cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modified LDLs are internalized by macrophages in part via macropinocytosis

Macrophage foam cell formation in vitro requires uptake of modified low density lipoproteins (LDL) such as acetylated LDL (AcLDL) and moderately oxidized LDL (OxLDL). Macrophages incubated with AcLDL and OxLDL, but not LDL, showed increased membrane ruffling as seen with time-lapse phase contrast video light microscopy. Modified LDLs stimulated circular membrane ruffles between 2 and 10 min after incubation. These membrane ruffles were readsorbed into the plasma membrane between 5 and 15 min later. Phase-bright macropinosomes formed at the base of the stimulated membrane ruffles. The fluid-phase marker lucifer yellow labeled the modified LDL stimulated macropinosomes. Modified LDLs stimulate fluid-phase uptake by 1.5-fold to threefold as measured with 14C-sucrose uptake. Transmission electron microscopy showed that gold conjugated AcLDL and OxLDL bound preferentially to membrane ruffles and were present in macropinosomes (diameter >0.2 μm) underneath these membrane ruffles. AcLDL and OxLDL were also present in clathrin-coated pits and endosomes. These studies suggest that modified lipoproteins stimulate macropinocytosis. AcLDL and OxLDL are partially internalized by macropinocytosis and partially internalized via clathrin-coated pit endocytosis. Anat Rec 255:57–68, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dielectric property of asphalt pavement specimens in dry, water-saturated, and frozen conditions

A series of experiments on asphalt pavement specimens with 1-GHz GPR system was conducted in the Connecticut Advanced Pavement (CAP) Laboratory. The objectives of these experiments are as follows. (1) Determining the dielectric property of the asphalt specimens; and (2) Correlating electromagnetic (EM) properties with void ratio and asphalt binder content ratio of asphalt pavement specimens. Results of this study can be used as the baseline to calibrate GPR field surveys for pavement assessment, as well as an indirect means to monitor the compaction process. The travel time for direct and reflected phases are the fundamental information for computing EM wave velocity. Supplemented by pre-existing information on geometry, void ratio, composition measured by other means, we were able to compute the dielectric constant of 30 pavement specimens. The major conclusions from these experiments are as follows. (1) In general EM wave velocity is highest in dry conditions, intermediate in frozen, and lowest in water-saturated conditions; Correspondingly, the dielectric constant is smallest in dry conditions, intermediate in frozen, and highest in water-saturated conditions. (2) EM wave velocity increases slightly with the increase of void ratio for dry samples. In contrast, it decreases significantly with a void ratio increase in water-saturated conditions. Correspondingly, the dielectric constant decreases noticeably with an increasing void ratio in dry conditions, and increases appreciably in saturated conditions. (3) The changes of EM velocity and dielectric constant for dry and saturated conditions can be predicted by the effective medium theory for porous media. (4) When the dielectric constant of the pore material is taken as the value of fresh water ice, the change of EM velocity and dielectric constant for the asphalt pavement specimens in frozen conditions cannot be correctly predicted with the effective medium theory. This implies that the pore water was not completely frozen when GPR measurement was taken. There are no significant changes in dielectric constant for dry and frozen conditions. (5) Variations in EM velocity and dielectric constant with asphalt binder ratio imply that a low asphalt ratio corresponds to a high void ratio so that in the lower end of the asphalt ratio, EM velocity has maximum fluctuation among the different conditions.
HABITAT SAMPLING AND HABITAT SELECTION BY FEMALE WILD TURKEYS: ECOLOGICAL CORRELATES AND REPRODUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES

ABST,Acr.--Habitat sampling can allow much more effective habitat selection for longterm activities such as nesting and may be directly linked to fitness. We studied the process of habitat sampling and selection in female Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in the Arkansas Ozarks. In particular, we tested the prediction that movements prior to selecting nesting habitat correlate with the quality of selected habitat. Our results supported the prediction that greater habitat sampling (as reflected by greater area covered prior to nesting) allows acquisition of better nesting habitat; greater movements were correlated with choice of better nesting sites with more cover that allow higher nest survival. Attributes of individual birds and habitat dispersion influenced movement patterns and access to quality habitats. In addition, extent of habitat sampling early in the season correlated with reproductive performance by affecting renesting. Distance between subsequent nest locations was inversely related to the movements early in the season and also depended upon length of incubation before nest predation. Females that sampled larger areas after depredation of their first nest and did so outside of their prenesting range were more successful than other females. Received 11 August 1995, accepted 10 November 1995. HABITAT USE can influence reproduction and survival and, thus, affect the evolution of many aspects of a species' biology (Whitham 1980, Cody 1985, Martin 1993). In particular, variation in habitat quality should favor individuals that choose habitats that yield the greatest reproductive success and survival (Fretwell and Lucas 1970, Fretwell 1972, Whitham 1980, Mar
Efficacy of oxantel tartrate against Trichuris suis in swine

Abstract Oxantel tartrate alone and in combination with the tartrate and citrate salts of pyrantel and morantel were evaluated by employing a series of controlled experiments. Artificial Trichuris suis infections were utilized for these investigations. Dichlorvos and parbendazole were included in some experiments for comparison. The efficacy of oxantel ttartrate in removing T. suis when administered by stomach tube to infected pigs at dose rates from 1.25 to 10.0 mg base/kg was 72.5–100%, respectively; dose rates of 4 and 5 mg base/kg were more than 99% effective. Oxantel tartrate (2.3 mg base/kg) plus morantel tartrate (7.43 mg base/kg) when administered in feed was 90.0–99.9% effective against adult T. suis . Oxantel tartrate plus pyrantel citrate (2.3 mg base/kg + 7.23 mg base/kg) was 93.7%, 91.0% and 100% effective against 16-, 33- and 49-day-old T. suis respectively by in-feed medication. When oxantel tartrate (2.3 mg base/kg) was combined with either morantel tartrate/citrate (7.43 mg base/kg) or pyrantel tartrate/citrate at 7.23 mg or 14.45 mg base/kg, it removed 97.4–100%, 99.3%, 99.2–100%, 93.9–99.0%, respectively, of these parasites.
Can Fizzy fly solo

To ensure genome stability, the S-phase checkpoint blocks spindle elongation during S phase. Later, the spindle assembly checkpoint blocks chromosome segregation by restraining CDC20/Fizzy-dependent activation of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC). Now, a study suggests that the S-phase checkpoint also limits accumulation of Cdc20p and, unexpectedly, an APC-independent CDC20 function for spindle elongation.
Damage assessment from remotely sensed images using PCA

This study proposes a method to utilize remotely sensed pre- and post-disaster (bi-temporal) imagery data in order to detect the change specifically associated with structural and major regional damage caused by natural disasters such as a strong earthquake. The input is a pair of coregistered remotely sensed images of the same scene acquired at different times and the output is a binary image in which 'changed' pixels are separated from 'not-changed' ones. Correlation analysis generally fails to detect structural change, especially if images are acquired under different illumination conditions. In fact, automated detection in such a case becomes problematic since making distinction of change due to structural damage from that associated with the difference in the illumination condition is difficult. To overcome this problem, a method of principal component analysis (PCA) is employed. The approach produced promising results on the model images and currently under further study to be extended for near real-time damage assessment purposes.
Prospects and status of the MINERννA experiment at FNAL

Abstract MINERνA is a detector designed to precisely study ν -nucleus interactions in the 1–10 GeV energy range in the NuMI high-intensity neutrino beam at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. MINERνA will improve our knowledge of neutrino cross sections at low energy and low Q 2 , and of the A -dependence in ν interactions. These data will be interesting in their own right, and will be important to reduce systematic errors in ν oscillation experiments.
Description of a flow cytometry approach based on SYBR-14 staining for the assessment of DNA content, cell cycle analysis, and sorting of living normal and neoplastic cells

Abstract Rationale : This study aimed to expand the utilization of a simplified flow cytometric approach that employing SYBR-14/PI staining into broader flow cytometry applications, including (i) measurement of the DNA content; (ii) performing cell cycle analysis on mammalian cells; and (iii) sorting of live SYBR-14-stained mammalian cells based on DNA content. Material and methods : Cell lines of human origin were stained with SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI) and assessed by a dual-color flow cytometry. Finally, sorting of living SYBR-14-stained human cell lines was performed. Results : Dual staining with SYBR-14 and PI of human cells followed by flow cytometry analysis demonstrates that in addition to quality assessment, this staining could be utilized to determinate the DNA content on mammal cells. In addition, it resolves the diploid, tetraploid, and aneuploid DNA content. Furthermore, the SYBR-14-stained mammal cells were efficiently sorted based on DNA content and live cells were obtained. All these features have not been previously described with the utilization of this staining approach. Conclusions : Results of this study demonstrate that this flow cytometric approach not only allows assessment of the viability of cells, but also the DNA content of mammal cells. In addition, this approach allows one to sort viable cells stained with SYBR-14. These findings open-up unexpected and unrestricted avenues for sorting of living mammal cells and provide significant advantages over the traditionally cumbersome sorting approaches for living cells, which demand very specialized and expensive UV light sources as well as sophisticated sorting procedures.
The US framework for understanding, preventing, and caring for the mental health needs of service members who served in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq: a brief review of the issues and the research

This paper reviews the psychological health research conducted in the United States in support of combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, using the Military Psychological Health Research Continuum, which includes foundational science, epidemiology, etiology, prevention and screening, treatment, follow-up care, and services research. The review is limited to those studies involving combat veterans and military families. This review discusses perplexing issues regarding the impact of combat on the mental health of service members such as risk and resilience factors of mental health, biomarkers of posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), mental health training, psychological screening, psychological debriefing, third location decompression, combat and suicide, the usefulness of psychotherapy and drug therapy for treating PTSD, role of advanced technology, telemedicine and virtual reality, methods to reduce stigma and barriers to care, and best approaches to the dissemination of evidence-based interventions. The mental health research of special populations such as women, National Guardsmen and reservists, and military families is also presented. The review concludes by identifying future areas of research. Keywords : PTSD; combat; military Responsible Editors: Rachel Yehuda, Mount Sinai School of Medicine/J.J. Peters VAMC, United States; Eric Vermetten, Central Military Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands. This paper is part of the Special Issue: PTSD in the military: prevalence, pathophysiology, treatment . More papers from this issue can be found at http://www.eurojnlofpsychotraumatol.net (Published: 14 August 2014) Citation : European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2014, 5 : 24713 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v5.24713
Using a videographic system to assess spray droplet impaction and reflection from leaf and artificial surfaces

A video motion analysis system was used with two different monodisperse droplet generators to quantify droplet impaction and any consequent reflection. By using different magnification/droplet generator combinations, droplet impaction was detailed at various stages. Low (7×) magnification, together with a generator that produced a spray cloud, allowed determination of the height and numbers of droplets reflected from plant surfaces. Higher (15×) magnification and a single-drop generator enabled the trajectory, and changes in velocity, of a rebounding droplet to be followed. By using high (90×) magnification and the single-drop generator, detailed measurements of a droplet deforming on impact could be made. Examples of how these techniques could be used are given. © 1998 SCI
Sporadic Corticosteroid Pulses and Osteoporosis in Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Bone mineral density is reduced in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but the reduction has not been shown to correlate with steroid use retrospectively. Objective: To prospectively measure bone density following a single corticosteroid pulse using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Patients and Methods: Thirty acutely relapsing patients with MS were given 1000 mg of methylprednisolone intravenously daily for 3 days followed by an oral prednisone taper for 2 weeks. The bone density was determined at the lumbar spine and femoral neck prior to treatment. Seventeen patients were reevaluated 2,4, and 6 months following treatment. Results: Prior to treatment, bone density in patients with MS was already reduced at the femoral neck compared with an age-matched reference population, but the degree of this reduction did not correlate with prior steroid exposure. Lumbar density, in contrast, was normal. Following the steroid pulse, lumbar bone density increased, becoming 1.7% greater than baseline 6 months later ( P =.02). Femoral bone density did not change on average, but the patients who required a cane or walker for ambulation had a 1.6% decrease in femoral bone density, while those with better ambulation had a 2.9% increase ( P =.04). Conclusions: Bone density is decreased in MS. A single corticosteroid pulse did not reduce bone density in fully ambulatory patients with MS and multiple pulses did not have a cumulative effect on bone density in retrospective analysis. The change in femoral density in poorly ambulatory patients may have been related to inactivity rather than the steroid pulse.
Observational Evidence for Quantization in Photospheric Magnetic Flux

Observations are presented which suggest that away from sunspots photospheric magnetic flux is quantized. Assuming the elemental area of a magnetic region to be 1 (arc-sec)2 the elemental field strength is 525 G.
Usefulness of CDX2 and TTF-1 in differentiating gastrointestinal from pulmonary carcinoids

Carcinoids of different organs appear morphologically indistinguishable. We studied the differential expression of CDX2 and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) in 78 gastrointestinal and pulmonary carcinoids and their metastases (n = 10). CDX2 staining of gastric biopsy specimens with neuroendocrine hyperplasia (n = 11) and various gastritides (n = 10) was also performed. All ileal (6/6 [100%]), 6 (86%) of 7 appendiceal, 3 (75%) of 4 duodenal, 1 (50%) of 2 ampullary, 12 (33%) of 18 rectal, 5 (26%) of 19 pancreatic, and 1 (17%) of 6 gastric carcinoids expressed CDX2 with variable intensity; none of the pulmonary carcinoids stained. Of 15 pulmonary carcinoids, 8 (53%) stained with TTF-1, but none of the gastrointestinal carcinoids did. CDX2 and TTF-1 staining profiles of primary and metastatic carcinoids were similar. CDX2+ gastric endocrine cells had a distribution similar to that of gastrin and enterochromaffin cells but not enterochromaffin-like cells. Our results suggest that CDX2 and TTF-1 have high specificity for gastrointestinal and pulmonary carcinoids, respectively. Carcinoids arise in diverse sites and are thought to originate from a variety of organ-specific neuroendocrine cells: Kulchitsky cells in the lung; enterochromaffin cells and enterochromaffin-like cells, among others, in the stomach; intraepithelial neuroendocrine cells in the small bowel, colon, and rectum; and subepithelial neuroendocrine cells in the appendix. 1 Although carcinoids of various sites have unique cellular derivations, they are indistinguishable morphologically, resulting in a diagnostic challenge when deciphering the pri
Retinoic acid selectively activates the ERK2 but not JNK/SAPK or p38 MAP kinases when inducing myeloid differentiation.

Among the three major mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades—the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, the c-JUN N-terminal/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway, and the reactivating kinase (p38) pathway—retinoic acid selectively utilizes ERK but not JNK/SAPK or p38 when inducing myeloid differentiation of HL-60 human myeloblastic leukemia cells. Retinoic acid is known to active ERK2. The present data show that the activation is selective for this MAPK pathway. JNK/SAPK or p38 are not activated by retinoic acid. Presumably because it activates relevant signaling pathways including MAPK, the polyoma middle T antigen, as well as certain transformation defective mutants thereof, is known to promote retinoic acid-induced differentiation, although the mechanism of action is not well understood. The present results show that consistent with the selective involvement of ERK2, ectopic expression of either the polyoma middle T antigen or its dl23 mutant, which is defective for PLCγ and PI-3 kinase activation, or the Δ205 mutant, which in addition is also weakened for activation of src-like kinases, caused no enhanced JNK/SAPK or p38 kinase activity that promoted the effects of retinoic acid. However, all three of these polyoma antigens are known to enhance ERK2 activation and promote differentiation induced by retinoic acid. Polyoma-activated MAPK signaling relevant to retinoic acid-induced differentiation is thus restricted to ERK2 and does not involve JNK/SAPK or p38. Taken together, the data indicate that among the three parallel MAPK pathways, retinoic acid-induced HL-60 myeloid differentiation selectively depends on activating ERK but not the other two MAPK pathways, JNK/SAPK or p38, with no apparent cross talk between pathways. Furthermore, the striking ability of polyoma middle T antigens to promote retinoic acid-induced differentiation appears to utilize ERK, but not JNK/SPK or p38 signaling.
Cellular automaton formulation of passive scalar dynamics

Cellular automata modeling of the advection of a passive scalar in a two-dimensional flow is examined in the context of discrete lattice kinetic theory. It is shown that if the passive scalar is represented by tagging or 'coloring' automation particles a passive advection-diffusion equation emerges without use of perturbation expansions. For the specific case of the hydrodynamic lattice gas model of Frisch et al. (1986), the diffusion coefficient is calculated by perturbation.
Mechanism of Boundary Lubrication and the Edge Effect

Experimental work was carried out on the boundary lubrication of a copper-copper couple with pure cetane, palmitic acid solution of cetane, and some other organic materials. The purpose was to get information about α and μlube , which appear in the friction equation: μ = αμsolid + (1 − α)μlube, by using two different kinds of copper surface, a clean surface, and an oxidized surface. α was found to be small with palmitic acid solution, and the estimated shear strength of palmitic acid was high under the examined condition. α and μlube seemed to be properties which are independent of each other. α is closely related to the attraction force between the lubricant and the substrate, whereas μlube is related to the complexity of molecular structure of the lubricant. A comparison was made of bulk-liquid and thin-film lubrication. μlube was smaller in thin-film lubrication than it was in bulk-liquid lubrication. This suggests that the frictional resistance may be partly contributed by liquid in the edge space around the real contact.
DNA dependent RNA polymerase of KB cells I. Isolation of the enzymes and transcription of viral DNA, mammalian DNA and chromatin

Abstract 1. Two forms (nucleolar and nucleoplasmic) of RNA polymerase (ribonucleoside triphosphate: RNA nucleotidyl transferase, EC 2.7.7.6) have been isolated from KB cells, a neoplastic human cell line. The transcriptional properties of these enzymes have been studied using a variety of natural templates. 2. The properties of RNA polymerase obtained from adenovirus-infected cells are similar to those of polymerase from uninfected cells. 3. Adenovirus DNA is a relatively ineffective template for both forms of KB RNA polymerase. Optimal salt and cation conditions for transcription of adenovirus DNA differ from the conditions which are optimal for transcription of mammalian DNA. 4. Both nucleolar and nucleoplasmic forms of the enzyme transcribe chromatin. Optimal salt conditions for the transcription of chromatin differ from the conditions which are optimal for the transcription of DNA.
Lifting of the four-fold em degeneracy and PT asymmetry

Abstract Solutions to Maxwell's equations which lift the Lorentz degeneracies of propagation direction (T asymmetry) and helicity (P asymmetry) have been determined from the analysis of a valence four constitutive tensor density, χλνσϰ.
Oviposition Biology of the Pine Sawyer, Monochamus carolinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Several aspects of the oviposition biology of Monochamus carolinensis were observed. The oviposition sites of M. carolinensis varied in appearance with the thickness of the bark. The sexual maturation period ranged from 7 to 12 days. On Scotch pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.), mean (±SD) number of eggs per site in the laboratory was 0.76 ± 0.50 (n = 1,402), and 0.87 ± 0.35 ( n = 652) in the field. Mean life span of adult females was 61.4 ± 19.2 days ( n = 5) and the mean total number of eggs deposited was 200.0 ± 89.0 eggs per female. Most oviposition occurred at night and in the middle to upper portions of the bole. Jack pine ( P. banksiana Lamb.) had a higher oviposition-site density than Scotch pine, shortleaf pine ( P. echinata [Mill.]), and eastern white pine ( P. strobus L.).
Autonomous regulation of growth cone filopodia

The fan-shaped array of filopodia is the first site of contact of a neuronal growth cone with molecules encountered during neuronal pathfinding. Filopodia are highly dynamic structures, and the "action radius" of a growth cone is strongly determined by the length and number of its filopodia. Since interactions of filopodia with instructive cues in the vicinity of the growth cone can have effects on growth cone morphology within minutes, it has to be assumed that a large part of the signaling underlying such morphological changes resides locally within the growth cone proper. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that two important growth cone parameters-namely, the length and number of its filopodia-are regulated autonomously in the growth cone. We previously demonstrated in identified neurons from the snail Helisoma trivolvis that filopodial length and number are regulated by intracellular calcium. Here, we investigated filopodial dynamics and their regulation by the second-messenger calcium in growth cones which were physically isolated from their parent neuron by neurite transection. Our results show that isolated growth cones have longer but fewer filopodia than growth cones attached to their parent cell. These isolated growth cones, however, are fully capable of undergoing calcium-induced cytoskeletal changes, suggesting that the machinery necessary to perform changes in filopodial length and number is fully intrinsic to the growth cone proper.
Study of polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) bicomponent melt‐blowing process: The fiber temperature and elongational viscosity profiles of the spinline

Although there are significant differences between high-speed melt spinning and melt blowing (MB), they are similar in many important components. This study, motivated by the need to better understand the bicomponent MB process, used the basic theories of high-speed melt spinning to estimate the fiber temperature and elongation viscosity profiles of the polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PP/PET) bicomponent MB process. During the MB process, the filament temperature decreased dramatically within the first 2 in. from the MB die. The fiber temperature-decay profiles of PP, PET monocomponent, and PP/PET bicomponent filaments followed similar trends. PP filaments attenuated faster than PET filaments and the bicomponent filaments attenuated at a medium rate between that of PP and PET. Accordingly, the elongational viscosity increased significantly in the first 2 in. from the die. PET filaments exhibited higher elongational viscosity than that of 100% PP filaments. The elongational viscosity profile of 75%PP/25%PET was between that of PP and PET monocomponent filaments. These data provided important information on understanding the MB process and filament attenuation. It also suggested that the filament elongational viscosity profile is the key factor in production of finer bicomponent MB fibers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1145–1150, 2003
Elevated expression of tyrosine kinase DDR2 in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by chronic progressive destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts with portal inflammation and cholestasis, leading to fibrosis. Methods: We utilized a novel restriction analysis system to profile the expression of tyrosine kinases (TKs). This methodology targets a conserved sequence present in the majority of human TKs, and exploits the known restriction map of the TK cDNA sequences. We isolated mRNA from biliary epithelial cell (BEC)-enriched cell fractions, amplified the TK transcripts using degenerative primers, and identified specific TKs by restriction enzyme digest analysis and then performed in situ hybridization. Results: BEC-enriched samples from PBC livers displayed marked expression of discoidin domain receptor-2 (DDR2), whereas, non-diseased livers showed no detectable DDR2. Furthermore, in situ hybridization of PBC livers revealed that DDR2 is expressed in the small bile duct epithelial regions as well as in fibroblasts/stromal c...
e + e − → γ → four mesons and three mesons in a fermion-loop model

The low-energy limits of the single-fermion-loop contribution to the reactions ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, ${K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, and ${K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ were calculated without any adjustable parameters. Results were found to be comparable to recent experiments. This model's significance and its possible modification were discussed.
Acquisition of Knowledge About an Innovation in Patient Management Impact of Dentists' Attitudes and Orientations

This study focused on the impact of dentists' attitudes and orientations on acquisition of knowledge about the prevention of bacterial endocarditis. Excperts' recommenda tions for the prevention of the disease are periodically revissed: each succeeding revision therefore represents an innovation. Analysis of data collectedfrom a telephone survey revealed that orientations seemingly compatible with the innovation (preventive, innovative) were not predictive of knowledge acquisition concerning it. The predictive power of other orientations (professional, educational) varied according to practice setting (urban/rural). The generalizability of the notion of "compatibilty" as facilitating innovation adoption was found to be limited.
Dynamics of amorphous carbon film growth by pulsed laser deposition: kinetic energy of the incident particles☆

Abstract Thin films of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The growth mechanisms of ta-C were investigated. Previous work has addressed the nature and speed of the particles ejected from graphite by pulsed IR (1064 nm) and UV (248 nm) radiation, and the extent to which the kinetic energy of the ejected particles determines the character of the resultant films. This work continues the investigation of the effect of incident particle kinetic energy on the character of these diamond-like films grown with UV radiation. Films were grown with and without the more energetic charged particles in the laser induced plume and were found to be virtually identical when evaluated by valence and core level electron energy loss spectroscopy, as well as Raman spectroscopy. These data suggest that while the kinetic energy of the incident particles plays a significant role in the formation of tetrahedrally bonded carbon films by PLD, even the neutral particles ablated by 248 nm light have sufficient kinetic energy to form such films. While the more energetic charged particles may act to enhance the diamond-like characteristics of the film, they are not essential to the formation of ta-C by this process.
The effect of mTOR inhibition alone or combined with MEK inhibitors on brain metastasis: An in vivo analysis in triple-negative breast cancer models

mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and its analogs are lipophilic, demonstrate blood–brain barrier penetration, and have shown promising antitumor effects in several types of refractory tumors. We thus try to explore the therapeutic effects of mTOR inhibitors on brain metastasis models. We examined the effects of different dose of mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin, Temsirolimus-CCI-779) on cell invasion in two brain metastatic breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB231-BR and CN34-BrM2). Antibody microarray and immunoblotting were applied to detect signaling pathways underlying the dose differential drug effects. The in vivo effects of single drug (CCI-779), and drug combination of CCI-779 with SL327 (a brain penetrant MEK inhibitor) to eliminate the unfavorable activation of MAPK pathway were evaluated in MDA-MB231-BR brain metastases xenograft mice. The two mTOR inhibitors, rapamycin and CCI-779, inhibited the invasion of brain metastatic cells only at a moderate concentration level, which was lost at higher concentrations secondary to activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD98059 and SL327 restored the anti-invasion effects of mTOR inhibition in vitro. In vivo, a significant decrease was noted in the average number of micro and large metastatic lesions as well as the whole brain GFP expression in the CCI-779 1 mg/kg/day treated group compared with that in the vehicle group (P < 0.05). However, 10 mg/kg CCI-779 treatment did not show significant anti-metastasis effect on the animal model. High-dose CCI-779 eliciting the ERK MAPK activation in the brain metastatic lesion was corroborated. Combined with the brain penetrant MEK inhibitor SL327, high-dose CCI-779 significantly reduces the brain metastasis, and the combination treatment prohibited perivascular invasion of tumor cells and inhibits tumor angiogenesis in vivo. This study provides evidence on the potential value of CCI-779 as well as CCI-779 + SL327 in prohibiting breast cancer brain metastasis.
Emotional and Cognitive Predictors of the Enjoyment of Reality-Based and Fictional Television Programming: An Elaboration of the Uses and Gratifications Perspective

This article reports the results of two studies designed to compare predictors of enjoyment of reality-based and fictional television programming. In Study 1, 260 adults completed a survey of their cognitive and emotional reactions to either the fictional or reality-based programming that they generally watch. In Study 2, 502 adults completed a similar survey but with a particular reality-based or fictional program in mind. Results suggest first that though voyeurism (i.e., curiosity about others) appears to be a key distinguishing gratification between reality and fictional programming, it is not always a predictor of reality television enjoyment. Indeed, many predictors of enjoyment, like happiness, parasocial relationships, social comparison, self-awareness, negative outcome, and dramatic challenge, varied as much among types of reality programs as between reality and fiction. Of particular interest, three variables—learning, suspense, and transportation—had opposite effects on enjoyment, depending on ...
Structural modification of lignocellulosics by pretreatments to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis

In this work an evaluation was made of a wide variety of single and multiple pretreatment methods for enhancing the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat straw. A multiple pretreatment consisted of a physical pretreatment followed by a chemical pretreatment. The structural features of wheat straw, including the specific surface area, crystallinity index, and lignin content, were measured to understand the mechanism of the enhancement in the hyrolysis rate upon pretreatment. It has been found that, in general, multiple pretreatments were not promising, since the hydrolysis rates rarely exceeded those achieved by single pretreatments. Ball-milling pretreatment was found to be effective in increasing the specific surface area and decreasing the crystallinity index. Treatment with ethylene glycol was highly effective in increasing the specific surface area, in addition to a high degree of delignification. Peracetic acid pretreatment was highly effective in delignifying substrate. Among multiple pretreatments, those involving peracetic acid treatment generally had lower crystallinity indices and lignin content values. The relationship between the hydrolysis rate and the set of structural features indicated that an increase in surface area and a decrease in the crystallinity and lignin content enhance the hydrolysis; the specific surface area is the most influential of themore » structural features, followed by the lignin content. (Refs. 23).« less
The palm wine trade in Freetown, Sierra Leone: Production, income, and social construction

Palm wine tapped from Elaeis guineensis provides high incomes to certain groups such as Limba tribe members and women while creating social networks among tappers, traders, and retail vendors. Income levels from palm-wine tapping were several-fold higher than the minimum daily wage in Sierra Leone during 1998. Gender differences were particularly important in the marketing of palm wine, with women dominating the retail sector whereas men served as producers and middleman. An estimated 90% of palm wine middlemen are males, whereas kiosk vendors are mostly females. A formalized gift-giving culture has developed to ensure the continuous flow of palm wine from tapper to consumer.
A mixed locking/abort protocol for hard real-time systems

Serializability greatly simplifies reasoning about correctness in concurrent systems, including real-time systems. Our research addresses concurrency control protocols that accommodate analytic guarantees of schedulability, can be implemented with small bounded overheads and blocking, and ensure serializable execution of entire tasks including complete read/compute/write cycles (as opposed to serializable execution only of short embedded transactions without computation.) One such protocol which combines locking and abort is described. Among its interesting properties are that transactions scheduled by locking are never aborted, tasks are aborted only due to conflict with higher priority tasks, and the cost of abortion can be bounded for the purpose of schedulability analysis. The protocol is illustrated with an avionics example. The priority ceiling protocol can ensure schedulability of 8 tasks if serializability of only short sequences of data accesses is required, but cannot schedule even the first 2 tasks if serializability is required for whole tasks. Under reasonable assumptions our protocol achieves schedulability of the first 6 tasks while guaranteeing serializability of entire tasks. >
Calibration of a synthetic aperture radiometer

Calibration algorithms for a synthetic aperture microwave radiometer are presented. The calibration is geared to Earth remote sensing applications and is demonstrated on an airborne prototype thinned array imager. Two approaches to the system calibration are presented. The first utilizes commonly available reference brightness temperature scenes, such as open water, and the second utilizes data collected on the antenna range. Both algorithms yield spatial response information which is cast in matrix form and inverted to obtain the image reconstruction formula. Experimental results are examined, and errors in some reconstructed images are linked to the present prototype antenna design. Algorithms for improving the synthesized antenna pattern sidelobe performance are also presented. In one solution, the pattern efficiency is optimized by minimizing the pattern outside a defined beam. In another solution, the patterns are matched to a desired model pattern by the method of least squared errors. Both techniques offer an attractive alternative to aperture weighting. >
Differential Steroidogenic Gene Expression in the Fetal Adrenal Gland Versus the Testis and Rapid and Dynamic Response of the Fetal Testis to Di(n-butyl) phthalate

The phthalate ester di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) causes feminization of male rats upon in utero exposure by repressing expression of genes required for testicular steroidogenesis. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that repression of gene expression and steroidogenesis in the fetal testis is apparent within a few hours of DBP exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine the precise timing of DBP-associated gene expression changes in the fetal testis using transcriptional profiling and to determine whether DBP exerts similar effects on steroidogenesis in the fetal adrenal. A DBP time-course experiment showed that testicular steroidogenesis was decreased within 1 h of DBP exposure and that this decrease preceded the repressed transcription of Star (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein); Scarb1 (scavenger receptor class B, member 1; also know as Sr-b1); Cyp11a1 (cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily a, polypeptide 1; also known as P450SCC); and Cyp17a1 (cytochrome P450 family 17, subfamily a, polypeptide 1; also known as Cyp17). Gene expression profiling demonstrated rapid (within 1 to 3 h) and transient induction of immediate early genes in the fetal testis after administration of DBP to the pregnant dam. There was a statistically insignificant decrease in corticosterone production by the fetal adrenal after in utero exposure to DBP from Gestation Day 12 to Gestation Day 19. The extent of steroidogenesis diminution was much less in the adrenal than in the testis (approximately 45% decrease in the adrenal versus 87% decrease in the testis) and expression of genes required for steroidogenesis in the adrenal was unaffected by DBP. Together, these studies demonstrate that DBP initiates a rapid and dynamic change in gene expression in the fetal testis that likely plays a role in the reduction in steroidogenesis that is unique to the fetal testis relative to the steroidogenically active fetal adrenal. adrenal, adrenal gland, cholesterol, Cyp11a1 (P450SCC), Cyp17a1, fetal development, male reproduction, male reproductive tract, phthalate esters, reproductive development, scavenger receptor, Steroid acute regulatory protein (Star), steroidogenesis, testis, testosterone, toxicology
Human T4+ lymphocytes produce a phagocytosis-inducing factor (PIF) distinct from interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma.

Unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with angiocentric T cell immunoproliferative disorders and concanavalin A-stimulated normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells secrete a phagocytosis-inducing factor (PIF) that induces a fivefold to 50-fold enhancement of phagocytosis of IgG-coated ox red blood cells by U937 cells. We investigated the identity, production, and mechanism of the action of PIF. PIF activity was demonstrated in supernatants from nine of 44 phytohemagglutinin-stimulated interleukin 2 (IL 2)-dependent T cell lines and clones derived from purified T4+ cells, but was not found in supernatants from 26 lines and clones derived from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T8+ cells. In addition, PIF was produced by four of four antigen-specific T cell lines and clones after stimulation with the appropriate antigen and antigen-presenting cells, and by HUT-102, a human T cell lymphotropic virus type I-transformed T cell line. PIF from all of these sources caused significant inhibition of U937 proliferation. This proliferation-inhibiting activity co-purified with phagocytosis-enhancing activity in sizing procedures and isoelectric focusing, which yielded an estimated m.w. of 35,000 to 55,000 and an estimated isoelectric point of 5.0 to 6.0 for PIF. In contrast, IL 2, recombinant interferon-alpha, and recombinant interferon-gamma had no effect on phagocytosis by U937 cells, and antibodies to interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma did not block the phagocytosis-inducing activity of PIF-containing supernatants. PIF appears to be a distinct lymphokine produced by a subset of T4+ lymphocytes, possibly those that proliferate in response to antigen. PIF may be important in the induction of erythrophagocytosis, which is associated with certain T cell immunoproliferative disorders.
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome with Agrin Mutations

Investigators at Newcastle University, UK, and Hopitaux de Paris, France, report 5 patients from 3 unrelated families with a strikingly homogeneous clinical entity combining congenital myasthenia with distal muscle weakness and atrophy resembling a distal myopathy.
Diagnostic Profiles of Patients Differentially Failing Executive Functioning Measures.

Objective:Limited research exists to explain differential executive functioning impairment in clinical populations, particularly between the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) and the Trail Making Test (TMT).Methods:The distribution of clinical diagnoses was examined in patients failing none, one, or both tasks, and executive task performance was compared among dementia-related diagnoses. Two hundred and sixty-six participants received evaluations through an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, which included executive tasks. Dementia-related diagnoses were established through consensus.Results:Chi-square analyses indicated that TMT failure, with or without WCST failure, possessed higher associations with dementia diagnoses. Repeated measures analysis of variance similarly indicated that participants with dementia, especially mild and moderate severity, performed worse on TMT.Conclusions:Executive dysfunction was observed in dementia-related diagnoses, and TMT failure was implicated in dementia in higher ...
Let there be “more” light: enhancement of light actions on the circadian system through non-photic pathways

Circadian rhythms are internally generated circa 24 h rhythms. The phase of the circadian pacemaker in mammals can be adjusted by external stimuli such as the daily cycle of light, as well as by internal stimuli such as information related to the physiological and behavioral status of the organism, collectively called "non-photic stimuli". We review a large number of studies regarding photic-non-photic interactions on the circadian system, with special focus on two widely described neurotransmitters associated with non-photic input pathways: neuropeptide Y (NPY) and serotonin 5-HT. Both neurotransmitters are capable of phase advancing the master pacemaker oscillation when applied during the subjective day, as do several behavioral manipulations. Also, both are capable of inhibiting light-induced phase shifts during the subjective night, suggesting a dynamic interaction between photic and non-photic stimuli in the fine-tuning of the pacemaker function. Suppression of the NPYergic and/or serotonergic non-photic input pathways can in turn potentiate the phase-shifting effects of light. These findings pose new questions about the possibility of a physiological role for the dynamic interaction between photic and non-photic inputs. This might be particularly important in the case of circadian system adjustments under certain conditions, such as depression, shift work or jet lag.
The linkage of genes for the human interferon-induced antiviral protein and indophenol oxidase-B traits to chromosome G-21.

13 independent mouse-human somatic cell hybrid clones derived from β-propiolactone-inactivated Sendai stimulated cell fusion of human cells with mouse cells were tested for their sensitivities to human and mouse interferon. All of them were protected by mouse interferon and only six of the clones were protected by both human and mouse interferon. Only the six that were protected by human interferon were shown to express the human dimeric form of indophenol oxidase. Complete chromosomal analysis of the clones indicated human chromosome G-21 to be the only human chromosome in common for the six clones which had both phenotypes present. Nine subclones were derived from one of the clones expressing both phenotypes. Eight of the nine subclones were shown to retain both phenotypes, whereas one subclone lost both. Chromosomal analysis of the subclones indicated the loss of chromosome G-21 from the subclone which lost both phenotypes. It is apparent from these findings that the gene(s) for indophenol oxidase (IPO-B) and the gene(s) for the antiviral protein are syntenic and that they are linked to human chromosome G-21.
Derived Patterns in Binocular Rivalry Networks

Binocular rivalry is the alternation in visual perception that can occur when the two eyes are presented with different images. Wilson proposed a class of neuronal network models that generalize rivalry to multiple competing patterns. The networks are assumed to have learned several patterns, and rivalry is identified with time periodic states that have periods of dominance of different patterns. Here, we show that these networks can also support patterns that were not learned, which we call derived. This is important because there is evidence for perception of derived patterns in the binocular rivalry experiments of Kovacs, Papathomas, Yang, and Feher. We construct modified Wilson networks for these experiments and use symmetry breaking to make predictions regarding states that a subject might perceive. Specifically, we modify the networks to include lateral coupling, which is inspired by the known structure of the primary visual cortex. The modified network models make expected the surprising outcomes observed in these experiments.