cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catecholamine storage vesicles and the metabolic syndrome: the role of the chromogranin A fragment pancreastatin

Chromogranins or secretogranins (granins), present in secretory granules of virtually all neuroendocrine cells and neurones, are structurally related proteins encoded by different genetic loci: chromogranins A and B, and secretogranins II through VI. Compelling evidence supports both intracellular and extracellular functions for this protein family. Within the cells of origin, a granulogenic or sorting role in the regulated pathway of hormone or neurotransmitter secretion has been documented, especially for chromogranin A (CHGA). Granins also function as pro-hormones, giving rise by proteolytic processing to an array of peptide fragments for which diverse autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine activities have been demonstrated. CHGA measurements yield insight into the pathogenesis of such human diseases as essential hypertension, in which deficiency of the catecholamine release-inhibitory CHGA fragment catestatin may trigger sympathoadrenal overactivity as an aetiologic culprit in the syndrome. The CHGA dysglycaemic fragment pancreastatin is functional in humans in vivo, affecting both carbohydrate (glucose) and lipid (fatty acid) metabolism. Pancreastatin is cleaved from CHGA in hormone storage granules in vivo, and its plasma concentration varies in human disease. The pancreastatin region of CHGA gives rise to three naturally occurring human variants, one of which (Gly297Ser) occurs in the functionally important carboxy-terminus of the peptide, and substantially increases the peptide's potency to inhibit cellular glucose uptake. These observations establish a role for pancreastatin in human intermediary metabolism and disease, and suggest that qualitative hereditary alterations in pancreastatin's primary structure may give rise to interindividual differences in glucose disposition.
Positron annihilation studies of quenched aluminium

Positron annihilation Doppler broadening measurements were made on quenched aluminium single-crystal and polycrystal samples as a function of isochronal annealing. Changes in the annihilation lineshape due to clustering of vacancies were observed. The measurements show that clusters begin to form very early in stage III and that the degree of clustering depends strongly on the density of vacancy sinks in the samples.
THE IMPACT OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) ON NEUROTRANSMITTER RELEASE FROM THE CAT CAROTID BODY

Abstract Do cat carotid bodies (CBs) increase their release of acetylcholine and ATP in response to H2S? Two CBs, incubated in a Krebs Ringer bicarbonate solution at 37 °C, exhibited a normal response to hypoxia—increased release of acetylcholine (ACh) and ATP. They were challenged with several concentrations of Na2S, an H2S donor. H2S, a new gasotransmitter, is reported to open KATP channels. Under normoxic conditions the CBs reduced their release of ACh and ATP below control values. They responded identically to pinacidil, a well-known KATP channel opener. CB glomus cells exhibited a positive immunohistochemical signal for cystathione-β-synthetase, a H2S synthesizing enzyme, and for a subunit of the KATP channel. The data suggest that Na2S may have opened the glomus cells’ KATP channels, hyperpolarizing the cells, thus reducing their tonic release of ACh and ATP. Since during hypoxia H2S levels rise, the glomus cells responding very actively to hypoxia may be protected from over-exertion by the H2S opening of the KATP channels.
Victimization and Youthful Prison Inmates: An Empirical Analysis

Prison violence researchers have traditionally studied older offenders housed in maximum-security institutions. The present study analyzes victimization data from a sample of young offenders in a m...
Policies and practices for improving influenza immunization rates among healthcare workers.

Objective: To determine the attitudes, policies, and barriers for requiring annual versus voluntary influenza vaccinations for the staff of healthcare institutions in North Carolina. Methods: Five different types of institutions serving at-risk elderly populations throughout North Carolina were chosen for study, including hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and assisted living facilities. Infection control managers completed a 45-question telephone survey on policies for annual influenza vaccinations for employees, incentives to encourage immunizations, support for mandatory influenza vaccinations for workers, barriers to employee vaccinations, and support for a state law to mandate influenza immunizations for employees with patient care contact. Results: Of 312 institutions, 268 (86%) participated in the study. Only 38% of institutions reported having formal written employee influenza vaccination policies, and only 2% actually mandated annual employee vaccinations. Reported barriers to increasing healthcare worker annual influenza vaccinations included “fear of side effects” and “perceived ineffectiveness of the flu vaccine.” Almost half of the respondents would support mandating influenza vaccinations for all healthcare workers with direct patient contact. Conclusion: A state-wide survey of the receptivity, policies, and implications of mandated employee influenza vaccinations among healthcare institutions serving the elderly in North Carolina found written policies uncommon and most of the mechanisms used to increase vaccinations voluntary. Efforts should be tailored to individuals, institutions, and healthcare systems to dramatically increase employee immunization rates.
A natural example of protein trans-splicing

Some consider inteins to be selfish DNA8xPietrokovski, S. Protein Sci. 1998; 7: 64–71Crossref | PubMedSee all References, 16xPerler, F.B., Olsen, G.J., and Adam, E. Nucleic Acids Res. 1997; 25: 1087–1093Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (154)See all References, 22xBelfort, M., Reaban, M.E., Coetzee, T., and Dalgaard, J.Z. J. Bacteriol. 1995; 177: 3897–3903PubMedSee all References, 26xHickey, D.A. Trends Genet. 1994; 10: 147–149Abstract | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (6)See all References, 27xNeff, N.F. Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 1993; 5: 971–976Crossref | PubMedSee all References, whereas others have suggested that inteins control extein expression2xWu, H., Hu, Z., and Liu, X.Q. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1998; 95: 9226–9231Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (217)See all References, 6xShao, Y. and Kent, S.B.H. Chem. Biol. 1997; 4: 187–194Abstract | Full Text PDF | PubMedSee all References, 22xBelfort, M., Reaban, M.E., Coetzee, T., and Dalgaard, J.Z. J. Bacteriol. 1995; 177: 3897–3903PubMedSee all References. Attempts to demonstrate that inteins have a regulatory function have been hampered, however: splicing of natural precursors in the native host is so rapid that precursor protein is undetectable, and no growth conditions that modulate this process in the native organism have been found. The absence of controllable splicing in natural hosts, the ability of inteins to be mobile genetic elements, and the nature of the protein-splicing self-catalytic mechanism suggest that inteins are simply infectious agents that invade genes with little penalty or reward for the host.I can imagine, however, two possible selective advantages of protein trans-splicing – given the natural example of the Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 dnaE gene1xGorbalenya, A.E. Nucleic Acids Res. 1998; 26: 1741–1748Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (41)See all References, 2xWu, H., Hu, Z., and Liu, X.Q. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1998; 95: 9226–9231Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (217)See all References and the observation that trans-splicing of overlapping intein fragments can occur12xSouthworth, M.W. et al. EMBO J. 1998; 17: 918–926Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (106)See all References12.(1) Trans-splicing might generate new enzyme combinations by ligating one domain to multiple domains. This has the selective advantage of eliminating the possibility of deleterious recombination between proteins that share a common domain. However, to date, no other partial intein/extein gene has been identified in the Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 genome1xGorbalenya, A.E. Nucleic Acids Res. 1998; 26: 1741–1748Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (41)See all References1.(2) Inteins also might provide an evolutionary alternative for trial-and-error domain shuffling to generate improved enzymes at the protein level, especially prior to the development of DNA recombination. Inteins could also enhance domain shuffling at the DNA level by providing conserved islands for recombination between similar intein genes.The question of whether inteins arose early or late in evolution is still unresolved, as is the question of when and why the Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 dnaE gene was split.
Detection and Estimation of LFMCW Radar Signals

The Wigner-Ville Hough transform (WVHT) is suboptimal in the detection and parameter estimation of linear frequency-modulated (LFM) continuous wave (LFMCW) low probability of intercept (LPI) radar waveforms because they are composed of concatenated LFM pulses. We formulate the detection and estimation problem to take into account the multiple pulses that are available in an observation interval at the intercept receiver. The new algorithm, called the periodic WVHT (PWVHT), significantly outperforms the WVHT for LFMCW signals.
Psammoma Bodies in Fine-Needle Aspirates of the Thyroid Predictive Value for Papillary Carcinoma

Background Although characteristic of thyroid papillary carcinoma, psammoma bodies occasionally arise in benign or nonpapillary lesions. Their predictive value in fine-needle aspirates (FNA), without other features suggestive of papillary carcinoma, is uncertain. Methods This retrospective study determined the frequency of psammoma bodies and other calcifications in 313 FNAs and 69 resected thyroids; positive predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated and compared with a triad of characteristic cytologic features (papillary fronds, nuclear ridges/grooves, and intranuclear inclusions). Psammoma bodies from benign and malignant conditions were assessed for differentiating architectural or staining characteristics. Results Psammoma bodies were found in only 8 of 313 FNAs. Their positive predictive value for papillary carcinoma was 50%, the rest arising from multinodular goiters. By contrast, the positive predictive value of combined cytologic features was 100%. These features were also much more sensitive, present in 80% of papillary carcinomas compared with 14% with psammoma bodies. The psammoma bodies of papillary carcinoma could not be differentiated from those of other lesions either by staining characteristics or by architecture. Other types of calcifications also were present in diverse conditions, and did not discriminate among them. Conclusions Isolated psammoma bodies are an unreliable predictor of papillary carcinoma in the absence of cytologic features. In view of the relatively low aggressiveness of papillary carcinoma in most age groups, repeat fine-needle aspiration and clinical correlation are recommended prior to consideration of surgery.
On a new fixed point of the renormalization group operator for area-preserving maps

Abstract The breakup of the shearless invariant torus with winding number ω = 2 − 1 is studied numerically using Greene's residue criterion in the standard nontwist map. The residue behavior and parameter scaling at the breakup suggests the existence of a new fixed point of the renormalization group operator (RGO) for area-preserving maps. The unstable eigenvalues of the RGO at this fixed point and the critical scaling exponents of the torus at breakup are computed.
Tracking planets and moons: mechanisms of object tracking revealed with a new paradigm

People can attend to and track multiple moving objects over time. Cognitive theories of this ability emphasize location information and differ on the importance of motion information. Results from several experiments have shown that increasing object speed impairs performance, although speed was confounded with other properties such as proximity of objects to one another. Here, we introduce a new paradigm to study multiple object tracking in which object speed and object proximity were manipulated independently. Like the motion of a planet and moon, each target–distractor pair rotated about both a common local point as well as the center of the screen. Tracking performance was strongly affected by object speed even when proximity was controlled. Additional results suggest that two different mechanisms are used in object tracking—one sensitive to speed and proximity and the other sensitive to the number of distractors. These observations support models of object tracking that include information about object motion and reject models that use location alone.
Antagonistic effects of dexamethasone and retinoic acid on rat lung morphogenesis

We have reported that dexamethasone (DEX) treatment of early embryonic rat lungs in culture induced features of both distorted and accelerated maturation. In this report, we investigated the effects of retinoids on normal and DEX-induced lung development in vitro. Lung maturation was assessed by examining the morphology and the expression of genes related to epithelial differentiation (surfactant proteins, SP-A, SP-B and SP-C and Clara cell protein, CC10) and growth [keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)]. We cultured d 14 and 15 fetal rat lungs in the presence of DEX (1-1000 nM) and/or all-trans-retinoic acid (RA)(10-7-10-5 M) for 4 d. RA at 10-6 and 10-5 M inhibited branching and dilated the distal tubules, and at 10-5 M caused dilatation of the proximal tubules destined to form the trachea and the main bronchi. The adverse effects of DEX, such as distorted branching, tubular dilatation, and suppression of both lung growth and epithelial cell proliferation, were all prevented by RA. In addition, RA inhibited several features of DEX-induced accelerated maturation, such as: 1) the increased levels of SP-A, SP-B, and CC10 mRNAs; 2) the attenuation of mesenchymal tissue; and 3) the mature distribution of cells expressing SP-C mRNA. In contrast, RA potentiated the increase of KGF and decrease of HGF transcripts induced by DEX. In conclusion, the study shows antagonism by RA of DEX-induced effects on lung morphology and gene expression. We postulate that normal lung development requires a balanced action of endogenous retinoids and glucocorticoids.
Thermally activated dissipation in a long-term-annealed single crystal of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox.

We have measured the resistivity of a long-term-annealed ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathit{x}}$ single crystal in magnetic fields up to 9 T. We found a nonlinear Arrhenius plot of resistive tails. This result differs sharply from previous observations. The fitting of the Arrhenius plot with thermally activated behavior of the form \ensuremath{\rho}=${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{0}$(H)exp[-${\mathit{U}}_{0}$(T,H)/kT] shows that the temperature and field dependence of the activation energy follows ${\mathit{U}}_{0}$=A(H)(1-T/${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$${)}^{\mathit{m}}$ with mg1. The prefactor ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{0}$ has been found to be smaller than ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{\mathit{n}}$, the normal-state resistivity at ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$, and proportional to H/${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{c}2}$. The possible mechanism associated with this nonlinear Arrhenius plot is discussed.
Disk allocation for Cartesian product files on multiple-disk systems

Cartesian product files have recently been shown to exhibit attractive properties for partial match queries. This paper considers the file allocation problem for Cartesian product files, which can be stated as follows: Given a k-attribute Cartesian product file and an m-disk system, allocate buckets among the m disks in such a way that, for all possible partial match queries, the concurrency of disk accesses is maximized. The Disk Modulo (DM) allocation method is described first, and it is shown to be strict optimal under many conditions commonly occurring in practice, including all possible partial match queries when the number of disks is 2 or 3. It is also shown that although it has good performance, the DM allocation method is not strict optimal for all possible partial match queries when the number of disks is greater than 3. The General Disk Modulo (GDM) allocation method is then described, and a sufficient but not necessary condition for strict optimality of the GDM method for all partial match queries and any number of disks is then derived. Simulation studies comparing the DM and random allocation methods in terms of the average number of disk accesses, in response to various classes of partial match queries, show the former to be significantly more effective even when the number of disks is greater than 3, that is, even in cases where the DM method is not strict optimal. The results that have been derived formally and shown by simulation can be used for more effective design of optimal file systems for partial match queries. When considering multiple-disk systems with independent access paths, it is important to ensure that similar records are clustered into the same or similar buckets, while similar buckets should be dispersed uniformly among the disks.
Genetic effects on task performance, but not on age polyethism, in a swarm-founding eusocial wasp

Abstract Division of labour among workers in insect societies often includes two major components: age-related changes in behaviour (age polyethism) and specialization in task performance. The aim of this study was to test whether similarity in inside-nest task performance and in rate of age polyethism correspond to genetic similarity among nestmates in the polygynous eusocial wasp Polybia aequatorialis .Behavioural data were collected on marked, known-age workers from three source colonies introduced into two observation colonies in the field. Genetic similarity among workers was assessed by quantifying sharing of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker alleles. Workers were categorized by whether they engaged in nest cleaning as an indicator of individual differences in inside-nest task performance. Within source colonies, workers that performed nest-cleaning tasks were more genetically similar to each other than they were to workers not performing these tasks. Workers also differed in their rates of passage through the age-related task sequence, but no association was found between sharing of RAPD marker alleles and rate of age polyethism. These results accord with earlier studies demonstrating flexibility in age polyethism in swarm-founding wasps, and with findings that worker genotypic variability corresponds to specialization in task performance in P. aequatorialis. Polybia spp. workers rarely switch among tasks, even in response to changes in colony conditions, and workers’ genotypes may constrain flexibility in task performance at the individual level. Conversely, colonies may accrue benefits from having genotypically diverse worker forces, which could favour the maintenance of polygyny in swarm-founding wasps.
Using decision tree models to depict primary care physicians CRC screening decision heuristics

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify decision heuristics utilized by primary care physicians in formulating colorectal cancer screening recommendations.
Neurocognitive profiles in elderly patients with frontotemporal degeneration or major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are both disorders in elderly populations that involve the prefrontal cortex and appear to have similar neurocognitive deficits. This review examined whether there are testable deficits in cognition that are consistent across individuals within the same neuropathological condition that could be used to facilitate early diagnoses. Medline and PsychInfo databases were searched for cognitive studies of depressed and FTD patients that used a matched control group and reported findings with means and standard deviations (N = 312). Effect sizes for FTD patients with mild and moderately advanced disease were compared to effect sizes within subgroups of depressed patients, such as inpatients, outpatients and community volunteers. Moderately advanced FTD patients were more impaired than depressed patients over all domains, particularly in language ability, although depressed inpatients appeared similar to FTD patients in some domains. Effect sizes for FTD patients who were in the mild, or early, stage of the disease (MMSE = 28) were similar to those of depressed outpatients but slightly worse than those of community volunteers in all domains except semantic memory and executive ability. In the latter two domains, even mild FTD patients had notably large deficits. All FTD patients showed more severe deficits in some domains relative to other domains. In contrast, depressed patients tended to vary by clinical presentation or disease severity, but the magnitude of impairment for each subgroup remained relatively consistent across domains and they did not have the severe focal deficits in one or two domains demonstrated by FTD patients. (JINS, 2004, 10, 753–771.)
Endocrine effects of sulfoxone and of two nitriles as compared with amphenone.

SummaryA sulfone, sulfoxone, and 2 nitrile steroid analogues, SC-3402 and SC-4473, have been tested in female rats for endocrine effects and compared with amphenone for reference. None of the 3 substances caused adrenal enlargement similar to that seen in the amphenone-treated animals. SC-4473 was markedly estrogenic. This substance represents the first nitrile to be shown to possess estrogenic activity in the rat.
Temporal Changes in Small Depth-Incremental Soil Bulk Density

Farmers are concerned that soil compaction will be a problem in the first few years after conversion to strict no-till. The objective of this study was to determine if the changes in depth-incremental soil bulk density during transition to no-till were greater than density changes due to natural variation. We sampled six locations from a no-till field and six locations from a disk field of a soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-corn (Zea mays L.) rotation and took 12 samples at each of the 12 locations. The soil types sampled were Clarion (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic, Typic Hapludoll), Nicollet (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic, Aquic Hapludoll), and Canisteo (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, mesic, Typic Endoaquoll) soils. We divided each 300-mm soil sample into 15 depth-increments, and pooled the 12 samples for each location for each 20-mm depth-increment. Bulk densities ranged from 0.9 to 1.3 Mg m -3 in the top 0 to 20 mm, and 1.2 to 1.6 Mg m -1 for the depth-increments below 20 mm. Comparing the first and last sampling dates for the no-till field, no significant changes in bulk density were detected for any depth-increment; however, for the disk field, increases in significan: bulk density were detected in 10 out of IS depth-increments. Natural causes probably contributed to the bulk density changes that occurred over time in both fields. None of these bulk densities were high enough to restrict root growth. We concluded that concern about soil compaction under no-till management is inappropriate for these structured soils.
In Situ Measurement Techniques for Characterizing Pulse Jet Mixing of Slurries

Metrics to characterize mixing are the just suspended velocity (UJS) and the cloud height (HC). Two ultrasonic instruments to characterize pulse jet mixing of slurries were developed and deployed to measure related metrics: the thickness of the settled bed and the concentration within the cloud as a function of elevation [C(Z)]. Ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry was used to measure the thickness of the bed of nonmoving particles (the settled solids layer). During pulse jet mixing at the critical suspension velocity (UCS) the settled solids layer thickness approached zero at the end of the jet pulse. The UCS is related to the just suspended velocity (UJS) for steady mixing. Ultrasonic attenuation was used to measure the suspended solids concentration at locations in the vessel to determine the concentration profile as a function of radial position and elevation. The concentration profile provided data inside the particulate cloud and complemented the visual measurement of the cloud height (HC). The UDV and the ultrasonic concentration probe data are used to evaluate the desired metrics based on relative measurements. The relative measurements are correlated with results obtained from a series of working standards created for each slurry, and used to develop correlations specific to each slurry.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A Review Of Partially-Filled, Synthetic-Aperture, Imaging Systems

Large optical apertures can be synthesized by utilizing a phased array of smaller elements. The phasing is realized by ensuring that the individual elements are made from the same lens or mirror and properly positioned. The synthesis of MTF for various geometrical arrays (Cross, Covington-Drane, Golay Six, Thin Annulus, etc.) of such partially filled apertures has been demonstrated experimentally with incoherent illumination. Post processing techniques were used to remove the deleterious effect in the image due to auto-correlation of the individual elements. The results demonstrated that the resolution of the equivalent full aperture is achievable by the MTF synthesis which arises from cross correlation of the various elements. The limitations due to misalignment of the various elements in six degrees of freedom were investigated theoretically, and experimentally verified for both refractive and reflective elements. The experimental verification of these tolerances required interferometric measurements in the focal plane. Systems Analysis showed that the aperture must be designed so that the synthesized MTF has a modulation higher than the detector noise threshold at all spatial frequencies (AIM curve). In general, the technique does not work unless the radiation is spatially incoherent. To illustrate this, experiments were performed with laser illumination. The aperture did not synthesize unless the laser was rendered incoherent by utilizing moving diffusers or scanning techniques. Synthesis with laser illumination was achieved in a non-partially filled mode by phasing with holographic arrays. Finally, some experimental results on super-resolving pupils are shown and discussed.
9Be(t, t)9Be and 9Be(t, α0)8Li reactions at 2.10 MeV

Abstract Angular distributions and absolute cross sections are measured for elastic scattering and for the production of alpha particles corresponding to the ground state of 8Li in the reactions 9Be + t at 2.10 MeV. Optical-model description of the elastic scattering and DWBA description of the transfer reaction are discussed. A spectroscopic factor is extracted and compared to theoretical prediction.
Co-oxidation of methylphosphonic acid and ethanol in supercritical water I: Experimental results

Abstract The co-oxidative effect of ethanol on methylphosphonic acid (MPA or PO(OH)2CH3) was characterized for a range of MPA concentrations (0.1–1.0 mM) and ethanol concentrations (0–2.4 mM) for temperatures of 473 and 528 °C, a pressure of 245 bar, and stoichiometric oxygen for the complete combustion of both organic compounds. Low concentrations of ethanol (0.1 and 0.3 mM) were found to have no statistically significant effect on MPA conversion for an initial MPA concentration of 1.0 mM, but higher concentrations of ethanol caused an increase in the conversion of MPA at T = 473 °C, P = 245 bar, and τ = 9 s from 14 ± 2% without ethanol present to 29 ± 2% with 1.0 mM ethanol and 39 ± 2% with 2.4 mM ethanol. The increase in MPA conversion was more pronounced at shorter residence times. Decreasing the initial concentration of MPA at a constant initial ethanol concentration of 1.0 mM, T = 473 °C, P = 245 bar, and τ = 9 s resulted in an increase in MPA conversion from 29 ± 2% at 1.0 mM MPA–41 ± 2% at 0.1 mM MPA. At T = 528 °C and P = 245 bar, the initial concentration of MPA had a much greater effect on MPA conversion than the initial concentration of ethanol.
Weak States, Regime Types, and Civil War

A central theme in research on civil war and revolution is that ‘weak states’ are especially prone to civil war. Empirically, however, tests of this proposition have relied on proxy measures of state weakness such as GDP, mountainous terrain, and population, none of which directly measure features of the state itself. Earlier theoretical works point to particular regime types as being especially susceptible to civil war. We present a theoretical argument that delineates what regime types are more or less prone to civil war (and why) and test this theory with a series of logit models using Fearon and Laitin's and Sambanis' civil war data sets and Geddes' data classifying non-democratic regimes. The findings support earlier theoretical arguments that particular types of weak states – personalist or neopatrimonial regimes – are more prone to civil war onset than others.
Regional coupled ocean–atmosphere downscaling in the Southeast Pacific: impacts on upwelling, mesoscale air–sea fluxes, and ocean eddies

Ocean–atmosphere coupling in the Humboldt Current System (HCS) of the Southeast Pacific is studied using the Scripps Coupled Ocean–atmosphere Regional (SCOAR) model, which is used to downscale the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Reanalysis-2 (RA2) product for the period 2000–2007 at 20-km resolution. An interactive 2-D spatial smoother within the sea-surface temperature (SST)–flux coupler is invoked in a separate run to isolate the impact of the mesoscale (∼50–200 km, in the oceanic sense) SST field felt by the atmosphere in the fully coupled run. For the HCS, SCOAR produces seasonal wind stress and wind stress curl patterns that agree better with QuikSCAT winds than those from RA2. The SCOAR downscaled wind stress distribution has substantially different impacts on the magnitude and structure of wind-driven upwelling processes along the coast compared to RA2. Along coastal locations such as Arica and Taltal, SCOAR and RA2 produce seasonally opposite signs in the total wind-driven upwelling transport. At San Juan, SCOAR shows that upwelling is mainly due to coastal Ekman upwelling transport, while in RA2 upwelling is mostly attributed to Ekman pumping. Fully coupled SCOAR shows significant SST–wind stress coupling during fall and winter, while smoothed SCOAR shows insignificant coupling throughout, indicating the important role of ocean mesoscale eddies on air–sea coupling in HCS. Coupling between SST, wind speed, and latent heat flux is incoherent in large-scale coupling and full coupling mode. In contrast, coupling between these three variables is clearly identified for oceanic mesoscales, which suggests that mesoscale SST affects latent heat directly through the bulk formulation, as well as indirectly through stability changes on the overlying atmosphere, which affects surface wind speeds. The SST–wind stress and SST–heat-flux couplings, however, fail to produce a strong change in the ocean eddy statistics. No rectified effects of ocean–atmosphere coupling were identified for either the atmospheric or oceanic mean conditions, suggesting that mesoscale coupling is too weak in this region to strongly alter the basic climate state.
Rise velocity and gas-liquid mass transfer of a single large bubble in liquids and liquid-solid fluidized beds

Abstract Models for describing the rise velocity of and gas—liquid mass transfer from a single spherical-cap (in three-dimensional systems) or circular-cap (in two-dimensional systems) bubble in liquids and liquid—solid media are presented. The model for the bubble rise velocity is based on a force balance on a single bubble accounting for the impaction force due to solid particles. The model satisfactorily predicts the bubble rise velocity in liquid systems and liquid—solid fluidized beds under intermediate and high bed expansion conditions. The mass transfer model, on the other hand, considers two different mechanisms: transfer through the bubble roof and through the bubble base. Mass transfer through the bubble base can be further divided into two cases depending on the operating conditions. The prediction for the overall gas—liquid mass transfer coefficient of a single bubble in liquids as well as in liquid—solid fluidized beds is reasonably good.
Purification and characterization of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase activities from Leishmania donovani

The adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRTase) and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRTase) activities from promastigotes of Leishmania donovani have been purified to homogeneity using ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose exclusion, and either AMP-agarose (APRTase) or GTP-agarose (HGPRTase) affinity chromatography. The specific activities of the affinity-purified APRTase and HGPRTase fractions were 326-fold and 1341-fold greater than those in the 40-80% ammonium sulfate precipitate, respectively. The purified APRTase migrated as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels with a size of 29 kDa, while HGPRTase was also determined to be homogeneous by SDS gel electrophoresis with a size of 24 kDa. In addition, a mutant cell line, APPB2, partially deficient in APRTase activity, still contained quantities of purifiable APRTase protein, while a clonal secondary derivative of the APPB2 cell line that is completely deficient in APRTase activity, APPB2-640A3, failed to express purifiable APRTase protein. The homogeneous enzymes possessed apparent Km values for their nucleobase substrates between 2.0 and 5.0 microM, and both enzymes were inhibited by their immediate or ultimate reaction endproducts, APRTase by AMP and PPi and HGPRTase by GMP, GTP, and PPi. The generation of homogeneous preparations of APRTase and HGPRTase protein will serve as a prerequisite for the generation of immunological and molecular biological probes to analyze the leishmanial phosphoribosyltransferases.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Proarrhythmia: Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 31-year-old man who received an automatic cardioverter defibrillator subsequently underwent exercise testing. During exercise, a sinus tachycardia resulted above his device detect rate prompting two shocks, the second of which produced an unstable polymorphous ventricular tachycardia. In this article, we review the literature on automatic cardioverter defibrillator-induced ventricular tachyarrhythmias as well as the management of exercise testing in patients with these devices.
A cost‐effective means of improving the statistical validity of an MMPI short form

Faschingbauer Abbreviated MMPI (FAM) scales were K-corrected using the FAM K scale or the standard K scale (N = 1,258 normals; 1,181 psychiatric inpatients). The latter increased the correlation between abbreviated and standard scales by amounts proportional to the degree of K-correction. Because using the entire K scale involves the addition of only 11 items to the FAM while it improves the statistical validity of 4 scales in addition to K, this was proposed as a cost-effective means of improving the FAM.
Wound tissue can utilize a polymeric template to synthesize a functional extension of skin

Prompt and long-term closure of full-thickness skin wounds is guinea pigs and humans is achieved by applying a bilayer polymeric membrane. The membrane comprises a top layer of a silicone elastomer and a bottom layer of a porous cross-linked network of collagen and glycosaminoglycan. The bottom layer can be seeded with a small number of autologous basal cells before grafting. No immunosuppression is used and infection, exudation, and rejection are absent. Host tissue utilizes the sterile membrane as a culture medium to synthesize neoepidermal and neodermal tissue. A functional extension of skin over the entire wound area is formed in about 4 weeks.
Relative indices of water diffusion anisotropy are equivalent in live and formalin‐fixed mouse brains

Formalin fixation of tissue is a common laboratory practice. A direct comparison of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters from mouse brains before (in vivo) and after (ex vivo) formalin fixation is reported herein. Five diffusion indices were examined in a cohort of seven mice: relative anisotropy (RA), directional correlation (DC), trace (Tr(D)), trace-normalized axial diffusivity (D∥), and radial diffusivity (D⟂). Seven regions of interest (ROIs), including five in white matter and two in gray matter, were selected for examination. Consistent with previous findings, a significant decrease of Tr(D) was observed for all ROIs after fixation. However, water diffusion anisotropy, as defined by the indices RA, DC, D∥, and D⟂, remained unchanged after fixation. Thus, fixation does not appear to alter diffusion anisotropy in the mouse brain. This finding supports the utility of diffusion anisotropy analysis of fixed tissue. The combination of DTI measurements and standard histology may shed light on the microstructural determinants of diffusion anisotropy in normal and disease states. Magn Reson Med 50:743–748, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Prolonged survival following aggressive treatment for metastatic breast cancer in the spine

In 2007, members of our group reported a 21 month median survival for patients undergoing surgery for metastatic breast cancer in the spinal column. Cervical spine metastases were associated with decreased survival, Estrogen receptor positivity was associated with improved survival, and age and visceral metastases did not significantly impact survival. In the current study, we reassess these variables in the context of modern adjuvant therapies, and investigate the impact of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS). We report an observational cohort of 43 patients undergoing surgical resection for metastatic breast cancer of the spine treated at a single academic institution from June 2002 to August 2011. Patient medical records were reviewed in accordance with policies outlined by the University Institutional Review Board. Median overall survival following surgery for metastatic breast cancer in the spine was 26.8 months. 1 year overall survival was 66%. 5 year-overall survival was 4%. Age (p=0.12), preoperative functional status (p=0.17), location of metastasis (p=0.34), the presence of visceral metastases (p=0.68), and spinal instability (p=0.81) were not significant variables on survival analysis. Postoperative adjuvant therapy with a single modality (radiation or chemotherapy) was associated with a significantly lower median survival compared to dual therapy with chemotherapy and radiation (p=0.042). Patients that received radiation and chemotherapy after surgery were younger but demonstrated prolonged median survival versus single modality therapy. This data supports the concept that visceral metastases do not impact survival, however cervical spine lesions were not associated with decreased survival.
Silicate spherules from Tunguska impact area - Electron microprobe analysis.

The major oxide composition of four silicate spherules from the area of forest devastated by the explosion of the Tunguska meteorite has been determined by electron microprobe analysis. In general, the spherules have compositions similar to that of igneous glass except for the low iron and the high calcium oxide content of the three spherules that have a low content of silicon dioxide. None of the spherules seem to have compositions similar to the silicate portiof any major meteorite group.
Mechanism of immediate hemodynamic effects of chlorothiazide.

Abstract The mechanism of the immediate hemodynamic effects of intravenous chlorothiazide (25 mg. per kilogram) was studied in 22 anesthetized open-chest dogs. Within 20 minutes after administration, cardiac output and stroke volume significantly fell; this was associated with decreased central venous and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures. That these hemodynamic effects were caused by, and dependent upon, volume loss through diuresis (eightfold increase in urine volume) was shown: by a return of these measurements to control levels when the volume loss (by diuresis) was corrected with 6 per cent Dextran; by prevention of the hemodynamic changes in chlorothiazide-treated dogs previously prepared with ureterocaval anastomosis; and by confirming these same hemodynamic effects by quantitatively equivalent hemorrhage. Thus, the immediate diuresis produced by chlorothiazide resulted in a contracted plasma volume (increased hematocrit and serum protein concentration) which, in turn, diminished cardiac venous return, central filling pressures, stroke volume, and cardiac output. There was no evidence demonstrated to indicate any direct myocardial effect or peripheral venodilation induced by the thiazide.
Genome-wide transcriptional profiling reveals microRNA-correlated genes and biological processes in human lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Background Expression level of many genes shows abundant natural variation in human populations. The variations in gene expression are believed to contribute to phenotypic differences. Emerging evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the key regulators of gene expression. However, past studies have focused on the miRNA target genes and used loss- or gain-of-function approach that may not reflect natural association between miRNA and mRNAs.
Plastic flow and dislocation structure at small strains in OFHC copper deformed in tension, torsion and combined tension-torsion

Abstract OFHC copper specimens of 39 μm grain size were deformed to small strains (up to 8%) in tension, torsion and combined tension-torsion at 300 K and the resulting dislocation structures, distributions and densities were determined using transmission electron microscopy. Employing the von Mises yield criterion and the plastic-work hypothesis good agreement was obtained for the three testing conditions for (i) equivalent stress \ gs vs equivalent strain \ g3p curves, (ii) the dislocation structure, distribution and density ρ as a function of \ g3p, and (iii) \ gs as a function of ρ 1 2 . Furthermore, upon comparing the \ gs vs ρ 1 2 curve for polycrystalline copper with the τRSS vs ρ 1 2 curve for single crystals, an average Taylor factor M= (σ/τRSS) of approximately 3.2 was obtained, which is in good accord with that predicted theoretically for FCC metals. Almost equally good correlations for the stressstrain curves and for the dislocation density were obtained on the basis of maximum shear stress τmax and maximum shear strain γpmax as on the basis of \ gs and \ g3P. Therefore, the present results do not permit a positive decision on the question whether the dislocation density correlates better with \ gs and \ g3P or with τmax and γPmax. A single test in which the direction of straining in torsion was reversed yielded a density and distribution of dislocations (and a corresponding value of \ gs) equivalent to those that developed at a smaller strain in unidirectional straining.
Headaches and Women: Treatment of the Pregnant and Lactating Migraineur

SYNOPSIS Migraine is a hormonally sensitive episodic headache disorder which may worsen during the first trimester, but usually improves during later pregnancy. Its treatment can be difficult because of the risks of injury to the fetus and newborn. These risks include teratogenicity, embryo mortality, fetal growth abnormalities, and perinatal effect. This paper reviews the effects of drugs on the fetus and newborn, their FDA classification, and their use during both pregnancy and lactation. Specific recommendations are given.
Conveying user values between families and designers

Current research in domestic technology focuses on a subset of the breadth of values that may be present in the domestic environment. In this paper, we present one possible method for conveying a larger potential breadth of user values between families and designers. We describe the ways that we tailored cultural probes specifically for values elicitation as well as the results of both families' and designers' interactions with the probes. We also draw from the social psychology research of Milton Rokeach, whose framework for values was used to scaffold designers in foregrounding user values in domestic design.
Biocommodities from photosynthetic microorganisms

Photosynthetic microorganisms are able to produce a diverse array of renewable biochemical commodities. Although promising platforms for the accumulation of targeted products, these organisms must be optimized in solar energy conversion, carbon capture and utilization, and the partitioning of metabolic flux to the requisite biosynthetic pathways. Metabolic engineering efforts are systematically addressing these obstacles and demonstrate the potential to develop consolidated bioprocessing organisms that are able to efficiently transform the energy in sunlight directly to refined chemicals of economic value. Particularly intriguing are mechanisms to synthesize and secrete bioproducts of interest from cyanobacteria, thereby eliminating the need to dewater and process cellular biomass. Significant advances in more classical approaches to triacylglycerol and carbohydrate accumulation in algae have also recently been realized. Importantly, genetic tools and sequenced genomes are emerging for some of the most biotechnologically relevant strains. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 989–1001, 2013
Effects of conspecific and heterospecific residents on patterns of immigration in two species of voles

Studies with birds have shown that presence and density of resident conspecifics and heterospecifics can influence patterns of habitat selection. There have been few studies on the effects of social cues on rates of immigration in mammals. We report results from a long-term live trapping study of immigration in two species of voles, Microtus ochrogaster Wagner, 1842 and Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord, 1815, in bluegrass habitat in east-central Illinois, USA. We compare immigration into control sites from which no individuals of either species were removed with immigration into experimental sites from which either conspecifics or heterospecifics were removed. We focus on characteristics of immigrants and rates of immigration in relation to density in destination habitats. Within each species, immigrants into control and removal sites were similar with respect to body mass and reproductive condition, indicating no major differences in the physical condition of immigrants into sites with established populations and sites without established populations. For both species, density of conspecifics at a site positively influenced rate of immigration at that site. Density of heterospecifics at destination sites did not significantly influence rate of immigration for either species. These results suggest that site selection by dispersing M. ochrogaster and M. pennsylvanicus is characterized by conspecific attraction.
Low Pressure Hydrocarbon Solubility in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids Containing Imidazolium Rings Interpreted Using Regular Solution Theory

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) can be used for many applications where solubility is one of the main parameters. This paper discusses the use of regular solution theory to model gas solubility at low pressure with empirically determined constants that depend only on the gas. The gases investigated were ethane, ethene, propane, propene, isobutane, butane, 1-butene, and 1,3-butadiene. It was found that the solubility increased as the number of carbons increased, and there was also an increase in solubility for the hydrocarbons with the same carbon number when the number of carbon double bonds increased. The RTILs used in this study were butylmethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6]), butylmethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]), ethylmethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([emim][Tf2N]), ethylmethylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfone ([emim][CF3SO3]), and ethylmethylimidazolium dicyanamide ([emim][dca]).