cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rat leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF): similarities to human LIF and generation by cells from rats with collagen-induced arthritis.

Abstract Rat lymph node cells (LNC) produce a mediator which exhibits functional and physicochemical similarities to human leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF). Measurement of LIF can be used to quantify cellular sensitivity in rats to foreign protein antigens or to a heterologous antigen in vitro . Concanavalin A-induced rat LIF has a molecular weight of 100,000-60,000 daltons and retains activity after heating to 56 °C for 30 min. Rat LIF is not synthesized in the presence of puromycin and appears to be a protein, since it is inactivated by treatment with chymotrypsin. Moreover, the activity of rat LIF is susceptible to the serine esterase inhibitor, diisopropylphosphofluoridate, but it is resistant to neuraminidase treatment. Finally, rat LIF preferentially inhibits the migration of rat and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes but not that of rat or guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells enriched for macrophages. Except for the more dispersed size of rat LIF, these properties are analogous to those described for human LIF. LIF activity is generated, in an antigen-specific manner, by LNC sensitized to ovalbumin or purified protein derivative of tuberculin when cultured with the antigen used for sensitization. LNC from rats rendered arthritic by prior intradermal (id) injection of native chick type II collagen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant produce LIF in response to this heterologous antigen. These studies delineate a new assay for cellular sensitivity in rats and provide additional evidence that cellular reactivity to type II collagen is present in this animal model of arthritis.
Mediated disclosure on Twitter: The roles of gender and identity in boundary impermeability, valence, disclosure, and stage

Social media such as microblogs (Twitter(TM)) allow more people to disclose more personal and private information more frequently to more others than ever before. But what is the nature of, and what factors influence, those disclosures? Applying concepts from research and theory on self-disclosure research and microblogging, this study analyses 3751 tweets, with nearly half including disclosures, over a three-day period. At the user level, user-controlled boundary impermeability varied by user gender, feed identity (parenting, social media professional), and their interaction. At the tweet level, tweet valence, presence of disclosure, and front- or back-stage disclosure were variously influenced by user gender, Twitter feed identity, interactions between them, and boundary impermeability. Social construction of gender roles and social identities, as well as individual tendencies, and possibly communication contexts, are reflected in the valence, presence, and stage of disclosures in microblog content.
Gaucher disease as a paradigm of current issues regarding single gene mutations of humans

Gaucher disease is a glycolytic storage disease caused by a deficiency in activity of the catabolic enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Over 35 different mutations have been documented, including missense and nonsense point mutations, splicing mutations, deletions and insertions, a fusion gene, and examples of gene conversion. Gaucher disease is most common in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, in which just five of the mutations in this population account for 98% of the disease-producing alleles. Each of these mutations is found in the context of a single haplotype, a finding consistent with a single origin of each mutation. Although it is clear that these mutations provide a selective advantage in the Jewish population and thus constitute a balanced polymorphism, the nature of the advantage is unknown. Gaucher disease can be treated symptomatically, by administration of the missing enzyme, by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, and potentially by gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells. Increasing understanding of this disease has, as in other genetic disorders, created a host of social and ethical dilemmas regarding matters such as the cost of treatment for rare diseases and the advantages and disadvantages of population-targeted genetic screening.
Coincidence of Poles and Zeros

The concept of poles and zeros of network functions is taught in many introductory circuit courses, but the methods of presentation vary widely. Among them, the introduction of the network function by way of the differential equation written in operational form offers some pedagogical advantages that justify its use in spite of its lack of mathematical rigor. This method also helps to realize that poles and zeros can actually coincide with each other. This is illustrated by an example in which the cancellation of factors in the numerator and denominator of the network function would lead to an error if arbitrary initial conditions are to be satisfied.
DNA synthesis, mitosis and fusion of myocardial cells

Myocardial cells obtained from embryonic chick ventricles have been used to investigate (1) whether differentiated cells can undergo DNA synthesis and mitosis and, (2) whether heart cells when grown in culture can fuse with each other and with chick skeletal myoblasts to form heterokaryon myotubes. Electron microscopic observations have shown that myocardial cells of day 3 and day 20 chick embryos did contain myofibrils with defined sarcomeres; these cells have been observed in mitosis. Cells obtained by tryptic digestion of day 12 chick ventricles when grown in culture continued to replicate their DNA as shown by thymidine-3H radioautography with DNase controls and were observed in all stages of mitosis. Electron microscopy showed that myofibrils were present in some of the cultured cells. Bi-, tri- and tetranucleate cells were observed in the cultures. Thymidine-3H radioautography showed that these cells were formed by karyokinesis without cytokinesis and by the fusion of uninucleate cells. Since the heart cells could fuse with each other, we tested the possibility that they could fuse with skeletal myoblasts to form heterokaryon myotubes. This was accomplished by co-culturing thymidine-3H labeled ventricular cells and unlabeled skeletal myoblasts. Radioautography with DNase controls showed that some of the myotubes consisted of unlabeled skeletal muscle nuclei and labeled heart nuclei in varied proportions. The factors initiating the formation of these heterokaryons have not been elucidated.
IgG4-Associated Cholecystitis: Another Clue in the Diagnosis of Autoimmune Pancreatitis

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is the pancreatic manifestation of IgG4-associated systemic disease (ISD). Criteria for diagnosis of AIP include recognition of extra-pancreatic organ involvement. Because the diagnosis of AIP can be challenging, even for experts, it is important for clinicians to recognize other target organ damage in this disease. Typical gallbladder findings in AIP have been increasingly recognized. Because cholecystectomy is common in the community, the availability of previous tissue from the gallbladder can provide an important supportive clue in the diagnosis of AIP. The objective of this review is to examine the literature on common gallbladder pathology findings in AIP, and discuss their clinical utility. Gallbladder involvement in AIP seems to be common. Transmural lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrates, extramural inflammatory nodules, the presence of tissue eosinophilia, phlebitis, and increased tissue IgG4 are all seen more frequently in the gallbladders of patients with AIP. These findings are not 100% specific, because some can be seen in primary sclerosing cholangitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cholecystectomy for the purpose of diagnosing AIP is not recommended. However, if gallbladder specimens from a previous cholecystectomy are available, an expert review of gallbladder slides with IgG4 immunostaining may help to provide additional criteria for diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.
Carbohydrate intake during endurance exercise increases natural killer cell responsiveness to IL-2

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity endurance exercise and carbohydrate consumption on in vitro responsiveness of natural killer (NK) to IL-2 (2.5 U/ml for 24 h)....
Overlayer-substrate spacing for argon and krypton on graphite determined by leed intensity analysis

Abstract Low-energy electron diffraction has been used to measure the spacing between monolayers of Ar or Kr and the outermost basal plane of a graphite substrate. The intensity of the (00) beam is recorded as a function of energy for graphite with and without the overlayer present. Using the analysis method of Cohen, Unguris and Webb, we find that the ratio of the two intensity curves shows an oscillation whose period is inversely proportional to the desired spacing. For Ar, we find a value of 3.2 ± 0.1 A at 42 K. The results for Kr are somewhat ambiguous but suggest a value of 3.3 ± 0.1 A at 52 K.
A brief review of pulp potentials in sulfide flotation

Abstract A state of the art review of pulp potentials in sulfide mineral flotation was presented. The measurement and interpretation of pulp potentials in sulfide mineral flotation dates back more than 30 years, yet the transfer of knowledge of pulp potential to industrial practice has been exceedingly slow. In this article, thermodynamic and kinetic issues were discussed to develop a rational scheme for interpretation of pulp potentials. Opportunities and challenges for using pulp potentials in industrial practice are discussed.
Compost Tea Reduces Egg Hatch and Early-Stage Nymphal Development of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest causing significant agricultural losses in the USA, particularly among USDAcertified organic agricultural operations that are prohibited from using synthetic pesticides. Recent research indicates that for optimal development, nymphs of H. halys require gut microbial symbionts that are acquired from the egg mass. This research investigated the impact of ‘compost teas,’ biologically-active organic matter emulsions that are commonly applied as foliar sprays for pathogen management in organic agriculture, on H. halys during early stages of development. We compared H. halys development after misting egg masses and neonates with reversed osmosis water (control), or with a 50/50 mixture of compost teas derived from poultry manure and mushroom waste. The compost tea treatment significantly affected hatch (%) for egg masses of H. halys that were treated initially within 24–30 h of deposition, resulting ...
Structural and Dynamic Response to Core Repacking Substitutions in T4 Lysozyme Detected by Site-Directed Spin Labeling

Proteins can evolve to gain new functionality via mutations that decrease stability, and presumably, increase flexibility. Particularly interesting examples are mutations that modify the hydrophobic core packing and create new functions, e.g. novel ligand binding sites created by cavity-forming mutants. Many core repacking mutants of T4 Lysozyme (T4L) have been characterized, some of which bind non-polar ligands. Overall, the crystal structures of these mutants are very similar to the WT and offer little insight into the mechanism whereby the ligand reaches the cavity. Site-Directed Spin Labeling (SDSL) has been applied to investigate the structural and dynamical response of T4L in solution to 28 core repacking mutations, many of which have known crystal structures. Remarkably, the most common response in the cavity-creating susbtitutions is the appearance of a second conformational substate, with populations as high as 70 %, showing that the cavities allows for an alternative protein fold, at least locally. Osmotic perturbation shows that the conformations are in slow exchange on the EPR time scale. Thus, the cavity mutations excite molecular flexibility, with a characteristic time scale > 100 ns, probably in the μs-ms range. Interspin distance measurements carried out for two of the cavity mutants to study the magnitude and nature of the conformational rearrangement suggest the interesting possibility that the alternative states are also present in the WT protein, but at a different ratio.In some cases, ns backbone modes were also excited by the core mutation, but the effects were subtle. Remarkably, the type and magnitude of the changes in the protein flexibility were not necessarily correlated with the extent of destabilization by the substitution. The relationship of the cavity-excited states to the mechanism of ligand entry is under study.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patch shunting effect manifestations on the body surface map

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the known shunting effect of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patches using the body surface map. Using a 32-lead body surface mapping computer system (Corazonix Predictor, Oklahoma City, OK) we recorded body surface potential maps both prior to and 7 days after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patch placement in a patient during right ventricular pacing at 60 beats/minute. This study demonstrated a marked shunting effect from the patches to the body surface during electrical depolarization as well as repolarization. In addition, patch orientation and configuration were evaluated by this method. Specifically, the waveforms were affected by the presence of insulator patches. This may be an important explanation, which may prevent appropriate transthoracic defibrillation using standard configurations. Further research is necessary to elucidate the true effect of the depolarization and repolarization waveform and defibrillator patches.
Correlation Between Apoptotic Endothelial Microparticles and Serum Interleukin-6 and C-Reactive Protein in Healthy Men

Inflammation has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis has been implicated in atherogenesis. The correlation between circulating concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and endothelial microparticles (EMPs) expressing an apoptotic (EMP31) or activation (EMP62E) phenotype in 20 middle-aged healthy men was investigated. IL-6 was significantly correlated with EMP31 (r = 0.6, p = 0.004), which persisted after adjusting for body mass index and CRP. CRP was significantly correlated with body mass index (r = 0.49, p = 0.02) but not with EMP31 or EMP62E. EC apoptosis is associated with IL-6 levels in men and might be partially responsible for the increased cardiovascular risk associated with subclinical inflammation.
Liquid‐Phase Sintering: Are Liquids Squeezed Out from Between Compressed Particles?

Application of a theory developed for plates that sandwich a liquid layer to spherical particles which undergo liquid phase sintering shows that although the thickness of the liquid layer decreases with time, a finite thickness will always remain between the particles within any experimental time frame as long as the liquid perfectly wets the solid.
Dose distributions of model 6702 I-125 seeds in water.

Abstract Dose distributions in water of Model 6702I-125 seeds have been measured to a distance of 9 cm from the seed center as a function of angle about the seed axis. A silicon diode and electrometer were used in the measurement. Two empirical models have been fitted to the data. The data have also been compared with Monte Carlo calculations.
Expression and regulation in the brain of the chemokine CCL27 gene locus

The chemokine CCL27 has chemoattractant properties for memory T cells and has been implicated in skin allergic reactions. The present study reports the expression in the brain of two CCL27 splice variants localized in the cerebral cortex and limbic regions. CCL27-like immunoreactivity was identified mainly in neurons. Variant 1 was found elevated in the olfactory bulbs during allergic inflammation induced by intranasal challenge with allergen. This was accompanied by the presence of T cells in the olfactory bulbs. Intranasal administration of neutralizing antibodies against CCL27 reduced the presence of T cells in the olfactory bulbs suggesting a function in T cell activity in the brain.
III. Formation of D-Urobilin from Mesobilirubinogen in Human Bile.

Summary and Conclusions1. Mesobilirubinogen added to both urobilin-free and urobilin-containing bile was converted at least in part to d-urobilin. No evidence of stercobilin formation was obtained. 2. Mesobilirubinogen added to bile and acholic feces was converted at least in part to d-urobilin. In one instance the addition of acholic feces to urobilin-free bile was instrumental in the development of d-urobilin.
Selectivity enhancement induced by substitution of non-natural analogues of arginine and lysine in arginine-based thrombin inhibitors.

Abstract Seven non-natural analogues of arginine and lysine have been substituted in an established arginine-based thrombin inhibitor. Four of the new compounds exhibited significant thrombin inhibition ( K i 's 0.53–3.95 μM) and were subsequently tested for selectivity against trypsin. The two best compounds gave selectivity ratios of 962 and 525 (trypsin/thrombin), improving upon the parent compound.
Improved resolution of (±)-trans-2'-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphans

An efficient resolution of (±)-trans-2'-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphan has been developed employing (—)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-O-acetylmandelic acids. Measurement of optical rotations on the resolved bases, NMR analyses of diastereomeric urea derivatives, as well as gas chromatographic analyses of diastereomeric amide derivatives indicate a net improvement over previous resolution methodology and an enantiomeric excess ≥ 99%. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Noise-Conditioning the Air Conditioner

Results of experimental noise reduction work performed with an in-room type air conditioner is presented. Emphasis is placed on what can be achieved in the way of noise reduction by applying basic techniques in a rather straightforward fashion as a "first cut" at the problem.
Atrial appendages and venoatrial connections in hearts from patients with visceral heterotaxy

Background. Venoatrial connections are important when choosing surgical options for patients with visceral heterotaxy. The precise morphology of the atriums, however, is often obfuscated by the term "visceral heterotaxy." This morphologic study aims to clarify the features of significance to the cardiac surgeon. Methods. We investigated 183 hearts from patients known from postmortem inspection to have so-called visceral heterotaxy. The connections of the systemic and pulmonary veins to the atriums, and the detailed morphology of the atriums, were examined in each case. Results. Pectinate muscles extended bilaterally to the crux in 125 hearts determined to have isomeric morphologically right appendages. The other 58 hearts all exhibited bilaterally smooth-walled vestibules, and were diagnosed as having isomeric left appendages. Bilateral superior caval veins were frequent in both groups. The inferior caval vein was right- or left-sided with equal frequency in both groups, but was interrupted only in hearts with isomeric left appendages. The pulmonary veins connected in extraatrial fashion in 48% of cases with isomeric right appendages, whereas, most commonly, pulmonary veins were connected bilaterally to the atriums in those with isomeric left appendages (60%). Conclusions. Both the morphology of the atrial appendages and the venoatrial connections need to be distinguished to establish precise diagnoses in patients with so-called visceral heterotaxy ("splenic syndromes").
When the Mind Races Effects of Thought Speed on Feeling and Action

Thought speed can be altered via controlled exposure to stimuli such as temporally paced text. Experiments show that thinking quickly induces positive mood and that the effect cannot be attributed to alterations of thought content or fluency. The effect is obtained across varied manipulations, including ones that alter the pace of thought involved in reading, problem solving, and visual comprehension. The experience of thinking fast signals a basic imperative for action and triggers a set of responses that mobilize the individual to act. These responses include not only heightened positive affect but also changes in behavior (i.e., increased risk taking), self-perception (i.e., increased self-confidence), and problem solving (i.e., increased creative insight). Implications of these thought-speed effects are discussed with respect to both everyday experiences that induce fast thinking and clinical psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression and mania) that are characterized by thought-speed abnormalities.
Delay-differential-algebraic equations in control theory

Linear time invariant systems are basic models in control theory. When they are generalized to include state delays, the resulting models are described by a system of delay-differential-algebraic equations. We exploit the special properties of the models that arise in our control theory application to solve these difficult problems with enough accuracy and enough speed for design purposes.
Normalizing Christiania: Project Clean Sweep and the Normalization Plan in Copenhagen

In 1971 a group of activists moved into a vacated military base near downtown Copenhagen and created an oppositional community. Named “Christiania,” this community began as a squat and is now a thriving community of artists, academics, activists and self-labeled social losers. For thirty-eight years Christiania has been a space of cultural critique and alterity in the center of Copenhagen. However, in 2002 the newly elected neoliberal-conservative government decided to “normalize” Christiania by privatizing its cooperative businesses and communally owned housing. Within this specific historical context, I present normalization as a strategy where coercive, spatial and rhetorical practices are employed by the state in order to legitimize Christiania's closure. A police raid and a state report are used as examples of how Foucault's notion of normalization is enacted “on the ground” in a contemporary historical context, and how normalization is responded to by Christiania's residents.
Heterogeneous learning in the Doppelgänger user modeling system

Doppelganger is a generalized user modeling system that gathers data about users, performs inferences upon the data, and makes the resulting information available to applications.Doppelganger's learning is calledheterogeneous for two reasons: first, multiple learning techniques are used to interpret the data, and second, the learning techniques must often grapple with disparate data types. These computations take place at geographically distributed sites, and make use of portable user models carried by individuals. This paper concentrates onDoppelganger's learning techniques and their implementation in an application-independent, sensor-independent environment.
Dynamics and mechanics of bed-load tracer particles

Abstract. Understanding the mechanics of bed load at the flood scale is necessary to link hydrology to landscape evolution. Here we report on observations of the transport of coarse sediment tracer particles in a cobble-bedded alluvial river and a step-pool bedrock tributary, at the individual flood and multi-annual timescales. Tracer particle data for each survey are composed of measured displacement lengths for individual particles, and the number of tagged particles mobilized. For single floods we find that measured tracer particle displacement lengths are exponentially distributed; the number of mobile particles increases linearly with peak flood Shields stress, indicating partial bed load transport for all observed floods; and modal displacement distances scale linearly with excess shear velocity. These findings provide quantitative field support for a recently proposed modeling framework based on momentum conservation at the grain scale. Tracer displacement is weakly negatively correlated with particle size at the individual flood scale; however cumulative travel distance begins to show a stronger inverse relation to grain size when measured over many transport events. The observed spatial sorting of tracers approaches that of the river bed, and is consistent with size-selective deposition models and laboratory experiments. Tracer displacement data for the bedrock and alluvial channels collapse onto a single curve – despite more than an order of magnitude difference in channel slope – when variations of critical Shields stress and flow resistance between the two are accounted for. Results show how bed load dynamics may be predicted from a record of river stage, providing a direct link between climate and sediment transport.
Phased Array Antennas

The theory of array antenna design has matured such that the tools are now available to design elements with predictable performance and to verify this performance with high confidence. The antenna feed is of equal importance to the antenna element. Multiple reflections in a poorly designed feed may generate spurious responses in the array antenna pattern. Space feeds offer economy and simplicity but tend to be limited in instantaneous bandwidth, flexibility of amplitude tapers, and ability to form clusters of beams. The near field off-set fed Gregorian reflector system appears to eliminate much of the inflexibility of the more conventional space-fed systems. This system is an attractive potential feed for the all-solid-state, phased-array radar. The all solid-state phased array radar typically will have a larger aperture relative to its vacuum tube counterpart. This large aperture increases the likelihood of the need for time-delay steering and clusters of simultaneous receive beams.
A New General Language Curriculum for the Eighth Grade

Author's Summary— A report of an experiment in adapting the historical study of language to the eighth-grade level.
The Interferon-inducible p202a Protein Modulates NF-κB Activity by Inhibiting the Binding to DNA of p50/p65 Heterodimers and p65 Homodimers While Enhancing the Binding of p50 Homodimers

p202a is a member of the interferon-inducible murine p200 family of proteins. These proteins share 1 or 2 partially conserved 200 amino acid segments of the a or the b type. The known biological activities of p202a include among others the regulation of muscle differentiation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. These biological activities of p202a can be correlated with the inhibition of the activity of several transcription factors. Thus, the binding of p202a results in the inhibition of the sequence-specific binding to DNA of the c-Fos, c-Jun, E2F1, E2F4, MyoD, myogenin, and c-Myc transcription factors. This study concerns the mechanisms by which p202a inhibits the activity of NF-κB, a transcription factor involved among others in host defense, inflammation, immunity, and the apoptotic response. NF-κB consists of p50 and p65 subunits. We demonstrate that p202a can inhibit in vitro and in vivo the binding to DNA of p65 homodimers and p50/65 heterodimers, whereas it increases the binding of p50 homodimers. Thus p202a can impair NF-κB activity both by inhibiting the binding to DNA of the transcriptionally active p65 homodimers and p50/p65 heterodimers and by boosting the binding of the repressive p50 homodimers. p202a can bind p50 and p65 in vitro and in vivo, and p202a can be part of the p50 homodimer complex bound to DNA. p50 binds in p202a to the a type segment, whereas p65 binds to the b type segment. Transfected ectopic p202a increases the apoptotic effect of tumor necrosis factor (at least in part) by inhibiting NF-κB and its antiapoptotic activity.
A Stopping Rule for Standard Chemotherapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer: Lessons from a Survey of Maryland Medical Oncologists

The sequential administration of standard chemotherapy regimens to treat metastatic breast cancer may keep patients and oncologists from considering other important, but more psychologically difficult, issues such as the patient's declining health or approaching death. This practice also utilizes health care resources for ever-decreasing individual patient benefit. If generally agreed-upon rules or guidelines were developed about stopping standard chemotherapy after a limited number of regimens, oncologists could recommend treatment discontinuation with greater confidence. Also, resources could be redirected. To inform the development of guidelines on when to stop chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer, we surveyed fully trained Maryland medical oncologists about their knowledge and beliefs about chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. The survey instrument included open-ended questions and clinical vignettes. There was consensus about the value of first-line chemotherapy. Even though oncologists employed second-line chemotherapy, they were unenthusiastic about it. The frequent utilization of second-line regimens probably reflects an effort to offer marginal regimens to patients who want them. Based on these data, it is suggested that standard chemotherapy be stopped after breast cancer fails to stabilize or respond on a standard regimen. Patients who wish further treatment could be referred for investigational therapy if it is available and if they are eligible.
The synthesis and comparative receptor binding affinities of novel, isomeric pyridoindolobenzazepine scaffolds

Abstract Compounds 7, 8, and 9, derived from the novel scaffolds 3, 5, and 6, were synthesized and evaluated in vitro. The b,c → c,d shift of the E-phenyl ring resulted in a large decrease (ca. 20- to 1000-fold) in binding to the 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C and H2, receptors, and a modest decrease (ca. 10- to 20-fold) in binding to the 5-HT5A, D2, D5, and α1D, receptors. The b,c → d,e shift resulted in a large decrease in binding to the 5-HT1D, 5-HT2C, 5-HT6, and H1 receptors, a modest decrease in binding to 5-HT1A, 5-HT5A and D2, D5, α2B, and H2 receptors, and a large increase in affinity to the 5-HT3, 5-HT6, and σ1 receptors.
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in sewage sludges

Abstract A municipal sewage sludge from Syracuse, New York and a largely domestic sludge from Sodus, New York were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) using combined gas chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS). Concentrations in ppt of the following PCDDs were found in the syracuse sludge: tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (TCDDs), 150, hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (HxCDDs), 2100, heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (HCDDs), 6300, octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (OCDDs), greater than 60,000. The following ppt concentrations were found in the Sodus sludge: TCDDs, 7200, HxCDDs, 300, HCDDs, 900, OCDDs 7500. The TCDD was a single but not the highly toxic 2,3,7,8-isomer. PCDFs were mostly nondetectable in the sludges. The toxicology and potential for environmental contamination by these compounds are discussed.
Molecular dynamics simulations of surfactant self-organization at a solid-liquid interface.

Self-organization of aqueous surfactants at a planar graphite-like surface is studied by means of coarse-grain molecular dynamics simulations. The nonionic surfactant, n-alkyl poly(ethylene oxide), and water are both represented by coarse-grain models while an implicit representation is used for the graphite surface. The observed morphology of the aggregated surfactants depends on the alkyl chain length. Surfactants with a short chain form a monolayer on the graphite surface with a thickness roughly equal to that of the alkane tail. On the other hand, longer-tail surfactants form continuous hemicylinders on the surface with diameter ∼5.0 ± 0.5 nm, in good agreement with experimental AFM data.
Identification of a human B-cell/myeloid common progenitor by the absence of CXCR4.

CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor required for hematopoietic stem cell engraftment and B-cell development. This study found that a small fraction of primitive CD34+/CD19+ B-cell progenitors do not express CXCR4. These CD34+/CD19+/CXCR4- cells were also remarkable for the relative lack of primitive myeloid or lymphoid surface markers. When placed in B-lymphocyte culture conditions these cells matured to express CXCR4 and other surface antigens characteristic of B cells. Surprisingly, when placed in a myeloid culture environment, the CXCR4- B-cell progenitors could differentiate into granulocyte, macrophage, and erythroid cells at a high frequency. These data define a novel B-cell/myeloid common progenitor (termed the BMP) and imply a less restrictive pathway of myeloid versus lymphoid development than previously postulated.
Binge alcohol exposure in the second trimester attenuates fetal cerebral blood flow response to hypoxia.

Alcohol is detrimental to the developing brain and remains the leading cause of mental retardation in developed countries. The mechanism of alcohol brain damage remains elusive. Studies of neurolog...
Effect of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on human β-defensin production and structural integrity of the human vaginal epithelium

Abstract Background Recent studies implicate the use of hormonal contraceptives, particularly depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA; Depo-Provera), with increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition. In this study, we recruited long-term users of hormonal contraceptives to further understand the biological mechanism behind this phenomenon. Methods 83 healthy, premenopausal women using DMPA (22 participants), combined oral contraceptives (17), NuvaRing (17), or non-hormonal contraceptives (26) were recruited in Birmingham, AL, USA, for a vaginal biopsy, blood draw, and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL). Participants were excluded if they were pregnant or symptomatic for vaginitis or ulcers. Informed consent was obtained from all patients; the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of University of Alabama at Birmingham. Vaginal epithelium was assessed with two distinct measurements: a mean thickness and shortest distance (from the lumen to the nearest lamina propria projection; minimum 100 points per biopsy). CVL antiviral content was assessed with ELISA and Luminex. RNA sequencing was performed on four DMPA and four control vaginal biopsies with use of laser capture microdissection to dissect the epithelium from the lamina propria. Findings DMPA use was significantly associated with thinner vaginal epithelium (median DMPA 290·7 μm; median control 353·8 μm; p=0·01). DMPA and NuvaRing suppressed production of human β defensin-2 (HBD2) (control 13 198 pg/mL; DMPA 741·5 pg/mL, p=0·0002; NuvaRing 326·7 pg/mL, p=0·0003) and HBD3 (control 776·4 pg/mL; DMPA 50·2 pg/mL, p −5 ; q =8·08 × 10 −3 ). Immunofluorescence staining on DMPA biopsies confirmed the loss of HBD3 protein. DMPA users showed significant decreases in key structural genes including corneodesmosin (control FPKM 9·9; DMPA FPKM 0·26; p=1·36 × 10 −6 ; q =5·86 × 10 −4 ) and loricrin (control FPKM 10·2; DMPA FPKM 0·9; p=1·3 × 10 −7 ; q =1·15 × 10 −4 ). Markers of wound healing, including haemoglobin α2 (control FPKM 3·8; DMPA FPKM 40; p=1·6 × 10 −5 ; q =3·7 × 10 −3 ) and plasminogen activator (control FPKM 0·9; DMPA FPKM 12·7; p=2·4 × 10 −8 ; q =2·8 × 10 −5 ), were significantly upregulated in the vaginal epithelium of DMPA users compared with controls. Interpretation Because HBDs are implicated in a specific anti-HIV response, loss of HBDs in the genital tract could partly account for the increased risk of infection in DMPA users. Decreased transcription of structural genes combined with increased expression of genes indicating wound healing suggests that DMPA weakens the natural barrier of the vaginal epithelium, which could lead to increased epithelial damage and exposure of target cells to mucosal pathogens such as HIV-1. Funding This work was supported by NIH Grant P01 AI083027.
Polymer distribution in silica aerogels impregnated with siloxanes by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Polymer-modified aerogel samples were prepared by vacuum impregnation of silica aerogels with dimethylsiloxane-vinylmethylsiloxane copolymers. The specimens were characterized by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) relaxation measurements. The effects of the polymer molecular weight, irradiation and aerogel density upon the spin-lattice ( T 1 ) and spin-spin ( T 2 ) relaxation times were studied. Significant reduction was observed in the T 2 values owing to increases in both aerogel and crosslink densities. 1 H n.m.r. images reveal a high degree of heterogeneity in the samples. Distribution maps of the polymer-silica interactions and crosslink density are obtained.
Effects of chronic polychlorinated biphenyls exposure on reproductive success of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus).

Reproductive success was impaired in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) chronically exposed to food treated at a rate of 10 ppm (μg/g) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (Aroclor® 1254). Mice in which PCBs exposure was initiated at adulthood (wild-caught and subsequently paired) and laboratory-raised mice paired and first exposed to PCBs-treated food at 16 weeks of age weaned significantly smaller numbers of young. Other parameters of reproductive success (interval between births, litter size at birth) were unaffected.
Irradiation in successive generations: effects on developing barley (Hordeum Distichum, L.) embryos In situ

Abstract Seeds of Hannchen barley ( Hordeum distichum L.), at four specific embryonic stages, were used to investigate the effects of ionizing irradiation applied in each of three successive generations. Effects on germination, seedling vigour, survival to maturity, fertility and induced abnormalities were observed. Germination was very good following irradiation of the four specific stages of embryogeny, except for the early proembryo stage. Seedlings arising from embryos treated at the early proembryo stage were generally the most radiosensitive, while the late proembryo stage was the least, with the early and late differentiation stages somewhere between in sensitivity. For many of the criteria used to measure the effect of irradiation the late differentiation stage was equally as sensitive as the early proembryo stage. Based on seedling vigour this variety of barley did not seem to be any more sensitive to irradiation after the third consecutively treated generation than after the first; the coleoptiles even showed an increase in height spanning the three generations. Leaf and coleoptile abnormalities were minimal after three successive generations of treatment and were correlated with specific stages irradiated. Experimental results indicated that: ( a ) careful consideration should be given the criterion used to measure the effect and ( b ) the ontogenetic stage of development at the time of irradiation should receive special attention.
Molecular approaches to the study of amino acid biosynthesis in plants

Abstract Recent analysis of genes encoding amino acid biosynthetic enzymes has begun to provide insights into the structure, function, and regulated expression of key biosynthetic enzymes. These molecular studies have begun to address the role of individual isoenzymes, their subcellular and cellular localizations, and the factors which regulate their expression. Because amino acids serve unique roles in plant nitrogen metabolism and because several amino acid biosynthetic enzymes are targets for commercial herbicides, these studies have significance in the area of plant biotechnology.
A new T-cell receptor gene located within the alpha locus and expressed early in T-cell differentiation

A new T-cell receptor gene lies just 5' to the JαCα coding regions. Its placement in this location suggests a novel mechanism for the regulation of expression of one T-cell receptor polypeptide to another during ontogeny. Rearrangement of this locus occurs very early in thymic differentiation and its RNA expression parallels that of the γ-chain in thymic subpopulations, making this a possible candidate for the recently described δ-chain of the T-cell receptor.
Mandate Reimbursement Measures in the States

Local-government associations often advocate constitutional or statutory reimbursement requirements as a solution for unfunded state mandates, predicating advocacy on the assumption that such a requirement will be effective once in place. However, the experience of the states with mandate reimbursement requirements varies widely. Much of the variation can be attributed to legislative flexibility in implementation language and by technical exemptions courts offer. Rather than offering a solution for one of the more contentious issues in state-local relations, mandate reimbursement requirements can sometimes create a new set of problems.
Tempo and its Tribulations

Bongaarts and Feeney offer alternatives to period life expectancy with a set of demographic measures equivalent to each other under a Proportionality Assumption. Under this assumption, we show that the measures are given by exponentially weighted moving averages of earlier values of period life expectancy. They are indices of mortality conditions in the recent past. The period life expectancy is an index of current mortality conditions. The difference is a difference between past and present, not a “tempo distortion” in the present. In contrast, the Bongaarts-Feeney tempo-adjusted Total Fertility Rate is a measure of current fertility conditions, which can be understood in terms of a process of birth-age standardization.
Longevity genomics across species.

Unbiased genome-wide studies of longevity in S. cerevisiae and C. elegans have led to the identification of more than one hundred genes that determine life span in one or both organisms. Key pathways have been uncovered link- ing nutrient and growth factor cues to longevity. Quantitative measures of the degree to which aging is evolutionary con- served are now possible. A major challenge for the future is determining which of these genes play a similar role in hu- man aging and using that information to develop therapies toward age-associated diseases.
Efficacy of CBT for benzodiazepine discontinuation in patients with panic disorder: Further evaluation

Despite its acute efficacy for the treatment of panic disorder, benzodiazepines (BZs) are associated with a withdrawal syndrome that closely mimics anxiety sensations, leading to difficulty with treatment discontinuation and often disorder relapse. An exposure-based cognitive-behavioral treatment for BZ discontinuation, Panic Control Treatment for BZ Discontinuation (CBT) targets the fear of these sensations and has demonstrated efficacy in preventing disorder relapse and facilitating successful BZ discontinuation among patients with panic disorder. In this randomized controlled trial, CBT was compared to taper alone and a taper plus a relaxation condition to control for the effect of therapist contact and support among 47 patients with panic disorder seeking taper from BZs. Based on the primary outcome of successful discontinuation of BZ use, results indicate that adjunctive CBT provided additive benefits above both taper alone and taper plus relaxation, with consistently medium and large effect sizes over time that reached significance at the six month follow-up evaluation. The efficacy of CBT relative to either of the other taper conditions reflected very large and significant effect sizes at that time. These findings suggest that CBT provides specific efficacy for the successful discontinuation from BZs, even when controlling for therapist contact and relaxation training.
Newborn Screening: What’s New?

Screening newborn infants for inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) began in the United States almost 50 years ago with the introduction of testing for phenylketonuria (PKU) in the state of Maine. As the understanding of genetics and metabolism grew, and as testing methodologies became more automated and sensitive, both the number of states performing newborn screening (NBS) and the number of disorders for which patients can be screened began to grow. During the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s, a new technology was introduced called tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) into the clinical laboratory and NBS arenas, which spurred the growth of screening to include as many as 30 disorders by almost all 50 states and Washington, DC. This technology gave laboratories the ability to rapidly and accurately test for multiple IEM simultaneously. Newborn screening programs became an integral part of assessing the health and well-being of every infant born in the United States.
Derivation and application of an anisoplanatic optical transfer function for blind deconvolution of laser radar imagery

Considerable tactical utility is anticipated for systems that coherently illuminate remote target scenes to form detailed images over long, turbulent optical paths through wide FOV optical components. Typical viewing conditions greatly exceed the isoplanatic angle, and isoplanatic patch sizes approach the area of individual pixels on the imaging array. Although adaptive optical systems have met limited success in the restoration of anisoplanatically formed images, such hardware is unsuitable for tactical applications, and requires multiple point-source imagery to adapt the optical system to the turbulence. Our previous work demonstrated a fast, information-theoretic postprocessing algorithm that seeks to jointly maximize the likelihood of the image given a remote scene, as well as an estimate for Fried's seeing parameter to describe current atmospheric conditions. That research employed a short-exposure OTF to model the anisoplanatic system response for a series of motion-compensated images. Although results from the algorithm were encouraging, it was understood that the short-exposure OTF provided an optimistic model for the overall anisoplanatic blur function caused by turbulence. A more accurate OTF accounts for not only the global shift of each image collected in the ensemble, but also for the blur induced by random and uncorrelated shifts of each of the many isoplanatic patches collected at the imaging device. This research complements the blind deconvolution algorithm by deriving an anisoplanatic OTF (AOTF) that better models the blur function of a motion-compensated ensemble of images. Results are presented that compare the recovered images obtained using both the short-exposure OTF as well as the AOTF.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Relationship of egg production of Calanus pacificus to seasonal changes in phytoplankton availability in Puget Sound, Washington

Two methods of estimating daily, in situ egg production rate for Calanus pacificus, a planktonic marine copepod that releases its eggs directly into the sea, were developed. The model for both methods separates egg production rate into daily frequency of spawning (% day-‘) and clutch size (eggs female-l). One method involves direct observations of spawning frequency and clutch size in a random sample of females held in controlled conditions for a 12-24-h period immediately after capture. The second method involves a visual assessment of the ovaries of live or preserved females and uses the observation that egg laying in Calanus occurs at night to predict daily rates of spawning. The methods were used to examine the relationship between egg production rate and phytoplankton availability in two areas of Puget Sound with different seasonal patterns of phytoplankton abundance and size composition. Egg production rate was hyperbolically related to phytoplankton concentration. The results show the potential for factors influencing phytoplankton standing stock to influence the timing and magnitude of recruitment into Calanus populations. The life history of copepods in the genus Calanus appears to be well suited for effective utilization of the seasonal phytoplankton production in temperate oceans. Late preadult stages spend the winter in diapause, thus enduring the scarcity of food resources. In most species the overwintering stages molt into adults in late winter or early spring and are ready to take advantage of the vernal increase in algae. The spring increase of Calanus and its correlation with the spring bloom of phytoplankton are well documented (Heinrich 1962; Williams and Lindley 1980).