cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Orientation and thickness dependence of contrast and brightness in Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 light valves

Bistable light valves comprising single crystal gadolinium molybdate have been proposed which utilize either the interchange of fast and slow directions in c-cut plates or the alteration of extinction directions in oblique sections upon ferroelectric switching. Several device configurations of each type are analyzed for brightness and contrast as functions of crystallographic orientation and thickness of the ferroelectric plate. The results facilitate quantitative comparisons among devices and predict the sacrifice in optical performance incurred when thickness is reduced to lower the drive voltage required for switching. For equivalent optical performance, the switching voltage should be 43 percent higher in valves of the extinction-direction type. The analysis predicts that no oblique section exists for which display brightness at maximum contrast is higher than that obtainable on a c-cut section of equal thickness.
Earthquake-induced turbidite deposition as a previously unrecognized sink for hydrogen sulfide in the Black Sea sediments

Abstract The depth profiles of excess 210 Pb, 137 Cs, elemental sulfur, reactive iron and porewater hydrogen sulfide of a western central basin sediment core in the Black Sea collectively point to the presence of a 20 cm thick reactive iron rich turbidite layer. This layer was most probably deposited there after the 1999 earthquakes in Northwestern Turkey, which caused oxidation of porewater hydrogen sulfide and anomalous accumulation of the product elemental sulfur in the solid phase. A time-variable mathematical model was constructed to explore the non-steady state diagenesis of Fe–S species in a turbidite mud emplaced on normal anoxic–sulfidic deep Black Sea sediments. The 20 cm thick turbidite layer initially contained 80 µmol (g dry wt.) − 1 of Fe(III) in the form of goethite, which led to the rapid (1 day) oxidation and depletion of porewater sulfide and formation of solid phase sulfur intermediates such as S(0) and FeS. S(0) accumulated faster than FeS and was present in the sediment at high concentrations after 5–8 years following the deposition of the turbidite. Reduced iron was in the solid phase long after the consumption of all Fe(III), enabling the coexistence of S(0) and solid phase reactive iron (which has not been sulfidized yet) for a long period of time. The porewaters had sub-micromolar concentrations of dissolved sulfide in the first 2 years after deposition with Fe(II) exceeding 1 mM. The turbidite layer should serve as a sink for the sulfide from the overlying waters for about 10 years after its deposition. Considering the ubiquity of the deep-basin turbidites found in the Black Sea and the dense tectonic activity on the Northern Anatolian Fault in Northern Turkey, an estimated 0.144 Tg sulfur/year could be buried as S 8 and FeS 2 due to the earthquake-induced turbidites. This value is about 14% of the annual sulfur burial (as pyrite) and 3–5% of the annual sulfide oxidation due to lateral injections of oxic Mediterranean waters to the anoxic–sulfidic Black Sea waters. It is highly likely that earthquake-induced turbidites and subsequent sulfide oxidation in the deep basin represent a previously unrecognized sink in the budget of hydrogen sulfide in the Black Sea.
Ideology and the self

Theories of ideology are critical when they distinguish beliefs about the social and political world according to their impact on the individuals who hold them. Critical theories are especially concerned with beliefs that reconcile individuals to power relations that are not in their interest, that is, beliefs that transform power into domination. Distinguishing these kinds of beliefs from others is both necessary and problematic. The necessity is primarily normative: any political theory that values the capacities of individuals to determine their futures as do democratic and democratic socialist theories needs to distinguish forms of consciousness according to their effects on political selfdetermination. Yet the distinction is problematic because it is notoriously difficult to draw without portraying individuals as passive recipients of socially determined ideas, and without privileging related distinctions between true and false consciousness that are difficult to justify and easy to abuse.
EQUAL RESPECT AND EQUAL SHARES

We are all equal, sort of. We are not equal in terms of our physical or mental capacities. Morally speaking, we are not all equally good. Evidently, if we are equal, it is not in virtue of our actual characteristics, but despite them. Our equality is of a political rather than metaphysical nature. We do not expect people to be the same, but we expect differences to have no bearing on how people ought to be treated as citizens. Or when differences do matter, we expect that they will not matter in the sense of being a basis for class distinction. We admire tenacity, talent, and so on, but do not take such features to entitle their bearers to be treated as “upper class.” Neither are people who are relatively lacking in these features obliged to tolerate being treated as “lower class.” As a society, we have made moral progress. Such progress consists in part of progress toward political and cultural equality.
Conformational analysis of methionine-enkephalin and some analogs.

Abstract Conformational energy calculations on Methionine-Enkephalin and on several of its analogues indicate that the calculated lowest energy conformation of the native enkephalin may not be the conformer which interacts at the opioid active site. Substitution at the end groups and various D and L-Alanine analogs were examined and a low energy conformation which differs from the native low energy conformer was found for the very active analog, [D-Ala2]-Met-Enkephalin-NH2. The stereopositions of side-chain functional groups are discussed and compared to the structure of morphine.
Combined hyperspectral and spectral domain optical coherence tomography microscope for non-invasive hemodynamic imaging

We have combined hyperspectral imaging with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) to non-invasively image changes in hemoglobin saturation, blood flow, microvessel morphology and sheer rate on the vessel wall with tumor growth. Changes in these hemodynamic variables were measured over 24 hours in dorsal skin fold window chamber tumors. There was a strong correlation between volumetric flow and hemoglobin saturation (ρ = 0.89, p = 9 × 10 -6 , N = 15), and a moderate correlation between shear rate on the vessel wall and hemoglobin saturation (ρ = 0.56, p = 0.03, N=15).
Physical interpretation of the economou-cohen criterion of localization

Abstract An elementary physical argument is used to predict the electronic energies where localized states are most likely to occur. In three dimensions the resulting localization criterion reduces to the Economou-Cohen criterion when applied to the semicircular density of states.
Comprehensive surgical aesthetic enhancement and rejuvenation of the perioral region.

There has been minimal attention paid in the literature to the aesthetics of the perioral area, either in youth or in senescence. Aging around the lips traditionally was thought to result from a combination of thinning skin surrounding the area, ptosis, and loss of volume in the lips. The atrophy of senescence was treated by adding volume to the lips and filling the deep nasolabial creases. There is now a growing appreciation for the role of volume enhancement in the perioral region and the sunken midface, as well as for dentition, in the resting and dynamic appearance of the perioral area (particularly in youth). In this article, the authors describe the senior author’s (BG) preferred methods for aesthetic enhancement of the perioral region and his rejuvenative techniques developed over the past 28 years. The article describes the etiologies behind the dysmorphologies in this area and presents a problem-oriented algorithm for treating them.
POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF MESOACCUMBENS DOPAMINE NEURONS IN THE RAT : ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Abstract The postnatal development of antidromically identified mesoaccumbens dopamine (MADA) neurons were examined with single-unit electrophysiological techniques. Rats were anesthetized with chloral hydrate. The physiological characteristics of 1-, 2-, 4- and 5-week-old rat pups were compared to adults (7–9-weeks-old). The basal discharge rate, conduction velocity, antidromic latency and discharge patterns of MADA neurons were not significantly different among the 4- and 5-week-old and adult MADA neurons. MADA neurons from 1- and 2-week-old pups, however, had significantly lower mean basal discharge rates and significantly lower mean conduction velocities than MADA neurons from the older animals (i.e., 4-weeks old, 5-weeks old and adults). 1- and 2-week-old MADA neurons were also found to have significantly longer mean antidromic latencies than MADA neurons from older animals. Significantly fewer 1- and 2-week-old MADA neurons were found to discharge in a bursting pattern when compared to MADA neurons from older animals. These results indicate that during early postnatal development MADA neurons are spontaneously active, but still physiologically immature. The results of the present study are discussed in the context of previous developmental electrophysiological studies of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons.
Timing of tuberculosis transmission and the impact of household contact tracing. An agent-based simulation model.

Rationale: Household contact tracing has recently been endorsed for global tuberculosis (TB) control, but its potential population-level impact remains uncertain.Objectives: To project the maximum impact of household contact tracing for TB in a moderate-burden setting.Methods: We developed a stochastic, agent-based simulation model of a simplified TB epidemic, calibrated to a setting of moderate TB incidence. We used data from the literature to generate “community-driven” and “household-driven” scenarios in which 22 and 50% of TB transmission occurred within the household, respectively. In each scenario, we simulated an intervention in which the household members are screened and treated for TB at the time of an index patient’s active TB diagnosis.Measurements and Main Results: By the time of TB diagnosis, 75 to 95% of initial household infections had already occurred, but only 1.5 to 3.0% of contacts had sufficient time to progress to active TB. With 100% sensitive tracing of all contacts for 5 consecuti...
Eight effective activities to enhance the emotional and social development of the gifted and talented

Educators are beginning to realize the importance of including the emotional and social domains with the cognitive when developing an approach for teaching the gifted and talented. Specific activities have been selected by the authors which have been field tested with small groups of students in summer programs and in the public and private school settings. These activities will facilitate the emotional and social development of the gifted and talented.
The kappa opioid agonist GR89,696 blocks hyperalgesia and allodynia in rat models of peripheral neuritis and neuropathy.

Previous work demonstrated that, in rats, intrathecal GR89696, a putative kappa-2 opioid receptor agonist, inhibited hyperalgesia to noxious heat in an inflamed hind paw (anti-hyperalgesic effect). Non-inflamed paws were not influenced by kappa-2 receptor activation. The question addressed in this study was whether GR89696 was as effective in blocking hyperalgesia and allodynia in nerve injury models as it was in the inflammation model. GR89696 (6 nmoles, i.t.) completely reversed the hyperalgesia and allodynia observed in both the neuropathy and neuritis models in all sensory tests. However, it did not alter sensory function in non-injured limbs nor in sham operated animals. Naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic effects of GR89696. The mu agonist DAMGO (6 nmoles, i.t.) and the kappa-1 agonist U69593 (100 nmoles, i.t.) only partially reversed hyperalgesia and allodynia. These findings suggest that kappa-2 opioid receptors may be a useful target for the pharmacological control of hyperalgesia and allodynia.
Purification and effectiveness of anti-allotype antibodies in suppression of rabbit immunoglobulin allotypes

Abstract Heteroantibodies are potentially more useful than alloantibodies for suppression of entire classes or types of immunoglobulins. Therefore goat antisera were prepared which were specific for b -locus allotypes on rabbit kappa-type light chains and intact immunoglobulins. The whole sera and antibodies purified with immunoabsorbents were tested for their ability to suppress expression of one allelic b -locus allotype in b 4 b 5 heterozygous rabbits. We found that goat antisera and purified heteroantibodies did not produce ‘chronic’ suppression. We concluded that rabbit alloantibodies and goat heteroantibodies may be reacting along different biological pathways.
Physically-Aware $N$ -Detect Test

Physically-aware N-detect (PAN-detect) test improves defect coverage by exploiting defect locality. This paper presents physically-aware test selection (PATS) to efficiently generate PAN-detect tests for large industrial designs. Compared to traditional N-detect test, the quality resulting from PAN-detect is enhanced without any increase in test execution cost. Experiment results from an IBM in-production application-specific integrated circuit demonstrate the effectiveness of PATS in improving defect coverage. Moreover, utilizing novel test-metric evaluation, we compare the effectiveness of traditional N-detect and PAN-detect, and demonstrate the impact of automatic test pattern generation parameters on the effectiveness of PAN-detect.
A Different Kind of Community Theatre: Performance Projects with GLBT Adolescents

ABSTRACT A teaching artist reflects on empowering performance projects with GLBT teens, and the risks and rewards of working in a community-based setting.
A starr-edwards model 6120 mechanical prosthesis in the mitral valve position for 38 years

c l e he Starr-Edwards caged-ball prostheis for cardiac valve replacement was rst successfully used in the mitral poition in September 1960. Because of welling of the silicone rubber poppet ue to lipid infiltration, the processing f the silicone rubber was altered in 965 in hopes of preventing poppet deeneration. We describe findings in a oman who had mitral valve replaceent in 1965 utilizing the revised silione rubber poppet; the prosthesis reained in place for 38 years.
Undergraduate Military Training and Measures of Aggression

Summary Seventy-eight male undergraduates with ROTC training and 98 male undergraduates without ROTC training were compared in order to explore possible effects of education in aggressive expression and control. Utilized were inventories of aggression and guilt in addition to measures of aggressive mood, projection of aggression, and identification of aggressive percepts. Also assessed were changes following the presentation of a film intended to arouse justified anger. Several differences, not consistent in direction, were found between the groups on different measures, suggesting specificity of effects of training as well as distinctiveness of aspects of measured “aggression.”
Forced Commutation Performance of Vaccum Switches for HVDC Breaker Application

Tests were conducted to determine performance limits for vacuum switches under forced commutation conditions associated with a high- voltage dc (HVDC) breaker.* Circuit parameters were varied and both linear and saturable reactors were used. Single as well as two series breaks were tested. Both ac and dc recovery voltages were applied. Results confirm that the critical parameters are the current to be interrupted and the time to drive the switch current to zero. A linear reactor works nearly as well as a saturable reactor. Also, the magnitude of current injection need not be matched to the fault current; excess charge is preferred.
Surgical management of the nonpalpable testis: the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia experience

AbstractPurpose: The management of the nonpalpable testis permits an individualized operative approach. We analyze the results of surgical management of a large series of patients with a nonpalpable testis.Materials and Methods: Between January 1986 and June 1994 we treated 1,866 boys with undescended testes. There were 447 testes (24%) that were not palpable at presentation. Intraoperative data on these patients were collected for age at presentation, bilateral testes position, testicular size, associated inguinal anomalies (vas, epididymis and processus vaginalis) and surgical approach. For intra-abdominal testes postoperative results of 2 surgical techniques, the Fowler-Stephens procedure and Koop orchiopexy (retroperitoneal mobilization of spermatic vessels and vas) were compared in 76 patients with at least 18 months of followup.Results: Average patient age at presentation was 34 months with 63% presenting before age 48 months. Of the impalpable testes 58% were on the left side, 35% were on the right...
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Phialophora gregata Isolated from Soybean Plants Resistant and Susceptible to Brown Stem Rot

Flow cytometry was used to characterize isolates of Phialophora gregata, the causal organism of brown stem rot (BSR) in soybean, using the fluorescence intensity of YOYO-1 stained conidia. The conidia were derived from isolates of P. gregata isolated from field-grown soybean vascular tissue from two locations in Wisconsin. At each location, four soybean cultivars were grown. Two cultivars were susceptible to BSR and two cultivars were resistant to BSR. Ninety-six isolates, one per plant, were characterized for DNA content. The stained conidia were analyzed with an EPICS XL (Coulter Corporation, Hialeah, Florida, USA) flow cytometer cell sorter with CICERO software (San Rafael, CA, USA). The isolates differed in their mean DNA content, ranging from 78.0 to 116.8 arbitrary units. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the DNA content variability of the isolates between the two locations. A notable difference in DNA content variability was observed between the isolates collected from the resistant cultivars between the two locations. However, no significant variation occurred in the DNA content of the isolates collected from susceptible cultivars within or between locations. The observed variation among the isolates is hypothesized to be due to the occurrence of separate populations of P. gregata and selection for mean DNA content that could colonize specific plant genotypes.
The A protein of bacteriophage fd: its interference with viral infection.

Abstract The A protein of bacteriophage fd has been isolated from disrupted virus by Sephadex column chromatography. After exposure to A protein, E. coli is less susceptible to virus infection. Presumably the A protein competes with intact virus for the limited number of adsorption sites on the cell surface. The results suggest that the binding of A protein to the bacterium is reversible.
Analysis of Alzheimer's disease severity across brain regions by topological analysis of gene co-expression networks

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder involving variations in the transcriptome of many genes. AD does not affect all brain regions simultaneously. Identifying the differences among the affected regions may shed more light onto the disease progression. We developed a novel method involving the differential topology of gene coexpression networks to understand the association among affected regions and disease severity. We analysed microarray data of four regions - entorhinal cortex (EC), hippocampus (HIP), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and middle temporal gyrus (MTG) from AD affected and normal subjects. A coexpression network was built for each region and the topological overlap between them was examined. Genes with zero topological overlap between two region-specific networks were used to characterise the differences between the two regions. Results indicate that MTG shows early AD pathology compared to the other regions. We postulate that if the MTG gets affected later in the disease, post-mortem analyses of individuals with end-stage AD will show signs of early AD in the MTG, while the EC, HIP and PCC will have severe pathology. Such knowledge is useful for data collection in clinical studies where sample selection is a limiting factor as well as highlighting the underlying biology of disease progression.
Flavin stimulation of methemoglobin reduction in cell-free bacterial extracts.

Abstract • Methemoglobin inhibits the luminescence of A. fischeri . Methemoglobin reduction in cell-free extracts of A. fischer and E. coli has been studied. The enzyme from E. coli responsible for the reduction of methemoglobin has been partially purified by (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 fractionation. It has the properties of a diaphorase and will reduce methemoglubin in the presence of DPNH or TPNH, methylene blue, and FMN. FAD and riboflavin also show some activity. • Under strict anaerobic conditions, methemoglobin was reduced very rapidly and in a quantitative manner by FMNH 2 . The rate of this reaction was faster than the autoxidation rate of FMNH 2 in air. • In the presence of methylene blue, xanthine oxidase will reduce methemoglobin very rapidly when hypoxanthine is the substrate. DPNH is also effective, but the rate of methemoglobin reduction is slower than in the case of hypoxanthine. • It is proposed that any flavoprotein with an easily dissociable flavin, or with the properties of a diaphorase, could serve as a “methemoglobin reductase” and that there need be no such enzyme per se in bacteria or other organisms to account for the reduction of methemoglobin.
Aliphatic‐aromatic copolycarbonates derived from 2,2,4,4‐tetramethyl‐1,3‐cyclobutanediol

The synthesis of copolycarbonates with high aliphatic contents for possible applications as optical plastics is described. Copolymers of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCBD) with a series of 14 bisphenol derivatives were prepared and characterized. The refractive index of these materials varies from 1.49 for the 2,2-hexafluoropropane substituted copolymer to 1.57 for the 9,9-fluorene substituted copolymer ; thus, all of the copolymers exhibit lower refractive indices than the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate. The glass transition temperatures of the copolymers vary from 110 to 210°C ; the beta transition temperatures vary from -70 to 0°C when measured at 10 Hz by dynamic mechanical analysis. The copolymers exhibited good thermal stability (0-3% weight loss) when heated above the glass transition temperature, and only undergo extensive decomposition (80-90%) at 300-360°C. ® 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Validating a Limited-Cloze Procedure.

Data from two studies were used to compare a limited-cloze procedure with the regular cloze procedure. The limited-cloze procedure differed from the regular cloze in one feature: the words deleted were randomly ordered and placed at the top of the test. For both studies the same passage was used to construct a regular cloze passage and an identical limited-cloze passage with the deleted words at the top. Subjects in each study were randomly assigned to two groups, one of which completed the regular cloze and the other which completed the limited-cloze. The limited-cloze was found to be as valid, reliable, objective, and practical a test as regular cloze, but less interpretable.
Simple configurable systolic array

In this paper, a simple configurable systolic array structure for signal processing is proposed. This array is configurable not only for its dimension, but also for different kinds of signal processing algorithms. The basic connection pattern used is a spiral structure. Through a carefully designed switch, a desired array dimension can be easily configured. The configurability for various kinds of signal processing operations is achieved by designing a simple configurable processing element whose configuration is set by a control signal. This systolic array can be applied to the following areas: matrix multiplication, FIR filtering, convolution and correlation, DFT and IDFT. Examples are included to demonstrate how to use the systolic array for each of these operations. With some modification of the PE structure, more applications in signal processing could be expected. This systolic array design gives a good trade-off among simplicity, modularity, flexibility and configurability.
Outcomes of high-risk women cared for by certified nurse-midwives

This study describes the incidence of specific high-risk factors of a population cared for by a group of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) in a Mid-Atlantic, inner-city, nonprofit, hospital-based clinic. Outcomes were compared with all women who delivered in the United States in 1994. Univariate statistics, which consisted of descriptive statistics, frequencies, and percentage distribution, were used. This comparison suggests that CNMs can provide safe care to women with high-risk conditions. Outcomes for the midwifery sample were more favorable for vaginal births, vaginal deliveries after cesarean section, forceps- and vacuum-assisted deliveries, cesarean delivery, and 5-minute Apgar scores. The incidence of maternal fever and meconium stained amniotic fluid was higher. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.
Carbon and nitrogen in operationally defined soil organic matter pools

Humic substances [humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA), and insoluble humin], particulate organic matter (POM), and glomalin comprise the majority (ca 75%) of operationally defined extractable soil organic matter (SOM). The purpose of this work was to compare amounts of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in HA, FA, POM, and glomalin pools in six undisturbed soils. POM, glomalin, HA, and FA in POM, and glomalin, HA, and FA in POM-free soil were extracted in the following sequence: (1) POM fraction separation from the soil, (2) glomalin extraction from the POM fraction and POM-free soil, and (3) co-extraction of HA and FA from the POM fraction and POM-free soil. Only trace amounts of HA and FA were present in the POM fraction, while POM-associated glomalin (POM-glomalin) and POM alone contributed 2 and 12%, respectively, of the total C in the soil. Mean combined weights for chemically extracted pools from POM and from POM-free soil were 9.92 g glomalin, 1.12 g HA, and 0.88 g FA kg−1 soil. Total protein and C, N, and H concentrations showed that glomalin and HA were, for the most part, separate pools, although protein was detected in HA extracts. Even though percentage carbon was higher in HA than in glomalin, glomalin was a larger (almost nine times) operationally defined pool of soil organic C. Glomalin was also the largest pool of soil N of all the pools isolated, but all pools combined only contained 31% of the total N in the soil.
Developmental trajectories of positive and negative affect in children at high and low familial risk for depressive disorder

Background: Although low positive affect (PA) and high negative affect (NA) have been posited to predispose to depressive disorders, little is known about the developmental trajectories of these affects in children at familial risk for mood disorders. Methods: We examined 202 offspring of mothers who had a history of juvenile-onset unipolar depressive disorder (n = 60) or no history of major psychopathology (n = 80). Offspring participated in up to seven annual, structured laboratory tasks that were designed to elicit PA and NA. Results: Growth curve analyses revealed that PA increased linearly and similarly for all children from late infancy through age 9. However, there also were individual differences in early PA. Relative to control peers, offspring of mothers with lifetime unipolar depression had consistently lower levels of PA, and this association remained significant even when controlling for current maternal depression and maternal affect displays. Growth curve analyses also revealed a significant linear decrease in NA in children across time; however, there was no significant inter-individual variation either in early NA or rate of change in NA. Conclusion: Attenuated PA (rather than excessive NA) may be an early vulnerability factor for eventual unipolar depressive disorder in at-risk children and may represent one pathway through which depression is transmitted. Keywords: Positive affect, negative affect, depression risk, developmental trajectories. Abbreviations: PA: positive affect; NA: negative affect; COD: childhood-onset depression.
Characterization of Failure Mechanisms for Oxide VCSELs

Oxide VCSELs are the emitter of choice for high-speed optical communication applications. A low divergence circular beam, wafer-level testing and the capability to create dense two-dimensional arrays provide the VCSEL with unique advantages over edge emitting lasers, such that VSCELs have become a significant part of the optical communication market. An equally important metric for VCSELs is field reliability since significant failure rates are unacceptable for implementation of reliable networks. In order to better understand potential failure paths of VCSELs during field use, a variety of failures have been intentionally created on oxide VCSELs made from AlGaAs / GaAs materials operating at 850nm. Failures were created with epitaxial defects, scratches, surface contamination, thermal shock , ESD and elevated temperature and humidity (85C/85% humidity). We will present the results of these intentional failures, assess high-probability failure paths and compare and contrast the various failure mechanisms.
Colorimetric determination of urethane as ethyl alcohol in blood.

SummaryA colorimetric method is described for the determination of urethane in blood, which gives 99 to 111% recoveries in the range 4 to 44 mg % urethane, and a nonspecific “urethane” value of normal blood of 0.1-1.4 mg %.A part of the method may be directly used for the determination of ethyl alcohol.
Quantitative analysis of angiogenesis and growth of bone: effect of indomethacin exposure in a combined in vitro-in vivo approach.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents have been used experimentally and clinically to suppress a variety of physiological events, including angiogenesis and formation of bone. The exact mechanisms by which indomethacin alters skeletal tissue generation are unknown, due in part to methodological limitations. By the use of an organ culture assay and an animal model using intravital microscopy in mice bearing dorsal skinfold chambers, the effect of indomethacin on growth and angiogenesis of neonatal femora was characterized over 16 days. In both assays, femora significantly elongated with time (P<0.05). The in vitro growth rate was more rapid than in vivo and dependent on the serum concentration, culture medium and age of mice. Although enthancing the serum content promoted cellular proliferation in organ culture, it dose-dependently suppressed femoral elongation, leading at 20% fetal calf serum to growth rates identical to those observed in vivo. Indomethacin supplementation (2 and 10 mg l−1) significantly accelerated longitudinal femoral growth in organ culture (P<0.05), whereas in vivo indomethacin (2 mg kg−1) did not modulate either angiogenesis or elongation of bone. Our in vitro data propose a central role of serum in the regulation of bone formation. Although indomethacin altered femoral gowth in vitro, our findings do not suggest that indomethacin suppresses angiogenesis or growth of bone in vivo. The complexity of physiological events in vivo may be obscuring a detectable effect.
LaHood Formation—A Coarse Facies of the Belt Series in Southwestern Montana

Precambrian arkose and arkose conglomerate that contrast sharply with the commonly fine-grained units of the Belt Series crop out in a narrow zone from the Bridger Range on the east to the Highland Mountains on the west in southwestern Montana. The name LaHood Formation is satisfactory for these beds, but the formation is clarified and redefined, and a principal reference section is introduced to indicate more complete, more accessible exposures. The names North Boulder Group and East Gallatin Group should be abandoned. The LaHood represents a long time-stratigraphic interval. Its intertonguing relationships with typical fine-grained Belt formations, and data regarding pre-Flathead (Middle Cambrian) truncation of Belt strata, permit correlations that show that LaHood equivalents range from oldest known Belt up to mid-Greyson. These correlations suggest relationships between rocks of the Philipsburg district and the type Belt that are quite different from those of other authors. The LaHood formed in a partly fault-controlled eastward embayment of the Belt geosyncline. The detritus was derived from a rugged source area of older Precambrian metamorphic rocks to the south. It was dumped by torrential streams into the differentially subsiding marginal part of the Belt sea and was redistributed to more stable bottom areas by slumping and turbidity currents. Sedimentary characteristics, regional truncation and local angular unconformities beneath the Flat-head Quartzite indicate regional northward tilting, broad folding, and faulting during and after deposition of Belt sediments but before the Flathead Quartzite formed.
Differential hemodynamic response in affective circuitry with aging: An fmri study of novelty, valence, and arousal

Emerging evidence indicates that stimulus novelty is affectively potent and reliably engages the amygdala and other portions of the affective workspace in the brain. Using fMRI, we examined whether novel stimuli remain affectively salient across the lifespan, and therefore, whether novelty processing-a potentially survival-relevant function-is preserved with aging. Nineteen young and 22 older healthy adults were scanned during observing novel and familiar affective pictures while estimating their own subjectively experienced aroused levels. We investigated age-related difference of magnitude of activation, hemodynamic time course, and functional connectivity of BOLD responses in the amygdala. Although there were no age-related differences in the peak response of the amygdala to novelty, older individuals showed a narrower, sharper (i.e., "peakier") hemodynamic time course in response to novel stimuli, as well as decreased connectivity between the left amygdala and the affective areas including orbito-frontal regions. These findings have relevance for understanding age-related differences in memory and affect regulation.
Fixation of fractures of the sacrum

Abstract Fractures of the sacrum are infrequent injuries; however, they comprise a wide spectrum of injury types.Classification of the injuries are predominantly by fracture line direction (vertical, transverse, and oblique). The direction of the fracture line dictates both the most effective type of surgical management as well as the biologic consequences of the fracture. Most vertical fractures are associated with pelvic injuries and rarely have severe neural conpromise. Fixation of the sacral fracture is often a part of the more complex restoration of pelvic stability. Transverse and oblique sacral fractures are less often part of a pelvic injury complex; and they more often have associated neural deficits. Surgical treatment is most often indicated for neural decompression and stabilization for optimal recovery.
Antiserum against Xanthomonas phytopathogen inhibits host—Pathogen interaction in seedlings of Brassica campestris

Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris (X.c.c.), the causal agent of crucifer black rot, causes turnip seedlings to collapse and rot. X.c. pv vitians (X.c.v.) is a non-pathogen of turnips and triggers a resistance response. Transconjugants of X.c.c., containing defined fragments of DNA from X.c.v., which have reduced pathogenicity to turnips were constructed. A polyclonal antiserum raised against X.c.v. restored the pathogenicity of one of these transconjugants. Antiserum ‘purged’ by reaction with sonicates of X.c.c. was equally effective in restoring pathogenicity. The purged antiserum recognised considerably fewer components than the original antiserum following Western blotting of bi-dimensional gels. This subset of antigens appeared to be localised primarily on the bacterial cell surface. The results indicate the potential use of purged polyclonal antisera in identifying bacterial determinants that trigger host resistance responses.
Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California,USA,in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados,while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest,a ‘‘classical’’ biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae,to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico,Guatemala,Costa Rica,the Dominican Republic, Trinidad,and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic,Trinidad,or Brazil. In total,2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material � 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips,and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques,prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a ‘‘classical’’ biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising. 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Semi-autonomous human-UAV interfaces for fixed-wing mini-UAVs

We present several human-UAV interfaces that support real-time control of a small semi-autonomous UAV. These interfaces are designed for searching tasks and other missions that typically do not have a precise predetermined flight plan. We present a detailed analysis of a PDA-based interface and describe how our other interfaces relate to this analysis. We then offer quantative and qualitative performance comparisons of the interfaces, as well as an analysis of their possible real-world applications.
Identification of three new genes involved in morphogenesis and antibiotic production in Streptomyces coelicolor

We report the isolation and partial characterization of three new mutants of Streptomyces coelicolor that are defective in morphogenesis and antibiotic production. The genes identified by the mutations were located and cloned by using a combination of Tn5 in vitro mutagenesis, cotransformation, and genetic complementation. Mutant SE69 produces lower amounts of antibiotics than the wild type produces, produces spores only after prolonged incubation on rich media, and identifies a gene whose predicted protein product is similar to the GntR family of transcriptional regulators; also, production of aerial mycelia on both rich and poor media is significantly delayed in this mutant. Mutant SE293 is defective in morphogenesis, overproduces antibiotics on rich media, fails to grow on minimal media, and identifies a gene whose predicted protein product is similar to the TetR family of transcriptional regulators. Preliminary evidence suggests that the SE293 gene product may control a molybdopterin binding protein located immediately adjacent to it. Mutant SJ175 sporulates sooner and more abundantly than the wild type and overproduces antibiotics on rich media, and it identifies a gene whose predicted protein product contains regions of predominantly hydrophobic residues similar to those of integral membrane proteins.
The effects of lactation education and a prosthetic obturator appliance on feeding efficiency in infants with cleft lip and palate.

Abstract Objective: This prospective study examined the effect of lactation instruction and palatal obturation in decreasing time to feed, increasing intake, and on growth in eight breast milk bottle-fed newborn infants with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both. Design: An A, B1, C1, B2, and C2 reversal design was used with eight mothers. In A, baseline data on minutes fed by breast were recorded. In B1, baseline on minutes fed with a Haberman bottle was recorded. In C1, minutes fed following lactation education and palatal obturation were documented. Lactation education was information given to mothers to recognize infant feeding cues and to have infant-led feedings. The palatal obturator was a passive molding appliance. In B2, the obturator was removed and minutes fed noted. In C2, the obturator was returned and lactation support provided. Mothers kept feeding logs, satisfaction was assessed, and infant breast milk intake and flow rate were recorded during each study phase. Routine nutrition evaluation of w...
Point splitting technique and canonical formalism

The canonical formalism is extended to accomodate the point splitting technique consistently.
Inhibition of Stimulated Cell Responses by Phorbol Esters and Other Activators of Protein Kinase C: Sites of Action

The addition of the protein kinase C activator phorbol esters to cell suspension a few minutes prior to stimulation inhibits the agonists-induced biochemical changes and cell responses. This inhibition is prevented by protein kinase C inhibitors. Activation of protein kinase C down regulates the stimulated responses by affecting one or more of the steps in the exitation—response coupling. This includes the receptors, the quanine-nucleotide-binding protein, the activity or distribution of phospholipase C, and other steps.
Cardiac-gated computed tomography angiography in three alpacas with complex congenital heart disease.

Abstract Background The prevalence of congenital heart disease is higher in camelids than in other domestic species and complex defects, often involving the great vessels, are more frequently encountered in llamas and alpacas than in other species. Some of these complex defects can be difficult to accurately characterize via echocardiography, the most commonly used diagnostic imaging technique to evaluate the heart in veterinary patients. Contrast-enhanced, electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT) has proven utility for the evaluation of human patients with certain congenital heart defects, including those with conotruncal septation defects and other abnormalities involving the formation of the great vessels. Methods Three alpaca crias, 4 days, 5 weeks and 14 months of age were clinically evaluated and subjected to a complete color-flow Doppler echocardiogram and a contrast-enhanced ECG-gated CT. Results These alpacas exhibited a variety of clinical findings including lethargy, failure to thrive, exercise intolerance, heart murmur, and/or respiratory difficulty. All three crias were subsequently diagnosed with complex cardiac defects including pulmonary atresia with a ventricular septal defect (VSD), a truncus arteriosus with a large VSD, and a double outlet right ventricle with a large VSD and aortic hypoplasia. In each case, the diagnosis was confirmed by postmortem examination. Conclusion Color flow echocardiographic evaluation identified all of the intra-cardiac lesions and associated flow anomalies but contrast-enhanced ECG-gated CT permitted more accurate assessment of the morphology of the extracardiac structures and permitted a more precise determination of the exact nature and anatomy of the great vessels.
Abstract 2083: The stress oncoprotein LEDGF/p75 attenuates oxidative stress-induced necrosis but not apoptosis in prostate cancer cells

The lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75) is emerging as a stress response oncoprotein in human cancer. Our group and others showed previously that this transcription coactivator is overexpressed in major human cancers, including prostate cancer, and protects against lysosomal cell death and chemotherapeutic drugs. Although LEDGF/p75 is considered a novel anti-apoptotic protein due to its ability to attenuate lysosomal cell death, previous studies from our group demonstrated its inactivation by caspases during apoptosis. We hypothesized that LEDGF/p75 promotes resistance to stress-induced caspase-independent cell death, but not to apoptosis, in cancer cells. To test this hypothesis, we established PC3 and RWPE-2 prostate cancer cell lines stably overexpressing LEDGF/p75, and evaluated its ability to protect these cells against non-apoptotic and apoptotic insults. LEDGF/p75 significantly attenuated cytotoxicity induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), a strong inducer of oxidative stress. Characterization of TBHP-induced cell death showed that it was caspase-independent since it could not be inhibited with the broad caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk and did not involve caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, TBHP-treated cells displayed a necrotic morphology characterized by extensive cytoplasmic fragmentation and shrunken, non-fragmented nuclei. Necrosis was also confirmed by the appearance in immunoblots of a 45 kD cleavage fragment of DNA topoisomerase that was previously established by our group as a marker of necrosis. Overexpression of LEDGF/p75 attenuated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in TBHP-treated cells. Interestingly, LEDGF/p75 also attenuated ROS in cells treated with the classical apoptosis inducers staurosporine and TRAIL, but failed to protect against these apoptotic insults. These results indicated that the ability of LEDGF/p75 to attenuate ROS is not sufficient for its pro-survival function. Analysis of LEDGF/p75 integrity by immunoblotting analysis showed that the protein remained intact in cells treated with TBHP, but was cleaved into its signature 65 kd apoptotic fragment in cells treated with staurosporine and TRAIL. Our group has shown previously that this caspase-generated fragment lacks pro-survival activity. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that overexpression of LEDGF/p75 can protect tumor cells from caspase-independent cell death processes in which this protein remains structurally intact. This study provides the basis for investigating the contribution of LEDGF/p75 to prostate cancer resistance to therapeutic modalities that induce caspase-independent cell death, as well as its potential as a novel therapeutic target. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2083. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2083