cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple, parallel cellular suicide mechanisms participate in photoreceptor cell death

Photoreceptor degeneration in human photoreceptor dystrophies and in the relevant animal models has been thought to be executed by one common mechanism -- caspase-mediated apoptosis. However, recent experiments have challenged this concept. In previous experiments, analyzing gene expression in the degenerating rd/rd mouse retina, we have suggested that the gene defect leads to oxidative stress and altered metabolism, which may induce caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death mechanisms such as the activation of cystein-proteases, lysosomal proteases, autophagy and complement-mediated lysis. In this study we asked two questions. First, whether a temporal analysis of these different mechanisms during the course of degeneration would enable us to establish a causal relationship between these events; and second, whether photoreceptor degeneration in different models of photoreceptor dystrophies occurs by activating the same mechanisms. Three models of photoreceptor degeneration were chosen in which photoreceptor degeneration is caused by different events: the rd/rd mouse (calcium overload); the rds/rds mouse (structural defect); and light-damage (LD; oxidative stress). Marker genes were selected for the identified processes. PCR-analysis on laser capture microdissection samples was used to verify the expression of these genes in the rod photoreceptor layer. A temporal relationship between the processes was established at the mRNA level, using quantitative RT-PCR. The time course of gene expression was compared to that of cell loss (loss of rows of photoreceptor nuclei) and apoptosis (TUNEL labeling). Apoptosis and autophagy was analyzed using enzymatic assays. The time course of apoptosis and TUNEL labeling coincide in all three models. Complement-activated lysis was found to either parallel (rd/rd and rds/rds) or precede (LD) the development of TUNEL-positive cells. Autophagy was determined to parallel (rd/rd and LD) or lag (rds/rds) behind the development of TUNEL-positive cells. In all three models, glucose metabolism was found to be increased significantly prior to the onset of cell death, but then dropped in parallel with the loss of cells. The presence of the marker genes was verified by laser capture microdissection, and apoptosis (caspase activity) and autophagy (lysozyme and cathepsin activity) were verified in retina extracts. These results provide evidence that irrespective of whether photoreceptor degeneration is triggered by gene defects (lack of beta-PDE or rds/peripherin) or environmental stress (light-damage), a number of pro-apoptotic mechanisms are triggered leading to the degeneration of the photoreceptor cells. The temporal pattern of the different pathways suggests that the non-caspase-dependent mechanisms may actively participate in the demise of the photoreceptors, rather than represent a passive response of the retina to the presence of dying cells. Thus, unless the common upstream initiator for a given photoreceptor dystrophy is found, multiple rescue paradigms need to be used to target all active pathways.
A mutation in the pore region of HERG K+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes reduces rectification by shifting the voltage dependence of inactivation

1. The effects of a mutation in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) (Ser631 to Ala, S631A) on the voltage- and extracellular [K+] dependence of inactivation were studied in Xenopus oocytes using two microelectrode and single channel voltage-clamp techniques. 2. The voltage required for half-inactivation of S631A HERG was 102 mV more positive than for wild-type (WT)-HERG, resulting in reduced rectification of the steady-state current-voltage relationship. In contrast, the voltage dependence of channel activation was not altered by the S631A mutation. These findings indicate that inactivation of HERG channels is not linked to activation. 3. Rectification of whole-cell S631A HERG current was caused by a voltage-dependent reduction in open probability, and inward rectification of the current-voltage relationship of single channels. 4. Elevation of extracellular [K+] from 2 to 20 mM shifted the half-point for inactivation by +20 mV for WT-HERG, and +25 mV for S631A HERG. Thus, elevated [K+]o and the S631A mutation affect HERG inactivation by different mechanisms. 5. The S631A mutation altered the ion translocation rate of HERG channels. The single channel conductance (gamma) of S631A HERG was 20 pS between -40 and-100 mV, and 6.0 pS between +40 and +100 mV (120 mM extracellular K+). This compares to a gamma of 12.1 and 5.1 pS for WT-HERG channels under the same conditions.
Effects of Early and Late Chronic Pressure Overload on Extracellular Matrix Remodeling

The left ventricle (LV) remodels with age and in response to pressure overload. While aging and pressure overload are superimposed in the clinical context, the structural and functional consequences of the individual processes are not well-understood. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of both early and late chronic hypertension on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The following groups of Dahl rats were studied: 1) young salt-resistant (control, n=6); 2) young salt-sensitive (early phase of chronic hypertension, n=6); 3) middle-aged salt-resistant (aging, n=5); and 4) middle-aged salt-sensitive (late phase of chronic hypertension, n=6). We measured LV mass (LVM) and body weight (BW) and immunoblotted a panel of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and ECM proteins. Total collagen increased, several MMPs decreased, and TIMP-1 increased in the early phase of hypertension, consistent with fibrosis. Active MMP-8 decreased from 8,010±81 U in young salt-resistant to 5,260±313 U in young salt-sensitive (p<0.05) rats. During the late phase, chronic hypertension decreased total collagen levels and increased MMP-8 and MMP-14 (all p<0.05). Based on good-fit modeling analysis, MMP-14 (45 kDa) correlated positively with changes in LVM/BW during the early phase. In conclusion, this is the first study to evaluate MMP levels during both early and late chronic phases of hypertension. Our results highlight that ECM remodeling in response to pressure overload is a dynamic process involving excessive ECM accumulation and degradation.
Noncoherent Optical Processing With Two-Pupil Hybrid Systems

Recent developments in noncoherent optical processing suggest that hybrid incoherent optical/electronic systems represent a viable alternative to coherent optical systems for diffraction-limited parallel processing of two-dimensional signals. Favorable characteristics of incoherent systems include greatly simplified input transducer requirements and a redundancy or multichannel nature that makes them resistent to the blemish noise typical of coherent processors. In this paper we discuss the basic kinds or classes of hybrid optical/electronic methods for bipolar processing of two-dimensional signals using two-pupil optical systems: direct subtraction and carrier, pupil interaction and non-pupil interaction. Tradeoffs and limitations are considered, and a new method for realizing a general bipolar pointspread function with positive-real pupil transparencies is presented.
Characterization of the Li1-xHxAlO2 system; 0.00 ≤x ≤ 0.90

The mechanism of cation replacement in the Li1−xHxAlO2; 0.00 ⩽x ⩽ 0.90 system was investigated with XRD. Examination of the peak position and intensity associated with the 018 and 110 Bragg reflections\((R\bar 3m)\) in a series of partially replaced samples showed that the cation replacement process proceeded by a two phase mechanism. Catalytic characterization of αLiAlO2 with the 2-propanol probe reaction revealed the formation of the condensation products methyl-cyclopentene, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 4-methyl-2-pentanol. These products were seen in addition to propylene and acetone. Catalytic characterization of Li1−xHxAlO2;x = 0.90 with 2-propanol showed a significant decrease in condensation activity and no change in the propylene/acetone ratio relative to αLiAlO2. This suggests that the decrease in the amount of lithium eliminated the basic sites necessary for the condensation reactions.
Intraperitoneal spread of malignancies and its effect on the bowel.

The spread of neoplasms within the peritoneal cavity occurs by direct invasion, intraperitoneal seeding, embolic metastases, and lymphatic extension (Meyers, 1976; Meyers and McSweeney, 1972; Willis, 1952). Recent insights and basic correlation with the pathogenesis of the intra-abdominal spread of malignancies have established that the pattern of involvement and the individual effects of secondary malignancies of the bowel often present characteristic radiological features (Meyers, 1976, 1973b, 1975; Meyers and McSweeney, 1972; Meyers and Whalen, 1973). These reflect the mode of dissemination and thereby indicate the primary site. They are based on the application of certain gross anatomical relationships, the dynamic factors of the flow of ascites, and conditions of haematogenous dissemination. Distinction between the major pathways of spread (Table 1) is of critical practical importance for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes.
Organization and synaptic connections of cholinergic fibers in the cat superior colliculus.

The cat superior colliculus (SC) receives a dense cholinergic input from three brainstem nuclei, the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, the lateral dorsal tegmental nucleus, and the parabigeminal nucleus (PBG). The tegmental inputs project densely to the intermediate gray layer (IGL) and sparsely to the superficial layers. The PBG input probably projects only to the superficial layers. In the present study, the morphology of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunoreactive axons and synaptic endings in the superficial and deep layers of the SC was examined by light and electron microscopy to determine whether these cholinergic afferents form different types of synapses in the superifical and deep layers. Two types of fibers were found within the zonal (ZL) and upper superficial gray layers (SGL): small diameter fibers with few varicosities and larger diameter fibers with numerous varicosities. Quantitative analysis demonstrated a bimodal distribution of axon diameters, with one peak at approximately 0.3–0.5 μm and the other at 0.9–1.0 μm. On the other hand, ChAT-immunoreactive fibers in the IGL were almost all small and formed discrete patches within the IGL. Two types of ChAT-immunoreactive synaptic profiles were observed within the ZL and upper SGL using the electron microscope. The first type consisted of small terminals containing predominantly round synaptic vesicles and forming asymmetric synaptic contacts, mostly on dendrites. The second type was comprised of varicose profiles that also contained round synaptic vesicles. Their synaptic contacts were always symmetric in profile. ChAT-immunoreactive terminals in the IGL patches contained round or pleomorphic synaptic vescles, and the postsynaptic densities varied from symmetric to asymmetric, including intermediate forms. However, no large varicose profiles were observed. This study suggests that cholinergic fibers include at least two differnt synaptic morphologies: small terminals with asymmetric thickenings and large varicose profiles with symmetric terminals. The large varicose profile in the superficial layers is absent in the IGL. This result suggests that the cholinergic inputs that innervate the superficial layers and the patches in the IGL of the cat SC differ in their synaptic organization and possibly also in their physiological actions. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Potassium Dihydrogen D8L8-Isocitrate

The monopotassium salt is to be preferred to the lactone as the final product of the synthesis of isocitric acid by the method of Fittig and Miller.
Hyponatraemia during transurethral surgery.

If early warning of intravascular fluid overload can be given to the surgeon during transurethral prostatic resection the operation can be terminated and serious complications can be avoided. This warning can be given by carrying out serial serum sodium determinations which, by indicating hyponatraemia, have proved to be a valuable adjunct to cardiovascular monitoring during transurethral operations.
The Presence of Infectious Virus but not Conventional Antigen can Exacerbate Graft‐Versus‐Host Reactions

Previous reports have demonstrated that the introduction of virus (MCMV, HSV-1) concurrent with a graft-versus-host reaction (GvHR) limited to a class I MHC disparity can result in the enhancement of GvHR-associated phenotypic (changes in CD4/CD8 ratio) and functional (inability to produce secondary antibody responses) alterations including the augmentation of in situ natural killer (NK) and donor anti-host cytotoxic T-cell activity. In the present study, we investigated whether immunogens other than infectious virus may be capable of enhancing GvHR. Mice receiving donor cells and the T-dependent antigen dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA) did not display exacerbated GvHR as evidenced by the absence of phenotypic alterations and the absence of elevated NK activity and the lack of donor anti-host cytotoxic activity. Furthermore, these recipients produced normal levels of IgM and IgG anti-DNP antibody. In addition, mice which received ultraviolet light (UV)-inactivated virus (even at 100 x dosage) together with donor cells also did not exhibit exacerbated GvHR. In total, these findings illustrate a novel ability of infectious virus to exacerbate GvH reactions and are consistent with the hypothesis that viral-induced immune responses may be important in the ability of a pathogen to induce the development of severe GvHR.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect lecithin in amniotic fluid and fetal lung.

Abstract Background: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a noninvasive technique that detects molecules within a specified region in vivo. Lecithin, the major component of surfactant, has a characteristic magnetic resonance signal, but to our knowledge, it has never been reported in fetal lung or amniotic fluid (AF). The objective of this study was to characterize the lecithin signal in utero, which could lead to a noninvasive fetal lung maturity test. Method: Human fetal lung and AF pockets can be identified and studied with magnetic resonance spectroscopy with the use of a 1.5-tesla Vision whole-body magnetic resonance scanner (Siemens Medical Systems; Erlangen, Germany). Spectroscopy data are collected with a single-voxel-point–resolved spectroscopy sequence. After identification of fetal anatomy with the use of scout magnetic resonance images, magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human fetal lung and AF identifies a lecithin peak. Experience: Three healthy gravidas near term were studied and lecithin peaks were identified in all. Conclusion: Lecithin can be identified in vivo with the use of volume-selected proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Patient comfort and extremely short scan times suggest that refined magnetic resonance spectroscopy might be a safe, quick, and comfortable test of fetal lung maturity.
Inhibition of DNA polymerase alpha by aphidicolin derivatives

Abstract 17-Acetylaphidicolin was 10-fold weaker and two derivatives lacking hydroxyl groups at the 16 and 17 positions were 100-fold weaker than aphidicolin as inhibitors of DNA polymerase alpha from HeLa and Chinese hamster ovary cells. 17,18-Diacetyl, 3,17,18-triacetyl and 3-epi derivatives of aphidicolin were inactive. Active compounds were, like aphidicolin, competitive with dCTP and did not inhibit aphidicolin-resistant DNA polymerases.
Excessive production of uric acid in type I glycogen storage disease

An increased de novo production of uric acid has been demonstrated in three hyperuricemic siblings with Type I glycogen storage disease. The hyperuricemia in Type I glycogen storage disease, therefore, appears to result from the previously demonstrated reduced renal clearance of uric acid as well as increased uric acid biosynthesis. Hyperuicemia regularly occurs in patients with Type I glycogen storage disease; gouty arthritis and gouty nephropathy frequently develop into the major clinical problems in these patients as they become adults. Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase activity, which is deficient in certain patients with overproduction of uric acid, was normal in the three patients studied.
Modeling and optimization of an electromagnetic actuator for flapping wing micro air vehicle

In this paper, we develop a theoretical framework for a flapping-wing actuation mechanism. Driven by oscillating magnetic torque acting on the rotor, the proposed actuator operates as a forced nonlinear oscillator. The resonance of the system is achieved by using a virtual magnetic spring without any mechanical components. Analytical models of the driving torque and the wing flapping (rotor) dynamics are derived and validated by experimental measurements from a parallel study. The flapping amplitude at primary resonance is obtained by solving the dynamic equation using the method of multiple time scale. The aerodynamic lift is then calculated based on quasi-steady aerodynamic model. Finally, the developed framework is used to investigate the feasibility and performance of the proposed actuator at different scales, while we show that a lift-to-weight ratio over one can be achieved in a large domain of design parameter space.
Non-ideal equilibria: Calculations of ambipolar and magnetostatic confinement in tandem mirrors

We review the numerical calculations of non-ideal MHD equilibria; we study anisotropic plasma configurations that might occur in open field line devices. We restrict our attention to tandem mirrors for which we review the theoretical models, numerical methods and some computed results of several equilibrium studies. Though not emphasized some other open ended systems are addressed in the sense that many of them are special cases of the general tandem mirror. In addition to the complication of anisotropy, other difficulties are encountered that are not usually found in toroidal devices. Lack of 2-D symmetry, the coexistence of several distinct plasma species, and the complicated structure of the magnetostatic and electrostatic fields are among these.
Hegel on Political Philosophy and Political Actuality

Abstract Hegel is the most prominent philosopher who argued that “philosophy is its own time comprehended in thought”, and he argued for this with an elaborate theory about the necessarily historical and experiential content of normative principles and ideals, especially, in his own historical period, the ideal of a free life. His insistence that philosophy must attend to the “actuality” of the norms it considers is quite controversial, often accused of accommodation with the status quo, a “might makes right” theory of history, and the abandonment of philosophy's critical and reflective task. In this article, I explore Hegel's case for this position in his Phenomenology of Spirit, using as a model for his argument his account of the way the intention of an action can only be properly understood as it is “actualized” in an action, and I consider some of the standard objections in the light of this model.
Dynamic channel bonding in multicarrier wireless networks

To support applications that demand high-speed wireless communication, the ongoing standardization of the next generation Wi-Fi increases the channel bonding from 40 MHz in 802.11n to 80, and even 160 MHz under certain conditions in 802.11ac. However, inefficiency and unfairness issues arise when devices that use different channel widths coexist in a contention domain. In this paper, we propose a dynamic channel bonding (DyB) protocol in which a node is allowed to start a transmission as long as there are some idle narrow channels and it gradually increases channel width during transmission whenever new narrow channels become available. A challenge is the communication over uncertain channels. To enable fast spectrum agreement between transmitter and receiver, a partial spectrum correlation method is introduced. In addition, DyB considers the severe contention in a wide band of spectrum. A compound preamble is designed to make collisions detectable in the frequency domain and a parallel bitwise arbitration is used to quickly resolve the collisions in the time domain. We implemented and evaluated the DyB through both the GNU Radio/USRP platform and ns-2 simulations. Experimental results and simulations show that DyB can well address the inefficiency and unfairness issues caused by heterogeneous radio coexistence.
Anisotropic dislocation loop distribution in alloy T91 during irradiation creep

Abstract Ferritic–martensitic (FM) steel T91 was subjected to irradiation with 3 MeV protons while under load at stresses of 100 MPa, 180 MPa, and 200 MPa. Transmission electron microscopy of crept T91 samples was conducted to determine the nature of the loops and to quantify the edge-on dislocation loop density as a function of their orientation to the tensile axis. Loops were determined to be interstitial in nature of the type ao〈1 0 0〉. The distribution of ao〈1 0 0〉 loops was found to be strongly anisotropic in which loops preferentially formed with their normal in the tensile direction. An empirical correlation was developed to describe the relationship between the orientation of the loop normal to the tensile axis and the local dislocation loop density. Loop anisotropy was found to increase as a function of the applied stress and their strain contributions relative to total creep strain were calculated at 4–11% of the total creep strain. Results from this study provide a means for quantifying empirically measured anisotropic microstructure and including it in irradiation creep mechanisms for FM steels.
Recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis associated with primary aldosteronism

Typical manifestations of hyperaldosteronism include salt retention, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. However, a consequence infrequently recognized and described is hypocitraturia. In combination with hypercalciuria, aldosterone-induced hypocitraturia can trigger calcium nephrolithiasis. The authors report a case of an individual with primary hyperaldosteronism from an adrenal adenoma that resulted in hypocitraturia. The patient had severe recurrent renal calcium calculi that corrected with adrenalectomy. The clinical physiology of renal calcium and citrate handling in hyperaldosteronism is reviewed.
Transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus with adjustable buttoned device. Initial clinical experience.

BACKGROUNDSeveral devices are available for transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus. Most of these devices either require complicated intracardiac maneuvering, have not been tried in humans, or need a large-sized sheath for implantation of the device.METHODS AND RESULTSDuring a 26-month period ending November 1992, 14 patients underwent transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus with an adjustable buttoned device delivered via a 7F sheath under an institutional review board-approved custom-made device protocol. The children were 15 months to 8 years of age with weight range of 7.2 to 19 kg. The patent ductus arteriosus measured from 2 to 7.5 mm (median, 3 mm) at the narrowest diameter and was conical, short, or tubular. They were occluded with devices measuring 15 to 20 mm. The ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow decreased (P < .01) from 1.9 +/- 0.6 (mean +/- SD; range, 1.3 to 3.2) to 1.05 +/- 0.1 (1 to 1.3). Continuous murmur of patent ductus arteriosus disappeared in all except 1 pati...
Effects of early administration of atorvastatin treatment on thrombotic process in normocholesterolemic patients with unstable angina.

Abstract Background Although statin-treatment during the acute phase of unstable coronary syndromes improve the outcome their effects on thrombosis/fibrinolysis system in normocholesterolemic patients admitted with unstable angina remain obscure. We assessed the effects of short-term atorvastatin treatment on thrombotic/fibrinolysis markers in normocholesterolemic in patients with unstable angina. Methods Forty-five patients with unstable angina were allocated into two groups to receive atorvastatin 10 mg/day ( n =24) or no statin ( n =21) for 6 weeks. Circulating levels of von Willebrand Factor (vWF), factor V (fV), protein C (prC), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and antithrombin III (ATIII) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, by the patients admission and at the 1st and 6th week of the study. Results After 1 week of treatment, a significant increase of ATIII ( p p p p p p Conclusions In normocholesterolemic patients admitted with unstable angina the early administration of atorvastatin, significantly affects von Willebrand factor levels and the expression of liver-derived components of both thrombosis and fibrinolysis system.
Assessing developmental impacts on subsistence fishing: Complications attributable to a mixed economic system

There is no all‐encompassing measure of quality of life that adequately reflects the psychological, sociocultural, environmental, and economic components of subsistence. Even if only the material aspects of quality are considered, impact assessment in rural areas of Alaska is complicated because communities have integrated three‐sector economies. Because both state and federal laws give the highest priority to subsistence users of fishery resources, reductions in fish populations may be manifested in reduced commercial and sport harvests rather than the subsistence take. Impact analysis is complicated because the same individuals may participate in each of these economic sectors. Nevertheless, quantifying material returns such as income and subsistence goods can provide useful insights, even though interpretation of values originating in different contexts are necessarily subjective. Furthermore, these measures are inputs to the quality of life rather than measures of it.
Turning the tune: traditional music, tourism, and social change in an Irish village

Adam R. Kaul, New York, Berghahn Books, 2009, 190 pp., £47.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-84545-623-8 The late musicologist Harold S. Powers once observed: ‘Sometimes it seems as though American musicol...
Ploidy levels of progeny from diploid-tetraploid crosses in the potato

The discovery of an efficient means for obtaining haploids of the potato is slowly revolutionizing, reorienting, and stimulating potato research and breeding. This report is part of a study concerned with their use. as hybrids with species, in gene transfer through diploid-tetraploid hybridization. Such hybridization has been shown to be quite easily accomplished. In this paper, the ploidy level of the progeny of 4x × 2x and 2x × 4x crosses are given. The 4x × 2x cross gave 91.9% (4x), 7.6% (3x). and 0.6% (2x) based on an examination of 344 individuals, while 676 individuals of the 2x × 4x cross were found to be 94.8% (4x), 1.9% (3x), and 3.3 %(2x). The high seed set pollinators gave 98.4% (4x) and 1.6% (3x) progeny based on 551 individuals. The fact that they produced a higher frequency of tetraploids and a lower frequency of triploids than did the other 2x pollinators suggests that the triploid frequency is not dependent on seed set and also that in crosses where seed set is above average the additional seeds are likely to be tetraploid. The high frequency of tetraploids. plus the relative ease of crossing between diploids and tetraploids makes this method of gene transfer both highly effective and quite efficient.
Decreased inotropic response to beta-adrenergic stimulation and normal sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium stores in the spontaneously hypertensive rat heart

Cardiac hypertrophy in the spontaneously hypertensive rat has been shown to be accompanied by a diminished inotropic response to β -adrenergic stimulation. This diminished response has been attributed to abnormalities in various components of the β -adrenergic signaling system. There is also evidence that regulation of intracellular Ca 2+ cycling may be altered in the hypertrophied heart of the spontaneously hypertensive rat. We proposed that the dominished reponse to β -adrenergic stimulation may reflect abnormalities in Ca 2+ cycling, specifically alterations in the ability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum to effectively release and resequester ca 2+ . We have used the unique combination of functional measurements on isolated, isometrically contracting papillary muscles from hearts of 26-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats and their Wistar-Kyoto controls, together with electron proble microanalysis measurements of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ content in the same muscles after rapid freezing, to determine the availability of Ca 2+ for activation of contraction, following β -adrenergic stimulation. We observed a significant decrease in the inotropic response to β -adrenergic stimulation in paillary muscles from the spontaneously hypertensive rats, as compared with Wistar-Kyoto controls, however in these same muscles, frozen during relaxation. there was no evidence of an accompanying decrease in the size of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ store. In an additional group of muscles which were frozen during contraction, the amount of Ca 2+ remaining in the sarcoplasmic reticulum after stimulated release was also not different in the two strains. These results indicate that the decreased inotropic response to β -adrenergic stimulation in hypertrophied hearts of the spontaneously hypertensive rat is unlikely to be due to decreased availability of Ca 2+ for activation of contraction. Additionally, to determine whether there is intracellular Ca 2+ overload in the cardiac muscle cells of hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats, we measured the amount of Ca 2+ in mitochondria and at the level of the myofilaments by electron probe microanalysis. These results indicate that intracellular Ca 2+ overload doest not accompany cardiac hypertrophy in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. This study therefore shows no correlation between altered intracellular Ca 2+ cycling and the decreased inotropic response to isoproterenol in the spontaneously hypertensive rat at 26 weeks of age.
Some aspects of citation behavior: A pilot study in business administration

This study addressed certain aspects of citation behavior: How many of the sources cited has the author really consulted? How many did the author consult specifically for the preparation of the citing paper? How many of the sources cited does the author consider essential to the development of his own theme? Nineteen members of the faculty from the Department of Business Administration, College of Commerce, University of Illinois, each of whom had published at least one periodical article in the preceding two years, were subjects of the study. Each was given a self-administered questionnaire, along with the bibliography from one of his articles, and each participated in a follow up interview. Ninety-six percent of the sources cited had been consulted by the authors, which indicates little evidence of secondhand citation. However, just 63% were consulted specifically in the preparation of the article; and only less than a third were judged essential raw material by those who cited them. If an item is of critical importance, it is likely to be owned by the author. Also, it is likely to have been consulted specifically in the preparation of the article, but criticality is no guarantee that it has been used heavily by the author.
Modeling and open-loop control of point-actuated, continuous facesheet deformable mirrors

In this paper we present a mathematical model for a point-actuated, continuous facesheet deformable mirror. The model consists of a single partial differential equation for the facesheet coupled with a number of nonlinear algebraic constraints (one constraint per actuator). We also present a nonlinearly constrained quadratic minimization problem whose solution gives the quasi-steady state control for the mirror, given a target wavefront aberration.
Locating a Feminist Critical Practice: Between the Kingdom and the Glory

(1989). Locating a feminist critical practice: Between the kingdom and the glory. Women's Studies: Vol. 16, Emily Dickinson: A Celebretion for Readers, pp. 9-19.
Aedes aegypti glutamine synthetase: expression and gene structure

Abstract The peritrophic matrix (PM) is the first natural barrier a mosquito-borne parasite faces when ingested with a blood meal; consequently, understanding the biology of PM formation could provide novel transmission control strategies. Because the PM is composed of chitin (a molecule of repeating units of N-acetyl glucosamine), glycoproteins and glucose, characterizing the regulation of enzymes involved in chitin production should provide information concerning factors that influence PM formation. We previously have shown that glutamine synthetase (GS) provides the glutamine needed in the initial steps of chitin biosynthesis in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. In the present study we show that GS is encoded by a single 4.5 kb gene, designated mGS, containing three exons and two introns. Multiple transcripts are generated from mGS presumably by differential splicing of the introns. Sequences of two cDNAs encoding GS are identical at the protein level, but differ in their 5′-untranslated regions. GS message is constitutively expressed in all developmental stages and in most tissues, with an increase in GS transcription observed in midgut and fat body tissues of female mosquitoes following a blood meal. Transcripts are localized to the apical side of the mosquito midgut epithelium and data suggest that mGS transcription is regulated by an Oct-1 transcription factor.
A critical assessment of boron neutron capture therapy: an overview

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is based on the nuclear reaction that occurs when boron-10 is irradiated with neutrons of the appropriate energy to produce high-energy alpha particles and recoiling lithium-7 nuclei. BNCT has been used clinically to treat patients with high-grade gliomas, and a much smaller number with primary and metastatic melanoma. The purpose of this special issue of the Journal of Neuro-Oncology is to provide a critical and realistic assessment of various aspects of basic and clinical BNCT research in order to better understand its present status and future potential. Topics that are covered include neutron sources, tumor-targeted boron delivery agents, brain tumor models to assess therapeutic efficacy, computational dosimetry and treatment planning, results of clinical trails in the United States, Japan and Europe, pharmacokinetic studies of sodium borocaptate and boronophenylalanine (BPA), positron emission tomography imaging of BPA for treatment planning, and finally an overview of the challenges and problems that must be faced if BNCT is to become a useful treatment modality for brain tumors. Clinical studies have demonstrated the safety of BNCT. The next challenge is an unequivocal demonstration of therapeutic efficacy in one or more of the clinical trails that either are in progress or are planned over the next few years.
On taking human performance seriously in risk analysis: Comments on dougherty

Abstract As Dougherty points out, the task of understanding the human contribution to safety and risk has been delayed too long. To begin to take human performance questions seriously in risk analysis requires sophisticated causal modeling of human behaviour in the context of different tasks and performance aids, empirical research to understand the sources of errors, especially cognitive error types, and empirical research to understand how changes in the person-machine system impact on error types.
Hardening of dual-cured cements under composite resin inlays***

This study was conducted to determine the extent of hardening of three dual-cured cements under composite resin inlays and to determine the effectiveness of a light-reflecting wedge in promoting curing of the cements in the proximal margin. The exposure times needed to optimally harden the cements were determined by directly exposing the cements to the curing light. Composite resin inalys were bonded in an extracted molar with Dual cement, Dictor light-activated cement, and Duo cement. Cure-Thru reflective wedges were placed in the gingival embrasure of half of the specimens. None of the cements hardened completely by 24 hours when we used an exposure time that met or exceeded that recommended by the manufacturers. The chemical-cure component did not completely cure the cements when light was attenuated by the tooth and restoration. The light-transmitting wedge had little effect on hardening of the cements.
Hemodynamic Goal-Directed Therapy in High-Risk Surgical Patients

Most clinicians agree that during stress, such as acute critical illness or surgery, maintaining adequate perfusion and oxygen delivery reduces the risk of injury to vital organs. However, the best way to achieve these general goals remains controversial. A growing body of evidence suggests that “goal-directed therapy” (GDT) to increase blood flow can reduce postoperative complications and cost.1 Goal-directed therapy typically uses a monitoring tool to continuously assess cardiac performance, and through a set of protocolized instructions, fluid administration and vasoactive agents are titrated to optimize cardiac performance. A central tenet of many of these studies is that GDT should not be defined by the presence or absence of a monitoring device but rather by explicit goals of care, such as maintenance of sustained maximal stroke volume. In other words, a GDT protocol should clearly define how data from the monitor trigger specific changes in care.
CdTe cells and modules: Prospects for higher efficiency

Thin-film cadmium telluride is an attractive solar-cell material for several reasons. Its band gap is an excellent match to the solar spectrum, its absorption coefficient is high, it can be deposited by a variety of straightforward methods, and most importantly, it has been proven to work in both the laboratory and the commercial world. On the other hand, its photovoltaic performance has been limited by compensating electronic levels that result in low carrier density and excessive recombination at the internal grain boundaries. Of practical concern, the record CdTe efficiency has been unchanged for ten years. Two types of efficiency difference are explored and broken into individual components. One is the difference between laboratory CdTe efficiency and that of crystalline GaAs of similar band gap (about 10% difference in absolute efficiency), and the other is the difference between industrial and laboratory CdTe (about 5%). In each case, the specific losses can be reasonably accurately quantified. Most of the laboratory limitation is due to the low lifetime and carrier density of thin-film CdTe, which substantially reduce both voltage and fill-factor compared to a crystalline reference. The additional industrial reductions are due to a variety of factors that primarily affect current (CdS and TCO optical losses; interconnect-area) and fill-factor (lateral series resistance). There are specific strategies for reducing each of the individual performance losses.
Tropone-Fused Carbaporphyrins

Previous attempts to prepare tropone-fused carbaporphyrins by reacting peroxides with azuliporphyrins under basic conditions afforded benzocarbaporphyrins instead. In this study, a methoxyazulitripyrrane condensed with a pyrrole dialdehyde in the presence of TFA, followed by oxidation with ferric chloride, to give a tropone-fused carbaporphyrin following a spontaneous demethylation. The porphyrinoid gave a modified UV–vis spectrum showing multiple bands in the Soret region, and the proton NMR spectrum showed that it has a reduced diamagnetic ring current in comparison to other carbaporphyrins. The tropone-fused derivative failed to react with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and potassium hydroxide, demonstrating that this type of structure is not an intermediate in the formation of benzocarbaporphyrins. However, the reaction with silver(I) acetate gave the corresponding silver(III) complex. Condensation of the methoxyazulitripyrrane with 2,5-thiophenedicarbaldehyde gave a related tropone-fused thiacarbaporphyrin...
Endogenous gonadotropin flare following microdose leuprolide (MDL) stimulation protocol does not correlate with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome

Patients undergoing first IVF cycle using MDL from October 2005 to November 2008 had serum FSH, LH, and estradiol (E2) levels measured prior to and 2 days after initiation of MDL; and evidence of a follicular flare, defined as a doubling in endogenous gonadotropins, was evaluated and correlated with clinical pregnancy, cancellation, implantation, spontaneous abortion, and ongoing pregnancy rate as well as cycle parameters. Although there was no difference in IVF outcomes, higher doses of exogeneous gonadotropins as well as greater days of stimulation were observed in patients with a documented FSH or LH flare.
Effective and efficient structured retrieval

Search engines that support structured documents typically support structure created by the author (e.g., title, section), and may also support structure added by an annotation process (e.g., part of speech, named entity, semantic role). Exploiting such structure can be difficult. Query structure may fail to match structure in a relevant document for a variety of reasons, thus structured queries, although containing more information than keyword queries, are often less effective than unstructured queries. This paper studies retrieval of sentences with annotations for a question answering task. Three problems of structured retrieval are identified and solutions proposed. Structural mismatch is addressed by query structure expansion of predicted relevant structures. Lack of presence of all key aspects of a question is solved by Boolean filtering of result sentences. The score variations of the annotator generated fields with all the different lengths are accounted for by using field specific smoothing. Experiments show that each solution incrementally improves structured retrieval, and a combination of Boolean filtering, structural expansion, and keyword queries outperforms keyword and simple structured retrieval baselines.
Shaping the signal response during the approach to steady state in three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo imaging using variable flip angles

A theoretical algorithm for shaping the signal response during the approach to steady state in three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (3D MP-RAGE) pulse sequences has been developed and implemented. This algorithm derives the flip angle series required to produce specifically chosen time evolutions of the signal intensities during the data acquisition segment of 3D MP-RAGE sequences. Theoretical predictions for the cases of unshaped, uniform, and mono-exponential decay signal responses were quantitatively validated with a doped-water phantom on a 1.5-T whole-body imager and in all cases there was excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental values. The effects of RF inhomogeneities and eddy currents on the signal response shaping were also investigated. To demonstrate the potential utility of the technique, the signal response shaping algorithm was applied to a T1-weighted 3D MP-RAGE sequence to derive the acquisition flip angle series which theoretically yields the maximum white matter/gray matter signal difference (WGSD) consistent with the chosen response shape. Images obtained from a healthy volunteer using this variable flip angle sequence were compared with 3D RF-spoiled steady-state gradient-echo images obtained in the same total imaging time. The 3D MP-RAGE images demonstrated a 41% increase in the WGSD-to-noise ratio. These initial very promising results indicate that with further refinement to eliminate some intensity artifacts, the variable flip angle 3D MP-RAGE technique may, with respect to certain image properties, provide considerable improvements over currently available 3D gradient-echo imaging techniques.
University Centers for Students in Recovery

Grahovac: I've both been a student who needed recovery, a student in recovery, and now I am the manager of the Center for Students in Recovery (CSR) at the University of Texas at Austin. I was tryi...
Equilibrium Price Distributions

Equilibrium price distributions (for a homogeneous product) consistent with individual incentives are investigated. They arise in informationally imperfect markets in which the only primitive datum is the distribution of search costs. It is shown that single, multi- and continuous price distributions are all viable long-run phenomena depending on the nature of search costs. A method for computing equilibrium price distributions is also provided. Jevons' law of one price has long been an accepted dictum in economic theory. In a classroom presentation, it still serves (sometimes implicitly) as a major premise in many micro-models of market interaction. Much of the descriptive theory as well as welfare analysis hinges on this assumption. Yet, one's day to day experience reveals that price differentials are a viable phenomenon and that looking for lower prices may very well be a rewarding activity. The prospects of eventually hitting a bargain and the resulting price reduction would more than compensate for the cost incurred during the search process. Moreover, the existence of price dispersions appear to be an empirically stable phenomenon. Snapshots of markets for relatively homogeneous products reveal substantial and recurring price differentials. Stigler (1961) and Pratt, Wise and Zeckhauser (1979) for example, report some evidence supporting this claim. An important article by Stigler (1961) focused economists' attention on the crucial role played by the informational structure of markets. It gave rise to the study of the
Tissue kallikrein attenuates salt-induced renal fibrosis by inhibition of oxidative stress.

Tissue kallikrein attenuates salt-induced renal fibrosis by inhibition of oxidative stress. Background High salt intake induces hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and progressive renal damage. Progressive renal injury is the consequence of a process of destructive fibrosis. Using gene transfer approach, we have shown that the tissue kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) plays an important role in protection against renal injury in several hypertensive ratmodels. In this study, we further investigated the effect and potential mechanisms mediated by kallikrein on salt-induced renal fibrosis. Methods Adenovirus harboring the human tissue kallikrein gene was delivered intravenously into Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats on a high salt diet for 4 weeks. Two weeks after gene delivery, the effect of kallikrein on renal fibrosis was examined by biochemical and histologic analysis. Results Kallikrein gene delivery resulted in reduced blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinary protein and albumin levels in DSS rats on a high salt diet. Expression of recombinant human tissue kallikrein was detected in the sera and urine of rats injected with the kallikrein gene. Histologic investigation showed that kallikrein gene delivery significantly reduced glomerular and tubular fibrosis scores and collagen deposition, as well as renal cell proliferation, compared to rats on a high salt diet injected with control virus. Kallikrein gene transfer significantly increased nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in conjunction with reduced salt-induced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADH/NADPH) oxidase activity, superoxide production, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA and protein levels, and TGF-β1 immunostaining. Conclusion These results indicate that tissue kallikrein protects against renal fibrosis in hypertensive DSS rats through increased nitric oxide bioavailability and suppression of oxidative stress and TGF-β expression.