cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-Dose Tamoxifen Induces Significant Bone Formation in Mice.

Use of the selective estrogen receptor modulator Tamoxifen (TAM) is a mainstay to induce conditional expression of Cre recombinase in transgenic laboratory mice. To excise β-catenin fl/fl in 28-day-old male and female Prrx1-CreER/β-catenin fl/fl mice (C57BL/6), we utilized TAM at 150 mg/kg; despite β-catenin knockout in MSC, we found a significant increase in trabecular and cortical bone volume in all genders. Because TAM was similarly anabolic in KO and control mice, we investigated a dose effect on bone formation by treating wild-type mice (WT C57BL/6, 4 weeks) with TAM (total dose 0, 20, 40, 200 mg/kg via four injections). TAM increased bone in a dose-dependent manner analyzed by micro-computed tomography (μCT), which showed that, compared to control, 20 mg/kg TAM increased femoral bone volume fraction (bone volume/total volume [BV/TV]) (21.6% ± 1.5% to 33% ± 2.5%; 153%, p < 0.005). With TAM 40 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, BV/TV increased to 48.1% ± 4.4% (223%, p < 0.0005) and 58% ± 3.8% (269%, p < 0.0001) respectively, compared to control. Osteoblast markers increased with 200 mg/kg TAM: Dlx5 (224%, p < 0.0001), Alp (166%, p < 0.0001), Bglap (223%, p < 0.0001), and Sp7 (228%, p < 0.0001). Osteoclasts per bone surface (Oc#/BS) nearly doubled at the lowest TAM dose (20 mg/kg), but decreased to <20% control with 200 mg/kg TAM. Our data establish that use of TAM at even very low doses to excise a floxed target in postnatal mice has profound effects on trabecular and cortical bone formation. As such, TAM treatment is a major confounder in the interpretation of bone phenotypes in conditional gene knockout mouse models. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Constraints on Old English Genitive Variation

Syntactic variation has been described as the result of competition between different grammars (Kroch 1989, 2001), which produces S-curves over time when the relative frequency of one variety is plotted on a two-dimensional graph. In a few instances, scholars have pointed to syntactic alternations which are not associated with different grammars, but can still exhibit S-shaped curves over time (Tagliamonte and D'Arcy 2009). In particular, recent works have focused on English genitive alternation as a case of syntactic variable which must be analyzed with reference to semantic (Stefanowitsch 2003), information (Biber 2003), weight (Rosenbach 2005), animacy (Rosenbach 2008), register (Jankowski 2013, Szmrecsanyi 2013) and phonetic (Jankowski and Tagliamonte 2014) factors. We might ask whether looking at historical corpora, we can always distinguish between syntactic alternations which are a symptom of grammar in competition, and alternations for which extra-grammatical explanations are required instead. Interestingly, the alternation between prenominal and postnominal genitives can be traced back to Old English. In particular, while early Old English manuscripts exhibit both prenominal and postnominal genitives, it has been noted that postnominal genitives were reducing in frequency in favor of prenominal ones in late manuscripts. In the light of the new work on Present-day English genitive variation, we might ask whether this change in frequency was the result of a grammar in competition scenario, or if this change requires an extra-grammatical explanation.
A Giant Eurypterus from the Silurian (Pridoli) Bertie Group of North America

Specimens of Eurypterus are the most common eurypterid fossils worldwide. They are particularly abundant in the Silurian Bertie Group of North America. The Bertie Group Eurypterus species are relatively small compared with associated giants such as Acutiramus, Eusarcana, and Dolichopterus. Here we report the discovery of an isolated telson of Eurypterus lacustris nearly 15 cm long indicating an individual more than half a meter in length. This highly maneuverable swimmer with acute vision joins the list of eurypterid predators with giant representatives.
Phylogenetic systematics of the genera of Thryptocerina Jeannel, 1949 and new species from New Caledonia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Oodini).

The Oodini precinctive to New Caledonia are reviewed with nine species recognized, of which seven are newly described in two genera. Five species are described in the genus Coptocarpus Chaudoir: C. micropssp. nov., C. erwinisp. nov., C. amieuensissp. nov., C. magnussp. nov., and C. leschenisp. nov. In the genus Adelopomorpha Heller two species, A. tethyssp. nov. and A. tuberculatasp. nov., are described. In order to place cladistically the newly described species in a genus, a phylogenetic analysis of a matrix of 36 characters of adult morphology was conducted including exemplar species of three putative outgroup genera, six putative ingroup thryptocerine oodine genera, and all oodine species from New Caledonia. Results show support for Thryptocerina and monophyly of Adelopomorpha. Hoplolenus LaFerte-Senectere is not monophyletic and Hoplolenus cyllodinus Fauvel is newly combined as Coptocarpus cyllodinuscomb. nov. New Caledonian species of Coptocarpus form a clade, but the Australian species of the genus included in the analysis are rendered paraphyletic by African and Malagasy genera. Implications of this preliminary study for the classification of Oodini and trends in the evolution of the female reproductive tract are discussed. A key to the New Caledonian species of Oodini is provided.
New perspectives on radiation belt precipitation from the ELFIN CubeSats

The Electron Losses and Fields Investigation (ELFIN) is a satellite mission 1 launched in 2018 consisting of two, identical 3U CubeSats in circular, polar LEO orbit at altitudes ~450 km. Onboard each spacecraft, the ELFIN prime payloads consist of energetic particle telescopes and boom-deployed fluxgate magnetometers. Each orbit, ELFIN observes energetic electrons ranging from 50 keV to 7 MeV precipitating from Earth's radiation belts, and ELFIN presents the opportunity to study such radiation belt losses in unprecedented energy resolution with multipoint observations that enable some disambiguation of spatiotemporal evolution. Furthermore, the ELFIN spacecraft are spinners, revealing for the first time details of electron pitch angle distributions within the atmospheric loss cones. In this talk, we will introduce the ELFIN mission and system and payloads. Next, we present new results from ELFIN highlighting several enlightening features of outer radiation belt precipitation, including: energy spectra of> 1 MeV precipitation events and microbursts; spatial structure and temporal evolution of precipitation bands; evidence of localized regions of enhanced precipitation, presumably from chorus wave activity just outside the plasmapause; quantification of steady “drizzle” of electrons into the atmospheric loss cones vs. enhanced, time-limited microbursts and precipitation bands; and quantification of atmospheric backscatter of precipitating electrons. All of these are new insights enabled by the unique observations made possible from the multipoint ELFIN mission.
Designing Audio Effect Plug-Ins in C++: With Digital Audio Signal Processing Theory

Chapter 1. Digital Audio Signal Processing Principles Chapter 2. Anatomy of a Windows(R) Plug-In Chapter 3. Writing Plug-Ins with Socket(R) Chapter 4. How DSP Filters Work Chapter 5. Basic DSP Theory Chapter 6. Audio Filter Designs: IIR Filters Chapter 7. Delay Effects and Circular Buffers Chapter 8. Audio Filter Designs: FIR Filters Chapter 9. Audio Oscillators Chapter 10. Modulated Delay Effects Chapter 11. Reverb Algorithms Chapter 12. Modulated Filter Effects Chapter 13. Dynamics Processing Chapter 14. Commercial Plug-In APIs
Hole burning by momentum redistribution of atoms via spontaneous emission

Summary form only given. Recent advances in laser cooling and trapping have led to a growing interest in laser spectroscopy in cold atomic samples. Examples include the work of Guo et al. and Courtois et al. about the recoil-induced resonance, and Bonifacio et al. and Moore et al. about the collective-atomic-recoil lasers (CARL). At the heart of these applications is the atomic recoil by photon absorption and emission. In the work, we explore a recoil-related phenomenon: hole burning resulting from the momentum redistribution of atoms by spontaneous emission, and its possible application in the precision spectroscopy. In the traditional saturation spectroscopy, the hole in the Doppler profile is created by laser excitation of atoms from the ground to the excited level. By contrast, the hole, is produced by removing the atoms in the velocity group, where the hole is burned, into the neighboring velocity groups of the same ground level. This process is accomplished through optical pumping and momentum redistribution by spontaneous emission. As a result, the requirement on the intensities of the driving laser fields is low, limited only by the interaction time. This is in contrast to the traditional saturation spectroscopy where the driving laser intensity has to be comparable to the saturation intensity determined by the decay rate of the excited level.
Velocity-Resolved Observations of Hα Emission from Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)

We present hydrogen Balmer-α spectra of comet C/1995 01 (Hale-Bopp) recorded on 5 nights from 1997 February 1 to April 19 by a high-resolution (△u = 5 km s−1) Fabry—Perot spectrometer for a 4′.1 (∼2.7 × 105 km) FOV centered 5′ sunward of the nucleus. The Hα line profile is an important diagnostic of photolytic heating in cometary atmospheres. Extraction of the spectra from the Fabry—Perot ring images was complicated by obscuration of the telescope FOV due to Hale-Bopp’s low elevation, but the measured H-α line widths of 11–13 km s−1 (FWHM) are insensitive to the spectral extraction technique. The line widths are consistent with estimates derived from a successful model of Hale-Bopp’s hydrogen Lyman-α coma assuming the inner coma is opaque to Hα. We discuss methods for improving the spectral extraction technique and deriving a precise instrument profile which will allow the detailed shape of the line profile to constrain coma models.
Spheromak reactor: Physics opportunities and issues

The spheromak is a magnetic confinement device with a more attractive fusion reactor potential than the leading geometry, the tokamak. This results in large part from the absence of a toroidal field coil and other structures linking the plasma along the geometric axis. However, because of the lack of a strong external magnetic field, the physics is more complex so that considerable research is required to learn how to achieve the reactor potential. Several critical physics issues am considered here, including stability to low mode number magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes, energy confinement, helicity injection and current drive, the magnetic turbulence associated with this dynamo, and the beta (ratio of plasma and magnetic pressures) which can be supported in the geometry.
Immunochemistry of serum albumin: VI. A dynamic approach to the immunochemical cross-reactions of proteins using serum albumins from various species as models

Antisera against bovine serum albumin were raised in two rabbits. Serial bleedings were obtained at different times after the first immunization, and antisera from these serial bleedings were not mixed but were kept and studied separately. The immunochemical cross-reactions of these antisera with serum albumins from bovine, goat, sheep, porcine, horse, human and chicken were determined by immunoadsorbent studies. These were done by titration so that the values of maximum (plateau) binding by each albumin of radioiodinated antibodies were determined. In each rabbit, the immunochemical cross-reactivity was not static but increased progressievly with time after the first immunization. In the interval 7 days to 398 days the increases in cross-reaction were extremely large. pH dissociation studies revealed that, together with the increase in cross-reactivity of a given albumin with time after immunization, there was a restriction in the antibody heterogeneity towards populations possessing higher affinity. These results provide a rational explanation for the different values of cross-reactivities for a given albumin from different laboratories. The findings are analyzed in relation to the antigenic structure of albumin and their significance in evolutionary studies discussed.
Illegal Immigration: Impact on the Healthcare Industry in the United States

In recent years illegal immigration has become a significant political issue in the United States. Much of the debate on illegal immigration focuses on a viable path to United States citizenship. It should be pointed out that there are far more pressing issues which should be addressed in the illegal immigration debate. Illegal immigrants without health insurance cost American tax payers billions of dollars each year. Many state and local healthcare officials have reported that their systems are on the brink of collapse. The problem stems from multiple factors all converging including; federal policies and programs regarding medical treatment, the reluctance of illegal immigrants to seek medical attention when they first realize they need medical assistance and at a stage when it would be inexpensive to treat their illness or injury and the inability for border agents to maintain the integrity of the border between the United States and Mexico. This paper examines factors which have pushed medical systems and hospitals, particularly near the United States and Mexican border, to the brink of collapse. In many instances this has literally been the case, hospitals have closed their doors due to the significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants using services and who have no means to pay. While the issue of an ethically, morally and politically correct approach to take regarding a path to United States citizenship has dominated the illegal immigration debate, the impact of illegal immigration must receive greater attention by policy makers. The demands placed on medical services by illegal immigrants will continue to rise exponentially each year and will eventually adversely impact the quality and cost of healthcare for all Americans if left unchecked. This paper is a critical and objective assessment of the impact of illegal immigration on the United States healthcare system.
Foreword: Making Sense of Information for Environmental Protection

Despite the ubiquity of information, no one has proposed calling the present era the Knowledge Age. Knowledge depends not only on access to reliable information, but also on sound judgment regarding which information to access and how to situate that information in relation to the values and purposes that comprise the individual's or the social group's larger projects. This is certainly the case for wise and effective environmental governance. A regulator needs accurate information to understand the nature of a problem and the consequences of potential responses. Likewise, the regulated community needs information to decide how best to comply with adopted rules, and the public needs information in order to accept the credibility and legitimacy of the regulatory regime. But governance also requires judgment regarding how to manage information itself - how to structure burdens of proof in light of goals such as public safety or promotion of economic growth, how to balance the public's interest in disclosure against competing aims such as national security or the protection of trade secrets, whether to withhold information in the belief that it may actually be harmful to the recipient, and so on.This paper, written as a foreword for the Texas Law Review's symposium issue, "Harnessing the Power of Information for the Next Generation of Environmental Law," provides a model to understand the role of information in environmental law - how it is generated, utilized, and disseminated within regulatory processes. Drawing on the diverse and significant insights of the symposium articles, the paper attempts both to make sense of the role of information in environmental protection and to highlight significant questions and concerns.
Use of 5-aminolevulinic acid for visualization and resection of a benign pediatric brain tumor

5-Aminolevulinic acid has been used successfully to facilitate resection of adult malignant gliomas. The authors report their experience in the treatment of a 9-year-old girl who underwent fluorescence-guided resection of a right temporal lobe pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma using 5-aminolevulinic acid. Intraoperatively, the residual tumor fluoresced, allowing for better visualization. No serious side effects or complications occurred.
Synthesis, characterization and in vivo biodistribution of 99mTc(CO)3-N-carboxymethyl-aspartic acid as a potential renal imaging tracer

345 Objectives In an ongoing effort to develop a renal tracer with pharmacokinetic properties superior to both those of 131I-OIH and the promising new 99mTc agent, 99mTc(CO)3-nitirilotriacetic acid [99mTc(CO)3(NTA)], we modified the aminopolycarboxylate ligand structure of NTA to produce N-carboxymethyl-aspartic acid (ASMA). ASMA has two carboxyl groups and an amine function available for the coordination of the {99mTc(CO)3}+ core as well as a dangling carboxylate to facilitate rapid renal clearance. Methods ASMA was labeled with 99mTc(CO)3 using an IsoLink kit (Covidien), isolated by HPLC, and evaluated in normal Sprague-Dawley rats at 10 min and 60 min (group A) and in rats with renal pedicle ligation at 60 min (group B). 131I-OIH was co-injected simultaneously as an internal control. Radiotracer stability was determined in PBS buffer pH 7.4 and a Re analogue was prepared. Results 99mTc(CO)3(ASMA) was obtained in almost quantitative yield with radiochemical purity >98%, and the complex was stable at PBS buffer pH 7.4 for 24h at 25 °C. NMR of the Re analogue showed the product was composed of diasteroisomers due to the chiral center in ASMA; however the 99mTc diasteroisomers could not be separated by preparative HPLC. In normal rats, %ID in the urine at 10 and 60 min was 106±6% and 106±0%, respectively, that of 131I-OIH; hepatic/gastrointestinal activity was minimal and less than 131I-OIH. In rats with renal pedicle ligation, 99mTc(CO)3(ASMA) was better retained in the blood (P Conclusions 99mTc(CO)3(ASMA) has pharmacokinetic properties in rats comparable to or superior to those of 131I-OIH. Human studies are warranted for further evaluation of 99mTc(CO)3(ASMA) as a potential renal imaging agent. Research Support NIH R37 DK3884
Genetic Markers and Genotyping Analyses for Genetic Disease Studies

Major research efforts have resulted in a sequence of information for many genomes, providing a tremendous resource for biomedical researchers to examine gene sequences, their regulation, and their role in health and disease. The discovery of the microsatellite as a highly polymorphic genetic marker, and its ability to generate genotypes in a high-throughput manner, revolutionized genetic analyses of disease and greatly facilitated the mapping and sequencing of not only the human genome. This article focuses on different genotyping approaches commonly used in genetic laboratories. Keywords: human genome; phenotypic differences; genotyping approaches; microsatellites; polymorphic genetic marker
Configuration and testing of a saturated vapor helium compressor

A saturated vapor helium compressor was designed and tested as a component of a helium-temperature refrigeration cycle. The use of the cold compressor allows reduction of both the precooling heat exchanger area and main compressor size compared to a conventional cycle due to increased pressure of the return gas. The compressor tested was a single-piston reciprocating device which was controlled with programmable hydraulic/pneumatic logic. The compressor was mounted at the cold end of a CTI Model 1400 helium liquefier. An average compression ratio of 2.4 was obtained and an average efficiency of 82% was achieved. In computing compressor efficiency, external heat leaks to the compressor were neglected.
Identification and regulation of a gene required for cell fusion during mating of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract We have devised a screen for genes from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae whose expression is affected by cell type or by the mating pheromones. From this screen we identified a gene, FUS1, whose pattern of expression revealed interesting regulatory strategies and whose product was required for efficient cell fusion during mating. Transcription of FUS1 occurred only in a and alpha cells, not in a/alpha cells, where it was repressed by a1 X alpha 2, a regulatory activity present uniquely in a/alpha cells. Transcription of FUS1 showed an absolute requirement for the products of five STE genes, STE4, STE5, STE7, STE11, and STE12. Since the activators STE4, STE5, and STE12 are themselves repressed by a1 X alpha 2, the failure to express FUS1 in a/alpha cells is probably the result of a cascade of regulatory activities; repression of the activators by a1 X alpha 2 in turn precludes transcription of FUS1. In addition to regulation of FUS1 by cell type, transcription from the locus increased 10-fold or more when a or alpha cells were exposed to the opposing mating pheromone. To investigate the function of the Fus1 protein, we created fus1 null mutants. In fus1 X fus1 matings, the cells of a mating pair adhered tightly and appeared to form zygotes. However, the zygotes were abnormal. Within the conjugation bridge the contained a partition that prevented nuclear fusion and mixing of organelles. The predicted sequence of the Fus1 protein (deduced from the FUS1 DNA sequence) and subcellular fractionation studies with Fus1-beta-galactosidase hybrid proteins suggest that Fus1 is a membrane or secreted protein. Thus, Fus1 may be located at a position within the cell where it is poised to catalyze cell wall or plasma membrane fusion.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of fenoldopam mesylate for blood pressure control in pediatric patients

Background Fenoldopam mesylate, a selective dopamine1-receptor agonist, is used by intravenous infusion to treat hypertension in adults. Fenoldopam is not approved by the FDA for use in children; reports describing its use in pediatrics are limited. In a multi-institutional, placebo controlled, double-blind, multi-dose trial we determined the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics and side-effect profile of fenoldopam in children.
A study of optical amplification in a double heterostructure GaAs device using the density matrix approach

A theoretical investigation of traveling wave light amplification in a GaAs double heterostructure device is presented in this paper. The analysis is self-consistent, semiclassical, and uses a density matrix formulation. Phenomenological constants are included to account for intraband relaxation processes, pumping, and spontaneous emission. The analysis is significantly different from previous rate equation approaches in that saturation effects are inherent in the results and phase information, important for coherent applications, is retained. Results presented for steady-state and pulsed operation include gain, pulse compression, multipulse effects, and the phase variation that occurs over the pulse time.
Foley catheterization in the postoperative patient

Objective: Foley catheters are used routinely in gynecologic surgery. We wanted to address the issue of whether this was necessary and affected patient outcome. The question asked in this study is, “Does early removal of the Foley catheter after pelvic surgery affect recatheterization, febrile morbidity, symptomatic urinary tract infections, and patient comfort?” Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial conducted at a university teaching hospital on all patients undergoing hysterectomy or cesarean delivery, not requiring bladder suspension or strict fluid management. The Foley catheter was either removed immediately, postoperatively, or on the first postoperative day. The variables studied were recatheterization, febrile morbidity, symptomatic urinary tract infections, and pain. Results: Seventy-eight patients were included in this trial. Twenty-nine patients underwent a cesarean delivery, 38 patients underwent a vaginal hysterectomy, and 11 patients underwent abdominal hysterectomy. The outcome for these patients are as follows: in all cases only five patients had a fever, P value was nonsignificant, two patients had urinary tract infections with a P value that is nonsignificant, and recatheterization occurred in five patients (P value of 0.17). The level of pain was measured using a standardized pain scale, described as mild, moderate, or severe. Evaluating all cases, n = 78 (P = 0.001), patients had significantly less pain with early removal of the Foley catheter. The same was true when done for all cesarean hysterectomies; the pain was significantly less (0.001) in the early removal group. There were no patients with severe pain in the early removal group. Conclusions: Patients who had the Foley catheter removed immediately following surgery had no increase in fever, urinary tract infections, or incidence of recatheterization. There was also significantly less pain in the early removal group. In some patients, the Foley catheter is not required in the postoperative period and patients report less discomfort.
Gone with the wind: Eolian erasure of the Mars Rover tracks

[1] The wheel tracks left by the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity are unique artificial markings on the surface of Mars. The tracks stretch several kilometers across diverse terrain in two widely separated regions of the planet. The initial appearance and characteristics of the tracks were well documented by the science and navigation cameras aboard the vehicles at the time the tracks were formed. Orbital observations by Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter document the erasure of the tracks over a period of more than 2 Mars years. Close-up examinations of track crossings, where the rovers encountered tracks made hundreds of Martian solar days earlier, provide insights into the mechanisms and time scales of eolian alteration on Mars. These observations suggest that fallout of atmospheric dust plays only a minor role in obscuring rover tracks over time. Instead, track erasure is dominated by sediment that is transported by surface winds. Both deposition and erosion act to erase the rover tracks. The length scales for eolian sediment transport are hundreds of meters at least, much larger than the size of the tracks. Gradual processes such as dust devils and sand saltation have minor effects that can nonetheless erase rover tracks over long time periods. However, short-lived strong wind events associated with seasonal dust storms have much more pronounced effects, significantly altering the tracks on time scales of days. These episodic strong winds tend to occur annually during the perihelion season. The time scale for track erasure is typically only 1 Martian year.
Theory of the dielectric constant of ice

Abstract The first result of this paper is to show that the Onsager—Slater theory of the dielectric constant is consistent for some reasoable model of ice in the limit of no intrinsic defects. Accordingly, a model is presented, called the unit model, which has unit cells with no dipole moments for which the Onsager—Slater theory is exact. The second result of this paper is to show that the unit model is physically and chemically realistic. Bjerrum defects are introduced into the model and the relation between the dielectric constant and the Bjerrum defect charge found by Onsager and Dupuis for a less realistic model continues to hold and is satisfied by the experimental values. In a simple point charge approximation the charge distribution determined by the model requirements and the experimentally determined Bjerrum fault charge are found and seem reasonble. Higher order multipole interaction energies are consistent with eviations from pure 1/T dependence of the dielectric constant of real ice with intrinsic defects, can be derived in the context of the unit model. This formula interpolates between the Onsager—Slater formula in the limit of no intrinsic defects and the Kirkwood—Frohlich formula in the limit of many intrinsic defects. For the concentration of defects in real ice the interpolation formula is practically the same as the Onsager—Slater formula and differs from the Kirkwood—Frohlich formula by a factor of nearly 3 2 .
Anxiolytic effect of progesterone is associated with increases in cortical alloprenanolone and GABAA receptor function

The effects of a SC injection of progesterone (0, 1, or 4 mg) on locomotor behavior and exploration of an elevated plus-maze were examined in ovariectomized rats. At the completion of the behavioral tests, blood serum and cerebral cortical level of the 3 alpha-hydroxy ring-A metabolite of progesterone, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone), was also assessed. GABA-stimulated 36Cl- influx was studied in cortical synaptoneurosomes from a subgroup of ovariectomized females treated with vehicle or 4 mg progesterone. Whereas progesterone treatment did not affect ambulation in a novel arena, significant anxiolytic behavior was detected in the plus-maze 4 h after administration of 1 or 4 mg progesterone. A dose-dependent increase in allopregnanolone level was found in serum and cortical homogenates. Studies of GABA-stimulated Cl- influx demonstrated that progesterone treatment increased the sensitivity of cortical synaptoneurosomes to GABA (i.e., decreased the EC50) and increased the maximal efficacy with which GABA stimulated Cl- transport (i.e., increased the Emax). Together, these data support the hypothesis that the psychotropic effects observed after progesterone administration are due to the bioconversion of progesterone to allopregnanolone, which subsequently augments GABAA receptor-mediated function.
Sensation Seeking Moderates the Effects of Alcohol and Drug Use Prior to Sex on Sexual Risk in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for more than half of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States each year, and young MSM (ages 13–24) have the highest increases in new infections. Identifying which young MSM engage in sexual risk-taking in which contexts is critical in developing effective behavioral intervention strategies for this population. While studies have consistently found positive associations between the use of certain drugs and sexual risk, research on alcohol use as a predictor of risk has been less consistent. Participants included 114 young MSM from a longitudinal study of LGBT youth (ages 16–20 at baseline). Participants reported number of unprotected sex acts with up to nine partners across three waves of data collection spanning a reporting window of 18 months, for a total of 406 sexual partners. Sensation seeking was evaluated as a moderator of the effects of both alcohol and drug use prior to sex on sexual risk. Higher levels of sensation seeking were found to significantly increase the positive associations between frequency of unprotected sex and frequency of both alcohol use and drug use with partners. Follow-up analysis found that average rates of alcohol use moderated the association between alcohol use prior to sex and sexual risk, such that decreases in average alcohol use increased the positive association between these variables. Results suggest that while drug use with partners increased sexual risk for all young MSM, the effects of alcohol use prior to sex were limited in low sensation-seeking young MSM as well as those who are high alcohol consumers on average. Implications for future research and behavioral interventions are discussed.
Reversing the deleterious effects of α2-antiplasmin on tissue plasminogen activator therapy improves outcomes in experimental ischemic stroke

High blood levels of α2-antiplasmin have been associated with failed tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) therapy for ischemic stroke. Yet, other data suggests that α2-antiplasmin may be protective in stroke, because it defends against bleeding and excitotoxicity. To address this paradox, we examined the effects of high α2-antiplasmin levels and α2-antiplasmin inactivation in mice treated with TPA 0.5-2.5h after middle cerebral artery (MCA) thromboembolism. Brain infarction, swelling, hemorrhage, blood brain barrier breakdown and neuronal apoptosis were measured by a blinded observer. Thrombus dissolution was determined by gamma counting. During TPA treatment, high α2-antiplasmin blood levels increased brain infarction (2.2-fold) and swelling (3.7-fold), but decreased MCA thrombus dissolution. Conversely, α2-antiplasmin inactivation during TPA treatment reduced brain infarction, hemorrhage and swelling, but increased MCA thrombus dissolution. Inactivation of α2-antiplasmin during TPA treatment reduced neuronal apoptosis and blood brain barrier breakdown. Inactivation of α2-antiplasmin also reduced short-term mortality. Taken together these data show that α2-antiplasmin opposes the effects of TPA therapy and contributes to enhanced brain injury after experimental thromboembolic stroke. Conversely, α2-antiplasmin inactivation during TPA treatment improves thrombus dissolution and reduces brain infarction, swelling and hemorrhage. Consistent with clinical observations, these data suggest that α2-antiplasmin exerts deleterious effects that reduce the efficacy and safety of TPA therapy for ischemic stroke.
The Molecular ISM of Lowsurface Brightness Spiral Galaxies

I summarize some results from the recent CO survey of late-type, low surface brightness (LSB) spiral galaxies by Matthews et al. (2005). We have now de- tected CO emission from six late-type, LSB spirals, demonstrating that despite their typical low metallicities and low mean gas surface densities, some LSB galaxies contain a molecular medium that is traced by CO. We find that the CO-detected LSB spirals adhere to the same MH2 -FIR correlation as brighter galaxies. We also find a significant drop-off in the detectability of CO among low-to-intermediate surface brightness galaxies with Vrot < 90km s −1 , pointing toward fundamental changes in the physical conditions of the ISM with decreas- ing disk mass.
R‐matrix approach to quantum superalgebras suq(m‖n)

Quantum superalgebras suq(m‖n) are studied in the framework of R‐matrix formalism. Explicit parametrization of L(+) and L(−) matrices in terms of suq(m‖n) generators are presented. We also show that quantum deformation of nonsimple superalgebra su(n‖n) requires its extension to u(n‖n).
INDIRECT ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRIC METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ARSENIC

Abstract An indirect atomic absorption spectrometric method for arsenic has been developed on the basis of heteropoly chemistry. Molybdoarsenic acid is formed, extracted and stripped by a basic buffer solution. The resulting molybdate, which is equivalent to a specific amount of arsenic, is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.
Abiogenic methane: Evidence sought

Thomas Gold, longtime advocate of the notion that the earth holds vast stores of methane and other hydrocarbons that are derived from nonliving, or “abiogenic,” sources, thinks that strong evidence for his ideas will be found at a well to be drilled in Sweden this fall. The Cornell University researcher told fellow scientists at the recent American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting that he hopes that the findings will support his argument that abiogenic methane has been trapped in the earth's mantle since the creation of the planet (Eos, August 11, 1981, p. 618).
Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of H2Se

Abstract We have found that H2Se decomposes by a homogeneous gas-phase reaction between 673 and 748 K and 70 and 630 Torr. The reaction reaches equilibrium in approximately 200 min at 673 K and 5 min at 748 K, with ∼65% of the H2Se decomposed. The reaction order is near unity at 630 Torr but gradually increases with decreasing pressure. We have measured an activation energy of 46.4 ± 0.1 kcal/mol and an A-factor of 3.8 × 1010 in the first-order region.
Cytochrome P450-dependent arachidonate metabolites affect renal transport in the rabbit.

Arachidonic acid (AA) inhibited 86 Rb uptake in a dose-dependent manner in rabbit medullary tubules representing the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (mTALH). We have shown that CoCl 2 treatment of rabbits reduced renal AA metabolism by cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes (P450). After CoCl 2 treatment, AA was without effect on 86 Rb uptake in mTALH cells. However, the two principal P450-AA metabolites produced by the mTALH, 20-HETE and 20-COOH-AA, inhibited 86 Rb uptake in a dose-dependent manner in mTALH cells whether obtained from control or CoCl 2 -treated rabbits
Pyk2 expression and phosphorylation in neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes.

Abstract A. L. Bayer, A. G. Ferguson, P. A. Lucchesi and A. M. Samarel. PYK2 Expression and Phosphorylation in Neonatal and Adult Cardiomyocytes. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2001) 33 , 1017–1030. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase (PYK2) is a Ca 2+ -dependent, non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase involved in growth factor signaling. Although PYK2 is expressed in a variety of tissues, it has not yet been identified in cardiac muscle. Therefore, immunocytochemical and Western blotting techniques were used to examine PYK2 expression and phosphorylation in neonatal and adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVM and ARVM, respectively). PYK2 concentration was much greater in neonatal, than in adult ventricular tissue and cardiomyocytes. In cultured cells, PYK2 expression was highly dependent on [Ca 2+ ] i transients and contractile activity. Non-contracting, low-density NRVM in serum-free culture expressed very low levels of PYK2, while high-density, spontaneously contracting NRVM showed a ∼12-fold increase in PYK2 expression. Conversely, high-density NRVM treated with nifedipine (10 μ M , 48 h) to block spontaneous [Ca 2+ ] i transients and contractile activity resulted in a 2.6-fold decrease in PYK2 levels. Similarly, overnight culture of quiescent ARVM markedly reduced PYK2 levels. Chronic treatment (48 h) of cultured NRVM with the hypertrophic agonist endothelin-1 (ET) (10–300 n M ) did not significantly increase PYK2 levels, but strongly shifted the ratio of phosphorylated to total PYK2, indicating that PYK2 phosphorylation accompanies cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Endothelin-1 also acutely activated PYK2 in both cultured NRVM, and in freshly isolated ARVM. These results suggest that PYK2 is involved in the generation of certain aspects of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
Child Influence: Depth Interviews with Pre-Operational Child Consumers and Their Parents

The purpose of this research was to investigate the phenomenon of pre-operational child consumers (age 2–7; Piaget, 1928) and their influence on household purchases. The conceptual framework was based on research on family interaction, child development, and consumer socialization. The research methodology utilized depth interviews with both pre-operational children and their parents. The analysis of the depth interviews revealed the pervasive use of child influence strategies in typical shopping excursions and significant parental yielding in response to those child influence attempts. Study results were consistent with consumer socialization and family interaction theories that surmise the prevalence and power of child influence.
Boosting vaccinations with peptide-pulsed CD34+ progenitor-derived dendritic cells can expand long-lived melanoma peptide-specific CD8+ T cells in patients with metastatic melanoma.

The immunogenicity of dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines has been shown in patients with advanced cancer, but it has not yet been established whether the elicited cancer-specific immunity is durable and whether it can be maintained by boosting vaccinations. The authors showed earlier, in 18 HLA-A*0201 metastatic melanoma patients, that four vaccinations over 6 weeks with peptide-loaded CD34-DCs (the induction phase) expand in the blood melanoma-specific CD8 + T cells, as documented by melanoma peptide-specific IFN-γ ELISPOT and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity against melanoma cell lines. The authors show here that the melanoma peptide-specific CD8 + T-cell immunity is short-lived, but it could be reactivated in 7 of 11 patients who received four boosting vaccinations with peptide-loaded CD34-DCs. Expansion of recall memory CDS' T cells was confirmed by tetramer binding and CTL activity against melanoma peptide-pulsed T2 cells. In two patients boosted over 15 months, induced melanoma peptide-specific recall memory CD8 + T cells lasted at least 6 months. Thus, boosting vaccination with peptide-loaded CD34-DCs can expand long-lived tumor peptide-specific immunity.
The molecular mechanism of programmed cell death in C. elegans

Programmed cell death or apoptosis plays a fundamental role during animal development, metamorphosis, and tissue homeostasis. It is a genetically controlled physiological process that comprises two distinct and sequential processes: the death of cells, and their subsequent removal by engulfing cells. In the nematode C. elegans, genetic studies led to the discovery of 15 genes that function in programmed cell death (FIG. 1). These 15 genes have been divided into four groups based on the order of their activity during the process of programmed cell death: (1) those involved in the decision making (ces-1 and ces-2); (2) in the process of execution (ced-3, ced-4, ced-9 and egl-1); (3) in the engulfment of dying cells by engulfing cells (ced-1, ced-2, ced-5, ced-6, ced-7, ced-10, ced-12); and (4) those in the degradation of cell corpses within engulfing cells (nuc-1). In the last five years, several genes in the genetic pathway of programmed cell death have been shown to be conserved across a wide range of species; all genes involved in the step of execution in C. elegans have their corresponding mammalian homologs (FIG. 2). Furthermore, emerging evidence from molecular studies of engulfment genes in several species suggests that the signaling process from apoptotic cells to engulfing cells and the subsequent engulfment process might be also conserved across species (TABLE 1).
Induction of micronuclei in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells by direct-acting carcinogens.

Abstract The sensitivity of human bronchial epithelial cells to induction of micronuclei was determined in cultures derived from seven different donors. Two direct-acting carcinogens, dl -7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[ a ]pyrene and N -methyl- N ′-nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine were used to induce micronuclei. Both agents increased the incidence of micronuclei in a concentration-dependent fashion in cells from most donors, event at concentrations that did not produce appreciable cytotoxicity; there were considerable variations in the responses of different donors. Cytokinesis was blocked with cytochalasin B so that micronuclei were counted only in binucleate cells, thereby decreasing the total number of cells that needed to be examined and also eliminating variations due to possible differences in cell growth rates. The results demonstrate the potential usefulness of the micronucleus assay as a sensitive measure of genetic damage in human epithelial cells from the lung.
ADAPTATION OF COMMERCIAL IMMUNOASSAYS TO ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES

An Intracellular Adhesion Molecule I (ICAM-1) immunoassay from R and D Systems, and a Melanoma Inhibitory Activity (MIA) immunoassay from Roche Diagnostics were tested for accurate quantitation within complex biological substances such as cell lysates. Prior to assay, lysates of melanoma cells were treated with detergents to obtain soluble antigens. Maximum ICAM-1 and maximum MIA were detected after treatment using 0.8% Triton X-100. Two key aspects of assay accuracy were: 1) determining the dilutions of test sample that provided accurate quantitation (sample range), and 2) performing spiking experiments at these dilutions to determine absence or presence of a "matrix" effect due to biological complexity of the sample. A high degree of accuracy was found by diluting this particular cellular extract 50-fold prior to ICAM-1 assay, or only 5-fold prior to MIA assay. In addition, the bicinchoninic acid protein assay was analyzed to test the accuracy of protein quantitation of cellular lysates. Precision, limits of detection, and quantitation, robustness, linearity, and specificity also were tested for the immunoassays.
How large delays build in GI/G/1 queue

Let Wk denote the waiting time, of customer k, k ? 0, in an initially empty GI/G/1 queue. Fix a > 0. We prove weak limit theorems describing the behavior of Wk/n, 0 ? k ? n, given Wn > na. Let X have the distribution of the difference between the service and interarrival distributions. We consider queues for which Cramer type conditions hold for X, and queues for which X has regularly varying positive tail.
Flame synthesis of high Tc superconductors

Abstract High-temperature superconducting particles of the 1:2:3 yttriumbarium-copper oxide systems were synthesized in an inverted configuration coannular diffusion flame. The particles were produced from a spray pyrolysis technique, employing aerosolized nitrate salts of Y, Ba, and Cu. The product showed a transition temperature of 92 K as determined from magnetic susceptibitity measurements. The particles were shown to have a wide size distribution, ranging from 10 to 1000 nm. Due to the effects of water vapor reactions at high temperatures, only a diffusion flame successfully produced the correct phase.
Ferromagnetic resonance study of Ga 1-x Mn x As fabricated on (311) GaAs wafers by Mn ion implantation and pulsed-laser melting

We present a ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) study of Ga1−x Mn x As fabricated by Mn ion implantation (II) into (311) GaAs wafers followed by pulsed-laser melting (PLM). We measured the angular dependence of FMR at 4 K, and the data were then fitted by Stoner–Wohlfarth model to obtain the cubic and uniaxial anisotropy parameters. The observed angular behavior of FMR can be understood in terms of two contributions: a cubic anisotropy field parallel to the 〈001〉 axes, and a uniaxial anisotropy field parallel to the [311] direction. Our results show that the magnetic anisotropy fields in II-PLM (Ga,Mn)As are fundamentally similar to those in Ga1−x Mn x As samples grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), indicating that the two different growth methods lead to materials with very similar magnetic properties.
Choice to view cocaine images predicts concurrent and prospective drug use in cocaine addiction

Background Identifying variables that predict drug use in treatment-seeking drug addicted individuals is a crucial research and therapeutic goal. This study tested the hypothesis that choice to view cocaine images is associated with concurrent and prospective drug use in cocaine addiction.
Research on Webbed Connectivity in a Web-Based Learning Environment: Online Social Work Education

This paper describes the preliminary data and analysis of how students in an online MSW program perceive their experiences, interactions, and responses to learning structure, material, and technology in the Web environment. The student perceptions, which have been used to refine the online program, highlight how important it is to students to feel a personal or webbed connection to faculty and other students in the Web environment. Rather than being a cold, sterile learning environment, the online learning world appears to be one that encourages professional webbed connectivity and relationship building.
Label-free detection becomes crystal clear.

Liquid crystalline platforms offer fast, simple and inexpensive detection of incoming analytes on two-dimensional fluid biomembrane mimics.