cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking the Common Ancestry of Antigenically Distinct Cancer Variants

In the months and years after first diagnosis, cancers often show an increase in their malignancy such as faster growth, resistance to chemo- and/or hormonal therapy, and loss of antigens targeted by immunotherapy. Our objective was to develop a model in which one can track the changes occurring as a result of in vivo immune selection, such as the loss of antigen, the emergence of previously hidden antigens, or the acquisition of new tumor-specific antigens. In this study, we used the primary UV-induced murine tumor 8101, which consists predominantly of regressor tumor cells that express the immunodominant mutant p68 antigen, but this tumor also contains progressor variants that have lost this antigen. To search for tumor-specific antigens on the immune escape progressors, we raised CD8+ T cells specific for these variants. We found that one of the escape variants expressed a previously unrecognized, unique tumor-specific antigen. However, this unique antigen was not readily detectable on any of the other 8101 lines we tested. To prove that these antigenically distinct cancer variants had indeed been derived from the same tumor and neither represented new tumors nor contaminations by other cell lines, we used unique tumor-specific p53 mutations as a lineage-specific marker to demonstrate that these antigenically distinct progressor variants were derived from the 8101 tumor. Because p53 mutations occur very early during UV carcinogenesis and vary from tumor to tumor, they provide convenient reliable markers for tracking the origin of cancers arising after immune selection or immunotherapy.
Microsomal mixed-function oxidases in insects—I: Localization and properties of an enzyme system effecting aldrin epoxidatton in larvae of the southern armyworm (Prodenia eridania)

Abstract An extremely active microsomal epoxidasc has been obtained from larvae of the southern armyworm ( Prodenia eridania ) and optimal assay conditions in vitro have been established. Maximum enzyme activity is associated primarily with the larval mid-gut. Specific activity of the enzyme changes markedly during larval development and reaches a maximum in the sixth instar.
The effects of hippocampal lesions on two neotic choice tasks

We report two experiments in which rats with hippocampal lesions were tested in two neotic choice tasks that provided a clear distinction between novel and familiar alternatives. In the first experiment, rats with either dorsal or complete lesions were tested in an emergence task in which they were permitted to enter and explore a novel alley from a familiar nest box. Hippocampally lesioned animals did not differ from cortical lesioned controls on the latency to enter the novel alley, the duration of time spent in the alley, or the total number of rearings in the alley during the 1-h test. However, animals with complete hippocampal lesions were more active than the controls; they showed a perseverative tendency to return repeatedly to the familiar nest box. In the second experiment, rats with complete hippocampal lesions and cortical lesioned controls were tested in a two-bottle taste neophobia task with their familiar tap water and a novel saccharin solution. There were no differences between the groups in either the initial avoidance of the novel saccharin solution or the subsequent increase in saccharin preference across repeated tests. In both experiments, hippocampally lesioned animals showed the same initial neophobic avoidance followed by the same exploratory habituation as did the controls. We discuss the similarity of the hippocampal perseveration to behavior found in other exploratory tasks and conclude that the hippocampus is not essential for neotic information processing.
Heat killing of bacterial spores analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry.

Thermograms of the exosporium-lacking dormant spores of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 33729, obtained by differential scanning calorimetry, showed three major irreversible endothermic transitions with peaks at 56, 100, and 114 degrees C and a major irreversible exothermic transition with a peak at 119 degrees C. The 114 degrees C transition was identified with coat proteins, and the 56 degrees C transition was identified with heat inactivation. Thermograms of the germinated spores and vegetative cells were much alike, including an endothermic transition attributable to DNA. The ascending part of the main endothermic 100 degrees C transition in the dormant-spore thermograms corresponded to a first-order reaction and was correlated with spore death; i.e., greater than 99.9% of the spores were killed when the transition peak was reached. The maximum death rate of the dormant spores during calorimetry, calculated from separately measured D and z values, occurred at temperatures above the 73 degrees C onset of thermal denaturation and was equivalent to the maximum inactivation rate calculated for the critical target. Most of the spore killing occurred before the release of most of the dipicolinic acid and other intraprotoplast materials. The exothermic 119 degrees C transition was a consequence of the endothermic 100 degrees C transition and probably represented the aggregation of intraprotoplast spore components. Taken together with prior evidence, the results suggest that a crucial protein is the rate-limiting primary target in the heat killing of dormant bacterial spores. Images
Ecology and Contemporary Christian Theology

This article explores contemporary shifts in eco-theological thinking as they relate to the overall field of ‘religion and ecology/nature’. More specifically, this article looks not only at retrieving theological, biblical and ethical resources from Christianity to address contemporary ecological issues, but rather how meaning-making practices are changed in the contemporary context of globalization and global climate change. How does globalization challenge concepts of meaning that claim universality? How does climate change challenge a separation between moral and natural ‘evil’? How do urban ecology and environmental justice challenge distinctions between humans, technology, and the rest of the natural world, and what might this mean for theological understandings of creation? In the end, these questions highlight an overall shift in theological thinking: moving from global understandings of the world toward planetary understandings.
Spacetime Symmetry Breaking and Einstein-Maxwell Theory

A vector model with a hybrid form of spacetime symmetry breaking consisting of explicit diffeomorphism breaking but spontaneous local Lorentz violation is presented. The combined effects of these symmetry breakings give rise to a theory obeying the Einstein-Maxwell equations in a preferred spatially homogeneous and isotropic frame, with photons emerging as massless Nambu-Goldstone modes. Interpretations and possible generalizations of this model are discussed, and comparisons are made to previous models describing photons as Nambu-Goldstone modes.
HkRP3 Is a Microtubule-Binding Protein Regulating Lytic Granule Clustering and NK Cell Killing

NK cells provide host defense by killing viral-infected and cancerous cells through the secretion of preformed lytic granules. Polarization of the lytic granules toward the target cell is dependent on an intact microtubule (MT) network as well as MT motors. We have recently shown that DOCK8, a gene mutated in a primary immunodeficiency syndrome, is involved in NK cell killing in part through its effects on MT organizing center (MTOC) polarization. In this study, we identified Hook-related protein 3 (HkRP3) as a novel DOCK8- and MT-binding protein. We further show that HkRP3 is present in lytic granule fractions and interacts with the dynein motor complex and MTs. Significantly, depletion of HkPR3 impaired NK cell cytotoxicity, which could be attributed to a defect in not only MTOC polarity, but also impaired clustering of lytic granules around the MTOC. Our results demonstrate an important role for HkRP3 in regulating the clustering of lytic granules and MTOC repositioning during the development of NK cell-mediated killing.
Platinum Catalyzed Hydrosilylation and Palladium Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling: One‐Pot Hydroarylation of 1‐Heptyne to (E)‐1‐(1‐Heptenyl)‐4‐methoxybenzene

1-Heptyne (E)-1-Heptenyl-4-methoxybenzene Platinum(0)-1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3,-tetramethyldisiloxane complex Palladium chloride Keywords: platinum catalyst; palladium catalyst; cross coupling; 1-pot hydroarylation; heptyne; waste disposal; aryl iodides; 1-alkynes; hydrosilyation
An estimation of lanthanide partition coefficient for the ‘calcium effect’

Lanthanide partition coefficient for crystallization under calcium effect, noting inflectional pattern for inverse ionic radius variation
Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Sequence-Dependent Antitumor Activity of Insulin-like Growth Factor Blockade and Gemcitabine

Agents that block insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling are under investigation in clinical trials. Antitumor effects are likely to be enhanced when combined with other agents, but administration sequence effects on activity are not well-described. Three breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and Hs-578T) were treated with Gemcitabine and small molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor cis-3-[3-(4-methyl-piperazin-l-yl)-cyclobutyl]1-(2-phenyl-quinolin-7-yl)-imidazo [1,5-a]pyrazin-8-ylamine (PQIP) as single agents and then in combination in the forward (Gemcitabine followed by PQIP) and reverse (PQIP followed by Gemcitabine) sequences. Antitumor effects were assessed longitudinally by Bayesian analysis using WinBUGS. The pharmacodynamic model adequately predicted the observed data. The differences in the cell-kill rate constants for the forward vs. reverse sequence ranged from 0.11 to 0.64 (day−1), and statistical significance was generally dependent on cell line and PQIP concentration. These data indicate that treatment with Gemcitabine first, followed by PQIP is superior to the reverse sequence in vitro.
Plasticity of catecholaminergic terminals in rat paraventicular hypothalamic nucleus after 6-Hydroxydopamine lesion: an emphasis on bouton sizes and synaptic frequency

Abstract Catecholaminergic (CA) nerve terminals in the paraventicular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) of adult rats were studied at 4, 21, 56 and 180 days after a single injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) neurotoxin into the right lateral ventricle of the brain. We previously described and quantified the extent of CA terminal sprouting in the PVN after 6-OHDA lesions. For this communication we studied parameters, specifically the bouton sizes and the synaptic frequencies of CA terminals during the renewal process, and evaluated how changes of these parameters are ralated to axonal sprouting. The CA boutons were identifiable in the electron microscope by exhibiting small granular vesicle (SGVs) after central administration of 5-hydroxydopamine (5-OHDA) marker. The marked CA boutons were measured and further categorized according to whether or not they were associated with distinct synaptic specializations at various post-lesion stages. The average sizes of CA boutons were strikingly similar in their diameters (1.0 υm) for both control and experimental tissues. However, CA boutons larger than 2.1 υm were rare and seen more often in the experimental tissues with 6-OHDA lesion and were sustained up to 180 days after lesions. Catecholaminergic profiles with ultrastructural features of growth cones were also seen in the PVN following the 6-OHDA lesions, indicating that there is growth activity in the PVN after 6-OHDA lesion. There were 33% of CA boutons in the PVN from the control tissues that appeared to have contacts. Four days after lesions with a significant reduction of CA terminals, the synaptic frequency was seen on 31% of surviving CA terminals; this synaptic frequency (31%) is close to that observed before lesioning. Of the CA boutons, 42% possessed synaptic contacts at both 21 and 56 days postlesion. At these stages there is still limited regeneration of CA terminals. At 180 days afler lesions with a significant CA terminal restoration, the synaptic frequency of CA boutons had dropped to 36%, a value closer to the control level. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) the synaptic frequency of CA terminals 4 days afler lesions resembles that of controls, suggesting that synaptic contacts found at this short survival period are those CA terminals escaped from 6-OHDA destruction, not from regenerating fibers; (2) a higher synaptic frequency was exhibited by CA terminals at 21 and 56 days after lesions; by 180 days after the lesion; a subsequent decrease of synaptic frequency was observed on CA terminals, indicating synaptic plasticity of CA terminals; and (3) CA stumps in the PNV are able to extend to establish their synaptic contacts at a frequency close to control levels by 180 days after 6-OHDA lesion, suggesting that regenerative fibers may be functional.
Average Crop Revenue Election: A Revenue-Based Alternative to Price-Based Commodity Payment Programs

This article develops a stochastic model of the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program, which offers revenue-based commodity payments under the 2008 Farm Act. Our analysis shows that adding ACRE revenue payments to gross revenue reduces downside revenue risk for corn, wheat, and soybean farmers in 2009 on average by 16%, 21%, and 23%, respectively. Results indicate that farms with higher expected yields and lower variance of yields tend to benefit the most from ACRE. Integrating federal crop insurance with ACRE lowers insurance premiums from 10% to 40%, depending on the crop and location.
Antinuclear antibody seropositivity in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Abstract Background: We attempted to determine the frequency and clinical relevance of antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing and positive ANA test results in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Methods: A retrospective chart and computer record review was conducted to determine the frequency of ANA testing in CTCL patients and the rate of seropositivity. Patients with a positive ANA were further examined to define possible explanations of the positive test. Results: Of 381 patients with CTCL, 66 (17%) had ANA tests; 8 of these (12.1%) were found to have an ANA titer greater than or equal to 1:40. Of patients with a positive ANA test, one was found to have chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus histologically and clinically mimicking CTCL. Others were found to have a comorbid connective tissue disorder, some had apparent drug-induced antinuclear antibodies, and some had no identifiable reason for a positive ANA test. Conclusion: ANA seropositivity does not appear to be increased in CTCL patients, and the ANA test remains a useful screening tool for differentiating between CTCL and connective tissue disorders. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;39:434-8.)
Inhibition of baroreflex bradycardia by ethanol involves both GABAA and GABAB receptors in the brainstem of the rat

Abstract The effects of ethanol on baroreceptor reflex bradycardia and its interactions with cardiovascular effects mediated by GABA receptors in the dorsal vagal complex were studied in urethane-anaesthetised rats. Ethanol, 1 g kg−1 administered i.v. or 25–200 nmol microinjected bilaterally into the dorsal vagal complex, inhibited the reflex bradycardic response to bolus i.v. doses of phenylephrine both in spontaneously breathing and in paralysed, arteficially ventilated animals, and this effect could be prevented by pretreatment with the GABA-depleting agent, 3-mercaptopropionate in both groups of rats. Ethanol, 1 g kg−1 i.v., did not influence the bradycardic response to electrical stimulation of the cervical vagus. Microinjection of muscimol into the dorsal vagal complex caused a dose-dependent pressor response and inhibited baroreflex bradycardia. The pressor response was potentiated and a tachycardic response to muscimol emerged following microinjection of ethanol into the dorsal vagal complex. Similar administration of baclofen caused dose-dependent increases in blood pressure and heart rate and inhibited baroreflex bradycardia. Injection of ethanol into the dorsal vagal complex potentiated the pressor response to a low dose of baclofen but did not affect the tachycardic response. Bicuculline, 10 pmol/side into the dorsal vagal complex, blocked the effects of muscimol but not those of baclofen and reduced the baroreflex inhibitory action of ethanol. 2-Hydroxysaclofen, microinjected at 400 pmol to 1 nmol/side, blocked the effects of baclofen but not those of muscimol. 2-Hydroxysaclofen or phaclofen, 2 mg kg−1 s.c., prevented the baroreflex inhibitory action of ethanol and also prevented ethanol potentiation of the pressor and, less effectively, the tachycardic effects of muscimol. It is concluded that ethanol inhibits baroreflex bradycardia through potentiation of the actions of endogenous GABA in the dorsal vagal complex. Both GABAA and GABAB receptors appear to be involved in this action of ethanol.
Human papillomavirus type 16 E2 and E6 are RNA-binding proteins and inhibit in vitro splicing of pre-mRNAs with suboptimal splice sites

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) genome expresses six regulatory proteins (E1, E2, E4, E5, E6, and E7) which regulate viral DNA replication, gene expression, and cell function. We expressed HPV16 E2, E4, E6, and E7 from bacteria as GST fusion proteins and examined their possible functions in RNA splicing. Both HPV16 E2, a viral transactivator protein, and E6, a viral oncoprotein, inhibited splicing of pre-mRNAs containing an intron with suboptimal splice sites, whereas HPV5 E2 did not. The N-terminal half and the hinge region of HPV16 E2 as well as the N-terminal and central portions of HPV16 E6 are responsible for the suppression. HPV16 E2 interacts with pre-mRNAs through its C-terminal DNA-binding domain. HPV16 E6 binds pre-mRNAs via nuclear localization signal (NLS3) in its C-terminal half. Low-risk HPV6 E6, a cytoplasmic protein, does not bind RNA. Notably, both HPV16 E2 and E6 selectively bind to the intron region of pre-mRNAs and interact with a subset of cellular SR proteins. Together, these findings suggest that HPV16 E2 and E6 are RNA binding proteins and might play roles in posttranscriptional regulation during virus infection.
Death and immortality ideologies in Western philosophy

This article examines immortality ideologies in Western philosophy as exemplified in the writings of Descartes, Heidegger, and Derrida, showing in each instance the distinctiveness of the ideology. The distinctiveness is doubly significant: it broadens understandings of the nature of immortality ideologies generally and deepens comparative understandings of the ideologies of the philosophers discussed. Pertinent writings of Otto Rank, the psychiatrist who first wrote of immortality ideologies, contribute in fundamental ways to the discussion as do pertinent writings of cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker, who elaborated and publicized Rank's thesis concerning immortality ideologies. The notion of an ideology, clarified in the beginning as an empirically unfounded belief structure, hence an illusion, is taken up briefly but pointedly at the end in the context of Rank's distinction between rational and irrational elements of the self as they are played out in the creations of the hero-artist. The article ends by examining his distinction in the context of the philosophic perspectives discussed, most notably the perspective of Heidegger.
Increased intracerebral excitatory amino acids and nitric oxide after hypothermic circulatory arrest

Abstract Background . Prolonged hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) results in neurologic injury, but the mechanism of this injury is unknown. This study was undertaken to measure quantitatively intracerebral excitatory amino acids and citrulline, an equal coproduct of nitric oxide, during HCA. We hypothesized that HCA resulted in higher levels of glutamate, aspartate, glycine, causing increased intracellular calcium, and therefore, nitric oxide and citrulline. Methods . Ten dogs underwent intracerebral microdialysis and 2 hours of HCA at 18°C. Effluent was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Five dogs each were sacrificed at 8 and 20 hours after HCA. Neuronal apoptosis was scored from 0 (no injury) to 100 (severe injury). Results . Time course of HCA was divided into six periods. Peak levels of amino acids in each period were compared with those at baseline. Glutamate, coagonist glycine, and citrulline, an equal coproduct of nitric oxide, increased significantly over baseline during HCA, cardiopulmonary bypass, and 2 to 8 hours after HCA. Aspartate increased significantly during HCA and 8 to 20 hours after HCA. Apoptosis score was 65.56 ± 5.67 at 8 hours and 30.63 ± 14.96 at 20 hours after HCA. Conclusions . Our results provide direct evidence that HCA causes increased intracerebral glutamate and aspartate, along with coagonist glycine. We conclude that HCA causes glutamate excitotoxicity with subsequent nitric oxide production resulting in neurologic injury, which begins during arrest and continues until 20 hours after hypothermic circulation arrest. To provide effective cerebral protection, pharmacologic strategies to reduce glutamate excitotoxicity require intervention beyond the initial ischemic insult.
Electrophysiologic effects of ouabain in patients with preexcitation and circus movement tachycardia

Effects of intravenous ouabain were evaluated in 19 patients with an anomalous conduction pathway (14 with manifest and 5 with concealed preexcitation (utilizing intracardiac stimulation and recording. Anterograde conduction through the anomalous pathway was present in all 14 patients with manifest preexcitation at a maximal atrial paced rate of 140 to 250 beats/min (mean +/- standard error of the mean 214 +/- 7.2) before and at 150 to 240 beats/min (mean 206 +/- 7.1) after ouabain (difference not significant [NS]). The anterograde effective refractory period of the anomalous pathway, measured at an equivalent atrial paced rate in 10 patients, was 250 to 450 ms (mean 309 +/- 19.7) before and 260 to 450 ms (mean 300 +/- 17.2) after ouabain (NS). Retrograde conduction through the anomalous pathway was possible at maximal ventricular paced rates (17 patients) of 160 to 250 beats/min (mean 222 +/- 6.6) before and 190 to 250 beats/min (mean 221 +/- 4.4) after ouabain (NS). Sustained atrioventricular (A-V) reentrant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia was inducible in all 19 patients before and in 17 patients (89 percent) after ouabain (tachycardia could not be induced in two patients because of increased A-V nodal refractoriness). The mean cycle length of tachycardia in the 17 patients was 320 +/- 6.7 ms before and 340 +/- 8.1 ms after ouabain (p < 0.01). In conclusion, ouabain has no significant effect on either anterograde or retrograde anomalous pathway refractoriness. Although ouabain slightly increases the cycle length of tachycardia, it does not interfere with induction of tachycardia in most patients with preexcitation. Oral cardiac glycosides alone would appear to be of limited value in patients with preexcitation and recurrent supraventricular tachycardia.
Use of 5-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine in quantitating silver grains eluted from autoradiograms of biological material

5-(4-Dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodamine, a silver-specific dye, was used in a colorimetric assay to quantitate the autoradiographic deposition of silver onto X-ray film after exposure to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels of radiolabeled biological material. Silver grains were eluted from autoradiograms with 5 N potassium hydroxide, dissolved in nitric acid, and neutralized with 1 M Trizma Base. The concentration of silver was measured spectrophotometrically owing to the chelation properties of the dye. After corrections for background exposure were made, the silver contents of excised bands were then determined by comparison to a standard curve generated with silver nitrate. We have used this silver assay to quantitate the relative amount of each polypeptide band comprising the polyomavirus structural protein VP2 doublet. The method reported here has proven useful when densitometry is inconvenient (i.e., short distance between bands, irregular shape of bands, very faint bands) in addition to being inexpensive and simple to perform.
TARGETING THE DIMERIZATION INTERFACE OF HIV-1 PROTEASE: INHIBITION WITH CROSS-LINKED INTERFACIAL PEPTIDES

Agents have been designed and synthesized which target the dimerization interface of HIV-1 protease. These agents, which contain cross-linked peptides from the N- and C-termini of the protease, both inhibit HIV-1 protease activity and decrease the amount of protease dimer in solution as measured by size exclusion chromatography, protein crosslinking, and protease fluorescence studies. Additionally we have shown that active site-targeted agents inhibit HIV-1 protease activity but have little effect on protease dimerization. These data support the claim that inhibition with the crosslinked agents is based on a decrease in the amount of protease homodimer in solution which in turn is responsible for a decrease in the activity of the protease.
MicroRNA-124 Regulates STAT3 Expression and Is Down-regulated in Colon Tissues of Pediatric Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Background & Aims Altered levels and functions of microRNAs (miRs) have been associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), although little is known about their roles in pediatric IBD. We investigated whether colonic mucosal miRs are altered in children with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods We used a library of 316 miRs to identify those that regulate phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in NCM460 human colonocytes incubated with interleukin-6. Levels of miR-124 were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of colon biopsies from pediatric and adult patients with UC and patients without IBD (controls), and of HCT-116 colonocytes incubated with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-AZA). Methylation of the MIR124 promoter was measured by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Results Levels of phosphorylated STAT3 and the genes it regulates (encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), BCL2, BCLXL, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 [MMP9]) were increased in pediatric patients with UC compared with control tissues. Overexpression of miR-124, let-7, miR-125, miR-26, or miR-101 reduced STAT3 phosphorylation by ≥75% in NCM460 cells; miR-124 had the greatest effect. miR-124 was down-regulated specifically in colon tissues from pediatric patients with UC and directly targeted STAT3 messenger RNA (mRNA). Levels of miR-124 were decreased, whereas levels of STAT3 phosphorylation increased in colon tissues from pediatric patients with active UC compared with those with inactive disease. In addition, levels of miR-124 and STAT3 were inversely correlated in mice with experimental colitis. Down-regulation of miR-124 in tissues from children with UC was attributed to hypermethylation of its promoter region. Incubation of HCT-116 colonocytes with 5-AZA up-regulated miR-124 and reduced levels of STAT3 mRNA. Conclusions miR-124 appears to regulate the expression of STAT3. Reduced levels of miR-124 in colon tissues of children with active UC appear to increase expression and activity of STAT3, which could promote inflammation and the pathogenesis of UC in children.
Study of minerals, organic, and biogenic materials through time-resolved Raman spectroscopy

A compact remote Raman spectroscopy system was developed at NASA Langley Research center and was previously demonstrated for its ability to identify chemical composition of various rocks and minerals. In this study, the Raman sensor was utilized to perform time-resolved Raman studies of various samples such as minerals and rocks, Azalea leaves and a few fossil samples. The Raman sensor utilizes a pulsed 532 nm Nd:YAG laser as excitation source, a 4-inch telescope to collect the Raman-scattered signal from a sample several meters away, a spectrograph equipped with a holographic grating, and a gated intensified CCD (ICCD) camera system. Time resolved Raman measurements were carried out by varying the gate delay with fixed short gate width of the ICCD camera, allowing measurement of both Raman signals and fluorescence signals. Rocks and mineral samples were characterized including marble, which contain CaCO3. Analysis of the results reveals the short (approx.10-13 s) lifetime of the Raman process, and shows that Raman spectra of some mineral samples contain fluorescence emission due to organic impurities. Also analyzed were a green (pristine) and a yellow (decayed) sample of Gardenia leaves. It was observed that the fluorescence signals from the green and yellow leaf samples showed stronger signals compared to the Raman lines. Moreover, it was also observed that the fluorescence of the green leaf was more intense and had a shorter lifetime than that of the yellow leaf. For the fossil samples, Raman shifted lines could not be observed due the presence of very strong short-lived fluorescence.
Differential hemodynamic effects of leurotriene D4 in anesthetized rats: Evaluation by directional pulsed doppler technique

Abstract Leukotriene D 4 (LTD 4 ) is the major constituent of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis 4( SRS-A). Cardiovascular depression and hypotensive shock represent the major manifestations that attend systemic anaphylaxis.To further evaluate the hemodynamic effects of LTD 4 , we measured blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and blood flow (BF) (directional pulsed Doppler flowmeter) to different vascular beds (hindquarter, mesenteric and renal) of the urethane-anesthetized rat. LTD (3, 10 and 30 μg/kg, i.v.) caused a dose-dependent increase in BP: 15 ± 3, 20 ± 4 and 24 ± 2 mm Hg, respectively, which was maximum after 2 min and returned to control level at 10 min; HR was not significantly altered. BF to different vascular beds was differentially altered: mesenteric (−59%) > hindquarter (−38%) > renal (−10%). Vascular resistance (VR) increased by 195, 85 and 40% in mesenteric, hindquarter and renal beds, respectively. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (2 – 5 mg/kg, i.v.) injected after LTD 4 increased BP, reversed the decrease in BF and the increase in VR in the mesenteric and hindquarter vascular beds. These data suggest that LTD 4 receptors are unevenly distributed in various vascular beds and that the splanchnic area is particularly vulnerable to anaphylaxis-induced ischemia. Furthermore, Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) might be useful to antagonize the hemodynamic consequences mediated by SRS-A or leukotriene.
Infrared free-electron laser applications: Investigations of the dynamics of molecular systems

Abstract Applications of tunable infrared picosecond pulse free-electron lasers are considered in this article. The difficulties of combining an FEL with an intricate experimental apparatus, together with the performance specifications which an FEL must achieve in order to perform sophisticated applications, are discussed. Some novel applications in which FELs should excel due to their unique properties are described. These include measurements of vibrational dynamics in condensed phases, hyper Raman scattering, and a novel class of experiments, nanoheating. In nanoheating experiments, a specific nanometer-sized object is abruptly heated to high temperatures while the surroundings remain mostly unaffected. Potential applications of nanoheating include viral vaccine production and cell fusion.
IV-VI semiconductor growth on silicon substrates and new mid-infrared laser fabrication methods

Abstract This paper reviews results from research conducted at the University of Oklahoma on the development of new IV–VI semiconductor (lead salt) epitaxial growth and laser fabrication procedures that can ultimately lead to dramatic increases in mid-IR laser operating temperatures. Work has focused on growth of IV–VI semiconductor laser structures on silicon substrates using buffer layers that contain BaF 2 . Recent experiments show that it is possible to obtain high crystalline quality IV–VI semiconductor layer structures on (111)-oriented silicon substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) or on (100)-oriented silicon using a combination of MBE and liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). Experimental data for IV–VI semiconductor layer structures grown on silicon substrates including crystalline quality information as determined by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) measurements and absorption edge information as determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission measurements are presented. Results show that these materials can be used to fabricate lasers that cover the 3 μm (3333 cm −1 ) to 16 μm (625 cm −1 ) spectral range. Removal of IV–VI semiconductor laser structures from the silicon growth substrate by dissolving BaF 2 buffer layers with water is also demonstrated. This allows epitaxially-grown laser structures to be sandwiched between two heat sinks with a minimum of thermally resistive IV–VI semiconductor material. Theoretical modeling predicts that IV–VI lasers fabricated this way will have maximum continuous wave (cw) operating temperatures at least 60° higher than those of IV–VI lasers fabricated on PbSe or PbTe substrates.
MATH5 controls the acquisition of multiple retinal cell fates.

Math5-null mutation results in the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and in a concurrent increase of amacrine and cone cells. However, it remains unclear whether there is a cell fate switch of Math5-lineage cells in the absence of Math5 and whether MATH5 cell-autonomously regulates the differentiation of the above retinal neurons. Here, we performed a lineage analysis of Math5-expressing cells in developing mouse retinas using a conditional GFP reporter (Z/EG) activated by a Math5-Cre knock-in allele. We show that during normal retinogenesis, Math5-lineage cells mostly develop into RGCs, horizontal cells, cone photoreceptors, rod photoreceptors, and amacrine cells. Interestingly, amacrine cells of Math5-lineage cells are predominately of GABAergic, cholinergic, and A2 subtypes, indicating that Math5 plays a role in amacrine subtype specification. In the absence of Math5, more Math5-lineage cells undergo cell fate conversion from RGCs to the above retinal cell subtypes, and occasionally to cone-bipolar cells and Muller cells. This change in cell fate choices is accompanied by an up-regulation of NEUROD1, RXRγ and BHLHB5, the transcription factors essential for the differentiation of retinal cells other than RGCs. Additionally, loss of Math5 causes the failure of early progenitors to exit cell cycle and leads to a significant increase of Math5-lineage cells remaining in cell cycle. Collectively, these data suggest that Math5 regulates the generation of multiple retinal cell types via different mechanisms during retinogenesis.
Genetic enhancers of sem-5 define components of the gonad-independent guidance mechanism controlling sex myoblast migration in Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites.

The migrations of the sex myoblasts inCaenorhabditis eleganshermaphrodites involve two guidance mechanisms: a gonad-dependent attraction that confers precise positioning of the sex myoblasts and a gonad-independent mechanism that is sufficient for coarse positioning in the absence of the gonad (Thomaset al.,1990). Here we show that mutations inunc-53, unc-71,andunc-73disrupt sex myoblast positioning in the absence of the gonad, while they do not affect positioning in the presence of the gonad. Thus, mutations in these genes appear to compromise the gonad-independent mechanism without affecting motility or the gonad-dependent attraction. Mutations insem-5confer dramatic sex myoblast positioning defects in double mutant combinations withunc-53, unc-71,orunc-73mutations, even in the presence of the gonad. This suggests thatsem-5is required for the gonad-dependent attractive mechanism. Mutations inlet-60 rasandlet-341also confer sex myoblast migration defects in anunc-53background, implicating these genes in gonad-dependent positioning as well.
Scopolamine effects on intracranial self-stimulation extinction

Six rats with lateral hypothalamic electrodes were tested for intracranial self-stimulation after administration of scopolamine hydrobromide, scopolamine methylbromide, or vehicle alone in a repeated measures design. Only scopolamine hydrobromide produced an increase in resistance to extinction of responding. No effects of scopolamine on rates of self-stimulation were observed.
Radiopharmaceuticals for the palliation of painful bone metastases

Metastatic bone pain is prevalent in advanced cancer, and, despite a plethora of available therapies, effective palliation remains a clinical challenge. Bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals are an often-overlooked but valuable analgesic option for select patients. These agents work by binding to hydroxyapatite at the tumor-bone interface of osteoblastic lesions, delivering therapeutic doses of radiation to closely circumscribed tissue regions. They have been shown to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Their safety, simplicity, convenience of administration, and cost-effectiveness make them suitable for hospice and palliative care settings.
Simultaneous confidence bands for time-series prediction function

Although many types of confidence bands exist for nonparametric regression with i.i.d. data, theoretical properties of such bands have never been established under dependence. We propose simultaneous confidence bands for nonparametric prediction function of time-series data using spline estimation. Asymptotic properties are established under the assumption of strong mixing, and simulation experiments have provided strong evidence that corroborates with the asymptotic theory. As an application, after removing the environmental Kuznets curve trend effects, the impact of the economic intervention on environmental quality change is quantified for the USA and Japan, with different conclusions.
Presurgical crown contouring for root amputation procedures.

Abstract Many molars with trifurcation involvements are being retained by endodontic therapy and root amputation. Refinement of this procedure, by contouring or reshaping of the crown before the root is amputated, facilitates removal of the root and often eliminates the necessity for extensive bony plate removal in order to obtain surgical access.
Management of the diabetic Charcot foot.

The diabetic Charcot foot is a major limb-threatening complication of long-term diabetes mellitus and neuropathy. Although first described over 100 years ago, we are still lacking definitive studies regarding its prevalence in this population, precise etiology, or most effective treatments. Trauma in the presence of peripheral sensory neuropathy and abundant arterial perfusion seem to be the primary causal factors leading to this severe foot deformity. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of osteoarthropathy allows the destructive phase of this disorder to continue with resultant further destruction of the foot architecture. The authors discuss the natural history of this entity as well as potential treatment options and recommendations. Through a better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis, Charcot arthropathy can be more effectively managed and thereby limit the development of severe deformity, ulceration, infection and limb loss.
MR angiography of the abdominal aorta and peripheral vessels.

MR angiography has emerged as a study of choice at many institutions for routine aortic and peripheral arterial evaluation. This article reviews the relevant technical and interpretative considerations for MR angiography of the abdominal aorta, its branches, and the peripheral vessels. Recent advances in MR scanner equipment, pulse sequence design, console-user interfaces, and postprocessing tools have significantly improved the technical ease and overall clinical reliability of gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography. The traditional MR angiography techniques of time-of-flight and phase contrast also are reviewed and their potential supplemental roles for imaging are suggested.
Multi-Heme Self-Assembly in Phospholipid Vesicles

The use of weak, intermolecular forces to orchestrate the contruction of multicomponent systems in membranes has significant implications in diverse areas of chemistry, biology, and medicine. We describe here the construction and characterization of multi-heme molecular ensembles in phospholipid vesicles. A trianionic zinc porphyrin was designed to bind cytochrome c at the membrane surface, while being anchored to a membrane spanning manganese porphyrin in the membrane interior via a terminal imidazole. The structure of the construct was probed by fluorescence and UV spectroscopy. Cytochrome c formed a stoichiometric 1:1 complex with the anionic porphyrin with a high binding constant (Ka ≈ 5 × 106 M-1). The ligation of the imidazole to the manganese porphyrin was confirmed by UV spectral changes. Large differences in the fluorescence quenching of Zn porphyrins with and without the terminal imidazole were observed upon their insertion into vesicles containing the Mn porphyrin. These spectroscopic observati...
Guest Editors' Introduction: Interaction of Many-Core Computer Architecture and Operating Systems

Rapid changes in platform hardware resources with the evolution of many-core architectures will require a fundamental reexamination of mainstream system-software design decisions to support multiple cores and to efficiently manage on-chip hardware resources shared among the multiple cores. In turn, the evolution of many-core processor architectures will be successfully sustained by the new capabilities and features added to the system software, perhaps while requiring substantial support from hardware. The guest editors introduce five articles on the interaction of computer architecture and operating systems for this special issue of IEEE Micro.
Haldane-gapped spin chains as Luttinger liquids: Correlation functions at finite field

We study the behavior of Heisenberg, antiferromagnetic, integer-spin chains in the presence of a magnetic field exceeding the attendant spin gap. For temperatures much smaller than the gap, the spin chains exhibit Luttinger liquid behavior. We compute exactly both the corresponding Luttinger parameter and the Fermi velocity as a function of magnetic field. This enables the computation of a number of correlators from which we derive the spin conductance, the expected form of the dynamic structure factor relevant to inelastic neutron-scattering experiments, and NMR relaxation rates. We also comment upon the robustness of the magnetically induced gapless phase both to finite temperature and finite couplings between neighboring chains.
Chemical composition of clouds at Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina, USA

Using a recently developed cloud and rain acidity/conductivity (CRAC) real time analyzer, clouds atop Mt. Mitchell State Park, North Carolina — the highest peak (∼ 2038 m MSL) in the eastern US — were investigated from May to October during 1987 to 1989. Measurements for chemical and physical climatology were performed to estimate exposure of pollutant at the forest canopy resulting from direct capture of cloud droplets. The mountain peak is exposed on the average to cloud episodes about 70% days per year. Results are reported for integrating times of cloud collection, approximately 5 min, during several precipitating and non-precipitating cloud events. Cloud water was found to have higher acidity and higher concentrations of sulfate, nitrate and ammonium than previously observed in rain droplets. The pH of the cloud water was in the range of 2.4 to 4.9 during 1987 through 1989 field seasons, while the pH of the rain water was in the range of 3.5 to 5.5. The cloud water collected in summer season was more acidic than those collected in any other seasons (spring and fall). The maximum of average cloud pH value (i.e., low acidity) was found when the predominant wind direction was from south-east. On the other hand, the low average cloud pH values (i.e., high acidity) were found when the predominant wind direction was west through northeast. Total concentrations of major chemical species in cloud water at Mt. Mitchell State Park are significantly higher (∼ 1250 to ∼ 3020 µeq/1) than those reported for other rural locations. According to the time-sequential chemical concentration, a concave trend with total concentration decreasing at the beginning and rising toward the end of event was observed. It was also observed that changes in the individual ionic concentration are proportional to the changes in total concentration. It suggests that condensation and evaporation of cloud droplets are the important processes, during various stages of a cloud event, in determining the total pollutant concentration of cloud water. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1992.00004.x
A review of an engineering teaching apprenticeship program

A teaching apprentice program was implemented for senior-level engineering graduate students at the University of Notre Dame during the spring of 2009. The goal of the program was to offer a mentored teaching experience to graduate students that would soon be taking on roles as faculty members at institutions across the country. Responsibilities included: (1) teaching two sections of the first-year engineering course (as the instructor of record, receiving formal teaching evaluations), (2) helping to develop course materials (with feedback from engineering faculty and the Center for Teaching and Learning), and (3) leading two undergraduate teaching assistants (graders for their class). Finally, regular box lunch meetings were held for purpose of exposure to engineering education research and practice, through discussion of engineering education literature or meeting with outside guests from the engineering educational community. Program participants were required to document their goals at the start of the semester and to follow up with reflections at the end of each semester they participate; excerpts from participant reflections are presented. After completing the First-Year Engineering Teaching Apprentice Program (FYETAP), several participants have accepted post-docs or faculty positions and were able to use this experience in their interview process.
Growth Factors and Their Impact on Transfusion Medicine

Hematopoietic growth factors, glycoproteins that stimulate self-renewal, differentiation, and proliferation of responsive hematopoietic cells, promise to revolutionize transfusion medicine. Recombinant DNA technology has made several of these cytokines available at pharmacologic doses, and new candidate agents for clinical application appear regularly. Growth factors prescribed for patients have already reduced the requirement for red blood cell and granulocyte transfusions in selected clinical circumstances. A lineage-specific thrombopoietin will likely limit the need for platelet transfusions. Hematopoietic cytokine injections have also been used to increase the number of red blood cells, granulocytes and circulating primitive progenitor cells in blood donors. Cytokine-stimulated peripheral blood progenitor cell infusions have complemented and, in some instances, replaced bone marrow for adjunctive cancer chemotherapy and for bone marrow transplantation. Finally, synergistic combinations of cytokines can effect ex vivo expansion of lymphocytes and of progenitor cells to provide novel blood components. Hematopoietic growth factors are still expensive and their long-term effects remain to be determined. However, as the biologic activities of cytokines and the physiology of hematopoietic progenitor cells become better understood, the clinical application of novel cellular components may redefine the concept of blood transfusion.
Polarisation-insensitive fibre optic Michelson interferometer

A polarisation-insensitive fibre optic Michelson interferometric sensor configuration is demonstrated. The approach is based on the use of birefringence compensation in a retraced fibre path using Faraday rotator mirror elements.< >