cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles for the detection of myocardial reperfusion.

The effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles on magnetic resonance myocardial signal intensity was examined in order to define the ability of this agent to identify normal, ischemic, and reperfused myocardium. Data were obtained from 6 normal rats (group 1) and from 6 heterotopic isogenic rat heart transplants (group 2) at 4.7 T with a multislice spin-echo sequence. Images were acquired in (a) normal rats before and after the infusion of 36 μmol Fe/kg of AMI-25 (group 1) and (b) rat heart transplants during control, global myocardial ischemia (before and after the injection of 72 μmol Fe/kg of AMI-25), and following reperfusion (group 2). Myocardial signal intensity decreased by 36 ± 4%, p < 0.001, following contrast infusion in normal hearts (group 1). The intensity remained constant in the rat heart transplants (group 2) during coronary occlusion, both before and after the infusion of AMI-25 and decreased by 61 ± 7%, p < 0.001, upon reperfusion. The larger effect of AMI-25 in reperfused as compared to normal myocardium suggests the presence of ischemia-induced hyperemia. There was no significant difference (analysis of variance) among intensities from different myocardial regions in either group at any stage of the experiment. We conclude that the use of AMI-25 permits identification of normal, ischemic, and reperfused myocardium and may therefore be helpful for the early detection of reperfusion following thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction.
Laser Tracker III: Sandia National Laboratories` third generation laser tracking system

At Sandia Labs` Coyote Canyon Test Complex, it became necessary to develop a precision single station solution to provide time space position information (tspi) when tracking airborne test vehicles. Sandia`s first laser tracker came on line in 1968, replacing the fixed camera technique for producing trajectory data. This system shortened data reduction time from weeks to minutes. Laser Tracker 11 began operations in 1982, replacing the original tracker. It incorporated improved optics and electronics, with the addition of a microprocessor-based real-time control (rtc) system within the main servo loop. The rtc added trajectory prediction with the loss of adequate tracking signal and automatic control of laser beam divergence according to target range. Laser Tracker III, an even more advanced version of the systems, came on line in 1990. Unlike LTII, which is mounted in a trailer and must by moved by a tractor, LTIII is mounted on its own four-wheel drive carrier. This allows the system to be used at even the most remote locations. It also incorporated improved optics and electronics with the addition of absolute ranging, acquisition on the fly, and automatic transition from manual Joystick tracking to laser tracking for aircraft tests. LTIII provides a unique state of the art tracking capability for missile, rocket sled, aircraft, submunition, and parachute testing. Used in conjunction with LTII, the systems together can provide either simultaneous or extended range tracking. Mobility, accuracy, reliability, and cost effectiveness enable these systems to support a variety of testing at Department of Energy and Department of Defense ranges.
Aesthetics and the Problem of Evil

: Much of Western speculative metaphysics has subscribed to what has been called “explanatory rationalism,” which holds that there is a reason for everything that is and for the way everything is. Theodicies, or metaphysical attempts to solve the problem of evil, have relied on a special application of this principle of explanatory rationalism, namely, the principle of plenitude, which holds that the evil in the world is a necessary ingredient in the world's overall perfection or degree of reality. This essay argues that the principle of plenitude is aesthetically motivated, and that only in art and perhaps in revealed religion can the demands of explanatory rationalism be satisfied.
Double K-shell photoionization of silver

We have investigated double K-shell vacancy production in x-ray photoionization of silver. Measurements were carried out with photon energies (50-90 keV) varying from below threshold to beyond the expected maximum of the double K-shell ionization cross section. The limit of asymptotically high energies was deduced from measurements of double K-shell ionization following K-electron capture by {sup 109}Cd nuclei. The photon energy dependence of the ratio of double to single K vacancies produced is compared to similar measurements in helium and models thereof. The dependence of that ratio on atomic number is assessed by combining these data with previous experimental and theoretical estimates. The results show a clear growth in the relative importance of the dynamical electron-electron scattering contribution in heavy atoms.
The inhibition of protein synthesis in a rat brain system by ethionine in vitro and in vivo.

— An amino acid incorporating system from rat brain has been used to study in vitro four aspects of protein synthesis: amino acid-AMP-enzyme complex formation; amino acid-tRNA synthesis; amino acid incorporation into protein and protein synthesis from presynthesized amino acid-tRNA. Ethionine (0.5 mm) inhibited the system and the inhibition appeared to be in the formation of amino acid-tRNA. The inhibition in vitro was independent of the sex of the animal from which the system was derived. Pretreatment of animals in vivo with ethionine yielded in females only preparations deficient in incorporating capacity when tested in vitro. Exchange experiments demonstrated that the defect was in the pH 5 enzymes and not in the ribosomes. The inhibition in vitro was not reversed by addition of ATP and appeared to be competitive with the amino acid substrate.
Outdoor ozone and building-related symptoms in the BASE study.

UNLABELLED Reactions between ozone and indoor contaminants may influence human health and indoor air quality. The U.S. EPA Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) study data were analyzed for associations between ambient ozone concentrations and building-related symptom (BRS) prevalence. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) models, adjusted for personal, workplace, and environmental variables, revealed positive relationships (P < 0.05) between ambient ozone concentrations and upper respiratory (UR), dry eyes, neurological and headache BRS (odds ratios ranged from 1.03 to 1.04 per 10 mug/m(3) increase in ambient ozone concentrations). Other BRS had marginally significant relationships with ambient ozone (P < 0.10). A linear dose-response in UR symptoms was observed with increasing ambient ozone (P = 0.03); most other symptoms showed similar but not statistically significant trends. Ambient ozone correlated with indoor concentrations of some aldehydes, a pattern suggesting the occurrence of indoor ozone chemistry. Coupled with the MLR ambient ozone-BRS analysis, this correlation is consistent with the hypothesis that ozone-initiated indoor reactions play an important role in indoor air quality and building occupant health. Replication with increased statistical power and with longitudinal data is needed. If the observed associations are confirmed as causal, ventilation system ozone removal technologies could reduce UR BRS prevalence when higher ambient ozone levels are present. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This paper provides strong statistical evidence that supports (but does not prove) the hypothesis that ozone entrained into buildings from the outdoor air is involved in increasing the frequency that occupants experience and a range of upper and lower respiratory, mucosal and neurological symptoms by as much as a factor of 2 when ambient ozone levels increase from those found in low-ozone regions to those typical of high-ozone regions. Although replication is needed, the implication is that reducing the amount of ozone entrained into building ventilation systems, either by ambient pollution reduction or engineered gas-phase filtration, may substantially reduce the prevalence of these symptoms experienced by occupants.
DNA Content and histologic growth pattern correlate with prognosis in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Background. Alterations in DNA content, nuclear morphologic characteristics, and histologic grading have been associated with prognosis in several types of solid malignant neoplasms. Methods. To determine the potential usefulness of these factors in predicting tumor behavior in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, tumor specimens from 88 previously untreated patients with Stage III or IV cancers were studied. The DNA content and nuclear area (NA) were measured for individual nuclei of each tumor with the use of Azure A-stained frozen sections. An adjusted DNA index (aDI) for each patient was calculated from the slope of the linear regression analysis of nuclear DNA index on NA. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were examined and graded systematically for histologic growth pattern. All patients were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial and had laryngectomy and postoperative radiation therapy. Results. The disease-free survival length was longer and the relapse rates were lower in patients with a low aDI (P < 0.005) and with tumors exhibiting low-grade growth patterns (P < 0.001). Conclusions. These parameters were independent of staging variables and were better predictors of tumor relapse than traditional clinical staging classifications.
Efficient Ionization Investigation for Flow Control and Energy Extraction

Nonequilibrium ionization of air by nonthermal means is explored for hypersonic vehicle applications. The method selected for evaluation generates a weakly ionized plasma using pulsed nanosecond, high-voltage discharges sustained by a lower dc voltage. These discharges promise to provide a means of energizing and sustaining electrons in the air while maintaining a nearly constant ion/neutral molecule temperature. This paper explores the use of short approx.5 nsec, high-voltage approx.12 to 22 kV, repetitive (40 to 100 kHz) discharges in generating a weakly ionized gas sustained by a 1 kV dc voltage in dry air at pressures from 10 to 80 torr. Demonstrated lifetimes of the sustainer discharge current approx.10 to 25 msec are over three orders of magnitude longer than the 5 nsec pulse that generates the electrons. This life is adequate for many high speed flows, enabling the possibility of exploiting weakly ionized plasma phenomena in flow-fields such as those in hypersonic inlets, combustors, and nozzles. Results to date are obtained in a volume of plasma between electrodes in a bell jar. The buildup and decay of the visible emission from the pulser excited air is photographed on an ICCD camera with nanosecond resolution and the time constants for visible emission decay are observed to be between 10 to 15 nsec decreasing as pressure increases. The application of the sustainer voltage does not change the visible emission decay time constant. Energy consumption as indicated by power output from the power supplies is 194 to 669 W depending on pulse repetition rate.
Pyrrhonist uncertainty in Shakespeare's sonnets

While some criticism of early modern skepticism has suggested that skeptical thought was a source for anxiety or instability that early modern authors sought to overcome, this article examines the generative influence of Pyrrhonist skepticism on Shakespeare's sonnets. Pyrrhonist skepticism regards the acknowledgment of multiple interpretive possibilities as an essential step toward suspending judgment and, ultimately, reaching a state of tranquility. A similar practice exists in Shakespeare's sonnets, where ambiguity enables readers to accept the existence of multiple perspectives and to see the uncertainty they experience as a source of pleasure. In this way, Shakespeare diverges from the Petrarchan convention of using metaphors as a source for epistemological certainty (where, for instance, the heart is visible in the eye or on the page). Shakespeare deploys many such Petrarchan metaphors, but in a way that renders their meaning unstable and therefore creates uncertainty. Out of this uncertainty, genera...
Ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonate (EHDP) effects on incorporation and accumulation of osteoclast nuclei

Male rats weighing 100 g were injected with vehicle (control group), 0.4 or 4.0 mg/kg/day of ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP). Beginning after 6 days of EHDP treatment all rats received six subcutaneous injections of 3H-thymidine at 8 h intervals. The multiple labeling index of autoradiographically defined labeled cells was determined for the osteoprogenitor cells of the primary spongiosa of the proximal tibial metaphysis. The osteoclasts in the proximal tibial metaphisis were assayed for population parameters and incorporation of labeled nuclei at sequential intervals after the administration of 3H-thymidine. After 6 days of EHDP pre-treatment the multiple labeling index of the osteoprogenitor cells was reduced with 4.0 mg/kg/day dose of EHDP. At the beginning of the experimental kinetic sampling period, after the 6 days of EHDP pre-treatment, EHDP treatment resulted in significant increases in the numbers of osteoclasts, nuclei per osteoclast profile, and total osteoclast nuclei. During the sampling period, the 4.0 mg/kg/day dose of EHDP caused further increases in the number of total osteoclasts. EHDP treatment caused a marked increase in the rate of incorporation and accumulation of 3H-thymidine-labeled nuclei in osteoclasts. Thus, EHDP causes an accelerated rate of osteoclast production from percursor cells in spite of its ability to slow bone resorption. Although the origin of osteoclast nuclei is not clear, the kinetic data from this study suggests that osteoclast nuclei are not arising from osteoprogenitor cells or osteocytes in the EHDP-treated animals.
An epidemic of opium dependence among Asian refugees in Minnesota: characteristics and causes

Summary After several decades absence, opium smoking has reappeared in the U.S. Introduced by Indochinese refugees in the early 1980's, it has spread to several regions of the country. In this report the characteristics of refugee opium addicts is described. In addition, the factors contributing to a fertile situation for opium addiction are presented. Finally, implications of these findings and remedial recommendations are suggested.
Studies of Laser-Driven Radiative Blast Waves

We have performed two sets of experiments looking at laser-driven radiating blast waves. In the first set of experiments the effect of a drive laser’s passage through a background gas on the hydrodynamical evolution of blast waves was examined. The laser’s passage heated a channel in the gas, creating a region where a portion of the blast wave front had an increased velocity, leading to the formation of a bump-like protrusion on the blast wave. The second set of experiments involved the use of regularly spaced wire arrays used to induce perturbations on a blast wave surface. The decay of these perturbations as a function of time was measured for various wave number perturbations and found to be in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Detoxification of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in MCF7 breast cancer cells expressing glutathione S-transferase P1-1 and/or multidrug resistance protein 1.

Abstract We examined the roles of glutathione S -transferase (GST) P1-1 and the glutathione S -conjugate (GS-X) transporter, multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), singly or in combination, in the detoxification of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). Derivatives of MCF7 breast carcinoma cells expressing GST P1-1 and MRP1 alone or in combination were developed. Detoxification was measured in cells as formation of the glutathione conjugate of CDNB, S -(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-glutathione (DNP-SG), efflux of DNP-SG, and ultimately protection from CDNB cytotoxicity. MRP1 expression in the absence of GST P1-1 confers a three- to fourfold resistance to CDNB, which is associated with a >10-fold increase in the maximum rate of DNP-SG efflux. DNP-SG efflux in MRP1-expressing MCF7 cells was ATP-dependent and exhibited an apparent K m for DNP-SG of 95 μM. MRP1 expression alone, however, had no effect on DNP-SG formation. Combined expression of GST P1-1 and MRP1 increased the rates of DNP-SG formation when cells were exposed to 10 μM CDNB. Moreover, combined expression of GSTP1-1 with MRP1 moderately augmented MRP1-mediated resistance to CDNB but only during short term (10 min) exposures to CDNB where IC 50 values were in the 8–10 μM range. In contrast, expression of GST P1-1 in the absence of MRP1 slightly sensitized cells to the toxicity of CDNB (10 min exposures), despite increasing rates of DNP-SG formation. The sensitization to CDNB in cells expressing GST P1-1 alone was associated with increased intracellular accumulation of DNP-SG, indicating that DNP-SG may contribute to CDNB toxicity. The potential toxicity of DNP-SG is also suggested by the finding that inhibition of DNP-SG formation by prior glutathione depletion confers resistance to CDNB cytotoxicity in MRP1-poor MCF7 cells. Altogether, our results demonstrate that glutathione conjugation and MRP1-mediated conjugate efflux can operate together to confer resistance to CDNB. The data indicate that MRP1-mediated conjugate efflux is required for cytoprotection from CDNB because its conjugate (DNP-SG), when present at high intracellular levels, may also be toxic to cells.
Comment on “Recombination of excitons bound to oxygen and silicon donors in freestanding GaN”

In a recent report, Wysmolek et al. [Phys. Rev. B 66, 245317 (2002)] presented results of a photoluminescence study of donors in GaN. Time-resolved data were used to correlate spectral features associated with recombination processes leaving donors in the ground state and those leaving donors in excited states. The authors quoted donor 1 s-2s and I s-2p transition energies different from values recently reported and impurity state chemical shifts inconsistent with expectation. We recently reported [Freitas et al., Phys. Rev. B 66, 233311 (2002)] a different identification of donor-bound exciton features and an analysis of two-electron satellite features that integrated the effects of excited donor-bound excitons into the analysis. Differences in the two papers are discussed.
Dissociation of the cellulosome of Clostridium thermocellum in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid occurs with the formation of truncated polypeptides

The cellulosome of Clostridium thermocellum JW20 consists of 14-26 different polypeptides as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The intact cellulosomes hydrolyzes crystalline cellulose in the presence of Ca2+ and thiols. This activity is inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Ca is incorporated into the cellulosome and tightly bound as demonstrated using 45Ca added to the growth medium. Upon incubation in 50 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 0.1 M NaCl, and 5 mM EDTA at 37 degrees C, Ca is released from the cellulosome, which disintegrates into polypeptides. The SDS-PAGE pattern of cellulosomal polypeptides is remarkably different after the EDTA treatment when compared to this pattern of untreated cellulosomes. Polypeptide bands corresponding to molecular masses of 160, 98, 76, 91, and 54 kDa disappear, and new bands of masses 150, 132, 91, 71, 57, and 46 kDa appear. N-terminal analyses of the 98, 76, 91, and 71 kDa polypeptides show that the 91 and 71 kDa polypeptides are truncated products of the 98 and 76 kDa polypeptides, respectively. The 76 and 71 kDa polypeptides correspond to CelS [Wang, W. K., Kruus K., & Wu, J. H. D. (1993) J. Bacteriol. 175, 1293-1302]. The 71 kDa polypeptide is formed from the 76 kDa polypeptide during the EDTA treatment, by a cleavage that occurs at asparagine residue 681. It involves the removal of 60 amino acid residues from the C-terminal end. All catalytic subunits so far characterized contain an asparagine residue corresponding to residue 681 of CelS. This residue is part of the conserved duplicated region found in catalytically active subunits, and it is postulated that several of these subunits also are truncated by the EDTA treatment. The polypeptides truncated by the EDTA treatment reduced Ca binding capacities compared to their native subunits, indicating a Ca-binding site within the conserved duplicated region. This region has been implicated in the binding of the catalytic peptides to the scaffolding polypeptide CipA, which is a structural protein of the cellulosome and has a strong affinity for calcium.
Growth and survival of Salmonella in ground black pepper (Piper nigrum)

A four serovar cocktail of Salmonella was inoculated into ground black pepper (Piper nigrum) at different water activity (aw) levels at a starting level of 4-5 log cfu/g and incubated at 25 and at 35 °C. At 35 °C and aw of 0.9886 ± 0.0006, the generation time in ground black pepper was 31 ± 3 min with a lag time of 4 ± 1 h. Growth at 25 °C had a longer lag, but generation time was not statistically different from growth at 35 °C. The aw threshold for growth was determined to be 0.9793 ± 0.0027 at 35 °C. To determine survival during storage conditions, ground black pepper was inoculated at approximately 8 log cfu/g and stored at 25 and 35 °C at high (97% RH) and ambient (≤40% RH) humidity. At high relative humidity, aw increased to approximately 0.8-0.9 after approximately 20 days at both temperatures and no Salmonella was detected after 100 and 45 days at 25 and 35 °C, respectively. Under ambient humidity, populations showed an initial decrease of 3-4 log cfu/g, then remained stable for over 8 months at 25 and 35 °C. Results of this study indicate Salmonella can readily grow at permissive aw in ground black pepper and may persist for an extended period of time under typical storage conditions.
Activation of melatonin receptor sites retarded the depletion of norepinephrine following inhibition of synthesis in the C3H/HeN mouse hypothalamus.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of activation of melatonin receptor sites on the activity of noradrenergic neurons in the C3H/HeN mouse brain. Changes in noradrenergic activity were assessed by measuring norepinephrine (NE) levels in the hypothalamus, frontal cortex, and hippocampus following inhibition of NE synthesis with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MpT) (300 mg/kg, i.p., 2 h). 6-Chloromelatonin (1-30 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly retarded the alpha-MpT-induced decrease in NE levels in the hypothalamus, but not in hippocampus and frontal cortex. This effect was observed at 30 min and 60 min after 6-chloromelatonin administration and was dose dependent. At noon, when the levels of endogenous melatonin are low, the melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole (30 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min) did not affect the depletion of NE by alpha-MpT; however, it (1-30 mg/kg) completely antagonized the 6-chloromelatonin-induced reduction of NE depletion elicited by alpha-MpT in hypothalamus. These results suggest that activation of melatonin receptor sites in brain of C3H/HeN mouse retarded the depletion of NE elicited by alpha-MpT. At midnight, when the levels of melatonin are high, luzindole (30 mg/kg) significantly accelerated the depletion of NE by alpha-MpT in hypothalamus, but not in frontal cortex or hippocampus, suggesting activation of melatonin receptor sites by endogenous melatonin. We conclude that activation of melatonin receptor sites in C3H/HeN mouse brain by endogenous melatonin inhibits the activity of noradrenergic neurons innervating the hypothalamus.
In vitro metabolism of adrenocortical hormones by mammary glands of lactating rats. A comparative study

A comparative study was made of the metabolism of tritium-labeled corticosterone, cortisol and aldosterone on incubation with minced mammary glands of lactating rats. The yield of total nonpolar (acylated) radiometabolites was highest for [3H]corticosterone, lowest for [3H]cortisol and intermediate for [3H]aldosterone. Unlike [3H]corticosterone, [3H]aldosterone yielded two 21-acyl derivatives (Metabolites I and II) in comparable amounts. Metabolite I (39%) was identified as [3H]aldosterone 21-oleate by isotope dilution analysis. Metabolite II (54%) could not be identified: it is intermediate in polarity between corticosterone 21-oleate and the less polar, corticosterone 21-stearate, and is distinctly less polar than the 21-palmityl, linoleoyl (and presumably also less polar than the arachidonyl) derivatives of aldosterone. The [3H]cortisol metabolites were not further investigated.
It’s not Easy Becoming Green: Student-Therapist Perceptions of Family Therapy in an Eco-sustainable age

Recent attention given to environmental concerns has been vaulted to the forefront of American society and the world. This has resulted in an increase in ecologically minded practices known as the ‘go green’ movement. Despite the overlap between environmental sustainability and systemic thought, marriage/couple and family therapists (M/CFTs) have remained relatively silent regarding ecologically friendly practices within training and clinical practice. In this qualitative study (the first one of its kind), we asked 25 M/CFT trainees to describe their perceptions of ecological and family sustainability in general, as well as in the context of applying eco-informed language and practice into their therapy. In general, M/CFT trainees reported that although they believe that ecological practices are important for families, they struggle with what the inclusion of such practices might look like practically. Implications for clinical practice and training are presented as well as suggestions for future research.
Sex Pheroniones of Noctuid Moths. XVII. a Clarification of the Description of the Female Sex Pheromone Gland of Prodenia litura

Female adults of Prodenia litura (F.) [= Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval)] have an eversible sac of glandular epithelium situated ventrally in the intersegmental membrane between the 8th and 9th abdominal segments. It is likely that the female sex pheromone is produced by this gland because it is similar in structure and location to the gland in the yellow-striped armyworm, P. ornithogalli Guenee, which has been shown experimentally to be the source of the female sex pheromone. This finding is discussed in relation to a previous report that glandular epithelium covering the entire 9th segmentin P. litura functions as the sex pheromone gland.
Intragastric gelation of whey protein–pectin alters the digestibility of whey protein during in vitro pepsin digestion

The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of pectin on in vitro digestion of whey protein. Digestion of heated whey protein isolate (WPI) and pectin solutions (WPI–pectin) as influenced by pectin concentration and pH was studied under simulated gastric conditions. Electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, colorimetric measurements, and gel microstructures were used to study the digestion pattern. At low pectin concentration (0.25% w/w), pectin did not significantly influence the degradation of whey protein. Increasing the pectin concentration to 1% led to extensive intragastric gelation immediately after mixing with simulated gastric fluid. The microstructure of intragastric gel from WPI–pectin at pH 6.0 showed a more interconnected and denser gel network than that at pH 7.0. More protein and pectin were involved in the gelation at pH 6.0 than pH 7.0. The digesta of samples at pH 6.0 was mainly composed of peptides, while that at pH 7.0 mostly consisted of aggregates and crosslinked peptides. This study suggests that WPI–pectin at high biopolymer ratio formed intragastric gel in simulated gastric models, which could delay protein digestion and potentially slow gastric emptying and promote satiety.
Relapse prevention strategies and techniques for inhibited sexual desire

Relapse prevention strategies and techniques are integral to cognitive-behavioral couples sex therapy and of special importance in maintaining sexual desire. Sexual avoidance is poison for desire. Specific relapse prevention techniques are described. A case study examines a successful application. Using booster and follow-up sessions maintains accountability to each other and to therapeutic goals.
Homogeneity of recombination rate within a conserved region on BTA3 that contains QTL.

The D3S20-D3S34-D3S3 region on BTA3 contains quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling milk production traits. This region also displays extensive conservation of synteny among several species including cattle, humans, mice and sheep. In this study, we evaluated the adjacent intervals D3S20-D3S34 and D3S34-D3S3 for differences in recombination rate (0) among bulls in order to assess the suitability of population-based estimates of 0 for marker assisted selection and to explore the relationship between variation in 0 and chromosome breakpoints associated with mammalian evolution. Using sperm typing, θ D 3 S 2 0 - D 3 S 3 4 and θ D 3 S 3 4 - D 3 S 3 were estimated for six triply heterozygous bulls. Recombination frequency ranged from 6.2 to 12.5% and from 9.7 to 19.2% for the D3S20-D3S34 and D3S34-D3S3 intervals, respectively. However, significant variation in 0 was not detected between bulls for either interval (D3S20-D3S34 Χ 2 5 d.f. = 2.59, P < 0.90; D3S34-D3S3 Χ 2 5 d.f. = 3.72, P < 0.75). The observed differences in 0 were most readily attributed to differences in allele-specific amplification efficiencies among bulls. Our results suggest that the positions of QTL in this region can be reliably determined from population data and therefore accurate marker-assisted selection can be performed for desirable alleles without concern for variation in 0. Furthermore, when considered with results of earlier studies, these findings support a correlation between the existence of evolutionary breakpoints or chromosome rearrangements and variation in 0.
Mice lacking inducible nitric oxide synthase develop spontaneous hypercholesterolaemia and aortic atheromas

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in various aspects of the atherogenic process and has been shown to possess both protective and cytotoxic properties. Recently, increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been detected in atherosclerotic lesions, although there is no consensus as to its pathogenetic significance [1,2]. In this longitudinal study we show that iNOS plays an important protective role in the atherogenic process. Indirect systolic blood pressure was measured by photoplethysmography in unanesthetized mice fed either a basal or high salt diet, and found to be significantly higher in iNOS-deficient mice than in wild type controls at three months of age (P=0.038 (basal diet) and P=0.0005 (high salt diet)). In addition, relative to controls, the iNOS-deficient mice had significantly elevated serum cholesterol levels at 3, 9 and 12 months of age (P=0.0017, 0.0001 and 0.0002 for the respective ages) as well as a significantly higher incidence of atherosclerotic plaques. These findings suggest that iNOS targeted mutant mice, historically used as an animal model to investigate the role of nitric oxide in the inflammatory response [3,4], may also serve as a model for the study of cholesterol homeostasis and atherogenesis.
On the optimality of network assisted power control for a general class of sigmoid functions

Controlling the distribution of resources is imperative in any wireless system. Much research has considered the efficiency of the allocation in terms of bits per Joule of radiated energy. In addition, game theoretical concepts have been used to propose algorithms that help systems reach an optimal operating point. This paper investigates in detail the formerly proposed network assisted power control and, unlike other work that has been done, proves that for a very general class of functions it is Pareto Optimal.
Teaching and testing culture: Old questions, new dimensions

Abstract This chapter deals with the teaching and testing of culture in the foreign/second language classroom. An overview of three decades of discussions on the inclusion of culture in language teaching is presented and of the need for redefinition of the term “culture” in this context. Then, there follows a review of the documented techniques used by teachers. Techniques for teaching culture are discussed in terms of their effectiveness for developing cultural literacy. Finally, testing and assessment procedures, including traditionally used formats, are presented for their strengths and weaknesses in measuring cultural skills. A recommendation is made for the use of portfolios that provide a better fit between instruction and measurement.
Occurrence of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) on a Selected Segment of the Appalachian Trail

A 918-km section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail from the West Virginia-Maryland border to the Massachusetts-Vermont border was surveyed for the presence of Ixodes scapularis Say. The trail and its edges were drag-sampled during 4 hikes between May and October 1991. Trips were designed to survey areas of the Appalachian Trail when I. scapularis might be questing and to revisit states endemic for Lyme disease during differing times. After sampling for ticks, meteorological and ecological characteristics were measured at each site. In total, 1,776 km of the Appalachian Trail were hiked during 88 d and resulted in sampling 489 sites. All life stages of Ixodes scapularis ( n = 46) were collected from 21 sites within a 331-km range of the Appalachian Trail between Salisbury, CT, to Delaware Water Gap, PA. This segment of Appalachian Trail is easily accessible to a large urban population and should be posted with tick warning signs to alert the public to the presence of I. scapularis .
Isolation of a new type C retrovirus (HTLV) in primary uncultured cells of a patient with Sézary T-cell leukaemia.

Retroviruses have been isolated from many animal species and several have been shown to be the aetiological agents of naturally occurring leukaemias, lymphomas and sarcomas (for recent reviews see ref. 1). There is evidence that these viruses or components of them are present in humans, but the isolation and analysis of retroviruses from human cells and evidence for an association with disease have been difficult to demonstrate (see refs 2,3). We now report the isolation and characterization of a new type C retrovirus (HTLVMB) from a patient with a cutaneous T-cell leukaemia (Sezary syndrome). Analysis of the proteins and nucleic acids of this retrovirus isolate indicates that it is closely related to HTLVCR, a retrovirus recently isolated4 and characterized5–7 from a patient with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) but distinct from known animal retroviruses. Proteins and nucleic acids of HTLV were also identified in the fresh (uncultured) Sezary leukaemic blood cells from which the second isolate was derived.
Is aggressive lipid-lowering effective and safe in the older adult?

With improvements in diet and health care over the last several decades, the elderly have become the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. Along with this progress, however, has come increasing morbidity, much of which is attributable to cardiovascular disease, and which is burdensome both to patients and to the health-care system. New medications, including HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have the potential to prevent or delay the progression of disease and vascular events. Large, randomized, placebo-controlled trials continue to show that elderly patients benefit from statin therapy and that aggressive therapy is generally very safe in this population; however, statins remain underused in older individuals. This paper reviews the benefits of statin therapy in the elderly and discusses the reality versus the perception of risk, selection of appropriate patients, and ways in which any risks that may exist can be minimized further.
Training future generations of mental health researchers: devising strategies for tough times.

Objective: The authors describe a junior faculty scholars program in a large academic department of psychiatry, designed to reduce attrition during the high-risk period of transition from post-doctoral fellowship to receipt of the first extramural research award. Method: Scholars receive 25% salary support for two years to enable their participation in a research survival skills practicum, mentored collection of pilot data, preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, and submission of K23 and K01 proposals. Results: Of 22 junior faculty scholars appointed during the period of 1999–2004, 17 have submitted K award proposals. All were funded on either the first or second submission Conclusions: A program for junior faculty scholars can provide support for successfully navigating the critical and often difficult transition from post-doctoral fellowship to junior faculty. The program is expanding its efforts to assist K awardees in moving successfully along the developmental continuum (e.g., successful submission of R01, development of mentoring skills
Crystal structure of uranyl chloromethylphosphonate from X-ray powder diffraction data

Abstract The crystal structure of a uranyl phosphonate layer compound was found ab initio by using X-ray powder diffraction data and refined by the Rietveld method. UO 2 (O 3 PCH 2 C1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 1 /c with a = 6.74212(2), b = 7.11507(2), c = 13.1490(1) A , β = 98.808(1) ° and Z = 4. The positions of the metal, oxygens and that of the chlorine atoms were obtained from an electron density map computed using 71 unambiguously indexed powder diffraction intensities. The position of the P atom was derived from a Patterson map and that of the carbon atom was located from a Fourier difference map. Final agreement factors are: R wp = 0.117, R p = 0.091 and R F = 0.044. The linear uranyl group is coordinated by five oxygens of the phosphonate groups which are located nearly in a plane perpendicular to the uranyl axis. The bridging nature of the phosphonate oxygens leads to a two-dimensional layered structure for the compound. The chloromethyl groups are oriented into the interlayer space.
A cytoskeletal protein unique to lens fiber cell differentiation

Abstract A chick lens urea-soluble polypeptide of estimated mol. wt. 49000 daltons is unique to fiber cell differentiation and is a component of the beaded-chain filaments of the chick cytoskeleton. Antigenically related proteins are also present in the human and bovine lens. There is no similarity between this protein and actin as determined by immunological analysis and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
AUTOCRINE SECRETION AND THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION OF CYTOKINES

Abstract In contrast to hormones, cytokine activities are often purely local and, consequently, their active physiological concentration is hard to define. Here, using IL-2 as an example, David Kaplan proposes that the local concentrations of cytokines might be much greater than expected.
Measurement of volatile organic compounds in human blood.

Abstract Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an important public health problem throughout the developed world. Many important questions remain to be addressed in assessing exposure to these compounds. Because they are ubiquitous and highly volatile, special techniques must be applied in the analytical determination of VOCs. The analytical methodology chosen to measure toxicants in biological materials must be well validated and carefully carried out; poor quality assurance can lead to invalid results that can have a direct bearing on treating exposed persons. The pharmacokinetics of VOCs show that most of the internal dose of these compounds is quickly eliminated, but there is a fraction that is only slowly removed, and these compounds may bioaccumulate. VOCs are found in the general population at the high parts-per-trillion range, but some people with much higher levels have apparently been exposed to VOC sources away from the workplace. Smoking is the most significant confounder to internal dose levels of VOCs and must be considered when evaluating suspected cases of exposure.
Characterizing the Impacts of VPN Security Models on Streaming Video

Video-based communications are becoming more important within domains, such as health care, that have stringent security and privacy requirements for data. VPN-based encryption is a now common part of organizational security architectures. It is expected that the time required to perform encryption at a VPN concentrator and decryption at the client side video may add significant overhead to the transmission of real-time video, which is already delay-sensitive. The real impacts of this overhead on Quality of user Experience are not well-understood. This paper describes experimental methods for measuring the network-level impacts of virtual private network (VPN) encryption on real-time video in wired and wireless networks. It also presents experimental results using these methods. This paper concludes that VPN-based encryption introduces significant latency to real-time video and that further analysis is warranted to characterize the transitive impacts of such latency on the quality of user experience
Cerebral amino acids and lipids in drug-induced status epilepticus

—Dogs were given repeated doses of pentylenetetrazol to maintain a condition of status epilepticus for periods of 30–40 min. Analyses of cerebral tissue frozen in situ showed significant increases in alanine, arginine, γ-aminobutyric acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, serine, tyrosine, and valine. Decreases occurred in the glutamic and aspartic acid levels. Other measured amino compounds were unchanged. Ammonia was increased, but not more than occurs in seizures of brief duration. A large decrease was noted in the ganglioside fraction, and a decrease also in a fraction containing the lecithins and sphingomyelins. The cephalin, cerebroside–sulphatide, and cholesterol fractions were not affected. Similar repetitive seizures induced by bemegride and continuing for shorter periods (5–9 min) brought about less extensive changes. Glutamic acid was increased, in contrast to the pentylenetetrazol effect, and the apparent decrease in aspartic acid was not statistically significant. Increases were noted in alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid, lysine, and ammonia. The ganglioside and lecithin-sphingomyelin fractions were decreased.
Influence of caregiving on lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors among family members of patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease.

Background Few data have evaluated the relationship between caregiving and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Physical Characterization and Formulation Development of a Recombinant Pneumolysoid Protein-Based Pneumococcal Vaccine

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of death in children worldwide. There are more than 90 known pneumococcus serotypes that vary by geographical location. Pneumolysin is a protein toxin produced by virtually all invasive strains of S. pneumoniae and is considered an important virulence factor. Pneumolysin is immunogenic and has the potential to be a new vaccine antigen offering broad serotype-independent coverage. To develop a stable vaccine formulation, the conformational stability of a recombinant pneumolysin mutant (pneumolysoid L460D) was characterized by various techniques. Three data visualization diagrams were constructed to summarize the biophysical data of the L460D pneumolysoid; the protein is most stable in solution at pH 6-7, and loses conformational integrity above 48°C. Excipient screening assays were performed and sugars such as trehalose and sucrose stabilized the pneumolysin mutant with respect to improving thermal transition temperatures and minimizing aggregation. In addition, the protein antigen showed efficient binding to aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The conformational stability of the L460D pneumolysoid on the surface of alhydrogel adjuvant was little affected by adsorption, either with or without excipients. These studies provide important preformulation characterization information useful for the development of a stable pneumolysin mutant-based vaccine.
L -subshell fluorescence and coster-kronig yields at Z =92 and the decay of 235 Np

TheK andL x-rays emitted in the decay of235Np have been studied with high resolution Ge(HP) and Si(Li) detectors in coincidence, in order to obtain theL2 andL3 subshell fluorescence and Coster-Kronig yields atZ=92. The results are:v2=0.630±0.036, ω2=0.560±0.033,f23=0.147±0.010, and ω3=0.481±0.029. Results for theL1 subshell were derived from singles spectra, by assuming a value off13 of 0.67, and are:v1=0.54±0.04, ω1=0.21±0.04, andf12<0.07. With the same assumption, theL1/K electron capture ratio and decay energyQ ec for235Np were found to be 29.0±3.6 and 123.6±0.7 keV, respectively. RelativeL x-ray intensities forZ=92 also were measured and are compared with the theory of Scofield and with recent diffraction experiments. Electron ejection from theL shell during235Np decay has been studied byL x-ray-L x-ray coincidences and found to occur with a probability of (1.3±1.0) × 10−4 per disintegration.
A proposed mechanism of tamoxifen in breast cancer prevention

Abstract Recent clinical trials suggest that tamoxifen (TAM) is a preventive agent for breast cancer, however, the mechanism is unknown. Previously, we found that both 17β-estradiol (E 2 ) and estrone (E 1 ) could be activated by epoxidation resulting in their ability to bind to DNA, forming DNA adducts both in vitro and in vivo, and to inhibit nuclear DNA-dependent RNA synthesis. Since epoxidation is required for the activation of many well-known chemical carcinogens including benzo(a)pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, aflatoxins, etc., we proposed that estrogen epoxidation is the underlying mechanism for the initiation of breast cancer (Carcinogenesis 17 (1996) 1957). Here, we report that TAM is able to dramatically inhibit the formation of E 2 and E 1 epoxides as measured by both the loss of their ability to inhibit nuclear DNA-dependent RNA synthesis and to bind to nuclear DNA. These findings suggest that the breast cancer preventive effect of TAM may be through a competitive epoxidation inhibition mechanism that prevents the formation of E 2 and E 1 epoxides and consequently, the initiation of breast cancer.
Quantitative and qualitative documentation of early literacy instruction.

Quantitative and qualitative procedures were used in this pilot study to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a language and literacy instruction model for meeting the needs of children with i...
Laser Raman spectroscopy of biomolecules: 15—Conformational study of partially reduced, fully reduced and cyanogen bromide treated ribonuclease a

Reduction of one disulfide bond in bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A, which leaves the enzyme with nearly unimpaired biological activity, makes barely perceptible changes in the aqueous Raman spectrum. Reduction of all four disulfide bonds, which inactivates the enzyme, produces serious conformational changes. The spectrum shows a substantial decrease in α-helical content and conversion of all tyrosines to a weakly hydrogen-bonded form. Cleavage of the peptide chain by cyanogen bromide at the three sites of methionine residues (13, 29–30 and 79) makes little alteration in the α-helical content but reduces the proportion of the β-pleated sheet. This structural change is attributed mainly to the chain breaking at residue 79, which occurs in the center of the β-network.