cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blockade of THC-Seeking Behavior and Relapse in Monkeys by the Cannabinoid CB1-Receptor Antagonist Rimonabant

Accumulating evidence suggests the endocannabinoid system modulates environmental cues' ability to induce seeking of drugs, including nicotine and alcohol. However, little attention has been directed toward extending these advances to the growing problem of cannabis use disorders. Therefore, we studied intravenous self-administration of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of marijuana, using a second-order schedule of drug seeking. Squirrel monkeys' lever responses produced only a brief cue light until the end of the session, when the final response delivered THC along with the cue. When a reinstatement procedure was used to model relapse following a period of abstinence, THC-seeking behavior was robustly reinstated by the cue or by pre-session administration of THC, other cannabinoid agonists, or morphine, but not cocaine. The cannabinoid antagonist rimonabant blocked cue-induced drug seeking, THC-induced drug seeking, and the direct reinforcing effects of THC. Thus, rimonabant and related medications might be effective as treatments for cannabinoid dependence.
Development Of Microstructure In Thin Films

We have modelled the microstructures that result from grain nucleation and growth-to-impingement in two dimensions, using various nucleation and growth conditions. Nucleation conditions include simultaneous nucleation at a fixed number of sites, continuous nucleation at a constant rate per unit of untransformed area, cases in which the nucleation rate declines with time, and cases in which nucleation is excluded in a zone surrounding each pre-existing grain. The growth rate for each grain is taken to be a simple function of the grain radius, either increasing with radius, decreasing with radius, or remaining constant. These different conditions result in markedly different structures, with different geometric and topological properties. We have also modelled the effect of grain boundary migration and grain growth following impingement.
Interpretive Discourse and other Models from Communication Studies: Expanding the Values of Technical Communication:

This article argues that in spite of some attempts to expand the diversity of approaches in Technical Communication, the field remains rooted in an expedient, managerial, techno-rational discourse, where discourse is understood as the values that guide research, practice, and teaching. The article draws on approaches from Communication Studies, specifically discursive analysis and metaphor analysis, to ground this claim and to demonstrate what possible alternative discourses might be possible. The article then argues that moving toward an “interpretive” discourse will expand the values of Technical Communication, but in a way that both retains existing assumptions but also includes a new focus on the “complete person.” Interpretive discourse is theorized using Habermas' communicative rationality and User Experience Design and the article concludes with some implications about moving Technical Communication toward discursive diversity. Ultimately, the goal of the article is to encourage researchers, teache...
Comparative studies on prostanoid receptors in human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial and mouse fibroblast cell lines.

Abstract To examine the expression of functional prostanoid receptors in the human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial (ODMC1–2) and mouse fibroblast cell lines (NIH 3T3) we have measured the generation of the second messengers, cyclic AMP, inositol phosphates and the mobilization of intracellular calcium ([Ca 2+ ] i ) following stimulation by prostaglandin receptor agonists. The amount of cyclic AMP generated was measured by a protein binding method. Radiolabeled inositol phosphates were separated using ion exchange columns and quantified by counting the radioactivity. For intracellular calcium measurements, Fura 2-AM loaded cells were stimulated by PG receptor agonists and the calcium activated fluorescence was measured in a spectrofluorometer. In the ODMC1–2 cell line, the formation of cyclic AMP was stimulated by prostaglandin E 2 , butaprost and 11-deoxy-prostaglandin E 1 . The stimulation of cyclic AMP production by prostaglandin E 2 was partially inhibited by the EP 4 receptor antagonist AH23848. Prostaglandin E 2 and 11-deoxy-prostaglandin E 1 stimulated the formation of cyclic AMP in NIH 3T3 cells. In ODMC1–2 cells, total inositol phosphate turnover was not increased by 17-phenyl-trinor-prostaglandin F 2α , 17-phenyl-trinor-prostaglandin E 2 or 11-deoxy-prostaglandin E 1 . In contrast, all these agonists, with the exception of 11-deoxy-prostaglandin E 1 , significantly increased total inositol phosphates in NIH 3T3 cells. In the NIH 3T3 cell line, only prostaglandin F 2α and 17-phenyl-trinor-prostaglandin F 2α increased [Ca 2+ ] i in a dose-dependent manner; in ODMC1–2 cells, neither these agonists nor 17-phenyl-trinor-prostaglandin E 2 increased [Ca 2+ ] i . The present studies suggest that in ODMC1–2 cells, EP 2 and EP 4 receptors but neither EP 1 nor FP receptors are expressed; these studies also imply, NIH 3T3 cells express EP 2 and FP receptors, while EP 1 receptors appear to be absent in this cell line.
Sedimentation equilibrium studies on the interaction between cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase.

Abstract The interaction between cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase was investigated using sedimentation equilibrium at pH 6, 20 °C, in a number of buffer systems varying in ionic strength between 1 and 100 m m . Between 10 and 100 m m ionic strengths, the sedimentation of the individual proteins was essentially ideal, and sedimentation equilibrium experiments on mixtures of the two proteins were analyzed assuming ideal solution behavior. Analysis of the distribution of mixtures of cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase in the ultracentrifuge cell based on a model involving the formation of a 1:1 cytochrome c -cytochrome c peroxidase complex gave values of the equilibrium dissociation constant ranging from 2.3 ± 2.7 μ m at 10 m m ionic strength to infinity (no detectable interaction) at 100 m m ionic strength. Attempts to determine the presence of complexes involving two cytochrome c molecules bound to cytochrome c peroxidase were inconclusive.
Epidemiology of invasive fungal infections in lung transplant recipients on long-term azole antifungal prophylaxis.

Lung transplant recipients (LTR) at our institution receive prolonged and mostly lifelong azole antifungal (AF) prophylaxis. The impact of this prophylactic strategy on the epidemiology and outcome of invasive fungal infections (IFI) is unknown. This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. We reviewed the medical records of all adult LTR from January 2002 to December 2011. Overall, 16.5% (15 of 91) of patients who underwent lung transplantation during this time period developed IFI. Nineteen IFI episodes were identified (eight proven, 11 probable), 89% (17 of 19) of which developed during AF prophylaxis. LTR with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were more likely to develop IFI (HR: 4.29; 95% CI: 1.15-15.91; p = 0.03). A higher hazard of mortality was observed among those who developed IFI, although this was not statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.58-4.05]; p = 0.27). Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common cause of IFI (45%), with pulmonary parenchyma being the most common site of infection. None of our patients developed disseminated invasive aspergillosis, cryptococcal or endemic fungal infections. IFI continue to occur in LTR, and the eradication of IFI appears to be challenging even with prolonged prophylaxis. Azole resistance is uncommon despite prolonged AF exposure.
Casein Kinase I epsilon positively regulates the Akt pathway in breast cancer cell lines

Abstract The Akt pathway is very important in both development and cancer. Here we show that, expression of Casein Kinase I epsilon (CKIe) causes up-regulation of the Akt pathway despite normal protein expression of the pathway inhibitor phosphate and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN). Conversely, we show that a CKIe/δ-specific inhibitor can inhibit Akt phosphorylation at both Thr308 and Ser473 and drastically reduce phosphorylation of the Akt target Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK3β). These conclusions were confirmed between MCF7 cells transiently transfected with CKIe and Hs578T cells which already express endogenous CKIe. The results suggest that CKIe is a new positive regulator of the Akt pathway. Here we propose that, rather than inhibiting PTEN function, CKIe positively regulates Akt possibly by inhibiting Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A).
An Analysis of Information Content in Standardized vs. Specialized Multinational Advertisements

Print and television advertisements for a variety of American products appearing in the U.S., Germany and Japan are analyzed to explore differences in the informational content of standardized vs. specialized approaches to multinational advertising. Overall, highly standardized messages were found to contain significantly fewer consumer information cues than highly specialized messages. This trend was found to hold true, regardless of product category. The more standardized the message being transferred, whether for a high or low involvement purchase item, the lower the level of consumer information contained within the commercial message.
Functional Expression of Bacterial Zymobacter palmae Pyruvate Decarboxylase Gene in Lactococcus lactis

A pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) gene from bacterial Zymobacter palmae (Zymopdc) was cloned, characterized, and introduced into Lactococcus lactis via a shuttle vector pAK80 as part of a research strategy to develop an efficient ethanol-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The expression levels of Zymopdc gene in the host, as measured by a colorimetric assay based on PDC catalyzed formation of (R)-phenylacetylcarbinol ((R)-PAC), appeared to be dependent on the strength of corresponding Gram-positive promoters. A constitutive, highly expressed promoter conferred the greatest PDC activity, and an acid-inducible promoter demonstrated acid-inducible expression. The metabolic production of ethanol and other products was examined in flask fermentations. More than eightfold increases in acetaldehyde concentrations were detected in two recombinant strains. However, no detectable differences for ethanol fermentation in these engineered strains were observed compared with that of the strain carrying lacZ reporter.
Developmental onset of bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity involves Toll-like receptor 2-dependent signaling in humanized UDP-glucuronosyltransferase1 mice.

Biological and signaling events that connect developmentally induced hyperbilirubinemia to bilirubin-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) and CNS toxicity in humans are poorly understood. In mammals, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) is the sole enzyme responsible for bilirubin glucuronidation, a rate-limiting step necessary for bilirubin metabolism and clearance. Humanized mice that express the entire UGT1 locus (hUGT1) and the UGT1A1 gene, develop neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, with 8–10% of hUGT1 mice succumbing to CNS damage, a phenotype that is presented by uncontrollable seizures. We demonstrate that neuroinflammation and reactive gliosis are prominent features of bilirubin brain toxicity, and a disturbed redox status resulting from activation of NADPH oxidase is an important contributing mechanism found in BIND. Using knock-out mice and primary brain cells, we connect a key pattern recognition receptor, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), to hyperbilirubinemia-induced signaling. We illustrate a requirement for TLR2 signaling in regulating gliosis, proinflammatory mediators, and oxidative stress when neonatal mice encounter severe hyperbilirubinemia. TLR2-mediated gliosis strongly correlates with pronounced neuroinflammation in the CNS with up-regulation of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, creating a pro-inflammatory CNS environment. Gene expression and immunohistochemistry staining show that hUGT1/Tlr2−/− mice fail to activate glial cells, proinflammatory cytokines, and stress response genes. In addition, bilirubin-induced apoptosis was significantly enhanced by blocking TLR2 signaling indicating its anti-apoptotic property. Consequently, a higher neonatal death rate (57.1%) in hUGT1/Tlr2−/− mice was observed when compared with hUGT1 mice (8.7%). These results suggest that TLR2 signaling and microglia neuroinflammation are linked to a repair and/or protection mode against BIND.
Path Models of Vocational Calling in Christian College Students

In the Christian college environment, students are encouraged to understand their vocational calling, yet quantitative research on how college students conceptualize calling is sparse. This correlational study extends the research literature significantly by empirically examining variables that affect sense of vocational calling in 270 college students as they near graduation. Relationships among demographic variables (gender, race, resident status, GPA, and hours worked), personal characteristics (hope, career-decision self-efficacy, strengths self-efficacy, and spirituality), and student involvement variables (campus involvement, service activities, engaged learning, and psychological sense of community) were explored to assess how these variables directly and indirectly contributed to students’ sense of vocational calling. Dobrow's (2006) theory of integrated calling provided the operational definition of calling. Through structural equation modeling (SEM) (Arbuckle, 2008), models were generated indica...
CHEST RADIOGRAPHS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN WITH VIRAL RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Many viruses can cause lower respiratory infection (LRI). To determine if chest radiographs could be useful adjuncts to clinical and viral diagnoses, we reviewed initial x-rays of 99 previously healthy children(0 to 14 yrs)from whom respiratory viruses were isolated from nasal washing. The causative viruses include respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)in 55 cases, parainfluenza(21), influenza(13), and adenovirus(10). Clinical syndromes include pneumonia(36), bronchiolitis(28), URI(16), asymptomatic(6), combined LRI(4), and croup(3). Significant correlation(P< .05)was found between RSV isolation, bronchiolitis and hyperexpansion on x-ray.73% of RSV patients had hyperexpansion and 45% had clinical bronchiolitis. 85% of bronchiolitis cases caused by all viruses had hyperexpansion. RSV was more likely to cause parahilar peribronchial infiltrates than influenza(784 vs 31%) and more likely to have atelectasis than para-influenza(44% vs 19%). X-rays were normal in 15% of RSV, 62% of influenza, 50% of adenovirus and 38% of parainfluenza infections. In addition to clinical presentation, age and season, radiographic findings are useful in predicting the causative virus and may be used as an adjunct to/or in lieu of rapid viral diagnosis in the consideration of antiviral treatment.
Organization of a computer system for measuring the electrical activity of the heart

We have approached the study of the electrical activity of the heart by separating the work into two distinct phases - data acquisition and data analysis. The data acquisition program monitors the activity of the heart, samples as many as 24 electrodes simultaneously, and displays them to the investigator. It concurrently executes as many as eleven tasks, uses multiple real time clocks, and allows continuous operator control with exhaustive error checking. The data analysis program tabulates the data previously recorded on tape and allows an operator to select portions to be amplified with respect to time and voltage. Data time sequences can be converted to spatial displays such as contour maps or perspective plots. The program operates by successively applying functions to a data base of over two million bytes. The functions which process the data are organized as an easily expandible set of overlays of about 80,000 program lines. We think that these capabilities can only be achieved by separating the data acquisition from the data analysis.
Scientific drilling: Limitations to drilling and logging in thermal regimes

Although many investigators are eager to explore thermal regimes of Earth's crust by drilling, present technologies limit these activities to relatively benign environments. This article enumerates areas of difficulty and offers suggestions as to how they may be addressed. Over the past century two drilling technologies have evolved, primarily to support extractive industries. The most common involves the “rotary drilling” machinery that is used in the hydrocarbon production industry. It features big rigs capable of drilling deeper than 10 km and is the least expensive way to make large holes necessary for production. Unfortunately, when this equipment is used to take core, costs mount rapidly because the drill string must be removed from the hole after each core run. Thus formation analysis usually depends on downhole measurements that are provided by an aggressive logging service industry. Many of these measurements are, understandably, directed toward hydrocarbon applications. This situation is not always advantageous to scientific drilling programs in volcanic formations [Lysne, 1989].
Off-ice Fitness of Elite Female Ice Hockey Players by Team Success, Age, and Player Position

This study examined off-ice fitness profiles of 204 elite female ice hockey players from 13 countries who attended a high-performance camp organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in Bratislava, Slovakia, in July of 2011. Athletes were tested using standardized protocols for vertical jump (centimeters), long jump (centimeters), 4-jump average (centimeters), elasticity ratio (4-vertical jump average/vertical jump), pull-up or inverted row (n), aerobic fitness (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max), body mass (kilograms), and body composition (% fat). These variables were examined relative to team success in major international hockey competition (group 1: Canada and USA, group 2: Sweden and Finland, group 3: All other participating countries), age group (Under 18 and Senior/Open Levels), and player position (forwards, defenders, and goalies). The athletes from countries with the best international records weighed more, yet had less body fat, had greater lower body muscular power and upper body strength, and higher aerobic capacity compared with their less successful counterparts. Compared with the younger athletes, athletes from the senior-level age group weighed more and had higher scores for lower body power, pull-ups, and aerobic capacity. There were no significant differences in anthropometric or fitness data based on player position. This study is the first to report the physical characteristics of a worldwide sample of elite female ice hockey players relative to team performance, age, and player position. Coaches should use these data to identify talent, test for strengths and weaknesses in conditioning programs, and design off-ice programs that will help athletes match the fitness profiles of the most successful teams in the world.
Breast carcinoma metastatic to endometrial polyp

An elderly woman presented with an enlarged uterus without uterine bleeding. The hysterectomy specimen contained a large, solitary intrauterine mass. Microscopic examination revealed metastatic poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma infiltrating an endometrial polyp. This metastatic tumor appeared histologically identical to the patient's ductal carcinoma of the breast removed by modified radical mastectomy 6 years earlier. An extrapelvic primary carcinoma metastatic to tan endometrial polyp is a very rare event but should be included in the differential diagnosis of endometrial carcinomas.
GPCR antagonists as an alternative to COX-2 inhibitors: a case for the PGE2 EP1 receptor.

A recent article supports the concept that prostaglandin (PG)E 2 EP 1 -receptor antagonists reduce stroke severity and cell damage; could these agents become a substitute for cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors? The total activity of COXs – rate-limiting enzymes of PGE 2 synthesis – increases following acute neurological insult. Drugs that offer the beneficial anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of PGs but that limit the negative effects of COX-2 inhibition could provide the next generation of treatment for acute neuronal damage.
Influence of soil minerals on the rates and products of abiotic transformation of carbon tetrachloride in anaerobic soils and sediments.

Rates and products of abiotic mineral-mediated carbon tetrachloride (CT) transformation were measured in microcosms prepared from natural soils and sediments that were incubated under iron-reducing and sulfate-reducing conditions, then sterilized to inhibit microbial activity. For one set of microcosms, the rate of CT disappearance was correlated with the concentration of weakly bound (MgCl2 extractable) Fe(II) in an experiment in which CT was repeatedly spiked into the microcosms. When pooling the results from all microcosms, however, there was no statistically significant positive correlation between CT transformation rate and the concentration of weakly bound Fe(II) or any other mineral species. There was, however, a statistically significant negative correlation between CT transformation rate and the concentration of Cr(II) extractable sulfur (CrES). Evidence from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in a related model system containing a mixture of FeS and pyrite (“aged FeS”) showed that the decline in C...
Light diffusion in multi-layered translucent materials

This paper introduces a shading model for light diffusion in multi-layered translucent materials. Previous work on diffusion in translucent materials has assumed smooth semi-infinite homogeneous materials and solved for the scattering of light using a dipole diffusion approximation. This approximation breaks down in the case of thin translucent slabs and multi-layered materials. We present a new efficient technique based on multiple dipoles to account for diffusion in thin slabs. We enhance this multipole theory to account for mismatching indices of refraction at the top and bottom of of translucent slabs, and to model the effects of rough surfaces. To model multiple layers, we extend this single slab theory by convolving the diffusion profiles of the individual slabs. We account for multiple scattering between slabs by using a variant of Kubelka-Munk theory in frequency space. Our results demonstrate diffusion of light in thin slabs and multi-layered materials such as paint, paper, and human skin.
Selection of bacterial mutants of increased sensitivity to aminopterin.

SOME understanding of the cellular responses which modify the effectiveness of growth-inhibitors can be gained by the study of closely related populations of microbial or mammalian cells differing in degree of sensitivity to a drug. Microbial cell lines resistant to antibiotics and antimetabolites can be developed readily by the selection of cells capable of surviving in the presence of increasing concentrations of such drugs1. Similar selection of drug-resistant neoplastic cells has been accomplished both in vivo 2 and in vitro 3. Occasionally the development of resistance to one drug is accompanied by changes which confer an increased sensitivity to a different agent, a finding applicable to both microbial4 and neoplastic cells2,5. The physiological mechanisms and metabolic systems associated with any increased effectiveness of drugs are of vital concern, but have received little attention because of the technical difficulty of directing the selection towards an increased, rather than decreased, responsiveness to a drug if that drug is used as the selecting agent. This communication concerns the reproducible selection in the absence of the drug of bacterial mutants of increased sensitivity to a folic acid antagonist (‘Aminopterin’).
Antimuscarinic therapy – what is new?

As overactive bladder (OAB) is highly prevalent and greatly impacts quality of life (QoL), effective therapeutic options are a welcome addition to the treatment algorithm. Recent evidence suggests that newer antimuscarinic agents are not only superior to placebo in the treatment of OAB, but may also have a role in treating OAB in the elderly and improve nocturia and sleep quality. While most adverse events (AEs) exceed those of placebo, cessation of therapy is infrequent.
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis

Clinicians have traditionally regarded the complications of atherosclerosis as a consequence of progressive arterial stenosis leading to critical narrowings that impede blood flow. Our contemporary understanding of the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis has undergone a transformation based on a body of observations by pathologists and clinicians. In the late 1980s, clinicians had to confront the counterintuitive notion that plaques that cause acute myocardial infarction often do not produce high-grade stenoses (Smith, S. C., Jr. 1996. Risk-reduction therapy: the challenge to change. Circulation. 93: 2205–2211.). Observations from serial angiographic studies and on culprit lesions of acute myocardial infarction postthrombolysis highlighted this apparent paradox. These contrarian clinical findings prompted cardiologists to consider more carefully the findings of generations of pathologists that plaques that cause fatal coronary thrombi often result from a physical disruption of the atheromatous plaque that may not indeed cause critical arterial narrowing. This convergence of clinical and pathological observations highlighted the importance of understanding the mechanisms of disruption of plaques that can precipitate thromboses.
An empirical verification of Mednick’s associative theory of creativity

According to Mednick’s (1962) theory of creativity, high-creative (HC) persons have flatter associative hierarchies than low-creative (LC) persons. The implication is that HC Ss should show less difference in the learning of strong and weak associates than LC Ss. To test this, 30 Ss were given a PA list with both strongly and weakly associated stimulus-response pairs, followed by a test of creativity. The results supported Mednick’s hypothesis: HC Ss showed less of a learning difference between strong and weak pairs than did LC Ss.
GAMMA-RADIATION-INDUCED POLYMERIZATION OF ETHYLENE.

The kineties and product characteristics of the Co60 gamma-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene have been studied as a function of pressure, radiation intensity, and temperature. Experiments were carried out under conditions which ranged in pressure from 170 to 1360 atm., in temperature from 20° to 200°C., and in radiation intensity from 5.8 × 1014 to 8.5 × 105 rad./hr. Activation energies of 0.2 and 14.5 kcal./mole were determined for the temperature ranges 20° to 100°C and 120° to 200°C., respectively. Empirical relationships for the rate of polymerization and the radiation yield for the range of pressure and radiation intensity studied and for temperatures between 20 and 100°C., are as follows: Q = (1.39 ± 0.37) × 10−8e−200/RTp2.7I0.5; G = (3.50 ± 0.95)e−200RTp2.5I−0.5, where Q = polymerization rate, g./l.-hr., G = radiation yield, molecules/100 e.v., P = pressure, atm., and I = radiation intensity, rad./hr. The 0.5 power dependence of the intensity on rate indicates a free radical mechanism. The polymers produced over the entire range of conditions were found to be completely soluble. Densities ranged from 0.95 g./cc. for material formed at 20°C. to 0.91 g./cc. for material formed at 120°C. The weight average molecular weight decreased from 1.5 × 1016 to 4.7 × 104 over the same temperature range. The molecular weight was found to increase with pressure and with decreasing radiation intensity. All polymers formed at temperatures below 120°C. had a melt index of < 0.06 g./10 min.
The Alternative Oxidase of Plant Mitochondria Is Involved in the Acclimation of Shoot Growth at Low Temperature. A Study of Arabidopsis AOX1a Transgenic Plants

The alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway of plant mitochondria uncouples respiration from mitochondrial ATP production and may ameliorate plant performance under stressful environmental conditions, such as cold temperatures, by preventing excess accumulation of reactive oxygen species. We tested this model in whole tissues by growing AtAOX1a-transformed Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants at 12°C. For the first time, to our knowledge, in plants genetically engineered for AOX, we identified a vegetative shoot growth phenotype. Compared with wild type at day 21 after sowing, anti-sense and overexpressing lines showed, on average, 27% reduced leaf area and 25% smaller rosettes versus 30% increased leaf area and 33% larger rosette size, respectively. Lines overexpressing a mutated, constitutively active AOX1a showed smaller phenotypic effects. These phenotypic differences were not the result of a major alteration of the tissue redox state because the changes in levels of lipid peroxidation products, reflecting oxidative damage, and the expression of genes encoding antioxidant and electron transfer chain redox enzymes did not correspond with the shoot phenotypes. However, the observed phenotypes were correlated with the amount of total shoot anthocyanin at low temperature and with the transcription of the flavonoid pathway genes PAL1 and CHS. These results demonstrate that (1) AOX activity plays a role in shoot acclimation to low temperature in Arabidopsis, and that (2) AOX not only functions to prevent excess reactive oxygen species formation in whole tissues under stressful environmental conditions but also affects metabolism through more pervasive effects, including some that are extramitochondrial.
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human brain: applications to normal white matter, chronic infarction, and MRI white matter signal hyperintensities

A modified ISIS method, for image-selected localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS), was used to determine the ratios and T2 relaxation times of proton metabolites in normal subjects and in patients with chronic infarction and MRI white matter signal hyperintensities (WMSH). First, in patients with cerebral infarctions, increased concentrations of lactate were found in the majority of patients, and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) was reduced to a significantly greater extent than choline (Cho) or creatine (Cre). For TE = 270 ms, the raw ratios of Cho/NAA, Cre/NAA, and Lac/NAA were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased from 0.23 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- SE), 0.20 +/- 0.01, and 0.05 +/- 0.01, respectively in the normal group to 0.39 +/- 0.08, 0.37 +/- 0.05, and 0.48 +/- 0.15 in the stroke group. Also, the T2 relaxation time of creatine was significantly (P = 0.007) increased from 136 ms in normal white matter to 171 ms in cerebral infarcts. Second, in patients with WMSH, no significant change of the proton metabolite concentrations could be detected with the exception of the choline which was significantly (P = 0.003) altered. The Cho/NAA ratio, after T2 and excitation profile correction, increased from 0.47 +/- 0.02 in the normal group to 0.64 +/- 0.05 in the WMSH group. Third, in normal white matter, the concentration of N-acetyl aspartate, choline, and lactate was estimated to 11.5, 2.0, and 0.6 mM, respectively, by assuming a total creatine concentration of 10 mM.
The human planning and scheduling role in advanced manufacturing systems: an emerging human factors domain

Advanced manufacturing technology is quickly displacing humans from the factory floor, but relatively little is known about how much responsibility humans should retain over plant operation. Schedu...
CSIEC (computer simulator in educational communication): a virtual context-adaptive chatting partner for foreign language learners

In this paper we present an innovative intelligent Web-based computer-aided instruction system for foreign language learning: CSIEC (computer simulator in educational communication). After short summarizing of the related works we introduce the system goals and the corresponding system framework including the natural language markup language (NLML) to structurally label the grammar elements, natural language object model in Java (NLOMJ) to represent the grammatical elements, natural language database (NLDB) to store the historical discourse, and the communication response mechanism (CR) considering the context, the world model and the personality of the users and of the system itself comprehensively. Then we explain the pedagogical functions of this system in the learning of English as a foreign language, i.e. syntactically and semantically analyzing the English sentences given from the users via Internet, and synchronously, reasonably and adaptively responding to the users.
Conversion of Rare Grassy Openings to Forest: Have These Areas Lost Their Conservation Value?

ABSTRACT: Grassy openings have a high conservation value because they provide habitat for a number of rare and endemic species and contribute to landscape level biodiversity. However, these communities are at risk because tree encroachment causes the conversion of grassy openings into closed-canopy forest. Many land managers have taken an active position in maintaining these openings by introducing disturbances such as fire, grazing, or mowing to slow or halt the invasion of tree species. The objective of this study was to trace the closure of grassy openings, in the absence of active management, and identify whether the forest that developed was unique in tree and shrub composition and structure or whether it mirrored the surrounding forest matrix. Our study site was an area with historical grassy openings visible on a 1937 aerial photograph. We sampled the vegetation in these former openings, now closed-canopy forest, and compared them with paired plots on similar aspects and elevations but forested in ...
Systemic human CD34(+) cells populate the brain and activate host mechanisms to counteract nigrostriatal degeneration.

Aim: Here we investigated the neuroprotective potential of systemic CD34+ human cord blood cells (hCBCs) in a 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson's disease. Methods: Purified CD34+ hCBCs were intravenously administered to rats subjected to 6-hydroxydopamine 24 h earlier, and behavioral and immunohistological analysis performed. Results: CD34+ hCBC administration significantly prevented host nigrostriatal degeneration inducing behavioral recovery in treated rats. Although donor hCBCs did not differentiate into neural phenotypes, they stimulated the production of new neuroblasts and angiogenesis, and reduced gliosis in recipient animals. Importantly, surviving donor hCBCs were identified, and their tissue distribution pattern correlated with the observed therapeutic effects. Conclusion: Peripherally applied CD34+ hCBCs can migrate into brain tissues and elicit host-based protective mechanisms to support the survival of midbrain dopamine neurons.
Sensory limitations and the maintenance of colour polymorphisms: viewing the ‘alba’ female polymorphism through the visual system of male Colias butterflies

Summary Although colour polymorphisms are a widespread and conspicuous component of extant biodiversity, the selective pressures that act to maintain multiple morphs within populations remain poorly understood in most cases. In particular, the role that visual system limitations may play in maintaining multiple colour morphs is not well explored. We used a female-limited colour polymorphism common to the butterfly genus Colias, called the ‘alba’ polymorphism, to investigate the hypotheses that mate-searching males may struggle to discriminate pale ‘alba’ females from co-occurring heterospecific white butterflies and/or heterospecific ‘alba’ females, or that ‘alba’ females may be more difficult to detect than non‘alba’ females in natural scenes. Such perceptual limitations may influence the relative mating rates of ‘alba’ versus non‘alba’ females, contributing to the evolutionary persistence of both morphs. Based on receptor-noise-limited modelling of the male Colias visual system, we find that ‘alba’ females exhibit chromatic and luminance contrasts against background foliage that are most similar to the ‘alba’ females of other co-occurring Colias species and females of the co-occurring white butterfly Pieris rapae. When compared to other co-flying butterflies including non‘alba’ females, ‘alba’ females are consistently lower in chromatic contrast against background, but higher in luminance contrast. When viewed side-by-side, we estimate that male Colias should be able to discriminate ‘alba’ females from other co-occurring heterospecific butterflies, including heterospecific ‘albas’. However, under field conditions that involve larger distances in space or time, males are likely to face challenges discriminating between conspecific ‘alba’ females and co-occurring heterospecific white butterflies, particularly heterospecific ‘alba’ females. Our results suggest that constraints arising from male visual function may be involved in the maintenance of this colour polymorphism, particularly in populations that co-occur with other ‘alba’-polymorphic Colias species. We argue that such visual system constraints may play a larger role in the maintenance of colour polymorphism than has been empirically appreciated to date.
Renal involvement by Rosai-Dorfman disease: CT findings.

Rosai–Dorfman disease is a rare disease characterized histologically by proliferation of histiocytes and has clinical features suggestive of a lymphomalike disease. Lymph nodes and extranodal sites might be involved, but renal involvement is rare. We present computed tomographic findings in three cases of renal involvement by Rosai–Dorfman disease. Two cases showed renal hilar masses and one case showed subcapsular hypodense infiltration. Renal involvement by Rosai–Dorfman disease has a characteristic appearance and should be included in the differential diagnosis of renal hilar masses or subcapsular hypodense infiltration.
Electrochemical oxidation of H2 catalyzed by ruthenium hydride complexes bearing P2N2 ligands with pendant amines as proton relays

Two Ru hydride complexes, Cp*Ru(PPh2NBn2)H (1-H) and Cp*Ru(PtBu2NBn2)H (2-H) supported by cyclic PR2NR′2 ligands (Cp* = η5-C5Me5; PR2NBn2 = 1,5-dibenzyl,-3,7-R-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane, where R = Ph or tBu) have been developed as electrocatalysts for oxidation of H2 (1.0 atm, 22 °C). The turnover frequency of 2-H is 1.2 s−1 at 22 °C (1.0 atm H2) with an overpotential at Ecat/2 of 0.5 V in the presence of exogenous base, DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), while catalysis by 1-H has a turnover frequency of 0.6 s−1 and an overpotential of 0.6 V at Ecat/2. Addition of H2O facilitates oxidation of H2 by 2-H and increases its turnover frequency to 1.9 s−1, while H2O slows down the catalysis by 1-H. In addition, studies of Cp*Ru(dmpm)H (where dmpm = bis(dimethylphosphino)methane), a control complex lacking pendent amines in its diphosphine ligand, confirms the critical roles of the pendant amines of the P2N2 ligands as proton relays in the oxidation of H2.
Stillborn chrysalis: reflections on the fate of national culture in neoliberal Zambia

In this article I use the analysis of a Zambian on-line magazine to explore the problems and limits of nationalism in neoliberal times. The magazine, Chrysalis, was a bold attempt by a group of young, educated, cosmopolitan elites to craft a new Zambian nationalism for the information age. The discussions that unfolded in the magazine illustrate some of the difficulties in creating national culture and nationalist discourses of legitimation under conditions of neoliberalism.
Objectively measured physical activity in obese women with and without migraine

AimThe aim of this article is to cross-sectionally compare objectively measured physical activity (PA) levels and their association with migraine characteristics in obese women with and without migraine.MethodsObese women seeking weight loss treatment were divided into migraine (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups matched by age and body mass index (BMI). Participants wore the SenseWear Armband monitor for seven days to objectively evaluate daily light-(LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). Migraine diagnosis was confirmed by a neurologist using ICHD-3-beta criteria. Migraine characteristics were tracked daily using a smartphone-based diary over a four-week period immediately preceding the objective PA assessment.ResultsMigraine participants spent 57.9 fewer minutes/day in LPA (141.1 ± 56.4 vs. 199.1 ± 87.7, p = 0.019) and 24.5 fewer minutes/day in MVPA (27.8 ± 17.0 vs. 52.3 ± 26.0, p < 0.001), compared to controls. Migraine participants reported 4.8 ± 3.1 migraine days/month (mean duration =...
Measurement of a baseline minute ventilation for the calculation of minute ventilation recovery time: is a subjective method reliable?

BACKGROUND: Minute ventilation recovery time is a new predictor of extubation outcome that uses a subjective method for the determination of baseline minute ventilation (VE) during its measurement. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of this subjective method for determining baseline VE. METHODS: Three critical-care physicians served as independent readers. Each was trained with 5 practice VE trends, using the published method for determining baseline VE, defined as the lowest, stable nadir lasting 15–30 min prior to the final weaning trial before extubation. Readers then determined baseline VE prospectively from an 8-hour VE trend for 19 patients who were weaning from mechanical ventilation in the surgical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. Each VE trend was an objective recording of VE every 15 min for 8 hours, immediately prior to the final weaning trial before extubation. RESULTS: There was excellent inter-rater reliability between trained readers for determination of a subjective VE baseline. Baseline VE was within 1 L/min for 15/19 patients (79%). Intra-class correlation across the 3 readers was 0.92 (p 0.5), and Spearman correlations between all reader pairs were significant (p CONCLUSION: After minimal training, readers can reliably determine a subjective baseline VE. This study validates the original methodology for determining baseline VE, an essential step in the measurement of minute ventilation recovery time.
Distinct Roles for Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 in the Structure and Production of a Primate Gammaherpesvirus

During their progression from intranuclear capsids to mature trilaminar virions, herpesviruses incorporate an extensive array of viral as well as a smaller subset of cellular proteins. Our laboratory previously reported that rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV), a close homolog of the human pathogen Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is comprised of at least 33 different virally encoded proteins. In the current study, we found that RRV infection activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and nascent virions preferentially incorporated the activated form of ERK2 (pERK2) into the tegument. This was evident even in the face of greatly diminished stores of intracellular ERK2, suggesting a clear bias toward the incorporation of pERK2 into the RRV particle. Similar to earlier findings with KSHV, activation of ERK was essential for the production of lytic viral proteins and virions. Knockdown of intracellular ERK, however, failed to inhibit virus production, likely due to maintenance of residual pools of intracellular pERK2. Paradoxically, selective knockdown of ERK1 enhanced virion production nearly 5-fold and viral titers more than 10-fold. These data are the first to implicate ERK1 as a negative regulator of lytic replication in a herpesvirus and the first to demonstrate the incorporation of an activated signaling molecule within a herpesvirus. Together, the results further our understanding of how herpesviruses interact with host cells during infection and demonstrate how this family of viruses can exploit cellular signal transduction pathways to modulate their own replication.
Reliability performance of ETOX based flash memories

The reliability performance of a 64 K flash memory based on a single-transistor, floating-gate memory cell is considered. The reliability performance of these memories, before program/erase cycling, matches that of UV EPROMs. Cycling generally does not introduce defect-related failures common to some EEPROMs. However, it may aggravate two intrinsic instabilities found in the UV EPROM (intrinsic charge loss and the DC program disturb mechanism). Experience shows that these are related effects caused by injection of holes during the erase step of the cycle. High source-to-substrate electric fields, during erase, generate these holes. Channel hot electron injection, for programming, plays no significant role in the observed degradation. These cycling effects can be addressed through incorporation of additional margin into the flash cell. Through such cell optimization, the reliability of these memories is made equivalent to that of conventional UV EPROMs, even after hundreds of program/erase cycles. >
Using a Word Processor to Tag and Retrieve Blocks of Text

Sophisticated text management software is currently available for doing thematic or code-based analysis, the principal procedural approach to qualitative data analysis. Such packages allow research...
Approximate counting by sampling the backtrack-free search space

We present a new estimator for counting the number of solutions of a Boolean satisfiability problem as a part of an importance sampling framework. The estimator uses the recently introduced SampleSearch scheme that is designed to overcome the rejection problem associated with distributions having a substantial amount of determinism. We show here that the sampling distribution of SampleSearch can be characterized as the backtrack-free distribution and propose several schemes for its computation. This allows integrating Sample-Search into the importance sampling framework for approximating the number of solutions and also allows using Sample-Search for computing a lower bound measure on the number of solutions. Our empirical evaluation demonstrates the superiority of our new approximate counting schemes against recent competing approaches.
Ex post implementation in environments with private goods

We prove by construction that ex post incentive compatible mechanisms exist in a private goods setting with multi-dimensional signals and interdependent values. The mechanism shares features with the generalized Vickrey auction of onedimensional signal models. The construction implies that for environments with private goods, informational externalities (i.e., interdependent values) are compatible with ex post equilibrium in the presence of multi-dimensional signals.