cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural transplantation in the spinal cord of adult rats. Conditions, survival, cytology and connectivity of the transplants.

Abstract Embryonic neural tissues of various types were transplanted into the intact, completely transected, and partially transected spinal cords of adult rats. The host animals were killed 4–6 months after the surgery, and the spinal cords and transplants examined. The best results were obtained when embryonic neocortical tissues obtained from 16-day rat embryos were used for transplantation into host animals that had been subjected to partial sectioning of the spinal cord. Use of other types of neural tissue, or transplantation of tissues into the intact or completely severed spinal cords was not successful. The successful neocortical transplants had survived, grown, differentiated, and established anatomical integration with the host spinal cords. The anatomical integration was established through an interface with the host spinal cord along the basal aspect. Along the lateral aspect glial scar tissue was present separating the transplants from the spinal cord parenchyma. The transplants contained well-differentiated and normal-looking neurons. They received afferents from the spinal cord only through the interface and not through the glial scar formations. The findings indicated that it is possible to transplant embryonic neocortical tissues into the spinal cords of the adult animals that become integrated with the spinal cord parenchyma. The axonal fibers in the adult spinal cord appear capable of regeneration and growing into the transplants only when an appropriate neural milieu, in the form of a healthy and viable interface, is available. In its absence the severed axons of the adult spinal cord do not grow into the neural transplants.
A Study of Photosensitivity Occurring with Chlorpromazine Therapy1

In 1900, Prime (1) noted that certain patients developed unusual cutaneous reactions to the sun's rays while under eosin therapy for epilepsy. Since that time, many therapeutic agents have been found to produce photosensitivity.
Micro‐Patterning of Metallic Film Structures Through Direct‐Write Dewetting

A new method of patterning metallic thin films is described. Through the use of a focused laser deflected by a high-speed, galvanometer scanning system, a variety of fine metal patterns are realized on inorganic and organic substrates. This method exploits the metastable wetting characteristics of metallic thin films as deposited by physical vapor deposition upon non-metallic substrates. Differences in surface energy and intermolecular forces between the target and the substrate provide a driving force for retraction of the thin film, while the laser provides the energy needed to overcome the kinetic barrier to dewetting. Electronically isolated feature sizes in the range of the tens of microns are fabricated. During formation, material is displaced rather than ablated allowing controlled accumulation of the target material. This results in a user-determined increase of the metal feature thickness. Evidence of accurate and reproducible periodic and complex structures made feasible by virtue of the scan system, are presented. This technique provides an alternative to current thin film patterning techniques and introduces a new way of building out-of-plane structures from metallic thin films. Application fields may include flexible sensors, electrochemical devices, and especially microfluidic devices, as the technique allows formation of conductive micro-channels with user-defined height.
Terrestrial quarantine considerations for unmanned sample return missions

For the purpose of understanding some of the possible implications of a terrestrial quarantine constraint on a mission and for developing a basic approach which can be used to demonstrate compliance beyond that developed for Apollo, a terrestrial quarantine study was performed. It is shown that some of the basic tools developed and used by the planetary quarantine community have applicability to terrestrial quarantine analysis. By using these tools, it is concluded that: (1) the method of biasing the earth aiming point when returning from the planet is necessary but, by itself, may not satisfy terrestrial quarantine constraints; and (2) spacecraft and container design significantly influence contamination transfer.
Cracking Down On Cybercrime Global Response: The Cybercrime Convention

Computers and the Internet have brought innumerable benefits to society. They have revolutionized the way people work, play, and communicate. In spite of the benefits the Internet has introduced to the global community, it is also fraught with risks associated with undesirable elements keen to misuse its usage. Computers and the Internet present new ways to engage in old crimes, such as fraud and piracy. They also have made it possible for criminals to perpetrate new harmful acts, like data access and interference. However, national legislations and regional agreements are not sufficient to address the global nature of cybercrime. Therefore, in order to prosecute cybercrime as well as other types of crime, a common framework must be created that can punish these crimes irrespective of where they are committed. The International Cybercrime Convention has recently come into force focusing on an international solution to combat cybercrime. This paper analyses the implications of the new Cybercrime Convention on organisations and private individuals, and whether the requirements of the Convention balance the need for a criminal crackdown with the equally critical need to maintain basic freedoms.
Fort Proctor: A Conditional Preservation

The preservation and sustainability of building cultural heritage in indeterminate landscapes and sites at extreme environmental risk raises several questions regarding methodology.1. What are the priorities for preservation of built works where degradation is accelerated by global environmental shifts?2. What does one preserve of past cultures when the physical ground it once occupied is gone?3. What are the methods for Historic Preservation when to preserve means much more than stabilizing a built project in time but also includes the preservation/sustenance of the land, the environment, and the cultural relevance?4. If one cannot physically preserve does that mean its presence and cultural significance isnullified?To investigate these questions, the research team selected Fort Proctor, a NHRP site at extreme environmental risk. Fort Proctor is one of several forts built along Lake Borgne in Southeastern Louisiana following the War of 1812. Since then, Fort Proctor has remained in a fluctuating landscape as a static marker or datum, recording major ecological changes within the dynamic coastal environment. To understand the structure's deconstruction and degradation as well as the changing Gulf of Mexico ecologies, a rich historical context was assembled from a complex array of disparate datasets (physical site and geographical condition surveys, material analyses, photogrammetric and photographic documentation, and GIS mapping.) From the data, the researchers developed time-based animations that explore the test site in four time-scales; one day, one year, 200 years, and geologic time. The animations present perspectival visualizations that illustrate the aesthetic and atmospheric qualities for each scale while overlaying analytical data and historical facts. They create a composite temporal framework allowing the viewer to digest the disparate datasets as single narratives. These animations and the procedure for their composition present a new preservation methodology for sites where physical preservation is prohibitive and loss unavoidable: "the conditional preservation.” **AWARDED BEST PAPER 2013 BY THE BOARD OF THE ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH CENTERS CONSORTIUM**
Proximal, selective, and dynamic interactions between integrin αIIbβ3 and protein tyrosine kinases in living cells

Stable platelet aggregation, adhesion, and spreading during hemostasis are promoted by outside-in αIIbβ3 signals that feature rapid activation of c-Src and Syk, delayed activation of FAK, and cytoskeletal reorganization. To evaluate these αIIbβ3–tyrosine kinase interactions at nanometer proximity in living cells, we monitored bioluminescence resonance energy transfer between GFP and Renilla luciferase chimeras and bimolecular fluorescence complementation between YFP half-molecule chimeras. These techniques revealed that αIIbβ3 interacts with c-Src at the periphery of nonadherent CHO cells. After plating cells on fibrinogen, complexes of αIIbβ3–c-Src, αIIbβ3–Syk, and c-Src–Syk are observed in membrane ruffles and focal complexes, and the interactions involving Syk require Src activity. In contrast, FAK interacts with αIIbβ3 and c-Src, but not with Syk, in focal complexes and adhesions. All of these interactions require the integrin β3 cytoplasmic tail. Thus, αIIbβ3 interacts proximally, if not directly, with tyrosine kinases in a coordinated, selective, and dynamic manner during sequential phases of αIIbβ3 signaling to the actin cytoskeleton.
Generalization of wavelength matching to novel stimulus combinations

Pigeons’ keypeck responses were reinforced in the presence of a bisected response key when both halves of the key were of equal wavelength (matching stimulus). Responses were extinguished when the halves were of different wavelength (nonmatching stimulus). Subsequent generalization testing, in which the wavelengths on the two halves of the key were varied among four values in the range from 501.3 to 605.0 nm, gave evidence for generalization of the matching discrimination to novel wavelength combinations. Evidence against the possible contribution of intensity matching was cited. Failure of complete generalization was interpreted in terms of extinction gradients and degree of discrimination prior to testing.
Copy number polymorphisms near SLC2A9 are associated with serum uric acid concentrations

Hyperuricemia is associated with multiple diseases, including gout, cardiovascular disease, and renal disease. Serum urate is highly heritable, yet association studies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and serum uric acid explain a small fraction of the heritability. Whether copy number polymorphisms (CNPs) contribute to uric acid levels is unknown. We assessed copy number on a genome-wide scale among 8,411 individuals of European ancestry (EA) who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. CNPs upstream of the urate transporter SLC2A9 on chromosome 4p16.1 are associated with uric acid ( , p=3.19×10-23). Effect sizes, expressed as the percentage change in uric acid per deleted copy, are most pronounced among women (3.974.935.87 [ 2.55097.5 denoting percentiles], p=4.57×10-23) and independent of previously reported SNPs in SLC2A9 as assessed by SNP and CNP regression models and the phasing SNP and CNP haplotypes ( ). Our finding is replicated in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), where the effect size estimated from 4,089 women is comparable to ARIC in direction and magnitude (1.414.707.88, p=5.46×10-03). This is the first study to characterize CNPs in ARIC and the first genome-wide analysis of CNPs and uric acid. Our findings suggests a novel, non-coding regulatory mechanism for SLC2A9-mediated modulation of serum uric acid, and detail a bioinformatic approach for assessing the contribution of CNPs to heritable traits in large population-based studies where technical sources of variation are substantial.
RNA tumor virus specific sequences in nuclear DNA of several avian species.

Abstract Nucleic acid sequences complementary to single-stranded DNA prepared from the endogenous chicken (C-type) RNA tumor virus, RAV-O, were detected in nuclear DNA from five different avian species. The RAV-O probe hybridized almost completely to DNA from helper factor positive and negative chicken cells. DNA from quail, duck, pigeon and pheasant cells contained nucleotide sequences complementary to a varying degree (5–50%) to the RAV-O genome. Rous sarcoma virus-related sequences were also detected in all avian species, except pigeon. Thus, it appears likely that most if not all species of fowl contain RNA tumor virus sequences in their DNA.
Invited Manuscript Poster on Renal-Related Education American Society of Nephrology, Nov. 16-21, 2010 Creative Writing in Nephrology Education

Creative writing has gained some interest in the medical profession in the last decade. There have been a fair amount of publications of using creative writing in the health-care setting as a teaching tool in humanism and doctoring of medicine. As an adjunctive effort, our institution has been experimenting with creative writing exercises to encourage reading in an entertaining way in nephrology. We present a description of two creative tools that we have used to teach renal medicine along with a small pilot study illustrating that the tools were useful in residency education.
Electron-phonon interactions in correlated systems: Adiabatic expansion of the dynamical mean-field theory

We use the dynamical mean-field theory to develop a systematic and computationally tractable method for studying electron-phonon interactions in systems with arbitrary electronic correlations. The method is formulated as an adiabatic expansion around the limit of static phonons. No specific electronic ground state is assumed. We derive an effective low-frequency phonon action whose coefficients are static local correlation functions of the underlying electron system. We identify the correct expansion parameters. At a critical electron-phonon interaction strength the system undergoes a transition to a polaronic state. We determine the location of this polaronic instability in the presence of electron-electron interactions, doping, and quantum lattice fluctuations and present the formalism needed for study of the electron self-energy and effective mass.
Revisiting the Least-squares Procedure for Gradient Reconstruction on Unstructured Meshes

The accuracy of the least-squares technique for gradient reconstruction on unstructured meshes is examined. While least-squares techniques produce accurate results on arbitrary isotropic unstructured meshes, serious difficulties exist for highly stretched meshes in the presence of surface curvature. In these situations, gradients are typically under-estimated by up to an order of magnitude. For vertex-based discretizations on triangular and quadrilateral meshes, and cell-centered discretizations on quadrilateral meshes, accuracy can be recovered using an inverse distance weighting in the least-squares construction. For cell-centered discretizations on triangles, both the unweighted and weighted least-squares constructions fail to provide suitable gradient estimates for highly stretched curved meshes. Good overall flow solution accuracy can be retained in spite of poor gradient estimates, due to the presence of flow alignment in exactly the same regions where the poor gradient accuracy is observed. However, the use of entropy fixes has the potential for generating large but subtle discretization errors.
The Redshift of an Extremely Red Object and the Nature of the Very Red Galaxy Population

Infrared surveys have discovered a significant population of bright (K 19) extremely red (R—K 6) objects. Little is known about the properties of these objects on account of their optical faintness (R 24). Here we report deep infrared imaging and spectroscopy of one of the extremely red objects (EROs) discovered by Hu & Ridgway in the field of the z = 3.79 quasar PC 1643 + 4631A. The infrared images were obtained in 0''.5 seeing and show that the object (denoted HR 10) is not a dynamically relaxed elliptical galaxy dominated by an old stellar population as was previously suspected, but instead has an asymmetric morphology suggestive of either a disk or an interacting system. The infrared spectrum of HR 10 shows a single, possibly broad emission feature at 1.60 μm, which we identify as Hα + [N II] at z = 1.44. The luminosity and width of this emission line indicates either intense star formation (~20 h−2 M☉ yr−1) or the presence of an active nucleus. Based on the rest frame UV-optical spectral energy distribution, the luminosity of HR 10 is estimated to be 3–8 L*. The colors of HR 10 are unusually red for a galaxy (at z = 1.44 the age of HR 10 is at most 2–8 Gyr depending on cosmology) and indicate that HR 10 is dusty. HR 10 is detected weakly at radio wavelengths; this is consistent with either the starburst or active galactic nucleus hypothesis. If HR 10 is a typical representative of its class, EROs are numerous and represent a significant component of the luminous objects in the universe at z ≈ 1.5.
Non-necrotizing Granulomatous Pulmonary Vasculitis Mimicking Lung Cancer on PET/CT.

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ( 18 FDG-PET) scan has become a valuable resource in the staging of lung cancer. Inflammation is known to cause false positives on 18 FDG-PET scan. In the absence of symptoms suggesting a diagnosis of an inflammatory condition, 18 FDG-avid lung masses on PET/CT scan is strongly suggestive of a diagnosis of lung cancer, rather than an inflammatory condition. We report the case of a 57-year-old man, with a history of heavy smoking and working in the sandblasting industry, with two suspicious 18 FDG-avid nodules in the left lung. Surgical specimens of these nodules revealed findings suspecting giant cell arteritis rather than malignancy.
Screening of aU(1) ×U(1) dyon by a domain wall in a double axion model

The screening of the electric-like charge degrees of freedom of aU(1) ×U(1) dyon by an axion-like domain wall is discussed. Depending on the combination of degenerate minima at the interior and exterior boundary of the spherical domain wall a multiplicity of “screened generated electric-likeU(1) ×U(1) charges” are generated in the region exterior to the domain wall. Such a result demonstrates how aU(1) ×U(1) dyon-domain wall configuration may generate multiplicate phenomena in the early universe from a singleU(1) ×U(1) source.
Experimental Validation of a Linear Model Predictive Envelope Controller in the Presence of Vehicle Nonlinearities

Abstract As manufacturers offer glimpses of their future vehicles, it is apparent that computational power and sensory information will significantly increase. These advances offer the opportunity to design a controller that leverages new information to improve stability while attaining a higher level of coordination with the driver. In this paper, the authors present an approach that utilizes axle slip angles to define an envelope in which the vehicle behavior is stable and predictable. A linear model predictive controller using front active steering is developed. Experimental results using a steer-by-wire test vehicle are presented to demonstrate the functionality of the controller. Analysis of the results includes discussion of the limitations of the linear controller in controlling the vehicle at the limits of handling and how disturbances and unmodeled driver input can cause the slip angles to deviate from this envelope.
In Vivo Evaluation of the Presence of Bone Marrow in Cortical Porosity in Postmenopausal Osteopenic Women

This is the first observational study examining cortical porosity in vivo in postmenopausal osteopenic women and to incorporate data from two different imaging modalities to further examine the nature of cortical porosity. The goal of this study was to combine high-resolution peripheral computed tomography (HR-pQCT) images, which contain high spatial resolution information of the cortical structure, and magnetic resonance (MR) images, which allow the visualization of soft tissues such as bone marrow, to observe the amount of cortical porosity that contains bone marrow in postmenopausal osteopenic women. The radius of 49 and the tibia of 51 postmenopausal osteopenic women (age 56 ± 3.7) were scanned using both HR-pQCT and MR imaging. A normalized mutual information registration algorithm was used to obtain a three-dimensional rigid transform which aligned the MR image to the HR-pQCT image. The aligned images allowed for the visualization of bone marrow in cortical pores. From the HR-pQCT image, the percent cortical porosity, the number of cortical pores, and the size of each cortical pore was determined. By overlaying the aligned MR and HR-pQCT images, the percent of cortical pores containing marrow, the number of cortical pores containing marrow, and the size of each cortical pore containing marrow were measured. While the amount of cortical porosity did not vary greatly between subjects, the type of cortical pore, containing marrow vs. not containing marrow, varied highly between subjects. The results suggest that cortical pore spaces contain components of varying composition, and that there may be more than one mechanism for the development of cortical porosity.
Inactivation of glutathione reductase by 2-chloroethyl nitrosourea-derived isocyanates

Abstract The specific inactivation of yeast glutathione reductase (GSSG-reductase) by 2-chloroethyl isocyanate and cyclohexyl isocyanate derived from their respective 2-chloroethyl nitrosoureas has been demonstrated. Titration of the enzyme with 2-chloroethyl isocyanate or [14C] labeling with 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(1-14C-cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea or 1,3-bis (2-14C-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea resulted in near stoichiometric inactivation and/or covalent labeling of the enzyme. In addition to 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea, several other 2-chloroethyl nitrosoureas were capable of inactivation of not only purified GSSG-reductase, but also the activity of this enzyme in cell-free extracts of murine lymphoma L5178Y ascites tumor cells and murine bone marrow.
An experimental comparison of the effects of bacterial colonization on biologic and synthetic meshes

Biologic meshes are being used with increasing frequency to repair contaminated abdominal wall defects despite high long-term recurrence and infection rates associated with their use. Recent clinical reports describing the success of lightweight, macroporous synthetic meshes in contaminated ventral hernia repairs have led some surgeons to challenge the belief that synthetics are contraindicated in contaminated fields. We aimed to determine whether a frequently used biologic mesh (StratticeTM) is more resistant to bacterial colonization than macroporous synthetic mesh (ParietexTM ProgripTM) after inoculation with two common pathogens. Rats (n = 48) were implanted subcutaneously with StratticeTM or ProgripTM. Meshes were inoculated with sterile saline or a suspension containing 106 colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli prior to wound closure (n = 8 per subgroup). Meshes were explanted at 4 weeks and underwent microbiologic and histologic analyses. ProgripTM demonstrated superior bacterial clearance compared to StratticeTM (E. coli, 88 vs. 17 % clearance, p = 0.03; S. aureus, 75 vs. 50 %, p = 0.61; combined bacterial strains, 81 vs. 36 %, p = 0.02; respectively). In the StratticeTM group, severely degraded meshes were observed in 100 % of animals inoculated with E. coli (but 0 % inoculated with S. aureus). In contrast, all ProgripTM meshes remained intact regardless of inoculum. Scores for neovascularization were higher in the synthetic group irrespective of contamination (p < 0.05). Biologic meshes may not be more resistant to bacterial colonization than reduced-weight synthetics, and their resistance may differ in response to different pathogens. The routine use of biologics in contaminated ventral hernia repair should be questioned, particularly in the presence of E. coli.
The laplace transform of the sectionally-continuous derivative of a sectionally-continuous function

Abstract One of the most important and valuable merits and attributes of the Laplace transform is the straightforward and efficient manner with which sectionally-continuous functions can be treated. This feature of the Laplace transform is the basis for some of its most interesting and useful applications, such as to the solution of the differential equations which characterize electrical and mechanical transients and the deflection of structures under concentrated loads. To prepare students for these and other applications, textbooks on the Laplace transform usually derive the Laplace transform of functions which are continuous but which have a derivative that is sectionally-continuous. In certain important applications, both the function and its derivative are sectionally-continuous, with a common abscissa of discontinuity. The few textbooks which discuss this problem give as its answer a result that is ambiguous and not at all useful. This matter is clarified and corrected in the present paper.
Toward the semiclassical theory of high energy heavy ion collisions

Abstract Sudden deposition of energy at the early stage of high energy heavy ion collisions makes virtual gluon fields real. The same is true for virtual vacuum fields under the topological barrier, excited to real states at or above the barrier, gluomagnetic clusters of particular structure related to the sphalerons of the electroweak theory. Semiclassically, these states play the role of the “turning points”. After being produced they explode into a spherical shell of coherent field which then turn into several outgoing gluons. Furthermore, this explosions promptly produce quark pairs, as seen from explicit solution of the Dirac equation. The masses of such clusters depend on their size, and are expected to peak at M∼3 GeV. After we briefly review those concepts in a non-technical manner, we discuss what observable consequences the production of such clusters would make in the context of heavy ion collisions, especially at the RHIC energies. We discuss entropy and especially quark production, event-by-event fluctuations in collective effects like radial and elliptic flows and J/ψ suppression. Coherent fields and their geometry increase the jet quenching, and we also point out the existence of “explosive edge” which jump-start collective effects and may affect unusual phenomena seen at RHIC at large pt.
Method for calculating G, GI, and GII to simulate crack growth in 2D, multiple-material structures

Abstract A finite element approach for calculating the energy release rate ( G ) and individual modes ( G I and G II ) when simulating crack growth through a two-dimensional composite material is presented. A new mesh-substitution scheme is used with basic fracture mechanics concepts to automatically calculate G , G I , and G II for potential growth along material interfaces and at different kink angles. The method is general and can be used when investigating interface cracks, substrate cracks (i.e., cracks contained in a material region), and substrate cracks with tips touching one or more interfaces. For bimaterial interface cracks, a coupled energy release rate ( G I–II ) is determined, and complex stress intensity factor components are calculated. A complete crack propagation framework, which includes the developed methods, is presented and then used to simulate crack growth through a composite material.
Kainate produces concentration-dependent elevation of glutamate release but not cGMP levels in cultured neuron.

Abstract 1. 1. Treatment of cultured cerebellar granule cells for 3 min with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) resulted in a concentration-dependent elevation of cyclic GMP. However, neither kainate (KA) nor NMDA produced a concentration-dependent elevation of this nucleotide after exposing cells to the agonist for 60 min. 2. 2. Unlike the case for cGMP, both KA and NMDA produced concentration-dependent elevations of glutamate for 60 min incubation. 3. 3. The NMDA-induced elevations of cGMP and glutamate were blocked by selective NMDA receptor antagonists. 4. 4. The selective KA/α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor antagonist, 6,7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), blocked the KA-induced elevations of cGMP with 3-min exposures, but it augmented the response with 60-min exposures. However, the KA-induced release of glutamate was prevented by DNQX. 5. 5. The KA/AMPA receptor antagonist, GYKI 52466, blocked all KA-induced responses regardless of the incubation times.
Development of a viscoelastic continuum damage model for cyclic loading

A previously developed spectrum model for linear viscoelastic behavior of solids is used to describe the rate-dependent damage growth of a time dependent material under cyclic loading. Through the use of the iterative solution of a special Volterra integral equation, the cyclic strain history is described. The spectrum-based model is generalized for any strain rate and any uniaxial load history to formulate the damage function. Damage evolution in the body is described through the use of a rate-type evolution law which uses a pseudo strain to express the viscoelastic constitutive equation with damage. The resulting damage function is used to formulate a residual strength model. The methodology presented is demonstrated by comparing the peak values of the computed cyclic strain history as well as the residual strength model predictions to the experimental data of a polymer matrix composite.
Effects of a bone-like mineral film on phenotype of adult human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Abstract Multipotent cell types are rapidly becoming key components in a variety of tissue engineering schemes, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as an important tool in bone tissue regeneration. Although several soluble signals influencing osteogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro are well-characterized, relatively little is known about the influence of substrate signals. This study was aimed at elucidating the effects of a bone-like mineral (BLM), which is vital in the process of bone bonding to orthopedic implant materials, on the osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs in vitro. Growth of a BLM film (carbonate apatite, Ca/P=1.55) on poly(lactide- co -glycolide) (PLG) substrates was achieved via surface hydrolysis and subsequent incubation in a modified simulated body fluid. The BLM film demonstrated significantly increased adsorption of fibronectin, and supported enhanced proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) relative to PLG substrates. In the absence of osteogenic supplements hMSCs did not display a high expression of osteogenic markers on BLM or PLG. In the presence of osteogenic supplements hMSCs exhibited greater expression of osteogenic markers on PLG substrates than on BLM substrates, as measured by alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin production. Taken together, these data support the concept that substrate signals significantly influence MSC growth and differentiation, highlighting the importance of carrier material composition in stem cell-based tissue engineering schemes.
An electron microscope study of the early postnatal development of the visual cortex of the hooded rat.

Synaptic plasticity in response to environmental events has been clearly demonstrated in the visual cortex of the rat, but no detailed data concerning the course of early synaptogenesis in this area are available. In this study, synaptogenesis in the visual cortex of hooded rats at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 postnatal days of age (P1-P10) was examined with electron microscopy. The cortex was divided into the molecular layer, the superficial layers (II-IV) and deep layers (V-VI). In the visual cortex at P1, very few synapses are present in the molecular and deep layers and virtually none in the yet undifferentiated layers II-IV that compose the cortical plate at this age. The synapses that are present are axodendritic and often symmetrical with little membrane thickening and few vesicles. Axosomatic synapses were seen as early as P3 but very rarely. There are marked increases in axodendritic synaptic density and maturity with increasing age. By P7 and P10, many synapses appear mature in form and the majority can be classified as asymmetrical. Axospinal synapses first appeared at P7 and were more frequent by P10. However, this classification was somewhat uncertain since no spinal apparatus was detected. Rate of synaptogenesis appeared to increase over the ages studied and showed no signs of leveling off except in the deep layers. Synaptic length was extremely variable and did not change systematically with age.
The Brain and Hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most common disorders affecting human health. It is the major cause of stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 60 million individuals have blood pressure levels above the normal range. In the majority of patients with clinical hypertension the cause is unknown. In the majority of the remaining cases, the origin of the disorder lies within the kidney. 1 Over the past several years, there has been an increasing awareness that the central nervous system (CNS) may play a critical role in the expression of the cardinal sign of the disorder: the elevation of arterial pressure (AP). Largely working through the sympathetic nervous system, the evidence favors a view that, at the very least, the CNS plays a permissive role in sustaining the elevated AP. Conceivably, the role of the CNS may be causal. The evidence in
Nursing our microbiota: molecular linkages between bifidobacteria and milk oligosaccharides

As the sole nutrition provided to infants, bioactive molecules dissolved in milk influence the development of our gut microbiota. Accordingly, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are minimally digested by the infant and persist to negatively and positively regulate gut microbiota. Infant-type bifidobacteria utilize these soluble carbohydrate oligomers by convergent mechanisms. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis efficiently consumes several small mass HMOs and possesses a large gene cluster and other loci dedicated to HMO metabolism. In contrast, adult-associated bifidobacteria such as the closely related B. longum subsp. longum are deficient for HMO utilization, although they retain the capacity to ferment plant oligosaccharides and constituent pentose sugars. Thus, the ability to subsist on HMO could demark infant-associated ecotypes potentially adapted to colonize the nursing infant.
Energy Dependent Bivalent Cation Translocation in Rat Liver Mitochondria

1 The initial rates of Ca++, Sr++, Mn++, and Ba++, accumulation into rat liver mitochondria were measured by a cation sensitive indicator, murexide. 2 The rates of oxidation of cytochrome b induced by these bivalent cations were determined. 3 The presence of Mn++ retards the Ca++ induced cytochrome b oxidation rate, while the presence of Ca++ accelerates the Mn++ induced cytochrome b response. 4 Praseodymium (Pr+++) inhibits specifically at a concentration less than 0.1 nmole per mg protein the reactions of Ca++, Sr++, Ba++ and Mn++ with the mitochondrial membrane and their accumulation into the mitochondria. The Mn++ translocation was, however, stimulated at a concentration of 0.02 nmole praseodymium per mg protein. 5 Mg++ and K+ have an inhibitory effect on the bivalent cation translocation. In the case of Mn++, however, Mg++ and K+ have a slight activating effect at low concentrations.
Grieving for mestizaje: alternative approaches to Maya identity in Yucatan, Mexico

This article takes as its point of departure the highly contested theoretical terrain of ‘Maya’ identity in Yucatan, Mexico. Set in the physical terrain of a state psychiatric hospital, this article uses a framework of identity culled from the narrative of a young woman, ‘Claudina’, committed to its wards, to argue that being ‘in-between’ categories of ethnic identity, an experience she characterises as a painful sense of ambiguous loss, can be fruitfully analysed using an analytical framework of ethnic identity introduced by Claudina herself. Specifically, I argue that categories of identity culled from Claudina's story – mestizaje and elegancia – represent a valuable opportunity to think about how power dynamics and relationships operate in situations of ambivalent identities and social suffering. To this end, I use Claudina's language as a point of departure for understanding the lived experience of everyday life in Yucatan today.
Modeling Framework for Airline Competition in the U.S. Domestic Network

An equilibrium-based modeling framework for airline competition analysis at the network level was developed. The framework considers a deregulated business environment in which air carriers can freely plan their networks and flight schedules to maximize their profits. Air carriers are assumed to reach a state of equilibrium, in which no air carrier can improve its profit by unilaterally modifying its network structure or schedule configuration. An equivalent mathematical program and an efficient solution algorithm are presented. The output of this program is the air carriers' flight frequency for each market at equilibrium. The model was applied to the U.S. domestic network considering 13 major air carriers, which are assumed to compete in the markets between 236 metropolitan areas. The framework can be applied to answer a wide range of policy questions and to understand decisions related to airport congestion pricing, market access restrictions, air carriers merging, and so forth.
Antimalarial activity of the anticancer and proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and its analog ZL3B

Background The high rate of mortality due to malaria and the worldwide distribution of parasite resistance to the commonly used antimalarial drugs chloroquine and pyrimethamine emphasize the urgent need for the development of new antimalarial drugs. An alternative approach to the long and uncertain process of designing and developing new compounds is to identify among the armamentarium of drugs already approved for clinical treatment of various human diseases those that may have strong antimalarial activity.
Lectins as endocytic ligands: an assessment of lectin binding and uptake to rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells.

Purpose. To investigate the binding and uptake pattern of three plant lectins in rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells (RCECs) with respect to their potential for enhancing cellular macromolecular uptake.
Carbon-Sequestration Technologies: A Review of the Current State of the Art and Market Potential of Managing Carbon Emissions

Fossil fuels will remain the dominant source of energy well into the 21st century. Carbon sequestration is a potential solution for limiting the atmospheric release of carbon dioxide emissions that may contribute to global warming. If successful, carbon sequestration would enable the continued use of established, economically viable energy sources until the technological, economic, social, and ecological feasibility of radically new energy sources such as hydrogen can be realized. Clean carbon-based energy presents a potentially practical solution to fill the energy gap. It enables the use of current energy sources and infrastructure while minimizing the negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment. Businesses and consumers will be minimally impacted. This paper examines the current state of the art in carbon sequestration technologies and assesses their market potential.
(DICYANOMETHYLENE)PYRAN DERIVATIVES WITH C2V SYMMETRY : AN UNUSUAL CLASS OF NONLINEAR OPTICAL CHROMOPHORES

A series of symmetric derivatives of 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(p-(dimethylamino)styryl)-4H-pyran (DCM laser dye) has been synthesized, and the nonlinear optical properties and thermal decomposition temperatures of each of the chromophores has been measured. The symmetric chromophores all have larger hyperpolarizabilities than one would expect based on their absorption maxima. Estimations of their oscillator strengths based upon UV/vis spectra are all well above 1.0. It is proposed that these compounds possess two excited electronic states close to each other in energy, both contributing to the hyperpolarizability in an additive fashion. Electro-optical absorption spectroscopy data and semiempirical calculations on a model compound support this hypothesis. The implications of these results with regard to the tradeoff between nonlinearity and transparency are discussed. The large dipole moments and high decomposition temperatures of these chromophores make them attractive candidates for use in electr...
Structure of the transcription initiation and termination sequences of seven early genes in the vaccinia virus HindIII D fragment

The vaccinia virus HindIII D fragment is 16,060 bp in length and encodes 13 complete genes [E.G. Niles et al. (1986). Virology 153, 96-112; S. L. Weinrich and D. E. Hruby (1986). Nucleic Acids Res. 14, 3003-3016]. Six of these genes are expressed only at early times after infection and one gene is expressed at both early and late times [G. -J. Lee-Chen and E. G. Niles (1988). Virology 163, 52-63]. Transcript mapping by S1 nuclease protection studies was carried out and compared to the results of primer extension analyses, in order to locate map positions of the 5' termini of each early mRNA. The lengths of the products of in vitro transcription, from DNA templates which possess the transcription start regions of each of the early genes, were determined and compared to the lengths of DNA products generated by S1 nuclease protection and primer extension, in order to demonstrate that the 5' termini identified by S1 mapping and primer extension are due to transcription initiation and not to mRNA processing. For each of the early genes in the HindIII D fragment, transcription starts within 25 nucleotides of the translation initiation codon. The precise location of the 3' termini of each early transcript was identified by S1 nuclease mapping. In all but one case, the 3' ends map within 75 nucleotides of the putative transcription termination signal TTTTTNT [G. Rohrmann, L. Yuen, and B. Moss (1986).
Trench Safety–Using a Qualitative Approach to Understand Barriers and Develop Strategies to Improve Trenching Practices

Despite efforts to ensure workplace safety and health, injuries and fatalities related to trenching and excavation remain alarmingly high in the construction industry. Because properly installed trenching protective systems can potentially reduce the significant number of trenching fatalities, there is clearly a need to identify the barriers to the use of these systems and to develop strategies to ensure these systems are utilized consistently. The current study reports on the results of focus groups with construction workers and safety management personnel to better understand these barriers and to identify solutions. The results suggest several factors, from poor planning to pressures from experienced workers and supervisors, which present barriers to safe trenching practices. Based on the results, it is recommended that safety trainings incorporate unique messages for new workers, experienced workers and management in an effort to motivate each group to work safely as well as provide them with solutions to overcome the identified barriers.
A thermodynamic investigation of the Ag-Mn system

A thermodynamic study has been made of the Ag-Mn system in the temperature range of 1100° to 1200°K, using a modified Knudsen effusion technique. The activities of silver and manganese were determined by analysis of the vapor phase using X-ray fluorescence and appropriate graphical integration of the composition function relating activity and vapor phase composition. Silver-rich solutions, in the single-phase region, were found to exhibit exothermic heats of mixing and negative deviations from ideality for the activity of the solvent and both negative and positive deviations from Raoult’s law for the activity of the solute. Manganese-rich solutions, in the two-phase region, exhibit endothermic heats of mixing and positive deviations from ideality for the activities of both the solute and solvent. The negative excess entropies of mixing in the dilute manganese region are attributed to magnetic and electronic changes which occur at 20 at. pct Mn. These changes in magnetic and electronic properties are a result of a gradual change in the Mn-Mn interatomic separation and electronic structure. With increasing manganese content beyond 20 at. pct Mn, the excess entropies become positive, passing through a maximum as the two-phase boundary is reached. The positive excess entropies of mixing are attributed to lattice distortion resulting from size differences between silver and manganese atoms.
Chronic hypoxia abolishes posthypoxia frequency decline in the anesthetized rat.

In anesthetized rats, increases in phrenic nerve amplitude and frequency during brief periods of hypoxia are followed by a reduction in phrenic nerve burst frequency [posthypoxia frequency decline ...
Haplotype Mapping of a Diploid Non-Meiotic Organism Using Existing and Induced Aneuploidies

Haplotype maps (HapMaps) reveal underlying sequence variation and facilitate the study of recombination and genetic diversity. In general, HapMaps are produced by analysis of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) segregation in large numbers of meiotic progeny. Candida albicans, the most common human fungal pathogen, is an obligate diploid that does not appear to undergo meiosis. Thus, standard methods for haplotype mapping cannot be used. We exploited naturally occurring aneuploid strains to determine the haplotypes of the eight chromosome pairs in the C. albicans laboratory strain SC5314 and in a clinical isolate. Comparison of the maps revealed that the clinical strain had undergone a significant amount of genome rearrangement, consisting primarily of crossover or gene conversion recombination events. SNP map haplotyping revealed that insertion and activation of the UAU1 cassette in essential and non-essential genes can result in whole chromosome aneuploidy. UAU1 is often used to construct homozygous deletions of targeted genes in C. albicans; the exact mechanism (trisomy followed by chromosome loss versus gene conversion) has not been determined. UAU1 insertion into the essential ORC1 gene resulted in a large proportion of trisomic strains, while gene conversion events predominated when UAU1 was inserted into the non-essential LRO1 gene. Therefore, induced aneuploidies can be used to generate HapMaps, which are essential for analyzing genome alterations and mitotic recombination events in this clonal organism.
The Differentiation of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders: A Biometric Approach

• Current psychiatric concepts about anxiety and depression espouse two views which are: 1) that anxiety and depression are separate clinical entities, and 2) that anxiety and depression are two aspects of the same clinical entity. As simple as these two views may appear, one can easily find in standard psychiatric text-books statements which seem to take one view but co-mingle elements of both views. Thus Slater and Roth' state that "Anxiety is commonly associated with some degree of depression and not infrequently anxiety develops in what was originally an essentially depressive disorder. The distinction between anxiety and depressive is nevertheless a valid one although the disorders overlap in their clinical feature." One interesting approach to resolving this diagnostic dilemma was that proposed by Dorfman and Lindner~, who devised a behavioral rating scale with common denominators in the manifestation of the psychopathology of anxiety and depression. Heuristically, this is intriguing since we could postulate that as disorders of affect, both entities would involve the same anatomical substrate (the limbic system or visceral brain). The present study was designed to test the two views stated above by using rating scales which operationally define anxiety and depression as separate entities"'" versus a rating scale which assumed some commonality between the two disorders2•