cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of calcium-activated chloride channels by inositol 3,4,5,6 tetrakisphosphate

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the regulation of calcium-activated chloride channels by inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate. It also discusses the mechanisms by which cellular Inositol (3,4,5,6) P4 levels are regulated. An understanding of this process is a prerequisite for appreciating its significance as a regulator of Cl– conductance. It is important to correlate receptor-dependent changes in cellular Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 levels with its physiological effects. A two-step procedure is required to obtain accurate information on the prevailing Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 concentration. First, Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 in a cell extract must be resolved from most other inositol phosphates by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Unfortunately, HPLC cannot separate Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 from its naturally occurring enantiomer, Ins(1,4,5,6)P4. This is where the second part of the procedure is required. These two isomers must be resolved from each other by stereospecific methods, such as the enzymatic approach that is described in the chapter. The antagonism of Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 synthesis and/or action could have therapeutic benefit by up-regulating calcium-activated chloride conductances (CaCC) activity as a means of countering the debilitating cystic fibrosis condition.
Resonant drive for stabilizing parallel-plate actuators beyond the pull-in point

In this paper, we present a circuit technique (resonant drive) that offers solutions for the three major challenges in electrostatic actuation and sense: (1) pull-in instability in parallel-plate actuators, (2) high voltage circuits for creating large electrostatic forces, (3) the need for extra circuitry and capacitor (in most cases) for position sensing. The key idea is a series LC tank formed by placing an inductor in series with the actuator capacitor and operating the circuit at its electrical resonance frequency by the help of an oscillator loop. Electronics operate at voltages significantly smaller (by the Q factor, 10-15, of the electrical tank) than the voltage needed for the electrostatic actuation of the MEMS device.
The Martingale Theory of Bubbles: Implications for the Valuation of Derivatives and Detecting Bubbles

The martingale theory of bubbles studies the existence and characterization of asset price bubbles in continuous time and continuous trading economies under both the no arbitrage (no free lunch vanishing risk) and no dominance hypotheses. We review this theory, with an emphasis on understanding its implications for the valuation of derivatives and detecting asset price bubbles.
Stealth Transmission over a WDM Network with Detection Based on an All-Optical Thresholder

An experimental demonstration of stealth transmission over a public WDM network is presented. An all-optical thresholder is utilized to minimize the power in the stealth channel, enabling efficient channel hiding in both time and spectral domains.
Prediction of blade wake interaction noise based on a turbulent vortex model

Blade wake interaction is defined as the broadband noise generated by the interaction of helicopter rotor blades with their own wake. Experimental observations have shown that this is a strong function of advance ratio and tip path plane angle. This paper describes how this noise source can be associated with the blade vortex interactions in the forward sector of the rotor. Measured levels of turbulence in the vortex core are used to predict the broadband noise levels with some success. However, more detailed information on the turbulence spectrum and the trajectory of the shed vortices is required before more accurate noise predictions can be made.
Right Heart Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in Patients With Chronic Congestive Heart Failure

Background Right heart failure (RHF) is not an infrequent complication of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Few studies have examined outcomes for LVAD patients who subsequently develop RHF. This study details one center's experience with RHF in chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. Methods One hundred eight patients with chronic CHF (≥6 months) who underwent HeartMate LVAD implantation were identified during June 1996 to July 2004. Acute heart failure patients requiring LVADs were excluded to eliminate the impact of confounding non-cardiac factors. RHF was defined as the need for a subsequent right ventricular assist device (RVAD), ≥14 days of intravenous inotropes/pulmonary vasodilators, or both. Forty-two (38.9%) RHF patients were identified. Fourteen of these required RVAD insertion. Outcome parameters included early (≤30-day) mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), incidence of re-operation for bleeding and acute renal failure, and stroke, bridge-to-transplantation rate and post-transplantation survival rate. Results More female patients developed RHF than not (73.3% vs 26.7%, p = 0.003). RHF patients had a higher early mortality rate, greater ICU LOS, higher rates of re-operation for bleeding and renal failure, and lower bridge-to-transplantation rate than non-RHF patients (19.0% vs 6.2%, p = 0.039; 23.8 ± 23.7 vs 9.6 ± 7.1 days, p p = 0.026; 61.0% vs 22.6%, p p = 0.003; respectively). Fourteen (33.3%) RHF patients required RVAD insertion. Elevated intra-operative central venous pressure (CVP) was found to be an independent predictor of post-LVAD RHF. Overall bridge-to-transplantation rate for the entire study cohort was 73.1%. Conclusions The development of RHF after LVAD insertion confers significant morbidity and mortality. Judicious application of inotropes and pulmonary vasodilators and timely RVAD insertion, if necessary, should be maintained. Further investigations evaluating pre- and intra-operative risk factors for the development of RHF are warranted.
Endovascular stent placement for venous obstruction after cardiac transplantation in children and young adults.

Survival following cardiac transplantation in children and adults, including the group with complex congenital heart disease, has improved over the last decade secondary to medical and surgical advances in management. There have been rare reports of superior vena cava obstruction at anastomotic sites following transplantation. In patients following heart transplantation, venous stenosis can limit the ability to perform endomyocardial biopsies. We reviewed our experience in three patients who underwent cardiac transplantation and developed significant venous stenosis requiring intervention. All three were successfully treated by transcatheter implantation of endovascular stents. Endovascular stent implantation for venous obstruction in patients following cardiac transplantation was safe and effective, allowing improved ease of catheterization for future posttransplantation monitoring and surveillance.
The effects of acute sleep restriction on adolescents' pedestrian safety in a virtual environment

Purpose: Over 8,000 American adolescents ages 14e15 years require medical attention owing to pedestrian injury annually. Cognitive factors contributing to pedestrian safety include reaction time, impulsivity, risk taking, attention, and decision making. These characteristics are also influenced by sleep restriction. Experts recommend that adolescents obtain 8.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night, but most American adolescents do not. Inadequate sleep may place adolescents at risk for pedestrian injury. Methods: Using a within-subjects design, 55 14- and 15-year-olds engaged in a virtual reality pedestrian environment under two conditions, scheduled a week apart: sleep-restricted (4 hours’ sleep the previous night) and adequate sleep (8.5 hours). Sleep was assessed using actigraphy and pedestrian behavior via four outcome measures: time to initiate crossing, time before contact with vehicle while crossing, virtual hits or close calls and attention to traffic (looks left and right). Results: While acutely sleep restricted, adolescents took more time to initiate pedestrian crossings, crossed with less time before contact with vehicles, experienced more virtual hits or close calls, and looked left and right more often compared with when adequately rested. Results were maintained after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, and average total sleep duration before each condition. Conclusions: Adolescent pedestrian behavior in the simulated virtual environment was markedly different, and generally more risky, when acutely sleep restricted compared with adequately rested. Inadequate sleep may influence cognitive functioning to the extent that pedestrian safety is jeopardized among adolescents capable of crossing streets safely when rested. Policy decisions might be educated by these results.
The location of the human volume indifferent point predicts orthostatic tolerance

The volume indifferent point (VIP) is the point within the circulation where blood volume does not change with changes in posture. Because both volume and pressure are unaffected by posture at this point, its location should dictate the filling gradient to the heart. Previously we identified a contribution of the splanchnic circulation to its location. We experimentally manipulated blood volume in the splanchnic region to quantify changes in the VIP. Furthermore, we determined the relationship between the VIP and an individual’s tolerance to an orthostatic stress. In Protocol 1, we found that administration of the somatostatin analog octreotide acetate, which elicits relatively selective splanchnic vasoconstriction, induced a superior shift in the VIP (+1.9 ± 3.3 cm, P = 0.03). This finding corroborates previous reports of improvements in tilt tolerance after octreotide and suggests it might be related to relocation of the VIP. In Protocol 2, application of −20 mmHg lower body negative pressure (LBNP) induced splanchnic pooling and moved the VIP inferiorly (−6.0 ± 7.2 cm, P < 0.01). LBNP combined with head-up tilt significantly decreased tilt tolerance (median tilt time: 28.0 vs. 4.2 min; Χ 2 = 14.29, P < 0.01); the change in the VIP predicted the reduction in tilt time (Δtilt time = 3.05 + 0.12 ΔVIP, P = 0.03). Thus, individuals with the largest inferior shift in the VIP also demonstrated the largest decrease in tilt table tolerance. We conclude that the splanchnic circulation plays an important role in determining the location of the VIP and the location of the VIP is a determinant of tolerance to orthostatic stress.
Gender differences in jail inmates' symptoms of mental illness, treatment history and treatment seeking.

Background Rates of mental illness among prisoners are substantial, but little is known about the unique mental health needs of women in jail, those under pre-trial custodial remand or serving short sentences. Aims To compare male and female jail inmates along a wide range of symptoms of mental illness using identical assessment methods, and to examine gender differences in treatment seeking before and during incarceration. Methods Soon after incarceration in a county jail, 360 male and 154 female pre-trial and post-trial inmates completed the Personality Assessment Inventory, a wide-ranging measure of psychiatric symptoms. Treatment seeking information was taken from official jail records. Results Women were more likely to report clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, borderline personality features, somatic concerns and trauma-related symptoms; however, trauma-related symptoms and borderline features were also common among male inmates. Although both men and women reported high rates of drug-related problems, alcohol-related problems were twice as prevalent among male inmates. Female inmates were more likely to seek and be enrolled in jail-based treatment; there were no differences in reported help seeking prior to incarceration. Conclusions Female jail inmates are especially in need of mental health services. Effective interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder are needed in jail settings for both male and female inmates during incarceration and upon release. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preserving the C7 spinous process with its muscles attached: effect on axial symptoms after cervical laminoplasty

Background Many efforts to reduce axial symptoms after cervical laminoplasty have been tried and reported; nevertheless, avoiding the axial symptoms has not yet been solved. There have been some reports that preserving the muscles attached to the C7 spinous process could reduce axial symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether axial symptoms can be reduced by preserving the C7 spinous process with its muscles attached during cervical laminoplasty.
Post-iron-peak element production in stars: challenges for atomic and nuclear physics

The abundances of rare earth elements in metal-poor stars of the Galactic halo are reexamined in light of new publications oflaboratory transition probabilities of these elements. The species Nd H, Sm II, Gd II, and Ce II are considered in some detail, and it is suggested that the abundances for Sm and Nd now are fairly reliable, while more work should be clone on Gd and especially Ce. The revised abundances are compared to predictions of neutron capture theories, and it is argued that the Nd/Sm abundance ratio now is in closer agreement with r-process nucleosynthesis than seen in previous papers. Finally, suggestions are made for future work for transition probabilities, for stellar observations, and for nucleosynthesis theory.
Nuclear DNA codes for Nicotiana ferredoxin

Ferredoxin was purified from 10 species of Nicotiana and spinach leaves. Fingerprints showed all to contain five major tryptic peptides. Some of the spinach peptides were different in RF and mobility from the Nicotiana peptides, but none of the Nicotiana ferredoxins had peptides which could distinguish one species of ferredoxin from another. Electrofocusing S-carbaminomethylcysteinyl ferredoxins showed spinach ferredoxin to have a more acidic and N. glutinosa ferredoxin a slightly more acidic isoelectric point than the other 9 Nicotiana species which were alike. Electrofocusing ferredoxin from the hybrid N. glutinosa♀ × N. glauca♂ resolved two bands or isozymes of ferredoxin, one corresponding to N. glutinosa, the other to N. glauca, the code for the latter having come from the DNA in the N. glauca pollen used to form the hybrid plant. N. glutinosa ferredoxin does not contain methionine and is different from N. tabacum and N. glauca ferredoxins which contain methionine. The N. glutinosa♀ × N. glauca♂ ferredoxin contained one-half the methionine found in N. glauca ferredoxin, thus confirming that some of the genetic information for ferredoxin in the hybrid was originally contained in the nuclear DNA of N. glauca.
From Secrecy to Sunshine: An Overview of Presidential Search Practice.

The process by which American colleges and universities select their presidents has undergone considerable change in recent years. Once conducted entirely in private by a small group of trustees, presidential searches occur today in a climate of constituency participation and access to information. This paper draws upon survey data to examine the range and frequency of current search practices regarding constituency involvement and confidentiality and disclosure. The paper first considers search committee membership, noting the composition and size of presidential search committees. It then examines the range of policies regarding constituent access to information about candidates and search committee deliberations. Three policies are described: complete confidentiality, full disclosure, and limited disclosure. Finally, the paper discusses the causes of unintended disclosure and evaluates the impact of these leaks on the search.
Kinematographic Record of Sunrise on the Moon

ON the night of May 17–18, 1929, between 1.5 h. and about 5.5 h. Greenwich civil time (18 d.) a moving picture was made here of the lunar crater Copernicus, showing changes in the shadows at sunrise. A Victor kinema camera, using amateur-size film (16 mm.), was employed, attached in the focal plane of the 23-inch refractor (30 feet focal length) of the Princeton University Observatory. A yellow Wratten filter No. 45 was inserted about 15 inches ahead of the film. Exposures were made every 6 seconds, approximately, for about 4 hours, on Agfa negative film. The duration of each exposure was about 3.8 seconds, controlled by the rotating camera shutter (sector opening 200°), which was driven by a belt from a light electric motor carried in the same aluminium frame.
Reconstructive outcomes in patients undergoing contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

Background As the rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in breast cancer patients increases, more women are seeking immediate bilateral breast reconstruction. The authors evaluated complication rates in the index and prophylactic breasts in patients undergoing bilateral immediate reconstruction. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of all consecutive patients undergoing immediate postmastectomy bilateral reconstruction for an index breast cancer combined with a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy between 2005 and 2010. Patient, tumor, reconstruction, and outcome characteristics were compared between the index and prophylactic breasts in the same patient. Patients were classified by reconstruction method: implant, abdominal flap, or latissimus dorsi flap/implant. Regression models evaluated patient and reconstruction characteristics for potential predictive or protective associations with postoperative complications. Results Of 497 patients included, 334 (67.2 percent) underwent implant reconstruction, 142 (28.6 percent) had abdominal flap reconstruction, and 21 (4.2 percent) had latissimus dorsi flap/implant reconstruction. Index reconstructions had a complication rate (22.5 percent) equivalent to that of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy reconstructions (19.1 percent; p=0.090). Overall, 101 patients (20.3 percent) developed a complication in one reconstructed breast, and 53 (10.7 percent) developed complications in both breasts. Of the 154 patients who developed complications, 42 (27.3 percent) developed a complication in the prophylactic breast. Conclusions Immediate index and contralateral prophylactic breast reconstructions appear to have equivalent outcomes, both overall and across reconstruction classifications. Together, patients, reconstructive surgeons, and extirpative surgeons should carefully consider the oncologic benefits of a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in light of the risk of increased surgical morbidity of this type of mastectomy and reconstruction. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, III.
Particle Transport at Low Pressure: Deposition in Bends of a Circular Cross-Section

Particle inertial loss in bends of a circular cross section was studied experimentally in a low-pressure environment down to 0.2 Torr. Uniform aerosols across the bend inlets were produced by a new method developed by Sato et al. (2002a). The deposition efficiency was obtained by measuring the mass of deposited ammonium fluorescein particles with a fluorometer. The ranges of the Dean number and the curvature ratio (the ratio of the radius of curvature to the tube radius) were 1.8-2.2 and 3.6-4.7, respectively. The flow Reynolds number varied from 3.4 to 4.8. The results agreed with the general trend shown numerically by Tsai and Pui (1990), i.e., the deposition efficiency increases with increasing Stokes number and Dean number, and with decreasing curvature ratio. However, the experimental Stk 50 --the Stokes number at 50% deposition efficiency--was larger than that predicted by Tsai and Pui's empirical equation. The difference was attributed to the fact that their equation was obtained using the results ...
The importance of non-quasigeostrophic forcing during the development of a blocking anticyclone

Non-quasigeostrophic (NQG) processes present prior to and during the development of a blocking anticyclone over the southern tip of Greenland on 21 January 1979 are diagnosed by comparing energy quantities and height tendencies determined from quasigeostrophic (QG) estimates with the same quantities obtained from more general formulations. Calculations were done using GLA FGGE Level III-b analyses on a 4° lat by 5° long grid. Energetics results indicate that NQG processes strengthened the intensity of the block and a precursor explosive cyclone and that a portion of this increase resulted from enhanced baroclinic conversion of eddy potential to eddy kinetic energy and reduced barotropic energy conversion from eddy to zonal flow. The height tendency fields show that the QG calculations, which generally yielded height changes that were larger than the more general height tendency model, produced smaller height changes associated with the northward amplification of the ridge from which the block ultimately formed. Further, these smaller values were primarily due to the QG vorticity advection. This suggests that NQG vorticity advection, which usually acted to moderate the wave developments, enhanced the block development. In fact, it is suggested that QG forcing might not have been adequate to produce the observed block development. Non-quasigeostrophic processes were also significant in the static stability advection term but were of little consequence in the differential thermal advection. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1990.t01-2-00002.x
Atmospheric weathering caused by dry deposition of acidic compounds

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of deposition on galvanized steel and painted panels using mobile covering/deionized spray devices at exposure sites located at Steubenville, OH and Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC. Ambient rain and deionized spray runoff samples from the panels were collected on an event basis for seven months and underwent detailed chemical analysis. The analysis indicated that the dry deposition of acid gases at the sites increased the dissolution rate of galvanized steel corrosion products. Although the average SO2 level in Steubenville was ten times the RTP value, the rate of Zn dissolution was only 1.9. This result in conjunction with the presence of large amounts of Ca in the Steubenville runoff samples suggest that neutralization of acidic gases by dry deposited basic particulates may be important at the Steubenville site. At the RTP site low levels of anions were found in the runoff from the painted panel with H(1+) as the most abundant cation. This result is consistent with the lack of reactivity towards acidic gases due to the absence of alkaline paint components.
After the Election: Surviving Bush’s Democracy

Written 6 months after the 2004 American presidential election, this political narrative asks if democracy can survive under the Bush regime.
Implementation of cooperative communications using software defined radios

Cooperative communications leverages the spatial diversity available in a wireless network enabling multiple radio nodes work together to improve the overall system performance. When a destination receiver combines the signal from an originating source with the associated signals from relay nodes, significant improvements in the bit error rate performance can be achieved. This paper details the measured bit error rate performance of a three-node cooperative communication system operating in a software defined radio testbed. The measured performances of several types of cooperative physical layer protocols are compared to similar systems operating over a single wireless link. The measured results include cooperative systems operating with a maximum ratio combining technique and two cooperative coded systems using hard decision decoding.
Covalency in the f element-chalcogen bond. computational studies of M[N(EPR2)2]3 (M = La, Ce, Pr, Pm, Eu, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm; E = O, S, Se, Te; R = H, (i)Pr, Ph).

The geometric and electronic structures of the title complexes have been studied using scalar relativistic, gradient-corrected density functional theory. Extension of our previous work on six-coordinate M[N(EPH 2 ) 2 ] 3 (M = La, Ce, U, Pu; E = O, S, Se, Te), models for the experimentally characterized M[N(EP i Pr 2 ) 2 ] 3 , yields converged geometries for all of the other 4f and 5f metals studied and for all four group 16 elements. By contrast, converged geometries for nine-coordinate M[N(EPPh 2 ) 2 ] 3 are obtained only for E = S and Se. Comparison of the electronic structures of six- and nine-coordinate M[N(EPH 2 ) 2 ] 3 suggests that coordination of the N atoms produces only minor changes in the metal-chalcogen interactions. Six-coordinate Eu[N(EPH 2 ) 2 ] 3 and Am[N(EPH 2)2 ] 3 with the heavier group 16 donors display geometric and electronic properties rather different from those of the other members of the 4f and 5f series, in particular, longer than expected Eu-E and Am-E bond lengths, smaller reductions in charge difference between M and E down group 16, and larger f populations. The latter are interpreted not as evidence of f-based metal-ligand covalency but rather as being indicative of ionic metal centers closer to M" than M"'. The Cm complexes are found to be very ionic, with very metal-localized f orbitals and Cm lll centers. The implications of the results for the separation of the minor actinides from nuclear wastes are discussed, as is the validity of using La lll /U lll comparisons as models for minor actinide/Eu systems.
Meander open complementary split ring resonator (MOCSRR) particles implemented using coplanar waveguides

A new meander open complementary split ring resonator (MOCSRR) particle was presented in this paper. The resonant frequency for the particle was 26.5 % lower than an OCSRR particle with the same overall dimensions. The resonant frequency was determined by simulating a CPW test structure in Momentum, modeling the MOCSRR particle with an equivalent circuit and measurements. Good agreement was observed in all cases.
Regulation by auxin and ethylene of responses of Acer negundo seedlings to flooding of soil

Abstract Flooding of soil reduced growth, altered stem anatomy and stimulated ethylene production of Acer negundo L. seedlings. Inhibition of basipetal auxin transport in flooded seedlings by application of NPA (1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid) to stems reduced formation of adventitious roots, width of the xylem increment and the number of vessels in the submerged stem, but had little effect on bark growth. Application of NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) below the height of NPA application restimulated production of adventitious roots and increased vessel numbers, but had little effect on bark thickness or xylem increment. Apically produced auxins appeared to have a predominant role in formation of adventitious roots and vessels, and a lesser role in regulating bark growth and xylem increment. Ethylene appeared to have a major role in regulating leaf epinasty, senescence and abscission as well as production of hypertrophied lenticels and growth of bark tissues.
List or Sort? - Some Experience with the ORIC Multiparameter Data Acquisition System

The data acquisition system at the ORIC is reviewed, and several of the data acquisition techniques used are described. The experience of two years of data acquisition with the system is discussed, and a special effort is made to assess the merits and capabilities of an associative memory technique. A current development in the programs for data acquisition is sketched, and a simple graphics technique for line printers is presented which permits plotting 3 data points per line.
The axons of raphespinal sympathoinhibitory neurons branch in the cervical spinal cord

This study shows that the axons of some raphespinal sympathoinhibitory neurons projecting to the third thoracic spinal segment emit branches in the third-fourth cervical spinal segments of cats. This was demonstrated by using time-controlled collision of neuronal action potentials initiated by stimuli applied at these spinal levels. Antidromic mapping revealed that the cervical branches of these neurons likely terminated in Rexed's lamina VII. In contrast to these raphe neurons, the axons of ventrolateral medullospinal sympathoexcitatory neurons did not emit cervical branches.
Soils beneath suspended pavements: an opportunity for stormwater control and treatment.

Abstract Trees provide air quality, water quality and aesthetic benefits to urban areas. However, urban soils are frequently compacted to meet the structural stability requirements of pavements and buildings. Suspended pavement systems create an uncompacted soil volume beneath pavements in built environments to provide suitable conditions for tree root growth and structural stability for pavements. Another potential use of the soil–root matrix beneath a suspended pavement includes stormwater management. Two suspended pavement systems were constructed in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, and runoff was routed through the root–soil matrix for detention and treatment. The two retrofits each contained 21.2 m3 of soil volume with a crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei) and were nearly identical. An impermeable geomembrane isolated the water quality impacts of the system and an internal water storage (IWS) layer promoted NO2,3-N removal through denitrification. At one retrofit, 80% of runoff over the yearlong monitoring period was treated. For storms that did not generate bypass, significant mitigation of peak discharge (QP) was observed (62%). Pollutant concentrations of TKN, NO2,3-N, TAN, TN, O-PO43−, TP, TSS, Cu, Pb and Zn all decreased significantly at both retrofit sites. Effluent NO2,3-N concentrations between the retrofit sites were not significantly different despite varying organic matter content and a substantial difference in influent NO2,3-N concentrations. Effluent concentrations of TSS, Cu, and Zn were not statistically different between the sites, indicating consistent treatment of particulate and particulate-bound pollutants within the systems. This proof-of-concept study illustrates that the soil–root matrix beneath a suspended pavement system can be used as a stormwater control measure (SCM) to concomitantly achieve water quality, pavement stability and urban forestry goals.
Race and Unemployment Amidst the New Diversity: More Evidence of a Black/Non-Black Divide

The fact that the United States is more racially and ethnically diverse now than in the past has led scholars to dismiss dichotomous—black/white—conceptions of race as antiquated. However, some others have noted the emergence of a black/non-black divide that is manifest in patterns of residential segregation and intermarriage. This study attempts to determine whether such a dichotomous conception is sufficient to capture the effects of race and ethnicity on unemployment patterns among entry-level workers in the United States. Findings suggest that more than 80% of the effects of race and ethnicity on unemployment can be captured simply by knowing who is black and who is not. The most elaborate conception tested here acknowledges 20 different racial and ethnic groups; it adds significantly but not commensurately to the explanatory power of the models. Despite the increasingly diverse racial and ethnic composition of entry-level labor markets in the United States, it is black exclusion that seems to drive the effects of race and ethnicity on unemployment.
Research Fundamentals: III. Elements of a Research Protocol for Clinical Trials

A clinical trial is a powerful technique for evaluating the effectiveness of an experimental intervention. The initial stages of planning a clinical trial involve choosing and refining a research question, selecting a study design, and deciding on appropriate statistical tests and sample sizes. The success of the study depends upon how well these issues are thought out in advance, and how they can be put into practice. The protocol is the written document that allows the investigator to communicate details of how the research question will be answered. In the following article, the basic components of the research protocol are described. Issues related to quality control, data entry, and pilot testing are discussed. This is the third in a series of research fundamental concept papers, written by members of the SAEM Research Committee.
Mice reared with Rat Aunts: Effects on Plasma Corticosterone and Open Field Activity

IN recent experiments newborn C57B1/10 mice were fostered to lactating rat mothers; in some cases rat peers were also present before or after weaning1–4. Mice reared in such conditions were markedly less aggressive, less active in an open field, and preferred a rat to a mouse in a two choice social preference test. Further experiments established that one of the principal variables involved in these shifts in behaviour was the rat mother.
Wound Healing in Patients With Impaired Kidney Function.

Renal impairment has long been known to affect wound healing. However, information on differences in the spectrum of wound healing depending on the type of renal insufficiency is limited. Acute kidney injury (AKI) may be observed with different wound types. On one hand, it follows acute traumatic conditions such as crush injury, burns, and post-surgical wounds, and on the other hand, it arises as simultaneous targeting of skin and kidneys by autoimmune-mediated vasculitis. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) often occur in older people, who have limited physical mobility and predisposition for developing pressure-related wounds. The common risk factors for poor wound healing, generally observed in patients with CKD and ESRD, include poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, chronic venous insufficiency, and aging. ESRD patients have a unique spectrum of wounds related to impaired calcium–phosphorus metabolism, including calciphylaxis, in addition to having the risk factors presented by CKD patients. Overall, there is a wide range of uremic toxins: they may affect local mechanisms of wound healing and also adversely affect the functioning of multiple systems. In the present literature review, we discuss the association between different types of renal impairments and their effects on wound healing and examine this association from different aspects related to the management of wounds in renal impairment patients.
Alterations in sodium channel gating produced by the venom of the marine mollusc Conus striatus.

The action of the venom from the marine mollusc Conus striatus was studied using the voltage-clamp technique on myelinated nerve. Conus venom applied to an isolated node of Ranvier at 1.1 μg protein/ml produced repetitive firing of action potentials when the node was depolarized under current-clamp conditions. Venom application produced a leftword (depolarizing) shift in both the peak sodium current-voltage and the permeability-voltage relationships. A concomitant decrease in maximum peak current and permeability also occurred. The time course of sodium current decline (inactivation) was slowed at all voltages by the presence of venom. Venom treatment caused only a slight depolarizing shift (5 mV) in the voltage-dependence of steady-state Na inactivation. The closing to the resting state of previously activated Na channels, “deactivation”, was judged from Na “tail” currents following membrane repolarization, and was slowed more than four-fold by venom treatment. The changes in Na channel gating produced by Conus striatus venom can best be described as a stabilization of the open state of the Na channel and a shift in the voltage dependence of the opening of Na channels. The slowing of both inactivation and deactivation of Na channels can be simulated by alterations in the rate constants of a five state Markov model.
Differential Growth Factor Adsorption to Calvarial Osteoblast-Secreted Extracellular Matrices Instructs Osteoblastic Behavior

Craniosynostosis (CS), the premature ossification of cranial sutures, is attributed to increased osteogenic potential of resident osteoblasts, yet the contribution of the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) on osteogenic differentiation is unclear. The osteoblast-secreted ECM provides binding sites for cellular adhesion and regulates the transport and signaling of osteoinductive factors secreted by the underlying dura mater. The binding affinity of each osteoinductive factor for the ECM may amplify or mute its relative effect, thus contributing to the rate of suture fusion. The purpose of this paper was to examine the role of ECM composition derived from calvarial osteoblasts on protein binding and its resultant effect on cell phenotype. We hypothesized that potent osteoinductive proteins present during sutural fusion (e.g., bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1)) would exhibit distinct differences in binding when exposed to ECMs generated by human calvarial osteoblasts from unaffected control individuals (CI) or CS patients. Decellularized ECMs produced by osteoblasts from CI or CS patients were incubated in the presence of BMP-2 or TGF-β1, and the affinity of each protein was analyzed. The contribution of ECM composition to protein binding was interrogated by enzymatically modulating proteoglycan content within the ECM. BMP-2 had a similar binding affinity for each ECM, while TGF-β1 had a greater affinity for ECMs produced by osteoblasts from CI compared to CS patients. Enzymatic treatment of ECMs reduced protein binding. CS osteoblasts cultured on enzymatically-treated ECMs secreted by osteoblasts from CI patients in the presence of BMP-2 exhibited impaired osteogenic differentiation compared to cells on untreated ECMs. These data demonstrate the importance of protein binding to cell-secreted ECMs and confirm that protein-ECM interactions have an important role in directing osteoblastic differentiation of calvarial osteoblasts.
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for Hodgkin lymphoma: a concise review

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains the standard of care for most patients with refractory or relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). However, the role of allogeneic HCT for this patient population is less defined. In retrospective analyses, allogeneic HCT with myeloablative conditioning confers lower relapse rates compared to autologous HCT but the higher nonrelapse mortality (NRM) offsets any survival benefit. This observed prohibitive NRM has thus fueled the increasing use of allogeneic HCT with reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) especially for patients who have failed a prior autologous HCT. Results with RIC allogeneic HCT appear promising with chemosensitive patients faring the best. Donor leukocyte infusions has been reported to induce durable remissions in relapsed HL patients even in patients who did not receive prior cytoreductive therapy which thus lends support to a graft versus HL effect.
Auto-induction medium containing glyphosate for high-level incorporation of unusual aromatic amino acids into proteins.

We describe the use of an auto-induction medium containing N-(phosphono-methyl)glycine (glyphosate) as a means for high-level introduction of nonstandard aromatic amino acids into a protein. We ill...
Stimulation of hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity by administration of an estrogen (17β-estradiol-3-benzoate) to female rats

Abstract Adult female rats were given daily subcutaneous injections of 17β-estradiol-3-benzoate, 25 μg/day for twenty days. Rats were then killed under four different experimental conditions; (1) Fasting, killed in the morning (FM), (2) Non-fasting, killed in the morning (NFM), (3) Fasting, killed at night (FN), and (4) Non-fasting, killed at night (NFN). Estradiol induced a three-fold increase in hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity in group FM and a significant increase in group NFN. Although increases in 7α-hydroxylase activity might be associated with lower serum cholesterol levels (by increasing the rate of conversion of cholesterol to bile acids), serum cholesterol concentrations were, in fact, elevated in all rats given estradiol.
Age-related blunting of growth hormone secretion during exercise may not be solely due to increased somatostatin tone

Abstract Age-related declines in growth hormone (GH) secretion may result from augmented somatostatin (SRIH) tone and/or diminished GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) secretion. We assessed GH release during exercise without and with pyridostigmine (PYR), which indirectly suppresses SRIH. GH levels were measured throughout exercise and recovery in 12 young men (mean ± SEM, 20.8 ± 0.4 years) and seven old men (66.1 ± 1.9). The area under the GH curve (GH-AUC) was greater in young versus old men during a short-term maximal exercise test (12.9 ± 2.8 v 1.5 ± 0.2 ng · min −1 · mL −1 , P = .002) and a 1-hour 60% maximal (submaximal, 10.0 ± 1.5 v 3.0 ± 1.0 ng · min −1 · mL −1 , P = .001) cycle exercise bout. PYR increased the GH-AUC in young and old men during maximal (20.9 ± 5.2 v 4.9 ± 1.8) and submaximal (12.3 ± 1.6 v 4.7 ± 1.5) exercise ( P
The influence of alcohol and sleep deprivation on stimulus evaluation

The effects of alcohol and sleep deprivation on choice reaction time (RT) as a function of stimulus intensity, stimulus quality, and response compatibility were investigated. Fifty-four male subjects were assigned to one of three levels of alcohol (0.00, 0.07, or 0.10 BAC), and one of two levels of sleep deprivation (0 or 24 h). Stimulus intensity, stimulus quality, and response compatibility were varied (high or low), with RTs identified according to time on task. Significant main effects of each of the stimulus variables were present in baseline analysis, with low-level conditions producing longer RTs. Alcohol produced an overall slowing of RT. The combination of both treatments led to larger increases in RT for low stimulus quality. Sleep deprivation increased RT for high stimulus intensity. Alcohol increased RT for low stimulus intensity, but only when subjects were not sleep deprived. These results imply higher risk with degraded stimulus conditions, e.g., driving in settings of low visibility or at night.
Assessing ‘Radiosensitivity’ with kinetic profiles of γ-H2AX, 53BP1 and BRCA1 Foci

Abstract Background and purpose DNA repair assays to identify radiosensitive patients have had limited clinical implementation due to long turn-around times or limited specificity. This study evaluates γ-H2AX-Irradiation Induced Foci (IRIF) kinetics as a more rapid surrogate for the ‘gold standard' colony survival assay (CSA) using several known DNA repair disorders as reference models. Materials and methods Radiosensitive cells of known and unknown etiology were studied. γ-H2AX-IRIFs were quantified over 24h, and the curves were fitted by combining logarithmic growth and exponential decay functions. Fitted values that differed from radionormal controls were considered aberrant and compared to CSA results. Results We observed 87% agreement of IRIF data with the CSA for the 14 samples tested. Analysis of γ-H2AX-IRIF kinetics for known repair disorders indicated similarities between an RNF168 −/− cell line and an RS cell of unknown etiology. These cell lines were further characterized by a reduction in BRCA1-IRIF formation and G2/M checkpoint activation. Conclusions γ-H2AX-IRIF kinetics showed high concordance with the CSA in RS populations demonstrating its potential as a more rapid surrogate assay. This method provides a means to globally identify defective DNA repair pathways in RS cells of unknown etiology through comparison with known DNA repair defects.
Control of the necrosed tissue volume during noninvasive ultrasound surgery using a 16‐element phased array

Focused high‐power ultrasound beams are well suited for noninvasive local destruction of deep target volumes. In order to avoid cavitation and to utilize only thermal tissue damage, high frequencies (1–5 MHz) are used in ultrasonic surgery. However, the focal spots generated by sharply focused transducers become so small that only small tumors can be treated in a reasonable time. Phased arrayultrasound transducers can be employed to electronically scan a focal spot or to produce multiple foci in the desired region to increase the treated volume. In this article, theoretical and experimental studies of spherically curved square‐element phased arrays for use in ultrasonic surgery were performed. The simulation results were compared with experimental results from a 16‐element array. It was shown that the phased array could control the necrosed tissue volume by using closely spaced multiple foci. The phased array can also be used to enlarge a necrosed tissue volume in only one direction at a time, i.e., lateral or longitudinal. The spherically curved 16 square‐element phased array can produce useful results by varying the phase and amplitude setting. Four focal points can be easily generated with a distance of two or four wavelengths between the two closest peaks. The maximum necrosed tissue volume generated by the array can be up to sixteen times the volume induced by a similar spherical transducer. Therefore the treatment time could be reduced compared with single transducer treatment.
A multistate outbreak of oyster-associated gastroenteritis: implications for interstate tracing of contaminated shellfish

In November 1993, clusters of gastroenteritis in six states following oyster consumption were investigated to identify common features, and stool samples were obtained to identify a pathogen. Efforts were made to account for all potentially contaminated oysters using harvest tags and the interstate recall system. Consumption of oysters was associated with illness in 10 clusters; no other food was implicated. A Norwalk-like virus was detected by electron microscopy in 9 of 18 samples and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 20 of 26 samples from 6 clusters. Nucleotide sequences of a 123-bp fragment from all specimens were identical, consistent with a common source outbreak. Implicated oysters were harvested from the Louisiana coast between 9 and 12 November. Although some were recalled and destroyed, most oysters harvested from the area during this time remain unaccounted for. Current regulations and commercial practices need to be revised to permit thorough tracing and recall of contaminated oysters and to improve control of future epidemics.
Low-temperature protein dynamics of the B800 molecules in the LH2 light-harvesting complex: spectral hole burning study and comparison with single photosynthetic complex spectroscopy.

Previously published and new spectral hole burning (SHB) data on the B800 band of LH2 light-harvesting antenna complex of Rps. acidophila are analyzed in light of recent single photosynthetic complex spectroscopy (SPCS) results (for a review, see Berlin et al. Phys. Life Rev. 2007, 4, 64.). It is demonstrated that, in general, SHB-related phenomena observed for the B800 band are in qualitative agreement with the SPCS data and the protein models involving multiwell multitier protein energy landscapes. Regarding the quantitative agreement, we argue that the single-molecule behavior associated with the fastest spectral diffusion (smallest barrier) tier of the protein energy landscape is inconsistent with the SHB data. The latter discrepancy can be attributed to SPCS probing not only the dynamics of of the protein complex per se, but also that of the surrounding amorphous host and/or of the host−protein interface. It is argued that SHB (once improved models are developed) should also be able to provide the av...
A simple reliable method for producing electron dense markers of uniform size for use in immunoelectron microscopy

Abstract A method is presented for the preparation of electron dense markers of defined size for use in immunoelectron microscopy. The electron dense markers were formed by the covalent binding of rabbit IgG and horse spleen ferritin mediated by glutaraldehyde. We demonstrated that the conjugate size, i.e. the number of ferritin grains per unit conjugate, was directly related to the time of incubation af 4°C in a 1000 molar excess of glutaraldehyde. Conjugates were separated on the basis of molecular size by Sepharose 4B column chromatography. Three different sized conjugates were used to delineate pseudomonas toxin receptors on the surface of mouse LM fibroblasts; similar numbers of receptors were observed with all conjugates.