cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of colony morphology and orientation to flow on particle capture by the scleractinian coral Agaricia agaricites (Linnaeus)

The scleractinian coral Agaricia agaricites (Linnaeus) is a common component of reef systems throughout the Caribbean. The morphology of A. agaricites is extremely variable, including flat unifacial plates, upright bifacial plates, and encrusting forms. Transects conducted on the fore reef of Discovery Bay, Jamaica, indicated that the morphology of colonies growing on horizontal substrata was strongly related to depth. Colonies in shallower water (7–12 m) tended to encrust or form unifacial plates, while deeper colonies (20 m) were primarily upright and bifacial. Furthermore, 90% of all bifacial colonies were oriented directly perpendicular to (feeding surface facing) the dominant direction of flow. Bifacial colonies also tended to have larger corallites, and possessed ridges which angled upward away from the substratum. Measurements of flow conducted at this site indicated that ambient flow speeds generally decrease with increasing depth. A series of feeding trials was conducted in a laboratory flume over a range of flow speeds characteristic of those found on the reef (3–50 cm · s−1) to address the hypothesis that variations in colony morphology and orientation to flow represent mechanisms for maximizing particle capture. Upright bifacial colonies oriented perpendicular to flow fed at significantly higher rates than bifacial colonies oriented parallel to flow. Bifacial colonies were never, however, able to capture more particles per unit surface area than were unifacial plates, at any flow speed. In all colony morphologies tested, capture shifted from upstream to downstream areas with increasing flow speed, suggesting that feeding did not involve the inertial impaction of particles. Particle capture was highest at intermediate flow speeds, although horizontal-plating colonies were able to feed well over the entire range of flow speeds tested. Behavioral observations suggest that particle capture was aided by currents originating within the polyps, and apparently did not involve mucus entrapment, as previously suggested. Measurements of flow at points near the surface of colonies in the field indicated that flow conditions at 20 m roughly match flow conditions in the experimental flume, suggesting that the results of the feeding trials may be extrapolated to feeding in situ. The results thus suggest that colony morphology does not represent a mechanism for maximizing particle capture per unit tissue, but instead may have evolved as the result of other selective pressures such as spatial competition or gas exchange. Thus, by growing away from the substratum, colonies could potentially increase particle capture, and colony biomass, per unit of available substrate. The orientation of colonies into flow, however, does increase food capture, and may have arisen secondarily as a compromise between selective pressures.
Localization of the Gene Encoding a Neutral Amino Acid Transporter-like Protein to Human Chromosome Band 19q13.3 and Characterization of a Simple Sequence Repeat DNA Polymorphism

The gene encoding a human neutral amino acid transporter-like protein (SLC1A5) was mapped to chromosome band 19q13.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes. A simple sequence repeat DNA polymorphism of the form (GT)n was identified in the 3'-untranslated region of SLC1A5 mRNA. Studies in the CEPH families showed significant evidence of linkage between this DNA polymorphism and markers localized to the distal long arm of chromosome 19.
Set points or settling points for body weight?: A reply to Mrosovsky and Powley.

Mrosovsky and Powley have recently argued that the term set point is a useful concept for describing the fact that body weight is maintained at a relatively constant value and is defended against challenges. This reply takes the position that the term set point, which refers to an input variable in a control system, should be used only as an input variable and then only when there is evidence that such a reference variable exists. Since stability of a controlled system can be maintained by a regulatory system which does not contain a set point the use of this term implies a particular type of control and should only be used when there is evidence for its existence.
POTENTIATED ANGIOGENIC EFFECT OF SCATTER FACTOR/HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR VIA INDUCTION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR: THE CASE FOR PARACRINE AMPLIFICATION OF ANGIOGENESIS

Background —Scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor (SF/HGF) is a pleiotropic growth factor that stimulates proliferation and migration of endothelial cells (ECs) via the c- Met receptor, present on ECs as well as other cell types, including smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We studied the effects of recombinant human (rh) SF/HGF in vitro and in vivo in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia. We further compared these effects with those of recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF 165 ), an EC–specific mitogen. Methods and Results —In vitro, rhSF/HGF and rhVEGF 165 exhibited similar effects on proliferation and migration of ECs. When both cytokines were administered together, the result was an additive effect on EC proliferation and a synergistic effect on EC migration. Application of rhSF/HGF to cultures of human SMCs resulted in the induction of VEGF mRNA and protein. In vivo, administration of rhSF/HGF (500 μg×3) was associated with significant improvements in collateral formation ( P P P 165 administered according to the same protocol ( P 165 . Conclusions —The pleiotropic effects of certain growth factors may potentiate angiogenesis via a combination of direct effects on EC proliferation and migration and indirect effects that result in the generation of other potent EC mitogens from non-EC populations. The synergistic effects demonstrated when SF/HGF and VEGF are administered together in vitro may be reproduced in vivo by SF/HGF-induced upregulation of VEGF in vascular SMCs.
Protection of users' data confidentiality in cloud computing

Current cloud computing systems pose serious limitation to protecting users' data confidentiality. Since users' sensitive data is presented in unencrypted forms to remote machines owned and operated by third party service providers, the risks of unauthorized disclosure of the users' sensitive data by service providers may be quite high. There are many techniques for protecting users' data from outside attackers, but currently no effective way is available for protecting users' sensitive data from service providers in cloud computing. In this paper, an approach is presented to protecting the confidentiality of users' data from service providers, and ensures service providers cannot collect users' confidential data while the data is processed and stored in cloud computing systems. Our approach has three major aspects: (1) separating software service providers and infrastructure service providers in cloud computing, (2) hiding information about the owners of data, and (3) data obfuscation. An example to show how our approach can protect the confidentiality of users' data from service providers in cloud computing is given.
Hypertension in the person with diabetes.

ABSTRACT Hypertension is more common in persons with both insulin-dependent and noninsulin-dependent diabetes. Pathophysiologic mechanisms that result in an increased prevalence of essential hypertension in noninsulindependent diabetes, premature diastolic hypertension in insulin-dependent diabetes, and systolic hypertension in both forms of diabetes are described. Aggressive treatment of the hypertension associated with diabetic nephropathy will result in a deceleration of renal decompensation. The commonly used antihypertensives that successfully treat hypertension in the nondiabetic population often have unacceptable side effects in the diabetic population. Rational approaches to the treatment of diabetic hypertension in general and in circumstances unique to the hypertensive diabetic individual are described.
The genus 2 Torelli group is not finitely generated

Abstract Let F g be a closed orientable 2-manifold of genus g . The Torelli group is the kernel of the natural homomorphism from the mapping class group of F 1 to Aut( H 1 ( F g )). For g ⩾3 the Torelli group has been shown to be finitely generated by Dennis Johnson. We show that it is not finitely generated when g =2.
Least-Squares Polynomial Filtering of Images by Convolution

A method of reducing image noise is proposed. Each element of a filtered image is obtained by evaluating a least-squares polynomial that has been fitted to a square or circular region surrounding a corresponding element of the noisy image. This is done by convolving the image with an appropriate filter function that is finite in extent and can be computed once and for all, given the polynomial degree. We derive expressions for such filters of both square and circular symmetry. The method is optimum where image noise is additive and gaussian, and the object has a polynomial form. Noise and object spectra need not be known. The proposed method is compared with Wiener filtering. Implementation is discussed.
Spin physics in Jefferson Lab's Hall C

Jefferson Lab's Hall C is highly flexible and well suited to take advantage of the facility's polarized electron beam. Using standard and custom equpment, a number of experiments have been staged here studying spin dependent observables and investigating allarge range of physical properties. More promising measurements are planned.
Hegel and the hermeneutics of German idealism

L'A. mesure la contribution de Hegel a une hermeneutique de l'histoire de la philosophie en general, et de l'idealisme allemand en particulier. L'A. souligne les limites de l'interpretation hegelienne de l'idealisme allemand et suggere de passer a une lecture post-hegelienne de la tradition hermeneutique ouverte par Aristote
Cosmological Constraints on the Scale of Supersymmetry Breaking

The gravitino must be either light enough so that ambient gravitinos would not produce too large a cosmic deceleration, or heavy enough so that almost all gravitinos would have decayed before the time of helium synthesis. The second alternative is shown to allow supersymmetry-breaking scales above a model-dependent lower bound of ${10}^{11}$ to ${10}^{16}$ GeV.
14.8 MeV neutron-induced (n,p) cross-sections in the region of the proton magic number 50

Abstract The activation cross-sections for several (n, p) reactions in the region of the proton magic number 50 have been measured at the neutron energy of 14.8 MeV. The target nuclides studied were: 106Cd, 112Cd, 115In, 118Sn, 123Sb and 127I. The experimental results obtained were compared with the values calculated from a number of semi-empirical equations. The (n, p) reaction cross-sections of 121Sb and 123Sb leading to the residual nuclei 121Sn and 123Sn having 50 protons were found to be rather high.
Extended particles and magnetic charges

It is shown that in more than two space dimensions a field theory having no massless particles cannot have solutions of the field equations which are periodic in time, have finite energy, and are separated from the vacuum by an infinite potential barrier. In three space dimensions an infinite potential barrier can exist only between solutions with different magnetic charge. In any gauge theory in three space dimensions the magnetic charge is shown to have an intrinsic topological nature. The group SU(n) is analyzed in detail and shown to have n-1 types of magnetic charges. Finally, the infinite nature of the potential barrier is shown to be relevant for the semiclassical approximation to the path-integral quantization.
The effect of glucose and galactose toxicity on myo-inositol transport and metabolism in human skin fibroblasts in culture

Myo-inositol transport and metabolism were studied in cultured human skin fibroblasts exposed to potentially toxic levels of glucose or galactose. Although variable among 11 different cell lines, the myo-inositol level in confluent cells, ranging from 10-50 nmol/mg protein, was constant with passage. A high-affinity transport system for myo-inositol had an apparent Kt of 55 microM and Vmax of 16 pmol/min/mg protein. No obvious relationship existed between cellular levels and transport capacity. Dependency on sodium was complex. When medium sodium was lowered to 23 mM, myo-inositol uptake ceased after about 1 h. However, the initial rate of myo-inositol uptake only showed a sodium dependence at low myo-inositol concentrations. Both phloretin and phloridzin inhibited myo-inositol uptake. Phloridzin had a Ki of 60 microM, and phloretin was either a noncompetitive or uncompetitive inhibitor. Glucose and galactose were only weak competitive inhibitors, with a Ki of 30 mM and 65 mM, respectively. After 24 h of incubation with myo-[2-3H]inositol, only 10% of the total cell label was incorporated into phospholipid. Compared with control media with 5 mM glucose, the incubation of confluent cells in media with 20 mM glucose had little effect on intracellular glucose and sorbitol, whereas cells incubated in control media supplemented with 5 mM galactose showed a large increase in galactose and polyol levels. In media with more than 200 microM of myo-inositol, neither treatment had an effect on myo-inositol levels after 24 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of N-phenylpropyl-N'-substituted piperazine sigma receptor ligands on cocaine-induced hyperactivity in mice

Abstract The present study examined N -phenylpropyl- N ′-substituted piperazine sigma receptor ligands on cocaine-induced changes in locomotor activity in mice. Previous reports indicate that N -phenylpropyl- N ′-(4-methoxybenzyl)piperazine (Nahas-3h), N -phenylpropyl- N ′-(4-methoxyphenethyl)piperazine (YZ-067), and N -phenylpropyl- N ′-(3-methoxyphenethyl)piperazine (YZ-185) bind with high affinity (Ki values ≈ 1 nM) to σ 1 sigma receptors. YZ-067 and YZ-185 are known to attenuate cocaine-induced convulsions, while Nahas-3h has not been tested in behavioral studies. Nahas-3h significantly attenuated cocaine-induced hyperactivity. YZ-067 decreased the effect of cocaine in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, YZ-185 inhibited cocaine's effect at higher doses, but enhanced cocaine's effect at a low dose. The YZ-185 inhibition of cocaine-induced hyperactivity was not surmounted by increasing the cocaine dose. Overall, this study is consistent with previous work showing the ability of certain sigma receptor ligands to affect cocaine-induced hyperactivity. Further, subtle alterations of ligand structure and the specific dosage levels employed influence the behavioral effects observed, with a 3-methoxy substituent apparently conferring the ability of a ligand to enhance cocaine's locomotor stimulatory effects.
Symptoms of postsurgical distress following total knee replacement and their relationship to recovery outcomes.

Abstract Objective Prior research has suggested that posttraumatic stress symptoms may occur in the context of medical events. Further, these symptoms are often comorbid with conditions associated with pain. Therefore, the current study examined the occurrence of distress following arthroplastic surgery and the relationship of these symptoms to postoperative recovery. Methods Patients ( N =110) undergoing unilateral, total knee replacement (TKR) surgery were assessed at three time points proximal to their surgery: approximately 2 weeks prior to surgery (T1), 1 month following surgery (T2) and 3 months following surgery (T3). Patients completed survey assessments of recovery outcomes (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) and distress (The Impact of Event Scale [IES]) following surgery (T2 and T3). Results A significant percentage (20%) of patients undergoing TKR reported noteworthy levels of postsurgical stress 1 and 3 months following surgery. Further, this distress was associated with a more difficult recovery following TKR, characterized by more severe pain and greater functional limitations. After controlling for potential confounding variables, regression analyses suggested that postsurgical stress was cross-sectionally related to pain perception and longitudinally predicted subsequent functional limitations and global assessments of recovery. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine postoperative distress (using the IES) following TKR. The present study adds to the growing body of literature documenting the impact of psychological processes on postoperative recovery.
An interleukin-4 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Results of a retrospective cohort study

Background Clinical studies have suggested that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at greater risk for developing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The purpose of this study was to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with CDI among IBD patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study used our biobank to compare patients with IBD who developed CDI (IBD-CDI) with those who had never contracted CDI (IBD-nCDI). Patients were genotyped for 384 IBD-associated SNPs by microarray. Student t, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were used. Multivariate logistic regression with Bonferroni correction was used for genotype analysis. Results Twenty IBD-CDI (14 with Crohn disease; 6 with ulcerative colitis) and 152 IBD-nCDI (47 CD/105 UC) patients were identified. The interleukin-4−associated SNP rs2243250 was associated with the development of CDI (raw P = .00005/corrected P = .02), with 15 of 20 (75%) CDI-IBD patients harboring the at-risk “A” allele versus 52 of 152 (34%) of IBD-nCDI. When we compared Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis patients separately, rs2243250 initially was associated with CDI in both groups, although clinical relevance was lost after Bonferroni correction. Conclusion The interleukin-4 gene−associated SNP rs2243250 was strongly associated with CDI in our IBD population. This SNP may allow for the identification of IBD patients at greater risk for CDI.
Rheology of low-rank coal-water slurries at both high and low shear rates

Abstract Combustibility of coal-water fuel (CWF) slurries in pressurized systems is influenced by the apparent viscosity of the slurry at shear rates range of 10 4 –10 5 s −1 that are estimated to arise during atomization. Fuel slurries of beneficiated low rank coals and a bituminous coal were tested with a Haake rotational viscometer and a capillary extrusion rheometer at shear rates up to 10 5 s −1 . Real time acquisition of flow rate and pressure data and use of a Coriolis-type mass flow meter contributed to accurate determination of power law flow parameters. Coefficient of variation of the flow behaviour index was less than 0.2% in all cases. Most low-rank-fuel slurries displayed some degree of increased pseudoplasticity with increasing shear rate, especially for slurries of lower average particle size. Fuel slurries of micronized Taggart bituminous coal exhibited increased dilatancy as the rate of shear increased. This difference in flow behaviour at shear rates over 10 4 s −1 helps to explain the reported higher combustion efficiency of beneficiated low-rank CWFs as compared to bituminous CWF.
Sensitized RNAi screen of human kinases and phosphatases identifies new regulators of apoptosis and chemoresistance

Evasion from apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer, and recent success using targeted therapeutics underscores the importance of identifying anti-apoptotic survival pathways. Here we utilize RNA interference (RNAi) to systematically screen the kinase and phosphatase component of the human genome. In addition to known kinases, we identified several new survival kinases. Interestingly, numerous phosphatases and associated regulatory subunits contribute to cell survival, revealing a previously unrecognized general role for phosphatases as negative regulators of apoptosis. We also identified a subset of phosphatases with tumour-suppressor-like activity. Finally, RNAi targeting of specific protein kinases sensitizes resistant cells to chemotherapeutic agents. The development of inhibitors that target these kinases or phosphatases may lead to new anti-cancer strategies.
Dimethyltitanocene‐induced surface chemical degradation of synthetic biodegradable polyesters

The purpose of this research was to selectively alter the rate of surface degradation of linear aliphatic polyesters without adversely affecting their bulk properties by way of functional group transformation, where the surface ester linkages would be converted to vinyl ether functionalities with dimethyltitanocene. It has been observed that dimethyl titanocene causes surface degradation of poly (glycolic acid) without adversely affecting its bulk properties, such as Mv, bursting strength, and thermal properties The vinvl ether resulting from the conversion of the PGA ester groups was unstable under ambient conditions, and further reacted by polymer chain scissioning, as was observed from measurements of molecular weight. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Resolution and output studies on the NSLS U14 plane grating monochromator

Abstract Performance measurements for the plane grating monochromator built for the NSLS for reported. The output flux was measured using an Al diode. Order sorting was investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy. Both flux and order sorting properties are broadly in line with expectation. The resolving power is dependent on the source size. With a source size of 0.6 mm, we have obtained zero order image widths within 40% of those expected for a perfect system. We have calculated the resolution implied by these measurements of image quality and found that the source size limit is achieved for a 0.6 mm source and negative order operation.
Faith, heresy and the cancer stem cell hypothesis

Groundbreaking studies by Ken DeOme and others in the 1950s definitively showed that the adult mammary gland contains epithelial stem cells with the ability to regenerate a fully functional ductal tree upon transplantation [1]. These stem cells are defined by their capacity to self-renew (reproduce new stem cells) and to give rise to all differentiated cell types normally present in the gland.
5-aminosalicylate therapy is associated with higher 6-thioguanine levels in adults and children with inflammatory bowel disease in remission on 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine.

Background Small uncontrolled trials have suggested that 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) medications increase 6-thioguanine nucleotide (6-TGn) levels in adults with Crohn's disease (CD) on azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), presumably through the inhibition of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT). We tested the theory that coadministration of 5-ASA agents with AZA/6-MP results in higher 6-TGn levels in a large cohort of children and adults with CD or ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods A retrospective cohort study identified all children and adults treated for IBD with AZA/6-MP at 2 tertiary medical centers. Patients were included if their TPMT genotype was known and 6-TGn and 6-methymercaptopurine (6-MMP) levels had been obtained after 3 months of clinical remission at a stable dose of AZA/6-MP. 6-TGn and 6-MMP levels were compared between patients taking and those not taking 5-ASA medications through the use of linear regression models to identify and adjust for potentially confounding variables. Results Of the 126 patients included, 88 were taking 5-ASA medications. Patients on 5-ASA agents had higher mean 6-TGn levels after adjustment for confounding variables (Delta6-TGn, 47.6 +/- 21.8 pmol/8 x 10 red blood cells; P = 0.03). CD and TPMT heterozygosity was independently associated with higher 6-TGn levels (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). 5-ASA exposure was not associated with a change in 6-MMP levels. Conclusions We found that 5-ASA therapy is associated with higher 6-TGn levels in children and adults with IBD on 6-MP/AZA. TPMT inhibition may not explain this effect because 5-ASA exposure did not affect 6-MMP levels. The observed association of CD with higher 6-TGn levels is novel and needs to be verified in prospective studies.
Screening for major depression in post-myocardial infarction patients: operating characteristics of the Beck Depression Inventory-II.

Objective:To assess the operating characteristics of the Beck-Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the BDI-II cognitive subscale (BDI-II-cog) in screening for major depression (MDD) in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients.Methods:Between October 2003 and July 2005, 131 post-MI patients admitted to an urban academic medical center completed the BDI-II and a semi-structured interview for depression within 72 hours of symptom onset. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, overall correct classification, and likelihood ratios for various cutoff values on both scales were evaluated by comparing scores to interview diagnosis of MDD. Receiver-operator curves (ROC) were also calculated and area under the curve (AUC) measured.Results:The optimal cutoff value for the BDI-II was > 16, with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 92.1%. Cutoff values of > 3 or > 4 were both acceptable for the BDI-II-cog (sensitivity = 88.2% and 82.4%, respectively; specificity = 81.6% and 88.6%, res...
Gendered Biopolitics of Public Health: Regulation and Discipline in Seafood Consumption Advisories:

‘Seafood consumption advisories’ that tell childbearing women which fish they should and should not eat are the dominant public health response to the accumulation, in otherwise healthful fish, of environmental pollutants that are harmful to developing fetuses. These advisories are not merely a rational response to an environmental health dilemma but, rather, a form of gendered biopolitics of responsibility for population security. First, because advisories encourage individuals to self-manage risk by altering their lifestyles, they are exemplary of contemporary neoliberal public health approaches that make individuals responsible not only for their own well-being but also for the well-being of the population. Second, advisories also combine elements of reproductive politics, including the medicalization of pregnancy, the production of fetal personhood, and enduring notions about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ mothers. As such, advisories are a gendered technology of biopolitics that intensifies the self-disciplining o...
Africanist archaeology and ancient IQ: racial science and cultural evolution in the twenty-first century

Abstract Over the last two decades, a number of psychometric researchers have claimed that very substantial differences in intelligence exist among modern human racial groups, as these groups are traditionally defined. According to these researchers, African populations suffer severe cognitive deficits when compared to other modern humans. Philippe Rushton, particularly, places these claimed mental deficits in an evolutionary context, advancing environmental explanations for such deficits and asserting that such cognitive differences existed prehistorically as well. Such substantial cognitive differences should be evident in human behavioural patterns, and thus in the archaeological record. Archaeological data can thus be used to test these claims about human evolutionary development and modern human cognitive difference. Examination of the archaeological record does not support the claims made by these researchers. This suggests that regional differences in IQ test score results should not be ascribed to...
Black optical coating for high-power laser measurements from carbon nanotubes and silicate.

We describe a coating based on potassium silicate, commonly known as water glass, and multiwall carbon nanotubes. The coating has a high absorbance (0.96 at 1064 nm in wavelength) and a laser damage threshold that is comparable to that of ceramic coatings presently used for commercial thermopiles for high-power laser measurements. In addition to a potassium silicate-based coating we discuss sodium silicate, lithium silicate, and a commercially available ceramic coating. We document the coating process and experiments that demonstrate that the laser damage threshold at 1064 nm is 15 kW/cm2.
DELAYED CHOICE RESPONDING BY PIGEONS WHEN THE CORRECT RESPONSE IS NOT PREDICTABLE FROM THE SAMPLE STIMULUS

Food-deprived pigeons were presented with a row of four response keys situated above a grain hopper aperture. At the start of a trial, three of four keys were randomly selected and illuminated white for six seconds. After a variable blackout period, one of the three previously white keys and the previously dark key were illuminated green, and the remaining white keys were reilluminated as before. A response to the green key that was previously white was reinforced with three-second access to gain, a response to any other key resulted in a three-second blackout and the start of a new trial. Five of six subjects responded to the correct green key more often than chance at an interstimulus interval of 1.5 seconds, and they displayed maximal performance at different intertrial interval values ranging from 15 to 60 seconds. Choice accuracy decreased for all but one subject as the interstimulus interval was increased. For the range of interstimulus interval durations employed, decrements in choice accuracy were qualitatively similar to, but lower than those typically obtained from, delayed-matching-to-sample or delayed-pair comparison procedures.
Parathyroid hormone stimulation of renal phosphoinositide metabolism is a cyclic nucleotide-independent effect

Abstract The effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and cyclic nucleotides on renal phosphoinositide metabolism were studied using cortical tubules isolated from dog kidneys. PTH stimulated the initial rates of 32 P i incorporation into phosphatidylinositol 4'5'-diphosphate, phosphatidylinositol 4'-monophosphate, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid. PTH also caused a 45–55% increase in the actual tissue levels of these phospholipids by 5 min of incubation. By 30 min of incubation, the levels of 32 i incorporated were similar in PTH and control flasks, but the actual levels of the phosphoinositides remained elevated, indicating stimulation of their turnover. Additional evidence of increased turnover of phosphatidylinositol was obtained from tubules pre-incubated with myo -[2- 3 H ] inositol. PTH stimulated a rapid short-lived decrement in [ 3 H]phosphati-dylinositol while total phosphatidylinositol levels increased, indicating increased turnover rates of phosphati-dylinositol. In tubules pre-incubated with [ 14 C]arachidonic acid, PTH increased the initial rates of [ 14 C]di-acylglycerol production and decreased release of [ 14 C]arachidonic acid, indicating utilization of diacylglycerol produced during turnover for resynthesis of phosphatidic acid and phosphoinositides. Cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterase inhibition failed to reproduce the effect of PTH on phosphoinositide metabolism. These studies indicate that PTH stimulates renal phosphoinositide metabolism through a mechanism independent of cAMP which results in a net synthesis of the phosphoinositides.
Auger upconversion losses in Nd-doped laser glasses

Abstract We have measured the Auger upconversion constant, γ, of Nd 3+ ions in phosphate, silicate, and fluoride glasses. The Auger process involves two Nd 3+ ions initially in the 4 F 3 2 metastable state that interact such that one ion is promoted to a higher lying state, while the other is forced to the 4 I J levels of the ground state. γ values ranging from 2.6 to 8.1 × 10 -17 cm 3 s -1 were measured, depending on the host medium and neodymium concentration. The product of the emission lifetime and the Auger coefficient was found to be in the range of γτ = (1 − 2) × 10 -20 cm 3 for the materials investigated. This suggests that Auger upconversion is an important problem for excited state densities approaching (5 − 10) × 10 19 cm -3 .
Potential users and user requirements of an animal-health monitoring system in a developing country: case study of Honduras

Abstract A study was undertaken to evaluate the importance of a national animal-health monitoring system at various levels of livestock production in a developing country, and the user requirements for the information gathered. A specific aim was to demonstrate the requirements ofsuch a system in Honduras. Potential users and their requirements are discussed in detail. The levels evaluated include: (1) the farm level; (2) the national level; (3) the foreign-relations level; (4) the multilateral-financing level. A monitoring system should be designed with the users' requirements as a guideline for collecting information. It must incorporate the existing infrastructure of recording animal health information and remain within the financial and technical resources of the country.
Neutron-diffraction study of the magnetic ordering in superconducting Nd Rh 4 B 4

The results of neutron-diffraction measurements are reported which confirm the development of long-range magnetic order in superconducting Nd${\mathrm{Rh}}_{4}$${\mathrm{B}}_{4}$. Two distinct antiferromagnetic transitions occur below the superconducting phase-transition temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{SC}}=5.4$ K, one at ${T}_{\mathrm{MH}}\ensuremath{\simeq}1.5$ K and the other at ${T}_{\mathrm{ML}}\ensuremath{\simeq}1.0$ K. In both phases, the body-centered tetragonal sublattice of Nd atoms orders antiferromagnetically with the ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$ moments aligned along the unique $c$ axis. The magnetic moment is modulated sinusoidally along the [100] direction in the higher-temperature magnetic phase and along the [110] direction in the lower-temperature phase. The measured saturation moment is 3.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.5${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$. No ferromagnetic component could be detected in the higher-temperature magnetic phase within an experimental sensitivity of 0.3${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$.
Interleukin-1β affects calcium signaling and in vitro cell migration of astrocyte progenitors

Abstract Spontaneous calcium activity of neural progenitors is largely dependent on a paracrine signaling mechanism involving release of ATP and activation of purinergic receptors. Although it is well documented that, in mature astrocytes, cytokines modulate the expression levels of certain purinergic receptors, nothing is known about their impact during early stages of development. Here we provide evidence that conditioned medium from activated microglia and interleukin-1β, but not tumor necrosis factor-α, decrease the frequency of calcium oscillations and reduce the rate of in vitro migration of astrocyte progenitors. Such alterations were due to changes in activity of two purinergic P2 receptors, and not to the amount of released ATP. These results indicate that interleukin-1β plays an important role during early stages of CNS development, modulating calcium signaling and cell migration.
Differences in Photoresponse and Phytochrome Spectrophotometry Between Etiolated and De-etiolated Pea Stem Tissue

Morphologically similar pea plants having a 4-fold difference in spectrophoto-metrically detectable phytochrome can be produced by pretreatment of etiolated plants with red light (R) or with red and far-red light combined (RF). A search for response differences which could be ascribed to differences in phytochrome content has resulted only in the establishment of differences due to de-etiolation. Segments of etiolated plants differ from those of plants de-etiolated by R and RF pretreatments in 2 ways. Segments from etiolated plants appear to respond rapidly to the far-red absorbing form of phytochrome (P(FR)), while segments from de-etiolated plants do not respond rapidly to P(FR). This statement is based upon 2 observations: (i) the red light induced growth inhibition in segments from etiolated plants rapidly escapes reversibility by far-red light, while with segments from R or RF pretreated plants, the red light effect is fully reversed by subsequent far-red light for up to 2 hr; and (ii) segments from etiolated plants were inhibited to a greater degree than were segments from RF pretreated plants when various photostationary state levels of P(FR) were maintained for 30 or 90 min and then removed by photoconversion to P(R). The in vivo nonphotochemical transformation curves of the phytochrome of etiolated and RF pretreated plants appear to differ in 2 related respects: (i) the amount of phytochrome destroyed in de-etiolated tissue is greater than that in etiolated tissue, perhaps as a result of the fact that (ii) the rate and extent of apparent reversion of P(FR) to P(R) in etiolated tissue is about twice that in de-etiolated tissue.
Organic-Inorganic Flexible and Transparent Electronics

In this investigation, synthetic and fabrication approaches to new organic, inorganic, and hybrid materials/devices for flexible/transparent electronic applications are presented. The covered topics are: 1. Utilization of new solution-processable dielectrics exhibiting ultra-high capacitance, low leakage, and high breakdown fields. 2. Development of new low-temperature and/or solution phase processes for thin-film deposition of optically transparent inorganic/hybrid semiconductors. 3. Rational design, realization, and understanding of new electrically-active high-mobility transparent n-type organic semiconductors. We demonstrate that the combinations of these materials sets allow the fabrication of transistors and electronic circuits excellent performance characteristics. In particular, we show several examples where transparent/flexible transistors and circuits are achieved exhibiting excellent performance.
Shoulder MR Arthrography: Intraarticular Anesthetic Reduces Periprocedural Pain and Major Motion Artifacts but Does Not Decrease Imaging Time

The addition of ropivacaine 0.5% to the contrast material solution used for arthrography significantly decreases patient pain and major patient motion but does not reduce total MR imaging time or the number of patients requiring repeat sequences.
Analysis of the Substrate Specificity Loop of the HAD Superfamily Cap Domain

The haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily includes a variety of enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of substrate C−Cl, P−C, and P−OP bonds via nucleophilic substitution pathways. All members possess the α/β core domain, and many also possess a small cap domain. The active site of the core domain is formed by four loops (corresponding to sequence motifs 1−4), which position substrate and cofactor-binding residues as well as the catalytic groups that mediate the “core” chemistry. The cap domain is responsible for the diversification of chemistry within the family. A tight β-turn in the helix−loop−helix motif of the cap domain contains a stringently conserved Gly (within sequence motif 5), flanked by residues whose side chains contribute to the catalytic site formed at the domain−domain interface. To define the role of the conserved Gly in the structure and function of the cap domain loop of the HAD superfamily members phosphonoacetaldehyde hydrolase and β-phosphoglucomutase, the Gly was mutated to Pro, Val...
Promoting convergence: The Phi spiral in abduction of mouse corneal behaviors

Why do mouse corneal epithelial cells display spiraling patterns? We want to provide an explanation for this curious phenomenon by applying an idealized problem solving process. Specifically, we applied complementary line-fitting methods to measure transgenic epithelial reporter expression arrangements displayed on three mature, live enucleated globes to clarify the problem. Two prominent logarithmic curves were discovered, one of which displayed the i¾? ratio, an indicator of an optimal configuration in phyllotactic systems. We then utilized two different computational approaches to expose our current understanding of the behavior. In one procedure, which involved an isotropic mechanics-based finite element method, we successfully produced logarithmic spiral curves of maximum shear strain based pathlines but computed dimensions displayed pitch angles of 35i¾? i¾? spiral is ~17i¾?, which was altered when we fitted the model with published measurements of coarse collagen orientations. We then used model-based reasoning in context of Peircean abduction to select a working hypothesis. Our work serves as a concise example of applying a scientific habit of mind and illustrates nuances of executing a common method to doing integrative science. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 20: 22-38, 2015
Referential and Nonreferential Substitutional Quantifiers

It is common to find philosophers claiming that it is possible to free the quantifiers — especially the particular (or so-called existential) quantifier — from questions of reference, existence, and ontology, by having recourse to what is now referred to as the substitutional interpretation of the quantifiers. Although there may be ontologically neutral uses of the substitutional interpretation, it is one of the goals of this paper to point out where this feature has been misconceived and to give equal due to uses of the substitutional account that have ontological import. I will examine the relation of the substitutional treatment of the quantifiers to the most important nonsubstitutional one, that of Tarski, with reference to recent claims that the difference between the two kinds is that the former lacks ontological significance.
All-fiber common-path optical coherence tomography: sensitivity optimization and system analysis

A fully integrated all-fiber implementation of common-path interferometer-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been successfully demonstrated. Unlike conventional Michelson-based OCT systems, there is no separate reference arm as the reference signal is derived from the probe-end back reflection. This leads to "downlead insensitivity", which makes the device more compatible with existing endoscopic medical instruments. We also theoretically analyze the optimization of system sensitivity in balanced and unbalanced detection. We have conducted experiments to confirm some of our signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) analysis, which are in excellent agreement with the theory. Interestingly, our analysis predicts existence of much higher beat noise in common-path OCT as compared with the conventional OCT. We predict a maximum upper limit of only 6-dB improvement in the SNR when the balanced detection is used, as compared with the unbalanced detection.
The incidence of fluoroquinolone resistant infections after prostate biopsy--are fluoroquinolones still effective prophylaxis?

Purpose: Fluoroquinolones have been shown to decrease infective complications after prostate biopsy. However, fluoroquinolone resistance is emerging. We quantified contemporary rates of infective complications and the incidence of fluoroquinolone resistant infections after prostate biopsy under fluoroquinolone prophylaxis.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 1,273 patients who underwent prostate biopsy at New York Harbor Veterans Affairs Hospital from January 2004 to December 2006. Patients received levofloxacin or gatifloxacin. Using the Veterans Affairs computerized patient record system we reviewed all patient visits within 1 month after prostate biopsy. Visits were queried for infective symptoms. Positive cultures were evaluated for resistance patterns. The annual and overall incidence of infective complications and fluoroquinolone resistant infections was calculated.Results: Of 1,273 patients 31 (2.4%) presented with infective symptoms after biopsy. The overall incidence...
Inhibitors of Sterol Biosynthesis and Amphotericin B Reduce the Viability of Pneumocystis carinii f. sp.carinii

Pneumocystis carinii synthesizes sterols with a double bond at C-7 of the sterol nucleus and an alkyl group with one or two carbons at C-24 of the side chain. Also, some human-derived Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis strains contain lanosterol derivatives with an alkyl group at C-24. These unique sterols have not been found in other pathogens of mammalian lungs. Thus, P. carinii may have important differences in its susceptibility to drugs known to block reactions in ergosterol biosynthesis in other fungi. In the present study, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, squalene synthase, squalene epoxidase, squalene epoxide-lanosterol cyclase, lanosterol demethylase, Delta(8) to Delta(7) isomerase, and S-adenosylmethionine:sterol methyltransferase were tested for their effects on P. carinii viability as determined by quantitation of cellular ATP levels in a population of organisms. Compounds within each category varied in inhibitory effect; the most effective included drugs targeted at squalene synthase, squalene epoxide-lanosterol cyclase, and Delta(8) to Delta(7) isomerase. Some drugs that are potent against ergosterol-synthesizing fungi had little effect against P. carinii, suggesting that substrates and/or enzymes in P. carinii sterol biosynthetic reactions are distinct. Amphotericin B is ineffective in clearing P. carinii infections at clinical doses; however, this drug apparently binds to sterols and causes permeability changes in P. carinii membranes, since it reduced cellular ATP levels in a dose-dependent fashion.
THE PHOTOSENSITIZED OXIDATION OF β-CAROTENE

— –Products of oxidation of β-carotene, photosensitized by hypericin in acetone, appear to include mutatochrome, aurochrome, and a number of other compounds absorbing in the violet and near u.v. regions of the spectrum. The 5, 6-monoepoxide is not formed in appreciable quantity, though it is the principal product of oxidation of carotene by perphthalate. Mutatochrome, lutein, and zeaxanthin are photooxidized more slowly than β-carotene, and the products do not appear to include 5, 6-epoxides. β-carotene-5, 6-monoepoxide is oxidized to what is probably luteochrome. Quantum yields appear to be low. We found no evidence to support a photochemical contribution to the oxidation of zeaxanthin to violaxanthin, a process known to accompany photosynthesis.