cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A view on the science: physical anthropology at the millennium.

EDITOR's NOTE The year 2000 marks the onset of the 21st century. Physical anthropologists will provide brief reflections on our discipline, including what attracted them to it, and their views on the directions our discipline may pursue as we enter, in January 2001, the third millennium. Am J Phys Anthropol 111:445–449, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dollars Without Sense: A Response to Volpe

ohnVolpeOs concern about the possi-ble bad effects of aquaculture (Bio-Science 55: 301) is interesting and raisesimportant issues.However,I do wish tocorrect the record in two areas concern-ing bluefin tuna in the Pacific Ocean.First, Volpe states that Othe Pacificbluefin is thought also to be in steep de-cline.OHowever,information on the sta-tus of Pacific bluefin tuna, which isavailable on the Web site of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission(IATTC; www.iattc.org/PDFFiles2/SAR2_bluefin_ENG.pdf ),indicates no upwardor downward trend in the catches ofbluefin tuna during the 1952Ð1999 period (table 2.2a), which would not be the case ifthe stock were in steep de-cline. What is known about the status of bluefin tuna in the Pacific Ocean issummarized in section 5 of the onlinedocument.Dr.Volpe goes on to say that Ounlikeits southern and Atlantic counterparts,this species does not benefit from over-sight by an international regulatorybody. Its population status is thereforelargely unknown.O Pacific bluefin tunaare studied by the IATTC,the NationalResearch Institute of Far Seas Fisheries(NRIFSF) of Japan, and several otherorganizations in Japan. In fact, theNRIFSF has greatly increased its researchon this species during the last five yearsor so. Management of the fisheries isthe shared responsibility of the IATTCand the newly created Western and Cen-tral Pacific Fisheries Commission.Neither the statement referring to thelack of international oversight,nor thestatement that the Ostatus of the speciesis largely unknown,Ois justified.The second correction addresses theassertion that because the capture vesseldoes not land the tuna (rather,the tunais transferred to a pen), companies areable Oto circumvent every regional andinternational regulation established toprotect tuna populations.OIn fact,vesselsthat catch Pacific bluefin tuna for ranch-ing all carry observers, and all of thecatches that are transferred to pens arerecorded.ROBIN ALLENInter-American Tropical Tuna Commission8604 La Jolla Shores DriveLa Jolla,CA 92037
6-β-Naltrexol Reduces Alcohol Consumption in Rats

Background: In humans, 6-β-naltrexol is the major metabolite of naltrexone, and its effectiveness at suppressing alcohol consumption in any species has not been previously investigated. Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist that reduces excessive drinking in many species, including humans with alcohol dependence. Whether 6-β-naltrexol is an active metabolite that contributes to the efficacy of naltrexone remains unknown. Methods: Placebo and four doses of 6-β-naltrexol were given by intraperitoneal injection to outbred Wistar rats and alcohol consumption was measured using a limited access model. Results: 6-β-Naltrexol reduced alcohol consumption in a dose-dependent manner. At doses 7.5, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg, 6-β-naltrexol significantly decreased consumption of a 6% ethanol solution compared with saline control groups. Conclusions: These data suggest that there may be a potential clinical use for 6-β-naltrexol in recovering alcoholics.
Development (and Evolution) of the Universe

I distinguish Nature from the World. I also distinguish development from evolution. Development is progressive change and can be modeled as part of Nature, using a specification hierarchy. I have proposed a ‘canonical developmental trajectory’ of dissipative structures with the stages defined thermodynamically and informationally. I consider some thermodynamic aspects of the Big Bang, leading to a proposal for reviving final cause. This model imposes a ‘hylozooic’ kind of interpretation upon Nature, as all emergent features at higher levels would have been vaguely and episodically present primitively in the lower integrative levels, and were stabilized materially with the developmental emergence of new levels. The specification hierarchy’s form is that of a tree, with its trunk in its lowest level, and so this hierarchy is appropriate for modeling an expanding system like the Universe. It is consistent with this model of differentiation during Big Bang development to view emerging branch tips as having been entrained by multiple finalities because of the top-down integration of the various levels of organization by the higher levels.
Long-Term Changes of Functional MRI–Based Brain Function, Behavioral Status, and Histopathology After Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Background and Purpose— The relation between recovery of brain function and neurological status after clinical and experimental cerebral ischemia is incompletely characterized. We assessed the evolution of ischemic injury, behavioral status, and brain activity at acute to chronic periods after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in rats. Methods— Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 20-minute tMCAO (n=10) or sham operation (n=10). Sensorimotor behavioral testing and multimodal (diffusion, perfusion, T2, and functional) MRI, as well as postmortem hematoxylin-eosin staining, were performed before and up to 21 days after tMCAO. MRI and histological parameters were evaluated in 5 regions of interest within the sensorimotor network. Diffusion, perfusion, and T2 lesion volumes were calculated according to previously established viability thresholds. Results— Diffusion and perfusion lesions were present during occlusion but disappeared completely and permanently within 30 minutes after reper...
Localization of neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity and [125I]peptide YY binding sites in the human pituitary

High levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) are found in the hypothalamus, median eminence, pituitary portal blood, and the pituitary in a number of species. Neuropeptide Y may influence the synthesis and secretion of a variety of hormones by interacting with specific receptors in the hypothalamus and/or the pituitary. To further define the function of NPY in the pituitary, we have examined the distribution of NPY immunoreactivity and NPY receptors in sections of human pituitary using immunohistochemical and autoradiographic techniques. Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive varicose axons were seen throughout the neural lobe. A moderate number of NPY-immunoreactive cells were found in the anterior lobe. A very high level of [125I]PYY binding was seen in the neural lobe with low levels in the anterior lobe. The binding in the neural lobe was inhibited by NPY(13-36) at a Ki of 5.3 nM and [Leu31-Pro34]NPY at a Ki of 390 nM, indicating the receptor was the Y2 subtype. Therefore, neuronally released NPY may modulate human neural lobe function through a Y2 receptor.
Myocardial extracellular volume imaging allows quantitative assessment of atypical late gadolinium enhancement

Introduction Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) display relative differences in gadolinium concentration in the myocardium. There are many factors influencing signal intensity in LGE images such as: non-linearity between gadolinium concentration and signal intensity, inversion time, contrast dose, renal clearance, and timing of imaging after contrast injection. While these factors are not typically problematic in infarct imaging, conditions with more subtle changes in the myocardium can be more difficult to interpret.
Range and Error of Densitometers for Emission Spectroscopy

Present day densitometers are arranged to measure the proportion of the incident light that is transmitted by the photographic image of the spectral line. The readout is generally a galvanometer with a linear scale or a recorder which is also linear, although occasionally the strip chart may be printed in logarithmic units. A peculiarity of the transmission densitometer is that the measurement is inverse to usual electrical instruments in that the smaller the excursion of the needle the larger the quantity measured.
On a class of least-element complementarity problems

The present paper studies the linear complementarity problem of finding vectorsx andy inR+n such thatc + Dx + y ≧ 0,b − x ≧ 0 andxT(c + Dx + y) = yT(b − x) = 0 whereD is aZ-matrix andb > 0. Complementarity problems of this nature arise, for example, from the minimization of certain quadratic functions subject to upper and lower bounds on the variables. Two least-element characterizations of solutions to the above linear complementarity problem are established first. Next, a new and direct method to solve this class of problems, which depends on the idea of “least-element solution” is presented. Finally, applications and computational experience with its implementation are discussed.
Knowledge in formation: The machine-modeled frame of mind

Abstract Artificial Intelligence researchers have used the digital computer as a model for the human mind in two different ways. Most obviously, the computer has been used as a tool on which simulations of thinking-as-programs are developed and tested. Less obvious, but of great significance, is the use of the computer as a conceptual model for the human mind. This essay traces the sources of this machine-modeled conception of cognition in a great variety of social institutions and everyday experiences, treating them as “cultural models” which have contributed to the naturalness of the mine-as-machine paradigm for many Americans, the roots of these models antedate the actual development of modern computers, and take the form of a “modularity schema” that has shaped the cultural and cognitive landscape of modernity. The essay concludes with a consideration of some of the cognitive consequences of this extension of machine logic into modern life, and proposes an important distinction between information processing models of thought and meaning-making in how human cognition is conceptualized.
Variables of Color, Duration, Frequency, Presentation Order, and Sex in the Estimation of Dot Frequency

Summary The estimation of number depends on the information as dot frequency, exposure conditions, order of presentation, and sensitivity of the observer to color. Ninety-six color-normal observers (age 17–27) equally divided by sex were assigned so that each one viewed 42 cards, each of which contained dots of one of three colors on one of two grounds at one of seven frequency levels. For any observer, cards were exposed for either .5 second or 1.0 second intervals and in either ascending or descending order. The ANOVA indicated a significant effect for the following variables: dot frequency, dot color, and exposure time. Estimates increased with dot number on the several displays. Yellow-red (YR) dots were slightly overestimated. Yellow-green (YG) and gray dots were not. The briefer exposure yielded an underestimation and the longer an overestimation. Interpolated intervals are given for correct estimates.
Open-label riluzole in fragile X syndrome

Abstract Objective. Glutamatergic dysregulation is implicated in the pathophysiology of fragile X syndrome (FXS). Riluzole is hypothesized to have an inhibitory effect on glutamate release, block excitotoxic effects of glutamate, and potentiate postsynaptic GABA(A) receptor function. Extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activation is known to be delayed in humans with FXS and knockout animal models of FXS. Correction of delayed ERK activation is a potential biomarker of treatment response in FXS. We conducted a six-week open-label prospective pilot study of riluzole (100 mg/day) in six adults with FXS. Methods. Riluzole was started at 50 mg every evening and then increased to 50 mg twice daily at week 2. The dose was kept constant for the final 4 weeks of the trial. Clinical response was determined by a score of 1 “very much improved” or 2 “much improved” on the Clinical Global Impressions Improvement (CGI-I) scale and a ≥ 25% improvement on the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The primary target of treatment in this study was repetitive, compulsive behavior that commonly occurs in persons with FXS. The study incorporated an ERK activation biomarker assay. Potential adverse effects were assessed in a systematic manner at all clinic visits and by phone between visits. Results. Riluzole treatment was associated with clinical response in 1 of 6 subjects (17%). Among a number of secondary outcome measures employed, significant improvement was only noted on the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (became non-significant when corrected for multiple comparisons). Riluzole use was associated with significant correction in ERK activation time in all subjects (mean change from 3.82 ± 0.27 (baseline) to 2.99 ± 0.26 (endpoint) minutes; p = 0.007). Riluzole was well tolerated; mean increases in liver function tests occurred but drug discontinuation was not required. Conclusion. Overall, riluzole use was not associated with significant clinical improvement despite uniform correction of peripheral ERK activation. Future directions of study include testing of riluzole in animal models of FXS and assessment of psychotropic monotherapy on ERK activation.
Immunity in Decapod Crustaceans

Immunity in the decapod crustaceans is surveyed. Types of immune responses include encapsulation, phagocytosis with or without the aid of serum factors, bactericidins active with or without the aid of hemocyte factors, hemagglutinins, hemolysins, agglutinins, and precipitins. Immunity to gaffkemia in Panulirus interruptus is also discussed.
Contraction Coupled Endothelial Nitric Oxide Release: A New Paradigm for Local Vascular Control?

Abstract Introduction. Nitric oxide (NO), a potent vasodilator, is presumed to be constitutively released in most mammalian blood vessels. In isolated rat thoracic aorta, however, hemoglobin (Hb), a nitric oxide scavenger, elicited contraction only when the vessels were precontracted with an α adrenergic agonist. Does vascular contraction induce endothelial NO release? Methods. Thoracic aortic rings from male Sprague–Dawley rats were prepared with or without the endothelium. Vessel rings were contracted with several distinct types of contractile agonists and NO release was probed using a Hb contraction assay in the presence and absence of nitro- l -arginine methyl ester (NAME), a NO synthase inhibitor. Results. In vessel rings precontracted with norepinephrine, potassium chloride, arginine vasopressin, prostaglandin F2α, or serotonin, Hb elicited significant additional contractions. In contrast, Hb failed to elicit significant contractions in vessel rings without the functional endothelium or vessels pretreated with NAME. The Hb mediated additional contraction was not inhibited by calmidazolium, a calmodulin antagonist, and protein kinase inhibitors staurosporine and 2,5-dihydromethylcinnamate. Intercellular gap junction inhibitor 2,3-butanedione monoxime at a low dose ( 15 mM) completely prevented both contractions. The contraction coupled NO release may be mediated through a mechanism distinct from the Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent endothelial NOS pathway. Conclusions. In the isolated rat thoracic aorta, endothelialNO release may be coupled to contractile stimulus. This vascular property appears to rendera unique local control mechanism independent of baroreflex and other central mechanisms.
Beyond the Turing Test

Despite the technological marvel of the Internet and the rapidly proliferating mobile technologies that are fundamentally changing the way we interact, AI's original "grand dream" remains elusive as we approach the twilight of the first decade in the 21st century. By designing a roadmap to AGI (artificial general intelligence) and creating important benchmarks, we may yet achieve that dream. However, this will only happen if the nascent AGI community coalesces and works toward a common vision.
Reinventing the Personnel Function: Lessons Learned from a Hope-Filled Beginning in One State

Reinvention of the staffing function has emerged as a major theme within contemporary public management reform. South Carolina was one of the first states to implement a comprehensive reinvention of its civil service system. This article contains a case study of that state's experience in attempting to decentralize and reinvent its staffing practices. The article summarizes the progress that has been made, focusing in large part on the spotty record to date. Reasons for the halting success of reform are explored, and suggestions are provided for those who intend to push reinvention efforts in other locations. The needs for adequate legislative funding, technical support, and explicit guidelines are highlighted.
Toward Molecular Understanding of In Vitro and In Planta Shoot Organogenesis

Shoot organogenesis, one of the in vitro plant regeneration processes that occur during in vitro micropropagation, is used in the study of plant development. Morphological, physiological, and molecular aspects of in vitro shoot organogenesis have been extensively studied for over 50 years. Because of the research progress in plant genetics and molecular biology, our understanding of in planta and in vitro shoot meristem development, the cell cycle and cytokinin signal transduction has advanced significantly. These research advances provide useful information as well as molecular tools to study further the genetic and molecular aspects of shoot organogenesis. A number of key molecular markers, genes, and pathways have been shown to play a critical role in the process of in vitro shoot organogenesis. Furthermore, these studies reveal that in vitro shoot organogenesis, as with in planta shoot development, is a complex, well-coordinated developmental process, given that the induction of a single molecular eve...
Three-Dimensional Structure and Evolution of the MJO and Its Relation to the Mean Flow

AbstractThe two leading principal components of the daily 850- minus 150-hPa global velocity potential in the Interim European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) (1979–2011) data are used as time-varying Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) indices. Regression maps and meridional cross sections based on these indices are used to document the structure and evolution of the zonal wind (u) and geopotential height (Z) anomalies in the MJO cycle. The data are daily, and they are not separated by season. At upper-tropospheric levels the MJO signature is dominated by eastward-propagating planetary wave packets consisting of equatorial Kelvin waves flanked by Rossby waves centered along 28°N/S, for which the westerly jet streams serve as waveguides. At lower-tropospheric levels the pattern more closely resembles the response to a pulsating heat source over the Maritime Continent, where the Andes block the eastward-propagating Kelvin wave pulse. The contrasting upper- and lower-...
Targeted and non-targeted actions of anti-cancer drugs.

Abstract 1. (1)|The currently used clinical anti-metabolites are targeted against key enzymes of de novo purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis. However, the activities of salvage enzymes in each of the biosynthetic segments are markedly higher than those of the rate-limiting enzymes of de novo biosynthesis. Enzyme-pattern-targeted chemotherapy has been suggested to overcome the circumvention activity of salvage. Combination of inhibition of de novo and salvage pathways does provide a synergistic impact. Examples that enzyme-pattern-targeted drug treatment yields synergism include the following: tiazofurin (against IMP DH) and allopurinol (by raising serum hypoxanthine levels it inhibits GPRT); methotrexate or 5-FU lead to inhibition of the dTMP synthase reaction and AZT (a competitive inhibitor of thymidine kinase) or dipyridamole (a nucleoside transport inhibitor); acivicin, an inhibitor and inactivator of glutamine-utilizing enzymes in the de novo pathways of purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis, and dipyridamole. 2. (2)|Administration of MTX, 5-FU, tiazofurin or acivicin causes inhibition and/or inactivation of target enzymes. That these drugs are effective in spite of the presence of highly active salvage enzymes is now accounted for, at least in part, by new observations showing that these drugs markedly reduce (but do not eliminate) the activities (amounts) of CdR and TdR kinases, dTMP synthase and GPRT. This action is attributed to the rapid decay rate of these enzymes. 3. (3)|Studies on the bone marrow enzymic programs indicate that there is a window of opportunity for strengthening therapy and for the protection of bone marrow by administering salvage metabolites when the salvage enzymes are still present in high enough activities, i.e., 2–6 hr after administration of the blockers of de novo enzyme activities. 4. (4)|These results are a strong argument for discovering and utilizing inhibitors of purine and pyrimidine salvage enzymes to achieve more successful enzyme-pattern-targeted chemotherapy and to avoid development of resistant clones of cancer cells. 5. (5)|These approaches provide greater explanatory coherence than the previous accounts because recognition of (a) the importance of salvage and (b) rapid decay of key and salvage enzymes reveals a paradigm shift. The problem-solving process in chemotherapy should now be not only data-driven but also explanation-driven.
The Performance Moment Integration Method for Reliability-Based Robust Design Optimization

Reliability-based robust design optimization deals with two objectives of structural design methodologies subject to various uncertainties: reliability-based design and robust design. A reliability-based design optimization deals with the probability of failure, while a robust design optimization minimizes the product quality loss. In general, the product quality loss is described by using the first two statistical moments: mean and standard deviation. In this paper, a performance moment integration (PMI) method is proposed by using numerical integration scheme for output response to estimate the product quality loss. For the reliability part of the reliability-based robust design optimization, the performance measure approach (PMA) and its numerical method, hybrid-mean value (HMV) method, are used. New formulations of reliability-based robust design optimization are presented for three different types of robust objectives, such as smaller-the-better, larger-the-better, and nominal-the-better types. Examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of reliability-based robust design optimization using the proposed PMI method for different types of robust objective.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A theory of lattice distortion in gas hydrates

Water and some nonpolar gases combine at low temperatures and high pressures to form nonstoichiometric clathrates called gas hydrates. The water molecules in gas hydrates are linked to each other through hydrogen bonds to form a host lattice with polyhedral cavities that are large enough for small gas molecules such as methane, ethane, and propane to occupy. Common gas hydrates are known to occur in three structural forms, structure 1 and structure 2 with cubic symmetry and structure H with hexagonal symmetry, although the present study is based only on structure 1 and structure 2 hydrates. Commonly cited structural details are given. The present work will show that a fixed set of structural parameters is not appropriate. Constant pressure molecular dynamic simulations of gas hydrates with guests of different size indicate that the equilibrium cell volume increases with guest size. The effect of lattice stretching due to guest size on the reference chemical potential difference between the empty lattice and water is calculated, and a new thermodynamic model with a guest dependent reference chemical potential difference, {Delta}{mu}{degree}, is used for predicting the equilibrium conditions for single component (one gas + water) gas hydrates and multicomponent gas hydrates. This model avoidsmore » potential parameter adjustment (fitting) for prediction of equilibrium conditions. A relationship for obtaining the reference chemical potential difference for multicomponent gas hydrates (mixture gas hydrates) from the hydrate phase composition is proposed.« less
Propranolol delays the formation of aneurysms in the male blotchy mouse

Propranolol has been reported to prevent aortic aneurysms in the β-aminoproprionitrile-fed broadbreasted white turkey model. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of propranolol in another animal model of aortic aneurysms, the spontaneously aneurysm-prone Blotchy (BLO) mouse. One hundred fourteen male BLO mice were fed control chow or a diet supplemented with 0.10% (w/w) propranolol. Groups were sacrificed at monthly intervals and the presence of aneurysms was determined after latex injection into the left ventricle. Aortic diameter was also measured at the widest point in a subset of mice from each group sacrificed at 4–5 months of age. At 4 months 86% of control and 32% of propranolol-fed animals had aneurysms (P < 0.001). The difference in mean aortic diameter was also decreased by 33% in the propranolol-fed group (P < 0.01). This study suggests that propranolol delays the formation of aneurysms in this spontaneous, genetically determined animal model.
Tolerance, behaviour and oxygen consumption in the sand goby, Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas), exposed to hypoxia

Behavioural and metabolic reactions of Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas) exposed to various degrees of hypoxia were studied. At 15°C and 20‰ mortality was 50% at 15.2% oxygen saturation. Avoidance and oxygen saturation showed a linear inverse relationship. At levels lower than 60% saturation increased activity occurred; avoidance was significant at 30% saturation. Active, routine and standard MO2 correlated linearly with weight at 6 and 15°C (salinity = 19‰). During hypoxia at 15°C routine MO2 rose significantly at 60–50% and 40–30% saturation expressed either as MO2 during longer periods at night or MO2 at shorter intervals during the day. Standard MO2 was unaffected by hypoxia at 15°C. Haemoglobin concentration was significantly increased when P. minutus was acclimatized to 35% saturation.
Thrombin-induced inhibition of potassium currents in human retinal glial (Müller) cells.

1. Glial cells are known to play a role in regulating the microenvironment of the nervous system. While earlier considerations of glial function assumed a passive, static physiology for these cells, this is not likely to be the case. In this study, we begin to examine how the physiology of Muller glial cells changes in response to molecules in the microenvironment. 2. Perforated-path recordings and intracellular calcium measurements were performed on human retinal Muller cells in vitro. 3. Analysis of whole-cell currents revealed that the human Muller glial cells have an inwardly rectifying K+ current (IK(IR) which is active near the resting membrane potential. This IK(IR) is significantly inhibited when the Muller cell is exposed to thrombin, a molecule that is likely to enter the retina with a breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier and may be endogenous to the nervous system. 4. A variety of experiments point to a role for Ca2+ as a second messenger mediating the inhibitory effect of thrombin on the IK(IR) of Muller cells. Specifically, thrombin evokes an increase in intracellular [Ca2+] in the Muller cells; the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA blocks the effects of thrombin on both the inhibition of IK(IR) and the rise in intracellular [Ca2+]; exposure to ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, induces a reduction in the IK(IR) of Muller cells. 5. A thrombin- induced inhibition in the IK(IR) of Muller cells is likely to have significant functional consequences for the retina since these ion channels are involved in K+ homeostasis. 6. Our experiments support the idea that the physiology of Muller glial cells is dynamic and can be markedly affected by molecules in the microenvironment.
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor in patients with large acute myocardial infarction: Results of a pilot dose-escalation randomized trial

Background Preclinical studies suggest that administration of cytokines to mobilize stem cells and alter the postinfarction inflammatory cardiac milieu may enhance left ventricular function and survival. Methods Eighteen patients were randomized in a 2:1 double-blind fashion to granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) (at 5 escalating to 10 μg/kg per day subcutaneously for 5 days [6 patients in each group]) or matching placebo. Principal safety and efficacy end points were rupture-free survival and recovery of left ventricular function, respectively. Mobilization into the systemic circulation of precursor CD34 + and CD117 + stem cells at 30 days were also assessed. Results Baseline characteristics of the 3 groups were well matched. Mean ± SD creatine kinase–MB maximum was 349 (169) IU. Follow-up averaged 30 ± 6, 21 ± 11, and 11 ± 6 months in the 3 groups, respectively. Precursor cell mobilization increased by a factor of 5 to 7 in the G-CSF–treated patients. There were no deaths or myocardial ruptures leading to tamponade through 30 days. Baseline and 30-day left ventricular ejection fraction in the placebo, 5-μg, and 10-μg dose groups were 33.7% (1.6) and 41.7% (8.2), 36.8% (7.5) and 41.3% (10.3), and 33.5% (4.8) and 38.7% (7.3), respectively ( P = NS for all between-group comparisons). No differences between the G-CSF and placebo groups were noted in any other measure of left ventricular systolic or diastolic function 30 days after infarction. Conclusions Despite demonstrated mobilization of precursor stem cells in a timely fashion, in this small, pilot-scale randomized trial involving patients with large myocardial infarction, we were unable to demonstrate improvement in left ventricular function at 30 days.
An ultrasonically enhanced inclined settler for microalgae harvesting.

Microalgae have vast potential as a sustainable and scalable source of biofuels and bioproducts. However, algae dewatering is a critical challenge that must be addressed. Ultrasonic settling has already been exploited for concentrating various biological cells at relatively small batch volumes and/or low throughput. Typically, these designs are operated in batch or semicontinuous mode, wherein the flow is interrupted and the cells are subsequently harvested. These batch techniques are not well suited for scaleup to the throughput levels required for harvesting microalgae from the large-scale cultivation operations necessary for a viable algal biofuel industry. This article introduces a novel device for the acoustic harvesting of microalgae. The design is based on the coupling of the acoustophoretic force, acoustic transparent materials, and inclined settling. A filtration efficiency of 70 ± 5% and a concentration factor of 11.6 ± 2.2 were achieved at a flow rate of 25 mL·min−1 and an energy consumption of 3.6 ± 0.9 kWh·m−3. The effects of the applied power, flow rate, inlet cell concentration, and inclination were explored. It was found that the filtration efficiency of the device is proportional to the power applied. However, the filtration efficiency experienced a plateau at 100 W L−1 of power density applied. The filtration efficiency also increased with increasing inlet cell concentration and was inversely proportional to the flow rate. It was also found that the optimum settling angle for maximum concentration factor occurred at an angle of 50 ± 5°. At these optimum conditions, the device had higher filtration efficiency in comparison to other similar devices reported in the previous literature. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:414–423, 2015
Analysis of Multiply Spliced Transcripts in Lymphoid Tissue Reservoirs of Rhesus Macaques Infected with RT-SHIV during HAART

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can reduce levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to undetectable levels in infected individuals, but the virus is not eradicated. The mechanisms of viral persistence during HAART are poorly defined, but some reservoirs have been identified, such as latently infected resting memory CD4+ T cells. During latency, in addition to blocks at the initiation and elongation steps of viral transcription, there is a block in the export of viral RNA (vRNA), leading to the accumulation of multiply-spliced transcripts in the nucleus. Two of the genes encoded by the multiply-spliced transcripts are Tat and Rev, which are essential early in the viral replication cycle and might indicate the state of infection in a given population of cells. Here, the levels of multiply-spliced transcripts were compared to the levels of gag-containing RNA in tissue samples from RT-SHIV-infected rhesus macaques treated with HAART. Splice site sequence variation was identified during development of a TaqMan PCR assay. Multiply-spliced transcripts were detected in gastrointestinal and lymphatic tissues, but not the thymus. Levels of multiply-spliced transcripts were lower than levels of gag RNA, and both correlated with plasma virus loads. The ratio of multiply-spliced to gag RNA was greatest in the gastrointestinal samples from macaques with plasma virus loads <50 vRNA copies per mL at necropsy. Levels of gag RNA and multiply-spliced mRNA in tissues from RT-SHIV-infected macaques correlate with plasma virus load.
The sweat test for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis - a personal experience of guideline production

The need for evidence-based guidelines as to how to conduct the sweat test in the UK was highlighted in 2000 by the National External Quality Assessment Scheme Specialist Advisory Committee. A Guideline Group supported by several professional bodies was subsequently convened and formal evidence-based guidelines were produced and published in 2003. The process of undertaking guideline production is summarized here, together with the author's personal opinions about the experience and highlights of the shortcomings and lessons learnt from the project. In summary, production of evidence-based guidelines is a long process and is only worth the effort (both man hours and financial) if the recommendations are subsequently adopted into clinical practice and in turn improve patient care. The emphasis for the future should be to assess the impact and value of evidence-based guidelines and promote their introduction into local practice as part of care pathways. A growing number of guideline initiatives emphasizes the importance of and a need for an overarching coordinating structure to overcome problems of duplication and enable interested professionals from different disciplines to work on related initiatives.
ESSENTIAL LEAF OILS IN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AURANTIOIDEAE (RUTACEAE)

A B S T R A C T The distribution of essential leaf oils in representatives of 12 genera in the Aurantioideae has been studied by gas chromatography. Of the individual oil components, 40 were identified by retention times on two columns, augmentation, and some by IR spectrophotometry. Twelve groupings of components were established and these compared between the tribes CLAUSENEAE and CITREAE, among the subtribes CLAUSENINAE, BALSAMOCITRINAE, and CITRINAE, and between the "primitive" and the "near citrus group." The essential oils conform to the botanical groupings, except for Pleiospermium in the CITRINAE and Murraya in the CLAUSENEAE. Fortunella crassifolia (CITREAE), a possible garden hybrid, seems to be more closely related to the CLAUSENEAE, the remote citroids, than to the near Citrus group. Atalantia also might be an intertribal hybrid with remote or other citroids. A specimen of Aeg7opsis chevalieri (BALSAMOCITRINAE) from Florida appears to be of hybrid origin with the parental source close to Citrus. ANTOINE DE JUSSIEU (1789) was the first investigator to establish the citrus fruits and their closely related genera as an independent family: the Aurantioideae. It was Correa da Serra (1805) who later delimited and characterized this family sharply. Bentham and Hooker (1862), however, added Correa de Serra's delimited family as 7th tribe Aurantieae to their family Rutaceae. Engler (1931) treats the family as the 6th subfamily Aurantioideae of his family Rutaceae and recognizes two tribes of the subfamily Aurantioideae: the CLAUSENEAE with 5 of 33 genera of the subfamilv, and the CITREAE with the remaining 28 genera. Each of these two tribes is, in turn, subdivided into three subtribes. The tribe CLAUSENEAE includes the very remote and the remote citroid fruit trees of the subtribes MICROMELINAE, CLAUSENINAE, and MERRILLIINAE. The tribe CITREAE includes the Citrus and citroid fruit trees of the subtribes TRIPHASIINAE, CITRINAE, and BALSAMOCITRINAE. Of the 33 genera in the subfamily, representatives of 24 genera are growing under uniform conditions at the Citrus Research Center at Riverside, Calif. Of these, 12 genera were available in sufficient quantity for study. Most of the genera closelv related to Citrus are native to southeastern Asia, the Mialay Archipelago, New Guinea, Melanesia, New Caledonia, and Australia; others occur in tropical Africa. The taxa investigated and their natural distribution are as follows: Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa: India to Timor to northern Australia.
Abnormalities of growth hormone regulation in acute intermittent porphyria.

Abstract Administration of glucose to patients with acute intermittent porphyria often produces a paradoxical rise in the level of circulating growth hormone rather than the decline seen in normals. In other patients with the disease, the rate and magnitude of the decline may be less than that of normals. These findings suggest that abnormalities of hypothalamic function occur frequently in acute intermittent porphyria and are in keeping with previously demonstrated abnormalities in the regulation of antidiuretic hormone in this disease.
Tender Leg Nodules in a Hospitalized Patient

Aman in his 60swas admitted to the hospital for an 8-day history of abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, subjective fever, weight loss, and fatigue.He also complainedofmultiple tender red lesions on his bilateral ankles and legs that appeared 2 days prior to admission. Findings fromareviewof systemswerenegative for cough, sore throat, historyof hepatitis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, inflammatorybowel disease, or sulfonamide use. Physical examination revealed several ill-defined, exquisitely tender erythematous subcutaneousnodules onhis bilateral shins,medial feet, ankles, and right lower thighwithoutoverlyingulceration, necrosis, ordrainage (Figure, AandB).Apunchbiopsywasperformed,demonstrating pathognomonic histopathologic findings (Figure, C andD). A
Cariostatic action of fat-imbedded potassium phosphate when fed in the diet of rats.

Abstract Granular potassium dihydrogen phosphate was imbedded by mixing into hydrogenated lard, cooling and pulverizing. It was added to a cariogenic diet in amounts sufficient to double the phosphorus content of the diet to 0.8 per cent. Other batches of this diet were supplemented either with the lard alone, or with lard and the granular KH2PO4 mixed into the diet separately. In two successive experiments these three diets and the control unsupplemented diet were fed to groups of twenty-four rats each beginning when they were 8 days old. They were then sacrificed, and the dental caries of the molars were scored. No significant differences between groups were noted with respect to diet consumption, body weight gain, femur length or the phosphorus content of blood serum and saliva. The four diet groups (control diet, control diet + 5.2 per cent hydrogenated lard, control diet + 5.2 per cent hydrogenated lard + 1.73 per cent KH2PO4, and control diet + 1.73 per cent KH2PO4 imbedded in 5.2 per cent hydrogenated lard) showed average caries scores, respectively, as follows: Series I, 18.9, 22.9, 9.3 and 4.6; Series II, 24.8, 43.7, 17.8 and 9.8. Thus, the addition of fully hydrogenated lard (m.p. 61–65 °C) to the diet caused a significant increase in caries. Although the lard-imbedded phosphate was essentially insoluble in water, it was significantly more cariostatic than the unimbedded phosphate. The implications of these results in relation to the mechanism of the phospate action are discussed. It is suggested that imbedded water-soluble phosphates and unimbedded water-insoluble phosphates may be more cariostatic because they are absorbed more slowly and continuously, and this results in increased retention.
My Sentence Is Over But Will My Punishment Ever End

While America has increasingly become known for having a higher rate of persons in prison or under correctional supervision than any other country in the world; over the last two decades, new laws have begun emerging in America, placing restrictions on former offenders long after their correctional supervision has ended. These laws directly impact the lives of millions of ex-offenders who are no longer under correctional supervision, placing restrictions on where they may live, work and travel. The following essay, by a former offender who discharged parole in December 2000, highlights the punitive and destructive nature of these laws.
Screening of serum samples from Wegener's granulomatosis patients using antibody microarrays.

Wegener’s Granulomatosis (WG) is an idiopathic granulomatosis autoimmune vasculitis that primarily affects small vessels and is associated with glomerulonephritis and pulmonary granulomatous vasculitis. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic auto-antibodies (cANCA) against proteinase-3 are used to identify WG, but ANCA titers are not present in some patients with the localized disease. The objective of this study was to develop an antibody array to help identify protein expression patterns in serum from patients with WG as compared to normals. The arrays were tested for limits of detection, background, and cross reactivity using standard proteins. The arrays were hybridized with either normal patient serum (n = 30) or with serum samples from a population of WG patients (n = 26) that were age and sex matched. Data analysis and curve fitting of the standard dilution series calculated r 2 values and determined a sensitivity of ,50 pg/ mL for the majority of proteins. A total of 24 proteins were assessed. Several statistically significant increases (p,0.05) were seen in the expression of: angiotensin converting enzyme-I, IFN-g, IL-8, s-ICAM-1 and s-VCAM in WG patients as compared to controls. Utilizing the antibody microarray technology has led to the identification of potential biomarkers of vascular injury in the serum of WG patients.
Search for the natural alpha activity of tungsten

Abstract Scintillation properties of CdWO 4 and CaWO 4 crystals have been studied and the crystals used in the search for natural alpha activity in tungsten. The relative scintillation efficiencies for gammas were found to be nearly the same for the two crystals and equal to approximately 0.1 that of NaI(Tl). An external source of 5.3 MeV alpha particles produces approximately the same size pulses as 1.7 MeV gammas. The scintillation decay times were found to be 3.3 μ s and 3.9 μ s for CaWO 4 and CdWO 4 , respectively. Background measurements wore made with a 3.8 cm diameter ×0.64 cm NaI(Tl) crystal. No indication of an alpha activity of tungsten was seen. It is concluded that any tungsten alpha activity present corresponds to a half-life of greater than 8 K ×10 17 y where K is the relative isotopic abundance of the isotope undergoing decay. This is in disagreement with the previously reported half-life of 2.2 K ×10 17 y.
Is it necessary to do staging pelvic lymph node dissection for T1c prostate cancer

The necessity of pelvic lymph node dissection has been questioned in recent years as a result of improved pre-treatment staging based on clinical and pathologic factors. Accurate evaluation of nodal status allows rational selection of therapy and improved outcomes. Nevertheless, lymph node dissection may play a role even in patients with low stage disease (clinical T1c) despite an overall low risk for metastases. Herein we discuss recent advances in the evaluation of lymph nodes in stage T1c prostate cancer with respect to accurate prediction, radiologic imaging, molecular characterization, and operative considerations.
Synthesis and Stability of Retinal Photoreceptor mRNAs are Coordinately Regulated During Bovine Fetal Development

Steady state photoreceptor specific mRNA levels in bovine retina were studied during fetal maturation for five gene transcripts, including rhodopsin, arrestin (S-antigen), rod alpha-subunit of transducin, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) and rod alpha-subunit of cGMP phosphodiesterase in order to understand mechanisms of gene regulation during photoreceptor development. A 10-15-fold increase in each transcript level begins between 5.5 and 6 months of gestation for each gene, suggesting a single coordinate induction event at this time. Quantitative analysis of transcriptional rates for each gene by nuclear run-on also reveals a coordinate increase at approximately the same time, demonstrating that induction is achieved by transcriptional activation. Interestingly, however, gene specific transcription rates in the pre-induction retina do not appear to parallel mRNA steady state levels. During fetal development neither the transcript level of each gene relative to the others nor relative mRNA turnover rates change substantially after the induction event at 5.5-6.0 months. However, at earlier times all genes exhibit higher mRNA turnover, implying that differential mRNA stability may also play an important role in determining steady-state levels.
The abnormally early appearance of active auroras

Abstract During intense geomagnetic storms, active auroras tend to appear abnormally early in the evening hours in the auroral zone. The phenomenon is a natural consequence of the equatorward expansion of the auroral oval. Active features of auroras can well be explained by westward traveling surges which propagate along the expanded oval.
Blastocysts Exhibit Preferential Uptake of DNA Fragments from the E6-E7 Conserved Region of the Human Papillomavirus

The objective of the study was to determine if embryos at the blastocyst stage differentially took up exogenous human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA derived from the different HPV types and to determine whether the capture process was active or passive. In vivo fertilized mouse embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage in vitro. The mouse blastocysts were incubated for 2 hr in the presence of a mixture of exogenous DNA fragments derived from HPV types 6b, 11, 16, and 18. The blastocysts were rigorously washed and analyzed for differential uptake of HPV gene sequences using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PCR analysis detected HPV type 18 in only 40% of the blastocyst groups while detecting the other HPV types in 100% of the blastocysts. The negative control group did not show HPV DNA after PCR ruling out possible PCR artifacts. Formalin-fixed blastocysts also showed uptake of HPV DNA. In conclusion, the data suggest a role for embryos as passive vectors for foreign DNA and that the degree of DNA uptake varies with different types of HPV DNA.
The conclusion that ABI has inconclusive effects for children with autism may stem from the fact that there are few high quality studies

Abstracted from: Spreckley, M., & Boyd, R. (2009). Efficacy of applied behavioral intervention in preschool children with autism for improving cognitive, language, and adaptive behavior: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Pediatrics, 338–344. Source of funding: National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship (NHMRC 473849), and a Smart State Fellowship from the Department of Innovation, Queensland.