cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parvalbumin content and Ca2+ and Mg2+ dissociation rates correlated with changes in relaxation rate of frog muscle fibres.

1. Experiments were done to test the hypothesis that parvalbumin (PA) promotes relaxation in frog skeletal muscle. Single fibres and purified PA from Rana temporaria skeletal muscle were used to determine the relationship between PA concentration ( [PA] ), Ca2+ and Mg2+ dissociation rates from PA and changes in rate of relaxation as a function of tetanus duration at 0 degrees C. 2. Total [PA] in fibres from tibialis anterior muscles is 0.76 +/- 0.20 mmol PA l-1 myoplasmic water (mean +/- S.D., n = 25) with 65% PA IVa and 35% PA IVb, where PA IVa and PA IVb are PA isoforms. 3. Relaxation rate from an isometric tetanus shows progressively as a function of tetanus duration with an exponential time course and a rate constant of 1.18 +/- 0.35 s-1 (n = 17). Time course of recovery of relaxation rate after a prolonged tetanus is exponential with a rate constant of 0.12 +/- 0.02 s-1 (n = 14). 4. The extent of recovery of relaxation rate after a prolonged tetanus was correlated with total [PA] in fibres (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.80, n = 7; P less than 0.05). 5. Dissociation rate constants for Mg2+ and Ca2+ from purified PA are 0.93 +/- 0.02 s-1 (n = 5) and 0.19 +/- 0.01 s-1 (n = 5), respectively. Dissociation rate constants were not significantly different for PA isoforms IVa and IVb. These rate constants are similar to the rate constants determined for the time courses of slowing and recovery of relaxation rate, respectively. 6. Results suggest that the time courses of slowing and recovery of relaxation rate may be controlled, to a large extent, by Mg2+ and Ca2+ dissociation from PA, respectively. This evidence supports a role for PA in facilitating relaxation during a tetanus in frog skeletal muscle at 0 degrees C.
Neck Posture and Feeding Habits of Two Jurassic Sauropod Dinosaurs

Articulated digital reconstructions of two diplodocid sauropods revealed cervical poses and feeding envelopes. The necks of Diplodocus and Apatosaurus were nearly straight but gently declined such that the heads, which were themselves angled downward relative to the neck, were close to ground level in their neutral, undeflected posture. Both necks were less flexible than conventionally depicted, and Diplodocus was less capable of lateral and dorsal curvature than Apatosaurus. The results suggest that these sauropods were adapted to ground feeding or low browsing, contrary to the view that diplodocid sauropods were high browsers.
The Mini-CEX: A Method for Assessing Clinical Skills

In the miniclinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX), a faculty member evaluates a resident's care for a patient during a 15- to 20-minute visit several times a year. The mini-CEX offers an assessmen...
Acoustic tweezers: Manipulating particles, cells, and organisms using standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW)

Summary form only given. The ability to manipulate cells and microparticles in a biocompatible and dexterous manner is critical for numerous biological studies and applications such as cell-cell communication, biosensing, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Here we summarize our recent progress on an “acoustic tweezers” technique that utilizes standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW) to manipulate particles, cells, and organisms. This technique is capable of manipulating cells and microparticles regardless of shape, size, charge or polarity. Its power intensity, approximately 107 times lower than that of optical tweezers, compares favorably with those of other active patterning methods. Flow cytometry studies have revealed it to be noninvasive. The aforementioned advantages, along with this technique's simple design and ability to be miniaturized, render the “acoustic tweezers” technique a promising tool for various applications in biology, chemistry, engineering, and materials science.
Compensators and derivative estimation for queueing systems

A fairly general method for sensitivity analysis of simulations is proposed involving the use of compensator identities. The case of a GI/GI/1 queue is discussed in some detail. Expressions for the derivatives of state probabilities that provide direct simulation estimates are given for single class closed queueing networks with Markovian routing. The method uses compensator identities in conjunction with infinitesimal perturbation analysis (IPA) techniques to provide low variance unbiased estimates at the expense of additional computational requirements. >
Hormonally Regulated Double- and Single-stranded DNA-binding Complexes Involved in Mouse -Casein Gene Transcription

Transcription of the 252-base pair-long mouse beta-casein gene promoter is induced by the synergistic action of insulin, prolactin, and glucocorticoid in a primary mammary epithelial cell culture. The promoter contains a region termed block C having a highly conserved sequence and position among many casein genes. Mutation of block C reduced the response of the promoter to lactogenic hormones 84%. Nuclear extracts from lactating mouse mammary glands contained both a double-stranded and a single-stranded DNA binding protein complex (DS1 and SS), which specifically bind to the sequences AAATTAGCATGT and CCACAA of block C, respectively. The DS1 and the SS protein complexes were approximately 400 and 280 kDa, respectively. Each complex contained a DNA-binding component(s) having a molecular mass of approximately 120 kDa for DS1 and 80 and 65 kDa for SS. Deoxycholate, which interferes with the protein-protein interactions, inhibited the binding activities of DS1 and SS. The maximal increase in the binding activity of DS1 and SS in the mammary gland occurred during pregnancy and during lactation, respectively. In organ culture, the DS1 activity is increased by epidermal growth factor or prolactin in combination with insulin, whereas the SS activity is enhanced by insulin, prolactin, and glucocorticoid. These results suggest that multiprotein complexes binding to the double- and single-stranded DNA of block C mediate hormonal induction of beta-casein gene transcription.
Migrant–habitat relationships during stopover along an ecological barrier: extrinsic constraints and conservation implications

For migrating land birds, the influence of extrinsic factors (e.g., weather and energetic condition) on stopover site selection relative to factors intrinsic to habitat (e.g., food) may be especially acute after crossing a large ecological barrier. We quantified bird distributions during spring and autumn migration along the coast of Mississippi after birds had crossed the Gulf of Mexico using weather surveillance radar data to test our prediction that bird distributions would be less closely associated with a proximate cue to intrinsic habitat quality (the amount of forest cover in the landscape) as proximity to the coastline increased during spring. Relative bird density was positively associated with the amount of hardwood forest in the landscape during both seasons, and broadly with proximity to the coastline during spring. In spring, bird density was less closely associated with the amount of hardwood forest with greater proximity to the coast. Due to extrinsic constraints associated with crossing the Gulf of Mexico during spring, most migrants appear to select sites for resting within 18 km from the coastline during their initial landfall and seek resource-rich habitats for refueling further inland during subsequent stopovers. During autumn, most birds seek resource-rich stopover sites inland from the coast in which to refuel before crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Because stopover habitat may be limiting to some populations of migratory land birds, the disproportionately high rates of human development and deforestation along with the reduced availability and amount of protection of forests in near-coastal areas create urgency for the conservation of forested stopover sites along the Gulf of Mexico.
Identification of temporal coherence between auditory and visual channels

The accuracy of identification of the temporal coherence between auditory and visual channels was examined. Random sequences of sound and light bursts were delivered to the left and right sides of an auditory display and of a visual display. The relation of bursts was either coherent between channels (left sound—left light; right sound—right light) or was randomly related. Performance improves as the rate of presentation is decreased, the 75 percent correct threshold level being achieved with about 10 signals/sec. Since excellent coherence discrimination between two auditory variables, or between two visual variables, can be achieved at substantially higher presentation rates, it is presumed that high-speed within-channel processing modes are not available for between-channel processing. The role of sequence predictability within each of the sequences was found to be closely related to the rate of nonswitching within each channel. The limiting factor for between-channel coherence detection appears to be the within-channel nonswitching duration.
Extensions of the Justen---Ramlau blind deconvolution method

Blind deconvolution problems arise in many image restoration applications. Most available blind deconvolution methods are iterative. Recently, Justen and Ramlau proposed a novel non-iterative blind deconvolution method. The method was derived under the assumption of periodic boundary conditions. These boundary conditions may introduce oscillatory artifacts into the computed restoration. We describe extensions of the Justen---Ramlau method that allow the use of Neumann and antireflective boundary conditions.
Pre-travel preparation practices among business travellers to tropical and subtropical destinations: Results from the Athens International Airport Survey

Summary Background The number of business travellers from Greece to tropical and subtropical areas has recently increased. The study aimed to assess travel health preparation practices of business travellers departing to Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Method A questionnaire-based survey was conducted at Athens International Airport, from 1st of November 2011 to 30th of April 2013. Results A total of 684 business travellers participated in the study; the majority were men (86.1%), of Greek nationality (95.3%), with tertiary education (90.8%) and employed (98%). Their mean age was 40 years; 62% and 26% of them were 35–49 and 19–34 years of age respectively. 84.8% were travelling alone. Most frequent destinations were the Middle East (46.8%) and sub-Saharan Africa (16%). For 23.5% of the travellers it was their first trip to a tropical or subtropical country. Only 58.8% pursued pre-travel health consultation; vaccination and malaria chemoprophylaxis were administered to 24.7% and 25.7% of the travellers, respectively. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccination rates were lower than expected (70% and 35%, respectively). Nearly half of the travellers who visited malaria endemic areas did not receive any chemoprophylaxis. Having elementary education level, travelling to the Middle East or North Africa, travelling for less than 1 month duration, and staying in a house or a hotel were associated with a higher probability of not pursuing health consultation. Conclusions Significant gaps were found in pre-travel health practices of business travellers departing to Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Strategies should be developed in order to improve awareness of business travellers.
Radial nerve palsy associated with high-energy humeral shaft fractures.

Abstract Purpose To determine whether the radial nerve should be explored when there is a complete sensory and motor deficit after a high-energy fracture of the humeral diaphysis. Methods Twenty-four patients aged 16 years or older with a high-energy, diaphyseal fracture of the humerus and complete motor and sensory radial nerve palsy were reviewed retrospectively. Eleven fractures were open—6 of these were part of a very complex upper-extremity injury (multiple ipsilateral fractures in 3 patients and near amputation in 3). All 11 patients with open fractures and 3 of 13 patients with closed injuries had radial nerve exploration. Results All 6 patients with a transected radial nerve had an open humerus fracture and were part of a complex upper-extremity injury. Five of 6 had primary repair of the radial nerve, and none recovered. All 8 intact explored nerves and 9 of 10 unexplored nerves recovered; the only nonrecovery occurred in a patient treated with closed intramedullary rod fixation who may have had iatrogenic nerve injury. The average time to initial signs of recovery was 7 weeks (range, 1–25 weeks). The average time to full recovery was 6 months (range, 1–21 months). Conclusions Transection of the radial nerve is usually associated with open fractures of the humerus that are part of a very complex upper-extremity injury. The results of primary nerve repair in this circumstance are poor, likely related to an extensive zone of injury and the need for nerve grafting. Intact nerves and nerve palsies that are part of a closed fracture nearly always recover, even after high-energy injuries. Because the first signs of nerve recovery and complete recovery of the nerve can be quite delayed, patience is merited before considering tendon transfers.
Methane from coal burning

Abstract Low temperature combustion of coal, such as for heating and cooking in many countries, is a global source of methane. Emission rates may be 7 tg/yr from China and perhaps 16 tg/yr from the world.
A Primal-Dual Interior-Point Method to Solve the Optimal Power Flow Dispatching Problem

This paper presents a primal-dual path-following interior-point method for the solution of the optimal power flow dispatching (OPFD) problem. The underlying idea of most path-following algorithms is relatively similar: starting from the Fiacco-McCormick barrier function, define the central path and loosely follow it to the optimum solution. Several primal-dual methods for OPF have been suggested, all of which are essentially direct extensions of primal-dual methods for linear programming. Nevertheless, there are substantial variations in some crucial details which include the formulation of the non-linear problem, the associated linear system, the linear algebraic procedure to solve this system, the line search, strategies for adjusting the centring parameter, estimating higher order correction terms for the homotopy path, and the treatment of indefiniteness. This paper discusses some of the approaches that were undertaken in implementing a specific primal-dual method for OPFD. A comparison is carried out with previous research on interior-point methods for OPF. Numerical tests on standard IEEE systems and on a realistic network are very encouraging and show that the new algorithm converges where other algorithms fail.
A Conserved HIV gp120 Glycoprotein Structure Involved in Chemokine Receptor Binding

The entry of primate immunodeficiency viruses into target cells depends on a sequential interaction of the gp120 envelope glycoprotein with the cellular receptors, CD4 and members of the chemokine receptor family. The gp120 third variable (V3) loop has been implicated in chemokine receptor binding, but the use of the CCR5 chemokine receptor by diverse primate immunodeficiency viruses suggests the involvement of an additional, conserved gp120 element. Through the use of gp120 mutants, a highly conserved gp120 structure was shown to be critical for CCR5 binding. This structure is located adjacent to the V3 loop and contains neutralization epitopes induced by CD4 binding. This conserved element may be a useful target for pharmacologic or prophylactic intervention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.
Digital television: a new way to deliver information

Digital television (DTV) is a new way to deliver video, audio, and other data. Why should TV be converted to digital? How does DTV work? What can we do with it? This paper provides some introduction about DTV, its history, and its roll-out plan. It then compares DTV with analog TV, and describes how DTV works. It also describes why the computer industry, as well as the consumer electronics industry, are both very interested I the DTV market. Next, it describes what Intel has done on DTV, including how we build a PC- based DTV, its test evaluation results, its new applications, and Intel's DTV station DMRL. This paper also describes remaining issues, our roadmap, vision, and future directions.
Origin of the Darwin term

It is shown that the Darwin interaction may be attributed an interaction proportional to (E×μ)2 where μ is the magnetic moment of a particle moving in an external electric fieldE.
Gravitational trapping of carbon dioxide in deep ocean sediments: hydraulic fracturing and mechanical stability

Gravitational trapping of carbon dioxide in deep ocean sediments is attractive both for the long term stability provided by gravity as well as the large volume and hence storage capacity of deep ocean sediments at necessary depths. Unfortunately, most pelagic sediments suffer from extremely low permeability and are not expected to have an overlying mechanical seal, making emplacement of CO2 contingent upon large scale hydraulic fracturing and some mechanism of arresting fracture growth before reaching the seafloor. An experimental design is presented with the capability of testing a variety of proposed fracture arrest mechanisms.
Differential diagnosis of hot flashes

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study is to present the physiology and differential diagnosis of hot flashes, other than associated with menopause, in order to facilitate the proper evaluation of symptomatic patients with hot flashes. Study Design: Literature search using Med-Line computer access. Results: Interest in flushing reaction began in historic times. With the rapidly expanding population of women over the age of 45 and prevalence of hot flashes as menopausal symptoms, physicians need to be aware of other medical conditions which may mimic hot flashes. These include flushing due to systemic diseases, carcinoid syndrome, systemic mast cell disease, pheochromocytoma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, pancreatic islet-cell tumors, renal cell carcinoma, neurological flushing, emotional flushing, spinal cord injury, flushing reaction related to alcohol and drugs, flushing associated with food additives, and eating. Conclusion: There is a wide variety of disease processes that can cause hot flashes. Knowledge of the nature of these disease processes is necessary for quick recognition of patients with hot flashes who do not respond to estrogen replacement treatment, and to facilitate the proper evaluation of atypical patients.
RCSP and stop-and-go: a comparison of two non-work-conserving disciplines for supporting multimedia communication

To support emerging real-time applications, high-speed integrated services networks must provide end-to-end performance guarantees on a per-connection basis in a networking environment. Resource management algorithms must accommodate traffic that may get burstier as it traverses the network due to complex interactions among packet streams at each switch. To address this problem, several non-work-conserving packet-service disciplines have been proposed. Non-work-conserving servers may be idle and hold packets under certain conditions, to reconstruct, fully or partially, the traffic pattern of the original source inside the network and prevent the traffic from becoming burstier. We compare two non-work-conserving service disciplines. Stop-and-go uses a multilevel framing strategy to allocate resources in a single switch and to ensure traffic smoothness throughout the network. Rate controlled static priority (RCSP) decouples the server functions with two components: (1) a regulator to control traffic distortion introduced by multiplexing effects and load fluctuations in previous servers, and 2) a static priority scheduler to multiplex the regulated traffic. We compare the two service disciplines in terms of traffic specification, scheduling mechanism, buffer space requirement, end-to-end delay characteristics, connection admission-control algorithms, and achievable network utilization. The comparison is first done analytically, and then empirically by using two 10-min traces of MPEG compressed video.
Elevated temperature irradiation hardening in austenitic stainless steel

Abstract The nature and magnitude of radiation hardening in an 18-8 type austenitic stainless steel were investigated after a high neutron exposure (1.4 × 1022 n/cm2, E > 0.18 MeV) near one-half the absolute melting temperature (532°C). Transmission electron microscopy was used to reveal substructural features prior to tensile testing over the temperature range 23–871°C. The irradiation produced a substructure consisting of Frank sessile loops about 400 A in diameter and 3.7 × 1015/cm3in density and polyhedral cavities approximately 150 A in diameter and about 2 × 1014/cm3 in density. Annealing for one hour at 593°C induced the Frank sessile loops to transform into perfect dislocation loops which, in turn, migrated and interacted to form a complex dislocation network. Annealing at progressively higher temperatures resulted in simultaneous cavity and network annihilation at 816°C. After irradiation, the yield strength follows a thermally-activated temperature dependency at test temperatures less than Tm/2. The athermal yield stress component is attributed to the strengthening expected from the Frank sessile loops. Above Tm/2, the loops are annihilated and a corresponding decrease in yield strength occurs. However the strength does not approach the unirradiated control value as the loop density tends to zero but remains at a value which is consistent with the experimentally-determined density of cavities. Full recovery of the yield strength is observed at 816°C when both the dislocations and cavities are annihilated.
Proteasome inhibitors enhance bacteriophage lambda (λ) mediated gene transfer in mammalian cells

Bacteriophage lambda vectors can transfer their genomes into mammalian cells, resulting in expression of phage-encoded genes. However, this process is inefficient. Experiments were therefore conducted to delineate the rate limiting step(s) involved, using a phage vector that contains a mammalian luciferase reporter gene cassette. The efficiency of phage-mediated gene transfer in mammalian cells was quantitated, in the presence or absence of pharmacologic inhibitors of cell uptake and degradation pathways. Inhibitors of lysosomal proteases and proteasome inhibitors strongly enhanced phage-mediated luciferase expression, suggesting that these pathways contribute to the destruction of intracellular phage particles. In contrast, inhibition of endosome acidification had no effect on phage-mediated gene transfer, presumably because phage lambda is tolerant to extended exposure to low pH. These findings provide insights into the pathways by which phage vectors enter and transduce mammalian cells, and suggest that it may be possible to pharmacologically enhance the efficiency of phage-mediated gene transfer in mammalian cells. Finally, the data also suggest that the proteasome complex may serve as an innate defense mechanism that restricts the infection of mammalian cells by diverse viral agents.
Acetylcholine formation from glucose following acute choline supplementation.

The effects of choline administration on acetylcholine metabolism in the central nervous system are controversial. Although choline supplementation may elevate acetylcholine (ACh) content in brain, turnover studies with labelled choline precursors suggest that systemic choline administration either has no effect or actually diminishes brain ACh synthesis. Since choline supplementation elevates brain choline levels, the apparent decreases in previous turnover studies may reflect dilution of the labelled choline precursor pool rather than altered ACh formation. Therefore, brain ACh formation from [U-14C]glucose was determined after choline supplementation. A two to three fold elevation of brain choline did not alter ACh levels or [U-14C]glucose incorporation into ACh in the cortex, hippocampus or striatum. Although atropine stimulated ACh formation from [U-14C]glucose in hippocampus, two to three fold increases in brain choline did not augment ACh synthesis or content in atropine pretreated animals. Atropine depressed brain regional glucose utilization and this effect was not reversed by choline treatment. These results suggest that shorttern elevation of brain choline does not enhance ACh formation from [U-14C]glucose, and argue against enhanced presynaptic cholinergic function after acute, systemic choline administration.
Retroactive amnesia from electroconvulsive shock: Consolidation disruption or interference?

The amnesic effect of electroconvulsive shock has been explained in terms of consolidation theory and in terms of interference hypotheses. Crucial evidence is not yet available for choosing between these alternative explanations, and it appears that many variables (including the nature of the response measure used and the number of seizures administered to the S) influence the results of studies in the area. The present study is a modified replication of an earlier experiment, and offers evidence in favor of an interference interpretation of the effects of electroconvulsive shock on learned responses.
Minimal reduction in insulin dosage with pramlintide therapy when pretreatment near-normal glycemia is established and square-wave meal bolus is used.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effect of near-normal glucose control before initiation of pramlintide therapy and square-wave meal bolus on self-reported hypoglycemia and the percentage change in dosing parameters after attaining the maximum pramlintide dosage. Methods In this prospective study, insulin pump–treated patients with type 1 diabetes had insulin dosages optimally titrated on the basis of daily continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Pramlintide therapy was initiated, and the dosage was increased 15 mcg/meal per week. Insulin dosage was adjusted during 30-minute visits after review of self-monitored blood glucose records, adverse effects, and hypoglycemia diary. Within 2 weeks of achieving a pramlintide dosage of 60 mcg/meal, the second CGM–guided insulin dosage adjustment was done. The primary end point was the percentage change in total basal insulin dosage (TBD) from baseline. The secondary end points were the percentage change in the insulin to carbohydrate ratio (ICR) and the assessment of symptoms of nausea and hypoglycemia during the pramlintide dosing escalation. Results Nine patients were enrolled. The difference between before and during CGM–guided insulin dosing was a mean (± standard deviation) TBD change of -11.2 ± 13.2% (P = 0.023) and mean ICR change of 7.8 ± 13.4% (P = 0.053). Pramlintide was well tolerated and resulted in decrease in weight and hemoglobin A1c values. Hypoglycemia occurred in 6 patients during the study; the assistance of another person was not required in any of these cases. No hypoglycemia was reported in the first week of starting pramlintide. Mild to moderate nausea was reported in 6 patients during the titration phase. Conclusions Patients with near-normal glucose control who use a square-wave bolus may not need initial bolus dosage reduction. With weight loss, small adjustments in both TBD and ICR may be required. Greater incidence of hypoglycemia seen in previous studies may in part be due to mismatched insulin dosing. (Endocr Pract. 2009;15:229-233)
Photochemical formation of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) in illuminated aqueous solutions of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

Evidence is presented for the photochemical formation of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) in air-saturated buffered aqueous solutions of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) using sunlight-range illumination. This is significant because PABA is widely used as an active ingredient in sunscreen preparations that are applied to the surface of the skin and 1O2 is known to cause oxidative damage to cells via the formation and subsequent reactions of lipid peroxides. Furfuryl alcohol (FFA), a well known chemical trap for 1O2, was added to aqueous PABA solutions prior to illumination. The FFA was consumed when the solution was illuminated, but no loss of FFA occurred in the dark and loss by direct photolysis was negligibly slow. Further evidence for the formation of 1O2 in illuminated aqueous PABA solutions is provided by the results of experiments in which individual solutions containing PABA and FFA that were diluted with D2O exhibited an increased rate of FFA consumption due to the increased lifetime and concentration of 1O2 in this solvent.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase is Essential for Postpneumonectomy Compensatory Vasodilation

Background After pneumonectomy, the remaining lung vasculature must vasodilate to compensate for increased blood volume. We hypothesized that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is essential for compensatory vasodilation after pneumonectomy. Methods Adult, wild-type C57BL6 (WT) and eNOS knockout (eNOS-/-) mice underwent left pneumonectomy and recovered under normoxic conditions. Animals were lightly anesthetized at 1, 3, 7, or 14 days after pneumonectomy, and closed chest, systolic right ventricular pressure (RVP) was recorded using fine-needle cannulation. The right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum weight ratios were measured as an index of right ventricular hypertrophy. Two additional groups of mice (WT and eNOS-/-) were recovered after pneumonectomy in inhaled nitric oxide (iNO, 10 ppm), and RVP was measured on day 7. Results The eNOS-/- mice had significantly higher preoperative RVP than did WT (17.1 ± 0.4 versus 14.2 ± 0.2 cmH 2 O, p = 0.001). Both groups exhibited transient periods of pulmonary hypertension after pneumonectomy. On day 1, RVP was 80% above baseline in eNOS-/- mice (30.7 ± 0.8 cmH 2 O) versus 42% in WT mice (20.2 ± 0.7 cmH 2 O, p = 0.0001). The RVP returned to baseline in WT mice (16.3 ± 0.2 cmH 2 O) but remained significantly elevated in eNOS-/- mice (28.6 ± 0.9 cmH 2 O) at day 3 and at each time thereafter ( p = 0.0001). The iNO significantly reduced RVP in eNOS-/- animals to 15.2 ± 0.3 cmH 2 O ( p = 0.0001) while having no effect in WT animals. Right ventricular hypertrophy was not observed in any group. Conclusions Pneumonectomy results in a transient increase in RVP. Under normal circumstances, these pressures return to baseline within 3 days. The eNOS-/- mice failed to display compensatory vasodilation yet could be rescued with iNO. These results suggest that eNOS is essential for postpneumonectomy compensatory vasodilation.
Experimental band compression factor of a neutral compound under high pressure gradient elution.

Abstract To measure the gradient compression factor for a low molecular weight compound (caffeine, MW = 194 g/L), 1 μ L samples of solution were injected into a 2.1 mm × 100 mm column packed with bridged ethylsiloxane BEH-silica. These samples were successively run under isocratic and gradient elution modes. Both chromatograms were recorded with either a low ( 250 bar) or a high pressure drop ( > 650 bar), corresponding to flow rates of 0.10 and 0.35 mL/min, respectively. Caffeine was eluted with a mixture of methanol and water at room temperature. The efficiency and the retention factors of caffeine on the BEH-C18column were measured as a function of the mobile phase composition under isocratic conditions. During the gradient elution, the methanol concentration was increased from 10 to 25% (v/v). The experimental compression factors measured are in excellent agreement with those predicted with an equation previously derived, which is valid at low flow rates and for smooth gradients. The negative relative difference observed between experimental and theoretical values at high flow rates originates from the compressibility of the eluent. Using a high gradient steepness to perform fast gradient elution limits the degree of band compression that can be achieved, even when the radial temperature gradient across the column is as small as 0.2 K.
Welcome to a Special Issue on PM25: A Fine Particle Standard.

(1999). Welcome to a Special Issue on PM25: A Fine Particle Standard. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association: Vol. 49, No. 9, pp. 2-2.
Pressure as a probe of deep levels and defects in semiconductors: Antisites and oxygen centers in GaAs

Abstract The effects of temperature and hydrostatic pressure on the electron thermal emission rates and capture cross-sections of EL2 and EL3 in GaAs and on the conductivity of Sb-doped GaAs were studied. The results yielded the pressure dependences of the energies of the associated deep levels, allowed evaluation of the breathing mode lattice relaxations accompanying carrier emission or capture by these levels and revealed trends which lead to new insights. The results are discussed in terms of models for the responsible defects.
Manganese(III) biliverdin IX dimethyl ester: a powerful catalytic scavenger of superoxide employing the Mn(III)/Mn(IV) redox couple.

A manganese(III) complex of biliverdin IX dimethyl ester, {MnIIIBVDME}2, was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, UV/vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry, electrospray mass spectrometry, freezing-point depression, magnetic susceptibility, and catalytic dismuting of superoxide anion (O2•-). In a dimeric conformation each trivalent manganese is bound to four pyrrolic nitrogens of one biliverdin dimethyl ester molecule and to the enolic oxygen of another molecule. This type of coordination stabilizes the +4 metal oxidation state, whereby the +3/+4 redox cycling of the manganese in aqueous medium was found to be at E1/2 = +0.45 V vs NHE. This potential allows the Mn(III)/Mn(IV) couple to efficiently catalyze the dismutation of O2•- with the catalytic rate constant of kcat = 5.0 × 107 M-1 s-1 (concentration calculated per manganese) obtained by cytochrome c assay at pH 7.8 and 25 °C. The fifth coordination site of the manganese is occupied by an enolic oxygen, which precludes bin...
InSilico-ChIP: A Coregulation and Evolutionary Conservation Based Transcription Factor and Target Gene Predictor

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by high-content sequencing (ChIP-seq) is a powerful approach for identifying bonafide transcription factor (TF) binding sites, however these studies can be difficult, time-consuming and costly. They require ChIP-validated antibodies and a priori knowledge of which TF to pull down. Moreover, to gain further mechanistic insights, transcriptomic data is required to determine if TF binding alters proximal gene expression. Determining regulatory pathways from expression data is not an easy task. The typical result of a gene expression experiment, a set of co-regulated genes, may not include the relevant TF at all. Many such factors become active through mechanisms other than a change in their level of expression. To understand how such a set of genes is co-regulated, it is necessary to find evidence of shared TF binding sites (TFBS). This approach presents its own set of problems. TFBS are identified by short sequences that can exist by chance without being biologically functional. An evolutionary perspective is required to consider only those functionally important sites that are conserved between the promoters of the genes in question and those of their orthologs in related species. Furthermore, the common occurrence of short TFBS makes it necessary to consider only those TFs that are significantly more common in the co-regulated genes than in the genome (or microarray) as a whole. InSilico-ChIP is a precomputed database of evolutionarily conserved TFBS for various species, which accepts a set of genes and quickly returns the conserved TFs that are statistically over-represented in the proximal promoter regions of those genes. It allows new species data to be created using only a whole genome alignment with a related species and gene locations. Several methods of identifying TF binding sites can be used, varying in alignment type, location, conservation restrictions, and TFBS matrices used to analyze the promoter regions.
Catalyst poisoning and fixed bed reactor dynamics part III: Start-up and quasi-steady state profiles in fresh and deactivated adiabatic beds

Abstract Previous studies of the dynamic behavior of adiabatic fixed bed reactors under conditions of catalyst poisoning have been extended to investigation of the start-up of both fresh and partially deactivated beds. In addition, bed thermal conductivity and heat capacity have been varied by a factor of about two via the addition of inert diluents in order to investigate the effect of these thermal factors on reactor transients. The quasi-steady state behavior under poisoning conditions has also been determined and is compared for the different thermal properties of the beds and at different levels of poison concentration. Reactor behavior was simulated using a one-dimensional pseudo-homogeneous model incorporating the effects of mass and heat dispersion. As in previous work, the parameters required in the simulation were, as far as possible, determined via separate experiments or literature correlation. In general, the simulation of quasi-steady deactivation behavior was quite good; however, start-up (ignition) conditions provide a very severe test of the simulation, particularly for those cases of high bed thermal conductivity.
Knowledge of structured treatment interruption and adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

We conducted a survey of 106 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy at a community hospital in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to determine the extent of patient knowledge and attitudes about structured treatment interruption (STI) and whether these were factors in adherence to antiretroviral regimens. Thirty-six percent of patients possessed knowledge of STI as a treatment option and four patients reported that they had stopped taking antiretroviral therapy without specific recommendation from their physician based on information they had heard or read about STI. There was no difference in median adherence based on whether a patient was aware of STI, however, in the group who had heard of STI, attitude that STI is very beneficial was correlated with greater adherence to medication. More than one third of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy possessed knowledge of STI, and this knowledge affected adherence to antiretroviral regimens. Providers caring for HIV-infected patients should routinely...
Intrauterine growth restriction: how to manage and when to deliver.

Intrauterine growth restriction secondary to placental insufficiency is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in the United States. Once intrauterine growth restriction is identified, obstetrical management is focused on assuring safety while the fetus continues to mature within a poten
Ciclosporin in canine dermatology: a decade of comfort

I OFTEN begin a lecture on atopic dermatitis by reflecting what on our very limited (perhaps even naive) view of the pathogenesis of this challenging condition was 20 years ago, and how dramatically our understanding has improved over this same time. Many of us remember a time when ‘cytokine’ was a new and unfamiliar term, and the newest trend in therapy was cautious and prudent use of short-term oral glucocorticoids rather than long-acting injections. Fast-forward to today, where interfering with cytokine pathways is standard treatment, and research continues to elucidate pathways and provide new targets for drugs aimed at inflammatory skin diseases. The authors of these reviews provide a comprehensive overview of ciclosporin and its uses in veterinary dermatology. The drug has become a mainstay for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis, and has, …
Second meiotic nondisjunction is not increased in postovulatory aged murine oocytes fertilized in vitro

We used an in vitro fertilization system to examine the effects of postovulatory oocyte age on nondisjunction at the second meiotic division. After ovulatory-inducing injections of hormone, we recovered mouse oocytes either at the estimated time of ovulation (controls) or 2, 4, 5, 10, or 14 h later. Oocytes were subjected to an in vitro fertilization procedure, and chromosomal preparations were made from first cleavage metaphase eggs. The first cleavage assay reveals morphologically distinguishable paternal and maternal chromosomes. Many of the aged oocytes were activated rather than fertilized by the in vitro procedure, but could still be analyzed for nondisjunction. We found a tendency toward retention of the second polar body after 10 and 14 h aging. A total of 488 maternal genomes, 290 of which were in the control group, were analyzable for nondisjunction. Seven hyperhaploid genomes (2.4%) were observed in the controls and 6 (3.0%) in the combined aged group. The difference between these two frequencies is not significant (Gadj = 0.164, P greater than 0.50). In the aged group, one hyperhaploid genome was in the 2-h population, three in the 5-h population, and two in the 10-h population. We were unable to find any significant increase in the frequency of nondisjunction after postovulatory oocyte aging.
Two-dimensional laser collision-induced fluorescence measurements of plasma properties near an RF plasma cathode extraction aperture

A dense plasma structure was observed to form near the extraction aperture of a helium RF plasma cathode. Laser collision-induced fluorescence was used to generate two-dimensional spatial maps of the electron density and the effective electron temperature within the structure over a range of operating conditions. The aperture plasma reached densities nearly an order of magnitude higher than the surrounding bulk plasma. The sharp spatial change in density at the plasma structure boundary suggests the presence of a double layer sheath. Higher temperature electrons were also observed at the periphery of the plasma structure. Variations in the observed plasma structure with extracted electron current were found to be consistent with reported low pressure anode spot behavior. Measurements of plasma density within and at the boundary of the structure, and the dependence of these on the current extracted across the external gap, are compared with calculations and discussed.
Surface Segregation of Counterions in Ionomer Films

The surface segregation of cations in a poly(styrene-ran-methacrylic acid) ionomer fully neutralized with Cs was demonstrated using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), scanning force microscopy (SFM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Whereas spin-cast films and those annealed below ∼120 °C exhibit a uniform distribution of Cs, a surface excess of Cs was observed for films annealed at higher temperatures. At long times (>30 h) and high temperatures (>145 °C), the surface concentration of Cs approached a constant value of two-thirds of the total Cs in the film. Although Cs-rich vesicular aggregates (∼8−85 nm diameter) were observed in all films, the surface excess of Cs coincided with nanometer-sized features on the surface. Based on these results, a mechanism was proposed that accounts for cation mobility and a driving force for surface segregation. At elevated temperatures, Cs ions initially in cation-acid lone pairs are solubilized by favorable cation-π interactions facilit...
Continuous highway pavements deflection measurements using a rolling dynamic deflectometer (RDD)

Nondestructive testing of pavements plays an important role int he management of pavement infrastructure. A new technique for continuous profiling of pavements is under development. This technique involves the Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer (RDD). The RDD is a large truck on which a servo-hydraulic vibrator is mounted. The vibrator is used to apply large vertical dynamic loads to the pavement. The resulting dynamic displacements are sensed with rolling sensor. A description of the RDD and procedures used to analyze RDD data are discussed herein. The results of continuous RDD profiling of rigid pavements are presented. These results show that continuous stiffness profiles of displacement per given load of origin pavements can be used to characterize: 1) the pavement stiffness and its longitudinal variation; 2) the location of transverse cracks and joints; 3) the efficiency of transverse cracks and joints; 4) the efficiency of longitudinal joints; and 5) the lateral variation in average mid-span stiffness. Two significant benefits of continuous RDD profiles which are clearly shown are: 1) softer versus stiffer areas are clearly delineated and 2) the variation in joint efficiency is readily identified.
Using and interpreting journal rankings: Introduction

In recent decades ranking has become an increasingly important feature of an academic's life. Individuals, journals, universities and departments are all ranked. To an extent this is an inherent part of what we have always done, as professors we rank students and we tend to rank them into one of four categories. As Sgroi and Oswald observe, in this symposium, rightly or wrongly the United Kingdom has been a leader in formal ways to measure the research performance of universities
VEGF-C-producing macrophages in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. It metastasizes to regional lymph nodes or distant organs in up to 5% of patients, for whom prognosis is poor. The formation of new lymphatic vessels in the tumor microenvironment could potentially play an important role in this process. Increased lymphatic vessel density and expression of VEGF-C, markers of lymphangiogenesis, have been associated with metastasis in several human cancers. Cutaneous SCC is associated with increased lymphatic vessel density, with VEGF-C predominantly expressed by tumor-associated macrophages in its vicinity. These findings, as well as work in other cancers, have interesting implications for future study in this area. Correlative clinical studies comparing lymphatic vessel density, VEGF-C expression and SCC outcomes are warranted, as targeted disruption of the formation of new lymphatics may prove to be a promising strategy to reduce metastasis in high-risk patients.
Synthesis of Conjugated Dendrons with Nonlinear Optical Activity

New dipolar conjugated dendrons with electron-withdrawing groups on the periphery and electron-donating groups distributed at the core and throughout the dendritic skeleton have been conveniently synthesized. The π-conjugated dendritic skeleton provides extended conjugation between each electron donor−acceptor pair, resulting in numerous traditional nonlinear optically active chromophores in one single dendron.