cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A microsomal HCO3−-stimulated ATPase from the dog submandibular gland

A HCO3−-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) present in a microsomal fraction prepared from dog submandibular glands was investigated. The bicarbonate concentration necessary for half maximal activation of the enzyme was about 2 mM and the optimum pH was 7.7. The enzyme was completely inhibited by SCN− but only partially inhibited by ouabain or acetazolamide. The HCO3−-stimulated ATPase activity was correlated with dinitrophenol stimulation and with succinate dehydrogenase activity. This suggests that the enzyme is of mitochondrial origin.
A comparison of patient care units with high versus low levels of missed nursing care

Background: In a previous study, the nursing staff on 110 patient care units in 10 hospitals participated in a quantitative study of missed nursing care. Purpose: The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the differences in patient care units that had the most missed nursing care with those with the least missed nursing care. Methodology: Focus groups were conducted with the registered nurse staff on the 5 units with the most missed nursing care and 5 units with the least missed care. Findings: Ten themes were identified: (a) staffing levels, (b) communication, (c) collective orientation, (d) backup, (e) monitoring, (f) leadership, (g) long tenure, (h) unit size, (i) trust, and (j) accountability. Taken together, the predominant difference found was that units with the least missed care had higher teamwork. Practice Implications: Strategies for developing interventions to decrease missed care and increase teamwork are presented.
Replication and Sustainability of Improved Access and Retention Within the Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment

Abstract The Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) applies process improvement strategies to enhance the quality of care for the treatment of alcohol and drug disorders. A prior analysis reported significant reductions in days to treatment and significant increases in retention in care [McCarty, D., Gustafson, D. H., Wisdom, J. P., Ford, J., Choi, D., Molfenter, T., Capoccia, V., Cotter, F. 2007. The Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx): enhancing access and retention. Drug Alcohol Depend. 88, 138–145]. A second cohort of outpatient (n = 10) and intensive outpatient (n = 4) treatment centers tested the replicability of the NIATx model. An additional 20 months of data from the original cohort (7 outpatient, 4 intensive outpatient, and 4 residential treatment centers) assessed long-term sustainability. The replication analysis found a 38% reduction in days to treatment (30.7 to 19.4 days) during an 18-month intervention. Retention in care improved 13% from the first to second session of care (from 75.4% to 85.0%), 12% between the first and third session of care (69.2–77.7%), and 18% between the first and fourth session of care (57.1–67.5%). The sustainability analysis suggested that treatment centers maintained the reductions in days to treatment and the enhanced retention in care. Replication of the NIATx improvements in a second cohort of treatment centers increases confidence in the application of process improvements to treatment for alcohol and drug disorders. The ability to sustain the gains after project awards were exhausted suggests that participating programs institutionalized the organizational changes that led to the enhanced performance.
Healing septal perforations by secondary intention using acellular dermis as a bioscaffold.

Objective:Several techniques are described in the literature for nasal septal perforation repair. Most of these involve interposition grafts in conjunction with local pedicled mucosal flaps. The fo...
Formation of volatile free fatty acids during ripening of Cheddar-like hard goat cheese

Abstract Concentrations of FFA in Cheddar-like hard goat cheeses were all above the threshold concentrations, except for pentanoic, heptanoic, and 10-undecenoic acids. The relative abundance of n-chain FFA in Cheddar-like hard goat cheeses, from greatest to least, were n-C 10 , n-C 12 , n-C 8 , n-C 6 , n-C 4 , n-C 9 , and n-C 11 . Similarly, the relative abundance of branched-chain fatty acids in Cheddar-like hard goat cheeses, from greatest to least, was 4-methyloctanoic, methyldecanoic, 3-methylbutanoic, and 4-ethyloctanoic acids. Branched-chain fatty acids such as 4-ethyloctanoic and 4-methyloctanoic acids have intense aromas, and even minute quantities can affect the flavor of dairy products. Ripening time significantly affected the concentrations of FFA; concentrations increased during the initial 12 wk of aging and remained relatively constant for the rest of the 24-wk ripening period. Therefore, the intensity and sharpness of flavor that originated from or was enhanced by the presence of these FFA did not change greatly after 12 wk of aging. The percentage of NaCl or the ratios of salt to moisture, within the range used in hard goat cheeses, did not affect the concentrations of FFA or, apparently, lipolysis in this study.
Assignment of 30 Microsatellite Loci to the Linkage Map of Arabidopsis

Thirty microsatellite loci were assigned to the Arabidopsis linkage map. Several microsatellite sequences in Arabidopsis DNA were found by searching the EMBL and GenBank databases, and a number of these were subsequently found to detect polymorphisms between different Arabidopsis strains by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After the presence of microsatellites in Arabidopsis and their utility for genetic mapping had been demonstrated, systematic screening for (CA)n and (GA)n sequences was carried out on marker-selected plasmid libraries and a small-insert genomic library. Positive clones were sequenced, PCR primers flanking the repeats were synthesized, and PCR was carried out on different strains to look for useful polymorphisms. Surprisingly, of 18 (CA)n repeats (n > 13), only one was polymorphic. In contrast, 25 of 30 (GA)n repeats, 2 of 3 (AT)n repeats, and 2 of 4 (A)n repeats were polymorphic. The majority of the (CA)n repeats were complex, with adjacent short di-, tri-, or tetranucleotide repeats, whereas most of the (GA)n, (TA)n, and (A)n repeats were simple. The (CA)n repeats were also refractory to PCR analysis, requiring extensive optimization of PCR conditions, whereas the other repeat classes were mostly amplified with a single set of standard conditions. When polymorphisms were detected, the microsatellites were mapped using a set of recombinant inbred lines originating from a cross between the strains Columbia and Landsberg erecta.
Quality Assessment in Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography: What are the Clinical Predictors Associated With a Non-Diagnostic Test?

Background: Non-diagnostic dobutamine stress echocardiography (ndDSE, failure to achieve 85% of maximal predicted heart rate (HR) without evidence of inducible ischemia) is an important limitation affecting quality of DSE testing. The objectives of this study were to identify the clinical variables associated with a non-diagnostic Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram (ndDSE) and further evaluate the patterns of subsequent testing for myocardial ischemia. Methods: Consecutive DSEâ€™s over a 17 month period (January 2008 to June 2009) were studied. Baseline demographics, medical history, and vital signs were collected. Subsequent testing was determined for up to 6 months after the initial DSE. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical factors associated with ndDSE. Results: Of 467 total DSE, 314 (67%) were negative for ischemia, 69 (15%) were positive, and 84 (18%) were ndDSE. Of those recommended for further nuclear MPI testing 12 (14%) had an ndDSE compared to 16 (4%) patients with a diagnostic DSE (P = 0.001). Fifty percent of the ndDSE nuclear MPI tests were positive for ischemia. In the univariate analysis, Diabetes Mellitus (DM; P = 0.003), calcium channel antagonist (CCA) use (P = 0.047), Hypertension (HTN; P = 0.06), low baseline HR (P < 0.001), and younger age group (P = 0.02) were predictive of ndDSE. Of these, all except CCA use remained independent predictors of ndDSE in multivariate analysis. A 4 variable model for predicting ndDSE was developed from the multivariate logistic regression displayed inÂ (age and baseline HR were categorized and scored 0-2; DM and HTN were scored as 0 (absent) or 1 (present)).Â demonstrates how risk of ndDSE correlated with a higher score, with each increment having an odds ratio of 2.1 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: DM, HTN, younger age, and lower baseline HR affect the quality of DSE testing, resulting in non-diagnostic tests. A model combining these factors can identify patients most likely to have this outcome. Identification of this cohort may improve referral patterns and improve the quality of stress testing. Cardiol Res. 2012;3(2):73-79 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/cr154w
The Emotional Link: Exploring How Ethical Leaders Shape Follower Ethical Behavior

In an effort to better understand the mechanisms by which ethical leaders impact follower behavior, we develop and test a theoretical model whereby ethical leaders affect ethical behavior in their ...
Neonatal pressure support ventilation: are we doing what we think we are doing?

Assisted modes of mechanical ventilation, including synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation, pressure support ventilation (PSV), continuous mandatory ventilation, neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, and volume guarantee ventilation, are widely used in neonates, infants, and small children
Optimizing RED control to maximize utility

Facing limited network resources such as bandwidth and processing capability, the Internet will have congestion from time to time. In this paper, we propose a scheme to maximize the total utility offered by the network to the end user during congested times. We believe the only way to achieve our goal is to make the scheme application-aware, that is, to take advantage of the characteristics of the application. To make our scheme scalable, it is designed to be class-based. Traffic from applications with similar characteristics is classified into the same class. We adopted the RED queue management mechanism to adaptively control the traffic belonging to the same class. To achieve the optimal utility, the traffic belonging to different classes should be controlled differently. By adjusting link bandwidth assignments of different classes, the scheme can achieve the goal and adapt to the changes of dynamical incoming traffic. We use the control theoretical approach to analyze our scheme.
Rapid and sensitive method for quantitation of bone Gla protein mRNA using competitive polymerase chain reaction

A method for sensitive quantitation of bone gla protein (BGP, osteocalcin) mRNA has been developed using competitive polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription (competitive RT-PCR). The complementary DNA (cDNA) were transcribed from sample RNA was co-amplified in a PCR with a known amount of mutant BGP cDNA (competitor) using the identical oligonucleotide primers. The mutant cDNA with its unique restriction site allowed quantitation of sample and mutant PCR products after densitometric analysis of ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels. A linear relationship between initial sample BGP amount and the ratio of BGP to mutant BGP band intensity was obtained and used to make a standard curve to determine the initial BGP mRNA of unknown samples. These standard curves were made with known amounts of recombinant BGP cDNA. The competitive RT-PCR for BGP allows measurement of twofold differences in 1 and 2 micrograms total RNA and requires at least 10 times less sample RNA than usual Northern blotting. Moreover, heteroduplexes with one BGP strand and one mutant BGP strand formed as a result of high PCR cycles were quantifiable. This provided the advantages of rapid quantitation from ethidium bromide-stained gels without blotting, hybridization, or autoradiography. Multiple samples could be assayed for greater confidence in the results. The sensitivity, accuracy, and ease of the assay will facilitate analysis of BGP mRNA from a small amount of sample. The assay has been used to confirm the BGP mRNA changes with hormonal treatment in cultured cells and the age-related changes in whole tibia in vivo.
Finding a Balance: How Diverse Dosage Compensation Strategies Modify Histone H4 to Regulate Transcription

Dosage compensation balances gene expression levels between the sex chromosomes and autosomes and sex-chromosome-linked gene expression levels between the sexes. Different dosage compensation strategies evolved in different lineages, but all involve changes in chromatin. This paper discusses our current understanding of how modifications of the histone H4 tail, particularly changes in levels of H4 lysine 16 acetylation and H4 lysine 20 methylation, can be used in different contexts to either modulate gene expression levels twofold or to completely inhibit transcription.
A microwave resistive squid for noise thermometry

A SQUID magnetometer has been shown to work at 10 GHz with a significant enhancement of signal-to-noise over 30 MHz devices. This article describes how such enhancement could lead to faster determinations of absolute temperature using a resistive SQUID, i. e., a noise thermometer. A prototype 10 GHz resistive SQUID is described and its performance evaluated. The feasibility of using a 10 GHz system is clearly established.
Stand Growth Efficiency in a Douglas Fir Thinning Trial

SUMMARY Stand growth efficiency, or the ratio of periodic stand volume growth to sapwood basal area, was measured in a long term Douglas fir (Pseudoisuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) thinning trial in coastal Washington, USA. Sapwood basal area — as a surrogate for leaf area — and volume growth were estimated in two fifth-hectare plots from each of three thinning treatments, and from a single fifth-hectare control plot. Stand growth increased with increasing sapwood basal area. No distinct pattern of stand growth efficiency with sapwood basal area was evident. Large differences in efficiency between plots of the same treatment were found and were attributed to differences in stand structure, or the arrangement of tree sizes.
Effects of tryptophan depletion on responses to yohimbine in healthy human subjects.

There is considerable evidence that both the norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) systems are involved in the regulation of human anxiety and fear responses. To assess the modulating effects of central 5-HT levels on NE function, 11 healthy human subjects were studied with placebo-controlled challenge tests involving tryptophan depletion followed by administration of the α-2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine 0.4 mg/kg IV. Five of the 11 subjects reported a marked increase in feelings of nervousness (⩾ 25 mm on a 100 mm analog scale) following the combination test, while 1/11 had this response to yohimbine alone. No subjects had an increase in nervousness during other control tests. The increase in nervousness after the tryptophan depletion—yohimbine test was statistically significant for the whole group, but there were no other unique changes in behavioral, physiologic or biochemical (MHPG, cortisol) variables with this test. These data are discussed in terms of possible functional interactions between the 5-HT and NE neurotransmitter systems.
Internal consistency of the Yamauchi/Templer Money Attitude Scale.

The factor pattern of Yamauchi and Templer's Money Attitude Scale was replicated with a sample of 72 undergraduates.
Quantification and classification of neuronal responses in kernel smoothed peristimulus time histograms

Peristimulus time histograms are a widespread form of visualizing neuronal responses. Kernel convolution methods transform these histograms into a smooth, continuous probability density function. This provides an improved estimate of a neuron's actual response envelope. We here develop a classifier, called the h-coefficient, to determine whether time-locked fluctuations in the firing rate of a neuron should be classified as a response or as random noise. Unlike previous approaches, the h-coefficient takes advantage of the more precise response envelope estimation provided by the kernel convolution method. The h-coefficient quantizes the smoothed response envelope and calculates the probability of a response of a given shape to occur by chance. We tested the efficacy of the h-coefficient in a large data set of Monte Carlo simulated smoothed peristimulus time histograms with varying response amplitudes, response durations, trial numbers, and baseline firing rates. Across all these conditions, the h-coefficient significantly outperformed more classical classifiers, with a mean false alarm rate of 0.004 and a mean hit rate of 0.494. We also tested the h-coefficient's performance in a set of neuronal responses recorded in humans. The algorithm behind the h-coefficient provides various opportunities for further adaptation and the flexibility to target specific parameters in a given data set. Our findings confirm that the h-coefficient can provide a conservative and powerful tool for the analysis of peristimulus time histograms with great potential for future development.
Modified Jeans Instability for Dusty Plasmas: 3D Nonlinear Simulations

Summary form only given. In two recent papers, Delzanno et al. have pointed out that an electron emitting dust grain immersed in a plasma can sustain profiles of the shielding potential having an attractive potential well. The existence of attractive potential wells around dust grains in a plasma is of considerable interest as it provides an alternative mechanism for the attraction of the grains. Moreover, this mechanism can play an important role in astrophysical scenarios, for example in star forming regions where a substantial UV field is responsible for grain photoemission. We have therefore developed a three-dimensional PIC code with the aim of studying the collapse of a system of grains undergoing gravitational and electrostatic forces. The electrostatic force, however, can be modeled via a pure Coulomb potential, a pure Debye-Huckel potential or with the potential well discovered by G.L. Delzanno et al. (2004 and 2005). We will show how the attractive potential well can indeed lead to the collapse of the system, at rates which can be higher with respect to the pure gravitational analogue. Further on, a pure monotonic Debye-Huckel electrostatic potential can impede the collapse, depending on the charge to mass ratio of the grains
Electrostatics significantly affect the stability of designed homeodomain variants.

The role of electrostatic interactions in determining the stability of designed proteins was studied by constructing and analyzing a set of designed variants of the Drosophila engrailed homeodomain. Computational redesign of 29 surface positions results in a 25-fold mutant with moderate stability, similar to the wild-type protein. Incorporating helix dipole and N-capping considerations into the design algorithm by restricting amino acid composition at the helix termini and N-capping positions yields a ninefold mutant of the initial design (a 23-fold mutant of wild-type) that is over 3 kcal mol^(−1) more stable than the protein resulting from the unbiased design. Four additional proteins were constructed and analyzed to isolate the effects of helix dipole and N-capping interactions in each helix. Based on the results of urea-denaturation experiments and calculations using the finite difference Poisson-Boltzmann method, both classes of interaction are found to increase the stability of the designed proteins significantly. The simple electrostatic model used in the optimization of rotamers by iterative techniques (ORBIT) force-field, which is similar to the electrostatic models used in other protein design force-fields, is unable to predict the experimentally determined stabilities of the designed variants. The helix dipole and N-capping restrictions provide a simple but effective method to incorporate two types of electrostatic interactions that impact protein stability significantly.
Estradiol Protects Against Ischemic Injury

Clinical studies demonstrate that estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women may enhance cognitive function and reduce neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease and stroke. This study assesses whether physiologic levels of estradiol prevent brain injury in an in vivo model of permanent focal ischemia. Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized; they then were implanted, immediately or at the onset of ischemia, with capsules that produced physiologically low or physiologically high 17beta-estradiol levels in serum (10 or 60 pg/mL, respectively). One week after ovariectomy, ischemia was induced. Estradiol pretreatment significantly reduced overall infarct volume compared with oil-pretreated controls (mean+/-SD: oil = 241+/-88; low = 139+/-91; high = 132+/-88 mm3); this protective effect was regionally specific to the cortex, since no protection was observed in the striatum. Baseline and ischemic regional CBF did not differ between oil and estradiol pretreated rats, as measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. Acute estradiol treatment did not protect against ischemic injury. Our finding that estradiol pretreatment reduces injury demonstrates that physiologic levels of estradiol can protect against neurodegeneration.
The sex difference in self-assessed fears

Although the greater self-attribution of fear among females than males is well established, limited empirical information is available to explain this difference. This study assessed the contribution of Adjective Check List measures of masculinity and femininity plus the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale to the prediction of self-ratings of fear. Significant sex differences were found for self-rated fears and for masculinity and femininity scales of the Adjective Check List. In separate analyses for males and females only the femininity measure was significantly correlated with fear scores. For males, the multiple correlation of the independent variables with the fear measure accounted for approximately 10% of the variance, while for females approximately 28% of the variance was predicted.
Flow cytometric probes of early events in cell activation.

By now, it's well established that the surface of a cell Contains transmembrane proteins which, on binding ligands, tell The biochemical computer inside what to do Without a need for any of the ligands coming through. Receptor-triggered cytoplasmic “interrupt routines” May lead the nucleus to activate new sets of genes, Or otherwise induce a cell, which never reasons why, To twitch, secrete, endocytose, or reproduce, or die. By merely watching labeled ligands bind, we cannot know Down which of many paths the cells thus tagged are apt to go, But other changes, shortly after binding, may predict Which of its several options any given cell has picked. Flow cytometric methods are described here which allow Membrane potential to be estimated, to show how Potential changes may occur in seconds after binding Of ligand to a functional receptor, or for finding No change when cells don't have the right receptor, or can't see The ligand for antagonists of like affinity. With chlorotetracycline fluorescence, one can find Release of membrane calcium soon after ligands bind; Both this and the potential measurement can help support Decisions in an instrument about which cells to sort, Though narrowing the distributions which these methods yield Would greatly help to broaden applications in this field.
The displays of the White‐throated Manakin Corapipo gutturalis in Suriname

The courtship displays of the White-throated Manakin Corapipo gutturalis (Pipridae) were observed in the Brownsberg Nature Preserve, Suriname, for over 50 h on 17 days between 17 October and 17 December 1982, and the display elements and calls are described. Males perform displays from perches in trees, in flight and on mossy fallen logs. The perch displays are performed as preliminaries to the log-approach displays which are given while in flight towards the log. The log-approach displays vary in length and complexity from a short flight from a nearby perch down to the log, to a dramatic flight above the canopy and back to the log. As males land, they perform a series of aerial manoeuvres and give a complex vocal and mechanical display call. Males may also perform a slower silent moth-flight log approach. The log displays are the culminating elements of courtship and copulation is known to take place there (Davis, T.A.W. 1949. Ibis 91: 146–147). All the courtship displays can be performed either solitarily by a single male or by a group of up to seven males which compete simultaneously for access to single display sites at a series of different logs. Fourteen display logs were located dispersed in two areas 250 m wide which were separated by 350 m, but it was not determined whether these areas constituted separate leks with different pools of possible mates. The behaviour of C. gutturalis is compared with that of the White-ruffed Manakin Corapipo leucorrhoa and other manakins. Male Corapipo appear to have abandoned defence of exclusive advertisement territories in favour of simultaneous competition for a series of different display sites. This detached or mobile form of lek is unique among known manakins and a mechanism for its evolution through female choice is discussed.
Raman studies of the decay of the longitudinal optical phonons in wurtzite GaN and Al x Ga 1-x N

Decay of the longitudinal optical (LO) phonons in wurtzite GaN and AlxGa1-xN (x equals 0.1) has been studied by subpicosecond time-resolved Raman spectroscopy. In contrast to the usually-believed 2LA decay channel for LO phonons in other semiconductors, our experimental results show that, among the various possible decay channels, the LO phonons in wurtzite GaN and AlxGa1-xN (x equals 0.1) decay primarily into a large wavevector TO and a large wavevector LA or TA phonons. These experimental results are consistent with the recent theoretical calculations of the phonon dispersion curves.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Incidence of sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected women using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate contraception

Abstract Background Previous studies suggest that depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is associated with an increased risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition. The primary aim of this study was to characterize the potential association between DMPA use and risk of STI acquisition among HIV-infected women. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study among HIV-infected women followed at a university clinic from 1997 to 2005. Medical records were reviewed for demographic data, HIV parameters, self-reported condom use, substance use, duration of follow-up and incident cases of gonorrhea, chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis. Results Of 304 HIV-infected women identified, 82 received DMPA and 222 did not. Overall incidence rates of trichomoniasis, chlamydial infection and gonorrhea were 8.4, 4.0 and 3.1 cases per 100 person-years, respectively, with no significant differences between the women receiving or not receiving DMPA. Conclusions In this HIV-infected cohort, STI rates were higher than the general population, yet DMPA use did not appear to enhance the risk of STI acquisition. This latter finding suggests that the concern for STI acquisition should not be a limiting factor in the use of DMPA in HIV-infected women. The implementation of additional secondary prevention strategies remains an important focus in the HIV epidemic.
Aharonov-Anandan quantum phase for relativistic spin polarized protons

Abstract Experiments at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility have revealed an unexpected shift in the precession frequency of spin polarized protons in their Cooler ring. It is considered to be a systematic error, but I suggest that it is an Aharonov-Anandan phase, and is worth investigating in more detail.
Numerical Studies on Reformulation Techniques for Continuous Network Design with Asymmetric User Equilibria

In this article, we aim to find the most effective reformulation techniques to solve the MPCC (mathematical program with complementarity constraints) model that we proposed recently for continuous network design problems under asymmetric user equilibria. The MPCC model is based on a link-node nonlinear complementarity formulation for asymmetric user equilibria. By applying various reformulation techniques for the lower level nonlinear complementarity, the original bilevel formulation can be converted to a single level nonlinear programming problem. We show that certain reformulations are more effective than others to solve the proposed MPCC model. Recommendations are thus provided on how to choose a reformulation of the continuous network design problem that can be solved effectively and/or efficiently.
Flow injection method for sulfide determination by the methylene blue method

Abstract Flow injection determination of sodium sulfide and hydrogen sulfide in solution through the methylene blue spectrophotometric procedure is described. The carrier streams are N,N-dimethylaniline sulfate (5.4 mM, HCl solution) and iron(m) ammonium sulfate (14.2 mM, HCl solution) and are merged before injection of sulfide (in 0.01 M NaOH). The sampling rate is 210 per hour. The effect of reagent concentrations and interferents on the determination has been investigated.
Bradykinin and Its Metabolite Bradykinin 1-5 Inhibit Thrombin-Induced Platelet Aggregation in Humans

Bradykinin 1-5 is a major stable metabolite of bradykinin, formed by the proteolytic action of angiotensin-converting enzyme. In vitro and animal studies suggest that bradykinin 1-5 possesses biological activity. This study tests the hypothesis that bradykinin 1-5 affects vasodilation, fibrinolysis, or platelet aggregation in humans. Graded doses of bradykinin (47-377 pmol/min) and bradykinin 1-5 (47-18,850 pmol/min) were infused in the brachial artery in random order in 36 healthy subjects. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured, and simultaneously obtained venous and arterial plasma samples were analyzed for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen. In seven subjects each, α- and γ-thrombin-induced platelet aggregation was measured in platelet-rich plasma obtained from antecubital venous blood at baseline and during peptide infusions. Bradykinin caused dose-dependent increases in FBF and net t-PA release ( P 1500 times physiologic. In contrast, both bradykinin and bradykinin 1-5 inhibited α-and γ-thrombin-induced platelet aggregation ( P < 0.01 versus baseline). Bradykinin 1-5 inhibited γ-thrombin-induced platelet aggregation 50% at a calculated dose of 183 ± 3 pmol/min. Neither bradykinin nor bradykinin 1-5 affected thrombin receptor-activating peptide-induced platelet aggregation, consistent with the hypothesis that bradykinin and bradykinin 1-5 inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation by preventing cleavage of the thrombin receptor and liberation of thrombin receptor-activating peptide. This study is the first to demonstrate biological activity of bradykinin 1-5 following in vivo administration to humans. By inhibiting thrombin-induced platelet aggregation without causing vasodilation, bradykinin 1-5 may provide a model for small molecule substrate-selective thrombin inhibitors.
Local contexts and local meanings

Stalnaker (1978) made two seminal claims about presuppositions. The most influential one was that presupposition projection is computed by a pragmatic mechanism based on a notion of ‘local context’. Due to conceptual and technical difficulties, however, the latter notion was reinterpreted in purely semantic terms within ‘dynamic semantics’ (Heim 1983). The second claim was that some instances of presupposition generation should also be explained in pragmatic terms. But despite various attempts, the definition of a precise ‘triggering algorithm’ has remained somewhat elusive. We discuss possible extensions of both claims. First, we offer a reconstruction of ‘local contexts’ which circumvents some of the difficulties faced by Stalnaker’s original analysis. We preserve the idea that local contexts are computed by a pragmatic mechanism that aggregates the information that follows from an incomplete sentence given the global context; but we crucially rely on a modified notion of entailment (‘R-entailment’), whose plausibility should be assessed on independent grounds. Second, we speculate that local contexts might prove necessary (though by no means sufficient) to understand how some presuppositions are triggered. In a nutshell, we suggest that a presupposition is triggered when the semantic contribution of an expression to its local context is in some sense ‘heterogeneous’. Without giving an analysis of the latter notion, we note that this architecture implies that presuppositions should be triggered on the basis of the meaning that an expression has relative to its local context (what we call its ‘local meaning’); we sketch some possible consequences of this analysis.
Brooding and reflective rumination among suicide attempters: Cognitive vulnerability to suicidal ideation

Previous research suggests that the brooding subtype of rumination is associated with increased suicidal ideation, but findings are inconsistent with respect to reflection, considered to be the more adaptive form of rumination. This study investigated the circumstances under which reflective rumination might be associated with increased suicidal ideation by examining whether a suicide attempt history moderated the relationship between the ruminative subtypes and current suicidal ideation. Thirty-seven young adults who reported a past suicide attempt and fifty-nine young adults without a suicide attempt history completed measures of rumination and depression symptoms in an initial study session. They then completed a measure of suicidal ideation and hopelessness during a second study session. Overall, brooding was associated with higher self-reported suicidal ideation, whereas reflection was not significantly associated with ideation. However, reflection – but not brooding – interacted with suicide attempt history to statistically predict suicidal ideation, even after adjusting for symptoms of depression and hopelessness, whereas brooding no longer predicted ideation after adjusting for these symptoms. These findings qualify earlier suggestions that reflection is a more adaptive form of rumination by indicating that among vulnerable individuals – in particular those with a history of a suicide attempt – a higher degree of reflective rumination is associated with increased suicidal ideation.
Informal market governance in Japan's basic materials industries

Too much emphasis has been placed on formal state policies and on ties between individual firms to explain Japanese economic behavior and impediments to imports in Japanese markets. We need to look instead at informal governance by trade associations. In so doing, the concept of relational contracting should be applied not just to dyadic relationships between individual firms but also to relationships between entire industries. Whole industries engage in relational contracting to ensure the stability of both prices and supplies. These industry agreements stabilize Japanese markets but at the same time keep imports out of them. This informal governance complements state policies to support uncompetitive industries. These agreements are more likely to occur and succeed between selling and buying industries that each are relatively concentrated, when upstream products are standardized, when upstream goods constitute a smaller share of downstream production costs, when these sectors have not experienced previous conflicts that undermine cooperation, and when the Ministry of International Trade and Industry wants a domestic supply of its products.
Canine Haemobartonellosis, Canine Hepatozoonosis, and Feline Cytauxzoonosis

Blood is used routinely for initial diagnosis of tick-related, bloodborne protozoan diseases, such as canine hepatozoonosis and feline cytauxzoonosis, and a rickettsial disease, canine haemobartonellosis. This article presents information on the causative agent, clinical features, laboratory findings, therapeutic considerations, and preventive recommendations for each of these diseases.
Role of a strong oxygen-deficient zone in the preservation and degradation of organic matter: a carbon budget for the continental margins of northwest Mexico and Washington State

Rates of organic carbon oxidation in marine sediments were determined for the continental margins of northwest Mexico and Washington State, with the goal of assessing the role of oxygen in the preservation of organic matter on a margin with a strong oxygen-deficient zone and on a typical western continental margin. Total carbon oxidation rates (including rates for individual electron acceptors: O2, NO3−, and SO4=) were determined at depths ranging from 100 to 3000 m on both margins. Carbon oxidation rates were generally higher on the Washington margin than on the Mexican margin. The relative importance of the different electron acceptors varied across the two margins and was related primarily to the availability of O2 and NO3− from the overlying water. The relative contribution of O2 consumption increased in deeper sediments (>2000 m) as aerobic processes began to dominate the total carbon oxidation rate. Denitrification rates were highest in Washington sediments; however, denitrification represented a larger fraction of the total carbon oxidation rate in the Mexican sediments (∼40% for Mexico vs. ∼30% for Washington). Sulfate reduction accounted for as much as 79% of the total carbon oxidation rate in shallow sediments and less than 20% in deep sediments on both margins. The offshore trends in carbon oxidation rate appeared to be related to the organic carbon input rate. Pore-water O2 and NO3− penetration depths were shallowest in nearshore stations and increased offshore. Regeneration ratios of C:N:P reveal “non-Redfield” behavior on both margins. Carbon budgets for the two margins demonstrate that off Mexico, a much greater percentage of the organic matter produced in the surface ocean reached the sediments (>15% vs. <8% for Mexico and Washington, respectively). On the Mexican margin, ∼8% of the primary production escaped oxidation in the surface sediments to be permanently buried, as compared with only ∼1.2% of the primary production on the Washington margin. This suggests that oxygen-deficient conditions on Mexican margin are linked to enhanced carbon preservation.
Aloe–emodin modulates PKC isozymes, inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis in U-373MG glioma cells

Aloe-emodin (1,8-dihydroy-3-[hydroxymethyl]-anthraquione) purified from Aloe vera leaves has been reported to have antitumor activity. The objectives of our research were to determine how aloe-emodin regulates the cell cycle, cell proliferation and protein kinase C (PKC) during glioma growth and development. To establish the cell cycle effects of aloe-emodin on brain cells [transformed glia cell line (SVG) and human glioma U-373MG cell line (U-373MG)], cells were treated with either dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO; control) or aloe-emodin (40 microM). Results from flow cytometry demonstrated that aloe-emodin delayed the number of cells entering and exiting DNA synthesis (S) phase in both SVG and U-373MG cells indicating that aloe-emodin may inhibit S phase progression. Assessment of cell viability demonstrated that SVG and U-373MG glioma cell were highly sensitive to aloe-emodin. The aloe-emodin-induced decreased proliferation was sustained at 48-96 h. A PKC activity assay was quantified to establish the role of PKC in aloe-emodin's mode of action. Exposure of SVG and U-373MG glioma cells to aloe-emodin suppressed PKC activity and reduced the protein content of most of the PKC isozymes. We determined that cancer growth inhibition by aloe-emodin was due to apoptosis (i.e., programmed cell death). Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that aloe-emodin represents a novel antitumor chemotherapeutic drug.
HEIDEGGER, KANT, AND THE PROBLEM OF TRANSCENDENCE

Sur le rapport de Heidegger a Kant tel qu'il s'est etabli (et a evolue) entre " Sein und Zeit " et le " Kantbuch " (" Kant und das Problem der Metaphysik ", 1929). Les theses de Heidegger sur le statut de la temporalite chez Kant montrent que ce dernier lui a en quelque sorte servi a decouvrir progressivement, d'une maniere quasi hermeneutique, sa propre position sur le phenomene de la transcendance (ou de l'etre)
Numerical solution of the point contact problem using the finite element method

The elastohydrodynamic lubrication problem, in which the lubricant pressure and film thickness are sensitive to surface deformation, is solved by using a finite element procedure and the Newton method. The numerical procedure is applied to the point contact problem, in which a thin lubricant film is maintained between two balls loaded together by a high load under conditions of pure rolling. The present analysis shows that pressure spikes are formed near the outlet region, a result which has been found in the line contact problem and which has been conjectured in the present problem.
Interleukin-1β depresses calcium currents in CA1 hippocampal neurons at pathophysiological concentrations

Abstract Interleukin-1 is present in the central nervous system (CNS) during acute and chronic pathological processes. In the present study, we examined the interaction between recombinant human interleukin-1β (rhIL-1β) and the voltage-dependent calcium (Ca 2+ ) current using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. RhIL-1β depressed the voltage-gated Ca 2+ current in acutely dissociated guinea pig hippocampal CA1 neurons. This depression is rapid and is observed at pathophysiological concentrations (⩾ 1.97 pg /10 μl )- Concomitant application of rhIL-1β and rhIL-1 receptor antagonist had no effect indicating neuroactive specificity of rhIL-1β. The depression of the inward Ca 2+ current by IL-1β may play a role in: 1. 1) the regulation of neuronal excitability; 2. 2) the induction of neurological manifestations during disease; and 3. 3) in the induction and/or progression of neurodegenerative processes.
Vasectomy reversal outcomes in men previously on testosterone supplementation therapy.

Objective To report considerations for preoperative management and outcomes of vasectomy reversal (VR) in men with a history of testosterone supplementation therapy (TST). Methods A retrospective review of men on TST before VR from 2010 to 2013 was performed. For inclusion, patients were required to have baseline and follow-up hormone levels as well as postoperative semen analyses. Preoperative use of medical testicular salvage therapy and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), intraoperative findings, and pregnancies were also analyzed. Results Six of 265 men who underwent VR had prior TST and met inclusion criteria. Median age was 39 years with a median obstructive interval of 7.5 years. Median duration of TST was 9 months before discontinuation and transition to testicular salvage therapy with clomiphene citrate with or without human chorionic gonadotropin for a median of 2.8 months. At baseline, decreased luteinizing hormone (median, 2 mIU/mL), follicle stimulating hormone (median, 5 mIU/mL), and total testosterone (median, 249 ng/dL) were observed. Two men (33%) with uncertain recovery of spermatogenesis based on physical examination and hormone response underwent preoperative testicular sperm aspiration confirming the presence of sperm. Nine vasovasostomies and 3 epididymovasostomies were performed. Patency was 83% after a median follow-up of 6.4 months and was 100% in men undergoing at least 1 vasovasostomy. Spontaneous pregnancy was achieved by 50% during the follow-up period. Conclusion Testicular salvage medical therapy may play a role in the preoperative management of VR in men with prior TST. VR after TST can have outcomes comparable to those in the general population.
Kinetics of heterogeneous single-species annihilation.

We investigate the kinetics of diffusion-controlled heterogeneous single-species annihilation, where the diffusivity of each particle may be different. The concentration of the species with the smallest diffusion coefficient has the same time dependence as in homogeneous single-species annihilation A+A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0. However, the concentrations of more mobile species decay as power laws in time, but with nonuniversal exponents that depend on the ratios of the corresponding diffusivities to that of the least mobile species. We determine these exponents both in a mean-field approximation, which should be valid for spatial dimension dg2, and in a phenomenological Smoluchowski theory, which is applicable in d2. Our theoretical predictions compare well with both Monte Carlo simulations and time series expansions.
Multidetector CT urography: techniques, clinical applications, and pitfalls

For two decades, computed tomography (CT) has challenged intravenous urography (IVU) in the evaluation of urinary tract abnormalities. Compared with IVU, CT is more sensitive and specific in the detection and characterization of a variety of urinary tract disorders, including renal masses and urolithiasis. The last purported advantage of IVU has been its ability to depict subtle and mucosal abnormalities of the urothelium. Now, using multidetector CT (MDCT), this challenge has been overcome. In this article, we review the current role of MDCT urography in the evaluation of the urinary tract.
The pattern of circumferential and radial eruptive fissures on the volcanoes of Fernandina and Isabela islands, Galapagos

Maps of the eruptive vents on the active shield volcanoes of Fernandina and Isabela islands, Galapagos, made from aerial photographs, display a distinctive pattern that consists of circumferential eruptive fissures around the summit calderas and radial fissures lower on the flanks. On some volcano flanks either circumferential or radial eruptions have been dominant in recent time. The location of circumferential vents outside the calderas is independent of caldera-related normal faults. The eruptive fissures are the surface expression of dike emplacement, and the dike orientations are interpreted to be controlled by the state of stress in the volcano. Very few subaerial volcanoes display a pattern of fissures similar to that of the Galapagos volcanoes. Some seamounts and shield volcanoes on Mars morphologically resemble the Galapagos volcanoes, but more specific evidence is needed to determine if they also share common structure and eruptive style.