cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Precursor Chemistry on the Structural Characteristics of Y2O3–MgO Nanocomposites Synthesized by a Combined Sol–Gel/Thermal Decomposition Route

A combined sol-gel/thermal decomposition process has been used to produce powders of Y 2 O 3 -50 vol% MgO nanocomposites from four different precursor mixtures of acetate and/or nitrate salts. The influence of precursor chemistry on phase homogeneity in the ceramic materials produced from these powders has been investigated. Solutions of the precursor salts were mixed, dried to form a gel, and then calcined to give ceramic powders. The effects of precursor chemistry were investigated using a combination of thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. All of the calcined powders, and most of the consolidated materials produced from them, consist of nanosized grains of the cubic Y 2 O 3 and MgO phases clustered into phase domains. For the materials synthesized from precursor mixtures containing only acetates or only nitrates, these grains and domains are rather coarse and are distributed rather inhomogeneously. Precursor mixtures containing an acetate and a nitrate, however, give materials with finer and more homogeneous phase domains. These phenomena are related to the thermal characteristics for the decomposition of the precursors and their effect on phase separation during oxide crystallization.
Brief interventions for problem drinking: another piece of the puzzle.

In this issue, Saitz and colleagues studied the effects of a brief intervention in hospitalized problem drinkers. The result is disappointing: The intervention had no effect on any of the 2 primary...
The thermodynamic activity of Mn in Pt-Mn alloys in the temperature range 1300 to 1600 °c

The thermodynamic activity of Mn in Pt-Mn alloys has been measured in the temperature range 1300 to 1600 °C and the composition range 0.07 ≤ NMn ≤ 0.33 by equilibrating Pt-Mn foils with solid MnO under atmospheres of fixed oxygen pressure. The results obtained differ from those of the two previous investigations of this system. Partial and integral free energies, enthalpies and entropies are derived. The densities of Pt-Mn alloys have been determined by measurement of lattice parameters.
Inherited Metabolic Disorders and Stroke Part 2: Homocystinuria, Organic Acidurias, and Urea Cycle Disorders

Several inherited metabolic disorders have been associated with stroke particularly in newborns, children, and young adults. In part 1, we discussed the genetics, stroke pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of Fabry disease and mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes. In part 2, we overview homocystinuria, organic acidurias, and urea cycle disorders.
Inorganic Soil Amendment Effects on Sand-Based Sports Turf Media

Inorganic soil amendments have been suggested for use in turf to alleviate soil compaction, increase water retention and hydraulic conductivity, and improve many other soil physical properties. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of ceramic, porous ceramic clay (PCC), calcined diatomaceous earth (CDE), and polymer coated clay (PC) on the physical characteristics of sand-based media and to determine the effects of these amendments on bulk density following freeze-thaw treatments. Inorganic materials were added to a sand-based golf green at 10% on a volumetric basis during construction in 1996. Data collected from the field included saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sat ), water retention, water release curves, bulk density and total porosity on compacted samples collected at construction, and undisturbed samples collected from the treated plots 1 and 2 yr after establishment. The PCC treatment had an 8 and 7% higher cation-exchange capacity (CEC) than the control in 1997 and 1998, respectively. The PCC increased the K sat by 26 and 20% in the compacted and undisturbed samples, respectively, in 1998. The CDE increased water retention by 13% in both compacted and undisturbed samples. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of the sand-inorganic mixtures decreased in the 2 yr, although some increases in K sat were observed each spring. The K sat of plots receiving all inorganic amendments was reduced by 75% in November of 1998. The K sat values in the spring of 1999 increased from the low levels of 1998 by 19% (PC), 44% (control), 59% (ceramic), 72% (PCC), and 82% (CDE). The changes of K sat over the winter may have been induced by freezing and thawing. These changes may not necessarily be caused by total porosity increases; instead they may be caused by increases in macropores. This hypothesis was further tested in the laboratory in a freeze-thaw study conducted in 1999. The PC, control, CDE, and PCC decreased bulk density by 10.7, 7.2, 2.5, and 2.2%, respectively, following a freeze-thaw cycle.
On the origins of 718 nm fluorescence from Porphyridium cruentum at 77 K.

Abstract Emission spectra and transient behavior of fluorescence in Porphyridium cruentum have been studied in search of the pathway of excitation energy from the phycobilisome to Photosystem I (PS I) of photosynthesis. For activating light at 436 nm, absorbed almost entirely by chlorophyll, fluorescence is dominated by the 718 nm band generally attributed to chlorophyll of PS I. Activating light at 550 nm, absorbed mostly by the phycobilisome, gives rise to the distinctive fluorescence band of PS II chlorophyll at 696 nm but also gives a large component at 718 nm. Analysis depends critically upon the source of emission at 718 nm under 550 nm activation: does it arise from PS I or PS II? Ley and Butler (Ley, A.C. and Butler, W.L. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73, 3956–3960) have proposed that the 718 nm arises mostly from PS I, to which it is transferred by spillover from PS II. We suggest a different proposition: that under 550 nm activation most of the 718 emission arises from PS II. Analysis shows that this proposition provides an alternative explanation. Using the small change in fluorescence yield observed under 436 nm activation as a monitor of excitation in PS I, we provide evidence that under 550 activation most of the 718 nm fluorescence arises from PS II.
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1971

Abstract A general overview of the 1971 hurricane season in the North Atlantic is presented together with detailed accounts of all named tropical cyclones.
Spatiotemporal and kinematic effect of peroneal nerve stimulation versus an ankle-foot orthosis in patients with multiple sclerosis: a case series.

Objective To compare the effect of a surface peroneal nerve stimulator (PNS) versus an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) on spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters of gait in patients with multiple sclerosis. Design This was a case series design. Participants Four subjects with multiple sclerosis and dorsiflexion weakness. Intervention Quantitative gait analysis with the use of (1) no device, (2) AFO, and (3) PNS as a single point-in-time assessment. Outcome Measures Included walking speed, stride length, cadence, and double support time; kinematic parameters included peak pelvic obliquity during swing, peak contralateral hip abduction during stance, peak knee flexion and hip flexion during swing, ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact, and peak ankle internal rotation during swing. Results One-way analysis of variance was used to compare intrasubject performance under the 3 device conditions. The PNS significantly increased ankle dorsiflexion angle at initial contact, as compared with both no device and the AFO, in 3 of the 4 subjects. However, other spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters were more variably affected by the device conditions. Conclusions With the exception of ankle dorsiflexion angle at initial contact, PNS and AFO have a variable effect on spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters in individual subjects with multiple sclerosis. Further studies are indicated to determine the clinical significance of intrasubject differences between device conditions.
Pseudo-Phosphorylation of Cardiac Troponin I Containing the RCM Troponin T Deletion Glutamic Acid 96 is not an Accurate Indicator of the Phosphorylation Effects by PKA in Skinned Fibers

The cardiac TnT deletion (HcTnT-ΔE96) linked to Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM) dramatically increases the Ca2+ sensitivity of force development in skinned fibers (J. Biol. Chem. 283(4):2156–66). This study explores whether HcTnT-ΔE96 interferes with convergent regulation by Protein Kinase A (PKA) which decreases myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. Native cTnT of porcine cardiac skinned fibers was displaced by HcTnT-WT or HcTnT-ΔE96 and reconstituted with binary complex containing pseudo non-phosphorylatable cTnI (cTnI-SS/AA.cTnC) or pseudo-phosphorylated (cTnI-SS/DD.cTnC). For comparison, skinned fibers were also reconstituted with binary cTnI.cTnC phosphorylated by PKA in vitro (cTnI-2P.cTnC) to assess effects of HcTnT-ΔE96 on Ca2+ sensitivity of force development. As expected, fibers displaced with HcTnT-WT reconstituted with cTnI-SS/DD.cTnC decreased Ca2+ sensitivity of force compared to control reconstituted with cTnI-SS/AA.cTnC. In contrast, fibers displaced with HCTnT-ΔE96 and reconstituted with cTnI-SS/DD.cTnC or cTnI-SS/AA.cTnC had similar Ca2+ sensitivities. When fibers were displaced with HcTnT3-WT or HcTnT3-ΔE96 and reconstituted with cTnI-2P.cTnC, the expected decrease in Ca2+ sensitivity was observed for both. These results suggest that phosphorylation mimetic cTnI-SS/DD may not always mimic phosphorylation by PKA. Furthermore, the mutant HcTnT-ΔE96 protein revealed reduced α-helical content by CD spectroscopy when compared to WT. Thermo-denaturation studies indicated that the mutant protein unfolded earlier than WT and was partially unfolded at physiological temperatures. Fluorescence studies containing CTnC-IAANS demonstrated that a high order of complexity (thin filament + myosin S1) is needed to better approach changes in Ca2+ affinity produced by the RCM cTnT mutation in skinned fibers. The effects of the HcTnT mutation on Ca2+ sensitivity properties were likely due to altered interactions of TnT with other thin filament proteins. Supported AHA 09POST2300030 (MSP), NIH R01-HL42325 (JDP) and J&E King 1KN13-34001 (JRP).
Hydrogen and Oxygen Adsorption on Rhn (n = 1−6) Clusters

Density functional theory is used to study electronic and physical properties of pure Rhn (n = 1−6) clusters in their ground state and those of their closest states. Optimized equilibrium bond leng...
Linking of medical records to form pedigrees

The human pedigree provides a highly organized representation of historical family morbidity. In order to allow for careful analysis of large numbers of pedigrees, we have developed an interactive computer system for their storage, retrieval and statistical review. The system is capable of integration with our computerized medical record through the use of a common classification (ICHPPC) for patient morbidity. This linkage of pedigrees to clinical data may allow a richer utilization of the clinical experience within Family Practice for the support of research into disease patterns within the family.
Bitterness in wine.

Abstract Bitterness in wine is elicited primarily by flavonoid phenols, which are bitter and astringent, and by ethanol. Monomeric flavonoid phenols are primarily bitter but as the molecular weight increases upon polymerization, astringency increases more rapidly than bitterness. The chiral difference between the two wine flavan-3-ol monomers produces a significant difference in temporal perception of bitterness: (−)-epicatechin is significantly more bitter and had significantly longer duration of bitterness than (+)-catechin. Ethanol enhances bitterness intensity and duration, whereas varying wine pH has little or no effect on perceived bitterness. Whereas PROP status had no signficant effect on temporal perception of bitterness or astringency, subjects with low salivary flow rates took longer to reach maximum bitterness and astringency intensity and reported longer persistence of both attributes than high-flow subjects.
OBSERVATIONAL PROBABILITIES AND UNCERTAINTY RELATIONS FOR METEOROLOGY

Abstract The probability that an atmospheric feature of a given size will be observed in a region with a network of stations randomly distributed relative to the feature is shown to be a function of the feature and region sizes and the number of stations. The function is developed to give the probability of observing the feature in a network of stations with varying observational capabilities and the probability of observing several features simultaneously. Applications to aircraft reconnaissance, network design, climatology, and prediction are discussed, and effects of a variation in network density are considered quantitatively. Difficulties in meteorological observation are compared with those in atomic physics. Meteorological uncertainty relations, analogous to Heisenberg's uncertainty relation for atomic particles, are obtained and examined.
Microstructural constraints on the timing of Proterozoic deformation in Central New Mexico

The nature and extent of deformation associated with 1.4 Ga tectonism in the south-western USA are poorly understood. Two models have been proposed. Both agree that Proterozoic crustal accretion occurred at 1.65 Ga and that the rocks remained at mid-crustal conditions (c. 12 km depth) until 1.4 Ga. However, one model suggests that 1.4 Ga deformation was regionally extensive, the other that it was localized around 1.4 Ga plutons. Following 1.4 Ga tectonism, the crust cooled below 300 °C. Detailed studies of quartz mylonite microfabrics in samples both adjacent to and removed from 1.4 Ga plutons in the Manzano Mountains, central New Mexico, are used to discriminate between these models of mid-Proterozoic thermotectonic history. In this area, as in much of northern New Mexico, the metamorphic conditions prior to emplacement of 1.4 Ga plutons were 500 °C and 4 kbar. The quartz mylonite microfabrics include ribbon grains, recrystallized grains with serrated boundaries, and strong c-axis crystallographic preferred orientations, which indicate no post-deformational modification. All of these microfabrics are consistent with deformation at upper greenschist/lower amphibolite facies conditions, and could have formed during either 1.65 or 1.4 Ga tectonism. Microfabrics formed during 1.65 Ga tectonism, however, should have been substantially modified by annealing recrystallization during residency in the middle crust and/or thermal/mechanical effects associated with 1.4 Ga tectonism. The observed microstructures are consistent with regional deformation associated with metamorphism at 1.4 Ga. The effects of deformation at 1.4 Ga in New Mexico are therefore more widespread than previously thought.
Trends and projections in magnetic recording storage on particulate media

Improving the performance and extending the utility of information processing requires access to ever larger volumes of data. Thus, the impact of progress in storage technology on the overall growth of the information processing industry is immense. By advances that continually reduce the cost of storage it becomes feasible to develop and place more and more applications on computer systems by permitting both a larger system data base and more sophisticated control and applications programs. Unfortunately, the term "mass storage" has no precise technical meaning, being all too frequently used to describe on-line peripheral storage of a size bigger than a user currently believes he can justify. Once the user's system is upgraded to that level, however, as technical advances over time allow capacity to be increased for a fixed cost, this amount of storage is barely considered adequate, much less "mass." In discussing hardware, the term is most commonly associated with mechanical storage devices. While solid-state memory continually provides more and more bits per chip, the rate at which storage capacity can be absorbed grows even faster, and thus it seems electronic memories will never eliminate the use of auxiliary storage devices. As storage costs decrease, applications expand, the market grows, and product volume increases; the resulting cost reductions in turn reinforce the cycle. In addition, it then becomes feasible to increase investment in technology, which results in a further improvement in cost/performance. It is thus important to understand storage technology trends if one is to anticipate the future.
Subsurface membranes in paired cone photoreceptor inner segments of adult and neonatal Lebistes retinae

Rectangular membranous sheets, consisting of three components, subsurface and parallel to the apposing plasma membranes, are found in the inner segments of each of the two members of the Lebistes retinal paired cone photoreceptors. The subsurface membranes are without fenestrations and lack continuity with the closely applied plasma membranes. As the subsurface membranes are coextensive with the area of closely apposed plasma membranes, they are believed to represent a layer of insulation or a specialized cell-to-cell contact zone.
A new family handedness sample with findings consistent with X-linked transmission.

A family handedness study of 2632 families and 8605 offspring was conducted. ()f the 2632 parental couples, there were 2123 in which both parents were right-handed (RR), 232 in which the mother was left-handed and the father right-handed (LR), 254 in which the mother was right-handed and the father was left-handed (RL), and 23 in which both parents were left-handed (LL). Results showed some important differences from the composite results of four earlier large scale studies that had also employed the same criterion of handedness (writing hand). These had collectively found that the incidence of left-handed offspring, of both sexes, was significantly lower for RR couples than for LR or RL couples, but not lower than for LL couples, Present results, however, suggest an X-linked pattern of genetic influence on handedness. The LR parents produced significantly more left-handed offspring than did RR couples, and this was particularly the case for sons; but while RL couples produced a higher incidence of left-handed daughters than did RR parents, they failed to produce a higher incidence of left-handed sons than did RR couples. Additionally, the present sample showed a significantly greater incidence of left-handed offspring of LL couples than of RR couples, a finding that, while predicted by genetic-influence theories of handedness, was not found in the composite of previous comparison samples. The finding of sex-linkage is potentially important, but will require replicative studies that take special care to preclude possible biasing factors such as selective volunteering of participants and inaccurate offspring ascriptions of parental (particularly paternal) handedness.
Brainstem and spinal pathways mediating descending inhibition from the medullary lateral reticular nucleus in the rat.

Abstract The lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) in the caudal ventrolateral medulia has been implicated in descending monoaminergic modulation of spinal nociceptive transmission. Experiments were undertaken to examine the organization of pontine and spinal pathways mediating inhibition of the tail-flick (TF) reflex from the LRN in rats lightly anesthetized with pentobarbital. Microinjections of the local anesthetic lidocaine ipsilaterally or bilaterally into the dorsolateral pons blocked stimulation-produced inhibition of the TF reflex from the nucleus locus coeruleus/subcoeruleus (LC/SC), but had no effect on descending inhibiton produced by microinjection of glutamate into the LRN. Thus, adrenergic modulation of the TF reflex from the LRN is not mediated by activation of spinopetal noradrenergic neurons in the LC/SC. The funicular course of descending inhibition produced by focal electrical stimulation in the LRN was studied in separate groups of rats by reversibly (local anesthetic blocks) or irreversibly (surgical transection) compromising conduction in the dorsolateral funiculi (DLFs) at the level of the cervical spinal cord. Bilateral iidocaine blocks in the DLFs significantly shortened control TF latencies and more than doubled the intensity of electrical stimulation in the LRN necessary to inhibit the TF reflex (153 ± 29% increase from control); changes in these parameters produced by unilateral blocks of the DLFs were not statistically significant. Ipsilateral or bilateral transections of the DLFs significantly increased the intensity of electrical stimulation in the LRN to inhibit the TF reflex (110 ± 24% and 265 ± 46% from the control, respectively). Neither lidocaine blocks nor transection of the DLFs completely blocked the descending inhibitory effects of electrical stimulation in the LRN. The DLFs appear to carry fibers mediating LRN stimulation-produced inhibition of the TF reflex as well as tonic descending inhibition of spinal reflexes. The results of the present study indicate that (1) adrenergic modulation of the nociceptive TF reflex from the LRN does not depend on a rostral loop through the pontine LC/SC, and (2) descending inhibitory influences from the LRN are contained in, but not confined to, the dorsal quadrants of the spinal cord.
The importance of GLP-1 and PYY in resistant starch's effect on body fat in mice

Resistant starch (RS) is a dietary fermentable fiber that decreases body fat accumulation, and stimulates the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) in rodents. GLP-1 and PYY are gut-secreted hormones with antiobesity effect. Thus, blocking the signals of increased GLP-1 and PYY may also block the effect of dietary RS on body fat. In a 10-week study, C57BL/6J and GLP-1 receptor null (GLP-1R KO) mice were fed control or 30% RS diet, and received daily intraperitoneal injection of either saline or PYY receptor antagonist (BIIE0246, 20 μg/kg body weight). Dietary RS significantly decreased body fat accumulation only in wild-type mice that has saline injection, but not in GLP-1R KO mice. PYY receptor antagonist diminished RS action on body fat in wild-type mice, but did not interfere with GLP-1R KO mice response to RS. Regardless of genotype and injection received, all RS-fed mice had increased cumulative food intake, cecal fermentation, and mRNA expression of proglucagon and PYY. Thus, our results suggest that increased GLP-1 and PYY is important in RS effects on body fat accumulation.
Electron-transfer reorganization energies of isolated organic molecules

He I photoelectron spectra of phenanthrene (1), 1,10-phenanthroline (2), phenazine (3), dibenzo[a,c]anthracene (4), dibenzo[a,c]phenazine (5), and dipyrido[3,2-a;2‘3‘-c]phenazine (6) have been obtained. Assignment of the π ionization states was aided by electronic structure calculations: the first ionization state of 1, ^2B_1(π_1), is observed at 7.888 ± 0.002 eV, ^2B_2(π_1) of 2 is at 8.342 ± 0.002 eV, and ^2B_(1g)(π_1) of 3 is at 8.314 ± 0.002 eV. Spectra of 4−6 are reported for the first time: ^2A_2(π_1) of 4 is at 7.376 ± 0.002 eV, and both 5 (7.983 ± 0.002 eV) and 6 (8.289 ± 0.002 eV) exhibit quasi-degenerate first and second ionization states. Quantum-mechanical reorganization energies, λ^(QM), were extracted from analyses of vibrational structure: values are 149 ± 5 (1), 167 ± 5 (2), 68 ± 2 (3), and 92 ± 4 (4) meV. Low-frequency modes were treated semiclassically: values of λ^(SC) are estimated to be 21 ± 1 (1), 13 ± 1 (2), 22 ± 1 (3), 66 ± 1 (4), 27 ± 9 (5), and 16 ± 1 (6) meV. Reorganization energies (λ = λ^(QM) + λ^(SC)) of isolated molecules are 170 ± 5 (1), 180 ± 5 (2), 90 ± 2 (3), and 158 ± 4 (4) meV. Density functional calculations (B3LYP/6-311G++(d,p)) give λ values that are on average 63 meV lower than experimentally derived energies.
HSP90 inhibitor 17AAG causes apoptosis in ATRA-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Abstract The effects of a novel heat shock protein inhibitor, 17AAG, on established APL cell lines (NB4 and R1) were analyzed. 17AAG induces apoptosis in APL cell lines both sensitive (NB4) and resistant (R1) to ATRA after 72 h of incubation. Apoptosis occurs by a mechanism different than ATRA-mediated response, as the cells do not undergo differentiation before apoptosis. Analysis of bax and bcl-2 shows that pro-apoptotic (bax) and anti-apoptotic (bcl-2) proteins are decreased in expression after incubation with 17AAG. We believe this data supports potential clinical use of agents that target HSP90 in APL patients failing conventional therapy.
Endotoxin Tolerance Alters Phospholipase C-γ1 and Phosphatidylinositol-3′-Kinase Expression in Peritoneal Macrophages

Although the molecular signaling mechanisms underlying macrophage endotoxin (LPS) responsiveness are not fully understood, alterations in intracellular phosphatidylinositol (PI) metabolism appear to contribute. We evaluated the effects of endotoxin tolerance (ET) induction upon peritoneal macrophage (PM) expression of the principal PI enzymes phospholipase PLC-γl (PLC-γl) and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI-3'-K). Rats received either 5 mg/kg LPS (ET) or phosphate-buffered saline (nontolerant, NT) which enabled 88% of ET and 25% of NT to survive a 25 mg/kg LPS dose 3 days later. PM were harvested by lavage on Day 3 from both ET and NT rats. Following overnight culture, 5 X 10 6 PM in serum-free media were stimulated with 5 ng/ml LPS for 0 to 30 min. Cell lysates fractionated by SDS -PAGE were transferred to nitrocellulose and blotted with PLC-γ1, PI-3'-K, and phosphotyrosine (4G10) monoclonal antibodies. Western immunoblots were developed by enhanced chemiluminescence and quantitated by densitometry. Unlike NT cells in which PLC-γ1 was expressed constitutively and increased with LPS stimulation, PLC-γ1 expression in ET cells stimulated with LPS was markedly reduced in three separate experiments. In contrast, ET cells expressed considerably higher concentrations of PI-3'-K both constitutively and with LPS stimulation compared to NT cells. Patterns of protein tyrosine phosphorylation were similar in both NT and ET cells regardless of LPS stimulation. The development of endotoxin tolerance decreased PLC-γ1 expression and markedly amplified PI-3'-K expression in macrophages. PI-3'-K-generated second messengers may contribute to unique signaling pathways responsible for tempered cellular responses to LPS.
The B domain of Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) is recognized by IGF carrier proteins but not by type II IGF receptors

IGF-I and IGF-II are highly homologous to each other and to proinsulin. Although the IGFs and insulin have similar biological activities and receptor reactivity, IGF carrier proteins and one subtype of IGF receptors (Type II) interact exclusively with the IGFs and not with insulin. To determine the structural basis for this specificity, we have prepared 3 synthetic hybrid molecules that combine different portions of the IGF and insulin molecules: A27(Ins)-B(Ins), in which the A chain of insulin is extended by the D domain of IGF-II; A(Ins)-B(IGF-I) and A27(Ins)-B(IGF-I)in which the B domain of IGF-I is combined with the natural or extended A chain of insulin. In a competitive binding assay with acid stripped carrier protein from adult rat serum, 125I-rIGF-II binding was inhibited by the IGFs and by both hybrid molecules containing B-(IGF-I), but not by insulin or A27(Ins)-B(Ins). Qualitatively similar results were obtained with carrier proteins from human serum, neonatal rat serum and rat liver cell conditioned media By contrast, none of the three hybrids molecules inhibited 125I-rIGF-II binding to Type II IGF receptors on rat liver, placenta or chondrosarcoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: The B domain of IGF-I but not the D domain of IGF-II allow Insulin-IGF hybrid molecules to be recognized by IGF carrier proteins. Neither domain is involved in binding to Type II IGF receptors.
Analysis of relative reversion frequencies for IS2 insertion mutations in the regulatory region of the galOPETK operon of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Two previously characterized mutations in the galOPETK operon of Escherichia coli, galOP-3 and galOPE-490, contain IS2 insertions only 1 bp apart in the gal regulatory region; yet only the former yields Gal+ phenotypic revertants at a detectable frequency. We have shown that the galOPE-490 allele comprises two mutations—an IS2(I) insertion at bp+(2–6) (relative to the gal mRNA start site) plus a C G to A T transversion at bp+59. The latter creates an ochre stop codon and lies within the internal site of the bipartite gal operator; it acts as an operator mutation in an in vivo repressor titration assay. Analysis of a newly isolated allele ( galOP-490 ∗ ) which retains the IS2 of galOPE-490 but is galE+ reveals a reversion frequency approximately 30-fold higher than that of galOP-3. Reversion of galOPE-490 is at least 10,000-fold lower and has not been detectable even under conditions conducive to enhanced double mutations in other systems.
Polarimetric optical-fiber sensor with self-referencing interrogation

Polarimetric fiber-optic sensors are a class of phase-modulated sensors that are an alternative to interferometric sensors for the detection of temperature, strain, acoustic and magnetic fields, and other measurand fields in applications where the ultrahigh sensitivity of the interferometric technique is not required. A difficulty with polarimetric configurations, however, is the demodulation or linearization of the measurand-induced modulation in the polarization-mode phase delay in situations where the sensor is required to operate passively and remotely from the detection electronics. Techniques for the demodula-tion of interferometricsensors based on laser frequency modulation have been adapted for use with polarimetric sensors.1
HORMONAL REGULATION OF LIVER PLASMA MEMBRANE PROTEIN EXPRESSION DURING DEVELOPMENT

In the past, dexamethasone and glucagon has been shown to have a variable effect on the expression of soluble liver enzymes during development. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dexamethasone and glucagon on the expression of plasma membrane proteins during ontogeny. Our previous studies have demonstrated a significant increase of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR) and 110,000 Mr glycoprotein at birth, decrease in alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gammaglutamyltranspeptidase (GT) and very little change in leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) after birth. Buffalo rat fetuses at 18 days of gestation and 1-day-old newborns were injected (single and daily, respectively) with dexamethasone (2 and 4 μg, respectively) or glucagon (25 and 50 μg, respectively). Fetuses were sacrificed at 22 days of gestation and newborns at 3, 5, and 7 days of age. Total post-nuclei membrane vesicles were prepared from rat livers using a sucrose gradient method. Quantitation of levels of membrane proteins was performed using immunological and/or enzymatic methods. In fetal rats, dexamethasone did not affect the expression of membrane proteins. In contrast, glucagon increased significantly the levels of AP, LAP, and GT. In newborns, glucagon did not alter membrane protein levels. However, dexamethasone dramatically increased six-fold the level of GT while the amounts of ASGR, AP, and LAP were reduced by two-to four-fold. These data indicate that there is a differential effect of dexamethasone and glucagon on the expression of membrane proteins during late intrauterine and early extrauterine stages of development.
Varying phenotypes in swine versus murine transgenic models constitutively expressing the same human Sonic hedgehog transcriptional activator, K5-HGLI2ΔN

This study was undertaken to characterize the effects of constitutive expression of the hedgehog transcriptional activator, Gli2, in porcine skin. The keratinocyte-specific human transgene, K5-hGli2ΔN, was used to produce transgenic porcine lines via somatic cell nuclear transfer techniques. In mice, K5-hGli2ΔN induces epithelial downgrowths resembling basal cell carcinomas. Our porcine model also developed these basal cell carcinoma-like lesions, however gross tumor development was not appreciated. In contrast to the murine model, diffuse epidermal changes as well as susceptibility to cutaneous infections were seen in the swine model. Histologic analysis of transgenic piglets revealed generalized epidermal changes including: epidermal hyperplasia (acanthosis), elongated rete ridges, parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, epidermal neutrophilic infiltration, capillary loop dilation and hypogranulosis. By 2 weeks of age, the transgenic piglets developed erythematic and edematous lesions at high contact epidermal areas and extensor surfaces of distal limb joints. Despite antibiotic treatment, these lesions progressed to a deep bacterial pyoderma and pigs died or were euthanized within weeks of birth. Non-transgenic littermates were phenotypically normal by gross and histological analysis. In summary, constitutive expression of the human hGli2ΔN in keratinocytes, results in cutaneous changes that have not been reported in the K5-hGli2ΔN murine model. These findings indicate a need for a multiple species animal model approach in order to better understand the role of Gli2 in mammalian skin.
Release of soluble interleukin-2 receptors (Tac peptide) in vivo during human immune responses to tuberculin

Cutaneous levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (Tac peptide) have been measured in tuberculin responses in 13 human volunteers by assaying the fluid present in suction-induced blisters at various times after injection of standard purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD). Low levels of Tac peptide were found in blisters without prior injection of PPD and in PPD-negative individuals, and maximal levels of Tac peptide were correlated with increased induration at 48 hr (r = 0.69, P = 0.04) in PPD-positive subjects. This is the first report of measurement of Tac peptide in vivo in a defined immune response in man, and may offer a new approach to the study of human immune function in vivo.
Making the minutes count in L2 teaching

Many educational institutions offer second- or foreign-language (L2) programmes that give students many more hours of contact with the target language than is typical of foreign-language instruction in schools around the world. This article compares some of the instructional approaches developed for both second- and foreign-language learners at the primary and secondary school levels. The approaches are compared in terms of several characteristics, including goals and outcomes. The review suggests that, even when more time is available, it is important to provide learning opportunities that focus on both meaningful language use and the vocabulary and structure of the language itself. In addition, the research shows that supporting students’ knowledge of their first language (L1) can contribute to their long-term academic and L2 success.
Testosterone increases analgesia, anxiolysis, and cognitive performance of male rats

Preliminary evidence suggests that testosterone (T) may have anxiety-reducing and cognitive-enhancing properties in animals and people. Performance in a number of affective and cognitive behavioral tasks was examined in intact, T-depleted, and T-depleted and T-replaced male rats. Rats that were gonadally intact (n = 33), gonadectomized (GDX; n = 30), or GDX with silastic capsules of T implanted (n = 28) were tested through a battery of affective tasks (horizontal crossing, open field, elevated plus-maze, emergence, holeboard, social interaction, tailflick, pawlick, and defensive burying) and in the inhibitory avoidance task for cognitive performance. An additional 6 rats per group had plasma androgen concentrations measured and were determined to be physiological for intact rats, supraphysiological for T-implanted rats, and near the nadir for GDX rats. Testosterone implants produced analgesia as shown by the increased tailflick latencies of the GDX rats with silastic capsules of T implanted, relative to intact or GDX rats. Testosterone also produced anxiolysis. Intact rats spent more time interacting with a conspecific and less time burying an electrified prod than did the GDX or T-implanted rats. Intact rats or GDX rats with T implants also spent more time on the open arms of the elevated plus-maze than did GDX rats. Testosterone also enhanced cognitive performance in the inhibitory avoidance task. Intact rats had longer crossover latencies in the inhibitory avoidance task relative to GDX rats; GDX rats with T implants had longer crossover latencies relative to GDX or intact rats. Together, these data demonstrate that endogenous T or administration of T produced analgesia and enhanced affect and cognitive performance of adult male rats.
TTHE ESTROGEN-PROGESTERONE INDUCTION OF SEXUAL RECEPTIVITY IN THE SPAYED FEMALE MOUSE1

ESTROGEN followed after a suitable interval by a small amount of progesterone is more effective than estrogen alone in inducing mating responses in the spayed female guinea pig (Dempsey, Hertz and Young, 1936) and in the spayed female rat (Boling and Blandau, 1939). Heat could be induced consistently in the spayed females of these species only when the two hormones were injected in proper sequence. The estrous behavior following estrogen-progesterone administration more closely resembled normal estrus in character and duration than did that following the injection of estrogen alone. These investigators therefore concluded that in the normal female guinea pig and rat sexual receptivity is the result of a conditioning action of follicular estrogen followed by the action of progesterone secreted by the preovulatory follicle. The literature supporting this view has been extensively reviewed by Young (1941).
Simple formula for error probability of RAKE demodulator for noncoherent binary orthogonal signals and Rayleigh fading

A simple alternative formula for the error probability of a RAKE demodulator for noncoherent, square-law detected, binary orthogonal signals and Rayleigh fading is presented. The formula is more compact and considerably easier to evaluate than the classical formula while providing identical numerical results. The derivation of the alternative formula is shown to be much simpler than the derivation of the classical formula.
A role for a pyridoxine derivative in the multivalent repression of the isoleucine and valine biosynthetic enzymes

Abstract Starvation of a pdx mutant of Escherichia coli strain B in the presence of repressing levels of isoleucine, valine and leucine leads to a derepression of the normally repressible ilv genes. The derepression of the ilvA gene under these conditions results in the accumulation of apothreonine deaminase. Addition of pyridoxine leads to a sudden increase in threonine deaminase activity, and to restoration of repression. The pyridoxine component needed for the repression signal is probably not threonine deaminase but, more likely, some transient (“immature”) form of the enzyme.
"The Reading Assistant": user-friendly technology for the visually impaired.

One important way in which optometry must respond to the needs of persons with visual disabilities is to develop innovative applications of technologies that will allow these people to function productively in the workplace, where their performance depends on the ability to read at reasonable rates: to read such documents as letters, memos, contracts, instruction manuals, newspapers, magazines, and the like. In this paper I will describe one example of such an effort, a system that is being developed jointly by the SUNY College of Optometry, the National Eye Institute, and MerlinVision Industries, Inc., a company in Yorktown Heights, NY. I have an interest in what is reported here: I hold a part-time position as Director of Clinical Research at MerlinVision.
CARBONIC ANHYDRASE ISOZYMES OF NEONATAL AND ADULT HUMAN AND SOME ANIMAL ERYTHROCYTES.

Summary Ion exchange separations utilizing DEAE-cellulose are described that are capable of isolating carbonic anhydrases individually or in groups as they occur in bovine, guinea pig, adult human, or neonatal human erythrocytes. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis procedures have been utilized for evaluation of purification processes as well as for demonstration of relative carbonic anhydrase activities of the various enzymes and for estimation of their esterase activities. Guinea pig carbonic anhydrases, similar to those from human erythrocytes, have both high and low specific activity forms, while the bovine enzymes demonstrate no such difference in activity. The pattern of the neonatal resembles that of the major adult human carbonic anhydrases; a reduction in activity, however, is apparent for the principal high activity form of the enzyme. The total recoverable enzyme as well as the measurable activity is lower in neonatal than adult erythrocytes. The active carbonic anhydrases in the three species studied have esterase activities independent of carbonic anhydrase activity but approximately proportional to protein concentration. Inasmuch as these enzymes hydrolyze napthyl acetates but are very inactive toward α-napthyl propionate, α-napthyl butyrate, or higher napthyl esters, they may be identified as acetyl esterases. They are, however, not sensitive to eserine.
Short‐term cardiovascular oscillations in man: measuring and modelling the physiologies

Research into cardiovascular variabilities intersects both human physiology and quantitative modelling. This is because respiratory and Mayer wave (or 10 s) cardiovascular oscillations represent the integrated control of a system through both autonomic branches by systemic haemodynamic changes within a fluid-filled, physical system. However, our current precise measurement of short-term cardiovascular fluctuations does not necessarily mean we have an adequate understanding of them. Empirical observation suggests that both respiratory and Mayer wave fluctuations derive from mutable autonomic and haemodynamic inputs. Evidence strongly suggests that respiratory sinus arrhythmia both contributes to and buffers respiratory arterial pressure fluctuations. Moreover, even though virtual abolition of all R-R interval variability by cholinergic blockade suggests that parasympathetic stimulation is essential for expression of these variabilities, respiratory sinus arrhythmia does not always reflect a purely vagal phenomenon. The arterial baroreflex has been cited as the mechanism for both respiratory and Mayer wave frequency fluctuations. However, data suggest that both cardiac vagal and vascular sympathetic fluctuations at these frequencies are independent of baroreflex mechanisms and, in fact, contribute to pressure fluctuations. Results from cardiovascular modelling can suggest possible sources for these rhythms. For example, modelling originally suggested low frequency cardiovascular rhythms derived from intrinsic delays in baroreceptor control, and experimental evidence subsequently corroborated this possibility. However, the complex stochastic relations between and variabilities in these rhythms indicate no single mechanism is responsible. If future study of cardiovascular variabilities is to move beyond qualitative suggestions of determinants to quantitative elucidation of critical physical mechanisms, both experimental design and model construction will have to be more trenchant.
Spiritual Genealogy: Interfaith and Multicultural Reflections on Spirituality and Aging With an Introduction to the Articles

The journey into elderhood is a pilgrimage that entails self-cultivation, self-transformation, and self-realization. Elders have a grave responsibility to mentor future elders by attending to their own spiritual cultivation, transformation, and self-realization.
Primitive-like metaphloem sieve elements in the aerial stem ofEquisetum hyemale

Internodal metaphloem sieve elements located near the nodes of aerial stems ofEquisetum hyemale contain very oblique end walls. During maturation, the connections, or plasmodesmata, in these walls undergo little or no structural modification. By contrast, the endwall connections uniting the protoplasts of mature sieve elements elsewhere in the aerial stem ofE. hyemale are pores.
Amino acid substitution and chemical characterization of a Japanese variant of carbonic anhydrase I: CA I Hiroshima-1 (86 Asp → Gly)

An electrophoretic variant of red cell carbonic anhydrase I, designated CA I Hiroshima-1, has been observed in 12 apparently unrelated individuals during a survey of 13,019 individuals from the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Analyses of tryptic and chymotryptic peptide patterns of this CA I variant purified from 8 of the 12 individuals revealed the same altered peptides in each case. Examination of the amino acid sequence of an altered tryptic peptide purified from one of the variants showed that the aspartic acid residue at position 86 was replaced by a glycine residue. Thermostability studies demonstrated that all samples of CA I Hiroshima-1 were less stable than normal CA I. The specific esterase (p-nitrophenyl acetate) activities of the normal and variant CA I isozymes were essentially the same. The difference spectra of the normal and variant enzymes were essentially the same. The isoelectric focusing patterns of CA I Hiroshima-1 showed a different pattern of minor bands to those produced by normal CA I. The relative amounts of the normal and variant enzymes purified from single heterozygous individuals were similar.
Prospects for the Medical Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a chronic degenerative disease with life-threatening implications. While AAAs are thought to arise through a localized form of arterial wall injury superimposed on various predisposing factors, their natural history is one of progressive structural deterioration, gradual expansion, and eventual rupture. Pathologic processes contributing to the changes observed in AAAs include chronic inflammation, destructive remodeling of the extracellular matrix, and depletion of vascular smooth muscle cells. These changes result in progressive aortic dilatation accompanied by alterations in vessel geometry, redistribution of hemodynamic wall stresses, and diminished tensile strength. As outlined in this review, better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying these changes will allow design of novel therapeutic strategies to suppress the process of aneurysmal degeneration.
Thermodynamic calculations and phase diagrams for magnesium and its alloys: Part II

Magnesium is the lightest structural metallic material with a density of 1.741 g/ cm, in comparison with the densities of aluminum (2.70 g/cm) and iron (7.86 g/cm). This makes magnesium alloys particularly attractive for transportation applications for weight reduction and higher fuel effi ciency. World consumption of magnesium alloys in the auto industry has grown by 15% per year for more than a decade. To understand factors that infl uence the properties of magnesium alloys, the U.S. auto industry has called for research into the fundamentals of these alloys, including phase equilibrium and computational thermodynamics. Computational methods are powerful tools to understand materials behaviors and to support selection and design of materials. The core component in computational materials science is computational thermodynamics; the development of new materials and improvement of existing materials from scratch requires that they satisfy thermodynamic stability conditions. In addition, knowledge of the thermodynamics of a system can guide the selection of the kinetic paths the material processing must follow to achieve the desired structure and properties. In computational thermodynamics, known as the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) method, the Gibbs energy of individual phases is modeled in terms of their crystal structures. The model parameters are evaluated with data from both phase equilibria and thermochemistry and collected in thermodynamic databases. Starting Thermodynamic Calculations and Phase Diagrams for Magnesium and Its Alloys: Part I