cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monologue speech: effects of d-amphetamine, secobarbital and diazepam.

Drugs of abuse from different pharmacological classes increase social conversation. Alcohol and d-amphetamine also increase rates of talking in subjects producing speech monologues in an isolated context. This latter finding suggests that the increases observed during dyadic social conversation may represent general increases in talking and not specific effects on social interaction. The present study was conducted to assess whether other abused drugs also increase monologue speaking. The acute effects of secobarbital (0, 50, 150, 250 mg), d-amphetamine (0, 25 mg) (Experiment 1), and diazepam (0, 10, 20, 40 mg) (Experiment 2) were investigated in healthy, adult volunteers. Secobarbital and d-amphetamine both increased the total amount of speech emitted, while diazepam generally had no effect or decreased talking. Experiment 3 was conducted to further compare the effects of secobarbital (0, 50, 150, 250 mg) and diazepam (0, 5, 15, 25 mg) using a within-subject, crossover design. Secobarbital increased talking in three of the four subjects studied, while diazepam, again, had no effect or decreased talking. In contrast to the differences noted with talking, secobarbital and diazepam both decreased response rates in nonverbal performance task (i.e., circular-lights procedure); they also produced many similar effects on various subject-rated measures of drug effect. Thus, the differences in the effects of these two compounds on talking are not the result of a general difference in their overall profile of behavioral effects. In summary, the results obtained with secobarbital and d-amphetamine further demonstrate that an explicitly social context is not a necessary condition to observe drug-produced increases in speech quantity. The failure of diazepam to reliably increase talking in the present study illustrates the existence of some pharmacological specificity in the effect of drugs on human speech, and suggests another way in which the behavioral effects of the barbiturates and benzodiazepines may differ.
Quantitative label-free multimodality nonlinear optical imaging for in situ differentiation of cancerous lesions

The development of real-time, label-free imaging techniques has recently attracted research interest for in situ differentiation of cancerous lesions from normal tissues. Molecule-specific intrinsic contrast can arise from label-free imaging techniques such as Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS), Two-Photon Excited AutoFluorescence (TPEAF), and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG), which, in combination, would hold the promise of a powerful label-free tool for cancer diagnosis. Among cancer-related deaths, lung carcinoma is the leading cause for both sexes. Although early treatment can increase the survival rate dramatically, lesion detection and precise diagnosis at an early stage is unusual due to its asymptomatic nature and limitations of current diagnostic techniques that make screening difficult. We investigated the potential of using multimodality nonlinear optical microscopy that incorporates CARS, TPEAF, and SHG techniques for differentiation of lung cancer from normal tissue. Cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissue samples from patients were imaged using CARS, TPEAF, and SHG techniques for comparison. These images showed good pathology correlation with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stained sections from the same tissue samples. Ongoing work includes imaging at various penetration depths to show three-dimensional morphologies of tumor cell nuclei using CARS, elastin using TPEAF, and collagen using SHG and developing classification algorithms for quantitative feature extraction to enable lung cancer diagnosis. Our results indicate that via real-time morphology analyses, a multimodality nonlinear optical imaging platform potentially offers a powerful minimally-invasive way to differentiate cancer lesions from surrounding non-tumor tissues in vivo for clinical applications.
Optical Diagnostics of Hot, Dense Plasmas

The use of laser light as a monitor for the state of a hot dense plasma is one of the most important and reliable plasma diagnostic techniques. Problems encountered in Thompson scattering electron temperature measurements and interferometric density measurements are discussed. Finally, the possibility of two-wavelength scattering yielding a deep insight into the phase space distribution of a plasma is presented.
Nitrogen components in IAB/IIICD iron meteorites

Isotopic variations have been reported for many elements in iron meteorites, with distinct N signatures found in the metal and graphite of IAB irons. In this study, a dozen IAB/IIICD iron meteorites (see Table 1 for new classifications) were analyzed by stepwise pyrolysis to resolve nitrogen components. Although isotopic heterogeneity has been presumed to be lost in thermally processed parent objects, the high-resolution nitrogen isotopic data indicate otherwise. At least one reservoir has a light nitrogen signature, δ15N = -(74 ± 2)‰, at 900 °C to 1000 °C, with a possible second, even lighter, reservoir in Copiapo (δ15N ≤ -82‰). These releases are consistent with metal nitride ecomposition or low-temperature metal phase changes. Heavier nitrogen reservoirs are observed in steps ≤700 °C and at 1200 °C to 1400 °C. The latter release has a δ15N signature with a limit of ≥-16‰. Xenon isotopic signatures are sensitive indicators for the presence of inclusions because of the very low abundances of Xe in metal. The combined high-temperature release shows 131Xe and 129Xe excesses to be consistent with shifts expected for Te(n,γ) reaction in troilite by epithermal neutrons, but there are also possible alterations in the isotopic ratios likely due to extinct 129I and cosmic-ray spallation. The IAB/IIICD iron data imply that at least one light N component survived the formation processes of iron parent objects which only partially exchanged nitrogen between phases. Preservation of separate N reservoirs conflicts with neither the model of impact-heating effects for these meteorites nor reported age differences between metal and silicates.
Randomized trial of argon plasma coagulation vs. multipolar electrocoagulation for ablation of Barrett's esophagus.

Background Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus has been described in which various thermocoagulation modalities are used in combination with a high dose of a proton pump inhibitor. No randomized comparison of ablation strategies has been published. Methods Referred patients were screened to identify those with Barrett's esophagus 2 to 7 cm in length, without high-grade dysplasia or cancer. Included patients received pantoprazole (40 mg twice a day), followed by randomization to treatment with argon plasma coagulation (APC) or multipolar electrocoagulation (MPEC). The primary outcome measure was the number of treatment sessions required for endoscopic ablation. Results Of 235 patients screened, 52 were randomized. The mean length of Barrett's esophagus was 3.1 cm in the MPEC group vs. 4.0 cm in the APC group ( p =0.03). Otherwise, the treatment groups were similar with regard to baseline characteristics. The mean number of treatment sessions required for endoscopic ablation was 2.9 for MPEC vs. 3.8 for APC ( p =0.04) in an intention-to-treat analysis ( p =0.249, after adjustment for the difference in length of Barrett's esophagus). The proportion of patients in which ablation was endoscopically achieved proximal to the gastroesophageal junction was 88% for the MPEC group vs. 81% for the APC group ( p =0.68) and histologically achieved in 81% for MPEC vs. 65% for APC ( p =0.21). The mean time required for the first treatment session was 6 minutes with MPEC vs. 10 minutes with APC ( p =0.01) in per protocol analysis. There was no serious adverse event, but transient moderate to severe upper-GI symptoms occurred after MPEC in 8% vs. 13% after APC ( p =0.64). Conclusions Although there were no statistically significant differences, ablation of Barrett's esophagus with pantoprazole and MPEC required numerically fewer treatment sessions, and endoscopic and histologic ablation was achieved in a greater proportion of patients compared with treatment with pantoprazole and APC.
First Report of Anthracnose of Velvet Ash Caused by Discula fraxinea in Louisiana.

Velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina Torr.), a native tree of the southwestern United States, was commonly planted in Louisiana and other southeastern states until horticulturalists lost interest in the plant due to insect and disease problems. For several years, velvet ash trees in Baton Rouge have exhibited necrotic leaf spots and blotches during March and April. Trees frequently have 10 to 25% foliage infection and those most severely infected may show 50% defoliation. Small hyaline conidia that averaged 9.0 × 3.8 μm were produced in acervuli in necrotic tissue on lower leaf surfaces of affected trees. A fungus that produced similar conidia was consistently isolated from infected leaves and grown on potato dextrose agar. Pathogenicity tests were performed by misting 3 × 106 conidia per ml on leaf surfaces of velvet ash seedlings that were then placed in a dew chamber maintained at 26°C for 48 h. Chlorotic leaf spots developed on inoculated plants in 4 to 6 days at 24°C and were followed by necrotic spots and ...
Laparoscopic liver resection using radio frequency ablation in a porcine model.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of laparoscopic left lateral lobe resection, using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with internally cooled tip electrodes, in a porcine model.
Examination of an Administrator-Read Vocabulary-Matching Measure as an Indicator of Science Achievement.

Research and development of measures to document ongoing learning within the content areas are in the beginning stages. As such, the current study adds to efforts in the development of the vocabulary-matching measure. Using a modified format of the previously studied vocabulary-matching measure, 63 middle school students completed alternate forms of an administrator-read science measure weekly across 24 data collection periods. Results of hierarchical linear modeling analysis revealed a significant mean growth rate across time (0.26 items per week), significant individual variation in learning rates, and growth rate differences that were significantly predicted by student disability status. General education students had a higher rate of growth than those with disabilities included for science. Results are analyzed and limitations as well as directions for future research are discussed. It is concluded that current findings lend additional validity support to the interpretation of vocabulary-matching scor...
Voltage‐dependent inward currents of interstitial cells of Cajal from murine colon and small intestine

Electrical slow waves in gastrointestinal (GI) muscles are generated by pacemaker cells, known as interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). The pacemaker conductance is regulated by periodic release of Ca2+ from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor-operated stores, but little is known about how slow waves are actively propagated. We investigated voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents in cultured ICC from the murine colon and small intestine. ICC, identified by kit immunohistochemistry, were spontaneously active under current clamp and generated transient inward (pacemaker) currents under voltage clamp. Depolarization activated inward currents due to entry of Ca2+. Nicardipine (1 microM) blocked only half of the voltage-dependent inward current. After nicardipine, there was a shift in the potential at which peak current was obtained (-15 mV), and negative shifts in the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation of the remaining voltage-dependent inward current. The current that was resistant to dihydropyridine (I(VDDR)) displayed kinetics, ion selectivity and pharmacology that differed from dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ currents. I(VDDR) was increased by elevating extracellular Ca2+ from 2 to 10 mM, and this caused a +30 mV shift in reversal potential. I(VDDR) was blocked by Ni2+ (100 microM) or mebefradil (1 microM) but was not affected by blockers of N-, P- or Q-type Ca2+ channels. Equimolar replacement of Ca2+ with Ba2+ reduced I(VDDR) without effects on inactivation kinetics. BayK8644 had significantly less effect on I(VDDR) than on I(VDIC). In summary, two components of inward Ca2+ current were resolved in ICC of murine small intestine and colon. Since slow waves persist in the presence of dihydropyridines, the dyhydropyridine-resistant component of inward current may contribute to slow wave propagation.
Selective deletion of leptin receptors in adult hippocampus induces depression-related behaviours

Previous studies have demonstrated that leptin and its receptors (LepRb) in the central nervous system play an important role in regulating depression- and anxiety-related behaviours. However, the physiological functions of LepRb in specific brain regions for mediating different emotional behaviours remain to be defined. In this study, we examined the behavioural effects of LepRb ablation in the adult hippocampus using a series of behavioural paradigms for assessing depression- and anxiety-related behaviours. Targeted deletion of LepRb was achieved using the Cre/loxP site-specific recombination system through bilateral stereotaxic delivery of an adeno-associated virus expressing Cre-recombinase (AAV-Cre) into the dentate gyrus of adult mice homozygous for a floxed leptin receptor allele. AAV-Cre-mediated deletion of the floxed region of LepRb was detected 2 wk after injection. In accordance with this, leptin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt was attenuated in the hippocampus of AAV-Cre injected mice. Mice injected with AAV-Cre displayed normal locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviour, as determined in the elevated plus-maze, light-dark box and open field tests, but showed increased depression-like behaviours in the tail suspension, saccharin preference and learned helplessness tests. Taken together, these data suggest that deletion of LepRb in the adult hippocampus is sufficient to induce depression-like behaviours. Our results support the view that leptin signalling in the hippocampus may be essential for positive mood states and active coping to stress.
Lattice theory of face-shear and thickness-twist waves in b.c.c. crystal plates

Abstract An analytical study is made of face-shear and thickness-twist waves propagating along the [100] and [110] directions of a b.c.c. lattice plate bounded by a pair of (001) surfaces. The behavior of the waves in the [110] direction is similar to that found previously for analogous waves in the [100] direction of simple-cubic and f.c.c. plates. In the [100] direction of the b.c.c. plate, the situation is quite different. Near the halfway point of the first Brillouin zone, the lowest symmetric mode and the lowest antisymmetric mode are predominantly surface modes and the remaining modes group together in a narrow, high frequency band-pass. The results of numerical computations are exhibited for iron and tungsten.
Adenosine A2A Antagonists in Parkinson’s Disease: What’s Next?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, affecting up to 10 million people worldwide. Current treatment primarily involves symptom management with dopaminergic replacement therapy. Levodopa remains the most effective oral treatment, although long-term use is associated with complications such as wearing off, dyskinesias, and on-off fluctuations. Non-dopaminergic medications that improve PD symptoms and motor fluctuations are in demand. Adenosine A2A receptors are abundantly expressed within the basal ganglia and offer a unique target to modify abnormal striatal signaling associated with PD. Preclinical animal models have shown the ability of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists to improve PD motor symptoms, reduce motor fluctuations and dyskinesia, as well as protect against toxin-induced neuronal degeneration. Both istradefylline and preladenant have demonstrated moderate efficacy in reducing off time in PD patients with motor fluctuations. The safety and efficacy of this class of compounds continues to be defined and future studies should focus on non-motor symptoms, dyskinesias, and neuroprotection.
Generation of Recombinant Arenavirus for Vaccine Development in FDA-Approved Vero Cells

The development and implementation of arenavirus reverse genetics represents a significant breakthrough in the arenavirus field. The use of cell-based arenavirus minigenome systems together with the ability to generate recombinant infectious arenaviruses with predetermined mutations in their genomes has facilitated the investigation of the contribution of viral determinants to the different steps of the arenavirus life cycle, as well as virus-host interactions and mechanisms of arenavirus pathogenesis. In addition, the development of trisegmented arenaviruses has permitted the use of the arenavirus genome to express additional foreign genes of interest, thus opening the possibility of arenavirus-based vaccine vector applications. Likewise, the development of single-cycle infectious arenaviruses capable of expressing reporter genes provides a new experimental tool to improve the safety of research involving highly pathogenic human arenaviruses. The generation of recombinant arenaviruses using plasmid-based reverse genetics techniques has so far relied on the use of rodent cell lines, which poses some barriers for the development of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed vaccine or vaccine vectors. To overcome this obstacle, we describe here the efficient generation of recombinant arenaviruses in FDA-approved Vero cells.
Volatile, fluorine-free β-ketoiminate precursors for MOCVD growth of lanthanide oxide thin films

Lanthanide oxide thin films are of increasing scientific and technological interest to the materials science community. A new class of fluorine-free, volatile, low-melting lanthanide precursors for the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of these films has been developed. Initial results from a full synthetic study of these lanthanide-organic complexes are detailed.
Microfabrication of a two-stage biomems microfluidic cell sorter

Point-of-care devices represent the future for medical technologies. Current diagnostic tools are cumbersome, expensive, complicated, and often at risk for contamination. There is a need for cost effective, portable, closed-system, high-speed cell screening and cell isolating device. A microfabricated, exponentially-staging, BioMEMS microfluidic cytometer/cell sorting device offers these advantages over current technologies. A two-stage branched architecture allows the study of inter-particle spacing, flow relations, pressure measurements, and cell behavior in an environment where fluorescence detection is used to identify and analyze certain cellular characteristics. This device was microfabricated using the polymer PDMS to transmit light effectively, to be inexpensive and disposable, and to be easy to manipulate. For initial prototyping, an inverted fluorescent Nikon microscope provided the necessary excitation to view the particles and cells. For the portable device, avalanche photo diodes (APDs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are being incorporated into the device for the detection and excitation respectively. For low light level applications, sigma-delta modulation methods are being applied to reduce noise susceptibility and to detect the APD signal more efficiently. In addition, a data acquisition system (DAQ) has been designed that can effectively track signals from a cell sorter using a digital signal processing (DSP) board and a laptop computer. Currently elastomeric valves for diverting flow have been incorporated into the microfluidic chip. Measurements are being made of the effects of the microfluidics valve structures, or the simple opening and closing of selected channels to divert flow and cells down specific channels depending on their measured properties.
A comparative study of the effectiveness of the Rinkel method and the current standard method of immunotherapy for ragweed pollen hay fever

Abstract In a double-blind study, we compared the effects of the Rinkel and the current standard methods of immunotherapy with ragweed pollen extract and those of placebo on symptoms of ragweed hay fever and immunologic parameters in 43 patients highly sensitive to ragweed. Each had a skin-test end point by Rinkel serial titration at 1:312,500 w/v or greater dilution, a 2+ skin test to ragweed AgE 0.01 μg/ml, and in vitro histamine release by ragweed pollen extract. None had had immunotherapy for at least 7 yr. Patients were matched on the basis of leukocyte histamine release to ragweed pollen extract and assigned to treatment groups. Fourteen received ragweed pollen extract by the Rinkel method, 14 received placebo, and 15 received ragweed pollen extract by the current standard method weekly between February and October, 1979. Rinkel method doses were derived from skin-test end points and were advanced to 0.5 ml of the end-point dilution; current standard method doses were advanced to the highest tolerated dose. The median maintenance dose for Rinkel method patients was 0.5 ml of 1:1,562,500 w/v (0.001 μg AgE), and for current standard method patients was 0.3 ml of 1:100 w/v (11 μg AgE). An additional unmatched group of nine similar patients received Rinkel method immunotherapy in both 1978 and 1979. Under the conditions of this study, the current standard method of immunotherapy produced a significant decrease in ragweed hay fever symptom-medication scores, increase in antiragweed IgG levels, and decrease in seasonal rise in antiragweed IgE levels in comparison with the effects of either Rinkel method or placebo. The effect of the Rinkel method on these variates was not significantly different from the effects of placebo.
Observing multidecadal trends in Southern Ocean CO2 uptake: What can we learn from an ocean model?

We use output from a hindcast simulation (1958–2007) of an ocean biogeochemical and ecological model to inform an observational strategy for detection of a weakening Southern Ocean CO2 sink from surface ocean pCO2 data. Particular emphasis is placed on resolving disparate conclusions about the Southern Ocean CO2 sink that have been drawn from surface ocean pCO2 observation studies in the past. We find that long-term trends in ΔpCO2(pCO2oc−pCO2atm) can be used as a proxy for changes in the strength of the CO2 sink but must be interpreted with caution, as they are calculated from small differences in the oceanic and atmospheric pCO2 trends. Large interannual, decadal, and multidecadal variability in ΔpCO2 persists throughout the simulation, suggesting that one must consider a range of start and end years for trend analysis before drawing conclusions about changes in the CO2 sink. Winter-mean CO2 flux trends are statistically indistinguishable from annual-mean trends, arguing for inclusion of all available pCO2oc data in future analyses of the CO2 sink. The weakening of the CO2 sink emerges during the observed period of our simulation (1981–2007) in the subpolar seasonally stratified biome (4°C < average climatological temperature < 9°C); the weakening is most evident during periods with positive trends in the Southern Annular Mode. With perfect temporal and spatial coverage, 13 years of pCO2oc data would be required to detect a weakening CO2 sink in this biome. Given available data, it is not yet possible to detect a weakening of the Southern Ocean CO2 sink with much certainty, due to imperfect data coverage and high variability in Southern Ocean surface pCO2.
Uptake and biotransformation of quinoline by rainbow trout

Abstract Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) readily absorb and metabolize [14C]quinoline when exposed to 1 mg/1 concentration in water. Juvenile fish accumulated over 60% of the total radiolabel body burden in the gall bladder as quinoline metabolites after 48 h exposure followed by 24 h in clean water. Hydrolysis products of the metabolites, isolated by alkaline digestion and base-catalysed acetylation, were found to be hydroxyquinolines and quinolinethiols. There is evidence that the hydroxy form was present in the gall bladders as the glucuronide was obtained from thin layer chromatographic experiments, and by cleavage with β-glucuronidase. The thiols, identified by high and low resolution mass spectrometry, predominated over the hydroxy derivative in most tissues examined. Relative body burdens of quinoline plus metabolites after 48 h were in the order gall bladder > muscle > gut > eyes > liver ≅ gill ≅ kidney.
New PET Imaging Agent for the Serotonin Transporter: [18F]ACF (2-[(2-Amino-4-chloro-5-fluorophenyl)thio]-N,N-dimethyl-benzenmethanamine)

A new F-18-labeled phenylthiophenyl derivative specific for imaging of serotonin transporters (SERT) in the brain by positron emission tomography (PET) is described. Fluorinated phenylthiophenyl derivative, ACF, 2-[(2-amino-4-chloro-5-fluorophenyl)thio]-N,N-dimethyl-benzenmethanamine, was prepared by first coupling 2,5-dichloro-4-nitroaniline with 2-mercapto-N,N-dimethylbenzamide. The amino group of the coupled adduct was converted to a fluoro group through a Schiemann reaction. Subsequently, a one pot reduction of both nitro and amide groups by BH3−tetrahydrofuran yielded the nonradioactive ACF (yield 25%). In vitro binding assays using cell membrane homogenates of LLC cells expressing SERT, dopamine transporters (DAT), or norepinephrine transporters (NET) showed excellent binding affinity and selectivity for SERT (Ki = 0.05, 3020, and 650 nM for SERT, DAT, and NET, respectively). For preparation of the [18F]ACF, the NH2 group of the initially coupled adduct was converted to the trimethylammonium salt, w...
Thermal dehydration-induced thirst in lithium-treated rats.

Abstract Lithium is used as the primary treatment for bipolar disorder but has the common side effects of diuresis and thirst. In the present study, the effects of lithium on water balance responses of male Sprague–Dawley rats to thermal dehydration were examined. Rats ate either unadulterated food or food containing 2 g/kg lithium carbonate for 10 days. Then the control and lithium-treated rats were exposed to either 25 or 37.5 °C without food or water for 4 h. The rats were then allowed access to water for 3 h at 25 °C or were anesthetized and blood samples were taken. Lithium treatment caused an initial decrease in food intake, a decrease in body weight, and an increase in urine output. Heat exposure caused similar increases in evaporative water loss in control and lithium-treated rats. Heat exposure led to changes in blood indicators of body water status indicative of dehydration, whereas lithium had no effects on blood indicators of body water status. Water intake was increased by both heat exposure and by lithium treatment with the lithium-treated rats being more responsive to the thirst-inducing effects of thermal dehydration. Lithium treatment does not appear to impair water balance responses to heat exposure.
An extremal function for the Chang-Marshall inequality over the Beurling functions

S.-Y. A. Chang and D. E. Marshall showed that the functional Λ(f) = (1/2π) 2π 0 exp{|f(e iθ )| 2 }dθ is bounded on the unit ball B of the space V of analytic functions in the unit disk with f(0) = 0 and Dirichlet integral not exceeding one. Andreev and Matheson conjectured that the identity function f(z) = z is a global maximum on B for the functional A. We prove that A attains its maximum at f(z) = z over a subset of B determined by kernel functions, which provides a positive answer to a conjecture of Cirna and Matheson.
An approach to the 5-year curriculum

How should the 5-year engineering college program be apportioned among the many subjects contending for the student's time at every level of his training? To date this question has been sidestepped even by proponents of the “5-year plan.” With the 5-year program already adopted in some institutions, as recommended by ASEE, the question moves into the forefront of the battle currently waging over engineering curriculums. One of the first to enter the field with a comprehensive philosophy on which decisive action can be based, the author nevertheless leaves several problems in abeyance, pending further study by the psychologists.
In-the-plane design of an off-axis ophthalmic adaptive optics system using toroidal mirrors

Adaptive optics (AO) ophthalmoscopes have garnered increased clinical and scientific use for imaging the microscopic retina. Unlike conventional ophthalmoscopes, however, AO systems are commonly designed with spherical mirrors that must be used off-axis. This arrangement causes astigmatism to accumulate at the retina and pupil conjugate planes, degrading AO performance. To mitigate this effect and more fully tap the benefit of AO, we investigated a novel solution based on toroidal mirrors. Derived 2nd order analytic solutions along with commercial ray tracing predict performance benefit of toroidal mirrors for ophthalmoscopic use. For the Indiana AO ophthalmoscope, a minimum of three toroids is required to achieve performance criteria for retinal image quality, beam displacement, and beam ellipticity. Measurements with fabricated toroids and retinal imaging on subjects substantiate the theoretical predictions. Comparison to off-the-plane method is also presented.
Inducible expression system and marker-linked mutagenesis approach for functional genomics of Haemophilus influenzae

Abstract Complete bacterial genomic DNA sequences have allowed application of genome-scale strategies to identify essential genes. Efficient generation of conditional loss of function mutations provides a means of characterization of this class of genes. Promoter systems conferring tight regulation are particularly applicable to generating such mutations and we sought to apply this approach for the analysis of an essential gene of Haemophilus influenzae. Therefore, we developed the use of a d -xylose-inducible promoter for verification of an essential role in growth for yraM, which encodes a putative periplasmic lipoprotein, in both H. influenzae Rd and virulent type b strains. This promoter was sufficiently tightly regulated to generate conditionally viable strains by inducible expression of YraM. A second approach was used to further characterize YraM. Natural transformation and an ordered mutant collection spanning the H. influenzae genome provide the means to target any gene of interest for mutagenesis and temperature-sensitive (TS) mutant isolation. This strategy was applied to generate a conditionally lethal allele of yraM. The resulting TS mutation was directly mapped to a single amino acid substitution within a motif conserved in all putative YraM orthologs and this mutation was shown to be sufficient to confer the TS phenotype.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for the preservation of ovarian function among women with breast cancer who did not use tamoxifen after chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective To determine whether concurrent use of GnRH agonists with chemotherapy preserves ovarian function in women with breast cancer who did not use tamoxifen. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting University-based hospitals. Patient(s) Premenopausal women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy who did not receive tamoxifen. Intervention(s) Randomization to concurrent GnRH agonists with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone. Main Outcome Measure(s) Odds ratio (OR) of resumption of menses 1 year or more after chemotherapy. Result(s) Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Trials Register, and the National Research Register through March 2014, and all randomized trials that reported resumption of menses 1 year or more after GnRH agonist with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone among women with breast cancer who did not receive tamoxifen were included. Four studies were analyzed in the meta-analysis and included 252 patients (GnRH agonist with chemotherapy, n=131; chemotherapy alone, n=121). There was no significant difference in the rate of return of menses between the two groups (OR, 1.47; 95% confidence interval [0.60–3.62]). Heterogeneity among the trials was not significant ( I 2 = 16.6%). Conclusion(s) Concurrent GnRH agonists with chemotherapy may not preserve ovarian function in women with breast cancer. Furthermore, randomized data are limited regarding fertility after concurrent use of GnRH agonists with chemotherapy.
Natural Killer Cell Activity in Multiple Sclerosis and Myasthenia Gravis

Because of the potential role of Natural Killer (NK) cells in viral immunity and immunoregulation, we have undertaken a study of NK activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from both Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Myasthenia Gravis (MG) patients, two chronic diseases in which a viral etiology and an induced autoregulatory abnormality are strongly implicated. No significant difference between the mean NK activity in MS patients and controls was observed. A difference was observed between the NK activity of female MG patients and female controls, but no difference was seen between male MG patients and controls.
Planar schottky barrier mixer diodes for space applications at submillimeter wavelengths

Available planar diodes for space-based applications at submillimeter wavelengths have not achieved either the required low junction capacitance or the low series resistance-junction capacitance product. Here, the development of a novel planar diode structure that overcomes both of these difficulties is outlined. The characteristics of these Schottky barrier mixer diodes are presented and electron micrographs are shown. The diode structure will allow planar technology to be extended throughout the submillimeter wavelength range.
Actin, Spectrin, and Associated Proteins Form a Periodic Cytoskeletal Structure in Axons

Actin and spectrin play important roles in neurons, but their organization in axons and dendrites remains unclear. We used stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy to study the organization of actin, spectrin, and associated proteins in neurons. Actin formed ringlike structures that wrapped around the circumference of axons and were evenly spaced along axonal shafts with a periodicity of ~180 to 190 nanometers. This periodic structure was not observed in dendrites, which instead contained long actin filaments running along dendritic shafts. Adducin, an actin-capping protein, colocalized with the actin rings. Spectrin exhibited periodic structures alternating with those of actin and adducin, and the distance between adjacent actin-adducin rings was comparable to the length of a spectrin tetramer. Sodium channels in axons were distributed in a periodic pattern coordinated with the underlying actin-spectrin–based cytoskeleton.
1,3-Butadiene metabolism by lung airways isolated from mice and rats.

Abstract 1,3-Butadiene (BD) is oxidized by cytochrome P450 to reactive metabolites, including 1,2-epoxy-3-butene (BMO) and 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (BDE), which are thought to be responsible for BD genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Alveolar-bronchiolar neoplasms were observed in mice but not rats following chronic exposure to BD. The site-specific carcinogenicity of BD in mice may result from metabolic activation in pulmonary tissue. We have incubated bronchioles isolated from both male B6C3F1 mice and male Sprague-Dawley rats with 34 μM BD (final concentration in the aqueous reaction medium) to assess species differences in pulmonary metabolism of BD and to enhance our understanding of species- and site-dependent BD carcinogenicity. Bronchioles from both mice and rats formed BMO, although mouse tissue produced 2-fold more than rat tissue. These preliminary results suggest that pulmonary activation of BD may play a role in the carcinogenicity of BD following inhalation exposure; however, other factors in addition to metabolic differences, probably contribute to the observed differences in susceptibility to BD toxicity.
Diffusion of ICT in Developing Countries: A Qualitative Differential Analysis of Four Nations

AbstractThis study compares the diffusion of ICT in two sets of matched developing nations: Zimbabwe and Albania, and Namibia and Venezuela. Each pair of developing countries had similar average gross domestic products for the years 1990-1999 but different ICT diffusion levels. Using qualitative analysis, we compared the paired nations on six groups of national-level factors: demographic, economic, regulatory, infrastructural, educational, and affordability factors. The findings indicate that the difference in ICT diffusion may be attributed to factors such as poor infrastructure, income inequality, and adult illiteracy. Regulatory and affordability factors are also possible reasons why the African nations seem to perform differently than their non- African counterparts. This study further reveals that the impact of a given factor depends on the type of ICT in question in at least some of the nations investigated. The model is further tested using most recent ICT diffusion data and is found to produce mos...
The effects of temperature and artificial rain on the metabolism of American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Abstract The effect of rainfall on the metabolism of birds is poorly understood. We measured the metabolism as rate of oxygen consumption (V˙O 2 ) of four male and four female American kestrels ( Falco sparverius ) using open-circuit respirometry. We measured V˙O 2 during the spring at ambient temperatures ( T a ) of 5, 10, 15, and 25 °C in air without rainfall and with simulated rainfall of 2.5 (low rainfall) and 6.1 cm h −1 (high rainfall). Kestrel metabolism was significantly higher when exposed to the two rainfall levels compared to no rainfall. However, kestrel metabolism was not significantly different at the two rainfall levels. Body temperature ( T b ) was significantly lower under high rainfall compared to low rainfall. In addition, under both rainfall levels T b decreased with decreasing T a . Calculated thermal conductance was significantly higher in kestrels exposed to rain compared to no rainfall. Kestrels may use sleeking behavior at high rainfall levels to decrease water penetration of the plumage. Daily energy expenditure (DEE) of kestrels exposed to rain may increase markedly, and kestrel energetics may be further exacerbated by wind that often accompanies natural rainstorms.
Stress and well-being: The buffering role of locus of control beliefs

Data from the 1969 and 1971 panels of the National Longitudinal Survey of Middle-Aged Men are analyzed to assess the mediating effects of locus of control beliefs in the relationship between stressful job and economic events and psycho-physiological well-being. The analyses indicate that men with internal locus of control orientations respond more adequately to stress than do those with external locus of control beliefs. A more detailed examination of the data revealed that men with moderately internal locus of control orientations cope more effectively with stress than those whose locus of control beliefs may be classified as extreme internal, extreme external or moderately external. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
SLOWLY DIVERGENT DRIFT IN THE FIELD-DRIVEN LORENTZ GAS

The dynamics of a point charged particle that moves in a medium of elastic scatterers and is driven by a uniform external electric field is investigated. Using rudimentary approaches, we reproduce, in one dimension, the known results that the typical speed grows with time as ${t}^{1/3}$ and that the leading behavior of the velocity distribution is ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}|v{|}^{3}/t}.$ In spatial dimension $dg1,$ we develop an effective-medium theory that provides a simple and comprehensive description for the motion of a test particle. This approach predicts that the typical speed grows as ${t}^{1/3}$ for all $d,$ while the speed distribution is given by the scaling form $P(u,t)=〈u{〉}^{\ensuremath{-}1}f(u/〈u〉),$ where $u=|v{|}^{3/2},$ $〈u〉\ensuremath{\sim}\sqrt{t},$ and $f(z)\ensuremath{\propto}{z}^{(d\ensuremath{-}1)/3}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}{z}^{2}/2}.$ For a periodic Lorentz gas with an infinite horizon, e.g., for a hypercubic lattice of scatters, a logarithmic correction to the effective-medium result is predicted in which the typical speed grows as $(t\mathrm{ln}{t)}^{1/3}.$
Direct-write single-walled carbon nanotube serpentines using micro chemical vapor deposition

This work presents the capability to grow and deposit single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with good position and orientation control toward fully controlled nanomanufacturing. A miniaturized growth platform as the micro chemical vapor deposition system is built by a micromachining process for the synthesis of SWNTs. A collector substrate is placed 50 microns above the growth platform for the depositions of SWNTs. The movements of the collector are continuously controlled by an x-y nanopositioner. Experimentally, depositions of SWNTs in serpentine-shape have been demonstrated. A growth model is proposed and supported by results from various guiding gas flow rates and substrate movements.
A numerical study of a TOGA-COARE squall-line using a coupled mesoscale atmosphere-ocean model

An atmosphere-ocean coupled mesoscale modeling system is developed and used to investigate the interactions between a squall line and the upper ocean observed over the western Pacific warm pool during the Tropical Ocean/Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean and Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA-COARE). The modeling system is developed by coupling the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) to the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) through precipitation and two-way exchanges of momentum, heat, and moisture across the air-sea interface. The results indicate that the interaction between the squall-line and the upper ocean produced noticeable differences in the sensible and latent heat fluxes, as compared to the uncoupled cases. Precipitation, which is often ignored in air-sea heat flux estimates, played a major role in the coupling between the mesoscale convective system and the ocean. Precipitation affected the air-sea interaction through both freshwater flux and sensible heat flux. The former led to the formation of a thin stable ocean layer underneath and behind the precipitating atmospheric convection. The presence of this stable layer resulted in a more significant convection-induced sea surface temperature (SST) change in and behind the precipitation zone. However, convection-induced SST changes do not seem to play an important role in the intsensification of the existing convective system that resulted in the SST change, as the convection quickly moved away from the region of original SST response.
Retinal age pigments generated by self-assembling lysosomotropic detergents

A universal biomarker of cellular ageing in eukaryotic postmitotic cells is the appearance over time of autofluorescent lysosomal residual bodies called age pigments or lipofuscin granules. Their role in the process of cellular ageing has been debated without resolution. Neither the identity nor mechanism of formation of the fluorophores has been definitively determined. A postmitotic cell type that accumulates large quantities of age pigments is the ocular retinal pigment epithelium. We have now identified the major orange-emitting fluorophore of these pigments using fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry with collisional activation analysis. It is an amphoteric quaternary amine that arises as a Schiff base reaction product of retinaldehyde and ethanolamine. This compound should display lysosomotropic detergent behaviour which would help explain many of the age-related changes shown in this cell. These results suggest a new role for Schiff base reaction products as lysosomotropic amines in the genesis of cellular age pigments.
Novel Adhesive Skin Closures Improve Wound Healing Following Saphenous Vein Harvesting

Background And Aims: New techniques for skin closure that minimize tissue inflammation and avoid foreign material may decrease morbidity following saphenous vein harvesting. The 3M™ Steri-Strip™ S surgical skin closure system is a new, noninvasive method of wound closure, which consists of polymeric components coated with a pressure-sensitive skin adhesive. This prospective, randomized study was undertaken to compare the results of the noninvasive skin closure method to the traditional subcuticular skin closure technique on saphenous vein harvest sites. Methods: Twenty-six patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery with saphenous vein harvesting were prospectively randomized to skin closure using 3M Steri-Strip S Surgical Skin Closure System or subcuticular suture closure with a skin sealant. Wounds were evaluated on postoperative days 7 and 2l for erythema, edema, pain, cosmesis, and the time taken to close the incision. Results: Skin closure with 3M Steri-Strip S was significantly faster, resulted in significantly less erythema, edema, and significantly improved cosmesis. Conclusions: 3M Steri-Strip S Skin Closure improves wound healing of saphenous vein sites, compared to traditional subcuticular skin closure techniques.
Controlled sequential bifurcation for software reliability study

Computer simulation is an appealing approach for the reliability analysis of structure-based software systems as it can accommodate important complexities present in realistic systems. When the system is complicated, a screening experiment to quickly identify important factors (components) can significantly improve the efficiency of analysis. The challenge is to guarantee the correctness of the screening results with stochastic simulation responses. Control Sequential Bifurcation (CSB) is a new screening methods for simulation experiments. With appropriate hypothesis testing procedures, CSB can simultaneously control the Type I error and power. The past research, however, has focused on responses with normal distributions. This paper proposes a CSB procedure with binary responses for software reliability analysis. A conditional sequential test for equality of two proportions is implemented to guarantee the the desired error control.
Aberrant expression of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive microRNAs in cervical cancer is required for cancer cell growth.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in cancer development. By cloning and sequencing of a HPV16+ CaSki cell small RNA library, we isolated 174 miRNAs (including the novel miR-193c) which could be grouped into 46 different miRNA species, with miR-21, miR-24, miR-27a, and miR-205 being most abundant. We chose for further study 10 miRNAs according to their cloning frequency and associated their levels in 10 cervical cancer- or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-derived cell lines. No correlation was observed between their expression with the presence or absence of an integrated or episomal HPV genome. All cell lines examined contained no detectable miR-143 and miR-145. HPV-infected cell lines expressed a different set of miRNAs when grown in organotypic raft cultured as compared to monolayer cell culture, including expression of miR-143 and miR-145. This suggests a correlation between miRNA expression and tissue differentiation. Using miRNA array analyses for age-matched normal cervix and cervical cancer tissues, in combination with northern blot verification, we identified significantly deregulated miRNAs in cervical cancer tissues, with miR-126, miR-143, and miR-145 downregulation and miR-15b, miR-16, miR-146a, and miR-155 upregulation. Functional studies showed that both miR-143 and miR-145 are suppressive to cell growth. When introduced into cell lines, miR-146a was found to promote cell proliferation. Collectively, our data indicate that downregulation of miR-143 and miR-145 and upregulation of miR-146a play a role in cervical carcinogenesis.