cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous "regression" of enhanced immune function in a photoperiodic rodent Peromyscus maniculatus.

Short days inhibit reproduction and enhance immune function in deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ). Their reproductive inhibition is sustained by an endogenous timing mechanism: after ca . 20 weeks in short days, reproductive photorefractoriness develops, followed by spontaneous recrudescence of the reproductive system. It is unknown whether analogous seasonal timing mechanisms regulate their immune function or whether enhanced immune function is sustained indefinitely under short days. In order to test this hypothesis, we housed adult male deer mice under long (16 h light day −1 ) or short (8 h light day −1 ) day conditions for 32 weeks or under long day conditions for 20 weeks followed by 12 weeks of short days. Mice under the long day conditions remained photostimulated over the 32 weeks, whereas mice housed under the short day conditions exhibited gonadal regression followed by photorefractoriness and spontaneous recrudescence. Mice transferred to short days at week 20 were reproductively photoregressed at week 32. Total splenocytes, relative splenic mass and mitogen–activated splenocyte proliferation were greater in those mice transferred to short days at week 20 than in those mice housed under either long or short day conditions for 32 consecutive weeks, and immune function in mice exposed to short days for 32 weeks was comparable with that of long day animals. These data suggest that short day enhancement of immune function is not indefinite. With prolonged (= 32 weeks) exposure to short days, several measures of immune function exhibit 9spontaneous9 regression, restoring long day–like immunocompetence. The results suggest that formal similarities and, possibly, common substrates exist among the photoperiodic timekeeping mechanisms that regulate seasonal transitions in reproductive and immune function.
Emerging linkages between substance abuse and HIV infection in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

In the US Virgin Islands 575 cases of AIDS had been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through mid-2003. Although males continue to be most affected by HIV/AIDS, the feminization of the epidemic is evidenced by recent data showing rates of infection increasing rapidly among women. This paper focuses on the role of substance abuse and the socially and culturally based gender issues that influence risk and vulnerability to HIV in this setting. 254 chronically drug- or alcohol-involved men and women were recruited and interviewed using targeted sampling strategies. Crack use was overwhelmingly reported by females when compared to males (84.7% vs. 48.8%). Women also reported a significantly higher number of sexual partners in the past month (5.6 vs. 2.3) and significantly more occasions of unprotected vaginal sexual contact (11.2 vs. 6.5). Rates of self-reported HIV infection were elevated among women as well (8.8% vs. 1.4%). Women's precarious economic position and lack of access to legitimate income-generating activities tended to drive them into 'survival sex' to support their subsistence and drug needs. As such, it would appear that substance abuse has an emerging role in the spread of the epidemic in St. Croix, particularly among women.
Novel DRAM cell with amplified capacitor for embedded application

Novel DRAM cell with logic process compatible and whose memory operation is the same as the conventional DRAM operation is first time introduced. The cell uses the MOS capacitor with open base NPN bipolar transistor to amplify the storage capacitor. We fabricated the prototype cell and demonstrated the memory cell operation.
Second Spine: A device to relieve stresses on the upper body during loaded walking

The target of this work is to experimentally validate the Second Spine, a wearable device recently developed by our group to transfer forces from shoulder to pelvis during loaded walking. A key-feature of the Second Spine compared to traditional framed backpacks is the adjustable stiffness of its structure, which allows the wearer to change the load-bearing behavior of the device. In line with previous studies on loaded walking, we investigate biomechanical and physiological variables on a small group of young healthy subjects, as they walked on a treadmill under 3 different conditions: free walking, walking with a backpack of 25% of subject's Body Weight (BW), and walking with the same backpack while wearing the device. Results indicate that wearing the Second Spine significantly reduces the pressure on shoulders and induces smaller deviations from unloaded walking in terms of gait timing and stride length. The activations of the rectus femoris and the gastrocnemius muscles, along with the kinematics of the knee joint, provide indirect evidence that dynamic loads were rigidly transmitted from the shoulder to the waist. We discuss how these preliminary findings might be relevant for the prevention of injuries related to load carriage, and how they set important guidelines for the next generation of the Second Spine.
30. Can napping protect against negative inflammatory and health effects of poor sleep

Sleep loss can have negative effects on IL-6, mood and general health. While napping after sleep deprivation helps reduce IL-6 and improve mood, currently, the effect of habitual napping on these measures has not been investigated. To address this question, sleep quality and quantity were assessed in 46 college students (18–24 yrs., 16 males) over 7 days via sleep diary and actigraphy. Participants completed questionnaires assessing vital exhaustion, depression and general health. Blood samples were taken mid-week to determine IL-6 levels. Twenty-six participants napped at least once, however, their sleep duration was not significantly different from non-nappers ( t = 0.43, p = .67). Interestingly, independently of sleep duration or quality, napping was associated with better general health (beta = 2.29, p = .027), less depressive symptoms ( t = −2.15, p = .038), and less vital exhaustion ( t = −1.90, p = .065). While napping did not protect against the deleterious health effects of poor sleep quality (self-reported: beta = 0.28, p = .22), it did protect against those of sleep quantity (sleep duration: beta = 0.68, p = .034). No measures were associated with IL-6 levels. Napping may protect students against negative mental and general health effects of poor sleep. Interestingly, napping only helps compensate for sleep restriction, not for poor sleep quality. Although not seen in the current student population, those negative effects may eventually manifest in changes in inflammatory status, suggesting that napping may be one way to mitigate negative health effects of poor sleep.
The interpretation of universal affirmative propositions

Abstract It is proposed that All F are G is often given a ‘structure-neutral’ interpretation, as All, F, G, lacking a subject-predicate distinction. In the first experiment, children aged 6–7–8, and 11–12, and adults, acted out instructions like “Make a building in which all the yellow blocks are square”. The experiment demonstrated the dominance in children and decline with age of structure-neutral interpretations. In a second experiment, with the same age groups, propositions of the form All F are G, varying as to the factual inclusion relations expressed, were presented as the major premises of syllogistic items. The results indicated the presence of structure-neutral interpretations under some circumstances in adults as well as children, and also demonstrated the existence in all subjects of a ‘pragmatic processing’ mode that becomes less obligatory with age. In pragmatic interpretations, meaning is determined by previously known factual relations between the things which the words represent, rather than by grammatical relations between the words themselves.
Follow-up of phase I trial of adalimumab and rosiglitazone in FSGS: III. Report of the FONT study group.

Background Patients with resistant primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are at high risk of progression to chronic kidney disease stage V. Antifibrotic agents may slow or halt this process. We present outcomes of follow-up after a Phase I trial of adalimumab and rosiglitazone, antifibrotic drugs tested in the Novel Therapies in Resistant FSGS (FONT) study.
Model of Heat Exchangers for Waste Heat Recovery from Diesel Engine Exhaust for Thermoelectric Power Generation

The performance and operating characteristics of a hypothetical thermoelectric generator system designed to extract waste heat from the exhaust of a medium-duty turbocharged diesel engine were modeled. The finite-difference model consisted of two integrated submodels: a heat exchanger model and a thermoelectric device model. The heat exchanger model specified a rectangular cross-sectional geometry with liquid coolant on the cold side, and accounted for the difference between the heat transfer rate from the exhaust and that to the coolant. With the spatial variation of the thermoelectric properties accounted for, the thermoelectric device model calculated the hot-side and cold-side heat flux for the temperature boundary conditions given for the thermoelectric elements, iterating until temperature and heat flux boundary conditions satisfied the convection conditions for both exhaust and coolant, and heat transfer in the thermoelectric device. A downhill simplex method was used to optimize the parameters that affected the electrical power output, including the thermoelectric leg height, thermoelectric n-type to p-type leg area ratio, thermoelectric leg area to void area ratio, load electrical resistance, exhaust duct height, coolant duct height, fin spacing in the exhaust duct, location in the engine exhaust system, and number of flow paths within the constrained package volume. The calculation results showed that the configuration with 32 straight fins was optimal across the 30-cm-wide duct for the case of a single duct with total height of 5.5 cm. In addition, three counterflow parallel ducts or flow paths were found to be an optimum number for the given size constraint of 5.5 cm total height, and parallel ducts with counterflow were a better configuration than serpentine flow. Based on the reported thermoelectric properties of MnSi1.75 and Mg2Si0.5Sn0.5, the maximum net electrical power achieved for the three parallel flow paths in a counterflow arrangement was 1.06 kW for package volume of 16.5 L and exhaust flow enthalpy flux of 122 kW.
Restoration of vision in genetically eyeless axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum).

Abstract Eyes grafted into genetically eyeless axolotls at embryonic stages 26 or 27 (early tailbud stage) are capable of establishing retinotectal connections and restoring near normal vision. Normal vestibulo-ocular reflexes are also present in most of the eyeless mutants having grafted eyes. The animals are capable of accurately localizing objects in visual space and demonstrate following movements in an optokinetic drum. Evoked potentials can be recorded from the surfaces of the tectal lobes of eyeless mutants having a right eye graft which do not differ significantly from those recorded from a normal animal, except that recordings can still be obtained from the ipsilateral tectal lobe in the former following section of the intertectal fibers. This indication of direct retinotectal connections to the ipsilateral tectum was confirmed by histological examination which also showed that the optic fibers entering the diencephalon high on the lateral wall are initially directed toward the normal optic tract position before proceeding to be tectum.
Gonadoblastoma and Turner Syndrome

Purpose: The presence of a Y chromosome in the extrascrotal gonad of patients with intersex disorders has been associated with a high risk of GB and, potentially, GCT. Recently, modern sophisticated genotyping has revealed a subgroup of TS cases with a mosaic karyotype expressing a Y chromosome. We sought to evaluate this group of patients and address their risk of gonadoblastoma.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records and genotyping of all females newly diagnosed with TS between 1990 and 2002 at Children’s Hospital in Denver. All patients with TS and Y chromosome mosaicism underwent gonadectomy, and the specimens were evaluated for the presence of gonadoblastoma on histological analysis and to identify Y chromosome on genotyping.Results: A total of 192 girls with a clinical diagnosis of TS were identified between January 1990 and December 2002. Seven records were unavailable and 19 patients did not have karyotypic analyses available in the hospital charts. Of the remaining 166 patients 67 exhibite...
A Welfare Analysis of the Site Value Taxation Model

This study is a short-run version of Brueckner's (long-run) analysis of graded tax systems. Brueckner assumes a long-run market equilibrium that allows for changes in the market value of the land with a zero profit condition. It is our contention that it is more realistic to solve for the short-run conditions with fixed value of land. Under these conditions, we find that if land is relatively inexpensive, the graded tax system leads to superiority in terms ofk (capital improvement per unit of land),Q (initial housing output), andCS (Consumers' Surplus). With steeper inverse demand curves and greater marginal product and initial housing output, the land tax has a more negative impact on profit with graded tax systems.
Repurposing Salicylanilide Anthelmintic Drugs to Combat Drug Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that has become the leading cause of hospital acquired infections in the US. Repurposing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs for antimicrobial therapy involves lower risks and costs compared to de novo development of novel antimicrobial agents. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial properties of two commercially available anthelmintic drugs. The FDA approved drug niclosamide and the veterinary drug oxyclozanide displayed strong in vivo and in vitro activity against methicillin resistant S. aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 0.125 and 0.5 μg/ml respectively; minimum effective concentration: ≤ 0.78 μg/ml for both drugs). The two drugs were also effective against another Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecium (MIC 0.25 and 2 μg/ml respectively), but not against the Gram-negative species Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter aerogenes. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of niclosamide and oxyclozanide were determined against methicillin, vancomycin, linezolid or daptomycin resistant S. aureus clinical isolates, with MICs at 0.0625-0.5 and 0.125-2 μg/ml for niclosamide and oxyclozanide respectively. A time-kill study demonstrated that niclosamide is bacteriostatic, whereas oxyclozanide is bactericidal. Interestingly, oxyclozanide permeabilized the bacterial membrane but neither of the anthelmintic drugs exhibited demonstrable toxicity to sheep erythrocytes. Oxyclozanide was non-toxic to HepG2 human liver carcinoma cells within the range of its in vitro MICs but niclosamide displayed toxicity even at low concentrations. These data show that the salicylanilide anthelmintic drugs niclosamide and oxyclozanide are suitable candidates for mechanism of action studies and further clinical evaluation for treatment of staphylococcal infections.
Laser Fluorescence Detection of Demineralization in Artificial Occlusal Fissures

Laser fluorescence (LF) has been used previously to detect early smooth-surface lesions. Although its use for detection of occlusal demineralization has been implicated, it has not been demonstrated.
Application Of Dual-Beam Second-Derivative Tunable Diode Laser Infrared Spectroscopy To Trace Gas Measurement At Atmospheric Pressure

A dual beam diode laser spectrometer has been constructed using off-axis reflective optics. The spectrometer can be amplitude modulated for direct absorption measurements or frequency modulated to obtain derivative spectra. The spectrometer has high throughput, is easy to operate and align, provides good dual beam compensation, and has no evidence of the interference effects that have been observed in diode laser spectrometers using refractive optics. Unpurged, using second derivative techniques, the instrument has measured 108 parts-per-million CO (10 cm absorption cell, atmospheric pressure-broadened) with good signal/noise. With the replacement of marginal instrumental components, the signal/noise should be substantially increased. This instrument was developed to monitor the evolution of decomposition gases in sealed containers of small volume at atmospheric pressure.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The parenting paradox: How multibusiness diversifiers endorse disruptive technologies while their corporate children struggle

We examine the role of multibusiness corporations in the development of young industries. We propose and find that established firms diversifying into a new industry that owes its birth to a disrup...
Separation of T and B lymphocytes from various mouse strains by density gradient electrophoresis

T and B mouse spleen lymphocytes were separated by density gradient electrophoresis on the basis of their surface charge. In all strains examined, the T lymphocytes were found in the high mobility fractions and the B in the low. The T and B cells were separated completely in most fractions, with some overlapping in the middle. Significant differences were found in the electrophoretic distribution profiles between the strains: C57BL/6j, C57BL/10j, (BALB/cXC57BL/6j)F1, and all the following: B6·C-H-2d/cBy (congenic to C57BL/6j), BALB/c, CBA/H/T6j, C57BL/10Sn, and C3H. The C57BL/6j and the (BALB/cXC57BL/6j)F1 cells appear more heterogeneous as far as electrophoretic mobility is concerned. Almost all the other strains give two major peaks. Moreover, the high mobility areas are less populated in the C57BL/6j and the (BALB/cXC57BL/6j)F1 animals than in all the others. The above differences were found consistently when cells prepared by different methods were electrophoresed. It is concluded that the surface charge of lymphocytes may be genetically determined. Possible dependency on the H-2 complex or non-H-2 areas is discussed.
AN ADSORPTION/REACTION DEVICE FOR GAS-SOLID REACTION STUDIES

An adsorption/reaction device that allows successive in situ measurements of adsorption and reaction on porous solids is presented. The adsorption measurements are used to follow the evolution of the pore structure of the solid during the reaction. The effectiveness and data reproducibility of the device were verified with experiments on the reaction of char with CO2 and O2 and the calcination of limestone
The identification of distinct patterns in California temperature trends

Regional changes in California surface temperatures over the last 80 years are analyzed using station data from the US Historical Climate Network and the National Weather Service Cooperative Network. Statistical analyses using annual and seasonal temperature data over the last 80 years show distinctly different spatial and temporal patterns in trends of maximum temperature (Tmax) compared to trends of minimum temperature (Tmin). For trends computed between 1918 and 2006, the rate of warming in Tmin is greater than that of Tmax. Trends computed since 1970 show an amplified warming rate compared to trends computed from 1918, and the rate of warming is comparable between Tmin and Tmax. This is especially true in the southern deserts, where warming trends during spring (March–May) are exceptionally large. While observations show coherent statewide positive trends in Tmin, trends in Tmax vary on finer spatial and temporal scales. Accompanying the observed statewide warming from 1970 to 2006, regional cooling trends in Tmax are observed during winter and summer. These signatures of regional temperature change suggest that a collection of different forcing mechanisms or feedback processes must be present to produce these responses.
Metallaborane reactivity. A stoichiometric mechanism for the insertion of two alkynes into an iridaborane framework via a disposable molybdenum chaperone.

Building on earlier work that showed the formation of [1-Cp*-2,2,2-(CO)3-2-THF-nido-1,2-IrMoB(4)H(8)], 2, from the reaction of [1-Cp*-arachno-1-IrB(4)H(10)], 1, with (arene)Mo(CO)3, the stoichiometric mechanism for the generation of [1-Cp*-5,6,7,8-(R)4-nido-1,5,6,7,8-IrC(4)B(3)H(3)], 8, from the reaction of 2 with RCCR, R = Me, Ph, has been identified. For R = Me, the major product in solution is [1-Cp*-5,6,7,8-(CH3)4-closo-1,5,6,7,8-IrC(4)B(3)H(3)Mo(CO)3], 7, which is in equilibrium with 8. The equilibrium 8 + Mo(THF)3(CO)3 7 + 3THF is characterized by DeltaH = 8 kcal/mol and DeltaS = 34 cal/mol K. Density functional theory calculations carried out on 7 indicate that the Mo(CO)3 moiety is weakly bound to the cluster mainly through Mo-C rather than Mo-B interactions. Under alkyne deficient conditions, the product [1-Cp*-2,2,2-(CO)3(mu-CO)-3,4-(CH3)2-closo-1,2,3,4-IrMoC(2)B(3)H(3)], 6, can be isolated. Solid-state structures of 1 and 2 have been reported previously, and those of 6, 7, and 8, R = Me, Ph, are reported here. The evolution of products with time was monitored by 1H and 11B NMR and showed the formation and decay of two additional species which have been identified as the structural isomers [1-Cp*-7,7,7-(CO)3-7-THF-2,3-(CH3)2-nido-1,7,2,3-IrMoC(2)B(3)H(5)], 4, and [5-Cp*-7,7,7-(CO)3-7-THF-2,3-(CH3)2-nido-5,7,2,3-IrMoC(2)B(3)H(5)], 5, with the metals nonadjacent in 4 and adjacent in 5. Circumstantial evidence suggests that 4 is the precursor to 5 and 5 is the precursor to both 6 and 7. Cluster 2 also is a catalyst or catalyst precursor for the isomerization of olefins, namely, hex-1-ene to cis-hex-2-ene and tetramethyl allene to 2,4-dimethylpenta-1,3-diene. These novel results also establish that [1-Cp*-2,2,2-(CO)3-2-(alkyne)-nido-1,2-IrMoB(4)H(8)], 3, forms from 2 and constitutes a logical precursor to 4. The entire process, 1 + 2alkyne = 8 + BH3 + 2H2, which is promoted by (arene)Mo(CO)3, constitutes an explicit example of a transition-metal-facilitated process analogous to metal-facilitated organic transformations observed in organometallic chemistry.
Bulimia: An entity in search of definition

A review of research literature that addresses personality correlates of bulimia revealed a major problem which affects that research and its interpretation: Criteria used to define this disorder have not been consistent across investigators. A related issue is that this disorder has been described by a variety of names, such as dietary chaos syndrome, binge-eating syndrome, bulimia nervosa, etc. The second major problem that contributes to the uncertainty about the personality of bulimics is methodology. Among these have been the inclusion of individuals with a history of anorexia nervosa, the use of researcher-specific self-reports and questionnaires (primarily within a narrow population), and a lack of consistency in the testing measures used to assess personality. This very basic issue needs to be resolved if the findings in bulimia research are to be cumulative and generalizable across studies. Suggestions are offered as to how this resolution should occur.
On the hidden line removal problem

Abstract It is argued that the hidden line removal algorithm of Janssen can be simplified using the parametric representation of a line rather than areal coordinates to determine the geometrical relationship between a triangular facet and a line segment. A FORTRAN subroutine for the hidden line removal algorithm is included.
Induction of pseudopregnancy in the rat with no rise in serum prolactin.

Ergocornine (EC) was injected in a dose of 50 ug/100 g BW into cycling female rats on the afternoon of the last day of diestrus, on the following morning and afternoon of proestrus and on the morning of estrus, to prevent any rise in serum prolactin. Control rats were given the injection vehicle only. The uterine cervix of EC-treated and control rats was stimulated by a glass rod on the morning of estrus to induce pseudopregnancy. In the control rats, serum prolactin values fell by 1.5 hr but rose significantly at 5.5 and 7.5 hr after cervical stimulation and remained elevated for the next 2 days of pseudopregnancy. In another group of control rats, serum prolactin was elevated for the first 3 days of pseudopregnancy and then declined to levels as low or even lower than in cycling rats on the days of diestrus. In EC-injected rats, there was no rise in serum prolactin levels after cervical stimulation. Serum LH values increased significantly by 10 min and remained elevated for 5.5 hr after cervical stimula...
THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF PRIMARY LIVER NEOPLASIA IN DOGS

The signalment, anamnesis, and histopathologic, gross pathologic, and radiographic findings in 22 dogs with nonvascular, nonhematopoletic primary liver tumors were reviewed. The tumor types represented were hepatoma (8), bile duct cystadenoma (1), hepatocellular carcinoma (5), and cholangiocellular carcinoma (8). The dogs averaged 11.1 years of age. Females were predisposed to cholangiocellular carcinoma. The most common presenting clinical signs were general malaise, anorexia, PU/PD, vomiting, and seizures. Tumors ranged in size from diffuse 0.5-1 cm nodules to an 18-cm solitary mass and were located in any of the liver lobes. Four of the five diffuse tumors were cholangiocellular carcinomas. The most common radiographic appearance for any type of liver tumor was a right cranial abdominal mass causing caudal and left gastric displacement. In 54.5% of the dogs, radiographic evidence of intraperitoneal disease was identified. Nodular interstitial pulmonary masses were seen in 3 of the 22 dogs.
With leisure and recreation for all: preserving and promoting a worthy pledge

I appreciate the time, passion and reflection Alexis McKenney put into her essay, “Preserving Our Past as the National Therapeutic Recreation Society While Embracing Opportunities for Change.” Whil...
How the Mind Works

Abstract by Steven Pinker, W.W. Norton & Co., 1997. $29.95 (xii+660 pages) ISBN 0 393 04535 8
Social-cognitive development: Domain distinctions and coordinations

Abstract Recent research on social-cognitive development has identified three conceptual domains which form the basis of the child's structuring of the social world: the moral, societal, and psychological domains. Research on distinct conceptual domains has thus far focused on events and actions that are clear examples of content for the domains. The issue of domain coordinations has not been addressed. This paper examines coordinations between conceptual domains in children's social judgments through a discussion of the experiential origins of the domains and judgments about mixed, second-order, and ambiguously multifaceted events. The utility of the conceptual domain model for understanding social judgments and social development is discussed.
Crystal structure of glycoprotein E2 from bovine viral diarrhea virus

Pestiviruses, including bovine viral diarrhea virus, are important animal pathogens and are closely related to hepatitis C virus, which remains a major global health threat. They have an outer lipid envelope bearing two glycoproteins, E1 and E2, required for cell entry. They deliver their genome into the host cell cytoplasm by fusion of their envelope with a cellular membrane. The crystal structure of bovine viral diarrhea virus E2 reveals a unique protein architecture consisting of two Ig-like domains followed by an elongated β-stranded domain with a new fold. E2 forms end-to-end homodimers with a conserved C-terminal motif rich in aromatic residues at the contact. A disulfide bond across the interface explains the acid resistance of pestiviruses and their requirement for a redox activation step to initiate fusion. From the structure of E2, we propose alternative possible membrane fusion mechanisms. We expect the pestivirus fusion apparatus to be conserved in hepatitis C virus.
Tyrosine-Phosphorylation-Dependent Translocation of the SLAT Protein to the Immunological Synapse Is Required for NFAT Transcription Factor Activation

Summary SWAP-70-like adaptor of T cells (SLAT) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho GTPases that regulates the development of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell inflammatory responses by controlling the Ca 2+ -NFAT signaling pathway. However, the mechanism used by SLAT to regulate these events is unknown. Here, we report that the T cell receptor (TCR)-induced translocation of SLAT to the immunological synapse required Lck-mediated phosphorylation of two tyrosine residues located in an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-like sequence but was independent of the SLAT PH domain. This subcellular relocalization was coupled to, and necessary for, activation of the NFAT pathway. Furthermore, membrane targeting of the SLAT Dbl-homology (catalytic) domain was sufficient to trigger TCR-mediated NFAT activation and Th1 and Th2 differentiation in a Cdc42-dependent manner. Therefore, tyrosine-phosphorylation-mediated relocalization of SLAT to the site of antigen recognition is required for SLAT to exert its pivotal role in NFAT-dependent CD4 + T cell differentiation.
Proarrhythmic Defects in Timothy Syndrome Require Calmodulin Kinase II

Background— Timothy syndrome (TS) is a disease of excessive cellular Ca2+ entry and life-threatening arrhythmias caused by a mutation in the primary cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel (CaV1.2). The TS mutation causes loss of normal voltage-dependent inactivation of CaV1.2 current (ICa). During cellular Ca2+ overload, the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) causes arrhythmias. We hypothesized that CaMKII is a part of the proarrhythmic mechanism in TS. Methods and Results— We developed an adult rat ventricular myocyte model of TS (G406R) by lentivirus-mediated transfer of wild-type and TS CaV1.2. The exogenous CaV1.2 contained a mutation (T1066Y) conferring dihydropyridine resistance, so we could silence endogenous CaV1.2 with nifedipine and maintain peak ICa at control levels in infected cells. TS CaV1.2–infected ventricular myocytes exhibited the signature voltage-dependent inactivation loss under Ca2+ buffering conditions, not permissive for CaMKII activation. In physiological Ca2+ solutions, TS CaV...
Synthesis and structure of an amidoimido titanium cage complex [(Me2N)6Ti4(µ‐NPh)5]

The combination of PhNH2 and (Me2N)4Ti in toluene at 23 °C leads to the formation of a red–orange crystalline compound that displays unexpectedly complex 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Subsequent single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the compound is not an anticipated mononuclear transamination product (Me2N)3Ti[N(H)Ph], but instead it is a bicyclic cage compound with a (Ti4N5) core with bridging phenylimido groups and terminal dimethylamino groups. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endless validation of diagnostic imaging modalities to assess acute coronary syndrome: has the time finally come for computed tomography angiography?

El dolor toracico agudo como sindrome con el que llega el paciente al servicio de urgencias es, con mucho, uno de los de mayor prevalencia en todo el mundo. La validacion de varias tecnicas de diagnostico por imagen para este sindrome ha sido el centro de interes de diversos grupos de investigacion durante las ultimas tres decadas. Lamentablemente, desde la sencilla y poco costosa electrocardiografia de esfuerzo hasta las exploraciones mas avanzadas y complejas como la tomografia por emision de positrones, la angiografia por tomografia computarizada (angioTC) cardiaca y la angiografia por resonancia magnetica, ninguna de las tecnicas de las modalidades de imagen se ha validado de manera satisfactoria como patron de referencia para este fin. Las dificultades empiezan con la metodologia de estudio descrita en los articulos publicados hasta el momento. El diseno de un estudio para evaluar la exactitud diagnostica de una prueba en la practica clinica puede ser laborioso y problematico. En primer lugar, la inmensa mayoria de los estudios tienen varias limitaciones recurrentes, sobre todo en cuanto a «sesgo de verificacion diferencial» y «sesgo de revision». Esto significa basicamente que los resultados de la prueba indice se verifican mediante una prueba de referencia diferente. En esta situacion, a los pacientes con un resultado positivo en la exploracion de imagen no invasiva se les realizara una verificacion mediante una exploracion de referencia (es decir, la angiografia coronaria), mientras que a los pacientes con resultado negativo de la prueba se los dara de alta y seran objeto de seguimiento respecto a la aparicion de eventos cardiovasculares mayores. La realizacion de un estudio en el que se practicara una angiografia coronaria a todos los pacientes requeriria someter a un riesgo que no es minimo a gran numero de individuos simplemente con fines de investigacion, lo cual no se consideraria etico. Dado que solo a los pacientes con resultado positivo de la exploracion no invasiva se les practica cateterismo cardiaco, se introduce un
Involvement of the primary optic tracts in mediation of light effects on hamster orcadian rhythms

1. The effects of primary optic tract (POT) interruption on entrainment of circadian rhythms have been studied in rats (Stephan and Zucker, 1972a; Moore and Eichler, 1972). These studies concluded that the POT are not involved in the mediation of photic entrainment. 2. The present study assessed the effects of POT interruption on entrainment, phase-shifting and free-runs of activity in male golden hamsters,Mesocricetus auratus. 3. Several hamsters that sustained complete bilateral POT interruptions showed unusually long active phases that extended into the light phase of the light-dark (LD) cycle, or showed a long phase lead of activity onset relative to the D phase. 4. The periods (τ) of the free-running rhythms of these hamsters were unusually long. The combination of longτ's and altered entrainment are not explicable in terms of alterations in light sensitivity according to predictions from the Circadian Rule. 5. An explanation for these results is possible in terms of alterations in the coupling of two oscillators. One model of entrainment (Pittendrigh, 1974) suggests that such coupling is involved in the control of both entrainment and the periodicity of free-running rhythms.
Reactions of formic acid with protonated water clusters: Implications of cluster growth in the atmosphere

[1] Obtaining direct and detailed chemical information about the initial stages of nucleation continues to be a challenging task, but it is necessary for improved understanding of the growth process of particles in the atmosphere. To elucidate the role of organic molecules, specifically formic acid, in nucleation and particle growth, the present work uses a flow tube reactor to study formic acid-water interactions using water cluster distributions of 2–30 water molecules. The reactions studied herein are compared to methanol-water interactions to provide evidence of a change to the stable clathrate-like structure of the H+(H2O)21 “magic” cluster. Intensity ratios of the form R = I[H+(H2O)n]/I[H+(H2O)n+1] are used to identify prominent clusters in spectra containing pure water, methanol-water mixed clusters, and formic acid-water mixed clusters. Relative concentration flow rates of 12.5, 25, 50, and 125.5 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm) of formic acid were added to a pure water distribution, and the resultant spectra were compared to those from methanol relative concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 sccm. The formic acid-water mixed cluster distributions observed in these reactions do not contain a prominent peak in the intensity ratio graphs, indicating a disruption in the clathrate structure of the 21-molecule cluster while a prominent peak for 21-molecule cluster is observed in the methanol system. Also observed was an increase in intensity with increased cluster size, which indicates that formic acid-water mixed clusters could serve as a prenucleation embryo for the nucleation of water molecules and a possible particle growth pathway.
AN ASSESSMENT OF ECOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING THE RECENT HISTORY OF LAKE ONTARIO BASED ON SILICEOUS ALGAL MICROFOSSILS PRESERVED IN THE SEDIMENTS1,2

Quantitative analysis of siliceous algal microfossils (diatoms and chrysophytes) in a radiometrically dated core of Lake Ontario sediments shows striking modifications of the flora produced and preserved, apparently as a result of anthropogenic modification of nutrient loadings to the lake, Qualitatively similar microfossil assemblages were deposited during the period ca. 1700–1815. A single major event is recorded in assemblages deposited ca. 1769. Between this event horizon and ca. 1815 there was an apparent increase in algal production, but minimal change in species composition. A major disturbance occurred at the level of the Ambrosia horizon, ca. 1831–1847. Assemblages deposited between ca. 1855 and 1900 indicate increasing eutrophication. We infer that silica limitation became important by about 1860 and that the system reached its greatest effective production ca. 1900. Major modification of the flora occurred in the period ca. 1900–1945, with most local extinctions of major indigenous populations occurring ca. 1920–1945. Assemblages deposited in the period ca. 1945–1975 are composed of some stenothermal populations also present in pre-disturbance assemblages, a large component of benthic and nearshore planktonic species, and a number of apparently planktonic populations rarely recorded from large temperate lakes, particularly species of the genus Nitzschia. Our results indicate that the major factor driving species succession in Lake Ontario was phosphorus enrichment and consequent depletion of available silica supplies. Our results also show the importance of a species' physical niche in determining its survival under these conditions.
Zinc alloy ZA-8/shape memory alloy self-healing metal matrix composite

Abstract This work investigates incorporating NiTi Shape memory alloy (SMA) wires in a Zinc ZA-8 die casting alloy in an attempt to rebond damaged surfaces. This is accomplished by heating the damaged sample which returns the sample to its original shape and results in partial melting of the matrix. Samples were designed to determine which of the following methods of load transfer from reinforcement wire to matrix was more effective; namely (a) direct load transfer by interfacial bonding of the matrix and reinforcement or (b) indirect transfer by mechanical transfer to a bolt embedded in the matrix. In undamaged samples, it was found that the ultimate tensile stress increased with increasing volume fraction of reinforcement, but that strain hardening was considerably higher in the mechanical load transfer samples and only these types of damaged samples demonstrated any significant regained strength after the thermal healing treatment. Up to 30% of the original ultimate tensile strength and ductility was recovered by thermal healing treatment of the ZA-8/SMA metal matrix composite.
Cellular level classification of breast cancer through proteomic markers using nanochannel array sensors.

Aims: A nanochannel-based sensor for cellular level classification of breast cancer metastasis has been designed. Our approach to the classification of cell’s likelihood to metastasize is based on screening for levels of expression of specific proteomic biomarkers associated with breast cancer stem cells. Materials & methods: Proteomic activity for four breast cancer cell lines for three specific markers (PDGFR, ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3) was quantified. The nanochannel sensor is an electrochemical immunoassay and comprises of alumina nanochannel arrays integrated on to a gold microelectronic platform. The sensor operates on the principle of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results & conclusion: Test cell lysate samples from SUM159 invasive, SUM159 noninvasive, HC1143 and DCIS cell lines were classified as those having a high likelihood of metastases based on the levels of proteomic activity evaluated against the three key markers. The lowest proteomic activity measured was 0.1 ng/ml with PDGFR, 100 ng/m...
Composition control and hydrogen permeation characteristics of sputter deposited palladium–silver membranes

Abstract Submicron thick continuous palladium–silver films were deposited by sputtering on mesoporous γ-alumina substrates from a target composed of 75% Pd and 25% Ag. These membranes were tested in a multigas permeation system for hydrogen permeance and hydrogen selectivity over helium. Hydrogen permeance for the membrane used in the study was found to be in the range of 3 × 10 −8 to 1 × 10 −7 mol/m 2 s Pa and H 2 /He selectivities were in the range of 4–4000, depending mainly on Ag concentration and microstructure of the Pd–Ag films. A simple model based on the material balance concept has been developed to describe the transient composition behavior of the multicomponent sputter deposition process. The model is compared with experimental data over a range of deposition powers and target equilibration times. The results of the model agree well with experimental data. Both theoretical and experimental data show that deposition power and target equilibration are the most important variables affecting membrane composition.
Balancing eukaryotic replication asymmetry with replication fidelity

Coordinated replication of eukaryotic nuclear genomes is asymmetric, with copying of a leading strand template preceding discontinuous copying of the lagging strand template. Replication is catalyzed by DNA polymerases α, δ and ɛ, enzymes that are related yet differ in physical and biochemical properties, including fidelity. Recent studies suggest that Pol ɛ is normally the primary leading strand replicase, whereas most synthesis by Pol δ occurs during lagging strand replication. New studies show that replication asymmetry can generate strand-specific genome instability resulting from biased deoxynucleotide pools and unrepaired ribonucleotides incorporated into DNA during replication, and that the eukaryotic replication machinery has evolved to most efficiently correct those replication errors that are made at the highest rates.
Red Tides in the Gulf of Mexico: Where, When, and Why?

[1] Independent data from the Gulf of Mexico are used to develop and test the hypothesis that the same sequence of physical and ecological events each year allows the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis to become dominant. A phosphorus-rich nutrient supply initiates phytoplankton succession, once deposition events of Saharan iron-rich dust allow Trichodesmium blooms to utilize ubiquitous dissolved nitrogen gas within otherwise nitrogen-poor sea water. They and the co-occurring K. brevis are positioned within the bottom Ekman layers, as a consequence of their similar diel vertical migration patterns on the middle shelf. Upon onshore upwelling of these near-bottom seed populations to CDOM-rich surface waters of coastal regions, light-inhibition of the small red tide of ∼1 ug chl l−1 of ichthytoxic K. brevis is alleviated. Thence, dead fish serve as a supplementary nutrient source, yielding large, self-shaded red tides of ∼10 ug chl l−1.The source of phosphorus is mainly of fossil origin off west Florida, where past nutrient additions from the eutrophied Lake Okeechobee had minimal impact. In contrast, the P-sources are of mainly anthropogenic origin off Texas, since both the nutrient loadings of Mississippi River and the spatial extent of the downstream red tides have increased over the last 100 years. During the past century and particularly within the last decade, previously cryptic Karenia spp. have caused toxic red tides in similar coastal habitats of other western boundary currents off Japan, China, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, downstream of the Gobi, Simpson, Great Western, and Kalahari Deserts, in a global response to both desertification and eutrophication.
Ab Initio Calculations of the Geometry and Vibrational Frequencies of the Triplet State of Tungsten Pentacarbonyl Amine: A Model for the Unification of the Preresonance Raman and the Time-Resolved Infrared Experiments

Ab initio calculations of the vibrational frequencies of W(CO)5NH3 in its ground electronic 1A1 (b22e4) and lowest excited state 3E (b22e3a11) have been performed at the HF level. The calculated frequencies of the ν(CO) bands are in agreement with observed data on experimentally studied W(CO)5(amine) molecules. The optimized geometries of the ground and the excited states show that the W−N, W−Ceq, W−Cax, C−Oeq bonds lengthen and the C−Oax bond shortens on excitation. Our results resolve an apparent disagreement between the fast time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopy and the preresonance Raman (PRR) spectroscopy. The unexpected simultaneous lengthening of both W−Ceq and C−Oeq is due to C−Oeq antibonding character in the a1 orbital which more than offsets its loss from the e. In addition a new band, predicted but as yet unresolved in the TRIR, accounts for the C−Oax shortening as expected from the PRR W−Cax lengthening.
Cardiac Effects of Water Immersion in Healthy Volunteers.

To evaluate cardiac chamber size and ejection fraction during head-out immersion of patients in the semisitting position in neutral temperature water bath, 12 volunteers were studied using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). In this open, controlled, prospective clinical study, left ventricular end-systolic, end-diastolic volumes, and ejection fraction were measured in 12 adult awake healthy volunteers using TTE with the patient in a semisitting position pre-, during, and postimmersion in the Dornier extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor water bath at 35 degrees C. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume significantly increased from an average of 96.0 +/- 10.8 to 130 +/- 19 cm(3), P < 0.0001 and left ventricular end-systolic volume increased from an average 38.9 +/- 6.9 to 45.2 +/- 8.0 cm(3), P < 0.01. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly from control to water immersion from 0.59 +/- 0.1% to 0.65 +/- 0.1% (P < 0.001). The results of this study demonstrate that water immersion in normal healthy volunteers significantly increases both left ventricular diastolic and systolic volume, and that there is a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction after water immersion, (e.g., bathing, lithotripsy). While this increased cardiac filling is well-tolerated in most patients, it may not be well-tolerated in some patients who have limited cardiac reserve, including patients with heart failure.