cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An application of Geospatial Information System (GIS) technology to anatomic dental charting.

Historically, an anatomic dental chart is a compilation of color-coded symbols and numbers used within a template, either paper or computerized, to create a graphic record of a patient’s oral health status. This poster depicts how Geospatial Information System (GIS) technology can be used to create an accurate, current anatomic dental chart that contains detailed information not present in current charting systems.
Flow cytometry and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: relationship to clinical course.

Abstract Background: With successful means of controlling gastric acid secretion in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, the gastrinoma itself is becoming the major determinant of long-term survival. No methods have yet been described to predict which tumors will have more malignant courses thereby indicating which patients should undergo aggressive surgery or antitumor therapy. Because DNA analysis, using flow cytometry, has proved helpful in this regard in other tumors, the current study was designed to evaluate its utility in gastrinoma patients. Methods: Flow cytometry was performed on 81 paraffin-embedded gastrinoma specimens from 59 patients. Results were compared with preoperative patient characteristics, findings at surgery, and postoperative follow up. Results: Tumors were diploid in 54% of patients, near diploid in 15%, pure tetraploid in 0%, nontetraploid aneuploid in 25%, and multiple stem line aneuploid in 5%. All patients with multiple stem line aneuploid tumors had widespread metastases whereas all patients with nontetraploid aneuploid tumors had localized or regional disease. Median S phase percentage was 3.6. S phase percentages were higher in patients with widespread metastatic disease than in patients with localized or regional disease. Disease extent also correlated closely with fasting serum gastrin level. After removing this variable with logistic regression analysis, the significant correlation between disease extent and DNA analysis persisted. Conclusions: DNA analysis of gastrinoma tissue specimens correlates independently with the extent of disease and may be useful in planning therapeutic strategies for patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Telomeres and telomerase in Candida albicans

Summary Telomeres are the nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes and maintain the genomic integrity through multiple cell divisions. Telomeres protect the chromosome ends from degradation, end-to-end fusion and abnormal recombination and they also promote the end replication. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the most well-studied model system with regard to telomere and telomerase regulation. Recently, the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans has emerged as an attractive model system for investigating telomere biology. Candida underwent rapid evolutionary divergence with respect to telomere sequences. Concomitant with the evolutionary divergence of telomere sequences, telomere repeat binding factors and telomerase components have also evolved, leading to differences in their functions and domain structures. Thus, the comparative analysis of the telomeres and telomerase-related factors in the budding yeast has provided a better understanding on both conserved and variable aspects of telomere regulation. In this review, I will discuss telomeres and telomerase-related factors and their functions in telomere and telomerase regulation in C. albicans.
A New Standard Test Method for the Tensile Evaluation of Ceramic Fibers

In 1997 the jurisdiction of the former ASTM Standard Test Method D3379 "Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength and Young's Modulus for High-Modulus Single-Filament Materials" was transferred from ASTM committee D30 onHigh Modulus Fibers and Their Composites to committee C28 on Aakanced Ceramics. One year later this document was withdrawn, in part because it was demonstrated that using the average of the cross-sectional area of a collection of fibers for the calculation of individual fiber strengths, as recommended by the standard, was inappropriate. This paper reviews the draft of a new ASTM test method for the tensile evaluation of single fibers, which incorporates provisions for addressing the deficiencies of the previous ASTM standard test method. At the time of this publication this test method was currently evolving through the internal ASTM balloting process on its way to becoming a standard.
Not All Alike

Abstract Most published research regarding same-sex relationship abuse experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people notes a need for services. However, the LGBT community is quite heterogeneous, and useful support may vary based on demographic characteristics. This research examined within group differences regarding type of support sought and its usefulness. Eighty nine percent (n = 677) of a diverse sample of LGBT people (N = 760) experienced abuse in a same-sex relationship. Of those who experienced some type of emotional, physical, and /or sexual abuse, differences in help sought and its usefulness were found based on age, income, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.
Shifting Narratives and Mutable Meanings

In and Out of Africa. 1993. 59 minutes, color. A film by Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Taylor. For information contact University of California Extension Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center Street, Fourth Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510–642–0460.
An efficient Shine-Dalgarno sequence but not translation is necessary for lacZ mRNA stability in Escherichia coli.

The 59 ends of many bacterial transcripts are important in determining mRNA stability. A series of Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence changes showed that the complementarity of the SD sequence to the anti-SD sequence of 16S rRNA correlates with lacZ mRNA stability in Escherichia coli. Several initiation codon changes showed that an efficient initiation codon is not necessary to maintain lacZ mRNA stability. A stop codon in the 10th codon of lacZ increased mRNA stability. Therefore, ribosomal binding via the SD sequence but not translation of the coding region is necessary to maintain lacZ mRNA stability. Images
FDTD analysis of dual-mode microstrip antennas

The objective of this work is to clear up the factors defining CP bandwidth in antennas based on dual-mode resonators. The results of our simulations performed by the FDTD method provide a new understanding of the mode splitting phenomena that gives a key to control circular polarization in dual-mode antennas.
Cutting edge practices to teach multicultural competencies in counseling, psychology, and education: teaching abroad or on campus?

This manuscript provides the results of a comparative study conducted in the USA with counseling, psychology, and education graduate students in which multicultural competencies were taught using the traditional on-campus and international study abroad course formats. Data were collected via the Miville-Guzman Universality-Diversity Scale, a 45-item self-report of openness towards diverse clients, along with qualitative analysis of two permanent products: cultural activity paper (framed as analysis of cultural interactions) and Reaction Journal (an open-ended reflection on the content of class lectures, readings, presentations, and discussions). A total of 29 graduate students from diverse backgrounds were sampled through two semesters. The results revealed that compared to peers taught via the traditional on-campus format, students enrolled in the international study abroad course reported more willingness to learn and interact with diverse populations. Further, these students evidenced more growth relat...
Potential energy surface for cyclotrimethylene trinitramine dimer from symmetry-adapted perturbation theory

We present a potential energy surface (PES) for the cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) dimer obtained using symmetry-adapted perturbation theory based on the Kohn–Sham density functional theory (DFT) description of the monomers [SAPT(DFT)]. More than a thousand dimer configurations were computed using an augmented double-zeta-quality basis set supplemented by bond functions. The ab initio interaction energies were used to obtain a six-dimensional analytic fit of the interaction PES. The geometries and energies of the minima on the PES have been found from the fit. The decomposition of the PES into physical components provided by the SAPT(DFT) method has been analyzed. The PES was then used in molecular dynamics simulations of the RDX crystal. The predicted crystal density is in an excellent agreement with experiment.
Comparison of solid state and electrostatic particle detection in medium energy ion scattering with channeling and blocking

Abstract Medium energy ion scattering measurements are compared using two different detection schemes, electrostatic and surface barrier detection. Results from clean Ni(110) are used to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is concluded that surface barrier detectors cannot be used to accurately measure scattering yields in directions away from double alignment because of the large uncertainties in background subtraction stemming from the inherent resolution limit of solid state detectors.
Influence of two woody riparian species on critical conditions for streambank stability: Upper Truckee River, California

Over the past 35 years, a trend of decreasing water clarity has been documented in Lake Tahoe, attributable in part to the delivery of fine grained sediment emanating from upland and channel erosion. A recent study showed that the Upper Truckee River is the single largest contributor of sediment to Lake Tahoe, with a large proportion of the sediment load emanating from streambanks. This study combines field data with numerical modeling to identify the critical conditions for bank stability along an unstable reach of the Upper Truckee River, California. Bank failures occur during winter and spring months, brought on by repeated basal melting of snow packs and rain-on-snow events. Field studies of young lodgepole pines and Lemmon's willow were used to quantify the mechanical, hydrologic, and net effects of riparian vegetation on streambank stability. Lemmon's willow provided an order of magnitude more root reinforcement (5.5 kPa) than the lodgepole pines (0.5 kPa); the hydrologic effects of the species varied spatially and temporally and generally were of a smaller magnitude than the mechanical effects. Overall, Lemmon's willow provided a significant increase in bank strength, reducing the frequency of bank failures and delivery of fine grained sediment to the study reach of the Upper Truckee River.
High-speed two-dimensional pyramid image coding method and its implementation

A non-separable pyramid scheme is developed for coding of images to achieve a high compression rate. The method allows a very efficient algorithmic implementation, using only 2 additions and a shift (division by 2) for each image pixel during coding and decoding. Since the operations needed are mostly independent of each other and have a high degree of regularity, it is also possible to design VLSI hardware to perform this operation using an array of simple basic cells. At the same time high coding efficiency results: for a typical 513 X 513 image we can achieve a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 30 dB with an encoding whose entropy is 0.133 bits per pixel. This information can be encoded using a method as simple as PCM, while still requiring only 0.385 bits per pixel, giving a very simple overall coding system.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mujerista Theology: Biblical Interpretation and Political Theology

This piece highlights the important contribution of the historical project of Mujerista Theology, as conceptualized and formulated by Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, to the discourses of biblical criticism and Political Theology. With regard to the former, it is argued that mujerista interpretation interacts with key developments in biblical criticism, such as liberation hermeneutics (focus on liberation from domination, by way of critical engagement with biblical texts), literary criticism (focus on Latinas as real readers) and ideological criticism (focus on Latinas as minority readers). With respect to the latter, it is argued that Mujerista Theology represents an excellent example of Political Theology (focus on Cuba as political imaginary and as grounds for theological reflection and action).
Defining the population of human immunodeficiency virus-infected children at risk for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection.

We reviewed the 22 cases of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) infection that occurred among 196 human immunodeficiency virus-infected children seen at the National Cancer Institute Pediatric Branch from December 1986 through April 1991, and an additional 65 charts from children with cultures negative for MAI. All patients with proven MAI were receiving antiretroviral therapy with zidovudine, dideoxyinosine, or a combination of zidovudine and dideoxycytidine. All patients had disseminated MAI infection, except one adolescent who had only evidence of localized lymphadenitis. All cases of MAI but one were diagnosed before death. The overall incidence of MAI was 11% in our patients but increased to 24% in patients whose absolute CD4 cell counts were 3 . Symptoms most commonly associated with MAI infection included recurrent fever (86% of patients), weight loss or failure to thrive (64%), neutropenia (55%), night sweats (32%), and abdominal pain (27%). Children infected with MAI had a mean CD4 percentage of 2% (range, 0% to 7%) and a mean absolute CD4 count of 12 cells/mm 3 (range, 0 to 48 cells/mm 3 ), significantly lower than in the remainder of the clinic population or the group of children with cultures negative for MAI. Of 20 patients with MAI infection who were tested, 10 had measurable p24 antigen with a mean value 939 pg/ml (range, 77 to 3270 pg/ml) compared with 19 of 59 patients without MAI infection in whom the mean positive value was 413 pg/ml. There was no difference in survival time between those children with documented MAI infection (median survival time, 45.5 weeks) and those with similarly low CD4 counts and cultures negative for MAI (median survival time, 50.4 weeks). Future improvements in therapeutic options may make screening of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with low CD4 counts a reasonable plan.
Spin injection into a ballistic semiconductor microstructure

A theory of spin injection across a ballistic semiconductor embedded between two ferromagnetic leads is developed for the Boltzmann regime. Spin injection coefficient $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is suppressed by the Sharvin resistance of the semiconductor ${r}_{N}^{*}{=(h/e}^{2})({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}{/S}_{N}),$ where ${S}_{N}$ is the Fermi-surface cross section. It competes with the diffusion resistances of the ferromagnets ${r}_{F},$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is small, $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\sim}{r}_{F}{/r}_{N}^{*}\ensuremath{\ll}1,$ in the absence of contact barriers. Efficient spin injection can be ensured by contact barriers. Explicit formulas for the junction resistance and the spin-valve effect are presented.
Bradyrhizobium japonicum Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Exhibits Calcium-Dependent Hysteresis

Abstract Bradyrhizobium japonicum NADP + -dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase was purified both from cultured cells and from the symbiotic form of the bacteria and was found to be identical in terms of N-terminal amino acid sequence, kinetics, and physicochemical properties. Magnesium and glycerol were absolute requirements for maintaining enzyme activity. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was more similar to the sequences from soybean and yeast than to other bacterial sequences. There was no immunological cross-reaction of antibodies from B. japonicum isocitrate dehydrogenase to extracts of soybean, pea, or Escherichia coli, but there was detectable, although weak, cross-reaction of antibodies from E. coli with the B. japonicum enzyme. B. japonicum isocitrate dehydrogenase displayed strong inhibition by NADH, indicating that during symbiotic nitrogen fixation the enzyme activity would be markedly reduced in planta. The enzyme displayed a calcium-dependent hysteresis, with a pronounced lag lasting as long as 2 min. Hysteresis was evident at concentrations of magnesium less than 0.5 mM and calcium greater than 1 μM. The hysteresis could be alleviated by excess magnesium or by 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane- N,N,N ′ ,N ′-tetraacetic acid. The results suggest two roles for magnesium during catalysis; one magnesium may be needed to convert the enzyme into the steady-state form and the second needed for chelation of isocitrate for catalysis. The calcium-dependent hysteretic behavior of B. japonicum NADP + -isocitrate dehydrogenase suggested that this metal could serve as an intracellular regulator during symbiosis.
THE RELATION OF AGE AND BUD BREAK TO THE DETERMINATION OF PHYLLOTAXY IN CATALPA SPECIOSA

A B S T B A a T Catalpa speciosa is interesting in that the phyllotaxy of the lateral shoots can be either decussate or whorled. The pattern appears to be correlated with the number of buds which emerge. The arrangement is not related to dormancy; nor does the stage of development of the bud at the time of bud break influence the phyllotaxy. The control of bud break appears to be related to the position of the bud on the stem. Possible mechanisms controlling the lateral shoot pattern are discussed. THE PROBLEM of phyllotaxy has fascinated botanists for many years. Reviews by M. and R. Snow (1934, 1947), R. Snow (1955), C. W. Wardlaw (1952, 1965), and E. G. Cutter (1965) have treated this topic extensively. Catalpa provides a variable phyllotactic system which suggests new possibilities for an approach to this subject. The terminal bud of Catalpa seedlings produces a plant with a consistent pattern of decussate leaves. In short days Catalpa becomes dormant and the apical bud abscises. When returned to long days, the sub-apical, lateral buds resume growth and the phyllotactic pattern is generally either decussate or in whorls of three. The pattern once established in the lateral shoots is also stable under normal growing conditions. The literature on Catalpa reveals that the
What types of men are most attractive and most repulsive to women

This study investigated the effect of gender role related characteristics in men on romantic and platonic attraction in women. Ninety-six female college students (approximately 70% Caucasian; 20% Mexican American; and 10% African American) were given a booklet containing descriptions of stimulus males. Feminine males were preferred as friends and romantic partners over masculine males. Feminine and masculine males were more attractive as friends than as dates. Income and occupational status did not affect platonic attraction, and occupational status did not affect romantic attraction. Income had a positive effect on romantic attraction only for those participants who were presented with males having socially desirable personality traits, suggesting that college women only consider men's income after personality criteria have been met.
Suppression of Tumorigenicity-14, encoding matriptase, is a critical suppressor of colitis and colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis

Colitis-associated colorectal cancers are an etiologically distinct subgroup of colon cancers that occur in individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel disease and arise as a consequence of persistent exposure of hyperproliferative epithelial stem cells to an inflammatory microenvironment. An intrinsic defect in the intestinal epithelial barrier has been proposed to be one of several factors that contribute to the inappropriate immune response to the commensal microbiota that underlies inflammatory bowel disease. Matriptase is a membrane-anchored serine protease encoded by Suppression of Tumorigenicity-14 (ST14) that strengthens the intestinal epithelial barrier by promoting tight junction formation. Here, we show that intestinal epithelial-specific ablation of St14 in mice causes formation of colon adenocarcinoma with very early onset and high penetrance. Neoplastic progression is preceded by a chronic inflammation of the colon that resembles human inflammatory bowel disease and is promoted by the commensal microbiota. This study demonstrates that inflammation-associated colon carcinogenesis can be initiated and promoted solely by an intrinsic intestinal permeability barrier perturbation, establishes St14 as a critical tumor-suppressor gene in the mouse gastrointestinal tract and adds matriptase to the expanding list of pericellular proteases with tumor-suppressive functions.
Hyposensitivity to Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid in the Ventral Tegmental Area During Alcohol Withdrawal: Reversal by Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors

Putative dopaminergic (pDAergic) ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons have an important role in alcohol addiction. Acute ethanol increases the activity of pDAergic neurons, and withdrawal from repeated ethanol administration produces a decreased sensitivity of pDAergic VTA neurons to GABA. Recent studies show that behavioral changes induced by chronic alcohol are reversed by inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs). Whether HDAC-induced histone modifications regulate changes in GABA sensitivity of VTA pDAergic neurons during withdrawal is unknown. Here, we investigated modulation of withdrawal-induced changes in GABA sensitivity of pDAergic VTA neurons by HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), and also measured the levels of HDAC2, histone (H3-K9) acetylation, and GABA-Aα1 receptor (GABA (A-α1) R) subunit in VTA during ethanol withdrawal. Mice were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with either ethanol (3.5 g/kg) or saline twice daily for 3 weeks. In recordings from pDAergic VTA neurons in brain slices from ethanol-withdrawn mice, sensitivity to GABA (50–500 μM) was reduced. In brain slices from ethanol-withdrawn mice incubated with the HDACi SAHA (vorinostat) or trichostatin A (TSA) for 2 h, the hyposensitivity of pDAergic VTA neurons to GABA was significantly attenuated. There was no effect of TSA or SAHA on GABA sensitivity of pDAergic VTA neurons from saline-treated mice. In addition, ethanol withdrawal was associated with an increase in levels of HDAC2 and a decrease in histone (H3-K9) acetylation and levels of GABA (A-α1) R subunits in the VTA. Therefore, blockade of upregulation of HDAC2 by HDACi normalizes GABA hyposensitivity of pDAergic neurons developed during withdrawal after chronic ethanol treatment, which suggests the possibility that inhibition of HDACs can reverse ethanol-induced neuroadaptational changes in reward circuitry.
Maintaining knowledge for an adaptive path-planning system

In this paper, we present a new approach to solve the mobile robot path planning problem with the consideration of the adaptability to task environmental changes due to unexpected obstacles. In order to accommodate these changes, newly discovered obstacles must be represented and included to update obstacle information. We propose a problem representation method to model the path planning problem. In this method, spatial knowledge described in terms of visibility, interference, and target obstacle is used to model the solution process. The knowledge inference process is based on traversability vectors, a mechanism to analyze spatial relation between geometric objects. We assume that an obstacle can be represented by a set of half-planes. Coefficients of the half-planes are stored as the basic world description. Changes on the obstacles can be accommodated by updating the stored coefficients. Thus, the planning system can always utilize the most recently updated obstacle information to plan for the path. This planning procedure is capable of generating the shortest path efficiently. We use a simulation example to show the capability of the proposed work.
Atomic view of cluster diffusion on metal surfaces

Abstract Field ion microscope measurements show a strong correlation between the mobility and shape of small clusters on fcc(100) metal surfaces. For self-diffusion on Rh(100) this correlation leads to an oscillatory behavior in the activation energy of surface diffusion as a function of cluster size. Comparison of the measured activation energies to previous theoretical calculations indicate that the mechanism of cluster diffusion involves individual displacements of edge atoms (i.e., perimeter diffusion). The rate-determining step in the migration of clusters is the partial detachment of one of the perimeter atoms. The relative ease of adatom motion along straight edges of stationary clusters also permits measurements of diffusion barriers at steps — measurements useful in the interpretation of fractal vs. compact island growth on fcc metal surfaces.
NON-ISENTROPIC UNSTEADY TRANSONIC SMALL DISTURBANCE THEORY

Modifications to transonic small disturbance theory (TSD) which more accurately model the Euler equations and seem to remove the problem of nonunique potential flow solutions are presented. The modifications are implemented in the two-dimensional computer code XTRAN2L, and steady and unsteady flow calculations made for the NACA 0012, NLR 7301, and NACA 64A010A airfoils. Comparisons are made with unmodified and modified TSD, Euler, and full potential theories and with experimental data. The modified theory requires only minor coding changes in existing algorithms for calculating small disturbance flows, and results in relatively small increases in computational cost.
Fetal blood sampling.

Objective We sought to review indications, technical aspects, risks, and recommendations for fetal blood sampling (FBS). Methods A systematic review was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library using the terms “fetal blood sampling,” “percutaneous umbilical blood sampling,” and “cordocentesis.” The search was restricted to English-language articles published from 1966 through July 2012. Priority was given to articles reporting original research, in particular randomized controlled trials, although review articles and commentaries also were consulted. Abstracts of research presented at symposia and scientific conferences were not considered adequate for inclusion in this document. Evidence reports and guidelines published by organizations or institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Health Research and Quality, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine were also reviewed, and additional studies were located by reviewing bibliographies of identified articles. Grade (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology was employed for defining strength of recommendations and rating quality of evidence. Consistent with US Preventive Task Force guidelines, references were evaluated for quality based on the highest level of evidence. Results and Recommendations Ultrasound-guided FBS is the only procedure that provides direct access to the fetal circulation. When invasive testing is planned for suspected severe fetal anemia or thrombocytopenia, we recommend FBS as the procedure of choice, with availability of immediate transfusion if confirmed. We recommend against the use of FBS for indications in which other less invasive, and therefore lower risk, alternatives are available. The overall success rate of FBS is high, and blood samples can be obtained in >98% of patients. We suggest that counseling for FBS include discussion about the potential risk of FBS that may include, but may not be limited to: bleeding from puncture site (20-30%); fetal bradycardia (5-10%); pregnancy loss (≥1.3%, depending on indication, gestational age, and placental penetration); and vertical transmission of hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus. We recommend that FBS be performed by experienced operators at centers with expertise in invasive fetal procedures when feasible.
A self-heated second stage regulator for underwater divers

Abstract This article deals with the development, testing and performance evaluation of a new class of a self-heated breathing regulator for underwater divers. This class of regulators is introduced because of its capability of utilizing the energy of the compressed gas, used in supporting the lives of divers underwater, in heating the inhaled gases as well as in eliminating the problems of regulator freeze-up in cold waters. The paper presents the performance characteristics of the self-heated second stage regulators under different simulated dive temperatures, breathing frequencies and tidal volumes. Comparisons are also presented between the performance of the self-heated regulator and a conventional regulator in order to define the merits and limitations of each type under different dive conditions. The obtained results indicate that the self-heated regulator produced not only warm gases but performed successfully in zero°C waters while the conventional regulator has failed. This paper suggests the potential of the self-heated regulator as viable means for alleviating the problems of cold water diving.
Oxidation of catechol to 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde

Abstract Singlet and triplet reaction pathways for the oxidation reaction of catechol to 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde were examined at the B3LYP/6-311G ∗∗ level of theory for the uncatalyzed process. In three step mechanisms, the reactions proceed through a peroxy-like transition state, with initial oxygen attack at different carbon atom sites. The final product of the (open shell) singlet reaction is the semialdehyde that has been observed experimentally. The reaction barriers along the singlet surface are lower than those on the triplet pathway.
Transport of pipecolic acid in adult and developing mouse brain

In an effort to develop an animal model of hyperpipecolatemia, the uptake of pipecolic acid (PA) in the brain and changes of PA levels in serum following administration of D,L-PA were studied in the mouse using a new sensitive HPLC-EC method. Following i.p. injections (250 mg/kg) to adult male mice, the brain concentration peaks at 5-10 min (40 nmol/g). The level remains relatively stable up to 5 hrs and then declines slowly to 24 hrs. In serum, the level of PA increases rapidly to reach the maximum value at 10 min and then decreases rapidly in the first hour and continues to decline more slowly to 24 hrs. The net uptake of PA following administration of various amounts of D,L-PA is saturable at low doses (3.9-15.6 mg/kg), and it increases linearly at higher doses in a dose-dependent manner up to the maximum dose (500 mg/kg) used in the present study. Kinetic analysis suggests the presence of two kinds of transport systems. These findings are in good agreement with the previous results using D,L-[3H]PA in the mouse (7) and L-[14C]PA in the rat (13). There were no significant differences between uptake of D-pipecolic acid and L-pipecolic acid (250 mg/kg, i.p., 10 min), suggesting the absence of stereospecificity for PA uptake in the mouse brain. Developmental changes in net brain uptake of PA following injections of D,L-PA (250 mg/kg, s.c., 10 min) showed an age-dependent decrease which continues until adult levels are reached at four weeks after birth. The results suggest that the blood brain barrier (BBB) for PA is completed during the first month of life. Following administration of D,L-PA (250 mg/kg, s.c.) to pregnant mice during the period 19-21 days of gestation, PA level increases in fetal brain to a maximum value at 2 hrs (420 nmol/g). This level is unchanged during 24 hrs. The maximum level of PA in fetal serum is reached at 30 min to 1 hr. The level gradually decreases after 1 hr over 24 hrs. These results indicate that PA taken up by the placenta and into the brain is transported from the fetal circulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Lyapunov stability of ideal stratified fluid equilibria in hydrostatic balance

The inviscid dynamics of a continuously stratified, rotating, incompressible fluid in three dimensions is treated in the Boussinesq approximation, assuming hydrostatic balance in the direction of gravity. The dynamics and Lyapunov stability properties of such a fluid are studied by formulating the problem as a noncanonical Hamiltonian system in isopycnal coordinates and using Lyapunov's direct method to establish sufficient conditions for stability of a wide class of equilibrium solutions.
CIRCUMSCRIPTION OF ECHINOCEREUS ARIZONICUS SUBSP. ARIZONICUS: PHENETIC ANALYSIS OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS IN SECTION TRIGLOCHIDIATUS (CACTACEAE), PART II

ABSTRACT A multivariate analysis was performed for populations of Echinocereus (section Triglochidiatus) to facilitate the taxonomic circumscription of E. arizonicus subsp. arizonicus. Twenty-one morphological characters for 16 populations evidenced the validity of at least two subspecific taxa within E. arizonicus: E. arizonicus subsp. arizonicus and E. arizonicus subsp. nigrihorridispinus. Principle components analysis indicated that stem characters were most diagnostic in defining two distinct groups of populations, each including the type locality of one of the two subspecies. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustered populations of the two subspecies apart from one another and from those of the outgroup, E. triglochidiatus subsp. mojavensis. For most measured characters, means differed significantly between the two subspecies. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 97.0% for individuals of E. arizonicus subsp. arizonicus and 94.7% for individuals of E. arizonicus subsp. ...
Spectroscopic, kinetic, and electrochemical characterization of heterologously expressed wild-type and mutant forms of copper-containing nitrite reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.3.

We report the development of a high-yield heterologous expression system for the copper-containing nitrite reductase from a denitrifying variant of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Typical yields of wild-type protein are 20 mg L-1, which can be fully loaded with copper. Nitrite reductase contains an unusual blue-green Type 1 copper center with a redox/electron transfer function and a nearby Type 2 center where nitrite binds and is reduced to nitric oxide. The wild-type enzyme was characterized by: (1) its blue-green Type 1 optical spectrum; (2) its EPR spectrum showing rhombic character to its Type 1 center and nitrite perturbation to its Type 2 center; (3) its 247-mV Type 1 midpoint potential which is low relative to other Type 1 centers; and (4) its kinetics as measured by both steady-state and stopped-flow methods. The Type 2 copper reduction potential as monitored by EPR in the absence of nitrite was below 200 mV so that reduction of the Type 2 center by the Type 1 center in the absence of nitrite is not ene...
Estimating the size selectivity and catching efficiency of a survey bottom trawl for thornyheads, Sebastolobus spp. using a towed video camera sled

Abstract Data from a video camera sled and research survey trawl were used to estimate size-specific trawl selectivity for Sebastolobus spp. Sizes from the camera sled video were extracted using an oblique grid plane and image analysis software. Thornyhead mean densities were 3–5 times higher with the camera sled than the survey trawl. Experimental selectivity patterns failed to conform to traditional parametric selectivity functions so a new non-parametric model was derived. The estimates of catchability for 20–25 cm thornyheads were 0.25–0.75. Catchability estimates for thornyheads larger than 30 cm were much lower (
Transtrigonal Approach for Excision of MUllerian Duct Structures

Persistent mullerian structures attached to the prostatic urethra in the male may cause urinary incontinence and infection. The transtrigonal technique allows complete excision with preservation of normal bladder function and control. We describe the operative technique in detail.
Quantification of neonatal amplitude-integrated EEG patterns.

Background Amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) is increasingly used in research with premature infants; however, comprehensive interpretation is limited by the lack of simple approaches for reliably quantifying and summarizing the data.
Marine natural products: Totally tubular peptide synthesis

The convergent total synthesis of the pore-forming polytheonamide B — a linear peptide natural product — pokes holes through perceived limitations in de novo peptide synthesis, and provides access to novel synthetic membrane channels.
Case of unusual presentation of fusiform aneurysm of the basilar artery.

Abstract Objective: To describe a case of a fusiform aneurysm of the basilar artery presented as a pontine infarct and 2 days later as a subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by the rupture of the same aneurysm. Design: Case report. Setting: Tertiary-care hospital. Background: Fusiform aneurysm of cerebral vessels is a rare pathology that presents with ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or mass effect. Ischemia and subarachnoid hemorrhage in the same patient 2 days apart, to our knowledge, was not reported before. Subject: A 55-year-old Hispanic man with history of untreated hypertension and alcohol abuse presented with acute onset of right hemiparesis and dysarthria. On day 2 of his hospital admission, he developed arrythmia and loss of consciousness. The patient expired from cardiac arrest on day 4 of his hospitalization. Initial head computed tomography scan showed dolichoectatic basilar artery and marked calcification of internal carotid arteries (ICA) and middle cerebral arteries (MCA). Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed left upper pons infarct 2 cm in diameter. Magnetic resonance angiography confirmed presence of a fusiform aneurysm of the basilar artery. Head computed tomography scan at the time of clinical deterioration on day 2 of hospital admission showed subarachnoid bleeding and significant brain edema. Autopsy revealed a ruptured basilar artery aneurysm with thrombus in the lumen and left pontine infarct. Microscopic examination of fusiform aneurysm showed atherosclerosis of the aneurysmal wall and attenuation and inflammation at the rupture site. Conclusions: We hypothesize that in our case, pontine infarct had developed because of occlusion of pontine perforators by a thrombus within an aneurysm, and subarachnoid hemorrhage had developed secondary to a rupture of weakened by inflammatory changes aneurysmal wall. We also hypothesize that in our case, ischemic stroke and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage may represent different stages of the same process of atherosclerosis and inflammation in an aneurysmal wall confirmed by autopsy. Origin as well as management of fusiform cerebral aneurysms are unclear. Antiplatelet agents and anticoagulation are recommended by some for stroke prophylaxis in patients with unruptured fusiform cerebral aneurysms. Our case shows that caution should be exercised in prescribing anticoagulants or even antiplatelet agents to a patient with fusiform aneurysm of cerebral arteries due to a possibility of rupture of an aneurysm. Randomized prospective study may be necessary to clarify this issue. Copyright © 2001 by National Stroke Association
The effect of modality on long-term recognition memory

Two experiments examined the effects of visual and auditory modes of input on long-term memory. In Experiment 1, 40 subjects learned a 40-word list presented in a blocked or random fashion. In the blocked conditions learners were presented half the nouns in one modality followed by the remaining 20 words in the other modality (See-Hear or Hear-See). Subjects in random conditions also received half the list in each modality, but the presentation was random (Mixed or Mixed Reverse). Following a 6-min delay, subjects completed an 80-item visual recognition test. Analysis of these data showed significantly (p < .05) greater recognition of words presented visually than those presented auditorily. Experiment 2 was designed to test the hypothesis that learners may visualize a “literal copy” of the stimulus item by controlling for the extent to which the recognition measure offered a visual cue. Two groups of 40 subjects were examined using the same procedure used in Experiment 1, with the exception that one group received a visual recognition test while the other was tested auditorily. These data showed that the lack of a visual cue hindered the recognition of visually presented words, while it had little effect on stimuli presented auditorily. The results of these experiments were interpreted as support for the hypothesis that physical characteristics of a stimulus may persist in memory well beyond immediate memory intervals. Subjects were seen to make modality-specific decisions by testing long-term memory for the presence or absence of a visual memory trace.
The role of stochastic programming in communication network design

Conventional design and optimization methods are being challenged by the rapid evolution of electronic and optical communication networks. It becomes necessary to incorporate the stochastic effect of traffic flows into network models. This paper introduces the stochastic programming (SP) methodology to characterize the stochastic traffic. A multi-commodity network model is proposed. Two SP approaches, here-and-now and scenario tracking, are described through case studies for a prototype network.
Ultrastructural cytochemistry and radioautography of hemoglobin—iron absorption

The subcellular route of hemoglobin-iron absorption by canine intestinal epithelial cells was investigated with cytochemical and radioautographic methods and compared to that observed for inorganic iron absorption. A solution of rabbit [59Fe]hemoglobin or an inorganic-iron solution was injected into closed duodenal loops of beagle dogs and mucosal biopsies were obtained 15, 60, and 120 min thereafter. Mucosal retention of radioactivity in dogs given hemoglobin iron was 6.9–10.2% after 120 min, and portal venous blood radioactivity was confined to the inorganic iron fraction. In the same animals diaminobenzidine (DAB)-reactive heme was visualized in microendocytic caveolae at the bases of microvilli and in membrane-bound tubulovesicular structures and granules of the apical cytoplasm. DAB-reactive heme was not identified in the lateral intercellular space or the basal extracellular space. In the same specimens, acid ferrocyanide stained ferric iron in a few apical cytoplasmic vesicles as well as along the outer lateral and basal plasmalemma but failed to identify inorganic iron in microvilli. Both the microvilli and the lateral plasmalemma appeared stained in specimens from animals given inorganic iron. In radioautographic specimens of animals given [59Fe]hemoglobin, silver grains were most frequently associated with the apical cytoplasm and the lateral plasmalemma. We conclude that at least one mechanism of hemoglobin-iron absorption involves endocytosis and degradation of hemoglobin in membrane-bound organelles with subsequent conversion of its iron to an inorganic form, which is then transported to the lateral intercellular space where subsequent processing is similar to that observed for absorbed inorganic iron.
Reaction of trimethylaluminum with selenium tetrachloride. Synthesis of [(CH3)3 Se][ClAl(CH3)2(Cl)Al(CH3)3]. The first selenium-based liquid clathrate

Selenium tetrachloride reacts with an excess of trimethylaluminum in the presence of aromatic solvents to afford a non-stoichiometric organoaluminum-selenonium based inclusion compound of the formula [(CH3)3Se][ClAl(CH3)2(Cl)Al(CH3)3]·(aromatic solvent) n . The cation of the parent compound of the inclusion complex results from the alkylation of SeCl4 producing the (CH3)3Se+ selenonium ion while the anion consists of a dimethylaluminum chloride unit and a trimethylaluminum unit bridged by a chlorine atom. This liquid inclusion complex, liquid clathrate, can accommodate 8.5 benzene molecules or 8.3 guest toluene molecules per anionic moiety.
Film and Media Scholarship on Contemporary India: The Assemblage, the Narrative, and “Bollywood”

Reading the work of film scholars Anustup Basu, Amit Rai and Ravi Vasudevan together, this essay discusses contemporary film and media scholarship in India. It highlights the central differences between these works as pivoting on their research methodologies as well as the way each conceptualizes significant terms, namely, identity, ideology, hegemony, and assemblage. The essay shows that this scholarship proceeds along two routes: one eschews the primacy of the narrative and the concept of identity, focusing instead on the “assembling impulse” of the Hindi film, and the second is attentive to the axes that give form and consistency to the loose assemblages that define the Hindi film in India. As such, film scholarship also makes an argument about the shape of the social formation in contemporary India. While one mode assumes the newness of the contemporary period and argues for a looseness to its political assemblages, the other is invested in delineating what is new about the period and in tracing the h...
Endoscopy 20 Years Into the Future

Gastrointestinal endoscopy has had a spectacular run in the last few decades with advances in technology that have redefined both gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery. Going forward, its contributions are likely to be even more meaningful as new procedures expand both the indications as well as the user base and contribute to bending the curve of healthcare costs. In this essay, I will describe some of what I believe to be the most important future developments with the greatest potential for impact across the spectrum of digestive disorders.
Aberrant expression of the polarity complex atypical PKC and non-muscle myosin IIA in active and inactive inflammatory bowel disease

Epithelial barrier function is contingent on appropriate polarization of key protein components. Work in intestinal epithelial cell cultures and animal models of bowel inflammation suggested that atypical PKC (aPKC), the kinase component of the Par3–Par6 polarity complex, is downregulated by pro-inflammatory signaling. Data from other laboratories showed the participation of myosin light chain kinase in intestinal inflammation, but there is paucity of evidence for assembly of its major target, non-muscle myosin II, in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In addition, we showed before that non-muscle myosin IIA (nmMyoIIA) is upregulated in intestinal inflammation in mice and TNFα-treated Caco-2 cells. Thus far, it is unknown if a similar phenomena occur in patients with IBD. Moreover, it is unclear whether aPKC downregulation is directly correlated with local mucosal inflammation or occurs in uninvolved areas. Frozen sections from colonoscopy material were stained for immunofluorescence with extensively validated specific antibodies against phosphorylated aPKC turn motif (active form) and nmMyoIIA. Inflammation was scored for the local area from where the material was obtained. We found a significant negative correlation between the expression of active aPKC and local inflammation, and a significant increase in the apical expression of nmMyoIIA in surface colon epithelia in inflamed areas, but not in non-inflamed mucosa even in the same patients. Changes in aPKC and nmMyoIIA expression are likely to participate in the pathogenesis of epithelial barrier function in response to local pro-inflammatory signals. These results provide a rationale for pursuing mechanistic studies on the regulation of these proteins.
Experimental observation of slow ion acoustic double layers.

Des resultats de laboratoire montrent l'existence d'un nouveau type de double couche qui a des variations de potentiel monotone mais peut etre declenche avec une vitesse de derive des electrons inferieure a la vitesse thermique des electrons. Ces doubles couches evoluent depuis les puits de potentiel de la cathode virtuelle a la limite d'injection des electrons, independamment de la vitesse de derive des electrons. Les amplitudes des doubles couches sont determinees par la vitesse de derive initiale des electrons injectes