cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of glyceryl trinitrate on extracellular fluid space of aortic strips.

Extracellular fluid space (ECF) was determined in untreated rabbit aortic tissue and in tissue exposed to 0.1 per cent glyceryl trinitrate. The ECF space determinations were made in tissues bathed in a normal Krebs solution, calcium-free Krebs solution, magnesium-free Krebs solution, and calcium-magnesium-free Krebs solutions. The glyceryl trinitrate increased the ECF space in all solutions except the magnesium-free solution.
Simulation of the 45-nm half-pitch node with 193-nm immersion lithography

The minimum half pitch available to a lithography tool is given by the well-known equation Λ min-half . = λ/4 n sinθ, where λ is the exposure wavelength, n is the refractive index of the immersion medium and 2θ is the angle between the propagation directions of the two beams. Using water ( n = 1.44) as an immersion medium, the highest spatial frequency available with ArF-based (193 nm) lithography tools with an NA of 1.3 (1.44×0.9) corresponds to a half-pitch of 37 nm suggesting that the 45-nm half-pitch node should be accessible. A detailed simulation study (PRO-LITH 8) is reported for two different approaches to printing for this node. Dipole illumination (with two masks) as well as imaging interferometric lithography (with a single mask and multiple exposures incorporating pupil plane filters) is shown to be capable of printing arbitrary structures under these conditions. Because of the loss of contrast for TM-polarization at the high spatial frequencies at this node the high spatial frequencies in the x - and y -directions need to be printed with different polarizations in order to retain the necessary contrast. This, in turn, will require modification of the illumination system or a multiple exposure approach to allow the necessary polarization control.
Artifacts in the measurement of skin temperature under infant radiant warmers.

All skin temperature probes measure, to some extent, operative temperature as well as skin temperature, and thus artifactually measure a temperature different from true skin temperature. To assess the magnitude and direction of these artifacts in the measurement of surface temperature in radiant warmers designed for human infants, the artifactual deviation of measured surface temperatures from mean surface temperature was determined under a short-wavelength warmer and a long-wavelength radiant warmer, using a copper ball as an experimental model. The measuremends were made using both a disk-shaped thermistor and a tubular thermistor. All measurements were made near the top of the hemisphere of the ball facing the heating element of the warmer. In all cases, the average artifact was negative. That is, even on the surface of the ball near the radiant heat source, the surface temperature probes recorded an artifactually low temperature. In the analogous clinical setting, a some-what larger negative artifact would be expected.
Interval exercise alters feed intake as well as leptin and ghrelin concentrations in Standardbred mares

Summary Reasons for performing study: Horses in training tend to become inappetant; however, the mechanism responsible for this training-induced inappetance is not known. Hypothesis: Training and/or ulcers alter the feed intake (FI) and hormonal and/or biochemical (active ghrelin, leptin, glucose, insulin and cortisol) responses to acute high intensity exercise. Methods: Eight Standardbred mares underwent 3 interval exercise tests (IET) and 3 parallel control tests (CON) before (IET1) and after 8 weeks of training (IET2) and after treatment for gastric ulcers (IET3). Plasma samples were taken before (0 min), during (last 10 sec of velocities eliciting 40, 100 and 20% VO2max), and after (30 min, 60 min, 24 h) exercise (EX) or CON tests for RIA and colorimetric measurement of the concentrations of the above parameters. Samples were also collected before and after feeding. Horses were trained at a work intensity of 70% HRmax for 30 min/day, 5 days per week with FI measured daily. Results: There were no changes (P>0.05) in any variable during the parallel control trials. However, there was a mismatch between FI and digestible energy (DE) requirements (P<0.05) with EX horses not meeting their DE requirements during the post training IETs. During all IETs, ghrelin, glucose and cortisol increased (P<0.05) during EX. Leptin only increased (P<0.05) during EX in the post training IETs. Insulin remained low during EX, but increased (P<0.05) post EX. Conclusion: High intensity exercise appeared to be associated with decreases in FI and alterations of leptin and ghrelin. Potential relevance: More research is needed to determine if there is a relationship between alterations of these hormones and changes in FI in horses that lose weight while in training.
Self-reported sleep and β-amyloid deposition in older adults-reply.

Dr. Kawada raised several concerns with our paper.1 First, we acknowledge that there were relatively few participants reporting restless sleep or extremely short sleep duration in our sample. However, we treated sleep quality and duration as continuous variables in our regression models, and our sample provided adequate power across the range of values to detect significant associations between reports of worse sleep and greater β-amyloid deposition. Although further research is warranted, our results may indicate that sleep need not be extremely restless or of very short duration to show an association with β-amyloid burden. Dr. Kawada’s second point raises the possibility of a potential confounding role of depression, and we note that our findings remained significant after adjustment for even subclinical variation in depressive symptoms. Finally, Dr. Kawada indicated that an adjusted R-squared should be reported and questioned the numbers of covariates in the model. We note that we reported partial correlation coefficients (partial R) to provide estimates of the correlation between sleep and β-amyloid deposition and that results for unadjusted analyses were similar to those with full covariate adjustment. We hope that our findings will motivate additional research in this area that includes larger, prospectively followed cohorts with objective measures of sleep.
Health behaviors, social networks, and healthy aging: Cross-sectional evidence from the Nurses' Health Study

Physical function is a significant component of health-related quality of life among older adults. Potential correlates of healthy aging, including health behaviors and social network characteristics, were examined among 56,436 US women aged 55–72 in 1992. Healthy aging was assessed by maintenance of physical function measured by four sub-scales of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF)-36 Health Survey: physical functioning; role limitations; freedom from bodily pain; and vitality. Individual health behaviors, defined as current smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary behavior, and being overweight each contributed to significant decrements in functioning across all age-groups. After controlling for these health behaviors and other confounders (age, race, education, and co-morbid conditions), elements of a woman's social network were significantly correlated with functional status. Strong predictors of high functioning among older women were having close friends and relatives and presence of a confidant. For example, the absence of a confidant was associated with a 4.44 point reduction in physical functioning (95% CI: −7.0, −1.9), and a 5.68 point reduction in vitality (95% CI: −7.9, −3.4). These effects were comparable in magnitude to those observed among heavy smokers, or women in the highest category of body mass index.
Efficient Tests for General Persistent Time Variation in Regression Coefficients

There are a large number of tests for instability or breaks in coefficients in regression models designed for different possible departures from the stable model. We make two contributions to this literature. First, we consider a large class of persistent breaking processes that lead to asymptotically equivalent efficient tests. Our class allows for many or relatively few breaks, clustered breaks, regularly occurring breaks, or smooth transitions to changes in the regression coefficients. Thus, asymptotically nothing is gained by knowing the exact breaking process of the class. Second, we provide a test statistic that is simple to compute, avoids any need for searching over high dimensions when there are many breaks, is valid for a wide range of data-generating processes and has good power and size properties even in heteroscedastic models. Copyright 2006, Wiley-Blackwell.
Survival of Walleye Eggs and Fry on Paper Fiber Sludge Deposits in Rainy River, Minnesota

Abstract Investigations of paper-fiber sludge deposits in the Rainy River, Minnesota, below paper mills were made to determine water characteristics over them with reference to survival of walleye (Stizostedion v. vitreum) eggs and fry and occurrence of bottom fish-food organisms. Sampling of water from the fiber-sludge water interface to the surface showed gradients in oxygen as great as 0.1 ppm to near saturation, and in dissolved sulfides from 0.8 to 0.0 ppm. The most rapid gradient of these materials was in the bottom 20 mm. Levels of sulfides were most affected by current velocity and showed little relation to temperature or season. Walleye eggs placed in test trays on fiber mats had lower survival than those placed 12 inches above the mats and those placed on mineral substrates. Eggs and fry placed on mats died within 48 hours. Laboratory bioassays showed that sulfide levels of 0.3 ppm under controlled conditions approximating river conditions were acutely lethal to Gammarus pseudolimnaeus and walle...
Some performative techniques of stand-up comedy: An exercise in the textuality of temporalization

Abstract In the spirit of Bakhtin’s work on voicing in narrative chronotopes, this article explores the verbal art of stand-up comedy. One focus is on documenting a particular kind of multiply voiced chronotope in which British comedian, Eddie Izzard, transposes historical processes into a dialogic form that creates an imaginary historical real-time ‘peopled’ by fictionalized national entities in conversation with each other. The chronotope and the poetic parallelisms in which it participates are explored for the role they play in the principles of textuality generally and linguistic humor specifically.
Essential arginine residues occur in or near the catalytic site of L-amino acid oxidase.

Butanedione in borate buffer irreversibly inactivates L-amino acid oxidase. L-Phenylalanine and L-methionine, which are good substrates for the enzyme, protect against inactivation but glycine, which is a very poor substrate, and D-phenylalanine, which is neither substrate nor inhibitor, do not provide significant protection. These results are consistent with the modification by butanedione of one or more arginine residues located in or near the catalytic site of L-amino acid oxidase.
Conditions for Ubiquitous Computing: What Can Be Learned from a Longitudinal Study

Based on survey data and interview data collected over four academic years, this longitudinal study examined how a ubiquitous computing project evolved along with the changes in teachers, students, the human infrastructure, and technology infrastructure in the school. This study also investigated what conditions were necessary for successful ubiquitous computing and how these conditions changed at different stages of implementation. The results revealed that over the four academic years, this ubiquitous computing project had changed from a bold innovation to an integral component of everyday teaching and learning. Students’ use of the technology gradually matured, focusing more on learning-related activities. There were different issues and challenges regarding ubiquitous computing at different stages of implementation, and thus required continuous adjustment in the management and support system accordingly. Suggestions for practices and future research on ubiquitous computing are provided.
Establishment of a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay for measuring plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in fish: effect of fasting on plasma concentrations and tissue mRNA expression of IGF-I and growth hormone (GH) in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Abstract A time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) was established and validated that allows for the determination of plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in three domestically cultured fishes: channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ), hybrid striped bass ( Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis ), and rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). Sensitivity of the assay was 0.20ng/ml. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) were 90% for all three species of fishes. The IGF-I TR-FIA was biologically validated via its use to determine the effect of fasting on circulating IGF-I levels in channel catfish. Fasting-induced changes in plasma growth hormone (GH), hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression, and pituitary GH mRNA expression were also determined. Fasted channel catfish lost 5.6 and 15.6% body mass after 2 and 4 weeks of fasting, respectively. Plasma IGF-I concentrations were depressed ( P P >0.05) in fasted fish after 2 weeks, but significantly increased ( P P P >0.05) between 2-week-fasted catfish and fed controls, but was increased ( P
Hispanic Mother and Father Perceptions of Fathering: A Qualitative Analysis

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the ways in which Hispanic (of Mexican descent) mothers and fathers viewed the role of fathers in families. To elicit these views, seven focus group discussions were conducted with 28 spouses/relationship partners. Content analysis of the interview transcripts identified seven dimensions of the fathering role: (a) instrumental providers, (b) disciplinarians, (c) role models, (d) teachers, (e) participants, (f) playmates, and (g) emotional supporters. These findings are discussed in the context of Hispanic cultural mores and past research on fathers.
AN ADAPTIVE FEEDBACK APPROACH TO STRUCTURAL VIBRATION SUPPRESSION

This paper has demonstrated the potential of an adaptive feedback technique to suppress disturbances in structures. The proposed controller requires no more system modelling than standard filtered x LMS approaches and does not require an independent measurement coherent with the disturbance source. In addition, the proposed controller provides rejection of transient disturbances and speeds up the convergence of the adaptive algorithm, features not available with straightforward neutralization loop techniques
Saving lives, keeping safe and searching for gold the electron linear accelerator business

This paper discusses the multi-billion dollar microwave electron accelerator business including applications in the fields of medicine, security, gold prospecting, inspection and industrial processes. Considerable synergy exists between microwave tubes and electron linear accelerators. Both play key roles in experimental physics labs, medical clinics, border crossings and industrial plants worldwide.
The Commodity Structure of World Trade

Method of measurement: division of total trade into three categories, 566; possible misinterpretation of the figures, 572. — Main result of the calculations: the data, 573; the traditional type of exchange not dominant, 576; comparison with findings of the Institut fur Weltwirtschaft, 577. — Analysis of the statistics for groups of countries, 579. — Commodity structure of British foreign trade since 1854, 588. — Historical importance of the traditional view of the commodity structure of world trade, 591.
Studies on the Dietary Requirement and Interaction of Magnesium with Antibiotics in Turkeys to 4 Weeks of Age

Abstract THE quantitative magnesium requirement of young turkeys has not been established. In 1960 the National Research Council listed the starting chicken’s magnesium requirement as 220 milligrams (mg.) per pound of diet, or 484 parts per million (p.p.m.). Three reports subsequent to 1960 suggest a lower magnesium requirement for the chick. Gardiner et al. (1960), McWard and Scott (1961), and Keene and Combs (1962) used purified glucose-isolated soybean protein diets in magnesium requirement studies. Gardiner et al. (1960) found the chick’s requirement to be approximately 250 p.p.m. McWard and Scott (1961) reported that in terms of growth and survival the requirement was about 200 p.p.m. Keene and Combs (1962) found the chick’s magnesium requirement to be 265 p.p.m. when the diet contained the antibiotic, oleandomycin. Without the antibiotic, the requirement was approximately 300 p.p.m. In the latter study iodinated casein (0.03%) did not alter the magnesium requirement, but reserpine (4 p.p.m.)…
Initiation of SV40 DNA-directed protein synthesis with N-formylmethionine in vitro.

WE are studying several aspects of the flow of genetic information from DNA to protein with an in vitro system in which RNA synthesis is coupled to protein synthesis. The coupled system, which is prepared from Escherichia coli, is primed with the replicating form of DNA from the bacteriophage φX174. During total asymmetric transcription of the template, several cistrons are translated (refs. 1, 2 and unpublished results of R. N. B. and M. H.). The principal product, which is initiated with N-formyl-methionine, is a φX174 structural protein with a molecular weight of about 20,000. We now demonstrate that DNA from the animal virus SV40 can prime this bacterial system. Two proteins are synthesized, and their estimated molecular weights are about 7,000 and 16,000. The molecular weight of the larger is close to the molecular weight of the SV40 coat protein, 16,350 (ref. 5). Both proteins are initiated with formylmethionine.
A Place of Gathering: Carolina Drink Houses

A drink house is a residential home open for the illegal sale of alcohol by the drink. This is a long-standing and widespread tradition in Southern Black communities. Based on interviews, several types of these establishments are described. In addition, the functions, both positive and negative, of drink houses are explored. Although associated with a number of social problems, the drink house functions primarily to reflect and perpetuate a sense of neighborhood and community.
Differentiating the discriminative stimulus effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate and ethanol in a three-choice drug discrimination procedure in rats

Abstract Anecdotal reports indicate that GHB produces subjective effects similar to those of ethanol. However, recent investigations comparing the discriminative stimulus effects of GHB to those of ethanol suggest that the subjective effects of these substances may differ considerably. To explore further potential differences between GHB and ethanol, 16 male Sprague–Dawley rats were trained in a three-lever drug discrimination procedure to discriminate ethanol (1.0 g/kg, experiment 1; 1.5 g/kg, experiment 2) and GHB (300 mg/kg) from vehicle. Dose–response functions determined with both training compounds revealed a clear dissociation between the discriminative stimulus effects of these drugs. As expected, the GHB precursors gamma-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol produced full substitution for GHB. In addition, the GABA B receptor agonist baclofen substituted for GHB, whereas the benzodiazepine flunitrazepam and the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine engendered greater responding on the ethanol-lever. GHB's discriminative stimulus effects were blocked by the GABA B receptor antagonist CGP-35348 but only partially blocked by the putative GHB receptor antagonist NCS 382. These findings are consistent with previous reports of GHB's discriminative stimulus effects in two-choice drug discrimination procedures and provide additional evidence that these effects are distinct from those of ethanol.
Sloan Mahone and Megan Vaughan (eds), Psychiatry and Empire, Cambridge Imperial and Post-Colonial Studies (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007), pp. ix + 243, £45.00, hardback, ISBN: 978-1-4039-4711-6.

This is not the first edited volume to gather historical essays on psychiatry and colonialism. It does, however, contain some very good new research. It also provides some helpful confirmation of observations in previous work. These include, for example, the opinion that colonial psychiatric institutions were more often reluctant and desultory responses to social problems than they were instruments of grand schemes for social control. And, while colonial psychiatrists may have given expert imprimatur to racist theories of ‘the native mind’, they reflected racist ideologies more than they were instrumental in creating them; this theme is not new to this volume, though there are some really remarkable examples in a number of the chapters of how colonial culture compromised the vision of psychiatric theory. A number of the authors also echo previous work in disavowing the utility of applying Foucault by noting, for example, the lack of ‘great confinements’ in colonies, an observation co-editor Megan Vaughan made in her pioneering original work on the subject. There is some significant new ground broken in this volume. Shula Marks contributes a chapter on psychiatric nursing, a topic relatively neglected by historians of psychiatry, and not only in colonies. Marks’s chapter, titled ‘The microphysics of power’, actually illustrates how many of Foucault’s insights about the dynamics of knowledge and power may be relevant to colonial contexts, however much those contexts may differ from those in European metropoles—about which Foucault’s empirical foundation was always shaky, anyway. Richard Keller explores therapeutics in the Maghreb as a laboratory for French psychiatry, exploring the blurry line between therapy and control—themes developed further in his recent monograph. Shruti Kapila provides a nuanced exploration of the reception of Freud in India, showing how psychoanalytic ideas were selectively appropriated, not only as theories of the mind, but as reflections of varied orientations toward both religion and the Indian nation. And Hans Pols’s chapter on psychiatric constructions of the ‘native mind’ in the Dutch East Indies goes further than many previous treatments in exploring how colonised people responded to these ideologies. For readers looking for an overview of the field, Psychiatry and Empire supplants previous edited collections. Taken together, the varied essays provide a good gauge of the state of the field.
Influence of Water on the Orientation of Cations at the Surface of a Room-Temperature Ionic Liquid: A Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopic Study

Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy was used to determine the orientation of the cations in a room-temperature ionic liquid at the air−liquid interface. The ionic liquid that was studied was 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis-trifluoromethylsulfonimide, [BMIM]+[imide]-. The orientation of the cation, [BMIM]+, was studied as a function of water pressure in the vapor over the range of 10-5 to 200 Torr. At water pressures below 10-4 Torr, the imidazolium ring was oriented parallel to the surface plane. On increasing the water pressure to greater than 10-4 Torr, the imidazolium ring tipped up from the surface with an angle along the surface normal of 40−55°. No water signal was observed in the spectra obtained at the water pressures studied here.
Polymerizable glutaraldehyde-urea mixtures as polar, water-containing embedding media.

Glutaraldehyde and urea are polymerizable, even in the presence of substantial amounts of water, to produce an “aminoplastic” that can serve as a tissue embedment for ultrathin sectioning. The highly polar nature of the resin mixture permits the retention of lipid structures in situ. Also, since dehydration is not completed until after polymerization, the use of this embedding medium permits superior preservation of highly hydrated carbohydrated gels which otherwise are apt to collapse. An insoluble glutaraldehyde—urea polymer is produced only by acid catalysis (pH ≊ 4.0), easily achieved with oxalic acid. Two successful protocols are offered. One demands pH monitoring to initiate polymerization, the other involves the blending of two independently stable mixtures. Experiences with other related potential monomers are described. Polymerization is allowed to occur with the specimens in small, individual drops of the resin mixture. The final plastic is hard, and so brittle that rough trimming almost has to be done by grinding. It is quite hydrophilic, necessitating a relatively high cutting speed and a carefully controlled trough meniscus. Glass knives are much to be preferred. Representative tissues, stained in various ways, illustrate some of the potentialities, as well as the limitations, of the method. Sections exposed to osmium tetroxide vapors demonstrate completely stained cytomembranes. This is regarded as indicative of the retention of lipids in the embedment. The contents of lipid droplets are similarly stainable. Phosphotungstic and silicotungstic acids at a pH ≅ 4.5 demonstrate carbohydrate moieties, particularly the glycocalyx, and some of its specializations including the material of synaptic and desmosomal clefts (the stainable material drops out in tight junctions). Mucous droplets and layers are stained as well, as is frequently at least a part of the Golgi complex in secretory cells. Glycogen is preserved and stained. Spaces occupied by membrane lipids are then seen in negative contrast. After uranyl acetate and lead citrate staining, the hydrophobic layers of cytomembranes are not stained either, but are outlined by neighboring structures. These substances do stain proteins generally, but usually without good differentiation or contrast which is a decided limitation. The preservation of presumably normal spatial relations in lipid systems, including cytomembranes, is a special virtue of the technique. Also, normal relationships appear to be preserved in unparalleled fashion in systems dependent in life upon highly hydrated carbohydrate gels. This particularly is the case where specific gaps are maintained in contact relations between cells, in specializations of the extracellular compartment in such diverse places as kidney epithelium, neuropil and the intraperiod “line” of myelin.
Identification of term and preterm labor in rats using artificial neural networks on uterine electromyography signals.

Objective This study was undertaken to use artificial neural networks on uterine electromyography data to identify term and preterm labor in rats. Study Design Controls (group 1: n = 4) and preterm labor models (group 2: n = 4, treated with onapristone) were used. Uterine electromyography and intrauterine pressure (IUP) variables were measured by implanted telemetric devices. For each timepoint assessed, either a “labor event” or “nonlabor event” was first assigned by using visual and other means. 112 total labor and nonlabor events were observed. Artificial neural networks were then used with electromyography and intrauterine pressure parameters to attempt algorithmic, objective identification for time of labor in each group. Results For group 1, all 8 (100%) labor events and all 44 (100%) nonlabor events were correctly identified by the artificial neural networks. For group 2, 22 of 24 (92%) labor events and 31 of 36 (86%) nonlabor events were correctly determined by the artificial neural networks. Conclusion Artificial neural networks can effectively predict term and preterm labor during pregnancy with the use of uterine electromyography and intrauterine pressure variables.
DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENTS BY HARBOR SEAL PUPS IN CONTRASTING ALASKA ENVIRONMENTS

Movement patterns of Alaska harbor seal pups were studied using satellite telemetry during 1997-2000. Mean tracking duration was 277.3 d (SD = 105.8) for Tugidak Island pups (n = 26) and 171.2 d (108.3) for Prince William Sound (PWS) pups (n = 27). Movements were similar for males and females and were largely restricted to the continental shelf. Multiple return trips of >75 km from the natal area and up to ∼3 wk duration were most common, followed by movements restricted to <25 km from the natal area; one way movements from the natal site were rare. Distances moved and home range sizes remained relatively stable or increased gradually from July through winter, then decreased markedly through spring. Monthly movements (maximum distance from tagging location, mean distance from haul-outs to at-sea locations, and home range size) were significantly greater for Tugidak vs. PWS pups. Six of seven pups from each region that traveled farthest and were tracked the longest had returned to their tagging site when their last location was recorded, indicating philopatry or limited dispersal during their first year of life. Seal pups exhibited similar movement patterns in the distinct habitats of the two regions, but differed in the spatial extent of their movements.
Measuring Marital Assimilation: Intermarriage among Natives and Immigrants

Abstract Marital assimilation has been a historically important aspect of immigrant adaptation and acculturation. Does the dual status of being a racial minority and an immigrant increase barriers to marital assimilation? And how does marital assimilation differ between natives and immigrants across racial minorities—African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans? Using data from the 1990 Census, we apply log-linear models to answer these questions by comparing marriage patterns by racial and nativity combinations of couples. Our results indicate that Latinos are most likely to marry Whites, followed by Asian Americans and African Americans. The overwhelming share of immigrants tend to marry same-race immigrants rather than same-race natives or other racial minorities. At the same time, racial minority immigrants are substantially more likely to marry their native same-race counterparts than to marry Whites. Clearly, intermarriage between natives and immigrants is a significant but often neglected aspect of contemporary patterns of assimilation.
Stereoselective synthesis of the two major metabolites of spironolactone, 3α- and 3β-hydroxy-7α-methylthio-17α-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactone

Abstract 7α-Methylthio-3β-hydroxy-17α-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactone and 7α-methylthio-3α-hydroxy-17α-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactone, the two major metabolites of spironolactone, were prepared stereoselectively by exploring different types of reduction reagents. For the 3β-hydroxyl isomer, the application of NaBH4/CeCl3·7H2O gave the best result while for the 3α-hydroxyl isomer, K-selectride seemed to provide the highest stereoselectivity.
The perichondrium plays an important role in mediating the effects of TGF-beta1 on endochondral bone formation.

Endochondral bone formation is complex and requires the coordination of signals from several factors and multiple cell types. Thus, chondrocyte differentiation is regulated by factors synthesized by both chondrocytes and cells in the perichondrium. Previously, we showed that expression of a dominant-negative form of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) type II receptor in perichondrium/periosteum resulted in increased hypertrophic differentiation in growth plate chondrocytes, suggesting a role for TGF-beta signaling to the perichondrium in limiting terminal differentiation in vivo. Using an organ culture model, we later demonstrated that TGF-beta1 inhibits chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation by two separate mechanisms. Inhibition of hypertrophic differentiation was shown to be dependent on Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) and expression of PTHrP mRNA was stimulated in the perichondrium after treatment with TGF-beta1. In this report, the hypothesis that the perichondrium is required for the effects of TGF-beta1 on growth and/or hypertrophic differentiation in mouse metatarsal organ cultures is tested. Treatment with TGF-beta1 inhibited expression of type X collagen mRNA in metatarsal cultures with the perichondrium intact. In contrast, hypertrophic differentiation as measured by expression of Type X collagen was not inhibited by TGF-beta1 in perichondrium-free cultures. TGF-beta1 added to intact cultures inhibited BrdU incorporation in chondrocytes and increased incorporation in the perichondrium; however, TGF-beta1 treatment stimulated chondrocyte proliferation in metatarsals from which the perichondrium had been enzymatically removed. These results suggest that the TGF-beta1-mediated regulation of both chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation is dependent upon the perichondrium. Thus, one or several factors from the perichondrium might mediate the way chondrocytes respond to TGF-beta1.
Ultrastructural characterization of the central component of the medial preoptic nucleus.

The fine structure of the sexually dimorphic central part of the medial preoptic nucleus was studied in male and female rats. Neurons of this subnucleus are characterized by having convoluted nuclear membranes and fibrillar nuclear inclusions. Within the perinuclear domain there is a well developed neurosecretory apparatus, i.e., Golgi complexes, assorted types of secretory granules, and lysosome-like bodies, whereas the marginal cytosol contains stacked cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum, nucleolus-like inclusions, and few mitochondria. The neuropil is made up of thick dendrites, fascicles of thin unmyelinated axons, and few small myelinated axons. Additionally four types of synaptic boutons were found according to the morphology of their vesicular contents. No apparent qualitative sex differences were noted. These cytologic features which suggest secretory activity, coupled with reports that have shown the presence of several neurohormones and peptides within the central part of the medial preoptic nucleus lend further support to the neuroendocrine nature of these neurons.
Mapping probability of fire occurrence in San Jacinto Mountains, California, USA

An ecological data base for the San Jacinto Mountains, California, USA, was used to construct a probability model of wildland fire occurrence. The model incorporates both environmental and human factors, including vegetation, temperature, precipitation, human structures, and transportation. Spatial autocorrelation was examined for both fire activity and vegetation to determine the specification of neighborhood effects in the model. Parameters were estimated using stepwise logistic regressions. Among the explanatory variables, the variable that represents the neighborhood effects of spatial processes is shown to be of great importance in the distribution of wildland fires. An important implication of this result is that the management of wildland fires must take into consideration neighborhood effects in addition to environmental and human factors. The distribution of fire occurrence probability is more accurately mapped when the model incorporates the spatial term of neighborhood effects. The map of fire occurrence probability is useful for designing large-scale management strategies of wildfire prevention.
Research and Implement of Visual Simulation System for Automobile Gearbox Assembling Line

Automobile gearbox assembling line is a typical dynamic discrete system. It is very difficult to guarantee the layout reasonability and running reliability of the system with traditional experience design. In the paper, with the given automobile gearbox assembling line, visual simulation was adopted to realize the design and management of the system. The methods of queue-service net and event scheduling were applied on the modeling of assembling line and simulation of running process, respectively. And through the experiments on the system, the optimal number of AGV and reasonable scheduling rule were obtained.
The neurobiology of aging and the neurobiology of depression: Is there a relationship?

The relationship between the biology of aging and the biology of affective disorders remains obscure, largely for two reasons. First, and most important, is the equivocal nature of the data that indicates that increasing age predisposes an individual to episodes of major depression. Second, is the lack of tools to assess neurotransmitter turnover and availability in humans. Indirect measures such as neuroendocrine function tests, platelet, plasma and CSF studies contain too many confounding factors, to allow for adequate testing of neurochemical hypotheses. Development of novel approaches based on dynamic brain imaging methods may ameliorate these shortcomings.
The Effect of Temperature on the Weight of Fasting Rainbow Trout Fingerlings

Abstract The study was designed to determine at what rate rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii) fingerlings lose weight at different temperatures under conditions of starvation. The data show that the average percentage loss per day was about 0.9 per cent at 7.94° C., 1.1 per cent at 11.3° C. and 1.3 per cent at 14.6° C. The rate of loss at each temperature is significantly different from the rates at the other temperatures.
Automatic identification of proteins with a MALDI-quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer

A matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) ion trap mass spectrometer of new design is described. The instrument is based on a commercial Finnegan LCQ ion trap mass spectrometer to which we have added a MALDI ion source that incorporates a sample stage constructed from a compact disk and a new ion transmission interface. The ion interface contains a quadrupole ion guide installed between the skimmer and the octapoles of the original instrument configuration, allowing for operation in both MALDI and electrospray ionization modes. The instrument has femtomole sensitivity for peptides and is capable of collecting a large number of MALDI MS and MALDI MS/MS spectra within a short period of time. The MALDI source produces reproducible signals for 104−105 laser pulses, enabling us to collect MS/MS spectra from all the discernible singly charged ions detected in a MS peptide map. We describe the different modes of the instrument operation and algorithms for data processing as applied to challenging pro...
Hemoglobin screening in prospective blood donors: a comparison of methods.

The microhematocrit (MHCT) (MHCT) of blood obtained by ear lobe puncture (ELP) was found to be higher than that obtained by fingerstick (FS). Using copper sulfate solution to estimate hemoglobin concentration of ELP blood will lead to accepting prospective blood donors that would be rejected by fingerstick obtained samples. Raising the specific gravity of the copper sulfate solution from 1.053 to 1.055 for females and from 1.055 to 1.057 for males eliminates the discordance for males but leads to rejection of females at a high rate (20 per cent). The use of FS/MHCT to recheck those failing the gravimetric test with higher specific gravity copper sulfate is suggested. The MHCT of venous samples obtained via the needle at the conclusion of phlebotomy will be lower than the MHCT of a capillary sample obtained during screening because of a combination of : 1) hemodilution due to assumption of the recumbent position and 2) hemodilution in response to phlebotomy.
Counting hadron states

The question of how to count hadron states is explored. It is suggested that there may be states which should be ignored in classification schemes such as SU(3) or the quark model.
Molecular Characterization of Larval Peripheral Thermosensory Responses of the Malaria Vector Mosquito Anopheles gambiae

Thermosensation provides vital inputs for the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae which utilizes heat-sensitivity within a broad spectrum of behaviors, most notably, the localization of human hosts for blood feeding. In this study, we examine thermosensory behaviors in larval-stage An. gambiae, which as a result of their obligate aquatic habitats and importance for vectorial capacity, represents an opportunistic target for vector control as part of the global campaign to eliminate malaria. As is the case for adults, immature mosquitoes respond differentially to a diverse array of external heat stimuli. In addition, larvae exhibit a striking phenotypic plasticity in thermal-driven behaviors that are established by temperature at which embryonic development occurs. Within this spectrum, RNAi-directed gene-silencing studies provide evidence for the essential role of the Transient Receptor Potential sub-family A1 (TRPA1) channel in mediating larval thermal-induced locomotion and thermal preference within a discrete upper range of ambient temperatures.
A method for predicting the expected life of bus capacitors

Predicting the expected life of motor drive bus capacitors is complicated by several factors: the equivalent series resistance of aluminum electrolytic capacitors is frequency and temperature sensitive; the ripple current is a composite waveform; and the capacitor expected life is very sensitive to operating temperature. This paper describes a method that addresses all these factors by developing separate models for capacitor equivalent series resistance, motor drive circuitry, heat transfer conditions and capacitor life.
Template-directed primer extension catalyzed by the Tetrahymena ribozyme.

Abstract The Tetrahymena ribozyme has been shown to catalyze an RNA polymerase-like reaction in which an RNA primer is extended by the sequential addition of pN nucleotides derived from GpN dinucleotides, where N = A, C, or U. Here, we show that this reaction is influenced by the presence of a template; bases that can form Watson-Crick base pairs with a template add as much as 25-fold more efficiently than mismatched bases. A mutant enzyme with an altered guanosine binding site can catalyze template-directed primer extension with all four bases when supplied with dinucleotides of the form 2-aminopurine-pN.
Estrogen increases the number of spinophilin‐immunoreactive spines in the hippocampus of young and aged female rhesus monkeys

It is well documented that estrogen increases dendritic spine density in CA1 pyramidal cells of young female rats. However, this effect is attenuated in aged rats. We report here a quantitative analysis of estrogen effects on hippocampal spine number as visualized with antispinophilin in young (6-8 years old) and aged (19-23 years old) female rhesus monkeys, a species with a pattern of female endocrine senescence comparable to that of humans. Monkeys were ovariectomized and administered either vehicle or estradiol cypionate 3 months postovariectomy, followed by an additional dose 3 weeks later, with perfusion 24 hours after the last estrogen treatment. Immunolocalization of spinophilin, a spine-associated protein, was used for quantitative stereologic analyses of total spinophilin-immunoreactive spine numbers in CA1 stratum radiatum and the inner and outer molecular layers of dentate gyrus. In both young and aged female monkeys, the estrogen-treated groups had an increase in spinophilin-immunoreactive spines (37% in young, P <.005; 35% in aged, P <.05) compared with the untreated groups that amounted to more than 1 billion additional immunoreactive spines. The young group also showed a trend toward an estrogen-induced increase in immunoreactive spines in the dentate gyrus outer molecular layer, but this effect was not statistically significant (P =.097). We conclude that spine number in the rhesus monkey hippocampus is highly responsive to estrogen, yet, unlike the female rat, aged female rhesus monkeys retain the capacity for spine induction in response to estrogen. These data have important implications for cognitive effects of estrogen replacement in postmenopausal women and demonstrate that an estrogen replacement protocol that mimics normal physiological cycles with timed, intermittent peaks can have profound neurobiological effects.
Interamerican relations in the early twenty-first century

Russell C. Crandall, The United States and Latin America After the Cold War. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Photographs, map, index, 260 pp.; hardcover $85, paperback $24.99Michael J. Kryzanek, U.S. -Latin American Relations. 4th edition. Westport: Praeger, 2008. Map, tables, index, 333 pp.; hardcover $109-95, paperback $29.95. Thomas F. O'Brien, Making the Americas: The United States and Latin America from the Age of Revolutions to the Era of Globalization. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2007. Photographs, illustrations, bibliography, index, 390 pp.; paperback $26.95. Fred Rosen, ed., Empire and Dissent: The United States and Latin America. Durham: Duke University Press, 2008. Bibliography, index, 263 pp.; hardcover $79.95, paperback $22.95.
Myocardial Resection and Coronary Artery Bypass for Left Ventricular Failure Following Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Seventeen patients with left ventricular failure secondary to coronary artery disease and previous myocardial infarctions were treated by resection of anterior nonfunctional segments of myocardium and indicated coronary bypass grafts. All had ejection fractions of 40% or less with increased ventricular volumes, reduced stroke index, and elevated end-diastolic pressures. One patient died in the hospital from air embolism. Clinical follow-up in 16 patients 8 to 35 months after operation revealed 3 additional deaths, 2 patients with poor results, and 11 patients who were improved. Postoperative catheterization studies in 7 patients corroborated the clinical evaluations, though none of the patients had hemodynamic values that were restored to normal. Late deaths were probably related to uncorrected mitral insufficiency or inadequate myocardium.