cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ionic effects on strain differences in hepatic cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor levels in mice

Ionic conditions were varied during homogenization of adult liv- ers and during incubation of hepatic cytosol with glucocorticoid, and the effects on the detection of differences between inbred strains of mice for receptor levels were studied. When homogenized directly in 0.01 M Tris or homogenized in dis- tilled water and then buffered to either 0.05 M Tris or 0.01 M potassium phos- phate, A/J glucocorticoid receptor levels were greater than those of BIO.A. How- ever, when homogenized directly in 0.05 M Tris or buffered to 0.05 M potassium phosphate after homogenization in distilled water, A/J and BIO.A had similar receptor levels. When buffered to 0.01 M Tris after homogenization in distilled water, A/J receptor levels were greater than those of BIO.A but not significantly so. In Tris buffers, glucocorticoid receptor levels were higher when livers were homogenized directly in buffer than when liver homogenates were buffered after homogenization. This concentration effect is apparently due to the more rapid decay of glucocorticoid receptor in the lower molarity buffer. A reducing agent, thioglycerol, did not appear to affect either the rate of decay of the receptors or the measured level of receptor for BIO.A and A/J. C57BL/6J receptor levels were measured in Tris buffers and had a similar relationship to A/J as did BIO.A. A popular model for studies of cleft palate is glucocorticoid-induced cleft palate in mice (Fraser and Fainstat, '51). Inbred strains of mice differ significantly for susceptibility to glucocorticoid-induced cleft palate, and it has been suggested that genetic variation in amount of glucocorticoid receptor may be a part of the explanation for this variation. However, there has been considerable controversy about the direction and degree of difference among inbred mouse strains for amount of glucocorticoid re- ceptor. Salomon and Pratt presented evidence that cultured, embryonic facial mesenchyme cells from a strain with high susceptibility to glucocorticoid-induced cleft palate, A/J, have about twice as many specific steroid receptors as do such cells from a low susceptibility strain, C57BU6 (Salomon and Pratt, '76). They also found a correlation of sensitivity to steroid- induced cleft palate with amount of steroid- specific receptor in cultured facial mesen- chyme cells among several inbred strains of mice (Salomon and Pratt, '79). Goldman et al. ('77) provided data that this variation in the amount of steroid receptor was associated with H-2 genotype, but this conclusion was con- tested. We demonstrated that a difference be-
Deformation and tensile fracture behaviour of sulfonated polystyrene ionomers: effects of counterion and excess neutralizing agent

The mechanical behaviour of sulfonated polystyrene ionomers can be altered by changing the nature of the counterion and by addition of excess neutralizing agent. Enhanced tensile strength and greater energy to fracture have been obtained by changing the counterions from monovalent Na to divalent Ca. The Ca ions create stronger ionic crosslinks that result in a more effective entanglement network. Increases in both tensile strength and toughness have also been obtained in an Na salt sulfonated polystyrene ionomer by addition of a 100% excess of neutralizing agent. The enhancement in properties is thought to arise from the presence of a small, coherent second phase that acts as a reinforcing filler and increases resistance to crack propagation.
Safety of perioperative aspirin therapy in pancreatic operations.

Background Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin is prevalent among patients presenting for operative treatment of pancreatic disorders. Operative practice has called for the cessation of aspirin 7–10 days before elective procedures because of the perceived increased risk of procedure-related bleeding. Our practice at Thomas Jefferson University has been to continue aspirin therapy throughout the perioperative period in patients undergoing elective pancreatic surgery. Study design Records for patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, or total pancreatectomy between October 2005 and February 2012 were queried for perioperative aspirin use in this institutional research board−approved retrospective study. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata software. Results During the study period, 1,017 patients underwent pancreatic resection, of whom 289 patients (28.4%) were maintained on aspirin through the morning of the operation. Patients in the aspirin group were older than those not taking aspirin (median 69 years vs 62 years, P Conclusion This is the first study to report that aspirin therapy is not associated with increased rates of perioperative bleeding, transfusion requirement, or major procedure related complications after elective pancreatic surgery. These data suggest that continuation of aspirin is safe and that the continuation of aspirin should be considered acceptable and preferable, particularly in patients with perceived substantial medical need for treatment with antiplatelet therapy.
Fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance as a probe of the solution structure of mutants of 5-fluorouracil-substituted Escherichia coli valine tRNA

In order to utilize 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to probe the solution structure of Escherichia coli tRNAVal labeled by incorporation of 5-fluorouracil, we have assigned its 19F spectrum. We describe here assignments made by examining the spectra of a series of tRNAVal mutants with nucleotide substitutions for individual 5-fluorouracil residues. The result of base replacements on the structure and function of the tRNA are also characterized. Mutants were prepared by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of a cloned tRNAVal gene, and the tRNAs transcribed in vitro by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase. By identifying the missing peak in the 19F NMR spectrum of each tRNA variant we were able to assign resonances from fluorouracil residues in loop and stem regions of the tRNA. As a result of the assignment of FU33, FU34 and FU29, temperature-dependent spectral shifts could be attributed to changes in anticodon loop and stem conformation. Observation of a magnesium ion-dependent splitting of the resonance assigned to FU64 suggested that the T-arm of tRNAVal can exist in two conformations in slow exchange on the NMR time scale. Replacement of most 5-fluorouracil residues in loops and stems had little effect on the structure of tRNAVal; few shifts in the 19F NMR spectrum of the mutant tRNAs were noted. However, replacing the FU29.A41 base-pair in the anticodon stem with C29.G41 induced conformational changes in the anticodon loop as well as in the P-10 loop. Effects of nucleotide substitution on aminoacylation were determined by comparing the Vmax and Km values of tRNAVal mutants with those of the wild-type tRNA. Nucleotide substitution at the 3' end of the anticodon (position 36) reduced the aminoacylation efficiency (Vmax/Km) of tRNAVal by three orders of magnitude. Base replacement at the 5' end of the anticodon (position 34) had only a small negative effect on the aminoacylation efficiency. Substitution of the FU29.A41 base-pair increased the Km value 20-fold, while Vmax remained almost unchanged. The FU4.A69 base-pair in the acceptor stem, could readily be replaced with little effect on the aminoacylation efficiency of E. coli tRNAVal, indicating that this base-pair is not an identity element of the tRNA, as suggested by others.
Cell lysis and protein extraction in a microfluidic device with detection by a fluorogenic enzyme assay.

A critical requirement for achieving a micro total analytical system for the analysis of cells and their constituent proteins is to integrate the lysis and fractionation steps on-chip. Here, an experimental microfluidic system integrating the lysis of bacterial cells and the extraction of a large intracellular enzyme, β-galactosidase, is demonstrated. The β-galactosidase is detected and quantified using a fluorogenic enzyme assay and a numerical model. While the focus is on the lysis of typical Gram-negative bacterial cells (E. coli), the techniques described here could, in principle, be applied to a variety of different cell types.
A frame-invariant vector limiter for flux corrected nodal remap in arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian flow computations

This article describes a frame-invariant vector limiter for Flux-Corrected Transport (FCT) numerical methods. Our approach relies on an objective vector projection, and, because of its intrinsic structure, the proposed approach can be generalized with ease to higher-order tensor fields. The proposed concept is applied to nodal finite element formulations and the so-called algebraic FCT paradigm, but the ideas pursued here are very general and also apply to more general instantiations of flux-corrected transport. Specifically, we consider the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) equations of compressible inviscid flows. In addition to the geometric conservation law (GCL) and the local extreme diminishing (LED) property of the original scalar limiters, the proposed approach ensures frame invariance (objectivity) for vectors. Particularly, we use an ALE strategy based on a two-stage, Lagrangian plus mesh remap (data transfer based on conservative interpolation), in which remap and limiting are performed in a synchronized way. The proposed approach is however of general applicability, is not limited to a specific ALE implementation, and can easily be generalized to computations with standard (monolithic) ALE or Eulerian reference frames. The significance of the frame-invariant limiter for vectors is demonstrated in computations of compressible materials under extreme load conditions. Extensive testing in two and three dimensions demonstrates that the proposed limiter greatly enhances the robustness and reliability of the existing methods under typical computational scenarios.
Do AIS and MIS have a future

Academics and practitioners of successful, established disciplines rarely question their future viability. But in today’s world, complacency may prove dangerous. AIS and MIS operate in turbulent circumstances. The rates change of reskilling, deskilling, outsourcing and in-sourcing is unprecedented. There is no reason why craft workers in a field should be caught in a King Canute like demise. An intelligent appreciation of one’s past and present does allow for successful adaptation to new circumstances. Infused with new literatures, a field like MIS and AIS could prepare itself for this brave new world and respond accordingly.
Cloning of Rat Muc5AC Mucin Gene: Comparison of Its Structure and Tissue Distribution to That of Human and Mouse Homologues

The human mucin gene MUC5AC codes for a large mucin which has tandem repeat units and cysteine rich regions characteristic of several members of this class of glycoproteins. Human epithelia expressing the mucin include that of stomach, bronchus/trachea, endocervix and conjunctiva. We report here a 3.8 kb partial sequence of a rat homologue for the human MUC5AC gene and compare its tandem repeat sequence and cysteine rich domains to those of the human and mouse gene. Rat and mouse have the same number of amino acids (16) in their Muc5AC tandem repeat units and share 69% sequence similarity, whereas human MUC5AC has only 8 amino acids in its tandem repeat. In rat, the tandem repeat domain is flanked at its 3' end by a non-repeat region coding for 1142 amino acids. Four cysteine rich subdomains were identified in this region; one of these has 64% similarity to a corresponding region in human MUC5AC and 80% similarity to a mouse MUC5AC cysteine rich region. Southern blot analysis revealed cross hybridization of a probe for the rat cysteine rich region, to human, mouse, rabbit, and porcine genomic DNA; the rat tandem repeat probe hybridized with mouse and rabbit only. Unlike humans, rat expressed MUC5AC message detectable by Northern blot and in situ hybridization only in stomach epithelium and conjunctival goblet cells.
Environmental nutrient supply alters prevalence and weakens competitive interactions among coinfecting viruses

Summary The rates and ratios of environmental nutrient supplies can determine plant community composition. However, the effect of nutrient supplies on within-host microbial interactions is poorly understood. Resource competition is a promising theory for understanding microbial interactions, because microparasites require nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for synthesis of macromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. To better understand the effects of nutrient supplies to hosts on pathogen interactions, we singly inoculated and coinoculated Avena sativa with two virus species, barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV (BYDV-PAV) and cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV (CYDV-RPV). Host plants were grown across a factorial combination of N and P supply rates that created a gradient of N : P supply ratios, one being replicated at low and high nutrient supply. Nutrient supply affected prevalence and the interaction strength among viruses. P addition lowered CYDV-RPV prevalence. The two viruses had a distinct competitive hierarchy: the coinoculation of BYDV-PAV lowered CYDV-RPV infection rate, but the reverse was not true. This antagonistic interaction occurred at low nutrient supply rates and disappeared at high N supply rate. Given the global scale of human alterations of N and P cycles, these results suggest that elevated nutrient supply will increase risks of virus coinfection with likely effects on virus epidemiology, virulence and evolution.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Behavioral Disinhibition in a Selected Adolescent Sample

Behavioral disinhibition (BD) is a quantitative measure designed to capture the heritable variation encompassing risky and impulsive behaviors. As a result, BD represents an ideal target for discovering genetic loci that predispose individuals to a wide range of antisocial behaviors and substance misuse that together represent a large cost to society as a whole. Published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have examined specific phenotypes that fall under the umbrella of BD (e.g. alcohol dependence, conduct disorder); however no GWAS has specifically examined the overall BD construct. We conducted a GWAS of BD using a sample of 1,901 adolescents over-selected for characteristics that define high BD, such as substance and antisocial behavior problems, finding no individual locus that surpassed genome-wide significance. Although no single SNP was significantly associated with BD, restricted maximum likelihood analysis estimated that 49.3 % of the variance in BD within the Caucasian sub-sample was accounted for by the genotyped SNPs (p = 0.06). Gene-based tests identified seven genes associated with BD (p ≤ 2.0 × 10−6). Although the current study was unable to identify specific SNPs or pathways with replicable effects on BD, the substantial sample variance that could be explained by all genotyped SNPs suggests that larger studies could successfully identify common variants associated with BD.
Elongation of Ordered Peptide Aggregate of an Amyloidogenic Hexapeptide NFGAIL Observed in Molecular Dynamics Simulations with Explicit Solvent

The mechanisms by which amyloidogenic peptides and proteins form soluble toxic oligomers remain elusive. We have studied the formation of partially ordered tetramers and well-ordered octamers of an amyloidogenic hexapeptide NFGAIL (residues 22-27 of the human islet amyloid polypeptide) in our previous work. Continuing the effort, we here probe the beta-sheet elongation process by a combined total of 2.0 micros molecular dynamics simulations with explicit solvent. In a set of 10 simulations with the peptides restrained to the extended conformation, we observed that the main growth mode was elongation along the beta-sheet hydrogen bonds through primarily a two-stage process. Driven by hydrophobic forces, the peptides initially attached to the surface of the ordered oligomer, moved quickly to the beta-sheet edges, and formed stable beta-sheet hydrogen bonds. Addition of peptides to the existing oligomer notably improved the order of the peptide aggregate in which labile outer layer beta-sheets were stabilized, which provides good templates for further elongation. These simulations suggested that elongation along the beta-sheet hydrogen bonds occurs at the intermediate stage when low-weight oligomers start to form. We did not observe significant preference toward either parallel or antiparallel beta-sheets at the elongation stage for this peptide. In another set of 10 unrestrained simulations, the dominant growth mode was disordered aggregation. Taken together, these results offered a glimpse at the molecular events leading to the formation of ordered and disordered low-weight oligomers.
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans: a GAGgle of skeletal-hematopoietic regulators.

This review summarizes our current understanding of the presence and function of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in skeletal development and hematopoiesis. Although proteoglycans (PGs) comprise a large and diverse group of cell surface and matrix molecules, we chose to focus on HSPGs owing to their many proposed functions in skeletogenesis and hematopoiesis. Specifically, we discuss how HSPGs play predominant roles in establishing and regulating niches during skeleto-hematopoietic development by participating in distinct developmental processes such as patterning, compartmentalization, growth, differentiation, and maintenance of tissues. Special emphasis is placed on our novel hypothesis that mechanistically links endochondral skeletogenesis to the establishment of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche in the marrow. HSPGs may contribute to these developmental processes through their unique abilities to establish and mediate morphogen, growth factor, and cytokine gradients; facilitate signaling; provide structural stability to tissues; and act as molecular filters and barriers. Developmental Dynamics 237:2622–2642, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Photophysical models of aromatic polyesters: excited state interactions in bis(phenalkyl)terephthalate

The nature of the excited state interactions in poly(ethylene terephthalate) is still subject to debate. We study a new series of model compounds composed of a central terephthaloyl group condensed with α-hydroxy-ω-phenyl-n-alkanes. Although the molecular architecture prevents these molecules from achieving symmetric ring-ring overlap, the steady-state fluorescence spectra are remarkably similar to those of other models studied earlier, where such overlap was expected. The solvent polarity dependence suggests that the excited state complex is an exciplex and not an excimer.
Teacher‐Parent Relationships and School Involvement among Racially and Educationally Diverse Parents of Kindergartners

Abstract In this study we examined associations between the quality of teacher‐ and parent‐perceived relationships and teacher‐reported parental involvement among families of children in kindergarten and whether these associations were moderated by racial/ethnic or socioeconomic factors. Participants were 483 parents and 431 teachers of children from the 2002–2003 kindergarten cohort from the National Center for Early Development and Learning Multi‐State Study of Pre‐Kindergarten. Parents were selected if their children were identified as African American (27%), Latino (23%), or white (50%). 52% of parents were from low‐income homes. The teachers were 98% female, and had an average of 14.65 (SD = 9.96) years of experience. Teachers were 80% white, 9% Latino, 7% African American, 3% multiracial, and 1% Asian American and represented 225 schools across 6 states. Kindergarten teachers and parents completed scales during the spring of the 2002–2003 school year. Regression analyses revealed that both parent‐ a...
A simple general procedure for orthogonal rotation

A very general algorithm for orthogonal rotation is identified. It is shown that when an algorithm parameterα is sufficiently large the algorithm converges monotonically to a stationary point of the rotation criterion from any starting value. Because a sufficiently largeα is in general hard to find, a modification that does not require it is introduced. Without this requirement the modified algorithm is not only very general, but also very simple. Its implementation involves little more than computing the gradient of the rotation criterion. While the modified algorithm converges monotonically from any starting value, it is not guaranteed to converge to a stationary point. It, however, does so in all of our examples. While motivated by the rotation problem in factor analysis, the algorithms discussed may be used to optimize almost any function of a not necessarily square column-wise orthonormal matrix. A number of these more general applications are considered. Empirical examples show that the modified algorithm can be reasonably fast, but its purpose is to save an investigator's effort rather than that of his or her computer. This makes it more appropriate as a research tool than as an algorithm for established methods.
The stability of poiseuille flow. An analysis of two- and three-dimensional disturbances

Cylindrical Poiseuille Flow is analyzed for its stability to axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric infinitesimal disturbances. The perturbation equations defining each case are solved using Galerkin's method. The flow is shown to be stable for α Re up to 750 for all cases studied. The first azimuthal model (n=1) is the least stable.
Identification of the dynamics of thyroid hormone metabolism

We have developed a new nonlinear dynamical model, a linearized dynamical model and a minimal steady-state model of a portion of the system responsible for thyroid hormone regulation in man. Each model is quasiisomorphic in structure and serves a different purpose. A Newton-Raphson algorithm and nonlinear regression were used to fit separately the model nonlinearities; and a modified hyperconical random search scheme was used to estimate twelve identifiable combinations of parameters of the nonlinear model. Our modeling approach greatly facilitated parameter estimation. From these results, we were able to quantify completely the steady-state model, the results of which yielded eight key parameters, previously unobtainable and of great interest to the thyroidologist.
A Simple, Microcomputer Model of Rangeland Forage Growth for Management Decision Support

(.)a simple simulation model of rangeland forage production on the northern Great Plains (RangeMod) was developed as a tool for management of rangeland grasshopper populations. The model is driven primarily by daily precipitation(.)
Signal-to-noise ratio analysis in the joint time-frequency domain for ISAR imaging

Chen recently presented an ISAR imaging technique using the joint time-frequency analysis (JTFA), which has been shown having a better performance for maneuvering targets over the conventional Fourier transform method. It is because the frequencies of the radar returns of the maneuvering targets are time-varying and JTFA is a technique that is suitable for such signals. It is also known that JTFA concentrates a signal, such as a chirp, while spreads noise. In this paper, we study the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the ISAR imaging using the JTFA. We show that the SNR increases in the joint TF domain over the one in the time or the frequency domain alone both theoretically and numerically. This shows another advantage of the JTFA technique for the ISAR imaging.
Social defeat stress increases expression of μ-opioid receptor mRNA in rat ventral tegmental area

Prompted by previous studies linking social defeat stress to changes in opioid antinociception, we evaluated the expression of mu-opioid receptor (MOR)-encoding mRNA in selected rat brain areas as a function of this type of stress. Because opioids mediate significant regulatory activities of brain dopamine neurons, dopaminergic loci in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN) were selected for analysis. Within 30 min after social defeat stress, the level of MOR-encoding mRNA, as detected and quantified by in situ hybridization histochemistry, increased in the lateral VTA and this increase was present for at least 6 h. In contrast, defeat stress was without effect on the expression of MOR-encoding mRNA in the SN. These data suggest that stress-induced alteration of MOR-encoding mRNA expression in the VTA may be involved in the consequences of social defeat stress.
Combining decision analysis and portfolio management to improve project selection in the exploration and production firm

Abstract Recent advances in modern finance theory and decision science are being utilized in a more systematic fashion by the upstream petroleum industry. Corporate planning groups as well as business units in oil companies are increasingly applying techniques such as decision analysis, simulation, portfolio management, and real options analysis to improve the overall decision making and capital allocation process. An important element of improving the practice of risk management in the E&P setting is to ensure the proper integration of these analytical techniques in order to leverage their overall capabilities. The Markowitz optimization approach to portfolio analysis, for example, provides the E&P decision maker an efficient set of portfolios, based on minimizing risk subject to a particular return. However, without some guidance as to what level of risk-taking is appropriate for the E&P firm, the portfolio analysis alone does not provide managerial guidance about which of these efficient portfolios is best for the firm. There are, however, important attributes of the decision analysis paradigm that link directly to choices made by the firm regarding modern portfolio analysis. Preference analysis, an important element of a comprehensive decision analysis, provides us a mechanism for measuring and applying a corporate risk-taking policy. Knowing the firm's attitude about taking financial risk is important in terms of selecting the appropriate portfolio of activities. These linkages between decision analysis and portfolio management can improve the overall decision process, and ultimately, firm performance.
Detection of asbestos in the presence of cellulose-containing materials and the isolation of these fibers from a tar matrix

Abstract A procedure is described for the isolation of fibers from tar-containing materials and for the chemical dissolution of cellulose fibers to assist in the detection of asbestos in cellulose products. The dissolution employs hot, concentrated acids, causing a change in the optical properties of chrysotile within less than 2 min. Photomicrographs were taken with a modified Leitz microscope camera system. The modifications are described.
Virtual Egalitarianism, Critical Pedagogy, and Geographic Education

Abstract This article explores the implementation of critical pedagogic practices into a graduate level landscape seminar Web site. Critical pedagogy seeks to reconfigure student-teacher relationships and disrupt embedded power regimes within academia and society. Critical pedagogic practices create a dialogue amongst learners, where everyone has a stake in the learning process. By turning all students into instructors on the course Web site, a virtual community was created that allowed for theories and identities to be openly explored and contested. In the seminar, the inherent hierarchies of power between teacher-students were removed, allowing for the formation of a critical moral consciousness that permitted deep learning.
EQUILIBRIUM SORPTION OF ON AM(III), CE(III) AND EU(III) BIO-REX 70 ION EXCHANGE RESIN

ABSTRACT The binding of Ce(III), Eu(III), and Am(III) to a weak carboxylic acid ion exchange resin was measured at several temperatures. The thermodynamic values correspond to contact ion-pair formation of the trivalent cations with the carboxyllc sites. The results of this study of binding of lanthanides and actinides to a weak carboxyllc acid resin are compared to analogous data for a strong sulfonic acid ion exchange resin.
THE Hα DIAGNOSTIC OF ELECTRON HEATING: THE CASE OF DEM L71

Recently, the mechanisms and extent of immediate postshock heating of electrons at collisionless shocks have been under intense investigation. Several recent studies have suggested that the ratio of electron to proton temperature at the shock front scales approximately as the inverse square of the shock velocity. A specific interpretation of this dependence was first introduced by Ghavamian et al., who suggested electron heating by lower-hybrid waves in a cosmic ray (CR) precursor as a possible mechanism behind such a relationship. The best line diagnostics for the electron to proton temperature ratio behind collisionless shocks in partially neutral gas are the combination of broad and narrow H{alpha} lines emitted in the immediate vicinity of the shock front. In this work, we present extensive long-slit spectroscopy of the H{alpha} emission in the blast wave shock of supernova remnant DEM L71. We chose this remnant for two main reasons. First, the shock velocities in DEM L71 span the range of speeds where the electron to proton temperature ratio varies most rapidly with shock speed. Second, previous Fabry-Perot scans of the H{alpha} line complex indicated broad-to-narrow flux ratios lower than existing models predicted, but the spectral coverage of those observations was not broad enoughmore » to reliably measure the background emission around the broad component H{alpha} line. Our new high-resolution (R {approx}> 1600) spectra of DEM L71 provide extensive coverage of the background near the H{alpha} line and confirm our earlier Fabry-Perot results of consistently low ({approx}<1) broad-to-narrow flux ratios. Here, we present results of these observations and also outline the first results from spectra of radiative portions of DEM L71. We compare our results to the latest models of H{alpha} profiles from collisionless shocks. We conclude that the most likely explanation for the low broad-to-narrow flux ratio is the ionization and excitation of neutrals by electrons heated in the extended CR precursor.« less
Susceptibility of Healthy and Ozone-injured Needles of Pinus strobus to Invasion by Lophodermium pinastri and Aureobasidium pullulans

Lophodermium pinastri and Aureobasidium pullulans were the fungi most often associated with foliar symptoms, including those caused by ozone, on Pinus strobus in the field. Following artificial inoculation of ozone-fumigated and untreated foliage on pine seedlings, L. pinastri was Isolated without relation to visible symptoms of ozone injury. A, pullulans was isolated only from tissues killed by ozone. No evidence of additive or interacting effects of ozone and the fungi was found.
Cytokines regulate matrix metalloproteinases in human uterine endometrial fibroblast cells through a mechanism that does not involve increases in extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer.

PROBLEM: Endometriosis is the presence of ectopic uterine endometrial tissue in the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneal fluid samples of women with endometriosis show elevated interleukin-1 (IL-1)beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) levels, indicating that an altered immune system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The invasion of ectopic endometrium into peritoneal mesothelium requires matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) for tissue remodeling. Several MMPs are differentially expressed in human uterine endometrium with menstrual endometrium showing the highest level of expression. MMPs are stimulated by cytokines and also by the protein Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN). METHOD OF STUDY: To determine the role of cytokines in ectopic endometrial invasion, we investigated whether cytokines could regulate MMP production by endometrial fibroblast cells and whether this stimulation occurred through an effect on EMMPRIN expression. Human uterine fibroblasts (HUF) were treated with IL-1beta, TGF-beta(1) and TNF-alpha in a dose dependent and time dependent manner (C, 0.1, 1, 10 ng/mL IL-1beta or TGF-beta(1); C, 2, 10, 50 ng/mL TNF-alpha) for 0, 6, 12, and 24 hr. Cell conditioned medium samples were collected and concentrated at each timepoint for immunoblot analysis. Cellular RNA was collected for real time PCR analysis of MMPs-1, -2, -3 and EMMPRIN mRNA levels. RESULTS: Our results showed that IL-1beta stimulated MMP-1 protein secretion and mRNA levels in a time dependent manner (P < 0.05), MMP-2 mRNA in a time dependent manner and MMP-3 in a time and dose dependent manner. TNF-alpha stimulated MMP-1 and -3 protein secretion in a time dependent manner and stimulated MMP-1, -2 and -3 mRNA levels in a time dependent manner (P < 0.05). Neither IL-1beta nor TNF-alpha treatment affected MMP-2 protein secretion. TGF-beta(1) inhibited MMP-1 and MMP-2 mRNAs at the highest treatment dose after 24 hr but there was no effect on protein secretion. TGF-beta(1) exerted no effect on MMP-3 mRNA or protein secretion (P < 0.05). Neither of the cytokines affected EMMPRIN protein or mRNA levels but the 10 ng/mL TGF-beta(1) treatment did cause a reduction in EMMPRIN mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that elevated cytokines may play a role in the establishment of ectopic endometrium in the peritoneal cavity by stimulating MMPs to remodel the mesothelial lining of the peritoneum thus allowing for tissue invasion. The stimulation of MMPs by cytokines occurred without any change in EMMPRIN expression whereas the inhibitory effect of TGF-beta(1) involved a reduction in EMMPRIN mRNA levels.
A transperitoneal laparoscopic approach to endourology.

Although endoscopic methods have become the preferred means of management for many diseases facing the genitourinary surgeon, a laparoscopic approach might be considered comparable or advantageous in select circum-stances. In the literature, laparoscopists reporting their work have favored the transperitoneal approach; however, there are clear advantages and disadvantages to both transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopy. Intra-corporeal suturing remains the most time-consuming aspect of reconstructive surgery, and research emphasis has been on suturing devices and novel anastomotic tech-niques. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is efficacious and should be considered, particularly in the case of a capacious renal pelvis, crossing vessel, or failed previous endopyelotomy. Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy is uniquely suitable for patients with aberrant anatomy, such as a horseshoe kidney, and may be performed concurrently with pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The use of laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation awaits further develop-ment in both open and subtrigonal injection techniques. Its use in colposuspension is undetermined and requires further study as suturing technology improves. During laparoscopic exploration, it is possible to address intra-operative injuries to the ureter and bladder laparoscopic-ally. In summary, laparoscopic surgery of the urinary tract is a “work in progress,” but it offers promise for some of the most challenging of circumstances. As the technology advances and the clinical experience widens, the indications and contraindications for these techniques will be better established.
Structures of Mn(II) complexes of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bpa) and (2-pyridylmethyl)(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (Mebpa): geometric isomerism in the solid state

The crystal structures of [Mn(bpa)2](ClO4)2 (1), [bpa = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine], and Mn(6-Mebpa)2(ClO4)2 (2), [6-Mebpa = (6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] have been determined. In 1, two facial [Mn(bpa)2]2+ isomers are observed in the same unit cell, one with C i (1a) and the other with C2 (1b) symmetries. In 2, only the isomer with C2 symmetry is observed. The structure of [Mn(bpa)2]2+ with only C2 symmetry has been reported previously (Inorg. Chem., 31, 4611 (1992)). The bond length order Mn–Namine > Mn–Npyridyl, observed in the C2 and the C i isomers in the crystals of 1, is the reverse of the order observed in the structure of [Mn(bpa)2](ClO4)2 which contains only the C2 isomer in the unit cell. The structure of 2 in which only the C2 isomer is found, also shows the bond length order Mn–Npyridyl > Mn–Namine. In cyclic voltammetric experiments in acetonitrile solutions, 1 and 2 show irreversible anodic peaks at E p = 1.60 and 1.90 V respectively, (vs. Ag/AgCl), assigned to the oxidat...
Patterns of Change in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Associated with the Metabolic Syndrome among Children and Adolescents: The Fels Longitudinal Study

Objectives To examine the patterns of change in cardiometabolic risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents between the ages of 8 to 19 years. Study Design Data of children and adolescents who participated in the Fels Longitudinal Study were analyzed. Body mass index, waist circumference, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were assessed annually with a standardized protocol. Results The proportion of participants having at least 1 change between states of high and normal risk ranged from of 11.0% for body mass index to 30.4% for triglycerides. Youth in the high-risk category at baseline had a higher proportion having changed their status for all risk factors (all P P Conclusions The cardiometabolic risk factors associated with the MetS were relatively stable among white children and adolescents in the normal risk category. Changes in status were common if the risk factor was elevated.
The Natural Provenance: Ecoliteracy in Higher Education in Mississippi

Researchers suggest there is an increasing apathy in the study of natural history in academic settings and in the scientific community. However, most studies of environmental knowledge do not address knowledge of local flora and fauna; they are concerned with the knowledge of environmental issues or broad ecological knowledge. Ecoliteracy established local natural history as fundamental to environmental knowledge and seeks to determine the knowledge of local environments and factors associated with that knowledge. This study investigated ecoliteracy in Mississippi, determining knowledge of local flora and fauna of undergraduate and graduate students at the largest universities. Ecoliteracy levels in Mississippi were low. Students had a rudimentary knowledge of local flora and fauna, despite coursework in natural history. Students majoring in wildlife and fisheries and biology had more advanced knowledge of local flora and fauna than non-biology majors. Students were most knowledgeable of reptiles and amph...
BINDING OF NEU DIFFERENTIATION FACTOR WITH THE EXTRACELLULAR DOMAIN OF HER2 AND HER3

The interaction of neu differentiation factor (NDF) with the extracellular domains of Her2 (sHer2) and Her3 (sHer3) have been studied using native gels, light scattering, and sedimentation equilibrium. The full-length NDFβ2 was shown to bind sHer3 with a dissociation constant of 26 ± 9 nM, while it showed a 1000-fold weaker binding to sHer2. Taken together, these results demonstrate that NDF is a high affinity ligand for Her3, but not for Her2. No increase in affinity of the NDFβ2 for sHer3 was observed upon addition of sHer2 to the NDFβ2-sHer3 mixture. Binding of NDFβ2 to sHer3 did not induce receptor dimerization or oligomerization, the stoichiometry being one sHer3 per one NDF molecule. This finding suggests that transmembrane and/or intracellular domains of receptor family members or perhaps additional unidentified components may be involved in NDF induced dimerization and autophosphorylation, or alternatively, that dimerization is not the mechanism for Her3 autophosphorylation and signal transduction.
A rare nucleotide base tautomer in the structure of an asymmetric DNA junction.

The single crystal structure of a DNA Holliday junction assembled from four unique sequences shows a structure that conforms to the general features of models derived from similar constructs in solution. The structure is a compact stacked-X form junction with two sets of stacked B-DNA type arms that coaxially stack to form semi-continuous duplexes interrupted only by the crossing of the junction. These semi-continuous helices are related by a right-handed rotation angle of 56.5°, which is nearly identical to the 60° angle in the solution model, but differ from the more shallow ~40° for previous crystal structures of symmetric junctions that self-assemble from single identical inverted-repeat sequences. This supports the model that the unique set of intramolecular interactions at the trinucleotide core of the crossing strands, which are not present in the current asymmetric junction, affect both the stability and geometry of the symmetric junctions. An unexpected result, however, is that a highly wobbled A·T base pair, which is ascribed here to a rare enol-tautomer form of the thymine, was observed at the end of a CCCC/GGGG sequence within the stacked B-DNA arms of this 1.9 A resolution structure. We suggest that the junction itself is not responsible for this unusual conformation, but served as a vehicle to study this CG-rich sequence as a B-DNA duplex, mimicking the form that would be present in a replication complex. The existence of this unusual base lends credence to and defines a sequence context for the “rare tautomer hypothesis” as a mechanism for inducing transition mutations during DNA replication.
Association of dietary pattern and physical activity level with triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio among adults in Jiangsu, China: a cross-sectional study with sex-specific differences

Our study aims to explore the association between dietary patterns and physical activity levels (PAL) with a triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, and to examine whether the association is sex dependent among Chinese adults. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected through questionnaires, anthropometric measurement, and biochemical tests. Four food patterns ("meat," "healthy," "high-energy," and "traditional Chinese") were established through factor analysis. Physical activity level was categorized as "active," "moderate," and "inactive." Logistic regression models were used to determine the associations between food patterns and PAL with TG/HDL-C ratio. Compared with quartile 1, quartiles 2 and 3 of meat pattern among men were found to be associated with lower risk of high TG/HDL-C ratio (the highest quartile of TG/HDL-C ratio). Similar decreased risk of high TG/HDL-C ratio was also observed in the highest quartile 4 of healthy pattern among women. Active PAL was protective against high TG/HDL-C ratio among both men (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.86) and women (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62-0.96). Although no statistically significant interaction was observed, we found that individuals with active PAL and low healthy diet had a similar OR with those with inactive PAL and high healthy diet (0.62 vs 0.68). In conclusion, dietary patterns were associated with TG/HDL-C ratio in a sex-specific way, and active PAL was consistently related to decreased risk of high TG/HDL-C ratio across genders.
Thermal decomposition reaction and a comprehensive kinetic model of dimethyl ether

The unimolecular decomposition reaction of dimethyl ether (DME) was studied theoretically using RRKM/master equation calculations. The calculated decomposition rate is significantly different from that utilized in prior work (Fischer et al., Int J Chem Kinet 2000, 32, 713–740; Curran et al., Int J Chem Kinet 2000, 32, 741–759). DME pyrolysis experiments were performed at 980 K in a variable-pressure flow reactor at a pressure of 10 atm, a considerably higher pressure than previous validation data. Both unimolecular decomposition and radical abstraction are significant in describing DME pyrolysis, and hierarchical methodology was applied to produce a comprehensive high-temperature model for pyrolysis and oxidation that includes the new decomposition parameters and more recent small molecule/radical kinetic and thermochemical data. The high-temperature model shows improved agreement against the new pyrolysis data and the wide range of high-temperature oxidation data modeled in prior work, as well as new low-pressure burner-stabilized species profiles (Cool et al., Proc Combust Inst 2007, 31, 285–294) and laminar flame data for DME/methane mixtures (Chen et al., Proc Combust Inst 2007, 31, 1215–1222). The high-temperature model was combined with low-temperature oxidation chemistry (adopted from Fischer et al., Int J Chem Kinet 2000, 32, 713–740), with some modifications to several important reactions. The revised construct shows good agreement against high- as well as low-temperature flow reactor and jet-stirred reactor data, shock tube ignition delays, and laminar flame species as well as flame speed measurements. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 1–18, 2008
The effect of plate wetting characteristics on pulse column extraction efficiency

Liquid-liquid extraction of acetic acid from the methyl isobutyl ketone-water system was studied as a function of plate wetting characteristics and other variables in a pulsed perforated-plate extraction column. Various combinations of stainless steel plates and polyethylene plates were used with different directions of solute transfer at a constant throughput of 82.6 lb. total flow/(min.) (sq. ft. column area) and with other operating variables in the following range: Frequency — 16 to 117.1 c./min. Amplitude — 0.492 and 0.973 in. W/K flow ratio — 0.46 to 2.8 lb. water/lb. ketone The plate wetting characteristics were found to affect the column extraction efficiency when the solute transfer was from the continuous ketone phase to water. An all polyethylene plate arrangement provided the best efficiency (H. T. U.oc = 4.1 in.) while an all stainless steel plate arrangement was less efficient (H. T. U.oc = 6.1 in.) under the most favorable operating conditions. A combination of these two arrangements in the column produced efficiencies midway between the all-plastic plate arrangement and the all-stainless steel plate arrangement. Within the column flooding limits the extraction efficiency did not seem to be affected by the plate wetting characteristics when the solute transfer was from water to the continuous ketone phase.
Synchronic Bayesian updating and the generalized Sleeping Beauty problem

The two principal answers defended in the literature on the Sleeping Beauty problem (Elga 2000) are 1/2 and 1/3. Roger White (2006) poses a generalized version of the problem. ‘When the main arguments for the answer 1/3 are extended to the generalized case,’ he maintains, ‘they have an unacceptable consequence, whereas extending the halfer’s reasoning turns out rather nicely’ (114). Here I will argue that although my favoured reasoning for the 1/3 answer (Horgan 2004, in press) does have the consequence in question, this consequence is quite acceptable given my treatment of the original problem. Any apparent unacceptability the consequence initially might seem to possess, I claim, results from a failure to appreciate the nature of newly available information in the Sleeping Beauty problem – in both the original version and White’s generalized version. Once this (easily overlooked) new information and its evidential relevance are taken into account – as is done in my treatment of the original problem – the allegedly unacceptable consequence, in the case of the generalized problem, can be seen to be unobjectionable. Some thirders (e.g. Elga) disagree with me about the presence of new information in the Sleeping Beauty problem; they deny that the correct answer in the original problem turns on the acquisition of new information. I will argue that White’s generalized Sleeping Beauty problem poses a genuine difficulty for those thirders, even though my own version of thirdism handles the problem straightforwardly.