cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AUDIO ORIENTEERING - Navigating an Invisible Terrain

AUDIO ORIENTEERING is a collaborative performance e nvironment in which physical tokens are used to navigate an invisible sonic landscape. In this paper, I describe the hardware and software used to implement a prototype audio terrain with multiple interaction modes and sonic behaviors mapped onto three-dimensional space. This piece allows multiple users to explore an invisible la ndscape using orientable physical tokens. Each user will hold a device (called an "Egg") containing sensors that track position and orientation. The Egg's position is superimposed onto a pre-composed "terrain" of sound, revealing and concealing various sonic "landmarks" as users move through the space. The multiple-user model allows for many modulations with relatively few landmarks. An Egg's orientation will manipulate sonic parameters local to each waypoint, so that while actions are repeatable, they are not consistent across the space—for example, the same gesture may have different results depending on the user's position within the space.
The dopamine transporter VNTR polymorphism moderates the relationship between acute response to alcohol and future alcohol use disorder symptoms.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a genetically influenced disease with peak onset in young adulthood. Identification of factors that predict whether AUD symptoms will diminish or persist after young adulthood is a critical public health need. King and colleagues previously reported that acute response to alcohol predicted future AUD symptom trajectory. Genes associated with brain dopamine signaling, which underlies alcohol's rewarding effects, might influence this finding. This study analyzed whether variation at a variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in DAT1/SLC6A3, the gene encoding the dopamine transporter, moderated the predictive relationships between acute response to alcohol and future AUD symptoms among participants enrolled in the Chicago Social Drinking Project (first two cohorts). Heavy-drinking young adults (N = 197) completed an alcohol challenge, in which acute response (liking, wanting, stimulation, and sedation) was measured. Alcohol use disorder symptoms were assessed over the following 6 years. DAT1 genotype significantly moderated the interactions between follow-up time and alcohol liking (P = 0.006) and wanting (P = 0.006) in predicting future AUD symptoms. These predictive effects were strongest among participants who carried the DAT1 9-repeat allele, previously associated with enhanced striatal dopamine tone relative to the 10-repeat allele. Exploratory analyses indicated that DAT1 effects on the relationship between alcohol liking and AUD symptoms appeared stronger for females (n = 79) than males (n = 118) (P = 0.0496). These data suggest that heavy-drinking DAT1 9-repeat allele carriers who display high alcohol-induced reward in young adulthood may be predisposed to persistent AUD symptoms and support combining genotypic and phenotypic information to predict future AUD risk.
Imaging and histopathologic correlates of plasma cell-free DNA concentration and circulating tumor DNA in adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Background Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration is lower in glioblastoma (GBM) compared to other solid tumors, which can lead to low circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection. In this study, we investigated the relationship between multimodality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathologic features with plasma cfDNA concentration and ctDNA detection in patients with treatment-naive GBM. Methods We analyzed plasma cfDNA concentration, MRI scans, and tumor histopathology from 42 adult patients with newly diagnosed GBM. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of plasma cfDNA concentration before surgery to imaging and histopathologic characteristics. In a subset of patients, imaging and histopathologic metrics were also compared between patients with and without a detected tumor somatic mutation. Results Tumor volume with elevated (>1.5 times contralateral white matter) rate transfer constant (K ep, a surrogate of blood-brain barrier [BBB] permeability) was independently associated with plasma cfDNA concentration (P = .001). Histopathologic characteristics independently associated with plasma cfDNA concentration included CD68+ macrophage density (P = .01) and size of tumor vessels (P = .01). Patients with higher (grade ≥3) perivascular CD68+ macrophage density had lower volume transfer constant (K trans, P = .01) compared to those with lower perivascular CD68+ macrophage density. Detection of at least 1 somatic mutation in plasma cfDNA was associated with significantly lower perivascular CD68+ macrophages (P = .01). Conclusions Metrics of BBB disruption and quantity and distribution of tumor-associated macrophages are associated with plasma cfDNA concentration and ctDNA detection in GBM patients. These findings represent an important step in understanding the factors that determine plasma cfDNA concentration and ctDNA detection.
Volumetric Displacement Effects of Dispersed Phase on the Euler-Lagrange Prediction of a Dense Spray.

Accurate prediction of a dense spray using an Euler-Lagrange approach is challenging because of high volume fraction of the dispersed phase due to subgrid cluster of droplets. To accurately model dense sprays, one needs to capture this effect by taking into account the spatio-temporal changes in the volume fraction of the carrier phase due to the motion and presence of the dispersed phase. This leads to zero-Mach number, variable density equations which are commonly neglected in the standard two-way coupling spray simulations. Using pressure-based solvers, this gives rise to a source term in the pressure Poisson equation and a non-divergence free velocity field. To validate the predictive capability of such approach, an atomized non-evaporating dilute particulate round jet is first examined using Large Eddy Simulation coupled with Point-Particle approach and then higher volume loadings up to 38% are investigated with and without taking into account the volumetric displacement effects. It is shown that for volume loadings above 5%, the volumetric displacement effects enhance dynamics of the flow resulting in a higher stream-wise mean and r.m.s. velocities compared to the results of standard two-way coupling. This is more pronounced for the near field of the jet where local volume fraction of the dispersed phase is relatively high. This enhancement is conjectured to be due to the velocity divergence effect due to the modified continuity equation where spatio-temporal variations in volume fraction of the carrier phase increases velocity in the regions of high void fraction.
AMP-activated protein kinase activator AICAR attenuates hypoxia-induced murine fetal growth restriction in part by improving uterine artery blood flow.

KEY POINTS Pregnancy at high altitude is associated with a greater incidence of fetal growth restriction due, in part, to lesser uterine artery blood flow. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation vasodilates arteries and may increase uterine artery blood flow. In this study, pharmacological activation of AMPK by the drug AICAR improved fetal growth and elevated uterine artery blood flow. These results suggest that AMPK activation is a potential strategy for improving fetal growth and raising uterine artery blood flow in pregnancy, which may be important in pregnancy disorders characterized by uteroplacental ischaemia and/or fetal hypoxia. ABSTRACT Uteroplacental hypoxia is associated with pregnancy disorders such as intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia, which are characterized by uteroplacental ischaemia and/or fetal hypoxia. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) results in vasodilatation and is therefore a potential therapeutic strategy for restoring uteroplacental perfusion in pregnancy disorders. In this study, C57Bl/6 mice were treated with subcutaneous pellets containing vehicle, the AMPK activator AICAR (200 mg kg-1 day-1 ), or the AMPK inhibitor Compound C (20 mg kg-1 day-1 ) beginning on gestational day 13.5, and were exposed to hypoxia starting on gestational day 14.5 that induced intrauterine growth restriction. Pharmacological AMPK activation by AICAR partially prevented hypoxia-induced fetal growth restriction (P < 0.01), due in part to increased uterine artery blood flow (P < 0.0001). The proportion of total cardiac output flowing through the uterine artery was increased with AICAR in hypoxic mice (P < 0.001), suggesting that the vasodilator effect of AICAR was selective for the uterine circulation. Further, pharmacological inhibition of AMPK with Compound C reduced uterine artery diameter and increased uterine artery contractility in normoxic mice, providing evidence that physiological levels of AMPK activation are necessary for vasodilatation in healthy pregnancy. Two-way ANOVA analyses indicated that hypoxia reduced AMPK activation in the uterine artery and placenta, and AICAR increased AMPK activation in these tissues compared to vehicle. These findings provide support for further investigation into the utility of pharmacological AMPK activation for treatment of fetal growth restriction.
Modules whose submodule lattice is lower finite

A bounded poset P := (P, 0, 1,≤) is said to be lower finite if P is infinite and for all 1≠x ∈ P, there are but finitely many y ∈ P such that y ≤ x. In this paper, we classify the modules M over a ...
Management of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in 2,4-D–, glufosinate-, and glyphosate-resistant soybean

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth is a problematic, annual broadleaf weed in soybean production fields in Nebraska and many other states in the United States. Soybean resistant to 2,4-D, glyphosate, and glufosinate (Enlist E3TM) has been developed and was first grown commercially in 2019. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of herbicide programs applied PRE, PRE followed by (fb) late-POST (LPOST), and early-POST (EPOST) fb LPOST on GR Palmer amaranth control, density, and biomass reduction, soybean injury, and yield. Field experiments were conducted near Carleton, NE, in 2018, and 2019 in a grower’s field infested with GR Palmer amaranth in 2,4-D–, glyphosate-, and glufosinate-resistant soybean. Sulfentrazone + cloransulam-methyl, imazethapyr + saflufenacil + pyroxasulfone, and chlorimuron ethyl + flumioxazin + metribuzin applied PRE provided 84% to 97% control of GR Palmer amaranth compared with the nontreated control 14 d after PRE. Averaged across herbicide programs, PRE fb 2,4-D and/or glufosinate, and sequential application of 2,4-D or glufosinate applied EPOST fb LPOST resulted in 92% and 88% control of GR Palmer amaranth, respectively, compared with 62% control with PRE-only programs 14 d after LPOST. Reductions in Palmer amaranth biomass followed the same trend; however, Palmer amaranth density was reduced 98% in EPOST fb LPOST programs compared with 91% reduction in PRE fb LPOST and 76% reduction in PRE-only programs. PRE fb LPOST and EPOST fb LPOST programs resulted in an average soybean yield of 4,478 and 4,706 kg ha−1, respectively, compared with 3,043 kg ha−1 in PRE-only programs. Herbicide programs evaluated in this study resulted in no soybean injury. The results of this research illustrate that herbicide programs are available for the management of GR Palmer amaranth in 2,4-D–, glyphosate-, and glufosinate-resistant soybean.
Real-Time Omnidirectional Stereo Rendering: Generating 360° Surround-View Panoramic Images for Comfortable Immersive Viewing

Surround-view panoramic images and videos have become a popular form of media for interactive viewing on mobile devices and virtual reality headsets. Viewing such media provides a sense of immersion by allowing users to control their view direction and experience an entire environment. When using a virtual reality headset, the level of immersion can be improved by leveraging stereoscopic capabilities. Stereoscopic images are generated in pairs, one for the left eye and one for the right eye, and result in providing an important depth cue for the human visual system. For computer generated imagery, rendering proper stereo pairs is well known for a fixed view. However, it is much more difficult to create omnidirectional stereo pairs for a surround-view projection that work well when looking in any direction. One major drawback of traditional omnidirectional stereo images is that they suffer from binocular misalignment in the peripheral vision as a user's view direction approaches the zenith / nadir (north / south pole) of the projection sphere. This paper presents a real-time geometry-based approach for omnidirectional stereo rendering that fits into the standard rendering pipeline. Our approach includes tunable parameters that enable pole merging - a reduction in the stereo effect near the poles that can minimize binocular misalignment. Results from a user study indicate that pole merging reduces visual fatigue and discomfort associated with binocular misalignment without inhibiting depth perception.
Vaginal sialoglycan foraging by Gardnerella vaginalis: mucus barriers as a meal for unwelcome guests?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition of the vaginal microbiome in which there are few lactobacilli and abundant anaerobic bacteria. Members of the genus Gardnerella are often one of the most abundant bacteria in BV. BV is associated with a wide variety of poor health outcomes for women. It has been recognized since the 1980s that women with BV have detectable and sometimes markedly elevated levels of sialidase activity in vaginal fluids and that bacteria associated with this condition produce this activity in culture. Mounting evidence collected using diverse methodologies points to the conclusion that BV is associated with a reduction in intact sialoglycans in cervico-vaginal secretions. Here we review evidence for the contributions of vaginal bacteria, especially Gardnerella, in the processes of mucosal sialoglycan degradation, uptake, metabolism, and depletion. Our understanding of the impacts of vaginal sialoglycan degradation is still limited. However, the potential implications of sialic acid depletion are discussed in light of our current understanding of the roles played by sialoglycans in vaginal physiology.
Development of the Three Antimicrobial Stewardship E's (TASE) Framework and Association Between Stewardship Interventions and Intended Results Analysis to Identify Key Facility-Specific Interventions and Strategies for Successful Antimicrobial Stewardship.

BACKGROUND Successful antimicrobial stewardship (AS) interventions have been described previously. Currently, a uniform operational approach to planning and implementing successful AS interventions does not exist. From 2015 to 2019, concomitant vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam use (CVPTU) for >48 hours at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) significantly decreased through AS efforts. We analyzed the interventions that led to this change and created a model to inform future intervention planning and development. METHODS Adult admissions at VUMC from January 2015 to August 2019 were evaluated for CVPTU. The percentage of admissions receiving CVPTU for >48 hours, the primary outcome, was evaluated using statistical process control charts. We created the Three Antimicrobial Stewardship E's (TASE) framework and Association between Stewardship Interventions and Intended Results (ASIR) analysis to assess potential intensity and impact of interventions associated with successful change during this time period and to identify guiding principles for development of future initiatives. RESULTS The mean percentage of admissions receiving CVPTU per month declined from 4.2% to 0.7%. Over 8 time periods, we identified 4 periods with high, 3 with moderate, and 1 with low intervention intensity. Continuous provider-level AS education was present throughout. Creation and dissemination of division and department algorithms and reinforcement via computerized provider order entry sets preceded the largest reduction in CVPTU and sustained prescribing practice changes. CONCLUSIONS The TASE framework and ASIR analysis successfully identified pivotal interventions and strategies needed to effect and sustain change at VUMC. Further research is needed to validate the effectiveness of this framework as a stewardship intervention planning tool at our institution and others.
Principles for Crafting Your Course and Classroom Environment

This chapter focuses on principles for crafting the course and makes the case for starting that process by intentionally and explicitly considering a range of possible learning outcomes.
Standard procedures for native CZE-MS of proteins and protein complexes up to 800 kDa.

Native mass spectrometry (nMS) is a rapidly growing method for the characterization of large proteins and protein complexes, preserving "native" non-covalent inter- and intramolecular interactions. Direct infusion of purified analytes into a mass spectrometer represents the standard approach for conducting nMS experiments. Alternatively, CZE can be performed under native conditions, providing high separation performance while consuming trace amounts of sample material. Here, we provide standard operating procedures for acquiring high-quality data using CZE in native mode coupled online to various Orbitrap mass spectrometers via a commercial sheathless interface, covering a wide range of analytes from 30-800 kDa. Using a standard protein mix, the influence of various CZE method parameters were evaluated, such as BGE/conductive liquid composition and separation voltage. Additionally, a universal approach for the optimization of fragmentation settings in the context of protein subunit and metalloenzyme characterization is discussed in detail for model analytes. A short section is dedicated to troubleshooting of the nCZE-MS setup. This study is aimed to help normalize nCZE-MS practices to enhance the CE community and provide a resource for the production of reproducible and high-quality data.
Textbook of gynecology

Diagnostic studies embryology of the female genital tract and gonads anatomy hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian uterine axis developmental abnormalities consequences of in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol contraception pregnancy termination habitual abortion immunologic therapies of recurrent pregnancy loss ectopic pregnancy the investigation of the infertile couple the design and methodology of clinical studies infertility - medical management infertility - surgical management reproductive technologies male infertility reproductive toxicology amenorrhea dysfunctional uterine bleeding dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome hyperandrogenism disorders of prolactin secretion the clinical application of GnRH analogues endometriosis and adenomyosis lower genital tract infection upper genital tract infection postoperative infections and infections related to the oncology patient antibiotic use in gynecology AIDS and special infections nongynecological pelvic infections pediatric and adolescent gynecology nemopause preoperative evaluation and preparation postoperative care intraoperative technique abnormalities of pelvic support urinary incontinence urinary tract injury and fistula gastrointestinal complication hysterectomy - indications, types and alternatives psychosocial aspects of gynecology benign breast disease and screening for malignant tumors breast cancer miscellaneous benign disorders of the upper genital tract (cervix, uterus, ovary, fallopian tube, peritoneum, retroperitoneum, paraadnexa) benign and pre-invasive lesions of the vagina and vulva endometrial hyperplasia basic principles of radiation therapy chemotherapy of gynecological cancers immunology and immunotherapy tumor markers premalignant lesions of the cervix cervical cancer endometrial cancer uterine sarcomas epithelial ovarian neoplasms germ cell and stromal ovarian tumors vulvar neoplasms vaginal neoplasms trophoblastic neoplasia fallopian tube neoplasms psychological adjustment for the woman with gynecologic cancer gynecologic pathology - communication difficulties molecular biology and application to gynecology ethical issues in gynecology.
RHEED studies of vicinal Si(111) surfaces and Ag films grown on Si(111)

Reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) was used to study the growth of silver films and the evolution of step structures on the silicon (111) surface. Silver films were deposited by molecular beam epitaxy onto the Si(111) 7 x 7 surface. Films deposited below room temperature showed RHEED intensity oscillation whose quality improved with decreasing temperature. RHEED oscillations were also improved by the application of an initial burst in the deposition flux. Such improvement and the temperature dependence of the oscillations is attributed to an increase in the island nucleation density. Vicinal silicon samples miscut from the (111) plane by 1.2{degree}, 2.5{degree}, and 4.5{degree} towards the [2{bar 1}{bar 1}] direction were studied. If the samples were cooled slowly through the 1 x 1 to 7 x 7 phase transition a step bunching transformation would occur that produced large (111) terraces. During this transition the diffraction spot splitting would vanish while maintaining a constant splitting width. This suggest that the transition occurs by the growth of a few terraces incorporating the others with the widths of the other terraces remaining fixed until incorporation.
Ethereal vs. Tcpdump: a comparative study on packet sniffing tools for educational purpose

There are many free packet-sniffing tools available for download. Ethereal and tcpdump are two of the most popular tools among network administrators. This work compares and contrasts the usefulness and appropriateness of these tools for pedagogical purposes. While ethereal is user-friendlier than tcpdump, tcpdump is less intrusive and hence, can be used in a campus-wide network safer, since it does not readily reveal any data transmitted in a packet. Ethereal can be used in a closed networking lab environment to analyze and study many more protocols. Many class assignments can be designed using these two packet sniffers. Particularly, assignments can be developed to analyze tcpdump's output in real-time for intrusion detection or the understanding of a protocol.
Dental Cements: Reactor Response:

This paper is in response to Dr. Dennis Smith's paper, which dealt with the current status of dental cements and recommendations with respect to future research needs. Interest in cements and research in this area have mushroomed with the development of polycarboxylate and glass-ionomer cements. Despite this increased research, there still exist significant voids, which can only be elucidated by further concerted research efforts, both laboratory and clinical.With newer systems-e.g., the polycarboxylate and glass-ionomer cements—properties such as modulus of elasticity, which were of little concern with the phosphate cements, have now assumed clinical relevance. Also, the need persists to develop an in vitro test that reflects the relative resistance of cements to disintegration in the oral cavity.Finally, greater efforts should be expended by the research community to disseminate new findings to the dental practitioner in order that the patient population may benefit from the latest advances in materials.
Biology of Nanophyetus salmincola and "salmon poisoning" disease.

Publisher Summary The digenetic trematode Nanophyetus salmincola (Chapin) is the vector for Neorickettsia helminthoeca, a rickettsia-like organism that causes “salmon poisoning” disease (SPD). The disease is usually fatal for dogs, foxes, and coyotes. Nanophyetus s. salmincola ( N.s. salmincola ) requires multiple hosts for completion of its life cycle. The first intermediate host is the pleurocerid stream snail, Oxytrema silicula. The second intermediate hosts are salmonid and some non-salmonid fishes and the Pacific giant salamander in which the cercariae encyst. The definitive hosts are fish-eating birds and mammals. The chapter reviews several aspects of SPD. Some of them are (1) geographical distribution, (2) etiology, (3) transmission, (4) symptoms, and (5) pathogenesis and pathology. The treatment of SPD is also reviewed. Various sulfanilamides given orally or parenterally have been successful in the treatment. Dosage at therapeutic blood levels should be maintained for at least 3 days. Effective results have also been obtained with penicillin, chlortetracycline, chloramphenicol, and oxytetracycline. The best results follow administration of large divided doses. If the animal is dehydrated, intravenous fluid therapy is essential to avoid nephrotoxic effects. Treatment in the late stages of the disease may not be successful.
Resistance exercise effects on blood glutathione status and plasma protein carbonyls: influence of partial vascular occlusion

Seven weight-trained males performed both light resistance with partial occlusion (LRO: 30% 1 RM) and moderate resistance (MR: 70% 1 RM) to failure to ascertain whether blood protein carbonyls (PC) and glutathione status was altered compared to partial occlusion (PO) in a counterbalanced fashion. PO was identical in duration to the LRO session and all sessions were on separate days. PC did not differ for the three conditions at PRE (0.05 nM mg protein−1). PC significantly increased for PO and MR over time and was greater than the LRO treatment at POST (0.13 nM mg protein−1). The GSSG/TGSH ratio at PRE did not differ across treatments (8%) whereas the ratio at POST was significantly elevated for PO and MR treatments (17%). In contrast, no change occurred for the LRO session at any time. These results indicate that MR to failure and PO can significantly increase blood oxidative stress but LRO did not elicit oxidative stress.
The hats simulator

The Hats Simulator is designed to be a lightweight proxy for many intelligence analysis problems, and thus a test environment for analysts' tools. It is a virtual world in which many agents engage in individual and collective activities. Most agents are benign, some intend harm. Agent activities are planned by a generative planner. Playing against the simulator, the job of the analyst is to find harmful agents before they carry out their plans. The simulator maintains information about all agents. However, information is hidden from the analyst and some is expensive. After each game, the analyst is assessed a set of scores including the cost of acquiring information about agents, the cost of falsely accusing benign agents, and the cost of failing to detect harmful agents. The simulator is implemented and currently manages the activities of up to one hundred thousand agents.
Detection performance study for cone-beam differential phase contrast CT

X-ray phase sensitive imaging methods have seen tremendous growth and increased interest in recent years. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, but all have shown the ability to improve the detection of various objects because of the additional phase measurements. Of the various methods, grating-based differential phase contrast computed tomography (DPC-CT) imaging has shown greater quantitative and diagnostic capabilities than traditional absorption CT. Although it has been shown that DPC-CT provides superior contrast of certain materials, one question has not been fully addressed to date is whether DPC-CT can provide improved accuracy in detecting low contrast masses using the same radiation dose as that given in absorption CT. The detectability is not only related to contrast to noise ratio, but also to the noise texture. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the peculiar noise texture found in cone-beam DPC-CT affects low contrast objects' detectability through human observer ROC analysis. Studies for both axial and sagittal planes were carried out, as both could potentially be used in clinical practice for a 3D image. The results demonstrate that noise texture found in conebeam DPC-CT strongly affects human visual perception, and that object detectabilities in axial and sagittal images of DPC-CT are different.
A fourth-order compact difference scheme on face centered cubic grids with multigrid method for solving 2D convection diffusion equation

We present a fourth-order compact finite difference scheme on the face centered cubic (FCC) grids for the numerical solution of the two-dimensional convection diffusion equation. The seven-point formula is defined on a regular hexagon, where the strategy of directional derivative is employed to make the derivation procedure straightforward, efficient, and concise. A corresponding multigrid method is developed to solve the resulting sparse linear system. Numerical experiments are conducted to verify the fourth-order convergence rate of the derived discretization scheme and to show that the fourth-order compact difference scheme is computationally more efficient than the standard second-order central difference scheme.
THE PROBLEM OF VARIABILITY IN STOMATAL RESPONSES, PARTICULARLY APERTURE VARIANCE, TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

Summary The extreme variability observed in stomatal responses to identical treatments has hindered the drawing of specific conclusions about how stomata respond to environmental factors and the mechanisms that drive these responses. This review considers stomatal aperture as a characteristic response and the ramifications of the observed within-sample variance in aperture. In the wake of past research efforts, the efficacy of experimental techniques developed to observe stomatal aperture is reviewed, environmental, morphological and physiological factors that are thought to contribute to aperture variance are discussed, and the desirability of implementing procedures to reduce aperture variance is assessed. By taking into account these considerations, researchers may be better able to plan their future efforts.
Spontaneous intestinal inflammation and nitric oxide metabolism in HLA-B27 transgenic rats

Abstract Background & Aims: It has been reported that transgenic rats expressing the HLA-B27 and the β 2 -microglobulin genes develop spontaneous gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation; however, no systematic or quantitative evaluation of this GI inflammation has been reported. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize quantitatively the GI injury and inflammation observed in commercially available HLA-B27 transgenic rats. Methods: HLA-B27 rats and Fisher 344 male controls were used for these studies. Gastric, ileal, and colonic blood-to-lumen clearances of 51 Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tissue myeloperoxidase activities, and wet/dry ratios of the various tissues as well as plasma nitrate and nitrite levels were quantified for each control and transgenic animal. Results: Spontaneous ileitis and colitis developed in 5 of 10 HLA-B27 transgenic rats beginning at approximately 17 weeks of age and persisting for an additional 13 weeks. Increases in mucosal permeability and myeloperoxidase activities as well as histological analysis showed intestinal injury and chronic inflammation. Plasma levels of nitrate and nitrite, the stable decomposition products of nitric oxide, were found to be significantly enhanced (fourfold) only in those rats that developed the intestinal inflammation. Conclusions: The chronic ileitis and colitis observed in HLA-B27 transgenic rats seems to be associated with enhanced NO metabolism.
Validity Considerations in Acceptance of Personal Profile System Interpretations

The Personal Profile System is an extensively used self-inter-preting personality measure that is supported by the publicly undocumented statement that its profile interpretations are accepted by users as being 90 percent accurate, although such declarations are ambiguous and possibly misleading from the standpoint of validity. The present study found some support for the validity of the measure after the Barnum Effect had been controlled. Subjects receiving their own profile interpretations rated them as being more accurate than did subjects who received a profile interpretation for another person. These results were discussed in terms of the use of controlled face validity as a frequently used method of psychometric support for an instrument.
A DNA replication enhancer in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract We have dissected the autonomously replicating sequence ARS121 using site-directed in vitro mutagenesis. Three domains important for origin function were identified; one of these is essential and contains an 11-base-pair sequence resembling the canonical ARS core consensus; the second region, deletion of which affects the efficiency of the origin, is located 3' to the T-rich strand of the essential sequence and encompasses several elements with near matches to the ARS core consensus; the third region, containing two OBF1 DNA-binding sites and located 5' to the essential sequence, also affects the efficiency of the ARS. Here we demonstrate that a synthetic OBF1 DNA-binding site can substitute for the entire third domain in origin function. A dimer of the synthetic binding site, fused to a truncated origin containing only domains one and two, restored the origin activity to the levels of the wild-type ARS. The stimulation of origin function by the synthetic binding site was relatively orientation independent and could occur at distances as far as 1 kilobase upstream to the essential domain. Based on these results we conclude that the OBF1 DNA-binding site is an enhancer of DNA replication. We suggest that the DNA-binding site and the OBF1 protein are involved in the regulation of the activation of nuclear origins of replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Reconsidering Schleiermacher and the Problem of Religious Diversity: Toward a Dialectical Pluralism

This article examines the theological implications of Schleiermacher's theory of religion in the Speeches and The Christian Faith, highlighting its contemporary promise for making sense of religious diversity. Religion, for Schleiermacher, is neither the result of an ahistorical core experience that is everywhere the same nor the result of particular cultural-historical experiences that are everywhere different. Rather, religion is a dialectical phenomenon, a kind of affective existential potentiality built into human nature that only appears as already modified in various communal and linguistic shapes. This view represents a fruitful negotiation between universalism and particularism. And it has distinct methodological implications: as a Christian, Schleiermacher interprets religion via a double-visioned strategy that is both mediated by redemption in Christ and opened up to diversity. Employing the work of Charles Taylor, the article concludes by suggesting that such an approach, with supplementation, remains viable in today's religiously plural world.
LRRTM2 Functions as a Neurexin Ligand in Promoting Excitatory Synapse Formation

Recently, leucine-rich repeat transmembrane proteins (LRRTMs) were found to be synaptic cell-adhesion molecules that, when expressed in nonneuronal cells, induce presynaptic differentiation in contacting axons. We now demonstrate that LRRTM2 induces only excitatory synapses, and that it also acts to induce synapses in transfected neurons similarly to neuroligin-1. Using affinity chromatography, we identified alpha- and beta-neurexins as LRRTM2 ligands, again rendering LRRTM2 similar to neuroligin-1. However, whereas neuroligins bind neurexins containing or lacking an insert in splice site #4, LRRTM2 only binds neurexins lacking an insert in splice site #4. Binding of neurexins to LRRTM2 can produce cell-adhesion junctions, consistent with a trans-interaction regulated by neurexin alternative splicing, and recombinant neurexin-1beta blocks LRRTM2's ability to promote presynaptic differentiation. Thus, our data suggest that two unrelated postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules, LRRTMs and neuroligins, unexpectedly bind to neurexins as the same presynaptic receptor, but that their binding is subject to distinct regulatory mechanisms.
Mecamylamine Attenuates Cue-Induced Reinstatement of Nicotine-Seeking Behavior in Rats

Mecamylamine, a noncompetitive nicotinic cholinergic antagonist, inhibits nicotine self-administration in animals and may attenuate tobacco smoking in humans trying to quit. Our preliminary data suggested that this agent, at a dose of 2 mg/kg (subcutaneous (s.c.)), also attenuates cue-induced relapse to nicotine-seeking behavior in rats. This study determined whether mecamylamine-induced attenuation can be obtained at doses lower than the high 2 mg/kg dose used in the first study, and whether it is specific to nicotine-associated cues. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were trained to intravenously self-administer nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/infusion) on a fixed-ratio 5 schedule. Each infusion was accompanied by a visual cue (1 s onset of a lever light followed by offset of a house light for 20 s during which time no infusions could be obtained). After the nicotine-maintained responding was extinguished by withholding the delivery of nicotine (saline substitution) and its associated cue, reinstatement tests were conducted. Response-contingent re-presentation of the cue without further availability of nicotine significantly reinstated extinguished responding at the previously nicotine-reinforced lever. Pretreatment with mecamylamine (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg, s.c.) dose-dependently attenuated the cue-induced reinstatement of lever responding. Mecamylamine did not change food-taking and -seeking responses, whereas the highest dose (2 mg/kg) decreased nicotine self-administration behavior. The results confirm previous findings that stimuli conditioned to nicotine self-administration effectively elicit reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behavior after extinction and demonstrate that mecamylamine, besides suppressing self-administration of nicotine, effectively attenuates cue-induced nicotine-seeking behavior. These findings suggest that the response-reinstatement procedures used in this study may be useful for studying neurobiological mechanisms of nicotine-seeking behavior and that mecamylamine-like drugs may be potential candidates for pharmacological treatment and prevention of relapse to tobacco smoking in abstinent smokers.
Polydicyclopentadiene aerogels from first- versus second-generation Grubbs’ catalysts: a molecular versus a nanoscopic perspective

Polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD) aerogels obtained via ring-opening metathesis polymerization using the first-generation Grubbs’ catalyst (GC-I) are well-shaped monoliths; those obtained from the second-generation Grubbs’ catalyst (GC-II) were severely deformed. At lower densities, materials from either catalyst consisted of entangled nanofibers, turning into random aggregates of nanoparticles as density increased. Nanoscopically, all those microstructures consisted of similar mass-fractal aggregates of secondary particles (by rheology), which in turn are closely packed assemblies of primary particles (by SAXS). Soluble oligomers along gelation were observed only with GC-II (by 1H NMR); nevertheless, all monomers were eventually incorporated in the skeletal framework of both materials (gravimetrically). The extent of cross-linking by olefin addition (via solid-state 13C NMR) was in the same range with both catalysts (19–25 % of pendant cyclopentenes). The only significant difference in the two kinds of aerogels was in the cis versus trans configuration of the polymeric backbone (by IR and solid-state 13C NMR). Deformation of GC-II-derived aerogels has been rectified by filling the empty space among primary particles (about 36 % v/v) with a hard polymer. Those aerogels have the same mechanical properties with those derived from GC-I, meaning that deformation is due to rearrangement at a level below the load-bearing macroporous network. Thus, a self-consistent model for deformation calls for primary particles of mostly trans pDCPD (via GC-I) being more rigid and more difficult to squeeze; thus, higher mass-fractal aggregates of secondary particles do not penetrate into the empty space of one another. Conversely, primary particles of more malleable cis/trans pDCPD (via GC-II) are squeezable, allowing higher aggregates to partially penetrate into one another. This model may also be related to frequently noted drying shrinkage of wet-gels even after converting the pore-filling solvent into a supercritical fluid, whereas all surface tension forces should have been eliminated.
Comparing ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy for atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: The initial observations that the onset of atrial fi brillation (AF) was triggered by early ectopic beats from the pulmonary veins sparked a therapeutic revolution [1]. Given our degenerating confi dence in pharmacologic therapy, because of both disappointing effi cacy and lack of positive impact on mortality [2], new strategies to provide rhythm control without the side effects and risks of antiarrhythmic drugs were welcomed enthusiastically. The initial series of catheter ablation for AF were feasibility studies focused on technique development that enrolled young, healthy patients with extreme symptoms. Early success expanded the reach of the procedure to larger patient groups (patients with heart disease, persistent AF); early failures, particularly unexpected procedural complications (pulmonary vein stenosis, stroke, atrial–esophageal fi stula), impelled innovation. Questions arose about the importance of asymptomatic recurrence, the permanence of apparent success, and implications for stopping chronic anticoagulation. At this point, the fi eld is relatively confi dent that ablation can provide short-term control of AF in well-selected patients with an acceptable risk of serious complications (at least in experienced centers). The next phase will consist of evaluating ablation in a broader perspective: does it have an effect on mortality or just symptoms? Is this therapy cost-effective? Is ablation superior to pharmacologic therapy for AF? Previous small studies have referred to this last question, but the recent study by Jais and coworkers certainly provided the clearest comparison.
Characterization of traffic-related air pollutant metrics at four schools in El Paso, Texas, USA: Implications for exposure assessment and siting schools in urban areas

Abstract Children spend substantial amount of time within school microenvironments; therefore, assessing school-based exposures is essential for characterizing and preventing children's health risks to air pollutants. Indeed, the importance of characterizing children's exposures in schools is recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency's recent initiative to promote outdoor air monitoring networks near schools. As part of a health effects study investigating the impact of traffic-related air pollution on asthmatic children along the US–Mexico border, this research examines children's exposures to, and spatio-temporal heterogeneity in concentrations of, traffic-related air pollutants at four elementary schools in El Paso, Texas. Three schools were located in an area of high traffic density and one school in an area of low traffic density. Paired indoor and outdoor concentrations of 48-h fine and coarse particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10–2.5 ), 48-h black carbon (BC), 96-h nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and 96-h volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured for 13 weeks at each school. Outdoor concentrations of PM, NO 2 , BC, and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene) compounds were similar among the three schools in the high-traffic zone in contrast to the school in the low-traffic zone. Results from this study and previous studies in this region corroborate the fact that PM pollution in El Paso is dominated by coarse PM (PM 10–2.5 ) and fine fraction (PM 2.5 ) accounts for only 25–30% of the total PM mass in PM 10 . BTEX species and BC are better surrogates for traffic air pollution in this region. Correlation analyses indicate a range of association between indoor and outdoor pollutant concentrations due to uncontrollable factors like student foot traffic and varying building and ventilation configurations across the four schools. Results suggest the need of micro-scale monitoring for children's exposure assessment, which may not be adequately characterized by the measurements from a centralized monitoring site.
Monogenoid Infection of Neonatal and Older Juvenile Lemon Sharks, Negaprion brevirostris (Carcharhinidae), in a Shark Nursery

Abstract: Fifty lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris, were captured in a shallow, mangrove-fringed shark nursery at Bimini, Bahamas and examined for the presence of skin-dwelling ectoparasitic monogenoids (Monogenoidea). Sixteen sharks were infected by Dermophthirius nigrellii (Microbothriidae); the youngest host was estimated to be 3- to 4-wk-old. Infection prevalence, mean intensity, and median intensity (0.32, 2.63, and 2.0, respectively, for all sharks) were not significantly different between neonates (estimated ages 3- to 10-wk-old) and non-neonatal juveniles (estimated ages 1- to 4-yr-old), suggesting that soon after parturition lemon sharks acquire infection levels of D. nigrellii matching those of juvenile conspecifics. Monogenoids were only found on the trailing portion of the first and second dorsal fins and upper lobe of the caudal fin. The prevalence of D. nigrellii was highest on the first dorsal fin; however, the mean and median intensities of D. nigrellii were similar between fins in all ...
Double-vacuum-bag technology for volatile management in composite fabrication

A nonautoclave vacuum bag process using atmospheric pressure alone that eliminates the need for external pressure supplied normally by an autoclave or a press is an attractive method for composite fabrication. This type of process does not require large capital expenditures for tooling and processing equipment. The traditional single-vacuum-bag (SVB) process is best suited for molding epoxy matrix-based composites because of their superior flow and the absence of reaction byproducts or other volatiles. This is not the case for other classes of materials such as polyimides and phenolics. Polyimides and phenolics are cured by condensation reactions which generate water as a reaction byproduct. In addition, these materials are commonly synthesized as oligomers using solvents to facilitate processability. Volatiles (solvents and reaction byproducts) management therefore becomes a critical issue. SVB molding, without additional pressure, normally fails to yield void-free quality composites for these classes of resin systems. A double-vacuum-bag (DVB) process for volatile management in composite fabrication using common molding equipment was designed and built at the NASA Langley Research Center. This experimental DVB process affords superior volatiles management compared with the traditional SVB process. Void-free composites are consistently fabricated as measured by C-scan and optical photomicroscopy for high-performance polyimide and phenolic resins. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers