cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Co nanoparticles with EXAFS and XANES

3, 5, and 12-nm Co nanoparticles were synthesized via thermo-decomposition. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) were used to probe the structures of these nanoparticles. Simulations were carried out to compare the EXAFS profiles of three different crystalline phases of Co. The results of EXAFS and XANES suggested that the reactivity of these nanoparticles towards their environment is inversely proportional to their size. Sharp decreases in the amplitude of EXAFS of these nanoparticles were observed, which could be attributed to the existence of the disorder in those crystalline nanostructures.
Living the “revolution” in an Egyptian village: Moral action in a national space

Media coverage of the uprising in Egypt in 2011 focused almost exclusively on Tahrir Square in Cairo. How was the revolution lived in other parts of Egypt, including the countryside? I offer a glimpse of what happened in one village in Upper Egypt where, as elsewhere, daily lives were deeply shaped by devastating national economic and social policies, the arbitrary power of police and security forces, and a sense of profound marginalization and disadvantage. Youth were galvanized to solve local problems in their own community, feeling themselves to be in a national space despite a history of marginalization. They also used a particular language for their activism: a strong language of social morality, not the media-friendly political language of “rights” and “democracy.”[Egyptian revolution, countryside, youth activism, moral language]
Sequence variations in the surface loop near the nucleotide binding site modulate the ATP turnover rates of molluscan myosins

The muscle and species-specific differences in enzymatic activity between Placopecten and Argopecten striated and catch muscle myosins are attributable to the myosin heavy chain. To identify sequences that may modulate these differences, we cloned and sequenced the cDNA encoding the myosin heavy chains of Placopecten striated and catch muscle. Deduced protein sequences indicate two similar isoforms in catch and striated myosins (97% identical); variations arise by differential RNA splicing of five alternative exons from a single myosin heavy chain gene. The first encodes the phosphate-binding loop; the second, part of the ATP binding site; the third, part of the actin binding site; the fourth, the hinge in the rod; and the fifth, a tailpiece found only in the catch muscle myosin heavy chain. Both Placopecten myosin heavy chains are 96% identical to Argopecten myosin heavy chain isoforms. Because subfragment-1 ATPase activities reflect the differences observed in the parent myosins, the motor domain is responsible for the variations in ATPase activities. In addition, data show that differences are due to Vmax and not actin affinity. The sequences of all four myosin heavy chain motor domains diverge only in the flexible surface loop near the nucleotide binding pocket. Thus, the different ATPase activities of four molluscan muscle myosins are likely due to myosin heavy chain sequence variations within the flexible surface loop that forms part of the ATP binding pocket of the motor domain.
A STUDY ON SERUM HEMOGLOBIN AND HEMOGLOBIN-BINDING CAPACITY.

Abstract Methods have been proposed to measure hemoglobin in serum in the range of 2–20 mg/100 ml. The effect of haptoglobin-binding on the peroxidase activity of hemoglobin and the need for proper calibration standards have been discussed. Serum hemoglobin and haptoglobin concentrations should be performed simultaneously.
New materials for methane capture from dilute and medium-concentration sources

Methane is an important greenhouse gas but its capture presents a challenge due to its weak interactions with most materials. Here the authors perform a systematic screening of liquid solvents and nanoporous zeolites, and identify zeolite structures with good potential for methane uptake and separation.
Application of trace metal analysis to basic problems in neurobiology studies of patients with Reye’s syndrome

Reye's syndrome (Rs) is an acute illness in children manifested by encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the liver. The syndrome may be secondary to injury of mitochondria following a toxic insult in a susceptible individual with a viral illness. Since the response to infection often involves a change in trace metals, we investigated the metal status of patients with Rs. Decreased levels of serum and liver selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) were demonstrated via PIXE analysis, in addition to an increase in serum iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). In a subsequent study using a rat animal model of Rs, the hepatotoxin 4-pentenoic acid (4-PA) produced similar changes in serum and liver trace metals. Serum and liver Se levels were also significantly depleted in rats exposed to another toxin, valproic acid (VPA). Aspirin, known to complex metals, may also be associated with Rs. Rats chronically exposed to aspirin had decreased serum Se, Fe, and Zn compared to controls. Selenium was also decreased in liver, as was Cu. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis of serum and liver Cu for mice exposed to aspirin and influenza A virus were also studied. In liver, Cu was significantly decreased in mice on Cu-deficient diets but, not in control mice exposed to virus, or aspirin and virus. For the Se-deficient animals, liver Cu was not different from controls, but there was an increase in tissue Cu for Se-sufficient mice exposed to virus and aspirin; Cu levels were decreased in sera of this latter group. Serum Cu was increased in Cu-sufficient mice exposed to virus and aspirin. The above data are of biologic and toxicologic interest because of metalloenzyme localization in the mitochondrial matrix, the cellular compartment showing the greatest degree of pathologic change in Rs. In particular, Se-dependent gluthathione peroxidase is a major deterent of peroxidative damage of lipid membranes. The accumulated evidence suggests that alteration of trace metals, e.g., decrease in Se, may promote peroxidation of mitochondrial membranes in patients with Rs.
A Local Improvement Heuristic for the Design of Less-than-Truckload Motor Carrier Networks

The load planning problem for less-than-truckload motor carriers is formulated as a fixed charge network design problem where level of service constraints are represented heuristically through a set of minimum frequencies on links. If direct service is offered between two terminals, it is required to do so at a given minimum frequency, implying not only a fixed charge from adding direct service but also a link cost function that is then flat until the flow on the link exceeds the minimum frequency. A local improvement heuristic is proposed which adds and drops links to and from the network in an intelligent sequence. After each change, the routing of the freight over the network is approximately reoptimized. Empty balancing of equipment is also handled explicitly. The approach has been applied successfully to a network with over 300 terminals; numerical tests on a 140 terminal network are reported.
Closed curves of constant torsion. II

In this note we show that there exist closed regular C3 space curves a with curvature K > 0 and nonzero constant torsion 7 whose total torsion f( r ds is arbitrarily small. In so doing, we give another proof of the existence of closed curves of nonzero constant torsion. This note shows that Conjecture 2 in (2) is incorrect since the preceding statement is equivalent to the statement that there exist closed curves of constant torsion 7 = 1 whose length is arbitrarily small.
Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes with a Hydroxyapatite and Porous Coated Cup Design

Press-fit, hydroxyapatite-coated acetabular cup designs may offer a lower incidence of loosening and migration than older designs. Our study evaluated the initial clinical and radiographic success of a cementless acetabular shell in a large cohort of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. We queried our institution’s prospectively collected registry for a series of 771 primary THAs (695 patients) implanted with this cup by 4 high-volume arthroplasty surgeons. Of the 613 hips with minimum 2-year followup, average HHS (Harris Hip Score) was 93.6, WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) was 87.6, and VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain score was 1.2. While there was a 2% reoperation rate (12 hips), none of the cups were revised for aseptic loosening. No radiolucencies were found and there was no evidence of acetabular loosening. At early followup, this newer cementless acetabular cup implant design exhibits high survivorship and clinical success.
Utilizing Parents for Paraprofessional Intervention.

This study was based on research which examined paraprofessional intervention in an urban community having large numbers of educationally and socially disadvantaged children and disenchanted parents. Establishment of paraprofessional corps has grown rapidly in the past decade and is accelerating as a strategy for improving the quality of education in urban communities. This development incorporated many concepts: (1) new careers, (2) growth of educational technology, (3) cultural assimilation and diversity, (4) team teaching, (5) personal improvement of teacher aides, (6) parents as partners (based on action theorists' postulations as a theoretical frame for the study), and (7) home and school focus on achievement—all of which yield high productivity in the community-education arena inexpensively to insufficient school budgets and strategically to teaching-learning demands for quality education.
Sister chromatid exchanges induced in Chinese hamster cells by UV irradiation of different stages of the cell cycle: the necessity for cells to pass through S.

Abstract Experiments on the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE's) by UV light show that, in Chinese hamster cells, these exchanges can be induced in any stage of the cell cycle. The effect is caused by the formation of persistent lesins that lead to exchanges only if the lesion-bearing chromosomes pass through S. UV light can induce e exchanges in cell lines that carry out DNA repair replication efficiently as well as in a cell line that shows little or no repair. The induction of SCE's by UV light thus seems to be independent of DNA repair replication. Post-replication repair might be responsible for the formation of the exchanges, but they encompass longer switches of label than have been observed for this type of repair.
Beyond charge-based computation: Boolean and non-Boolean computing with spin torque devices

While the promise of spin-torque devices for future on-chip memory is now well recognized, application of spin devices in computational hardware remains an exploratory research-domain. Several `all-spin' as well as hybrid design-techniques have been explored for computing applications of nano-magnets. A majority of such efforts have been focused on digital logic design. Emerging spintronic phenomena may lead to ultra-low-voltage, current-mode, spin-torque devices that can offer attractive computing capabilities, beyond digital switches. Such devices may be suitable for non-Boolean data-processing applications which involve analog processing. Integration of such spin-torque devices with charge-based devices like CMOS and resistive memory can lead to highly energy-efficient information processing hardware for applicatons like pattern-matching, neuromorphic-computing, image-processing, data-conversion, and programmable-threshold-logic.
Characterization of parylene‐N and parylene‐C photooxidation

Parylene-N and parylene-C are polymers of interest for microelectronic and medical coating applications. Modifications for improved surface properties could make them even more useful in such applications. Parylene-N and parylene-C films were exposed to ultraviolet light in the presence of oxygen and analyzed with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, secondary-ion mass spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. This study shows that such exposure results in the formation of aldehyde and carboxylic acid groups near the surface of the films. At the maximum exposure dose, the concentration of oxygen in both parylene-N and parylene-C is about 13% at the film surface, and it decreases exponentially with increasing depth. Further modeling and optimization of this process would allow it to be used to tailor the surface concentration of oxygenated species in parylene for the optimization of adhesion and wettability or for the chemical binding of other moieties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1486–1496, 2003
Wind power technologies from the perspective of system operator

Various wind turbines have been developed and operated in distribution systems and transmission systems. The usage of wind power is now rapidly growing worldwide and some leading countries in wind power technologies have been developing new strategies and enhanced requirements for power system security and electrical power quality. But most of power systems have not prepared for them yet. Given the fact that the renewable energy sources, such as wind power, photovoltaic, fuel cells will be getting more importance for the future energy systems with the benefit of emission trading, most of developing countries and power systems that are not preparing for such movement should make their future plan not only for the power system security, but also for their economic development. In this paper, wind power technologies, which is one of the most promising alternative energy sources, is summarized from the viewpoint of power system operation and control.
A cross-sectional analysis of symptom severity in adults with influenza and other acute respiratory illness in the outpatient setting

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are common in outpatient practice, and the severity of symptoms contributes to the overall burden of illness. We examined the association between a subjective symptom severity score, demographic and clinical characteristics, and presence of laboratory-confirmed influenza among central Wisconsin adults who sought care for ARI during four influenza seasons. We hypothesized that adults with laboratory-confirmed influenza would rate their symptoms as more severe relative to adults without influenza, and vaccinated adults with influenza would rate symptoms as less severe than those who were not vaccinated. Patients with acute respiratory illness, including feverishness or cough symptoms ≤ 7 days duration, were prospectively enrolled and tested for influenza by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during influenza seasons 2007–08 through 2010–11. Perceived severity was self-rated during the enrollment interview for eight symptoms, on a scale of 0 (absent) to 3 (severe). Scores for each symptom were summed to generate a combined severity score ranging from 1 to 24 for each individual. The association between influenza test result and severity score was examined using linear regression. There were 2,374 individuals included in the analysis, including 324 with RT-PCR confirmed influenza. The mean symptom severity score was 12.3 (±4.1) points, and the most common symptoms were cough (92%), fatigue (91%), and nasal congestion (84%). In the final adjusted model, influenza infection was the strongest independent predictor of higher severity score, with a mean increase of 1.7 points compared to those who were influenza negative (p < 0.001). Among adults with influenza, the association between influenza vaccination and symptom severity was modified by age (p < 0.001). In adults ≥ 65 years old with RT-PCR confirmed influenza, symptom severity was 31% lower in those who were vaccinated as compared to those who were not vaccinated. Influenza is associated with more severe symptoms of acute respiratory illness. The association between influenza vaccination and reduced symptom severity in older adults should be confirmed and explored further in other populations and seasons.
Kinetics and chemical reactions of acetaldehyde stripping and 2‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane generation in poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) resins were air stripped at temperatures from 160 to 190°C to monitor changes that occur during reduction of residual acetaldehyde (AA) concentrations. During this process diffusion and generation of AA, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (2MD), ethylene glycol (EG), and water occurred as the molecular weight and crystallinity increased through complex chemical reactions involving polymerization, formation of by-products, and some degradation at higher temperatures. This process was characterized in terms of time and temperature of stripping, with determination of residual concentrations of AA and other less volatile compounds such as 2MD and EG. Residual AA concentrations continually decreased from their initial values, while concentrations of 2MD decreased initially, then increased, and later decreased with time. Empirical rate constants for resin solid-state polymerization were determined at the air-stripping temperatures, and free EG concentrations as well as intrinsic viscosity, density, crystallinity, and color were monitored to aid in studying the kinetics of AA removal. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Dare to Compare: Motivating Expertise Building in the Enterprise through Intelligent User Modeling Interfaces

Expertise and skill assessments are a common aspect of working in an enterprise, but manual assessments are onerous and quickly outdated. Automated assessments can alleviate these problems, albeit at the risk of being inaccurate. In this short paper, we focus on the problem of how to design an engaging learning system in the presence of potentially inaccurate automated expertise assessments; especially when the users are in their early stage of using the system. We explore two dimensions associated with reporting automated expertise assessments to users: i) the inclusion of a social comparison, and ii) the precision of how expertise scores are presented. In a controlled experiment (N=60), we examined the impact of these dimensions on the perceived accuracy of the assessments, the perceived utility of the system, and peoples' willingness to share expertise scores within the enterprise.
Management of cirrhotic ascites: Physiological basis of diuretic action

Ascites is a significant complication of cirrhosis that occurs in approximately 50% of patients. The mortality rate is high in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Conventional interventions rest with dietary sodium restriction, diuretic use, large-volume paracentesis, peritoneovenous shunts and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts. The mainstay of therapy, however, is the judicious use of diuretics. This article reviews the physiological basis of diuretic use in patients with cirrhosis and ascites, as well as recent concepts on the pathogenesis of ascites formation. Through a better understanding of the pathophysiology of ascites formation and the mechanism of action of diuretics, improved extracellular fluid balance can be achieved in these patients.
First report of Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-4 on carrot in Georgia

Anastomosis group-2-4 (AG-2-4) of Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn was formally described in 2002 (1), but it was first collected in 1983 in Georgia from corn (Zea mays L.) exhibiting symptoms of crown and brace root rot. Although occasionally present on diseased corn roots, the role that isolates of AG-2-4 play in crown and brace root rot of corn is not specifically known (2). More recently, as part of a broad multi-year (1996 to 2000) survey of root diseases in field grown carrot (Daucus carota L.), isolates of R. solani AG-2-4 were recovered from diseased carrot plants in various stages of growth from fields of sandy loam soil at many locations in southern Georgia, including commercial fields in Coffee and Tift counties. During the 1996 to 2000 growing seasons, 123 isolates of Rhizoctonia sp. (including multinucleate and binucleate types) were collected from lesions on developing and mature carrot roots. Of these, 34% were AG-2-4, 10% were AG-2-2IV, 6% were AG-4, and 32% were binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. The rema...
Nitrogen translocation in a clonal dune perennial, Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Hydrocotyle bonariensis, a common rhizomatous perennial of coastal North Carolina, forms extensive clones in dune systems characterized by a patchy nitrogen distribution. An experiment was conducted in which Hydrocotyle clones were grown across artificially created soil nitrogen gradients to determine: (1) the effect of soil nitrogen availability and nitrogen translocation on clonal structure and (2) the costs versus benefits of nitrogen translocation as measured by sexual and clonal reproduction. Acropetal translocation of nitrogen resulted in highly significant benefits to clones growing from areas of high N to areas of low N. Limited basipetal translocation was also demonstrated. Hydrocotyle ramets responded to increased nitrogen availability, from either intraclonal translocation or immediate uptake from the soil, by producing branches. Nitrogen level, however, had no effect on internode distances. Clonal integration of nitrogen, in tandem with a plastic morphology, allow Hydrocotyle clones to expand across a nitrogen-limited dune environment and to locally exploit nitrogen patches when they are encountered.
Measurement of oxaloacetate in tissue extracts by enzymatic cycling

Abstract A procedure is described for the measurement of oxaloacetate in perchloric acid extracts of tissues making use of a cycling technique. The procedure is sensitive, accurate, flexible, and readily applicable to small amounts of extracts from any tissue. Recovery of oxaloacetate from tissue extracts is complete.
Human segmentation by fusing visible-light and thermal imaginary

This paper describes a system for robust segmentation of human in video sequences by fusing the visible-light and thermal imaginary. The system first performs a simple calibration procedure to rectify the two camera views without knowing the cameras' intrinsic characteristics. Then a blob-to-blob homography is learned on-the-fly by estimating the disparity of each blob so that a pixel level registration can be achieved. The multi-modality information is then combined under a two-tier tracking algorithm and a unified background model to attain precise segmentation. Preliminary experimental results shows significant improvements over existing schemes under various difficult scenarios.
Imidazole-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetoxyflavones physical and chemical properties of hydroxyflavones. III†

A method for the hydrolysis of acetoxyflavones with catalytic amounts of imidazole in 60% ethanol or 60% methanol is described. The method has been applied to the acetates of monohydroxyflavones, polyhydroxyflavones, and the trihydroxyflavones naringenin and hesperetin. Partial deacetylation of quercitrin heptaacetate is described. The methane-sulfonates of several monohydroxyflavones, and the stability of flavonol methanesulfonate in the imidazole-ethanol reagent are reported.
A new immunodiagnostic test in onchocerciasis.

Summary The radioallergosorbent (RAST) technique was used as a diagnostic test for onchocerciasis. IgE antibodies for Dirofilaria immitis antigen were found in thirty-one of fifty-seven (54%) affected patients.
Exercise Modulates Chloride Homeostasis after Spinal Cord Injury

Activity-based therapies are routinely integrated in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation programs because they result in a reduction of hyperreflexia and spasticity. However, the mechanisms by which exercise regulates activity in spinal pathways to reduce spasticity and improve functional recovery are poorly understood. Persisting alterations in the action of GABA on postsynaptic targets is a signature of CNS injuries, including SCI. The action of GABA depends on the intracellular chloride concentration, which is determined largely by the expression of two cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs), KCC2 and NKCC1, which serve as chloride exporters and importers, respectively. We hypothesized that the reduction in hyperreflexia with exercise after SCI relies on a return to chloride homeostasis. Sprague Dawley rats received a spinal cord transection at T12 and were assigned to SCI-7d, SCI-14d, SCI-14d+exercise, SCI-28d, SCI-28d+exercise, or SCI-56d groups. During a terminal experiment, H-reflexes were recorded from interosseus muscles after stimulation of the tibial nerve and the low-frequency-dependent depression (FDD) was assessed. We provide evidence that exercise returns spinal excitability and levels of KCC2 and NKCC1 toward normal levels in the lumbar spinal cord. Acutely altering chloride extrusion using the KCC2 blocker DIOA masked the effect of exercise on FDD, whereas blocking NKCC1 with bumetanide returned FDD toward intact levels after SCI. Our results indicate that exercise contributes to reflex recovery and restoration of endogenous inhibition through a return to chloride homeostasis after SCI. This lends support for CCCs as part of a pathway that could be manipulated to improve functional recovery when combined with rehabilitation programs.
Common solutions to a pair of linear matrix equations A 1 XB 1 = C 1 and A 2 XB 2 = C 2

Penrose (4) gave a necessary and sufficient condition for the consistency of the linear matrix equation AXB = C and also its complete class of solutions. A necessary and sufficient condition for the equations AX = C, XB = D to have a common solution was given by Cecioni (3) and an expression for the general common solution by Rao and Mitra ((6), p. 25). In the present paper, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the equations A1XB1 = C1 and A2XB2 = C2 to have a common solution and also an expression for the general common solution. This result isuseful in computing a constrained inverse of a matrix, a concept originallyintroduced by Bott and Duffin(2) and recently extended by Rao and Mitra(7) who consider more general constraints with the object of bringing together the various generalized inverses and pseudoinverses under a common classification scheme.
Framing the 2008 Iowa Democratic Caucuses Political Blogs and Second-Level Intermedia Agenda Setting

This study identifies patterns of second-level intermedia agenda setting in the framing of the 2008 race for the Democratic U.S. presidential nomination through a content analysis of four major news sources, nine prominent political blogs across the partisan spectrum, and the press releases of the three leading candidates. A comparison of cross-lagged correlations in the four weeks prior to the Iowa caucuses reveals that the news media and the Hillary Clinton campaign had an intermedia agenda-setting effect. Rather than controlling the campaign narrative, political bloggers mostly followed the lead set by the journalists.
Prediction of Time Correction Factor for Come‐up Heating of Packaged Liquid Food

All physical properties and operational conditions which have an influence on the come-up heating correction factor (Cf), of packaged liquid food were examined and subjected to a dimensional analysis. Five dimensionless groups which uniquely define the correction factor were obtained. The influence of the parameters on the values of Cf was studied through application of a central composite experimental design and a nonlinear regression analysis, from which a regression equation for the prediction of the correction factor was obtained. It was found that the Cf values may vary between +0.86 to −0.37, having an average value of 0.31. Mathematical examination of the regression equation obtained indicates that a dimensionless group which is related to the temperature history of the heating medium during the come-up phase is the most important in determining the value of Cf, while another which is a function of the processing time has a negligible influence on this parameter. The reliability of our regression equation was verified experimentally with distilled water, 0.1% locust bean gum and tomato soup packed in cans 211 × 300 and 307 × 409. Good agreement between experimental and predicted Cf values was observed.
The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Psychological and Behavioral Variables of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: A Critical Review.

Physical fitness of persons who are developmentally disabled has received relatively little attention in the special education literature when compared to intellectual functioning (e.g., learning, memory, and language) and to acquisition of functional skills (e.g., self-care, community, and vocational). Despite an increased interest in recreational programming stimulated by the concept of functional curricula, teachers may still be reluctant to include physical fitness activities in their students' schedules. Perhaps physical fitness programming for those with developmental disabilities would have wider appeal and application if it were embedded in the broader context of psychological and behavioral change (i.e., engagement in exercise produces generalized changes beyond direct improvement in physical well-being). This article is a review and critique of literature that focuses on the effects of participation in aerobic exercise on three classes of psychological/behavioral variables for persons with mental retardation and associated disabilities. The methodology that characterizes this literature is analyzed, and recommendations for future research are proposed.
Elevated leukocyte phosphodiesterase as a basis for depressed cyclic adenosine monophosphate responses in the Basenji greyhound dog model of asthma.

Abstract The BG dog manifests various characteristics of human asthma, including airway hyperreactivity to low concentrations of methacholine. Studies have suggested that airway hyperreactivity in asthma is related to inadequate intracellular cAMP responses. We studied cAMP characteristics in MNL from 19 BG and 14 mongrel dogs. β-Adrenergic receptors were assessed by 125 I CYP in the presence and absence of propranolol. The responses of cAMP to ISO were measured by radioimmunoassay. Adenylate cyclase activity was determined in homogenized MNL preparations by cAMP generation. PDE activity was quantitated by radioenzyme assay. Mongrel dog leukocyte ISO-stimulated cAMP levels doubled, whereas there were negligible increases in MNL from BG dogs. Basal PDE levels were higher in BG dogs than in mongrel dogs. The PDE inhibitor Ro 20-1724 restored ISO-stimulated cAMP responses in MNL of BG dogs. Adenylate cyclase activity was not lower in MNL homogenates from BG dogs than in mongrel dogs. Cells from both BG and mongrel dogs demonstrated similar receptor numbers and affinities of saturable, specific β-adrenergic binding over a 10 pM to 400 pM range. Our results suggest that depressed cAMP responses in BG dogs are due to high PDE activity rather than to a defect in the β-adrenergic receptor adenylate cyclase system.
How does Amphotericin B Work?: Studies on Model Membrane Systems

AbstractThe drug Amphotericin B is a very important antifungal agent as well as one of the first model systems for transmembrane pore structures. The most widely accepted model for the anticellular activity of this drug involves the formation of 1:1 Amphotericin/ sterol aggregates which subsequently associate into a transmembrane barrel with a large -OH lined aqueous pore down the middle. The stronger association of Amphotericin with ergosterol versus cholesterol explains the higher toxicity toward fungi. However, conflicting membrane permeability data concerning Amphotericin channel ion selectivity, sterol requirements, and mode of delivery has accumulated over the past fifteen years and suggests there exists a multiplicity of AmB channel structures and modes of action. Some of these mechanisms of action may be even more relevant clinically than the Amphotericin/sterol pore structure. Some of the anticellular membrane damage caused by Amphotericin may be due to formation of membrane defects and non-bilay...
Exophytic Brain Tumors Mimicking Primary Lesions of the Cerebellopontine Angle

The vast majority of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors are extraaxial masses arising from either the eighth nerve (acoustic neuroma) or meninges (meningioma). Rarely, a tumor that arises from the brain parenchyma may protrude laterally to present with a clinical and radiographic picture simulating that of the much more common extraaxial lesions. Three individuals with CPA lesions that ultimately proved at operation to be exophytic brain tumors (pontine medulloblastoma, cerebellar astrocytoma, and fourth ventricular ependymoma) are described. The clinical manifestations of these lesions, although not entirely typical, fell well within the possible range of presentation of benign tumors primary to the CPA. In two of these cases the tumor actually penetrated into the internal auditory canal. As the optimal management strategy for treating parenchymal tumors differs substantially from that for extraaxial lesions, it is essential that the surgeon have a preoperative awareness of the lesion's nature before embarking on a surgical endeavor. Critical to arriving at the correct diagnosis is the close examination of preoperative imaging studies. The clinician should be alerted to the possibility that a CPA tumor is of intraaxial origin when the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan shows 1) blurring of the margin between the tumor and brainstem or cerebellum; 2) a degree of peritumoral hyperintensity on T2-weighted scans disproportionate to the size of the extraaxial mass; and 3) dilation of the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle.
Insulin Stimulates DNA Synthesis in Cerebral Microvessel Endothelium and Smooth Muscle

Experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that insulin stimulates DNA synthesis in cerebral microvessel endothelium and smooth muscle. Cultured endothelium and smooth muscle derived from isolated mouse cerebral microvessels were exposed to insulin in serum-free medium, and [3H]-thymidine incorporation in the cells was measured. Up to 40-fold stimulation of DNA synthesis in endothelium and fourfold stimulation in smooth muscle were observed. Stimulation became maximal in both cell types at an insulin concentration of approximately 104 ng/ml, although an effect was observed at much lower concentrations. Similar concentrations of insulin produced a less-dramatic (approximately twofold) increase in both endothelial and smooth muscle cell numbers. This effect of insulin, observed in microvessel endothelium and smooth muscle, but not in bovine aortic endothelium, emphasizes another way in which large- and small-vessel endothelia appear to differ.
Enhanced functional networks in absolute pitch.

Functional networks in the human brain give rise to complex cognitive and perceptual abilities. While the decrease of functional connectivity is linked to neurological and psychiatric disorders, less is known about the consequences of increased functional connectivity. One population that has exceptionally enhanced perceptual abilities is people with absolute pitch (AP) — an ability to categorize tones into pitch classes without reference. AP has been linked to exceptional talent as well as to psychiatric and neurological conditions. Here we show that AP possessors have increased functional activation during music listening, as well as increased degrees, clustering, and local efficiency of functional correlations, with the difference being highest around the left superior temporal gyrus. Our results provide the first evidence that increased functional connectivity in a small-world brain network is related to exceptional perceptual abilities in a healthy population.
Prenatal diagnosis in twin gestations: A comparison between second-trimester amniocentesis and first-trimester chorionic villus sampling

OBJECTIVE To evaluate prospectively the relative risks and accuracy of first-trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and second-trimester amniocentesis in the genetic evaluation of twin gestations. METHODS Between March 1984 and August 1990, patients presenting for prenatal diagnosis of a twin gestation of less than 12 weeks were offered sampling by either first-trimester CVS or amniocentesis at 16-18 weeks' gestation. Selection was based solely on patient preference and was obtained before ultrasound identification of placental position. Women presenting beyond 12 weeks' gestation were sampled by amniocentesis. Clinical and laboratory outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS Eighty-one women had amniocentesis (nine of whom also had CVS), and 161 women had CVS. All fetuses in both groups were successfully sampled and karyotyped; 85.3% of the amniocentesis patients and 75.8% of the CVS patients were sampled in two or fewer passes (P = not significant). There were three cases of twin-twin villus contamination following CVS; one of these led to incorrect gender assignment because of erroneous laboratory interpretation. Loss of the entire pregnancy from the time of sampling until the 28th week of gestation followed amniocentesis in 2.9% of the cass and CVS in 3.2%. The total fetal loss rates were 9.3% for amniocentesis and 4.9% for CVS (P = not significant). When pregnancies having mosaic or abnormal karyotype results are excluded, the total amniocentesis loss rate remained 9.3% and the CVS loss rate became 3.9% (P < .05). CONCLUSION In the hands of experienced operators, CVS is at least as safe and effective as amniocentesis for the prenatal diagnosis of twin gestations.
Crossing-scale hydrological impacts of urbanization and climate variability in the Greater Chicago Area

Summary This paper uses past hydrological records in Northeastern Illinois to disentangle the combined effects of urban development and climatic variability at different spatial scales in the Greater Chicago Area. A step increase in annual precipitation occurred in Northeastern Illinois during 1965–1972 according to climate records. Urbanization has occurred as a gradual process over the entire Greater Chicago Area, both before and after the abrupt annual precipitation increase. The analysis of streamflow trends at each gaging station is supplemented by the comparison of the evolution of streamflow indicators in a group of urban and agricultural watersheds, thanks to an original use of the Mann–Whitney test. Results suggest that urban expansion in the Greater Chicago Area has led to widespread increases in a wide variety of streamflow metrics, with the exceptions being spring flows and some of the peak flow indicators. The increases detected in small ( 200 km2) ones, over which the changes in streamflow are relatively homogeneous. While the impacts of land-use change are identified across a wide range of flow indicators and spatial scales, there are indications that some of these effects are mitigated or made negligible by other factors. For example, while impervious surfaces are found to increase flooding, stormwater management facilities, an adaptation to increased flooding, mitigate their impacts at a wide range of scales. While impervious surfaces are known to reduce infiltration and baseflow, a low flow increase was triggered by water withdrawals from Lake Michigan, as a response to a rising water demand which made on-site groundwater extraction unsustainable. Our analysis thus highlights the impacts of adaptive planning and management of water resources on urban hydrology.
Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated with Seizures

Background Takotsubo syndrome is a reversible neuromyocardial failure that has been thought to be related to an acute catecholamine toxicity of the myocardium brought upon by a stressful event. The neurocritical care unit population is particularly vulnerable for this condition given the acute presentation of neurological emergencies, which most often can be catastrophic. We present a case series of this syndrome and a review of the literature.
Contrast-enhanced intraoperative optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has revolutionised clinical ophthalmology. The translation of OCT into the operating room is a natural next step given its high-resolution anatomic information. Contrast agents and enhancement have significantly improved the diagnostic capabilities of numerous imaging modalities (such as CT and MRI). The use of OCT contrast agents in ophthalmology has been generally lacking. In this report, we describe the novel application of triamcinolone as an OCT contrast agent for intraoperative OCT to improve visibility of tissue interfaces and planes (eg, posterior hyaloid insertion points). The application of this technology may have wide-ranging implications for enhanced image-guided surgery, intraoperative OCT and dynamic or functional applications of OCT technology.
An interferon gamma-regulated protein that binds the interferon-inducible enhancer element of major histocompatibility complex class I genes.

Abstract Interferons (IFNs) induce transcription of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes through the conserved IFN consensus sequence (ICS) that contains an IFN response motif shared by many IFN-regulated genes. By screening mouse lambda ZAP expression libraries with the ICS as a probe, we isolated a cDNA clone encoding a protein that binds the ICS, designated ICSBP. Protein blot analysis with labeled oligonucleotide probes showed that ICSBP binds not only the MHC class I ICS but also IFN response motifs of many IFN-regulated genes, as well as a virus-inducible element of the IFN-beta gene. The ICSBP cDNA encodes 424 amino acids and a long 3' untranslated sequence. The N-terminal 115 amino acids correspond to a putative DNA-binding domain and show significant sequence similarity with other cloned IFN response factors (IRF-1 and IRF-2). Because of the structural similarity and shared binding specificity, we conclude that ICSBP is a third member of the IRF gene family, presumably playing a role in IFN- and virus-mediated regulation of many genes. Although IRF-1 and IRF-2 share some similarity in their C-terminal regions, ICSBP shows no similarity to IRF-1 or IRF-2 in this region, suggesting that it is more distantly related. We show that ICSBP mRNA is expressed predominantly in lymphoid tissues and is inducible preferentially by IFN-gamma. The induction by IFN-gamma appears to be predominant in lymphocytes and macrophages, implying that ICSBP plays a regulatory role in cells of the immune system. The presence of multiple factors that bind common IFN response motifs may partly account for the complexity and diversity of IFN action as well as IFN-regulated gene expression.
Blast Load Input Estimation of the Medium Girder Bridgeusing Inverse Method

Innovative adaptive weighted input estimation inverse methodology for estimating theunknown time-varying blast loads on the truss structure system is presented. This method isbased on the Kalman filter and the recursive least square estimator (RLSE). The filter models thesystem dynamics in a linear set of state equations. The state equations of the truss structureare constructed using the finite element method. The input blast loads of the truss structuresystem are inverse estimated from the system responses measured at two distinct nodes. Thiswork presents an efficient weighting factor applied in the RLSE, which is capable of providinga reasonable estimation results. The results obtained from the simulations show that the methodis effective in estimating input blast loads, so has great stability and precision. Defence Science Journal, 2008, 58(1), pp.46-56 , DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.58.1622
Schedule-induced polydipsia alters cocaine- but not ethanol-induced suppression of saccharin consumption.

Abstract Under traditional water-deprived conditions, both LiCl and morphine produce comparable suppression of saccharin consumption after repeated pairings. However, under conditions of spaced food deliveries (i.e., schedule-induced polydipsia; SIP), morphine produces a significantly weaker suppression than LiCl. The differential responses have been attributed to an increase in the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse (such as morphine) that masked the expression of the aversive effects, a masking not evident with LiCl which has no reported rewarding effects. The present study extended this characterization to two additional drugs of abuse; cocaine and ethanol. Following schedule-induced saccharin consumption, female Sprague–Dawley rats were given injections of LiCl, cocaine, ethanol (at doses comparably effective in conditioning taste aversions under water deprivation) or distilled water vehicle. Although cocaine and ethanol both suppressed SIP, only cocaine produced a significantly delayed suppression relative to LiCl. The differential effects of cocaine (and morphine), but not ethanol, may be a function of the different reward profiles of these drugs. Given the differential ability of drugs of abuse to suppress consumption under conditions of spaced feedings, the SIP procedure may be a useful baseline to assess the rewarding effects of such drugs. Further, given the differential results with cocaine and ethanol, the relative rewarding effects of drugs may be differentially indexed in this preparation, as well.
Contact Resistance Evolution of Au-Au Micro-Contacts with Encapsulated Ag Colloids

This paper reports the contact resistance evolution results of thin film, sputtered gold with encapsulated Ag colloids, micro-contacts dynamically tested up to 3kHz. The upper contact support structure consists of a sputtered gold surface micromachined, fixed-fixed beam designed with sufficient restoring force to overcome adhesion. The hemisphere-upper and planar-lower contacts are mated with a calibrated, external load resulting in approximately 100μN's of contact force. Contact resistance is measured, in-situ, using a cross-bar configuration and the entire apparatus is isolated from external vibration and housed in an enclosure to minimize contamination due to ambient environment. Additionally, contact cycling and data collection are automated using a computer and LabVIEW. The results showed that Au-Au micro-contact had a final resistance of 14Ωs after 10 million cycles and 81Ωs after 8 million cycles with Au-Ag micro-contacts.
Historical research for the nonprofit sector

Because there are many possible uses of history and conceptions of what constitutes historical inquiry, there can be no single description of “historical research for the nonprofit sector.” Nonprofit researchers, like all nonprofit leaders, cannot avoid having views of historical development; neither can they avoid the necessity of drawing conclusions from incomplete and indeterminate evidence, just as all historians must do. Students of the Nonprofit sector might want to pay particular attention to questions raised by legal and economic history (others have made much of the relevance of social and intellectual history). Most generally, historical materials and perspectives are especially relevant to the education of nonprofit leaders.