cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Sucrose and Benzyl Alcohol on GCSF Conformational Dynamics Revealed by Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT Protein stability, one of the major concerns for therapeutic protein development, can be optimized during process development by evaluating multiple formulation conditions. This can be a costly and lengthy procedure where different excipients and storage conditions are tested for their impact on protein stability. A better understanding of the effects of different formulation conditions at the molecular level will provide information on the local interactions within the protein leading to a more rational design of stable and efficacious formulations. In this study, we examined the roles of the excipients, sucrose and benzyl alcohol, on the conformational dynamics of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor using hydrogen/deuterium exchange coupled with mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). Under physiological pH and temperature, sucrose globally protects the whole molecule from deuterium uptake, whereas benzyl alcohol induces increased deuterium uptake of the regions within the a-helical bundle, with even larger extent. The HDX experiments described were incorporated a set of internal peptides (Zhang et al., 2012. Anal Chem 84:4942–4949) to monitor the differences in intrinsic exchange rates in different formulations. In addition, we discussed the feasibility of implementing HDX-MS with these peptide probes in protein formulation development.
Evaluating ASR-9 azimuth error models through analysis of targets of opportunity

Radar error models are an integral tool in the safety analysis of air traffic control systems. Radar models are utilized to establish surveillance requirements for aircraft separation standards, and to assess the surveillance performance of current and future surveillance systems. Interest in the accuracy of the current collection of radar error models has increased recently with the introduction of new surveillance and automation systems, such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). Focusing on the ASR-9 Mode S radar specifically, the most common terminal surveillance radar in the United States, this paper compares the accuracy of a variety of azimuth error model distributions and evaluates their suitability for surveillance system safety analysis. The study leverages a method that utilizes raw time-stamped radar reports to estimate radar errors in quantities not possible using traditional flight test data analysis.
Reaction mechanism discrimination using experimental film profiles in features

Abstract Film profiles in features on patterned substrates are employed as a tool to test proposed reaction mechanisms for low pressure chemical vapor deposition processes. Simulated film profiles in long trenches generated using EVOLVE, a physically based deposition process simulator, are compared to experimental film profiles to determine whether a particular mechanism or rate form should be rejected. We consider two examples: (1) silicon dioxide deposition from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and (2) tungsten deposition from hydrogen reduction of tungsten hexafluoride. Of three proposed mechanisms for the deposition of silicon dioxide from TEOS, we find that the mechanism in which TEOS undergoes heterogeneous decomposition with inhibition by a strongly adsorbing byproduct provides the best fit to the experimental profiles. In the second example, we demonstrate that a mechanism that assumes a single rate limiting step is apparently not valid for tungsten depositions involving features that close. A semi-empirical rate expression is presented which can be used to simulate depositions up to and beyond feature closure.
Can a Principal Run the Show and Be a Democratic Leader

Committees or principals do not run schools; rather, they share a vision of success and empower one another to make their vision a reality.
Alteration of hepatic glutathione S-transferases and release into serum after treatment with bromobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, or N-nitrosodimethylamine

Abstract The effects of bromobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, and N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMN) on hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity were studied in untreated and in phenobarbital- or ethanoltreated. rats. In phenobarbital-treated rats, the isozymic composition of the hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases was changed after giving hepatotoxic chemicals; glutathione S-transferases 2-2(AA), 3-3(A), 1-2(B), 3-4(C), and 4-4 + 5-5(D+E) were present in cytosol from control rats, but only glutathione S-transferases cochromatographing with transferases 4-4 + 5-5(D+E) were detected in rats given carbon tetrachloride or bromobenzene. A marked decrease in hepatic and an increase in serum glutathione S-transferase activity were also observed after carbon tetrachloride or bromobenzene treatment, but little change was seen after giving DMN. On the contrary, in untreated or ethanol-treated rats. DMN administration decreased hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity and caused an elevation in serum glutathione S-transferase activity. The isozymic composition of the hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases after giving DMN to untreated rats was also altered, but the alteration was much less than that observed after giving carbon tetrachloride or bromobenzene to phenobarbital-treated rats. The elevation in serum glutathione S-transferase activity was accompanied by an increase in both serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase activity and serum bilirubin concentrations. Thus, hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity was altered and released into serum after giving hepatotoxic chemicals, and the alteration in glutathione S-transferase activity was dependent on treatment with phenobarbital or ethanol.
Evaluation of two-photon exchange graphs for excited states of highly charged heliumlike ions

Energy shifts arising from two-photon-exchange graphs are calculated for $n=2$ triplet states of heliumlike ions and tabulated for the range of nuclear charges $Z=30\char21{}92.$ The results are compared with second-order many-body perturbation theory (MBPT), and the differences are identified as QED effects associated with retardation and negative energy states not included in MBPT.
Microheterogeneity of Rat Parotid Gland Proteins After Chronic Treatment with Isoproterenol

Two ultrasensitive methods were employed to determine the effect of repeated in vivo stimulation with isoproterenol on the protein composition of parotid acinar cells. Silver staining showed electrophoretic banding pattern changes in a wide range of cellular proteins during and after multiple injections of the β-adrenergic agonist. Photo-affinity labeling with [32P]-N3-cyclic AMP showed the disappearance and eventual return (after discontinuation of the injections) of the cellular cyclic AMP-binding proteins as measurable cellular components. These findings indicate that major translation-associated changes may occur in target cell protein composition both during and after hormonal stimulation.
250-GHz electron spin resonance studies of polarity gradients along the aliphatic chains in phospholipid membranes

Rigid-limit 250-GHz electron spin resonance (FIR-ESR) spectra have been studied for a series of phosphatidylcholine spin labels (n-PC, where n = 5, 7, 10, 12, 16) in pure lipid dispersions of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), as well as dispersions of DPPC containing the peptide gramicidin A (GA) in a 1:1 molar ratio. The enhanced g-tensor resolution of 250-GHz ESR for these spin labels permitted a careful study of the nitroxide g-tensor as a function of spin probe location and membrane composition. In particular, as the spin label is displaced from the polar head group, Azz decreases and gxx increases as they assume values typical of a nonpolar environment, appropriate for the hydrophobic alkyl chains in the case of pure lipid dispersions. The field shifts of spectral features due to changes in gxx are an order of magnitude larger than those from changes in Azz. The magnetic tensor parameters measured in the presence of GA were characteristic of a polar environment and showed only a very weak dependence of Azz and gxx on label position. These results demonstrate the significant influence of GA on the local polarity along the lipid molecule, and may reflect increased penetration of water into the alkyl chain region of the lipid in the presence of GA. The spectra from the pure lipid dispersions also exhibit a broad background signal that is most significant for 7-, 10-, and 12-PC, and is more pronounced in DPPC than in POPC. It is attributed to spin probe aggregation yielding spin exchange narrowing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The American cancer society national prostate cancer detection project. Findings on the detection of early prostate cancer in 2425 men

The American Cancer Society National Prostate Cancer Detection Project (ACS-NPCDP) is a multidisciplinary, multicenter effort to assess the feasibility of early prostate cancer detection by digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay. By June 1990, 2425 men not previously suspected of having prostate cancer had been examined in ten participating clinical centers according to the project protocol. Three hundred ninety-six men (16.3%) were recommended for biopsy on the basis of TRUS or DRE. An analysis of the results of 330 completed biopsies showed 52 cancers detected by DRE and/or TRUS. Forty-four (84.6%) of the men with cancer had positive TRUS examination results compared with 33 (63.5%) with positive DRE. Five additional cancers were discovered as a result of elevated PSA levels. The overall detection rate was 2.4% and this rate varied by age. The detection rate in men 55 to 60 years of age was 1.3% and this rose to 3.3% in men older than 65 years of age. The estimated sensitivity was significantly greater for TRUS compared with DRE (77.2% versus 57.9%; P less than 0.05). The estimated specificity of DRE was greater than that of TRUS (96.3% versus 89.4%; P less than 0.01). The positive predictive value (PPV) for the tests varied as a function of patient and disease characteristics. The overall PPV was 28.0% for DRE and 15.2% for TRUS. The occurrence of elevated PSA levels significantly increased the PPV of both TRUS and DRE. The majority of cancers detected were at early stages. These preliminary data suggest the feasibility of using these techniques to promote cancer control, but additional data and follow-up are needed to assess the significance of the results.
Long-term effects of chronic social stress on serotonergic indices in the prefrontal cortex of adult male cynomolgus macaques

We examined the effects of chronic social stress and social rank on monamine concentrations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in adult male cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Seventy-five animals were housed in five-member social groups for 28 months and were exposed to three experimental conditions. A 'no-stress' condition was comprised of animals housed in groups of stable membership throughout the study. Animals assigned to a 'past-stress' condition had their group memberships reorganized at monthly intervals during the first (but not last) 14 months of the study, and a third 'recent-stress' condition consisted of social groups reorganized only during the last 14 months. At necropsy, the brains were collected and frozen at -70 degrees C until analyzed. Prefrontal orbital cortex was assayed for monoamines (serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE)), metabolites (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenethyleneglycol (MHPG)), and tryptophan using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Animals in the past-stress condition had significantly lower PFC 5-HIAA concentrations compared to those in the no-stress condition (P < 0.05). PFC 5-HT concentrations of animals in the past-stress condition were significantly lower than those in the no-stress and recent-stress conditions (P < 0.01). The concentrations of DA, HVA, NE and MHPG were not altered. These data suggest that exposure to chronic social stress is associated with long-term selective reductions in serotonergic activity in the PFC. This effect may underlie the association in human beings between reduced serotonergic function and conditions such as pathological grief and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Effects of dew removal and mowing frequency on fungicide performance for dollar spot control

Abstract Dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) is a severe disease problem on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) fairways. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dew removal and mowing frequency on fungicide performance for dollar spot control. In 2009 and 2010, an experiment involving daily dew removal or no dew removal, mowing frequency (2, 4, and 6 days week–1), and fungicides (chlorothalonil, propiconazole, and iprodione) was conducted on creeping bentgrass maintained as a fairway. Daily dew removal resulted in fewer dollar spot infection centers (IC) compared with not removing dew during late summer 2009 and 2010 for all mowing-frequency and fungicide treatments. As mowing frequency increased from 2 to 6 days week–1, dollar spot IC decreased when averaged across all fungicide treatments. For all fungicides, daily dew removal increased the number of days needed to reach a 15-IC plot–1 point of reference when compared with fungicide treatments in which dew was not removed. Th...
Online three-point frequency tracking method for structural health monitoring

This paper presents and evaluates in detail a harmonics tracking method (HTM) for tracking the instantaneous frequency and amplitude of a vibration signal by processing only three most recent data points. Teager-Kaiser algorithm (TKA) is a popular 4-point method for online frequency tracking, but its accuracy is easily destroyed by measurement noise due to the use of finite difference. Moreover, because a signal is assumed to be a pure harmonic in TKA, any moving average in the signal can destroy the accuracy of TKA. On the other hand, HTM uses a constant and a pair of harmonics to fit three recent data points and estimate the instantaneous frequency and amplitude, and it dramatically reduces the influence of any moving average. Moreover, noise filtering is an implicit capability of HTM if more than three points are processed, and this capability increases with the number of processed data points. However, HTM depends on TKA to provide the first frequency estimation in order to start online tracking. To compare HTM and TKA and evaluate the accuracy of HTM, Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) is used to extract accurate time-varying frequency and amplitude by processing the whole data set without assuming the signal to be harmonic. Frequency and amplitude tracking of different amplitude- and/or frequency-modulated signals, nonlinear dynamic signals, and transient signals due to damage propagation is studied. Results show that HTM is more accurate, robust, and versatile than TKA for online frequency tracking. Moreover, the frequencies and amplitudes tracked by HTM have about the same accuracy as those extracted by HHT but without the edge effect that HHT suffers from. Hence, HTM is valuable for structural health monitoring by online frequency tracking.
Human Factors as both the Embodiment of and Potential Solution to a Broken System of Science

The objective of this panel was to discuss issues critical to the modern practice of science, with a specific focus on how we train students to operate within a system that often slows scientific innovation. Chris Brill provided opening remarks to frame the discussion and introduce the panelists. Ben Lawson briefly summarized the most significant problems affecting modern science and how they limit discovery, stifle innovation, and reduce quality. The remaining panelists then provided brief opening remarks in response to Lawson's summary. Specifically, Frank Durso addressed how the current research and funding environments affects student training and career advice. Peter Hancock addressed how risk-averse sponsors and business models prohibit innovative research. Scott Shappell discussed how different Human Factors and Ergonomics (heretofore referenced as HF/E) career paths lead people to and from their roles as scientists. Specifically, he discussed how to prepare students for flexibility in the changing landscape of the business of science. The panel then turned to facilitated discussion with panelists and audience members. Specific themes included the business of science in relation to educational practices, the applied nature of HF/E training within the scientist/practitioner model, and implications of short-term funding schedules on education and research practices. The panel concluded by discussing how HF/E scientists/practitioners may be uniquely qualified to offer potential solutions to the above problems from educational and systemic perspectives.
Enhanced sensitivity of lateral flow tests using a two-dimensional paper network format

Point-of-care diagnostic assays that are rapid, easy-to-use, and low-cost are needed for use in low-resource settings; the lateral flow test has become the standard bioassay format in such settings because it meets those criteria. However, for a number of analytes, conventional lateral flow tests lack the sensitivity needed to have clinical utility. To address this limitation, we are developing a paper network platform that extends the conventional lateral flow test to two dimensions. The two-dimensional structures allow incorporation of multistep processes for improved sensitivity, while still retaining the positive aspects of conventional lateral flow tests. Here we create an easy-to-use, signal-amplified immunoassay based on a modified commercial strip test for human chorionic gonadotropin, the hormone used to detect pregnancy, and demonstrate an improved limit of detection compared to a conventional lateral flow assay. These results highlight the potential of the paper network platform to enhance access to high-quality diagnostic capabilities in low-resource settings in the developed and developing worlds.
Avian sarcoma virus gag-fps and gag-yes transforming proteins are not myristylated or palmitylated.

Abstract The transforming proteins of several avian sarcoma viruses were examined for evidence of covalently attached fatty acids. While the product of the viral src gene could be readily labeled biosynthetically with [ 8 H]myristic acid, the gag-onc transforming proteins of Fujinami sarcoma virus, PRCII, PRCIIp, and Y73 avian sarcoma viruses were not readily labeled with either [ 3 H]myristate or [ 3 H]palmitate. Thus, avian gag-one proteins appear to lack modifications shared by mammalian gag and gag-onc proteins, and the products of the oncogenes src, tck , and ras .
Oxygen isotopes, upper-ocean salinity, and precipitation sources in the eastern tropical Pacific

Westward transport of freshwater across the Panama Isthmus helps to maintain the salinity (S) contrast between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, important in global thermohaline circulation and climate. Relatively low sea-surface salinities in the Panama Bight reflect high net precipitation. We infer sources of this freshwater input to the region based on oxygen isotopes (δ18O) of precipitation (δP) and seawater (δSW). The primary trend of the surface water δSW–S relationship implies a freshwater endmember δ18O of −8.5±0.3‰, significantly lower than the mean δP of rainwater we measured in the region (−4.8±1.8‰), mixing with waters upwelled from the subsurface (S=34.9–35.1 PSU, δSW=0.3–0.4‰). Based on limited isotope and salinity data, these upwelling waters are a mixture of ∼60% tropical waters and ∼40% subtropical mode waters. Three secondary trends in the surface water δSW–S distribution point to similar freshwater sources with δ18O of −2.5±1.2‰, −4.7±0.5‰, and −4.8±0.6‰, consistent with local precipitation sources. Accounting for the primary surface water trend, intermittent cross-isthmus transport of moist air masses from the Caribbean may introduce relatively 18O-depleted rainfall due to a combination of recycling and orographic distillation. In addition, relatively infrequent but large tropical storms, which may contain freshwater of both Pacific and Caribbean origin, deliver rainfall with δP of −10‰ to −14‰. The primary trend of regional surface seawater data, which integrates the different sources over time, suggests that about half of the total precipitation reflects local sources, and half reflects a combination of cross-isthmus transport and large storms. The regional δSW–S distribution is sensitive to the relative contributions of these freshwater sources, which may change under different climate regimes.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: Avoiding Complications:

This study evaluates our complications arising directly or indirectly from placement or management of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes and provides recommendations for avoidance of complications. Seventy-one patients received PEG tube placement by otolaryngologists between January 1991 and May 1997. Records were reviewed for diagnoses, combined procedures, and complications. Addressing potential causes of complications prompted modification of our technique of PEG tube placement and management. Twenty-three patients received PEG for dysphagia/aspiration unrelated to neoplasia, 11 received PEG with staging endoscopy, 11 received PEG after treatment for head and neck neoplasm, and 26 received PEG at the time of primary resection. Major complications included retained PEG hub and delayed colon abscess ultimately resulting in death. Minor complications included skin abscesses, cellulitis, and early and late vasovagal response with PEG tube removal. An airway emergency, on attempted oral airway intubation, resulted in an aborted PEG attempt and constituted another complication outside the 4 groups stated above. The major complication was not found within a literature review. We have modified our management for avoidance of this complication. We believe the causes of the minor complications have been identified, and with additional modifications in our technique, we have not had any similar complications recently. The recommended techniques are discussed in detail.
Coupled radon, methane and nitrate sensors for large-scale assessment of groundwater discharge and non-point source pollution to coastal waters

We constructed a survey system of radon/methane/nitrate/salinity to find sites of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and groundwater nitrate input. We deployed the system in Waquoit Bay and Boston Harbor, MA where we derived SGD rates using a mass balance of radon with methane serving as a fine resolution qualitative indicator of groundwater. In Waquoit Bay we identified several locations of enhanced groundwater discharge, out of which two (Childs and Quashnet Rivers) were studied in more detail. The Childs River was characterized by high nitrate input via groundwater discharge, while the Quashnet River SGD was notable but not a significant source of nitrate. Our radon survey of Boston Harbor revealed several sites with significant SGD, out of these Inner Harbor and parts of Dorchester Bay and Quincy Bay had groundwater fluxes accompanied by significant water column nitrogen concentrations. The survey system has proven effective in revealing areas of SGD and non-point source pollution.
Effect of photic stimulation on acetylcholine release from cat cerebral cortex

Abstract Cortical release of acetylcholine was assayed using the leech muscle preparation in cats with transected brainstems. Both spontaneous and elicited somatosensory and visual cortical release of acetylcholine were measured, photic stimuli being directed into both eyes of midpontine-pretrigeminal and prepontine preparations. Animals with midpontine transections had a higher spontaneous release of acetylcholine from the visual cortex than did prepontine animals, but photic stimulation did not increase acetylcholine release. The prepontine cats tended to show an increase in cortical release of acetylcholine to photic stimulation which was not statistically significant. After injections or topical application of scopolamine, spontaneous and elicited release of acetylcholine was markedly increased. Thus, photic stimulation of the retinae did not markedly increase acetylcholine release, either with or without scopolamine treatment, and the evoked release of acetylcholine from the visual cortex was similar to that from the sensorimotor cortex. Differences in acetylcholine release between cats with “activated” and “synchronized” EEGs were demonstrated before and after scopolamine. The content of acetylcholine in the motorsensory, somatosensory, auditory and visual cortices varied, with the lowest in the somatosensory and the highest in the visual area. In contrast, the release of acetylcholine was higher in the somatosensory than in the visual area, suggesting that the former has a higher turnover rate of acetylcholine. The data suggest that acetylcholine is not released from primary visual afferent fibers, but rather from neurons involved in a diffuse brainstem activating system.
A case study in a behavioral analysis of psychotherapy.

A content analysis guided by the points of view of psychoanalytic theory and learning theory was made of the verbalizations from the case history of a 24-year-old male. The content categories utilized were concerned with motivation and defense. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights rese
Asset accumulation, interdependence and technological change: evidence from pharmaceutical drug discovery

Although the resource-based view of the firm has been written about extensively, the process by which firm assets are accumulated has not been explored in detail. That is, we know little about the micro-level mechanisms by which assets are built, nor do we have sufficient empirical evidence why some assets are more difficult to imitate, trade, or substitute. In this exploratory paper, we attempt to provide a better understanding of asset accumulation via an empirical research program in pharmaceutical drug discovery. Using a combination of field research, discovery data from nine pharmaceutical firms, and data on 218 alliances involving new technologies for experimentation and testing, three causes affecting asset accumulation are identified and described. First, the difficulty of imitating a particular asset is affected by interdependencies with other assets. Second, trading of assets can be impeded by structural inertia in the core of a firm that is adopting the technology asset. And third, fully specifying all factors affecting imitation and trading ex ante is very difficult, if not nearly impossible, under conditions of rapid technological change. We propose that the complex interactions of these causes can give rise to imperfections in factor markets. Finally, implications for further research are discussed as well. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidative effect of several intravenous iron complexes in the rat.

The objective of this study was to compare the oxidative stress induced in rat internal organs by the administration of the following clinically used intravenous (IV) iron (Fe) containing compounds: iron sucrose (IS), iron dextran (ID), ferric carboxymaltose and ferumoxytol. Groups of six adult rats received 1 mg/kg of each compound weekly for 5 doses. Seven days following the last dose, animals were euthanized and tissue samples of heart, lung, liver, and kidney were obtained, washed in warmed saline and frozen under liquid nitrogen and stored at −80 °C for analysis for nitrotyrosine (NT) and dinitro phenyl (DNP) as markers of oxidative stress. All tissues showed a similar pattern of oxidative stress. All Fe products stimulated an increase in the tissue concentration of both NT and DNP. In general, DNP was stimulated significantly less than NT except for IS. DNP was stimulated to an equal degree except for ID where NT was significantly higher than the NT concentrations in all other Fe compounds. ID produced over 10-fold the concentration of NT than any other Fe. IV Fe compounds present a risk of oxidative stress to a variety of internal organs. However, we found that IS was the least damaging and ID was the worst.
Nanostructured alpha and beta tantalum formation—Relationship between plasma parameters and microstructure

Abstract Nanostructured tantalum films with an average grain width of 40–50 nm were synthesized using direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering. The relationship between sputtering conditions (power and pressure), plasma kinetics and impurities levels was investigated with respect to the phase formation. All samples processed at pressures ranging from 0.3 to 1.4 Pa led to the formation of beta phase (tetragonal) or mixed phase films, except at 0.7 Pa sputtering pressure which yielded alpha phase (body centered cubic) tantalum. The correlations between hardness, residual stress and texture development are presented for all conditions. It was found that the hardness values do not reflect the variation in texture or phase; however, for films having the same texture alignment the hardness value decreases as the residual stress becomes more tensile. Overall, the formation of alpha tantalum was correlated to a lower amount of impurities during deposition as well as to an increase in the ion bombardment energy.
Tumor radioimmunodetection by antimelanoma and anti-cea monoclonal antibodies: Pilot and prospective studies

In our opinion, a logical sequence of experiments to be performed to verify whether an antigen-antibody system is suitable for clinical radioimmunodetection applications includes the following studies: pilot, multicenter and prospective trials.
Atopy to simple chemical compounds—Sulfonechloramides

Abstract 1.1. Asthma and rhinitis due specifically to the inhalation of dust of the water disinfectants, chloramine-T and halazone, are reported in fourteen workers exposed to these chemicals. 2.2. These simple chemical substances of low molecular weight have been shown to behave as true atopens, by producing immediate whealing skin reactions by direct test and by passive transfer. 3.3. The experiences cited suggest a number of possibilities: (a) that such simple chemicals may act as complete antigens; (b) that simple chemical allergens, as yet of unidentified nature, may be present in food, drink, and air; and (c) that chemical irritants, hitherto regarded as acting in a nonspecific manner, may, on re-examination, exhibit specific allergenic behavior.
Patterning of Microwave Plasma Deposited Diamond Films

Patterning has been successfully performed on diamond films deposited on polished silicon wafers from CH4 and H2 gases using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition. The selectivity was achieved using a lift off process on silicon wafers which had been polished with diamond paste. The lift off process involves deposition and patterning of a thin ZnO film followed by deposition of amorphous silicon using a glow discharge technique. This is followed by microwave plasma CVD of the diamond film. The film is deposited selectively on the crystalline silicon areas of the substrate. Quality and patterning resolution of the resulting diamond films have been determined.
Depression Treatment Among Rural Older Adults: Preferences and Factors Influencing Future Service Use

The purpose of this study was to investigate depression treatment preferences and anticipated service use in a sample of adults aged 55 years or older who reside in rural Wyoming. Sixteen participants (mean age = 59) completed 30- to 60-minute, semi-structured interviews. Qualitative methods were used to characterize common themes. Social/provider support and community gatekeepers were perceived by participants as important potential facilitators for seeking depression treatment. In contrast, perceived stigma and the value placed on self-sufficiency emerged as key barriers to seeking treatment for depression in this rural, young-old sample. Participants anticipated presenting for treatment in the primary care sector and preferred a combination of medication and psychotherapy for treatment. Participants were, however, more willing to see mental health professionals if they were first referred by a clergy member or primary care physician.
A High-Speed Optical Multi-Drop Bus for Computer Interconnections

Buses have historically provided a flexible communications structure in computer systems. However, signal integrity constraints of high-speed electronics have made multi-drop electrical busses infeasible. Instead, we propose an optical data bus for computer interconnections. It has two sets of optical waveguides, one as a fan-out and the other as a fan-in, that are used to interconnect different modules attached to the bus. A master module transmits optical signals which are received by all the slave modules attached to the bus. Each slave module in turn sends data back on the bus to the master module. Arrays of lasers, photodetectors, waveguides, microlenses, beamsplitters and Tx/Rx integrated circuits are used to realize the optical data bus. With 1 mW of laser power, we are able to interconnect 8 different modules at 10 Gb/s per channel. An aggregate bandwidth of over 25 GB/s is achievable with 10 bit wide signaling paths.
Supportive Teacher-Student Relationships: Promoting the Social and Emotional Health of Early Adolescents with High Incidence Disabilities

(2002). Supportive Teacher-Student Relationships: Promoting the Social and Emotional Health of Early Adolescents with High Incidence Disabilities. Childhood Education: Vol. 78, Our Crisis in Children's Mental Health, pp. 285-290.
Cocaine and exercise: α-1 receptor blockade does not alter muscle glycogenolysis or blood lactacidosis

In our previous work, we routinely observed that a combined cocaine-exercise challenge results in an abnormally rapid muscle glycogen depletion and excessive blood lactacidosis. These phenomena occur simultaneously with a rapid rise in norepinephrine and in the absence of any rise in epinephrine. We postulated that norepinephrine may cause vasoconstriction of the muscle vasculature through activation of alpha-1 receptors during cocaine-exercise, thus inducing hypoxia and a concomitant rise in glycogenolysis and lactate accumulation. To test this hypothesis, rats were pretreated with the selective alpha-1-receptor antagonist prazosin (P) (0.1 mg/kg iv) or saline (S). Ten minutes later, the animals were treated with cocaine (-C) (5 mg/kg iv) or saline (-S) and run for 4 or 15 min at 22 m/min at 10% grade. In the S-S group, glycogen content of the white vastus lateralis muscle was unaffected by exercise at both time intervals, whereas in S-C rats glycogen was reduced by 47%. This effect of cocaine-exercise challenge was not attenuated by P. Similarly, blood lactate concentration in S-C rats was threefold higher than that of S-S after exercise, a response also not altered by pretreatment with P. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that the excessive glycogenolysis and lactacidosis observed during cocaine-exercise challenge is not the result of vasoconstriction secondary to norepinephrine activation of alpha-1 receptors.
The AMPK β2 Subunit Is Required for Energy Homeostasis during Metabolic Stress

AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a key role in the regulatory network responsible for maintaining systemic energy homeostasis during exercise or nutrient deprivation. To understand the function of the regulatory β2 subunit of AMPK in systemic energy metabolism, we characterized β2 subunit-deficient mice. Using these mutant mice, we demonstrated that the β2 subunit plays an important role in regulating glucose, glycogen, and lipid metabolism during metabolic stress. The β2 mutant animals failed to maintain euglycemia and muscle ATP levels during fasting. In addition, β2-deficient animals showed classic symptoms of metabolic syndrome, including hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance when maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD), and were unable to maintain muscle ATP levels during exercise. Cell surface-associated glucose transporter levels were reduced in skeletal muscle from β2 mutant animals on an HFD. In addition, they displayed poor exercise performance and impaired muscle glycogen metabolism. These mutant mice had decreased activation of AMPK and deficits in PGC1α-mediated transcription in skeletal muscle. Our results highlight specific roles of AMPK complexes containing the β2 subunit and suggest the potential utility of AMPK isoform-specific pharmacological modulators for treatment of metabolic, cardiac, and neurological disorders.
DNA content analysis of smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus) and tall waterhemp (A. tuberculatus): implications for hybrid detection

Abstract Prior research indicated that analysis of nuclear DNA content by flow cytometry could be used to distinguish smooth pigweed × tall waterhemp hybrids when the parent lines are known. Flow cytometry was performed on nuclei isolated from several Illinois populations of smooth pigweed and tall waterhemp. The smooth pigweed and tall waterhemp analyzed had nonoverlapping 2C nuclear DNA content values, with mean values of 1.04 and 1.34 pg, respectively. The consistent difference in DNA content observed between the two species indicates that DNA content analysis can be used to distinguish their hybrid progeny in natural populations. Nomenclature: Smooth pigweed, Amaranthus hybridus L. AMACH; tall waterhemp, Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer AMATU.
Normocaloric versus hypocaloric feeding on the outcomes of ICU patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Current clinical practice guidelines recommend providing ICU patients a daily caloric intake estimated to match 80–100 % of energy expenditure (normocaloric goals). However, recent clinical trials of intentional hypocaloric feeding question this approach.
The Influence of Pancreatic Secretions on the Fat Tolerance of Humans

A high fat meal was given to 78 volunteers. Total esterifled fatty acid, cholesterol, and lipase levels were determined in a fasting blood specimen and in specimens obtained 3 and 6 hours after the meal. Attempts were made to correlate the fat tolerance of the individual with the level of fat splitting enzymes in the various serum specimens. The influence of Pancreatic Hormone, whole pancreatic preparations, secretin, and heparin on the fat tolerance as well as on the lipase level was determined. Attempts were made to correlate the findings of fat tolerance and glucose tolerance tests done on the same individuals.
The Growth of InAsSb/InAs/InPSb/InAs Mid-Infrared Emitters by Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

We report on the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of strained layer superlattices (SLSs) of InAsSb/InAs/InPSb/InAs as well as mid-infrared optically pumped lasers grown using a high speed rotating disk react,or (RDR). The devices contain AIAsSb cladding layers and strained, type I, InAsSb/InAs/InPSb/InAs strained layer superlattice (SLS) active regions. By changing the layer thickness and composition of the SLS, we have prepared structures with low temperature (<20K) photoluminescence wavelengths ranging from 3.4 to 4.8 pm. The optical properties of the InAsSb/InPSb superlattices revealed an anomalous low energy transition that can be assigned to an antimony-rich, interfacial layer in the superlattice. This low energy transition can be eliminated by introducing a 1.0 nm InAs layer between the InAsSb and InPSb layers in the superlattice. An InAsSb/InAs/lnPSbflnAs SLS laser was grown on an InAs substrate with AlAs{sub 0.16}Sb{sub 0.84} cladding layers. A lasing threshold and spectrally narrowed laser emission were seen from 80 through 250 K, the maximum temperature where lasing occurred. The temperature dependence of the SLS laser threshold is described by a characteristic temperature, T{sub 0} = 39 K, from 80 to 200 K.
History for sale: the international art market and the nation state

In April of 2003 the collection of Andre Breton, one of the founders of Surrealism, was auctioned off at the Hotel Drouot in Paris. This article focuses on how the sale sparked a heated debate about the French state’s role as the protector of French cultural patrimony and looks at the different interests involved, from Breton’s daughter, who authorized the sale, to the Minister of Culture. Ultimately, the author argues that the state allowed the sale to occur, despite popular protests, in order to improve France’s position in the global art market.
The Sense of Society

Human society is unique in the animal kingdom in the degree to which it depends upon its members reflective awareness of self and society. Whereas much has been learned about the sense of self, little is known about the sense of society. This paper develops three points about the human sense of society: First, this sense is a feeling of life, what German writers have called Lebmgejhl. The paper begins by defining feeling as a psychical moment or ‘phase’ of bodily activity. The paper later develops the idea that what is felt of society is always an embodiment of its vital form; its social life. Second, the sense of society is a feeling ofsociety, as distinct from a feeling in society and from a feeling of self. The middle third of the paper distinguishes these concepts and links the feeling of society to writings of Freud and Durkheim in which elements of this feeling are found. And third, feelings of society prominently include participation, love, and play. These feelings, which are embodiments of vital social form, are illustrated and discussed in the penultimate section of the paper. Having registered these three points, the paper concludes with a brief summary and discussion of implications for expanding the scope of inquiry in social science. Only a very advanced primate could smile, and mean it. With this social grace comes an important clue about human social life. Namely, that it rests upon a sense of society. The smile is among our most elementary and important sociable acts. It is a great leveler that makes interchange possible over great social distance. It says in effect, ‘I meet you as a person like myself, the two of us linked as parts of a greater social whole.’ To hear primatologists and historians tell it, primate society is all love and hate. de Wad (1982), for example, finds in the social life of chimpanzees a dialectic of contest and conciliation. Power plays upset colony alliances and
Psilocybin and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder with considerable morbidity and mortality. This condition disables many individuals and is often refractory to treatment. Research suggests that serotonin plays a role in OCD symptom reduction. We present a case of an individual who successfully used psilocybin, a serotonergic agent, to reduce the core symptoms of OCD for several years. Although not endorsing this form of treatment, we feel that the successful use of this agent highlights the role of serotonergic factors in OCD and the need for further, legitimate research into the value of psilocybin in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Microtubule deacetylation sets the stage for successful axon regeneration.

EMBO J 31: 3063–3078 Successful axon regeneration relies on a sophisticated balance between stable and dynamic microtubules. While it has been established that moderate microtubule stabilization improves regenerative performance, little is known how microtubules are normally regulated during regeneration. A new study by Cho and Cavalli (2012) uncovers an early role for local microtubule deacetylation that seems important for converting a cut axon stump to a regenerating axon. The authors demonstrate that histone deacetylase 5 is responsible for local deacetylation, and that it is locally activated by PKC downstream of axotomy-induced calcium influx.
Exploring Burnout among University Online Instructors: An Initial Investigation

Burnout has been identified as a significant issue among those in instructional positions. The purpose of the present research was to identify and describe the status of burnout among higher education online instructors. The population for this study included responses of 76 online instructors employed by baccalaureate granting institutions within the United States. A demographic survey and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey (MBI-ES) were used to collect data from respondents. Data analysis revealed online instructors possessed an average score on the emotional exhaustion subscale, high degree of depersonalization, and low degree of personal accomplishment.
Albumin Synthesis and Degradation

Serum albumin is the major protein produced in the liver, comprising as much as 50% of the productive effort at any one moment. The concentration of this protein in the plasma has long been used as an indicator of health and disease. Yet it must be remembered that the serum albumin level is only the complex end result of synthesis, degradation, and distribution. The basic properties of albumin were recognized as early as 1837 by Ancell,1 who noted that “albumen” was needed for transport functions, for maintaining fluidity of the vascular system, and for the prevention of edema, and who recorded values for protein levels in different age groups and species, and in males and females. These fine early observations have not been proved wrong during the past 140 years.
Evaluating the consistency of gene sets used in the analysis of bacterial gene expression data

Statistical analyses of whole genome expression data require functional information about genes in order to yield meaningful biological conclusions. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) are common sources of functionally grouped gene sets. For bacteria, the SEED and MicrobesOnline provide alternative, complementary sources of gene sets. To date, no comprehensive evaluation of the data obtained from these resources has been performed. We define a series of gene set consistency metrics directly related to the most common classes of statistical analyses for gene expression data, and then perform a comprehensive analysis of 3581 Affymetrix® gene expression arrays across 17 diverse bacteria. We find that gene sets obtained from GO and KEGG demonstrate lower consistency than those obtained from the SEED and MicrobesOnline, regardless of gene set size. Despite the widespread use of GO and KEGG gene sets in bacterial gene expression data analysis, the SEED and MicrobesOnline provide more consistent sets for a wide variety of statistical analyses. Increased use of the SEED and MicrobesOnline gene sets in the analysis of bacterial gene expression data may improve statistical power and utility of expression data.
Fascin confers resistance to Listeria infection in dendritic cells.

Ag-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) must survive bacterial infection to present Ag information to naive T cells. The greater ability of DCs’ host defense is evident from the report that DCs are more resistant to Listeria monocytogenes than macrophages. However, the molecular mechanism of this resistance is unclear. We found that Listeria replicate more slowly in wild-type DCs compared with fascin1 knockout DCs. This finding is significant because fascin1, an actin-bundling protein, is specifically and greatly induced upon maturation of dendritic cells, but not other blood cells, including macrophages and neutrophils. Infection by Listeria makes phagosomes more acidic in wild-type DCs than in fascin1 knockout DCs, suggesting that fascin1 facilitates phagolysosomal fusion for killing of phagocytosed Listeria . We further found that fascin1 binds to LC3, an autophagosome marker, both in vivo and in vitro. Listeria are associated with LC3 to a greater extent in wild-type DCs than in fascin1 knockout DCs, suggesting that fascin1 facilitates autophagy for eradication of cytoplasmic Listeria . Taken together, our results suggest that fascin1 plays critical roles in the survival of DCs during Listeria infection, allowing DCs to function in innate and adaptive immunity.