cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation of chromosomal mutations that affect carotenoid production in Escherichia coli: mutations alter copy number of ColE1‐type plasmids

Chromosomal mutants were isolated in Escherichia coli that altered carotenoid production from transformed carotenoid biosynthesis genes on a pACYC-derived plasmid (pPCB15). The mutations were mapped by sequencing. One group of mutations appeared to affect the cell metabolism without changing the copy number of the carotenoid synthesis plasmid. The other group of mutations either increased or decreased the copy number of the pPCB15 plasmid as determined by real-time PCR. The copy number change in most mutants was likely specific for ColE1-type plasmids for which copy number is controlled by a small antisense RNA. This collection of host strains would be useful for fine tuning expression of proteins and adjusting production of desired molecules without recloning to different vectors.
Confirmation of alcohol preference quantitative trait loci in the replicate high alcohol drinking and low alcohol drinking rat lines.

Objective Selective breeding has been employed to develop replicate high-alcohol-drinking (HAD1 and HAD2) and low-alcohol-drinking (LAD1 and LAD2) rat lines from the heterogeneous N/Nih rat. Within-family selection and a rotational breeding design were used to discourage inbreeding (Li et al., 1993). A genome screen was previously performed using 459 HAD1×LAD1 F2 progeny to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on rat chromosomes 5, 10, 12 and 16 that contribute to alcohol preference and consumption in these non-inbred rat models of alcoholism. Methods To confirm these QTLs in the replicate lines, 16 HAD2 and 16 LAD2 rats were genotyped for microsatellite markers within each of these QTL intervals. Results Review of the genotypic data support confirmation of the QTLs on chromosomes 5 and 10; several markers in the QTL region display different alleles in the HAD2 and LAD2 rats, suggesting linkage disequilibrium between the microsatellite markers and the QTL. Although the QTL on chromosome 12 had the highest LOD score in the HAD1 and LAD1 studies, little evidence supported confirmation of this QTL based on the genotyped markers. Conclusions Further evaluation of each of these QTL regions is ongoing in a sample of HAD2×LAD2 F2 progeny currently being generated that will be used to assess the evidence of linkage in each of these QTL regions.
Chinese borrowings in English

ABSTRACT: This paper reports on a corpus-based study comparing Chinese borrowings with acceptance in general English that appear in desk dictionaries published in the 1980s with those found in dictionaries presently in use. Defined arbitrarily as borrowings collected in three to eight older or newer leading desk dictionaries, such words total 100 in the former and 154 in the latter. It is found that Chinese borrowings with acceptance have not only increased by about 54 per cent during the past 20 years, but also occur more frequently at present. Influenced by the close contact between Mandarin and English in China, the newly added words are mostly from Mandarin, rather than Cantonese or Amoy, which are responsible for a larger portion of the words in the older dictionaries. The newer loanwords are also mostly Pinyin-based, helped by the popular use of Pinyin in and outside China. Semantic fields are also found to be related to source languages, with Cantonese borrowings and the few Amoy words mostly in food and drink, and Mandarin borrowings in high culture. It is predicted that the borrowing of Chinese words will be expedited, there will be more Pinyin-based Mandarin loanwords, and the borrowings will represent various semantic fields.
Wave optics of the central spot in planetary occultations

The detection of a bright central spot during the occultation of epsilon Geminorum by Mars demonstrates that an exponentially-stratified planetary atmosphere can act as a lens providing very high resolution of distant objects (e.g., quasars, white dwarfs, and pulsars). The diffraction nature of the central occultation spot is investigated, with special reference to Mars and Venus. In practice, however, central occultations by these planets are seldom observable from the earth's surface, and spacecraft would have to be used to obtain a suitable orientation for observers. Further difficulties may be encountered in image deconvolution needed for extended objects, in location of the image of a true point source, and in compensation for peculiarities of planets and their atmospheres.
Evaluation of Adenosine Triphosphate and 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate after Twenty-Four Hours in Red Cells Washed for Neonatal Transfusion

. Adenosine triphosphate and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentrations in 14 U of CPDA-1 stored red cells (PRBC) and washed red cells (WRBC) were measured to assess indirectly the quality of WRBC for neonatal transfusion after 24 h. The results indicate that there is no difference in red cell ATP and 2,3-DPG concentrations between PRBC and WRBC after a 24-hour period.
The reciprocals of solutions of linear ordinary differential equations

On caracterise la classe des series de puissance qui avec leurs reciproques satisfont des equations differentielles lineaires
High-Throughput Sequencing of Three Lemnoideae (Duckweeds) Chloroplast Genomes from Total DNA

Background Chloroplast genomes provide a wealth of information for evolutionary and population genetic studies. Chloroplasts play a particularly important role in the adaption for aquatic plants because they float on water and their major surface is exposed continuously to sunlight. The subfamily of Lemnoideae represents such a collection of aquatic species that because of photosynthesis represents one of the fastest growing plant species on earth. Methods We sequenced the chloroplast genomes from three different genera of Lemnoideae, Spirodela polyrhiza, Wolffiella lingulata and Wolffia australiana by high-throughput DNA sequencing of genomic DNA using the SOLiD platform. Unfractionated total DNA contains high copies of plastid DNA so that sequences from the nucleus and mitochondria can easily be filtered computationally. Remaining sequence reads were assembled into contiguous sequences (contigs) using SOLiD software tools. Contigs were mapped to a reference genome of Lemna minor and gaps, selected by PCR, were sequenced on the ABI3730xl platform. Conclusions This combinatorial approach yielded whole genomic contiguous sequences in a cost-effective manner. Over 1,000-time coverage of chloroplast from total DNA were reached by the SOLiD platform in a single spot on a quadrant slide without purification. Comparative analysis indicated that the chloroplast genome was conserved in gene number and organization with respect to the reference genome of L. minor. However, higher nucleotide substitution, abundant deletions and insertions occurred in non-coding regions of these genomes, indicating a greater genomic dynamics than expected from the comparison of other related species in the Pooideae. Noticeably, there was no transition bias over transversion in Lemnoideae. The data should have immediate applications in evolutionary biology and plant taxonomy with increased resolution and statistical power.
Catalytic control of anisotropic silicon etching

Abstract A wide variety of oxidative catalysts have been tested in altering the wet chemical etching of the three major crystal faces of silicon, using a solution of gallic acid—ethanolamine—water. Significant variations in etch selectivity occur, where both the concentration and the nature of the catalyst are important. The results are useful in the micromachining of silicon.
Effect of defect production rate on radiation-induced segregation

Irradiation at elevated temperatures can induce precipitate phases in normally stable, solid-solution alloys, and alter the morphology and spatial distribution of precipitates in multiphase alloys. Radiation-induced segregation (RIS) is frequently responsible for these phase instabilities. RIS occurs because persistent fluxes of point defects generated by the irradiation transport alloying components in proportions which in general, are different from those prevailing locally in the alloy. The alloy concentration is therefore altered in regions which experience a net influx of defects, e.g., regions near defect sinks. RIS of silicon toward defect sinks in binary nickel-base alloys is particularly strong, and has been studied by several groups.
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan synthesis and reutilization of β-d-xyloside-initiated chondroitin/dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycans in fetal kidney branching morphogenesis

Branching morphogenesis and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan synthesis by explanted fetal mouse kidneys were previously shown to be inhibited by p-nitrophenyl beta-D-xylopyranoside (beta-D-xyloside) while glomerular development and heparan sulfate proteoglycan synthesis were unaffected. The metabolic fate of fetal kidney explant proteoglycans was investigated to determine whether or not recovery of proteoglycan synthesis and morphogenesis occur after exposure to beta-D-xyloside. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan synthesis resumed within 4 hr of removal of beta-D-xyloside and was enhanced once beta-D-xyloside-initiated chondroitin/dermatan-35SO4 glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were released from the tissue. Radioactivity incorporated into beta-D-xyloside-initiated chondroitin/dermatan-35SO4 GAGs during labeling in the presence of beta-D-xyloside was reutilized in the synthesis of chondroitin-35SO4 proteoglycan during a 24-hr chase in nonradioactive medium without beta-D-xyloside. Further, highly purified beta-D-xyloside-initiated chondroitin/dermatan-35SO4 GAGs were taken up by kidneys more avidly than was free [35S]sulfate. These 35S-GAGs were degraded and reutilized in the synthesis of chondroitin-35SO4 proteoglycan. Ureteric bud branching resumed 48 hr after beta-D-xyloside was removed from the incubation medium. These findings support the idea that both chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan synthesis and proteoglycan processing may be involved in branching morphogenesis.
Limits on the strength of a left-right-symmetric electroweak interaction

We have investigated the constraints imposed on left-right-symmetric theories of weak and electromagnetic interactions by the ${K}_{L}\ensuremath{-}{K}_{S}$ mass difference, including the additional restrictions on the top-quark mass and mixing angles coming from the ${K}_{L}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decay rate, and emphasizing the sensitivity of the results to various model-dependent assumptions. In the manifestly left-right-symmetric electroweak theory it was found that values for ${m}_{R}$, the mass of the charged right-handed boson ${W}_{R}$, as low as 220 ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c}}^{2}$ (the original estimate of B\'eg, Budny, Mohapatra, and Sirlin) cannot be ruled out. However, for a large class of plausible models the lower bound on the mass of ${W}_{R}$ was found to be considerably higher, but still within the range that experiments now in progress will be able to explore. The lower bound on ${m}_{R}$ was also found to be quite sensitive to the value assumed for the top-quark mass and to the model-dependent values of the hadronic matrix elements of the quark operators, as well as to certain model-dependent assumptions regarding the dispersive part of the ${K}_{L}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ amplitude. We present the lower bound on ${m}_{R}$ for a wide range of the relevant parameters, which includes two specific models: the MIT bag model and the vacuum-insertion approximation.
Collision tumors in children: a review of the literature and presentation of a rare case of mesoblastic nephroma and neuroblastoma in an infant

A mass made up of 2 distinct synchronous primary malignant tumors is a rare event in adults, and exceedingly so in children. Such lesions have been called collision tumors. Reported here is an infant who was found to have a collision tumor comprised of a neuroblastoma and a congenital mesoblastic nephroma, in contiguity, in the right kidney. This is the first report of a collision tumor in an infant. This also is the first report of a synchronous occurrence of a neuroblastoma and a congenital mesoblastic nephroma. The authors present this case and discuss the available literature.
Influence of central cholinergic pathways on performance on free-operant avoidance and DRL schedules.

Abstract Lesions in the medial septum, as well as systemic injections of the muscarinic cholinergic blocker, scopolamine, increased responding maintained by free-operant avoidance or DRL contingencies. Systemic injections of the anticholinesterase, eserine, suppressed responding in both paradigms. The medial septal lesions eliminated the effects of these cholinergic drugs in the DRL paradigm but did not reduce the effects of these drugs on free-operant avoidance. These results indicate that cholinergic drugs may effect behavior in the DRL paradigm primarily by acting on muscarinic cholinergic neurons that pass through the septum but affect free-operant avoidance mainly by acting on different cholinergic pathways that do not pass through the medial septum.
Material reactions and barrier height variations in sintered AlInP Schottky diodes

Significant increases in the AlInP Schottky barrier have been obtained by process modification of the metal-semiconductor interface. The resultant barrier height increases (from 0.3 to 0.6 eV) are due to oxygen build-up at the interface, in the form of P2O5. Auger electron spectroscopy studies of the metal-semiconductor interface indicate an excellent correlation between barrier height increases and oxygen build-up at the AlInP interface.
STAT3 Protein Promotes T-cell Survival and Inhibits Interleukin-2 Production through Up-regulation of Class O Forkhead Transcription Factors

Much is known about the role of STAT3 in regulating differentiation of interleukin-17-producing Th17 cells, but its function in other lymphocyte subsets is not well understood. In this report, we reveal wide-ranging functions of STAT3 in T-cells and provide evidence that STAT3 is convergence point for mechanisms that regulate lymphocyte quiescence and those controlling T-cell activation and survival. We show here that STAT3 inhibits T-lymphocyte proliferation by up-regulating the expression of Class-O Forkhead transcription factors, which play essential roles in maintaining T-cells in quiescent state. We further show that STAT3 binds directly to FoxO1 or FoxO3a promoter and that STAT3-deficiency resulted in down-regulation of the expression of FoxO1, FoxO3a and FoxO-target genes (IκB and p27Kip1). Compared with wild-type T-cells, STAT3-deficient T-cells produced more IL-2, due in part, to marked decrease in IκB-mediated sequestration of NF-κB in the cytoplasm and resultant enhancement of NF-κB activation. However, the high level of IL-2 production by STAT3-deficient T-cells was partially restored to normal levels by overexpressing FoxO1. It is notable that their exaggerated increase in IL-2 production rendered STAT3-deficient lymphocytes more susceptible to activation-induced cell death, suggesting that STAT3 might protect T-cells from apoptosis by limiting their production of IL-2 through up-regulation of FoxO1/FoxO3a expression. Moreover, we found that STAT3 enhanced survival of activated T-cells by up-regulating OX-40 and Bcl-2 while down-regulating FasL and Bad expression, suggesting that similar to role of FoxOs in regulating the lifespan of worms, STAT3 and FoxO pathways converge to regulate lifespan of T-lymphocytes.
The Personalistic Pedagogy of Giorgio Agamben

AbstractAgamben’s philosophy of education can be arrived at by focusing on the nexus of philology, philosophy and poetry that is prominent in his work. By exploring the functional and semantic reciprocity between these fields, one can identify diverse pedagogies: of language and the poetic voice, of infancy and history, of history redeemed (in the Benjaminian sense), of the cultural image, and of potentiality. These overlapping areas of research share the common trait of Agamben’s personalism, which embraces the view that education expands the affective and spiritual wholeness of the person.
Investigation of the structure and composition of a {111} incoherent Zr/ZrN interface containing ledges by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, image simulation, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy, and near-coincidence-site analysis

Investigation of the atomic structure of a (111) Zr/ZrN interface shows that it is a type-3 incoherent interface (i.e., high-index orientation relationship with a low-index interface plane in only one phase), as determined from conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) images, image simulations, and near-coincidence-site atomic modeling of the interface. Long facets and atomic ledges several {111}ZrN planes high form at the interface, indicating that such features cannot be used as criteria to define partial coherency at interfaces. These results also indicate that ledgewise growth is possible during the phase transformation from Zr to ZrN. Composition profiles taken across the interface using energy-filtering TEM and the N K-edge show that the composition changes abruptly at the interface, in accord with the structural transformation. Simulation results on an inclined (111) Zr/ZrN interface indicate that it is possible to judge whether an interface is inclined and faceted at the same time. A rough interface can look faceted in a HRTEM image due to projection effects, but only under a very strict set of conditions. Conversely, an interface cannot be faceted if it looks rough in an HRTEM image.
Biochemical Reconstitution and Phylogenetic Comparison of Human SET1 Family Core Complexes Involved in Histone Methylation

Mixed lineage leukemia protein-1 (MLL1) is a member of the SET1 family of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases that are required for metazoan development. MLL1 is the best characterized human SET1 family member, which includes MLL1-4 and SETd1A/B. MLL1 assembles with WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L, DPY-30 (WRAD) to form the MLL1 core complex, which is required for H3K4 dimethylation and transcriptional activation. Because all SET1 family proteins interact with WRAD in vivo, it is hypothesized they are regulated by similar mechanisms. However, recent evidence suggests differences among family members that may reflect unique regulatory inputs in the cell. Missing is an understanding of the intrinsic enzymatic activities of different SET1 family complexes under standard conditions. In this investigation, we reconstituted each human SET1 family core complex and compared subunit assembly and enzymatic activities. We found that in the absence of WRAD, all but one SET domain catalyzes at least weak H3K4 monomethylation. In the presence of WRAD, all SET1 family members showed stimulated monomethyltransferase activity but differed in their di- and trimethylation activities. We found that these differences are correlated with evolutionary lineage, suggesting these enzyme complexes have evolved to accomplish unique tasks within metazoan genomes. To understand the structural basis for these differences, we employed a "phylogenetic scanning mutagenesis" assay and identified a cluster of amino acid substitutions that confer a WRAD-dependent gain-of-function dimethylation activity on complexes assembled with the MLL3 or Drosophila trithorax proteins. These results form the basis for understanding how WRAD differentially regulates SET1 family complexes in vivo.
Focus Is Key to Becoming an Expert in Any Field of Research

Dr. Howard Reber is a world-renowned pancreatologist in the area of basic pancreatic physiology and the management of pancreatic diseases. He was leader in the development of the current recommendation for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this interview for Pancreatology, Dr. Reber shares his life experiences as a scientist in pancreatic research.
Scanning Probe Microscopy of Nanocomposite Membranes and Dynamic Organization

Nanocomposite membrane assemblies are a class of materials that incorporate inorganic/organic nanoscale materials, such as fullerenes and gold nanoparticles or nanostructured materials with bio-inspired amphiphilic structures composed of molecules such as lipids or block copolymers. One of the intrigues of such materials is the potential to develop programmable membrane assemblies that mimic biological membrane complexity, dynamics and function. Due to the nanoscale nature of the assemblies, it becomes necessary to understand interactions between these materials with nanoscale resolution. Although many techniques are able to provide information as to the overall organization of membrane-based assemblies, only scanning probe microscopy (SPM) methods allow for a direct visualization of stochastic processes under environmentally relevant conditions. Here, an overview of nanocomposite membrane and thin film architecture investigations is presented with an emphasis on using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) in combination with fluorescence microscopy/spectroscopy techniques to understand organization and dynamics, in relation to activities and capabilities at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies.
Germany at the crossroads: national identity and the challenges of immigration.

In Germany the discussion [of immigration] is taking place between two extreme positions one that denies Germany is de facto an immigration country...and one that compares Germany with traditional immigration societies like the United States Canada or Australia. As will be demonstrated both arguments are too simplistic....To illustrate the importance of migration movements for Germanys national fabric first an overview of the history of pre- and postwar migrations and refugee movements as well as their effects on the domestic situation in Germany are presented. Next the origins of the contradictory nature of the current asylum citizenship and naturalization regulations and the need to redefine Germanys legal framework immigration policy and national identity after unification are discussed. (EXCERPT)
Testing for cancer genes: decisions, decisions.

Abstract Genetic testing for cancer predisposition is available now, but demand for testing is difficult to predict given the complex issues faced by candidates for testing.
Topographic analysis of EEG photic driving in normal and schizophrenic subjects

In a 19-channel EEG photic driving paradigm the steady-state evoked response was studied in schizophrenic patients and normal controls. Seventeen drug-free patients and 15 normal controls were compared. Schizophrenic patients had lower EEG photic driving in the alpha range, particularly in the high alpha frequency band (p = 0.08). Topographic analysis revealed that the group differences were primarily located in the mid-frontal, central and parietal areas (p < 0.05). Temporal and lateral frontal lobe alpha remained the same in the two groups. Separate analysis of eye movement (EM) showed an opposite effect on the alpha-frequency photic driving as compared to that on the resting alpha EEG. EM decreased the resting alpha EEG and increased the photic driving. This finding suggested that the lower EEG photic driving in the schizophrenic patients could not be explained by the eye movement artifact. We hypothesize that the 10 Hz range photic driving that reflects the intrinsic EEG spindle generation in the thalamus may play an important role in the psychophysiology of schizophrenia.
Transition Zone Index as a Method of Assessing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Correlation with Symptoms, Urine Flow and Detrusor Pressure

AbstractPurpose: Prostate volume has been poorly correlated to various parameters used to assess benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including symptoms, peak urine flow and detrusor pressure at peak urine flow. The purpose of this study was 2-fold: 1) to determine it transrectal ultrasound measurement of the transition zone of the prostate served as a better proxy for determining prostate size and correlated better with American Urological Association symptom score, peak urine flow and detrusor pressure, and 2) if the parameter transition zone index (the ratio between transition zone volume and prostate volume) was useful in evaluating clinical prostatism.Materials and Methods: We prospectively evaluated 61 men with symptomatic BPH (age 64.6 plus/minus 9.7 years) according to symptoms, peak urine flow, pressure/flow analysis, transrectal ultrasound volume of the entire prostate and the transition zone, and calculation of the transition zone index.Results: Age correlated with symptoms (r = 0.31, p = 0.01) ...
Three-dimensional breast image reconstruction from a limited number of views

Typically in three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) imaging, hundreds or thousands of x-ray projection images are recorded. The image-collection time and patient dose required rule out conventional CT as a tool for screening mammography. We have developed a CT method that overcomes these limitations by using (1) a novel image collection geometry, (2) new digital electronic x-ray detector technology, and (3) modern image reconstruction procedures. The method, which we call Computed Planar Mammography (CPM), is made possible by the full-field, low-noise, high-resolution CCD-based detector design that we have previously developed. With this method, we need to record only a limited number (10 - 50) of low-dose x- ray images of the breast. The resulting 3D full breast image has a resolution in two orientations equal to the full detector resolution (47 microns), and a lower, variable resolution (0.5 - 10 mm) in the third orientation. This 3D reconstructed image can then be viewed as a series of cross- sectional layers, or planes, each at the full detector resolution. Features due to overlapping tissue, which could not be differentiated in a conventional mammogram, are separated into layers at different depths. We demonstrate the features and capabilities of this method by presenting reconstructed images of phantoms and mastectomy specimens. Finally, we discuss outstanding issues related to the further development of this procedure, as well as considerations for its clinical implementation.
Evaluation of biodistribution and anti-tumor effect of a dimeric RGD peptide-paclitaxel conjugate in mice with breast cancer.

Targeting drugs to receptors involved in tumor angiogenesis has been demonstrated as a novel and promising approach to improve cancer treatment. In this study, we evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of a dimeric RGD peptide–paclitaxel conjugate (RGD2–PTX) in an orthotopic MDA-MB-435 breast cancer model. To assess the effect of conjugation and the presence of drug moiety on the MDA-MB-435 tumor and normal tissue uptake, the biodistribution of 3H–RGD2–PTX was compared with that of 3H–PTX. The treatment effect of RGD2–PTX and RGD2+PTX was measured by tumor size, 18F-FDG/PET, 18F-FLT/PET, and postmortem histopathology. By comparing the biodistribution of 3H–RGD2–PTX and 3H–PTX, we found that 3H–RGD2–PTX had higher initial tumor exposure dose and prolonged tumor retention than 3H–PTX. Metronomic low-dose treatment of breast cancer indicated that RGD2–PTX is significantly more effective than PTX+RGD2 combination and solvent control. Although in vivo 18F-FLT/PET imaging and ex vivo Ki67 staining indicated little effect of the PTX-based drug on cell proliferation, 18F-FDG/PET imaging showed significantly reduced tumor metabolism in the RGD2–PTX-treated mice versus those treated with RGD2+PTX and solvent control. Terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining also showed that RGD2–PTX treatment also had significantly higher cell apoptosis ratio than the other two groups. Moreover, the microvessel density was significantly reduced after RGD2–PTX treatment as determined by CD31 staining. Our results demonstrate that integrin-targeted delivery of paclitaxel allows preferential cytotoxicity to integrin-expressing tumor cells and tumor vasculature. The targeted delivery strategies developed in this study may also be applied to other chemotherapeutics for selective tumor killing.
Interresidue Quiet NOEs for DNA Structural Studies

The potential utility of long-range NOEs in DNA has not been exploited since the observed signals have contributions both from the direct magnetization route and from multiple diffusion pathways. The Quiet NOE approach can be used to select for the direct magnetization transfer pathway by suppressing spin diffusion. A single-band Quiet NOE, which allows detection of the direct NOEs between protons in a selected chemical shift window, has been demonstrated on two duplex DNAs, and the NOEs observed can contain important structural information.
Prenatal withdrawal from opiates interferes with hatching of otherwise viable chick fetuses

Fetal chicks were made opiate-dependent by injections of N-desmethyl-1-alpha-acetylmethadol into the chorioallantois on day 3 of embryogenesis. The injections had no effect on subsequent hatchability; however, spontaneous fetal motility was significantly depressed. Injection of naloxone caused a significant increase in the motility of the opiate-exposed fetuses but had no effect on control fetuses. That naloxone's effect was an expression of opiate withdrawal and not due to antagonism of depressed motility is also supported by the observation that naloxone significantly reduced the hatchability of opiate-exposed chicks and not of control chicks. Thus the withdrawal of a developing organism from a narcotic may be more deleterious to its survival than continued exposure.
Hospital variation in sphincter preservation for elderly rectal cancer patients.

Abstract Background The primary goal of an operation for rectal cancer is to cure cancer and, where possible, preserve continence. A wide range of sphincter preservation rates have been reported. This study evaluated hospital variation in the use of low anterior resection (LAR), local excision (LE), and abdominoperineal resection (APR) in the treatment of elderly rectal cancer patients. Methods Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare linked data, we identified 4959 patients older than 65 y with stage I–III rectal cancer diagnosed from 2000–2005 who underwent operative intervention at one of 370 hospitals. We evaluated the distribution of hospital-specific procedure rates and used generalized mixed models with random hospital effects to examine the influence of patient characteristics and hospital on operation type, using APR as a reference. Results The median hospital performed APR on 33% of elderly patients with rectal cancer. Hospital was a stronger predictor of LAR receipt than any patient characteristic, explaining 32% of procedure choice, but not a strong predictor of LE, explaining only 3.8%. Receipt of LE was primarily related to tumor size and tumor stage, which combined explained 31% of procedure variation. Conclusions Receipt of LE is primarily determined by patient characteristics. In contrast, the hospital where surgery is performed significantly influences whether a patient undergoes an LAR or APR. Understanding the factors that cause this institutional variation is crucial to ensuring equitable availability of sphincter preservation.
The Ca2+ Clock is Not Governed by a Single CaMKII or PKA Phosphorylation Site for Fight or Flight Responses

Both CaMKII and PKA contribute to fight or flight heart rate (HR) increases in response to isoproterenol or activity. CaMKII and PKA promote HR increases, at least in part, by actions on ‘Ca2+ clock’ homeostatic proteins. The Ca2+ clock mechanism for cardiac pacing relies on SR proteins governing SR Ca2+ uptake and release. Inhibition of SR Ca2+ release by ryanodine slows HR but we are unaware of any studies testing the potential for slowing SR Ca2+ uptake to reduce HR. Phospholamban (PLN) is a negative regulator of SERCA that acts to slow SR Ca2+ uptake. PLN phosphorylation is catalyzed by PKA, at serine 16, or CaMKII, at threonine 17. PKA and CaMKII can also promote SR Ca2+ release by catalyzing phosphorylation of the ryanodine receptor (RyR2). CaMKII phosphorylation at Ser 2814 and PKA phosphorylation at Ser 2808 can increase RyR2 Ca2+ leak that drives cell membrane depolarizing inward current through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Despite the mounting evidence that CaMKII and PKA sites on PLN and RyR2 are important for cardiac pacing, the relative importance of these sites is unknown and the potential for any particular site to exert a controlling influence over fight or flight physiology is untested. Here we have taken advantage of genetically modified mouse models where CaMKII and PKA sites are specifically ablated to interrogate the role of each site and determine if any of these SR protein sites exercises a decisive influence on HR responses to isoproterenol or activity. The results from genetically modified mice harboring various PLN mutantions (PLN-/-, N27A, S16A, T17A) and RYR2 mutations (S2808A and S2814A) suggest that established CaMKII and PKA sites do not, by themselves, control fight or flight HR responses.
Can engineers write

Writing skill is an important element in engineering success. To supplement engineering curricula that provide little help in developing writing ability, this article describes ten steps in report writing that apply to research reports, operation manuals, proposals, and feasibility studies. The steps are (1) analyze your audience; (2) classify the report; (3) design the report; (4) do the research; (5) write a rough draft of the body of the report; (6) write a conclusions section; (7) write an introduction; (8) write an executive summary or abstract; (9) revise the report; and (10) add missing elements.
Turbulence of a Fin Trailing Vortex in Subsonic Compressible Flow

minimalcouplingbetweenturbulentvelocitycomponents.Thevortexturbulenceisstronglyanisotropicinamanner that varies greatly with spatial position. As the vortex strength is reduced, the axial turbulent normal stress diminishesmore sharply than the twocross-plane turbulent normal stresses, possibly because the latter components are influenced by external turbulence spiraling towards the vortex core. The turbulent shear stresses do not show discernable reductions in magnitude with lower vortex strength.
High-resolution aerodynamic spectrometry of submicron particles: sheathed variable-cut impactors vs other devices

Abstract Aerosol size spectrometers based on single-jet variable-cut inertial impactors are shown to be capable of having fairly high resolution. The maximum size resolving power and the lowest particle size discernible with several well-known aerodynamic spectrometers are discussed first, to put the problem into perspective. Advantages and drawbacks of impactors as well as prior attempts at using them as continuous size spectrometers are reviewed before considering the theoretical limits on their resolving power, which we show may be higher than that of differential mobility analyzers (DMAs) even when the aerosol jet is surrounded with only 50% of combined inner and outer sheaths of clean air. The effect of adding an outer sheath of air of up to 67% to a core aerosol is studied experimentally with a thin-plate orifice nozzle in an impactor running at variable Mach number and fixed Reynolds number Re. At Re = 100, the best resolution observed is comparable to that of the DMA used as a monodisperse aerosol generator, and considerably higher than that of all the other aerodynamic size spectrometers considered. Substantial improvements in resolution over that of unsheathed jets are observed at Re = 50. The ability of the present scheme to yield differential spectra at similarly high resolutions is also demonstrated using two impactors in tandem with closely matched cuts. It is concluded that impactors have indeed a remarkable potential for high-resolution sizing of very fine particles, but substantial work will be needed to achieve it fully.
POTENTIOMETRIC STUDIES WITH A LIQUID ION-EXCHANGE LEAD-SELECTIVE ELECTRODE.

Abstract The performance of the Orion liquid ion-exchange lead-selective electrode has been determined in terms of the working concentration range of lead ions, its selectivity to other ions, its response time, the effective pH range in which it can be used, and its use in potentiometric titrations. The electrode exhibits relatively high response to monovalent cations and can be used in the potentiometric titration of alkali metals, thallium(I), silver(I), and ammonium ions with sodium tetraphenylboron, as well as for titrations of lead(II) with various solutions.
Generation of microcellular polyurethane foams via polymerization in carbon dioxide. II: Foam formation and characterization

Microcellular polyurethane foams are generated through phase separation, which is induced by reaction-induced crosslinking or by a pressure quench. The phase separation conditions are shown to impact the microstructure of the foams. Pore growth will occur through two mechanisms : diffusion of CO 2 from polymerrich regions into the pores and also through CO 2 gas expansion (boiling of liquid CO 2 at reduced pressure). Higher CO 2 pressures for polymerization (hence, higher fluid density) provide more CO 2 molecules for foaming, generate lower interfacial tension and viscosity in the polymer matrix, and thus produce higher cell densities. Increasing the functionality of the polyurethane precursors increases the T g of the polymer network and leads to smaller cell diameters by raising the vitrification pressure and allowing less time for CO 2 gas expansion to play a role in cell growth. Higher reaction temperatures result in an increase in bulk density as the cell density remains invariant and the cell size drops. The use of the more polar fluoroform as a foaming agent results in larger cells, as it is able to plasticize the polymer network and allow for gas expansion during depressurization. A constant composition method of pressure quench results in smaller cell diameters.
DOES ELASTIC ANISOTROPY SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT A TUNNEL'S PLANE STRAIN BEHAVIOR?

Rock masses are anisotropic because their properties depend on the orientation considered. The diverging opinions in the literature on whether the elastic anisotropy of a rock mass significantly affects the plane strain behavior of a tunnel are contrasted. A two-dimensional parametric study is presented to answer the questions raised by the literature review. For a given premining state of stress, the stress field around a tunnel in an anisotropic rock mass is not significantly different from the stress field around a tunnel in an isotropic rock mass. For a given anisotropic rock mass, the stress and displacement fields, as well as slip zones, obtained under the hypothesis of no lateral strain are radically different from that obtained under the hypothesis of uniform premining state of stress. In the first case, the slip zones can penetrate more than two diameters into the rock mass, especially for vertical or inclined joints. In the second case, the slip zones extend for a maximum of half a tunnel diameter into the rock mass, regardless of rock mass anisotropy. Displacement vector magnitudes are highly influenced by the elastic anisotropy of the rock mass, even if the premining state of stress is fixed. For a given premining state of stress, slip zones around a tunnel are unaffected by the elastic anisotropy of the rock mass. The slip zones depend only on the orientation of the joints along which slippage can occur.
RANKL acts directly on RANK-expressing prostate tumor cells and mediates migration and expression of tumor metastasis genes.

BACKGROUND Metastases to bone are a frequent complication of human prostate cancer and result in the development of osteoblastic lesions that include an underlying osteoclastic component. Previous studies in rodent models of breast and prostate cancer have established that receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) inhibition decreases bone lesion development and tumor growth in bone. RANK is essential for osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival via its expression on osteoclasts and their precursors. RANK expression has also been observed in some tumor cell types such as breast and colon, suggesting that RANKL may play a direct role on tumor cells. METHODS Male CB17 severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were injected with PC3 cells intratibially and treated with either PBS or human osteprotegerin (OPG)-Fc, a RANKL antagonist. The formation of osteolytic lesions was analyzed by X-ray, and local and systemic levels of RANKL and OPG were analyzed. RANK mRNA and protein expression were assessed on multiple prostate cancer cell lines, and events downstream of RANK activation were studied in PC3 cells in vitro. RESULTS OPG-Fc treatment of PC3 tumor-bearing mice decreased lesion formation and tumor burden. Systemic and local levels of RANKL expression were increased in PC3 tumor bearing mice. PC3 cells responded to RANKL by activating multiple signaling pathways which resulted in significant changes in expression of genes involved in osteolysis and migration. RANK activation via RANKL resulted in increased invasion of PC3 cells through a collagen matrix. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that host stromal RANKL is induced systemically and locally as a result of PC3 prostate tumor growth within the skeleton. RANK is expressed on prostate cancer cells and promotes invasion in a RANKL-dependent manner. Prostate 68: 92–104, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Streaming potential and noncreeping flow in porous beds

Abstract An experimental investigation of flow rate versus flow pressure relationships shows that a transition from creeping (linear) to noncreeping (nonlinear) flow may occur in some streaming potential experiments on porous beds. Thus, the effect of this transition on streaming potentials of porous beds was studied. It was found that the transition does not cause the streaming potential versus flow pressure curves to deviate from linearity or from intersecting with the origin. Therefore, the use of Smoluchowski's equation is as valid for noncreeping flow conditions as for creeping flow conditions for calculating ζ potentials from streaming potential data. Electrode polarization effects in streaming potential experiments on porous beds are considered. An R-C circuit is used to null out these effects in order to record accurately the true streaming potential values. Finally, a simple cell design and solution flow system is described which allows investigation of flow rate versus flow pressure relationships.
The hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by an immobilized lipase: Optimization of hydrolysis in organic solvents

The ability of a commercial immobilized lipase preparation (Lipozyme) to hydrolyze the fatty acyl ester bonds of soybean phosphatidylcholine in organic media was investigated. Response surface methodology, based on a Modified Central Composite design, was employed to examine the effects on hydrolysis of solvent polarity, water, pH, duration and temperature of incubation, and the amounts of substrate and catalyst. A second-order regression model was developed, which allows evaluation of the effects of these parameters, alone or in combination. Hydrolysis increased in a relatively straightforward manner in response to increases in incubation time and the amount of catalyst and was approximately constant over the range of substrate amounts studied. Solvent polarity had a profound effect on the degree of hydrolysis, and the qualitative and quantitative degrees of this effect were dependent upon the values of the other parameters studied. Conditions were identified where enzyme activity was strong in either nonpolar or polar solvents, with activity increasing as the polarity of the medium increased. Enzyme activity was minimum at about 37°C, increasing below and above this temperature. Activity was not affected by the presence of acid or base in the reactions. Increasing amounts of water stimulated enzyme activity in solvents more polar than hexane, while in less polar solvents water inhibited activity.
Angular distribution of elastically scattered 14.7 MeV neutrons

The differential elastic scattering cross sections of 14.7 MeV neutrons have been obtained for Mg, Al, Ni, Cu, Ph and Bi. The neutrons from the (d, t) reaction were scattered from cylindrical scatterers and were counted by a time of flight setup measuring n−α coincidences with 2.5 x 10−9 sec resolving time. The angular distributions thus obtained are compared with recent theoretical distributions from Livermore employing a potential which has a rounded real part, a surface imaginary part and a real spinorbit coupling term.
Deposition of silver on the Pt( 1 0 0 )-hex surface: kinetic control of alloy formation and composition by surface reconstruction

Abstract Silver deposition on the Pt(1 0 0)-hex surface at 300 K leads to formation of a disordered Pt 20 Ag 80 alloy in the first monolayer. This is due to lifting of the Pt(1 0 0)-hex-reconstruction which expels 20% of a monolayer of excess Pt atoms out of hex-reconstruction into the growing Ag film. Such mixing in the first monolayer may be expected generally for film growth on reconstructed surfaces at low temperatures. Our results are compared to a recently published article for Ag growth on Pt(1 1 0)-(2×1) surfaces [Surf. Sci. 478 (2001) L345]. For this system as well we suggest that a disordered monolayer-alloy forms with a Pt 50 Ag 50 stoichiometry, instead of Ag growth proceeding by purely filling in the missing rows of the (2×1) reconstruction.
Phosphate esters produced from inosine in human erythrocyte ghosts.

Abstract Human erythrocyte ghosts were found to produce a number of phosphorylated carbohydrate intermediates from the pentose of inosine. These were separated by resin chromatography and identified by colorimetric, paper chromatographic, and enzymic techniques. Among these were glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, phosphoglycerates, and fructose diphosphate. Adenylates, initially low in the extract diminished during 3 hr. of incubation with inosine, whereas 2,3-diphosphoglycerate present in relatively large amounts initially did not increase substantially during the incubation.
The relationship between two algorithms for decisions via sophisticated majority voting with an agenda

Abstract Two algorithms have been described in the literature for determining the sophisticated voting decision under amendment procedure. Each depends only on a majority tournament, which represents the majority preferences of the alternatives by the electorate, and a voting order of the alternatives, which represents an agenda. One algorithm is due to Shepsle and Weingast; another was suggested earlier by Miller and treated recently by Reid. Here it is shown that the validity of each of these algorithms can be used to establish the validity of the other.
The effect of sampling strategy on inferred measures

Using the inferred measures framework is a popular choice for constructing test collections when the target document set is too large for pooling to be a viable option. Within the framework, different amounts of assessing effort is placed on different regions of the ranked lists as defined by a sampling strategy. The sampling strategy is critically important to the quality of the resultant collection, but there is little published guidance as to the important factors. This paper addresses this gap by examining the effect on collection quality of different sampling strategies within the inferred measures framework. The quality of a collection is measured by how accurately it distinguishes the set of significantly different system pairs. Top-K pooling is competitive, though not the best strategy because it cannot distinguish topics with large relevant set sizes. Incorporating a deep, very sparsely sampled stratum is a poor choice. Strategies that include a top-10 pool create better collections than those that do not, as well as allow Precision(10) scores to be directly computed.