cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long live T cells

Comment on Powell et al, page [241][1] The clinical responses achieved by adoptive immunotherapy correlate with the in vivo persistence of infused melanoma-specific T cells that have up-regulated expression of IL-7Rα and have recapitulated an effector memory cell phenotype. The premise and
Reduced myocardial blood flow resulting from dynamic changes in coronary artery stenosis.

Abstract To evaluate the interaction of coronary vasomotor tone and stenosis, we studied the effects of ergonovine and adenosine on partially obstructed coronary arteries in 6 closed chest dogs. Coronary stenosis was created by partially inflating a balloon catheter with a distal lumen in the left anterior descending or circumflex coronary artery. Stenotic resistance was calculated as the mean pressure gradient across the stenosis divided by the mean blood flow measured with 15 micron radioactive microspheres. Coronary artery vasoconstriction, induced by ergonovine (0.6 mg i.v.), caused a small, but nonsignificant, increase in stenotic resistance (1.42 ± 0.25 to 2.68 ± 0.64 mm Hg/ml per min) and had no effect on myocardial blood flow. Coronary arteriolar dilation induced by adenosine increased stenotic resistance (1.52 ± 0.25 to 9.01 ± 2.49 mm Hg/ml per min, P P P P P Thus changes in severity of stenosis produced by altered coronary pressure and flow can influence blood flow to the myocardium. Such dynamic changes in coronary artery stenosis may be important in the pathogenesis of angina and myocardial infarction.
Sherwood Anderson: The Fracturing of Elizabeth Willard

In Sherwood Anderson's short story sequence, Winesburg, Ohio, 1 the story of Elizabeth Willard is often overlooked, yet it is a vitally important part of the story of the people of Winesburg. Her s...
The neural integration of environmental information by seasonally breeding birds

Songbirds show dramatic seasonal changes in their propensity to exhibit an endocrine response to environmental stimuli that regulate the timing of reproduction. There is a clear cycle in their ability to respond to changes in photoperiod but less is known about seasonal variation in their sensitivity to supplementary factors that augment the photo-induction of gonadal growth and fine tune the final onset of breeding. Such factors include behavioral interactions with a mate and the availability of a nest site. In birds, seasonal variations in the neural processing of photoperiod are mediated by substantial modifications in the availability of hypothalamic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
The significant liquid structure theory applied to the critical properties of the alkali metals

Abstract The significant liquid structure theory has been used to estimate the critical properties of the alkali metals. The argon partition function is used at the critical point and the equilibrium between the monomer and the dimer of the alkali metals is considered in this work. It is found that the compressibility coefficient P c V c (RT c ) of the alkali metals at the critical point varies about the value 0·40. Our calculations indicate that there are about 70% of gas-like degrees of freedom at the critical point compared with less than 2·5% at the melting point of the alkali metals. The calculated results are compared with various estimated values and with the available experimental data.
Interaction of hexachlorophene and other compounds with spin-labeled brain membranes.

Experiments reported here demonstrate that hexachlorophene influences oxidation-reduction events inside the brain membrane, possibly via a free radical mechanism. This was shown by nitroxide spin label quenching inside the rat cerebellum membrane bilayer due to the interaction between hexachlorophene and peroxidase-hydrogen peroxide system. Prior addition of antioxidants, e.g., vitamin E or butylated hydroxytoluene, prevented such membrane-bound fatty acid spin label reduction, presumably due to their free radical scavenging abilities. The 5-doxyl stearic acid spin probe attached to the brain membranes did not exhibit any detectable changes in their ESR spectra nor, consequently, in the microviscosity of the membranes when exposed to up to 40 mM hexachlorophene.
Modes of natural and forced climate variability in 6 years of AIRS and AMSU data

We use the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Advance Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) data obtained on Aqua spacecraft to study mid-tropospheric temperature variability in 2002–2008. The AIRS and AMSU deliver accurate, simultaneous measurements of the state of the atmosphere twice per day. We investigate the temperature variability at the surface and in a broad layer centered on 400 hPa in a zonally averaged 0–30°N region over the ocean. Taking into account the nonlinear and non-stationary behavior of the temperature we use the data analysis adaptive to the data, the Empirical Mode Decomposition, to separate the atmosphere response to the CO2 increase from the modes of natural climate variability. Our tentative conclusions are as follows: (1) the AIRS record shows a phase shift relative to CO2 and a trend in accord with the increase of CO 2; (2) the simultaneous AMSU record is in agreement with the cooling of the tropical ocean that may be caused in part by the decline in solar activity.
Radar Expression of Virginia Dale Precambrian Ring-Dike Complex, Wyoming/Colorado

The Virginia Dale Precambrian ring-dike complex, at the extreme south end of the Laramie Range, was first recognized by W. A. Braddock in 1962 from high-altitude air photos. This roughly circular feature is well expressed on 1957 early side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) imagery, from which in 1965 it was independently noted as a striking geomorphic (domal) anomaly. This particular imagery example illustrates the notable potential of radar imagery in general for delineation of larger scale elements, especially lineament patterns. The Virginia Dale complex is believed by the current authors to be of particular significance, not only for its relevance to Precambrian history, but also for possible influence on Phanerozoic events here, and in particular for its possible bearing on location of the Ferris-Aultman and other associated Paleozoic diatremes.
Schwann cell response on polypyrrole substrates upon electrical stimulation

Current injury models suggest that Schwann cell (SC) migration and guidance are necessary for successful regeneration and synaptic reconnection after peripheral nerve injury. The ability of conducting polymers such as polypyrrole (PPy) to exhibit chemical, contact and electrical stimuli for cells has led to much interest in their use for neural conduits. Despite this interest, there has been very little research on the effect that electrical stimulation (ES) using PPy has on SC behavior. Here we investigate the mechanism by which SCs interact with PPy in the presence of an electric field. Additionally, we explored the effect that the adsorption of different serum proteins on PPy upon the application of an electric field has on SC migration. The results indicate an increase in average displacement of the SC with ES, resulting in a net anodic migration. Moreover, indirect effects of protein adsorption due to the oxidation of the film upon the application of ES were shown to have a larger effect on migration speed than on migration directionality. These results suggest that SC migration speed is governed by an integrin- or receptor-mediated mechanism, whereas SC migration directionality is governed by electrically mediated phenomena. These data will prove invaluable in optimizing conducting polymers for their different biomedical applications such as nerve repair.
Some evidence for a visual slant averaging mechanism

It was hypothesized that when two surfaces at different angles of slant were presented stereoscopically, the resulting percept would be a single slanted surface seen at an angle equal to the mean slant of the stimulus objects. Fifteen Ss were tested on the Groman binocular disparator under 15 different conditions of disparity, ranging from −20 deg to +20 deg. Ten judgments were made for each condition in a random order. The stimulus cards were two 3 × 4 in. white cards ruled into ½-in. squares. Each exposure was 2 sec in duration. Following exposure E manipulated a test card until S indicated that it was at the same angle as the preceding perceived slant. The results strongly supported the hypothesis. They were discussed in terms of a gradient theory of slant perception and a neurophysiological averaging mechanism.
Optimizing laparoscopic task efficiency: the role of camera and monitor positions

Background Alterations of video monitor and laparoscopic camera position may create perceptual distortion of the operative field, possibly leading to decreased laparoscopic efficiency. We aimed to determine the influence of monitor/camera position on the laparoscopic performance of surgeons of varying skill levels.
Open-Pollinated Seed Exchange: Renewed Ozark Tradition as Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation

In situ conservation refers to the perpetuation of genetic resources in their original cultural and biophysical habitats and to the diverse strategies employed to sustain crop genetic diversity and the cultural milieus that support and maintain it. This article reviews in situ agrobiodiversity conservation in the Arkansas Ozarks, in the United States over a four-year period (2006–2010) through applied ethnographic and agroecological research. I examine the (re)introduction of “seed swaps” in the Ozark region as an in situ conservation strategy to connect diverse Ozark inhabitants, (re)institute a dynamic flow of agroecological knowledge, and conserve agricultural biodiversity in the region.
Decimation Studies of Bloch Electrons in a Magnetic Field: Higher Order Limit Cycles Underlying the Phase Diagram

A decimation method is applied to the tight binding model describing the two-dimensional electron gas with next-nearest-neighbor interaction in the presence of an inverse golden mean magnetic flux. The critical phase with fractal spectrum and wave function exists in a finite window in two-dimensional parameter space introducing universal features. Our decimation scheme identifies nine quantitative universality classes characterized by the limit cycles of the decimation equations. The limit cycles describe the self-similarity of the wave functions and divide them into three broader qualitative classes where the wave functions are either symmetric, asymmetric, or exhibit a type of shifted symmetry. We conjecture that the rest of the critical phase, where the fractal wave functions do not exhibit self-similarity, is characterized by strange attractors of the renormalization equations. The results are compared with those of Han et al. [Phys. Rev. B 50, 11 365 (1994)] on the same model.
On Krein's formula in indefinite metric spaces

Abstract In this paper we extend some of the recent results in connection with the Krein resolvent formula which provides a complete description of all canonical resolvents and utilizes Weyl–Titchmarsh functions in the spaces with indefinite metrics. We show that coefficients in Krein's formula can be expressed in terms of analogues of the von Neumann parametrization formulas in the indefinite case. We consider properties of Weyl–Titchmarsh functions and show that two Weyl–Titchmarsh functions corresponding to π -self-adjoint extensions of a densely defined π -symmetric operator are connected via linear-fractional transformation with the coefficients presented in terms of von Neumann's parameters.
Plasma leptin in diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic and normal rats

Adipose tissue leptin mRNA levels are decreased by food deprivation or induction of insulin-deficient diabetes. To determine whether plasma leptin concentrations are similarly affected, whether treatment of diabetes with insulin restores plasma leptin, and whether this requires restoration of body weight (lost as a result of diabetes) and/or normalization of glycemia, we measured plasma leptin concentrations in control, untreated streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic, and insulin-treated STZ-diabetic rats. Plasma leptin was markedly reduced in untreated STZ-diabetic rats. Insulin treatment for 4 to 17 days increased plasma leptin approximately twofold above control levels. However, despite the hyperleptinemia, insulin-treated diabetic rats gained weight at a rate equal to that of sham-treated controls. Epididymal adipose tissue leptin mRNA levels in 17-day insulin-treated diabetic rats were equal to but did not exceed sham-control levels, unlike plasma leptin. Plasma glucose concentrations in insulin-treated STZ-diabetic rats were lower than in sham controls. Therefore, to determine whether hypoglycemia may be important in increasing plasma leptin, we measured plasma leptin levels in diabetic rats infused with insulin for 3 hours along with a variable-rate glucose infusion targeting glycemia to 200 or 40 mg/100 mL. Plasma leptin rapidly increased in these rats irrespective of target glycemia. Plasma leptin also increased rapidly in normal rats infused with insulin and glucose (target glycemia, 200 mg/100 mL). We conclude that plasma leptin concentrations are markedly reduced under conditions of insulin deficiency and rapidly increased by insulin treatment. The increase in plasma leptin does not require restoration of body weight and, under glucose clamp conditions, does not depend on target glycemia. Hyperleptinemia in insulin-treated diabetic rats is not explained on the basis of steady-state leptin mRNA levels, at least as reflected in epididymal fat.
Phage-host relationships in certain strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae☆

Abstract Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain P60(β) is lysogenic and toxinogenic. From this strain defectively lysogenic mutants that maintain their toxinogenicity have been isolated. The properties of one of these P60(βdf) mutants have been studied and compared with those of normal lysogenic strains, and with those of the classic high toxin-producing PW8 strain. When strain P60(βdf) is irradiated with UV, one or two infectious centers per 5 × 107 induced cells are obtained as a result of back mutation to P60(β). The particulate material released from the irradiated culture is similar in yield and in serological properties to normal β-phage released from P60(β) following UV induction. Like normal phage, βdf is adsorbed readily by suspensions of the sensitive C7(−) strain. UV-irradiated cultures of the PW8 strain also release an occasional plaque-forming particle (roughly one infectious center per 107 organisms induced) from which a phage indistinguishable from β phage can be isolated. However, the yield of particulate material serologically related to β phage is 1–2% or less than that obtained from the UV-induced cultures of the above strains. PW8, because of a defective respiratory system, grows slowly. Nevertheless, following irradiation with UV the burst occurs after about the same time interval as in the other strains. For PW8, this is equivalent to only 1 to 1 1 2 generation times, as compared to nearly 3 generations for the fast-growing strains. Our experiments raise the possibility that the low yield of phage-related material from the PW8 strain may be due to its defective respiratory metabolism, not to a defect in the phage genome. Lysis apparently occurs prematurely, before sufficient time has elapsed for more than an occasional complete phage particle to have been synthesized.
A common progenitor cell in LCH and ECD.

In this issue of Blood , Hervier et al has identified that cooccurrence of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) in the same patient is not a rare event. 1 Mixed histiocytosis (MH) highlights existence of a link between distinct groups of histiocytic disorders and suggests presence of a common progenitor cell. Today, histiocytic disorders are classified into 3 groups based on clinical presentation and gross anatomic findings.
Adaptive Müller cell responses to microglial activation mediate neuroprotection and coordinate inflammation in the retina

Purpose Microglia and Muller cells are prominent participants in retinal responses to injury and disease that shape eventual tissue adaptation or damage. This investigation examined how microglia and Muller cells interact with each other following initial microglial activation.
Timed Emulsification Studies with Chicken Breast Muscle: Whole Muscle, Low-Salt Washed Muscle and Low-Salt Soluble Proteins

Emulsion formation with chicken breast muscle was investigated using timed emulsification. Emulsions were made at a fixed oil/water ratio of 2:1 by Omni-mixing for various lengths of time between 0 and 5 min; then the emulsions were centrifuged and the aqueous layer analyzed for protein. Emulsions formed using whole muscle or muscle washed with low molarity salt solution and suspended in buffered (10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.0) 0.6M NaCl were superior in stability upon centrifugation to those made with muscle in distilled water, buffered 0.025M NaCl or buffered 0.05M NaCl. Size of insoluble protein pellets from the centrifuged emulsions decreased as emulsification time increased. Little emulsifying effect of the low-salt soluble (sarcoplasmic) protein, defined as those proteins extracted with buffered 0.05M NaCl, was observed in the presence or absence of high-salt solubilized protein.
On-Demand Virtual Health Counselor for Delivering Behavior-Change Health Interventions

In this paper, we discuss a novel approach for the computer-delivery of Brief Motivational Interventions (BMIs) for health behavior change. We describe the basic elements of our system architecture, and focus on enabling a multimodal Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) to deliver the health behavior change interventions empathetically by adapting, in real-time, its verbal and non-verbal communication messages to those of its clients. The designed empathy model integrates a cognitive component and an affective components. We then discuss the evaluation experiment that we designed and conducted to evaluate the impact of empathy model on users' experience with the empathic character. Results indicate that, in comparison with the non-empathic counselor, the empathic one is better accepted (e.g., more enjoyable, empathizing, engaging, and likable) and some users might be willing to disclose more private information (e.g., drinking habits) to the counselor endowed with empathic abilities than the one without.
Theory of native defects, doping and diffusion in diamond and silicon carbide

Abstract The properties of native defects and impurities in diamond and SiC are investigated via large-scale band structure and Car-Parrinello calculations. In diamond, the activation energy for self-diffusion is very high in the intrinsic material (9 eV) but decreases by up to 3 eV in either p- or n-type material. Phosphorus, lithium and sodium are shallow donors, but their solubilities are very low, which makes them unsuitable for incorporation into diamond via in-diffusion. Instead, kinetic trapping during growth or ion implantation must be used. Considering the stability at the dopant site, substitutional phosphorus is expected to diffuse by the vacancy mechanism and to have a high activation energy by analogy to self-diffusion. Both lithium and sodium diffuse through the interstitial channel. Lithium is a relatively fast diffuser while sodium should be stable up to moderately high temperatures. For nitrogen in diamond, the well known (111) distortion is found to be due to the interaction of the fully occupied nitrogen lone pair with the dangling bond of the C(111) atom. The single electron associated with the center resides in an antibonding orbital formed from the dangling hybrid and the nitrogen lone pair. This orbital has most of its amplitude on the carbon atom. In SiC, the lowest energy defect in n-type and intrinsic material is the electrically inactive silicon antisite, while the lowest energy defect in p-type SiC is the doubly positive carbon vacancy. The electrons released by the vacancies compensate acceptor dopants, leading to strong self-compensation effects when doping occurs during crystal growth. In carbon-rich SiC, the dominant defect for all Fermi level positions is the electrically inactive carbon antisite. In boron-doped SiC, BC is preferred for silicon-rich material while, in carbon-rich SiC, BC and BSi have similar formation energies.
Infrared spectra of matrix-isolated sodium and potassium cyanides

Abstract The infrared spectra of matrix-isolated sodium and potassium cyanides in neon, argon, krypton, and nitrogen matrices were examined over the range 4000 cm−1 to 33 cm−1. The effect of temperature cycling, which normally results in migration of trapped molecules to generate polymeric species, has been pursued. A careful study of the effect of superheating the vapor species on the spectra has also been carried out. By these means it has been possible to identify the bands in the spectrum due to monomeric and polymeric species. Isotopic frequency shifts were measured for a 13C-enriched sample of sodium cyanide and 13C- and 15N-enriched samples of potassium cyanide. From the measured isotopic shifts it was possible to determine the structure of these two compounds as being linear NaCN and KCN. Accurate force constants were calculated using the measured frequency values for the three fundamental vibrational modes of the different isotopic molecules of NaCN and KCN. Bands due to sodium and potassium cyanates were also identified in some of these systems. 13C and 15N isotopic frequency shifts were also observed for NaOCN and KOCN.
ATP stimulates signal recognition particle (SRP)/FtsY-supported protein integration in chloroplasts.

The signal recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor (FtsY in prokaryotes) are essential for cotranslational protein targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotes and the cytoplasmic membrane in prokaryotes. An SRP/FtsY-like protein targeting/integration pathway in chloroplasts mediates the posttranslational integration of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (LHCP) into thylakoid membranes. GTP, chloroplast SRP (cpSRP), and chloroplast FtsY (cpFtsY) are required for LHCP integration into thylakoid membranes. Here, we report the reconstitution of the LHCP integration reaction with purified recombinant proteins and salt-washed thylakoids. Our data demonstrate that cpSRP and cpFtsY are the only soluble protein components required for LHCP integration. In addition, our studies reveal that ATP, though not absolutely required, remarkably stimulates LHCP integration into salt-washed thylakoids. ATP stimulates LHCP integration by a mechanism independent of the thylakoidal pH gradient (ΔpH) and exerts no detectable effect on the formation of the soluble LHCP-cpSRP-targeting complex. Taken together, our results indicate the participation of a thylakoid ATP-binding protein in LHCP integration.
High-performance capillary electrophoretic analysis of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase activity.

Abstract This study highlights the potential utility of high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) for monotoring enzyme activity. Free-zone capillary electrophoresis is used to rapidly and reproducibly analyze the activity of the bacterial enzyme chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) which converts the substrates acetyl coenzyme A (CoA) and chloramphenicol to acetyl chloramphenicol and CoA. The results of this study indicate that HPCE may be an excellent tool for studying enzyme activities since it has several advantages over standard single parameters assays, most notably, the ability to monitor both loss of substrate and apperance of products simultaneously. Conditions have been identified for optimal separation of the substrate (chloramphenicol) from the products (acetylated derivatives). This presents a unique potential of HPCE for the analysis of enzymatic reactions that may be applied to areas of analytical research presently utilizing enzymatic reactions. One such analytical method is the CAT assay used for analysis of gene promoter activity. In this study, HPCE is shown to yield similar quantitative results with nonradiolabelled substrate in a fraction of the time. HPCE has several advantages over standard techniques including speed of analysis, no need for radiolabelled substrate, small sample volumes, high sensitivity/resolution and excellent quantitative capabilities.
Infrared Observation of Adsorbate Induced Changes in Free Carrier Surface Scattering

Abstract Changes in the surface electromagnetic wave attenuation coefficient α upon chemisorption of N2,O2, CO, H2, and D2 onto W(100) have been measured at room temperature near 10 μ m. The size as well as the coverage dependence of the variations point to changes in the amount of diffuse free carrier surface scattering as the dominant α-altering mechanism.
Amelioration of an undesired action of deguelin.

Abstract The pharmaceutical world has greatly benefited from the well-characterized structure–function relationships of toxins with endogenous biomolecules, such as ion-channels, receptors, and signaling molecules. Thus, therapeutics derived from toxins have been aggressively pursued. However, the multifunctional role of various toxins may lead to undesirable off-target effects, hindering their use as therapeutic agents. In this paper, we suggest that previously unsuccessful toxins (due to off-target effects) may be revisited with mixtures by utilizing the pharmacodynamic response to the potential primary therapeutic as a starting point for finding new targets to ameliorate the unintended responses. In this proof of principle study, the pharmacodynamic response of HepG2 cells to a potential primary therapeutic (deguelin, a plant-derived chemopreventive agent) was monitored, and a possible secondary target (p38MAPK) was identified. As a single agent, deguelin decreased cellular viability at higher doses (>10 μM), but inhibited oxygen consumption over a wide dosing range (1.0–100 μM). Our results demonstrate that inhibition of oxygen consumption is related to an increase in p38MAPK phosphorylation, and may only be an undesired side effect of deguelin (i.e., one that does not contribute to the decrease in HepG2 viability). We further show that deguelin's negative effect on oxygen consumption can be diminished while maintaining efficacy when used as a therapeutic mixture with the judiciously selected secondary inhibitor (SB202190, p38MAPK inhibitor). These preliminary findings suggest that an endogenous response-directed mixtures approach, which uses a pharmacodynamic response to a primary therapeutic to determine a secondary target, allows previously unsuccessful toxins to be revisited as therapeutic mixtures.
Interactive Computer Modeling of the Musculoskeletal System

The complexity of many biomechanical systems, such as the human body musculoskeletal structure, can render their modeling and analysis a painstaking task. The incorporation of interactive computing and graphical display techniques into a computerized analysis system facilitates the reformulation of existing models of the human musculo-skeletal structure so they can be used to investigate many different conditions and complex dynamic activities. The system can also be used to easily extend the modeling technique to the investigation of the muscle load sharing of other vertebrates. The graphics capability of the system can be invaluable for visually checking the adequacy of the constructed models. For example, lines of action representing muscles which wrap on skeletal bones can be conveniently incorporated into the analysis. The developed system would allow users in many research and application activities to perform analysis of the musculoskeletal structure without extensive training in engineering analysis methods.
Beetle horns are regulated by the Hox gene, Sex combs reduced, in a species- and sex-specific manner.

SUMMARY Discovering the mechanisms that underlie the origin of novel features represents a major frontier in developmental and evolutionary biology. Here we begin to characterize the role of the Hox gene Sex combs reduced (Scr) during the development and evolution of a morphologically novel trait: beetle horns. Beetle horns develop as epidermal outgrowths from the prothorax and/or head, and size and location vary dramatically across species and between sexes. Using both comparative gene expression and larval RNA interference in two species of the horned beetle genus Onthophagus, we show that Scr functions in patterning adult labial mouthpart identity and suppressing wing development in the prothorax. At the same time, however, our results illustrate that Scr has acquired, within its ancestral domain of expression, additional new functions including the regulation of prepupal growth and pupal remodeling of pronotal horn primordia. Furthermore, comparative analyses of our results across both Onthophagus species, which differ in location of horn development (thoracic horns vs. thoracic and head horns) as well as patterns of sexual dimorphism (traditional vs. reversed sexual dimorphism), reveal surprising differences in exactly when, where, and to what degree Scr regulates horn formation in different sexes. These observations suggest that the interactions between Scr and its targets in the regulation of horn development can diversify quickly over remarkably short phylogenetic distances. More generally, our results suggest that the Hox complex can play an integral role in the development and evolution of novel complex traits while maintaining traditional patterning responsibilities.
A Research Trail Over Half a Century

The author describes his major research activities from the time of his PhD thesis work (1937-1940) on properties of erythrocyte membranes to the present. His involvement in research on circulatory shock during World War II led to a continuing interest in the physiology and pharmacology of smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. From 1956 to 1978, his main areas of research were photorelaxation of blood vessels, factors influencing contractility of cardiac muscle, peripheral adrenergic mechanisms, and receptor theory. The major findings of his and his collaborators in these areas are described. He then recounts how an accidental finding in an experiment in 1978 on preparations of rabbit aorta eventually led to the discovery of endothelium dependent relaxation and the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF); and how additional findings led him to propose in 1986 that EDRF is nitric oxide.
Packet Size Aware Path Setup For Wireless Networks

In this paper, we propose packet size aware path setup mechanisms for 802.11 based multi-hop WLAN networks. Path setup optimization is achieved by minimizing the transmission delay experienced by each packet traversing from source to the destination where different packets belonging to the same source destination pair can traverse different paths based on their sizes. We implemented a sample packet size aware path setup scheme as a Linux kernel module and experimentally showed the benefits of such a scheme in terms of the transmission delay and the throughput in an 802.11b WLAN environment. In addition to that we examine general path setup solutions for wireless networks considering packet size statistics.
IUDs and the Biochemical Responses of the Uterus to Estrogen in Ovariectomized Rats

To investigate the effect of the intrauterine device (IUD) on uterine responsiveness to estrogen as a possible explanation for the IUDs antifertility affect IUDs were inserted into 1 uterine horn of 104 rats 1/2 of whom received a subcutanious injection of .2 mcg extradiol-m-beta 35-90 days after IUD insertion. 6 hours after estrogen injection the animals uterine horns were removed and studied for weight water retention histamine and glycogen concentrations and trypan blue permeability. The presence of the IUD caused an increase in all of the parameters in the ovariectomized control rats. Estradiol administration caused increases in the weight water glycogen and trypan blue parameters and a decrease in histamine concentration. The IUD significatly affected (p less than .01) horn weight glycogen concentration and total histamine but water retention histamine concentration and trypan blue permeability were not significatly affected by the IUD. When the treatments were combined they complemented each others increases in weight and glycogen concentration but caused decreases in water retention and trypan blue permeability. The similarity of the actions of the IUD and estrogen on the uterine parameters studied is striking yet estrogen is necessary for implantation and the IUD prevents it. Therefore the IUDS mechanism apparently does not rely on a general alteration of uterine responsiveness to estrogen.
Diet-Induced Obesity Model: Abnormal Oocytes and Persistent Growth Abnormalities in the Offspring

Associations between maternal obesity and adverse fetal outcomes are well documented, but the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. Most previous work has focused on postconceptional events, however, our laboratory has shown pre- and periconceptional aberrations in maternal glucose metabolism have adverse effects on oocytes and embryos that carry on to the fetus. To demonstrate effects of maternal obesity in the pre- and periconceptional periods, we compared reproductive tissues from diet-induced obese female mice to those of control mice. Ovaries were either stained for follicular apoptosis or dissected and evaluated for oocyte size and meiotic maturation. Mice were also mated and followed for reproductive outcomes including preimplantation embryonic IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) immunostaining, midgestation fetal growth, and midgestational placental IGF receptor 2 (Igf2r) mRNA. Delivered pups were followed for growth and development of markers of metabolic syndrome. Compared with controls, obese mice had significantly more apoptotic ovarian follicles, smaller and fewer mature oocytes, decreased embryonic IGF-IR staining, smaller fetuses, increased placental Igf2r mRNA, and smaller pups. All weaned pups were fed a regular diet. At 13 wk pups delivered from obese mice were significantly larger, and these pups demonstrated glucose intolerance and increased cholesterol and body fat suggesting early development of a metabolic-type syndrome. Together, our findings suggest maternal obesity has adverse effects as early as the oocyte and preimplantation embryo stage and that these effects may contribute to lasting morbidity in offspring, underscoring the importance of optimal maternal weight and nutrition before conception.
Homoleptic binuclear chromium carbonyls: why haven’t they been synthesized as stable molecules?

Abstract Density functional theory has been used to explore possible homoleptic binuclear Cr carbonyls Cr2(CO)n (n = 11, 10, 9, and 8) using the pure DFT method BP86 and the hybrid Hartree–Fock DFT method B3LYP. The binuclear Cr2(CO)11 is computed to be thermodynamically unstable with respect to dissociation into mononuclear fragments in contrast to the experimentally known Cr2(CO)10(μ-H)−. This may account for the failure to synthesize Cr2(CO)11 as a stable compound. Optimized structures for the formally unsaturated Cr2(CO)10 are a singlet with two four-electron donor bridging CO groups and no formal metal–metal bonding and a triplet with no bridging CO groups and a Cr Cr double bond similar to the O O bond in O2. The more highly unsaturated homoleptic binuclear chromium carbonyls Cr2(CO)9 and Cr2(CO)8 are computed to be stable with respect to dissociation into mononuclear fragments in contrast to Cr2(CO)11 and Cr2(CO)10. The optimized structure for Cr2(CO)9 is a singlet Cr2(CO)6(μ-CO)3 with a short metal–metal distance (∼2.3 A) consistent with the Cr≡Cr triple bond required for an 18-electron configuration for each Cr atom. The global minimum for Cr2(CO)8 is a closely related Cr2(CO)5(μ-CO)3 structure derived from the Cr2(CO)6(μ-CO)3 global minimum by loss of one of the terminal CO groups with little change in the Cr≡Cr distance. Higher energy minima for Cr2(CO)8 include two different Cr2(CO)6(μ-CO)2 structures, one formulated with two four-electron donor μ-CO groups bridging two Cr(CO)3 groups and the other with similar μ-CO groups bridging a Cr(CO)4 and a Cr(CO)2group.
Is Intravenous Arsenic Trioxide a Useful Therapy in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

How do we know when a new agent represents a therapeutic advance for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)? The disease is heterogeneous in the extreme. First, from a clinical standpoint, prognosis can range from many years for patients with normal chromosomes, no excess myeloblasts in the bone marrow specimen, and minimal derangements of the blood counts to less than 1 year for patients with pantocytopenia, an excess number of marrow myeloblasts, and/or chromosomal abnormalities. The aforementioned features are indeed the three critical components of the widely accepted International Prognostic Scoring System. 1 The ability to discern prognosis among MDS patients using a model not solely based on histologywasamajoradvance.Unfortunately,theInternational Prognostic Scoring System is only tangentially responsive to the realprobleminclinicaldevelopmentinMDS.Thebiologicbasis for the vast majority of patients who have this disease is unknown, except for those relatively rare patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia whose blasts contain an activating rearrangement of the platelet derived growth factor receptor gene on chromosome 5 for whom imatinib represents excellent therapy. 2 Though patients whose bone marrow blasts contain an abnormality of the long arm of chromosome 5 with or without additional abnormalities respond well to lenalidomide, 3 we have no clear understanding of the mechanism.
Assessment of painful total shoulder arthroplasty using computed tomography arthrography.

Background This study assessed the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) arthrography when evaluating glenoid component stability in the setting of postarthroplasty shoulder pain. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients presenting to the clinic during a 5.5-year period to identify those with a painful shoulder arthroplasty more than 1 year after the index procedure. We excluded reverse and hemiarthroplasty procedures, patients with a clearly identifiable cause for pain, such as rotator cuff insufficiency or gross component loosening as seen on plain radiographs, and those with culture-positive aspiration. There were 14 patients with suspected glenoid component loosening but inconclusive plain radiographs. Each of the 14 patients underwent a CT arthrogram that was evaluated by the senior author (J.J.P.W.) for the presence or absence of contrast material underneath the polyethylene component. Operative reports and surgical videos from subsequent arthroscopy were reviewed to assess glenoid component stability as determined by direct arthroscopic visualization. Results CT arthrography suggested glenoid component loosening in 8 of 14 patients (57.1%), and arthroscopic inspection identified loosening in 10 of 14 patients (71.4%). In 3 of 10 patients (30%), CTA suggested a well-fixed glenoid component, but gross loosening was identified during arthroscopy. In this study, CTA yielded a sensitivity of 70%, a specificity of 75%, a positive predictive value of 87.5%, and a negative predictive value of 50.0%. Conclusion CTA had a low negative predictive value (50%), and therefore, the prediction of component stability based on the absence of contrast between the glenoid component and the bone-cement interface does not always reflect true stability.
Deep space communication - Past, present, and future

This paper reviews the progress made in deep space communication from its beginnings until now, describes the development and applications of NASA's Deep Space Network, and indicates directions for the future. Limiting factors in deep space communication are examined using the upcoming Voyager encounter with Uranus, centered on the downlink telemetry from spacecraft to earth, as an example. A link calculation for Voyager at Uranus over Australia is exhibited. Seven basic deep space communication functions are discussed, and technical aspects of spacecraft communication equipment, ground antennas, and ground electronics and processing are considered.
The future of spectroscopic life detection on exoplanets

The discovery and characterization of exoplanets have the potential to offer the world one of the most impactful findings ever in the history of astronomy—the identification of life beyond Earth. Life can be inferred by the presence of atmospheric biosignature gases—gases produced by life that can accumulate to detectable levels in an exoplanet atmosphere. Detection will be made by remote sensing by sophisticated space telescopes. The conviction that biosignature gases will actually be detected in the future is moderated by lessons learned from the dozens of exoplanet atmospheres studied in last decade, namely the difficulty in robustly identifying molecules, the possible interference of clouds, and the permanent limitations from a spectrum of spatially unresolved and globally mixed gases without direct surface observations. The vision for the path to assess the presence of life beyond Earth is being established.
Microhabitat-specific early-larval survival of the maritime ringlet (Coenonympha tullia nipisiquit)

Maritime ringlet butterflies (Coenonympha tullia nipisiquit McDunnough) are rare, endangered salt marsh butterflies with larvae that survive periodic tidal submergence. Only six disjunct populations are known to exist. First-instar larvae were released and monitored in seven microhabitats within a salt marsh in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. From resighting data, microhabitat-specific daily death rates were estimated with maximum likelihood. The survival of the larvae released in groups was compared by calculating minimum number of larvae known to be alive (MNKA). Death rates were low in microhabitats with the larval host plant, salt meadow cordgrass (Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl.) and the major nectar source, sea lavender (Limonium carolinianum (Walter) Britton), a habi- tat with a moderate frequency of flooding. Because microhabitats have a large effect on the survival rate of young larvae, use of microhabitat profiles in salt marshes as habitat-quality indices is recom- mended in critical-habitat assessment and reintroduction efforts.
Midlatitude Cyclone Compositing to Constrain Climate Model Behavior Using Satellite Observations

Identical composite analysis of midlatitude cyclones over oceanic regions has been carried out on both output from the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model, version 3 (CAM3) and multisensor satellite data. By focusing on mean fields associated with a single phenomenon, the ability of the CAM3 to reproduce realistic midlatitude cyclones is critically appraised. A number of perturbations to the control model were tested against observations, including a candidate new microphysics package for the CAM. The new microphysics removes the temperature-dependent phase determination of the old scheme and introduces representations of microphysical processes to convert from one phase to another and from cloud to precipitation species. By subsampling composite cyclones based on systemwide mean strength (mean wind speed) and systemwide mean moisture the authors believe they are able to make meaningful like-with-like comparisons between observations and model output. All variations of the CAM tested overestimate the optical thickness of high-topped clouds in regions of precipitation. Over a system as a whole, the model can both over- and underestimate total high-topped cloud amounts. However, systemwide mean rainfall rates and composite structure appear to be in broad agreement with satellite estimates. When cyclone strength is taken into account, changes in moisture and rainfall rates from both satellite-derived observations and model output as a function of changes in sea surface temperature are in accordance with the Clausius– Clapeyron equation. The authors find that the proposed new microphysics package shows improvement to composite liquid water path fields and cloud amounts.
Faunal survey and identification key for the trematodes (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) infecting Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae) as first intermediate host

A diverse guild of digenean trematodes infects the New Zealand mud snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, as first intermediate host. This manuscript offers an initial systematic treatment of these trematodes and relies on published and new information. I list 20 trematode species, for which I provide taxonomic affinities, life-cycle information, and an identification key. A species account section presents photographs, diagnostic information, additional descriptive notes, and information on relevant research concerning the listed species. The major aim of this manuscript is to facilitate research on this trematode guild by providing information and identification tools, and by highlighting gaps in our knowledge.
Aspects of Material Flow Management

The various aspects of material flow management demonstrate the possibilities, opportunities and broad application spectrum offered by this approach. In the previous sections, the current state of knowledge has been comprehensively and clearly summarised by examining material flow management from different perspectives.
Teachers’ and Students’ Views of Reading Fluency: Issues of Consequential Validity in Adopting One-Minute Reading Fluency Assessments

In this article, we present results of a survey designed to understand teachers’ (n = 77) and students’ (n = 875) perceptions of purported negative consequences of using one-minute oral reading flu...
Pulmonary vasoconstriction by serotonin is inhibited by S-nitrosoglutathione.

Nitric oxide (NO) functions as an endothelium-derived relaxing factor by activating guanylate cyclase to increase cGMP levels. However, NO and related species may also regulate vascular tone by cGM...
Infection of Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Colonies with the Entomopathogen Thelohania solenopsae(Microsporidia: Thelohaniidae)

Thelohania solenopsae Knell, Allen, & Hazard is an entomopathogenic microsporidium that infects imported fire ants. We documented artificially initiated transmission of T. solenopsae among colonies of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Microsporidian transmission was initiated by providing colonies with brood (mixture of eggs, larvae, and pupae) from infected S. invicta colonies. Inoculated laboratory colonies of S. invicta had significantly less brood and adults than control colonies; after 23-29 wk, there was at least 88% less brood in the inoculated colonies. Lower egg laying rates, queen weights, and queen survivorship was also documented from infected colonies. Thus, T. solenopsae slowly debilitates an S. invicta queen so that reproductive capacity diminishes and early death results. Artificial inoculations resulting in infection and spread of T. solenopsae among red imported fire ant colonies under field conditions was also demonstrated for the 1st time.
Numerical analysis approach for stamping edge split of high strength steel considering sheared burr effect

Based on the same stress and strain state between stamping edge tensile and simple tensile test,a modified simple tensile test was proposed to research on effect of sheared burr on deformation capacity of high strength steel stamping edge.The test shows that the trend of the deformation capacity of stamping edge is decreasing with an increase of burr height.It is easily explained the reason why splitting on stamping edge appearing before deformation reaches its normal deformation capacity.The numerical analysis approach for split on stamping edge was proposed to solve the problem of the traditional method failing to predict edge fracture accurately.Furthermore,the special numerical analysis software was researched and developed.It is confirmed that the numerical analysis approach is both feasible and effective by analyzing on automobile exhaust pipe support flanging process.