cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon monoxide modulates cytochrome oxidase activity and oxidative stress in the developing murine brain during isoflurane exposure

Commonly used anesthetics induce widespread neuronal degeneration in the developing mammalian brain via the oxidative-stress-associated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Dysregulation of cytochrome oxidase (CcOX), the terminal oxidase of the electron transport chain, can result in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Isoflurane has previously been shown to activate this enzyme. Carbon monoxide (CO), as a modulator of CcOX, is of interest because infants and children are routinely exposed to CO during low-flow anesthesia. We have recently demonstrated that low concentrations of CO limit and prevent isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity in the forebrains of newborn mice in a dose-dependent manner. However, the effect of CO on CcOX in the context of anesthetic-induced oxidative stress is unknown. Seven-day-old male CD-1 mice underwent 1h exposure to 0 (air), 5, or 100ppm CO in air with or without isoflurane. Exposure to isoflurane or CO independently increased CcOX kinetic activity and increased ROS within forebrain mitochondria. However, exposure to CO combined with isoflurane paradoxically limited CcOX activation and oxidative stress. There were no changes seen in steady-state levels of CcOX I protein, indicating post-translational modification of CcOX as an etiology for changes in enzyme activity. CO exposure led to differential effects on CcOX subunit I tyrosine phosphorylation depending on concentration, while combined exposure to isoflurane with CO markedly increased the enzyme phosphorylation state. Phosphorylation of tyrosine 304 of CcOX subunit I has been shown to result in strong enzyme inhibition, and the relative reduction in CcOX kinetics following exposure to CO combined with isoflurane may have been due, in part, to such phosphorylation. Taken together, the data suggest that CO modulates CcOX in the developing brain during isoflurane exposure, thereby limiting oxidative stress. These CO-mediated effects could have implications for the development of low-flow anesthesia in infants and children to prevent anesthesia-induced oxidative stress.
Eigenschaften elektromagnetischer Strahlung

In diesem Kapitel wird ein kurzer Uberblick uber die grundsatzlichen Eigenschaften elektromagnetischer Strahlung und die Mechanismen gegeben, uber die Wechselwirkungen mit Materie stattfinden. Das hier Besprochene dient als Einfuhrung fur die Kapitel 6 bis 15.1
The kinetics and regulation of rat brain hexokinase.

Abstract Initial rate kinetic studies of soluble rat brain hexokinase indicate that the kinetic mechanism is random Bi Bi. These studies also indicate that the ADP interaction with enzyme cannot be ascribed merely to action at a product site and suggest the presence of a separate inhibitory nucleotide-binding site. Rates of glucose phosphorylation were evaluated in the presence of a number of metabolites at or near their intracellular levels to determine their regulatory potential. Inhibition from ADP, GTP, and UTP was insensitive to fluctuations in the Pi level; whereas, glucose-6-P inhibition was partially relieved by Pi. Studies of the enzyme cumulatively inhibited by the above nucleotides and glucose-6-P indicate that the reaction rate was markedly depressed to a level corresponding to only 3 to 5% of the uninhibited rate. Under these conditions the rate responds to changes in glucose concentration and only large changes in Pi level. The soluble-particulate distribution of the brain enzyme was found to be relatively insensitive to changes in metabolite levels.
Major Information Visualization Authors, Papers and Topics in the ACM Library

The presented work aims to identify major research topics, co-authorships, and trends in the IV Contest 2004 dataset. Co-author, paper-citation, and burst analysis were used to analyze the dataset. The results are visually presented as graphs, static Pajek [1] visualizations and interactive network layouts using Pajeks SVG output feature. A complementary web page with all the raw data, details of the analyses, and high resolution images of all figures is available online at http://iv.slis.indiana.edu/ref/iv04contest/.
A symmetric miniature 3D inductor

A new 3D symmetric inductor structure is presented. It is shown that inductors driven with differential rather than single-ended signals give better performance. The proposed inductor is advantageous due to its inherent geometrical symmetry, and it retains Q and f/sub sr/ values that are comparable to its unsymmetrical 3D counterpart.
Effective treatment for idiopathic central sleep apnea

In this issue, Quadri et al.1 explore the treatment of idiopathic central sleep apnea (ICSA) with zolpidem. The authors defined ICSA as the presence of excessive daytime sleepiness (defined as an Epworth Sleepiness Scale, [ESS] ≥ 10), a central apnea-hypopnea index (CAHI) ≥ 10 events/hour, and an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) ≤ 5 events/hour. The study design was observational and involved small numbers of subjects (n = 20). Subjects with medical conditions associated with other forms of central sleep apnea were excluded (CHF with EF < 40%, diastolic dysfunction, history of transient ischemic attacks or stroke). In addition, other forms of nighttime respiratory disturbances (Cheyne Stokes respiration, obesity hypoventilation, hypercarbic lung disease) and other sleep disorders were excluded. Subjects who had already initiated therapy that might treat ICSA were also excluded. Subjects were offered therapy with 10 mg of zolpidem to be taken 30 minutes prior to sleep on a nightly basis. Repeat polysomnographic testing was performed 6-10 weeks later on zolpidem therapy.
Rand-Stein analgesia protocol for cataract surgery.

Abstract Objective To describe the safety and efficacy of an analgesia protocol that enables the surgeon to maintain control over an alert patient experiencing seemingly painless ambulatory cataract surgery, while eliminating the risks and side effects associated with general, local, topical, and intracameral anesthesia. Design Noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants Five thousand one hundred sixty-eight consecutive cataract surgery cases operated on by the same surgeon from April 1, 1993 through June 1, 1998. Methods This technique produces profound ocular analgesia, avoiding any undesired sedative effects, using very low-dose, titrated, intravenous alfentanil. Complete control of the uncooperative patient, including lid squeezing and ocular and general body movements, is obtainable whenever necessary using very low-dose, titrated, intravenous methohexital. Main outcome measures Success was defined as surgery completed in a controlled manner without the need to convert to general, local, topical, or intracameral anesthesia and the patient’s experience being perceived as pain free. Results One hundred percent of the cases were successful without ever deviating from the protocol. Conclusions This analgesia protocol offers advantages for cataract surgery. It virtually eliminates the morbidity of cataract surgery associated with other anesthesia techniques while providing excellent and reliable control. It allows for an immediate postoperative recovery with instantaneous vision restoration. These patients are generally awake, alert, and retain their protective reflexes.
Statistical approach for improving manufacturing yield in advanced IC fabrication

The methods of planned experimentation, statistical error propagation, multi-vari and Pareto are discussed in terms of scaled-high-voltage analog BiMOS technology and advanced analog IC manufacturing. Applications of statistical techniques using response surface methodology, planned experimentation, statistical-error propagation, multi-vari and Pareto analysis are shown to enhance the definition, optimization, and resolution of complex processing and device problems. The multidisciplinary approach, which involves statistics, device physics, process characterization, device characterization, and manufacturing, plays a major role in the introduction of new IC technology and yield improvements in IC products. The case studies presented demonstrate the essential need for a statistical approach to solve complex IC manufacturing problems. >
High power measurements on K-band and Ka-band switches in a simulated space environment

High-power measurements were made on a variety of K-band switches in a simulated space environment to test their susceptibility to breakdown. Measurements were made at 18 GHz and power levels up to 8 W. No evidence of breakdown was found from atmospheric pressure to below 10/sup -7/ Torr. Similar measurements to be performed on Ka-band switches at the 5-W level at a frequency of 33 GHz are also discussed. >
Atomic solid state energy scale.

A plot of electron affinity (EA) and ionization potential (IP) versus energy band gap (EG) for 69 binary closed-shell inorganic semiconductors and insulators reveals that EG is centered about the hydrogen donor/acceptor ionization energy e(+/−). Thus, e(+/−), or equivalently the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) energy, functions as an absolute energy reference, determining the tendency of an atom to be either a cation or anion in a compound. This empirical trend establishes the basis for defining a new solid state energy (SSE) scale. This SSE scale makes possible simple approaches for quantitatively assessing electronegativity, chemical hardness, and ionicity, while also providing new insight into the periodic trends of solids.
Effects of morphine and pain on brain intermediary metabolism.

Abstract Three studies were performed to determine (1) whether morphine produced different biochemical effects in the presence and absence of pain and (2) whether these differential effects could be related to analgesia. In Experiments I and II, 3-day-old chickens were given either saline or morphine and were exposed to pain or not. After testing, animals were frozen in liquid nitrogen and brains analyzed for acids of the Krebs cycle plus pyruvateand lactate by gas chromatography. In Experiment III, the effect of malonic acid (a competitive inhibitor of metabolism of several acids) on analgesia was determined in chickens. The results of Experiments I and II agreed closely, and an interaction between drug (morphine vs saline) and test (pain vs no pain) was shown by analysis of variance. Morphine without pain depressed whole-brain levels of many acids, as did pain, but the combination of morphine and pain, instead of producing a further decrease, produced an increase in many levels. Prevention of this increase by malonate significantly reduced the effectiveness of morphine. The data suggests that, in evaluation of morphine, the behavioral state of the organism must be considered since it may change the metabolic state on which the drug acts.
Storms and the solar cycle

Last fall, meteorologists Karin Labitzke and Harry van Loon announced a discovery sought by scientists for many years—a linkbetween the 11-year sunspot cycle and conditions in Earth's stratosphere. Now a new study extends that correlation to day-to-day changes in weather at the planet's surface. Previous attempts to relate temperatures and pressures at different levels of the atmosphere to the periodically varying flux of radiation from the Sun have been unsuccessful. But Labitzke (Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany) and van Loon (National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colo.) found a criterion on which to sort data that revealed strong correlations: the direction of stratospheric winds in the tropics. The directions of the winds change from east to west every other year or so, and this quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) has been hypothetically related to sunspot cycles. Labitzke and van Loon found that temperatures and pressures during the west phase of the QBO varied with the solar cycle. At a solar maximum, for instance, stratospheric temperature near the North Pole is high, while at a solar maximum it is low. The same positive correlation exists between solar cycle and sea level pressure over North America.
Preparing public librarians for consumer health information service: A nationwide study

Abstract A nationwide survey study was conducted to gain understanding as to how to prepare public librarians for consumer health information service. Findings indicate that the popular health information needs encountered by public librarians cover a wide variety of topics, including the human body, a medical/health condition, a disease, a medical concept, and fitness/diet/nutrition. The top two challenges faced by public librarians when providing consumer health information service are difficulty in interpreting patrons' questions and lack of knowledge about available and trusted/appropriate medical/health information sources. Public librarians wish to receive training on a number of topics that could help address the challenges they face, and the most favorable training format for them, among all the options provided in the survey, is the self-paced online tutorial. This study constitutes the basis for establishing training requirements and developing training programs to meet the needs of public librarians. Their mastery of the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies via training will lead to effective and efficient delivery of consumer health information service in public libraries, and ultimately generate optimal patron experiences.
Marginal-water application in arid zones

The intensified efforts to improve agricultural economy in arid zones is associated with increased demand for water. Scarcity of potable water has hightened the importance of marginal water in dry regions. Marginal water includes saline water, wastewater, and runoff water. These water sources differ in location in regards to the application site, quality, quantity, and stability of supply. Previous experience proved that each of the above alternative water sources can be used separately or in combination, for the economic benefit of the farmers.
Baryogenesis at the weal phase transition

Abstract We examine the consequences of a model for baryogenesis during the weak phase transition. We assume that baryon number violation comes from anomalous weak interactions and that the necessary CP violation comes from neutrino masses. We find that a baryon to entropy ratio of 10 −10 can be produced if the weak phase transition is first order, the tau neutrino mass is ∼ 30 MeV, and anomalous weak baryon violation is sufficiently rapid.
An experimental investigation of spontaneous imbibition in gas shales

Abstract Multi-stage horizontal wells find common use today in the development of shale-gas resources. The completion strategy for such wells includes hydraulic fracturing that utilizes large volumes of water complimented by the addition of assorted chemicals. A large fraction of this water remains in the formation after the well is allowed to flow back, with fluid loss often exceeding 50% of the injected volume. In this work, we study the spontaneous imbibition of water and surfactant solutions into shale samples from the Appalachian Basin in order to explore the role of capillarity in the fluid-loss mechanism. In the experiments we observe a distinct transition from an initial imbibition rate that depends linearly on the square root of time, to a lower rate at later times. This transition is attributed to the complex multi-porosity nature of the shale samples that are characterized by a micro-fracture network embedded in the sample's matrix. Based on scaling arguments, we demonstrate that the fluid loss during hydraulic fracturing can be explained, at least in part, by the imbibition processes. We investigate, in addition, the application of wettability altering surfactants and demonstrate a clear potential for reducing the current fluid loss.
The Monets, Van Goghs, and Renoirs of Science Education: Writing Impressionist Tales as a Strategy for Facilitating Prospective Teachers’ Reflections on Science Experiences

A particularly useful pedagogical strategy for beginning a dialogue with prospective teachers about the ways in which their experiences and beliefs shape their development of professional knowledge is writing impressionist tales. Impressionist tales are a form of autobiography that portrays one highly personal perspective on a significant moment in time. In this pedagogical practice article, we describe our use of impressionist tales, summarize the assumptions underpinning our use of impressionist tales in science methods courses, provide several examples of our students’ tales, and discuss the pedagogical advantages and the teacher educator’s role in using impressionist tales to promote reflective thinking among prospective elementary science teachers.
Control of encapsulation efficiency and initial burst in polymeric microparticle systems

Initial burst is one of the major challenges in protein-encapsulated microparticle systems. Since protein release during the initial stage depends mostly on the diffusional escape of the protein, major approaches to prevent the initial burst have focused on efficient encapsulation of the protein within the microparticles. For this reason, control of encapsulation efficiency and the extent of initial burst are based on common formulation parameters. The present article provides a literature review of the formulation parameters that are known to influence the two properties in the emulsion-solvent evaporation/extraction method. Physical and chemical properties of encapsulating polymers, solvent systems, polymer-drug interactions, and properties of the continuous phase are some of the influential variables. Most parameters affect encapsulation efficiency and initial burst by modifying solidification rate of the dispersed phase. In order to prevent many unfavorable events such as pore formation, drug loss, and drug migration that occur while the dispersed phase is in the semi-solid state, it is important to understand and optimize these variables.
Patient report improves posthospital discharge event capture in total joint replacement: a novel approach to capturing all posthospital event data.

Introduction: Current approaches to quantifying total posthospital complications and readmissions following surgical procedures are limited because the United States does not have a single health care payer. Patients seek posthospital care in varied locations, yet hospitals can only quantify those returning to the same facility. Seeking information directly from patients about health care utilization following hospital discharge holds promise to provide data that is missing for surgeons and health care systems. Background: Because total joint replacement (TJR) is the most common and costly elective surgical hospitalization, we examined the concordance between patients’ self-report of potential short-term complications and their readmissions and our review of medical records in the initial hospital and surrounding facilities. Methods: Patients undergoing primary total hip or knee replacement from July 1, 2011, through December 3, 2012, at a large site participating in a national cohort of TJR patients were identified. Patients completed a six-month postoperative survey regarding emergency department (ED), day surgery (DS), or inpatient care for possible medical or mechanical post-TJR complications. We reviewed inpatient and outpatient medical records from all regional facilities and examined the sensitivity, specificity, and positive- and negative predictive values for patient self-report and medical records. Findings: There were 413 patients who had 431 surgeries and completed the six-month questionnaire. Patients reported 40 medical encounters (9 percent) including ED, DS or inpatient care, of which 20 percent occurred at hospitals different from the initial surgery. Review of medical records revealed 9 additional medical encounters that patients had not mentioned including five hospitalizations following surgery and four ED visits. Overall patient self-report of ED, DS, and inpatient care for possible complications was both sensitive (82 percent) and specific (100 percent). The positive predictive value was 100 percent and negative predictive value 98 percent. Discussion: Patient self-report of posthospital events was accurate. Substantial numbers of patients required care at outlying hospitals (not where the TJR occurred). Conclusion: Methods that directly engage patients can augment current posthospital utilization surveillance to assure complete data.
Characterization of Epstein-Barr virus recombinants with deletions of the BamHI C promoter

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) recombinants with the BamHI C promoter (Cp) deleted were compared with wild-type Cp recombinants derived in parallel for their ability to initiate and maintain latent infection and growth transformation in primary human B lymphocytes. Cp-deleted recombinants infected, transformed, and immortalized B lymphocytes in vitro as efficiently as wild-type Cp recombinant EBV. Lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) infected with the Cp-deleted recombinant were indistinguishable from wild-type recombinant-infected LCLs in latent gene expression, growth rate, morphology, and surface phenotype. Deletion of Cp did not affect episomal maintenance or spontaneous entry of the virus into lytic cycle. The effect of steroid hormones on latent and lytic gene expression on Cp-deleted recombinants was analyzed and shown to be independent of the glucocorticoid response element located 5' to Cp. The BamHI W promoter, Wp, is used to transcribe EBNA genes in Cp-deleted EBV-infected cells. Wp is sufficient for growth transformation and maintenance of the lymphoblastoid phenotype of EBV-infected lymphocytes in vitro.
Quiescent Response of Cerebral Cortical Astrocytes to Nanoscale Scaffold Properties

Astrocytes cultured on electrospun polyamide nanofibers whose nanophysical properties may reproduce key aspects of native extracellular matrices have demonstrated promising results in both in-vitro and in-vivo situations. In vitro, astrocytes cultured on nanofibrillar scaffolds assumed morphologies that appeared to recapitulate those observed in native tissues and also demonstrated increased neurite outgrowth by co-cultured neurons. In vivo, the same scaffolds introduced into spinal cord wound sites promoted accelerated hindlimb recovery measured by standardized observational scoring with aligned and fasciculated axon development and revascularization throughout wound sites. The in-vitro and in-vivo results suggest that nanofibrillar scaffolds could induce preferential astrocyte differentiation leading to minimized glial scar formation, which has positive implications for improved treatment options for central nervous system injury repairs.The present investigation [1] examined the hypothesis that external physical cues of the nanofibrillar scaffolds can trigger specific signaling cascades with morphological consequences. The nanophysical cues of macro- and nano- scale surface roughness and surface polarity were investigated in this study. The morphological response of cerebral cortical astrocytes to nanophysical properties of the nanofibrillar scaffolds was investigated at high-resolution using AFM. The three-dimensional capability of AFM was also used to characterize cell spreading. An initial study of the corresponding activation of GTPase upstream regulators was performed using immunocytochemistry, focusing on investigation of the main GTPase regulators for the observed morphological responses: filopodia, lamellipodia, stress fiber formation, and stellation. The results support the hypothesis that the nanophysical extracellular environment can trigger preferential activation of members of the Rho GTPase family with demonstrable morphological consequences for cerebral cortical astrocytes.[1] Tiryaki VM, Ayres VM, Khan AA, Ahmed I, Shreiber DI, and Meiners S “Nanofibrillar scaffolds induce preferential activation of Rho GTPases in cerebral cortical astrocytes”, Int. J. Nanomedicine, 07:3891-3905 (2012).
The effect of asparagus virus infection on asparagus tissue culture

The impact of asparagus virus I (AV-I), a potyvirus, and asparagus virus II (AV-II), an ilarvirus, on micropropagation of field-grown asparagus was studied. Apical shoot tips excised from singly or doubly-infected plants were slow to develop roots and had a 15 to 75% reduction in survival in culture, respectively, compared to those excised from virus-free plants. The four virus infection groups were ranked: virus-free >AV-II>AV-I>AV-I & II for capacity of explants to both root and survivein vitro. Micropropagated plants infected with AV-II exhibited slight reductions in fresh and dry weights, with greater reductions associated with infection with AV-I and double infection, compared to the virus-free controls. Eighty-one virus-infected apical shoot tips yielded 7 (8.6%) virus-free clones, as determined by rub inoculation on indicator plants.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the in-vitro and ex-vivo detection of excitatory amino acids

Traditionally methods for the detection of excitatory amino acids, which have been linked to secondary injury following head trauma, can be excessively time consuming clinically. A near real-time measurement system could provide clinical information in anticipation of pharmaceutical intervention for head injured patients. Our studies have shown that surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with silver colloids has the ability to measure physiological concentrations of in vitro excitatory amino acids using short scan times. Employing a damage model for ischemia, preliminary ex vivo rat extracellular grain fluid analysis shows an intriguing correlation between SERS spectral features and expected Glutamate concentration fluctuations following head injuries.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An example arising from berkson's conjecture

Berkson (1980) conjectured that minimum x2 was a superior procedure to that of maximum likelihood, especially with regard to mean squared error. To explore his conjecture, we analyze his (1955) bioassay problem related to logistic regression. We consider not only the criterion of mean squared error for the comparison of these estimators, but also include alternative criteria such as concentration functions and Pitman's measure of closeness. The choice of these latter criteria is motivated by Rao's (1981) considerations of the shortcomings of mean squared error. We also include several Rao-Blackwellized versions of the minimum logit x2 the purpose of these comparisons.
Using S-locus deletions to evaluate self-incompatibility candidate genes: an example for a novel anther-expressed gene.

A novel gene, designated SPA, was isolated using a differential display strategy designed to target the Brassica self-incompatibility (S) locus for anther-expressed sequences. SPA is genetically and physically linked to the S locus and produces two transcripts expressed predominantly in anthers. SPA alleles exhibit a degree of sequence polymorphism comparable to that characteristic of the S locus glycoprotein and S receptor kinase genes which are known to be required for self-incompatibility in the stigma. Thus, SPA fulfills several of the criteria predicted for a gene that encodes the pollen component of self-incompatibility. However, analysis of an S-locus deletion that encompasses this gene rules out a role for this gene as a determinant of specificity in the self-incompatibility response.
Loyalties, commodity and fandom: Real Madrid, Barça and Athletic fans versus ‘La Furia Roja’ during the World Cup

This essay is about contemporary identity construction in Spain, using football as one of the most representative aspects of mass and popular culture at the beginning of the twenty-first century. I...
Abstraction in recovery management

There are many examples of actions on abstract data types which can be correctly implemented with nonserializable and nonrecoverable schedules of reads and writes. We examine a model of multiple layers of abstraction that explains this phenomenon and suggests an approach to building layered systems with transaction oriented synchronization and roll back. Our model may make it easier to provide the high data integrity of reliable database transaction processing in a broader class of information systems. We concentrate on the recovery aspects here, a technical report [Moss et al 85] has a more complete discussion of concurrency control.
Hemodynamic studies with sotalol in man, performed at rest, during exercise, and during right ventricular pacing

Abstract The hemodynamic effects of sotalol (MJ 1999) were studied during diagnostic catheterization in 24 adult male patients, at rest, during exercise, and during constantrate right ventricular pacing. The depression in cardiac index at rest and during exercise appears to be secondary to the negative chronotropic effect of the drug, since there was no change in stroke volume. The change in dP/dt and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure may also be a function of slowing of the heart rate. However, with heart rate maintained constant by right ventricular pacing, there was significant depression of cardiac function, as indicated by a decrease in cardiac index, stroke index, and dP/dt, and increase in arteriovenous oxygen difference. Sotalol appears to have both a significant negative chronotropic and negative inotropic effect in man.
Alcoholism aftercare and outcome: cross-lagged panel and path analyses.

Summary Although aftercare following a specified treatment event is gaining popularity, its effect on long term outcome is uncertain. Cross-lagged panel analysis (correlation) and path analysis (standardised partial regression) are two methods to examine the relationship. These methods were used to describe the aftercare—outcome effect at two points in time, one and two years following inpatient treatment of 37 Caucasian male alcoholics. Social stability at intake and behavioural adjustment while hospitalized were added to the path model to help rule out certain confounds of the aftercare variable. Aftercare influenced the outcome system.
Pulmonary Venous Stenosis as an Associated Manifestation of Left-Sided Obstructive Lesions in an Infant with Partial Atrioventricular Canal Defect

Patients with partial atrioventricular canal defect (PAVC) who present with congestive heart failure within the first year of life are usually found to have associated left-sided obstructive lesions. We present a case of a child with PAVC who subsequently developed progressive pulmonary venous stenosis as a manifestation of her disease.
Knockdown of FABP5 mRNA decreases cellular cholesterol levels and results in decreased apoB100 secretion and triglyceride accumulation in ARPE-19 cells

To maintain normal retinal function, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells engulf photoreceptor outer segments (ROS) enriched in free fatty acids (FFAs). We have previously demonstrated fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) downregulation in the RPE/choroidal complex in a mouse model of aging and early age-related macular degeneration. FABPs are involved in intracellular transport of FFAs and their targeting to specific metabolic pathways. To elucidate the role of FABP5 in lipid metabolism, the production of the FABP5 protein in a human RPE cell line was inhibited using RNA interference technology. As a result, the levels of cholesterol and cholesterol ester were decreased by about 40%, whereas FFAs and triglycerides were increased by 18 and 67% after siRNA treatment, respectively. Some species of phospholipids were decreased in siRNA-treated cells. Cellular lipid droplets were evident and apoB secretion was decreased by 76% in these cells. Additionally, we discovered that ARPE-19 cells could synthesize and secrete Apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100), which may serve as a backbone structure for the formation of lipoprotein particles in these cells. Our results indicate that FABP5 mRNA knockdown results in the accumulation of cellular triglycerides, decreased cholesterol levels, and reduced secretion of apoB100 protein and lipoprotein-like particles. These observations indicated that FABP5 plays a critical role in lipid metabolism in RPE cells, suggesting that FABP5 downregulation in the RPE/choroid complex in vivo might contribute to aging and early age-related macular degeneration.
Day-to-day migrating and nonmigrating tidal variability due to the six-day planetary wave

[1] To investigate day-to-day variability in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT), an idealized simulation of a six-day westward propagating zonal wave number-1 planetary wave is performed using the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIME-GCM). The six-day planetary wave introduces a six-day periodicity in the zonal mean atmosphere, migrating and nonmigrating tides, as well as in secondary waves that are produced by nonlinear planetary wave-tide interactions. We have further used the linear Global Scale Wave Model (GSWM) to isolate the effect of how the day-to-day changes in zonal mean zonal winds may influence tides in the MLT. The most significant changes are observed in the migrating diurnal tide (DW1), eastward propagating nonmigrating tides with zonal wave numbers-2 and -3 (DE2 and DE3), and a 20 hr eastward propagating wave with zonal wave number-2 (20E2). Because we have included the lower atmospheric source of nonmigrating tides, DE2 and DE3 are present with relatively large amplitudes in the MLT, even in the absence of planetary wave forcing. The 20E2 wave is produced by the nonlinear interaction between the DE3 and the six-day planetary wave, and its large amplitude indicates the importance of including the realistic spectra of nonmigrating tides in numerical simulations of planetary waves. The GSWM simulations reveal that the DW1 is not significantly influenced by the changes in the zonal mean winds. We thus conclude that the DW1 changes are driven by a combination of changes due to nonlinear interaction with the six-day planetary wave as well as changes due to zonal asymmetries that result from the six-day planetary wave. The six-day planetary wave induced changes in zonal mean zonal winds lead to a general reduction in the amplitude of DE2 and DE3, and introduce a slight periodic behavior in these tides. The effect of changing zonal mean zonal winds appears to be the primary driver of the changes in the DE2. However, for DE3, although the changes that can be attributed to zonal mean zonal wind variability are not insignificant, the primary driver of the DE3 perturbations appears to be the nonlinear interaction with the six-day planetary wave. Last, we demonstrate that the day-to-day changes in the DE3 introduce similar day-to-day changes in the daytime wave number-4 longitude structure in the low-latitude ionosphere. These results indicate that short-term variability in the low-latitude ionosphere is likely to be driven by similar short-term variability in nonmigrating tides in the MLT.
Producing fuel and specialty chemicals from the slow pyrolysis of poultry DAF skimmings

Abstract The production of bio-oil via the slow pyrolysis of dissolved air flotation (DAF) skimmings from poultry processing is described. The raw DAF skimmings were characterized for physicochemical properties and for thermal behavior (TGA). The bio-oil was produced in a batch pyrolysis system at varying temperatures between 400 and 700 °C to study the effect of temperature on product yield. The fatty acids in the bio-oil produced displayed a high degree of saturation that caused the bio-oil to have poor cold flow properties (high cloud point and viscosity) so a solvent extraction scheme was devised to extract a bio-oil fraction rich in unsaturated fatty acids that could be further esterified into a bio-diesel and fatty nitriles that could be further processed into surfactants. This ethyl acetate-soluble fraction demonstrated much improved cold flow properties as well as lower water content and a higher HHV. The esterification of this soluble fraction was performed using methanol and sulfuric acid as an acid catalyst and the formation of fatty acid methyl esters was verified using GC/MS and FT-IR.
Evaluating eelgrass site quality by the settlement, performance, and survival of a marine fish

The quantity of habitat can be defined by the distribution and abundance of organisms, but it is the quality of the habitat that may have more direct demographic consequences. Habitat quality is best assessed by determining demographic rates and the performance of the focal species residing within a habitat. Using this framework to develop a method for evaluating habitat quality among sites, we used two demographic rates (settlement and survival) and two performance measures (growth and condition) of the giant kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus Girard) to determine whether eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) habitat quality varies spatially (i.e., site quality) within San Diego Bay, California, USA. Seven sites were selected that encompass the northern and central areas of the bay. Settlement was estimated bi-weekly from May to July 2009 with artificial seagrass units (ASUs) and standard monitoring units for the recruitment of fishes (SMURFs). Eelgrass habitat complexity (shoot height and density) was measured at each site, and three complexity treatments were replicated with ASUs in large mesocosms to estimate survival of giant kelpfish after exposure to kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus Girard), a common predator. Growth and condition were derived from juvenile giant kelpfish collected from sites two months after the settlement period using otolith daily growth increments and total lipid content, respectively. Settlement, growth, and condition were evaluated using a multivariate analysis to provide an assessment of habitat quality among sites and a framework for which site quality can be evaluated in different marine habitats. Combined with habitat-dependent survival from predators in laboratory trials that reflected site-specific habitat attributes, sites were ranked along a gradient of habitat quality. The multivariate analysis of site quality based on demographic and performance variables was then overlaid with a similar analysis of environmental variables. Environmental variables that would serve as proxies for habitat quality were not concordant with the suite of demographic and performance variables used to differentiate site quality, suggesting that a pluralistic approach using demographic rates and individual performance is a potentially more appropriate method for evaluating habitat quality, whether among different habitats or among sites of the same habitat.
Gonadal effects of cancer therapy in girls.

A retrospective study of testicular histology was carried out in 21 prepubertal boys and in 11 intrapubertal or postpubertal boys who died from 1 day to 1 year after treatment with chemotherapy (CT) with or without radiation therapy (RT) for extragonadal solid tumors. Based on autopsy findings, profound histologic changes were found in six prepubertal boys and in all but one of the intrapubertal and postpubertal boys. For three of the prepubertal and five of the postpubertal boys with altered testicular histology, the contribution of pelvic RT could not be excluded. When prepubertal patients were evaluated according to nutritional status, a thickened tubular wall and absent or severely reduced spermatogonia were found in only 1 of 11 adequately nourished boys as compared with 5 of 10 malnourished boys. In intrapubertal and postpubertal boys, the tubular wall was thickened in six and these changes were independent of nutritional status. All malnourished intrapubertal and postpubertal patients demonstrated impaired spermatogenesis (versus 67% of age-matched malnourished controls), whereas similar impairment was noted in 60% with adequate nutrition versus 20% of controls. The diffuse damage of germ cells and tubules in malnourished younger boys suggests that the prepubertal male is not necessarily protected against the reproductive effects of cancer therapy.
Validity of Teacher Report for Assessing the Emergent Literacy Skills of At-Risk Preschoolers

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive validity of teacher report for assessing the emergent literacy skills of preschool-age children. The aims were twofold: (a) to examine predictive relationships between teacher report and direct behavioral assessment, and (b) to examine the extent to which teacher report accurately differentiates children who are exhibiting low levels of emergent literacy skills relative to their peers. Method Forty-four preschool teachers completed a rating form reporting the print-related emergent literacy skills of 209 children who were enrolled in their classrooms. Approximately 2 months later, the children completed direct assessments of these skills. Results Correlations between teacher report and children’s performance on direct behavioral assessments were positive, moderate to large in size, and statistically significant. In terms of classifying children into groupings based on risk (e.g., at risk, low risk), global teacher ratings demonstrated a sen...
Method for increasing the velocity acceptance of stimulated laser cooling.

A new method is proposed for laser cooling atoms with Doppler shifts an order of magnitude larger than the homogeneous linewidth of the atomic transition. Two traveling waves cross at an oblique angle and form long-wavelength standing waves. The resulting broadband stimulated cooling forces are predicted to stop 0.1% of the flux of a 500-K atomic sodium beam in a distance of 300 μm and a time of a few microseconds. This is more than 100 times faster than current methods.
Chromosomal DNA demethylation specified by protein binding.

In the present study, we utilize the well-characterized Escherichia coli lac repressor/operator system to demonstrate that protein binding can lead to demethylation at the binding sites in the chromosome. Similar to the findings using the episome, we found that the presence of LacI in the cells can lead to demethylation of methylated lacO in the chromosome and the LacI inhibitor, isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), can prevent demethylation of the methylated lacO. The lacO sites become progressively more demethylated over time with the presence of LacI, supporting the role of protein occupancy in demethylation targeting. These results validate our earlier conclusions using a stable episomal system, and establish for the first time that protein binding can specify sites of demethylation in the chromosome.
Experimental planetary impact research

Abstract Laboratory experiments provided an invaluable tool for simulating cratering processes on planets subject to a wide range of impactor, target, and environmental conditions.
Zinc Requirement for Growing Swine

Swine fed rations containing 16, 21, 26, 31, 36, 41, or 46 parts per million of zinc gained 0.06, 0.13, 0.25, 0.52, 0.61, 0.69, and 0.76 lb, respectively, per day. Feed required per unit of gain decreased with each increment of zinc. Parakeratosis occurred in pigs fed 16, 21, 26, 31, or 36 ppm of zinc.
Towards an algebraic characterization of convex polyhedral cones

It is shown that the theory of positive linear independence and the properties of Jordan-equivalent matrices can be utilized effectively in order to obtain an algebraic characterization of a face structure of convex polyhedral cones.
Survival of blue-green algae under primitive atmospheric conditions

Conditions on the primordial Earth are reviewed and information on pertinent microfossils and primitive microorganisms presented. A series of simulated pre-Cambrian environments are set up and 8 strains of blue-green algae are tested under 7 different anaerobic, mildly reducing atmospheres. Of 61 cultures tested, 12 showed growth, 32 survived and 17 died. Growth was measured spectrophotometrically. Microscopic examination failed to show any gross morphological changes in the experimental cultures. It is concluded that certain strains of blue-green algae have retained their ability to survive or grow under a primordial atmosphere.
Individual Differences in Concurrent Performance of Military and Robotics Tasks with Tactile Cueing

We simulated a military tank environment and examined the performance of the combined position of gunner and robotics operator and how aided target recognition (AiTR) capabilities (delivered either through tactile or tactile + visual cueing) for the gunnery task might benefit the concurrent robotics and communication tasks. Specifically, we investigated whether performance was affected by individual differences factors such as spatial ability and perceived attentional control. Results showed that participants' robotics and communication tasks both improved significantly when the AiTR was available to assist them with their gunnery task. The participants' spatial ability was found to be a good indicator of their gunnery and robotics task performance. However, when AiTR was available to assist their gunnery task, those participants of lower spatial ability were able to perform their robotics tasks as well as those of higher spatial ability. There was also evidence that operators' preference of cueing modali...
In situ histochemical detection of beta-galactosidase activity in lung: assessment of X-Gal reagent in distinguishing lacZ gene expression and endogenous beta-galactosidase activity.

Bacterial lacZ is one of the most commonly used reporter genes for assessing gene transfer to lung. However, lung contains endogenous beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal), which can confound estimation of exogenous lacZ expression by histochemical techniques (i.e., X-Gal) for in situ demonstration of enzyme activity. We investigated several parameters of the X-Gal reaction, including time and temperature of X-Gal exposure as well as lung tissue processing and fixation techniques, and found that none of these could be used to distinguish between endogenous and exogenous beta-Gal activities. The mammalian and bacterial beta-Gal enzymes, however, have pH optima in the acidic and neutral ranges, respectively. Exposing whole lung, lung minces, or mounted frozen sections of lung to X-Gal at mildly alkaline pH (pH 8.0-8.5), minimized detection of endogenous activity in lungs from a variety of species while preserving that resulting from bacterial enzyme activity in a transgenic mouse expressing lacZ. This technique was also useful in distinguishing endogenous activity from that resulting from adenovirus-mediated lacZ gene transfer to diploid lung fibroblasts in primary culture. An appropriate buffer that maintains the desired pH throughout the duration of X-Gal exposure must be used.
Relational and Health Correlates of Affection Deprivation

This article articulates the construct of affection deprivation, the condition of wanting more tactile affectionate communication than one receives. Individual- and group-level variance on the construct is investigated and its social and health correlates are identified in a survey of 509 adults from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 16 foreign countries. Affection deprivation shows no correlation with age and no relationship with ethnicity, but men report significantly higher average affection deprivation than women. Moreover, as affection exchange theory predicts, affection deprivation shows positive linear associations with loneliness, depression, stress, alexithymia, preoccupied and fearful avoidant attachment styles, and numbers of personality disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and secondary immune disorders. Affection deprivation shows negative linear associations with general health, happiness, social support, relationship satisfaction, and attachment security. Thes...