cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MODIFIED BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN—IX. THE EFFECT OF ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION ON THE IMMUNOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES*†

Summary Changes produced in crystalline bovine serum albumin (BSA) by ultra-violet irradiation have been investigated by immunochemical techniques. The quantitative precipitin reaction employing anti-BSA was used to detect protein alteration. Irradiation of BSA progressively caused a shift in the point of maximum precipitation in the direction of higher antigen concentration, broadening of the zone of maximum precipitation, and after sufficient irradiation, a reduction in the total amount of precipitable nitrogen. Although it is known that U.V. light can theoretically rupture any of the bonds present in a protein, no appreciable amounts of dialyzable fragments were formed by irradiation of BSA.
Cytologic interpretation of fine‐needle aspiration biopsies from clinically occult breast masses

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed on 39 occult breast masses of soft tissue density using standard mammographic guidance. All malignant tumors were diagnosed as either positive or suspicious for carcinoma, and there were no false-positive or false-suspicious diagnoses. These excellent results can be attributed to accurate cytologic interpretation based on consideration of problems unique to these lesions and the sampling method, such as scantier cellularity, potentially less confidence in needle placement, and the nature of the occult mass itself. The team approach between pathologist, radiologist, and clinician is emphasized.
Domesticity, Feminism, and Friendship: Female Aristocratic Culture and Marriage in England, 1660-1760

Domesticity, the careful, self-conscious cultivation of affection and mutuality in the family, has usuallv been recognized only in its Victorian and sub sequent modes. This essay identifies an earlier Enlightenment form of domesticity, based on rational friendship, the equal capacity for reason in both sexes, and a dis tinctive view of death and Christian spirituality.Focusing on English aristocratic widows, the author explores rational friendship and its corollaries—the legitimacy of marriage refusal, socially unequal intermar riage, and the single life. She introduces a new paradigm of sociality and sexuality, and interprets some demographic changes and issues of family affect. She concludes that rational domesticity promoted emotional interdependence beyond the nuclear family, especially among siblings, but also among other kin and non kin. Enlightenment domesticity had a far-reaching effect on family culture in a modernizing society because of its emphasis on reason, choice, egalitarian moral responsi...
A Study of the Relationship Between Free-Stream Turbulence and Stagnation Region Heat Transfer

A study has been conducted at the NASA Lewis Research Center to investigate the mechanism that causes free-stream turbulence to increase heat transfer in the stagnation region of turbine vanes and blades. The work was conducted in a wind tunnel at atmospheric conditions to facilitate measurements of turbulence and heat transfer. The model size was scaled up to simulate Reynolds numbers (based on leading edge diameter) that are to be expected on a turbine blade leading edge. Reynolds numbers from 13,000 to 177,000 were run in the present tests. Spanwise averaged heat transfer measurements with high and low turbulence have been made with “rough” and smooth surface stagnation regions. Results of these measurements show that, at the Reynolds numbers tested, the boundary layer remained laminar in character even in the presence of free-stream turbulence. If roughness was added the boundary layer became transitional as evidenced by the heat transfer increase with increasing distance from the stagnation line. Hot-wire measurements near the stagnation region downstream of an array of parallel wires has shown that vorticity in the form of mean velocity gradients is amplified as flow approaches the stagnation region. Finally smoke wire flow visualization and liquid crystal surface heat transfer visualization were combined to show that, in the wake of an array of parallel wires, heat transfer was a minimum in the wire wakes where the fluctuating component of velocity (local turbulence) was the highest. Heat transfer was found to be the highest between pairs of vortices where the induced velocity was toward the cylinder surface.
Comparing the policy response to violence against women in the USA and South Korea

EnglishViolence against women is a major public health and human rights crisis affecting women from all countries. This article presents a comparative policy analysis of the Violence Against Women Act (USA) and the Protection Act (South Korea), providing social work and research implications.FrenchLa violence faite aux femmes est un fleau affectant les femmes de tous les pays, qui constitue un important probleme de sante publique tout en allant a l’encontre des droits humains. Cette etude presente une analyse comparee de deux lois, la Violence Against Women Act (E .-U.) et la Protection Act (Coree du Sud), et tire des conclusions utiles pour le travail social et la recherche dans ce domaine.SpanishLa violencia contra las mujeres supone un importante problema de salud publica y derechos humanos que afecta a las mujeres de todos los paises. Este trabajo presenta un analisis comparativo de las politicas Accion de Violencia contra las Mujeres (EUA) y Accion de Proteccion (Corea del Sur) en el que se implica a...
Operating principles of bipolar transistor magnetic sensors

Dual-collector bipolar transistor structures have been evaluated and found to be sensitive to an applied magnetic field. In particular, the magnetic field results in unequal currents to the two collectors. The output signal is taken as a differential voltage developed across the output load resistors. The mechanism giving rise to the unequal collector currents appears to be emitter-injection modulation caused by the applied magnetic field. The magnetic field causes the injection from one portion of the emitter to be enhanced while suppressing injection elsewhere thus setting up unequal currents to the two collectors. A simplified theory is presented to explain the behavior of these devices. The theory is found to be in general agreement with experimental results obtained from a number of different device configurations.
Meso-scale and multicontinuum modeling of a triaxial braided textile composite

Accurately predicting failure in woven composites requires knowledge of the stress states within the meso-scale structure of the fabric reinforcement. Multicontinuum technology provides a computati...
The biosynthesis of vitamin B12.

The use of 13C-Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance (F.t.-n.m.r.) has led to the observation that while 8 molecules of [2-13C]ALA are incorporated into vitamin B12 in P. shermanii, [5-13C]ALA labels only seven of the carbon atoms of cyanocobalamin, i.e. one of the amino methyl groups of ALA is "lost" in the process. It has also been confirmed that seven of the methyl groups of B12 are derived from 13CH3-enriched methionine and further that the chirality of the gemdimethyl grouping at C12 labelled with [13CH3]methionine is R. A soluble enzyme mixture from the 37000 or 100000 g supernatant of disrupted cells of P. shermanii converts both 14 C-labelled ALA and [14C]uro'gen III to cobyrinic acid, the simplest corrinoid material on the pathway to vitamin B12 and the coenzyme, in presence of NADPH, Co2+, Mg2+, S-adenosyl-methionine and glutathione. Multiply-labelled uro'gens (13C, 14C and 3H) have been used to show that incorporation takes place without randomization. A sequence for corrin synthesis from uro'gen III is presented.
Focal Adhesion Kinase Is Upstream of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt in Regulating Fibroblast Survival in Response to Contraction of Type I Collagen Matrices via a β1 Integrin Viability Signaling Pathway

The β1 integrin, functioning as a mechanoreceptor, senses a mechanical stimulus generated during collagen matrix contraction and down-regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt survival signal triggering apoptosis. The identities of integrin-associated signal molecules in the focal adhesion complex that are responsible for propagating β1 integrin viability signals in response to collagen matrix contraction are not known. Here we show that in response to collagen contraction focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is dephosphorylated. In contrast, enforced activation of β1 integrin by anti-β1 integrin antibody, which protects fibroblasts from apoptosis, preserves FAK phosphorylation. We demonstrate that ligation of β1 integrin by type I collagen or by enforced activation of β1 integrin by antibody promotes phosphorylation of FAK, p85 subunit of PI3K, and serine 473 of Akt. Wortmannin inhibited Akt but not FAK phosphorylation in response to enforced activation of β1 integrin by antibody. Blocking FAK by pharmacologic inhibition or by dominant negative FAK attenuated phosphorylation of p85 subunit of PI3K and Akt. Dominant negative FAK augmented fibroblast apoptosis during collagen contraction, and this was associated with diminished Akt activity. Constitutively active FAK augmented levels of p85 subunit of PI3K and Akt phosphorylation, and fibroblasts were protected from apoptosis. Our data identify a novel role for FAK, functioning upstream of PI3K/Akt, in transducing a β1 integrin viability signal in collagen matrices.
Virtual reality training for the operating room and cardiac catheterisation laboratory

Summary Context High-profile cases of medical errors in the USA and UK, and major reports from organisations such as the US Institute of Medicine and UK Senate of Surgery, have sensitised the public and medical profession. Training is a key area that must be tackled to positively affect the problem of medical errors, especially in surgery and interventional cardiology. Despite the radically novel skills required for minimally invasive surgery or interventional cardiology, current training has gone largely unchanged. At the end of the 20th century, the public and the medical profession have concluded that training on patients is no longer acceptable. Starting point Recently, Teodor Grantcharov and colleagues ( Br J Surg 2004; 91: 146–50) did a randomised double-blind trial which showed that training by virtual reality (VR) significantly reduces objectively assessed intraoperative errors in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. They used a low-fidelity VR simulator. Much more sophisticated VR simulators exist for endoscopy, gynaecology, laparoscopy, orthopaedics, otolaryngology, robotics, and urology. There are few studies on the efficacy of these simulators in improving the safety of procedures on patients. Where next There needs to be more large and multicentre studies. Technical skills training for procedural based medicine continues to be an ad-hoc mentor-based experience for the trainee, with experience gained by practising on patients. The skills required now are so difficult to learn that this type of training is no longer acceptable. VR-simulator-based training does work, but further empirical evidence is required to convince the more conservative members of the medical community.
Effects of azumolene on doxorubicin-induced Ca2+ release from skeletal and cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract The mechanism of doxorubicin-induced Ca 2+ release from skeletal and cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was studied by examining the effects of azumolene (a water soluble dantrolene analog) on doxorubicin-mediated Ca 2+ release and ryanodine binding. Doxorubicin induced a rapid Ca 2+ release from both skeletal and cardiac SR in a similar concentration range (EC 50 = 5–10 μM). Maximal doxorubicin-induced Ca 2+ release was seen at 2 and 0.2 μM Ca 2+ for skeletal and cardiac SR, respectively. Addition of 400 μM azumolene caused approx. 30% inhibition of doxorubicin-induced Ca 2+ release from both skeletal and cardiac SR; skeletal SR had significantly higher sensitivity to azumolene than cardiac SR. In the presence of Ca 2+ , doxorubicin increased [ 3 H]ryanodine binding to both skeletal and cardiac SR; whereas in the absence of Ca 2+ , doxorubicin led to significant ryanodine binding to skeletal SR, but not to cardiac SR. In both types of SR, doxorubicin-activated, but not Ca 2+ activated ryanodine binding was inhibited by azumolene. Azumolene sensitivity for inhibition of doxorubicin-activated ryanodine binding was much higher in skeletal SR than cardiac SR, consistent with the results for effects of azumolene on Ca 2+ release. Our results are consistent with the possibility that azumolene inhibits doxorubicin binding by direct competition for the drug receptor(s).
Does retroperitoneal lymph node dissection have a curative role for patients with sex cord-stromal testicular tumors?

BACKGROUND Sex cord–stromal tumors account for < 5% of all adult testicular tumors, and 10% are malignant. Due to the limited reported experience, there is no agreement on the best management, especially in patients who have tumors with malignant pathologic features or who present with metastatic disease. The authors attempt to evaluate the role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in the management of patients with these malignant sex cord–stromal tumors. METHODS Reviewing the Indiana University testis cancer registry revealed 17 patients who underwent RPLND for sex cord–stromal tumors. Pathology was reviewed for features suggestive of malignancy. The data examined included clinical and pathologic stage, surgical procedure, additional therapy received, and outcome. RESULTS Pathology included Leydig tumors in six patients, Sertoli tumors in four patients, sex cord–stromal tumors in five patients, a granulosa cell tumor in one patient, and a poorly differentiated non–germ cell tumor in one patient. Nine patients had histologic features suggestive of malignancy. Clinical stage at surgery was Stage I in nine patients and Stage IIA–IIIA in eight patients. Patients underwent modified or bilateral RPLND. Nine patients had pathologic Stage I tumors, and the remaining eight patients and had pathologic Stage IIB–IIIA tumors. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 11 years. Of the eight patients with Stage II–III disease, six patients eventually died of metastatic disease despite additional radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Sex cord–stromal tumors have a potentially aggressive malignant behavior that is difficult to predict based on clinical and pathologic features. Although the therapeutic role of RPLND in patients with small-volume metastatic retroperitoneal tumors is unclear, RPLND remains an option to be performed immediately after orchiectomy, especially in patients who have tumors with malignant features and/or small-volume metastatic disease. Cancer 2003;98:753–7. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Excitonic recombinations in Cd0.90Mn0.10Te/CdTe heterostructures grown by pulsed-laser evaporation and epitaxy

Cd0.90Mn0.10Te/CdTe heterostructures grown on CdZnTe substrates by pulsed laser evaporation and epitaxy have been studied by low temperature photoluminescence. The structures were grown from fluxes of Cd-Te and Cd-Mn-Te resulting from the ablation of solid CdTe and Cd1-xMnxTe targets with Nd:YAG and excimer XeCl lasers, respectively. The samples chosen for this work are multiple quantum wells (MQW) and superlattices (SL) with buffer and cap layers of various thicknesses and compositions. They have a fixed nominal quantum well width of 2 nm and barriers varying between 4.5 and 16.5 nm, with several combinations of CdTe and Cd0.90Mn0.10Te buffer and cap layers.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Capacitance of a metal/liquid interface during anion adsorption: phase-selective measurement in the presence of d.c. voltage sweep and finite solution resistance

Anion adsorption plays a critical role in pitting corrosion of metals in aqueous media. Frequently, this adsorption occurs as a non-faradaic process, without any electron transfer across the interface. Such processes cannot be studied efficiently by using standard electrochemical methods such as linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). Phase-selective measurement of the interfacial differential capacitance is necessary in such cases. However, when accompanied by LSV, even these latter measurements can be affected severely by the uncompensated solution resistance. In this paper, we describe a relatively simple phase-selective impedance method where both the solution resistance and the differential capacitance can be measured in situ during the d.c. voltage scan of LSV. We apply this technique to study the adsorption properties of ClO4−, Cl− and SCN− on a polycrystalline Au electrode. The results indicate that this method can be standardized easily for the analysis of adsorption isotherms involving similar systems. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence of positive selection at codon sites localized in extracellular domains of mammalian CC motif chemokine receptor proteins

CC chemokine receptor proteins (CCR1 through CCR10) are seven-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors whose signaling pathways are known for their important roles coordinating immune system responses through targeted trafficking of white blood cells. In addition, some of these receptors have been identified as fusion proteins for viral pathogens: for example, HIV-1 strains utilize CCR5, CCR2 and CCR3 proteins to obtain cellular entry in humans. The extracellular domains of these receptor proteins are involved in ligand-binding specificity as well as pathogen recognition interactions. In mammals, the majority of chemokine receptor genes are clustered together; in humans, seven of the ten genes are clustered in the 3p21-24 chromosome region. Gene conversion events, or exchange of DNA sequence between genes, have been reported in chemokine receptor paralogs in various mammalian lineages, especially between the cytogenetically closely located pairs CCR2/5 and CCR1/3. Datasets of mammalian orthologs for each gene were analyzed separately to minimize the potential confounding impact of analyzing highly similar sequences resulting from gene conversion events. Molecular evolution approaches and the software package Phylogenetic Analyses by Maximum Likelihood (PAML) were utilized to investigate the signature of selection that has acted on the mammalian CC chemokine receptor (CCR) gene family. The results of neutral vs. adaptive evolution (positive selection) hypothesis testing using Site Models are reported. In general, positive selection is defined by a ratio of nonsynonymous/synonymous nucleotide changes (dN/dS, or ω) >1. Of the ten mammalian CC motif chemokine receptor sequence datasets analyzed, only CCR2 and CCR3 contain amino acid codon sites that exhibit evidence of positive selection using site based hypothesis testing in PAML. Nineteen of the twenty codon sites putatively indentified as likely to be under positive selection code for amino acid residues located in extracellular domains of the receptor protein products. These results suggest that amino acid residues present in intracellular and membrane-bound domains are more selectively constrained for functional signal transduction and homo- or heterodimerization, whereas amino acid residues in extracellular domains of these receptor proteins evolve more quickly, perhaps due to heightened selective pressure resulting from ligand-binding and pathogen interactions of extracellular domains.
A distributed platform for interactive multimedia

We describe a multimedia information and communications system called MEDIABASE. The system is under development at the Multimedia Information Laboratory at the University of Ottawa. MEDIABASE comprises three components: a multimedia user interface, a multimedia database client and server for storing, retrieving and updating multimedia documents, and a production server to capture video data and to create multimedia documents. All these components are integrated through a multimedia communications architecture using FDDI and ATM networks. >
An Optimal Control Model of Forest Carbon Sequestration

This study develops an optimal control model of carbon sequestration and energy abatement to explore the potential role of forests in greenhouse gas mitigation. The article shows that if carbon accumulates in the atmosphere, the rental price for carbon sequestration should rise over time. From an empirical model, we find that carbon sequestration is costly, but that landowners can sequester substantial amounts of carbon in forests mainly by increasing forestland and lengthening rotations. Forest sequestration is predicted to account for about one-third of total carbon abatement. Tropical forests store over two-thirds of this added carbon.
Spectroscopically Determined Force Field for Water Dimer: Physically Enhanced Treatment of Hydrogen Bonding in Molecular Mechanics Energy Functions

Our ab initio transformed spectroscopically determined force field (SDFF) methodology emphasizes, in addition to accurate structure and energy performance, comparable prediction of vibrational properties in order to improve reproduction of interaction forces. It is now applied to the determination of a molecular mechanics (MM) force field for the water monomer and dimer as an initial step in developing a more physically based treatment of the hydrogen bonding that not only underlies condensed-phase water but also must be important in molecular-level protein−water interactions. Essential electrical components of the SDFF for monomer water are found to be the following: an off-plane charge distribution, this distribution consisting of four off-atom charge sites in traditional lone pair (LP) but also in inverted lone pair (ILP) positions; allowance for a diffuse size to these off-atom sites; and the incorporation of charge fluxes (i.e., the change in charge with change in internal coordinate). Parametrizatio...
Implementing No-Arbitrage Term Structure of Interest Rate Models in Discrete Time When Interest Rates Are Normally Distributed

The article develops a method for implementing nonarbitrage term structure of interest rate models for the single-factor model under the Heath-Jarrow-Morton (HJM) framework of the evolution of forward interest rates. The HJM framework is universal in the sense that it is based on the no-arbitrage condition, and it can accommodate nearly all existing models if interest rates - spot rate and forward rates - distributed normally. The implementation requires the calculation of drift adjustment terms (DATs) that are the functions of the volatility9s of forward rates. The method is equally effective with volatility functions that are integrable and those that are not. It is easy to understand, simple enough to implement for even difficult volatility functions, generalizable, and able to accommodate Monte Carlo simulations of interest rate modeling.
Evaluation of a Constitutive Equation for Magnetorheological Fluids in Shear and Elongational Flows

A microstructural model of the motion of particle pairs in MR fluids is proposed that accounts for both hydrodynamic and magnetic field forces. A fluid constitutive equation is derived from the model that allows prediction of velocity and particle structure fields. Results for simple shear and elongational flows are presented for cases where particle pairs remain in close contact so they are hydrodynamically equivalent to an ellipsoid of aspect ratio two. Additionally, only the magnetic force component normal to the vector connecting the centers of a particle pair affects motion. Shear flow results indicate particle pairs rotate continuously with the flow at low magnetic fields while a steady state is reached at high fields. For elongational flows, when the applied magnetic field is parallel to the elongation direction, particle pairs orient in the field/flow direction. Either orientation is possible when the field is perpendicular to the flow.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Exact solution of the quadrupole surface vibration Hamiltonian in body-fixed coordinates

Exact, closed-form eigenfunctions for the harmonic, quadrupole surface vibration model of Bohr are developed. These angular momentum labeled, multiplicity-resolved functions of $\ensuremath{\beta}$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, and the Euler angles are valid for an arbitrary number of phonons.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Exact $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-vibration solutions, multiplicity resolved; theory.
Infectious and thrombotic complications of central venous catheters.

Objective To provide a review of the pathogenesis, prevention, and management strategies of infectious and thrombotic complications of central venous access devices (CVADs). Data Source Journal articles, case reports, product information, personal experience, professional guidelines. Conclusion Infectious and thrombotic catheter-related complications are common and serious complications that can negatively impact patient outcomes. There has been significant national attention on patient safety, and in particular, the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections. Implications for Nursing Practice Clinicians have a crucial role in preventing and identifying CVAD-related complications. Understanding the pathogenesis of infectious and thrombotic complications, the principles of best practice, and adhering to these practices consistently, in all practice settings, are critical in order to minimize unnecessary risks to patients with an indwelling CVAD.
Hierarchical object-based stochastic modeling of fluvial reservoirs

This paper describes a novel approach to modeling braided stream fluvial reservoirs. The approach is based on a hierarchical set of coordinate transformations involving relative straingraphic coordinates, translations, rotations, and straightening functions. The emphasis is placed on geologically sound geometric concepts and realistically-attainable conditioning statistics including areal and vertical facies proportions. Modeling proceeds in a hierarchical fashion, that is (1) a stratigraphic coordinate system is established for each reservoir layer, (2) a number of channel complexes are positioned within each layer, and then (3) channels are positioned within each channel complex. The geometric specification of each sand-filled channel within the background of floodplain shales is a marked point process. Each channel is marked with a starting location, size parameters, and sinuosity parameters. We present the hierarchy of eight coordinate transformations, introduce an analytical expression for the channel cross-section shape, describe the simulation algorithm, and demonstrate how the realizations are made to honor local conditioning data from wells and global conditioning data such as areal and vertical proportions.
The effect of 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin on the solubility, stability and dissolution rate of famotidine

AbstractFamotidine was found to form an inclusion complex with 2-hydroxypropyl-s-cyclodextrin (HPCD). Phase-solubility diagram was classified as type AL with a stability constant for complex formation (Kst) of 100.50 M1 at pH 7.4. Famotidine undergoes specific acid catalysis in strongly acidic solutions. Addition of HPCD to these solutions decreased the rate of drug degradation. The rate constant for degradation of complexed famotidine (kc) and Kst were estimated from the relationship between the observed rate constant for overall drug degradation (Kobs) and HPCD concentration. An increase in ionization of famotidine resulted in a decrease in the magnitude of Kst. The dissolution rate of the prepared complex was significantly greater than that of the pure drug.
Behavioral Activation with Bereaved Older Adults: Unique Clinical Considerations

Behavioral activation (BA) has been shown to be effective for a number of psychological problems, most notably depression. Although only a few studies have examined the efficacy of BA-based interventions with bereaved older adults, there are a number of reasons to believe that this approach has the potential to bring about meaningful and substantial change for this population. This article provides a theoretical and empirical rationale for the relevance of BA for bereaved older adults and describes the procedures and unique clinical considerations of BA with this population, which is illustrated in two case examples.
Space charge limited current measurements on conjugated polymer films using conductive atomic force microscopy.

We describe local (∼150 nm resolution), quantitative measurements of charge carrier mobility in conjugated polymer films that are commonly used in thin-film transistors and nanostructured solar cel...
Effects of a new individual fighting system on marksmanship

Abstract The effectiveness of shooting was tested in both prone and standing positions unsupported while wearing a new prototype infantry fighting equipment system developed under the Land Warrior (LW) program. Volunteers (n=12) were male infantry soldiers who were experienced marksmen. Volunteers shot while wearing three equipment configurations: the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), BDU and the conventional fighting load (CONV), and BDU and the LW fighting load (LWFL). Significant differences (p Relevance to industry The effect of a new piece of fighting equipment carried on the back as part of a soldiers' backpack was studied. The primary implication is for the military, but indirectly the results are important to any individual who wears a protective helmet and equipment on their back (construction workers, race car drivers, fire fighters, football players, etc.). A worker's equipment must be functional in all body positions that he/she may find themselves in, as opposed to just the standing anatomical position.
Quantitative Aspiration During Sleep in Normal Subjects

Study objective To determine the within-subject variability and to estimate the quantity of occult aspiration of nasopharyngeal secretions during sleep in normal humans. Design Prospective duplicate full-night sleep studies. Setting Pulmonary sleep laboratory, university hospital. Participants Ten normal male volunteers aged 22 to 55 years. Interventions Two full-night polysomnographic recordings with infusion of 2 mL/h radioactive 99m Tc tracer into the nasopharynx through a small catheter during EEG-documented sleep. Standard lung scans were conducted immediately following final awakening. Aspiration was defined as the presence of radioactivity in the pulmonary parenchyma on two separate views. Results A mean sleep efficiency of 85.7±2.6% was found with no difference between the two study nights. A total of 5 of the 10 subjects studied had tracer evident in the pulmonary parenchyma following final awakening. Three had the tracer apparent following the first-night study and four had tracer apparent following the second-night study. Thus, two subjects aspirated on both nights. Comparing the subjects who aspirated with those who did not, no significant difference could be found for age, time spent in bed, sleep efficiency, apnea-hypopnea index, arousal plus awakening index, or percent of sleep time spent in a supine position. The quantities of tracer aspirated were on the order of magnitude of 0.01 to 0.2 mL. Conclusions Aspiration measured by this technique occurs commonly in healthy young men during sleep, is unrelated to sleep quality, and is variable within subjects studied on more than one occasion. The quantity aspirated is of an order of magnitude likely to contain bacterial organisms in physiologically significant quantities.
The kinetic mechanism of EcoRI endonuclease.

Steady-state parameters governing cleavage of pBR322 DNA by EcoRI endonuclease are highly sensitive to ionic environment, with K(m) and k(cat) increasing 1,000-fold and 15-fold, respectively, when ionic strength is increased from 0.059 to 0.23 M. By contrast, pre-steady-state analysis has shown that recognition, as well as first and second strand cleavage events that occur once the enzyme has arrived at the EcoRI site, are essentially insensitive to ionic strength, and has demonstrated that the rate-limiting step for endonuclease turnover occurs after double-strand cleavage under all conditions tested. Furthermore, processive cleavage of a pBR322 variant bearing two closely spaced EcoRI sites is governed by the same turnover number as hydrolysis of parental pBR322, which contains only a single EcoRI sequence, ruling out slow release of the enzyme from the cleaved site or a slow conformational change subsequent to double-strand cleavage. We attribute the effects of ionic strength on steady-state parameters to nonspecific endonuclease.DNA interactions, reflecting facilitated diffusion processes, that occur prior to EcoRI sequence recognition and subsequent to DNA cleavage.
Chemical oncogenesis in cultured mouse embryo cells in relation to the cell cycle.

Using the C3H/10T 1/2 CL8 line of mouse embryo fibroblasts and three different methods of obtaining cell cycle synchrony, namely arginine or isoleucine deficiency and release from postconfluence inhibition of growth, a sensitive phase for oncogenic transformation induced byN-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) has been found. This sensitive phase is located somewhere between the G1/S boundary and a point 4 hr prior to this marker. Methylation of cellular macromolecules by tritiated MNNG is not cycle-dependent in cells synchronized by arginine deficiency. The capacity of cells to repair DNA single strand breaks produced by MNNG was examined by alkaline sucrose sedimentation analysis in cells synchronized by arginine deficiency and treated with MNNG during phases of the cell cycle sensitive and insensitive to oncogenic transformation. Whereas DNA repair was found to be equally rapid in cells treated just before S phase (I), or just after commencement of DNA synthesis (III), transformation was maximal in I. By contrast, cells treated when blocked by arginine deficiency (II) repaired DNA slowly and were not sensitive to malignant transformation. Cells in I and II, which repaired DNA at very different rates, were equally sensitive to MNNG-induced lethality, while cells in III, which repaired DNA at the same rate as cells in I, suffered greater lethality. Thus, in this system it was concluded that there was no direct correlation between DNA repair, as measured by alkaline sucrose sedimentation analysis of prelabeled DNA, and malignant transformation or lethality produced by MNNG. In preliminary experiments malignant transformation induced by cytosine arabinoside (1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine, ara-C) has been found to occur mainly in S phase, indicating that diverse chemical oncogens may have different sites of action, or that activation of chemical oncogens is cell cycle-specific for some agents.
Earthworm density and biomass in relation to plant diversity and soil properties in a Palouse prairie remnant

Abstract Earthworms are important soil animals in grassland ecosystems and are considered to be important to soil quality. The overall impact of earthworms on soil properties and plant diversity, however, depends on earthworm species, functional group and the type of ecosystem. The primary purpose of this study was to document the relationship among earthworms, key soil properties and native and exotic plant diversity in the little studied, Palouse prairie grassland (Idaho, USA). A secondary objective was to determine the effectiveness of three methods commonly used to sample earthworms. A hillslope characterized by Palouse prairie vegetation, well-expressed, hummocky (mounded) topography and known to support both exotic and native earthworm species was selected for study. The hillslope was divided into three zones [annual-dominated (AD), mixed (MX) and perennial-dominated (PD)] based on characteristics of the inter-mound plant communities described in previous research. Total earthworm biomass in the MX zone (53.5 g m −2 ) was significantly greater than in the PD zone (14.7 g m −2 ) ( P = 0.0384), but did not differ from the AD zone. Earthworm density ranged from 52 to 81.1 individuals m −2 but was not significantly different across zones. Total C and N at 0 to 10 and 30 to 50 cm depths were significantly greater in the AD and PD zones as compared to the same depths in the MX zone. Soil textural class was silt loam within all zones and the soil silt fraction was positively correlated with total exotic earthworm density ( R = 0.783, P = 0.0125) and biomass ( R = 0.816, P = 0.0072). Native earthworms were only found in the zone with the greatest total and native plant diversity (PD). Total soil C and N were not correlated to earthworm density, but soil total C and N were significantly negatively correlated with exotic plant density, which indicates that invasive plants may be decreasing soil total C ( R = −0.800) and N ( R = −0.800). Calculated earthworm densities using data from the electroshocker were generally lower than those based on the hand-sorting method. Electroshocking, however, created lower disturbance and was the only method that resulted in the collection of the deep-burrowing, native species Driloleirus americanus .
Microwave spectrum of 2-nitrophenol: Structure of the hydrogen bond☆

Abstract The microwave spectra of 2-nitrophenol and three isotopic modifications, 2-nitrophenol-d, 2-nitrophenol- 18 O, and 2-nitrophenol- 18 O-d, have been observed and assigned. The molecule is planar with the inertia defect Δ = −0.360 ± 0.006 amu A 2 for all species. Using Kraitchman's method for the hydrogen coordinates and the oxygen “ b ” coordinate and the double substitution method for the oxygen “ a ” coordinate, the position of the phenol group in the principal axis system, and hence the OH bond length has been determined. The phenol OH distance is 1.00 ± 0.02 A. In contrast to previously studied 2-aminoethanol, no marked structural changes due to the strong hydrogen bond are observed, in keeping with the results for a similar system, salicyl aldehyde. In addition to the ground state, four excited vibrational states for the normal species have been assigned. These are attributed to the torsion of the nitro group.
Metallaborane Reaction Chemistry. nido-Dirhodapentaborane Isomer Structures and Stabilities and Utilization of Dirhodaboranes as Catalysts for Alkyne Cyclotrimerization

The reaction of (Cp*Rh)2B2H6 (1) with BH3THF under mild conditions leads to the intermediate (Cp*Rh)2B3H7, which is shown to exist in the two isomeric forms 1,2-(Cp*Rh)2B3H7 (2a) 1,2-(Cp*Rh)2(μ-H)B3H6 (2b) by a solid-state structure of 2a and low-temperature NMR data of the mixture. 1 slowly decomposes at room temperature to yield a number of products including pileo-(Cp*Rh)3B4H4 (4), which has been characterized by a solid-state structure determination. 2 converts on heating to 2,3-(Cp*Rh)2B3H7 (3), of known structure. 1−3 catalyze the cyclotrimerization of both terminal and internal alkynes with differing activities. The rate of catalysis is inhibited by PPh3 and pyridine and competition experiments show evidence for a multistep mechanism with concentration-dependent selectivity. The pathway proposed suggests the borane fragment acts in an ancillary role by providing a cluster environment for the dimetal fragment. Metal polyhedral edge opening on alkyne (or base) addition is proposed as the novel activa...
Role of capsaicin-sensitive peripheral sensory neurons in anorexic responses to intravenous infusions of cholecystokinin, peptide YY-(3-36), and glucagon-like peptide-1 in rats

Cholecystokinin (CCK)-induced suppression of feeding is mediated by vagal sensory neurons that are destroyed by the neurotoxin capsaicin (CAP). Here we determined whether CAP-sensitive neurons mediate anorexic responses to intravenous infusions of gut hormones peptide YY-(3–36) [PYY-(3–36)] and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Rats received three intraperitoneal injections of CAP or vehicle (VEH) in 24 h. After recovery, non-food-deprived rats received at dark onset a 3-h intravenous infusion of CCK-8 (5, 17 pmol·kg−1·min−1), PYY-(3–36) (5, 17, 50 pmol·kg−1·min−1), or GLP-1 (17, 50 pmol·kg−1·min−1). CCK-8 was much less effective in reducing food intake in CAP vs. VEH rats. CCK-8 at 5 and 17 pmol·kg−1·min−1 reduced food intake during the 3-h infusion period by 39 and 71% in VEH rats and 7 and 18% in CAP rats. In contrast, PYY-(3–36) and GLP-1 were similarly effective in reducing food intake in VEH and CAP rats. PYY-(3–36) at 5, 17, and 50 pmol·kg−1·min−1 reduced food intake during the 3-h infusion period by 15, 33, and 70% in VEH rats and 13, 30, and 33% in CAP rats. GLP-1 at 17 and 50 pmol·kg−1·min−1 reduced food intake during the 3-h infusion period by 48 and 60% in VEH rats and 30 and 52% in CAP rats. These results suggest that anorexic responses to PYY-(3–36) and GLP-1 are not primarily mediated by the CAP-sensitive peripheral sensory neurons (presumably vagal) that mediate CCK-8-induced anorexia.
Junin Virus Monoclonal Antibodies: Characterization and Cross-reactivity with Other Arenaviruses

Twenty-one monoclonal antibodies reactive with Junin virus structural proteins were produced and characterized. Using radioimmunoprecipitation and Western blot assays, 13 were found to react with the nucleoprotein, seven with the surface glycoprotein and one failed to react, but showed a fluorescent antibody staining pattern consistent with other glycoprotein-specific antibodies. In radioimmunoprecipitation assays, glycoprotein-specific monoclonal antibodies reacted not only with the 35K structural glycoprotein, but also with what is presumed to be the glycoprotein precursor. Four of seven glycoprotein-specific antibodies neutralized Junin virus to high titres. Cross-reactivity with other arenaviruses was found to be restricted to nucleoprotein-specific monoclonal antibodies and occurred only with New World arenaviruses. Cross-reactivity also shows the Junin virus to be most closely related to Machupo and Tacaribe viruses.
Increased anxiety-related behavior in mice deficient for metabotropic glutamate 8 (mGlu8) receptor.

Pre-synaptic metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors modulate neuronal excitability by controlling glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release. The mGlu8 receptor is predominantly found in pre-synaptic terminals and its expression is highly restricted. To study the role of this receptor, mGlu8 receptor-deficient mice were generated. Here we report that naive mGlu8 receptor-deficient mice showed increased anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze in low illumination conditions (red light). Open arm avoidance and risk assessment behavior were both significantly increased in mutant mice. Increased stressfulness of the testing conditions abolished this behavioral difference. Fluorescent light or prior restraint stress decreased the open arm activity of wild-type mice, while the open arm activity of mutant mice was essentially unaffected, leading to similar values in both strains. The total number of arm entries or closed arm entries was not significantly different between strains, indicating that the lack of mGlu8 receptor does not affect locomotor activity. No gross behavioral changes, or changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system or somatomotor systems were observed in mutant mice. Moreover, no significant differences in seizure susceptibility were detected between strains. Our results suggest that mGlu8 receptor may play a role in responses to novel stressful environment.
ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR-α SUBUNIT EXPRESSION IN MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: A ROLE FOR THE AUTOANTIGEN IN PATHOGENESIS?

Previous studies have shown increased expression of acetylcholine receptor-alpha (AChR-alpha) subunit transcripts in myasthenia gravis (MG) and experimental MG (EAMG), but none examined the functional properties of this overexpression. In this study we examined the mRNA and protein expression of AChR-alpha as well as the pattern of alpha-bungarotoxin labeling in muscle tissue from EAMG mice with varying disease severity. AChR-alpha expression was increased considerably in endplates from mice with severe EAMG, but it was distinct and greatly in excess of alpha-bungarotoxin labeling. This "aberrant expression" occurred in mice with morphologic endplate damage, and the pattern of complement and immunoglobulin deposition in muscle from these mice appeared to mirror the pattern of AChR-alpha expression. The loss of functional AChR in severe MG increases transcription of AChR-alpha mRNA, but the expressed protein is "functionally inert," failing to compensate for loss of AChR. This enhanced expression of AChR may play a role in driving the ongoing autoimmune response. Muscle Nerve 40: 279-286, 2009.
Synthesis and characterization of adenine base grafted polyacrylamides as polynucleotide analogs

In conjunction with the previous studies of the adenine base grafted polyacrylamides, the uracil base grafted polyacrylamides and their monomer model compounds were prepared. In this case, however, an amine bond instead of an amide bond was used to attach the pendants onto the amino active site. A wider range of grafting efficiency (45–90%) and a smaller hypochromic effect were observed. This increase in grafting efficiency is responsible for the observed increase in percent hypochromicity. The reactivity ratios of the monomer model compounds with complementary bases, e.g., uracil and adenine, were estimated from a Finemann–Ross plot. Continuous mixing experiments involving the synthetic polyacrylamides with complementary bases suggested that polymer–polymer mixtures form base-paired complexes that stabilize the stacked conformation only in neutral aqueous solution. Electrostatic repulsion prevented such stability in acidic or alkaline aqueous solution. The collective information from NMR, UV, and CD spectra suggested that uracil based grafted poly(2-amino-2-methylpropyl)acrylamide (PDMPA) and poly(2-amino-2-methylbutyl)acrylamide (PDMBA) exist in limited ordered conformation.
A simple linear approximation for perturbed motion about moderately elliptic orbits.

Moderately elliptic reference orbit perturbed motion, applying linearized perturbation equations for circular orbit
Saccadic presentation of a moving target.

Abstract Observers viewed a rightward moving dot (CRO Trace) during rightward and diagonal eye movements. It was found that: (1) with horizontal saccades, when the trace moved at the same velocity as the eyes it appeared as a stationary dot located at the left edge of the trace's path (indicating the absence of an extraretinal movement signal); and (2) whether the perceived target was aligned with the left or right edge of the trace's path (rightward eye movement condition) and whether it appeared to move upward or downward from the actual trace path (diagonal eye movement condition) depended upon whether the velocity of the trace was greater than or less than that of the eyes. Results were discussed in terms of ex-afference and re-afference and the interpretation that one makes of such stimuli.
Agamben’s Grammar of the Secret Under the Sign of the Law

This paper suggests that a grammar of the secret forms a concept in Agamben’s work, a gap that grounds the enigma of sovereignty. Between the Indo-European *krei, *se, and *per themes, the secret is etymologically linked to the logics of separation and potentiality that together enable the pliant and emergent structure of sovereignty. Sovereignty’s logic of separation meets the logic of relation in the form of abandonment: the point at which division has exhausted itself and reaches an indivisible element, bare life, the exception separated from the form of life and captured in a separate sphere. The arcanum imperii of sovereignty and the cipher of bare life are held together in the relation of the ban as the twin secrets of biopower, maintained by the potentiality of law that works itself as a concealed, inscrutable force. But the ‘real’ secret of sovereignty, I suggest, is its dialectical reversibility, the point at which the concept of the secret is met by its own immanent unworking by the critic and scribe under the *krei theme, and subject to abandonment through the work of profanation; here, different species of the secret are thrown against one another, one order undoing the other. The secret founded upon the sacred is displaced by Agamben’s critical orientation toward the immanent: what is immanent is both potential and hiddenness.