cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of NTIMS and ICP-OES methods for the determination of boron concentrations in natural fresh and saline waters

Determination of B concentrations in natural fresh and saline waters by ICP-OES may be strongly affected by matrix effects resulting in a deviation (shift to apparently lower values) in the order of 10 to 20% (if working without matrix-matched standard solutions), at variance with the NTIMS (Negative Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry) isotope dilution technique which is virtually unaffected by such effects. NTIMS isotope dilution is a highly sensitive, precise and effective technique which requires only trace amounts of boron (1–10 ng B) and allows boron concentrations in natural waters to be analyzed with an analytical uncertainty of ± 2% (2 σ).
Long-term shifts in the cyclicity of outbreaks of a forest-defoliating insect

Recent collapses of population cycles in several species highlight the mutable nature of population behavior as well as the potential role of human-induced environmental change in causing population dynamics to shift. We investigate changes in the cyclicity of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) outbreaks by applying wavelet analysis to an 86-year time series of forest defoliation in the northeastern United States. Gypsy moth population dynamics shifted on at least four occasions during the study period (1924–2009); strongly cyclical outbreaks were observed between ca. 1943–1965 and ca. 1978–1996, with noncyclical dynamics in the intervening years. During intervals of cyclical dynamics, harmonic oscillations at cycle lengths of 4–5 and 8–10 years co-occurred. Cross-correlation analyses indicated that the intensity of suppression efforts (area treated by insecticide application) did not significantly reduce the total area of defoliation across the region in subsequent years, and no relationship was found between insecticide use and the cyclicity of outbreaks. A gypsy moth population model incorporating empirically based trophic interactions produced shifting population dynamics similar to that observed in the defoliation data. Gypsy moth cycles were the result of a high-density limit cycle driven by a specialist pathogen. Though a generalist predator did not produce an alternative stable equilibrium, cyclical fluctuations in predator density did generate extended intervals of noncyclical behavior in the gypsy moth population. These results suggest that changes in gypsy moth population behavior are driven by trophic interactions, rather than by changes in climatic conditions frequently implicated in other systems.
Studies on the Influence of Mammo-Somatotropic Tumor (MtTW5) on the Metabolism of Mammary Tumor (MTW9) and Adipose Tissue

Surgical resection of pituitary tumor (MtTW5) in mammary tumor (MTW9)- bearing rats resulted in prompt regression of the mammary tumor. The ribonucleic acid concentration of mammary tumor was decreased by this procedure. The metabolism of radioactive glucose to carbon dioxide and fatty acid was reduced. Adipose tissue deposits were diminished in rats bearing pituitary tumor (MtTW5). Resection of this tumor restored fat deposits toward normal and markedly increased the metabolism of radioactive glucose to carbon dioxide and fatty acid by this tissue. (Endocrinology 75: 259, 1964)
High-throughput assessment of inhibitor synergies on aluminum alloy 2024-T3 through measurement of surface copper enrichment

Abstract The identification of new corrosion inhibition systems remains dependent on experimentation for screening and characterization. One approach for the acceleration of this discovery process is through the use of high-throughput methods. This paper examines the measurement of surface copper enrichment as a method for the rapid and high-throughput screening of corrosion inhibitors and their combinations for aluminum alloy 2024-T3 (AA2024-T3). Ninety-six AA2024-T3 wire electrodes were assembled in a reaction frame with 2-mL cells and exposed to 0.6 M sodium chloride (NaCl) containing 3.4 mM total inhibitor concentration adjusted to pH 7. Eleven single inorganic chemical species were evaluated for corrosion inhibition: sodium chromate (Na2CrO4), sodium metavanadate (NaVO3), cerium chloride (CeCl3), barium metaborate (BaB2O4), yttrium chloride (YCl3), sodium metatungstate (Na2WO4-3WO3), potassium phosphate (KH2PO4), lanthanum chloride (LaCl3), sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3), sodium phosphate (Na2PO4), an...
Withdrawal From Chronic Nicotine Reduces Thyroid Hormone Levels and Levothyroxine Treatment Ameliorates Nicotine Withdrawal-Induced Deficits in Hippocampus-Dependent Learning in C57BL/6J Mice

Introduction Cigarette smoking alters a variety of endocrine systems including thyroid hormones. Altered thyroid hormone signaling may lead to a subclinical or overt hypothyroid condition that could contribute to nicotine withdrawal-related symptoms, such as cognitive deficits. Thus, normalizing thyroid hormone levels may represent a novel therapeutic target for ameliorating nicotine withdrawal-associated cognitive deficits. Methods The current studies conducted an analysis of serum thyroid hormone levels after chronic and withdrawal from chronic nicotine treatment in C57BL/6J mice using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The present studies also evaluated the effect of synthetic thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) on contextual and cued memory. Results The current studies found that nicotine withdrawal reduces secreted thyroid hormone levels by 9% in C57BL/6J mice. Further, supplemental thyroid hormone not only enhanced memory in naive animals, but also ameliorated deficits in hippocampus-dependent learning associated with nicotine withdrawal. Conclusions These results suggest that smokers attempting to quit should be monitored closely for changes in thyroid function. If successfully treated, normalization of thyroid hormone levels may ameliorate some deficits associated with nicotine withdrawal and this may lead to higher rates of successful abstinence.
Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction as a marker of tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction (PLR) is a well-described entity in which the white blood cell count expands to greater than 50,000/mm 3 in association with malignancy. It is thought to occur in approximately 10–15% of cancers. Notably, PLR is known to be predictive of a poor prognosis. Recent work has demonstrated that there may be a relationship between PLR activated by intratumoral production of granulocyte colony-simulating factor (G-CSF), the RAS/RAF/MEK pathway and tumorogenesis. Specifically, activation of the RAS/RAF/MEK pathway is thought to regulate G-CSF production, which in turn, mediates expansion and mobilization of cells that produce factors that promote tumor metastasis. Methods/results In this report we demonstrate the PLR response to treatment in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer. Additionally, we demonstrate elevated G-CSF in the patient׳s serum 507pg/ml (0–39.1pg/ml) and positive staining by immunohistochemistry of G-CSF in the patient׳s tumor tissue. Finally, we describe a possible pathway by which this promotes tumor spread. Conclusion Though G-CSF has been traditionally viewed as a prognostic marker, here we provide evidence that it may be a valuable marker to investigate for treatment response at a cellular level.
Onset of vortex breakdown above a pitching delta wing

Computational results are presented for transient vortex breakdown above a delta wing subject to a pitch-and-hold maneuver to high angle of attack. The flows are simulated by solving the full three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations on a moving grid using the implicit Beam-Warming algorithm. An assessment of the effects of numerical resolution and favorable comparison with experimental data suggest the computational approach captures the basic dynamics of the onset and initial stages of transient breakdown. The pressure gradient along the vortex axis is found to play a dominant role in the initiation of breakdown
Fracture strength of CAD/CAM composite and composite-ceramic occlusal veneers

Abstract Purpose To determine the effect of material type and restoration thickness on the fracture strength of posterior occlusal veneers made from computer-milled composite (Paradigm MZ100) and composite-ceramic (Lava Ultimate) materials. Methods 60 maxillary molars were prepared and restored with CAD/CAM occlusal veneer restorations fabricated from either Paradigm MZ100 or Lava Ultimate blocks at minimal occlusal thicknesses of 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0mm. Restorations were adhesively bonded and subjected to vertical compressive loading. The maximum force at fracture and mode of failure were recorded. 2-Way ANOVA was used to identify any statistically significant relationships between fracture strength and material type or thickness. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze mode of failure with regard to fracture strength. Results The average maximum loads (N) at fracture for the Paradigm MZ100 groups were 1620±433, 1830±501, and 2027±704 for the material thicknesses of 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0mm, respectively. The Lava Ultimate groups fractured at slightly higher loads (N) of 2078±605, 2141±473, and 2115±462 at the respective 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0mm thickness. Statistical analyses revealed that, while no significant difference existed among the various restoration thicknesses in terms of fracture strength ( P >0.05), the material type was found to be influential ( P =0.04). The maximum load at fracture (N) for Lava Ultimate averaged over all thicknesses (2111±500) was significantly higher than that of the Paradigm MZ100 (1826±564). No correlation between mode of failure and fracture strength was found. Conclusions Under the conditions of this study, the maximal loads at fracture for these "non-ceramic" occlusal veneer restorations were found to be higher than human masticatory forces. Occlusal veneers made from the two materials tested are likely to survive occlusal forces regardless of restoration thickness, with those fabricated from the composite-ceramic hybrid material being more likely to survive heavier loads.
Reproduction, teratogenic, and mutagenic studies with benomyl.

Abstract In a three-generation rat reproduction study with benomyl fungicide, no reproduction or lactation differences were observed among control and test groups of animals at the highest dietary level of 0.25% benomyl. No pathologic changes were found in tissues from weanling pups of the F 3B litter. In a teratogenic study, feeding of as much as 0.50% benomyl (highest dietary level tested) to pregnant rats from days 6 through 15 of the gestation period did not affect the outcome of pregnancy or embryonal development. In a dominant lethal study in rats, benomyl at the highest dietary level tested (0.25%) induced no dominant lethal mutation. A separate study showed that substantial amounts of a metabolite, methyl 2-benzimidazolecarbamate (MBC), were present in the blood of a rat 1-hr after oral dosing with [2- 14 C]benomyl.
Compartmentation of glycolytic and glycogenolytic metabolism in vascular smooth muscle

Vascular smooth muscle is characterized by a high rate of aerobic lactate production, which may be altered independently of oxidative phosphorylation. This finding suggested a cytoplasmic compartmentation of metabolism. Exogenous glucose was found to be the sole precursor of aerobic glycolysis under unstimulated conditions. Although tissue depolarization with high K+ resulted in a substantial reduction of endogenous glycogen, exogenous glucose remained the sole precursor of aerobic lactate production. These data showed unequivocally that carbohydrate metabolism is compartmentalized in vascular smooth muscle.
Study of the dissociation reaction n + p. -->. p. pi. /sup -/ + p for incident neutron momenta between 50 and 300 GeV/c

We present results of our study of the neutron dissociation reaction n + p ..-->.. (p..pi../sup -/) + p for incident neutron momenta between 50 and 300 GeV/c. The integrated dissociation cross section for small values of (p..pi../sup -/) mass is essentially constant over this momentum interval. A strong correlation exists between the square of the four-momentum transfer (t) and the (p..pi../sup -/) rest mass, as well as between t and the decay angles of the (p..pi../sup -/) system. The observed (p..pi../sup -/) mass distribution is comprised of contributions from both narrow resonance like peaks and a broad low-mass continuum. Moments of the (p..pi../sup -/) decay angular distributions reveal rich structure, suggesting the presence of many partial waves.
Mechanism of N2O Reduction by the μ4-S Tetranuclear CuZ Cluster of Nitrous Oxide Reductase

Reaction thermodynamics and potential energy surfaces are calculated using density functional theory to investigate the mechanism of the reductive cleavage of the N−O bond by the μ4-sulfide-bridged tetranuclear CuZ site of nitrous oxide reductase. The CuZ cluster provides an exogenous ligand-binding site, and, in its fully reduced 4CuI state, the cluster turns off binding of stronger donor ligands while enabling the formation of the CuZ−N2O complex through enhanced CuZ → N2O back-donation. The two copper atoms (CuI and CuIV) at the ligand-binding site of the cluster play a crucial role in the enzymatic function, as these atoms are directly involved in bridged N2O binding, bending the ligand to a configuration that resembles the transition state (TS) and contributing the two electrons for N2O reduction. The other atoms of the CuZ cluster are required for extensive back-bonding with minimal σ ligand-to-metal donation for the N2O activation. The low reaction barrier (18 kcal mol-1) of the direct cleavage of ...
End‐stage renal disease after high‐dose carboplatinum in preparation of autologous stem cell transplantation

Stem cell transplantation is one therapy employed in the management of children with high-risk solid tumors. However, this therapy is not without risk, having been associated with multiple end-organ toxicities. Both acute renal failure and chronic renal insufficiency have been reported in marrow transplant recipients, primarily in the context of the use of calcineurin inhibitors and radiation therapy. This report reviews our experience in managing an adolescent with metastatic Ewing's sarcoma who developed rapid progression to end-stage renal disease following a pretransplant conditioning regimen with high-dose carboplatinum. She had not received radiation or prior cisplatinum therapy. The possible reasons for the patient's highly unusual course and recommendations on ways to prevent this complication are discussed.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL COMPETITION FOR BUSINESS ACTIVITY: AN URBAN CASE STUDY

Urban governments frequently compete with each other in their efforts to attract new business enterprises that would contribute needed jobs and tax revenues. The results of this competition, however, often depend upon the bargaining resources available to the adversaries. The rivalry between South Bend and an adjacent municipal jurisdiction for a Sears department store provides an example of how differing resources may influence the outcome of such competition and how in general the process is biased toward suburban locations.
A neurodevelopmental framework for the development of interventions for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Despite considerable data published on cognitive and behavioral disabilities in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), relatively little information is available on behavioral or pharmacological interventions for alcohol-affected children. The main goals of this article, therefore, are to summarize published intervention studies of FASD and to present a neurodevelopmental framework, based on recent findings from a number of disciplines, for designing new therapies for alcohol-affected children. This framework assumes a neuroconstructionist view, which posits that reciprocal interactions between neural activity and the brain's hardware lead to the progressive formation of intra- and interregional neural connections. In this view, behavioral interventions can be conceptualized as a series of guided experiences that are designed to produce neural activation. Based on evidence from cognitive neuroscience, it is hypothesized that specific interventions targeting executive attention and self-regulation may produce greater generalizable results than those aimed at domain-specific skills in children with FASD. In view of reciprocal interactions between environmental effects and neural structures, the proposed framework suggests that the maximum effects of interventions can eventually be achieved by optimally combining behavioral methods and cognition-enhancing drugs.
Misfolded States of Cytochrome C at Native Conditions

Cytochrome c is a highly flexible heme protein known to partially unfold at a pH above 8, generally reversibly. This study reveals the unexpected conformational change that cytochrome c undergoes upon exposure to potassium ferricyanide (∼0.2 μM) at pH 11.5 for an extended period of time. A partially unfolded state was formed which is in equilibrium with an aggregated, soluble state at pH 6 to 8. UV-CD data indicate that the secondary structure remains mostly intact. The heme is hexacoordinated low spin (pH > 6), likely with two axial histidines (His18, and His33). Below pH 6, a new ligation state emerges, for which spectroscopic evidence suggests a pentacoordinated quantum mixed state of the heme iron, previously found only in ferricytochrome c' and in class 3 peroxidases. Our data indicates the population of a frustrated misfolded state, occupied as a result of an alternate folding pathway, along which the glass transition precedes folding. Gel electrophoresis revealed that the protein is predominantly monomeric at low concentration (0.05 mM), while significant amounts of soluble dimers and trimers are formed at higher concentration, where we also observed a substantial fraction of reduced cytochrome c, which we assigned to the monomeric species based on results from size exclusion chromatography. We speculate that cytochrome c might adopt a similar state on the surface of liposomes and on the inner membrane of mitochondria have been found to acquire peroxidase activity, for which this state may be a prerequisite.
Allometric scaling of kidney function in green iguanas.

Abstract Numerous physiological parameters, such as metabolic rate and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), are allometrically related to body mass. Whereas the interspecific relationships between metabolic rate and body mass have been extensively studied in vertebrates, intraspecific studies of renal function have been limited. Therefore, kidney function was studied in 16 green iguanas, (Iguana iguana; 322–4764 g), by using nuclear scintigraphy to measure the renal uptake of 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA), following either intravenous or intraosseous administration. Route of 99mTc-DTPA administration did not affect the percentage of the dose that accumulated in the kidney (P>0.05). Renal uptake of 99mTc-DTPA was related to body mass (W, g) as: %Dose Kidney (min−1)=11.09W−0.235. Although not directly measured, the apparent renal clearance of 99mTc-DTPA could be described as: Renal CL 99mTc-DTPA (ml·min−1)=0.005W0.759, and the mass exponent did not differ from either the 2/3 or 3/4 values (P>0.05). The similarity of the mass exponents relating both renal function and metabolic rate to body mass suggests a common mechanism underlying these allometric relationships. As this study also demonstrated that renal scintigraphy can be used to quantify kidney function in iguanas, this technique may be a useful research and diagnostic tool.
Visualization of Inheritance Patterns from Graphic Representation of Additive and Dominance Relationships Between Animals

Evaluation of pedigrees of normal and affected individuals help to suggest possible patterns of inheritance. Because large numbers of individuals are involved in studies of genetic disease, classic two-dimensional family tree charts are difficult to draw. Instead, DFA plots of graduated circles, weighted by dominance relationships, inbreeding, and additive relationships between individuals can be plotted above, on, and below the diagonal. Base animals without phenotypic measurements contribute information for computation of approximate dominance relationships, inbreeding, and additive relationships, but are not explicitly in the graph. Plotting only a set of randomly selected animals for each combination of phenotypes improves the visualization effect, especially when pedigrees are large or when computer resources are limited. For deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase and interdigital hyperplasia, DFA plots showed higher densities of additive and dominance relationships among affected animals. However, DFA plots did not show clear patterns of inheritance for heel erosion, laminitis, or sole ulcers because environmental effects were important for those traits. Grouped graduated circles also improved visualization. The function of DFA plots is comparable with statistical scatter plots that display data to help examine statistical approaches. The DFA plots serve as a first approach to evaluate genetic hypotheses before a more complex model is fit.
Synthetic analgesics and other phenylpiperidines: effects on uptake and storage of dopamine and other monoamines mouse forebrain tissue.

Abstract The neurotoxin N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) can induce degeneration of dopamine (DA) and other central monoamine neurons, leading to Parkinson's disease-like effects in man, monkey, and mouse. MPTP and other substituted phenylpiperidines related to synthetic analgesics including alphaprodine and meperidine were evaluated for potency vs. uptake of 0.1 μM tritiated DA, norepinephrine (NE), or serotonin (5HT) in synaptosomal preparations of mouse striatum or cerebral cortex. The most potent inhibitor of the uptake of 3 H-DA was N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP + ; IC 50 = 1 μ M, Ki = 0.4 μ M), a metabolite of MPTP; its effect was competitive and reversible. Other analogs of MPTP: the N-ethylindole AHR-1709, N,N-dimethyl-MPTP, and N-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine were all more potent than MPTP against 3 H-DA uptake. N-dealkylation and N-propyl substitution, as well as pyridine ring substitution, decreased affinity for DA uptake while 3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl substitution increased potency and selectivity for catecholamine uptake, and quarternarization of the pyridine ring also increased potency against DA uptake. Active compounds showed higher potency against the uptake of NE than of DA. MPP + was also more potent than MPTP in releasing endogenous DA from striatal synaptosomes (EC 50 = 3 vs. 30 μ M), but did not release the cytoplasmic markers tyrosine hydroxylase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In contrast to MPTP, synthetic phenylpiperidine analgesics, their potential metabolites and the experimental neuroleptic agent AHR-1709 all failed to deplete striatal DA in vivo, even if active in vitro against DA uptake.
Depression and memory in the elderly: A meta-analysis

Abstract A meta-analysis (N = 40) of the effects of depression on memory in the elderly (sample mean age ≥ 55 years) examined variables potentially accounting for divergent findings in the literature. The distribution of effects was bimodal and the effect sizes were heterogeneous. Compared to controls, groups containing unipolar subjects only were significantly less impaired than were mixed unipolar-bipolar; five of six studies mixing depression subtype were associated with the more negative mode. Samples containing younger depressed subjects (< 45 years) were significantly more impaired and were associated with the more negative mode. Significant group differences were found between studies matching their comparison groups reasonably well on years of education and those that did not. Thoroughness of dementia screening yielded no group differences. Although correlated observations precluded significance tests, larger effects were found for (1) figural (vs. verbal) memory; (2) delayed (vs. immediate) memor...
Development and human factors analysis of an augmented reality interface for multi-robot tele-operation and control

This paper presents a seamlessly controlled human multi-robot system comprised of ground and aerial robots of semiautonomous nature for source localization tasks. The system combines augmented reality interfaces capabilities with human supervisor's ability to control multiple robots. The role of this human multi-robot interface is to allow an operator to control groups of heterogeneous robots in real time in a collaborative manner. It used advanced path planning algorithms to ensure obstacles are avoided and that the operators are free for higher-level tasks. Each robot knows the environment and obstacles and can automatically generate a collision-free path to any user-selected target. It displayed sensor information from each individual robot directly on the robot in the video view. In addition, a sensor data fused AR view is displayed which helped the users pin point source information or help the operator with the goals of the mission. The paper studies a preliminary Human Factors evaluation of this system in which several interface conditions are tested for source detection tasks. Results show that the novel Augmented Reality multi-robot control (Point-and-Go and Path Planning) reduced mission completion times compared to the traditional joystick control for target detection missions. Usability tests and operator workload analysis are also investigated.
Mechanism of boron acid/polyol complex formation. comments on the trigonal/tetrahedral interconversion on boron

Abstract Results of a temperature-jump kinetic study on the phenylboronic acid/1,2-ethanediol (H 2 E) system are reported. The two major mechanistic conclusions are : (1) the complexation reaction proceeds exclusively via the four-coordinate phenylboronate anion ; C 6 H 5 B(OH) 3- + H 2 EBE + 2 H 2 O, and (2) the addition of OH - to C 6 H 5 B(OH) 2 is much slower than diffusion controlled. Mechanistic implications of both results are discussed.
Constraints on 3‐D stress in the crust from support of mid‐ocean ridge topography

[1] The direction of crustal stresses acting at mid-ocean ridges is well characterized, but the magnitude of these stresses is poorly constrained. We present a method by which the absolute magnitude of these stresses may be constrained using seafloor topography and gravity. The topography is divided into a short-wavelength portion, created by rifting, magmatism, and transform faulting, and a long-wavelength portion associated with the cooling and subsidence of the oceanic lithosphere. The short-wavelength surface and Moho topography are used to calculate the spatially varying 3-D stress tensor in the crust by assuming that in creating this topography, the deviatoric stress reached the elastic-plastic limiting stress; the Moho topography is constrained by short-wavelength gravity variations. Under these assumptions, an incompressible elastic material gives the smallest plastic failure stress associated with this topography. This short-wavelength topographic stress generally predicts the wrong style of earthquake focal mechanisms at ridges and transform faults. However, the addition of an in-plane regional stress field is able to reconcile the combined crustal stress with both the ridge and transform focal mechanisms. By adjusting the magnitude of the regional stress, we determine a lower bound for in situ ridge-perpendicular extension of 25–40 MPa along the slow spreading mid-Atlantic ridge, 40–50 MPa along the ultra–slow spreading ridges in the western Indian Ocean, and 10–30 MPa along the fast spreading ridges of the southeastern Indian and Pacific Oceans. Furthermore, we constrain the magnitude of ridge-parallel extension to be between 4 and 8 MPa in the Atlantic Ocean, between −1 and 7 MPa in the western Indian Ocean, and between −1 and 3 MPa in the southeastern Indian and Pacific Oceans. These observations suggest that a deep transform valley is an essential feature of the ridge-transform spreading center.
Reasoning about partially ordered events

Abstract This paper describes a class of temporal reasoning problems involving events whose order is not completely known. We examine the complexity of such problems and show that for all but trivial cases these problems are likely to be intractable. As an alternative to a complete, but potentially exponential-time decision procedure, we provide a partial decision procedure that reports useful results and runs in polynomial time.
Great Googly Moo and More Undisputed Truths; Great Googa Mooga; Dopey Doo-Wops

“That's nonsense!” This brief judgmental response might be rendered by a non-baseball fan after listening to a recording of the “Who's on First” comedy routine performed by Bud Abbott and Lou Coste...
Alcohol exposure and outcomes in trauma patients.

Objective To determine the injury patterns, complications, and mortality after alcohol consumption in trauma patients.
Abeta(1-40) prevents heparanase-catalyzed degradation of heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans in vitro. A role for heparan sulfate proteoglycan turnover in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by senile plaques composed of polymeric fibrils of beta amyloid (Abeta), a 39-42-amino acid peptide formed after proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP). Heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to colocalize with Abeta in Alzheimer's disease brain, and experimental evidence indicates that the interactions between the proteoglycan and the peptide are important for the promotion, deposition, and/or persistence of the senile plaques. Studies in rat brain indicated that both the core protein and the heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains are required for amyloid fiber formation and deposition in vivo (Snow, A. D., Sekiguchi, R., Nochlin, D., Fraser, P., Kimata, K. , Mizutani, A., Arai, M., Schreier, W. A., and Morgan, D. G. (1994) Neuron 12, 219-234), suggesting that one mechanism to prevent the formation of Abeta-heparan sulfate proteoglycan complexes that lead to deposition of amyloid would be to degrade the proteoglycan. Normally, heparan sulfate proteoglycans are internalized and degraded to short glycosaminoglycans by intracellular heparanases. These reactions occur in the endosomal-lysosomal pathway, which is the same intracellular location where betaAPP is processed to Abeta. Using partially purified heparanase activities from Chinese hamster ovary cells we examined whether Abeta(1-40) affects the catabolism of Chinese hamster ovary heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans in vitro. Abeta(1-40) binds to both the long heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans attached to core proteins and the short, heparanase-derived chains in a concentration-dependent and pH-dependent manner. When Abeta(1-40) is added to heparanase assays, it prevents the partially purified activities from releasing heparan sulfate chains from core proteins and degrading them to short glycosaminoglycans; however, a large molar excess of the peptide to heparan sulfate is required to see the effect. Our results suggest that normally the levels of Abeta in the endosomal pathway are not sufficient to interfere with heparanase activity in vivo. However, once the level of Abeta-peptides are elevated, as they are in Alzheimer's disease, they could interact with heparan sulfate proteoglycans and prevent their catabolism. This could promote the formation and deposition of amyloid, since the binding of Abeta to the proteoglycan species will predominate.
Schnitzler syndrome: an under-diagnosed clinical entity

Schnitzler syndrome is considered to be a rare disorder characterized by a monoclonal IgM protein and chronic urticaria that is associated with considerable morbidity. We hypothesized that the syndrome may be under-recognized and patients may be deprived of highly effective therapy in the form of anakinra. We performed a retrospective search of the dysproteinemia database at Mayo Clinic as well as the medical records of all patients with chronic urticaria to determine the true incidence of the disease. We compared patients with the diagnosis of Schnitzler syndrome and those who met the criteria but in whom the syndrome was not recognized. Comparisons between groups were performed and survival curves determined. We identified 16 patients with diagnosed Schnitzler syndrome and an additional 46 patients who met diagnostic criteria. The monoclonal protein was IgMκ in 94% of patients. Therapy with anakinra in 4 patients led to rapid and complete resolution of symptoms. The median overall survival for this syndrome is over 12.8 years. Progression to lymphoma was only observed in 8% of patients; this is lower than previous reports. Schnitzler syndrome may be present in up to 1.5% of patients with a monoclonal IgM in their serum and likely under-recognized as a clinical syndrome.
Stories: Implications for Nursing Ethics and Respect for Another

Stories are narratives cocreated in the human-universe process which reflect authors' priority projects, ideas, and creative artistry. These articulations may be utilized as methods for understanding health and quality of life in the discipline of nursing. Stories are living entities of community that may be used for research, education, and practice. They are vital tools for professionals asking ethical questions about doing what is right in the human-universe-health process. This article shall examine the use of stories and provide notions for further ethical thinking and implications for human regard from a nursing theoretical perspective.
Multilevel extendible hashing: a file structure for very large databases

A dynamic hashing scheme based on extendible hashing is proposed whose directory can grow into a multilevel directory. The scheme is compared to the extendible hashing and the extendible hashing tree schemes. The simulation results reveal that the proposed scheme is superior than the other two with respect to directory space utilization, especially for files with nonuniform record distribution. This scheme can be easily extended to multikey file systems and also has good performance. >
A technique for dynamic updating of Java software

During maintenance, systems are updated to correct faults, improve functionality, and adapt the software to changes in its execution environment. The typical software update process consists of stopping the system to be updated, performing the update of the code, and restarting the system. For systems such as banking and telecommunication software, however the cost of downtime can be prohibitive. The situation is even worse for systems such as air-traffic controllers and life-support software, for which a shut-down is in general not an option. In those cases, the use of some form of on-the-fly program modification is required. In this paper, we present a new technique for dynamic updating of Java software. Our technique is based oil the use of proxy classes and requires no support from the runtime system. The technique allows for updating a running Java program by substituting, adding, and deleting classes. We also present DUSC (dynamic updating through swapping of classes), a tool that we developed and that implements our technique. Finally, we describe an empirical study that we performed to validate the technique of a real Java subject. The results of the study show that our technique can be effectively applied to Java software with only little overhead in both execution time and program size.
TEM cell testing of cable noise reduction techniques from 2 MHz to 200 MHz — Part 1

This paper presents empirical results of cable noise reduction techniques as demonstrated in a TEM cell operating with radiated fields from 2 - 200 MHz. It is the first part of a two-paper series. This first paper discusses cable types and shield connections. In the second paper, the effects of load and source resistances and chassis connections are examined. For each topic, well established theories are compared to data from a real-world physical system. Finally, recommendations for minimizing cable susceptibility (and thus cable emissions) are presented.
Geomagnetic detection of the sectorial solar magnetic field and the historical peculiarity of minimum 23-24

[1] Analysis is made of the geomagnetic-activity aa index covering solar cycle 11 to the beginning of 24, 1868–2011. Autocorrelation shows 27.0-d recurrent geomagnetic activity thatiswell-known tobeprominent duringsolar-cycle minima; some minima also exhibit a smaller amount of 13.5-d recurrence.Previous work hasshown that therecentsolar minimum 23–24 exhibited 9.0 and 6.7-d recurrence in geomagnetic and heliospheric data, but those recurrence intervals were not prominently present during the preceding minima 21–22 and 22–23. Using annual-averages and solar-cycle averages of autocorrelations of the historical aa data, we put these observations into a long-term perspective: none of the 12 minima preceding 23–24 exhibited prominent 9.0 and 6.7-d geomagnetic activity recurrence. We show that the detection of these recurrence intervals can be traced to an unusual combination of sectorial spherical-harmonic structure in the solar magnetic field and anomalously low sunspot number. We speculate that 9.0 and 6.7-d recurrence is related to transient large-scale, low-latitude organization of the solar dynamo, such as seen in some numerical simulations. Citation: Love, J. J., E. Joshua Rigler, and S. E. Gibson (2012), Geomagnetic detection of the sectorial solar magnetic field and the historical peculiarity of minimum 23–24, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L04102,
Usefulness of PET/CT imaging in systemic IgG4-related sclerosing disease. A report of three cases.

Autoimmune pancreatitis is the pancreatic manifestation of a novel clinicopathological disorder called systemic IgG4-related sclerosing disease. Beside the pancreas, this entity affects other sites (salivary glands, orbit, lung, thyroid, gallbladder, biliary tree system, kidney, abdominal aorta, retroperitoneum, prostate, and lymph node) by infiltration with IgG4-positive plasma cells. Several case reports and small case series have demonstrated the utility of integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in monitoring therapy and documenting relapse and flare-up of autoimmune pancreatitis. However, there are no reports on the usefulness of PET/CT in selecting extrapancreatic sites for tissue sampling. We herein demonstrate the clinical utility of integrated PET/CT in 3 cases of systemic IgG4-related sclerosing disease for targeting extrapancreatic biopsy sites. Image: Diffuse tracer uptake by the pancreas (crosshairs).
Arrangement of Convection in the Earth by Lunar Gravity

Earth strain is found to have dependence on latitude. The possibility is explored that the external gravitational couple is a factor in tectonism . Evidence suggests that where extension is induced in a layer in which melting is limited by pressure, liquefaction and upwelling result. It is then to be expected that the Earth’s internal heat is dissipated by convection ordered (but not caused) by the tidal couple. Upwelling takes place in high latitudes and in the ocean basins and is marked by seafloor spreading. Replacement at depth is effected in low latitudes, at the site of geoidal highs and deepseated seismicity. A n excess in the equatorial potential is associated with the excess of deformation in low latitudes. There then seems no reason to suppose that convection is confined to the upper mantle. The effect at surface is that the lithosphere is displaced west, at an angular velocity greatest at the Equator and varying regionally. As a result this shell segments, and the segments rotate and interact.
Membrane contactor processes for wastewater reclamation in space: II. Combined direct osmosis, osmotic distillation, and membrane distillation for treatment of metabolic wastewater

The improvement of an innovative dual membrane contactor process for treatment of combined hygiene and metabolic wastewater was investigated. Flux and solute rejection in the combined direct osmosis/osmotic distillation (DO/OD) process were enhanced by incorporating membrane distillation (MD) concepts into the process. Two new configurations were investigated: DO/MD, in which the driving force was temperature gradient only, and DO/membrane osmotic distillation (DO/MOD) in which the driving forces were temperature gradient and concentration gradient. Development of a temperature gradient across the membranes substantially enhances the flux of the dual membrane process. It was demonstrated that water flux could be increased by up to 25 times with only a 3–5 ◦ C temperature difference across the membranes. Solutes in the feed wastewater, including urea, were completely rejected. It was demonstrated that complex wastewaters that
Systematic determinations of SUMOylation activation intermediates and dynamics by a sensitive and quantitative FRET assay

Ubiquitination and SUMOylation are multi-step cascade reactions, in which small protein modifiers are activated by E1 activating enzyme, transferred to E2 conjugating enzyme, and conjugated to substrates mediated by the E3 ligase in vivo. The structural and biochemical bases for the cascade reactions have been elucidated by several studies. However, the reaction intermediates and dynamics of these peptide modifiers among the enzymes have not been completely elucidated. Here we report detailed investigations of SUMOylation dynamics and interaction switches of SUMO1 among its ligases using FRET technology. These studies show that, while SUMO1 and the E1 subunit Aos1 or Uba2 have no intrinsic affinity for each other, the adenylation of SUMO1 carried out by Aos1 requires the presence of Uba2, and subsequently conformational changes trigger the interaction of SUMO1 and Uba2 for a thioester bond formation. The reaction intermediates among SUMO1 and its ligases are indirectly revealed by FRET signals generated by each pair. Furthermore, the transfer of SUMO1 from Uba2 to E2 enzyme, Ubc9, depends on the formation of a thioester bond between SUMO1 and Ubc9, and requires non-covalent interaction between Ubc9 and Uba2, but not between Ubc9 and SUMO1. These interaction switches provide the physical and biochemical bases for the SUMO activation and a transfer cascade required for SUMO activation.
Who Confronts Prejudice? The Role of Implicit Theories in the Motivation to Confront Prejudice

Despite the possible costs, confronting prejudice can have important benefits, ranging from the well-being of the target of prejudice to social change. What, then, motivates targets of prejudice to confront people who express explicit bias? In three studies, we tested the hypothesis that targets who hold an incremental theory of personality (i.e., the belief that people can change) are more likely to confront prejudice than targets who hold an entity theory of personality (i.e., the belief that people have fixed traits). In Study 1, targets' beliefs about the malleability of personality predicted whether they spontaneously confronted an individual who expressed bias. In Study 2, targets who held more of an incremental theory reported that they would be more likely to confront prejudice and less likely to withdraw from future interactions with an individual who expressed prejudice. In Study 3, we manipulated implicit theories and replicated these findings. By highlighting the central role that implicit theories of personality play in targets' motivation to confront prejudice, this research has important implications for intergroup relations and social change.
The Proteus Multiprotocol Message Library

Grid systems span manifold organizations and application domains. Because this diverse environment inevitably engenders multiple protocols, interoperability mechanisms are crucial to seamless, pervasive access. This paper presents the design, rationale, and implementation of the Proteus multiprotocol library for integrating multiple message protocols, such as SOAP and JMS, within one system. Proteus decouples application code from protocol code at run-time, allowing clients to incorporate separately developed protocols without recompiling or halting. Through generic serialization, which separates the transfer syntax from the message type, protocols can also be added independently of serialization routines. We also show performance-enhancing mechanisms for Grid services that examine metadata, but pass actual data through opaquely (such as adapters). The interface provided to protocol implementors is general enough to support protocols as disparate as our current implementations: SOAP, JMS, and binary. Proteus is written in C++; a Java port is planned.
Refined upper bounds on the coarsening rate of discrete, ill-posed diffusion equations

We study coarsening phenomena observed in discrete, ill-posed diffusion equations that arise in a variety of applications, including computer vision, population dynamics and granular flow. Our results provide rigorous upper bounds on the coarsening rate in any dimension. Heuristic arguments and the numerical experiments we perform indicate that the bounds are in agreement with the actual rate of coarsening.
Effect of oviductal tissues from hens differing in fertility duration on the respiration of washed chicken spermatozoa.

Abstract Washed chicken spermatozoa (WCS) were incubated in vitro at 40 C with reconstituted utero-vaginal (UVJ) and infundibular-magnal (IMJ) junction tissues from hens classified as to duration of fertility, long (L) 18.6 days and short (S), 10.0 days. The cumulative respiration of WCS incubated with UVJ tissue was significantly higher (P
Opioid inhibition of luteinizing hormone release declines with age and acyclicity in female rats.

The current study assesses changes in opioid inhibition of LH secretion with age in female rats. We administered naloxone (NAL; 2 mg/kg, iv) to regularly cycling estrous rats of three age groups and measured serum LH in serial samples drawn from intraatrial catheters before and after treatment. The serum LH rise 10 min after NAL treatment in 4- to 6-month-old rats was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) compared with that in 1.5- to 3-month-old animals, and no LH response was observed in 8- to 11-month-old rats. On early proestrus, LH secretion was also reduced 10 min after NAL treatment in older vs. younger rats, but all groups demonstrated belated LH rises 1 h after treatment during proestrus. Persistent estrous (PE) rats released less LH after NAL treatment than age-matched estrous rats (P < 0.025). Higher dose NAL treatment did not increase LH release in estrous or PE rats. These results support the hypothesis that opioid inhibition of LH secretion diminishes with age in cycling rats. Furthermore, opioid...
Synaptic clefts are made to be crossed : Neurotransmitter signaling in the central nervous system

The primary means of communication between neurons in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is via release of chemical transmitters. Although the first transmitters to be discovered were the biogenic amines, such as acetylcholine and norepinephrine, involved in transmission in the autonomic nervous system, the contribution of other types of transmitters, such as amino acids and peptides, to CNS transmission has been the subject of recent study. Part of this interest stems from the relatively large percentage of neuronal connections that make use of amino acid transmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate and also from the tremendous diversity possible when peptides are used as transmitters. Several disorders of CNS transmission are related to the degeneration of neuronal pathways in the brain. Two of the most prevalent neurologic disorders that result from degeneration are Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Aspects of these disorders related to chemical neurotransmission are discussed, along with implications with regard to therapeutic strategies. Functions of and possible abnormalities in amino acid transmission that may be associated with CNS disorders are examined. Several peptides are postulated to play a role in neurotransmission and concepts regarding the significance of the coexistence and release of biogenic amines and peptides at the same neuronal terminals are presented.