumulative stress severity and forgiveness on health, and suggest that developing a more forgiving coping style may help minimize stress-related disorders.
Quadruple-period ordering in MBE GaAsSb alloys

Experimental and theoretical studies are reported for a quadruple period ordering found in GaAsSb alloy layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy at high growth temperatures. We propose a growth model that accounts for the observed three-dimensional (3D) ordered structure. It is shown that the already-ordered material in the previously grown layer affects the reconstruction of the growth front with respect to the underlying alloy template resulting in the correct stacking of the individual 2D ordered layers into the observed 3D ordered structure.
Purification and properties of NAD(P)-independent polyol dehydrogenase complex from the plasma membrane of Gluconobacter oxydans

Gluconobacter oxydans rapidly oxidizes many different polyhydroxy alcohols (polyols). Polyol oxidations are catalyzed by constitutively synthesized membrane-bound dehydrogenases directly linked to the electron transport chain. A polyol-oxidizing enzyme was isolated from the membranes of G. oxydans and tested for its ability to oxidize various substrates. The enzyme was composed of three subunits: a 67 kDa catalytic unit, a 46 kDa c-type cytochrome, and a 15 kDa subunit. The enzyme oxidized compounds containing three or more hydroxyl groups but did not oxidize mono-, di-, or cyclic alcohols; aldehydes; carboxylic acids; or mono- or di-saccharides. Therefore, we propose this enzyme be considered a polyol dehydrogenase.