cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Undergraduate participation in accelerator-based experiments in baryon spectroscopy

Abstract ACU physicists have been involved in measurements of meson–nucleon scattering, baryon spectroscopy, for over 25 years. The incorporation of a large number of undergraduates has been an integral part of this effort at eight accelerator laboratories in the US, Europe and Japan. Present projects involve data analysis of the completed Crystal Ball program at Brookhaven National Laboratory, preparation for a future measurement to investigate nucleon resonances at the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP) in Moscow, and development of proposals at the MIPP facility at Fermilab and J-PARC in Japan. A collaboration of partial wave analysis (PWA) of these data is also underway. An overview of the undergraduate participation will be presented with a discussion of both successes and failures.
Guidelines for the Design, Implementation, and Interpretation of Validations for Chromatographic Methods used to Quantitate Leachables/Extractables in Pharmaceutical Solutions

This paper deals with validation of chromatographic methods for quantitation of leachables and extractables in pharmaceutical solutions. Guidelines are presented for designing, implementing, and interpreting validations.
Amphids in strongyloides stercoralis and other parasitic nematodes

In this review, Francis Ashton and Gerhard Schad examine the ultrastructure of the amphids of several animal parasitic nematodes. These structures are the main chemosensory organs of these worms and probably play an important role in host-finding behavior and the control of development. Reconstructions made from serial micrographs of the neurons in the amphids of the threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis are shown. These stereo images permit three-dimensional visualization of these complex sense organs. The association between each amphidial neuron and its cell body has not been made previously for a parasitic nematode; however, this has been done for the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which served as a model for these studies. Recognition of the cell bodies will provide a point of departure for laser microbeam ablation studies to determine individual neuronal function.
A preliminary study exploring the value changes taking place in the united states since the september 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the world trade center in new York

This study was a preliminary exploration of the value changes taking place in the United States since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York, which was a significant emotional event or cultural upheaval. Rokeach told us that “a person's total value system may undergo change as a result of socialization, therapy, or cultural upheaval . . .” (Rokeach, The Nature of Human Values, 1973, p. 37). The researchers explored the value changes of 500 aviation industry employees before the attack and 500 after the attack. The statistically significant research results showed a total of twenty-seven of thirty-six values changed. Before the attack respondents valued much higher self-esteem and self-actualization values like A Sense of Accomplishment and Self-Respect. After the attack respondents placed a much higher value importance on survival, safety and security values like A World at Peace, Freedom, Family Security, National Security, Mature Love, Salvation, and True Friendship.
The emetic action of L-dopa and its effect on the swallowing reflex in the cat.

In adult cats anesthetized with urethane it was shown that facilitation of reflexly-induced swallowing by dopaminomimetics is caused by a central action independent of the emetic action of such drugs. It is suggested that this modulatory influence is mediated by dopamine receptors associated with the amygdala and ventral basal striatum.
Tumor-induced osteomalacia: the importance of measuring serum phosphorus levels

Background A previously healthy 32-year-old man presented with pain in his chest, ankle, and hip. His musculoskeletal pain progressed over the course of 6 months to the point of difficulty with ambulation. Investigations Radiographic studies included chest and ankle X-rays, multiple bone scans, and foot and pelvic MRI. Laboratory evaluation comprised a serum chemistry panel (including electrolyte levels, renal function tests and liver function tests), and measuring serum levels of phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, and fibroblast growth factor 23, as well as urine levels of calcium and phosphorus. Diagnosis Tumor-induced osteomalacia. Management The patient received phosphate and vitamin D supplementation in the form of potassium-phosphorus (500 mg, three times daily) and calcitriol (0.5 µg, three times daily). Six months after his first presentation, he underwent surgical resection of a rib mass, with subsequent normalization of phosphorus concentration.
Deformation in a shear zone, central Ellesmere Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago: Implications for regional tectonics

Abstract A series of en-echelon folds is exposed in Devonian rocks of central Ellesmere Island, north of a 90° bend in the trace of the Archean basement margin. The shear zone resulted from two superposed deformational events: the Late Devonian-Carboniferous Ellesmerian orogeny, and the Late Cretaceous-Eocene Eurekan orogeny. The shear zone boundary (SZB) trends 083. The en-echelon fold axes are at low angles (4°–18°) to the SZB, and folds verge to the southeast. A NW-dipping, anastomosing, spaced cleavage within the shear zone transects the folds. Average cleavage strikes intercept the SZB at angles of 37°–42°. In thin section, an early bed-parallel dissolution fabric is cut by NE-SW dissolution seams. Cleavage morphology is lithology dependent, varying with fossil content, grain size and detrital phyllosilicate abundance. Relative to traces of Eurekan structures to the west, the cleavage is rotated clockwise by only 3°–8°. Joints are systematic with respect to the folds, and show very few indications of reuse as slip planes. Limited slip data comprise two distinct sets: one is indicative of wedge thrusting accommodating part of the folding, and the other suggests E-W slip in an R1 orientation. The orientation of cleavage, both within the shear zone and relative to Eurekan structures to the west, is consistent with its formation during latest Ellesmerian deformation and rotation during minor Eurekan deformation. From factorizing the deformation within the shear zone, cleavage orientation can be related to minor overthrust shear normal to the SZB, smaller amounts of wrench shear parallel to the SZB, and slight compression normal to the SZB. Most of the deformation forming the shear zone is pre-cleavage. From plate tectonic modelling of the Labrador Sea and Eurasia Basin it has been suggested by other workers that during the Eurekan orogeny at least 125 km of left-lateral displacement took place parallel to Nares Strait between Greenland and Ellesmere. At the latitude of central Ellesmere approximately 150 km of displacement normal to the strait occurred. Data from the Nares Strait region do not permit large left-lateral displacements, leading to hypotheses of distributed shear throughout Ellesmere. The results indicate general NW-SE Eurekan compression compatible with the structures to the west. There is no indication of left-lateral shear affecting the shear zone. Shortening during the Eurekan orogeny was concentrated on the major thrusts of Axel Heiberg and Ellesmere islands, with minor deformation within the thrust sheets themselves. Ellesmerian deformation of the shear zone is compatible with SE-verging folds and thrusts already recorded on Ellesmere Island.
Effect of dissolved gas on the critical solution temperature of (cyclohexane + methanol)

Abstract The effect of dissolved gas on the critical solution temperature for (cyclohexane + methanol) is demonstrated. It is suggested that failure of previous authors to take account of this effect is responsible for at least part of the poor interlaboratory agreement of reported critical solution temperatures.
Spinning disk confocal microscopy of live, intraerythrocytic malarial parasites. 1. Quantification of hemozoin development for drug sensitive versus resistant malaria

We have customized a Nipkow spinning disk confocal microscope (SDCM) to acquire three-dimensional (3D) versus time data for live, intraerythrocytic malarial parasites. Since live parasites wiggle within red blood cells, conventional laser scanning confocal microscopy produces blurred 3D images after reconstruction of z stack data. In contrast, since SDCM data sets at high x, y, and z resolution can be acquired in hundreds of milliseconds, key aspects of live parasite cellular biochemistry can be much better resolved on physiologically meaningful times scales. In this paper, we present the first 3D DIC transmittance "z stack" images of live malarial parasites and use those to quantify hemozoin (Hz) produced within the living parasite digestive vacuole, under physiologic conditions. Using live synchronized cultures and voxel analysis of sharpened DIC z stacks, we present the first quantitative in vivo analysis of the rate of Hz growth for chloroquine sensitive (CQS) versus resistant (CQR) malarial parasites. We present data for laboratory strains, as well as pfcrt transfectants expressing a CQR conferring mutant pfcrt gene. We also analyze the rate of Hz growth in the presence and absence of physiologically relevant doses of chloroquine (CQ) and verapamil (VPL) and thereby present the first in vivo quantification of key predictions from the well-known Fitch hypothesis for CQ pharmacology. In the following paper [Gligorijevic, B., et al. (2006) Biochemistry 45, pp 12411-12423], we acquire fluorescent images of live parasite DV via SDCM and use those to quantify DV volume for CQS versus CQR parasites.
Bisphosphonate effects on the behaviour of oral epithelial cells and oral fibroblasts

Abstract Objective Bisphosphonates (BPs) like Zometa (ZA) are widely used to treat complications of bony metastases in cancer patients. A serious adverse event occurs in 1–12% of patients on BP therapy, osteonecrosis of the jaw (BPONJ). BPONJ develops after oral trauma and is manifested by poor wound healing and soft-tissue breakdown followed by exposure and necrosis of intra-oral bone. Currently, there is no effective clinical treatment for BPONJ. Design We evaluated the effect of ZA on the proliferation, apoptosis and migratory capacity of the cell lines CRL-7408, an oral fibroblast culture and OKF/6, an oral epithelial cell line. Results In both oral epithelium and fibroblasts, ZA exposure inhibited proliferation and elevated apoptosis; however oral fibroblasts were differentially influenced versus oral epithelial cells. In oral fibroblasts, ZA treatment significantly inhibited motility. Further, quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that ZA treatment of oral fibroblasts inhibits expression of both the COL1A1 and COL1A2 chains of type-I collagen, consistent with a loss of collagen immunofluorescent staining. Conclusions These data support a model wherein ZA treatment impedes oral wound healing by blocking the growth and migratory capacity of oral fibroblasts as well as downregulating the transcription of type-I collagen, functions necessary to deposit the granulation tissue needed for re-epithelization. Therefore, BP released from bone following tooth extraction may delay wound healing of the oral mucosal barrier and contribute to BPONJ pathogenesis.
Managing the excited skin syndrome: patch testing hyperirritable skin

Inflammation-modulating phenomena (IMPs), humoral and cellular, fluctuate during the course of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis influencing irritability of the skin. The patch test procedure is a biological assay, a titration of responses to IMPs which can produce hypo reactivity or hyperirritability of the skin of patients who have dermatitis (PDs) and a single patch test is a “snapshot” of the tempo of an evolving process. The excited skin syndrome (ESS) refers lo hyperirritability from clinical and patch test dermatitis creating false-positive patch test reactions which are not reproducible when dermatitis and IMPs have subsided. During ESS, the threshold for irritancy decreases and irritant reactions increase. Patch test concentrations should be determined and ESS investigated in PDs having enhanced IMPs, not in “normal” individuals, and if a patch test result is important to a patient the test should be performed more than once. Variable reproducibility is inherent in the patch test method, but ESS can be managed by appropriate testing and retesting, and search for relevance.
Studies of transovum and transstadial transmission of a granulosis virus of the codling moth

Abstract Capsules of a granulosis virus of the codling moth were never found in codling moth eggs, although they were observed in the larval, pupal, and adult stages. However, eggs obtained from a British Columbia codling moth colony were found to have virus on the egg surface. Transstadial transmission of the virus from the larval to the pupal stage occasionally occurred after intact capsules had been inoculated per os into the larva. The virus was also occasionally transmitted from the pupal to the adult stage, but only after virions had been injected into the hemocoel of the pupa. Fertile eggs obtained from virus-injected insects were not shown to contain active virus. Eggs were tested by maceration in antiserum, by the fluorescent-antibody technique, and by bioassay of their contents. Only one larva of the F1 and F2 generations obtained from virus-injected insects succumbed to granulosis even when the larvae were exposed to various types of stressors. Circumstantial evidence supports the hypothesis of transovum transmission, but such transmission cannot be attributed to injections of virus into larvae and pupae in this study.
Secondary failure rates of measles vaccines: a metaanalysis of published studies.

BackgroundRecent measles outbreaks in highly vaccinated populations have highlighted the role of vaccine failure as a barrier to the elimination of measles. We sought to estimate the rate of secondary failure (clinical measles after vaccine-induced seroconversion) of measles vaccines using metaanaly
Gain and bandwidth of a gyrotron amplifier with tapered rectangular waveguide

The linear dispersion equation for the rectangular TE10 mode is obtained using the Maxwell-Vlasov approach with a lorentzian velocity distribution. The resultant dispersion relation is used to find the distributed gain of a tapered gyro-TWT operating in rectangular waveguide. In order to examine bandwidth limitations, a synchronization parameter is introduced. This parameter is defined by the ratio of the local magnetic field to the synchronous magnetic field. The synchronous field ia defined is that which makes the beam mode tangent to the waveguide mode in the ω– K2 dispersion graph. By varying the synchronization parameter along the tube axis, a 40% bandwidth (3 dB) has been predicted for the TE10rectangular gyro-TWT with the linear wall taper. The total gain was 30 dB. A similar bandwidth can also be achieved by holding the synchronization parameter constant and imposing an appropriate non-linear variation on the waveguide dimensions.
Setting the research and practice agenda for anxiety in children and adolescence: A topic comes of age

Select research and practice issues that merit further attention are described. Specifically, we argue that the pathways for profitable research include studies of normative development, assessment and diagnostic considerations, the role of parents, and the ways to optimize the conduct and evaluation of treatment. At present, the field is too uninformed about the development of emotions (e.g., anxiety) and emotion regulation, about adolescence and particular vulnerabilities associated with adolescence, and about the longitudinal course of anxiety in youth. Improved measures, as well as a better understanding of and recommended solutions for parent-child disagreements are needed. How do parents maintain distressing anxiety in their children, and what is the optimal role for parents in the treatment of anxious children? The role of parents may vary across development, and there may be differential advantages and disadvantages for younger children, middle-aged children, and adolescents, and for the different types of anxiety disorders. Although cognitive-behavioral therapy is a probably efficacious treatment, and well on its way to becoming a well-established treatment, much more information is needed about the potential role of medications and the merits of enhancing the therapeutic alliance. Our discussion focuses on mapping the further evolution and maturation of the field of child anxiety.
Investigation of the response of NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors using an x-ray monochromator

Abstract The response of NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors to low energy photons was studied. The energy range extended from 25 keV to 90 keV. The variation of output pulse height as a function of photon energy was determined. Also the variation of resolution as a function of photon energy. A bent crystal spectrometer was used as the source of monoenergetic photons for the experiment.
Catecholamine influence on ketamine response in the chick

Abstract The present study investigated the effect of prior treatment, in vivo, with isoproterenol, norepinephrine or dopamine on ketamine-induced catatonia in the chick. The results of the study indicate that there is a relationship between the catecholamines, the pineal gland and the ketamine response. Pretreatment with the isoproterenol, norepinephrine, or dopamine augmented ketamine-induced catatonia, and pinealectomy abolished the augmented ketamine response following isoproterenol. These results lend further support to the theory that the pineal gland modulates the ketamine response.
A Note on Some Wishart Expectations

In a recent paper Sharma and Krishnamoorthy (1984) used a complicated decisiontheoretic argument to derive an identity involving expectations taken with respect to the Wishart distributionW m (n, I). A more general result, proved using an elementary moment generating function argument, and some applications, are given in this paper.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of emedastine 0.05% ophthalmic solution with loratadine 10 mg and their combination in the human conjunctival allergen challenge model

Abstract Background: When selecting treatment for allergic conjunctivitis, a primary concern is whether to choose local or systemic therapy. Objective: This study compared the efficacy of topical emedastine 0.05% ophthalmic solution with that of oral loratadine 10 mg and their combination in the conjunctival allergen challenge model of allergic conjunctivitis. Methods: This was a single-center, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. At visit 1, eligible subjects underwent conjunctival allergen challenge to identify the dose required to elicit a positive allergic reaction. After 7 days, subjects returned for visit 2, at which the allergen dose was confirmed. At visit 3, which took place 2 weeks later, subjects were randomized to receive either emedastine plus placebo capsules, loratadine plus placebo eyedrops, or both emedastine and loratadine. One hour after receiving study drug, subjects were challenged with allergen in both eyes. Allergic signs and symptoms were graded using standardized 5-point scales. The primary efficacy variables were itching and conjunctival hyperemia. Secondary efficacy variables were ciliary and episcleral hyperemia, chemosis, lid swelling, and tearing. Itching was graded subjectively at 3, 5, and 10 minutes after challenge. All other variables were assessed at 5, 10, and 20 minutes after challenge. Results: Eighty subjects (mean age, 43.68 years) were randomized to receive study treatment. Forty subjects (20 men, 20 women) received emedastine plus placebo capsules, 20 (7 men, 13 women) received loratadine plus placebo eyedrops, and 20 (12 men, 8 women) received both active treatments. In the between-group efficacy comparison at visit 3, the difference in itching and hyperemia scores between emedastine and loratadine was statistically significant at all time points (all, P P P Conclusion: In this study, emedastine was more efficacious than loratadine for reducing the itching and redness associated with allergic conjunctivitis in the human conjunctival allergen challenge model.
Secretion of the reproductive cyst wall by the apostome ciliate Hyalophysa chattoni.

Summary The ultrastructure and cytochemistry of secretion of the reproductive cyst wall in the ciliate Hyalophysa chattoni was analysed. The cyst wall is not secreted by exocytosis. Its primary material is chitin, which is secreted rapidly (
Outcomes Assessment: The Role of Business School and Program Accrediting Agencies

Abstract The concept of student outcomes assessment has become the new challenge facing higher education in the 1990s. The two accrediting agencies for business schools and programs in the United S...
Hydrogen embrittlement of α titanium: In situ tem studies

The effect of hydrogen on fracture in the h.c.p. α Ti-4 wt % Al alloy and the role of titanium hydride in the fracture process have been studied by deforming samples in situ in a high-voltage electron microscope equipped with an environmental cell. Two fracture mechanisms have been observed in a gaseous hydrogen environment at room temperature; one is fracture by localized plastic deformation enhanced by the presence of hydrogen, the other is a brittle fracture of the stress-induced titanium hydride which precipitates at elastic singularities. The local stress intensity determines which mechanism predominates. At high stress intensities the crack propagates by the process of hydrogen enhanced localized plasticity, while at low stress intensities titanium hydrides form in the vicinity of crack tips and crack propagation proceeds though the hydrides.
Temperature affects selectivity of Chaoborus larvae-eating Daphnia

In ponds, a chemical produced by predaceous Chaoborus (Insecta, Diptera) larvae changes the development of juvenile Daphnia pulex (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) so the juveniles grow spines (neckteeth) on the back of their head. It is generally assumed that the spined phenotype is (or is an indicator of) a morphological predator defense. The research reported here tests the hypothesis that the induced neckteeth do in fact increase Daphnia survivorship, over a range of temperatures. Predation experiments were conducted over a range of temperatures from 6 to 22 °C using fourth instar Chaoborus americanus larvae as the predator. The prey were a mixture of spined (induced “necktooth” phenotype) and unspined (uninduced) juvenile Daphnia pulex. At 6 and 11 °C, Chaoborus selected the unspined phenotype over the spined phenotype, as expected. However, at 22 °C, the selectivity was reversed: significantly fewer on the spined survived compared to the unspined phenotype. These results suggest that the spined phenotype may either increase or decrease Daphnia pulex survival, depending on temperature and clone.
Interference Effects of Contextual Cues in Advertisements on Memory for Ad Content

The effectiveness of advertisements has been an issue of great concern to marketers, especially with the rapid increase in the number of marketing communications that the average consumer receives every day. Prior research has examined the impact of verbal interference on consumers’ memory for different elements of the advertisement—that is, interference caused by similar verbal elements in advertisements for brands in the same product category. This study examined the impact of similar contextual or background stimuli on consumers’ memory for different elements of the advertisement. Consumers were exposed to print advertisements for products in different product categories. The similarity of contextual cues—that is, background scenes—was manipulated (similar vs. dissimilar). Using a 2 (contextual cues interference: low and high) x 2 (processing goal: ad and brand) x 3 (cues: brand name, ad photo, product class) between-subjects design, it was found that exposure to ads with similar contextual elements reduced individuals’ ability to recall not only contextual or background elements but also brand name from a target advertisement.
Reduced safety factor for neuromuscular transmission and abnormal quantal secretion precede neuromuscular weakness induced by dithiobiuret.

Daily treatment of rats with 2,4-dithiobiuret (DTB. 1 mg/kg/day, ip) causes a flaccid neuromuscular weakness first observable in the hindlimbs after 5–6 days of treatment. With continued exposure, neuromuscular weakness appears to encompass the other muscles of the body; death is presumed to result from paralysis of respiratory muscles. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the early effects on neuromuscular transmission which precede neuromuscular weakness caused by DTB, particularly as they relate to the apparent differential muscle sensitivity, using conventional intracellular microelectrode recording techniques. Experiments were conducted using the hemidiaphragm muscle isolated from male rats treated for 7–8 days, with 1 mg/kg/day DTB ip, a regimen which resulted in hindlimb, but not diaphragmatic paralysis, or with 0,9% NaCl (1 ml/kg/day) as control. Analysis of quantal content of end plate potentials (EPPs) from hemidiaphragms of DTB-treated rats indicated no difference from control. Exposure of hemidiaphragm preparations from DTB-paralyzed rats to solutions containing elevated Mg2+ and lowered Ca2+ concentrations (6 and 1 mm, respectively) resulted in a decreased quantal content of the EPP compared to that of similarly treated control preparations. When miniature EPPs (MEPPs) were evoked from nerve terminals by elevating [K−]e, in the presence of 6 mm Mg2+ and 1 mm Ca2+, the mean peak frequency evoked by K+-induced depolarization was reduced in the DTB-treated group; however, the time at which peak frequency was attained was the same for the control and DTB-treated group. Mean MEPP amplitude but not resting MEPP frequency was altered in the presence of high [Mg2+] for diaphragms of the DTB-treated group. Neither MEPP amplitude nor frequency was altered in diaphragms exposed to normal concentrations of Ca and Mg. Prolongation of rise and decay times of MEPPs occurred from end plates of DTB-treated rats irrespective of whether low [Ca2/high [Mg2+] solutions were used. However, these effects were more pronounced when low [Ca2+/high [Mg2+] solutions were used. Diaphragm-derived end plates of the DTB-treated group were also characterized frequently by the presence of very large amplitude MEPPs with prolonged decay times. The overall percentage of the total population of MEPPs which these abnormal MEPPs made up in the DTB-treated rats was increased dramatically by exposure to low [Ca2+]/high [Mg2+] solutions. Thus, differential muscle sensitivity occurs during paralysis induced by chronic DTB treatment, with the diaphragm being somewhat more resistant than hindlimbs to neuromuscular weakness. This effect appears to be associated with the safety factor associated with acetylcholine release and reflects an impairment of presynaptic processes resulting in a diminished number of quanta liberated in response to motor nerve stimulation. Additional neuromuscular symptoms precede the onset of muscle weakness.
Tensile and impact properties of vanadium-base alloys irradiated at <430°C

Tensile and impact properties were investigated at <430°C on V–Cr–Ti, V–Ti–Si, and V–Ti alloys after irradiation to ≈2–46 dpa at 205–430°C in lithium or helium in the fast flux test facility (FFTF), high flux isotope reactor (HFIR), experimental breeder reactor II (EBR-II), and advanced test reactor (ATR). A 500-kg heat of V–4Cr–4Ti exhibited high ductile–brittle transition temperature and minimal uniform elongation as a result of irradiation-induced loss of work-hardening capability. Work-hardening capabilities of 30- and 100-kg heats of V–4Cr–4Ti varied significantly with irradiation conditions, although the 30-kg heat exhibited excellent impact properties after irradiation at ≈390–430°C. The origin of the significant variations in the work-hardening capability of V–4Cr–4Ti is not understood, although fabrication variables, annealing history, and contamination from the irradiation environment are believed to play important roles. A 15-kg heat of V–3Ti–1Si exhibited good work-hardening capability and excellent impact properties after irradiation at ≈390–430°C. Helium atoms, either charged dynamically or produced via transmutation of boron in the alloys, promote work-hardening capability in V–4Cr–4Ti and V–3Ti–1Si.
Radiative quark and lepton masses through soft supersymmetry breaking.

A supersymmetric extension of the standard strong and electroweak gauge model has the property that light quarks and leptons acquire radiative masses as the result of the breaking of a chiral symmetry by soft supersymmetry-breaking terms. This radiative mechanism is then extended to include all known quarks and leptons in the context of a supersymmetric SU(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1)' gauge model based on ${\mathrm{E}}_{6}$ particle content as the possible low-energy limit of a superstring theory.
Exogenous NO administration and α-adrenergic vasoconstriction in human limbs

Nitric oxide (NO) is capable of blunting α-adrenergic vasoconstriction in contracting skeletal muscles of experimental animals (functional sympatholysis). We therefore tested the hypothesis that ex...
Multifunctional glassy liquid crystals for photonics

As an emerging class of photonic materials, morphologically stable glassy liquid crystals, were developed following a versatile molecular design approach. Glassy cholesteric liquid crystals with elevated phase-transition temperatures and capability for selective-wavelength reflection and circular polarization were synthesized via deterministic synthesis strategies. Potential applications of glassy cholesteric liquid crystals include high-performance polarizers, optical notch filters and reflectors, and circularly polarized photoluminescence. A glassy nematic liquid crystal comprising a dithienylethene core was also synthesized for the demonstration of nondestructive rewritable optical memory and photonic switching in the solid state.
Internal eliminated segments (IESs) of Oxytrichidae

Internal eliminated segments (IESs) are sequences that interrupt coding and noncoding regions of germline (micronuclear) genes of ciliated protozoa. IESs are flanked by short, unique repeat sequences, which are presumably required for precise IES excision during macronuclear development. Coding and noncoding segments of genes separated by IESs are called macronuclear-destined segments, or MDSs. We have compiled the characteristics of 89 individual IESs in 12 micronuclear genes in the Oxytricha and Stylonychia genera to define the IES phenomenon precisely, a first step in determining the origin, function and significance of IESs. Although all 89 IESs among the 12 different genes are AT-rich, they show no other similarity in sequence, length, position or number. Two main types of IESs are present. IESs that separate scrambled MDSs are significantly shorter and more frequent and have longer flanking repeat sequences than IESs that intervene between nonscrambled MDSs. A comparison of the nonscrambled gene encoding beta-telomere binding protein in three species of hypotrichs shows that even in the same gene IESs are not conserved in sequence, length, position, or number from species to species. A comparison of IESs in the scrambled gene encoding actin I in the three species shows that the evolutionary behavior of IESs in a scrambled gene may be more constrained. However, IESs in the scrambled actin I gene have shifted along the DNA molecule during evolution. In total, the various studies show that IESs are hypermutable in sequence and length. They insert, excise, and shift along DNA molecules more or less randomly during evolution, with no discernible function or consequences.
Structural analysis of communities of practice: an investigation of job title, location, and management intention

The community of practice phenomenon has been extensively studied in qualitative terms, but there has been relatively little research using quantitative techniques. This study uses the common social network measures of connectedness, density, graph theoretic distance, and core / periphery fit to examine how groups defined by different characteristics align with community of practice theory. Specifically, it investigates the roles of job title, location, and management intention relative to the structural characteristics of communities of practice. Workers were assigned to groups based upon their job title, job group, division, location, and emergent behavior (results of hierarchical clustering). Initial results suggest that grouping employees by their emergent behavior yields network measures that are most closely related to community of practice theory.
Preparing the "New" Biologist of the Future: Student Research at the Interface of Mathematics and Biology

We describe a unique Research Experience for Undergraduates and Research Experience for Veterinary students summer program at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The program focused on interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology and mathematics. Participants were selected to work on projects with a biology mentor and a mathematics mentor in an environment that promoted collaboration outside of the students' respective disciplines. There were four research projects with teams of four participants and two faculty mentors. The participants consisted of a mixture of 10 undergraduates in biology- and mathematics-related disciplines, four veterinary students, and two high-school teachers. The activities included lectures on both the biological and mathematical backgrounds of the projects, tutorials for software, and sessions on ethics, graduate school, and possible career paths for individuals interested in biology and mathematics. The program was designed to give students the ability to actively participate in the scientific research process by working on a project, writing up their results in a final report, and presenting their work orally. We report on the results of our evaluation surveys of the participants.
Correlated fluctuations in luminosity distance and the importance of peculiar motion in supernova surveys

Large scale structure introduces two different kinds of errors in the luminosity distance estimates from standardizable candles such as supernovae Ia (SNe)--a Poissonian scatter for each SN and a coherent component due to correlated fluctuations between different SNe. Increasing the number of SNe helps reduce the first type of error but not the second. The coherent component has been largely ignored in forecasts of dark energy parameter estimation from upcoming SN surveys. For instance it is commonly thought, based on Poissonian considerations, that peculiar motion is unimportant, even for a low redshift SN survey such as the Nearby Supernova Factory (SNfactory; z=0.03-0.08), which provides a useful anchor for future high redshift surveys by determining the SN zero point. We show that ignoring coherent peculiar motion leads to an underestimate of the zero-point error by about a factor of 2, despite the fact that SNfactory covers almost half of the sky. More generally, there are four types of fluctuations: peculiar motion, gravitational lensing, gravitational redshift and what is akin to the integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect. Peculiar motion and lensing dominates at low and high redshifts, respectively. Taking into account all significant luminosity distance fluctuations due to large scale structure leads to amore » degradation of up to 60% in the determination of the dark energy equation of state from upcoming high redshift SN surveys, when used in conjunction with a low redshift anchor such as the SNfactory. The most relevant fluctuations are the coherent ones due to peculiar motion and the Poissonian ones due to lensing, with peculiar motion playing the dominant role. We also discuss to what extent the noise here can be viewed as a useful signal, and whether corrections can be made to reduce the degradation.« less
Embedded Systems: The Case of HIV/AIDS Nonprofit Organizations in New York City

In this paper the notion of an embedded system is developed as an analytic model to examine how state–nonprofit relations develop and become differentiated, using the case of HIV/AIDS nonprofit organizations. Drawing on extensive fieldwork among three prominent HIV/AIDS nonprofit organizations in New York City, this paper shows how the kinds of relationships these nonprofit organizations are likely to form with state agencies are based on their embeddedness in the state–nonprofit system of relations. Three forms of embeddedness are distinguished according to the type and regularity of state–nonprofit contact—direct, outsider, and mediating. Importantly, it is shown how the configuration of relations within which an organization is embedded determines many of the organization's constraints and opportunities.
Nuclear factor-κB p50 subunits in chronic periodontitis and Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide-pulsed dendritic cells

The pathogenesis of a number of chronic inflammatory diseases has been linked to dysregulated functioning of nuclear transcription factor (NF)-kappaB. In the present study, we examine NF-kappaB activation in human oral mucosal tissues of chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNA-binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays indicate elevated levels of transcriptionally repressive p50 subunits and an increased p50/p65 ratio in CP tissues compared to healthy controls. Because Porphyromonas gingivalis has been recognized to be a causal factor in CP, we used P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for in vitro studies with monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS, unlike Escherichia coli LPS, induced an increased p50/p65 ratio in MoDCs. Using blocking antibodies, we demonstrated that while both Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 are required for MoDC maturation by P. gingivalis LPS, only TLR4 signaling is sufficient to induce cytokine secretion. Our results suggest that increased levels of transcriptionally repressive p50 may be characteristic of CP and might be a result of suboptimal NF-kappaB activation and dendritic cell maturation by P. gingivalis, a bacterium implicated in CP.
Aldosterone Synthase Inhibition: A Promising Beginning

We report the first administration of an orally active aldosterone synthase inhibitor, LCI699, to 14 patients with primary aldosteronism. After a 2-week placebo run-in, patients received oral LCI699 (0.5 mg BID) for 2 weeks, LCI699 (1.0 mg BID) for 2 weeks, and placebo for 1 week. We assessed changes in hormone concentrations, plasma potassium levels, and 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure and safety. The supine plasma aldosterone concentration decreased from 540 pmol/L (95% CI: 394 to 739 pmol/L) to 171 pmol/L (95% CI: 128 to 230 pmol/L) after 0.5 mg of LCI699 (–68%; P<0.0001) and to 133 pmol/L (95% CI: 100 to 177 pmol/L) after 1.0 mg of LCI699 (–75%; P<0.0001). Plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone concentrations increased by 710% after 0.5 mg of LCI699 (P<0.0001) and by 1427% after 1.0 mg of LCI699 (P<0.0001). The plasma potassium concentration increased from 3.27±0.31 to 4.03±0.33 mmol/L (P<0.0001) after only 1 week on 0.5 mg of LCI699. Twenty-four–hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure decreased by –4.1 mm Hg (95% CI: –8.1 to –0.1 mm Hg) after 4 weeks of treatment (P=0.046). Basal plasma cortisol concentrations remained unchanged,whereas plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations increased by 35% after 0.5 mg of LCI699 (P=0.08) and by 113% after 1.0 mg of LCI699 (P<0.0001), and the plasma cortisol response to an adrenocorticotropic hormone test was blunted. All of the variables except plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone concentration returned to initial levels after the placebo. LCI699 was well tolerated. In conclusion, the administration of LCI699, up to 1.0 mg BID, effectively and safely inhibits aldosterone synthase in patients with primary aldosteronism. This 4-week treatment corrected the hypokalemia and mildly decreased blood pressure. The effects on the glucocorticoid axis were consistent with a latent inhibition of cortisol synthesis.
KDOQI US Commentary on the 2012 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis (GN) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages throughout the world. Because these disorders are relatively rare, it is difficult to perform randomized clinical trials to define optimal treatment for many of the specific glomerulopathies. In the absence of high-grade evidence to guide the care of glomerular diseases, in June 2012, KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) published an international clinical guideline for GN. The Work Group report represents an important review of the literature in this area and offers valid and useful guidelines for the most common situations that arise in the management of patients with glomerular disease. This commentary, developed by a panel of clinical experts convened by the National Kidney Foundation, attempts to put the GN guideline into the context of the US health care system. Overall, we support the vast majority of the recommendations and highlight select areas in which epidemiological factors and medical practice patterns in this country justify modifications and adjustments in order to achieve favorable outcomes. There remain large gaps in our knowledge of the best approaches to treat glomerular disease and we strongly endorse an expanded clinical research effort to improve the health and long-term outcomes of children and adults with GN.
AI-03TARGETING ANGIOGENESIS WITHOUT INCREASING THE STROMAL CELL RESPONSE OR INVASION USING ABT-898, A THROMBOSPONDIN TYPE 1 REPEAT PEPTIDE

Anti-angiogenic therapy is a promising therapeutic approach for highly vascularized tumors including glioblastoma (GBM). Nonetheless, the efficacy of Bevacizumab - a monoclonal antibody to VEGF-A - is limited only to progression-free survival but not overall survival, due at least in part to the induction of a more invasive phenotype. Here, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of a thrombospondin-1&2 mimetic peptide, ABT-898, on intracerebral xenografts derived from primary patient GBM neurospheres in the nude mouse. ABT-898 treatment of xenograft tumors (80 mg/kg/day i.p.) prolonged mouse survival. Unlike Bevacizumab-treated mouse brain tumors, ABT-898-treated tumors did not exhibit a detectable increase in the number of invasive foci or phospho-Met expression, indicating no induction of an invasive phenotype. As stromal cells are thought to promote tumor cell invasion, we quantitated infiltration of Iba1+ activated microglial/macrophages into the tumor. Although Bevacizumab therapy significantly increased the number of recruited Iba1+ cells into the tumors, the number of Iba1+ cells in the ABT-898-treated tumors was not increased as compared to the vehicle-treated xenograft tumors. Supporting this finding, the migration of microglia cells (BV2), was significantly inhibited by ABT898 in a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibition was reversed by CD36-neutralizing antibody. This suggests that recruitment of tumor invasion-promoting microglia/macrophage can be regulated by ABT898 and this regulation is in part CD36-dependent. In addition, treatment with ABT898 significantly reduced vessel density in xenograft tumors. In vitro ABT898 induced apoptosis of brain endothelial cells (ECs) and inhibited tubulomorphogenesis in collagen gels, both in a dose-dependent manner, and both were reversed by treatment with CD36 neutralizing antibody, Collectively, these data suggest that ABT-898 offers the novel advantage over Bevacizumab of decreasing stromal cell recruitment to the tumor and thus should be considered as an alternative anti-angiogenic therapy for GBM.
Vaginal motion and bladder and rectal volumes during pelvic intensity-modulated radiation therapy after hysterectomy.

Purpose To evaluate variations in bladder and rectal volume and the position of the vaginal vault during a 5-week course of pelvic intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) after hysterectomy. Methods and Materials Twenty-four patients were instructed how to fill their bladders before simulation and treatment. These patients underwent computed tomography simulations with full and empty bladders and then underwent rescanning twice weekly during IMRT; patients were asked to have full bladder for treatment. Bladder and rectal volumes and the positions of vaginal fiducial markers were determined, and changes in volume and position were calculated. Results The mean full and empty bladder volumes at simulation were 480 cc (range, 122–1,052) and 155 cc (range, 49–371), respectively. Bladder volumes varied widely during IMRT: the median difference between the maximum and minimum volumes was 247 cc (range, 96–585). Variations in rectal volume during IMRT were less pronounced. For the 16 patients with vaginal fiducial markers in place throughout IMRT, the median maximum movement of the markers during IMRT was 0.59 cm in the right–left direction (range, 0–0.9), 1.46 cm in the anterior–posterior direction (range, 0.8–2.79), and 1.2 cm in the superior–inferior direction (range, 0.6–2.1). Large variations in rectal or bladder volume frequently correlated with significant displacement of the vaginal apex. Conclusion Although treatment with a full bladder is usually preferred because of greater sparing of small bowel, our data demonstrate that even with detailed instruction, patients are unable to maintain consistent bladder filling. Variations in organ position during IMRT can result in marked changes in the position of the target volume and the volume of small bowel exposed to high doses of radiation.
Optimal solutions for cellular neural networks by paralleled hardware annealing

An engineering annealing method for optimal solutions of cellular neural networks is presented. Cellular neural networks are very promising in solving many scientific problems in image processing, pattern recognition, and optimization by the use of stored program with predetermined templates. Hardware annealing, which is a paralleled version of mean-field annealing in analog networks, is a highly efficient method of finding optimal solutions of cellular neural networks. It does not require any stochastic procedure and henceforth can be very fast. The generalized energy function of the network is first increased by reducing the voltage gain of each neuron. Then, the hardware annealing searches for the globally minimum energy state by continuously increasing the gain of neurons. The process of global optimization by the proposed annealing can be described by the eigenvalue problems in the time-varying dynamic system. In typical nonoptimization problems, it also provides enough stimulation to frozen neurons caused by ill-conditioned initial states.
SICK SINUS SYNDROME WITH SEROCONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS IN MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA INVOLVING THE HEART: A CASE REPORT

A case of the sick sinus syndrome and constrictive pericarditis with effusion (seroconstrictive pericarditis) as manifestations of lymphomatous involvement of the heart is presented. Autopsy findings documented infiltration of the sinus node by undifferentiated malignant lymphoma cells. The clinical course is described and problems with diagnosis and management of such a complication are discussed. This is one of the few cases in the literature in which an uncommon cause of conduction system disease and pericardial constriction was substantiated by electrocardiogram, angiography, and autopsy.
The Role of the Podocyte in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder that affects approximately 5% of pregnancies and remains one of the leading causes of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide ([1][1]). It is characterized clinically by hypertension and a systemic disease, which is