cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partial antiferromagnetism in spin-chain Sr 5 Rh 4 O 12 , Ca 5 Ir 3 O 12 , and Ca 4 Ir O 6 single crystals

We report a structural, thermodynamic, and transport study of the newly synthesized ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{5}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{4}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$, ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{5}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$, and ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{4}\mathrm{Ir}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ single crystals. These quasi-one-dimensional insulators consist of a triangular lattice of spin chains running along the $c$ axis, and are commonly characterized by a partial antiferromagnetic (AFM) order, a small entropy removal associated with the phase transitions, and a sizable low-temperature specific heat linearly proportional to temperature. ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{5}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{4}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ is antiferromagnetically ordered below $23\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ with strong evidence for an Ising character. Isothermal magnetization of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{5}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{4}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ exhibits two steplike transitions leading to a ferrimagnetic state at $2.4\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{T}$ and a ferromagnetic state at $4.8\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{T}$, respectively. ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{5}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ and ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{4}\mathrm{Ir}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ are also antiferromagnetically ordered below 7.8 and $12\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, respectively, and show an unusually large ratio of the Curie-Weiss temperature to the N\'eel temperature. In particular, ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{5}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$, which includes both ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{4+}$ and ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{5+}$ ions, reveals that only $S=1∕2$ spins of the ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{4+}$ ions are involved in the magnetic ordering, whereas $S=1$ spins of the ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{5+}$ ions remain disordered. All results suggest the presence of a geometrical frustration that causes incomplete long-range AFM order in these quasi-one-dimensional compounds.
Paths to a Future for Youth in Protracted Refugee Situations: A View from the Thai-Burmese Border

As youth in protracted refugee situations reach adulthood, the challenges of providing education to them have increased. Along the Thai-Burmese border, some creative approaches are being taken in order to respond to their needs. This article describes four programs, each with a different character. Although available to relatively few, they demonstrate some roles that civil society, and in particular educators and educational institutions, can play in delivering or in ensuring access to higher education for refugee youth living in protracted situations. Most critical are creativity, flexibility, and respectful collaboration betwee neducators and both refugee and host communities.
Direct-path mitigation for ground-based RF tomography

A direct-path mitigation algorithm for ground-based Radio Frequency Tomography is presented. From measured data in frequency domain, the direct-path is isolated, characterized, and removed only through post processing. Simulations and experimental data are provided for performance and limitation analyses.
Studies on the mechanism of castanospermine inhibition of α- and β-glucosidases

Castanospermine (1,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyoctahydroindolizine) is an indolizidine alkaloid that was isolated from the Australian plant, Castanospermum australe. This alkaloid was found to be a potent inhibitor of lysosomal α- and β-glucosidases. In this report, the mechanism of inhibition of amyloglucosidase (an exo-1,4-α-glucosidase) and almond emulsin β-glucosidase was examined. Castanospermine proved to be a competitive inhibitor of amyloglucosidase at both pH 4.5 and 6.0 when assayed with the p-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucoside. It was also a competitive inhibitor of almond emulsin β-glucosidase at pH 6.5, but in this case previous studies had shown that inhibition was of the mixed type at pH 4.5 to 5.0. Th pH of the incubation mixture had a marked effect on the inhibition. Thus, in all cases, castanospermine was a much better inhibitor at pH 6.0 to 6.5 than it was at lower pH values. The pK for castanospermine was found to be 6.09, indicating that the alkaloid was probably more active in the unprotonated form. This was also suggested by the fact that the N-oxide of castanospermine, while still a competitive inhibitor, was 50 to 100 times less active than was castanospermine, and its activity was not markedly altered by pH. These results probably explain why castanospermine is a good inhibitor of the glycoprotein processing enzyme, glucosidase I, since this is a neutral enzyme.
An Evaluation of Neutron and Gamma-Ray-Production Cross-Section Data for Lead

Abstract A survey was made of the available information on neutron and gamma-ray-production cross-section measurements of lead. From these and from relevant nuclear-structure information on the Pb isotopes, we prepared recommended neutron cross-section data sets for lead covering the neutron energy range from 0.00001 eV to 20.0 MeV. The cross sections are derived from experimental results available to February 1972 and from calculations based on optical-model, DWBA, and Hauser-Feshbach theories. Comparisons which show good agreement between theoretical and experimental values are displayed in a number of graphs. Also presented graphically are smoothed total cross sections, Legendre coefficients for angular distributions, and a representative energy distribution of gamma rays from resonance capture.
Proteomic profiling of a high-producing Chinese hamster ovary cell culture.

The productivity of mammalian cell culture expression systems is critically important to the production of biopharmaceuticals. In this study, a high-producing Chinese hamster ovary cell culture which was transfected with the apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-XL gene was compared to a low-producing control that was not transfected. Shotgun proteomics was used to compare the high and low-producing fed-batch cell cultures at different growth time points. The goals of this study were twofold; it would be of value to find a biomarker that could predict cell lines with higher growth efficiency and to gain mechanistic insights into the effects of the introduction of a foreign gene that is known to have growth regulating properties in human cells. A total of 392 proteins were identified in this study, and 32 of these proteins were determined to be differentially expressed. In the high-producing cell culture, several proteins related to protein metabolism were upregulated, such as eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 ...
Gamma knife radiosurgery for pituitary adenoma: early results.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, garnma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has emerged as an important treatment modality in the management of pituitary adenomas. Treatment results after performing {fi GKRS and the complications of this procedure are reviewed. results after performing GKRS and the complications of this procedure are reviewed. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2002, a total of 78 patiets with pitultary adenomas underwent a total of 84 GKRS procedures in our medical center. This patient group comprised 46 men (59%) and 32 women (41%). All patients were treated for recurrent or residual disease after surgery or radiotherapy, with 83% presenting with extensive tumor involvment. The cavernous sinus was involved to 75 patients (96%), and 22 patients (28%) had hormone-secreting adenomas. This latter subset of patients included 12 prolactinomas (15%), 6 growth-hormone secreting tumors (8%), and 4 adtenocorticotropic. hormone-secreting tumors (8%). The median tumox volume was 2.3 cm 3 , and the median radiation dose was 15 Gy defined to the 50% isodose line. The mean and median follow-up periods were 41 and 36 months, respectively. RESULTS: GKRS was tolerated well in these patients, acute toxicity was uncommon and of no clinical significance. Late toxicity was noted in three patients (4%) and consisted of Vit cranial nerve palay, In two patients, there was sportar resolotion of this palsy, and in one patient, it persisted for the etire 3-year deration of follow up. Of the 15 patients who presented with cranial nerve dysfonction (53%) experienced complete recovery and 3 (20%) showed major improvement within 12 months of therapy. Tumor volume reduction was slow, with 30% of patients showing decreased tumor volume more than 3 years after undergoing GKRS. None of the 56 patients with monfunctioning tumors showed progression in the treated volume, and 4 (18%) of the 22 hormone-secreting tumors relapsed (P = 0.008). Of the four patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting adenomas, therapy failed in two of them. All six patients with growth hormone-producing tumors responded well to therapy. Of the 12 patients with prolactiomas 10 (83%) had ormalization of hormone level and 2 patients experienced increasing prolactin level. Two patients with prolactinomas had three normal pregnancies after undergoing GKRS. CONCLUSION: GKRS is a sate and effective therapy in selected patients with pituitary adenomas. None of the patients in our study experienced injury to the optic apperatus. A cadiation dose higher than 15 Gy is probably needed to improve control of hormone-secreting adenomas. Longer follow-up is required for a more complete assessment of late toxicity and treatment efficacy.
Glucose binding by intestinal brush borders of rats.

Abstract 1. 1. Experiments using both membrane and gel filtration techniques demonstrated that rat intestinal brush borders bind d -glucose in preference to l -glucose and mannitol. Neither nonspecific binding to protein nor uptake by bacterial contaminants explained our results as we could not demonstrate binding to liver homogenate, but did find uptake by brush borders from germ free rats. 2. 2. Binding exhibited saturation kinetics, temperature dependence and a small, but significant stimulation by sodium; it was inhibited by galactose and by phlorizin. These findings suggest that this specific uptake of d -glucose by brush borders is related to intestinal glucose absorption.
Combined TMR and Mitral Valve Replacement via Left Thoracotomy

Transmyocardial laser revascularization is an emerging technique for treatment of patients with coronary artery disease not amenable to standard revascularization by either percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting. Transmyocardial laser revascularization is typically performed as an isolated procedure on the beating heart, although it has been performed as an adjunct to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting in nongraftable territories. We report the use of transmyocardial laser revascularization in combination with mitral valve replacement via a left lateral thoracotomy for treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation.
Behavioral changes and [123I]IBZM equilibrium SPECT measurement of amphetamine-induced dopamine release in rhesus monkeys exposed to subchronic amphetamine.

Previously we have shown that twelve weeks of repeated low-dose d-amphetamine (AMPH) exposure in rhesus monkeys induces a long-lasting enhancement of behavioral responses to acute low-dose challenge. The present study was designed to investigate the behavioral and neurochemical consequences of a six-week regimen of low-dose AMPH exposure (0.1–1.0 mg/kg, i.m., b.i.d.) in rhesus monkeys. SPECT imaging of AMPH's (0.4 mg/kg) ability to displace [123I]IBZM bound to D2 dopamine receptors in the striatum of saline control and AMPH-treated animals prior to and following chronic treatment was accomplished using a bolus/constant infusion paradigm. Following chronic AMPH treatment, all monkeys showed an enhanced behavioral response to acute AMPH challenge and a significant decrease in the percent of AMPH-induced displacement of [123I]IBZM in striatum compared to their pretreatment scans. These findings suggest that relatively small changes in presynaptic dopamine function may be reflected in significant alterations in the behavioral response to acute AMPH challenge.
Seasonal changes in thyroid and reproductive steroid hormones in female channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in pond culture

Abstract Mature female channel catfish in pond culture in Texas were sampled monthly throughout 1 year to characterize changes occurring in ovarian histology and plasma concentrations of reproductive steroid and thyroid hormones. Oocyte growth, measured by oocyte diameter and gonadosomatic index, was initiated in the fall and continued until the time of spawning in May. Plasma estradiol and testosterone were lowest immediately after spawning and increased in the fall in association with the initiation of vitellogenesis. Both hormones showed significant increases in February; estradiol then remained elevated in prespawning animals, whereas testosterone returned to levels found in the fall. Increased plasma estradiol was accompanied by oocyte growth and preceded increases in plasma alkali-labile protein phosphorus, an indicator of circulating vitellogenin, supporting a role for estradiol in regulating vitellogenesis in channel catfish. A significant increase in the concentrations of both thyroxine and triiodothyronine occurred in February, coincident with the steroid hormone peak, indicating that endocrine interactions between thyroid activity and reproduction may be occurring at this time. A second peak in thyroid hormones occurred in the summer, unrelated to reproductive state and coincident with the period of maximum water temperature and weight gain, suggesting that in this species thyroid activation may also accompany periods of maximum anabolic activity.
Being in Numenius and Plotinus Some Points of Comparison

In his Vita Plotini (17,1-6), Porphyry tells us that "when the people from Greece began to say that Plotinus was appropriating the ideas of Numenius, and Trypho the Stoic and Platonist told Amelius, the latter wrote a book to which we gave the title 'On the Difference between the Doctrines of Plotinus and Numenius' "(trans. Armstrong). Whilst this evidence cautions us against making rapprochements between Plotinus and Numenius which overlook the differences between their respective doctrines, it also encourages us to compare these doctrines, and research has in fact brought to light Numenian material in the Enneads of Plotinus. Without going into a discussion of the results of this research1, this article will propose further possible points of comparison, with respect in particular to certain accounts of true Being in Plotinus and Numenius, and suggest that these might provide additional indications of Numenian influence in Plotinus' thought. The accouilt of Being given by Plotinus in Enneads VI 4, ch. 2 and VI 5, ch. 3 will first be examined, in relation in particular to the use made in these texts of Plato's Parmenides. A comparison will then be proposed between an aspect of the Plotinian account and Being as described by Numenius, this leading to a brief discussion of the possibility that Numenius may not only have influenced the account of Being given in Enneads VI 4 and 5, but may also have provided a precedent to Plotinus' use of the Parmenides in these works.
Spectroscopic characterization of collagen cross-links in bone.

Collagen is the most abundant protein of the organic matrix in mineralizing tissues. One of its most critical properties is its cross-linking pattern. The intermolecular cross-linking provides the fibrillar matrices with mechanical properties such as tensile strength and viscoelasticity. In this study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and FTIR imaging (FTIRI) analyses were performed in a series of biochemically characterized samples including purified collagen cross-linked peptides, demineralized bovine bone collagen from animals of different ages, collagen from vitamin B6-deficient chick homogenized bone and their age- and sex-matched controls, and histologically stained thin sections from normal human iliac crest biopsy specimens. One region of the FTIR spectrum of particular interest (the amide I spectral region) was resolved into its underlying components. Of these components, the relative percent area ratio of two subbands at approximately 1660 cm(-1) and approximately 1690 cm(-1) was related to collagen cross-links that are abundant in mineralized tissues (i.e., pyridinoline [Pyr] and dehydrodihydroxylysinonorleucine [deH-DHLNL]). This study shows that it is feasible to monitor Pyr and DHLNL collagen cross-links spatial distribution in mineralized tissues. The spectroscopic parameter established in this study may be used in FTIRI analyses, thus enabling the calculation of relative Pyr/DHLNL amounts in thin (approximately 5 microm) calcified tissue sections with a spatial resolution of approximately 7 microm.
Arabidopsis peroxidase AtPRX53 influences cell elongation and susceptibility to Heterodera schachtii

Cyst nematodes establish and maintain feeding sites (syncytia) in the roots of host plants by altering expression of host genes. Among these genes are members of the large gene family of class III peroxidases, which have reported functions in a variety of biological processes. In this study, we used Arabidopsis-Heterodera schachtii as a model system to functionally characterize peroxidase 53 (AtPRX53). Promoter assays showed that under non-infected conditions AtPRX53 is expressed mainly in the root, the hypocotyl and the base of the pistil. Under infected conditions, the AtPRX53 promoter showed upregulation at the nematode penetration sites and in their migration paths. Interestingly, strong GUS activity was observed in H. schachtii-induced syncytia during the early stage of infection and remained strong in the syncytia of third-stage juveniles. Also, AtPRX53 showed upregulation in response to wounding and jasmonic acid treatments. Manipulation of AtPRX53 expression through overexpression and knockout mutation affected both plant morphology and nematode susceptibility. While AtPRX53 overexpression lines exhibited short hypocotyls, aberrant flower development and reduced nematode susceptibility to H. schachtii, the atprx53 mutant showed long hypocotyls and a 3-carpel silique phenotype as well as a non significant increase of nematode susceptibility. Taken together these data, therefore, indicate diverse roles of AtPRX53 in the wound response, flower development and syncytium formation.
Quail Fetal Antigen (QFA): Identification and comparison with chicken fetal antigen

Quail fetal antigen (QFA), an analogous hematopoietic antigen to chicken fetal antigen (CFA), was identified and shown to be a developmental antigen on the blood cells of Japanese quail and other avian species. Rabbit antiserum against 14-day embryonic quail red blood cells (RBCs) was specifically adsorbed to achieve fetal specificity and to eliminate any cross reactivity with the CFA system. Complement-mediated microcytotoxicity and hemagglutination assays were used to detect the presence of QFA on hematopoietic cells. QFA was found on 100% of the peripheral RBCs from 10-day quail embryos but incidence of the antigen gradually declined with increasing development. Complete loss of QFA from RBCs occurred just prior to sexual maturation between 31 and 42 days of age. No qualitative differences in erythroid expression of QFA were observed during development; however, RBCs from both embryonic duck and interspecific quail- chicken hybrids reacted with R-anti QFA. Like CFA, quail fetal antigen was associated with lymphocytes, particularly those from primary lymphoid organs. Similarities in the developmentally controlled tissue distribution of QFA and CFA suggest that developmental hematopoietic antigens are a common feature of avian species and are useful cell surface markers for studies of development and differentiation.
Characterization of the plasma membrane of Mycoplasma laidlawii. V. Effects of selective removal of protein and lipid.

Abstract Purified plasma membranes of Mycoplasma laidlawii were subjected to proteolytic enzyme digestion and aqueous acetone extraction. Up to 80% membrane protein could be removed by pronase, with a concomitant decrease in density of residual banding material. This membrane residue was still organized in vesicles and showed a decreased thickness and contrast in electron micrographs. Despite degradation of all characteristic membrane proteins (as shown by detergent—polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) some protein fragments were retained in vesicular residues. The amino acid composition of this material was indistinguishable from that of total membrane protein, arguing against any enrichment in hydrophobic protein regions. Membrane hexosamine was not solubilized by pronase or aqueous acetone extraction, and could be substantially purified by combining these techniques. Extraction with 90% aqueous acetone removed over 95% of labeled membrane lipid but left sedimentable, protein-rich membranous material with unit membrane morphology. Such lipid-depleted membranes banded in sucrose gradients at a density of 1.25 g/cm3 as a single narrow band, in contrast to the isopycnic density of 1.17–1.18 g/cm3 for native membranes. At low pronase concentrations, electrophoresis experiments suggested preferential pronase attack on some higher molecular weight membrane proteins; these same electrophoretic components were preferentially released at very low concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate,, indicating differences in the organization of proteins within the membrane. Analysis of membranes labeled with [14C]glucosamine or [14C]oleate by detergent-gel electrophoresis followed by gel fractionation and counting showed that all oleate-containing lipid moved as a single broad band, while glucosamine migrated as two bands, one extremely broad and heterogeneous.
Observations of Microcrystalline Plagioclase Spherulites With the Transmission Electron Microscope

Two thin sections of macroscopic plagioclase spherulites of approximately 1 cm diameter found in a rhyolitic glass have been studied with the transmission electron microscope (TEM). Orientations of the thin sections were chosen to give views down and perpendicular to the major fiber axis. The crystalline fiber phase is high albite microtwinned on the (010) composition plane, elongated in the major growth direction, [001]. Fiber morphology is non-polygonal with an average fiber diameter of 2000 A perpendicular to c*. Fibers are separated by a non-crystalline residuum layer of approximately constant thickness (300–500 A). Microtwinning relationships, as well as selected area diffraction (SAD) patterns, reveal both crystallographic and non-crystallographic branching with the former unexpectedly dominant.
Sulphite adducts of cyclic monoterpene ketones

Abstract Structures of sulphite addition products of some cyclic monoterpene ketones with Na 2 SO 3 and/or NaHSO 3 were studied. The conjugated enones reacted with Na 2 SO 3 and gave 1,4-addition products. The non-conjugated compounds did not react with Na 2 SO 3 . NaHSO 3 made radical additions to non-conjugated olefinic bonds. On the other hand, ketones having no olefinic bond did not form addition products. 1,4-addition products underwent a reverse reaction when alkali was added but the radical addition product was stable towards alkali and did not undergo reverse reaction.
The ABCs of evidence-based practice: Integrating evidence-based practice into associate degree nursing curriculum

Abstract Evidence-based practice is an expectation of all health care practitioners. Associate degree nurses are no exception. Associate degree nursing students currently have little to no exposure as to how to integrate research into their practice. This article describes a course created and implemented to bring this knowledge to associate degree nursing students at their specified level of mandated competency.
Spirituality and Dream Work in Counseling: Clients’ Experiences

The authors suggest that focusing on dreams in counseling may be a useful framework to explore clients’ spiritual values and beliefs. Because little is known about how spirituality and dream work are integrated in practice, the purpose of this article is to document how some counselors and clients work on spirituality and dreams. Responses of clients who focused on dreams from a spiritual perspective are described and discussed. Relevant clinical issues that counselors may encounter are identified. Recommendations are made for counselors who wish to integrate spirituality and dream work in counseling.
Intercomparison of nocturnal mixing height estimate methods for urban air pollution modelling

Abstract One of the most important meteorological input parameters for three-dimensional photochemical air pollution models is the mixing height h , which has a strong influence on the shape and intensity of the vertical diffusivity K z and, as a consequence, on ground-level air concentrations of primary and secondary pollutants. A number of indirect algorithms for the estimate of h in nocturnal, stable conditions, when the mixing is dominated by mechanical turbulence, are reviewed and compared with mixing heights derived from wind (SODAR) and temperature (RASS) profiles measured in the Milan urban area during spring and summer 1996. Mixing heights derived from temperature soundings correlate positively with those derived from wind soundings only when a stable layer is superimposed to a quasi-adiabatic layer, while the correlation is very weak in the presence of a ground-based inversion. In general, indirect algorithms perform very poorly if compared with RASS-based estimates, and reasonably well if compared with SODAR-based estimates. Among the others, Benkley and Schulman (1979, Journal of Applied Meteorology 18, 772–780) method, which makes use of wind speed observed at 10 m height, and Nieuwstadt (1984, Boundary-Layer Meteorology 30, 31–55), which makes use of friction velocity and Monin–Obukhov length, give the best results.
Investigation of the Effects of Altered Receptor Binding Activity on the Clearance of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Proteins: Nonerythropoietin Receptor-Mediated Pathways may Play a Major Role

Erythropoietin (EPO) receptor-mediated endocytosis and degradation in the bone marrow has been hypothesized to be the major clearance pathway of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA). We investigated the role of this pathway in ESA clearance by determining the pharmacokinetic profiles after intravenous (IV) dosing in rats and mice of recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) and rHuEPO derivatives with different receptor binding activities and biochemical properties. These derivatives included NM385 (no detectable receptor binding activity), hyperglycosylated analogs with different carbohydrate contents and receptor binding activities; (NM294: +1 carbohydrate chain; darbepoetin alfa: +2 carbohydrate chains) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives (PEG-darbepoetin alfa, PEG-rHuEPO and PEG-NM385). After IV administration in rats, NM385 had a mean clearance (CL) similar to rHuEPO. Hyperglycosylated ESAs, compared with rHuEPO, had a progressively longer half-life (t(1/2)) and a progressively slower CL with increasing number of carbohydrates or amount of added PEG that correlated more closely with carbohydrate and/or PEG content than receptor binding activity. Taken together, these results suggest that (1) EPO receptor-independent pathway(s) play a substantial role in ESA clearance; (2) the longer half-life and reduced clearance of hyperglycosylated and/or PEGylated ESAs are primarily the result of decreased susceptibility to receptor-independent elimination mechanisms.
Synovial fluid gelatinase concentrations and matrix metalloproteinase and cytokine expression in naturally occurring joint disease in horses.

OBJECTIVES To determine concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in synovial fluid; and mRNA expression of MMP-1, -13, and -3; interleukin[IL]-1alpha and beta; and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in synovial membrane and articular cartilage from horses with naturally occurring joint disease. SAMPLE POPULATION Synovial fluid (n = 76), synovial membrane (59), and articular cartilage (45) from 5 clinically normal horses and 55 horses with joint disease categorized as traumatic (acute [AT] or chronic [CT]), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), or septic (S). PROCEDURE Synovial fluid gelatinase concentrations were analyzed, using zymography. Synovial membrane and articular cartilage mRNA expression for MMP-1, -3, and -13, IL-1alpha and beta, TNF-alpha, type-II collagen, and aggrecan were analyzed, using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Synovial fluid pro-MMP-2 concentration was significantly higher in diseased joints than normal joints. Septic joints had significantly higher concentrations of pro and active MMP-9. Stromelysin-1 was expressed in > or = 80% of synovial membrane and articular cartilage samples and was strongly influenced by age. Collagenases were rarely expressed, with MMP-13 expressed only in diseased joints. Interleukin-1beta expression was significantly higher in all OCD samples and was influenced by age. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression was significantly higher in cartilage from joints with AT and OCD. There was no correlation between MMP or cytokines and type-II collagen or aggrecan expression. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -3 are abundant in naturally occurring joint disease and normal joints. Interleukin-1beta and TNF-alpha may be important in the pathogenesis of OCD. Age affects MMP and IL-1beta concentrations.
OUTPUT AND PRICES IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON PROJECT

In this paper we discuss a few of the problems that have been encountered in defining output and in comparing prices for the International Comparison Project (ICP). We report also on the way in which these problems are being met. The ICP has for its purpose the establishment of a systematic set of procedures for making international comparisons of gross domestic product (GDP) and of the purchasing power of currencies. Substantive work on comparisons involving Colombia, the European Economic Community (EEC), Hungary, India, Japan, Kenya, the United Kingdom and the United States is also being carried on with the aid of the statistical services of the countries and of the EEC. It is hoped to expand the comparisons beyond these countries as rapidly as possible.
A METTL3-METTL14 complex mediates mammalian nuclear RNA N6-adenosine methylation

Certain adenosine residues within mammalian RNAs undergo reversible N6 methylation. Two methyltransferase enzymes, METTL3 and METTL14, as well as the splicing factor WTAP are identified as core components of the multiprotein complex that deposits RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in nuclear RNAs.
Evaluating optical properties of isolated biological scatterers from confocal and low-coherence images

In biomedical optics applications, the scattering of light by biological tissue is typically mimicked by embedding microparticles such as polystyrene microspheres or TiO2 within a non-scattering matrix. Such particles are well structured and give rise to uniform optical scattering properties. However, typical biological scatterers are seldom well-organized nor uniformly sized. In this work, we sought to characterize the scattering properties from particles common to many tissues such as collagen fibers, cells, and lipids. These purified particles were suspended and sandwiched between 2 glass cover slips to form disposable phantoms. The phantoms were imaged by optical coherence tomography and reflectance-mode confocal microscopy. From the images, the attenuation and reflectivity of the sample were evaluated by fitting the depth-dependent signal from specified regions of the image to a theoretical model. The fitted attenuation and reflectivity were used to deduce a distribution of local values of the scattering coefficient and anisotropy factor for each phantom. The measured optical properties at the 2 wavelengths differed in ways that can be explained by Mie theory, suggesting that despite their complex structure, typical biological scatterers exhibit some regularity that can potentially be characterized quantitatively.© (2008) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Proton capture by 15N at stellar energies

Abstract Excitation functions of the 15N(p, γ)16O proton capture reaction have been obtained at θγ = 45° and Ep = 150–2500 keV. Below Ep = 400 keV, the reaction is dominated by capture into the ground state of 16O. The observed excitation function for the latter process can be explained if, in addition to the two well-known Jπ = 1− resonances at Ep = 338 and 1028 keV, a direct radiative capture process (DC → 0) is included in the analysis. The direct capture component in the capture reaction is enhanced through interference effects on the tails of the two resonances. From the observed direct capture cross section, a single-particle spectroscopic factor of C2S(1p) = 1.8 ± 0.4 has been deduced for the ground state in 16O. The extrapolated astrophysical S-factor of S(0) = 64 ± 6 keV · b for the 15N(p, γ0)16O reaction is a factor of 2.5 larger than previously reported. This result amplifies the role of the oxygen side cycle in the CNO hydrogen burning process. The observed excitation function of the 15N(p, α1γ1)12C reaction at Ep = 150 – 2500 keV shows that this reaction makes a negligible contribution to hydrogen burning at stellar energies [S(0) ≈ 0.1 keV · b] compared to 15 N ( p , γ 0 ) 16 O and 15 N ( p , α o ) 12 C .
Comparison of Vena Contracta Width by Multiplane Transesophageal Echocardiography With Quantitative Doppler Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation (MR) severity is routinely assessed by Doppler color flow mapping, which is subject to technical and hemodynamic variables. Vena contracta width may be less influenced by hemodynamic variables and has previously been shown to correlate with angiographic estimates of MR severity. This study was performed to compare mitral vena contracta width by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with simultaneous quantitative Doppler echocardiography in 35 patients with MR. The vena contracta width was measured at the narrowest portion of the MR jet as it emerged through the coaptation of the leaflets; it was identified in 97% of the patients. Vena contracta width correlated well with regurgitant volume (R2 = 0.81) and regurgitant orifice area (R2 = 0.81) by quantitative Doppler technique. A vena contracta width > or = 0.5 cm always predicted a regurgitant volume >60 ml and an effective regurgitant orifice area > or = 0.4 cm2 in all patients. A vena contracta width < or = 0.3 cm always predicted a regurgitant volume <45 ml and a regurgitant orifice area < or = 0.35 cm2. Thus, vena contracta width by multiplane TEE correlates well with mitral regurgitant volume and regurgitant orifice area by quantitative Doppler echocardiography and provides a simple method for the identification of patients with severe MR.
Mechanism of the sex difference in neuronal ischemic cell death

Abstract Background Stroke risk and outcome are different in men and women. We hypothesized that this is partly due to an inherent difference in susceptibility to ischemia between neurons from male vs. female brains. We tested whether neurons from male rodents are more susceptible to in-vitro ischemia than cells from females, and if this is related to increased expression of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). sEH contributes to neuronal cell death by inactivating neuroprotective epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Methods Rodent cortical neurons were cultured, and exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD); then cell death was measured. EETs levels were determined by LC-MS/MS. Expression of sEH-encoding ephx2 was determined by qRT-PCR. Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and hydrolase activity assay assessed protein expression and activity. Results Cell death after OGD was higher in neurons from males vs. females, which correlated with higher ephx2 mRNA and stronger sEH immunoreactivity. However, EETs levels were similar in both sexes and pharmacological inhibition of the hydrolase domain of sEH did not abolish the sex difference in cell death. Genetic knockout of sEH in mice abolished the sex difference observed in neurons isolated from these mice after OGD. Conclusions Cultured cortical neurons from females are more resistant to ischemia than neurons from males. Neurons from females have less sEH activity compared to neurons from males at baseline, although sEH levels were not measured after OGD. While pharmacological inhibition of the hydrolase domain of sEH does not affect cell death, knockout of the gene encoding sEH eradicates the sex difference seen in wild-type neurons, suggesting a role for further study of the lesser-known phosphatase domain of sEH and its role in sexual dimorphism in neuronal sensitivity to ischemia.
Identification of endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducing agents by antagonizing autophagy: a new potential strategy for identification of anti-cancer therapeutics in B-cell malignancies

AbstractThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a vital function in multiple cellular processes. There is a growing interest in developing therapeutic agents that can target the ER in cancer cells, inducing a stress response that leads to cell death. However, ER stress-inducing agents can also induce autophagy, a survival strategy of cancer cells. Therefore, by inhibiting autophagy we can increase the efficacy of the ER stress-inducing agents. Nelfinavir, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor with anti-cancer properties, can induce ER stress. Nelfinavir's effects on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are yet to be elucidated. Herein we demonstrate that nelfinavir induces ER morphological changes and stress response, along with an autophagic protective strategy. Our data reveal that chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, significantly increases nelfinavir cytotoxicity. These results identify a novel strategy potentially effective in CLL treatment, by repositioning two well-known drugs as a com...
Evolutionary relationships of vertebrate NACHT domain-containing proteins

Phylogenetic analyses of conserved [neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP), MHC class II transcription activator (CIITA), incompatibility locus protein from Podospora anserina (HET-E), and telomerase-associated protein (TP1)] (NACHT) domains were used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of vertebrate NACHT-containing proteins. The results supported the hypothesis that NOD3 is basal to the other NACHT-containing proteins found in tetrapods. The latter formed two strongly supported clusters or subfamilies, here designated NALP and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD). The presence of apparent bony fish orthologs of NOD3 and CIITA supported the hypothesis that the origin of these molecules predates the origin of tetrapods, and the presence of avian sequences in both NALP and NOD clusters supported the origin of these subfamilies before the bird–mammal divergence. However, the extensive diversification of the NALP subfamily seen in mammals evidently occurred within the mammalian lineage. Both NALP and NOD subfamilies include members with differential expression in the antigen-presenting cells of the immune system, and the phylogenetic analyses supported the hypothesis that this expression pattern has evolved independently more than once in each of these subfamilies.
Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Internationally Adopted Chinese Children: Communication and Symbolic Behavior Development

Adaptation of internationally adopted children to another culture and language has not been studied extensively. This study followed four infant girls from China during the 1st year postadoption, measuring vocabulary, gestural, social, communication, and symbolic behavior development each month. The children were also tested at 2 and 3 years postadoption. Results indicated that each child demonstrated variability in prelinguistic communication and symbolic behaviors and demonstrated a significant drop in communication and symbolic behavior scores during the 6th, 7th, or 8th month postadoption. Also, receptive English vocabulary developed early and expressive vocabulary developed later during the first 12 months postadoption, and it remains difficult to predict if a child will catch up in communication development with non-adopted peers during the 2nd or 3rd year postadoption. These data will help guide clinical assessment decisions for internationally adopted children.
EmmdR, a new member of the MATE family of multidrug transporters, extrudes quinolones from Enterobacter cloacae

We cloned a gene, ECL_03329, from the chromosome of Enterobacter cloacae ATCC13047, using a drug-hypersensitive Escherichia coli KAM32 cell as the host. We show here that this gene, designated as emmdR, is responsible for multidrug resistance in E. cloacae.E. coli KAM32 host cells containing the cloned emmdR gene (KAM32/pEMMDR28) showed decreased susceptibilities to benzalkonium chloride, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ethidium bromide, acriflavine, rhodamine6G, and trimethoprim. emmdR-deficient E. cloacae cells (EcΔemmdR) showed increased susceptibilities to several of the antimicrobial agents tested. EmmdR has twelve predicted transmembrane segments and some shared identity with members of the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family of transporters. Study of the antimicrobial agent efflux activities revealed that EmmdR is an H+-drug antiporter but not a Na+ driven efflux pump. These results indicate that EmmdR is responsible for multidrug resistance and pumps out quinolones from E. cloacae.
Failure to initiate statin therapy during and after percutaneous coronary interventions negatively affects coronary artery bypass graft outcomes

Studies have shown that patients who have had a previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and subsequently require coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have increased perioperative morbidity and mortality and decreased long-term survival. 1-4 Tran and colleagues 3 found that patients with diabetes mellitus who had previously undergone a PCI and subsequently underwent CABG surgery had nearly a 3-fold increase in operative mortality, increased risk of developing a major adverse cardiac event (MACE), and significantly reduced 2-year survival compared with patients without a previous PCI. In an editorial accompanying this study, it was noted that the use of statin therapy in both groups was especially low (<40%). 5 The question was raised on whether the outcomes would have improved in the PCI cohort undergoing CABG if these patients had received statin therapy after their PCI and before their surgery. This issue is now addressed in the study by Mannacio and colleagues in this issue of The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 6 In this study of 2501 patients who had undergone a previous PCI and now required CABG surgery, 1528 patients were on continuous statin therapy and 973 patients did not receive a statin until immediately before their surgery. A propensity-matched conditional logistic regression analysis showed that continued statin therapy significantly reduced the risk for in-hospital and 2-year mortality and MACE. Statins were particularly effective in those patients who had prolonged crossclamp times and patients with previous multivessel PCI. Patients on continuous statin therapy had significantly lower lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels at the time of surgery (120 28 mg/dL vs 159 39 mg/dL; P<.001). There were several limitations in this study. It was retrospective and urgent and emergency patients were excluded. Different types of statins were used and the dosages varied widely. Adherence was assessed by the rates of prescription refills and not by actual documentation that patients took their medication. Nearly 35% of the patients had diabetes mellitus but no mention was made of the use of perioperative glycemic control or the preoperative glycated hemoglobin values between the groups. The use of other cardioprotective agents was poor; only 22% of patients received an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and only 70% were on a b-blocker at the time of surgery. Cardiac catheterization data were not available at the time of the PCI so that the completeness of the revascularization performed during PCI for both groups was unknown.
Size-resolved particle number and volume emission factors for on-road gasoline and diesel motor vehicles

Size-Resolved Particle Number and Volume Emission Factors for On-Road Gasoline and Diesel Motor Vehicles George A. Ban-Weiss a, 1 , 2 , Melissa M. Lunden b , Thomas W. Kirchstetter b , Robert A. Harley c, a University of California, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Berkeley, CA 94720-1740 b Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Atmospheric Science Dept., Berkeley, CA University of California, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Berkeley, CA c Abstract Average particle number concentrations and size distributions from ~61 000 light-duty (LD) vehicles and ~2500 medium-duty (MD) and heavy-duty (HD) trucks were measured during the summer of 2006 in a San Francisco Bay area traffic tunnel. One of the traffic bores contained only LD vehicles, and the other contained mixed traffic, allowing pollutants to be apportioned between LD vehicles and diesel trucks. Particle number emission factors (particle diameter D p > 3 nm) were found to be (3.9 ± 1.4) x 10 14 and (3.3 ± 1.3) x 10 15 # kg -1 fuel burned for LD vehicles and diesel trucks, respectively. Size distribution measurements showed that diesel trucks emitted at least an order of magnitude more particles for all measured sizes (10 < D p < 290 nm) per unit mass of fuel burned. The relative importance of LD vehicles as a source of particles increased as D p decreased. Comparing the results from this study to previous measurements at the same site showed that particle number emission factors have decreased for both LD vehicles and diesel trucks since 1997. Integrating size distributions with a volume weighting Corresponding author e-mail: georgebw@stanford.edu; phone: +1650 462 1047; fax: +1650 462 5968 Now at Carnegie Institution, Department of Global Ecology, 260 Panama St, Stanford, CA 94305
The relative signs of the zero-field parameters from phosphorescence-microwave double resonance (PMDR) spectroscopy: 1, 2, 4, 5 tetrachlorobenzene

Abstract It is shown that the relative signs of D and E as well as the assignment of the symmetry of the electronic spatial wavefunction of the lowest emitting triplet state can be made at very low temperatures by determining the polarized amplitude modulated phosphorescence-microwave double resonance (AM-PMDR) spectrum, the lifetimes of the individual zero-field (zf) levels, and the polarization of the crucial magnetic zf transition. The technique is applied to 1, 2, 4, 5 tetrachlorobenzene. D and E are found to be of the same sign, and the lowest triplet state is found to be of 3 B 1u symmetry. In going from benzene to its tetrachloro-derivative, the absolute value of D decreases by only a few percent, while that for E increases by ≈400%.
Sovereignty, Identity, Sacrifice:

Sacrifice ME [a. F, ad. L] 1 . Primarily the sl ughter of an animal as an offering to God or a deity. Hence the surrender to God , for the p pos of propitiation or homag , of ome object r ossession. Also fi . offering of ayer, thanksgiving, penitenc , ubmission, tc. 2. That which is offered in sacrifice; a victim immolated on the altar; anything offered to God or a deity as an act of propitiation or homage. 3. Theol. The offering by Christ of himself to the Father as a propitiary victim in his voluntary immolation upon the cross, b. Applied to the Eucharistie celebration regarded as a propitiary offering of the body and blood of Christ in perpetual memory of the sacrifice offered by him in his crucifixion. 4. The destruction or surrender of some-
Use of Micelles in the TLC Separation of Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds and Amino Acids

Abstract The polynuclear aromatic compounds (PNA): anthracene, napthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene, pyrenecarboxaldehyde, benzo (a) pyrene, benzo (e) pyrene, perylene and fluorene can be chromatograph...