cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life in a Double-Hotspot: The Transformation of Hawaiian Passerine Bird Diversity following Invasion and Extinction

Although recent research has shown that non-indigenous species often increase local-scale species richness, few have documented how such increases translate into compositional changes across biological scales. In particular, transformations of biodiversity patterns may be acute within regions that are simultaneously extinction and invasion hotspots (i.e. double-hotspots), such as the Hawaiian Islands. Nevertheless, modification of diversity relationships in such places are rarely quantified. Here, I utilize passerine non-indigenous species introductions and native species extinctions on Hawaii to quantitatively explore the changing relationship between within- (alpha), between- (beta), and across-island (gamma) diversity. My results indicate that, even after incorporating the enrichment effects of non-indigenous species invasions, across-island passerine diversity has dropped substantially. Nevertheless, within-island diversity has remained largely unchanged, or in some cases increased. Perhaps the more profound changes in diversity have come from the loss of between-island diversity. Because nearly all native Hawaiian passerines are extinct or near extinction, the current diversity relationships are inordinately influenced by patterns in the transportation and establishment of non-indigenous birds. These human-induced ‘dispersal’ patterns are markedly different from natural ones. In addition, these dispersal patterns may be unique to vagile species such as birds, thus indicating that transformations of diversity within other groups (e.g. plants or freshwater fishes) currently inhabiting Hawaii may differ. These results suggest the need to explore how alteration of diversity relationships translate into the loss of ecosystem services, or other valued components of biodiversity.
A FUZZY SETS MODEL FOR MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN WATER RESOURCES PLANNING

: Mathematical modeling of complex water resources System problems, particularly water pollution control, is aided by fizzy set theory. Public participation in large scale federally funded water resources and pollution control projects is now a federal requirement and practice of various planning agencies. However, no systems based model for quantifying and measuring the effectiveness of public participation is known to exist. In this paper, we report a fuzzy set based model developed for doing this in areawide water resources planning The model is essentially cascade in nature and employs the concepts of fuzzy pessimistic and optimistic aggregations to cluster and analyze the evaluations of the basic factors. Sample computations of the model are provided.
Audibility and Speech Perception of Children Using Wide Dynamic Range Compression Hearing Aids

Purpose This study examined the relation of audibility for frequency-specific sounds and the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) to speech perception abilities of children with sensorineural hearing...
Clinical effects of hyperglycemia in the cardiac surgery population: the Portland Diabetic Project.

Objective: To determine the outcome effects of hyperglycemia, and its pharmacologic reduction with continuous intravenous insulin infusions (CII) in the cardiac surgery patient population. Methods: The Portland Diabetic Project is a prospective, non-randomized, observational study of 5,510 consecutive diabetic cardiac surgery patients treated between January 1987 and November 2005 Results: This study was the first to reveal that hyperglycemia in the first 3 postoperative days is independently predictive of mortality (P<0.0001), deep sternal wound infection (P= 0.0001), and increased length of stay (P<0.002) in diabetic cardiac surgery patients. Conversely, CII, designed to achieve predetermined target glucose levels, was shown to independently reduce the risks of death and deep sternal wound infection by 60% and 77%, respectively (P<0.001 for both). Target glucose levels <150mg/dL and a 3-day postoperative duration of CII therapy are both important variables that determine the impact of the CII therapy on improved outcomes. Conclusions: Perioperative hyperglycemia in cardiac surgery patients adversely alters mortality, length of stay, and infection rates. Three days of CII eliminates the incrementally increased risks of these complications previously seen in diabetic patients. (Endocr Pract. 2006; 12[Suppl 3]:22-26)
Morphometric Analysis of Follicular Development In the Rat

Ovarian follicular development was examined in she cycling rat using histological techniques. The number and size distribution of follicles was determined for each day of the estrous cycle. While the number of follicles in the early stages of growth did not appear to vary dramatically throughout the estrous cycle. the final stages of growth and differentiation showed great variation throughout she cycle. No follicles of 390-500 &m were seen on proestrus. bus many appeared the next day suggesting that there was a discontinuous movement of follicle, into she largest size range. Follicular atresia was most marked in follicles 200-400Mm in diameter suggesting that there may be a critical stage during follicular development when, unless rescued. most follicles become asretic.
Radiation damage in InP solar cells

Abstract The effects of radiation on InP solar cells is reviewed. Included are: a performance overview comparing InP, GaAs and silicon cells under laboratory irradiations, space flight data, defect studies using both electron paramagnetic resonance and deep level transient spectroscopy, carrier removal, thermal and minority carrier injection annealing and lifetime and diffusion length radiation damage coefficients. A discussion of the primary reason for the superior performance, under irradiation, of InP solar cells is followed by an exposition of the barrier problems requiring solution before InP can be considered for widespread use in space.
Isopropanol enhancement of carbon tetrachloride metabolism in vivo

Abstract We examined the effects of isopropanol (ISOP) pretreatment on the metabolism of 14 CCl 4 to 14 CO 2 and CHCl 3 exhaled in the breath, to 14 C metabolite excreted in 24 hr urine and feces from 0 to 24 hr, and to 14 C metabolite bound to liver at 24 hr. Fasted male rats were given 0.1 or 2.0 mmoles 14 CCl 4 /kg. ISOP pretreatment, which markedly enhanced the hepatotoxicity of CCl 4 , selectively enhanced the rate and total extent of 14 CO 2 and CHCl 3 metabolite exhalation. The pathways of CCl 4 metabolism leading to CO 2 and CHCl 3 metabolite formation may be more relevant to the hepatotoxicity of CCl 4 than the pathways leading to urinarym fecal or covalently bound metabolites.
Concurrent delivery of tocotrienols and simvastatin by lipid nanoemulsions potentiates their antitumor activity against human mammary adenocarcenoma cells

Tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) of vitamin E was previously shown to have anticancer activity against murine tumor cells in vitro. TRF was also shown to potentiate the anticancer activity of statins. The objectives of this study were therefore (a) to prepare and characterize stable parenteral lipid nanoemulsions as a novel platform for the concurrent delivery of TRF and simvastatin for subsequent use in combination chemotherapy, and (b) to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of the nanoemulsions against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human mammary tumor cells. Nanoemulsions were prepared by the high-pressure homogenization technique using a viscous 70/30 blend of TRF and medium chain triglycerides as the oil phase in which simvastatin was dissolved at 9%w/w loading. Nanoemulsion droplets were about 200 nm in size and had surface potential of -45 mV. In a dissolution study, approximately 20% of simvastatin was released in sink conditions after 24h. The stability of the nanoemulsions was monitored over 6 months of storage. No oxidation or degradation products were detected and no loss in simvastatin loading was observed during this period. The antiproliferative activity of the nanoemulsions was also retained after storage. The IC50 of the TRF nanoemulsions against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 was 14 and 7 μM, respectively, which decreased to 10 μM and 4.8 μM when simvastatin was added to the nanoemulsions. Nanoemulsions prepared with tocopherol had no anticancer activity and were used as negative control. This study demonstrated that parenteral lipid nanoemulsions are viable delivery platform for potential use in cancer chemotherapy.
Binding characteristics of dermorphin, and [dermorphin1–7]-βc-endorphin in rat brain membranes

Abstract Dermorphin and a camel beta-endorphin ( β c -EP) analog in which residues 1–7 correspond to the dermorphin sequence ([Dermorphin 1–7 ]- β c -EP) have been investigated with respect to their receptor binding characteristics using human and camel β-EP as reference peptides. Tritiated dihydromorphine, [D-Ala 2 , D-Leu 5 ]-enkephalin, ethylketocyclazocine and human β-endorphin were used as primary ligands in the rat brain membrane preparation for radioreceptor assay. Camel β-endorphin was the most potent peptide in all experiments. [Dermorphin 1–7 ]- β c -EP is significantly less potent towards 3 H-ethylketocyclazocine and 3 H-[D-Ala 2 , D-Leu 5 ]-enkephalin but is as potent towards 3 H-dihydromorphine and 3 H-human β-endorphin. Dermorphin itself weakly displaces tritiated dihydromorphine, [D-Ala 2 , D-Leu 5 ]-enkephalin and ethylketocyclazocine (potency relative to camel β-EP, 1–4%) but it is more potent (9%) in competition with tritiated human β-endorphin. Dermorphin and the [Dermorphin 1–7 ]- β c -EP appear to interact preferentially with μ opiate receptors.
Changes produced by starvation in the vitamin content of rat tissues.

Summary1. The vitamin Bc pantothenic acid! biotin, riboflavin. pyridosine, and nicotinic acid contents of the livers. kitlneys, and bone marrow have been determined in rats: (a) fed ad libitium; (b) treated TI-ith mustard gas: and (c) whose food intake was restricted. 2. When expressed on the lmis of unit weight of tissue, increase.; of 50 to 180% were noted in the vitamin concentrations of livers from the food-restricted group. Less marked increases occurred in the kidney. while a decrease of 35%; in the vitamin nBc,: content of the bone marrow based on nitrogen content way observed. 3. With the exception of the vitamin Bc, content of the bone marrow. the changes observed in the partially-starved Kroup were also found in the mustard group. 4 Calculations based upon the vitamin content of the liver per 100 g of body weight indicate that both starvation and treatment wth mustard gas cause increases ranging from 1: to 130% in the vitamin Bc, pantothenic acid, biotin, and pyridoxine contents of the liver. No...
Optical Measurement of Oxide Thickness on Titanium

Reflectance of thermally oxidized, mechanically polished titanium surfaces was measured with a spectrometer at 5889–5895 A. The principal aim of the experiments was to furnish an optical means of measuring the thickness of thermal oxide layers on titanium. These measurements also provided a method for determining the optical constants of the metal and the thermal oxide. The system was found to be an absorbing base with an absorbing film. The optical constant of titanium was found to be nˆ3=2.41−3.24i and the optical constant of the thermal oxide film was nˆ2=2.40−0.17i. From these constants, the oxide growth curve at 482°C was determined. The curve is of the same type found by other workers, and indicates that the growth rate can be expressed as a combination of a simple parabolic law and a linear law.
Toward consistent formulation of Reynolds stress and scalar flux closures

Langevin stochastic differential equations provide a consistent basis for Reynolds stress, scalar transport and p.d.f. models. However, the stochastic equations must be capable of representing existing closures, like the General Linear Model, or the Rotta and Monin return to isotropy formulations. A consistent approach to derive both Reynolds stress and scalar flux transport equations, starting from a stochastic differential equation for velocity fluctuations, is presented here. A set of algebraic relations for the dispersion tensor is derived for homogeneous shear flow and for the log-layer.
Spirituality-Based Social Work Values for Empowering Human Service Organizations

This paper is based on three premises: (1) Spirituality is seen as an asset from which the client system draws its innate strengths to empower itself, (2) Just as it is important for social work clients to build on individual spiritual strengths to overcome personal challenges, it is equally crucial for human service organizations to implement spirituality-based professional values in organizational contexts, and (3) Spirituality issues need to be examined from the perspective of macro social work education. Based on these premises, the goal of this paper is to construct a conceptual framework that links spirituality-based social work values to empowerment strategies that can be employed in macro social work practice. Adding to the existing dimensions of social work knowledge relating to spirituality, this paper examines spirituality as empowerment issues. Also, the author explores spirituality-centered social work skills, focusing on organizational management and leadership skills.
MODGAN: An efficient Monte Carlo code for long chains of evaporative emission

Abstract The evaporation code MODGAN has been developed to follow ejectile kinematics and complex decay chains from highly excited nuclei. It allows calculations of multiplicity, energy and angular distributions of particles ejected from hot, high spin composite nuclei. By using analytical expressions and expansions where necessary, the code has been made very efficient. Good agreement is found in comparisons of results between MODGAN and the code LILITA-N90. For the calculation of particle energy spectra at specific lab angles, an enormous increase in efficiency has been achieved in MODGAN over conventional methods. This is achieved through forced alterations of particle directions from those that were originally unrestricted, coupled to corrections by use of appropriate weights for binning. This method is particularly advantageous when considering coincidence measurements between detectors of small solid angle.
Smart Dust: communicating with a cubic-millimeter computer

Domain-specific integrated development environments can help capture specifications in the form of domain models. These tools support the design process by automating analysis and simulating essential system behavior. In addition, they can automatically generate, configure, and integrate target application components. The high cost of developing domain-specific, integrated modeling, analysis, and application-generation environments prevents their penetration into narrower engineering fields that have limited user bases. Model-integrated computing (MIC), an approach to model-based engineering that helps compose domain-specific design environments rapidly and cost effectively, is particularly relevant for specialized computer-based systems domains-perhaps even single projects. The authors describe how MIC provides a way to compose such environments cost effectively and rapidly by using a metalevel architecture to specify the domain-specific modeling language and integrity constraints. They also discuss the toolset that implements MIC and describe a practical application in which using the technology in a tool environment for the process industry led to significant reductions in development and maintenance costs.
On language and the passage of time

In short, the situation regarding language and the passage of time is this. A person may consistently hold either of the two views concerning time's special treatment in our ordinary language, LP and LNP, provided that that person holds the appropriate view from among several semantical views available. Each of these different semantical views, in turn, can be consistently maintained in such a way that it is not susceptible to arguments from the other side, provided that these arguments do not appeal to metaphysical considerations. But of course advocates of either The Linguistic Argument For SPT or The Linguistic Argument Against SPT may not appeal to metaphysical claims in defense of either LNP or LP, since these allegedly linguistic theses are to be used in arguments designed to prove just such metaphysical claims. Moreover, if the different parties to the dispute between LP and LNP do appeal to metaphysical considerations, then they may be able to develop non-circular, non-question-begging arguments for their respective linguistic theses. What those metaphysical considerations might be, and what arguments might be developed from them, are important topics to be considered, but I will not consider them here. The point of this paper has been to show that those who wish to debate the question of whether time passes cannot settle the debate merely by discussing linguistic matters.
Influence of Age, Sex, and Race on College Students’ Exercise Motivation of Physical Activity

Abstract Objective: The authors examined differences in exercise motivation between age, sex, and race for college students. Participants: Students from 156 sections of physical activity classes at a midsize university were recruited (n = 2,199; 1,081 men, 1,118 women) in 2005–2006 and volunteered to complete the Exercise Motivation Inventory. Methods: Quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive research design was employed. Results: Significant differences were found in 3 of 14 exercise motivational subscales by age (affiliation, health pressures, and ill health avoidance) (p < .05). Males were motivated by intrinsic factors (strength, competition, and challenge) (p < .05) and females by extrinsic factors (ie, weight management and appearance) (p < .05); only 2 subscales proved not to be significant by sex. Race differences provided 8 significant differences by exercise motivations (p < .05). Conclusions: Significant differences for exercise motivations in college-aged population by demographics were docum...
From bi-racial to tri-racial: Towards a new system of racial stratification in the USA

In this article I argue that the bi-racial order (white vs non-white) typical of the United States is undergoing a profound transformation. Because of drastic changes in the demography of the nation as well as changes in the racial structure of the world-system, the United States is developing a complex, Latin America-like racial order. Specifically, I suggest that the new order will have two central features: three loosely organized racial strata (white, honorary white, and the collective black) and a pigmentocratic logic. I examine some objective, subjective, and social interaction indicators to assess if the Latin Americanization thesis holds some water. Although more refined data are needed to conclusively make my case, the available indicators support my thesis. I conclude this article by outlining some of the potential implications of Latin Americanization for the future of race relations in the United States.
Computerized Assessment of Tissue Composition on Digitized Mammograms

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The authors developed a computerized method for the quantitative assessment of breast tissue composition on digitized mammograms. Materials and Methods Three radiologists were asked to review 200 digitized mammograms and independently provide a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System–like rating for breast tissue composition on a scale of 0 to 4. These values were incorporated into a “consensus” rating that was used as a reference point in the development and evaluation of a computerized method. After tissue segmentation that excluded nontissue areas, a set of quantitative features was computed. A computerized summary index that attempts to reproduce the radiologists' ratings was developed. Correlation coefficients (Pearson r ) were used to compare the computerized index with the consensus ratings. Results Some individual features computed for the relatively dense breast areas showed good correlation ( r > 0.8) with the radiologists' subjective ratings. The summary index of tissue composition demonstrated a significant correlation ( r = 0.87), as well. Conclusion Computerized methods that show good correlation with radiologists' ratings of breast tissue composition can be developed.
Using response surface approximations in fuzzy set based design optimization

The paper focuses on modelling uncertainty typical of the aircraft industry. The design problem involves maximizing a safety measure of an isotropic plate for a given weight. Additionally, the dependence of the weight on the level of uncertainty, for a specified allowable possibility of failure, is also studied. It is assumed that the plate will be built from future materials, with little information available on the uncertainty. Fuzzy set theory is used to model the uncertainty. Response surface approximations that are accurate over the entire design space are used throughout the design process, mainly to reduce the computational cost associated with designing for uncertainty. All of the problem parameters are assumed to be uncertain, and both a yield stress and a buckling load constraint are considered. The fuzzy set based design is compared to a traditional deterministic design that uses a factor of safety to account for the uncertainty. It is shown that, for the example problem considered, the fuzzy set based design is superior. Additionally, the use of response surface approximations results in substantial reductions in computational cost, allowing the final results to be presented in the form of design charts.
Retinal inhomogeneity. II. Spatial summation

Effects of spatial probability summation were measured with concentric cosine patterns forming a set of contiguous annular zones having mean eccentricities of 0°, 2.8°, and 6.1°. To detect these small effects reliably we measured contrast thresholds for all eccentricities at one spatial frequency in each experimental session by an interleaved-staircase method. Sharp edges were eliminated by truncating each zone at a zero crossing of the pattern, and fixation was controlled by stabilizing the retinal image. Under these conditions, each local region of the retina contributes to the sensitivity of larger regions by a standard, fourth-power summation rule, regardless of the number or contiguity of the component regions involved. This was experimentally confirmed with three nested zones for spatial frequencies from 0.5 to 5 cycles/degree. Together with the results of Part I of this series [ D. H. Kelly , J. Opt. Soc. Am. A1, 107 ( 1984)], the summation rule predicts that, over a large range, target size should have no effect on contrast sensitivity at high spatial frequencies, and this was also confirmed. Similar predictions were extrapolated to other contrast-sensitivity data for which empirical tests are not available.
Shifting from policy relevance to policy translation: do housing and neighborhoods affect children’s mental health?

The impact of housing and neighborhood context on children’s mental health, as addressed by Flouri et al. (Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 2014), is an important, understudied topic in social epidemiology. Although the vast majority of this body of research has been descriptive, generating translational research is essential. This article offers guidance on interpreting evidence from observational studies for translation into policy, related to three policy-relevant elements of housing: receipt of affordable housing subsidies, the target population to which results generalize, and operationalization and modeling of neighborhood context. Policy translation is imperative for understanding which levers outside the health sector can be manipulated to change fundamental causes of mental health related to housing and neighborhood. Shifting from policy relevance to policy translation may be challenging, especially for understanding social causation in observational studies, but it is a necessary shift for improving population health.
Stem cells, cancer, and epigenetics

The interest in cancer as an epigenetic, as well as a genetic disease, has markedly accelerated over the past decade. This chapter concentrates on one particularly interesting aspect of this – the growing evidence that one of the most studied epigenetic abnormalities in cancer, abnormal gene silencing associated with gene promoter DNA hypermethylation, is linked to key aspects of chromatin regulation of gene expression which maintains the state of embryonic stem (ES)/progenitor cells. This is a timely juxtaposition since there is also a growing body of data suggesting that cancer “stem/initiating cells”, especially when they may dominate in the most aggressive forms of human tumors, have a gene expression signature reminiscent of ES cells. A key part of this signature is an increase in polycomb protein group (PcG) complex constituents, and a decrease in expression of a group of genes for which PcG targeting is normally key to maintaining a poised, low basal activity, to maintain ES/progenitor cell status. A working hypothesis is explored that this primitive cell status in cancers may be, in part, maintained by a similar chromatin regulation of key genes with the addition, to many, of a fundamental abnormality, DNA methylation in CpG islands of the gene promoters. This DNA change is generally not a feature of the PcG targeted genes in ES/progenitor cells and may eliminate a pre-requisite plasticity for these genes to ensure that their activation would normally allow lineage commitment and maturation. The early appearance of the DNA hypermethylation of at least a large group of genes in cancer development could reflect a key role for locking in a primitive state of abnormally expanding cells – which then provides an important substrate for the later changes that drive progression to invasive cancer.
Electron‐capture GLC determination of phenylpropanolamine as a pentafluorophenyloxazolidine derivative

A simplified procedure is described for an electroncapture GLC determination of phenylpropanolamine in blood plasma. The method is based on derivatization of phenylpropanolamine with pentafluorobenzaldehyde at room temperature without prior extraction of the drug from plasma. The derivative, pentafluorophenyloxazolidine, is readily extracted from plasma into a small volume of hexane. Samples usually can be injected directly into the gas chromatograph without concentration of the hexane solution. Data are presented to illustrate the suitability of the method for dosage form bioavailability evaluation from plasma phenylpropanolamine levels achieved after acute oral administration of a typical dosage form.
Cognition vs affect in measures of job satisfaction.

The authors find reasons to question whether conventional measures of job satisfaction capture the original conception of ‘morale’. In particular, evidence suggests that these measures reflect primarily cognitive evaluation rather than affective state or hedonic tone. Recent developments indicate that cognitive and affective systems may be somewhat independent of each other. Questions are raised concerning the appropriate means of measuring affect, as well as whether the antecedents and consequences of affect are expected to differ from those associated with cognitive appraisal.
Presenilin Binding Protein Is Associated with Neurofibrillary Alterations in Alzheimer’s Disease and Stimulates Tau Phosphorylation

A novel presenilin binding protein, PBP, has recently been identified. PBP is localized to the particulate fraction of extracts of Alzheimer's disease brain but is found in the soluble fractions of brain from age matched normal controls. It is shown here that PBP is associated with neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease brain. In addition, the expression of PBP increases the phosphorylation of tau in cultured cells. Therefore PBP may have a regulatory role in tau phosphorylation and in the genesis of neurofibrillary tangles.
Ferrites for Tunable RF and Microwave Devices

Microwave systems for communications and radar require control of propagation of the rf signal. Devices that accomplish this function include phase shifters, isolators and circulators, and tunable filters. In many instances, these devices are magnetic and are based on the variable permeability of electrically insulating ferrimagnetic oxides (ferrites). Recent advances in microwave ferrite devices have featured superconductor circuitry that promises to virtually eliminate insertion losses due to rf surface resistance. Lower conduction losses allow the use of small lightweight microstrip configurations in place of traditional bulky waveguide structures. For operation at cryogenic temperatures ferrimagnetic spinels and garnets will require chemical alteration to realize the full potential of these devices. Challenges include the reduction of magnetocrystalline anisotropy to optimize switching energies and speeds, and the elimination of fast-relaxing impurities in the magnetic garnets that can increase magnetic losses and degrade resonator Q factors at low temperatures.
A genetic and biochemical analysis of petite mutations in yeast

Abstract A series of spontaneous cytoplasmic petite mutants was isolated from a grande strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae doubly marked with the cytoplasmically inherited determinants to erythromycin and oligomycin resistance. The petites were characterized with regard to the genetic stability of these antibiotic resistance markers and to their degree of suppressivity. No relation was found between the genetic instability of a petite mutant and the degree of suppressivity exhibited by that mutant. Three petites of 19.4%, 57.4% and 90.4% suppressivity were selected and their mitochondrial DNA characterized with regard to molecular weight, buoyant density in analytical cesium chloride density gradients, and the percentage of the total cellular DNA represented by the mitochondrial DNA. From these results it appears that the molecular weight of the mitochondrial DNA of the petite strains examined is the same as that shown by the parental grande strain, regardless of the degree of suppressivity exhibited.
Casein Kinase II Phosphorylates the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1

L1 is an axonal cell adhesion molecule found primarily on projection axons of both the CNS and PNS. It is a phosphorylated membrane-spanning glycoprotein that can be immunoprecipitated from rat brain membranes in association with protein kinase activities. Western blot analysis demonstrates that casein kinase II (CKII), a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase enriched in brain, is present in these immunoprecipitates. CKII preparations partially purified from PC12 cells are able to phosphorylate recombinant L1 cytoplasmic domain (L1CD), which consists of residues 1,144-1,257. Using these as well as more highly purified kinase preparations, phosphorylation assays of small peptides derived from the L1CD were performed. CKII was able to phosphorylate a peptide encompassing amino acids (aa) 1,173-1,185, as well as a related peptide representing an alternatively spliced nonneuronal L1 isoform that lacks aa 1,177-1,180. Both peptides were phosphorylated with similar kinetic profiles. Serine to alanine substitutions in these peptides indicate that the CKII phosphorylation site is at Ser1,181. This is consistent with experiments in which L1CD was phosphorylated by these kinase preparations, digested, and the radiolabeled fragments sequenced. Furthermore, when L1 immunoprecipitates were used to phosphorylate L1CD, one of the residues phosphorylated is the same residue phosphorylated by CKII. Finally, in vivo radiolabeling indicates that Ser1,181 is phosphorylated in newborn rat brain. These data show that CKII is associated with and able to phosphorylate L1. This phosphorylation may be important in regulating certain aspects of L1 function, such as adhesivity or signal transduction.
Toward single molecule interfacial charge transfer dynamics in a dye-sensitized solar cell model

Using confocal fluorescence microscopy under ultrahigh vacuum conditions, we investigate the heterogeneous interactions between a perylene bisimide fluorophore and single crystalline Al 2 O 3 (0001) at the single molecule level. We find that the dye molecules undergo reversible transitions to long-lived dark states, with bright and dark periods lasting from several hundred milliseconds to many tens of seconds. These periods are power-law distributed and point towards charge tunneling processes from the molecule to the substrate. The fluorescence intensity levels show a bimodal distribution, indicating different classes of adsorption sites on the sapphire surface. This study is aimed at obtaining a better understanding of interfacial structure and dynamics in order to address ultimately both the growth of organic semiconductor films on inorganic surfaces and the heterogeneous nature of charge transfer in excitonic solar cells.
Studies on the regulation of hydrogen ion secretion in the collecting duct in vivo: Evaluation of factors that influence the urine minus blood PCO2 difference

The purpose of these studies was to clarify the basis of the relationship between the urine bicarbonate concentration and the urine minus blood PCO2 difference in alkaline urine (U-B PCO2) and hence shed light on factors that influence hydrogen ion secretion in the collecting duct in vivo. The U-B PCO2 was used to monitor this latter parameter. In dogs with a normal extracellular fluid (ECF) volume, the U-B PCO2 was not primarily influenced by the urine bicarbonate concentration but rather it was related to the rate of sodium excretion. The U-B PCO2 could be abolished by amiloride when the urine bicarbonate concentration was less than 60 mm. At higher urine bicarbonate concentrations, there was a linear correlation between the U-B PCO2 and the urine bicarbonate concentration in normovolemic dogs given amiloride, but the absolute values were lower than they were in normovolemic animals not treated with amiloride. In the dogs with an expanded ECF volume, the U-B PCO2 was lower than it was in the normovolemic animals, and the U-B PCO2 was nor directly related to the urine bicarbonate concentration and not influenced by the rate of sodium excretion. Amiloride had little influence on the U-B PCO2 under these conditions. These results are interpreted to suggest that the magnitude of collecting duct hydrogen ion secretion is determined primarily by the electrical gradient generated by sodium reabsorption in normovolemic dogs and by the intracellular and lumenal hydrogen ion concentrations when the ECF volume is expanded or when active sodium reabsorption is inhibited by amiloride.
Obsessions and compulsions in women with postpartum depression.

Objective The quantity, content, and intensity of the obsessions and compulsions of women with postpartum onset major depressive disorder were compared with those of women with major depressive disorder with non-postpartum onset. Method Sequential cases of women with postpartum onset major depression (N = 37) and major depression (N = 28) who presented to our Women's Mood Disorders program were included. Psychiatric examination using DSM-IV criteria and the Inventory to Diagnose Depression established the diagnosis of major depression. Obsessive thoughts and compulsions were reported on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and reviewed during the psychiatric examination. Comparisons between groups were performed with chi-square statistics, Fisher exact test and its extensions, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results Although more women with postpartum onset major depression (N = 21, 57%) than major depression (N = 10, 36%) reported obsessional thoughts, the difference between the groups was not significant (p = .13). However, for women who endorsed obsessions, those with postpartum onset had a higher median number (median = 7) than women without postpartum onset (median = 2, p = .00). Most of the difference in frequency of thoughts was owing to more women with postpartum onset major depression having aggressive thoughts (N = 20, 95%) than women with major depression (N = 6, 60%, Fisher exact p = .03). The most frequent content of the aggressive thoughts for women with postpartum onset major depression was causing harm to their newborns or infants. The presence or number of obsessional thoughts or compulsions was not related to severity of the depressive episode. Conclusion Childbearing-aged women commonly experience obsessional thoughts or compulsions in the context of major depressive episodes. Women with postpartum onset major depression experience disturbing aggressive obsessional thoughts more frequently than women with non-postpartum major depression.
Porcine Thymic Grafts Protect Human Thymocytes from HIV-1-Induced Destruction

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection depletes thymocytes and destroys thymic structure. Functional, tolerant human T cells develop in vivo in immunodeficient mice receiving porcine thymus and human fetal liver fragments under the kidney capsule. In this model, we evaluated the potential of porcine thymus to protect human thymocytes from the effects of HIV-1. Compared with that observed in control mice with human thymic grafts, porcine thymus attenuated human thymocyte depletion by the CCR5-tropic isolate JR-CSF without preventing thymocyte infection. Porcine thymus protected human thymocytes from infection and depletion by a CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 isolate without reducing peripheral blood viral loads or T cell infection. Human thymocytes from human but not porcine grafts showed decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased apoptosis after NL4.3 infection. Thus, porcine thymus protects human thymocytes from the cytopathic effect of HIV-1, suggesting a possible approach to achieving immune restoration in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who have incomplete responses to antiretroviral therapy. The model allows analysis of the mechanisms of HIV-mediated thymic dysfunction.
Functional regulation of human neutrophil Fc γ receptors

Interaction between Fc receptors expressed on phagocytic cells and antibodies play a critical role in innate immune response. Interestingly, immune cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells (DCs) express multiple Fc receptors for IgG (FγR) with overlapping ligand specificity. These receptors compete for the same ligand on the target and are known to transduce positive and negative signals to the same cell, depending on presence of type of signaling motif in their cytoplasmic domain. Neutrophils, the first line of defense against bacterial infection and the major phagocytic cell in the blood, express two types of FcγRs depending on the species. In humans, the neutrophils co-express immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) containing CD32A and glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchored CD16B, which is in contrast to co-expression of ITAM containing CD16A and ITIM containing CD32B in mouse neutrophils. Recent studies in gene knockout mice have demonstrated that the negative signaling by CD32B plays a critical role in preventing immune complex (IC)-mediated autoimmune diseases by regulating the activation signal delivered by CD16A. However, it is not known how the function of ITAM signaling CD32A is regulated in human neutrophils. Recent observations from our laboratory suggest that in human neutrophils, the CD32A receptor is regulated at the ligand-binding stage. Using a CD16B-deficient donor, we found that the CD32A expressed on resting neutrophils is unable to bind ligand; however, once neutrophils are activated with fMLP, a bacterial chemotactic peptide, the CD32A is functionally active in binding ligand. We also observed that this regulation is neutrophil-specific phenomenon. These observations suggest that FcγR can be regulated by distinct mechanisms and factors such as membrane-anchoring, cell-specific signaling, and avidity modulation that may be coordinately involved in regulating the function of human FγR. Because neutrophils may be activated during infectious and inflammatory diseases, the knowledge of functional regulation of Fc γR will be useful in designing therapies for many autoimmune diseases.
Effects of prior experience and ‘functional disturbance’ on acute and chronic tolerance to methylphenidate

The degree of habituation or adaptation an animal has experienced prior to the administration of methylphenidate was found to be more crucial in determining the animal's response to the drug than chronic drug administration alone. Rats allowed to adapt in a Y-maze for 24 days showed less methylphenidate-induced activity than animals receiving chronic administration of saline or methylphenidate but no adaptation, when animals were injected with the drug and tested in the Y-maze on Day 25. Animals also were shown to develop tolerance to the methylphenidate-induced activity.
HYDROGEN SULFIDE DETECTION BY UV-ASSISTED INFRARED SPECTROMETRY

Ultraviolet (UV)-assisted infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been evaluated for its potential usage and feasibility to indirectly detect hydrogen sulfide gas. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a weakly IR-absorbing compound, and its detection by IR methods is further complicated by severe water interferences. However, H2S can readily be con- verted to sulfur dioxide (SO2), a strong IR absorber, via ultraviolet irradiation. A multipass IR White cell equipped with an internal mercury germicidal UV lamp has been interfaced to a Bomem MB series Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer. The conversion of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide (SO2) was tested in five matrices: nitrogen, ambient air, moisturized ambient air, dried ambient air, and zero-grade air. The conversion efficiency of H2S to SO2 in nitrogen, containing a negligible amount of oxygen, was ap- proximately 25% and peaked at approximately 6 min of UV irradiation. In ambient air, the conversion efficiency was calculated to be ~45% and peaked at 35 s of irradiation, while in the dried ambient air the SO2 concentration peaked in 85 s. In ambient air, the generated SO2 was destroyed during its production and was below detection within 90 s of irradiation. In the dried ambient air, the generated SO2 was still detectable at 120 s of irradiation. Mois- turized ambient air was investigated to determine the degree of SO2 loss due to reaction with H2O. From these data, it appears that the water molecule and SO2 photolysis contribute only slightly to the SO2 loss. The greatest loss is apparently caused by reactive radicals such as .OH generated during UV irradiation.
The Role of Context-Specific Norms and Group Size in Alcohol Consumption and Compliance Drinking During Natural Drinking Events.

We examined how group size and context-specific drinking norms corresponded to alcohol consumption and compliance with drinking offers using experience sampling methods. For 30 days, 397 college students reported daily on their alcohol consumption and social-context during natural social drinking events. Larger groups corresponded with greater alcohol consumption, but only when context-specific norms were high. Furthermore, larger groups increased compliance with drinking offers when norms were high but decreased compliance with drinking offers when norms were low. Thus, subtle features of the social-context may influence not only overall consumption behavior but also compliance with more overt forms of social influence.
Dietary oleic acid increases m2 macrophages in the mesenteric adipose tissue.

Several studies have implicated fatty-acids as inflammatory regulators, suggesting that there may be a direct role for common dietary fatty-acids in regulating innate immune cells. In humans, a single high-fat meal increases systemic cytokines and leukocytes. In mice, short term high-fat feeding increases adipose tissue (AT) leukocytes and alters the inflammatory profile of AT macrophages. We have seen that short term high fat feeding to C57BL/6J male mice increases palmitic and oleic acid within AT depots, but oleic acid increase is highest in the mesenteric AT (MAT). In vitro, oleic acid increases M2 macrophage markers (CD206, MGL1, and ARG1) in a murine macrophage cell line, while addition of palmitic acid is able to inhibit that increase. Three day supplementation of a chow diet, with oleic acid, induced an increase in M2 macrophage markers in the MAT, but not in the epididymal AT. We tested whether increases in M2 macrophages occur during short term ad lib feeding of a high fat diet, containing oleic acid. Experiments revealed two distinct populations of macrophages were altered by a three day high milk-fat diet. One population, phenotypically intermediate for F4/80, showed diet-induced increases in CD206, an anti-inflammatory marker characteristic of M2 macrophages intrinsic to the AT. Evidence for a second population, phenotypically F4/80HICD11bHI macrophages, showed increased association with the MAT following short term feeding that is dependent on the adhesion molecule, ICAM-1. Collectively, we have shown that short term feeding of a high-fat diet changes two population of macrophages, and that dietary oleic acid is responsible for increases in M2 macrophage polarization.
Low metabolic rate in a nocturnal desert lizard, an arbylus switaki murphy (Sauria: Gekkonidae)

Abstract 1. 1. Metabolic rates were measured in two xeric-adapted gekkonid lizards, Anarbylus switaki sind Coleonyx variegatus . 2. 2. Standard metabolic rates (SMR) were 0.074 ml O 2 /g hr in A. switaki and were 70% of the value predicted on the basis of mass from regression equations. The SMR of 0.146ml O 2 /ghr in C. variegatus is similar to the predicted value for a lizard of this mass. 3. 3. During intense activity, metabolic rates of 0.378 and 0.804ml O 2 /g hr were measured in A. switaki and C. variegatus , respectively. 4. 4. Various theories to explain reduced SMR in lizards are discussed, and it is concluded that none is entirely satisfactory, and caution should be exercised in interpreting the adaptive significance of reduced SMR.