cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urinary Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity and Cyclic GMP Levels are Decreased with Interstitial Cystitis and Increased with Urinary Tract Infections

AbstractPurpose: Since urinary nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity correlates with certain disease processes affecting the urinary tract and since nitric oxide increases cyclic GMP levels by activating guanylyl cyclase, urinary particulate NOS activity and cyclic GMP levels are evaluated in female patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) and compared with those from female controls and female patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs).Materials and Methods: Urinary NOS activity is measured as the formation of [sup 14 C]-L-citrulline from [sup 14 C]-L-arginine, and urinary cyclic GMP levels are measured by an [sup 125 I]-radioimmunoassay.Results: Female patients with IC have significantly less NOS activity in their urine pellet particulate fractions than female controls or females with UTIs, 2.3 plus/minus 1.0, 14 plus/minus 3.0, and 120 plus/minus 10 pmol. citrulline formed/min./mg. protein. Urinary cyclic GMP levels also are significantly lower in IC patients than in female controls or females with U...
A highly efficient short hairpin RNA potently down-regulates CCR5 expression in systemic lymphoid organs in the hu-BLT mouse model

Inhibiting the expression of the HIV-1 coreceptor CCR5 holds great promise for controlling HIV-1 infection in patients. Here we report stable knockdown of human CCR5 by a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in a humanized bone marrow/liver/thymus (BLT) mouse model. We delivered a potent shRNA against CCR5 into human fetal liver-derived CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor/stem cells (HPSCs) by lentiviral vector transduction. We transplanted vector-transduced HPSCs solidified with Matrigel and a thymus segment under the mouse kidney capsule. Vector-transduced autologous CD34+ cells were subsequently injected in the irradiated mouse, intended to create systemic reconstitution. CCR5 expression was down-regulated in human T cells and monocytes/macrophages in systemic lymphoid tissues, including gut-associated lymphoid tissue, the major site of HIV-1 replication. The shRNA-mediated CCR5 knockdown had no apparent adverse effects on T-cell development as assessed by polyclonal T-cell receptor Vβ family development and naive/memory T-cell differentiation. CCR5 knockdown in the secondary transplanted mice suggested the potential of long-term hematopoietic reconstitution by the shRNA-transduced HPSCs. CCR5 tropic HIV-1 infection was effectively inhibited in mouse-derived human splenocytes ex vivo. These results demonstrate that lentiviral vector delivery of shRNA into human HPSCs could stably down-regulate CCR5 in systemic lymphoid organs in vivo.
Nanoimprinted photonic devices

We introduce a simple yet efficient approach for nanoimprinting sub-50 nm dimensions starting from a low molecular weight plasticized polymer melt. This technique enabled us to successfully imprint versatile large area nanopatterns with high degrees of fidelity and rational control over the residual layers. The key advantage is its reliability in printing versatile nanostructures and nanophotonic devices doped with organic dyes owing to its low processing temperature. Since nanopatterns can be fabricated easily at low costs, this approach offers an easy pathway for achieving excellent nanoimprinted structures for a variety of photonic, electronic and biological research and applications.
Repeat prostate needle biopsy: who needs it?

AbstractThe indications for repeat prostate needle biopsy after a transrectal ultrasound guided sextant biopsy are not defined. We examined 100 sextant prostate needle biopsies without a diagnosis of malignancy, which are repeated. Carcinoma was detected in 20 repeat biopsies (20 percent). Stratification based on initial biopsy result revealed carcinoma in 10 of 69 cases (14.5 percent) without prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or atypia, 5 of 17 (29.4 percent) with atypia, 5 of 5 (100 percent) with grade II or III prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and 0 of 9 with grade I prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Examination of prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and PSA velocity did not provide statistically significant stratification, perhaps due to the wide variance in these parameters and the small sample size. We conclude that patients with a diagnosis of glandular atypia, or grade II or III prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia on initial biopsy are at high risk for invasive carcinoma and should unde...
Eimeria acervulina: Cloning of a cDNA encoding an immunogenic region of several related merozoite surface and rhoptry proteins

A cDNA encoding a recombinant Eimeria acervulina antigen, designated EAMZp30-47, that contains an epitope shared among several surface and rhoptry proteins of merozoites was characterized. The respective parasite proteins are between 30 and 47 kDa as revealed by immunostaining of nitrocellulose membrane containing extracts of 125I-labeled merozoites. As indicated by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic staining, the reactive epitope was localized to both the surface membrane and the internal rhoptries of this asexual stage of the parasite. The recombinant beta-galactosidase fusion protein EAMZp30-47 is 130 kDa, thus representing 15 kDa or 30-50% of the respective parasite protein. Purified EAMZp30-47 stimulates T cells from E. acervulina-immune inbred chickens, but is not recognized by immune chicken serum, suggesting that T cell and not B cell epitopes recognized by the host immune system during a natural infection are present on the recombinant protein. Northern and Southern blot hybridization experiments indicated that expression of EAMZp30-47 is restricted to the merozoite stage of the parasite and the gene occurs as a single copy sequence within the genome.
A CRITICAL REVIEW OF METHODS USED FOR THE SENSORY EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY

Presently, three methods of sensory evaluation are used by the water industry for the sensory evaluation of water quality. These are (1) the flavor threshold test, (2) the flavor rating scale, and (3) the flavor profile analysis. This article evaluates each sensory evaluation method against ten criteria. The first three relate to operations and are (1) procedures for selecting testers or panelists, (2) procedures for training testers or panelists, and (3) procedures for preparing samples. The next five relate to usefulness of application and are (4) detection threshold measurement, (5) establishment of functional relations, (6) operation of a water treatment plant, (7) performance of consumer surveys, and (8) creation of water quality standards. The final two are (9) reliability of data and (10) validity of data. Systematic analysis of the three sensory evaluation methods against the ten criteria shows that all three methods have areas of decided strength and weakness. Future research can overcome weaknes...
A paradoxical effect of antibody concentration on vWF-dependent platelet agglutination distinguishes between botrocetin and ristocetin-induced agglutination.

Abstract Several heterologous antisera directed against either human or porcine von Willebrand factor (vWF), inhibited botrocetin-induced vWF-dependent agglutination at high concentrations but were found to enhance this reaction at low concentrations. Purified IgG from these immune sera also potentiated botrocetin-induced agglutination as did Its F(ab)′ 2 fragments. However, monovalent Fab fragments of the purified IgG did not. The requirement for a divalent antigen combining region suggests that one possible mechanism of enhanced agglutination may involve intra or inter-molecular cross-linking of vWF multimers by the antibody. Another possible mechanism could be a conformational change in the vWF molecule induced by antibody binding. Such a conformational change may provide additional active sites on the vWF molecule that, in the presence of botrocetin, lead to enhancement of the agglutination reaction. Antisera to human vWF that showed this paradoxical inhibitory/enhancing effect on botrocetin-induced agglutination also inhibited ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination at high concentrations, but failed to enhance agglutination at any concentration. The different effects of these antisera on botrocetin and ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination suggest that no single mechanism can explain the action of both of these mediators.
The BCL-6 proto-oncogene controls germinal-centre formation and Th2-type inflammation

Structural alterations of the promoter region of the BCL-6 proto-oncogene represent the most frequent genetic alteration associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a malignancy often deriving from germinal-centre B cells. The BCL-6 gene encodes a zinc-finger transcriptional represser normally expressed in both B cells and CD4+ T cells within germinal centres, but its precise function is unknown. We show that mice deficient in BCL-6 displayed normal B-cell, T-cell and lymphoid-organ development but have a selective defect in T-cell-dependent antibody responses. This defect included a complete lack of affinity maturation and was due to the inability of follicular B cells to proliferate and form germinal centres. In addition, BCL-6-deficient mice developed an inflammatory response in multiple organs characterized by infiltrations of eosinophils and IgE-bearing B lymphocytes typical of a Th2-mediated hyperimmune response. Thus, BCL-6 functions as a transcriptional switch that controls germinal centre formation and may also modulate specific T-cell-mediated responses. Altered expression of BCL-6 in lymphoma represents a deregulation of the pathway normally leading to B cell proliferation and germinal centre formation.
Small remnant liver volume after right lobe living donor hepatectomy.

Background Right lobe living donor liver transplantation has become a viable option for adult patients with end-stage liver disease, however, the safety of the donor is of paramount importance. One of the key factors in donor safety is ensuring adequate donor remnant liver volume. Methods We retrospectively examined donors who had less than 30% remnant liver volume after right graft procurement. Eighty-six right lobe living donor transplants were carried out in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, from January 1999 to December 2004. Results Eight donors had less than 30% remnant liver volume (Group 1) after graft procurement and 78 donors had remnant liver volume greater than 30% (Group 2). There were no differences in donor characteristics, types of graft, operative parameters, and post-operative liver and renal function as well as liver volume at 6 months post-donation between the 2 groups. The graft weight obtained in Group 1 donors was significantly greater compared with that from Group 2 (P Conclusions The judicious use of donors with less than 30% remnant liver volume is safe as a last resort.
Blackbody photodetachment from a relativistic H- beam in the presence of an electric field

Abstract Blackbody photodetachment from a relativistic H - beam in the presence of an electric field has been calculated. The loss rates as functions of beam energy, ambient temperature, and field strength are discussed. Field stripping supplies constraints on the combination of beam energy and curvature of the beam line.
Public Health for an Aging Society, edited by Thomas R. Prohaska, Lynda A. Anderson, and Robert H. Binstock

Public Health for an Aging Society is a follow up to the original Public Health and Aging published in 1997. This book is a current, essential read; a primer for the scholar interested in research ...
Facile synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of cellulose–chitosan–hydroxyapatite composite material: A potential material for bone tissue engineering

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is often used as a bone-implant material because it is biocompatible and osteoconductive. However, HAp possesses poor rheological properties and it is inactive against disease-causing microbes. To improve these properties, we developed a green method to synthesize multifunctional composites containing: (1) cellulose (CEL) to impart mechanical strength; (2) chitosan (CS) to induce antibacterial activity thereby maintaining a microbe-free wound site; and (3) HAp. In this method, CS and CEL were co-dissolved in an ionic liquid (IL) and then regenerated from water. HAp was subsequently formed in situ by alternately soaking [CEL+CS] composites in aqueous solutions of CaCl2 and Na2HPO4. At least 88% of IL used was recovered for reuse by distilling the aqueous washings of [CEL+CS]. The composites were characterized using FTIR, XRD and SEM. These composites retained the desirable properties of their constituents. For example, the tensile strength of the composites was enhanced 1.9X by increasing CEL loading from 20% to 80%. Incorporating CS in the composites resulted in composites which inhibited the growth of both Gram positive (MRSA, S. aureus and VRE) and Gram negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) bacteria. These findings highlight the potential use of [CEL+CS+HAp] composites as scaffolds in bone tissue engineering.
Deferiprone modulates in vitro responses by peripheral blood T cells from control and relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis subjects

T cells are important mediators of autoimmune inflammation in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Previous studies found that deferiprone, an iron chelator, suppressed disease activity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, and inhibition of T cell proliferation was implicated as a putative mechanism. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of deferiprone on suppressing in vitro responses of T cells from control and RRMS subjects. Peripheral blood T cells were co-stimulated with anti-CD3+anti-CD28 and cultured with or without interleukin 2 (IL-2). Proliferating CD4+ T cells from control and RRMS subjects, cultured with or without IL-2, decreased in response to 75 μM deferiprone, although the extent of decreased proliferation of CD4+ T cells from RRMS subjects was less than for control subjects. Proliferating CD8+ T cells from control subjects, cultured with or without IL-2, also decreased in response to 75 μM deferiprone, and this decrease was seen in proliferating CD8+ T cells from RRMS cultured with IL-2. CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ cells from control subjects, cultured with or without IL-2, declined in 75 μM deferiprone, but the decrease was smaller than for the CD4+ and CD8+ proliferative responses. CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ cells from RRMS subjects showed more variability than for control subjects, but CD4+CD25+ cultured with IL-2 and CD8+CD25+ cells cultured without IL-2 significantly declined in 75 μM deferiprone. CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ cells tended to remain constant or increase. In summary, deferiprone induced declines in proliferative responses at a dosage that is within peak serum pharmacological concentrations.
Fatigue slip band formation in silicon-iron

Abstract A study has been made of the morphology of fatigue slip bands in Fe-Si alloys. A marked change in the nature of these slip bands with increasing silicon content is associated with the increasing inability to cross slip. It was observed that the extrusion process in the slip bands was a much more common process than that of the reverse process of intrusion. These results are compared with previous results for other crystal structures.
Redox-driven conductance switching via filament formation and dissolution in carbon/molecule/TiO2/Ag molecular electronic junctions.

Carbon/molecule/TiO2/Au molecular electronic junctions show robust conductance switching, in which a metastable high conductance state may be induced by a voltage pulse which results in redox reactions in the molecular and TiO2 layers. When Ag is substituted for Au as the “top contact”, dramatically different current/voltage curves and switching behavior result. When the carbon substrate is biased negative, an apparent breakdown occurs, leading to a high conductance state which is stable for at least several hours. Upon scanning to positive bias, the conductance returns to a low state, and the cycle may be repeated hundreds of times. Similar effects are observed when Cu is substituted for Au and for three different molecular layers as well as “control” junctions of the type carbon/TiO2/Ag/Au. The polarity of the “switching” is reversed when the Ag layer is between the carbon and molecular layers, and the conductance change is suppressed at low temperature. Pulse experiments show very erratic transitions b...
LITMUS^RT : A Testbed for Empirically Comparing Real-Time Multiprocessor Schedulers

We present a real-time, Linux-based testbed called LITMUS^RT, which we have developed for empirically evaluating multiprocessor real-time scheduling algorithms. We also present the results from such an evaluation, in which partitioned earliest-deadline-first (EDF) scheduling, preemptive and nonpreemptive global EDF scheduling, and two variants of the global PD^2 Pfair algorithm were considered. The tested algorithms were compared based on both raw performance and schedulability (with real overheads considered) assuming either hard- or soft-real-time constraints. To our knowledge, this paper is the first attempt by anyone to compare partitioned and global real-time scheduling approaches using empirical data.
Effect of acute and chronic losartan treatment on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in fructose-fed rats

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of angiotensin II (AII) in fructose-treated rats by assessing the effects of acute and chronic losartan treatment on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. The effect of acute losartan treatment was assessed on blood glucose and serum insulin profiles during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) in control and fructose-fed rats. Acute losartan treatment was effective in lowering both blood glucose and plasma insulin profiles in fructose-treated rats during the IVGTT compared to the saline-injected fructose-treated rats. In a subsequent study, 2 weeks after chronic fructose and losartan treatment, IVGTT were performed. Chronic losartan treatment also improved both the glucose tolerance and insuline sensitivit in fructose-treated rats. Additionally chronic losartan treatment also was effective in blocking the hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy observed in fructose-fed rats. In neither acute nor chronic studies were there any effects of losartan in control animals. These results strongly suggest that the renin-angiotensin system modulates the insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy in fructose-treated rats. Am J Hypertens 1996;9:662–668
Physical Science Rocks! Outreach for Elementary Students.

Students at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Co-Lin) have been hesitant to take courses in the physical sciences, mostly because of a lack of exposure to them in K–12 or a bad experience in this area. Our college is addressing this need by exposing students to the physical sciences early on in their education.
Dynamic first principles model of a complete reversible fuel cell system

A dynamic model of a discrete reversible fuel cell (RFC) system has been developed in a Matlab Simulink® environment. The model incorporates first principles dynamic component models of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, a PEM electrolyzer, a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank, and a cooling system radiator, as well as empirical models of balance of plant components. Dynamic simulations show unique charging and discharging control issues and highlight factors contributing to overall system efficiency.
Gender- and androgen-related influence on the expression of proto-oncogene and apoptotic factor mRNAs in lacrimal glands of autoimmune and non-autoimmune mice.

Abstract Our previous studies have shown that the mRNA levels of c-myb, c-myc, bcl-2 and p53 are higher, and partial Fas antigen (i.e. exons 1–2) lower, in lacrimal tissues of female, as compared to male, MRL/lpr mice, which are a model of Sjogren's syndrome. We have also found that this gender-related difference in bcl-2 and c-myb expression appears to be due to the influence of androgens. To extend these findings, we sought to determine: first, whether these gender- and/or hormone-associated variations in mRNA content are unique to MRL/lpr mice, or are also present in lacrimal glands of other murine strains, including autoimmune NZB/NZW F1 (F1) and non-obese diabetic (NOD), as well as non-autoimmune C3H/HeJ (C3H) and BALB/c, mice; and second, whether the levels of these apoptotic factor mRNAs are altered in lacrimal tissues of mice (i.e. testicular feminized (Tfm) with dysfunctional androgen receptors, as compared to glandular amounts in their ‘normal’ controls (i.e. Tabby). Lacrimal tissues were obtained from adult mice, which were either untreated or treated with placebo or testosterone for 21 days. Glands were processed for the analysis of proto-oncogene mRNAs by RT-PCR (at exponential phase of amplification) and data were standardized to the corresponding levels of β-actin mRNA. Our results demonstrate that Fas antigen, Fas ligand, c-myb, c-myc, bcl-2, Bax and p53 mRNAs are present in lacrimal tissues of F1, NOD, C3H, BALB/c, Tabby and Tfm mice. The relative levels of Fas antigen mRNA are consistently higher in glands of males, whereas amounts of bcl-2 mRNA are greater in tissues of F1, C3H and BALB/c females. Testosterone administration induced a significant increase in the lacrimal gland content of Bax mRNA, but a striking decrease in the lacrimal tissue level of bcl-2 mRNA in F1 and C3H mice. Lacrimal glands of Tfm mice contained elevated amounts of bcl-2 mRNA, as compared to values in tissues of their Tabby controls. In summary, our findings show that fundamental gender-related differences exist in the expression of genes associated with programmed cell death in lacrimal glands of autoimmune and normal mice. In addition, some of these differences may be due, at least in part, to the effect of androgens.
Level densities for nuclei with 20 A 41

Some commonly used level density compilations are compared with one another and with data in the mass range $20l~Al~41.$ A new formula is proposed which appears to be consistent with both low energy $(Ul5 \mathrm{MeV})$ and high energy $(Ug~20 \mathrm{MeV})$ data. This new compilation is used as a benchmark for testing theoretical calculations of level densities utilizing the two-body interaction with moment methods.
Clinically oriented biochemical problem solving exercise — production and use in medical biochemistry

Abstract The techniques of analyzing clinical biochemical data in a way that will be useful in diagnosis and treatment are seldom taught. As a step toward remedying this situation a series of exercises has been developed that involves the medical student in the though processes required to successfully apply biochemical information to the solution of clinical problems. This communcation describes the production of these exercises and their use in an introductory course in Medical Biochemistry.
Ultrasonographic demonstration of inferior vena caval invasion

Whenever a liver neoplasm is seen ultrasonographically, an effort should be made to visualize the veins within the liver as well as the inferior vena cava for tumor extension. Valuable information can be obtained by the demonstration of this finding which may radically alter the further work-up and treatment of the patient.
Cross validation of measures of handle/human fit

The problem of measurement of effectiveness of handle design was addressed directly by scales. Ratings on several subjective scales were used and compared with maximum force exertion capabilities and grip force efficiency. Three of the handles were selected by overall preference ranking and tested using the Point of Subjective Equality (PSE) measure proposed by Hsia and Drury (1986). Factor analysis revealed two orthogonal factors, one related to overall preference and one related to strength. The PSE measure failed to give significant results.
Exploring the impacts of flood insurance reform on vulnerable communities

Abstract This paper identifies geographic areas whose real estate markets were potentially impacted by US flood insurance reform, and it explores concurrent vulnerabilities—by income and race—in the most impacted areas. Because of the geographic and demographic significance of the Gulf Coast in terms of flood risk, flood insurance, and vulnerability, the Houston-Galveston region was selected for analysis. Flood insurance reform under the Biggert–Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 occurred unabated over a 21-month period from July 2012 to March 2014. This period represents a unique real-world intervention that can be analyzed using a quasi-experimental design. The period was characterized by numerous anecdotal reports of spiking flood insurance rates and market uncertainty. Market data were gathered for two years before and two years after Biggert–Waters in Harris and Galveston Counties. Paired z-tests were performed to examine before and after market differences. Findings showed 17 zip codes that experienced significant impacts (p
Adolescent Presentations of Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Several studies have shown that a large percentage of inborn errors of metabolism is present in adolescent patients. Individually, each diagnosis in this category of diseases is rare; therefore, there is often a significant delay in determining the etiology of a patient's complaints. These disorders can have a wide variety of multisystemic presentations, several of which overlap with more common disorders of adolescence. This review highlights the red-flag findings on history and physical examination indicating a possible inborn error of metabolism. In addition, a systematic approach for evaluating and categorizing these disorders is introduced and demonstrated through case examples. Primary care physicians play a crucial role in the early detection and prompt treatment of patients with late-onset inborn errors of metabolism.
Development of clothing for protection from convective heat

Must protective clothing be heavy, bulky, and unattractive? The authors discuss tests of a synthetic fiber fabric—tests indicating that more appealing apparel providing greater heat protection can be made.
Comparison of the Ultrafast Absorption Dynamics of Eumelanin and Pheomelanin

An enhanced photoreactivity of the red melanin, pheomelanin compared to the black melanin, eumelanin is commonly invoked to explain why fair-skinned individuals are more susceptible to skin cancers. Ultrafast pump−probe spectroscopy is used to examine the primary photodynamics of eumelanin from Sepia officinalis and synthetic pheomelanin following excitation at 303 nm. Both melanins reveal a transient absorption throughout the visible spectrum that rises within the instrument response. On the picosecond time scale, the transient absorption signal decays to a constant nonzero value, and the dynamics to nonexponential. Thus, both melanins do not exhibit complete ground-state recovery, suggestive of the formation of long-lived intermediates. Comparison to the initial transient absorption indicates the yield of such species is identical for the two pigments. The shape of the transient spectrum for the two melanins differ; however, global fits to the 13 different probe wavelengths used to construct each spectr...
Effects of short-term hypersalinity exposure on the susceptibility to wasting disease in the subtropical seagrass Thalassia testudinum.

Seagrass meadows are a vital component of coastal ecosystems and have experienced declines in abundance due to a series of environmental stressors including elevated salinity and incidence of disease. This study evaluated the impacts of short-term hypersalinity stress on the early stages of infection in Thalassia testudinum Banks ex Konig by assessing changes in cellular physiology and metabolism. Seagrass short shoots were exposed to ambient (30 psu) and elevated (45 psu) salinities for 7 days and subsequently infected for one week by the causative pathogen of wasting disease, Labyrinthula sp. The occurrence of wasting disease was significantly lower in the hypersalinity treatments. Additionally, while exposure to elevated salinity caused a reduction in chlorophyll a and b content, T. testudinum’s health, in terms of photochemical efficiency, was not significantly compromised by hypersalinity or infection. In contrast, plant respiratory demand was significantly enhanced as a function of infection. Elevated salinity caused T. testudinum to significantly increase its in vivo H2 O2 concentrations to levels that exceeded those which inhibited Labyrinthula growth in a liquid in vitro assay. The results suggest that while short-term exposure to hypersalinity alters selected cellular processes this does not necessarily lead to an immediate increase in wasting disease susceptibility. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
Hydrogen bromide plasma-copper reaction in a new copper etching process

Abstract The hydrogen bromide (HBr) plasma–copper reaction, which is the base of a new copper etching process, has been studied. A high etch rate has been obtained with the reaction. Influences of process parameters, such as plasma exposure time, pressure, plasma power and substrate temperature, to the reaction process were explored. In addition to the reaction rate, we also investigated the relationship between the morphology and structure of the reaction product layer and the process condition. The results show that both the plasma-phase chemistry and the ion bombardment energy are important to the reaction. Mechanism for the HBr plasma–Cu reaction process was compared with that for the HCl or Cl 2 plasma–Cu reaction. The reaction product was characterized with X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. These results are critical to the understanding of this new copper dry etching process.
Shorter can Also be Better: The Abridged Job in General Scale

The Job Descriptive Index family of job attitude measures includes the Job in General (JIG) scale, a measure of global satisfaction with one’s job. The scale was originally developed and validated by Ironson, Smith, Brannick, Gibson, and Paul. Following structured scale reduction procedures developed by Stanton, Sinar, Balzer, and Smith, the current authors developed an abridged version of the JIG for use by practitioners and researchers of organizational behavior. They report the results of three validation studies documenting the process of scale reduction and the psychometric suitability of the reduced-length scale.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Is Chronically Activated in Chronic Pancreatitis

The pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is poorly understood. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has now been recognized as a pathogenic event in many chronic diseases. However, ER stress has not been studied in CP, although pancreatic acinar cells seem to be especially vulnerable to ER dysfunction because of their dependence on high ER volume and functionality. Here, we aim to investigate ER stress in CP, study its pathogenesis in relation to trypsinogen activation (widely regarded as the key event of pancreatitis), and explore its mechanism, time course, and downstream consequences during pancreatic injury. CP was induced in mice by repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis (AP) based on caerulein hyperstimulation. ER stress leads to activation of unfolded protein response components that were measured in CP and AP. We show sustained up-regulation of unfolded protein response components ATF4, CHOP, GRP78, and XBP1 in CP. Overexpression of GRP78 and ATF4 in human CP confirmed the experimental findings. We used novel trypsinogen-7 knock-out mice (T−/−), which lack intra-acinar trypsinogen activation, to clarify the relationship of ER stress to intra-acinar trypsinogen activation in pancreatic injury. Comparable activation of ER stress was seen in wild type and T−/− mice. Induction of ER stress occurred through pathologic calcium signaling very early in the course of pancreatic injury. Our results establish that ER stress is chronically activated in CP and is induced early in pancreatic injury through pathologic calcium signaling independent of trypsinogen activation. ER stress may be an important pathogenic mechanism in pancreatitis that needs to be explored in future studies.
THE EFFECT OF FLUCTUATIONS IN THE CO2 CONTENT OF THE ATMOSPHERE ON THE RATE OF RESPIRATION OF LEAVES

There exists at the present time no adequate method of determining either the rate of respiration or that of photosynthesis of a plant under entirely normal conditions. It is necessary to confine a plant or a portion of a plant, such as a leaf, in a relatively small volume. The gaseous exchange of the plant can then be determined either by continuous displacement of the air surrounding the plant or by determination of the change of composition of the atmosphere when the plant is kept in a confined space. The principle applies not only to land plants in air, but also to aquatic plants surrounded by water. Although most of the evidence permits the conclusion that under such experimental conditions the photosynthetic and respiratory activities are the same as under normal conditions in nature, recent experience has shown that great care must be exercised in interpreting the results of the rates of gas exchange obtained under such experimental conditions. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effect of changes in the CO2 concentration of the air on the apparent rate of respiration of excised leaves. In measuring the rate of respiration or photosynthesis under different conditions of carbon-dioxid content of the air about the leaf, the correct interpretation of results depends upon an exact knowledge of the manner in which the plant or leaf responds to a change in these external conditions. In determining the rate of photosynthesis on the basis of the CO2 fixed, it is necessary also to determine the rate of respiration. It has been very generally assumed that the latter, determined in the dark, remains the same during illumination. A correct estimation of the rate of photosynthesis depends, therefore, largely upon an exact determination of the respiratory value. Moreover, for practical experimental purposes it is often desirable that the photosynthesis determinations be made in an atmosphere enriched in CO2. The rate of respiration is very often determined by measuring the CO2 emitted in a definite period of time when a stream of air free [The journal for July (II: 4I7-492) was issued Aug. I4, I924.; 493
A New Player at the Flagellar Motor: FliL Controls both Motor Output and Bias

ABSTRACT The bacterial flagellum is driven by a bidirectional rotary motor, which propels bacteria to swim through liquids or swarm over surfaces. While the functions of the major structural and regulatory components of the flagellum are known, the function of the well-conserved FliL protein is not. In Salmonella and Escherichia coli, the absence of FliL leads to a small defect in swimming but complete elimination of swarming. Here, we tracked single motors of these bacteria and found that absence of FliL decreases their speed as well as switching frequency. We demonstrate that FliL interacts strongly with itself, with the MS ring protein FliF, and with the stator proteins MotA and MotB and weakly with the rotor switch protein FliG. These and other experiments show that FliL increases motor output either by recruiting or stabilizing the stators or by increasing their efficiency and contributes additionally to torque generation at higher motor loads. The increased torque enabled by FliL explains why this protein is essential for swarming on an agar surface expected to offer increased resistance to bacterial movement. IMPORTANCE FliL is a well-conserved bacterial flagellar protein whose absence leads to a variety of motility defects, ranging from moderate to complete inhibition of swimming in some bacterial species, inhibition of swarming in others, structural defects that break the flagellar rod during swarming in E. coli and Salmonella, and failure to eject the flagellar filament during the developmental transition of a swimmer to a stalk cell in Caulobacter crescentus. Despite these many phenotypes, a specific function for FliL has remained elusive. Here, we established a central role for FliL at the Salmonella and E. coli motors, where it interacts with both rotor and stator proteins, increases motor output, and contributes to the normal rotational bias of the motor.
Self-Limiting Behavior of Hot Carrier Degradation and Its Implication on the Validity of Lifetime Extraction by Accelerated Stress

The time dependence of hot carrier degradation of n-channel MOSFETs and the methodology of accelerated stress have been investigated in detail. The time (T) dependence is found to be inconsistent with the simple expression of TN (N-0.25), but rather show a slow-down of the degradation rate. The slope of the degradation curve is also found to be dependent on the stress bias voltage. The projection of device lifetime by accelerated stress based on the TN law and the assumption of constant slope independent of stress bias is unreliable.
Nocturnal sleep latencies among alert, alert-deprived and sleepy subjects.

Abstract Twenty-seven healthy, asymptomatic subjects participated in a study to determine repeated nocturnal sleep latencies as a function of level of daytime sleepiness. Subjects were screened polysomnographically and were determined to be free of any sleep pathology. Nine subjects had a screening multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) of ≤5 min and 18 had a MSLT of ≥10 min. Subjects were assigned to 3 groups, sleepy (MSLT ≤ 5 min), alert, and alert sleep-deprived groups (MSLT ≥ 10 min). Repeated nocturnal latencies to sleep were determined at 2300, 0110, 0310 and 0510 h on 2 nights with at least 5 days between nights. The results showed a main effect of group on the repeated nocturnal sleep latencies. Post-hoc tests demonstrated longer repeated nocturnal latencies among alert subjects compared to the sleepy and alert sleep-deprived subjects. The latter two groups had comparable sleep latencies. A significant main effect of time of night was also shown. The 0510 h latency was significantly shorter than the latencies at 2300 and 0110 h. The 0310 h latency was significantly shorter than the 0110 h latency and comparable to the 2300 and 0510 h latency. Significant correlations were found between daytime MSLT, repeated nocturnal sleep latencies, and nocturnal sleep time. These results show systematic differences in repeated nocturnal sleep latencies among sleepy and alert subjects and extend the already described characteristics of these subjects by comparing them to a group of alert sleep-deprived subjects.
Relativistic scattering operators for Dirac particles: Structure, symmetries, and reconstruction.

A systematic construction of the general forms of relativistic scattering operators for spin-1/2 particles is presented. Lorentz-invariant two-body scattering operators for the spin-1/2-spin-1/2 and spin-1/2-spin-0 systems are explicitly represented in a manner which is the relativistic generalization of the Wolfenstein representation of Galilean-invariant scattering operators. The simpler spin-1/2-spin-0 case serves as a prototype for the much more complicated spin-1/2-spin-1/2 case. For each case a complete set of independent Lorentz invariants is obtained directly in terms of the available four-momenta and the Dirac \ensuremath{\gamma} matrices. The most general forms of the scattering operators are derived in terms of these.
Effect of Mechanical Stresses on Lipid Membrane Phase Properties

We currently investigate how membrane tension modifies the miscibility properties of model lipid bilayers, namely giant unilamellar vesicles. We use fluorescence microscopy to observe coexisting liquid phases within temperature-controlled vesicles under surface tension induced by micropipette aspiration. We measure shifts in liquid/liquid miscibility temperatures as a function of applied tension.We compare our experimental data to the theoretical prediction of [1], by which a surface tension of ∼1mN/m should cause a decrease in miscibility temperature of ∼1K. This prediction may explain why Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs) show large-scale liquid/liquid phase coexistence [2,3] whereas undisturbed cell membranes do not. GPMV's, which are detached from the cytoskeleton, are hypothesized to have lower surface tensions than cell membranes.[1] Uline, Schick and Szleifer. Changes in phase behavior of lipid bilayers under tension. Submitted.[2] Baumgart, Hammond, Sengupta, Hess, Holowka, Baird and Webb. Large-scale fluid/fluid phase separation of proteins and lipids in giant plasma membrane vesicles. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 104:3165-3170, 2007.[3] Veatch, Cicuta, Sengupta, Honerkamp-Smith, Holowka and Baird. Critical fluctuations in plasma membrane vesicles. ACS Chem Biol., 3:287-293, 2008.
A case of Exophiala oligosperma successfully treated with voriconazole

Exophiala oligosperma is an uncommon pathogen associated with human infections, predominantly in immunocompromised hosts. Case reports of clinical infections related to E. oligosperma have been limited to 6 prior publications, all of which have shown limited susceptibility to conventional antifungal therapies, including amphotericin B, itraconazole, and fluconazole. We describe the first case of an E. oligosperma induced soft-tissue infection successfully treated with a 3-month course of voriconazole without persisting lesions.
Advances in treatment and management: immunologic and cell-based regenerative therapies.

The glaucomas are a group of eye diseases characterized by progressive ganglion cell and optic nerve damage, leading to constriction of the visual fields and eventual loss of central vision. Although the disease is typically associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP), there are patients with low- or normal-tension glaucoma and others with elevated IOP who do not experience optic nerve damage. The ocular pathology observed in glaucoma can affect the trabecular meshwork (TM; the main outflow tract for intraocular fluid), the ganglion cell layer of the retina, and the optic nerve head and associated lamina cribrosa. Therapies for these diseases have largely been directed at lowering IOP through pharmacologically decreasing aqueous humor production in the ciliary body or increasing outflow by targeting the TM with drugs or surgical intervention. Although these approaches can lead to significant lowering of the IOP, most patients still experience progressive visual loss, albeit at a slower rate than occurs if the high pressure is left untreated. More recently, efforts have been directed at providing neuroprotection for the cells primarily responsible for vision loss, the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Recent advances in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and cell-based therapies provide the opportunity to protect or replace cells damaged by increased IOP or other less well-understood abnormalities associated with glaucoma. In this article, I review recent advances in the areas of stem cell biology and cell-based delivery of neuroprotectants for the treatment of retinal diseases and discuss their potential applications for the treatment of glaucoma. I also review recent advances in metabolomics and transcriptomics that will enable analysis of factors that may be present in patients who have increased IOP but no damage from glaucoma.
Development of physical dependence on t-butanol in rats: an examination using schedule-induced drinking.

Abstract Rats were exposed to various concentrations of t-butanol as their only available fluid in either the home cage or a schedule-induced drinking situation previously shown to induce overdrinking of ethanol. When animals consumed at least 3 g/kg/day of t-butanol for 90 days, independent of the condition, withdrawal symptoms were observed. This daily intake occurred only when the concentration of t-butanol was 3% (v/v) or greater. The schedule-induction procedure did not induce t-butanol overdrinking at any concentration tested as it does with ethanol, but its use did result in increased probability of the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms over the home cage condition. In no cases was the severity of withdrawal from t-butanol as great as previously reported for ethanol. When the concentration of t-butanol was increased to 3.5% (v/v), severe toxic reactions were found, that included anorexia, self-mutilation, and deaths from no specific determinable causes.
Transgene expression and local tissue distribution of naked and polymer-condensed plasmid DNA after intradermal administration in mice

DNA vaccination using cationic polymers as carriers has the potential to be a very powerful method of immunotherapy, but typical immune responses generated have been less than robust. To better understand the details of DNA vaccine delivery in vivo, we prepared polymer/DNA complexes using three structurally distinct cationic polymers and fluorescently labeled plasmid DNA and injected them intradermally into mice. We analyzed transgene expression (luciferase) and the local tissue distribution of the labeled plasmid at the injection site at various time points (from hours to days). Comparable numbers of luciferase expressing cells were observed in the skin of mice receiving naked plasmid or polyplexes one day after transfection. At day 4, however, the polyplexes appeared to result in more transfected skin cells than naked plasmid. Live animal imaging revealed that naked plasmid dispersed quickly in the skin of mice after injection and had a wider distribution than any of the three types of polyplexes. However, naked plasmid level dropped to below detection limit after 24 h, whereas polyplexes persisted for up to 2 weeks. The PEGylated polyplexes had a significantly wider distribution in the tissue than the nonPEGylated polyplexes. PEGylated polyplexes also distributed more broadly among dermal fibroblasts and allowed greater interaction with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) (dendritic cells and macrophages) starting at around 24 h post-injection. By day 4, co-localization of polyplexes with APCs was observed at the injection site regardless of polymer structure, whereas small amounts of polyplexes were found in the draining lymph nodes. These in vivo findings demonstrate the superior stability of PEGylated polyplexes in physiological milieu and provide important insight on how cationic polymers could be optimized for DNA vaccine delivery.
Maximum likelihood estimation of the binary Coefficient of Determination

The binary Coefficient of Determination (CoD) is a key component of inference methods in Genomic Signal Processing. Assuming a stochastic logic model, we introduce a new sample CoD estimator based upon maximum likelihood (ML) estimation. Experiments have been conducted to assess how the ML CoD estimator performs in recovering predictors in multivariate prediction settings. Performance is compared with the traditional nonparametric CoD estimators based on resubstitution, leave-one-out, bootstrap and cross-validation. The results show that the ML CoD estimator is the estimator of choice if prior knowledge is available about the logic relationships in the model, even if this knowledge is incomplete.