cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new method for reduction of endotoxin contamination from protein solutions

A method of reducing endotoxin contamination in protein-containing solutions is described here using a combination of polymyxin B-Sepharose 4B (PB-Seph 4B) affinity binding and endotoxin-protein dissociation with the dialyzable surfactant, octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (OBDG). Using the limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay to detect endotoxin, greater than 1000-fold reduction of endotoxin reactivity could be accomplished from a contaminated commercial preparation of bovine catalase. Importantly, this occured with only a 24% protein loss and an 11% loss of catalase enzymatic activity after treatment. The treated catalase appeared to be largely endotoxin-free since it no longer elicited a pyrogenic response in rabbits or primed for intravascular coagulation of the generalized Shwartzman reaction. Of interest, OBDG treatment of Salmonella minnesota Re595 lipopolysaccharide enhanced its ability to bind to serum high density lipoproteins which might contribute to decreased in vivo toxicity. In quantitative studies using radiolabeled endotoxin, the OBDG was shown to be capable of dissociating protein-bound endotoxin thereby facilitating its binding to the PB-Seph 4B adduct. The technique was also useful in removing radiolabeled endotoxin added to human IgG. The methodology described here would be expected to have general usefulness in reducing endotoxin contamination of macromolecular solutions that can bind and retain endotoxin.
Microarray pattern recognition based on PtII terpyridyl chloride complexes: vapochromic and vapoluminescent response

Eighteen distinct PtII terpyridyl chloride cross-reactive sensor elements incorporated into microarrays with 1000 × 250 μm well dimensions generate distinctive colorimetric and luminometric responses upon exposure to a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Circadian system, sleep and endocrinology

Levels of numerous hormones vary across the day and night. Such fluctuations are not only attributable to changes in sleep/wakefulness and other behaviors but also to a circadian timing system governed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Sleep has a strong effect on levels of some hormones such as growth hormone but little effect on others which are more strongly regulated by the circadian timing system (e.g., melatonin). Whereas the exact mechanisms through which sleep affects circulating hormonal levels are poorly understood, more is known about how the circadian timing system influences the secretion of hormones. The suprachiasmatic nucleus exerts its influence on hormones via neuronal and humoral signals but it is now also apparent that peripheral tissues contain circadian clock proteins, similar to those in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, that are also involved in hormone regulation. Under normal circumstances, behaviors and the circadian timing system are synchronized with an optimal phase relationship and consequently hormonal systems are exquisitely regulated. However, many individuals (e.g., shift-workers) frequently and/or chronically undergo circadian misalignment by desynchronizing their sleep/wake and fasting/feeding cycle from the circadian timing system. Recent experiments indicate that circadian misalignment has an adverse effect on metabolic and hormonal factors such as circulating glucose and insulin. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms that cause the negative effects induced by circadian misalignment. Such research could aid the development of novel countermeasures for circadian misalignment.
Archbishop Scrope's Manifesto of 1405: ‘naïve nonsense’ or reflections of political reality?

In 1405 Richard Scrope, archbishop of York, rebelled against Henry IV and was executed. He has been seen by historians as being easily led into rebelling against the king by other rebels and also a...
Health risks of residential wood heat

The resurgence in the use of wood in the United States for residential heating has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in deaths and injuries from residential fires. Toxic materials present in woodsmoke also appear to present a significant public health hazard. As a result of these factors, production of residential wood heat can be up to two orders of magnitude more hazardous than generation of an equivalent amount of electric energy at a coal-fired power plant. Proper care in installation and operation of wood stoves, as well as technological innovations that control wood-stove emissions, can greatly reduce the health and safety hazards of residential heating with wood.
A comparison of the properties of SPD-processed AA-6061 by equal-channel angular pressing, multi-axial compressions/forgings and accumulative roll bonding

Abstract Commercially available AA-6061 in the annealed condition was subject to severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), multi-axial compression/forgings (MAC/F) and accumulative roll bonding (ARB) at room temperature to approximately the same accumulated strain (∼4). Micro-hardness testing showed that materials processed by ECAP, MAC/F and ARB followed the same trend. The tensile properties of MAC/F- and ARB-processed materials were compared with those of the ECAP-processed material from the literature. MAC/F material exhibited high strain rate sensitivity in the temperature range of 300–350 °C. The SPD technique used, whether ECAP, MAC/F or ARB, did not significantly affect the flow behavior of AA-6061.
Decrease in aerobic glycolysis of erythrocytes following the continuous administration of L-triiodothyronine.

The daily intravenous administration of L-triiodothyronine, L-T3 (125 μg-⁄ kg.), to rabbits produced biphasic effects on the aerobic glycolysis rate of erythrocytes, in vitro. An increase in the glycolysis rate was observed in 24 hours; the increase reached a peak in 4 days. Following this, the glycolysis rate fell off and at 21 days, when toxic effects occurred, it was only 62‰ of normal. The possibility that a decrease of RBC glycolysis rate might be used as a clinical laboratory test for thyrotoxicity must be considered.
How brittle is brittle fracture

Abstract A critical survey is given of what appear to be the basics of the field of fracture mechanics. The survey is certainly not exhaustive and is approached from the viewpoint and with the pre-suppositions of a “materials” as opposed to a “mechanics” person. Some apparent shortcomings, limitations and misconceptions in the field as generally practiced are discussed in deliberately provocative terms, with a sincere plea for feedback from those with differing views. Finally, some topics are suggested which appear to the author to be fruitful areas for future research in the fracture of metals.
Comparison between measured turbine stage performance and the predicted performance using quasi-3D flow and boundary layer analyses

A method for calculating turbine stage performance is described. The usefulness of the method is demonstrated by comparing measured and predicted efficiencies for nine different stages. Comparisons are made over a range of turbine pressure ratios and rotor speeds. A quasi-3D flow analysis is used to account for complex passage geometries. Boundary layer analyses are done to account for losses due to friction. Empirical loss models are used to account for incidence, secondary flow, disc windage, and clearance losses.
ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN A YOUNG FEMALE, PRESENTING WITH ELECTROCARDIOGRAM FEATURES SUGGESTING PERICARDITIS

In the modern era of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) therapy, minimal door to balloon time is essential for optimal treatment. In patients with an atypical presentation of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), one must strive for timely activation of the cath lab, while avoiding unnecessary
Calibration of a microspectrofluorophotometer in absolute units of radiation

Methods are described for direct calibration of a microspectrofluorophotometer in absolute units of radiation. The direct calibration was checked by determining the quantum yields of quinine bisulfate and rhodamine B solutions and found to give results within 7% of published values. Methods for calibrating a phosphor particle standard for day to day use are also described.
High Power, High Temperature Terahertz Emitters Based on Electronic Processes in Semiconductors

Terahertz sources that emit high powers and operate at room temperature are described based on superlattices with ultrafast negative differential conductivity, and on radiative intracenter transitions between different electronic states in doped semiconductors.
The effect of seasonal variability on the germination and vertical transport of a cyst forming dinoflagellate, Gyrodinium sp., in the Chesapeake Bay

Seasonal dinoflagellate blooms frequently occur in estuaries such as the Chesapeake Bay. Studies have shown that environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, light intensity, nutrient availability and physical mixing can affect the seasonal and vertical distribution of motile dinoflagellates. Furthermore, these environmental factors can affect the life history of cyst forming dinoflagellates by inducing the formation of dormant cysts in unfavorable conditions and by inducing cyst germination in favorable conditions. A generalized, dynamic model, developed in Stella II©, is proposed to examine combined effects of environmental processes on the life history and transport of a cyst forming dinoflagellate, Gyrodinium sp., in the Chesapeake Bay. The proposed model is arranged as a one-dimensional vertical column with no lateral migration or emigration to examine the role of local cysts in the formation of blooms. Two sampling stations provided by the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, one at the mouth of the Potomac River (LE2.3) and the other in the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay (CB5.2), were used for comparison. Calibration was attempted using the Maryland Phytoplankton Taxon Survey, also provided by the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, at MLE2.2 (a location upstream from station LE2.3). Observed cell concentrations for the winter and fall did not coincide with the cell concentrations calculated from the model for station LE2.3. This discontinuity suggests that cell migration from other portions of the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac river could have contributed to the majority of observed winter and fall concentrations. Furthermore, observed cell concentrations at CB5.2 were the result of cell migration alone, due to the presence of a permanent pycnocline that inhibited cyst transport to the surface. The results of the proposed vertical transport model suggest that a three-dimensional model incorporating migration and emigration may be necessary in examining bloom formation.
A constant error in the perception of brief temporal intervals

Ss were presented two stimuli of equal duration separated in time. The parrs of stimuli were vibrotactile, auditory, or visual. The Ss adjusted the time between the two stimuli to be equal to the duration of the first stimulus. The results show that for stimulus durations ranging from 100 to 1,200 msec, Ss set the tune between the two stimuli too long and by a constant amount. For vibrotactfle stimuli, the constant was 596 msec; for auditory stimuli, 657 msec; and for visual stimuli, 436 msec. Changing the intensity of the vibrotactile stimuli did not change the size of the constant error. When Ss were presented two tones with a burst of white noise between the tones and adjusted the duration of the white noise to be equal to the duration of the first tone, the white noise was not adjusted too long by a constant amount. The results suggest that there is a constant error in the perception of unfilled relative to filled temporal intervals.
Improving the Reproducibility of P3HT:PCBM Solar Cells by Controlling the PCBM/Cathode Interface

Plastic photovoltaic devices offer a real potential for making solar energy economically viable. Unfortunately, bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells fabricated from blends of the commonly used materials poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester, PCBM, sometimes exhibit low efficiencies even when the procedures followed often produce solar cells with efficiencies exceeding 5%. In this Letter, we show that this irreproducibility is caused by subtleties in the film processing conditions that ultimately lead to poor electron extraction from the devices. For low-performing devices, photogeneration and charge extraction with a linearly increasing voltage ramp (photo−CELIV) measurements show an order-of-magnitude difference in the effective mobilities of the electrons and holes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments reveal that the top surface of these low-performing devices is nearly pure P3HT. We argue that small variations in the solvent evaporation kinetics during spin-coati...
Accuracy of administrative coding for type 2 diabetes in children, adolescents, and young adults.

In a recent study, Rhodes et al. (1) questioned the accuracy of administrative coding for type 2 diabetes in children and young adults, noting a very low positive predictive value (PPV) of 16.6%. The article also highlighted the importance of adopting standardized and validated diagnostic protocols in epidemiologic studies. Using diagnostic criteria from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) (2), we assessed the validity of self-reported diabetes diagnosis in a cohort of 39,876 women aged ≥45 years who were without heart disease, stroke, or cancer at …
Community education on mental health in later life: findings from an evaluation of a series of three model programs.

This article describes a series of three community educational programs—The Second Story, The Final Course, andWinter Comforts—designed to increase knowledge about and skills for responding to three common mental health concerns in later life: loss and grief, depression and suicide, and alcohol abuse. It also presents findings from an evaluation of the impact of these educational programs on a total of 389 workshop participants, including 203 who also received training on how to present the educational workshops. The findings are relevant to anyone who wants to conduct a workshop that will lead to increased recognition and precrisis treatment of mental health problems affecting older adults.
Function space null controllability of linear delay systems with limited power

Abstract It is shown that if the system x (t) = L(t, x t ) + B(t) u(t), ∗ is null-controllable with square integrable controls, and if the system x (t) = L(t, x t ) is uniformly asymptotically stable, then the control system is null controllable with square integrable controls which lie in a closed unit ball with zero in its interior. This extends known results, and it is useful in the time optimal control problem of delay equations.
Anywhere pixel router

Large-format, high-resolution displays have experienced significant growth in demand across a broad range of markets, including command and control rooms, immersive simulation environments, entertainment events, and corporate conference rooms. The need has arisen for a rapidly deployable, cost effective solution for creating large, seamless displays of high resolution dynamic content from multiple independent sources. We propose the Pixel Router as an essential piece of technology toward meeting this need. This scalable, custom hardware solution allows the mapping of pixels from any input to any output while performing composition operations, all based on a simple look-up table. Coupled with existing camera-based projector calibration techniques to describe the specific pixel routing and blending for a given display, this system can provide a rapidly deployable solution for viewing high resolution content from many sources simultaneously.
Essentials of home-based cancer care of the elderly.

275 ambiguous until the need arises. Family members need to be assigned responsibility for obtaining medical supplies, keeping medications available, and providing transportation to the primary care provider and treatment centers. Additional commitments need to be made to provide back-up help for any family member unable to fulfill his or her accepted responsibilities. When no friend or relative is available to accept the care responsibilities for the elderly cancer patient, institutional care may be necessary.
Reprogramming of Human Primary Somatic Cells by OCT4 and Chemical Compounds

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, i.e. reprogramming somatic cells into pluripotent cells that closely resemble embryonic stem cells (ESCs) by introduction of defined transcription factors (TFs), holds great potential in biomedical research and regenerative medicine (Takahashi et al., 2006; Takahashi et al., 2007; Yu et al., 2007). Various strategies have been developed to generate iPSCs with fewer or no exogenous genetic manipulations, which represent a major hurdle for iPSC applications (Yamanaka et al., 2009). With the ultimate goal of generating iPSCs with a defined small molecule cocktail alone, substantial effort and progress have been made in identifying chemical compounds that can functionally replace exogenous reprogramming TFs and/or enhance the efficiency and kinetics of reprogramming (Shi et al., 2008; Huangfu et al., 2008; Lyssiotis et al., 2009; Ichida et al., 2009; Maherali et al., 2009; Lin et al., 2009; Li et al., 2009; Esteban et al., 2010). To date, only neural stem cells (NSCs), which endogenously express SOX2 and cMYC at a high level, have been reprogrammed to iPSCs by exogenous expression of just OCT4 (Kim et al., 2009). However, human fetal NSCs are rare and difficult to obtain. It is therefore important to develop reprogramming conditions for other more accessible somatic cells. Here we report a small molecule cocktail that enables reprogramming of human primary somatic cells to iPSCs with exogenous expression of only OCT4. In addition, mechanistic studies revealed that modulation of cell metabolism from mitochondrial oxidation to glycolysis plays an important role in reprogramming.
Discordant fetal platelet counts in a twin gestation complicated by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

The twin gestation in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura presents a unique problem if vaginal delivery is being considered. Scalp platelet sampling to exclude fetal thrombocytopenia only allows assessment of the presenting fetus. A case is described in which cordocentesis revealed discordant platelet counts in dizygotic twin fetuses.
Resistance artery adaptation to pregnancy counteracts the vasoconstricting influence of plasma from normal pregnant women

Using a rat model, we investigated the effects of circulating factors in pregnancy on cerebrovascular and systemic vascular function by comparing myogenic reactivity, tone, and endothelial vasodilator production of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and mesenteric artery (MA) of nonpregnant (NP) animals perfused with nonpregnant and pregnant human plasma. Arteries from late pregnant (LP) animals were then perfused similarly to evaluate a potential adaptive effect of pregnancy on vessel function. A 3-hour exposure to pregnant plasma caused increased myogenic reactivity and tone in vessels from NP animals and produced a decreased endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor response in NP PCAs, findings that were not seen with MAs. The increased reactivity and tone noted in NP vessels was abolished when pregnant plasma was perfused through LP arteries, suggesting these vessels adapt during pregnancy to the vasoconstricting influence of pregnant plasma.
Global pressures on education research: quality, utility, and infrastructure

This article provides an overview of issues likely to drive educational research globally over the next decade, and it examines the Asia Pacific Education Review (APER)’s role in responding to these issues, shaping research agendas, and delivering high-quality research. We also look at the implications of these pressures, along with changes in the academic infrastructure, regarding the form, distribution, quality, and utility of education research. We focus on three pressures in particular: a new demography of education, the changing technology of education, and the expansion of higher education and the research university. Demographic pressures create demand for new and different types of institutional responses and have created a new set of issues in education. Technological innovations promise to challenge current systems. MOOCs, web-based professional development for adults, mobile learning, and web-based performance supports for younger students will alter the physical, intellectual, and learning environments of higher education. How might these developments affect the infrastructure of academic research? Quality control will become even more central. It is a strength of academe, something which research institutions are particularly well designed to conduct. Growth in the higher education sector has been accompanied by equally unprecedented growth in research programs, research-trained faculty, and research-oriented universities. This, in turn, has produced pressure for more publications and journals. We conclude with a discussion of how the educational research community will likely respond to these challenges and the role of APER in this process.
European Empires and the People: Popular Responses to Imperialism in France, Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Italy

John M. MACKENZIE (Ed.), Manchester University Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0-719079948, £60.00 (hbk), 242 pp. Much has been written of colonial and post-colonial enterprises with respect to European domi...
Sudden deterioration in an elderly trauma patient.

Dr. Ron Walls: Today’s case is that of a 75-yr-old woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) by helicopter after a rollover motor vehicle crash. She was an unrestrained front seat passenger and was ejected, landing approximately 20 feet from the vehicle. Upon arrival at the scene, the patient was found awake and alert, following commands. It was unclear whether the patient had suffered loss of consciousness. The initial vital signs in the field were: blood pressure (BP) 90 by palpation, pulse 110 beats/min, and respirations 20 breaths/min. The patient’s neck was immobilized in a cervical collar and a peripheral intravenous (IV) line was inserted. As she was being loaded onto the helicopter, her level of responsiveness deteriorated, and her systolic BP decreased to 80 mmHg. She was intubated by using rapid sequence intubation with lidocaine, fentanyl, and succinylcholine. A second intravenous line was placed, and she was transported to our hospital. Her husband, the unrestrained driver, had remained in the car and was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Are there any questions about prehospital management? Dr. Adler: There does not appear to be evidence that a MAST suit controls hemorrhage, but it may stabilize an unstable pelvic fracture by limiting soft tissue and vascular damage and by reducing the degree of hemorrhage.
High-resolution laser spectroscopy of molecular ions

Laser spectroscopic investigations of positive and negative molecular ions are described. The experiments include studies of anions in an ion beam apparatus and of cations in a velocity- modulated discharge. In the coaxial beams apparatus, an infrared laser beam overlaps a 3 keV beam of molecular anions. The laser beam induces vibrational-rotational transitions in a negative ion. The vibrationally excited ion then autodetaches, producing a fast neutral. The neutral is then detected by collisional ejection of secondary electrons. This autodetachment technique has a background count rate near zero, and is, therefore, very sensitive. The transitions are sub-Doppler because of a velocity-bunching effect occurring in fast ion beams. Molecular anions whose vibrational-rotational spectra were measured include NH- and HNO-.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Histones and other basic nuclear proteins in genetically active and genetically inactive nuclei of the ciliate, Oxytricha sp.

Genetically active DNA in the macronucleus of the ciliated protozoan, Oxytricha sp., is associated with histones f1, f2a1, f2a2, f2b and f3∗. Only the f1 fraction differs significantly from vertebrate histones. Oxytricha macronuclear f1 histone comprises 34% of total histone, and in polyacrylamide-urea electrophoretic gels, this fraction migrates faster than all other histones. Genetically inactive DNA in the micronucleus of Oxytricha is associated with basic proteins that are unlike histones both in electrophoretic behavior and amino acid composition. Micronuclei divide mitotically, yet micronuclear basic proteins contain no component comparable to f1 histone, suggesting that f1 histone and its phosphorylation are not always a prerequisite for chromosome condensation in mitosis. Micronuclear basic proteins are similar in their electrophoretic pattern and extreme lysine-richness to a class of basic proteins found in sperm of the mollusc Spisula solidissima; these sperm proteins are intermediate between histones and protamines in basicity. Histones and active macronuclear DNA are organized into beaded chromatin structures (nu bodies). Micronuclear DNA, however, may be compacted into configurations that are inaccessible to RNA polymerase when associated with a class of basic proteins that are similar to those found in S. solidissima sperm.
Effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide on food intake

Recently, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a product of alternative processing of RNA transcripts from the calcitonin gene, has been characterized. CGRP is present in a number of areas of the brain involved in modulating ingestive behaviors. We tested the effect of centrally administered CGRP on ingestive behaviors. ICV CGRP over a dose range of 1 to 10 micrograms suppressed food intake in 24 hr deprived rats and 20 and 10 micrograms decreased spontaneous nocturnal food intake. CGRP was less effective than calcitonin at suppressing food intake. Peripheral CGRP was less effective than centrally administered CGRP. Behaviorally, CGRP treated animals rested more, groomed less and ate less. Central CGRP (10 micrograms) did not alter circulating glucose levels. These results suggest that CGRP in high doses may be centrally active in regulating consummatory behaviors.
cAMP response element-binding protein is activated by Ca2+/calmodulin- as well as cAMP-dependent protein kinase

In a variety of nerve cells of the brain, action potentials activate gene expression by means of Ca2+ influx. To determine how Ca2+ influx alters gene expression, we have examined the pattern of phosphorylation of a protein that binds to the cAMP response element (CRE). We have found that purified bovine brain CRE-binding protein is a substrate for the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (Cam kinase) as it is for the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (kinase A). Tryptic peptide maps show that the same peptide is phosphorylated in vitro both by kinase A and by Cam kinase. Moreover, in vitro transcription assays using a CRE-containing c-fos promoter indicate that phosphorylation of CRE-binding protein by Cam kinase increases gene transcription. Thus, action potentials in nerve cells and the consequent influx of Ca2+ can activate CRE-binding proteins by means of Cam kinase. This kinase therefore provides a direct second-messenger pathway by which impulse activity at the membrane can influence gene transcription. This has been shown independently by Sheng et al. (Sheng, M., Thomson, M. A. & Greenberg, M. E. (1991) Science, in press), who found that depolarization and Ca2+ influx mediate induction of c-fos in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells through phosphorylation of CRE-binding protein. These several findings indicate that CRE-binding protein(s) is a convergence point for synaptic activity acting through kinase A and impulse activity acting through Cam kinase. Together the two kinases could activate transcription in a synergistic manner, which could allow CRE-binding protein to couple short-term to long-term associative forms of synaptic plasticity.
Mechanisms of atrial fibrillation

Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation. Based on experimental studies in the canine heart and an early computer model, atrial fibrillation (AF) has been thought to be due to multiple reentrant wavelets. However, subsequent studies in animal models are most consistent with a mechanism of AF due to a stable reentrant circuit of short cycle length or unstable reentrant circuits of short cycle length that drive the atria so fast that much or most of the atrial tissue manifests fibrillatory conduction. Limited mapping studies in patients during open heart surgery and during electrophysiologic studies using endocardial catheter electrodes also are most consistent with the concept of a driver, seemingly most often a focus in or near one or more of the pulmonary veins, precipitating and maintaining AF. However, a precise understanding of the mechanism(s) of AF in patients is not yet available.
Mg2+ release coupled to Ca2+ uptake: A novel Ca2+ accumulation mechanism in rat liver

Isolated hepatocytes release 2–3 nmol Mg2+/mg protein or ~10% of the total cellular Mg2+ content within 2 minutes from the addition of agonists that increase cellular cAMP, for example, isoproterenol (ISO). During Mg2+ release, a quantitatively similar amount of Ca2+ enters the hepatocyte, thus suggesting a stoichiometric exchange ratio of 1 Mg2+:1Ca2+. Calcium induced Mg2+ extrusion is also observed in apical liver plasma membranes (aLPM), in which the process presents the same 1 Mg2+:1Ca2+ exchange ratio. The uptake of Ca2+ for the release of Mg2+ occurs in the absence of significant changes in Δψ as evidenced by electroneutral exchange measurements with a tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) electrode or 3H-TPP+. Collapsing the Δψ by high concentrations of TPP+ or protonophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) does not inhibit the Ca2+-induced Mg2+ extrusion in cells or aLPM. Further, the process is strictly unidirectional, serving only in Ca2+ uptake and Mg2+ release. These data demonstrate the operation of an electroneutral Ca2+/Mg2+ exchanger which represents a novel pathway for Ca2+ accumulation in liver cells following adrenergic receptor stimulation.
Multiple simultaneous tumors in patients with head and neck cancer. A prospective, sequential panendoscopic study

A prospective panendoscopic study (bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, esophagoscopy) was carried out in 81 consecutively seen, untreated patients newly diagnosed as having a mucosal neoplasm in the upper aerodigestive tract, to determine how many had a synchronous second primary lesion of the aerodigestive tract. Fourteen patients (17%) proved to have multiple primary lesions (14 second-primary and two third-primary lesions). Three lesions were hypopharyngeal, six esophageal, three pulmonary, two laryngeal, and two oropharyngeal. Two of the additional lesions were found during routine head and neck examination, nine lesions would have been found with a single routine symptom- or roentgenogram-directed endoscopic examination; five, because of their location or small size, would not have been found without panendoscopy, even after chest roentgenography, indirect laryngoscopy, and barium esophagography had been done. The most productive endoscopic examinations for detecting second primary lesions were esophagoscopy and laryngoscopy, the former detecting six lesions, the latter five lesions. The yield of chest roentgenograms was low (1/79). No complications resulted from this prospective panendoscopic protocol study. THese findings should reinforce the belief that head and neck cancer is a panmucosal disease of the aerodigestive tract, that silent second synchronous primary lesions are not uncommon, and that every effort should be made to find all primary sites before treatment of the index tumor is begun.
Submicroscopic morphology of granular vesicles in sympathetic nerves of rat pineal body

In the rat pineal body sympathetic nerve endings are characterized by numerous agranular and granular vesicles. The latter mainly include vesicles of about 450 A diameter, each of which is bounded by a trilaminar membrane of about 75 A total thickness. The cores of these granular vesicles appear structurally similar to the bounding membranes and are formed by a less dense, globular or vacuolar component around which a more dense component is distributed. The relative distributions of these two structural elements result in a variety of submicroscopic configurations which suggest a morphological continuum that may be related to the cyclical uptake, storage and release of biogenic amines. A tripartite classification of granular vesicles, such as proposed previously, is not supported by these data.
ATR Kinase Activity Regulates the Intranuclear Translocation of ATR and RPA following Ionizing Radiation

Abstract Upon damage of DNA in eukaryotic cells, several repair and checkpoint proteins undergo a dramatic intranuclear relocalization, translocating to nuclear foci thought to represent sites of DNA damage and repair. Examples of such proteins include the checkpoint kinase ATR (ATM and Rad3-related) as well as replication protein A (RPA), a single-stranded DNA binding protein required in DNA replication and repair [1, 2]. Here, we used a microscopy-based approach to investigate whether the damage-induced translocation of RPA is an active process regulated by ATR. Our data show that in undamaged cells, ATR and RPA are uniformly distributed in the nucleus or localized to promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) nuclear bodies. In cells treated with ionizing radiation, both ATR and RPA translocate to punctate, abundant nuclear foci where they continue to colocalize. Surprisingly, an ATR mutant that lacks kinase activity fails to relocalize in response to DNA damage. Furthermore, this kinase-inactive mutant blocks the translocation of RPA in a cell cycle-dependent manner. These observations demonstrate that the kinase activity of ATR is essential for the irradiation-induced release of ATR and RPA from PML bodies and translocation of ATR and RPA to potential sites of DNA damage.
Unit inhibitory responses to peripheral and central conditioned stimuli

Abstract Correlations were made between changes in brain activity and the acquisition and performance of a learned response to peripheral and intracranial conditioned stimuli in cats. The measurement of brain activity was made by assessing alterations in response to a low frequency stimulus of the caudate nucleus. This stimulus evoked EEG changes and inhibition of unit activity in cortical and thalamic sites. Alterations in the length of unit inhibition proved to be a sensitive indicator of the state of arousal of the experimental animal. Differences in both behavioral and electrophysiological responses occurred when intracranial pulses were used as the conditioned stimuli in place of peripheral auditory signals.
Fungal infections of the perionychium

There are two types of fungi (yeasts and molds) both of which can cause superficial infections of the perionychium. Yeasts (such as Candida albicans) grow as single cells and reproduce by asexual budding. In contrast, molds grow in long filaments, called hyphae. There are approximately 100,000 species of fungi that have been characterized. Most of these are ubiquitous. Fortunately only about 200 are human pathogens, and only a handful are commonly found to be associated with human disease. This article discusses causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common fungal infections of the perionychium, including superficial dermatophytosis, onychomycosis, and chronic paronychia.
RPM Correlates of Attitudes toward Delinquency: Before and after Contact with Delinquents

The co-operative and submissive roles of the RPM were related to “unfavorable” attitudes of 24 staff persons toward delinquency both before and after contact with delinquents. After contact with delinquents, the permissive role was related to “favorable” attitudes toward delinquency. Such findings indicate that the RPM might be successfully used in the screening of prospective employees who are to work with delinquents.
Interfacing information in affective user studies

In affective user studies, visual interfacing of data has received little attention. Such interfaces can support qualitative understanding, conveying insight about static and temporally evolving information; static information is exemplified by demographic data, while temporally evolving information is exemplified by physiological signals. In this paper we present User Portrait - an abstraction and visualization method that condenses the essence of a study's data in a single figure. It is an inverted pyramid design, where the information abstraction is communicated on the top view, while the details are displayed on a need-to-know basis. The method has been applied to a longitudinal study of student affect vs. exam performance, effectively visualizing its voluminous data set.
Copolymerization of trialkyl aconitates with butadiene and some vinyl monomers

Reactivity ratios have been determined for the copolymerization of trimethyl aconitate with butadiene, styrene, acrylonitrile, and vinyl chloride, and for triethyl aconitate with butadiene and styrene. The values obtained indicate that trialkyl aconitates are very reactive in free radical initiated copolymerizations. No copolymerizations of aconitic acid were realized. A copolymer of butadiene and trimethyl aconitate has been prepared in a modified Mutual recipe at 50°C. The copolymer shows fair oil resistance and tensile properties but the low-temperature properties are poor. The temperature rise of trimethyl aconitate copolymer is possibly better than that of standard GR-S made at 50°C.
A Discontinuous Carrier-based PWM Modulation Method for the Control of the Neutral Point Voltage of Three-Phase Three-Level Diode Clamped Converters

The neutral-point voltage of the three-level, three-phase converter is regulated using a hysteresis controller which selects the appropriate expression for the zero sequence voltage signal which augments the modulation signal used in the discontinuous carrier-based PWM modulation scheme for voltage control. The analytical expressions for the zero sequence voltages are generalized to three sets making its DSP implementation very easy. Simulation and experimental results verify the usefulness of the proposed neutral-point regulation technique
Toxicity of sediment-associated nitroaromatic and cyclonitramine compounds to benthic invertebrates.

The toxicity of nitroaromatic (2,4-diaminonitrotoluene [2,4-DANT] and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene [TNB]) and 14C-labeled cyclonitramine compounds (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine [RDX] and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine [HMX]) to the marine polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata and the estuarine amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus following 10-or 28-d exposures to spiked sediments was investigated. Organismal-level effects on survival, growth, and reproduction and cellular-level effects on apoptosis (programmed cell death) were evaluated. Because cyclonitramines have low affinity for sediment, overlying water was not exchanged in the RDX and HMX exposures. Nitroaromatics sorbed strongly to sediment, resulting in near complete resistance to solvent extraction. Cyclonitramines sorbed weakly to sediment, as more 14C-activity was found in the overlying water than in the sediment at exposure termination. No significant decrease in survival or growth was observed with cyclonitramines at initial sediment concentrations as high as 1,000 μg/g. Survival was significantly affected by nitroaromatics at nominal sediment concentrations as low as 200 μg/g, with L. plumulosus being more sensitive than N. arenaceodentata. Growth was significantly decreased at sublethal concentrations of 2,4-DANT for N. arenaceodentata. Reproduction, measured only with L. plumulosus, was significantly decreased only in the highest RDX treatment and also in the lower TNB treatment. However, no decrease was observed in higher concentrations of TNB. Body burden at exposure termination was below detection limit (1 μg/kg) for all compounds. Significant inhibition of apoptosis was not accompanied by significant decreases in growth or reproduction. Because of its critical function in many biological processes, alterations in this endpoint may result in adverse effects on the organism and could be used as an early indicator of toxicity.
The sign of refractive index of surface plasmons in metal-dielectric-metal structures

We have carefully examined the surface plasmon modes in the metal-dielectric-metal structures. By using the direction of energy decay to identify the sign of effective refractive index, we have obtained different results from previous reports.
Relationship of extracellular matrix vesicles to calcification in normal and healing rachitic epiphyseal cartilage.

Nucleation sites for mineralization in rat distal femoral epiphyseal cartilage were studied with the electron microscope. Normal, low-phosphate, vitamin D deficient rachitic, and healing rachitic rats were used. The earliest ultrastructural evidence of mineralization in normal animals was the appearance of crystallites inside extracellular matrix vesicles, located in the longitudinal septa of the maturing cell zone in the epiphyseal apparatus. The crystallites were absent throughout the entire hypertrophic cell zone of the rachitic specimens. The first evidence of mineralization in rachitic animals treated with both phosphate and vitamin D was the presence of crystallites in the extracellular matrix vesicles. These were located in the longitudinal septa of the lower hypertrophic cell zone, near the capillary tufts of the primary spongiosa. Crystallites were first detected by 12 hours after treatment; by 24 to 48 hours, the number of matrix vesicles containing crystallites increased substantially. Treatment of rachitic animals with phosphate alone effected the same results as phosphate and vitamin D combined. Rachitic animals receiving vitamin D alone did not form mineral in the time periods studied. The results of this investigation support the view that the deposition of mineral in mammalian cartilage requires nucleation sites in the extracellular matrix. The findings also are consistent with the hypothesis that membrane-bounded, extracellular matrix vesicles contain the initiating system for calcification of the rat epiphyseal apparatus.
Genetic and environmental influences on growth of Philadelphia Black and White schoolchildren

SummarySibling correlations in body size and composition are considered in 114 pairs of American Black and 101 pairs of White sibs, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years. Correlations were similar in the two races. Sibling resemblance was more or less similar for skeletal measurements (0·35–0·48), limb circumferences (0·41–0·43), and skinfolds (0·31–0·41). Age difference between members of a pair was found to affect the sibling correlations, especially for measurements of low genetic control. This is taken as evidence for environmental contributions to sibling resemblance. Higher sister-sister similarities in fat (as compared to brother-brother) were evident in Blacks (as they were in a rural South American sample) but not in Whites. This pattern could arise from similar sex-role differentiation in these two cultures (Afro and Latin American) or similar expression of sex-limited genes under less favourable environmental conditions.
Lipid metabolism during bacterial growth, sporulation, and germination: kinetics of fatty acid and macromolecular synthesis during spore germination and outgrowth of Bacillus thuringiensis

The timing and kinetics of fatty acid synthesis are delineated for Bacillus thuringiensis spore germination and outgrowth by analyzing [U-14C]acetate and [2-3H]glycerol incorporation into chloroform-methanol-extractable and trichloroacetic acid-precipitable lipids. In addition to measurement of pulsed and continuous labeling of fatty acids, monitoring the incorporation of radioactive phenylalanine, thymidine, and uridine from the onset of germination through first cell division provides a profile of biochemical activities related to membrane differentiation and cellular development. Upon germination, ribonucleic acid synthesis is initiated, immediately followed by rapid and extensive fatty acid synthesis that in turn precedes protein, deoxyribonucleic acid and triglyceride synthesis. Significantly, formation of fatty acids from acetate exhibits further developmental periodicity in which a large transient increase in fatty acid synthetic activity coincides with the approach of cell division. Radiorespirometric analyses indicates only slight oxidative decarboxylation of acetate and corroborates the extreme involvement of acetate in specific fatty acid biosynthetic reactions throughout cellular modification. These findings graphically demonstrate an intimate association of fatty acid metabolism with commitment to spore outgrowth and subsequent cell division.
Mandatory diagnostic screening tests to individualize therapy: a curious paradox.

St Jude Medical released the Riata 1500 series defibrillator lead to the US market in 2002, and the Riata ST 7000 series lead in 2005. By 2010, it was evident that these leads were subject to a unique form of structural failure and they were voluntarily removed from distribution by the manufacture. The Food and Drug Administration issued a class I recall of these leads in 2011. Since then, guidance regarding management of patients with these leads has been limited to consensus expert opinion. Only recently have the manufacturer and the Food and Drug Administration provided recommendations to physicians regarding patient surveillance.1 …
Step Size For The General Iterative Image Recovery Algorithm

A general iterative method of restoring linearly degraded images [R. J. Mammone and R. J. Rothacker, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A4(1), 208-215 (1987)] has been reformulated into a more tractable fixed point iterative procedure. The new formulation is an implementation of the steepest descent algorithm. The slow convergence of the original method is found to be due to its inherent step size. A new method is presented whose increased step size offers accelerated convergence. The realization of the accelerated method is shown to require only a minor modification of the original algorithm. A new stopping criterion is also introduced. Computer simulations demonstrate a significant improvement in the rate of convergence of the new method.
Pediatric Brain Tumors: Chemotherapy Perspective

Advances in the diagnosis and therapy of children diagnosed with brain tumors have led to an improved survival over that of the past decade [1]. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the three treatment modalities that are used to treat brain tumors in the pediatric age group. With improved survival rate, there is an increased emphasis to use therapeutic modalities that reduce the neurocognitive deficits that are seen in the long-term survivors [2]. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) offers the advantage of treating residual tumor with higher doses of radiation therapy without exposing large areas of the developing brain to potentially damaging radiation therapy. SRS has been used in treating patients with ependymoma, low-grade glioma, medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), and craniopharyngioma. SRS has been used for these various histologies at the time of either primary therapy or at the time of recurrence. This chapter will discuss the perspective of chemotherapy and the role of SRS in the therapy of pediatric brain tumors.