cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High levels of MHC class II allelic diversity in lake trout from Lake Superior

Sequence variation in a 216 bp portion of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II B1 domain was examined in 74 individual lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from different locations in Lake Superior. Forty-three alleles were obtained which encoded 71-72 amino acids of the mature protein. These sequences were compared with previous data obtained from five Pacific salmon species and Atlantic salmon using the same primers. Although all of the lake trout alleles clustered together in the neighbor-joining analysis of amino acid sequences, one amino acid allelic lineage was shared with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), a species in another genus which probably diverged from Salvelinus more than 10-20 million years ago. As shown previously in other salmonids, the level of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution (dN) exceeded the level of synonymous substitution (dS). The level of nucleotide diversity at the MHC class II B1 locus was considerably higher in lake trout than in the Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that lake trout colonized Lake Superior from more than one refuge following the Wisconsin glaciation. Recent population bottlenecks may have reduced nucleotide diversity in Pacific salmon populations.
Recording electrical activity from identified neurons in the intact brain of transgenic fish.

Understanding the cell physiology of neural circuits that regulate complex behaviors is greatly enhanced by using model systems in which this work can be performed in an intact brain preparation where the neural circuitry of the CNS remains intact. We use transgenic fish in which gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are genetically tagged with green fluorescent protein for identification in the intact brain. Fish have multiple populations of GnRH neurons, and their functions are dependent on their location in the brain and the GnRH gene that they express1 . We have focused our demonstration on GnRH3 neurons located in the terminal nerves (TN) associated with the olfactory bulbs using the intact brain of transgenic medaka fish (Figure 1B and C). Studies suggest that medaka TN-GnRH3 neurons are neuromodulatory, acting as a transmitter of information from the external environment to the central nervous system; they do not play a direct role in regulating pituitary-gonadal functions, as do the well-known hypothalamic GnRH1 neurons2, 3 .The tonic pattern of spontaneous action potential firing of TN-GnRH3 neurons is an intrinsic property4-6, the frequency of which is modulated by visual cues from conspecifics2 and the neuropeptide kisspeptin 15. In this video, we use a stable line of transgenic medaka in which TN-GnRH3 neurons express a transgene containing the promoter region of Gnrh3 linked to enhanced green fluorescent protein7 to show you how to identify neurons and monitor their electrical activity in the whole brain preparation6.
Symmetries in heavy nuclei and the proton-neutron interaction

The Interacting Boson Approximation (IBA) nuclear structure model can be expressed in terms of the U(6) group, and thereby leads to three dynamical symmetries (or group chains) corresponding to different nuclear coupling schemes and geometrical shapes. The status of the empirical evidence for these three symmetries is reviewed, along with brief comments on the possible existance of supersymmetries in nuclei.
MRI of osteochondral injuries of the knee and ankle in the athlete.

This article focuses on imaging diagnosis of acute and chronic osteochondral injury using current clinical MRI techniques. Chondral and osteochondral injuries of the knee and ankle are frequent causes of pain in the injured athlete. Failure to diagnose them can lead to persistent symptoms and long-term disability. With the ability to directly demonstrate articular cartilage, MRI is the most sensitive noninvasive technique for identifying osteochondral injuries, but requires careful attention to image acquisition techniques, understanding of the MRI appearance of normal and injured cartilage, and a targeted examination of the joint based on patterns of soft-tissue injury.
Onset of expression and regional deposition of alpha-smooth and sarcomeric actin during avian heart development.

The sequential appearance of mRNAs for smooth, cardiac, and skeletal alpha- actin has been described during development of the chicken heart (Ruzicka, D.L., and R.J. Schwartz 1988 J. Cell Biol., 107:257&2586). To as- sess whether this reflects the deposition of corre- sponding isoproteins, we have immunocytochem- ically localized smooth and sarcomeric (cardiac and skeletal) alpha-actin in Hamburger-Hamilton (H-H) stage 7-18 embryos using monoclonal anti- bodies. Within the developing embryo at stage 9-, smooth muscle alpha-actin was exclusively de- tected in the developing heart, upon fusion of the endocardia1 tubes; sarcomeric alpha-actin was observed later (stage 9). By the onset of contrac- tion at stage 10 + , intense immunostaining of both smooth and sarcomeric isoproteins was observed in the ventricle; at this time smooth muscle alpha- actin was also detected in splanchnic mesoderm of the pre-vitelline area, in a cellular layer adja- cent to the only embryonic cells that exhibited fac- tor VIII (von Willebrand factor) antigens. Double immunostaining of the myocardium at stage 11, at which time striations were first detected, revealed the co-existence of smooth and sarcomeric actin in developing sarcomeres. Intense expression of sar- comeric actin continued in the heart after stage 11, whereas smooth muscle alpha-actin was down- regulated in the ventricle and became regional- ized to the inflow and outflow tracts. As expected, smooth muscle alpha-actin was detected around intra- and extra-embryonic vascular structures at later developmental stages, while sarcomeric ac- tin was observed in somites.
Cyclophosphamides from aminosugars and aminonucleosides

Condensation of bis-(2-chloroethyl)phosphoramidic dichloride with 3′-amino-3′-deoxy-N,N-dimethyladenosine afforded the 2′,3′-cyclicphosphorodiamidate (III). By an improved synthesis, methyl 3-amino-3-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranoside was obtained as a model compound for conversion to the analogous 2,3-cyclicphosphorodiamidate (XII). Existence of the latter as two diastereomers due to phosphorus asymmetry was shown by nmr analysis, using comparison with the 5-(O-p-nitrobenzoate) (XIII) as a basis for assignments.
Analysis of compensatory Leslie matrix models for competing species

Analytic conditions determining the stability of equilibria to small perturbations are developed for general discrete time, multiple age-class models of two competing or mutualistic species. The conditions are simple to apply and can be stated ecologically as follows. Each of the interacting species must be stable in the absence of other species, and the strength of species self-interaction must be strong compared to the strength of interspecies interaction. These results can only be applied to models where intraspecific interactions occur within age classes. The stability conditions developed are applied to a particular two-species, two-age-class model useful in describing competing fish populations where the young-of-the-year suffer mortality due to predation by the other species. The applicability of the stability conditions to multispecies communities is also discussed.
Hexafluoroacetone hydrazone chemistry

Abstract Hexafluoroacetone hydrazone condenses with ketones and aldehydes to give azines. β-Diketones give either azino-enols or hydrazino-ketones depending on the substrate. Aldehydes capable of aldol condensation and some α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds give pyrazoles. Isocyanates yield semicarbazones and acid chlorides give hydrazides. Variable-temperature NMR processes in hexafluoroacetone azines are consistent with consecutive nitrogen inversions and intermediate rotation about the nitrogen-nitrogen single bond. Resonance effects lower the barriers in the fluorinated azines.
Human MUC1 carcinoma antigen regulates intracellular oxidant levels and the apoptotic response to oxidative stress

The DF3/MUC1 transmembrane oncoprotein is aberrantly overexpressed by most human carcinomas. Certain insights are available regarding a role for MUC1 in intracellular signaling; however, no precise function has been ascribed to this molecule. The present results demonstrate that MUC1 expression is up-regulated by oxidative stress and that this response is mediated by activation of MUC1 gene transcription. A role for MUC1 in the oxidative stress response is supported by the demonstration that MUC1 expression is associated with attenuation of endogenous and H2O2-induced intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). MUC1-dependent regulation of ROS is mediated at least in part by up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) expression. In concert with these findings, we show that the apoptotic response to oxidative stress is attenuated by a MUC1-dependent mechanism. These results support a model in which activation of MUC1 by oxidative stress provides a protective function against increased intracellular oxidant levels and ROS-induced apoptosis.
Ontogeny of gastric acid secretion in the rat: evidence for multiple response systems

Gastric acid secretion has been thought to depend on histamine stimulation of the parietal cell. However, in the 2-week-old rat neither exogenous histamine nor the H-2 receptor agonist impromidine stimulates acid secretion, whereas pentagastrin and the cholinergic agent bethanechol are potent stimuli. At this age, the effect of pentagastrin in acid secretion is not blocked by the H-2 receptor antagonist cimetidine, nor is it potentiated by impromidine. These data suggest that, in the rat pup, the acid secretory response to pentagastrin and cholinergic agents occurs before the histamine-mediated system is functional and operates independently of the actions of histamine.
A preliminary study on the effect of external magnetic fields on Laser-Induced Plasma Micromachining (LIPMM)

Abstract Laser Induced Plasma Micromachining (LIPMM) is a novel, tool-less micromachining process which offers machining characteristics superior to conventional laser ablation, such as multi-material capability, higher machined depth and better wall geometries. This study utilizes highly empirical methods for the purpose of a proof of concept and demonstrates the viability of using external magnetic fields in modifying the geometry and improving the aspect ratio of machined spots (up to 6) in LIPMM, which is accomplished by pulling the plasma spatially downward to machine spots with greater depth and consistent diameters, and to achieve horizontal squeezing of the plasma to create channels.
Cook's distance in linear longitudinal models

Cook's distance (1977) has become the standard influence diagnostic tool for analyzing cross–sectional regression studies. This paper introduces an analogue of Cook's distance in fixed effects models for longitudinal data. We demonstrate that this statistic is dominated by the effects of nuisance parameters, and hence its effectiveness as an influence measure in the longitudinal data setting is limited.
Nucleolar Sik-similar protein (Sik-SP) is required for the maintenance of uterine estrogen signaling mechanism via ERα.

Sik-similar protein (Sik-SP), a small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein, has been shown to be primarily involved in ribosome biogenesis. However, its role in the hormone-directed nuclear receptor signaling is largely unknown. Here, we provide novel evidence that Sik-SP is required for appropriate regulation of estrogen receptor (ER)α-mediated estradiol-17β (E2)-dependent uterine physiologic responses in mice. Studies by Western blotting using the newly developed antibodies for Sik-SP showed that this protein is up-regulated in both the ovariectomized wild-type and ERα null uteri by E2. Immunohistochemical analyses in uterine sections showed that this protein is induced in the epithelial and stromal cells. Coimmunoprecipitation studies revealed that E2 directs molecular interaction between Sik-SP and ERα. Furthermore, gel-mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses provided evidence that Sik-SP is recruited with ERα to estrogen-responsive uterine gene promoters. Overexpression of Sik-SP in vitro de...
Summer Distribution, Survival, and Growth of Juvenile Coho Salmon under Varying Experimental Conditions of Brushy Instream Cover

Abstract Woody debris is an important feature of streams, and its presence and abundance have been correlated with the abundance, growth, and survival of juvenile salmonids. To investigate the proximate mechanisms linking brushy woody debris to salmonid fishes, we determined, over a 1-month period in summer, the spatial distribution of juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch introduced into an outdoor experimental stream containing riffle-pool units that had one of four different levels of instream brushy-debris complexity. We then equalized the fish density in each unit and monitored fish growth and survival over a 15-week period. Coho salmon distribution, growth, and survival varied greatly but were not consistently related to the complexity of brushy debris.
Anomaly amplification in dynamic response of damaged periodic structures using piezoelectric networking

Damage detection of spatially periodic structures is challenging, as such structures may have clustered natural frequencies, which makes it difficult to ascertain the damage-induced change of individual vibration frequency/mode. Moreover, the inevitable mistuning (i.e., substructure-to-substructure difference) in these structures further complicates the problem because it results in variations in natural frequencies/modes even under healthy condition. In this paper, taking advantage of the unique characteristics of periodic structures, we explore the possibility of using piezoelectric networking to temporarily induce or intensify the vibration localization in a mistuned periodic structure. The intensified vibration localization will cause drastic change in dynamic response patterns upon damage occurrence to highlight the damage effect. We integrate identical piezoelectric inductive circuits onto all substructures, and couple the circuits with identical capacitance elements, which retains the nominal periodicity of the system. Through analytical studies and parametric investigations, the circuitry inductance and coupling capacitance values that lead to intensified vibration localization are identified. Our analysis indicates that this proposed scheme can significantly amplify the response anomaly for periodic structures when damage occurs.
STANDING DETONATION WAVES

Standing detonation waves - hydrogen-oxygen ignition delay - vibrational relation effects - two-dimensional effects in gaseous detonations
Gatifloxacin-Induced Hyperglycemia: A Review of 4 Cases and the Literature

Gatifloxacin, a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone, has recently been voluntarily withdrawn by Bristol-Myers Squibb from the market secondary to dysglycemic events associated with this agent. Risk factors for this adverse event include diabetes and those who are elderly (65 years of age or older), have renal insufficiency, or take glucose altering medications. The mechanism for this adverse reaction is not fully understood. However, it is theorized that there is an association between accumulation of gatifloxacin (particularly in elderly patients or those with renal insufficiency) and dysglycemic events with gatifloxacin. A review of the literature found 13 reported cases of hyperglycemia induced by gatifloxacin and 2 clinical trials evaluating gatifloxacin's association with hyperglycemia. Similarly to other reported cases, the authors' 4 outpatients were initiated on gatifloxacin therapy and subsequently had developed hyperglycemia during gatifloxacin therapy. Prior to the multiple observations of dysglycem...
Drug dependence: myth or motive?

The acceptability of nonmedical use for a particular drug is a function of diverse social needs. Drug dependence is due less to intrinsic effects than to the situation in which drug taking occurs. An addictive level of drug self-administration is a symptom of behavioral troubles rather than a definition of the trouble itself. The intrinsic effects of drugs do not in themselves produce either misuse or evoke specific kinds of behavior such as sexual or aggressive activities. Drugs can, however, come to function as discriminative stimuli for socially sanctioned behavior that would not under other circumstances be tolerated. The intrinsic reinforcing potential of an agent evolves in and dominates situations in which other reinforcing opportunities are either absent or remain unavailable to an individual who is unprepared to exploit them. While certain intrinsic properties of a drug contribute to its potential as a reinforcer (e.g., rapid onset and brief duration of action), reinforcing efficacy is notoriously malleable. It is a function of historic and currently-acting factors, particularly social reinforcers. The importance of physical dependence in the maintenance of drug seeking and taking is mainly unproven and probably overrated. Situations under which important reinforcers are available only in small portions intermittently can induce various excessive activities, including an untoward concern with obtaining and using drugs. Drug dependence prevention as a species of environmental dependence can be best effected by either alterations in the intermittent reinforcement situations inducing excessive behavior or by providing opportunities and training with respect to reinforcing alternatives other than drugs.
Self-inflicted abdominal stab wounds

Abstract Background : Self-inflicted abdominal stab wounds (ASWs) are uncommon. The present study aims to characterize the clinical profile of this unique group of psychiatric–surgical patients. Methods : A retrospective review of 23 patients with intentional self-inflicted ASWs at two urban level I trauma centres during a 10-year period. Results : Most patients were males (70%), ages ranging from 21 to 82 years (mean 40 years). Seventy-four percent of patients had a previous psychiatric history and prior suicide attempts were common (41%). Half of the patients had a positive admission drug or alcohol screen. Hypotension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) Conclusion : Self-inflicted ASWs in suicidal patients can induce significant although most likely non-lethal abdominal and retroperitoneal injuries. This observation should guide the trauma surgeon when treating such patients.
The Louisiana ACES student-built BalloonSat program

Abstract A major concern of many aerospace industries and space agencies worldwide is the continuing decrease in undergraduate student enrollment and graduation from aerospace and closely related degree programs. With a decreasing number of new aerospace workforce candidates, expanding or sustaining our exploration of the universe over the coming decades could be at risk. In Louisiana, we have developed the Aerospace Catalyst Experiences for Students (ACES) program to address this issue by attracting new students to aerospace-related programs and providing interdisciplinary training on how to design, build, and manage aerospace payloads. Based upon the National Space Grant Student Satellite Program “Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly!” methodology, ACES closely ties cross-discipline content knowledge with extensive hands-on experiences to instill skills that are then applied by the students to design, document, build, test, and operate a small balloon-borne scientific payload. The ACES concept was initially piloted during 2002–2003 and now includes a semi-formal “Student Ballooning Course”, five Louisiana institutions and serves ∼45 students.
Supporting creativity in distributed scientific communities

We are interested in supporting creativity in distributed scientific communities through socio-technical interventions. Based on a synthetic literature analysis of creativity and collaborative groups, we present and justify three requirements for supporting creativity: support for divergent and convergent thinking, development of shared objectives, and reflexivity. We discuss our collaboratory prototype and its existing functionality to support creativity. We propose three design implications to support creativity in CSCW: integrate support for individual, dyadic, and group brainstorming, leverage cognitive conflict by preserving and reflecting on minority dissent, and support flexibility in granularity of planning.
Development and validation of a revised short version of the working alliance inventory

Abstract The Working Alliance Inventory (WAI; Horvath & Greenberg, 1989) and the Working Alliance Inventory–Short (WAI-S; Tracey & Kokotovic, 1989) are widely used measures of alliance in therapy. This study evaluated the factor structure of the WAI and WAI-S with confirmatory factor analysis in two relatively large samples (Ns = 231 and 235). The hypothesized structures were not confirmed. An alternative 12-item WAI (WAI-SR), consistent with Bordin's (1979) model of alliance, was developed in one sample and cross-validated in the other. The WAI-SR better differentiated Goal, Task, and Bond alliance dimensions and correlated well with other alliance measures. The Task dimension was particularly salient, as expected based on Bordin's original theory. Additional psychometric properties and item response theory analysis of the WAI-SR are presented. Zusammenfassung Eine Revision der Kurzform des Working Alliance Inventars (WAI-SR) Das Arbeitsbeziehungsinventar (Working Alliance Inventory, WAI; Horvath & Green...
THE EVIDENCE FOR A 17 keV NEUTRINO REVISITED

We review the evidence for a 17 keV neutrino obtained in some recent experiments from a distortion of the β decay spectrum near the end point for various nuclei. We also indicate the experiments that have failed to observe this signal and contrast the two results. A number of questions are posed for both types of experiments and we show that the presence of unexpected non-Gaussian errors could simulate a signal in some experiments.
Effects of puromycin aminonucleoside on excision repair and recombination repair inescherichia coli

Ultraviolet (UV) lethality was increased when puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) (3.0 mM) was added to the postirradiation medium ofEscherichia coli strains. The extent of repair inhibition differed greatly for strains WP-2hcr+, B/r(λ)hcr+, WP-2hcr−, and Bs-1hcr−. The interaction between PAN and UV was synergistic in thehcr+ strains. PAN enhanced UV lethality in strain B/r (λ) to a greater degree than in WP-2hcr+. There was no UV lethality enhancement by PAN (3.0 mM) in thehcr− strains, but the interaction of PAN (8.0 mM) with UV was synergistic. PAN decreased plaque formation of T1 UV-irradiated phage plated onE. coli Bhcr+ but had no effect on phage plated on Bs-1 or WP-2hcr− strains. These results suggest that PAN interferes with thehcr function in UV-irradiated bacteria.
Microparticle-based iridium oxide ultramicroelectrodes for pH sensing and imaging

Abstract In this paper, we present a simple, relatively inexpensive, and reproducible method for the construction of iridium oxide (IrOx)-pH sensitive ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs). In this method, the pH sensing layer is based on an IrOx film formed by potential cycling of iridium microparticles (diameter Fe ( CN ) 6 3 - and Ru ( NH 3 ) 6 3 + has little influence on the determination, however Ni2+does produce an apparent pH shift. The application of these pH-sensitive UMEs is demonstrated in imaging the pH changes due to the oxygen reduction reaction at the surface of a cast iron sample.
Merging the RNA and DNA worlds.

The demonstrated ability of modern DNA-dependent RNA polymerases to use RNA templates for productive RNA synthesis suggests that they evolved from ancient RNA-dependent RNA replicases.
Monolithically grown In x Ga 1−x As nanowire array on silicon tandem solar cells with high efficiency

We demonstrate one-dimensional heteroepitaxy of In x Ga 1−x As nanowires in the entire composition range on Si (111) substrate for tandem solar cells with efficiencies that exceed the planar Si single junction cell fabricated using identical processes.
Subspecific grouping of eggplant cultivars

Eggplant cultivars from a world collection were classified into 11 groups by 18 characteristics using numerical taxonomic methods. Distinguishing characteristics of groups were identified on the basis of extreme means, and a key to the groups, based first on characteristics of the foliage, was devised. Some of the groups were also characterized by specific geographical origins. When eggplants were classified by geographical origin, however, less cohesive groups than those above were formed, but certain characteristics could be associated with orgins of eggplants. Thus, variation in this large eggplant sample is not distributed at random.
The fate of dibenz[b,f]-1,4-oxazepine (CR) in the rat. Part II. Metabolism in vitro

1. CR (dibenz[b,f]-1,4-oxazepine) is metabolized by rat liver 105000 g supernatant fractions by (a) ring opening and reduction to 2-amino-2′-hydroxymethyldiphenyl ether and (b) oxidation at C11 to give a cyclic lactam.2. Reaction (a) is NADPH-dependent, decreased by dialysis and methylene blue, whereas reaction (b) is heat-resistant, inactivated by dialysis, inhibited by CN. p-chloromercuribenzoate, amytal and menadione, and stimulated by methylene blue, phenazine methosulphate and 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol. Reaction (a) is similar to that of aldehyde reductases (E.C.1.1.1.2) and reaction (b) to that of molybdenum hydroxylases (E.C.1.2.3.1).3. Reaction (a) is also catalysed by an NADH-dependent enzyme in liver microsomes and subsequent hydroxylation of the lactam also occurs in this cell fraction.4. Some extrahepatic metabolism of CR occurs via the same routes in kidney, small intestine and lung, though the yield is limited.5. Digestive gland extract of Helix pomatia converts CR to its lactam in signi...
Classical Dynamics of the Reaction of Fluorine Atoms with Hydrogen Molecules. II. Dependence on the Potential Energy Surface

The sensitivity of classical trajectory calculations of the reactions of fluorine atoms with H2 and HD to the particular choice among several ``acceptable'' potential energy surfaces is investigated. The hypothesis that the percent of the total energy available to the reaction products that is in the form of vibration energy can be predicted by the ``energy release'' on the potential energy surface is tested using this set of related H2F surfaces. The present results suggest that the main conclusions of a previous study of the dynamics of the reactions of F atoms with H2, HD, and D2 are features of the classical dynamics on any reasonable H2F potential energy surface of the generalized LEPS type.
Impact of alkalization on the antioxidant and flavanol content of commercial cocoa powders.

Cocoa is a food ingredient that is important for the contribution of flavor to foods but is also associated with potential health benefits. The chemistry thought to be responsible for its cardiovascular health benefits is the flavanol (flavan-3-ol) antioxidants. Evidence from the literature indicates that natural cocoas are high in flavanols, but when the cocoa is processed with alkali, also known as Dutch processing or Dutching, the flavanols are substantially reduced. This paper provides a survey of the physical and chemical composition of representative natural cocoas and lightly, medium, and heavily alkalized cocoas. As part of the survey, both brown/black and red/brown alkali-processed cocoas were measured. Natural cocoa powders have an extractable pH of 5.3−5.8. Alkalized cocoa powders were grouped into lightly treated (pH 6.50−7.20), medium-treated (pH 7.21−7.60), and heavily treated (pH 7.61 and higher). The natural, nonalkalized powders had the highest ORAC and total polyphenols and flavanols (in...
A Pilot Study of Pain-Related Anxiety and Smoking Dependence Motives Among Persons with Chronic Pain

Complex interactions between pain and tobacco smoking have been of increasing interest to researchers and clinicians from a variety of disciplines. There is also recent evidence to suggest that pain-related anxiety may play an important role in the maintenance of tobacco dependence among persons with comorbid pain disorders. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the explanatory relevance of pain-related anxiety in relation to tobacco dependence among a sample of daily smokers with current chronic pain. Participants were recruited from the general population to complete an online survey that was developed to examine interrelations between chronic pain and tobacco smoking. Fifty-six of 129 (43%) daily smoking respondents met criteria for current chronic pain. Results indicated that pain-related anxiety accounted for a significant portion of the unique variance in total smoking dependence scores, and both primary and secondary dependence composite scores (as measured by the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives; Piper et al., 2004). It is noteworthy that these effects were observed above and beyond the variance accounted for by relevant sociodemographic factors, generalized anxiety, and pain severity. Pain-related anxiety was observed to be strongly associated with secondary dependence motives, which is consistent with a conceptualization of pain-related anxiety as an instrumental or situational motivator of smoking. These results suggest that tobacco smokers with comorbid pain disorders may be at risk for maintaining or exacerbating their dependence on tobacco, possibly due to individual differences in pain-related anxiety. These findings may help inform the development of tailored interventions for smokers with comorbid chronic pain.
Osteoporosis and familial idiopathic scoliosis: association with an abnormal alpha 2(I) collagen.

A positive family history is considered a risk factor for osteoporosis (OP) although the genetic or biochemical basis for this relationship remains undefined. Various mutations affecting normal synthesis of type I collagen have been reported in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a heritable disorder of connective tissue. Family A, in which the proband and a daughter are afflicted with OP and idiopathic scoliosis was examined for defects in collagen metabolism. Dermal fibroblast cultures were established to investigate de novo collagen synthesis. SDS-PAGE revealed an abnormally migrating alpha 2(I) chain and procollagen in two generations. Examination of the kinetics of type I collagen pC & N-propeptide processing demonstrated a rate 2x control in the proband. The phenotype family A is not OI. It shares features with families B & C, having familial clustering of OP. However, collagen synthesis was not abnormal in family B & C. These data suggest that in family A the alpha 2(I) structural defect may be related t...
A Combined Chemical-Enzymatic Method to Remove Selected Aromatics from Aqueous Streams

Aromatics are major pollutants found in aqueous environments and in sediments. Although there are many chemical and biochemical processes to remove and/or treat these contaminants, they have to be considered in light of the economcs and the time scales for treatment. We describe our initial work on a hybrid chemical-enzymatic technique to remove aromatics from aqueous streams. The aromatic is first converted to the corresponding phenol through classical Fentontype chemistry involving catalysis by Fe(II). The phenol is subsequently polymerized through an enzymatic mechanism, using horseradish peroxidase as the oxidative enzyme. The polymer is insoluble in water and can be easily recovered. In addition, such phenolic polymers are useful products with varied applications in coatings and resins technologies. Thus, the pollutants can be eventually converted to useful products.
Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells from human bone marrow improves damaged heart function in rats.

Abstract Background Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are of great therapeutic potential after myocardial ischemic injury. However, little is known about the biological characteristics of MSCs in patients with coronary artery disease and their effects on infracted myocardium. The present study evaluated the biological characteristics of MSCs from patients with coronary artery disease and their effects after being transplanted into infarcted myocardium using a rat model. Methods Sternal bone marrow aspirates were taken at the time of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Mononuclear cells isolated from bone marrow were cultured based on plastic adherence. The morphology and growth characteristics of MSCs were observed in primary and successive passages. A myocardial infarction model was created in 27 adult rats. Two weeks later, animals were randomized into two groups: culture medium (group I, n =13) or MSCs (2×10 6 ) from early passages labeled with BrdU (group II, n =14) were injected into the infarcted myocardium. Echocardiography, histological examination, and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) were performed four weeks after cell transplantation. Results Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that adherent spindle cells from bone marrow are mesenchymal stem cells (positive for CD29 and CD44, but negative for CD34 and CD45). Growth curves showed that MSCs have great proliferative capability especially at early passages. MSCs implantation in the infarcted border zone improved left ventricular function significantly in group II compared with group I. However, despite improved left ventricular function, we did not observe significant regeneration of cardiac myocytes. Immunohistochemistry revealed only the expression of desmin in the engrafted MSCs, a marker of premature myocyte. Moreover, the improved left ventricular function in this study seemed to be secondary to the beneficial reverse remodeling induced by the increase of collagen in infarcted zone, the decrease in the adjacent myocardium, and the increase of neovascularization (capillary density: 192±7.8/mm 2 in group II vs. 165±5.9/mm 2 in group I, P Conclusions The MSCs from patients with coronary artery disease have a typical phenotype with highly proliferative potential and the engrafted MSCs may regulate extracellular collagens and cytokines to prevent the ventricular scar from pathologic thinning and attenuate the contractile dysfunction of the infarcted heart.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy Use for Medicare Beneficiaries With Stage II Colon Cancer

PURPOSE: Clinical trials have not demonstrated that adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival for patients with resected stage II colon cancer. Nevertheless, patients may receive this treatment despite its uncertain benefit. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which adjuvant chemotherapy is used for patients with stage II colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database, we identified 3,151 patients aged 65 to 75 with resected stage II colon cancer and no adverse prognostic features. The primary outcome was chemotherapy use within 3 months of surgery ascertained from claims submitted to Medicare. Relationships between patient characteristics and adjuvant chemotherapy use were measured and their significance was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Survival for treated and untreated patients was compared using a Cox model. RESULTS: Twenty-seven percent of patients received chemotherapy during the 3 postopera...
Abscisic Acid in Tobacco Plants Tentative Identification and its Relation to Stunting Induced by Pseudomonas Solanaccarum

In tobacco plants inoculated with the wilt-inducing bacterium, Pseudomonas solanacearum, there was a correlation between decreased internode elongation, maximum multiplication of the bacterium, and an increase in the growth inhibitor content of stems 4 to 12 days after inoculation, as determined by a wheat coleoptile assay. Initial wilting of the upper leaves was also correlated with an increase in inhibitor content of these tissues.Application of either the partially purified inhibitor from tobacco or pure (+)-abscisic acid to roots, terminal buds, or petioles of tobacco plants caused a reduction of internode length which lasted from 8 to 10 days following a single treatment. Repeated treatment was necessary to obtain growth retardation over a longer period of time.The tobacco inhibitor was tentatively identified as abscisic acid, based on a comparison with authentic abscisic acid on paper, thin layer, column, and gas-liquid chromatography. On the basis of optical rotatory dispersion, circular dichroism, and ultraviolet spectra, the tobacco inhibitor was indistinguishable from abscisic acid. Increases in the inhibitor content of infected tissues are attributed primarily to abscisic acid although other substances, not separable from abscisic acid by the procedures used, could also play a role. The inhibitor was not found in P. solanacearum culture medium.
Some new games and badly approximable numbers

Abstract W. Schmidt has defined the (α,β)-game and has applied it to the set of badly approximable numbers (Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 123 (1966), 178–199). This paper looks at some slight variations of Schmidt's game and applies them in a similar way, thus proving: Let e′ ∈ (0, 1 2 ] and f1, f2,…, be real valued functions on some real interval I. Suppose that for each fn and each x ∈ I (with possibly a countable number of exceptions) there is some open neighborhood 0x of x and some e″ > 0 such that for any intervals J1 and J2 with x ∈ J2 ′ J1 ′ 0x, l(J 2 ) l(J 1 = ϵ′ ⇒ ϵ″ ⩽ l(f m |J 2 ]) l(f n |J 1 ]) ⩽ 1 2 Then there exist in continuum many α such that each of f1(α), f2(α),…, is badly approximable.
The trap-loaded cylindrical antenna

The trap-loaded cylindrical antenna is a cylindrical antenna having one or more traps located in its arms. The traps are either parallel inductor-capacitor circuits or short-circuited transmission line stubs that are designed to be antiresonant (having essentially an infinite input impedance) at some particular frequency. The location and the antiresonant frequency of the traps are selected to enhance the radiation pattern or input impedance of the antenna. This study is confined to the properties of trap-loaded cylindrical antennas that contain only one trap in each arm. The effect of the length of the outer section, length of the inner section, diameter of the cylinder and characteristic impedance or inductance-capacitance ratio of the trap on the input impedance, radiation pattern, and current distribution were studied both experimentally and with the aid of two numerical solutions of an integral equation for the current distribution. The conclusions drawn from this study are that the design procedure for the multiband trap antenna described by Greenberg [1], adjusting the antiresonant frequency of the trap to control the upper resonant frequency, is indeed valid. Graphs suitable for designing trap antennas using this procedure are available in this paper. Furthermore, it is shown that the characteristic impedance or inductance-capacitance ratio of the trap can also be adjusted to vary the lower resonant frequency of the antenna. Design graphs using this procedure are also available in this paper. This study also showed that a relatively wide range of upper to lower antenna resonant frequency ratios can be obtained while still maintaining radiation patterns and input impedances close to those of a half-wave dipole at both frequencies. Graphs are available showing the tradeoff in pattern shape and input impedance that must be made to obtain resonant frequency ratios other than 2 to 1. It was discovered that the trap antenna, sometimes called a Franklin array, must be operated somewhat below the nominal design frequency or have the spacing between traps shortened somewhat, for it to have a radiation pattern similar to a collinear array of half-wave dipoles. Furthermore, the thicker the antenna, the more pronounced this effect is. While the nominal design was discovered to give an input impedance nearly resistive and near 70\Omega (for a dipole), any of the aforementioned modifications resulted in a nonresonant highly capacitive input impedance.
FACTORS AFFECTING MACADAMIA NUT STABILITY. 3. Effects of Roasting Oil Quality and Antioxidants

SUMMARY– Chemical and physical changes in roasting oil from a commercial processing plant and the relationship of these changes to quality and shelf-life of roasted macadamia kernels were investigated. Oil was sampled initially and after 2, 4 and 13 weeks of roasting. Generally, free fatty acid, color (absorbance at 550 nm), refractive index and viscosity of the roasting oil increased with use. Changes in iodine number and fatty acid composition indicated there was considerable oil exchange between roasting oil and macadamia kernels. Antioxidant loss in the roasting oil was rapid. No flavor differences were observed in kernels immediately after roasting in the various oil samples, and shelf-life was not appreciably affected by continuous use of the oil for as long as 13 weeks. A second study investigated the effects of vacuum-packing (0, 15 and 24 in.) and direct antioxidant application (approximately 76 ppm butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxy-toluene) on the stability of dry-roasted macadamia kernels. Stability of antioxidant-treated kernels was greater than that of untreated kernels, regardless of vacuum level. Vacuum packing had no effect on antioxidant-treated kernels, but showed some benefit for untreated kernels.
Vesicular glutamate transporters VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 define two subsets of unipolar brush cells in organotypic cultures of mouse vestibulocerebellum

Abstract Different isoforms of a vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) mediate glutamate uptake into synaptic vesicles of excitatory neurons. There is agreement that the VGLUTs are differentially expressed in brain, and that two isoforms, VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, are localized to excitatory axon terminals in the cerebellar cortex. While granule cells express solely VGLUT1, there is no report about the VGLUT(s) of the unipolar brush cell (UBC), the second type of glutamatergic interneuron residing in the cerebellar granular layer. In the mouse, UBCs are particularly numerous in the uvula (lobule IX) and nodulus (lobule X). These folia contain two distinct subsets of UBCs: one kind expresses the calcium-binding protein calretinin (CR), and the other kind expresses the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) 1α. UBCs give rise to an extensive system of intrinsic mossy fibers (MF), whose terminals innervate granule cells and other UBCs, altogether similar to those formed by the extrinsic MFs. The presence of both extrinsic and intrinsic MFs in the vestibulocerebellum makes it difficult to determine which type of VGLUT is contained in MFs formed by the UBC axons. Hence, the nodulus was isolated from sagittal cerebellar slices from postnatal day 10 mice, and cultured for 15–20 days in vitro . Double immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy showed that mossy terminals of CR-positive (CR + ) UBCs were immunoreactive for VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, while mossy terminals of mGluR1α-positive (mGluR1α + ) UBCs were provided with VGLUT1 only. Moreover, CR + dendritic brushes were contacted by mossy terminals provided with both transporters, while mGluR1α + dendritic brushes were contacted by mossy terminals immunopositive for VGLUT1 and immunonegative for VGLUT2. These data indicate that the two UBC subsets use different modalities of vesicular glutamate storage and form separate networks. We consider it possible that expressions of CR with VGLUT1/VGLUT2 and mGluR1α + with VGLUT1 in the two subsets of vestibulocerebellar UBCs are determined by specific vestibular inputs, carried by groups of primary and/or secondary vestibular afferents.
A highly repeatable technique for introducing solids and liquids into a supercritical fluid solvent

Recent interest in studying molecular interactions in supercritical fluid environments has raised several important experimental questions. Chief among those is how to prepare a supercritical fluid environment when beginning with a sample of mixed phases at standard ambient temperature and pressure. We present a reliable technique for mixing a gas phase solvent with a liquid co-solvent and a solid phase molecule of interest. Furthermore, this technique is generally applicable to many experimental investigations involving supercritical fluids.
Grain-size considerations for optoelectronic multistage interconnection networks.

This paper investigates, at the system level, the performance–cost trade-off between optical and electronic interconnects in an optoelectronic interconnection network. The specific system considered is a packet-switched, free-space optoelectronic shuffle-exchange multistage interconnection network (MIN). System bandwidth is used as the performance measure, while system area, system power, and system volume constitute the cost measures. A detailed design and analysis of a two-dimensional (2-D) optoelectronic shuffle-exchange routing network with variable grain size K is presented. The architecture permits the conventional 2 × 2 switches or grains to be generalized to larger K × K grain sizes by replacing optical interconnects with electronic wires without affecting the functionality of the system. Thus the system consists of logKN optoelectronic stages interconnected with free-space K-shuffles. When K = N, the MIN consists of a single electronic stage with optical input–output. The system design uses an efficient 2-D VLSI layout and a single diffractive optical element between stages to provide the 2-D K-shuffle interconnection. Results indicate that there is an optimum range of grain sizes that provides the best performance per cost. For the specific VLSI/GaAs multiple quantum well technology and system architecture considered, grain sizes larger than 256 × 256 result in a reduced performance, while grain sizes smaller than 16 × 16 have a high cost. For a network with 4096 channels, the useful range of grain sizes corresponds to approximately 250–400 electronic transistors per optical input–output channel. The effect of varying certain technology parameters such as the number of hologram phase levels, the modulator driving voltage, the minimum detectable power, and VLSI minimum feature size on the optimum grain-size system is studied. For instance, results show that using four phase levels for the interconnection hologram is a good compromise for the cost functions mentioned above. As VLSI minimum feature sizes decrease, the optimum grain size increases, whereas, if optical interconnect performance in terms of the detector power or modulator driving voltage requirements improves, the optimum grain size may be reduced. Finally, several architectural modifications to the system, such as K × K contention-free switches and sorting networks, are investigated and optimized for grain size. Results indicate that system bandwidth can be increased, but at the price of reduced performance/cost. The optoelectronic MIN architectures considered thus provide a broad range of performance/cost alternatives and offer a superior performance over purely electronic MIN’s.