cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prolonged feeding of ethanol to the young growing guinea pig. II. A model to study the effects of severe ischemia on cardiac protein synthesis.

Although acute perfusion of guinea pig hearts with ethanol does not affect cardiac protein synthesis, the latter is inhibited after prolonged ingestion of ethanol when tested in an in vitro system with the working right ventricle. This study reports on the added stress of ischemia on such hearts. Hearts were removed from maturing guinea pigs after 13–16 weeks of ingesting 10% ethanol and were perfused in vitro under conditions of relative ischemia (one-sixth of normal coronary flow) with maintenance of right ventricular load and outflow resistance identical to normal pre-ischemic levels. With this degree of ischemia, there was a 4–6 fold increase in lactate production, an 80% drop in ATP, and a 90% decrease in creatine phosphate after 150 min of the ischemia. Incorporation of both labeled lysine and phenylalanine into cardiac protein was also diminished to 35% of control in the left ventricle and 55% of control in the right This diminution of protein synthesis was the same in hearts from ethanoJ-drinking and matched control animals. Thus, prior prolonged ingestion of ethanol old not worsen the inhibition of protein synthesis by oxygen deprivation. There were, however, two significant differences in hemodynamic response to the ischemia by the right ventricles of hearts from ethanol-drinking guinea pigs compared to their matched controls. The first was a decreased ability of the ventricles to maintain the same peak systolic pressure as the controls during ischemia (4.8 ± 0.8 mm Hg compared to 7.5 ± 0.06, p < 0.02), and the second was a significant increase in coronary resistance in hearts from ethanol-drinking animals as the ischemic perfusion progressed (coronary pressure 23.6 ± 1.3 mm Hg compared to 17.0 ± 0.8 in controls, p < 0.001). The findings suggest that although contractility of hearts from ethanol-consummg animals may not show impairment of contraction under normal conditions, the imposition of another stress such as ischemia may expose a contractile deficiency.
Modular Invariance in Superconformal Models

Abstract The constraints of modular invariance on the field content of two-dimensional superconformal systems are explored. The constraints take the form of sum rules on the number of superconformal highest weight states and a requirement of integer spin. Models which satisfy these constraints are given.
Complete-Fusion Collisions in Heavy-Ion Reactions

Cross sections for compound-nucleus formation were experimentally measured for the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$+${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$, ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$+${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$, and ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$+${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$ systems by means of mica track detectors. It was shown that the cross section for compound-nucleus formation (complete fusion) above 100 MeV decreases with increasing energy of the bombarding particles, whereas the reaction cross sections increase slightly. An attempt was made to explain this behavior by considering a sharp cutoff in the spin distribution of the compound nuclei.
Partition of Failed States: Impediments and Impulses

Failed states, not so long ago, were discussed as a problem of foreign aid or social theory. Only prescient thinkers and policy makers identified them as a priority of national security. The atrocities of September 11, 2001, did not make failed states a problem but very much did trigger recognition that severe civic dysfunction in one part of the globe might well have consequences elsewhere. An Afghanistan or a Somalia has first and final responsibility for its own future. At the same time, so widely can such a state spread disruption that ‘its’ affairs and ‘ours’ now can be said to be segregated only in a carefully qualified way. New alertness about national security has brought an unprecedented increase in creative analysis of the problem: What to do about failed states? The predicate question—what is a “failed state?”—by no means lends itself to an easy answer. Like many questions involving statehood and international relations, the question of the failed state becomes more complicated the further one moves from the clear, core examples. It can little be controverted that Somalia and Afghanistan are in some important sense ‘failed.’ But, if characterization of a state as ‘failed’ may open the door to international intervention—even, potentially, intervention that leads to radical revision of the contours of the state—then the criteria for that characterization are very important indeed, for their existence in a state would lead to the displacement of the important presumption of modern international law that the state enjoys legal autonomy and is the vehicle whereby its citizens realize their right to self-determination. Yet autonomy and self-determination well may be the very principles impelling intervention; states in the developed world may argue that their own rights are derogated when violent and uncontrolled forces arise in a failed state and disrupt public order in their territories.
Digitizer for spark chamber photographs

Abstract An inexpensive measuring machine, for use in the analysis of spark chamber events, has been constructed and operated at this laboratory. The machine is connected on-line to a PDP-7 digital computer which accepts and analyzes information coming from the digitizer. Communication between operator and computer is accomplished through a typewriter. The digitizer consists of a digital voltmeter which reads a pair of voltage differences corresponding to the x−y coordinates of the point being measured. The voltages are generated by a drafting apparatus to which are attached two long slide-wire resistors. The operator moves a reticule to the desired point and this in turn causes the slide contacts to move along the appropriate resistances. The least count of this machine is 5 × 10−3 inch and the useful area is a 15″ × 15″. It takes about 1 sec to digitize a point. This machine has been in operation for about one year without breakdowns.
Active Long-Only Investment in Energy Futures

In this article we study and compare the investment performance and portfolio diversification benefits of passive and active long-only energy futures investment. We apply simple trend-capturing rules to dynamically reallocate capital into and out of the market. We find that active long-only investment may considerably increase absolute and risk-adjusted return, reduce the volatility inherent in energy futures, and provide significant downward protection in periods of extreme negative performance of the underlying energy markets.
Analysis of formaldehyde-induced Adh mutations in Drosophila by RNA structure mapping and direct sequencing of PCR-amplified genomic DNA

Two formaldehyde-induced mutations at the DrosophilaAdh locus (Adh fn45 andAdh fn46) were analyzed by determining RNA structures at different developmental stages, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the affected genomic regions, and direct sequencing of the resulting double-stranded DNA fragments.Adh fn46 adults and larvae accumulate abundant ADH-like distal (adult) and proximal (larval) transcripts that are shorter than transcripts in wild-type flies by a lesion located in the second ADH protein-coding exon. Direct sequencing of the amplified DNA region showed thatAdh fn46 contains a 69-bp in-frame deletion that removes 23 amino acids near one border of the second exon. Consistent with these findings, we observed a shorter ADHfn46 protein present at only 3% of wild-type levels. In contrast,Adh fn45 adults and larvae accumulate much smaller amounts of ADH-like distal and proximal transcripts. Both RNAs have an identical aberration in RNA splicing of the 65-base intron sequence. Direct sequencing of the amplified mutated DNA region showed thatAdh fn45 contains a 21-bp deletion that removed and rearranged DNA at the 5′ splice junction of the 65-bp intron. No ADH cross-reacting material is detected inAdh fn45 flies. Direct-repeat sequences (3–11 bp) are present flanking and within the mutated DNA regions. The patterns of DNA deletion and deletion accompanied by sequence addition at the mutant sites suggest a slipped mispairing mechanism during DNA replication or repair that involves local DNA homology.
Evaluation of eutectic bond strength and assembly of Al-based microfluidic structures

Metal-based microscale heat exchangers have potential advantages over similar Si-based devices. Bonding and assembly are critical for building functional metal-based microfluidic devices from metallic high-aspect-ratio microscale structures (HARMS). In this paper, we report eutectic bonding of Al specimens with Al–Ge thin film intermediate layers. Quantitative evaluation of bond strengths was carried out as a function of various bonding parameters, including bonding temperature, applied pressure, and Al–Ge intermediate layer thickness. With this eutectic bonding strategy, successful assembly of multilayered Al microfluidic structures is demonstrated.
El divorcio visto por los hijos

El articulo analiza el impacto del divorcio en los hijos y las diversas variables que pueden influir, como el temperamento, el estres acumulativo, el estado de desarrollo o las diferencias sexuales...
Obesity, weight change, and risk of adenoma recurrence: a prospective trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Obesity is a risk factor for colorectal neoplasia. Lifestyle modifications, including weight loss, have been advocated to reduce the risk. However, no prospective study has evaluated whether weight loss actually affects adenoma recurrence. The aim of this study was to examine whether weight change (loss or gain) over 4 years is associated with adenoma recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 1826 patients with colorectal adenoma in the Polyp Prevention Trial had their height and weight measured at baseline. Adenoma recurrence was determined by end of trial colonoscopy 4 years after study entry when patients' weights were re-measured. Poisson regression models were used to evaluate body mass index (BMI), weight change over 4 years, and the risk of any adenoma and advanced adenoma recurrence. RESULTS Adenoma recurrence was observed in 723 patients (39.6%), 118 (6.5%) of whom had advanced adenoma recurrence. Among those with baseline BMI < 25 kg/m² (n = 466), BMI 25-29 kg/m² (n = 868), and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (n = 492), the recurrence rate was 34.5%, 41.0%, and 41.9%, respectively. Obesity was associated with an increased risk of adenoma recurrence (RR = 1.19; 95%CI 1.01-1.39) and advanced adenoma recurrence (RR = 1.62; 95%CI 1.01-2.57). However, when compared with those with relatively stable weight (weight change < 5 lb) over the 4-year trial, weight gain or loss was not associated with adenoma recurrence. This was consistent, regardless of the baseline BMI. CONCLUSIONS Weight loss or gain over 4 years does not affect adenoma recurrence. This study does not support weight loss alone as an effective intervention for reducing adenoma recurrence.
Projection-based interpolation and automatic hp-adaptivity for finite element discretizations of elliptic and maxwell problems

Following a summary of results on the Projection-Based Interpolation for H 1 -, : H (curl)-, and H (div)-conforming finite elements, we review the main steps of the hp -algorithm that produces automatically a sequence of hp -refined meshes, and delivers exponential convergence for both regular and singular solutions. The algorithm is illustrated with numerical examples from acoustic and electromagnetic scattering.
Protective Effects of Melatonin on Cisplatin Induced Growth Inhibition of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract Background: Pineal hormone melatonin (MEL) is a versatile molecule with diverse physiological roles ranging from circadian entrainment to anti-cancer effects. Clinical trials indicated that a co-application of cisplatin and melatonin improved the 1-year survival rate. Also, Futugami (2001) claimed melatonin enhances the sensitivity of an ovarian cancer cell line to cisplatin. Objective: Here we study the anti-cancer effects of a co-application of cisplatin (CDDP, 1pM -10 mM - log10 scale) and melatonin (1pM – 100μM) on MCF-7 cells. Methods: Cell viability was assessed through MTT assays and trypan blue exclusion tests. Results: 1) a) CDDP causes concentration-dependent growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells at high concentrations (1–100 μM) over 24 and 48 hrs with an IC50 of 99.6 ± 5μM (24 hrs) b) Over a period of 6 days, 1uM CDDP causes significant (52.35 ± 0.64% of control) growth inhibition 2) MEL does not significantly inhibit MCF-7 cell growth over 24 hr and 6 day time points. 3) Simultaneous co-application of MEL with CDDP significantly (p ← 0.05) reverses 80?M CDDP induced growth inhibition over 24 hrs at physiological concentrations (0.1 – 10nM) (increase in growth by 21.4 ±} 1.8 %). 4) However, simultaneous co-application of MEL and CDDP does not significantly reverse the growth inhibition induced by 1μM CDDP over 6 days. Conclusion: As reported by several labs, CDDP shows significant growth inhibition within 24 hrs only at high concentrations while long term growth inhibition is observed at low concentrations (1–10μM). The results indicate that the sub clone of MCF-7 cells used by us is melatonin “insensitive” as MEL does not have an anti-proliferative effect over the points tested. However, these cells are not completely irresponsive to MEL as MEL reverses CDDP induced growth inhibition at physiological concentrations. The question arises as to why such a “protection” is observed only at physiological concentrations. Moreover, this effect is only observed when acute cell death is induced at high concentrations and not at chronic low concentrations. To conclude, the results open up the interesting questions of the molecular basis of the protective effects of melatonin on CDDP induced cell death and melatonin “insensitivity”.
Diagnostics and Instrumentation Requirements for Advanced Power Systems

A variety of advanced coal-fired gas turbine systems have been proposed for use in combined cycles for stationary power generation. The commercial acceptability of these power systems will depend upon the efficiency and reliability of the principal individual components. Strict requirements will be placed on the flow characteristics at the turbine inlet. These requirements will, in turn, impose rigid standards of efficiency and reliability on high temperature gas cleanup systems located up-stream of the turbine inlet. At Sandia, a program is underway of assessment and bench scale development of diagnostic techniques for the measurement of the properties of the high-temperature, multi-phase, turbulent flows which pertain to the working gas stream in such systems. This paper summarizes our preliminary assessment of the diagnostics and instrumentation requirements for these coat-fired gas turbine systems.Copyright © 1980 by ASME
THE POLLS—A REVIEW: PUBLIC OPINION AND ROE V. WADE: MEASUREMENT DIFFICULTIES

In an early review of abortion polls, Jaffe, Lindheim, and Lee (1981, p. 99) observed that "measuring public opinion is difficult, particularly when the subject is complex and has moral and religious overtones. Opinion polls typically are limited to a few oversimplified questionscrude instruments for making subtle distinctions or tapping attitudinal nuances." They note that question wording and order and societal events occurring when polls are taken can influence poll results. Further, we might add, as events unfold over time, questions that initially measure opinions toward given situations quite accurately may become less adequate as the situations change. This is particularly likely to occur when the objects being measured are court decisions, laws, or policy decisions whose implications, interpretations, and practical effects evolve and cannot be anticipated when the survey item is initially framed. This poses a dilemma familiar to longitudinal researchers-whether to retain original items for the sake of comparability or to change them to enhance validity. These issues are discussed in this review in the context of polls on the Roe v. Wade abortion decision.
Hepatic steatosis by dietary-conjugated linoleic acid is accompanied by accumulation of diacylglycerol and increased membrane-associated protein kinase C ε in mice.

Scope: Conjugated linoleic acid reduces weight gain and adipose mass while inducing liver enlargement, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance in mice. The objective of this study was to determine if hepatic steatosis induced by conjugated linoleic acid would predict for hepatic diacylglycerol accumulation, increased membrane-associated protein kinase C e, and hyperglycemia. Methods and results: Six-wk-old C57Bl/6 male mice were fed a high-saturated fat diet for 3 wk and were then randomized to high-saturated fat diet with or without conjugated linoleic acid (1.5% wt). Following a 6-wk intervention, hepatic triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, membrane-associated protein kinase C e, and gluconeogenic gene expression were determined. Fasting glucose was determined at baseline and at the end of the study. Conjugated linoleic acid increased hepatic triacylglycerol and diacylglycerol concentration in association with increased membrane-associated protein kinase C e. Diacylglycerol concentration proved to be a better predictor than triacylglycerol concentration for the change from baseline in fasting glucose concentration and final insulin concentration. The increase in diacylglycerol concentration was also associated with increased hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression in conjugated linoleic acid-treated animals. Conclusion: Our data suggest that conjugated linoleic acid can initiate the pathophysiology responsible for hepatic insulin resistance. Additional studies are needed to determine if the accumulation of hepatic diacylglycerol by conjugated linoleic acid leads to hepatic insulin resistance.
Cholesterol diet and permeability of rabbit aorta

Abstract During dietary atherogenesis in rabbits the permeability of the aortic wall to 131I-labeled albumin increases to a maximum 3 weeks after initiating cholesterol feeding. This change which involved the entire length of the aorta, preceded the development of grossly apparent intimal disease and persisted throughout the 12 weeks of the study. It is suggested that increases in lysophospholipids may be related to altered permeability. Other biochemical findings accompanying atherogenesis were increases of acid mucopolysaccharides in distal segment of rabbit aorta, with diminished content of chondroitin sulfale B in proximal segment, and increases in total phospholipids.
Factors associated with suicide attempts in alcohol abusers

Alcoholics with and without previous suicide attempts were compared on a variety of clinical variables. Drug abuse and major depression especially if accompanied by crying spells, hopelessness, or seeking psychiatric help were found more frequently in the suicide attempter group. Additionally, total psychiatric symptoms were found to be higher in the suicide attempters in various categories including somatic, obsessive-compulsive, and total number of psychiatric symptoms reported on the structured interview. These results indicate that certain psychopathological symptoms are associated with suicide attempts in alcoholics and may be predictive of completed suicide.
Cell-specific Regulation of Expression of Plasma-type Platelet-activating Factor Acetylhydrolase in the Liver

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent proinflammatory phospholipid mediator that causes hypotension, increases vascular permeability, and has been implicated in anaphylaxis, septic shock and several other inflammatory responses. PAF is hydrolyzed and inactivated by the enzyme PAF-acetylhydrolase. In the intact rat, a mesenteric vein infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) served as an acute, liver-focused model of endotoxemia. Plasma PAF-acetylhydrolase activity increased 2-fold by 24 h following LPS administration. Ribonuclease protection experiments demonstrated very low levels of plasma-type PAF-acetylhydrolase mRNA transcripts in the livers of saline-infused rats; however, 24 h following LPS exposure, a 20-fold induction of PAF-acetylhydrolase mRNA was detected. In cells isolated from endotoxin-exposed rat livers, Northern blot analyses demonstrated that Kupffer cells but not hepatocytes or endothelial cells were responsible for the increased PAF-acetylhydrolase mRNA levels. In Kupffer cells, plasma-type PAF-acetylhydrolase mRNA was induced by 12 h, peaked at 24 h, and remained substantially elevated at 48 h. Induction of neutropenia prior to LPS administration had no effect on the increase in PAF-acetylhydrolase mRNA seen at 24 h. Although freshly isolated Kupffer cells contain barely detectable levels of plasma-type PAF-acetylhydrolase mRNA, when Kupffer cells were established in culture, PAF-acetylhydrolase expression became constitutively activated concomitant with cell adherence to the culture plates. Alterations in plasma-type PAF-acetylhydrolase expression may constitute an important mechanism for elevating plasma PAF-acetylhydrolase levels and an important component in minimizing PAF-mediated pathophysiology in livers exposed to endotoxemia.
Testing the Multinomial Logit Model against the Multinomial Probit Model without Estimating the Probit Parameters

The multinomial logit formulation of travel demand models is analytically transparent and computationally tractable, but it is based on relatively restrictive behavioral assumptions. The validity of these assumptions for a given choice situation can be tested empirically by comparing the logit model with a general multinomial probit model. This paper describes a Lagrangian multiplier test that enables the comparison to be carried out without estimating the values of the parameters of a general probit model.
Following the Ca2+ roadmap to photocaged complexes for Zn2+ and beyond

The first photocaged complexes appeared in the mid-1980s specifically to complement the ongoing work studying intracellular Ca(2+) signaling with fluorescent probes. Recently, the field of biological inorganic chemistry has focused increasingly on the homeostasis mechanisms and possible signaling functions of transition metal ions like Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Cu(+) and Zn(2+). Development of fluorescent sensors for imaging studies has been a very active area of research; however the corresponding chemical tools for delivering metal ions have received less interest. Using the roadmap provided by Ca(2+) predecessors, we describe how new photocaged complexes are being developed, and highlight some of the obstacles that must be overcome to investigate an emerging area in metal ion biology with different requirements.
Relationship of cytomegalovirus load assessed by real-time PCR to pp65 antigenemia in organ transplant recipients

Abstract Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompromised patients can lead to viremia associated with morbidity and mortality. Monitoring of viral loads in blood is critical for initiating and monitoring antiviral treatment. Objectives Validate quantitative real-time PCR assay targeting the US17 and UL54 regions of the CMV genome for automated DNA and extraction and amplification. Study design 3422 blood specimens from organ transplant recipients, including longitudinal specimens from 12 organ transplant recipients, were tested by CMV PCR and pp65 antigenemia. Results CMV PCR for both US17 and UL54, was more sensitive and detected CMV DNA earlier and for longer than the CMV pp65 antigenemia test. Using antigenemia results as a reference standard, an optimal cutoff of 500 normalized copies was calculated for both US17 and UL54 PCR targets based on high sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. CMV DNA levels tracked well with clinical symptoms, response to treatment, and antigenemia. Conclusions Detection of persistent increases in CMV DNA levels above 500 normalized copies by this real-time PCR assay is indicative of symptomatic CMV disease in organ transplant recipients. Quantitative real-time PCR for CMV DNA can be used in lieu of antigenemia for monitoring CMV infection and determining when to initiate preemptive treatment.
Variational method in the statistical theory of turbulence

Abstract Variational principles are introduced in the statistical theory of turbulence. With the help of those, the various correlation functions are determined by extremizing certain functionals. As an illustration of the method, some sample calculations of mean flow profiles and two-point correlation functions of cylindrically symmetric free jets are carried out, both in a single-phase flow and a non-reactive two-phase one. A Rayleigh-Ritz method is used for the determination of the correlation functions. A judicious choice of the trial functions leads to the determination of the correlation functions with a modest amount of computation. The results are in reasonable agreement with expermental data.
Surface segregation of highly branched polymer additives in linear hosts

Entropy-driven segregation of various branched and hyperbranched polymeric additives in chemically similar linear polymer hosts is studied using self-consistent (SCF) mean-field lattice simulations. The simulations account for the effect of molecular architecture on local configurational entropy in the blends, but ignores the effect of architecture on local density and blend compressibility. Star, dendrimer, and comb-like additives are all found to be enriched at the surface of chemically identical linear host polymers. The magnitude of their surface excess increases with increased number of chain ends and decreases with increased segmental crowding near the branch point. Provided the number of arms and molecular weight of the branched additives are maintained constant, we find that the simplest branched architecture, the symmetric star, exhibits the strongest preference for the surface of binary polymer blends. We show that a single variable, here termed the “entropic driving force density,” controls the relative surface affinities of branched additives possessing a wide range of architectures. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1788–1801, 2008
Beryllium-10 from the Sun.

Beryllium-10 (10Be) in excess of that expected from in situ cosmic ray spallation reactions is present in lunar surface soil 78481; its presence was revealed with a sequential leaching technique. This excess 10Be, representing only 0.7 to 1.1% of the total 10Be inventory, is associated with surface layers (
Extensor Tendons Injuries

Extensor mechanism injuries are frequently encountered in athletes and can lead to permanent disability or deformity if not promptly and properly treated. This article reviews basic anatomy, and then discusses mallet finger injuries, boutonniere deformity, and sagittal band rupture. Once treatment has begun, return to sport is highly variable because of the varied needs of each athlete and where they fall on the spectrum of disease. As such, each athlete must be carefully evaluated and closely followed to ensure a safe, prompt, and judicious return to athletic pursuits.
The calcium dependence of electrical and mechanical responses of the odontophore protractor muscle of Busycon canaliculatum. A sucrose-gap study of calcium antagonist action

1. 1. Exposures for 30 min to Ca-free salines irreversibly inhibited responses of the odontophore protractor (OP) muscles of Busycon canaliculatum to ACh and high K+ salines. Under continuous field stimulation, Ca-free salines extinguished the responses within 3 min and recovery on Ca readmission was only partial. 2. 2. Nifedipine converted normally smooth ACh-induced depolarizations into oscillatory events generating small twitch-like contractions. 3. 3. Nifedipine converted normally tonic high K+ responses into depolarizations with fast spike-like action potentials generating fast twitches. The low K+induced action potentials and fast twitches of this muscle were greatly enhanced by nifedipine. Nifedipine induced rapid transient inward current pulses accompanying this twitch activity. 4. 4. Co2+, Cd2+ and Gd3+ all inhibited the ACh and K+ responses of the OP muscle but Gd3+ was the most consistent and potent inhibitor of these responses. 5. 5. Gd3+ did not affect K+- or ACh-induced depolarization levels but eliminated spike-like action potentials and the twitches they generated. 6. 6. When the muscle membranes were depolarized with increasing K+ subsequent ACh responses were inhibited and eventually eliminated at about −41 mV, indicating that the ACh receptor here showed voltage inactivation. 7. 7. Although dependent upon an influx of[Ca]0 for CIRC to effect EC coupling, this Ca appears to enter the cells by a mechanism unlike that of mammalian smooth muscle. The cellular Ca pool appears to be independently but not synergistically accessed by ACh and K+ in the induction of contractile responses.
The Expression of PTEN Is Associated With Improved Prognosis in Patients With Ampullary Adenocarcinoma After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Context.—Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is one of the most frequently inactivated tumor suppressor genes in sporadic cancers. Somatic mutations of PTEN occur in many tumors including those o...
Singlet Oxygen Detection in Skim Milk by Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy

: 2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-4-piperidone (TMPD) can react with singlet oxygen to produce the corresponding nitroxide, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone-1-oxyl (TAN), which can be detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. ESR detected the formation of TAN in 5 μM riboflavin phosphate buffer, or skim milk containing 20 mM TMPD during illumination. The effects of illumination, riboflavin, and oxygen on the formation of TAN indicated that the presence of each was required for singlet oxygen formation. The photo reduced riboflavin might reduce TAN to the hydroxylamine of TAN, thus decreasing the paramagnetic TAN signal. Maximum concentration of TAN was obtained at an added 10 mM riboflavin in buffer solution or in skim milk after 15 min of illumination in the presence of oxygen.
The Spatial Separatist Theme in Geography

theme is expressed depend on the subtle interconnections between the conceptions of physical space and models of analysis employed. In recent years, many geographers have concentrated on ways to express the theme scientifically, in the hopes that it would be both geography's contribution to and distinctive place within the sciences. In spite of the fact that there is no complete agreement among geographers about the most appropriate form of scientific explanation and conception of physical space (though an empirical deductive framework of explanation is the most frequently cited), one can sketch the bases of three major attempts at expressing the separatist theme within a "scientific" geography. Later the three attempts will be phrased more precisely within a specific vocabulary of science, when each will be termed a spatial separatist contention. The most extreme attempt is through the claim that there are spatial, nonspatial, and degrees of spatial facts, or more generally that space and properties of space exist absolutely. Though few embrace the view consistently, it is found in such expressions as the "use," "effect," "functio ," or "purpose" of space, or aspects of space, such as the "friction" of distance and the "nature" and "effect"
Emergency Medical Services Public Health Implications and Interim Guidance for the Ebola Virus in the United States

The 25th known outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is now a global public health emergency and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the epidemic to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Since the first cases of the West African epidemic were reported in March 2014, there has been an increase in infection rates of over 13,000% over a 6-month period. The Ebola virus has now arrived in the United States and public health professionals, doctors, hospitals, Emergency Medial Services Administrators, Medical Directors, and policy makers have been working with haste to develop strategies to prevent the disease from reaching epidemic proportions. Prehospital care providers (emergency medical technicians and paramedics) and medical first responders (including but not limited to firefighters and law enforcement) are the healthcare systems front lines when it comes to first medical contact with patients outside of the hospital setting. Risk of contracting Ebola can be particularly high in this population of first responders if the appropriate precautions are not implemented. This article provides a brief clinical overview of the Ebola Virus Disease and provides a comprehensive summary of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS) for Management of Patients with Known of Suspected Ebola Virus Disease in the United States.
A survey of analogs to weak Mg II absorbers in the present

We present the results of a survey of the analogs of weak Mg II absorbers [rest-frame equivalent width Wr(2796) 0.02 A, with 30% completeness for the weakest lines. Correcting for incompleteness, we find the number of weak Mg II absorber analogs with 0.02 A < Wr(2796) < 0.3 A to be dN/dz = 1.00 ± 0.20 for 0 < z < 0.3. This compares to a value of dN/dz = 1.74 ± 0.10 found by Churchill et al. for the higher redshift range, 0.4 < z < 1.4, and is consistent with cosmological evolution of the population. We consider the expected effect on observability of weak Mg II absorbers of the decreasing intensity of the extragalactic background radiation field from z ~ 1 to ~0. Assuming that all the objects that produce absorption at z ~ 1 are stable on a cosmological timescale and that no new objects are created, we would expect dN/dz ~ 2-3 at z ~ 0. About 30%-50% of this z ~ 0 population would be descendants of the parsec-scale structures that produce single-cloud, weak Mg II absorbers at z ~ 1. The other 50%-70% would be lower density, kiloparsec-scale structures that produce C IV absorption, but not detectable low-ionization absorption, at z ~ 1. We conclude that at least one, and perhaps some fraction of both, of these populations has evolved away since z ~ 1, in order to match the z ~ 0 value of dN/dz measured in our survey. This would follow naturally for a population of transient structures whose generation is related to star-forming processes, whose rate has decreased since z ~ 1.
Electroconvulsive seizures upregulate astroglial gene expression selectively in the dentate gyrus

Abstract Previous studies have revealed that kindled seizures induced via chronically implanted electrodes up-regulate the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the protein constituent of intermediate filaments in astrocytes. The present study evaluates the consequences of a single electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) on glial gene expression. ECS were induced in mice via externally-placed electrodes. GFAP mRNA levels were evaluated 1, 2, 4, and 6 days post-seizure by in situ hybridization. GFA immunocytostaining was evaluated in a separate series of animals. Following a single ECS, the levels of mRNA for GFAP increased several fold by 1 day and were still substantially elevated at 4 days. The increases occurred primarily in the dentate gyrus despite the fact that the seizures involved widespread brain regions. GFAPP mRNA levels were also increased in areas bordering the ventricles, especially in areas immediately adjacent to the dentate gyrus. These results indicate that ECS up-regulates the mRNA for a key structural protein of astrocytes in a manner that is similar to the response that occurs following injury, that this response occurs selectively in a part of the brain that plays a key role in memory function, and that the increase may be due in part to a diffusible substance that also affects glial gene expression in nearby structures.
Nonparametric estimation of regression functions with both categorical and continuous data

Abstract In this paper we propose a method for nonparametric regression which admits continuous and categorical data in a natural manner using the method of kernels. A data-driven method of bandwidth selection is proposed, and we establish the asymptotic normality of the estimator. We also establish the rate of convergence of the cross-validated smoothing parameters to their benchmark optimal smoothing parameters. Simulations suggest that the new estimator performs much better than the conventional nonparametric estimator in the presence of mixed data. An empirical application to a widely used and publicly available dynamic panel of patent data demonstrates that the out-of-sample squared prediction error of our proposed estimator is only 14–20% of that obtained by some popular parametric approaches which have been used to model this data set.
Spinach leaf 70-kilodalton heat-shock cognate stabilizes bovine adrenal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in vitro without apparent stable binding

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaf tissue 70-kilodalton heat-shock cognate was purified by ATP-agarose affinity and gel filtration. Gel filtration of the affinity-purified protein resolved it into three forms: monomer, dimer, and oligomer. In the absence of ATP, the majority of the heat-shock cognate existed as a monomeric form with lesser amounts of dimer and oligomer. Addition of 3 mM ATP to the purified protein, containing all three forms, converted the dimeric and monomeric forms to a high-molecular-weight complex. Removal of ATP from the complex by dialysis resulted in the reappearance of the dimeric and monomeric forms. Addition of ATP to the highly purified monomer had no effect on its gel-filtration migration. Neither purified monomeric or dimeric forms showed stable binding to denatured proteins; however, both forms of the purified heat-shock cognate were able to stabilize the enzymatic activity of bovine adrenal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase over a 48-h period at 25° C. In addition, the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the presence of purified heat-shock cognate dimer or monomer could be rapidly decreased in an ATP-dependent fashion depending on the order of the substrate addition to the reaction mixture. Circular-dichroism studies indicated that addition of ATP to the spinach 70-kDa heat-shock cognate caused a conformation change from α-helical to a greater β-sheet content. How conformational character may influence the stabilizing activity of the heat-shock cognate in a mechanism which does not require stable peptide binding is discussed.
Ethanol as a Positive Reinforcer via the Oral Route for Rhesus Monkeys: Maintenance of Fixed-Ratio Responding

Abstract Two rhesus monkeys were required to emit 1 to 16 responses (FR 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16) per 0.5 ml. delivery of either 8% (w/v) ethanol or water. Ethanol had been established as an effective reinforcer via the oral route in an earlier experiment [4]. At FR 16, responding maintained by ethanol clearly exceeded responding maintained by water for both monkeys. The volume of ethanol intake per session remained nearly constant for FR 1 to 16, however, the volume of water consumed per session decreased when FR 16 was required.
Surgical treatment of the lateral frontal sinus lesion

Inflammatory masses located in the lateral aspect of the frontal sinus often represent supraorbital ethmoid lesions. These lesions can often be approached endoscopically, sparing the patient an external incision. Knowledge of the anatomy, proper instrumentation, and meticulous surgical technique are needed for an endoscopic approach.
Voices from the trenches: facilitators' perspectives on HIV risk reduction interventions.

Experienced HIV prevention group facilitators have a unique perspective on sexual risk reduction interventions; however, their views are rarely reported in the research literature. To address this gap, the authors solicited input from four men and four women who served as facilitators in a randomized controlled trial of HIV risk reduction interventions. During focus groups or individual interviews, these facilitators commented on issues related to facilitation training and supervision, key facilitator characteristics, and challenges associated with intervention delivery. Facilitators reported that they valued training that was specific to the HIV context, the opportunity to observe workshops and to facilitate a mock workshop before facilitating themselves, and ongoing peer supervision. They recognized several important facilitator characteristics, including being open and nonjudgmental, being flexible, and being culturally competent. Finally, facilitators mentioned that facilitating workshops was made mor...
Does participating in an undergraduate elementary science methods course make a difference

Beginning with the question, does it make a differencewhat skills are developed or inwhat sequence they are introduced, the results of this study show that science teaching skills associated with personal survival are highly visible in both the expectations of prospective teachers and in what they value from a science methods course. It is equally clear that as they become confident in their personal science knowledge base, and competent in translating this into instructional plans for children, prospective teachers become aware of the need to deal with more mature concerns of how to effectively manage children in the learning environment. As an introductory science methods course, this focus on the personal concerns of the prospective teachers makes a difference in the confidence with which they approach teaching science.
Scalable control of mounting and attack by Esr1 + neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus

Social behaviours, such as aggression or mating, proceed through a series of appetitive and consummatory phases that are associated with increasing levels of arousal. How such escalation is encoded in the brain, and linked to behavioural action selection, remains an unsolved problem in neuroscience. The ventrolateral subdivision of the murine ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) contains neurons whose activity increases during male–male and male–female social encounters. Non-cell-type-specific optogenetic activation of this region elicited attack behaviour, but not mounting. We have identified a subset of VMHvl neurons marked by the oestrogen receptor 1 (Esr1), and investigated their role in male social behaviour. Optogenetic manipulations indicated that Esr1^+ (but not Esr1^−) neurons are sufficient to initiate attack, and that their activity is continuously required during ongoing agonistic behaviour. Surprisingly, weaker optogenetic activation of these neurons promoted mounting behaviour, rather than attack, towards both males and females, as well as sniffing and close investigation. Increasing photostimulation intensity could promote a transition from close investigation and mounting to attack, within a single social encounter. Importantly, time-resolved optogenetic inhibition experiments revealed requirements for Esr1^+ neurons in both the appetitive (investigative) and the consummatory phases of social interactions. Combined optogenetic activation and calcium imaging experiments in vitro, as well as c-Fos analysis in vivo, indicated that increasing photostimulation intensity increases both the number of active neurons and the average level of activity per neuron. These data suggest that Esr1^+ neurons in VMHvl control the progression of a social encounter from its appetitive through its consummatory phases, in a scalable manner that reflects the number or type of active neurons in the population.
Nucleation and growth of 1B metal clusters on rutile TiO2(1 1 0): Atomic level understanding from first principles studies

Abstract Nanometer sized metal clusters dispersed on oxide supports often exhibit much higher activity than single-component metal catalysts. Their catalytic performance markedly depends on cluster size, shape and size distributions, along with support materials and support preparation methods. Supported metal nanoclusters can also easily rearrange and sinter during the course of thermally activated catalytic reactions even at moderate temperatures. An accurate assessment of the effects of cluster–support interactions on the growth, structure and reactivity of supported metal clusters, as well as the adsorbate-induced structural changes is therefore necessary to understand their catalytic performance under realistic operating conditions. The detailed understanding will also contribute to development of a new and reliable way to control their structural catalytic properties on the atomic scale. As a part of the effort to gain this atomic level understanding, we present our recent findings from density functional theory calculations, including: electronic structure of a reduced TiO2(1 1 0) surface and interactions between oxygen vacancies, with a brief introduction to the dynamics of oxygen molecules on the reduced surface, role of oxygen vacancies and oxygen adspecies in the nucleation of Au, Ag and Cu clusters.
Lipoxynoids in the kidney

Abstract There are a variety of non-prostaglandin pathways for conversion of arachidonic acid, including lipoxygenase enzymes and epoxygenase enzymes such as cytochrome P-450. In a manner similar to that in which the cyclooxygenase pathways lead to the prostanoid family, ‘lipoxynoids’ refers to the family of products arising from this alternative group of pathways. Leukotrienes (LT's) are members of the lipoxynoid family arising from the action of 5-lipoxygenase enzymes. In the canine kidney, injections of leukotrienes C4, D4 and E4 into the renal artery produced weak vasodilation at doses of 3–30 ug. Responses to LTC4 and LTD4 were similar and greater than responses to LTE4, and responses were not different in animals which had received ibuprofen to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. In contrast, these leukotrienes were potent vasoconstrictors of the mesenteric vascular bed in these same animals at doses of 0.01–0.3 ug. The order of potency was LTD4 LTC4 LTE4. Effects of these LT's were not changed in the presence of ibuprofen. Responses to LTC4 and LTD4, but not LTE4 were diminished approximately 50% after administration of FPL-55712 (2 mg/kg). Neither LTB4 nor 5-HETE produced any change in renal or mesenteric blood flow at doses up to 30 ug. However, indirect evidence has been obtained suggesting that an endogenous lipoxynoid pathway can be activated in the canine kidney which results in the formation of a vasoconstrictor product. Injections of 1–4 mg AA into the renal artery of water-replete dogs leads to vasodilation which can be blocked by inhibitors of cyclooxygenase enzymes. However, when dogs were water deprived for 16–20 hours before the experiment, biphasic changes in renal blood flow were found. Ibuprofen blocked the vasodilator phase of the response but neither ibuprofen or the thromboxane synthesis inhibitor OKY-1581 had any inhibitory effect on the constrictor phase. The constrictor phase was blocked only following administration of ETYA or BW-755C, suggesting that the metabolites responsible for the constriction were lipoxynoids. Since LT's produce renal vasodilation, it appears that the pathway involved is not the 5-lipoxygenase system. These data suggest that other lipoxynoid pathways (e.g. 12-lipoxygenase, 15-lipoxygenase or cytochrome p-450) may play a role in the renal response to water deprivation. At present, however, it may not be possible to distinguish between these possible pathways in vivo .
Voltage-controlled plasticity at GluR2-deficient synapses onto hippocampal interneurons.

High-frequency stimulation of pyramidal cell inputs to developing (P9-12) hippocampal stratum radiatum interneurons expressing GluR2-lacking, Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors produces long-term depres...