cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of ergocornine on serum prolactin and LH, and on hypothalamic content of PIF and LRF.

Daily injections of 400 jug ergocornine/100 g bw for 20 days or a single implantation of approximately 200 μg in the median eminence suppressed all fluctuations in serum prolactin values during the estrous cycle and depressed pituitary prolactin and LH levels in rats. Regularity of estrous cycles was not disturbed as determined by daily vaginal smears. An injection of 5, 50, or 200 μg of ergocornine/100 g bw in the early afternoon of proestrus completely prevented the marked rise in serum prolactin which normally occurs on the late afternoon of proestrus. Only doses of 50 or 200 μg of ergocornine significantly depressed the normal serum LH peak on the late afternoon of proestrus. All animals ovulated during the following night, suggesting that less LH is required to induce ovulation than is normally released by the pituitary. Male pituitary halves incubated in vitro with hypothalamic extract from ergocornine-treated animals released less prolactin and LH than the corresponding pituitary halves incubated w...
Stabilization and symbolism: language and regional politics in the Chuvash Republic

The government of the Chuvash Republic, an ethno-federal region of the Russian Federation, used a targeted and symbolic language policy in an attempt to stabilize the position of the republic's titular language while avoiding conflict with local Russophones and the Russian federal government. The resulting policy allowed the republic's government to frame the existence of an autonomous Chuvash republic – as well as the local elite's form of governance – as being essential to the preservation of the Chuvash language and thus the Chuvash people. In this way, it used language politics to strengthen its position vis-a-vis both local constituents and the Russian federal government. However, the limited nature of the government's program has made its gains tenuous in the face of continuing Russian political and cultural recentralization.
Predicting the orientation of joints from fold shape: Results of pseudo–three-dimensional modeling and curvature analysis

We treat layers of sedimentary rock as elastic plates and predict the orientations of joints by assuming that they open parallel to the maximum instantaneous stretch of a layer. Because the direction of maximum instantaneous stretch is parallel to the maximum curvature of a surface, we hypothesize that joints will trend parallel to the minimum curvature of an elastically deformed layer. After constructing pseudo–three-dimensional trishear models of Laramide-style uplifts that grow self-similarly, we calculated the direction of minimum-curvature axes during the evolution of the fold. Our analysis of minimum-curvature axes in evolving folds suggests several important characteristics for fold-related joint sets: (1) joints that are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the fold axis may be induced by local fold-related strains; (2) at any time during folding, joint orientations may vary according to the structural position on a fold; (3) at any location on a fold, joint orientation may depend on when a joint forms during the evolution of the fold; and (4) joint patterns in trishear folds may vary with stratigraphic position. Natural folds that evolve along simple geometric pathways may develop fold-related joint sets, the orientation, dominance, abutting relationships, spacing, and continuity of which will vary systematically throughout the structure. This variation in joint-system architecture may reflect the history of fold growth.
Gallbladder Volume in Patients with Common Hepatic Duct Dilatation: An Evaluation of Courvoisier's Sign Using Ultrasonography

To evaluate the usefulness of Courvoisier's sign in ultrasonography, gallbladder size in patients with common hepatic duct dilatation was measured using the ellipsoid method during ultrasonographic examination. During a 6-month period 24 patients with malignant obstructions (6 with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, 9 with pancreatic head tumors, 5 with carcinoma of the bile duct, and 4 with malignant lymphadenopathy), 50 patients with calculous obstructions, and a group of 50 normal control patients were examined in this study. Gallbladder volumes were larger in patients with biliary tract dilatation (88.8 +/- 6.8 ml) than in the control group (34.3 +/- 2.8 ml) (p < 0.01). Although the duration and total serum bilirubin level were higher in patients with malignant obstructions, the gallbladder volumes were the same in these two groups (93.0 +/- 11.3 ml versus 86.7 +/- 8.5 ml). A linear relationship was found between gallbladder volume and total serum bilirubin in patients with malignant biliary obstructions (r = 0.6, p < 0.001) and in patients with calculous biliary obstructions without gallbladder stones (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). We hypothesized that the gallbladder volume is irrelevant in differentiating the nature of the biliary tract dilatation and that the gallbladder size is dependent on the degree of biliary obstruction when the gallbladder is not afflicted by fibrosis.
Carotenoids as Dietary-Derived Inhibitors of Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation in vitro

Abstract Epidemiological evidence suggests an inverse correlation between consumption and serum levels of dietary carotenoids and the risk of pancreatic ductal adenocardnoma (PDAC), one of the major cancer killers in the United States. The current study examined the effects of three carotenoids, lutein, lycopene, and B-carotene, on the in vitro proliferation of human PDAC cells derived from moderately- (ASPC-1*) and poorly- (MiaPaCa2**) differentiated tumors. Cells were plated (0.9×l0 4 /well) on 4-well chamber slides and allowed to adhere 18 hrs. Media was then replaced with RPMI 1640+20% FBS* or MEM+10% FBS** containing either 5uM lutein, lycopene,or B-carotene in 0.5% THF or THF alone (control). Cells were incubated at 37°C/5% CO, for 8,12,18,and 36 hrs. Synthesis of DNA, a measure of cell proliferation, was assessed by 5-bromo-2′-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) incorporation into cells (n=3). Proliferation of both cell types, incubated with any of the three carotenoids for ≥ 12 hrs, was significantly less than controls (p
WE‐E‐BRC‐05: Voxel Based Four Dimensional Tissue Deformation Reconstruction (4DTDR) Validation Using a Real Tissue Phantom

Purpose: Calculation of four dimensional (4D) dose distributions requires the remapping of dose calculated on each available binned phases of the 4DCT onto a reference phase for summation. Deformable image registration (DIR) is usually used for this task. This project validates a type of new algorithm, using 4D tissue deformation reconstruction (4DTDR) from all 4DCT generated images (or projections) to confirm voxel to voxel accuracy for the complete motion path and future 4D dose calculations. Methods: Three electro‐magnetic‐tracking (EMT) fiducial were implanted into fresh porcine liver and animated in a clinically realistic phantom with highly reproducible hysteresis motion pattern previously reported on. After 4DCT acquisition, all data was copied and fiducial locations were masked in the copied set. All images were sent to the 4DTDR for reconstruction. The original 4DCT data (with fiducials) was sampled in 20 CT phase sets and fiducials' coordinates were recorded, resulting in time‐resolved fiducial motion paths. Measured values of fiducial location were compared to that measured through EMT and those calculated by 4DTDR. Results: The performance of the 4DTDR was measured to have average accuracy of 1.86 mm over all 20 phases (4.54 mm max error) in time and location, calculating a motion path that correctly represents measured hysteresis. EMT measurement confirms 4DCT and 4DTDR values. Conclusion: Accuracy of deformation within tissue necessitates the understanding of motion accuracy over the whole motion path of deformation. Validation of the actual voxel path over the period adds a higher level of accuracy, leading away from typically quoted end‐to‐end accuracy to a definition that includes all motion locations at any moment or any location.
In-training assessment and predictors of competency in endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the assessment tool for endoscopic sinus surgery when used in the operating room for in-training assessment of operative competency; to identify the tasks that may serve as the best indicators for overall surgical performance. Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Methods: We implemented the global and checklist parts of the endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) assessment tool to evaluate the surgical skills of 13 Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery residents (PGY 1–5) in the operating room over a period of 15 months. Rhinology faculty scored residents' performance of every step of ESS at the end of each procedure using a previously validated tool. Construct validity was calculated by comparing scores across training levels (using analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Regression analysis was performed to identify tasks on the ESS checklist that most strongly correlated to the overall surgical performance. Results: Construct validity was demonstrated with senior residents performing better than junior residents. Average checklist and global scores improved with the number of days on rhinology rotation. “Identification of uncinate and boundaries” was found to be the strongest predictor of overall surgical performance. Conclusions: The results indicate that this evaluation tool is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of surgical competency in the operating room. It can be used to identify weak areas of performance for which additional training may be required early in the rotation/training. Laryngoscope, 2010
Hot-Electron Production and Wave Structure in a Helicon Plasma Source

Energetic wave-trapped electrons of {approximately}20 eV, moving at the 13.56MHz helicon wave phase velocity, are directly measured with a 3ns response-time retarding-potential analyzer. The rf axial wavelength is measured with B-dot probes scanned axially. Changes in the axial magnetic field or the rf power cause order of magnitude changes in the energetic electron current. The current correlates with either a transition from partially propagating to nearly pure standing waves or quantized jumps in the number of half wavelengths between the two azimuthal antenna straps. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Interface thermal conductance in a vacuum

Interface thermal contact conductance between metals in vacuum studied for data on heat transfer mechanism
Exposure of piglet coronary arterial muscle cells to low alcohol results in elevation of intracellular free Ca2+: relevance to fetal alcohol syndrome.

Abstract Chronic exposure of cultured piglet neonatal coronary arterial smooth muscle cells to low concentrations of ethanol (46–115 mg/dl) for 7 days resulted in concentration-dependent elevation in intracellular free Ca 2+ ions ([Ca 2+ ] i ); these rises (22–56%) in [Ca 2+ ] i were not reversible upon short-term exposure to normal, Ca 2+ -containing physiological salt solution. These findings help to provide a rational basis for why ethanol can result in the well-known fetal alcohol syndrome, including cardiac defects and in-utero death.
Improved Estimation of Secondary Structure in Ribonucleic Acids

A SIMPLE method for estimating the most stable secondary structure of an RNA molecule from its sequence was proposed earlier1. This method can be used for predicting and assessing possible secondary structures for recently determined RNA sequences2–4. New experimental5–8 and theoretical9, 10 results allow us to improve the method, without making it more complicated.
Temperature and rates of protein degradation in the fish Gillichthys mirabilis.

Abstract 1. 1. Gill proteins were degraded more rapidly in 26°C-acclimated Gillichthys mirabilis than in 8°C-acclimated specimens. Muscle proteins were degraded more rapidly in 8°C-acclimated fish. No effects of thermal acclimation were observed for liver and brain proteins. 2. 2. Except for gill proteins, short-term changes in temperature did not appear to significantly alter rates of protein degradation, i.e. in most tissues the rates of protein degradation did not exhibit “typical” Q 10 responses. 3. 3. These findings are consistent with the model for protein degradation control which proposes that rates of degradation are determined primarily by the rates at which proteins are rendered susceptible to the action of proteolytic enzymes.
Effects of abomasal infusion of linseed oil on responses to glucose and insulin in holstein cows.

Abstract The objective was to study the effects of abomasal infusion of linseed oil, a source rich in n-3 C18:3, on whole-body response to insulin (experiment 1) and on insulin antilipolytic effects during feed restriction (experiment 2). In experiment 1, eight nonlactating, non-gestating cows were assigned to a crossover design, fed to meet maintenance requirements, and infused abomasally with either linseed oil (LIN) or tallow (TAL) at a rate of 0.54 g/kg of body weight per d for 5.5 d. Infusions were performed every 8 h during the first 3 d of each period and every 4 h thereafter. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) were performed on d 5 of each period, followed by i.v. insulin challenges (IC) 12 h later. In experiment 2, six nonlactating, nongestating cows were assigned to a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The experimental protocol included a water (WTR) treatment and feeding was suspended on d 3, leading to 50 and 62 h of feed restriction before IVGTT and IC, respectively. Clearance of glucose during IVGTT and IC was not affected by treatments in either experiment. However, LIN had an insulin sensitizing effect in experiment 1, because a lower insulin concentration led to the same clearance of glucose as TAL. In experiment 1, plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was low, reflecting a postprandial state, but NEFA was greater for LIN than TAL during IVGTT (108 vs. 88 ± 4 μEq/L) and IC (133 vs. 83 ± 9 μEq/L). In experiment 2, insulin concentrations during IVGTT did not differ across treatments. Basal plasma NEFA concentration before IVGTT tended to be greater for LIN than for TAL (612 vs. 508 μEq/L). Plasma NEFA clearance rate during IVGTT was greater for LIN than for TAL (2.8 vs. 2.5%/min), leading to a shorter time to reach half NEFA concentration (25 vs. 29 min) and greater absolute value of NEFA response area under the curve [AUC; −64,150 vs. −46,402 (μEq/L) × 180 min]. Data suggest that LIN enhanced the antilipolytic effects of insulin. Yet, other factors could have been involved because plasma NEFA concentration before IVGTT was 104 μEq/L greater for LIN than TAL for unknown reasons.
Dislocation Nucleation Versus Cleavage in Ni3AI and Ni

Recent advances in the modelling of dislocation nucleation from a crack tip are used here to compare the critical energy release rate associated with emission in Ni3Al and Ni. The method for analyzing nucleation makes use of a Peierls-type stress versus displacement relation ahead of the crack tip. It has been shown recently by Rice [1] that the energy release rate for emission scales with γus, the “unstable stacking” energy associated with the sliding of atomic planes past one another. The advantage of this approach is that it allows for an extended dislocation core during nucleation, thus eliminating the need for a core cutoff radius. Preliminary calculations which take into account only the shear stress on a slip plane show that it is more difficult to emit a dislocation in Ni3Al than in Ni. Working within the framework of the competition between atomic decohesion and blunting by dislocation emission, the implications for explaining the brittleness of Ni3Al are also discussed.
Reproducible growth of InAsxSb1-x/InSb strained-layer superlattice photodiodes by low pressure MOCVD

Abstract Reproducible growth of InAsxSb1−x/InSb strained-layer superlattice photodiodes by low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) has resulted from the use of Zn doped InAsxSb1−x step-graded buffer layers. These photodiodes show improved performance with response to 10 μm and detectivities of 4 × 109 cm Hz 1 2 /W at 6 μm. Dislocation formation in InAsxSb1−x buffer layers grown on InSb substrates by MOCVD is shown to be reproducibly enhanced by p-type doping at levels exceeding the intrinsic carrier concentration at 475°C using diethylzinc. Carrier concentrations up to 6 × 1018 cm-3 were obtained. The Zn doped buffer layers have proven to be reproducibly crack free for InAsxSb1−x step graded buffer layers with a final composition of x=0.12 lattice matched to a strained layer superlattice (SLS) with an average composition of x=0.09.
Multidisciplinary, Multisite Evaluation of Alternative Sagebrush Steppe Restoration Treatments: The SageSTEP Project

This special issue presents short-term ecological effects of restoration treatments imposed as part of the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP), and summarizes public attitude survey results related to restoration efforts. Funded by the US Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP; 2005– 2011), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM; 2011 to present), the National Interagency Fire Center (2011 to present), and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (2010), SageSTEP was designed and implemented to provide treatment-related information to managers concerned about the rapidly changing condition of sagebrush steppe ecosystems in the US Interior West (McIver et al. 2010). At lower elevations, cheatgrass has become more dominant at the expense of native perennial bunchgrasses, in some locations shifting fire return intervals from.50–100 yr to,20 yr, and greatly increasing mean fire size (Whisenant 1990; Miller et al. 2011; Balch et al. 2012). At higher elevations, pinon pine and juniper woodlands have expanded and displaced sagebrush and other shrubs, in some places shifting fire return intervals from 10–50 yr to..50 yr, and significantly increasing mean fire severity (Miller and Heyerdahl 2008). Federal, state, and private land managers and owners have for many years attempted to arrest the conversion of sagebrush steppe communities into woodland and annual grassland and to restore native herbaceous communities by applying treatments such as prescribed fire, mowing, chaining, cutting, mastication, or herbicides. Substantial published information exists on the efficacy of such treatments in sagebrush steppe, but most studies are site-specific, short-term (Miller et al. 2013), and focused on few variables. Recognizing this, the BLM, in collaboration with the JFSP, solicited sagebrush steppe scientists and managers to design SageSTEP, a study that provides multisite, multidisciplinary, long-term information on treatment outcomes over a range of ecological conditions, and that also provides insight on cost and public acceptance of management practices. A planning grant was provided by JFSP in 2003 to design SageSTEP, and the study was ultimately funded by JFSP in 2005. SageSTEP addresses four principle objectives, each linked to one or more of the design features of the study:
Initial clinical trial of substernal epicardial echocardiography : SEEing a new window to the postoperative heart

Abstract Background . Postoperative echocardiography windows are often of poor quality because of intervening air spaces around the heart and great vessels. We assessed the utility of a new commercially available adult chest drainage tube that has been modified with the addition of a sterile sleeve to accommodate the introduction of a nonsterile pediatric transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe. The TEE probe lies in a substernal epicardial position on the postoperative heart allowing one to perform substernal epicardial echocardiography (SEE). Methods . Informed consent was obtained from 21 consecutive adult cardiac operation patients. At the completion of the operation the SEE drainage tube was inserted through the rectus muscle and into the pericardium. After chest closure, all patients underwent a full echo examination using an Acuson pediatric biplane probe in the SEE position. Views obtained and ease of insertion were judged on a 1 to 10 (worst to best) scale. Results . Full SEE examinations were completed in an average of 12 minutes. Ease of probe entry and manipulation was excellent (ratings of 9.3 and 9.6, respectively). The quality of the anatomic images was also excellent. Substernal epicardial echocardiography tube positioning was integral to the orientation of the images obtained. There were no complications related to the placement of the SEE tubes or TEE probes. In 4 of 21 patients (19%) the SEE methodology was used serially in the intensive care unit to accurately assess ventricular function and filling during weaning of an intraaortic balloon and inotropic agents. Conclusions . Substernal epicardial echocardiography is a safe and highly effective methodology for the serial echocardiographic assessment of the postoperative heart.
Boron-10 and boron-11 nuclear quadrupole resonance spectrum of decaborane[14]

Abstract The 10B and 11B nuclear quadrupole resonance spectra of decaborane[ 141(B10H14) have been obtained by a field cycling double-resonance method. The four inequivalent boron sites are distinguishable by NQR spectroscopy. The effect of 11B-1H dipolar coupling is analyzed for the first time. Analysis of the effect of 11B1H dipolar coupling on the 11B lineshape shows that all 11B quadrupole coupling constants are negative. The 11B nuclear quadrupole coupling constants fall in the range from 1000 to 2000 kHz. This work differs from an earlier report (A. Lotz, J. Olliges, and J. Voitlander, Chem. Phys. Lett. 93, 560 (1982)) in that some transitions are reassigned.
Sex differences in ambulation and defecation in the degu (Octodon degus)

Abstract The degu, a hystricomorph rodent, was studied in both an open-field (OF) and running-wheel testing situation. Of primary interest was whether there would be appparent sex differences in ‘emotionality’ and/or locomotion measures. Unlike domesticated species, females were found to ambulate and defecate more frequently than males in the OF. Both sexes increased their rates of defecation with exposure to the field. The running-wheel data indicatedf that overall males were more active, particularly during the dark phase of the light cycle. The data are examined with respect to similar measures obtained from domesticated laboratory rodents.
Two-photon saturation in the band gap of a molecular quantum wire.

The saturation of the strongest two-photon band accessible with photon energies in the band gap of a one-dimensional π -electron conjugated molecular single crystal is observed with 200-fs pulses for optical intensities of the order of 2 GW/cm2.
Influence of dietary vitamin f and selenium on the ex-vivo synthesis of prostaglandin E2 in brain regions of young and old rats☆

The potential for synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in cerebrum (CC), cerebellum (CM), mid-brain (MB) and brain stem (BS) was measured in 1 and 15 month old male F344 rats fed diets containing 0, 30, or 200 IU vitamin E (-E, E, +E, respectively) and 0.0, 0.1, or 0.2 ppm selenium (-Se, Se, +Se, respectively) for 8 or 20 weeks. Regardless of dietary treatments, the rank order of PGE2 synthesis was CC greater than CM greater than BS = MB in the young rats; CC greater than MB greater than BS = CM in the old rats; and CC greater than MB greater than BS greater than CM in the aged rats. PGE2 synthesis in all brain regions were significantly influenced by dietary treatments except CC. -E diets increased and +E diets decreased PGE2 production. Young rats were most susceptible to PGE2 alteration by vitamin E deficiency while old rats responded most markedly to supplementation. All brain regions showed decreases in their capacity to synthesize PGE2 with age, except MB where the opposite effect was seen. Dietary Se treatment had a minimal role in PGE2 synthesis in gross anatomical regions of brain. The degree to which PGE2 synthesis is affected is more dependent on dietary vitamin E level and tissue alpha-tocopherol content than on Se. CM and BS of aged rats appear to require more alpha-tocopherol to maintain steady state levels than other areas, thus the synthesis of PGE2 in these regions could be highly susceptible to alterations in dietary vitamin E.
Tobacco's Tipping Point: The Master Settlement Agreement as a Focusing Event

Focusing events have been widely referenced in policy studies literature as important drivers of major policy change. In multiple streams theory, punctuated equilibrium theory, and the advocacy coalition framework, they play a prominent role in explaining how major changes occur. Nearly all existing research, however, has focused on the very large and catastrophic events that catapult otherwise obscure issues onto the agenda, to the neglect of focusing events that may perform other functions. This article examines one such event: the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the tobacco industry and the states signed in 1998. I observe that although the MSA focused substantial attention on the topic of tobacco regulation, produced major policy change, and shifted the policy image of the domain, it was not a typical focusing event. Drawing from the tipping point theories of Sociology and Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point, I expand a theoretical distinction articulated by Baumgartner and Jones between “triggering” events and “consolidating” or “tipping” events to resolve this discrepancy.
Representational Ability as a Predictor of Later Expressive Vocabulary

Fifty eight toddlers (17-34 months) with developmental delays participated in a 12 month longitudinal study to test the predictive relationship between prelinguistic representational ability and later expressive vocabulary. Two representational abilities were examined, vocabulary comprehension and level of representational play. The MacArthur Communicative Developmental Inventory/Infants (Fenson et al., 1991) was used to measure vocabulary comprehension and a play scale adapted from McCune (1995) was used to establish level of representational play. Expressive vocabulary was measured one year later in a set of structured interactions with a familiar adult using the Communication Composite of the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (Wetherby & Prizant, 1993). The results indicated that level of representational play was a significant predictor of later expressive vocabulary but vocabulary comprehension was not.
Response of a laminar premixed flame to flow oscillations: A kinematic model and thermoacoustic instability results

Combustion instability is a resonance phenomenon that arises due to the coupling between the system acoustics and the unsteady heat release. The constructive feedback between the two processes, which is known to occur as a certain phase relationship between the pressure and the unsteady heat release rate is satisfied, depends on many parameters among which is the acoustic mode, the flame holder characteristics, and the dominant burning pattern. In this paper, we construct an analytical model to describe the dynamic response of a laminar premixed flame stabilized on the rim of a tube to velocity oscillation. We consider uniform and nonuniform velocity perturbations superimposed on a pipe flow velocity profile. The model results show that the magnitude of heat release perturbation and its phase with respect to the dynamic perturbation depend primarily on the flame Strouhal number, representing the ratio of the dominant frequency times the tube radius to the laminar burning velocity. In terms of this number, high-frequency perturbations pass through the flame while low frequencies lead to a strong response. The phase with respect to the velocity perturbation behaves in the opposite way. Results of this model are shown to agree with experimental observations and to be useful in determining how the combustion excited mode is selected among all the acoustic unstable modes. The model is then used to obtain a time-domain differential equation describing the relationship between the velocity perturbation and the heat release response over the entire frequency range.
Treatment of Positive Behavioral Support Concepts in Currently Used Textbooks.

Nine textbooks currently used in applied behavior analysis courses for future teachers of students with disabilities were examined to determine how the concepts of positive behavioral support were ...
Fabrication and characterization of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid)/zirconia-hybridized amorphous calcium phosphate composites.

Several minerals, such as hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate, have been incorporated into bioresorbable polyester bone scaffolds to increase the osteoconductivity both in vitro and in vivo. More soluble forms of calcium phosphate that release calcium and phosphate ions have been postulated as factors that increase osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. Recently, a zirconia-hybridized pyrophosphate-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (Zr-ACP) has been synthesized allowing controlled release of calcium and phosphate ions. When incorporated into bioresorbable scaffolds, Zr-ACP has the potential to induce osteoconductivity. In this study, 80–90% (w/v) porous poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds were formed by thermal phase separation from dioxane while incorporating Zr-ACP. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a highly porous structure with a pore size ranging from a few μm to about 100 μm, smaller than we had hoped for. Zr-ACP particles were evenly dispersed in the composite s...
Systemic lupus erythematosus in three ethnic groups. XI. Sources of discrepancy in perception of disease activity: A comparison of physician and patient visual analog scale scores

Objective To compare patient's and physician's assessment of disease activity in a multiethnic (Hispanic, African American, and Caucasian) cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods Three hundred patients with SLE from the LUMINA (Lupus in Minority populations: Nature versus nurture) cohort were included. Disease activity was assessed with the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM); patients and physicians assessed disease activity using a 10-cm anchored visual analog scale (VAS). The difference between VAS scores was termed discrepancy (>1 cm was considered a priori clinically relevant). Selected sociodemographic, clinical, behavioral, and psychological variables were examined in relation to discrepancy in univariable and multivariable models adjusting for the physician global VAS score in order to eliminate ceiling and floor effects. Results A discrepancy was exhibited by 58% of the patients. Abnormal laboratory findings were negatively associated with discrepancy, and poor self-perceived functioning and joint involvement were positively associated with discrepancy. Ethnicity did not account for discrepant perception of disease activity. Conclusion Patients and physicians rate disease activity in SLE differently. Physicians appear to place more emphasis on laboratory features while patients place more emphasis on function.
Detection of triple-helix related structures adopted by poly(dG)-poly(dC) sequences in supercoiled plasmid DNA

Abstract Negative superhelical strain induces the poly(dG)-poly(dC) sequence to adopt two totally different types of triple-helices, either a dG.dG.dC triplex in the presence of Mg(+)+ at both neutral and acidic pHs or a protonated dC+.dG.dC triplex in the absence of Mg(+)+ ions at acidic pH (1). To examine whether there are still other types of non-B DNA structures formed by the same sequence, we constructed supercoiled plasmid DNAs harboring varying lengths of the poly(dG) tract, and the structures adopted by each supercoiled plasmid DNA were studied with a chemical probe, chloroacetaldehyde. The potential of a poly(dG)-poly(dC) sequence to adopt non-B DNA structures depends critically on the length of the tract. Furthermore, in the presence of Mg(+)+ and at a mildly acidic pH, in addition to the expected dG.dG.dC triplex detected for the poly(dG) tracts of 14 to 30 base pairs (bp), new structures were also detected for the tracts longer than 35 bp. The structure formed by a poly(dG) tract of 45 bp revealed chemical reaction patterns consistent with a dG.dG.dC triplex and protonated dC+.dG.dC triple-helices fused together. This structure lacks single-stranded stretches typical of intramolecular triplexes.
Telomerase structure paves the way for new cancer therapies

Inappropriate activation of a single enzyme, telomerase, is associated with the uncontrollable proliferation of cells observed in as many as 90% of all of human cancers. Since the mid-1990s, when telomerase activity was detected in human tumors, scientists have eyed the enzyme as an ideal target for developing broadly effective anticancer drugs. One of the missing links in the effort to identify such therapies has been the high-resolution structure of the enzyme, a powerful tool used for the identification and development of clinical drugs. A recent structure of the catalytic subunit of teleomerase from the Skordalakes laboratory, a major advancement in the field of telomeres, has opened the door to the development of new, broadly effective cancer drugs, as well as anti-aging therapies. Here we present a brief description of telomerase biology, current efforts to identify telomerase function modulators and the potential importance of the telomerase structure in future drug development.
VAPOR PRESSURES OF Zn and As DURING CLOSED-SYSTEM Zn DIFFUSION INTO GaAs FROM A ZnAs2 SOURCE

Abstract The vapor pressures of Zn and As during closed-system diffusion of Zn into GaAs from a ZnAs 2 diffusion source were measured by optical absorption spectroscopy over the temperature range from 800 to 1025°K. The preparation of arsenic-saturated ZnAs 2 is described. The fractional dissociative decomposition Δy of ZnAs 2(1+y) required to produce the three-phase GaAsZnAs 2 Zn 3 As 2 equilibrium is measured to be 0.0024 at 910°K. The activities of arsenic and zinc in the three-phase mixture were found to be 0.28 ± .01 and ∼0.04, respectively.
Diastolic heart failure in the elderly and the potential role of aldosterone antagonists.

The overall incidence of heart failure increases with age, affecting up to 10% of people >65 years of age. Diastolic heart failure is also age-dependent, increasing from 40% in patients ≥;70 years of age. Elderly patients usually have other co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation that can adversely affect the diastolic properties of the heart. The clinical manifestations of diastolic heart failure are similar to those of systolic heart failure. In practice, the diagnosis is generally based on the finding of typical symptoms and signs of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and no valvular abnormalities on echocardiography. Altered ventricular relaxation and abnormal ventricular filling are the hallmarks of diastolic heart failure. Cardiac fibrosis and cellular disarray lead to the alterations in the diastolic properties of the heart. Diffuse foci of fibrosis in the myocardium have been reported with advancing age. Aldosterone has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of cardiac fibrosis via a direct effect on the mineralocorticoid receptors within the myocardium. Unlike the situation with treatment of systolic heart failure, few clinical trials are available to guide the management of patients with diastolic heart failure. In the absence of controlled clinical trials, patient management is based on control of the physiological factors (blood pressure, heart rate, blood volume and myocardial ischaemia) that are known to exert important effects on ventricular relaxation. Aldosterone antagonists inhibit the deposition of collagen matrix in the myocardium, thereby targeting the basic pathophysiological mechanism of diastolic dysfunction. Thus, they appear to represent a promising therapeutic approach for this condition. Currently, only small clinical trials supporting this therapy are available and large clinical trials evaluating long-term outcomes in diastolic dysfunction are therefore needed.
Procedure for calculating the radiation stopping power for electrons

A procedure is described for calculating the radiation stopping power for electrons, i.e. the mean energy loss per unit path length due to the emission of bremsstrahlung photons. For bremsstrahlung in the field of the atomic nucleus, the cross sections used are those of Pratt and collaborators at low and intermediate energies, and those of Davies, Bethe, Maximon and Olsen at high energies. For bremsstrahlung in the field of the atomic electrons, the cross section of Haug is used. The radiation stopping powers in the energy region from 1 kev to 10 GeV have been fitted by a 9-parameter approximation formula. These parameters depend on the atomic number Z, and are given for all Z from 1 to 100.
Oxygen Sensing, Homeostasis, and Disease

Pathways that sense a reduction in available oxygen are critical in the adaptation to lower oxygen tensions at high altitude. Alterations in this system can contribute to the pathogenesis of heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lung disease, and many other disorders.
Holoprotein formation of human chorionic gonadotropin: differential trace labeling with acetic anhydride.

The effects of holoprotein formation in human CG (hCG) on the reactivities of several of the individual amino groups of each subunit were investigated by differential trace labeling with [3H]acetic anhydride. The alpha- and beta-subunits were labeled separately, as was hCG, under conditions chosen to ensure that an average of less than one amino group was modified per molecule. Although the beta-subunit contains fewer amino groups than the alpha-subunit, most of the 3H incorporation occurred in beta at the N-terminal region. Chemical and enzymatic cleavage of the subunits enabled us to identify several individual amino groups and, from measurements of the incorporated radioactivity of the free subunits and intact hormone, determine their protection factor, which is a measure of the reactivity and thus of the local environment and changes thereof upon holoprotein formation. Lys51 and Lys91 of alpha were approximately 2-fold more reactive and less reactive, respectively, in the alpha beta complex than in th...
Minimal time control with multiple saturation limits

General rules are proved for minimal time control of a linear system with the constraints that both the manipulated variable m(t) and its derivative \dot{m}(t) are amplitude limited: 1) \dot{m}(t) is always at its extreme value unless m(t) is at its extreme value, 2) for normal systems the minimal time path is unique and consequently optimum switching boundaries can be defined, and 3) the choice of \dot{m}(t) maximizes a Hamiltonian with a modified adjoint function. The above rules are applied to third-order control systems with decidedly favorable results.
BROMOCRIPTINE AND LEVODOPA (WITH OR WITHOUT CARBIDOPA) IN PARKINSONISM

Abstract Bromocriptine, a dopamine receptor agonist, was administered to 20 patients with idiopathic parkinsonism taking levodopa (L-dopa) or 'Sinemet' (levodopa combined with carbidopa in a 10/1 ratio) at optimum doses. In a double-blind randomised cross-over study lasting 6 months, the addition of bromocriptine (mean daily dose 79 mg) led to a significant (P
Structure and Morphology of Poly(diethyl trimethylene-1,1-dicarboxylate) Crystals

Poly(diethyl trimethylene-1,1-dicarboxylate) oligomers with an average degree of polymerization (DP) of 20 and a polydispersity of 1.13 have been isothermally crystallized at 30 °C from benzene and also crystallized from the melt (Tm = 176 °C). The crystals were investigated using electron microscopy (imaging and diffraction), X-ray diffraction, and computational modeling. The diffraction signals index on an orthorhombic unit cell with parameters a = 1.554 ± 0.002 nm, b = 1.136 ± 0.002 nm, and c (chain axis) = 0.585 ± 0.002 nm. A space group of P212121 is assigned on the basis of systematic absences of h00, 0k0, and 00l for odd h, k, and l respectively; thus, two antiparallel chain segments pass through the basal ab plane of the unit cell. The calculated density of 1.20 g·cm-3 is commensurate with the measured value of 1.17 ± 0.03 g·cm-3. The repetitive −CH2−CH2−CX2− backbone conformation, where the side groups X are ethyl esters (−COOC2H5), has the torsional angle sequence GTḠGTḠ with the trans bonds at ...
Experimental Investigation of an Aspirated Fan Stage

This paper addresses the use of viscous flow control by suction to improve compressor stage performance. The pressure ratio can be significantly increased by controlling the development of the airfoil and endwall boundary layers. This concept has been validated through an aspirated fan stage experiment performed in the MIT Blowdown Compressor Facility. The fan stage was designed to produce a pressure ratio of 1.6 at a throughflow adiabatic efficiency of 89% at a corrected rotor tip speed of 750 ft/s (229 m/s). Aspiration was applied to the airfoil surface of both the rotor and stator at a design suction rate of 0.5% of the inlet flow. Aspiration was also used on the endwall boundary layers. The measured performance of the stage agrees well with the design intent and predicted performance. An incompressible, vortex shedding model calibrated to the experimental data shows that the vortex shedding induces radial flows that redistribute flow properties in the spanwise direction.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
The Function of Vascular Smooth Muscle Phosphodiesterase III is Preserved in Healthy Human Aging

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) III is an enzyme in vascular smooth muscle that metabolizes cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Milrinone inhibits PDE III, increasing the availability of cAMP. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which is regulated by nitric oxide (NO), also inhibits PDE III. The endothelial NO component of prostacyclin (PGI(2))-mediated vasodilation is reduced in aging. This study investigated if PGI(2)-mediated vasodilation during concomitant inhibition of endothelial NO and smooth muscle PDE III is affected by healthy aging. PDE III was inhibited with milrinone in 10 older subjects and 10 young matched controls while simultaneously infusing NG-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate ( L-NMMA) to remove the confounding inhibitory effects of cGMP on PDE III. Incremental doses of PGI(2) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were administered to the brachial artery during separate trials. L-NMMA decreased baseline blood flow similarly, and the addition of milrinone increased baseline blood flow similarly in both groups. The forearm blood flow responses to PGI(2) were similar between groups (younger: 7.62 ± 0.72; older: 6.88 ± 0.81 mL•dL(-1) FAV•min(-1) at the highest dose of PGI(2)). SNP responses were also similar. This study suggests that the vasodilator pathway associated with PDE III function, the bioavailability of cAMP, and the interaction with cGMP may be preserved in healthy aging.
Failure of Methylcellulose to alter the Growth of Walker Tumour 256 in Rats

METHYLCELLULOSE is a long-chained methyl ether of cellulose. Recent reports have associated regression of the transplantable Murphy–Sturm lymphosarcoma in rats with treatment by intraperitoneal injections of methylcellulose1–4. In the present investigation the same type of rats and treatment were used with the Walker tumour 256. As will be shown, no beneficial effect was noted in the parameters studied, namely, size of the tumour and longevity of the rats.
Synergistic effects of α‐pinene and exo‐brevicomin on pine bark beetles and associated insects in Arizona

The southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) and western pine beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis) cause significant mortality to pines in the southern and western United States. The effectiveness of commercial lures at capturing these bark beetles in Arizona has not been tested and may vary from other regions of their distribution. We conducted experiments using baited Lindgren funnel traps to investigate (i) if D. frontalis is more attracted to the standard commercial lure for D. brevicomis (frontalin + exo-brevicomin + myrcene) than the D. frontalis lure (frontalin + terpene blend), (ii) whether replacement of myrcene with α-pinene changes trap catches of Dendroctonus and associated insects, and (iii) whether the attraction to these lures varies across the geographical range of ponderosa pine forests throughout Arizona. In 2005, we tested various combinations of frontalin, exo-brevicomin, myrcene and α-pinene to D. frontalis, D. brevicomis and associated species. Dendroctonus frontalis, D. brevicomis and the predator Temnochila chlorodia were most attracted to lures with exo-brevicomin. The replacement of the myrcene component with α-pinene in the D. brevicomis lure resulted in the capture of twice as many bark beetles and Elacatis beetles. However, T. chlorodia did not differentiate between monoterpenes. In 2006, traps were set up in 11 locations around Arizona to test the relative attraction of lure combinations. In 9 out 11 locations, the D. brevicomis lure with α-pinene was more attractive than the lure with myrcene or a terpene blend. These results suggest that the D. brevicomis lure with α-pinene rather than myrcene is more effective lure to capture D. brevicomis and D. frontalis in Arizona. However, geographical variation in attractiveness to lures is evident even within this region of the beetles' distributions. Differential attraction of Dendroctonus and their predators to these lures suggests potential use in field trapping and control programmes.
Letting go of mucus

The genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF) results from mutations that disable an anion channel called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Loss of CFTR's anion channel functions triggers a cascade of defects that reduces the lung's innate mucosal defenses, including the critical component of mucus clearance ( 1 , 2 ). The lungs of individuals with CF, which appear grossly normal at birth, quickly become infected with bacteria and fungi localized within the lung mucus, which, like mucus in other CF organs, is thicker and more difficult to clear ( 3 ). The pathogenesis of CF airways has been difficult to determine because appropriate animal models have been lacking. On page 818 in this issue, Hoegger et al. ( 4 ) find that lung disease in a piglet model of CF is caused by abnormal tethering of mucus to the submucosal glands that produce it.
The statistical mechanics of meandering

We present a simple mathematical model to describe the statistical properties of the meandering of narrow streams on clean and smooth substrates. The model is shown to contain three different regimes, depending on the flow rate: (i) at low rates, the stream path is a time-independent random walk; (ii) for intermediate flox rates, static meanders appear. The onset of meandering is found to be closely analogous to the physics of continuous phase transitions; (iii) at high flow rates, the meanders start to slide downhill. The problem of the depenning of meanders can be mapped onto the problem of domain-wall depinning in disordered magnets. Using this correspondence, we can compute the critical flow rate for the onset of meander sliding On presente un modele simple decrivant la statistique du serpentement d'ecoulements etroits sur un substrat propre et lisse. Ce modele presente trois regimes differents suivant le debit: (i) pour des faibles debits, le trajet est une marche aleatoire stationnaire; (ii) pour des debits intermediaires, des meandres stationnaires apparaissent. L'apparition de ces meandres est tres similaire a la physique des transitions de phase continues; (iii) pour des debits eleves, les meandres commencent a glisser. Le probleme du decrochage des meandres est equivalent au probleme du decrochage des parois dans les systemes ou apparai←t le glissement des meandres