cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The nonculprit coronary lesion as seen by coronary CT angiography: what should we be looking for?

439 atherosclerotic disease from positive vessel remodeling (without luminal narrowing) to severe luminal stenosis and occlusion. However, critical events (like hemodynamically significant luminal narrowing causing AMI) are mostly due to changes in the culprit and nonculprit lesions, with plaque erosions and ruptures and subsequent clot formation, causing vessel occlusion. This explains the great interest in the concepts of the vulnerable plaque, vulnerable blood, and vulnerable patient from the perspective of both detection [4, 5] and treatment [6]. It is therefore important to monitor the severity of isolated lesions, all areas of plaque formation in coronary vessels even if there is no significant luminal narrowing, as well as total plaque burden and plaque stability. The use of coronary calcium scoring, which reflects the calcific plaque burden, is relatively well established in stratifying cardiac risk. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) allows us to go beyond plaque burden quantification by adding characterization of the plaque as noncalcific, calcific, and mixed, with implications for plaque stability. Early disease with positive vessel remodeling and lower CT attenuation plaque also has negative implications as to plaque stability [7]. Varnava et al. [8] showed that coronary artery plaques with positive remodeling have a higher lipid content and macrophage count, both markers of plaque vulnerability. Their results may explain why plaque rupture is often apparent at sites with only modest luminal stenoses (but marked positive remodeling). Is it important to detect early coronary disease? And if it is important, how early can we actually detect and characterize it and will we be able to track changes? Early coronary disease detection may not be a bad thing, assuming there is no excessive associated harm or cost due to unproven premature therapy or interventions. Until the advent of CCTA we had no easy approach to coronary plaque detection The Nonculprit Coronary Lesion as Seen by Coronary CT Angiography: What Should We Be Looking For?
Molecular marker variability for southern root-knot nematode resistance in sweetpotato

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker profiles for individuals in two F1 populations of sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] were used in association studies to identify AFLP markers suitable for identification of plants possessing a resistant reaction to southern root-knot nematode race 3 [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood]. Population one consisted of 48 half-sib genotypes developed at the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter. The second population consisted of 54 full-sibs developed by the East African and International Potato Center (CIP) sweetpotato breeding programs. Results for plant nematode resistance indicate a bimodal distribution among the genotypes for the LSU population and a normal distribution for the CIP population. Using analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) at P < 0.001 and two multivariate analysis techniques i.e logistic regression and discriminant analysis, 5 and 4 AFLP markers that had a strong and significant association with respect to the resistance trait were selected for the LSU and CIP populations, respectively. A comparative analysis of the power of discriminant analysis models for southern root-knot nematode resistance class prediction achieved 88.78% (LSU) and 88.04% (CIP) classification efficiencies.
Effect of Population Density on Exploratory Activity and Mortality Rate of German Cockroaches in Choice Boxes

Adult male Blattella germanica (L.) were placed in the light halves of choice boxes in 7 population-density categories, ranging from 1 to 40 insects per box. The floors of the dark halves of the boxes had been treated with boric acid powder or propoxur emulsion, or left untreated as controls. In both treated and untreated boxes the rate at which the insects entered the dark halves (through a hole 1.2 cm in diameter) was inversely proportional to population density because of increasingly greater exploratory activity with decreasing number of insects per box. However, mortality rate was directly proportional to population density. One reason for this relationship was that as the number of cockroaches per choice box increased, competition for preferred insecticide-free niches in the choice box increased. Judging from the reported adverse effect of crowding on the ability of cockroaches to learn to avoid electric shock, it is also likely that the insects were less able to modify their behavior so as to avoid repeated contact with insecticide. The influence of population density on percent mortality of German cockroaches in treated apartment buildings in previously conducted experiments was the same as in the choice boxes used in the present laboratory experiments.
Folding nucleus: specific of multiple? insights from lattice models and experiments

In this commentary, I compare and discuss different views on the nucleation mechanisms in protein folding
Evaluation of the CD34 and CD10 immunostains using a two‐color staining protocol in liver fine‐needle aspiration biopsies

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of liver masses may need immunohistochemistry to resolve difficult cases. We examined liver FNAs with CD10 and CD34 using a two-color staining protocol. Fifty-one cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 23 cases of liver metastases were stained first with CD10 using diaminobenzidine as a chromogen and then with CD34 using Fast Red. All cases were reviewed in a blinded fashion by two of the authors (R.I.Z. and Z.B.). Diagnoses were unblinded and staining patterns evaluated. Forty-eight of 51 cases of HCC stained for CD34 in a peripheral pattern and no cases of metastases stained for CD34 Seven of 23 cases of metastatic disease stained for CD10 in a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution and 29 of 51 HCCs stained in a canalicular pattern. Overall, the sensitivity of the CD10/CD34 combination was 98% and the specificity was 100% for HCC when appropriate staining patterns were observed. Two-color immunostaining with CD10 and CD34 may prove useful in distinguishing HCC from metastases.
Effects of serum on C3b-stimulated release of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2 from human monocytes

Previous studies have demonstrated that C3b stimulates the release of prostaglandin E and thromboxane B2 from human monocytes in serum-free cultures. We have examined the influence of serum on this phenomenon, and have found that addition of normal human serum or fetal calf serum to such cultures at concentrations of 0.1-5.0% results in enhanced release of both eicosanoids in C3b-stimulated cultures, while release in control cultures is unaffected or, in many cases, inhibited. Addition of human serum albumin or transferrin to serum-free cultures is not sufficient to mimic the serum effect. Fetal calf and normal human sera increase the efficacy of C3b in stimulating release of both prostaglandin E and thromboxane B2 at all but the lowest doses tested, but fail to significantly alter the kinetics or release or the acquired unresponsiveness of monocytes to C3b that occurs following culture periods of greater than 24 h. By preincubation of purified C3b in normal human serum, it can be shown that such serum degrades C3b stimulatory activity, but at a rate that is slow enough to permit expression of its activity when added at the beginning of the culture period. In contrast, the stimulatory activity of E. coli lipopolysaccharide is unaffected by pretreatment with serum. Thus, in contrast to the inhibitory effect of serum on the activity of C3 fragments in in vitro assays of certain mononuclear cell functions such as lymphocyte transformation and antibody production, serum enhances the ability of C3b to stimulate monocyte prostaglandin release.
Glass transition temperature shift under pressure for some semiconducting glasses

Abstract Glass transition temperatures (Tg) were measured as a fucntion of pressure for the semiconducting glasses As2S3, Te15Ge2As3 and Cd6Ge3As11, using changes in the transit time of an ultrasonic pulse to detect the glass transition. The measurements of Tg as a function of pressure were compared to the predictions of the free volume theory of the glass transition. For As2S3 and Te15Ge2As3, Tg first increased and then levelled off with increasing pressure, as predicted by the free volume theory. The amorphous semiconductor Cd6Ge3As11 exhibited anomalous behavior: Tg first increased with pressure, but at the relatively low pressure of 1.5 kbar it began to decrease with increasing pressure.
Need for rapid screening methods to detect chemical residues in food

Although chemical residues do not have the same type of health consequences as microbiological pathogens, the regulation of hazardous chemicals in foods is an integral component of food safety programs worldwide. Analytical methods to monitor chemical residues are essential to help protect human health and support the compliance and enforcement oflaws and regulations, but many current analytical approaches are too time-consuming, expensive, laborious, and waste resources that could be used morejudiciously to improve food safety. Rapid and reliable approaches for the detection ofmultiple analytes at low and/or high concentrations in the field and/or laboratory are needed to reduce costs and/or increase benefits in the detection of hazardous chemicals in foods. The implementation ofsuch approaches will (a) increase productivity and/or decrease costs ofanalysis, (b) provide more statistically valid and accurate results for risk assessment and other purposes, (c) overcome trade barriers associated with the analysis of chemical residues, (d) provide more information to understand the effects and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and endocrine disruption, (e) allow for better verification of organic food labeling, (f) improve possible industrial HACCP programs, and (g) reduce the potential for food that has been deliberately or accidentally adulterated by toxic chemicals to reach the consumer. This paper is meant to provide an overview of current analytical capabilities and the needs for improved analytical screening methods to detect chemical residues in foods, and describes how rapid and reliable monitoring approaches can benefit regulatory agencies, industry, and consumers alike.
Free cholesterol loading of macrophages is associated with widespread mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway

Macrophage death in advanced atherosclerotic lesions leads to lesional necrosis and possibly plaque rupture and acute vascular occlusion. Among the likely causes of lesional macrophage death is intracellular accumulation of excess free cholesterol (FC), which is known to occur in vivo. We recently showed that FC loading of macrophages causes apoptosis, ∼50% of which is mediated by activation of cell-surface FasL and triggering of the Fas pathway (Yao, P. M., and Tabas, I. (2000)J. Biol. Chem. 275, 23807–23813). To elucidate other pathways of death in FC-loaded macrophages, we investigated mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) and the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in FC-loaded mouse peritoneal macrophages. Starting between 3 and 6 h of FC loading, ΔΨm was markedly decreased in the majority of macrophages and was independent of the Fas pathway. The decrease in ΔΨmby FC loading was not prevented by GSH, thus distinguishing it from 7-ketocholesterol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Cytochrome c release into the cytosol was noted by 4 h of FC loading, and activation of caspase-9 and effector caspases was observed at 6 h. Finally, we found that both cellular and mitochondrial levels of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax were increased severalfold as early as 4 h after FC loading. Thus, FC loading, perhaps via increased levels of Bax and/or cholesterol overloading of mitochondria, triggers cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-9 and the effector caspases, leading to macrophage apoptosis. These findings and our previous data support a model in which FC loading of macrophages promotes a dual program of caspase-mediated death.
Refractive Index Engineering of Polymer Nanocomposites Prepared by End-grafted Polymer Chains onto Inorganic Nanoparticles

Transparent polymer nanocomposites with high refractive index were prepared by grafting polymer chains onto TiO 2 nanoparticles. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was used to prepare poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer brushes grafted from TiO 2 nanoparticles. The refractive index of the hybrid material increased from 1.49 for neat PMMA to 1.6 by increasing the loading of TiO 2 to 40 weight percent. UV-vis spectra showed that grafted particles had a transparency of more than 90% in the visible light range. The hybrid particles can be processed into transparent, high refractive index coatings and self-standing films. The grafted TiO 2 nanoparticles can also be easily dispersed into a polymer matrix forming thick, robust transparent polymer nanocomposites.
An emissions‐based view of climate forcing by methane and tropospheric ozone

[1] We simulate atmospheric composition changes in response to increased methane and tropospheric ozone precursor emissions from the preindustrial to present-day in a coupled chemistry-aerosol-climate model. The global annual average composition response to all emission changes is within 10% of the sum of the responses to individual emissions types, a more policy-relevant quantity. This small non-linearity between emission types permits attribution of past global mean methane and ozone radiative forcings to specific emissions despite the well-known non-linear response to emissions of a single type. The emissions-based view indicates that methane emissions have contributed a forcing of ∼0.8–0.9 W m−2, nearly double the abundance-based value, while the forcing from other ozone precursors has been quite small (∼−0.1 for NOx, ∼0.2 for CO + VOCs).
Increased Light Extraction From Inorganic Scintillators With Laser-Etched Microstructures

A technique of laser-etching repeating micrometer-scale structures into the exit surface of a thin, YAP:Ce scintillator to increase light extraction has been performed. Different etching techniques were performed on a single, monolithic crystal using varying laser power to study how light extraction is influenced by these different treatments. For the best case, a 90.4% increase in light extraction was measured without optical coupling, which compares to photonic crystal techniques. This technique finds application in associated particle imaging (API) where no optical coupling can be used for the alpha detector's scintillator, inside the Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) neutron generator vacuum. The surface characteristics of each treatment are quantified, and changes in light collection relative to a normal, polished surface are presented. Measurement of the number of detected photons is given for the case where no optical coupling is used between the scintillator and photosensor. Additionally, implications of performance improvements in YAP:Ce based alpha transducers within D-T generators, due to the measured increases in light collection, are presented.
Fabrication of large calcium fluoride lenses

Lenses made from the optical crystal, calcium fluoride, are required in spectrograph camera designs for many of today's astronomical telescopes. Often these cameras are of large aperture with lens diameters in the 12 inch to 15 inch range. This material is highly susceptible to mechanical and thermal shock, resulting in fracturing. Large calcium fluoride lenses, with their varying thickness profiles, require techniques and precautions in processing from raw material to a finished lens that aren't required with windows or small lenses. This paper describes techniques learned and used at the Lick Observatory Optical Lab that deal with working this delicate crystal and producing large finished lenses.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Validation of the Mayo Sleep Questionnaire to screen for REM sleep behavior disorder in an aging and dementia cohort

Abstract Objective To validate a questionnaire focused on rapid eye movement sleep (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) among participants in an aging and dementia cohort. Background RBD is a parasomnia that can develop in otherwise neurologically-normal adults as well as in those with a neurodegenerative disease. Confirmation of RBD requires polysomnography (PSG). A simple screening measure for RBD is desirable for clinical and research purposes. Methods We had previously developed the Mayo Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ), a 16 item measure, to screen for the presence of RBD and other sleep disorders. We assessed the validity of the MSQ by comparing the responses of patients' bed partners with the findings on PSG. All subjects recruited in the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Mayo Clinic Rochester and Mayo Clinic Jacksonville from 1/00 to 7/08 who had also undergone a PSG were the focus of this analysis. Results The study sample was comprised of 176 subjects (150 male; median age 71years (range 39–90)), with the following clinical diagnoses: normal ( n =8), mild cognitive impairment ( n =44), Alzheimer's disease ( n =23), dementia with Lewy bodies ( n =74), as well as other dementia and/or parkinsonian syndromes ( n =27). The core question on recurrent dream enactment behavior yielded a sensitivity (SN) of 98% and specificity (SP) of 74% for the diagnosis of RBD. The profile of responses on four additional subquestions on RBD and one on obstructive sleep apnea improved specificity. Conclusions These data suggest that among aged subjects with cognitive impairment and/or parkinsonism, the MSQ has adequate SN and SP for the diagnosis of RBD. The utility of this scale in other patient populations will require further study.
Bulk anionic ring opening polymerization of silacyclopent-3-enes

Poly[1,1-diphenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene](I), poly[1,1-dimethyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene](II), poly[1-methyl-1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene](III), poly[1-methyl-sila-cis-pent-3-ene](IV), and poly[1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene](V) were prepared by bulk anionic ring opening polymerization of the corresponding 1-silacyclopent-3-enes, at room temperature by use n-butyllithium or t-butyllithium and HMPA as co-catalysts. No solvent (THF or diethyl ether) was utilized.
Mutant Nbs1 enhances cisplatin-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity in head and neck cancer

Objective Enhanced DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair could be a primary cause for development of resistance in tumor cells to cisplatin, which induces crosslinks and DNA DSBs. A protein complex consisting of hMre11, hRad50, and Nbs1 (MRN) has been identified as a critical component in repair of DNA DSBs. The present study investigates whether the expression of a truncated form of Nbs1 interrupts the function of the MRN complex and therefore enhances cisplatin-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods and measures Two human HNSCC cell lines, JHU006 and JHU029, were used. A dominant negative recombinant adenovirus expressing domains of Nbs1 was constructed. Adenovirus-mediated mutant Nbs1 (Ad-Nbs1) gene transfer was performed with replication-defective virus (DL312) and no treatment as controls. Transgene expression and cell viability were evaluated in transfected cells. Neutral comet assay was performed and the “tail moment,” the product of the amount of DNA in the tail and the distance of tail migration, was analyzed for evaluating DNA DSB damage at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Results Transgene expression of mutant Nbs1 was confirmed by Western blotting. Ad-Nbs1 gene transfer significantly increased cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity as shown by stunting of 6-day growth curves. Neutral comet analysis revealed that the mean tail moment, indicative of DNA damage, was significantly elevated in cells treated with combined cisplatin and Ad-Nbs1 compared to cisplatin alone in both cell lines. Conclusions Expression of mutant Nbs1 significantly increases cisplatin-induced DNA DSBs and cytotoxicity. The increase in double-strand DNA damage corresponds to the level of cytotoxicity in the different treatment groups and suggests that tumor chemosensitization occurs through augmentation of DNA DSBs. Clinical significance Alteration of DNA repair may provide a novel approach to enhancing sensitivity of HNSCC to chemotherapy. Our study supports the potential application of Ad-Nbs1 in combination with cisplatin for treatment of advanced and metastatic HNSCC.
The meningitis mind-bender.

Review the eight most common varieties of meningitis and how to identify and treat each one.
Structure and expression of AtS1, an Arabidopsis thaliana gene homologous to the S-locus related genes of Brassica.

Genetic and molecular analysis of the self-incompatibility locus (S-locus) of the crucifer Brassica has led to the characterization of a multigene family involved in pollen-stigma interactions. While the crucifer Arabidopsis thaliana does not have a self-incompatibility system, S-related sequences were detected in this species by cross-hybridization with Brassica DNA probes. In this paper, we show that an A. thaliana S-related sequence, designated AtS1, is expressed specifically in flower buds. Sequence analysis suggests that AtS1 encodes a secreted glycoprotein that is most similar to the Brassica S-locus related protein SLR1. As has been proposed for SLR1, this gene may be involved in determining some fundamental aspect of pollen-stigma interactions during pollination. The molecular and genetic advantages of the Arabidopsis system will provide many avenues for testing this hypothesis.
Spinoza on the Incoherence of Self-Destruction

Spinoza claims at E3p4 that ‘no thing can be destroyed except through an external cause’ 1. This claim is essential to Spinoza's metaphysics, psychology, ethics, and political philosophy. Despite i...
Genome-wide approaches to identify pharmacogenetic contributions to adverse drug reactions

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have a major impact on patients, physicians, health care providers, regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Identifying the genetic contributions to ADR risk may lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, identification of patients at risk and a decrease in the number of events. Technological advances have made the routine monitoring and investigation of the genetic basis of ADRs during clinical trials possible. We demonstrate through simulation that genome-wide genotyping, coupled with the use of clinically matched or population controls, can yield sufficient statistical power to permit the identification of strong genetic predictors of ADR risk in a prospective manner with modest numbers of ADR cases. The results of a 500 000 single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of abacavir-associated hypersensitivity reaction suggest that the known HLA-B gene region could be identified with as few as 15 cases and 200 population controls in a sequential analysis.
Bulk populations in wheat breeding: comparison of single-seed descent and random bulk methods

An accelerated-generation increase program for establishing near-homozygous lines was evaluated by both single-seed descent (SSD) and random bulk-population (BP) methods. After four generations, random SSD- and BP-derived lines from two hybrid populations were evaluated in the F4, F5, and F6 generations in field experiments at two locations. In separate populations, selection was applied for plant height (tall and short) and early maturity during the accelerated-generation cycle. Generation means showed increased plant height and yield from F3 to F6 in one hybrid but no change in the other hybrid with the BP method, whereas the means did not change with the SSD method except for plant height where recessive genes for dwarfness were segregating. Genetic variation among lines within each generation was greater for SSD than BP populations for heading time and grain yield of Hybrid I, but for Hybrid II the reverse was true for height and yield, with no difference for heading time. Response to selection during the accelerated growth cycle was significant for tallness and shortness, but was greater for shortness. Selection response for earliness was only slight.
U.S. involuntary mental health commitment statutes: requirements for persons perceived to be a potential harm to self.

The civil commitment statutes of all 50 states and the District of Columbia were reviewed to determine: (1) What is required for a person who is believed to be at serious and imminent risk of self-harm to be eligible for involuntary hospitalization; and (2) Whether an attempt to involuntarily hospitalize was required or was merely an option when the requirements found in number 1 were met. The analysis revealed that nearly 85% of the jurisdictions require dangerousness to self to be the result of a mental illness, and only two jurisdictions mandate attempts at involuntary commitment if a person is deemed to be an imminent harm to self. These results have implications for practice with individuals who are suicidal.
Calculation of Equilibrium Compositions of Large Systems of Biochemical Reactions

A more global view of the thermodynamics of a system of biochemical reactions can be obtained by specifying concentrations of coenzymes such as adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate. These calculations are facilitated by use of conservation matrices that can be arranged in such a way that the coenzymes are components. In calculations at specified pH in dilute aqueous solutions, neither hydrogen atoms or oxygen atoms are conserved, and so the applicable conservation matrices are calculated from stoichiometric number matrices that omit the stoichiometric numbers for H2O. For a system of biochemical reactions, the number of components is generally greater than the number of elements other than hydrogen and oxygen because of constraints that arise in the mechanisms of the enzyme-catalyzed reactions. When concentrations of coenzymes are specified, the system can be described as being made up of pseudoisomer groups, each made up of one or several reactants. The values of apparent equilibrium constant...
INITIATION VIA HALOBORATION IN LIVING CATIONIC POLYMERIZATION. 5. FACILE SYNTHESIS OF SEC-AMINE FUNCTIONAL POLYISOBUTYLENES

The synthesis of sec-amine terminated telechelic polyisobuty-lene (PIB) has been accomplished by reacting n-butyl azide with the dichloroboron head group of PIB obtained by polymerization of isobutylene (IB) via haloboration-initiation. The facile, one-pot reaction resulted in complete conversion of the PIB dichloroboron head groups into butyl amino termini even at room temperature. The reaction is rapid and can be further accelerated by increasing the concentrations and/or the solvent polarity. The applicability of this head functionalization in the synthesis of asymmetric telechelic polymers is demonstrated through the synthesis of α-sec-amino-ω-tert-chloro and α-sec-amino-ω-methoxy-carbonyl PIB’s. Telechelic α,ω-di-sec-amino PIB was also prepared by the combination of haloboration-initiation and living coupling reaction with 2,2-bis[4-(1-tolylethenyl)phenyl]-propane (BDTEP).
The Provision of Spiritual Care by Registered Nurses on a Maternal—Infant Unit

Purpose: This study explores the spirituality, spiritual well-being (SWB), and spiritual care provision of registered nurses on a maternal—infant unit. Methods: Data collection instruments included...
Honorifics, “politeness,” and power in Japanese political debate

Abstract This paper analyzes the use of honorific forms in televised Japanese political debates. Data are six taped episodes of the Sunday debate show, Nichiyō Tōron, where representatives of Japan's main political parties discuss current issues. Although in Japanese, honorifics are powerfully linked to notions of linguistic politeness, a detailed analysis of a subset of interactions in these data illustrate how a powerful political performance is achieved using honorific forms to engage opponents in ways very different from the normatively or strategically polite, offering insight into how speakers negotiate “politeness” to interlocutors while simultaneously striving to negate their interlocutor's points. Although debate participants are not necessarily striving to be polite to each other, conditions of public debate require them to seem to be striving toward that end. Public debates are, however, performances to a viewing public and debaters need to win their point and overtly argue against those of their interlocutors. Honorifics are seen in these data to serve as a multiply indexical set of forms, strategically used simultaneously to serve several different ends, rather than a static set of forms linked solely to politeness, as they have generally been treated in politeness theory ( Brown and Levinson, 1978 ) or the counterpart theory of wakimae ‘social convention’ ( Ide, 2006 ).
Designed rubbery biomaterials

Research on novel implantable rubbery polyisobutylene-based biomaterials carried out at the University of Akron during the past ∼15 years is outlined. Specific attention is paid to recent investigations focusing on the synthesis of semipermeable amphiphilic networks designed to be used as immunoisolatory membranes. The membranes envelop insulin-producing living pig beta cells. They are biocompatible to the host (human) and the guest (beta cells) and remain permeable for many months in vivo. They are rubbery slippery, robust, sterilizable, optically transparent, with controlled pore dimensions that allow the in-diffusion of glucose and nutrients, out-diffusion of insulin and wastes, but they do not allow the entry of immunoproteins (IgG). The pores remain permeable for many months in vivo. The membranes are made by copolymerizig/crosslinking hydrophilic (meth)acrylates with methacrylate-telechelic polyisobutylenes. Controlling the molecular weights of the constituent segments controls the pore sizes of the membranes. Immunoisolated pig beta cells enveloped in our membranes and implanted subcutaneously in a rat have corrected severe hyperglycemia.
Neonatal lupus erythematosus: Discordant disease expression of U1RNP-positive antibodies in fraternal twins—Is this a subset of neonatal lupus erythematosus or a new distinct syndrome?

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an uncommon disease that is manifested by cutaneous lesions, cardiac conduction defects, or both, that appear in utero or shortly after birth. In approximately 95% of patients, anti-Ro antibody (Ro[SS-A]) has been identified and has become the serologic marker for NLE. Since 1987 there have been four reported cases of Ro- and anti-La antibody (La[SS-B])-negative, U1RNP antibody-positive, NLE. Our affected twin, as well as all other infants with U1RNP-positive NLE, had cutaneous lesions similar to those in Ro-positive NLE, although they lacked systemic abnormalities, including cardiac conduction defects. HLA typing of mothers with infants with U1RNP-positive NLE revealed the presence of HLA-DR4, DQw1, or DQw3 phenotypes. Our typing confirms these findings. As with Ro-positive NLE, no distinct HLA associations were demonstrated in the infants. Unlike Ro-positive mothers, all mothers with a U1RNP-positive infant with NLE had connective tissue disease at the time of the diagnosis and had a different spectrum of disease. We describe the clinical, serologic, and immunogenetic findings in the first reported case of U1RNP-positive NLE in dizygotic twins in whom the NLE disease expression was discordant.
METABOLISM OF LABELED PARATHYROID HORMONE. I. PREPARATION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE $sup 125$I-LABELED PARATHYROID HORMONE.

By modification of an electrolysis procedure for the iodination of proteins (controlled voltage to prevent oxidation), it was found possible to produce a highly radioactive 125Ilabeled parathyroid hormone with ease and good yield. The labeled hormone was found to be at least 95% homogenous by chromatoelectrophoresis, density gradient ultracentrifugation, gel filtration, and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Moreover, by these last three techniques the labeled hormone was found to be indistinguishable from the hormone used as starting material. The labeled hormone was tested by three established bioassay procedures involving liver mitochondria, embryonic rat bone in tissue culture, and mobilization of calcium from bone in thyroparathyroidectomized rats. With all three assays, the labeled hormone was identical to untreated hormone within experimental error. The extent and nature of the iodination is such that it can be concluded that hormone molecules so labeled have undergone no measurable loss in biological...
Defining the pathway of cytoplasmic maturation of the 60S ribosomal subunit

In eukaryotic cells the final maturation of ribosomes occurs in the cytoplasm, where trans-acting factors are removed and critical ribosomal proteins are added for functionality. Here, we have carried out a comprehensive analysis of cytoplasmic maturation, ordering the known steps into a coherent pathway. Maturation is initiated by the ATPase Drg1. Downstream, assembly of the ribosome stalk is essential for the release of Tif6. The stalk recruits GTPases during translation. Because the GTPase Efl1, which is required for the release of Tif6, resembles the translation elongation factor eEF2, we suggest that assembly of the stalk recruits Efl1, triggering a step in 60S biogenesis that mimics aspects of translocation. Efl1 could thereby provide a mechanism to functionally check the nascent subunit. Finally, the release of Tif6 is a prerequisite for the release of the nuclear export adaptor Nmd3. Establishing this pathway provides an important conceptual framework for understanding ribosome maturation.
The Extent of Dichloroacetate Formation from Trichloroethylene, Chloral Hydrate, Trichloroacetate, and Trichloroethanol in B6C3F1 Mice

Conflicting data have been published related to the formation of dichloroacetate (DCA) from trichloroethylene (TRI), chloral hydrate (CH), or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in B6C3F1 mice. TCA is usually indicated as the primary metabolic precursor to DCA. Model simulations based on the known pharmacokinetics of TCA and DCA predicted blood concentrations of DCA that were 10- to 100-fold lower than previously published reports. Because DCA has also been shown to form as an artifact during sample processing, we reevaluated the source of the reported DCA, i.e., whether it was metabolically derived or formed as an artifact. Male B6C3F1 mice were dosed with TRI, CH, trichloroethanol (TCE), or TCA and metabolic profiles of each were determined. DCA was not detected in any of these samples above the assay LOQ of 1.9 μM of whole blood. In order to slow the clearance of DCA, mice were pretreated for 2 weeks with 2 g/liter of DCA in their drinking water. Even under this pretreatment condition, no DCA was detected from a 100 mg/kg iv dose of TCA. Although there is significant uncertainty in the amount of DCA that could be generated from TRI or its metabolites, our experimental data and pharmacokinetic model simulations suggest that DCA is likely formed as a short-lived intermediate metabolite. However, its rapid elimination relative to its formation from TCA prevents the accumulation of measurable amounts of DCA in the blood.
Dramatic blooms of Prymnesium sp. (Prymnesiophyceae) and Alexandrium margalefii (Dinophyceae) in the Salton Sea, California

Abstract In early 2006, unusual algal blooms of two species occurred in the Salton Sea, a large salt lake in southern California. In mid-January local residents reported bioluminescence in the Sea. Starting in February, large rafts of long-lasting foam, also bioluminescent, were observed as well. Microscopy investigations on water and sediment samples collected in March showed the marine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium margalefii, and the prymnesiophyte, Prymnesium sp., both previously unreported in the Salton Sea, to be abundant. Bioluminescence and foam production continued through March. Other dinoflagellate species, recorded during earlier studies, were rare or not detected during these blooms. Despite the fact that many Alexandrium species are known paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) producers, preliminary saxitoxin tests on this population of A. margalefii were negative. Previous reports on A. margalefii do not mention bioluminescence. It appears that the foam was caused by the Prymnesium sp. bloom, proba...
Frequency dependence of the electron self-energy in a two-dimensional electron liquid

Abstract We have studied the effects of the electron-electron interaction on the frequency dependence of the quasiparticle self-energy of a two-dimensional electron gas. Our approach is patterned after Hedin's GW approximation. We find that many-body effects associated with charge and spin fluctuations induced vertex corrections are important and cannot be neglected. For the sake of illustration the calculations have been carried out at zero temperature and taking advantage of the plasma-pole scheme. The validity of the familiar on-shell approximation is discussed.
Analysis of repeated categorical responses from fully and partially cross-classified data

Many follow-up studies involve categorical data measured on the same individual at different times. Frequently, some of the individuals are missing one or more of the measurements. This results in a contingency table with both fully and partially cross-classified data. Two models can be used to analyze data of this type: (i) The multiple-sample model, in which all the study subjects with the same configuration of missing observations are considered a separate sample. (ii) The single-sample model, which assumes that the missing observations are the result of a mechanism causing subjects to lose the informtion from one or some of the measurements. In this work we compare the two approaches and show that under certain conditions, the two models yield the same maximum likelihood estimates of the cell probabilities in the underlying contingency table.
Real-Time Crash Risk Reduction on Freeways Using Coordinated and Uncoordinated Ramp Metering Approaches

This study was conducted to examine the ability of two ramp metering strategies at reducing the real-time crash risk along a typical urban freeway. The strategies were tested using a simulated freeway network of Interstate-4 in Orlando, Fla. created in PARAMICS microsimulation. Measurements of the crash risk along the freeway were estimated using models created by the first writer which calculate rear-end and lane-change risks along the freeway using offline geometric characteristics and real-time loop detector data. The ramp metering strategies tested were the uncoordinated ALINEA algorithm and the coordinated Zone ramp metering algorithm. Additionally, two implementation methods of these algorithms were examined: the traffic-cycle realization which allows vehicles to enter the network in platoons and the one-car-per-cycle (OCPC) realization which allows a single vehicle to enter the freeway per traffic cycle. This study shows that the ALINEA and Zone algorithms both successfully reduce the real-time cra...
A symbiont-produced protein and bacterial symbiosis in Amoeba proteus

Gram symbiotic X-bacteria present in the xD strain of Amoeba proteus as required cell components, synthesize and export a large amount of a 29-kDa protein (S29x) into the host's cytoplasm across bacterial and symbiosome membranes. The S29x protein produced by E. coli transformed with the s29x gene is also rapidly secreted into the culture medium. Inside amoebae, S29x enters the host's nucleus as detected by confocal and immunoelectron microscopy, although it is not clear if S29x is selectively accumulated inside the nucleus. The deduced amino-acid sequence of S29x has a stretch of basic amino acids that could act as a nuclear localization signal, but there is no signal peptide at the N-terminus and the transport of S29x is energy independent. The functions of S29x are not known, but in view of its prominent presence inside the amoeba's nucleus, S29x is suspected to be involved in affecting the expression of amoeba's nuclear gene(s).
Endangered Marine Finfish: Neglected Resources or Beasts of Fiction?

Abstract As of this writing, of 1,321 taxa listed on the U.S. federal listing of threatened or endangered organisms, only six have marine or estuarine phases in their life history. None of the six are wholly oceanic. Indecision as to the applicability of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to wholly oceanic species stems from at least two sources: (1) lack of consensus on population criteria designating special status, and (2) societal and scientific doubt as to whether wholly oceanic species can become endangered. A cursory examination of marine fishes of U.S. territorial waters by regional specialists suggests that at least 39 species are severely depleted and deserve closer examination of their population status to determine eligibility for protection under the ESA. Several regional groupings of the candidate species suggest ecosystem-wide impacts. Where fishing is suspected to be causing large-scale disruptions of fish abundance and fish community relationships, establishment of marine reserves might be ...
On regressive Ramsey numbers

We prove the following relation between regressive and classical Ramsey numbers Rregn(n+2)=Rn-1 (n)+2. This is used to compute Rreg3(5)=8, Rreg4 (6) = 15, and Rreg5 (7) ≥ 36. We prove that Rx+k2(4) ≤ 2k+1(3+k) - (k +1), and use this to compute Rreg2(5) = 15. Finally, we provide the bounds 195 ≤ Rreg2(6) ≤ 5.242+239-2.
Secondary ion mass spectrometry/X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of CO adsorption on Ni and of Fischer–Tropsch synthesis on FeRu alloys

The adsorption of CO on a Ni(100) single crystal surface has been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and static secondary ion mass spectrometry. At room temperature CO chemisorbs molecularly on Ni. A saturation coverage of about 0.5 monolayer is reached after 2 L CO exposure. The NiCO+/Ni2CO+ ratio increases from very low values at low coverage to a saturation value of about 4.5. Dynamic studies of Ni+ and NiCO+ yields during exposure to 1.3 × 10−6 to 1.3 × 10−5 Pa of CO show reversible pressure and temperature dependent changes in addition to chemisorption. We ascribe these effects to CO weakly adsorbed on both the clean and CO-covered Ni surface. The interaction of CO and H2 with FeRu alloy surfaces has been studied by XPS and SIMS as well as by kinetic measurements. Fe surface enrichment is observed which explains the catalytic behavior of the alloys in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Ru rich surfaces remain unchanged during FTS but an extensive and rapid carbon build-up is found on the alloy surfaces. Silica supported alloys coke more slowly. The carbon build up on pure Fe is preceded by a carbide formation that coincides with a maximum in hydrocarbon synthesis activity. Potassium promoted Fe exhibits a faster carbon deposition than pure Fe, but the potassium appears to stay on the uppermost surface by diffusing through the carbon layers.
The Road to Jaramillo

William Glen has written a highly detailed account of the overall development of the time scale for geomagnetic reversals based upon the potassium-argon dating of young volcanic rocks. His treatment begins with an account of the methods developed at Berkeley during the 1950s by John Reynolds, Garniss Curtis, and Jack Evernden for dating geologically young rocks. Then he details the use of these methods by Allan Cox, Richard Doell, and Brent Dalrymple at the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, Calif., and Ian McDougall and Don H. Tarling at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra to date magnetic rocks. And finally he covers the use of the resultant time scale in the confirmation of the Vine-Matthews-Morley hypothesis.
Immune responses in pregnant cattle and bovine fetuses following experimental infection with Neospora caninum.

Humoral and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses [i.e. proliferative responses and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production], were elicited in five cows infected between 159 and 169 days of gestation by a combined intravenous-intramuscular inoculation of Neospora caninum tachyzoites. Analysis of antigen-specific immunoglobulin (IgG) subclasses revealed a predominant IgG2 response in two cows, a mixed IgG1-IgG2 response in two other cows and a predominant IgG1 response in one cow. No correlation was found between IgG2 titers and IFN-gamma levels. CD4-T cells were responsible for the CMI responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from three infected cows. All five fetuses removed from infected dams at week 9 post-infection (219-231 days of gestation) mounted strong Neospora-specific humoral responses and had a predominant IgG1 response, regardless of their ability to produce IFN-gamma. However, CMI responses were highly variable between fetuses. These data indicate the complexity of the immune mechanisms associated with Neospora infection in both the dams and their fetuses.
Increases in extracellular fluid glucose levels in the rat hippocampus following an anesthetic dose of pentobarbital or ketamine–xylazine: an in vivo microdialysis study

Using in vivo microdialysis, we examined glucose levels in the extracellular fluid (ECF) of the hippocampus and in the blood prior to and during pentobarbital (45 mg/kg) or ketamine-xylazine (66 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg) anesthesia. Anesthesia with either pentobarbital or ketamine-xylazine significantly increased hippocampal ECF glucose levels (mean peak increases of +71% and +85%, respectively). In addition, there were substantial increases in blood glucose levels (mean peak increases of +24% and +30%, respectively). The increased levels of hippocampal ECF glucose during anesthesia complement past evidence for decreases in ECF glucose in the hippocampus observed while rats perform a memory task sensitive to hippocampal damage, providing further support for the view that ECF glucose levels in the hippocampus are dynamically coupled to local neural activity.