cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infrared laser induced fluorescence as a spectroscopic probe: Applications to CO2

Abstract Use of the infrared laser induced fluorescence technique as a spectroscopic probe is discussed with applications to CO 2 . It is shown how the shape of the fluorescence signal can be used to easily distinguish between fundamental and hot band transitions. Fluorescence and absorption experiments have also been performed with 13 C enriched CO 2 and result in probable assignments of CO 2 transitions for a number of HBr laser lines which are absorbed by CO 2 .
An Oceanographic Illuminometer System For Light Penetration And Reflection Studies

An improved illuminometer system is described which consists of a dual underwater illuminometer and a deck illuminometer both having improved light collecting properties and a new deck measurement unit. The instrument can provide direct measurements of (1) the illumination on the ocean surface, (2) the ratio of the downwelling illumination in the ocean to that on the ocean surface, (3) the ratio of the upwelling to the downwelling illumination in the ocean, (4) diffuse attenuation coefficient, K, for the downwelling light field, and (5) the depth of the underwater sensor. Emphasis in the design of the equipment has been to provide a system with which the operator can quickly obtain direct, accurate settings and to minimize the opportunity for human error in reading the results. The design philosophy of the lambertian light collector and the photoelectric circuitry is given along with the resulting performance. Examples of the data obtained with this system and its applications are given.© (1968) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Analysis of nitrated proteins by nitrotyrosine-specific affinity probes and mass spectrometry.

Tyrosine nitration is a well-established protein modification that occurs in disease states associated with oxidative stress and increased nitric oxide synthase activity. Nitration of specific tyrosine residues has been reported to affect protein structure and function, suggesting that 3-nitrotyrosine formation may not only be a disease marker but may also be involved in the pathogenesis of some diseases and in normal regulatory processes. It has been, however, difficult to identify sites of nitration. We describe a method that combines specific isolation of nitrated proteins with mass spectrometric determination of the amino acid sequence and the site of nitration of individual proteins. A complex protein mixture, e.g., serum or cell lysate, was enriched for nitrotyrosine-containing proteins by immunoprecipitation with antinitrotyrosine antibodies. The nitrotyrosines were then reduced to aminotyrosines with a strong reducing agent in parallel in-gel and in-solution procedures. Using nitrated human serum albumin as a model, we reduced the disulfide bonds with dithiothreitol and alkylated the free sulfhydryl groups with iodoacetamide. The nitrotyrosines were next reduced to aminotyrosines with sodium dithionite, and-at pH 5.0-cleavable biotin tags were selectively attached to the aminotyrosines and the albumin was then digested with trypsin. The biotinylated tryptic peptides were purified on a streptavidin affinity column and identified by mass spectrometry. We have also purified nitrated human serum albumin from an enriched sample of SJL mouse plasma and confirmed its identity by peptide mass fingerprinting and MASCOT.
Toward a Theoretical Basis for Current Language Pedagogy

tive skills, recent approaches to language teaching advocate development of language proficiency and increased cultural awareness as goals of the language curriculum.' Omaggio suggests that teaching for proficiency does not require a specific methodology. "Instead of searching for one definitive approach to language teaching--a search that has consistently ended in frustration and a sense of failure we
Clotting activity in the rat following acute barbiturate treatment

Adult male rats were subjected to intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline (controls) or barbiturates (20 mg/rat) as a single injection. Seventeen hours later the rats were sacrificed and plasma collected. Hematocrit (HCT), Platelet count (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and coagulant activity for factors II, V, VII, VIII, X and XII, plus fibrinogen were determined. The data indicates that a single injection of phenobarbital and secobarbital had a greater effect on clotting activity than did barbital or amobarbital. This was primarily reflected in the hepatic synthesized clotting factors, plus the platelets.
Evaluation of the tumorigenic and angiogenic potential of human fibroblast growth factor FGF3 in nude mice

Recently, the expression of fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) was found in 55% of human Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tumor tissues examined, while almost no expression of FGF3 was found in normal skin. To further these studies, human FGF3 cDNA were constructed by the overlap-extension method. The proteins translated from two FGF3 cDNA, which differ only in the sequences preceding the AUG presumed to be the initiation codon, were shown to have the same molecular mass. This result suggests that translation of human FGF3, which is different from mouse FGF3, begins only at the AUG site. The human FGF cDNA was transfected into NIH3T3 cells. The NIH 3T3 cells transformed by FGF3 were then injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. Nodular lesions developed at the injection sites in all seven mice injected with the F3-1 cell clone, which showed high expression of FGF3, and in two out of six mice injected with the F3-2 cell clone, which expressed a low level of FGF3. Histopathological features of these tumors contained fascicles of spindle-shaped cells surrounding irregular endothelial lined vascular clefts, similar to those observed in human KS lesions. Immunohistochemical staining for factor V111 antigen revealed reactivity in multiple areas, especially in abundant vascular structures of the tumor sections examined. The expression of FGF3 together with the FGF receptors FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3, was detected in the mouse tumors by Northern blot analysis. Our results indicate that tumors induced by FGF3-transformed NIH3T3 cells show some similarities to human KS tumors. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the potential tumorigenic and angiogenic role of human FGF3.
Impact of capacitor dielectric relaxation on a 14-bit 70-MS/s pipeline ADC in 3-V BiCMOS

In this paper, phenomena of charge absorption and relaxation in the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) silicon nitride dielectric (Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/) used in the capacitors of a 45-GHz f/sub T/, 0.4-/spl mu/m L/sub min/ SiGe BiCMOS are observed and interpreted. When such capacitors are used to design a pipelined 14-bit 70-MS/s switched-capacitor analog-to-digital converter (ADC), dielectric relaxation is identified as the cause of 8-LSB-wide gaps in the integral nonlinearity, which leads to the degradation of the converter performance even at low frequencies. The effect has been analyzed via Matlab behavioral simulations and SPICE circuit simulations. Ad-hoc experimental tests aimed at detecting residual amounts of charge left in the capacitors as a memory of previous states have been also carried out. After low-density low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) oxide capacitors (SiO/sub 2/) are introduced in the process, a new ADC test chip delivers 72.5-dBFS SNR, 82-dBc SFDR, 11.7-bit ENOB at 70 MS/s and 1-MHz input. The circuit features a die size of 5.3 /spl times/ 5.3 mm/sup 2/ and dissipates 1 W from the 3.3-V supply.
Steroid hormones and aggression in female Galápagos marine iguanas

Abstract We studied steroid hormone patterns and aggression during breeding in female Galapagos marine iguanas ( Amblyrhynchus cristatus ). Females display vigorously towards courting males after copulating (female–male aggression), as well as fight for and defend nest sites against other females (female–female aggression). To understand the neuroendocrine basis of this aggressive behavior, we examined changes in testosterone (T), estradiol (E 2 ), corticosterone (CORT), and progesterone (P 4 ) during the mating and nesting periods, and then measured levels in nesting females captured during aggressive interactions. Testosterone reached maximal levels during the mating stage when female–male aggression was most common, and increased slightly, but significantly, during the nesting stage when female–female aggression was most common. However, fighting females had significantly lower T, but higher E 2 and P 4 , than non-fighting females. It remains unclear whether these changes in hormone levels during aggressive interactions are a cause or a consequence of a change in behavior. Our results support the “challenge hypothesis”, but suggest that E 2 and/or P 4 may increase in response to aggressive challenges in females just as T does in males. Females may be rapidly aromatizing T to elevate circulating levels of E 2 during aggressive interactions. This hypothesis could explain why non-fighting females had slightly elevated baseline T, but extremely low E 2 , during stages when aggressive interactions were most common. Although P 4 increased rapidly during aggressive encounters, it is unclear whether it acts directly to affect behavior, or indirectly via conversion to E 2 . The rapid production and conversion of E 2 and P 4 may be an important mechanism underlying female aggression in vertebrates.
The Role of Cooperative Learning in Increasing Problem-Solving Ability in a College Remedial Course.

This study was conducted in a college remedial mathematics course to determine whether a minimal level of teacher intervention could induce cooperative learning on the part of students and whether cooperative learning would help students increase their problem-solving skills in mathematics. The intact, four-credit semester course included high school algebra and geometry. Practical methods that induced cooperation, with only three direct teacher interventions during the semester, are described. Instruments for evaluation of achievement included multiple-choice skills tests and open-ended teacher-made tests. Students using cooperative learning performed as well as or better than the control on every measure. Outcome variables that showed significant differences in favor of cooperative learning were solving word problems in algebra and proofwriting in geometry. It was concluded that the resulting increase in students' problem-solving abilities justified use of the method.
Magnetic resonance imaging-based finite element stress analysis after linear repair of left ventricular aneurysm

Objective Linear repair of left ventricular aneurysm has been performed with mixed clinical results. By using finite element analysis, this study evaluated the effect of this procedure on end-systolic stress. Methods Nine sheep underwent myocardial infarction and aneurysm repair with a linear repair (13.4 ± 2.3 weeks postmyocardial infarction). Satisfactory magnetic resonance imaging examinations were obtained in 6 sheep (6.6 ± 0.5 weeks postrepair). Finite element models were constructed from in vivo magnetic resonance imaging-based cardiac geometry and postmortem measurement of myofiber helix angles using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging. Material properties were iteratively determined by comparing the finite element model output with systolic tagged magnetic resonance imaging strain measurements. Results At the mid-wall, fiber stress in the border zone decreased by 39% (sham = 32.5 ± 2.5 kPa, repair=19.7 ± 3.6 kPa, P = .001) to the level of remote regions after repair. In the septum, however, border zone fiber stress remained high (sham = 31.3 ± 5.4 kPa, repair=23.8 ± 5.8 kPa, P = .29). Cross-fiber stress at the mid-wall decreased by 41% (sham = 13.0 ± 1.5 kPa, repair=7.7 ± 2.1 kPa, P = .01), but cross-fiber stress in the un-excluded septal infarct was 75% higher in the border zone than remote regions (remote = 5.9 ± 1.9 kPa, border zone=10.3 ± 3.6 kPa, P Conclusion With the exception of the retained septal infarct, end-systolic stress is reduced in all areas of the left ventricle after infarct plication. Consequently, we expect the primary positive effect of infarct plication to be in the infarct border zone. However, the amount of stress reduction necessary to halt or reverse nonischemic infarct extension in the infarct border zone and eccentric hypertrophy in the remote myocardium is unknown.
Ultraviolet radiation affects blueberry fruit quality

Abstract Blueberry plants, Vaccinium ashei Read cultivar ‘Woodard’, were subjected to enhanced UV-B radiation of 15, 24 and 44 UV-B Units under greenhouse conditions to determine the effect of UV-B radiation on certain aspects of vegetative development and fruit growth. Two inflorescences, each with 2 flowers, were left on each plant and hand pollinated at receptivity. Plants exposed to 24 or 44 UV-B units from the time of bud-break had reduced numbers of shoots, numbers of leaves, and leaf area. Berry weight was decreased under 24 and 44 UV-B units and the Mylar control (0.15 UV-B units). Berries grown under 24 UV-B units showed no waxy bloom on the upper exposed surface. Those grown under 44 UV-B units became highly pigmented earlier in their development and at maturity developed a corky layer on the exposed surface.
Coefficients of Friction of Sea Ice on Beach Gravel

The coefficients of static and kinetic friction of sea ice on unfrozen beach gravel were calculated from measurements made while dragging two large blocks of sea ice (approximate weights 23,300 and 26,400 lb (10,600 and 12,000 kg)) in short increments up a sloping beach surface. The results of 36 separate experiments yielded values of the coefficients in static and kinetic friction of μs = 0.50 and μk = 0.39, respectively. These values should be applicable to calculations of the forces required to drive an ice sheet on shore during an ice push event.
Fractal network model for simulating abdominal and lower extremity blood flow during resting and exercise conditions

We present a one-dimensional (1D) fluid dynamic model that can predict blood flow and blood pressure during exercise using data collected at rest. To facilitate accurate prediction of blood flow, we developed an impedance boundary condition using morphologically derived structured trees. Our model was validated by computing blood flow through a model of large arteries extending from the thoracic aorta to the profunda arteries. The computed flow was compared against measured flow in the infrarenal (IR) aorta at rest and during exercise. Phase contrast-magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) data was collected from 11 healthy volunteers at rest and during steady exercise. For each subject, an allometrically-scaled geometry of the large vessels was created. This geometry extends from the thoracic aorta to the femoral arteries and includes the celiac, superior mesenteric, renal, inferior mesenteric, internal iliac and profunda arteries. During rest, flow was simulated using measured supraceliac (SC) flow at the inlet and a uniform set of impedance boundary conditions at the 11 outlets. To simulate exercise, boundary conditions were modified. Inflow data collected during steady exercise was specified at the inlet and the outlet boundaries were adjusted as follows. The geometry of the structured trees used to compute impedance was scaled to simulate the effective change in the cross-sectional area of resistance vessels and capillaries due to exercise. The resulting computed flow through the IR aorta was compared to measured flow. This method produces good results with a mean difference between paired data to be 1.1 +/- 7 cm(3) s(- 1) at rest and 4.0 +/- 15 cm(3) s(- 1) at exercise. While future work will improve on these results, this method provides groundwork with which to predict the flow distributions in a network due to physiologic regulation.
Counterfactual Analysis of Sustainable Project Delivery Processes

Research is revealing that certain delivery process attributes influence the outcomes of sustainable construction projects. This preliminary research leads to follow-up questions such as which attributes are most influential? And how can the influence of these attributes be quantified? Answering questions like these is impractical using only traditional construction research methods. Delivery process attributes can have greater impact on one sustainable project and less on another, and controlling the numerous variables involved is nearly impossible. To answer questions facing similar constraints, economist Robert Fogel pioneered the counterfactual analysis research method, winning a Nobel Prize in the process. The objective of this article is to describe the adaptation and testing of counterfactual analysis to assist study of sustainable project delivery processes. Counterfactual analysis is especially well suited for sustainable projects, with their complex processes and stakeholder interactions. The adapted six-step method is informed by applications of counterfactual analysis in fields including economics, history, and political science. Descriptions of each step include specific examples from a pilot study of the method. A path forward is outlined for applying counterfactual analysis to examine key questions related to sustainable construction projects and to more broad areas of construction research.
Synthetic studies toward MPC1001: preparation of a β-hydroxyl-tyrosine derivative

A procedure for the asymmetric synthesis of a novel β-hydroxy-α-amino acid derivative to be used in the preparation of the natural product MPC1001 and analogs has been developed. The amino acid was efficiently prepared in six steps via a Mukaiyama aldol reaction via a diphenyloxazinone and 3-bromo-4-methoxybenzaldehyde.
A pot pourri of pediatric urology

For those of you who are regular readers of the Pot Pourri you will know that normally there is a brief segment on the what is in the news prior to us launching into the fascinating articles that can be found outside of the Journal of Pediatric Urology. This requires the author scouring various news sources for the two weeks before sitting down and writing, I am afraid, that on this occasion I could not face ploughing through all the bad news to find some interesting tit bit. However, in my brief perusal I found out that in my absence from living in the United Kingdom England has become the top ranked cricket team in the world. This clearly is a once in a life time piece of unusual news that made me smile. Perhaps I should return to the papers there must be more good news buried in there somewhere. But to avoid disappointment I will concentrate on what are in the Journals.
The vacB gene required for virulence in Shigella flexneri and Escherichia coli encodes the exoribonuclease RNase R.

vacB, a gene previously shown to be required for expression of virulence in Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, has been found to encode the 3′–5′ exoribonuclease, RNase R. Thus, cloning of E. coli vacB led to overexpression of RNase R activity, and partial deletion or interruption of the cloned gene abolished this overexpression. Interruption of the chromosomal copy ofvacB eliminated endogenous RNase R activity; however, the absence of RNase R by itself had no effect on cell growth. In contrast, cells lacking both RNase R and polynucleotide phosphorylase were found to be inviable. These data indicate that RNase R participates in an essential cell function in addition to its role in virulence. The identification of the vacB gene product as RNase R should aid in understanding how the virulence phenotype in enterobacteria is expressed and regulated. On the basis of this information we propose that vacB be renamed rnr.
A Practical Joint Network-Channel Coding Scheme for Reliable Communication in Wireless Networks

In this paper, we propose a practical scheme, Non-Binary Joint Network-Channel Coding (NB-JNCC), for reliable multi-path multi-hop communication in arbitrary large-scale wireless networks. NB-JNCC seamlessly couples channel coding and network coding to effectively combat the detrimental effect of fading of wireless channels. Specifically, NB-JNCC combines non-binary irregular low-density parity-check (LDPC) channel coding and random linear network coding through iterative joint decoding, which helps to fully exploit the spatial diversity and redundancy residing in both channel codes and network codes. In addition, since it operates over a high order Galois field, NB-JNCC can be directly combined with high order modulation without the need of any bit-to-symbol conversion nor its inverse. Through both analysis and simulation, we demonstrate the significant performance improvement of NB-JNCC over other schemes.
Cascade regulation of vaccinia virus gene expression is modulated by multistage promoters

Vaccinia virus contains ~200 genes classified temporally as early, intermediate or late. We analyzed 53 intermediate promoters to determine whether any have dual late promoter activity. Our strategy involved (i) construction of a cell line that stably expressed the three late transcription factors, (ii) infection with a vaccinia virus mutant that expresses RNA polymerase but neither intermediate nor late transcription factors, and (iii) transfection with plasmids containing a luciferase reporter regulated by an intermediate promoter. After confirming the specificity of the system for late promoters, we found that many intermediate promoters had late promoter activity, the strength of which correlated with a TAAAT at the initiator site and T-content from positions -12 to -8 of the coding strand. In contrast, intermediate promoter activity correlated with the A-content from positions -22 to -14. The sequence correlations were confirmed by altering the specificities of strict intermediate and late promoters.
Effects of Hydrogen on the Internal Time Scales in Zr-Ti-Ni-Cu-Be Bulk Metallic Glasses

The effects of pre-charged hydrogen on various kinetic processes in a Zr-Ti-Ni-Cu-Be bulk metallic glass alloy were investigated. Hydrogen charging induced longer internal time scales for structural relaxation and viscous flow. Crystallization was retarded by hydrogen charging leading to enhanced glass stability. Positron annihilation spectroscopy indicated reduced average free volume size after hydrogen charging. The reduced free volume and higher viscosity caused by hydrogen retard the plastic deformation and are believed to be responsible for hydrogen embrittlement.
Race and residential socioeconomics as predictors of CPAP adherence.

Study objectives There are few established predictors of CPAP adherence; poor adherence limits its effectiveness. We investigated whether race, education level, and residential economic status predict CPAP adherence in participants enrolled in a trial with standard access to treatment. Design A multi-center randomized trial of home vs. lab-based evaluation and treatment of OSA assessing adherence to CPAP at 1 and 3 months. Setting Seven AASM-accredited sleep centers in 5 U.S. cities. Participants Subjects with moderate to severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15 and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 12) who completed follow-up at 1 and/or 3 months (n = 135). Measurements and results Subjects' demographic data were collected upon enrollment; CPAP use at 1 and 3 months was assessed at clinic follow-up. In unadjusted analyses, CPAP adherence (average minutes per night of CPAP use) at 3 months was lower in black subjects and in subjects from lower socioeconomic status ZIP codes. In adjusted analyses using multivariate linear regression, black race was predictive of CPAP adherence at one month (P = 0.03). At 3 months, black race was predictive in analyses only when ZIP code SES was not adjusted for. Conclusion Black race and lower socioeconomic residential areas are associated with poorer adherence to CPAP in subjects with standardized access to care and treatment. Disparities remain despite provision of standardized care in a clinical trial setting. Future research is needed to identify barriers to adherence and to develop interventions tailored to improve CPAP adherence in at risk populations. Portable Monitoring for Diagnosis and Management of Sleep Apnea (HomePAP) CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: NIH CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY NUMBER: NCT00642486. URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00642486.
Using Evidence-Based Internet Interventions to Reduce Health Disparities Worldwide

Health disparities are a persistent problem worldwide. A major obstacle to reducing health disparities is reliance on “consumable interventions,” that is, interventions that, once used, cannot be used again. To reduce health disparities, interventions are required that can be used again and again without losing their therapeutic power, that can reach people even if local health care systems do not provide them with needed health care, and that can be shared globally without taking resources away from the populations where the interventions were developed. [J Med Internet Res 2010;12(5):e60]
Dental care in chimps.

Contrary to the speculations in the Random Samples item “Man, the toothpick user” (28 Apr., p. 607) and to Peter Ungar and co-workers' suggestions ([1][1]), toothpick use is not unique to genus Homo , nor even to hominids. Chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) use twigs not only to clean their teeth, but also to extract loose deciduous ones. Such tool use is self-directed ([2][2]), as well as done socially when one individual ape performs elementary dentistry on another ([3][3]). Once again, an assertion of human uniqueness does not stand up to closer scrutiny. 1. [↵][4]1. P. S. Ungar, 2. F. E. Grine, 3. M. F. Teaford, 4. A. Perez-Perez, 5. C. C. Magori , Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. Suppl. 30, 307 (2000). [OpenUrl][5] 2. [↵][6]1. W. C. McGrew, 2. C.E. G. Tutin , Nature 241, 477 (1973). [OpenUrl][7][CrossRef][8][Web of Science][9] 3. [↵][10]1. W. C. McGrew, 2. C.E. G. Tutin , J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 85, 1198 (1972). [OpenUrl][11][PubMed][12][Web of Science][13] [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #ref-3 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [5]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DAm.%2BJ.%2BPhys.%2BAnthropol.%2BSuppl.%26rft.volume%253D30%26rft.spage%253D307%26rft.atitle%253DAM%2BJ%2BPHYS%2BANTHROPOL%2BSUPPL%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [7]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNature%26rft.volume%253D241%26rft.spage%253D477%26rft.atitle%253DNATURE%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1038%252F241477a0%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [8]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1038/241477a0&link_type=DOI [9]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=A1973O749500066&link_type=ISI [10]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3 in text" [11]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DThe%2BJournal%2Bof%2Bthe%2BAmerican%2BDental%2BAssociation%26rft.stitle%253DJournal%2Bof%2Bthe%2BAmerican%2BDental%2BAssociation%26rft.issn%253D0002-8177%26rft.aulast%253DMcGrew%26rft.auinit1%253DW.%26rft.volume%253D85%26rft.issue%253D6%26rft.spage%253D1198%26rft.epage%253D1204%26rft.atitle%253DChimpanzee%2Bdentistry%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F4508197%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [12]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=4508197&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fsci%2F288%2F5472%2F1747.2.atom [13]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=A1972O169200010&link_type=ISI
Caspase 1: A Novel Serum Marker of Myocardial Remodeling

Purpose Inflammation appears to play a central role in promoting myocardial demise among advanced heart failure (HF) patients (pts). Caspase 1 (C1), a key element of the inflammasome, triggers inflammation, cell death, and progressive remodeling of the heart. Thus, we analyzed C1 expression in normals, end-stage HF pts awaiting ventricular assist device or heart transplant (VAD/TX), and acutely decompensated (AD) HF pts not requiring VAD/TX. We hypothesize a surge of C1 correlates with HF severity and unloading the heart will result in clinical improvement and C1 mitigation. Methods and Materials C1 was measured in the heart muscle and blood of pts pre and post treatment with ELISA: cardiogenic shock (n=45), decompensated HF (n=45), and normal controls (n=5). Additional variables collected include NYHA class, serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and weight. Results In 45 HF pts who underwent VAD/TX, C1 concentrations were four times elevated in the heart compared to normal (p=.02). After VAD therapy (n=21) serum levels of C1 decreased significantly (174±22.7 to 120±14.1 pg/ml, p=.003) while clinical parameters notably improved (BNP 1773±254 to 636±125 pg/ml, p=.003, NYHA class IV to II). Pre-VAD C1 expression in serum highly correlated with C1 expression in heart muscle (R=.54, p=.01). Among 45 ADHF pts treated medically, C1 levels were 27% lower than cardiogenic shock pts (174±22.7 vs 137±9.2 pg/ml, p=.10) and significantly decreased during treatment (137±9.2 to 115±7.8 pg/ml, p=.0006). This was associated with a significant decline in weight and BNP levels (207±11.1 to 205±11 lbs, p=.0003; 1401±200 to 1251±184 pg/ml, p=.004). Conclusions C1 levels assessed in blood or heart muscle appear to mirror the clinical and cellular demise of advanced HF. Unloading of the heart via VAD or medical therapy leads to clinical improvement and marked C1 receding suggesting C1 demarcates reverse remodeling of the myocardium. C1 levels ≤115 pg/ml might be indicative of stable HF.
Energy distributions in irradiated slurry chemical reactors

Abstract Certain radiation promoted chemical reactions may be accelerated by the introduction of phosphorescent slurry particles into the reaction medium. These particles adsorb radiation energy in the regions of high radiation intensity and release this energy throughout the reactor. A solution for this distributed energy is obtained in terms of the properties of a stirred reactor radiation system and the results applied to a design problem.
Endometriosis of the intestines.

Of 360 cases of endometriosis encountered during a 20-year period at St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, there were 35 patients with endometrial involvement of the intestinal tract. Of these, 21 had involvement of the pelvic colon and rectum.
Focal mycobacterial lymphadenitis following initiation of protease-inhibitor therapy in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease

Summary Background Inhibitors of HIV-1 protease produce a rapid decrease in plasma HIV-1 RNA, with concomitant increases in CD4 T-helper lymphocyte counts. The main side-effects of the protease inhibitors currently in use include gastrointestinal disturbances, paraesthesias, hyperbilirubinaemia, and nephrolithiasis. The increasing use of these agents in patients with advanced HIV-1 infection and CD4 counts of less than 50 cells/μL may be associated with unforeseen adverse effects not observed in earlier studies of patients with higher CD4 counts. Methods Five HIV-infected patients with baseline CD4 lymphocyte counts of less than 50 cells/mL were admitted to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, MA, USA) with high fever (>39°C), leucocytosis, and evidence of lymph-node enlargement within 1–3 weeks of starting indinavir therapy. Informed consent was obtained for studies that entailed CD4 lymphocyte counts, immunophenotyping, isolator blood cultures, and radiological scans. Biopsy samples of cervical, paratracheal, or mesenteric lymph nodes were taken for culture and pathology in four patients. Findings Lymph-node biopsy samples showed that focal lymphadenitis after initiation of indinavir resulted from unsuspected local or disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection. The prominent inflammatory response to previously subclinical MAC infection was associated with leucocytosis in all patients and with an increase in the absolute lymphocyte counts in four patients. Three patients with follow-up CD4 counts showed two-fold to 19-fold increases after 1–3 weeks of indinavir therapy. Immunophenotyping after therapy in two patients showed that more than 90% of the CD4 cells were of the memory phenotype. Interpretation The initiation of indinavir therapy in patients with CD4 counts of less than 50 cells/mL and subclinical MAC infection may be associated with a severe illness, consisting of fever (>39°C), leucocytosis, and lymphadenitis (cervical, thoracic, or abdominal). The intense inflammatory reactions that make admission to hospital necessary may be secondary to significant numbers of functionally competent immune cells becoming available to respond to a heavy mycobacterial burden. Prophylaxis or screening for subclinical MAC infection, or both, should therefore be done before the beginning of protease-inhibitor therapy in patients with advanced HIV infection.
Decision Analysis Approach to Competitive Situations with a Pure Infinite Regress

If the standard decision analysis approach was applied to a competitive situation, then the decision maker would attempt to assess a subjective probability distribution over all possible actions by the competitors or rivals. However, in assessing this robability distribution, the decision maker would quickly find him/herself in an infinite regress. There is a range of possible dependencies between the decision maker's decision and the rival's action that lead to such a regress. This paper presents an approach to overcoming this infinite regress in performing decision analyses of competitive situations with a “pure” infinite regress. In a pure infinite regress there is a dependency between the decision maker's decision and the rival's choice of action: if the decision maker prefers one alternative to any other, then the rival's actions will reflect a belief by the rival that the preferred alternative is more likely to be the decision maker's decision. The approach builds the decision maker's preferred rank order of alternatives, while simultaneously constructing a consistent model of the rival's beliefs about the decision maker's decision.
Laser surgical management of bilateral vocal fold immobility

Bilateral immobility of the vocal folds can have a dramatic impact on both airway and voice. The diagnosis is based on history and physical examination and is supported by some objective tests such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging evaluations. Although airway management is often the first consideration, a critical determination that is important both to an assessment of prognosis and to surgical planning is the differentiation between fixation and paralysis. The focus of surgical therapy has predominantly been directed at vocal fold lateralization, although there is growing interest in reinnervation and laryngeal pacing. There are a number of reliable lateralization and traditional techniques that are best performed with a tracheostomy in place. A lateralization procedure that removes the vocal process with a CO 2 laser and a portion of the body of the arytenoids with preservation of the medial mucosa and with/without an external stitch lateralization is described. It can usually be performed without a tracheostomy. A unilateral lateralization procedure is highly successful in the management of bilateral vocal fold paralysis, since the wound healing will pull the vocal fold in a lateral position. In bilateral fixation, however, bilateral lateralization procedures are usually required since the defect will partially fill back in, narrowing the surgically created defect.
A modified beam theory for bending and twisting of open-section composite beams : numerical verification

Abstract A modified beam theory for bending and twisting of open-section anisotropic composite material beams was proposed in an earlier paper in which the fundamental assumptions of the theory and the implications of its use were presented. The current paper is an extension of the earlier paper and addresses a number of unresolved issues of that paper. Most importantly, the current paper presents results of numerical experiments which verify the accuracy of the theory for use in the preliminary design of composite beams. Numerical experiments are described in which the predictions of overall beam deformations obtained by the proposed analytical one-dimensional theory are compared with those obtained by finite element analysis. The finite element analysis was performed with a general purpose commercially available finite element code (NISA) and used general laminated shell elements to model the beam. The current paper also presents a refined method for calculating the rate-of-twist of anisotropic thin-walled beams when subjected to transverse loading. The method depends of a geometric procedure for locating the center-of-twist in the cross-sectional plane. The lateral deflection of thin-walled anisotropic beams subjected to transverse loading, not described in the earlier paper, is also addressed in the current paper.
Enhancement of radiation-induced normal tissue damage by a fibrosarcoma

Normal tissue damage in the legs of mice was enhanced by the presence of a fibrosarcoma (FSa I) in the leg at the time of treatment with single doses of 30 to 70 Gy. Damage was assessed by measuring leg contracture 23 to 365 days after irradiation of 8 mm diameter tumors. Animals with and without tumors were treated with 1.0 mg misonidazole/g body weight 30 min before irradiation to ensure that the tumors did not recur and interfere with the assessment of contracture. The data suggest that in some cases, late damage may be enhanced by destructive effects of the tumor on the tumor bed.
The distribution of trace metals in cores from a traverse across the Indian Ocean

Abstract The concentrations of Mn, Ni, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn and CaCO 3 have been measured in tops of cores raised on the Vema 18 traverse across the Indian Ocean. There appears to be a correlation between trace metal concentration and geographical location and grain size.
Mitochondrial mutant cells are hypersensitive to ionizing radiation, phleomycin and mitomycin C

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is an important contributor to the ATP-generating oxidative phosphorylation complex. Single nucleotide mutations in mitochondrial genes involved in ATP synthesis result in a broad range of diseases. Leber optic atrophy and Leigh's syndrome are two such diseases arising from point mutations in the mitochondrial genome. Here, ionizing radiation, phleomycin and mitomycin C (MMC) were used to induce structural chromosomal aberrations in Leber's and Leigh's cells to investigate how these mitochondrial mutations affect the cell's DNA repair processes. Because of the energy deprivation that results from mitochondrial mutations, we hypothesized that these mutant cells would demonstrate hypersensitivity when exposed to oxidative and genotoxic stress and we also expected that these cells would not be able to repair nuclear DNA damage as efficiently as normal cells. As a consequence, these mutant cells are expected to show increased levels of DNA damage, longer cell cycle delays and increased levels of cell death. Following acute radiation exposure these mutant cells showed an increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations and decreased mitotic indices when compared with normal human lymphoblastoid cells with wild-type mtDNA. When exposed to phleomycin or MMC, the mitochondrial mutant cells again showed hypersensitivity and decreased mitotic indices compared to normal cells. These results suggest that Leber's and Leigh's cells have an impaired ability to cope with oxidative and genotoxic stress. These observations may help explain the role of ATP generation in understanding the enhanced sensitivity of mitochondrial mutant cells to cancer therapeutic agents and to adverse environmental exposure, suggesting that individuals with mtDNA mutations may be at a greater risk for cancer and other diseases that result from an accumulation of nuclear DNA damage.
Who Are We and What Are We Doing? A Survey of Biofeedback Professionals Working with Children

This article sought to understand the current training and activities of professionals providing biofeedback to children, via an anonymous survey administered though professional organization listservs. Based on 57 responders, we identified gaps in training and in the use of evidence-based interventions. However, these responders are communicating primarily with other biofeedback practitioners. The vast majority are not active in biofeedback research on children. We conclude by raising several questions for professionals and professional organizations to consider regarding the specialized training and evidence-based practice of biofeedback.
Oestrogen receptor-alpha-immunoreactive neurones project to the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the female Syrian hamster

Ovarian steroid hormones regulate circadian period and phase, but classical receptors for these hormones are absent in the circadian pacemaker localized in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN). In order to determine whether effects of oestrogen may be exerted through steroid-binding systems afferent to the SCN we have performed double label immunocytochemistry for oestrogen receptor-a(ER-a) and the retrograde tracer cholera toxin B subunit (CtB) after its application to the SCN. Most of the areas that contain ER-a-immunoreactive (ERa-ir) cells also contained cells afferent to the SCN. The percentage of neurones afferent to the SCN which show ERa-immunoreactivity varies between areas. As many as one-third of the neurones afferent to the SCN in some parts of the preoptic area and the corticomedial amygdala are ERa-ir. Very few of the afferent neurones from the septum and the central grey are ERa-ir, whereas an intermediate proportion of afferents from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the arcuate nucleus are ERa-ir. Our retrograde tracing results were compared with results of anterograde tracing from some of the sites containing SCN afferents. Using a combined retrograde and anterograde tracing technique we tested the possibility that single ERa-ir neurones afferent to the SCN could receive reciprocal innervation by SCN efferents. Although we found SCN input to some SCN afferent neurones, we found no evidence of reciprocity between single ERa-ir cells and the SCN. Our results indicate the existence of oestrogen binding systems afferent to the SCN. These neuroanatomical pathways may mediate effects of gonadal steroid hormones on circadian rhythms.
The intestinal microbiota, gastrointestinal environment and colorectal cancer: a putative role for probiotics in prevention of colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and, even though 5–15% of the total CRC cases can be attributed to individual genetic predisposition, environmental factors could be considered major factors in susceptibility to CRC. Lifestyle factors increasing the risks of CRC include elevated body mass index, obesity, and reduced physical activity. Additionally, a number of dietary elements have been associated with higher or lower incidence of CRC. In this context, it has been suggested that diets high in fruit and low in meat might have a protective effect, reducing the incidence of colorectal adenomas by modulating the composition of the normal nonpathogenic commensal microbiota. In addition, it has been demonstrated that changes in abundance of taxonomic groups have a profound impact on the gastrointestinal physiology, and an increasing number of studies are proposing that the microbiota mediates the generation of dietary factors triggering colon cancer. High-throughput sequencing and molecular taxonomic technologies are rapidly filling the knowledge gaps left by conventional microbiology techniques to obtain a comprehensive catalog of the human intestinal microbiota and their associated metabolic repertoire. The information provided by these studies will be essential to identify agents capable of modulating the massive amount of gut bacteria in safe noninvasive manners to prevent CRC. Probiotics, defined as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” (219), are capable of transient modulation of the microbiota, and their beneficial effects include reinforcement of the natural defense mechanisms and protection against gastrointestinal disorders. Probiotics have been successfully used to manage infant diarrhea, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease; hence, the purpose of this review was to examine probiotic metabolic activities that may have an effect on the prevention of CRC by scavenging toxic compounds or preventing their generation in situ. Additionally, a brief consideration is given to safety evaluation and production methods in the context of probiotics efficacy.
Semi-natural and enclosed groups of Macaca mulatta: a behavioral comparison.

Differences in aggression and grooming frequencies between enclosed and semi-natural groups of Macaca mulatta were studied quantitatively. Group composition, group densities and time of day were held constant. Results indicated that semi-natural monkey groups were significantly more aggressive, while enclosed groups exhibited significantly higher grooming frequencies. These results raise the question: Do alterations in behavioral frequencies lead to changes in social behavior patterns and group social organization?
An improved energy transport model including nonparabolicity and non-Maxwellian distribution effects

An improved energy transport model for device simulation is derived from the zeroth and second moments of the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) and from the presumed functional form of the even part of the carrier distribution in momentum space. Energy-band nonparabolicity and non-Maxwellian distribution effects are included to first order. The model is amenable to an efficient self-consistent discretization taking advantage of the similarity between current and energy flow equations. Numerical results for ballistic diodes and MOSFETs are presented. Typical spurious velocity overshoot spikes, obtained in conventional hydrodynamic (HD) simulations of ballistic diodes, are virtually eliminated. >