cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excited D_s (and Pentaquarks) in Chiral Perturbation Theory

I present results of a heavy hadron chiral perturbation theory analysis of the decays and masses of the recently discovered excited charm mesons. The present data on the electromagnetic branching ratios are consistent with heavy quark symmetry predictions and disfavor a molecular interpretation of these states. I also discuss model independent predictions for the strong decays of pentaquarks in the 10-bar representation of SU(3) which can be used to constrain the angular momentum and parity quantum numbers of these states.
Transport of monosaccharides by the small intestine of genetically diabetic mice.

Abstract Small intestinal absorptive function was investigated in genetically diabetic mouse model (C57 BL/ KSJ dbm) in order to determine the long-term effects of genetic and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus on intestinal function. Initial rates of uptake of nonmetabolizable glucose analogs, β-methyl-d-glucoside and 3-O-methyl-d-glucose were determined in diabetic mice and their littermate controls using everted sacs from proximal and distal halves of the intestine. In addition, intestinal weight, intestinal length, mucosal protein, and DNA were measured. There were no significant differences between controls and diabetics in rates of uptake by either proximal or distal segments. Kinetic characteristics of uptake, K m and V max , were similar in controls and diabetics. These results clearly demonstrate that intestinal transport of monosaccharides is not altered in genetic diabetes, and therefore are in contrast to augmented transport reported in the early phase of drug-induced diabetes but similar to the results observed in chronic drug-induced diabetes. However, diabetic mice exhibited stimulated intestinal growth similar to rats with chronic drug-induced diabetes.
Chemical synthesis of the ATAD2 bromodomain

Due to the emerging importance of the bromodomain binding region in the study of epigenetic effectors and the vast implications for a wide variety of human disease, the bromodomain region of human ATPase family AAA+ (ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities) domain-containing protein 2 (ATAD2) was targeted for chemical synthesis. The ATAD2 bromodomain (130 aa) was divided into five strategic fragments to be assembled using native chemical ligation with a focus on maximal convergency and efficiency. The fragments were assembled with one cysteine and three thioleucine ligations, unveiling the native alanine and leucine amino acids at the ligation points following metal-free dethiylation. Synthetic highlights of the study are a photolabile dimethoxynitrobenzyl-protected glutamic acid side chain used to impede hydrolysis of the C-terminal Glu-thioester, a thiazolidine-protected thioleucine, and an efficient assembly of three fragments in a single reaction vessel with dual-mode kinetic-standard chemical ligation. With a focus on material throughput and convergency, the five peptide fragments were assembled into the native ATAD2 bromodomain region with a total of three HPLC events in 8% overall yield from the fragments.
Child, Family, and Community Transformations: Findings from Interviews with Mothers of Transgender Girls

The present study represents findings from interviews with five mothers, each of whom had a transgender child. All of the transgender children were natal/biological males between the ages of 8 and 11 years old and had socially transitioned to living as girls. Ehrensaft's (2012) notion of the “true gender self” was integrated with an ecological perspective to examine multiple interacting contexts, including family, neighborhood, and school, in which the participants lived. An overarching theme of “transformation” (or lack thereof) was used to organize the findings in relation to the transgender children, their families, and their communities. Changes in relation to the children's demeanor and well-being before and after their social transitions (e.g., from shy and depressed to happy and well-adjusted), the parents’ and other family members’ feelings and reactions to the children's gender identities and expressions over time (e.g., health care professionals and school staff learning along with and from the ...
Evolution of the genome and the genetic code: selection at the dinucleotide level by methylation and polyribonucleotide cleavage

Noting the scarcity of CpG dinucleotide in total genomic DNA derived from higher organisms and the scarcity of TpA dinucleotide in total genomic DNA derived from most life forms, we examined the distribution of these dinucleotides in sequences derived from functionally distinct types of human DNA, including mitochondrial DNA, intergenic DNA, intron DNA, and DNA destined to be represented in the cytoplasm as mRNA, tRNA, or rRNA. While CpG frequency has fallen to its lowest levels in DNA that is transcriptionally silent, TpA is most stringently excluded in DNA destined to be expressed as mRNA in the cytosol. This observation suggests that the selective pressures leading to the removal of CpG and TpA operate at different levels. With respect to TpA, dinucleotide scarcity may reflect a requirement for mRNA stability and may indicate the action of UpA-selective ribonucleases. We propose that, by reason of its instability, UpA must have been very rare in primordial RNA. Therefore, tRNA with the anticodon for this dinucleotide may have failed to evolve, making UpA the primordial doublet "stop" codon. The modern triplet code has faithfully conserved this arrangement in the two universal stop codons, UAA and UAG.
Reversible fluoride uptake and release byStreptococcus mutans GS-5 and FA-1

Concentrative uptake of fluoride by cells ofStreptococcus mutans in thick suspensions was found to be a reversible process responsive to changes in ΔpH across the cell membrane imposed by rapid acidification or neutralization of the suspensions. The cells were found to be permeable to fluoride in media of neutral pH but to concentrate it only in acid media.
Two-stage combustion of plain and N doped oil

Number 2 fuel oil and Number 2 oil doped with pyridine were burned in a well insulated two-stage combustion apparatus to investigate NO emissions reduction using rich-lean combustion in nearly adiabatic combustion systems. The NO emissions were measured for a baseline condition without secondary air addition and these data were compared to the NO emissions from two-stage combustion with two secondary air flowrates. For plain fuel, many of the NO emissions trends followed thermal arguments; however, a second chemical NO formation mechanism was important for first stage equivalence ratios greater than about 1.3. Burned gas composition measurements at the exit of the first stage showed that HCN and NH 3 were formed in the rich No. 2 oil-air flames and the subsequent oxidation of these species in the lean second stage contributed significantly to the two-stage NO emissions. When N doped No. 2 oil was burned, the above phenomena limited the minimum yield of NO from the fuel N to about. 20.
Use of a Silylation Procedure and 13C-NMR Spectroscopy To Characterize Bound and Sequestered Residues of Cyprodinil in Soil

Soil-bound residues of the fungicide cyprodinil (4-cyclopropyl-6-methyl-2-phenylaminopyrimidine), which was labeled with 13C and 14C either in the phenyl ring or the pyrimidyl ring, were analyzed by a silylation procedure and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. After a 6-month incubation of soil with 3 or 500 ppm cyprodinil, bound residues amounted to about 50% and 18% of the initial radioactivity, respectively. The isolated humic acid fraction and the NaOH-extracted soil (the humin fraction) were suspended in chloroform and silylated by overnight shaking with trimethylchlorosilane. Analysis of the silylated extracts by 13C-NMR revealed that the formation of soil-bound residues in the 500 ppm samples involved: (1) sequestration of the unaltered or slightly altered fungicide in the humin fraction and (2) cleavage of the cyprodinil molecule between the aromatic rings followed by covalent binding of the separated moieties to humic acid. The sequestered fungicide (phenyl label) generated triplet NMR signals at 121.0, 125....
Pediatric lung abscess: clinical management and outcome

Pulmonary abscess is an infrequent but significant problem in children. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 45 children with documented lung abscesses admitted and treated at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, over the 11-year period from January, 1982, to December, 1993, and report their presenting symptoms, bacteriology, clinical management and outcome.
Discharge of nematocysts isolated from aeolid nudibranchs

Nematocysts were extracted from 3 nudibranch species and one sea anemone species, and the ability of several test fluids to promote discharge was examined. Except when isolated in sodium citrate, nudibranch nematocysts did not discharge in response to any test fluids. Nudibranch nematocysts isolated in sodium citrate discharged when tested with EGTA, distilled water, and calcium-free artificial seawater, but there were differences among the 3 nudibranch species. Nematocysts isolated from one nudibranch species and nematocysts isolated from that nudibranch's sea anemone prey differed in the percentage that discharged in response to EGTA and distilled water. These results suggest that nematocysts stored by nudibranchs are altered in some way, resulting in the different discharge responses.
A cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone can recognize the same naturally occurring self peptide in association with a self and a nonself class I MHC protein

The alloreactive CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone 2C was previously shown to recognize complexes made up of the class I MHC (MHC-I) molecule Ld and an octapeptide (LSPFPFDL, termed p2Ca) isolated from tissues of H-2d mice. Because peptide p2Ca has also been found in BALB.B (H-2b) mice, the strain from which clone 2C originated, the question arises as to whether these T cells can recognize peptide p2Ca in association with a self MHC protein of the H-2b haplotype. Here we show that 2C CTL do indeed recognize peptide p2Ca in association with Kb on the surface of H-2b cells or on transfected cells expressing Kb, but that an approximately 1000-fold higher concentration of this peptide is required to sensitize Kb+ than Ld+ target cells for lysis by 2C cells. However, the peptide's binding to Kb was not much weaker than to Ld, with only an approximately 10-fold difference in the respective equilibrium constants. These results predict that the T cell receptor (TcR) of clone 2C has a much lower intrinsic affinity for p2Ca-Kb complexes than for p2Ca-Ld complexes, and they provide some quantitative limits on the requirements for triggering T cell-mediated autoimmune reactivity.
Synaptology of physiologically identified ganglion cells in the cat retina: A comparison of retinal X- and Y-cells

It has long been known that a number of functionally different types of ganglion cells exist in the cat retina, and that each responds differently to visual stimulation. To determine whether the characteristic response properties of different retinal ganglion cell types might reflect differences in the number and distribution of their bipolar and amacrine cell inputs, we compared the percentages and distributions of the synaptic inputs from bipolar and amacrine cells to the entire dendritic arbors of physiologically characterized retinal X- and Y-cells. Sixty-two percent of the synaptic input to the Y-cell was from amacrine cell terminals, while the X-cells received approximately equal amounts of input from amacrine and bipolar cells. We found no significant difference in the distributions of bipolar or amacrine cell inputs to X- and Y-cells, or ON-center and OFF-center cells, either as a function of dendritic branch order or distance from the origin of the dendritic arbor. While, on the basis of these data, we cannot exclude the possibility that the difference in the proportion of bipolar and amacrine cell input contributes to the functional differences between X- and Y-cells, the magnitude of this difference, and the similarity in the distributions of the input from the two afferent cell types, suggest that mechanisms other than a simple predominance of input from amacrine or bipolar cells underlie the differences in their response properties. More likely, perhaps, is that the specific response features of X- and Y-cells originate in differences in the visual responses of the bipolar and amacrine cells that provide their input, or in the complex synaptic arrangements found among amacrine and bipolar cell terminals and the dendrites of specific types of retinal ganglion cells.
Identification and regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins produced by hormone-dependent and -independent human breast cancer cell lines.

Abstract Using molecular hybridization, ligand blotting and immunoprecipitation, our studies were designed to identify the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) produced by human breast cancer cells in culture and evaluate their regulation by estradiol (E 2 ) and polyamines (PA). We demonstrate that the hormone-dependent MCF-7 and -independent BT-20 cell lines express the mRNA for 1GFBP-2 (1.7 kb) and secrete this BP (31 kDa) in the conditioned medium. In contrast, the hormone-independent MDA-MB-231 cell line does not express the IGFBP-2 gene, while synthesizing and secreting IGFBP-1. E 2 administration (10 −9 M) did not significantly influence IGFBPs secretion in MCF-7 cells. Addition of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, 4 mM), an inhibitor of PA biosynthesis, consistently lowered IGFBP-2 mRNA in the MCF-7 and BT-20 cell lines and IGFBP-1 mRNA in MDA-MB-231 cells. Surprisingly, however, this compound either did not influence IGFBPs secretion in MCF-7 cells or actually increased their secretion in the BT-20 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. PA involvement in IGFBPs production by breast cancer cells is complex and may involve differential regulation of transcriptional and post-translational events.
The net effects of guarding on egg survivorship in the flagfish, Jordanella floridae

We investigated the effects of male nest guarding on egg survival in the flagfish, a species in which paternal care is thought to be relatively recently evolved. Thus, we characterized the fitness consequences of a major component of paternal care when secondary adaptations to care are likely to be minimal. The effects of guarding under three predation regimes were examined by exposing eggs to treatments in which no predators, conspecific females, and conspecific females and the egg predator Gambusia affinis were present. These were crossed with the presence and absence of parental males. We expected that guarding would result in an increase in egg survival in the presence of egg predators, but considered that in their absence the benefit might be decreased or absent, as a result of filial cannibalism. We also examined effects on egg survivorship stemming from filial cannibalism and egg-directed components of care (i.e. cleaning and fanning); the effects of these behaviours were examined through treatments in which males had full access to eggs (i.e. complete care), males were separated from their eggs by a screen (i.e. egg fanning and no cannibalism), and males were absent (i.e. no care and no cannibalism). In accordance with our expectations, guarding increased egg survivorship in the presence of females and Gambusia. However, egg survivorship when males were alone with eggs was low. Indeed, significantly more eggs were eaten than became diseased, suggesting that males cannibalize healthy eggs. Neither fanning nor cleaning resulted in an increase in egg survivorship. Thus, in flagfish, there may be costs of care when predators are absent. We discuss our findings in relation to sexual selection and the early evolution of parental care.
Research in progress conference for hospitalists provides valuable peer mentoring.

BACKGROUND: Many academic hospitalist units lack senior mentors. In such groups, peer mentoring may be valuable. To formalize collaboration, we instituted a research-in-progress conference at our institution, and this article describes the format and evaluation data. METHODS: The research-in-progress sessions were held every 3 to 4 weeks and followed a specific format. Evaluation forms were completed after each of the 15 sessions during the 2009 academic year. Attendees and presenters completed surveys at the end of the sessions. The projects presented were tracked for successful academic outcomes, namely, publication in a peer-reviewed journal or presentation at a national meeting. RESULTS: A mean of 9.6 persons were present at each session and completed the evaluations. All 15 presenters rated the climate of the sessions as extremely supportive, and 86% believed they were helpful in advancing their project. A total of 143 evaluations were completed by the attendees, 86% and 96% of whom found the sessions to be intellectually stimulating and to have satisfactorily kept them abreast of their colleagues' scholarly pursuits, respectively. To date, 10 of the 15 projects have translated into successful academic outcomes: 6 peer-reviewed publications and 4 other presentations presented at national meetings. CONCLUSIONS: The research-in-progress conference has been well received and has resulted in academic productivity within our hospitalist division. It is likely that such a conference will be most valuable for groups with limited access to senior mentors. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;6:43–46. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Interrogating the Treadmill of Production: Some Questions I Still Want to Know about and Am Not Afraid to Ask

This commentary on “Interrogating the Treadmill of Production” by Gould, Pellow, and Schnaiberg takes up the challenge, invited by the article itself, of asking some of the questions that still seem unanswered by the model. Among the questions asked are: Why not refer to capitalism instead of the treadmill and to workers/owners instead of producers? Why is the temporal priority of production over consumption taken as its logical primacy? Why is sustainability equated with no growth? What are the specific reasons for denying that a green capitalism (a green treadmill?) is possible? Why is it that no alternative system is offered, as Marxists would offer socialism as an alternative to capitalism? What would constitute empirical evidence for/against the treadmill thesis? Arewe really running in place? It is suggested that these key questions still need to be answered if the treadmill theory is to be compelling to sociologists both inside and outside environmental sociology.
Eastern equine encephalitis virus. Quantitative study of the effects of interferon on virus replication.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus replication in rabbit kidney (RK) cells was inhibited by interferon (IF). Interferon protected against the virus-induced shutoff of host protein synthesis and partially suppressed the synthesis of EEE structural proteins in infected cells. High doses (300–3000 units) inhibited the labeling of viral RNA in interferon-treated RK cells by as much as 98 per cent, as measured by TCA precipitation following 10, 30 or 60 minute labeling period. Sucrose gradient analysis confirmed that incorporation of3H-uridine into 23S and 40S viral RNA was inhibited by interferon, the latter being slightly more sensitive. The logarithm of the surviving fraction of each virus-specific event persisting in the interferon-treated infected cell was a linear function of the logarithm of the IP dose over a 1000-fold concentration range. The relative interferon sensitivities of the viral events measured were from highest to lowest: EEE yield > EEE RNA synthesis > EEE-induced CPE > EEE-induced shutoff of RK cell protein synthesis = EEE structural protein synthesis.
Dielectric constants and pair interactions in argon, carbon dioxide and ethylene

Abstract Dielectric constants e of gaseous argon, carbon dioxide and ethylene have been measured by a bridge method with a precision of about 0.3 parts per million at temperatures of 50, 100 and 150°C in the density range 0 to 4 mole liter−1, and the results have been fitted to the dielectric virial equation e− e+2 V n =A+B( n V )+C( n V ) 2 , where V n is the molar volume, and the virial coefficients A, B and C result from polarization of single molecules, pairs and triplets. Temperature independent values of A in cm3-mole−1 are 4.1368 ± 0.0012 for argon, 7.343 ± 0.003 for carbon dioxide and 10.771 ± 0.012 for ethylene. For argon, B was found to be 2.6 ± 0.4 cm6-mole−2 with no detectable temperature dependence. For carbon dioxide, values of B are 41 ± 1(50°), 34 ± 2(100°) and 30 ± 2 cm6-mole−2 (150°); these values are satisfactorily accounted for by a molecular quadropole moment Q = 4.8 × 10−26 esu. For ethylene the values are 54 ± 2 (50°, 51 ± 1 (100°) and 60 ± 1 (150°). These are not consistent with classical calculations and the possible importance of quantum effects is discussed.
Early Childhood Intervention in China.

Abstract With rapid economic development and increasing awareness of the importance of early childhood intervention (ECI), China is re-examining its social and educational practices for young child...
Modeling Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections

Heliospheric models of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) propagation and evolution provide an important insight into the dynamics of CMEa and are a valuable tool for interpreting interplanetary in situ observations. Moreover, they represent a virtual laboratory for exploring conditions and regions of space that are not conveniently or currently accessible by spacecraft. In this review I summarize recent advances in modeling the properties and evolution of CMEs in the solar wind. In particular, I will focus on: (1) the types of ICME models; (2) the boundary conditions that are imposed, (3) the role of the ambient solar wind; (4) predicting new phenomena; and (5) distinguishing between competing CME initiation mechanisms. I will conclude by discussing what topics will likely be important for models to address in the future.
Defining the ''community'' in community consultation for emergency research: Findings from the community VOICES study *

This article explores the application of the concept "community consultation" in the context of emergency medical research. Emergency medicine researchers are permitted, by the World Medical Association regulations and in the United States by U.S. Federal Regulations, to conduct emergency medical research on individuals with a life-threatening condition without obtaining their consent or that of their surrogates if certain conditions are met. Among these conditions is the requirement that researchers observe a number of special protections for the participants, including "community consultation and notification" prior to the initiation of such studies. The term "community" is not defined clearly and the process for conducting community consultations is not specified in these regulations. This study explores the feasibility of conducting community consultation in the context of emergency medical research by examining: research participant's definitions of community in New York, the factors that help shape their definitions of community and the people they would authorize to render participation decisions on their behalves. Findings from this study suggest that participants' definitions of community vary as a function of the purpose of the definition and the demographics of the respondents. Most significantly, this study reveals that although respondents can identify potential spokespersons for their communities, these community spokespersons were rarely identified as those who should have decision-making authority in medical emergencies. Finally, this article explores the implications of these findings for the definition of community as it applies to community consultation for emergency medical research.
Modeling reaction kinetics of rigid polyurethane foaming process

A theoretical model was developed to simulate the polyurethane foaming process for a rigid foam. In the model, multiple ordinary differential equations were solved by MATLAB and the model was able to predict temperature profiles by inputting foam recipe information. This initial study on foam modeling focusses on reaction kinetic parameters that were fitted to experimental temperature data as a function of time. The modeling was able to accurately model temperature profiles of single-polyol polyurethane formulations and was able to accurately predict temperature profiles of mixtures based on pure component kinetic parameters. A primary goal of this work is to expedite the ability to develop new foam formulations by simulation—especially for incorporation of new bio-based polyols into formulations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1131-1138, 2013
Influence of Family and School-Level Factors on Age of Sexual Initiation

Abstract Purpose This study examined the association of individual, family, and school-level characteristics with age of sexual initiation (ASI) and focused specifically on school context as a moderator of known predictors of ASI. Methods Data are from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 10,596). Predictors include grade point average, physical development, attitudes about sex, likelihood of higher education, alcohol use, delinquency, family structure, parents' education level, childhood abuse, maternal approval of sex, parental monitoring, and parent–child relationship quality. School-level predictors are averages of adolescents' attitudes about sex and likelihood of higher education and parents' education. Hierarchical linear models run separately by sex were used to predict ASI. Results When school-level attitudes about sex are more favorable, both boys and girls report younger ASI, and school mean parental education attainment moderates the influence of individual adolescents' attitudes about sex on ASI. More of the predictors are significant for girls than boys, whereas perception of maternal and peer approval of sexual activity are the most salient predictors of younger ASI for boys. Conclusions Results highlight the importance of school context for understanding adolescents' motivations for early ASI. Findings support the need for school-wide prevention interventions that engage adolescents, peers, and parents in addressing attitudes about early sex.
Single molecule confocal fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy for accurate nanoparticle size determination

We report on an experimental procedure in confocal single molecule fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (FLCS) to determine the range of excitation power and molecular or particulate concentration in solution under which the application of an unmodified model autocorrelation function is justified. This procedure enables fitting of the autocorrelation to an accurate model to measure diffusion length (r) and diffusion time (τD) of single molecules in solution. We also report on the pinhole size dependency of r and τD in a confocal FLCS platform. This procedure determines a set of experimental parameters with which the Stokes–Einstein (S–E) equation accurately measures the hydrodynamic radii of spherical nanoparticles, enabling the determination of the particle size range for which the hydrodynamic radius by the S–E equation measures the real particle radius.
Shape Characterization for Droplet Impingement Dynamics in Ink-Jet Deposition

The impact of droplets onto a substrate in ink-jet printing is critical for control and optimization of the droplet deposition process to improve part quality and accuracy and to reduce the manufacturing time. However, most previous research on droplet impingement dynamics mainly utilized one metric — the droplet spreading radius, which does not provide enough information for manufacturing purposes. This paper presents a new metric that is relevant to manufacturing by characterizing the droplet shape by measuring the similarity between the droplet shape and a desired shape over time. This enables a model of droplet shape evolution and optimization of the droplet deposition process to build desired geometries. Meanwhile, analyses with this shape metric aids understanding the physics of droplet shape evolution during impingement. A 2-D shape metric is first proposed and test cases are given to validate the effectiveness of the shape metric. Then the definition is extended to characterize 3-D droplet shape. Results also show the 3-D shape metric is effective and robust.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Single shot high resolution THz upconversion spectrometer

We have designed an upconversion spectrometer that has been used to measure the frequency of individual pulses from the UCSB free electron lasers (FEL). The FEL THz radiation is mixed with NIR radiation in a non-linear optical crystal to generate sum and difference frequency radiation. The FEL frequency is obtained by measuring the frequency difference between the fundamental radiation and the sum or difference frequency sideband, which is accomplished using a 1 m focal length Czerny-Turner spectrometer. Single shot sum and difference frequency generation of NIR and THz radiation is demonstrated with accuracy up to 0.1 cm-1 and with signal to noise ratios of greater than 100:1.
Immunological detection of wood decay fungi— An overview of techniques developed from 1986 to the present

Abstract During the past decade, diagnostic methods for detecting incipient wood decay in vitro and in situ have been developed using antibodies to target fungal antigens. Antibodies are potentially ideal probes for detecting fungal biodeterioration because they are specific and can quantitate fungal antigens within a complex structure such as wood. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to various fungal components have been utilized separately and in concert for immuno-blotting, enzyme immunoassays, particle agglutination assays, and chromatographic ‘dipstick’ assays. This paper provides an overview of the challenges encountered and progress made in the field of forest products immunodiagnostics since 1986.
An algorithm for deriving the equations of mathematical physics by symbolic manipulation

Algorithm for Navier-Stokes and continuity equations used to derive curvilinear coordinate system
Release and synthesis of prolactin by rat pituitary cell strains are regulated independently by thyrotropin-releasing hormone

THYROTROPIN-releasing hormone (TRH) is the tripeptide pyroglutamyl-histidyl-proline-NH2, which causes the release of prolactin and thyrotropin from the anterior pituitary gland in man and other animals1–3. Although the isolation of TRH was based on its ability to release thyrotropin, injection of TRH usually releases both prolactin and thyrotropin4,5. In spite of this knowledge, the physiological role of TRH in the control of either thyrotropin or prolactin secretion is not clear. We report here that the release and synthesis of prolactin are controlled independently by TRH in rat GH cells.
A sagittal plane model of the knee and cruciate ligaments with application of a sensitivity analysis

In this investigation the complex multi-bundle structure of the cruciate ligaments and their interaction with the tibiofemoral joint was modeled analytically by representing the different regions of the cruciates with ligament elements. A sensitivity analysis was then performed to describe the effect that variations of the model input parameters had on the model variables (outputs). The effect that the cruciate ligament bundles had in controlling joint kinematics was dependent on knee flexion angle, and the load applied to the tibiofemoral joint. For passive range of knee motion with the thigh in the horizontal plane (a common rehabilitation activity), all cruciate ligament bundles were strained with the joint positioned between 0 and 10 deg of knee flexion, between 10 and 50 deg only the anterior bundle of the posterior cruciate ligament A-PCL was strained, and from 50 to 90 deg both the anteromedial portion of the anterior cruciate ligament A-ACL and the A-PCL were strained. This finding indicates that a strain distribution about a transverse cross section of the cruciates exists, and demonstrates the importance of differentiating between the strained and unstrained (unloaded) states of these ligaments. The strain value of a cruciate ligament bundle was an indication of how the bundle controls joint kinematics, while the unstrained values describe how much the ligament bundle must deform before it becomes strained and a restraint to tibiofemoral joint motion. In response to anterior and posterior directed loads, applied parallel to the tibial plateau, the respective, ACL and PCL load values were larger in magnitude. The sensitivity of the model outputs to the input parameters was highly dependent on knee flexion angle. The geometrical input parameters of the model (including the ligament insertion site locations and articular surface geometry) had the most pronounced effect on the model output quantities, while the stiffness and initial strain conditions of the ligament bundles had less of an effect on the model outputs. When loaded, the strain values of the ligament bundles were sensitive to the ligament insertion site position. The greatest sensitivity of the model outputs was the femoral insertion of the ACL; supporting clinical impressions and previous experimental findings. Changes in the anterior-posterior dimension of the femoral articular surface did not produce a substantial effect on the model outputs, while changes in the proximal-distal dimension created a large effect; similar results were found for the tibial surface dimensions. These findings indicate that rigid body contact between the articular surfaces may not be a realistic assumption particularly with application to the prediction of tibiofemoral compressive loading and the force/strain values of the cruciate ligament elements. This also has important implications for the design and clinical application of total knee replacements (that function as rigid bodies), particularly those that spare the PCL.
Hepcidin: we always knew you were there

Comment on Papanikolaou et al, page [4103][1] Papanikolaou and colleagues have provided us with a key missing piece of pathophysiologic data that goes far in explaining the basis for iron-loading disorders. We knew that iron absorption from the gut was controlled by a sensor(s) that somehow
Overview of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a complex genetic, immune-mediated disease that targets anagen hair follicles. The disease affects children and adults and is characterized by round or oval patches of hair loss, loss of all scalp hair (alopecia totalis), body hair (alopecia universalis), or ophiasis pattern hair loss. Patients may also present with patchy loss in multiple hair-bearing areas. Commonly associated diseases include asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, and automimmune diseases, such as thyroiditis and vitiligo. Nail abnormalities may precede, follow, or occur concurrently with hair loss activity. Alopecia areata has no known age, race, or ethnic preponderance and in contrast to other autoimmune diseases such as thyroiditis or lupus, the hair follicle does not usually sustain permanent injury and maintains its potential to regrow hair. It is estimated that alopecia areata affects between six and seven million individuals in the United States. Genes, the immune and nervous systems have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. Although many treatments are available, there is still no cure. Bolstered by new scientific and translational opportunities from recently published genome-wide association studies, an ambitious treatment development program has recently been initiated by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
Mechanics as a Basic Component of Future Engineering Curricula

A consensus is beginning to emerge that the time has come for a radical change in all of our engineering curricula to make each of them far more responsive to the needs of today and tomorrow. However, there is profound disagreement on what directions of change are appropriate. It is essential that you, the mechanics community in the universities, industry, government, and private practice, enter immediately and vigorously into these ongoing debates on the future of undergraduate engineering education. Similar controversial issues are emerging at the graduate level and also call for your early input. You appreciate that mechanics in all its aspects is but a fraction of the totality of engineering education. However, you best understand why education in mechanics and education through mechanics, and the many other branches of fundamental engineering science, are among the essential building blocks for all engineers. You owe it to your colleagues in the specialized engineering disciplines to reach consensus among yourselves first, and then share your insight on the appropriate role of mechanics in the future before they commit themselves and you to any course of action.
First-time and multiple-DWI offenders: A comparison of criminal history records and BAC levels

Abstract This study compared forst-time DWI offenders to those individuals with multiple DWI offenses. The hypothesis was that the population of DWI offenders is not homogeneous and that the multiple DWI- offenders would show greater evidence of global criminality. The hypothesis was grounded in the theory of generality of deviance. The means of comparison were the numbers and types of arrests plus examination of the blood alcohol levels at the time of arrest. The findings indicate support for the hypothesis.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Accumulation in the Brain after Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a transcription factor composed of HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta protein subunits, has been implicated in cellular protection and cell death in cerebral ischemia. The extent to which HIF-1 plays a role in brain pathology during intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is unknown. This study determined whether HIF-1alpha is upregulated at different time points in a rat model of ICH and the role of thrombin and red blood cell lysis in upregulation. Recently, thrombin has been implicated as a nonhypoxic regulator of HIF-1alpha in cultured smooth-muscle cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received intracerebral infusions of saline, autologous whole blood, blood plus hirudin, thrombin, thrombin plus hirudin, or lysed erythrocytes. Rats were killed at different time points for Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescent double staining, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction measurements of HIF-1alpha. HIF-1alpha protein levels increased without changing HIF-1alpha messenger RNA levels after intracerebral infusions of blood, thrombin, and lysed erythrocytes. HIF-1alpha positive cells, which proved to be neurons, were found in the brain after ICH. Hirudin, a specific thrombin inhibitor, reduced HIF-1alpha upregulation in response to both thrombin and blood. This study demonstrates that perihematomal HIF-1alpha protein is upregulated after ICH. This phenomenon is an early response of brain parenchyma to the clot. Thrombin and erythrocyte lysate are involved in HIF-1alpha upregulation through reducing HIF-1alpha degradation.
Forecasting in the social and natural sciences: An overview and analysis of isomorphisms

This article identifies and analyzes several points of similarity in the structure and context of forecasting in the social and natural sciences. These include: the limits of identities or universal laws as a basis for forecasts; the corresponding need for simplifying parametric representations of one or more of the variables that enter into identities; various sources of uncertainty about parameterizations; intrinsic limitations on predictability or forecasting accuracy in large-scale systems; the need for sensitivity analyses of model responses to changes in exogenous variables and/or parametric structures; problems of model linkage; and the social (organizational and political) context of forecasts. Suggestions for future lines of inquiry are made in each case. Several of these are such that they can benefit from a sharing of experience and expertise across disciplinary lines.
Non-majority magnetic logic gates: a review of experiments and future prospects for 'shape-based' logic.

We discuss the experimental demonstration of non-majority, two-input, nanomagnet logic (NML) AND and OR gates. While gate designs still can incorporate the symmetric, rounded-rectangle magnets used in the three-input majority gate experiments by Imre (2006 Science 311 205–8), our new designs also leverage magnets with an edge that has a well-defined 'slant'. In rectangular and ellipsoid nanomagnets, the easy axis of the device coincides with its longer edge. For a magnet with a slanted edge, the easy and hard axes are 'tilted', and magnetic fields applied along the (geometrical) hard axis alone can set the easy axis magnetization state. This switching phenomenon can be employed to realize NML Boolean logic gates with both reduced footprints and critical path delays. Experimental demonstrations of two-input AND and OR gates are supported by corresponding micromagnetic simulations with temperature effects associated with a 300 K environment. Simulations suggest that the time evolution of experimentally demonstrated structures is correct, and that designs can also tolerate clock field misalignment. Additionally, simulations suggest that a slanted-edge 'compute magnet' can (i) be driven by two anti-ferromagnetically ordered lines of NML devices (for input) and (ii) drive an anti-ferromagnetically ordered line (for output). Both are essential if slanted-edge devices are to be used in NML circuits. We conclude with a discussion of extensibility and scaling prospects for shape-based computation with nanomagnets.
Phytol-Derived Novel Isoprenoid Immunostimulants

This review describes the adjuvanticity of novel diterpenoids (synthetic phytol derivatives) compared to some commercially available adjuvants. The efficacy of the phytol-derived immunostimulants was evaluated in terms of their ability to activate innate immunity, amplify various antigen-specific immune responses, and engender immunological memory with no discernible adverse effects in both competent and immune-deficient mice. The profile that emerges out of these studies reveals that the phytol derivatives are excellent immunostimulants, superior to a number of commercial adjuvants in terms of long-term memory induction and activation of both innate and acquired immunity. Additionally, the phytol-derived compounds have no cumulative inflammatory or toxic effects even in immuno-compromised mice.
Maria T. Zuber Receives 2012 Harry H. Hess Medal: Response

Thank you, Sean, and other colleagues who took the time to nominate me for this extraordinary honor. It is deeply meaningful to be recognized by the AGU, the primary scientific society in which I've participated throughout my career. The ever-expanding reach of AGU provides an outlet for our research much beyond our immediate field, important because, as I tell my students: “It doesn't matter how good your work is if no one knows about it.” Viewing the list of distinguished past Hess recipients, many of whom have influenced me greatly, it is impossible to overstate how humbled I am.
Development of a fast 3D treatment planning platform for clinical interstitial microwave hyperthermia within free-hand obliquely implanted HDR catheters

ABSTRACT A treatme nt planning platform for interstitial microwave hyperthermia was developed for practical, free -hand clinical implants. Such implants, consisting of non -parallel, moderately curved antennas with varying insertion depths, are used in HDR brachytherapy for t reating locally advanced cancer. Numerical models for commercially available MA251 antennas (915 MHz, BSD Medical) were developed in COMSOL Multiphysics, a finite element analysis software package. To expedite treatment planning, electric fields, power de position and temperature rises were computed for a single straight antenna in 2D axi symmetric geometry. A pre -computed library of electric field and temperature solutions was created for a range of insertion depths (5 -12 cm) and blood perfusion rates (0.5 -5 kg/m 3 /s). 3D models of multiple antennas and benchtop phantoms experiments using temperature -sensitive liquid crystal paper to monitor heating by curved antennas were performed for comparative evaluation of the treatment planning platform. A patient -cu stom izable hyperthermia treatment planning software package was developed in MATLAB with capabilities to interface with a commercial radiation therapy planning platform (Oncentra, Nucleotron), import patient and multi -catheter implant geometries, calculate insertion depths, and perform hyperthermia planning with antennas operating in asynchronous or synchronous mode. During asynchronous operation, the net power deposition and temperature rises were approximated as a superposition sum of the respective quan tities for one single antenna. During synchronous excitation, a superposition of complex electrical fields was performed with appropriate phasing to compute power deposition. Electric fields and temperatures from the pre -computed single -antenna library were utilized following appropriate non -rigid coordinate transformations. Comparison to 3D models indicated that superposition of electric fields around parallel antennas is val id when they are at least 15 mm apart. Phantom experiments with curved antennas produced temperature profiles quite similar to those created using the planning system. The hyperthermia planning software allowed users to select power and phasing, assess the corresponding 3D contours of energy and temperature, and optimize treatment parameters through gradient search techniques. The system produces fairly accurate temperature distributions in cases when the antennas are at least 15 mm apart. Keywords: Mic rowave, hyperthermia, treatment planning, numerical model
Endoscopic suboccipital decompression on pediatric Chiari type I.

Object To minimize the invasiveness and maximize the adequacy of Chiari decompression on pediatric patients, 0 degrees and 30 degrees endoscopes were adapted to perform the procedure of suboccipital craniectomy and upper cervical laminectomies. Methods Via a 2-cm midline skin incision, craniectomy and C1 laminectomies were performed by using 0 degrees and 30 degrees lens endoscopes. From October 2003 to December 2006, twenty-six pediatric patients underwent the endoscopic procedure; 16 were male and 10 female, whose ages ranged from 18 months to 16 years (mean+/-SD: 8.07+/-4.45 years). Results Ten of the 26 patients experienced suboccipital headache and cervical pain, 11 presented with dysphagia, choking, frequent nausea/gaging and vomiting, 6 presented with development delay in fine motor function and speech, 5 experienced ataxia, 6 with synrinx, 4 with hydrocephalus, 1 with pseudotumor cerebri and other symptoms including diplopia, weakness and numbness in extremities, nystagmus, and sleep apnea. Intraoperative monitoring of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) was used for the procedures in 11 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 39 months (mean+/-SD: 20.69+/-10.10 months). Postoperative improvement including complete and partial resolution of preoperative symptoms was shown in 92.3% of patients. Two cases have gained no improvement and one experienced postoperative complications - bacterial meningitis - which was successfully controlled with antibiotics. No mortality, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, pseudomeningocele, cerebellar ptosis and postoperative hydrocephalus were seen in this series. The average length of hospital stay was 2 nights. Conclusions The use of the endoscope through a suboccipital craniectomy and upper cervical laminectomies has made Chiari decompression in pediatric population comparable with the conventional procedure in terms of minimal surgical invasiveness, recovery time, and complexity of the procedure.