cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diet alters delayed selfing, inbreeding depression, and reproductive senescence in a freshwater snail

Reproductive success is a critical fitness attribute that is directly influenced by resource availability. Here, we investigate the effects of diet-based resource availability on three interrelated aspects of reproductive success: a change in mating system based on mate availability, consequent inbreeding depression, and the deterioration of reproductive efficiency with age (senescence). We employed a factorial experimental design using 22 full-sib families of the hermaphroditic freshwater snail Physa acuta to explore these interactions. Individual snails were reared in one of two mate-availability treatments (isolated [selfing] or occasionally paired [outcrossing]) and one of two diet treatments (boiled lettuce or Spirulina, an algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals). Spirulina-fed snails initiated reproduction at a 13% earlier age and 7% larger size than lettuce-fed snails. Spirulina also resulted in a 30% reduction in the time delay before selfing. Compared to lettuce, a diet of Spirulina increased inbreeding depression by 52% for egg hatching rate and 64% for posthatching juvenile survival. Furthermore, Spirulina led to a 15-fold increase in the rate of reproductive senescence compared with a diet of lettuce. These transgenerational, interactive effects of diet on inbreeding depression and reproductive senescence are discussed in the context of diet-induced phenotypic plasticity.
Modification of interim removable partial denture using thermoplastic vacuum-formed matrix.

aClinical Associate Professor, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, Division of Prosthodontics. bDental student. (J Prosthet Dent 2008;99:492-493) An interim removable partial denture (RPD) addresses patients’ concerns regarding esthetics and function and helps them adjust to the edentulous condition until a more definitive form of treatment can be rendered.1,2 An interim RPD is also referred to as a transitional RPD and has wide applications for missing anterior as well as posterior teeth for the interim healing period.3 The prosthesis is often fabricated prior to the establishment of a definitive treatment plan to monitor the prognosis of a questionable potential abutment tooth for a definitive prosthesis.1-3 When additional teeth need to be extracted, fabrication of a new interim prosthesis is not always necessary. Instead, the existing denture can be modified to replace the tooth that will be extracted to restore esthetics, function, and comfort on the same day as the extraction.4-6 A common procedure involves making an impression over the RPD and mounting the remount cast on an articulator by means of a face-bow transfer and a maxillomandibular relationship record against opposing dentition.1,2 The replacement artificial tooth is adjusted to fit passively into the space of the prosthesis and to occlude against the opposing tooth. This procedure requires multiple steps and the stone cast may undergo wear, chipping, or breaking as a result of the repeated occlusal contacts against artificial teeth during the occlusal adjustment procedure.7-9 This article describes a method of modifying an existing interim RPD to replace an extracted tooth using autopolymerizing tooth-colored acrylic resin and a thermoplastic vacuumformed matrix. This procedure is simple and flexible in that it eliminates conventional steps for fabricating the cast and remounting casts on an articulator for evaluation and equilibration of the occlusion, and accurate because the shade, size, shape, contour, and position of the extracted tooth are duplicated.
Methylation of ribosomal proteins in HeLa cells.

Abstract Methylated amino acids from both 40 and 60S subunit proteins of HeLa cytoplasmic ribosome were analyzed. It was observed that methylation of ribosomal proteins occurs in both subunits with N G , N G -dimethylarginine as the major methylated amino acid. The presence of N G , N G -dimethylarginine has been identified by high-voltage paper electrophoresis, by paper chromatography, and by amino acid analysis. In addition, both ribosomal subunits contain methylated lysines with ϵ- N -trimethyllysine being the predominant one, followed by ϵ- N -dimethyllysine. Little, if any ϵ- N -monomethyllysine was detected in either subunit. The cytoplasmic 60S ribosomal subunit contains much more ϵ- N -trimethyllysine compared to the 40S ribosomal subunit. The possible biological significance of methylation was discussed.
Meconium analysis for improved identification of infants exposed to cocaine in utero

we screened anonymously all mothers and infants born during a 31/2-month period to determine the prevalence of intrapartum cocaine use, test the maternal characteristics that are specific predictors of intrauterine cocaine exposure (IUCE), and compare the sensitivity of infant urine versus meconium samples for identification of IUCE. Of 1237 live births during the study period, a sample was obtained from 1201 mother-infant pairs. The overall prevalence of documented intrapartum cocaine exposure was 66 (5.5%) of 1201 pairs. Previously developed drug screening guidelines had a sensitivity of 89% for detecting IUCE in infants. Direct comparisons of samples from the same mother-infant pair revealed that there were no cases in which cocaine was found in infant urine but not in meconium; however, infant urine testing missed 25% of the infants who had positive findings in meconium. We conclude that (1) meconlum testing was more likely than urine testing to identify an infant with IUCE, detecting an additional 33%; (2) there was significant maternal cocaine use (5.5%) in a teaching hospital with a mixed patient population; (3) maternal characteristics known to identify infants at risk of having IUCE were useful in our population; and (4) IUCE of neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit was more common than that of infants admitted to the regular newborn nursery.
Recursive constructions for optimal (n,4,2)-OOCs

In [3], a general recursive construction for optical orthogonal codes is presented, that guarantees to approach the optimum asymptotically if the original families are asymptotically optimal. A challenging problem on OOCs is to obtain optimal OOCs, in particular with λ > 1. Recently we developed an algorithmic scheme based on the maximal clique problem (MCP) to search for optimal (n, 4, 2)-OOCs for orders up to n = 44. In this paper, we concentrate on recursive constructions for optimal (n, 4, 2)-OOCs. While “most” of the codewords can be constructed by general recursive techniques, there remains a gap in general between this and the optimal OOC. In some cases, this gap can be closed, giving recursive constructions for optimal (n, 4, 2)-OOCs. This is predicated on reducing a series of recursive constructions for optimal (n, 4, 2)-OOCs to a single, finite maximal clique problem. By solving these finite MCP problems, we can extend the general recursive construction for OOCs in [3] to obtain new recursive constructions that give an optimal (n · 2x, 4, 2)-OOC with x ≥ 3, if there exists a CSQS(n). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Cooperative Game Theory of Noncontiguous Allies

This paper develops a cooperative game-theoretic representation of alliances with noncontiguous members that is based on cost savings from reducing overlapping responsibilities and sequestering borders. For various scenarios, three solutions (the Shapley value, nucleolus, and core's centroid) are found and compared. Even though their underlying ethical norm varies, the solutions are often identical for cases involving contiguous allies and for rectangular arrays of noncontiguous allies. When transaction costs and/or alternative spatial configurations are investigated, they may then differ. In all cases the cooperative approach leads to a distribution of alliance costs that need not necessarily coincide with the traditional emphasis on gross domestic product size as a proxy for deterrence value (the exploitation hypothesis). Instead, burdens can now be defined based upon a country's spatial and strategic location within the alliance.
Life, diversity and the pursuit of haplotypes.

The complete haplotype map of the human genome provides an unprecedented view of human genetic variation.
The Association Between Childhood Depression and Adulthood Body Mass Index

Objective. Stress in childhood relates to both childhood depression and elevated adult body mass index (BMI), a measure of relative overweight. However, there are limited data on the association between major depression in childhood and BMI in adulthood. The current study examines this association. Method. Children 6 to 17 years old with major depression (n = 90) or no psychiatric disorder (n = 87) were identified at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and followed up 10 to 15 years later. Psychiatric status at intake and follow-up was assessed via standardized psychiatric interviews. BMI during adulthood was recorded so that the association between depression and BMI could be considered over time. Results. Participants with childhood major depression had a BMI of 26.1 ± 5.2 as adults, compared with a BMI of 24.2 ± 4.1 in healthy comparisons (t175 = 2.7). This association could not be explained by a number of potentially confounding factors, including age, gender, cigarette or alcohol use, social class, and pregnancy or medication history. Although poverty during adulthood also predicted adult BMI, both the association between poverty and adult BMI (t152 = 2.9), as well as between childhood depression and adult BMI (t152 = 2.2) were significant in a multivariate model. Finally, duration of depression between childhood and adulthood also emerged as a predictor of adult BMI. Conclusions. Depression during childhood is positively associated with BMI during adulthood. This association cannot be explained by various potential confounding variables and may develop over time as children pass into their adult years. body mass index, depression, children, adolescents.
Laparoscopic Cryoablation of Renal Angiomyolipoma

Purpose: Angiomyolipomas are rare benign renal tumors which occasionally require intervention. Preservation of renal function is essential when treating renal angiomyolipoma in patients with multiple or bilateral lesions. We report on the first series of patients with renal angiomyolipoma treated with laparoscopic cryoablation.Materials and Methods: Seven patients with pathologically confirmed renal angiomyolipoma underwent laparoscopic cryoablation. Transperitoneal surgery with intraoperative ultrasound was performed, followed by clinical monitoring with creatinine and axial imaging.Results: Mean patient age was 44.9 years. Six patients were female, and 2 patients had associated tuberous sclerosis and multiple bilateral angiomyolipoma. In 1 patient 5 lesions were treated, in another 3 lesions were treated and in the remaining patients solitary lesions were treated. The average size of the largest lesion in each patient was 4.2 cm (range 2.5 to 7.0). The procedures were tolerated well with 3 minor complic...
Emergency Department Drug Orders: Does Drug Storage Location Make a Difference?

Study objective We hypothesize that adding drugs previously only available from the hospital central pharmacy to an existing emergency department (ED) automated medication management system would alter the frequency with which they were ordered. Methods A pharmacy database of a large, urban, academic teaching hospital was used to retrospectively calculate changes in drug-ordering frequencies before and after study drugs were added to an ED automated medication management system. Study drugs had been recently added to our ED automated medication management system but were still available from the hospital central pharmacy and were not the subject of changes in hospital prescribing protocols. Results Four drug preparations met study criteria: moxifloxacin injection, moxifloxacin tablets, azithromycin injection, and pantoprazole injection. All had large increases (4.0-, 7.2-, 6.5-, and 25.0-fold, respectively) in ordering frequency after addition to the ED automated medication management system. Changes in order frequency strongly correlated with how often orders were filled from the ED automated medication management system rather than the hospital central pharmacy. Conclusion Adding drug preparations to an existing ED automated medication management system increased the frequency with which they were ordered, especially when they were most reliably obtained from the system rather than the central hospital pharmacy. Adding drugs to an ED automated medication management system influences physician drug ordering.
Single channel studies of heteromer formation between Slick and Slack K(Na) subunits

Slack (Slo 2.2) and Slick (Slo 2.1) encode sodium-activated K+ channels (KNa). Native KNa currents may enhance the phase locking of action potential firing at high frequencies, adaptation to prolonged stimulation and are believed to protect both excitable and non-excitable cells from hypoxic injury. Slack and Slick resemble native KNa channels in their Na+ sensitivity and large unitary conductances (140 and 180 pS in 130 mM KCl, respectively). Two alternative isoforms have been described for the Slack gene; Slack-A and Slack-B. The Slick channel differs from Slack in its opposite regulation by PKC, the presence of an ATP binding site, sensitivity to intracellular Na+ and Cl- ions and channel kinetics. We have obtained direct electrophysiological evidence for Slick and Slack-B heteromer formation at the single channel level by constructing a Slick∗ Q276E, Y279E (Slick∗EE) mutant and coinjecting it with Slack-B in Xenopus oocytes. Introducing these negatively charged residues in the inner pore S6 helix resulted in a dramatic increase in the unitary conductance of the Slick∗EE homomeric channel from 140 pS to ∼ 450 pS (140 mM KCl). In a 1:1 cRNA injection of Slick∗EE and Slack-B we identifed conductances of ∼330 pS. In contrast, we found no evidence for heteromer formation between Slick and Slack-A at the single channel level. These findings support previous studies demonstrating that Slick and Slack-B, but not Slack-A, subunits can be co-immunoprecipitated from rat brain and from co-transfected HEK cells.
North American Herpetogramma Lederer, 1863 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae): Type Specimens and Identity of Species in the United States and Canada

Type specimens or the type series of 27 North American Herpetogramma species names were located, mostly in European museums, verified, and dissected. Acharana descripta (Warren) is designated as a new synonym of Herpetogramma phaeopteralis (Guenee). Fifteen lectotypes and 14 paralectotypes are designated where it was deemed necessary to fix and stabilize the current concept of the name. A checklist and a key to nine North American species are provided with photographs of the adults.
The Distribution of Federal Economic Development Grant Funds: A Consideration of Need and the Urban/Rural Divide:

This article seeks to determine the effect of rurality and need on per capita federal grant receipts in local areas over time, controlling for local and regional government capacities. In other words, are rural places treated differently than urban places in federal grant distributions? Kentucky is used as the case state, with 120 county areas considered over an 11-year period from 1993 to 2003. Factor analysis is used to explore the underlying capacity constructs, and a pooled cross-sectional analysis reveals differential effects of grant receipts per person according to a county’s position on the rural—urban continuum (aka Beale code) and need-based indicators. Whereas rurality significantly increases grant funding per capita, need has the opposite effect.
TROLL--tandem repeat occurrence locator.

Summary: Tandem Repeat Occurrence Locator (TROLL), is a light-weight Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) finder based on a slight modification of the Aho‐Corasick algorithm. It is fast and only requires a standard Personal Computer (PC) to operate. We report running times of 127 s to find all SSRs of length 20 bp or more on the complete Arabdopsis genome—approx. 130 Mbases divided in five chromosomes—using a PC Athlon 650 MHz with 256 MB of RAM. Availability: TROLL is an open source project and is available at http://finder.sourceforge.net.
THE METABOLISM OF A SERIES OF CHLOROPHEN‐OXYALKYL ACID HERBICIDES IN BIGLEAF MAPL. E, ACER MACROPHYLLUM PURSH.*

Summary. Studies of the metabolism characteristics of 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, dichlorprop and fenoprop were made to gain a better understanding of the differential response of a woody Plant, big leaf maPl. e, to certain phenoxy-type herbicides. In one test in which detached leaves were used, it was established that decarboxylation is not an important detoxification mechanism in treated foliage. This same test showed the phenoxyacetic herbicides to be more stable than the α-phenoxypropionic herbicides in treated leaves. In intact Plants 2,4,5-T was consistently more stable than 2,4-D, but the relative amount of metabolism of the herbicides varied with the Plant part. The results are discussed with respect to the differential response of bigleaf maPl. e. Metabolisme d'une serie d'herbicides du groupe des acides chlorophenoxyalkyles dans l'erable a grandes feuilles Acer macrophyllum Pursh. Resume. L'etude des caracteristiques du metabolisme du 2,4-D, du 2,4,5-T, du dichlorprop et du fenoprop a ete entreprise pour parvenir a une meilleure comprehension des reactions differentielles d'une Plante ligneuse, l'earble a grandes feuilles, vis-a-vis de certains herbicides du type phenoxy. Dans une experience avec des feuilles detachees il a eteetabli que la decarboxyiation n'est pas un mecanisme important de detoxification dans les feuilles traitees. Cette meme experience a montre que les herbicides phenoxyacetiques etaient Pl. us stables que les herbicides alpha-phenoxypropioniques dans les feuilles traitees. Dans des Plantes intactes, le 2,4,5-T s'est montre nettement Pl. us stable que le 2,4-D mais l'importance du metabolisme a varie avec la partie de la Plante. Les resultats sont discutes en relation avec les reactions differentielles de l'erable a larges feuilles. Das Verhalten einer Reihe Chlorphenoxyalkylsaure-Herbizide im Stoffwechsel von Acer macrophyllum Pursh. Zusammenfassung. Untersuchungen zum Verhalten von 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, Dichlorprop und Fenoprop im Stoffwechsel einer Geholzpflanze, Acer macrophyllum, wurden zur Klarung des Verhaltens dieser Art gegen gewisse Phenoxy-Herbizide angestellt. In einem Test mit Blattern, die von der Pflanze abgenommen worden waren, wurde festgestellt, dass Decarboxylierung im Blatt kein wichtiger Entgiftungsprozess darstellt. Derselbe Test zeigt, dass die Phenoxyessigsaure-Herbizide im behandelten Blatt bestandiger sind als die α-Phenoxypropionsauremittel. Bei intakten Pflanzen war 2,4,5-T durchweg stabiler als 2,4-D, doch war die Abbaumenge der einzelnen Herbizide je nach Pflanzenteil unterschiedlich. Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf das arteigene Verhalten von A. macrophyllum besprochen.
Bounds on the number of passes in multistage interconnection networks

Determining the exact number of passes required to realize a permutation on a multistage interconnection network (MIN) is known to be an /spl Nscr//spl Pscr/ Complete problem. We present a new characteristic of conflicts in MINs which makes conflict detection easier. We use this important property to develop a polynomial time algorithm to determine strong upper and lower bounds on the number of passes required to realize a permutation. >
Sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension: outcome with long-term epoprostenol treatment.

Rationale Pulmonary hypertension is a known complication of sarcoidosis and is associated with increased mortality. Little is known about the outcome of sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension, including response to treatment. Objective To determine the characteristics and outcome of patients with sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension treated with IV epoprostenol. Design Retrospective chart review of all cases of pulmonary hypertension with a concomitant diagnosis of sarcoidosis evaluated in the Boston University Pulmonary Hypertension Center from 2000 to 2004. Measurements Data collected included patient demographics, sarcoidosis stage, pulmonary function, echocardiography results, treatment, baseline and posttreatment hemodynamic measurements, and clinical outcome. Results Eight patients were identified; four of the patients had stage IV pulmonary sarcoidosis. Pulmonary function test results were notable for severe diffusion impairment (mean diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, 30% of predicted), with only mild-to-moderate restrictive physiology (mean FVC, 59% of predicted). Seventy-five percent of patients required supplemental oxygen at the time of presentation. All patients had moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension and were New York Heart Association (NYHA)/World Health Organization (WHO) class III or IV. A vasodilator trial with epoprostenol was performed in seven of the eight patients; six of the seven patients had a significant hemodynamic response (> 25% reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance). All but one of the responders (five of six patients) continued on therapy. Average clinical improvement was one to two NYHA/WHO classes at a mean follow-up of 29 months (range, 15 to 49 months). Conclusions In patients with sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension, the severity of pulmonary vascular disease occurs out of proportion to lung function abnormalities. The majority of our patients responded to epoprostenol; survival may be improved in this group.
Existence and Stability of Particle Channeling in Crystals on Timescales Beyond all Orders

Particle channeling in crystals is an important aspect of particle-solid interactions for which I have developed a mathematical theory using modern techniques in Hamiltonian perturbation theory. This article describes that theory in broadest terms; ample discussion and detailed proofs have been or will be shortly published elsewhere (cf. Dumas 1988, 1989, 1991, and Dumas and Ellison 1991). A number of people helped me develop these ideas, but I am especially grateful to my thesis advisor, Jim Ellison, whose extensive work on mathematical aspects of channeling was the starting point for what is described here. I am also indebted to Pierre Lochak and to other members of the CMA at the Ecole Normale Superieure (Paris) for their assistance during the year 1986–87. It was there that I learned many of the mathematical tools used to formulate the channeling theory: a collection of results comprising KAM theory and the related but less familiar theory due to Nekhoroshev (1971, 1977, 1979) and, more recently, to Bennetin, Galgani, and Giorgilli (1985) and to Bennetin and Gallavotti (1986). The latter group of mathematical physicists first recognized the advantages—in principle at least—of Nekhoroshev’s approach in applications to physical systems where rigorous results on long-time stability of motion are desired; this approach is closely related to some of the techniques discussed in Professor Marsden’s article (these proceedings) on adiabatic invariance.
The Effects of Different Types of Case Learning on Student Engagement

Two types of case learning—case studies and problem-based learning—have become staples in our active learning international relations classrooms. Yet few teacher-scholars have examined whether different types of case learning yield different learning outcomes. This study examines the student engagement in response to four different types of case learning: case studies with texts designed for the case method, those using written nontraditional case materials, those incorporating documentary films as case materials, and problem-based learning approaches. I survey students in two International Political Economy classes as a way of yielding an indirect assessment of how effective or useful these different approaches are, and which types of case learning engaged students most. Results suggest that the types of case learning that engaged students’ senses in multiple ways—problem-based learning and case studies using films as texts—enhanced their perceptions of the exercises’ effectiveness. Case studies that relied on written texts alone were not rated as highly, although were still seen as extremely valuable. These results are consistent with the findings from the cognitive psychology literature that informs the active teaching and learning approach.
RSeQC: quality control of RNA-seq experiments

Motivation: RNA-seq has been extensively used for transcriptome study. Quality control (QC) is critical to ensure that RNA-seq data are of high quality and suitable for subsequent analyses. However, QC is a time-consuming and complex task, due to the massive size and versatile nature of RNA-seq data. Therefore, a convenient and comprehensive QC tool to assess RNA-seq quality is sorely needed. Results: We developed the RSeQC package to comprehensively evaluate different aspects of RNA-seq experiments, such as sequence quality, GC bias, polymerase chain reaction bias, nucleotide composition bias, sequencing depth, strand specificity, coverage uniformity and read distribution over the genome structure. RSeQC takes both SAM and BAM files as input, which can be produced by most RNA-seq mapping tools as well as BED files, which are widely used for gene models. Most modules in RSeQC take advantage of R scripts for visualization, and they are notably efficient in dealing with large BAM/SAM files containing hundreds of millions of alignments. Availability and implementation: RSeQC is written in Python and C. Source code and a comprehensive user’s manual are freely available at: http://code.google.com/p/rseqc/. Contact: WL1@bcm.edu
Behavior modification of an autistic child.

An autistic child was observed while on a hospital ward. Observation revealed that the clinical staff gave considerably more attention to his bizarre, inappropriate behavior than to acceptable responses. Subsequently these two classes of behavior were observed and recorded by independent observers whose reliability averaged 85 percent. Next the child was given social and primary reinforcement for appropriate behaviors which included compliance to requests, comprehensible verbalizations, use of play materials, and the learning of academic skills. Self-hitting, junk verbalizations, and tantrums did not receive reinforcement. In order to demonstrate the role of contingent reinforcement, the contingencies were reversed for a four-day period. Following the initial reinforcement procedures, responses such as comprehensible verbalizations climbed from two percent to 46 percent while withdrawn responses and junk verbalizations disappeared. When the reinforcement contingencies were reversed, some appropriate responses dropped 50 percent and inappropriate responses increased. When the original contingencies were reinstituted, the behaviors returned to previous treatment levels.
Involvement of PI3K/PKG/ERK1/2 signaling pathways in cortical neurons to trigger protection by cotreatment of acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid against HNE-mediated oxidative stress and neurotoxicity: implications for Alzheimer's disease.

Oxidative stress has been shown to underlie neuropathological aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD). 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a highly reactive product of lipid peroxidation of unsaturated lipids. HNE-induced oxidative toxicity is a well-described model of oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration. GSH plays a key role in antioxidant defense, and HNE exposure causes an initial depletion of GSH that leads to gradual toxic accumulation of reactive oxygen species. In the current study, we investigated whether pretreatment of cortical neurons with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) and α-lipoic acid (LA) plays a protective role in cortical neuronal cells against HNE-mediated oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Decreased cell survival of neurons treated with HNE correlated with increased protein oxidation (protein carbonyl, 3-nitrotyrosine) and lipid peroxidation (HNE) accumulation. Pretreatment of primary cortical neuronal cultures with ALCAR and LA significantly attenuated HNE-induced cytotoxicity, protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, pretreatment of ALCAR and LA also led to elevated cellular GSH and heat shock protein (HSP) levels compared to untreated control cells. We have also determined that pretreatment of neurons with ALCAR and LA leads to the activation of phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), PKG, and ERK1/2 pathways, which play essential roles in neuronal cell survival. Thus, this study demonstrates a cross talk among the PI3K, PKG, and ERK1/2 pathways in cortical neuronal cultures that contributes to ALCAR and LA-mediated prosurvival signaling mechanisms. This evidence supports the pharmacological potential of cotreatment of ALCAR and LA in the management of neurodegenerative disorders associated with HNE-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity, including AD.
Viability and Germination of the Pollen of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that pollen of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] loses capacity to both germinate in vitro and to set seed in vivo soon after being shed. The current study evaluates the capacity for dehydrated pollen to effect in vitro germination, reduce tetrazolium chloride, and set seed on cytoplasmic male sterile plants. Morphological changes during pollen germination were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Close to 70% of the pollen germinated in 5 min, or less, when collected at 80% relative humidity (RH) and stored in sealed glass vials. Pollen tubes elongated autotropically with atmospheric humidity apparently being a controlling factor in the process. Pollen dehydrated at 50% RH and 25°C for 15-30 min neither germinated in vitro, reduced tetrazolium chloride, nor set seed on male sterile plants. Rehydrating the pollen did not restore the capacity for germination. SEM micrographs demonstrated that elongating pollen tubes encircled the pollen grain and were contiguous to the surface. A fibrillar-like material existed on the exine of separated pollen grains at the point where the grains had been previously attached.
The electrochromic properties of chemically deposited tungsten oxide films

Abstract Thin films of tungsten oxide were prepared by deposition from a solution of tungsten chloride, and, for comparison, by the acidification of a solution of sodium tungstate. The electrochromic behavior of these films was investigated by studying their current-voltage behavior, absorbance spectra, response time, and the diffusion coefficient of lithium ions in the film.
Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and its role in apoB-lipoprotein assembly

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) are necessary for lipoprotein assembly. ApoB consists of five structural domains, betaalpha(1)-beta(1)-alpha(2)-beta(2)-alpha(3). We propose that MTP contains three structural motifs (N-terminal beta-barrel, central alpha-helix, and C-terminal lipid cavity) and three functional domains (lipid transfer, membrane associating, and apoB binding). MTP's lipid transfer activity is required for the assembly of lipoproteins. This activity renders nascent apoB secretion-competent and may be involved in the import of triglycerides into the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, MTP binds to apoB with high affinity involving ionic interactions. MTP interacts at multiple sites in the N-terminal betaalpha(1) structural domain of apoB. A novel antagonist that inhibits apoB-MTP binding decreases apoB secretion. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis and deletion analyses that inhibit apoB-MTP binding decrease apoB secretion. Lipids modulate protein-protein interactions between apoB and MTP. Lipids associated with MTP increase apoB-MTP binding whereas lipids associated with apoB decrease this binding. Thus, specific antagonist, site-directed mutagenesis, deletion analyses, and modulation studies support the notion that apoB-MTP binding plays a role in lipoprotein biogenesis. However, specific steps in lipoprotein assembly that require apoB-MTP binding have not been identified. ApoB-MTP binding may be important for the prevention of degradation and lipidation of nascent apoB.
Growth factor/s and cell therapy in myocardial regeneration

Despite significant advances in myocardial revascularization and reperfusion, coronary artery disease and subsequently myocardial infarction, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. Thus one of the main goals in the treatment of myocardial ischemia is the development of effective therapy for angiogenesis. The first evidence is the demonstration of alleviation of myocardial ischemia and increased number of collateral blood vessels in the early 1990s following intra-coronary administration of basic fibroblast growth factor protein in dog. Multiple animal studies, has confirmed the concept of stimulation of collateral development by pharmacological and molecular means. This includes direct delivery of growth factors into the ischemic target tissues, or of genes that encode for synthesis of growth factors by target tissues. Both cell therapy and gene therapy have proven to be effective to promote neovascularization in various animal models. Cell therapy alone is proven to be beneficial however the combination of cell and gene therapy (growth factors) may enhance therapeutic neovascularization. Thus clinically relevant, combined strategy could be an excellent strategy for treating patients with myocardial infarction.
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of a Spring-Fed Ecosystem in Hays County, Texas, USA

The San Marcos River is fed by the second largest spring system in the state of Texas and is home to multiple endemic and federally listed endangered and threatened plant and animal species. Due to a dam originally created to facilitate a gristmill in 1849, the spring orifices are inundated by up to 12 m of water. The area upstream of the dam is referred to as Spring Lake. Directly below the dam, the river is clear and rapidly moving, ranging from about 5 m to 15 m wide, flowing over a predominantly firm gravel bottom with many shallow riffles alternating with deep pools (Lemke, 1989). The historic mean spring flow for this system is 4.5 m3/sec (Ogden et al., 1986). The headwater stretch of the San Marcos River (the upper 7.2 km) stays at a relatively constant temperature at around 22°C (Hannan and Dorris, 1970). The conductivity ranges from ~600 – 700 µS/cm for the majority of this upper portion of the river, but then increases to a range of ~625 - 850 µS/cm downstream of the San Marcos Wastewater Treat ment Plant (Groeger et al., 1997), which is located about 5 km downstream of the springs. The pH in the artesian well located near the headwaters on Texas State University property and Spring Lake is lower (range = 6.3 – 7.4) than sites down stream (range = 6.6 – 7.8), which indicates that aquifer CO 2 concentrations are higher than those in equilibrium with the atmosphere (Groeger et al., 1997). Human-induced impacts to the Edwards Aquifer which feeds the springs (e.g. water pumping) as well as to the river itself (e.g. urbanization) may have negative effects on the aquatic macroinvertebrate community in the San Marcos River. There have been few peer-reviewed manuscripts on the aquatic macroinvertebrate community of the San Marcos River (Edwards and Arnold, 1961; Bowles et al., 2007). Given the described concerns and the hydrologic consistency of the upper San Marcos River (Fries and Bowles, 2002) there is a need for detailed information on macroinvertebrate community composition in the river. The purpose of this study is to create a baseline species list to evaluate future changes in San Marcos River macroinvertebrate community composition. We collected aquatic macroinvertebrates from multiple locations throughout Spring Lake and the San Marcos River in a wide variety of microhabitats in an attempt to compile a macroinvertebrate taxa list that was as complete as currently possible (Fig. 1). We set 0.25 m2 quadrats in 188 locations along the river bottom and 147 locations within the lake. We placed a 0.5 m x 0.5 m modified dip net (500-µm mesh) downstream of each quadrat. We agitated the substrate inside
Risk factors for symptomatic hypocalcaemia complicating treatment with zoledronic acid.

Background: The bisphosphonate zoledronic acid is commonly prescribed to prevent skeletal complications in patients with multiple myeloma or metastatic cancer. Although symptomatic hypocalcaemia is a potential risk of treatment, it has been thought to be uncommon. Aims: After seeing several episodes of symptomatic hypocalcaemia following zoledronic acid administration, we undertook a review to determine the incidence of this complication in our population and to attempt to identify risk factors. Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients receiving zoledronic acid in two teaching hospitals over a 2-year period. Findings collected included the indication for treatment, whether dosing was adjusted for creatinine clearance, coadministered medications, serum chemistries and clinical course. Results: Of 120 patients who received a total of 546 zoledronic acid infusions, hypocalcaemia developed related to 55 infusions (10%) in 42 patients (35%). Symptomatic hypocalcaemia requiring i.v. supplementation occurred in 10 patients (8%), in spite of appropriate dose adjustment for creatinine clearance and despite prophylactic administration of oral calcium and vitamin D. More patients who became hypocalcaemic developed impairment of creatinine clearance during zoledronic acid treatment than in the group that remained normocalcaemic. Hypomagnesaemia was found in all patients who developed hypocalcaemia who had serum magnesium measured. Conclusions: Hypocalcaemia was common in our patient group following zoledronic acid treatment. Because of the prolonged elimination half-life of this agent (146 h), renal impairment occurring during a number of days after administration may increase risk. Hypomagnesaemia may further increase risk by blunting compensatory increase in parathyroid hormone secretion.
Everyday Discrimination Is Associated With Nicotine Dependence Among African American, Latino, and White Smokers

INTRODUCTION Discrimination is a commonly perceived stressor among African Americans and Latinos, and previous research has linked stress with substance dependence. Although studies have shown a link between discrimination and smoking, little is known about the relationship between discrimination and nicotine dependence. METHODS A total of 2,376 African American (33.4%; n = 794), Latino (33.1%; n = 786), and White (33.5%; n = 796) smokers completed an online survey. Everyday discrimination experiences were described in total and by race/ethnicity. Covariate-adjusted linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between everyday discrimination and indicators of nicotine dependence. RESULTS Most participants (79.1%), regardless of race/ethnicity, reported experiencing everyday discrimination. However, total scores on the discrimination measure were higher among Latinos and African Americans than among Whites (p < .001). Race/ethnicity/national origin was the most commonly perceived reason for everyday discrimination among African Americans and Latinos, whereas physical appearance was the most commonly perceived reason among Whites. Regression analyses indicated that everyday discrimination was positively associated with indicators of nicotine dependence, including the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI; p < .001) and the Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM) scales (all ps < .001). There was a significant interaction between race/ethnicity and discrimination, such that discrimination was associated with the HSI only among Latinos. Similarly, discrimination was most strongly associated with the WISDM scales among Latinos. CONCLUSIONS Analyses indicated that discrimination is a common stressor associated with nicotine dependence. Findings suggest that greater nicotine dependence is a potential pathway through which discrimination may influence health.
Valuing the Multidimensional Impacts of Environmental Policy: Theory and Methods

A theoretically consistent framework is developed for valuing the multidimensional impacts of environmental policy. Conventional benefit estimates are shown to be biased because of the presence of substitution and complementarity effects in valuing policy impacts. Procedures are developed for implementing a valid framework. Consistent with theory, empirical results indicate significant substitution effects in valuing environmental conditions across different geographic regions.
Preparation of atomically flat surfaces on silicon carbide using hydrogen etching

Hydrogen etching of 6H- and 4H-SiC(0001) surfaces is studied. The aspolished substrates contain a large number of scratches arising from the polishing process which are eliminated by hydrogen etching. Etching is carried out in a flow of hydrogen gas at atmospheric pressure and temperatures around 1600-1700 C attained on a tantalum strip heater. Post-etching atomic force microscopy (AFM) images show periodic arrays of atomically flat terraces that are a few thousand A wide. These terraces are separated by steps 15 A high in the directions. Often, the surface is seen to be faceted with steps on neighbouring facets forming 60 angles and offset in the c-direction by half a unit cell. Images of incompletely etched surfaces show early stages of etching where one can see remnants of surface damage in the form of arrays of hexagonal pits. On the larger scale, the surface has a hill-and-valley type morphology. The observed features are interpreted in a model based on the symmetry of the SiC unit cell and crystal miscut.
Rapid Calibration of Operational and Research Meteorological Satellite Imagers. Part II: Comparison of Infrared Channels

To establish a more reliable reference instrument for calibration normalization, this paper examines the differences between the various thermal infrared imager channels on a set of research and operational satellites. Mean brightness temperatures from the Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite and the second Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR-2) on the second European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS-2) are correlated with matched data from the eighth Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-8), the fifth Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS-5), and with each other. VIRS data are also correlated with the Terra satellite’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provisional data as a preliminary assessment of their relative calibrations. As an additional check on their long-term stability, the VIRS data are compared to the broadband longwave radiances of the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) scanners on TRMM. No statistically significant trend in the calibration of any of the three (3.7, 10.8, and 12.0 mm) VIRS thermal channels could be detected from the comparisons with CERES data taken during 1998 and 2000 indicating that the VIRS channels can serve as a reliable reference for intercalibrating satellite imagers. However, a small day‐night difference in the VIRS thermal channels detected at very low temperatures should be taken into account. In general, most of the channels agreed to within less than 60.7 K over a temperature range between 200 and 300 K. Some of the smaller differences can be explained by spectral differences in the channel response functions. A few larger differences were found at 200 K for some of the channels suggesting some basic calibration differences for lower temperatures. A nearly 3-K bias in the ATSR-2 11-mm channel relative to VIRS and GOES-8 was found at the cold end of the temperature range. The intercalibrations described here are being continued on a routine basis.
New Oscillatory Magnetoresistance Effect in Gallium

Magnetic size effects have increasingly become the subject of experimental and theoretical investigations1–8 because they provide a means of studying the Fermi surface, supplementing the information obtained from de Haas-van Alphen and other related effects. For size-effect oscillations to occur in the magnetoresistance, the inequality t 0 > a/|v a | ≫ T must be satisfied,1 where t 0 is the volume relaxation time of the conduction electrons, a is the thickness of the crystal, |v a | is the time average of the a component of the electron velocity, and T is the cyclotron period. These conditions are generally difficult to satisfy, requiring very pure, strain-free single crystals, low temperatures, and high magnetic fields. In gallium, the situation is particularly favorable. Cochran and Yaqub9 have estimated, from a study of the resistivity of a series of square “wires” ranging in size from 0.0115 to 0.102 cm, that the mean free path of conduction electrons in the bulk material is as large as 1 cm at 0°K. The bulk magnetoresistance, however, is so large in gallium (7 × 104 at 15 kG for I ‖c, H‖ a10) that the surface scattering term in the resistivity is completely obscured when the magnetoresistance is measured by conventional AC or DC methods. This suggests using a derivative technique11 which eliminates the monotonic increase characteristic of the bulk magnetoresistance and permits the investigation of the oscillatory part of the resistivity.
The Relationship of Endoscopic Proficiency to Educational Expense for Virtual Reality Simulator Training Amongst Surgical Trainees

With the introduction of Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery, training methods in flexible endoscopy are being augmented with simulation-based curricula. The investment for virtual reality simulators warrants further research into its training advantage. Trainees were randomized into bedside or simulator training groups (BED vs SIM). SIM participated in a proficiency-based virtual reality curriculum. Trainees' endoscopic skills were rated using the Global Assessment of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Skills (GAGES) in the patient care setting. The number of cases to reach 90 per cent of the maximum GAGES score and calculated costs of training were compared. Nineteen residents participated in the study. There was no difference in the average number of cases required to achieve 90 per cent of the maximum GAGES score for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, 13 (SIM) versus11 (BED) (P = 0.63), or colonoscopy 21 (SIM) versus 4 (BED) (P = 0.34). The average per case cost of training for esophagogastroduodenoscopy was $35.98 (SIM) versus $39.71 (BED) (P = 0.50), not including the depreciation costs associated with the simulator ($715.00 per resident over six years). Use of a simulator appeared to increase the cost of training without accelerating the learning curve or decreasing faculty time spent in instruction. The importance of simulation in endoscopy training will be predicated on more cost-effective simulators.