cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isoprostane Generation and Function

Free radicals derived primarily from molecular oxygen have been implicated in a variety of human disorders including atherosclerosis, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging.1 Damage to tissue biomolecules, including lipids, proteins, and DNA, by free radicals is postulated to contribute importantly to the pathophysiology of oxidative stress. Lipids are readily attacked by free radicals resulting in the formation of a number of peroxidation products.2 The isoprostanes (IsoPs) are a unique series of prostaglandin-like compounds formed in vivo via the non-enzymatic free radical-initiated peroxidation of arachidonic acid, a ubiquitous polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Since discovery of these molecules over twenty years ago by Morrow and Roberts, one class of IsoPs, the F2-IsoPs, have become the biomarker of choice for assessing endogenous oxidative stress because these molecules are chemically stability and have been detected in all biological fluids and tissues analyzed.3-5 In addition to F2-IsoPs, a variety of IsoPs with different ring structures have been identified. Several of these compounds possess potent biological activities that could account for some of the pathophysiological effects of oxidative injury. Further, IsoP-like molecules are also generated from a number of different PUFAs including α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), adrenic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (Figure 1). There are many excellent reviews in the literature describing not only the quantification of F2-IsoPs in human health and disease but also the biological activities of these molecules.6-9 Thus, this review seeks to give readers a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of our current knowledge regarding IsoPs including the chemistry and biochemistry of their formation and metabolism, the utility of measuring these compounds as markers of in vivo oxidant stress, and their biological properties. Open in a separate window Figure 1 Structures of polyunsaturated fatty acids that have been shown to generate isoprostane-like compounds.
Images of the rose

The surprisingly simple rose equation can provide a fertile basis for generating many visually intriguing 3D forms. This equation was originally investigated in 2D in the 18th century. However, today, using modern computer graphics techniques, full 3D versions can be visualized. The geometrical surfaces of the rose functions correspond to the zeros of the equations and are visualized as the isosurfaces of 3D fields. Despite their apparent complexity, the surfaces are not generated by iteration nor by the intersection of primitives, and it is encouraging that such simple functions can produce a wealth of interesting geometrical shapes. Solid textures and colour maps are designed using equations in a simular way. These can be used to further enhance the aesthetic sense and visual appearance of the geometrical forms.
Limit on Production of Charmed Particles in Association with the J

We have searched for charmed particles produced hadronically in coincidence with the $J$ particle by looking for muons from the leptonic or semileptonic decays of the charmed particles. In a sample of 2500 $J'\mathrm{s}$, we see no muons above the level expected from $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $K$ decays.
pH Dependence of Fluorescence of Riboflavin and Related Isoalloxazine Derivatives

pKa values were determined for several flavins by absorptiometry and by fluorimetry. The poor agreement between absorptiometrically and fluorimetrically determined pKa values is attributed to the fluorimetrically measured quantities being due to equilibria in the fluorescent state (lowest excited singlet state). The excited-state pKa's and the ground-state pKa's do not correspond to protonation at the same sites in the isoalloxazine ring. The significance of excited-state equilibria for fluorimetric analysis is considered.
Immunofluorescence and electron microscopic investigations of the effects of dithiopyr on onion root tips

Abstract Light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy are used to investigate the effects of dithiopyr [ S,S -dimethyl 2-(difluoromethyl)-4-(2-methylpropyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3,5-pyridine-dicarbothioate] on onion root meristems. At high herbicide concentrations (10 −4 , 10 −5 M ) all of the dividing cells are in an arrested prometaphase configuration although, at lower concentrations (10 −6 , 10 −7 M ), multipolar mitosis, along with some apparently normal mitotic figures, also are noted. Immunofluorescence microscopy reveals that nearly all of the microtubules are absent after treatment with high concentrations of herbicide, although small tufts of microtubules remain at the kinetochore. These kinetochore tufts are confirmed to be microtubules (and not just aggregates of tubulin protein) by electron microscopic analysis. Phragmoplast arrays are absent at these higher concentrations and no cell plates are formed. Nuclei that reform after the arrested prometaphase or multipolar division are irregularly formed, either highly lobed or fragmented into multiple nuclei. Branched and undulating phragmoplast microtubule arrays oriented in abnormal directions are observed frequently after 10 −6 M treatment. The walls that result from these abnormal phragmoplasts are also unusual. Branched walls, multiple walls/cell, walls with electron opaque depositions, and incomplete reticulate walls are also noted. Because dithiopyr does not bind tubulin, we propose that this herbicide destabilizes microtubules as they are formed so that only short microtubules result. These shortened, destabilized microtubules are ineffective in chromosome movement during mitosis or other cellular functions involving microtubules. Thus, the net effects of dithiopyr are similar to those compounds that cause complete microtubule loss, such as trifluralin or amiprophosmethyl, even though the mechanism of disruption is different.
Is quantum mechanics an atomistic theory

If quantum mechanics (QM) is to be taken as an atomistic theory with the elementary particles as atoms (an ATEP), then the elementary particlcs must be individuals. There must then be, for each elementary particle a, a property “being identical with a” that a alone has. But according to QM, elementary particles of the same kind share all physical properties. Thus, if QM is an ATEP, identity is a metaphysical but not a physical property. That has unpalatable consequences. Dropping the assumption that QM is an ATEP makes it possible to replace the assumption that elementary particles are individuals with the assumption that there are various kinds of elementary ‘stuff’ that have smallest quantities — the smallest quantity of light, for example, is a photon. The problems about identity disappear, and the explanatory virtues of an ATEP are maintained.
Elution order—absolute configuration relationship of k-region dinhydrodiol enantiomers of benz[a]anthracene derivatives in chiral stationary phase high-performance liquid chromatography☆

The direct resolution of K-region cis- and trans-dihydrodiol enantiomers of 14 unsubstituted and methyl- and bromo-substituted benz[a]anthracene (BA) derivatives was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography with commercially available columns, packed with gamma-aminopropylsilanized silica to which either (R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine (R-DNBPG) or (S)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine (S-DNBL) is either ionically or covalently bonded. BA derivatives used in this study include: BA, 1-methyl-BA, 4-methyl-BA, 7-methyl-BA, 8-methyl-BA, 10-methyl-BA, 11-methyl-BA, 12-methyl-BA, 7,12-dimethyl-BA, 7-bromo-BA, 7-bromo-1-methyl-BA, 7-bromo-11-methyl-BA, 7-bromo-12-methyl-BA, and 3-methylcholanthrene. The enantiomers of BA trans-5,6-dihydrodiol were the only compounds not resolved by any of the four chiral stationary phases (CSPs) tested. The results indicate that conformational preference of the hydroxyl group is one of the most important factor in determining the elution order of dihydrodiol enantiomers. The presence and the location of a substituent and the molecular size and shape of the dihydrodiols can significantly affect the efficiency of enantiomeric resolution. In general, the ionically bonded R-DNBPG provides the best resolution of enantiomeric quasidiequatorial trans-dihydrodiols and the R,R enantiomers are consistently more strongly retained. In contrast, the enantiomeric pairs of quasidiaxial trans-dihydrodiols are generally better resolved by the covalently bonded R-DNBPG, and the S,S enantiomers are more strongly retained. The enantiomers of cis-dihydrodiols having hydroxyl groups that adopt quasiequatorial-quasiaxial and/or quasiaxial-quasiequatorial conformations are more consistently resolved by the ionically bonded S-DNBL and in all cases the S,R enantiomers are more strongly retained. Thus, it is possible to choose a CSP which resolves the K-region dihydrodiol enantiomers with a predictable elution order.
The future of the British breakfast cereals industry

Abstract This article discusses the results of a ‘Delphi’ survey undertaken by the author, relating to the U.K. Breakfast Cereals Industry. The effects on this industry of new technologies in production, packaging and distribution functions are here considered together with the likely effects on future sales of: legislation, pricing and advertising policies, quality of product distribution, and rival competition.
An SRY mutation causing human sex reversal resolves a general mechanism of structure-specific DNA recognition: application to the four-way DNA junction.

SRY, a genetic "master switch" for male development in mammals, exhibits two biochemical activities: sequence-specific recognition of duplex DNA and sequence-independent binding to the sharp angles of four-way DNA junctions. Here, we distinguish between these activities by analysis of a mutant SRY associated with human sex reversal (46, XY female with pure gonadal dysgenesis). The substitution (168T in human SRY) alters a nonpolar side chain in the minor-groove DNA recognition alpha-helix of the HMG box [Haqq, C.M., King, C.-Y., Ukiyama, E., Haqq, T.N., Falsalfi, S., Donahoe, P.K., & Weiss, M.A. (1994) Science 266, 1494-1500]. The native (but not mutant) side chain inserts between specific base pairs in duplex DNA, interrupting base stacking at a site of induced DNA bending. Isotope-aided 1H-NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that analogous side-chain insertion occurs on binding of SRY to a four-way junction, establishing a shared mechanism of sequence- and structure-specific DNA binding. Although the mutant DNA-binding domain exhibits > 50-fold reduction in sequence-specific DNA recognition, near wild-type affinity for four-way junctions is retained. Our results (i) identify a shared SRY-DNA contact at a site of either induced or intrinsic DNA bending, (ii) demonstrate that this contact is not required to bind an intrinsically bent DNA target, and (iii) rationalize patterns of sequence conservation or diversity among HMG boxes. Clinical association of the I68T mutation with human sex reversal supports the hypothesis that specific DNA recognition by SRY is required for male sex determination.
Searching for Transiting Planets in Stellar Systems

We analyze the properties of searches devoted to finding planetary transits by observing simple stellar systems, such as globular clusters, open clusters, and the Galactic bulge. We develop the analytic tools necessary to predict the number of planets that a survey will detect as a function of the parameters of the system (age, extinction, distance, richness, mass function), the observational setup (nights observed, bandpass, exposure time, telescope diameter, detector characteristics), site properties (seeing, sky background), and the planet properties (frequency, period, and radius). We find that for typical parameters, the detection probability is maximized for I-band observations. At fixed planet period and radius, the signal-to-noise ratio of a planetary transit in the I band is weakly dependent on the mass of the primary for sources with flux above the sky background and falls very sharply for sources below sky. Therefore, for typical targets, the number of detectable planets is roughly proportional to the number of stars with transiting planets with fluxes above sky (and not necessarily the number of sources with photometric error less than a given threshold). Furthermore, for rising mass functions, the majority of the planets will be detected around sources with fluxes near sky. In order to maximize the number of detections, experiments should therefore be tailored such that sources near sky are above the required detection threshold. Once this requirement is met, the number of detected planets is relatively weakly dependent on the detection threshold, diameter of the telescope, exposure time, seeing, age of the system, and planet radius, for typical ranges of these parameters encountered in current transit searches in stellar systems. The number of detected planets is a strongly decreasing functionofthe distancetothesystem,implyingthat thenearest, richestclustersmayprove tobe optimal targets. Subject headingg planetary systems — surveys — techniques: photometric
Mutations at Ag153 in Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors increase the Un-Liganded Gating Equilibrium Constant

Rarely, an AChR mutation will increase the affinity of the resting receptor for ACh (reduced Kd). One such example is αG153S, a cause of slow-channel congenital myasthenic syndrome. The presence K vs. G side chain at this position in neuronal α4β2 vs. neuromuscular (α1)2βδe AChRs has been suggested to be the basis for the high affinity of nicotine only to the former. In the present study we examined AChRs having a side chain substitution at αG153(ACDKPRSWY). We measured (single-channels, (α1)2βδe; −100 mV, 23 oC, cell-attached) the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) for the partial agonist choline for the ADRSK mutants, and the diliganded (E2) and un-liganded (E0) isomerization (‘gating’) equilibrium constants for all mutants. The αG153S mutant (wild-type) parameters were: E2∼0.38 (0.05), E0∼3.5E10-6 (1.2E-7), Kd∼540 ∈μM (4 mM) and Jd ∼1.64 ∈μM (6 ∈μM). The fold-changes in each of these parameters were: E2, 7.6; E0 29; Kd, 7.4; and Jd, 3.7. The largest effect of the S substitution was on E0. Preliminary results for the other 153 mutants also show even larger changes in E0. The G153K mutation showed a ∼210-fold increase in E0. It is possible that the above effect of the G153K mutation with regard to nicotine activation is due, al least in part, to the increase in E0. This alone would reduce the EC50 of macroscopic currents and effectively change the appearance of nicotine, from a weak to a strong agonist.
Accelerated radiation damping for increased spin equilibrium (ARISE): a new method for controlling the recovery of longitudinal magnetization.

Control of the longitudinal magnetization in fast gradient-echo (GRE) sequences is an important factor in enabling the high efficiency of balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequences. We introduce a new method for accelerating the return of the longitudinal magnetization to the +z-axis that is independent of externally applied RF pulses and shows improved off-resonance performance. The accelerated radiation damping for increased spin equilibrium (ARISE) method uses an external feedback circuit to strengthen the radiation damping (RD) field. The enhanced RD field rotates the magnetization back to the +z-axis at a rate faster than T1 relaxation. The method is characterized in GRE phantom imaging at 3T as a function of feedback gain, phase, and duration, and compared with results from numerical simulations of the Bloch equations incorporating RD. A short period of feedback (10 ms) during a refocused interval of a crushed GRE sequence allowed greater than 99% recovery of the longitudinal magnetization when very little T2 relaxation had time to occur. An appropriate application might be to improve navigated sequences. Unlike conventional flip-back schemes, the ARISE “flip-back” is generated by the spins themselves, thereby offering a potentially useful building block for enhancing GRE sequences. Magn Reson Med 60:1112–1121, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
L1 nonuniform central limit bounds for generalized rank statistics

Abstract An L1 nonuniform central limit bound of order O(n − 1 2 ) is obtained under alternatives as well as under hypothesis for the generalized rank statistic (including the simple linear rank statistic, signed linear rank statistic, L-statistic, and a rank combinatorial statistic as special cases).
Membrane solvent extraction removal of priority organic pollutants from aqueous waste streams

A recently developed nondispersive microporous membrane-beed solvent extraction technique has been used to remove a number of priority organic pollutants simultaneously from a synthetic high strengh aqueous waste stream. A microporous hydrophobic hollow fiber based membrane extractor having an order of magnitude higher contact area than conventional extraction devices he been used. The pollutants were phenol, 2-chlorophenol, nitrobenzene, toluene, andacrylonitrile. The extracting solvents were methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), isopropyl acetate (IPAc), and hexane
Early intervention service providers: what do they say about their infant mental health training needs?

Early intervention providers (957) were asked about their comfort level with and interest in training in infant mental health (IMH) topics including attachment, behavior and regulation/adaption, and whether they worked with families who needed information in these areas. Results indicated that providers continue to grow in understanding of these core IMH topics and that they continue to recognize the importance of training in these areas for themselves and families. Significant differences were found by provider type, level of experience and minority status. Both minority and less experienced providers were most interested in learning more about IMH topics.
Radioactivity in Trinitite six decades later

The first nuclear explosion test, named the Trinity test, was conducted on July 16, 1945 near Alamogordo, New Mexico. In the tremendous heat of the explosion, the radioactive debris fused with the local soil into a glassy material named Trinitite. Selected Trinitite samples from ground zero (GZ) of the test site were investigated in detail for radioactivity. The techniques used included alpha spectrometry, high-efficiency gamma-ray spectrometry, and low-background beta counting, following the radiochemistry for selected radionuclides. Specific activities were determined for fission products (90Sr, 137Cs), activation products (60Co, 133Ba, 152Eu, 154Eu, 238Pu, 241Pu), and the remnants of the nuclear fuel (239Pu, 240Pu). Additionally, specific activities of three natural radionuclides (40K, 232Th, 238U) and their progeny were measured. The determined specific activities of radionuclides and their relationships are interpreted in the context of the fission process, chemical behavior of the elements, as well as the nuclear explosion phenomenology.
Simple method for analysis of diquat in biological fluids and tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography☆

Abstract A simple HPLC method has been described to quantify diquat in biological fluids and tissues. This method permits separation and quantification of diquat from blood, bile, urine, liver and kidney. It does not require special pretreatment of the samples prior to analysis, nor a specially prepared analytical column. Various concentrations of diquat were added (10–300 nmol/ml or g) to fluids or tissues. Analysis of blank samples revealed no substrates that interfere with diquat elution. Excellent recovery (95–105%) was obtained. Diquat (120 μmol/kg, i.v.) was injected to rats and quantified in bile, blood and liver. Concentration of diquat was higher in blood and bile than liver. Therefore, this method is applicable for quantification of diquat in toxicological samples, and may be used to determine structurally similar compounds such as paraquat.
Effect of fracture healing on the fixation of a parasymphyseal mandibular fracture: a study using the finite element method

Trauma surgeries involving rigid internal fixation of mandibular fractures are often supplemented with a short postoperative period of Intermaxillary Fixation (IMF) or soft diet to delay patient functioning. A finite element model of the human mandible with a parasymphyseal fracture was created and anatomically loaded to determine the effect of fracture healing on measures associated with complications. Stress and strain measures were recorded while the stiffness of the fracture was increased to mimic fracture healing. According to the results of the model, delaying normal functioning for two weeks decreases stress and strain measures up to 50%.
Development of rapid response thermocouple probes for use in a batch ohmic heating system

Temperature mapping during batch ohmic heating is a challenging but critically important task. It is essential to be able to monitor temperature changes at various, selected locations within a food to ensure a safe cooking process. Thermocouple probes of various designs and sizes were assembled and evaluated in order to develop thin, robust, fully insulated and rapid measurement devices. The response time of each probe was measured, and the accuracy and precision of the thermocouple probes were evaluated using established procedures. The most satisfactory thermocouple probe for application in a batch ohmic heating system was found to be a triple-point probe with a fully insulated stainless steel sheath having an outer diameter of 2 mm, an internal diameter of 1.5 mm and a response time of 0.6 s.
OKT3 TREATMENT OF STEROID-RESISTANT RENAL ALLOGRAFT REJECTION

Resultats tres encourageants du traitement par cet anticorps monoclonal dans les cas de rejet aigu de rein de cadavre, resistant aux corticoides, chez des receveurs traites par cyclosporine. Les recidives de rejet sont revus et les effets secondaires moindres que chez les malades traites par azathioprine et prednisone avant l'OKT3
Evidence for sequence biases associated with patterns of histone methylation

Combinations of histone variants and modifications, conceptually representing a histone code, have been proposed to play a significant role in gene regulation and developmental processes in complex organisms. While various mechanisms have been implicated in establishing and maintaining epigenetic patterns at specific locations in the genome, they are generally believed to be independent of primary DNA sequence on a more global scale. To address this systematically in the case of the human genome, we have analyzed primary DNA sequences underlying patterns of 19 different methylated histones in human primary T-cells and patterns of three methylated histones across additional human cell lines. We report strong sequence biases associated with most of these histone marks genome-wide in each cell type. Furthermore, the sequence characteristics for such association are distinct for different groups of histone marks. These findings provide evidence of an influence of genomic sequence on patterns of histone modification associated with gene expression and chromatin programming, and they suggest that the mechanisms responsible for global histone modifications may interpret genomic sequence in various ways.
A Steiner tree-based method for biomarker discovery and classification in breast cancer metastasis.

Background Metastatic breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. DNA microarray has become an important tool to help identify biomarker genes for improving the prognosis of breast cancer. Recently, it was shown that pathway-level relationships between genes can be incorporated to build more robust classification models and to obtain more useful biological insight from such models. Due to the unavailability of complete pathways, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network is becoming more popular to researcher and opens a new way to investigate the developmental process of breast cancer.
Growth and properties of AlGaInP resonant cavity light emitting diodes on Ge∕SiGe∕Si substrates

Visible AlGaInP resonant cavity light emitting diodes (RCLEDs) were grown by molecular beam epitaxy and fabricated on low-dislocation density, SiGe∕Si metamorphic substrates. A comparison with identical devices grown on GaAs and Ge substrates shows that not only did the RCLED device structure successfully transfer to the SiGe∕Si substrate, but also a higher optical output power was obtained. This result is attributed to enhanced lateral current spreading by the low residual dislocation density (∼1×106cm−2) network within the virtual Ge substrate and the superior thermal conductivity of the underlying Si wafer. In addition, the growth of an AlGaAs current spreading layer and a modified top metal contact were incorporated in the RCLED on SiGe to optimize device performance. The measured electroluminescent output power was 166μW at a 665nm peak wavelength under 500mA current injection. Extremely narrow electroluminescence linewidths were achieved with a full width half maximum value of 3.63nm under 50mA curr...
An Unusual Cause of Ulnar Nerve Palsy Associated with Colles’s Fracture

An unusual case of traumatic neuritis of ulnar nerve associated with Colles's fracture is described. The ulnar nerve had the abnormal course in the lower forearm and wrist. The fracture of the styloid process of the ulna was responsible for the traumatic neuritis of the ulnar nerve.
Effect of Thermal Aging on the Corrosion and Microstructure of Friction-Stir Welded Alloy 22

The effect of thermal aging on the corrosion and microstructure of friction-stir welded (FSW) alloy 22 was investigated. Successful welds were produced with a polycrystalline cubic BN pin tool at a rotational speed of 200 rev min−1 and travel speed of 12.7 mm min−1. Topologically closed packed (TCP) phases of ~50 to 300 nm size were identified in the weld nugget. The area fraction of the TCP phases in the weld nugget increased with aging temperature and time. General corrosion rates measured from the weight loss experiments for welds were relatively higher than for parent material. The corrosion rates increased with the increased aging temperature and time. Intergranular corrosion (IGC) resistance is greater in friction-stir welds compared with the parent material at all aging temperatures and times. The IGC depth increased with the aging temperature and time in the parent material. The IGC depth for the FSW weld nugget was minimal and did not change with thermal aging.
Epidermal growth factor receptor is down-regulated by a 10,400 MW protein encoded by the E3 region of adenovirus

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds to specific high affinity receptors (EGF-Rs) and induces endosome-specific internalization and degradation of ligand-receptor complexes in lysosomes. We report here that EGF-R is down-regulated in an analogous manner during early infection of a variety of cell types by group C human adenoviruses. This effect is not a function of viral entry, nor is it due to a nonspecific increase in turnover of membrane proteins. Using a series of virus deletion mutants, the gene responsible for EGF-R down-regulation was mapped to the E3 transcription unit. The E3 gene product, a protein of MW 10,400 (10.4K), induces internalization and degradation of EGF-R, but does not affect synthesis of the EGF-R precursor. The 10.4K protein is not an EGF-like autocrine growth factor, but is similar in sequence to a region in EGF-R at the cytoplasmic face of the transmembrane domain. This suggests that down-regulation of EGF-R during adenovirus infection may occur by a novel mechanism that involves the formation of hetero-oligomers composed of 10.4K and EGF-R.
Elastic registration in the presence of intensity variations

We have developed a general-purpose registration algorithm for medical images and volumes. This method models the transformation between images as locally affine but globally smooth. The model also explicitly accounts for local and global variations in image intensities. This approach is built upon a differential multiscale framework, allowing us to capture both large- and small-scale transformations. We show that this approach is highly effective across a broad range of synthetic and clinical medical images.
Integration of Plant and Groundwater Interactions

The early investigations by plant physiologists who examined the interaction between plants and water were not concerned about the source of the water. Hydrogeologists, on the other hand, examined the effects that various demands had on groundwater resources in the water-poor region of the United States and reported the relation between depth to groundwater and plant distribution. For the most part, these investigations were carried out independent of each other over time and space (refer to Table 1.3). The lack of integration between the fields of plant physiology and hydrogeology continued throughout most of the twentieth century.
Lack of Gonadotropic Activity in the Rabbit Blastocyst Prior to Implantation

Recent reports of an LH-like hormone in the rabbit preimplantation blastocyst and of elevated serum progesterone levels in the presence of unimplanted blastocysts prompted us to characterize further the biological activity of the presumed gonadotropin. Progesterone was measured by a highly specific radioimmunoassay in sera obtained from pregnant and pseudopregnant rabbits after mating (day 0) to fertile or vasectomized males. On days 3, 4, 5, and 6, which represent the preimplantation period, mean progesterone concentrations (ng/ml ± SE) were 4.3 ± 0.7, 5.1 ± 0.5, 6.8 ± 1.1, and 9.0 ± 1.9 in 5 pseudopregnant rabbits and 4.1 ± 0.4, 6.7 ± 0.6, 5.9 ± 0.9, and 7.0 ± 0.8 in 7 pregnant rabbits. In a separate experiment, serum progesterone concentrations in 6 pseudopregnant and 8 pregnant rabbits were 10.1 ± 0.7 ng/ml and 13.7 ± 1.1 (P < 0.02), respectively on days 11–12. Thus, serum progesterone concentrations were not different in pregnant and pseudopregnant rabbits before the time of implantation (day 7), but...
Learning and Earnings: How College Matters in Earnings Gap between Hispanic Workers and Non-Hispanic White Workers:

This article uses Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group files to investigate the role of higher education in explaining the earnings gap between Hispanic workers and non-Hispanic White workers. Based on the decomposition method developed by Cotton, it was found that human capital takes precedence over labor market discrimination in explaining the earnings gap. A policy implication is that equal compensation of Hispanic workers as non-Hispanic White workers is as important as the improvement of educational attainment.
Understanding innovations in the evolving practice of blood and crystalloid cardioplegia

The use of cardioplegia solution has substantially increased the safety of cardiac surgery. It protects the myocardium by inducing a rapid and complete diastolic arrest, minimizing myocardial energy requirements, preventing ischaemic damage during the arrest phase and minimizing or preventing reperfusion injury once coronary blood flow is restored. This article is a summary of important information that has accumulated in the literature about cardioplegia and describes how our understanding of cardioplegia has evolved. The basic principles of myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury and how they relate to myocardial protection are described. Blood and crystalloid cardioplegia are compared with respect to biochemical and physiological differences. Recent patient demographic changes, with surgeons operating on older, more complex patients who have more severe and diffuse disease, are discussed. This cohort of patients potentially requires prolonged elective ischaemia; hence, improved myocardial protection would be of benefit. We highlight areas of study that have demonstrated a new concept of myocardial protection, known as polarized arrest. Many pharmacological agents have been shown (in experimental studies) to have the ability to induce a polarized arrest and to provide improved protection.
Sizing of an energy storage connected to a wind farm in an energy market

Global warming and excessive use of non-renewable energy resources are considered some of the most serious problems that need to be solved. Renewable and sustainable energy sources such as wind generation offer a solution to this problem and are thus gaining more importance. The wind power tends to be fluctuating due to intermittency of wind speed which varies in unpredictable ways. Wind energy fluctuates, which can result in frequency and voltage deviations in the grid. In this paper, a design of energy storage, which can be utilized in the energy market, is described. The objective of the energy storage is to reduce the effects of intermittent power generated from wind farms. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem in which the objective function measures the annual revenue gained from utilizing the storage in the energy market. The result of the optimization gives the optimal size of energy storage that maximizes the annual revenue. Two energy storage operation strategies combined with two market scenarios are discussed using realistic wind power and energy market price data.
Focusing Grating Couplers in Unmodified 180-nm Silicon-on-Insulator CMOS

The design and demonstration of photonic grating couplers with improved efficiencies monolithically integrated in IBM's 7RF silicon-on-insulator (SoI) complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology offering are reported. The grating couplers are fabricated using two standard layers available in 7RF SoI CMOS, where focusing circular grating structures and a small-footprint tapered slab are fabricated on the poly-silicon and crystalline-silicon (c-Si) layers, respectively. The coupling efficiencies for 1.3- and 1.55- $\mu{\rm m}$ grating couplers are measured to be ${-}{\rm 2.8}$ and ${-}{\rm 3.8}~{\rm dB}$ , respectively. These results are at least $2\times$ more efficient than the best previously reported grating couplers in this technology, which were fabricated using c-Si layers only. Furthermore, the devices exhibit 1-dB bandwidths of ${\sim}{40}$ and 52 nm for 1.3 and ${\rm 1.55}~\mu{\rm m}$ , respectively.
Time-Resolved FT Emission Spectroscopy and its Application in Molecular Spectroscopy and Kinetics

With a 10-cm interferometer running in the step-scan mode, the following characteristics can be achieved for a time- and frequency-resolved emission spectrum: 25 ns and 0.25 cm-1 in the visible/UV and 500 ns (detector response-time limited) and 0.1 cm-1 in the IR. The time resolution is achieved by arresting the movable mirror and recording the time-dependent interferometric signal with a transient digitizer, followed by the same procedure at each point along the interferometer axis. The signal at a selected time slice will then be assembled for Fourier transform into a spectrum. The ability to record an emission spectrum with time resolution is useful in many studies in molecular spectroscopy and kinetics. In our laboratory, the following advances have recently been made: (1) The FT emission technique in the visible/UV can be used as an effective means for dispersing fluorescence. This technique is particularly advantageous in detecting weak fluorescence from small molecules and transient species. (2) Time-resolved dispersed fluorescence spectra following the initial preparation of a single excited rovibronic level allow straightforward deduction of state-to-state energy transfer rates and mechanism. (3) The emission in the IR from highly vibrationally excited molecules can be used to deduce the energy content of the emitting molecules. Following the preparation of molecules excited with a specific high vibrational energy by a laser pulse, the energy content of the excited molecules during a collisional deactivation process can be monitored by using time-resolved FT-IR emission spectroscopy.
Promotion of Branching in Nandina (Nandina domestica Thunb.) ‘Harbour Dwarf’ with ASC-66952

Axillary and aerial rhizomic shoot development of Nandina domestica Thunb. 'Harbour Dwarf' was promoted by a single foliar application of 25-200 ppm ASC-66952. Chlorosis of immature leaflets occurred within 2 weeks of 100 or 200 ppm treatment, but was not present 4 weeks after treatment. Growth indices [(height + width in perpendicular directions) + 3] of treated plants were 2-10% less than those of non-treated control plants. flex x Meserveae S.Y. Hu. 'Blue Girl', flex x 'Nellie R. Stevens', Rhododendron 'George L. Tabor', Rhododendron 'Trouper', Trachelospermum asiaticum (Siebold & Zucc.) Nakai, and Viburnum x pragense Hort. were not affected by application of ASC-66952.
Consumer Access to Video and Audio Information Sources: Trends and Policy Implications

Do individuals have access to more sources of news, information, and entertainment from their homes, cars, or workplaces now than 20 years ago? Is there a crisis impending due to the perception of increased consolidation of the media industry? Are the proposed rules of the Federal Communications Commission for lessening broadcast station ownership limits a reasonable response to court rulings and the changing media landscape or a threat to diversity of viewpoints and to democracy in the United States? This paper addresses these issues. It seeks to assess whether media consumers in the U.S. are better able to find the variety of news, entertainment, and information that we want and need, from more sources, with reasonable cost, than a generation or more ago, when presumably the media were less concentrated and, by inference, “better.”
Environmental conditions which initiate sweating in resting man.

SummaryObservations were made on 11 subjects of varying ages to discover the environmental conditions necessary to initiate sweating in man. These studies, performed in a room designed for close control of temperature and humidity, indicate that an environmental temperature of 34.4° C and relative humidity of about 50% are essentially the threshold level for sweating in normal man resting in bed. Exercise and increased rate of heat production are associated with a proportionate lowering of the threshold.
Building a customized residency learning experience.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residency accreditation standard defines residency customization as the essential process by which the “generic plan” for resident training is restructured to optimize resident experiences based on specific “
Magnetic resonance arthrography and the prevalence of acetabular labral tears in patients 50 years of age and older.

Arthroscopy for acetabular labral tears has minimal impact on pain and function in older patients, especially in the setting of concomitant osteoarthritis. Still, many physicians seek this diagnosis with MR arthrography. Our purpose is to assess the frequency of acetabular labral tears in older patients with hip pain and correlate likelihood of labral pathology with severity of osteoarthritis as visualized on conventional radiograph. From 2004 to 2013, 208 hip MRI arthrograms and corresponding radiographs on patients aged 50 years and older were identified. Age, gender, grade and location of labral tear, alpha angle, Tonnis grade, and joint space width were documented. Labral tears and alpha angle were identified and measured on MR arthrogram. Tonnis grade and joint space width were measured on radiographs. On MR arthrography, true labral tearing was identified in 73 % of patients. There was some degree of labral pathology in 93.3 % of patients, and this increased to 100 % in patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis, as defined by Tonnis grade 2–3 or joint space width ≤ 2 mm. There were no statistically significant correlations between labral tear grade and Tonnis grade or joint space width. Given the high frequency of labral pathology and the questionable efficacy of arthroscopic surgical intervention in older patients, MR arthrography should be primarily for those with minimal arthritis on radiograph and potential to benefit from surgery. If further imaging beyond radiographs is necessary in these patients, standard MRI may be a more appropriate imaging tool.
Relationship of alcohol and illicit drug use with high blood pressure care and control among urban hypertensive Black men.

Objective To examine the relationships among alcohol and illicit drug use and high blood pressure (HBP) care and control. Design Baseline cross-sectional data from an ongoing clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a HBP care program was utilized. Methods Data collected at baseline on 309 urban hypertensive Black men, aged 18-54, included: socio-demographics, health status, HBP care behaviors, alcohol and illicit drug use, urine screen for illicit drug use, and blood pressure (BP). Results Men using alcohol and illicit drugs were less likely to report having medical insurance, having a doctor for HBP care, engaging in critical patient behaviors for HBP control, being on HBP medications, and compliance with HBP medication regimen. Alcohol and illicit drug users were more likely to eat high fat/high salt foods and significantly more likely to smoke cigarettes. In comparison to abstainers, men who used both alcohol and illicit drugs were significantly more likely to have uncontrolled BP and higher systolic blood pressure (SBP). Conclusions Alcohol and illicit drug use were negatively associated with HBP care behaviors. Thus, BP was poorly controlled in this group of alcohol and illicit drug users. Screening, counseling, and treatment for alcohol and illicit drug use should be essential components in comprehensive HBP care.
Aesthetic as Analysis: Synthesizing Theories of Humor and Disability through Stand-up Comedy

A wide range of comedians with disabilities has recently been reclaiming the comedy stage as a space in which to contest inequality. The work of disabled comedians highlights the utility of humor a...
Micromachined, silicon based electrode arrays for electrical stimulation of or recording from cerebral cortex

Previous work has indicated that electrical stimulation of the visual cortex via penetrating electrodes may be a viable approach to providing a functional visual sense for the blind. Key to this concept is the development of a three-dimensional microstructure that contains an array of electrodes intended to be inserted into the visual cortex. Such a structure has been created, with electrodes designed to penetrate 1.5 mm into the visual cortex. The array consists of 100 needles, each of which is 1.5 mm long and 0.08 mm on a side at its base. The needles, which emerge from a 0.2 mm thick, 4.2 mm*4.2 mm silicon substrate, have center to center spacings of 0.4 mm. The fabrication methodologies consist of preliminary shaping with a computer-controlled diamond dicing saw and final shaping and polishing with a two-step chemical etching process. Preliminary work to investigate the biocompatibility of these silicon structures in cortical tissues indicates that the cortex tolerates implantation and the materials used in the arrays very well. >
Gene Expression Profiles during the γ- to β-Globin Switch in Erythroid Progenitors.

Abstract The design and evaluation of therapies for sickle cell disease rely on our understanding of the sequential expression of the β-like globin genes during development. Drug inducers that reactivate γ-globin transcription after birth ameliorate symptoms in sickle cell patients. Therefore, the objective of our study is to identify trans-factors involved in γ-gene activation during the γ- to β-globin switch recapitulated in erythropoiesis. We previously established the one-phase liquid culture system using buffy coat mononuclear cells grown in erythropoietin (Epo; 4U/mL), stem cell factor (50ng/ml) and Interleukin-3 (IL-3; 10ng/ml). We observed high γ-globin transcription on day 7, equal γ- and β-globin mRNA levels by day 20 followed by high β-globin expression on day 28. Cell surface markers were measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and correlated with globin gene expression. During lineage commitment and erythroid maturation CD34+ cells decreased while the erythroid markers CD71, glycophorin A and Epo receptor increased 12 to 144-fold, followed by a decrease on day 28. We concluded that the γ- to β-globin switch was recapitulated in our system. Subsequent studies were performed with microarray and gene profiling by principle component analysis (PCA) to characterize proteins involved in switching. The Discover Chip from ArrayIt (Sunnyvale, CA) containing 380 human genes was used. cDNA from day 0/7, 7/21 and 21/28 were labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 respectively and used for standard chip hybridization. Fluorescence data was acquired using the Axon scanner and GenePixPro 6.0 software. By day 7, 88 genes were silenced and 68 activated; at day 28 an additional 38 genes were silenced and 47 activated. PCA defined the four major gene profiles consistent with developmental globin gene regulation. Profile 1 genes including IL-3, IL-9, heat shock protein 1a and neurofibromin were activated greater than 2-fold on day 7 suggesting positive regulators of γ-globin; trans-activators were not identified. Profile 2 genes were highly expressed around the switch on day 20. GATA-1, guanine nucleotide binding protein, ZF protein 132 and ERK1 expression peaked during this time. This data is consistent with a γ-globin silencer role previously demonstrated for ERK. Profile 3 genes also peaked on day 20 but continued to be highly expressed during β-globin transcription; EKLF, IL-8, Ras, Fos, and histone H3 were identified in this group. Experimental data support EKLF binding in the locus control region to compete with γ-globin expression. Finally Profile 4 genes increased steadily and peaked on day 28 consistent with positive β-globin regulators including NF-E2, ATF-2, IL-12, and thymosin β10. The microarray data were confirmed by qPCR in 90% of the genes tested. Our findings support the one-phase erythroid liquid culture system as a model for globin switching. We will expand gene profiling efforts using the Agilent 44K chip and PCA to confirm this model.
Stepwise Synthesis of Metal–Organic Frameworks

ConspectusMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a category of porous materials that offer unparalleled control over their surface areas (demonstrated as higher than for any other material), pore characteristics, and functionalization. This allows them to be customized for exceptional performance in a wide variety of applications, most commonly including gas storage and separation, drug delivery, luminescence, or heterogeneous catalysis. In order to optimize biomimicry, controlled separations and storage of small molecules, and detailed testing of structure–property relationships, one major goal of MOF research is “rational design” or “pore engineering”, or precise control of the placement of multiple functional groups in pores of chosen sizes and shapes. MOF crystal growth can be controlled through judicious design of stepwise synthetic routes, which can also allow functionalization of MOFs in ways that were previously synthetically inaccessible. Organic chemists have developed a library of powerful techniq...
Changes in Chief Resident Surgical Volume and Case Type across 70 Years: Lessons Learned from a Urology Training Program

AbstractIntroduction: We compared urology resident case logs from the mid 20th century to the modern period to learn about case volume, category and the contribution of open cases in today’s traini...