cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental roles of the thyroid hormone receptor α and β genes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the developmental roles of the thyroid hormone (TH) receptor α and β genes. A feature of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) signaling is its adaptability and is illustrated in two developmental processes: (1) hearing exemplifies a complex function that is subject to multiple levels of control by thyroid hormone in different cell types in the auditory system and (2) the color visual system is unexpectedly dependent on TR signaling but unlike the auditory system, this largely centers around the differentiation of a single cell type, the cone photoreceptor. Thyroid hormone (T3) has numerous actions in development in vertebrate species. TRs that act as T3-regulated transcription factors are central to these actions. Several TRα and TRβ isoforms encoded by two genes (Thra and Thrb) provide biological versatility. Gene targeting has indicated specific roles for each gene—for example, Thra determines heart rate, thermogenesis, and bone and intestinal differentiation, whereas Thrb controls the pituitary–thyroid axis and liver function. Thrb is also critical for hearing and color vision. Together, Thra and Thrb coregulate a wider spectrum of actions in brain function, growth, and fertility. The deletion of all α and β receptors results in viable mice, but these exhibit immaturity in multiple systems, indicating the importance of T3 signaling at the later, maturational stages of development. The tissue specificity and timing of TR functions in vivo are likely to be determined in cooperation with other factors, including deiodinase enzymes that regulate hormone availability in a given tissue.
Orangutans (Pongo spp.) have deeper, more efficient sleep than baboons (Papio papio) in captivity

The nightly construction of arboreal sleeping platforms or "nests" has been observed among every great ape population studied to date. However, this behavior has never been reported in any other nonhuman primate and comparisons between ape and monkey sleep illuminate the link between sleeping substrates, positional behavior, and sleep efficiency. Here, we compare sleep depth and efficiency and night-time positional behavior between a large-bodied cercopithecoid (Papio papio) and a large-bodied hominoid (Pongo spp.) at the Indianapolis Zoo. We used infrared videography to assess nightly sleep and awake behavioral states, gross body movements, and postures in baboons (N = 45 nights) and orangutans (N = 128 nights). We calculated the total waking time, total sleep time, sleep fragmentation (the number of brief awakenings ≥2 min/h), sleep motor activity (number of motor activity bouts per hour), sleep efficiency (sleep duration/time in bed), and percentage of time spent in each posture. By every measure, orangutans experienced overall deeper, more efficient sleep. Baboons were more likely to sleep in guarded, upright positions (weight bearing on their ischial callosities) and never opted to use additional materials to augment sleep environments, whereas orangutans slept in insouciant, relaxed positions on constructed sleeping materials. Our results suggest that relaxed sleeping postures may have been enabled by sleeping platforms as a behavioral facilitator to sleep, which could have allowed for greater sleep depth and next-day cognitive capacities in both great apes and hominins.
Interaction between the yeast mitochondrial and nuclear genomes influences the abundance of novel transcripts derived from the spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat.

Abstract We have identified stable transcripts from the so-called nontranscribed spacer region (NTS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat in certain respiration-deficient strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These RNAs, which are transcribed from the same strand as is the 37S rRNA precursor, are 500 to 800 nucleotides long and extend from the 5' end of the 5S rRNA gene to three major termination sites about 1,780, 1,830, and 1,870 nucleotides from the 3' end of the 26S rRNA gene. A survey of various wild-type and respiration-deficient strains showed that NTS transcript abundance depended on the mitochondrial genotype and a single codominant nuclear locus. In strains with that nuclear determinant, NTS transcripts were barely detected in [rho+] cells, were slightly more abundant in various mit- derivatives, and were most abundant in petites. However, in one petite that was hypersuppressive and contained a putative origin of replication (ori5) within its 757-base-pair mitochondrial genome, NTS transcripts were no more abundant than in [rho+] cells. The property of low NTS transcript abundance in the hypersuppressive petite was unstable, and spontaneous segregants that contained NTS transcripts as abundant as in the other petites examined could be obtained. Thus, respiration deficiency per se is not the major factor contributing to the accumulation of these unusual RNAs. Unlike RNA polymerase I transcripts, the abundant NTS RNAs were glucose repressible, fractionated as poly(A)+ RNAs, and were sensitive to inhibition by 10 micrograms of alpha-amanitin per ml, a concentration that had no effect on rRNA synthesis. Abundant NTS RNAs are therefore most likely derived by polymerase II transcription.
Stereo and 3‐D Display Technologies

Recently, there have been rapid advancements in 3-D techniques and technologies. Hardware has improved and become considerably cheaper, making real-time and interactive 3-D available to the hobbyist, as well as to the researcher. There have been major studies in areas such as molecular modeling, photogrammetry, flight simulation, CAD, visualization of multidimensional data, medical imaging, teleoperations such as remote vehicle piloting and remote surgery, and stereolithography. In computer graphics, the improvements in speed, resolution, and economy make interactive stereo an important capability. Old techniques have been improved, and new ones have been developed. True 3-D is rapidly becoming an important part of computer graphics, visualization, virtual-reality systems, and computer gaming. Numerous 3-D systems are granted patents each year, but very few systems move beyond the prototype stage and become commercially viable. Here, the salient 3-D systems are treated. First, the major depth cues that one uses to determine depth relationships among objects in a scene are described. The history of 3-D displays and an overview of technologies follow. Details are given on the viewing devices required. Large formats, such as IMAX are discused. Autostereoscopic displays with us viewing devices are discussed. Keywords: depth cues; technology taxonomy; overview; viewing devices; large format display; IMAX; autostereoscopic displays; volumetric displays
Studies on the incorporation of deoxyribonucleic acid.

Abstract The purification of an enzyme fraction from calf-thymus nuclei catalyzing a limited incorporation of deoxyribonucleotides into the terminal positions of DNA has been described. The enzyme studied is apparently distinct from DNA polymerase. The same enzyme will also catalyze the incorporation of single ribonucleotides into the terminal positions of DNA.
Biology of Secretory Phospholipase A2

Introduction The secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) family provides a seemingly endless array of potential biological functions that is only beginning to be appreciated. In humans, this family comprises 9 different members that vary in their tissue distribution, hydrolytic activity, and phospholipid substrate specificity. Through their lipase activity, these enzymes trigger various cell-signaling events to regulate cellular functions, directly kill bacteria, or modulate inflammatory responses. In addition, some sPLA2’s are high affinity ligands for cellular receptors.
Multiparameter Assessment Guide for Emergency Shelters: Disaster Relief Applications

A detailed review was conducted of the building industry to develop a list of viable candidates for use as emergency shelter structures. To facilitate this review, a side-by-side analysis of each system had to be conducted. This analysis was facilitated through a request for proposal in which a prototype building was submitted to each interested group. Each party was required to submit a detailed proposal for review by the research team. The investigative team measured each shelter system against 18 performance parameters, classified as military (end-user), structural, and pass/fail. Four shelter systems provided adequate documentation with respect to structural performance and usage parameters. This paper reports on the results of this investigation and develops a list of general conclusions with respect to available emergency shelter systems. This work was supported by the Center for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, University of South Florida, under contract from the Office for Naval Research.
Association between the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge and the early ultrasonographic detection of pregnancy and fetal heartbeats in beagle dogs.

Abstract The size of the gestational sac and embryonic mass as well as the embryonic heartbeat were examined ultrasonographically from Day 16 to 25 of pregnancy in 15 beagle bitches, using a 7.5 MHz transducer. Results were more consistent when gestational age was based on the day of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge than on the day of first breeding. The gestational sac was first detected at 17 to 20 d after the LH surge, when it was 1 to 2 mm in diameter and 1 to 4 mm in length. The diameter and length of the gestational sac increased exponentially. At Day 25, the mean diameter was 8.2 ± 0.3 mm (7 to 9 mm) and mean length was 20.3 ± 1.1 mm (14 to 24 mm). Embryonic mass and heartbeat were first detected at 23 to 25 d after the LH surge. The embryonic heartbeat was detected on the day of or the day after detection of the embryonic mass, at which time the embryonic mass was 1 to 4 mm in length and was located at the periphery of the gestational sac.
Identification and Characterization of GDP-D-mannose 4,6-Dehydratase and GDP-L-fucose Synthetase in a GDP-L-fucose Biosynthetic Gene Cluster from Helicobacter pylori

Abstract In this study two open reading frames namely HP0044 and HP0045 from H. pylori were cloned and overexpressed in E. coli. The two recombinant proteins were demonstrated to have GDP- D -mannose 4,6-dehydratase (GMD) and GDP- L -fucose synthetase (GFS) activities, respectively. The recombinant GMD was a tetramer and had an optimum pH of 6.5. Exogenous NADP+ was essential for its activity. The Km and Kcat for GDP- D -mannose were 117.3 μM and 0.27 s−1, respectively. The recombinant GFS was a homodimer with an optimum pH of 8.0. The Km and Kcat for GDP-4-keto-6-deoxy- D -mannose were 64.08 μM and 0.75 s−1, respectively. It can use both NADPH and NADH, but less efficient with the latter. Amino acid sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that H. pylori GFS was highly homologous to the GFS of E. coli O111 and both of them were located on a separate phylogenetic branch from other GFS. The unique clustering and origin of the two genes were also discussed.
Stability of recombinant plasmids carrying the threonine operon in Escherichia coli.

The stability of recombinant strains of Escherichia coli carrying hybrid plasmids comprised of pBR322 and the threonine operon (thrA, thrB and thrC) of E. coli was examined. (1) Recombinant strains were classified into two types according to the direction of the an inserted DNA fragment containing the threonine operon, which was cloned into the HindIII site of pBR322. Type I had a more stable pBR322-thr hybrid plasmid, and Type II had a less stable one and easily lost it. scLsc-Threonine productivity of Type I strains was much higher than that of Type II, presumably depending on the stability of each plasmid. (2) Repeated transfer of the host cells carrying pAJ294, a pBR322-thr hybrid plasmid obtained from a Type I strain, without any selective pressure caused a serious loss of the plasmid. Culturing at high temperature or in a poor medium accelerated the loss, and it was prevented by the addition of ampicillin or tetracycline to the culture medium. (3) pAJ294 was stable under some storage conditions, sto...
Further considerations of the regional responses to photic stimulation as shown by epoch averaging.

Abstract Using latency, amplitude, and waveform comparisons, a study has been described which attempts to determine the extent to which orbital and peri-orbital potentials contribute to averaged activity recorded from the scalp in response to repetitive photic stimulation. It was found that the activity recorded from the infra-orbital ridge when compared to that recorded from the scalp, although frequently very similar, was for the most part, so divergent with respect to latency, amplitude, and waveforms as to preclude significant scalp contamination under these conditions. However, considerable contamination of the infra-orbital site by cerebral potentials was seen to occur.
Unusual causes of headache

Headache is a common symptom of HN-1 infection. The majority of HIV-related headaches are due to serious complications of the disease such as meningitis or CNS mass lesions. Clinical presentations of benign and serious headaches in patients with HIV-1 infection often overlap. Therefore, patients with HIV-1 infection, regardless of the disease stage, should undergo thorough investigations when they present with headache.
AN INLAND OIL SPILL RESPONSE MANUAL TO MINIMIZE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

ABSTRACT Inland oil spills generally have received less attention than their coastal and marine counterparts. On the average, more than 2,000 spills occur on the inland waters of the continental United States each year. Recognizing the potential effects of these spills, the American Petroleum Institute has funded several studies in recent years to address issues associated with inland spills. One product of this activity is the preparation of a set of guidelines to be published as a manual for inland oil spill response. The manual focuses on the identification of techniques that would have minimal intrinsic ecological impacts (that is, to living resources) and would also minimize the total ecological and/or environmental impacts of the oil. The guidelines are intended to help decision makers assess whether the available response options can mitigate the effects of a spill and/or accelerate recovery from the oiling. The analysis and the recommendations are presented in a set of matrices that combine four o...
Isolation and structural characterization of the bovine tyrosine hydroxylase gene

A bovine tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) cDNA probe was used to screen a charon 30 genomic library. Screening of approximately 1 million recombinant phage resulted in the identification of one clone, lambda B1, containing the entire bovine TH gene. Results derived from restriction endonuclease mapping and sequence analysis reveal that the bovine gene contains 13 exons spanning approximately 7 kb of genomic DNA. Determination of the transcription initiation site indicates that the TH gene has a 5' untranslated region of 27 bp. A TATA-box sequence is located between positions-29 and -24 from the transcription initiation site and a cyclic AMP regulatory element (CRE) between-45 and -38. Although the TH gene appears to be glucocorticoid responsive in vitro, no regions bearing identity to the consensus sequence for the glucocorticoid regulatory element (GRE) were detected within approximately 1.5 kb of 5' flanking sequence. A cross-species comparison of the 5' flanking sequences of the bovine, rat, and human TH genes reveals strong sequence and positional conservation of seven sequence elements. An analysis of the nucleotide sequence within these elements reveals similarity to the consensus sequences reported for known cis-acting regulatory elements and transcription factor binding sites, suggesting that they may play a role in the regulation of TH gene expression.
Validation of a novel method to identify in utero ethanol exposure: simultaneous meconium extraction of fatty acid ethyl esters, ethyl glucuronide, and ethyl sulfate followed by LC-MS/MS quantification

Presence of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), ethyl glucuronide (EtG), and ethyl sulfate (EtS) in meconium, the first neonatal feces, identifies maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Current meconium alcohol marker assays require separate analyses for FAEE and EtG/EtS. We describe development and validation of the first quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay for 9 FAEEs, EtG, and EtS in 100 mg meconium. For the first time, these alcohol markers are analyzed in the same meconium aliquot, enabling comparison of the efficiency of gestational ethanol exposure detection. 100 mg meconium was homogenized in methanol and centrifuged. The supernatant was divided, and applied to two different solid phase extraction columns for optimized analyte recovery. Limits of quantification for ethyl laurate, myristate, linolenate, palmitoleate, arachidonate, linoleate, palmitate, oleate, and stearate ranged from 25–50 ng/g, with calibration curves to 2,500–5,000 ng/g. EtG and EtS linear dynamic ranges were 5–1,000 and 2.5–500 ng/g, respectively. Mean bias and between-day imprecision were <15 %. Extraction efficiencies were 51.2–96.5 %. Matrix effects ranged from −84.7 to 16.0 %, but were compensated for by matched deuterated internal standards when available. All analytes were stable (within ±20 % change from baseline) in 3 authentic positive specimens, analyzed in triplicate, after 3 freeze/thaw cycles (−20 °C). Authentic EtG and EtS also were stable after 12 h at room temperature and 72 h at 4 °C; some FAEE showed instability under these conditions, although there was large inter-subject variability. This novel method accurately detects multiple alcohol meconium markers and enables comparison of markers for maternal alcohol consumption.
THE ROLE OF GROWTH FACTORS IN WOUND HEALING

Growth factors applied topically to wounds can accelerate healing by stimulating granulation tissue formation and enhancing epithelialization. This has been suggested by several different studies of topically applied growth factors. It is clear, however, that topical growth factor therapy should not be considered as a substitute for good wound care, including surgical debridement or revascularization.
Leukocyte numbers in hemorrhaged Japanese quail after microwave irradiation in ovo.

Abstract 1. 1. Coturnix coturnix japonica eggs were exposed to 2.45-GHz continuous wave microwave radiation at an incident power density of 5 mW/cm 2 (and a specific rate of4mW/g) during the first 12 days of embryogeny. After hatching, hematological changes in response to an acute hemorrhage were measured in exposed and nonexposed (control) juveniles of both sexes. 2. 2. Exposure did not affect erythroid cell numbers either before or after hemorrhage. 3. 3. Exposure affected the recovery of lymphocyte and heterophil numbers after hemorrhage, but the effect was sex-limited. 4. 4. These data indicate that microwave irradiation during embryogeny in ovo affects the ability of Japanese quail to recover from an acute and voluminous hemorrhage and that these radiation effects are sex-limited and consistent with a previous report.
Scanning tunneling microscopy of the blue bronzes (Rb,K)0.3MoO3.

We have performed scanning tunneling microscopy of the blue bronzes ${\mathrm{K}}_{0.30}$${\mathrm{MoO}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{0.30}$${\mathrm{MoO}}_{3}$ both above and below the charge-density-wave (CDW) transition temperature, ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{P}}$=180 K. We were able to image the Mo-O octahedra on the crystal surface at 295, 143, and 77 K. Below ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{P}}$, we were not able to image any additional superstructure due to the CDW, suggesting a relatively small CDW amplitude at the sample surface. Furthermore, the lattice images that we obtained below ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{P}}$ are unaffected by the sliding of the CDW.
The Semigroup Generated by Regular Boolean Matrices

The semigroup B r n generated by the regular n × n Boolean matrices is studied. The elements of B r n are characterized, Green’s relations in B r n are determined, and the height of the poset of D-classes in B r n is investigated.
A thermodynamic description for the ternary Al-Mg-Cu system

A thermodynamic description for the ternary Al-Mg-Cu system was obtained based on the descriptions of its three constituent binaries and ternary phase equilibrium and thermodynamic data available in the literature. All binary intermetallic phases are assumed to have negligible ternary solubility. There are five ternary intermetallic phases; three of them are taken to be line compounds and two are assumed to be semistoichiometric phases. In view of the extensive experimental data available in the Al-rich corner, particularly for the Al-rich ternary eutectic, the objective of this study was to develop a thermodynamic description that allows us to quantitatively calculate the phase equilibria in the Al-rich corner. The calculated phase equilibria in the Mg-rich corner may not be as good as those in the Al-rich corner, and those in the Cu-rich corner should be topologically correct and serve as a guide for materials researchers to carry out key experiments in the future to establish the phase equilibria in that portion of the system. Nevertheless, in the absence of additional data, the calculated phase equilibria in the Cu-rich corner can be used with caution.
Kinetics of Rb Absorption by Excised Barley Roots under Changing Rb Concentrations. I. Effects of Other Cations on Rb Uptake

The absorption of Rb86applied as RbCl (10-5 M) by excised barley roots (Hordeum vulgare L., var. Atlas 6) was studied by following the concentration changes and the amounts taken up by the roots during its absorption. Rb absorbed by roots was determined after they were washed several times with 2 x 10-5 M KCl to remove all Rb adsorbed on superficial sorption sites. In the absence of interfering ions, the quantity of Rb disappearing from the solution agreed with that absorbed by the roots. K ions (2 x 10-5 M) reduced equally both the amount of Rb disappearing from the solution and that taken up by the roots, resulting in both showing good agreement. In the presence of 2 x 10-5 M Na, Ca, or Mg ions, however, Rb disappearance and absorption into roots were not only slowed down slightly, but the two quantities did not agree, less Rb was taken into the roots than that disappearing from the solution. A postuiate involving a chain of negative sites as possible pathways for cation entry into root cells is given to explain the results.
Study of neutral Q production

Abstract The original analysis of KL0p→Q0p revealed a disagreement between the experimental results and the prediction of the Deck model in regard to the slope of the differential cross section for the two strangeness states Q0 and Q 0 . In this letter we report that a further analysis to examine the effect of separating the data using a selection on cos φ helicity indicates that the Deck model alone cannot account for the observed results.
One and Two Port Piezoelectric Contour-Mode MEMS Resonators for Frequency Synthesis

This paper reports on the design, fabrication and testing of novel one and two port piezoelectric contour-mode MEMS resonators that can be employed in RF wireless communications as frequency reference elements or arranged in arrays to form filterbanks. The paper offers a comparison of one and two port resonant devices exhibiting frequencies ranging from 80 to 800 MHz, quality factors from 1,000 to 4,000 in air and motional resistances ranging from 25 to 200 Omega. Fundamental advantages and limitations of each solution are discussed. Experimental results regarding a novel implementation of an 800 MHz one port resonators and a new class of two-port stacked contour resonators are presented
Hybrid retrospective-cost-based adaptive control using concurrent parameter estimation

We present an adaptive control methodology that requires no plant modeling information. The method is based on a cumulative retrospective cost adaptive control algorithm, which is a direct adaptive control algorithm for stabilization, disturbance rejection, and command following when partial plant modeling information is available, specifically, the first nonzero Markov parameter, the relative degree, and estimates of nonminimum-phase zeros. The same adaptive algorithm is used online to estimate the required modeling information. By merging these processes into a single architecture, the resulting hybrid adaptive control algorithm requires no prior modeling information. The method is demonstrated on several illustrative disturbance rejection and command following problems, where the plant can be either minimum or nonminimum phase, and stable or unstable.
Strong-Field Photoionization of Sputtered Neutral Molecules for Molecular Depth Profiling†

Molecular depth profiles of an organic thin film of guanine vapor deposited onto a Ag substrate are obtained using a 40 keV C60+ cluster ion beam in conjunction with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometric (ToF-SIMS) detection. Strong-field, femtosecond photoionization of intact guanine molecules is used to probe the neutral component of the profile for direct comparison with the secondary ion component. The ability to simultaneously acquire secondary ions and photoionized neutral molecules reveals new fundamental information about the factors that influence the properties of the depth profile. Results show that there is an increased ionization probability for protonated molecular ions within the first 10 nm due to the generation of free protons within the sample. Moreover, there is a 50% increase in fragment ion signal relative to steady state values 25 nm before reaching the guanine/Ag interface as a result of interfacial chemical damage accumulation. An altered layer thickness of 20 nm is obser...
A comparison of Mouthstick and Morse code text inputs

Mouthstick and Morse code input methods were compared with respect to their effectiveness in transcriptive typing. Six able-bodied subjects without previous Morse code training were tested. Learning rates and final transcriptive typing rates obtained over a 2-month period were calculated for each method. The final average typing rates for mouthstick and Morse code input modes were 12.6 and 7.88 words per minute, respectively. Average mouthstick learning rates were also greater than Morse code learning rates. One quadriplegic patient who was a regular user of a Morse code computer interface was tested and had a 12.4 words per minute typing rate. These results indicate that the mouthstick input method surpassed the Morse code method in input rate and learning rate for the relatively short term of this study. However, prolonged testing should be done with disabled subjects to further explore the uses of both modes of input.
Histologic grading of prostate cancer: A perspective

The wide-ranging biologic malignancy of prostate cancer is strongly correlated with its extensive and diverse morphologic appearances. Histologic grading is a valuable research tool that could and should be used more extensively and systematically in patient care. It can improve clinical staging, as outlined by Oesterling et al (J Urol 138: 92-98, 1987), during selection of patients for possible prostatectomy by helping to identify the optimal treatment. Some of the recurrent practical problems with grading (reproducibility, "undergrading" of biopsies, and "lumping" of grades) are discussed and recommendations are made. The newer technologically sophisticated but single-parameter tumor measurements are compared with one important advantage of histologic grading: the ability to encompass the entire low to high range of malignancy. The predictive success of grading suggests that prostate cancers have more or less fixed degrees of malignancy and growth rates (a hypothesis of "biologic determinism") rather than a steady increase in malignancy with time. Most of the observed facts can be interpreted on that basis, including the interrelations of tumor size, grade, and malignancy. The increasing age-adjusted incidence of diagnosed prostate cancer is attributed to new diagnostic tools and increased diagnostic zeal.
Comparative aspects of disulfiram and its metabolites in the disulfiram-ethanol reaction in the rat.

Abstract Diethyldithiocarbamate-methyl ester (DDTC-Me), a metabolite of disulfiram, has been shown recently to produce a disulfiram-ethanol reaction (DER). Studies were carried out to compare the ethanol-sensitizing properties of DDTC-Me with those of disulfiram and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) in the rat. All three drugs inhibited liver mitochondrial low Km aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in vivo, with maximal ALDH inhibition occurring 8 hr after drug administration. The onset of ALDH inhibition was most rapid after DDTC-Me administration. ALDH was inhibited approximately 50% 0.5 hr after DDTC-Me, whereas ALDH was inhibited only 5 and 10%, respectively, after disulfiram and DDTC. Not until 8 hr after drug treatment was ALDH inhibition the same for disulfiram, DDTC and DDTC-Me. The degree of ALDH inhibition from 8 to 172 hr after dosing was the same for all three drugs. An ethanol (1 g/kg, 20% v/v) challenge administered to rats treated with disulfiram (75 mg/kg), DDTC (114 mg/kg), or DDTC-Me (41.2 mg/kg) for 8 hr produced similar blood acetaldehyde/ethanol concentration-time profiles. In addition, all three agents produced a DER (hypotension, tachycardia). No DER occurred if ethanol was administered more than 24 hr after drug pretreatment. The hypotension associated with the DER correlated with the increased blood acetaldehyde but not blood ethanol. A threshold blood acetaldehyde of 110 μM appeared to be required for hypotension to occur, and this was related to ALDH inhibition of approximately 40%. The tachycardia associated with the DER correlated more with blood ethanol. After DDTC-Me administration, no disulfiram or DDTC could be detected in the plasma. Furthermore, no DDTC-Me was found in the plasma 8 hr after DDTC-Me administration, suggesting that no correlation exists between the DER and plasma concentration of DDTC-Me and most likely disulfiram. These data suggest that the alcohol-sensitizing properties of DDTC-Me are similar to those observed with disulfiram and DDTC. Since DDTC-Me is an active metabolite and more potent than disulfiram and DDTC in producing a DER, disulfiram metabolism is an important consideration in the disulfiram-ethanol reaction.
On the high-pressure behavior of periodic mesoscale SBA-16 silica/carbon composites: studies at 10 GPa between 25 and 1800 °C

We report on the structural transformations of carbon filled SBA-16 mesoporous silica at 10 Gigapascal pressure and temperatures between 25 and 1800 °C in a multi-anvil apparatus. The silica begins to crystallize in the coesite structure at 400 °C under retention of the mesophase order. An irregular mesostructure of crystalline coesite is observed for samples treated at 800 °C. Formation of crystalline stishovite and graphite under mesoscale phase separation is observed at 1000 °C and 1300 °C. From a temperature of 1400 °C, the stishovite phase transforms into coesite and graphite transforms into diamond, respectively. The diamond phase adopts a micron-sized platelet-like morphology at 1400–1800 °C. The diamond crystallite size was determined to be 9–12 nm.
832: Understanding the decision to breastfeed: a comparison of survey responses between African American and White postpartum mothers

mothers without screening in the self-pay and in rural county of birth groupings were more likely to be transferred to another hospital than were those who had undergone screening (14.3% versus 10.0% and 37.5% versus 16.7%). CONCLUSION: Results indicate significant differences in rates of participation in prenatal screening among mothers of liveborn infants with Down syndrome based on insurance coverage and rural versus urban county of residence. Results that show an increased need for infant transfer in groups without screening suggest that in some instances failure to screen may be associated with less anticipatory planning.
Foam Spray Drying Methods of Making Readily Dispersible Nonfat Dry Milk

Abstract A method of making a readily dispersible nonfat dry milk by injection of gas into the high-pressure feed line is described and compared with the conventional process for making an instantized powder. The foam spray drying method produces a quickly dispersible product during drying without a subsequent agglomerating step; it permits a greatly increased dryer output, since gas injection improves the efficiency of water removal and makes possible the drying of skimmilk concentrates up to 60% solids; it reduces costs of instant powder manufacture by requiring only minor equipment changes which do not affect the efficiency of the dryer to produce standard type powder. The one-step foam spray dried particle differs from the two-step agglomerated particle, in that it contains gas vacuoles in its structure which, on reliquefying, cause the particle to float before it rapidly dissolves, and more foam to form on the milk surface.
Calixarenes. 5. Dynamic NMR characteristics of p-tert-butylcalix[4]-arene and p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene

Abstract The near identity of the temperature dependent 1H-NMR spectra of p-tert-butylcalix-[4]- and calix[8]arene in CDCl3 and bromobenzene-d5 is shown to be drastically altered in pyridine-d5, attributable to disruption of intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
Soil as a terrestrial sink for methyl bromide fumigant : Preliminary results

Abstract Air and surface soil samples were taken at three stations downwind of a strip of soil fumigated with injected methyl bromide. Integrated horizontal flux of methyl bromide at each sampling station showed the removal of ∼46% of the methyl bromide mass from the plume by the time it reached 30–60 m downwind. Based on the U.S. EPA's dispersion model SCREEN-3, a mass loss of ∼42% was estimated. Analysis of the surface soil samples indicated the presence of methyl bromide residues that declined in concentration with distance downwind from the source. Laboratory tests confirmed the first-order rapid uptake (2–4 minutes) of methyl bromide by field soil.
Systemic and Cerebral Effects of Isoflurane-induced Hypotension in Dogs

The systemic and cerebral effects of hypotension induced with isoflurane were examined in 12 dogs. Hypotension to a mean arterial pressure of either 50 mmHg or 40 mmHg for 1 h was produced by 2.5 ± 0.1–2.9 ± 0.3% end-expired isoflurane anesthesia. Before and during the period of hypotension the foll
Anticancer effects of amooranin in human colon carcinoma cell line in vitro and in nude mice xenografts.

Amooranin (AMR), a natural triterpenoid drug isolated and characterized from Amoora rohituka stem bark, is cytotoxic to SW620 human colon carcinoma cell line with an IC50 value of 2.9 μg/ml. This novel compound caused depolarization of mitochondrial membrane and decrease of membrane potential, indicating initial signal of apoptosis induction. The percentage of cells with decreased mitochondrial potential ranged from 7.4% at 1 μg/ml to 60.5% at 100 μg/ml AMR. Flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis using Annexin-V-FITC staining showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells ranged from 7.5% at 1 μg/ml to 59.2% at 100 μg/ml AMR. AMR-induced apoptosis was accompanied by redistribution of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol as well as down regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins in a dose-dependent manner. SW620 human colon carcinoma xenograft mice treated with AMR showed significant reduction in tumor growth rates compared to saline- and doxorubicin-treated groups. The reduction in tumor growth rate was better in xenografts treated with 2 mg/kg AMR than 5 and 10 mg/kg treated mice. The analysis of global gene expression changes induced by AMR in xenograft tumors by microarray hybridization revealed that several genes involved in energy pathways, transport, apoptosis, immune response, nucleic acid metabolism, protein metabolism, cell growth and/or maintenance, signal transduction and cell communication, were affected by this natural cancer drug. These results suggest that the anticancer properties of AMR in SW620 human colon carcinoma cell line are mediated through its effects on functional genomics, targeting the apoptotic process. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fluorometric Determination of Fructose, Glucose, and Sucrose Using Zirconyl Chloride

Abstract Zirconyl chloride upon hydrolysis in water to form Zr(OH)+ has been found to react to form a fluorescent derivative with not only a ketose such as fructose but also a hexose such as glucose and the disaccharide sucrose. When reaction conditions such as a temperature of 99°C and a time of 60 min are used, detection limits below 1 μg/mL are possible. All three zirconyl–sugar derivatives show very similar absorbance and fluorescence spectra, indicating a common mechanism involving formation of an enediol which can be complexed with ZrOH+ is likely. Because the reactivity order is glucose
Interest groups and policymaking in the American states

States in which candidates endorsed by liberal interest groups are more successful at the election polls tend to have higher Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) benefits and to enact more consumer protection legislation. In addition, states where interest-group-endorsed candidates are more successful at the polls tend to spend more on highways.
Analysis of FIGO Stage IIIc Endometrial Cancer Patients

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze FIGO Stage IIIc endometrial cancer (EC) patients to better define clinicopathologic associations, patterns of failure, and survival. Methods. Charts were abstracted from EC patients with lymph node metastasis from 1989 to 1998. Data on clinicopathologic variables, adjuvant treatment, site of first recurrence, and survival were collected. Associations between variables were tested by χ 2 and Wilcoxon rank sums. Survival analyses were performed by the Kaplan–Meier method, and multiple regression analysis was done by the Cox proportional hazards model. Results. From 607 EC patients evaluated, 47 (8%) were identified with FIGO Stage IIIc disease. All 47 underwent hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node (PLN) sampling, and 42/47 had para-aortic lymph node (PALN) sampling. Stage IIIc disease was defined by positive PLN alone in 38%, positive PLN and PALN in 41%, and positive PALN alone in 17%. Twelve of 47 also had positive peritoneal cytology and/or adnexal metastases. Grade III tumors were present in 56% and >50% myometrial invasion in 61%. No association between depth of invasion (DOI) and grade was seen, however. Nearly 1/3 of cases had papillary serous or clear cell histology. Postoperative adjuvant treatment included whole abdominal radiation (36%), pelvic radiation with (19%) and without (17%) extended field, chemotherapy (17%), and oral progestins (11%). The 3-year and 5-year survival estimates for all patients were 77 and 65%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 37 months, 5 patients are alive with disease, and 10 are dead of disease. A distant site of first recurrence was most common (21%), followed by pelvic failure (9%). Only 1 patient has had an abdominal recurrence. Univariate predictors of survival included age, DOI, and extranodal disease, but not grade, histology, or PALN involvement. For the 12 patients with nodal disease and positive cytology and/or adnexa, 3-year survival was 39% versus 93% for those patients without evidence of extranodal disease. In a multivariate analysis only DOI was an independent predictor of survival ( P = 0.03). Conclusions. Once lymph node involvement occurs, the importance of additional extranodal disease increases. Consideration of substaging Stage IIIc patients based on positive adnexa or cytology is supported by the data. The extent which adjuvant treatments contributed to the 77% 3-year survival remains to be defined. The patterns of failure suggest a possible role for combined modalities in future treatments.
The Ontological Coherence of Intuitive Physics

Ference Marton has produced a characteristically lucid and elegant commentary, for which I am grateful, He took the time to resay, from his position, that from my monograph which is most compelling to him-a contribution in itself. He identifies as a central product my uncovering the "structures of awareness" that underlie both everyday experience and, with development and learning, scientific apprehension of the physical world. I am happy for his descriptions of those aspects of my work. Marton also feels it is worth the trouble to try to save me and others from the "dogma of cognitivism." He doubts the wisdom of the fundamental commitments of information as a layer "between the brain and behavior." Instead, he advocates the experiential turn, analyzing experience itself rather than, as he sees it, looking for dubious constructs, such as "dictionaries, interpreters, and semantic nets," that constitute ghosts in the machine, an invisible and unlikely causal fabric that produces experience as an epiphenomenon.
Influences of iron, manganese, and dissolved organic carbon on the hypolimnetic cycling of amended mercury.

The biogeochemical cycling of iron, manganese, sulfide, and dissolved organic carbon were investigated to provide information on the transport and removal processes that control the bioavailability of isotopic mercury amended to a lake. Lake profiles showed a similar trend of hypolimnetic enrichment of Fe, Mn, DOC, sulfide, and the lake spike ( 202 Hg, purity 90.8%) and ambient of pools of total mercury (HgT) and methylmercury (MeHg). Hypolimnetic enrichment of Fe and Mn indicated that reductive mobilization occurred primarily at the sediment-water interface and that Fe and Mn oxides were abundant within the sediments prior to the onset of anoxia. A strong relationship (r 2 = 0.986, n = 15, p <0.001) between filterable Fe and Mn indicated that reduction of Fe and Mn hydrous oxides in the sediments is a common in-lake source of Fe(II) and Mn(II) to the hypolimnion and that a consistent Mn: Fe mass ratio of 0.05 exists in the lake. A strong linear relationship of both the filterable [Fe] (r 2 = 0.966, n=15, p<0.001) and [Mn] (r 2 =0.964, n=15, p<0.001) to [DOC] indicated a close linkage of the cycles of Fe and Mn to DOC. Persistence of iron oxides in anoxic environments suggested that DOC was being co-precipitated with Fe oxide and released into solution by the reductive dissolution of the oxide. The relationship between ambient and lake spike HgT (r 2 =0.920, n =27, p<0.001) and MeHg (r 2 =0.967, n =23, p<0.001) indicated that similar biogeochemical processes control the temporal and spatial distribution in the water column. The larger fraction of MeHg in the lake spike compared to the ambient pool in the hypolimnion suggests that lake spike may be more available for methylation. A linear relationship of DOC to both filterable ambient HgT (r 2 =0.406, n = 27, p <0.001) and lake spike HgT (r 2 =0.314, n = 15, p =0.002) suggest a role of organic matter in Hg transport and cycling. However, a weak relationship between the ambient and lake spike pools of MeHg to DOC indicated that other processes have a major role in controlling the abundance and distribution of MeHg. Our results suggest that Fe and Mn play important roles in the transport and cycling of ambient and spike HgT and MeHg in the hypolimnion, in part through processes linked to the formation and dissolution of organic matter-containing Fe and Mn hydrous oxides particles.
Angiographic adverse events during percutaneous coronary intervention fail to predict creatine kinase-MB elevation.

We attempted to determine if aggressive detection of angiographic adverse events during coronary intervention could predict subsequent creatine kinase (CK)-MB elevations. During coronary intervention, both fluoroscopy and cine angiography were used to detect angiographic adverse events. At least one angiographic adverse event occurred in 133/251 (53%) of procedures. CK-MB elevation occurred in 24% of procedures. Slow flow during the procedure (P = 0.002) and chest discomfort at the end of the procedure (P = 0.007) were the strongest predictors of CK-MB elevation. Among procedures with no angiographic adverse events, CK-MB elevation occurred in 15/121 (12%), accounting for 25% of CK-MB elevations. We conclude that CK-MB elevation occurs after angiographically uncomplicated coronary interventions even when angiographic adverse events are aggressively detected. Routine monitoring of cardiac enzymes is necessary to detect all patients who will experience myocardial injury after coronary intervention. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;63:31–41. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ac2IDU, BVDU, and Thymine Arabinoside Therapy in Experimental Herpes Keratitis

• The therapeutic efficacy of three new antiviral agents—5-iodo-3',5'-diacetyl-2-deoxyuridine (diacetylidoxuridine, 1% Ac 2 IDU), E -5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (0.25% BVDU), and 3% thymine arabinoside—is compared with available antivirals in an experimental model of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) keratitis in New Zealand white rabbits. Compared with placebo, Ac 2 IDU significantly reduced ulcerative keratitis on days 4 through 8 after inoculation with virus and iritis on day 8 after inoculation. Compared with placebo, thymine arabinoside reduced ulcerative keratitis but not significantly. Thymine arabinoside caused significant iritis in all eyes. The epithelial disease in BVDU-treated eyes was significantly less than that in placebo-treated eyes on days 5 through 8 after inoculation. The results indicate that 1% Ac 2 IDU and 0.25% BVDU were effective in our ocular model of HSV-1 keratitis, whereas thymine arabinoside was not.
Radiative transfer in shrub savanna sites in Niger: preliminary results from HAPEX-Sahel. 3. Optical dynamics and vegetation index sensitivity to biomass and plant cover

A shrub savannah landscape in Niger was optically characterized utilizing blue, green, red and near-infrared wavelengths. Selected vegetation indices were evaluated for their performance and sensitivity to describe the complex Sahelian soil/vegetation canopies. Bidirectional reflectance factors (BRF) of plants and soils were measured at several view angles, and used as input to various vegetation indices. Both soil and vegetation targets had strong anisotropic reflectance properties, rendering all vegetation index (6) responses to be a direct function of sun and view geometry. Soil background influences were shown to alter the response of most vegetation indices. N-space greenness had the smallest dynamic range in VI response, but the n-space brightness index provided additional useful information. The global environmental monitoring index (GEMI) showed a large 6 dynamic range for bare soils, which was undesirable for a vegetation index. The view angle response of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), atmosphere resistant vegetation index (ARVI) and soil atmosphere resistant vegetation index (SARVI) were asymmetric about nadir for multiple view angles, and were, except for the SARVI, altered seriously by soil moisture and/or soil brightness effects. The soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) was least affected by surface soil moisture and was symmetric about nadir for grass vegetation covers. Overall the SAVI, SARVI and the n-space vegetation index performed best under all adverse conditions and were recommended to monitor vegetation growth in the sparsely vegetated Sahelian zone.