cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NMDA-Induced Spinal Hypersensitivity Is Reduced by Naturally Derived Peptide Analog [Ser1]Histogranin

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation is thought to initiate a cellular cascade of events in the spinal cord that leads to neuronal hyperactivation and exaggerated persistent pain behaviors. Previous studies have demonstrated that implantation of adrenal medullary tissue into the spinal subarachnoid space reduces abnormal pain behaviors such as hyperalgesia and allodynia, possibly by intervening in the NMDA hyperexcitability cascade. Histogranin is a 15-amino acid peptide possessing NMDA receptor antagonist activity that has been isolated from adrenal medullary tissue. The present study examined the ability of stable analog [Ser1]histogranin to reduce abnormal pain-related behaviors induced in rats by direct activation of spinal NMDA receptors. The intrathecal injection of NMDA (5.0, 10.0, 20.0 nmol) produced significant thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia in a dose-related fashion. [Ser1]histogranin injected intrathecally prior to NMDA injections dose dependently attenuated or completely blocked hyperalgesia and allodynia. In addition, [Ser1]histogranin administration following NMDA-induction of abnormal pain behaviors reversed these effects. These results demonstrate that a naturally derived adrenal medullary neuropeptide can prevent and reverse NMDA-mediated spinal hyperexcitability. The distinct profile and robust activity of [Ser1]histogranin suggest novel alternative approaches in the management of pain and other CNS disorders involving abnormal excitatory neurotransmission.
INNERVATION OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT: PATTERNS OF AGING

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is innervated by intrinsic enteric neurons and by extrinsic projections, including sympathetic and parasympathetic efferents as well as visceral afferents, all of which are compromised by age to different degrees. In the present review, we summarize and illustrate key structural changes in the aging innervation of the gut, and suggest a provisional list of the general patterns of aging of the GI innervation. For example, age-related neuronal losses occur in both the myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus of the intestines. These losses start in adulthood, increase over the rest of the life span, and are specific to cholinergic neurons. Parallel losses of enteric glia also occur. The extent of neuronal and glial loss varies along an oral-to-anal gradient, with the more distal GI tract being more severely affected. Additionally, with aging, dystrophic axonal swellings and markedly dilated varicosities progressively accumulate in the sympathetic, vagal, dorsal root, and enteric nitrergic innervation of the gut. These dramatic and consistent patterns of neuropathy that characterize the aging autonomic nervous system of the GI tract are candidate mechanisms for some of the age-related declines in function evidenced in the elderly.
Implementation and Analysis of Energy Detection-Based Sensing Using USRP/SBX Platform

The performance of a spectrum sensing algorithm is dependent on many factors such as total detection time, radio noise floor, and carrier frequency. In order to maximize detection capability, the radio platform for which the spectrum sensor is implemented must be sufficiently configurable. An appropriate platform to address such a problem is the Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) with a SBX daughterboard as it is software configurable and capable of wideband reception over a large range of carrier frequencies. Motivation for characterizing the sensing limits of the USRP/SBX radio was the DARPA Spectrum Challenge (DSC) cooperative event. The DSC cooperative event simulated the scenario where multiple users must share the same channel and each user is not supplied with prior information of strategies employed by the other users. Solutions to this problem typically include spectrum sensing. This paper provides the data necessary to design energy detection based spectrum sensing for the USRP/SBX radio. The sensing capability of the USRP/SBX radio is determined via analysis of the receiver noise floor with respect to carrier frequency, sample rate, and detection time. Performance of the energy detection function is stated in closed form and provided with respect to parameters of the detector.
Toxigenic bacterial diarrhea: nursery outbreak involving multiple bacterial strains.

An outbreak of watery diarrhea occurred in 14 of 15 infants in a special care unit over a four-day period. Using the CHO cell assay for enterotoxin, we found that 11 of these patients had toxigenic bacteria in their stools. These bacteria comprised nine different serotypes of three species of organisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella , and Citrobacter . None of the three serotypes of E. coli were classic enteropathogenic serotypes. Rectal swab specimens from all 15 infants were examined for the presence of viruses by electron microscopic and cell culture techniques as well as by studies in suckling mice. None had parvovirus- or reovirus-like agents and two had adenoviruses. No other viral agents were detected. Of 38 bacterial strains isolated from ten control infants without diarrhea, three Klebsiella strains from two individuals were found to be toxigenic. Analysis of a total of 136 enteric isolates showed that toxigenicity as measured by the CHO assay was strongly associated with strains isolated during acute diarrheal illness when compared with strains isolated in convalescence (p −5 ) or with strains from control infants without diarrhea (p −5 ). This study raises the possibility of an outbreak of disease caused by a transmissible plasmid responsible for a cholera-like enterotoxin production in several enteric bacterial strains.
Pseudospontaneous activity: stochastic independence of auditory nerve fibers with electrical stimulation

Abstract We describe a novel signal processing strategy for cochlear implants designed to emphasize stochastic independence across the excited neural population. The strategy is based on the observation that high rate pulse trains may produce random spike patterns in auditory nerve fibers that are statistically similar to those produced by spontaneous activity in the normal cochlea. We call this activity `pseudospontaneous'. A supercomputer-based computational model of a population of auditory nerve fibers suggests that different average rates of pseudospontaneous activity can be created by varying the stimulus current of a fixed-amplitude, high-rate pulse train, e.g. 5000 pps. Electrically-evoked compound action potentials recorded in a human cochlear implant subject are consistent with the hypothesis that such a stimulus can desynchronize the fiber population. This desynchronization may enhance neural representation of temporal detail and dynamic range with a cochlear implant and eliminate a major difference between acoustic and electric hearing.
Indole inhibition of N-acylated homoserine lactone-mediated quorum signalling is widespread in Gram-negative bacteria

The LuxI/R quorum-sensing system and its associated N-acylated homoserine lactone (AHL) signal is widespread among Gram-negative bacteria. Although inhibition by indole of AHL quorum signalling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter oleivorans has been reported previously, it has not been documented among other species. Here, we show that co-culture with wild-type Escherichia coli, but not with E. coli tnaA mutants that lack tryptophanase and as a result do not produce indole, inhibits AHL-regulated pigmentation in Chromobacterium violaceum (violacein), Pseudomonas chlororaphis (phenazine) and Serratia marcescens (prodigiosin). Loss of pigmentation also occurred during pure culture growth of Chro. violaceum, P. chlororaphis and S. marcescens in the presence of physiologically relevant indole concentrations (0.5-1.0 mM). Inhibition of violacein production by indole was counteracted by the addition of the Chro. violaceum cognate autoinducer, N-decanoyl homoserine lactone (C10-HSL), in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of exogenous indole or co-culture with E. coli also affected Chro. violaceum transcription of vioA (violacein pigment production) and chiA (chitinase production), but had no effect on pykF (pyruvate kinase), which is not quorum regulated. Chro. violaceum AHL-regulated elastase and chitinase activity were inhibited by indole, as was motility. Growth of Chro. violaceum was not affected by indole or C10-HSL supplementation. Using a nematode-feeding virulence assay, we observed that survival of Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to Chro. violaceum, P. chlororaphis and S. marcescens was enhanced during indole supplementation. Overall, these studies suggest that indole represents a general inhibitor of AHL-based quorum signalling in Gram-negative bacteria.
Guest Editorial to the Special Letters Issue on Emerging Technologies in Multiparameter Biomedical Optical Imaging and Image Analysis

The past two decades have witnessed revolutionary advances in biomedical imaging modalities capable of providing biological and physiological information from the cellular scale to the organ level. Recent advances have also been focused on cost-effective, noninvasive, portable, and molecularimaging technologies for imaging at microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic levels. These technologies have significant potential to advance biomedical research and clinical practice. They can also provide a better understanding and monitoring of physiological and functional disorders, which could lead to mainstream diagnostic technologies of the future.
The implementation of mandatory fluoridation in Illinois.

The writers of this report cite the problems and their solution, step by step, in gaining information and implementing the act of the State's Legislature to enforce fluoridation of drinking water in Illinois.
Anticoagulant effect of dicumarol at various prothrombin levels in dogs.

Conclusions1. The anticoagulant effect of dicumarol at various prothrombin levels in dogs has been studied.2. In control animals thrombosis occurred, on the average, in 6.3 minutes, with a variation from 3 to 10 minutes.3. In dicumarolized dogs the time of thrombosis was not delayed at prothrombin levels above 40%. Below 40% thrombosis occurred on the average, in 16.6 minutes.
Predictive Modeling of Sulfide Removal in Tray Aerators

An investigation studying the effectiveness of sulfide removal from groundwater by a variety of tray aerators was conducted and an empirical first-order mathematical model was developed that accurately predicted sulfide removal. Total sulfide, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen content passing through each tray were analytically determined in the field at several facilities. The derived model took the form of Cn = C0 (10 –kn ), in which k = (0.00248) (hydrogen ion [H + ]) –0.397 (tray area) 0.584 (flow) –1.17 , n is the number of tray stages (tray levels) in the aerator, C0 is the sulfide content entering the distribution tray, and Cn is the sulfide concentration exiting aeration tray n. Sulfide removal was negatively affected as H + decreased and flow increased but positively affected as the available tray aerator surface area increased. The empirical model demonstrated linear correlation (R 2 = 0.875–0.962) when model projections were compared with analytically measured values, with an accuracy that ranged between 3.44 and 13.3%.
Comparison of theoretical and experimental thrust performance of a 1030:1 area ratio rocket nozzle at a chamber pressure of 2413 kN/sq m (350 psia)

The joint Army. Navy, NASA. Air Force (JANNAF) rocket engine peformnace prediction procedure is based on the use of various reference computer programs. One of the reference programs for nozzle analysis is the Two-Dimensional Kinetics (TDK) Program. The purpose of this report is to calibrate the JANNAF procedure incorporated into the December l984 version of the TDK program for the high-area-ratio rocket engine regime. The calibration was accomplished by modeling the performance of a 1030:1 rocket nozzle tested at NASA Lewis Research Center. A detailed description of the experimental test conditions and TDK input parameters is given. The results show that the computer code predicts delivered vacuum specific impulse to within 0.12 to 1.9 percent of the experimental data. Vacuum thrust coefficient predictions were within + or - 1.3 percent of experimental results. Predictions of wall static pressure were within approximately + or - 5 percent of the measured values. An experimental value for inviscid thrust was obtained for the nozzle extension between area ratios of 427.5 and 1030 by using an integration of the measured wall static pressures. Subtracting the measured thrust gain produced by the nozzle between area ratios of 427.5 and 1030 from the inviscid thrust gain yielded experimental drag decrements of 10.85 and 27.00 N (2.44 and 6.07 lb) for mixture ratios of 3.04 and 4.29, respectively. These values correspond to 0.45 and 1.11 percent of the total vacuum thrust. At a mixture ratio of 4.29, the TDK predicted drag decrement was 16.59 N (3.73 lb), or 0.71 percent of the predicted total vacuum thrust.
IPAD: an intelligent parameter design tool

Parameter design is an off-line quality engineering technique, where the parameters for a process or product are determined, so that the effect of noise on the response of the process, or the function of the product is minimized. An approach to parameter design, called the Taguchi Methods, helps improve quality without increasing the cost, through experimentation. A tool, IPAD (Intelligent Parameter Design) has been developed to automate parameter design. Such tools should aid industry in developing a product or process of higher quality, or improving an existing one. This paper focuses on TAG, an embedded expert system that designs experiments using the Taguchi Methods.
Solid lipid nanoparticles for topical drug delivery

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have shown interesting potential as a drug delivery system for the topical delivery of various drugs. However, their performance when applied to the skin has not been fully investigated because of the complexity of their composition and structure.
Electrolyte Leakage, ATP Content in Leaves and Intensity of Net Photosynthesis in Maize Seedlings at Permanent or Different Daily Exposure to Low Temperatures

Changes were determined in electrolyte leakage (EL), ATP content in leaves and intensity of net photosynthesis (FJ in maize seedlings as a result of continued exposure to low temperatures for several days or, after a cold night (5 °C, 9 h), alternating application of 5 °C and 20 °C temperatures during the lit phase of the day (h of chilling during day/night: 0/9, 5/9, 10/9, 15/9). At continuous exposure to low temperatures, permanent reduction of ATP content occurred between days 7 and 10, while EL increased significantly between days 4 to 7 (depending on experimental conditions). Of three leaves differing in age, most injuries were found in the oldest leaf. An increased intensity of irradiation from 150 to 500 μE. m−2.s−1 caused an earlier decrease in the ATP content and a further increase in electrolyte leakage. ATP content showed a 24 h rhythm, it increased at the end of the night and decreased at the end of the day. The rhythm was particularly noticeable in the control plants (20 °C), as well as, however to a lesser extent, in plants exposed to daily fluctuating chilling temperatures. It has also been observed that higher temperatures occurring in day time may diminish electrolyte leakage induced by previous low temperatures The intensity of Fn determined at 20 °C, 4 h after withdrawal of chilling, decreased with the prolongation of the chilling period during the day. Thus, it may be assumed that the EL and Fn values as indicators of the plants' sensitivity are in better agreement with the induced chill doses than the ATP content in leaves, which to a greater extent depends on the interaction between chilling and other experimental factors, such as irradiation intensity or the sequence of light and darkness.
Scanning equalization digital radiography (SEDR): effects of exposure equalization on image processing

Digital radiographs are often processed prior to printing or display. The algorithm used is generally a combination of contrast and edge enhancement applied in a spatially varying way. However, such enhancement often resulted in objectionable noise level in heavily attenuating regions, which may compromise the low contrast performance. We are developing and investigating a Scan Equalization Digital Radiography (SEDR) technique with which the transmitted x-ray exposure falling on the detector would be equalized and the image SNRs would be made more uniform. In this study, we simulated exposure equalization by acquiring a series of digital radiographs with incrementing mAs’ (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8) and then adding them with binary weighting factors to achieve equalized exposures over various regions of the image. The exposure-equalized image was then processed with two algorithms: local window/level optimization or edge enhancement using unsharp masking. The processed images with and without exposure equalization were then examined and compared with each other. For quantitative comparison, identically acquired images were used to obtain two sets of equalized and processed images. These two sets of images were subtracted from each other to generate a map of normalized noise for comparison. It is found that exposure equalization resulted in more uniform SNRs in both raw and processed images. Thus the noise levels in heavily attenuated regions were kept low and had less objectionable appearance for visualization of low contrast objects.
Effects of ultrafiltration membrane surface properties on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm initiation for the purpose of reducing biofouling

Biofilm fouling is one of the major obstacles hindering the use of membranes in water processing systems. There are a series of events that take place during biofilm formation, one of the most interesting and important issues of biofouling is the initial attachment of microorganisms to the surface. Therefore, effects that surface properties have on biofilm fouling are important to attachment and were examined. Hydrophobicity, surface charge and roughness were measured for several polymeric surfaces of interest in water processing membrane systems. These surfaces were then subjected to conditioning layer formation and biofilm fouling, both of which were quantified. The results show that biofilm initiation by a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa increases as the surface becomes more rough and more hydrophobic, while fouling is minimal when surface charge is minimized and increases with increasing charge, whether positive or negative.
Being a mother and a por día domestic worker. Companionship and deprivation.

This article presents qualitative findings concerning women's maternal roles, based on interviews conducted in a study on role integration and health, in a Colombian sample of 60 women who are "por dia" domestic workers. The results describe the women's worldview as they discuss the stresses and the satisfactions of their mothering roles. The results also include the coping strategies used to deal with the stresses inherent in the maternal role. Women describe how the companionship of their children, watching their children grow, and the nurturing they give their children provides them with pride and deep satisfaction. These satisfying aspects of their role are burdened by the stress related to worry about children's bad behavior, their illness, and a pervasive generalized sense of constant worry. Being single parents adds more stress to these women's lives. Participants coped emotionally through distraction and through talking with friends. Other coping strategies included calming self, problem solving, talking with children, and substance use. The authors conclude with a discussion of the relationship between poverty and work situation as contexts for understanding maternal roles.
A novel indole ethyl isothiocyanate (7Me-IEITC) with anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on platinum-resistant human ovarian cancer cells.

Abstract Objective A novel indole ethyl isothiocyanate derivative (7Me-IEITC) was defined as a potent growth-suppressing agent to cell lines derived from ovarian cancers. Key mechanisms of the cellular response in vitro were studied and suggest a potential of 7Me-IEITC as a therapeutic drug. Methods The viability of ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV-3, OVCAR-3) in comparison to pancreatic and prostate cancer cell lines, primary fibroblast and immortalized trophoblasts after treatment with 7Me-IEITC was analyzed. Morphological and apoptotic responses of SKOV-3 were studied by fluorescence microscopy (DAPI staining, TUNEL assay). SKOV-3 proliferation was estimated by a standardized BrdU incorporation assay. The phosphorylation of MAP-Kinases, pro-survival factors and the activation of caspases and PARP-1 were analyzed by western blotting. Changes of the mitochondrial transmembrane-potential and in cell-cycle progression were studied by FACS analysis. MAP-Kinase and caspase inhibitors were employed in cytotoxicity studies. Results 7Me-IEITC selectively reduced the viability of SKOV-3, OVCAR-3, BXPC-3 and PC-3 cells (IC 50 values≤5 μM), while the viability of fibroblasts or trophoblasts remained un-affected at concentrations below 20 μM. 7Me-IEITC treatment down-regulated pro-survival kinases and transcription factors (STAT-3, IKKα and NF-κB), caused rapid loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane-potential and inactivation of PARP-1 along with activation of caspases. The use of p38 MAP-Kinase-and caspase inhibitors suppressed the cytotoxicity of the drug. 7Me-IEITC acted as an anti-proliferative agent and arrested the cell-cycle progression of SKOV-3 in G2/M phase. Conclusion 7Me-IEITC is a potent and growth-suppressing agent to cell lines derived from ovarian cancers by causing deactivation of survival signals, apoptosis, and cell-cycle arrest.
Some comments on European procedural harmonization

It is a privilege to add my comments to those of a distinguished proceduralist and comparativist,1 the Director of the Hellenic Institute of International and Foreign Law, Professor Konstantinos D. Kerameus of Athens University, who has given us a helpful overview regarding the current status of procedural harmonization in Europe.2 As he points out in the beginning of his paper, owing to the Brussels Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters,3 in Europe the law of civil procedure is leaving its national confines.4
Surface magnetoelastic coupling coefficients of single-crystal fcc Co thin films.

We propose a method of analysis that allows indirect determination of magnetoelastic coupling coefficients for thin magnetic films. The method is based on a general phenomenological equation describing the dependence of the effective magnetic anisotropy energy density on film thickness for a thin cubic ferromagnetic film sandwiched between two nonmagnetic layers of the same material. We show that by fitting the measured effective anisotropy energy density with this equation using independently measured elastic strain in the film and the saturation magnetization ${\mathit{M}}_{\mathit{s}}$, we can extract the N\'eel surface magnetic anisotropy energy density ${\mathit{K}}^{\mathit{s}}$ and either of the surface magnetoelastic coupling coefficients ${\mathit{B}}_{1}^{\mathit{s}}$ or ${\mathit{B}}_{2}^{\mathit{s}}$ depending on the film orientation. The model is applied to published data for fcc Co/Cu(111) superlattices. We find that ${\mathit{B}}_{2}^{\mathit{s}}$=-23.5 erg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ and ${\mathit{K}}^{\mathit{s}}$(Co/Cu)(111)=+0.47 erg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. While such large values of ${\mathit{B}}^{\mathit{s}}$ relative to ${\mathit{K}}^{\mathit{s}}$ are surprising, recent direct measurements of ${\mathit{B}}^{\mathit{s}}$ in polycrystalline Ni films show these values to be reasonable.
Introduction to Special Issue on Homelessness

In this Volume, the Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice features a Special Issue on the displaced poor and the health and human service care systems that treat, correct, and confine them. The I...
Altered OCTase location in the influenza BLee virus model for Reye's syndrome☆

Abstract OCTase deficiency has been reported to be associated with Reye's syndrome by some observers, while others report no abnormalities. In this paper, we discuss the OCTase levels in an experimental mouse model of Reye's syndrome. In all but one mouse, total liver OCTase was found to be in the normal range. A significant fraction of the OCTase, however, was found in the cytosol, while little was found in the cytosol of control mice. In addition, up to a 10-fold increase of OCTase was observed in the serum of experimental mice. This indicates that, although total enzyme remains the same, the mitochondrial portion of the urea cycle is disrupted. It is suggested that serum OCTase levels may be of value in the differential diagnosis of Reye's syndrome.
Resolution and Reconstitution of H+-ATPase Complex from Beef Heart Mitochondria

Mitochondrial H+-ATPase complex, purified by the lysolecithin extraction procedure, has been resolved into a “membrane” (NaBr-F0) and a “soluble” fraction by treatment with 3.5 M sodium bromide. The NaBr-F0 fraction is completely devoid of p, 8, and e subunits of the F, ATPase and largely devoid of α and γ subunits of F1, where F0 is used to denote the membrane fraction and F1, coupling factor 1. This is confirmed by complete loss of ATPase and P1-ATP exchange activities. The addition of F1 (400 μg · mg−1 F0) results in complete restoration of oligomycin sensitivity without any reduction in the F1-ATPase activity. Presumably, this is due to release of ATPase inhibitor protein from the F1-F0 complex consequent to sodium bromide extraction. Restoration of Pf-ATP exchange and H+-pumping activities require coupling factor B in addition to FpATPase. The oligomycin-sensitive ATPase and 32P1ATP exchange activities in reconstituted Fr F0 have the same sensitivity to uncouplers and energy transfer inhibitors as in...
On the rhetoric of social movements, historical movements, and “top‐down” movements: A commentary

This essay offers a commentary on the case studies of movement rhetoric by Stewart, Condit and Lucaites, Darsey, and Nelson. It proposes a modified definition of “social movement” in light of the apparent evidence of “top‐down” movements but nevertheless insists on the centrality of the variable of institutionalization in analyses of the rhetoric of social movements.
Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells pulsed with tumor homogenate induce immunity against syngeneic intracerebral glioma

Abstract To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of dendritic cell (DC) based therapy for intracerebral gliomas, we utilized a cell line derived from an astrocytoma that arose spontaneously in a VM/Dk mouse. This astrocytoma mirrors human gliomas phenotypically, morphologically and secretes transforming growth factor (TGF)-βs, immunosuppressive cytokines secreted by human gliomas. Systemic vaccination of mice with DCs pulsed with tumor homogenate followed by intracranial tumor challenge produced a >160% increase in median survival ( p =0.016) compared with mice vaccinated with PBS or unpulsed DCs ( p =0.083). Fifty percent of mice treated with pulsed DCs survived long-term. Immunologic memory was demonstrated by survival of mice rechallenged with tumor. Both cell-mediated and humoral immunity was induced. On histological examination only focal areas of demyelination at the tumor implantation site were present. There was no evidence that autoimmune encephalomyelitis was induced by DC vaccination. Therefore, in a murine model, vaccination with DCs pulsed with glioma tumor homogenate is a safe and effective therapy against a syngeneic glioma located in the immunologically privileged central nervous system (CNS).
Predictors of Changes in Sexual Behavior among Women on Methadone

This study identified predictors of reported sexual risk reduction among 109 female injection drug users enrolled in methadone clinics. Univariate analyses were used to examine the individual effects of each variable on the outcome of sexual behavior change over the past 6 months. Multiple logistic regression was then used to identify which of these variables were independently associated with such a change. Women with more than one sexual partner were more likely than women with one or no sexual partner to report changing their sexual behavior. African-American women were less likely than White Anglo or Latina women to report changing their sexual behavior. Women who held stronger beliefs that luck plays the largest role in getting AIDS were less likely to report changing their sexual behavior. Change in sexual behavior was associated with feeling comfortable asking partners to use condoms, higher depression scores, and loss of friends or family to AIDS. The observed relationship between personal suscept...
Biochemical basis for narcotic tolerance and physical dependence.

Despite long and extensive efforts, biochemical basis for the narcotic tolerance and physical dependence is still unknown. It appears, however, that the development of tolerance to, and physical dependence on, narcotics is related to protein synthesis mechanisms in the central nervous system, which results in alterations in either neuro-transmitter mechanism(s) or receptor protein or both. Recent advances in studies on protein synthesis and the successful demonstration of “opiate receptor” may shed light on the biochemical nature of these intriguing phenomena.
The Effects of Riparian Vegetation on Bank Stability

In northern Mississippi, roots in riparian zones were studied in an attempt to quantify the effects of root reinforcement of the soil matrix. The roots of trees can be treated as elastic-reinforced elements, and a function of the tensile strength of the roots can be added directly to the Mohr-Coulomb equation for failure criteria. Estimating root reinforcement and root-soil matrix interactions allows for the determination of whether bank vegetation is beneficial or detrimental. The research was conducted at the Goodwin Creek Experimental Watershed, located near Batesville, MS. This investigation quantifies root tensile strength of the sweet gum ( Liquidamar syraciflua ) in a cohesive, fine-grained, primarily loess-derived fluvial material. During the field research, trenches were excavated to gain access to the roots being studied. These trenches allowed mapping of the roots, as well as direct tensile testing of the roots. Increased tensile strength due to root reinforcement was found to be between 0.0 and 245 kPa, depending on depth. For a given depth of 40 cm, the increased tension due to root reinforcement averaged 148 kPa, depending on lateral distance from tree. A modified root reinforcement model was developed to explain the root-soil interaction observed at the research site. Itasca's Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua model was employed in determining the role of root reinforcement. The modeling results showed a contrast between root-reinforced and unreinforced soil. When no root reinforcement existed, the slope failed marginally. When simulated root reinforcement of 20 kPa was applied, the slope was shown to be completely stable.
On the nucleation and crystallization of silicalite-1 from a dilute clear sol

Abstract Nucleation and crystallization of silicalite-1, the all-silica zeolite with MFI framework, is typically studied using the tetrapropylammonium (TPA)-silica–water system. Here, TPA-silica sols were studied by a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cryogenic TEM (cryo-TEM). silicalite-1 crystals, as small as 20 nm, were successfully imaged by employing high-resolution cryo-TEM. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that non-crystalline aggregates form prior to silicalite-1 crystallization, and they indicate that at least some of the aggregates contain crystalline fragments, which is suggestive of zeolite nucleation within the aggregates. It was also determined that the typical TPA-silicalite-1 crystal morphology develops when nanoparticle concentration is substantially reduced suggesting that solution mediated processes rather than nanoparticle attachment are responsible for the development of the typical faceted crystals. It was also confirmed that silicalite-1 crystal morphology as well as nucleation and crystallization kinetics are strongly dependent on the structure directing agents present. In experiments using a dimer of TPA (Bis-1,6-(tripropyalammonium)hexamethylene dihydroxide), the time at which the first evidence of crystallinity was observed and the crystal growth rate were substantially delayed. However, the sequence of events observed follow that of TPA-silicalite-1.
A handheld polarimeter for aerosol remote sensing

In this paper we show how measurements made by a simple handheld polarimeter in conjunction with automated sunsky radiometers can be used to effectively constrain the real part of the complex refractive index of aerosols. We find that even measurements over a limited angular range near 90° scattering angle are sufficient for this purpose. We also note that because of the effect of surface reflectance on the observed degree of linear polarization (DOLP) it is sensible to select spectral bands for these measurements for which the surface is relatively dark and homogeneous (i.e. wavelengths shorter than 700 nm are to be preferred).
Determination of residual hexane in solvent extracted meals

A simple modification of the volitilization procedure improved the reproducibility and covered a wide range of residual hexane in meal with good precision. A comparison study showed that the modified volatilization method released and assayed more residual hexane from the meals than did the direct gas chromatographic technique.
Lessons From a Postcritical Ethnography, Burundian Children With Refugee Status, and Their Teachers

This article represents one orientation to postcritical ethnography. Framing research with Burundian children and their teachers in a small city in Appalachia, the author shares the ways postcritical ethnography informed the process and representations of her work. After introducing postcritical ethnography and early beginnings to the research, the author reviews some of the issues children with refugee status endure in U.S. public schools. Using commitments from postcritical ethnography, the author explores the relationships between these children and their teachers, and their teachers and the county in which they teach. Addressing issues of access to resources and professional development, the author situates an account of school discipline at the intersections of refugee status, teacher education, and postcritical ethnography. Throughout, the author narrates the process as an ethnographer and the navigation of the commitments of postcritical ethnography.
A plasmid display platform for the selection of peptides exhibiting a functional cell‐penetrating phenotype

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) represent a promising nonviral platform for the delivery of therapeutic cargos to cells and tissues. However, these peptides are often nonspecific, and their mechanism of action is still a subject of debate, which hinders the design of new CPPs. The alternative to rational protein design is the combinatorial approach to protein engineering, whereby large libraries of peptides are created and a screening or selection procedure is used to identify members with the desired phenotype(s). Here we describe a novel procedure for selecting peptides with a CPP phenotype using a plasmid display (PD) platform to link the peptides to their encoding DNA sequences. The PD system is based on genetic fusions to a DNA binding domain. The plasmid was designed to concomitantly express a fluorescent reporter protein to serve as a mock therapeutic cargo indicating its functional delivery into a cell. We have demonstrated this selection strategy using a control CPP (the TAT peptide) in the PC12 neuronal-like cell line. In the absence of transfection reagents, TAT was unable to deliver the protein/DNA complexes. The inclusion of the HA2 peptide from the hemagglutinin protein and the addition of polyethylenimine (PEI) were similarly ineffective. The addition of Lipofectamine, however, enabled the TAT-mediated delivery of the protein/DNA complexes, which was significantly better than control experiments without a CPP. This new PD selection platform will be a valuable new approach for use in identifying unique CPPs from randomized libraries with novel abilities and specificities. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Age at First Sexual Assault and Current Substance Use and Depression

This article explores how the association between sexual violence and substance use and mental health differs by race and life course stage. Analyses are based on data (n = 8,000) from the Violence and Threats of Violence against Women and Men in the United States Survey, 1994-1996 (NVAWS). Although sexual violence does not heighten the risk of problem drinking for White women, minority women victimized in adulthood are significantly more likely to engage in problem drinking and use illicit drugs. This suggests that for minority women the effects of recent victimization experiences result in immediate and potentially long-lasting consequences. The findings with respect to the association between sexual violence and depression are consistent with the child and adolescent development literature. It is Hispanic women who are more likely to suffer depression as a consequence of child sexual assault.
Dispositions Toward Families and Family Involvement: Supporting Preservice Teacher Development

This article highlights the importance of nurturing preservice teachers as they develop the dispositions essential to establish empowering relationships with children’s families. The authors identify and describe several key dispositions necessary for working with families and offer suggestions for ways that these elements might be integrated into early childhood teacher preparation programs.
Two Chinese hamster ovary glycosylation mutants affected in the conversion of GDP-mannose to GDP-fucose.

Abstract A biochemical basis for the pea and lentil lectin resistance of two Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants, Lec13 and Lec13A, was investigated. Studies of the G glycopeptides of vesicular stomatitis virus grown in the mutants indicated that Lec13 cells essentially lack the ability to add fucose to complex carbohydrates while Lec13A cells synthesize significant proportions of fucosylated, complex moieties. However, both mutants were known to be reverted to lectin sensitivity by growth in l -fucose, making them similar to the mouse lymphoma mutant, PLR1.3, which is defective in the conversion of GDP-manose to GPD-fucose [ M. L. Reitman, I. S. Trowbridge, and S. Kornfeld (1980) J. Biol. Chem.255, 9900–9906 ]. Optimal conditions for the production of GDP-fucose from GDP-mannose by CHO cytosol were found to occur at pH 8 in the presence of 7.5 μ m GDP-mannose, 15 m m Mg2+, 0.2 m m NAD+, 0.2 m m NADPH, 10 m m niacinamide, 5 m m ATP, and 50 m m Tris-HCl. Under these conditions, Lec13 cytosol produced no detectable GDP-fucose nor GDP-sugar intermediates while Lec13A cytosol produced significant quantities of both. Mixing experiments with Lec13 cytosol identified the first enzyme of the conversion pathway (GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase, EC 4.2.1.47) as the site of the block. In addition to being markedly reduced, the Lec13A 4,6-dehydratase activity was relatively insensitive to changes in pH in comparison to the activity in parental cytosol, suggesting that Lec13A cells might possess a structurally altered GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase enzyme.
Opposite-sex coworkers and marital infidelity

This paper examines if workplace sex ratios are associated with marital infidelity. I find that the likelihood of ever having been sexually unfaithful to a partner increases with a fraction of opposite-sex coworkers for men but not for women.
Design and fabrication of a freeform microlens array for uniform beam shaping

Freeform optics has become a practical solution to solving number of problems in modern optical design. In this paper, we proposed a fabrication method using the combination of ultraprecision diamond machining and microinjection molding to achieve high volume and low cost freeform microlens manufacturing. The freeform microlens array discussed in this research is capable of redistributing a collimated light into a pre determined, in this case, a uniform pattern. The optical design, slow tool servo diamond machining, microinjection molding process and optical measurement were discussed. The simple optical design provided a platform for freeform microlens calculation. Slow tool servo diamond broaching was selected to fabricate the mold insert. After the mold insert was fabricated, microinjection molding machine was utilized to replicate the optical geometry into plastic substrates. The freeform microlens array that was fabricated in this research could achieve light re-distribution at the target with approximately 80% uniformity. The research conducted in this paper can be readily implemented in optical industry.
Pulse-coupled neural nets: translation, rotation, scale, distortion, and intensity signal invariance for images

The linking-field neural network model of Eckhorn et al. [Neural Comput. 2, 293-307 (1990)] was introduced to explain the experimentally observed synchronous activity among neural assemblies in the cat cortex induced by feature-dependent visual activity. The model produces synchronous bursts of pulses from neurons with similar activity, effectively grouping them by phase and pulse frequency. It gives a basic new function: grouping by similarity. The synchronous bursts are obtained in the limit of strong linking strengths. The linking-field model in the limit of moderate-to-weak linking characterized by few if any multiple bursts is investigated. In this limit dynamic, locally periodic traveling waves exist whose time signal encodes the geometrical structure of a two-dimensional input image. The signal can be made insensitive to translation, scale, rotation, distortion, and intensity. The waves transmit information beyond the physical interconnect distance. The model is implemented in an optical hybrid demonstration system. Results of the simulations and the optical system are presented.
Genome‐wide association study identifies candidate markers for bull fertility in Holstein dairy cattle

The decline in the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle has become a challenging problem worldwide. Female fertility is now taken into account in breeding goals while generally less attention is given to male fertility. The objective of this study was to perform a genome-wide association study in Holstein bulls to identify genetic variants significantly related to sire conception rate (SCR), a new phenotypic evaluation of bull fertility. The analysis included 1755 sires with SCR data and 38,650 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the entire bovine genome. Associations between SNPs and SCR were analyzed using a mixed linear model that included a random polygenic effect and SNP genotype either as a linear covariate or as a categorical variable. A multiple testing correction approach was used to account for the correlation between SNPs because of linkage disequilibrium. After genome-wide correction, eight SNPs showed significant association with SCR. Some of these SNPs are located close to or in the middle of genes with functions related to male fertility, such as the sperm acrosome reaction, chromatin remodeling during the spermatogenesis, and the meiotic process during male germ cell maturation. Some SNPs showed marked dominance effects, which provide more evidence for the relevance of non-additive effects in traits closely related to fitness such as fertility. The results could contribute to the identification of genes and pathways associated with male fertility in dairy cattle.
Immunization of LDL Receptor–Deficient Mice With Homologous Malondialdehyde-Modified and Native LDL Reduces Progression of Atherosclerosis by Mechanisms Other Than Induction of High Titers of Antibodies to Oxidative Neoepitopes

We and others previously showed that immunization of rabbits with different forms of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly reduced atherogenesis. We now investigated the effect of continued immunization on atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient (LDLR-/-) mice to determine whether a similar reduction of atherosclerosis occurred in murine models and whether this was due to humoral immune responses, ie, formation of high titers of antibodies to oxidation-specific epitopes. Three groups of LDLR-/- mice were repeatedly immunized with homologous malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL), native LDL, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 7 weeks. Extensive hypercholesterolemia and accelerated atherogenesis were then induced by feeding a cholesterol-rich diet for 17 weeks, during which immunizations were continued. Binding of immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies, as well as IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes, to several epitopes of oxidized LDL were followed throughout the study. After 24 weeks of intervention, atherosclerosis in the aortic origin was significantly reduced by 46.3% and 36.9% in mice immunized with MDA-LDL and native LDL, respectively, compared with PBS (133 558 and 157 141 versus 248 867 microm2 per section, respectively). However, the humoral immune response to oxidative neoepitopes in the MDA-LDL group was very different from that of the LDL or PBS group. IgG antibody binding to MDA-LDL and other epitopes of oxidized LDL, such as oxidized phospholipid (cardiolipin), oxidized cholesterol, or oxidized cholesteryl linoleate, but not native LDL, increased markedly in mice immunized with MDA-LDL, but not in mice immunized with native LDL or PBS. In the MDA-LDL group, both T helper cell (Th)2-dependent IgG1 antibody and Th1-dependent IgG2a antibody binding to oxidative neoepitopes increased significantly over time. The fact that mice immunized with both MDA-LDL and native LDL had a significant reduction in atherosclerosis, whereas only the MDA-LDL group developed very high titers of antibodies to oxidation-specific epitopes, suggests that the antiatherogenic effect of immunization is not primarily dependent on very high titers of antibodies to oxidation-specific epitopes but is more likely to result from the activation of cellular immune responses.
Using resin-extraction of soil nutrients for genotype selection and fertility management

Efficient use of resources requires matching plant and soil potential. This is aided by assessments of the soil resource and correlation with crop yield. Two hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.), three varieties of soybean (Glycine max L.) and two varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown in rotational succession annually on a 3.2 ha field site. Soil samples (0 to 15 cm) were extracted with cation- and anion-exchange resins. Extracted chemical concentrations were regressed against seed yield. Each genotype was sensitive to a unique suite of chemistries. Soybean variety 9091 and maize hybrid 2292 both showed marked responses to the Mg:(Mg+Ca) ratio, which suggests that Mg may be a reasonable fertilizer. While most genotypes were sensitive to the presence of vanadium (V) and/or to the V:(V+P) ratio, one variety each of soybean and wheat were insensitive to this ratio. Wheat yields increased with Fe and showed a curvi-linear response to K. Losses of yield potentials due to the V:(V+P) ratio ranged from nil to as much as 25 % as the ratio ranged from 0 to about 0.15 for all crops (about 700 kg for Soybean, 2000 kg for maize and 600 kg for wheat ha−1).