cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of inhibited growth of Bacillus pumilus by Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii.

Abstract Physiological studies were conducted in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of inhibition of Bacillus pumilus by Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii. Inhibition of B. pumilus by P. shermanii occurred in media supplemented with 1% glucose, indicating that glucose utilization by the latter bacterium was not responsible for growth inhibition of the former bacterium. The medium pH in which P. shermanii inhibited the growth of B. pumilus was 4.3. Propionic acid was positively identified in the culture medium in which B. pumilus was inhibited by P. shermanii. The presence of propionic acid and a low medium pH may account for the inhibition of B. pumilus by P. shermanii. Sodium lactate concentrations of 0.8–1.0% were essential for the continuous growth and propionic acid production by P. shermanii. Thus, use of P. shermanii to inhibit B. pumilus in foods would likely require a lactate source.
Increased chemopreventive effect by combining arctigenin, green tea polyphenol and curcumin in prostate and breast cancer cells.

The low bioavailability of most flavonoids limits their application as anti-carcinogenic agents in humans. A novel approach of treatment with a mixture of bioactive compounds that share molecular anti-carcinogenic targets may enhance the effect on these targets at low concentrations of individual compound, thereby overcoming the limitations of reduced bioavailability. We therefore investigated whether a combination of three natural products arctigenin (Arc), a novel anti-inflammatory lignan from the seeds of Arctium lappa, green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and curcumin (Cur) increases the chemopreventive potency of individual compounds. LNCaP prostate cancer and MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with 2–4 mg L−1 (about 5–10 μM) Cur, 1 μM Arc and 40 μM EGCG alone or in combination for 48 h. In both cell lines treatment with the mixture of Cur, Arc and EGCG synergistically increased the antiproliferative effect. In LNCaP cells both Arc and EGCG increased the pro-apoptotic effect of Cur. Whereas in MCF-7 cells Arc increased the cell apoptosis of Cur while EGCG enhanced cell cycle arrest of Cur at G0/G1 phase. The strongest effects on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were achieved by combining all three compounds in both cell lines. The combination treatment significantly increased the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 proteins, decreased the activation of NFκB, PI3K/Akt and Stat3 pathways and cell migration compared to individual treatment. These results warrant in vivo studies to confirm the efficacy of this novel regimen by combining Arc and EGCG with Cur to enhance chemoprevention in both prostate and breast cancer.
Ancient Savannah Roots of the Carbohydrate Revolution in South-Central North America

AbstractAlong the ecotone between North America’s southern Plains and southeast Woodlands, the oldest known earth ovens with rock heating elements date to 8,000–9,000 years ago. Through the millennia, the number and diversity of earth ovens increased markedly, but they typically functioned as plant-baking facilities, especially for geophytes, plants with underground storage organs. Among the important early Holocene geophytes in oak savannah regions were onions (Allium spp.) and camas (Camassia spp.). In the drier savannahs, including Texas’ Edwards Plateau, agave (Agave lechuguilla) and sotol (Dasylirion spp.), plants with above-ground storage organs, dominated oven cookery. Rock-filled earth ovens were common in comparatively wet regions with sandy soils, including Texas’ Post Oak Savannah, but floral preservation conditions are poor. Ethnobotanically and ecologically derived expectations, however, suggest false garlic (Northoscordum bivalve), onions, and spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) as potential...
Modeling and Representations of Large-Scale 3D Scenes

Modeling large urban and historical scenes, both indoors and outdoors, has many applications, such as mapping, surveillance, transportation, development planning, archeology, and architecture. Research on large-scale 3D scene modeling has recently attracted increased attention of both academia and industry, resulting in major research projects. In addition to aerial imagery, both closer-range airborne and ground video/lidar sensors are used for achieving rapid, accurate and realistic modeling. Also critical for modeling large-scale 3D man-made urban or historical scenes is the choice of representations to accurately and properly represent fine structures, textureless regions, sharp depth changes, and occlusions. This IJCV special issue on Modeling and Representations of Large-Scale 3D Scenes is devoted to the latest research results in this interesting and challenging area. After a rigorous IJCV peer-review process, eight papers in four categories are selected:
The individual and combined effects of glycemic index and protein on glycemic response, hunger, and energy intake.

Although high protein and low glycemic index (GI) foods are thought to promote satiety, little is known about the effects of GI, protein, and their interaction on hunger and energy intake several hours following a mixed meal. This study investigated the long term effects of GI, protein, and their combined effects on glucose, insulin, hunger, and energy intake in healthy, sedentary, overweight, and obese adults (BMI of 30.9 ± 3.7 kg/m2). Sixteen individuals participated separately in four testing sessions after an overnight fast. The majority (75%) were non-Hispanic Blacks. Each consumed one of four breakfast meals (high GI/low protein, high GI/high protein, low GI/low protein, low GI/high protein) in random order. Visual analog scales (VAS) and blood samples were taken at baseline, 15 min, and at 30 min intervals over 4 h following the meal. After 4 h, participants were given the opportunity to consume food ad libitum from a buffet style lunch. Meals containing low GI foods produced a smaller glucose (P < 0.002) and insulin (P = 0.0001) response than meals containing high GI foods. No main effects for protein or interactions between GI and protein were observed in glucose or insulin responses, respectively. The four meals had no differential effect on observed energy intake or self-reported hunger, satiety, and prospective energy intake. Low GI meals produced the smallest postprandial increases in glucose and insulin. There were no effects for GI, protein, or their interaction on appetite or energy intake 4 h after breakfast.
Comparison and Validation of Point Spread Models for Imaging in Natural Waters

It is known that scattering by particulates within natural waters is the main cause of the blur in underwater images. Underwater images can be better restored or enhanced with knowledge of the point spread function (PSF) of the water. This will extend the performance range as well as the information retrieval from underwater electro-optical systems, which is critical in many civilian and military applications, including target and especially mine detection, search and rescue, and diver visibility. A better understanding of the physical process involved also helps to predict system performance and simulate it accurately on demand. The presented effort first reviews several PSF models, including the introduction of a semi-analytical PSF given optical properties of the medium, including scattering albedo, mean scattering angles and the optical range. The models under comparison include the empirical model of Duntley, a modified PSF model by Dolin et al, as well as the numerical integration of analytical forms from Wells, as a benchmark of theoretical results. For experimental results, in addition to that of Duntley, we validate the above models with measured point spread functions by applying field measured scattering properties with Monte Carlo simulations. Results from these comparisons suggest it is sufficient but necessary to have the three parameters listed above to model PSFs. The simplified approach introduced also provides adequate accuracy and flexibility for imaging applications, as shown by examples of restored underwater images.
Measuring downside risk and severity for global output

This paper attempts to provide a critical measure of downside risk and severity for global output by applying the Value at Risk approach to four country groups in the world as a ‘portfolio’. Global output downside risk, measured by global Growth at Risk (GaR), estimates the worst possible growth decline, relative to the baseline projection, with a specified probability over a given time horizon. This measure serves as a practical summary for predicting the risk for output downturn given a one-year time horizon, based on the past growth distribution of individual countries and correlation among their growth rates. Our empirical estimates show that the downside risk that the world economy faced in 2002 was not as severe as the last global downturn in 1992–1993. In particular, the global GaR estimates that the worst outcome of the global economy in 2002, at 95% confidence level, was a growth rate of 0.34%. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE EFFECT OF CHEMICAL CARCINOGENS ON VIRUS-INDUCED RABBIT PAPILLOMAS

The application of methylcholanthrene and tar to virus-induced papillomas of the domestic rabbit caused them to become carcinomatous with great rapidity, and the malignant changes were frequently multiple. In bringing on the cancers the chemical agents acted in their specific capacity as carcinogens, not as ordinary stimulants of cell proliferation. The cancers derived from the virus-infected cells and were of the same types as arise from these elements spontaneously after a much longer time. The evidence would seem to indicate that the chemical carcinogens acted by way of the virus.
Systems activity in india

A review of activities in system sciences in India and their applications in various problems of real life has been given in this paper. Since India's independence in 1947, there has been an emphasis on systems thinking in formulating national plans. Yet systems and cybernetics have not made sufficient penetration in academic activities. The work of a few model organizations has been mentioned.
Acute administration of dopaminergic drugs has differential effects on locomotion in larval zebrafish

Altered dopaminergic signaling causes behavioral changes in mammals. In general, dopaminergic receptor agonists increase locomotor activity, while antagonists decrease locomotor activity. In order to determine if zebrafish (a model organism becoming popular in pharmacology and toxicology) respond similarly, the acute effects of drugs known to target dopaminergic receptors in mammals were assessed in zebrafish larvae. Larvae were maintained in 96-well microtiter plates (1 larva/well). Non-lethal concentrations (0.2-50 μM) of dopaminergic agonists (apomorphine, SKF-38393, and quinpirole) and antagonists (butaclamol, SCH-23390, and haloperidol) were administered at 6 days post-fertilization (dpf). An initial experiment identified the time of peak effect of each drug (20-260 min post-dosing, depending on the drug). Locomotor activity was then assessed for 70 min in alternating light and dark at the time of peak effect for each drug to delineate dose-dependent effects. All drugs altered larval locomotion in a dose-dependent manner. Both the D1- and D2-like selective agonists (SKF-38393 and quinpirole, respectively) increased activity, while the selective antagonists (SCH-23390 and haloperidol, respectively) decreased activity. Both selective antagonists also blunted the response of the larvae to changes in lighting conditions at higher doses. The nonselective drugs had biphasic effects on locomotor activity: apomorphine increased activity at the low dose and at high doses, while butaclamol increased activity at low to intermediate doses, and decreased activity at high doses. This study demonstrates that (1) larval zebrafish locomotion can be altered by dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists, (2) receptor agonists and antagonists generally have opposite effects, and (3) drugs that target dopaminergic receptors in mammals appear, in general, to elicit similar locomotor responses in zebrafish larvae.
Controlling Interfacial Interpenetration and Fracture Properties of Polyimide/Epoxy Interfaces

The integrity of an interface between a polyimide and an epoxy is important for a number of microelectronic applications. Here we investigate a surface-modification procedure for the polyimide designed to strengthen its interface with a silica-filled epoxy. The polyimide is chemically modified so that a thin surface layer is converted back to its polyamic acid (PAA) precursor. The modified polyimide is then coated with a solution of the epoxy before dispensing the normal silica-filled epoxy. Interpenetration of the epoxy into the solvent-swollen PAA layer enhances the entanglements between the polymer chains and/or increases the number of primary covalent bonds across the final interface. Increasing the thickness of the PAA layer [measured by Rutherford back scattering spectrometry (RBS)] leads to an increased interpenetration w [measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)]. The fracture energy (G*c) of the unmodified polyimide/silica-filled epoxy interface (w = 12 nm) is very low (∼25 J/m2), but G...
Reduction of left ventricular preload by lower body negative pressure alters Doppler transmitral filling patterns.

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of alterations in preload induced by lower body negative pressure on Doppler transmitral filling patterns. Echocardiograms and Doppler...
FE-EPMA measurements of compositional gradients in cemented tungsten carbides

Abstract Previous studies have shown that carbon diffusion can play a key role in the formation of the Co gradient in functionally graded (FG) WC–Co. Analysis of the carbon composition in the Co binder phase of WC–Co alloys is challenging, however, not only due to the small volume of the Co phase in these materials, but also because of the difficulty in characterizing light elements like carbon within matrices of higher atomic weight. In this study, a method via field emission electron probe microanalysis (FE-EPMA) capable of very fine beam size was developed to measure the carbon composition in the Co phase of graded WC–Co materials. A plateau of 0.8 wt.% carbon was measured for approximately 130 μm from the surface into the sample, followed by a steep drop to 0.55 wt.% and a more gradual decline of carbon into the interior that was accompanied by a corresponding increase in the W gradient within Co pockets of the microstructure. These results are discussed in relation to theory and prior simulations.
Safety and feasibility of balloon sinuplasty for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis in children.

Objectives: Balloon sinuplasty is a new technique that was recently introduced for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The initial experience in adults has been promising. The technique allows for restoring ventilation to the sinuses with minimal risk and trauma to the tissues. I present our initial experience of its use for treatment of CRS in children. Methods: I performed a prospective study of 30 children in whom medical therapy failed and who were scheduled for surgery. They were offered treatment with balloon sinuplasty of selected sinuses. The data collected included age, computed tomography score, and comorbid conditions. The primary outcome was the intraoperative success of dilation of the sinuses and the rate of adverse events due to the procedure. Results: The procedure was successful in 51 of 56 sinuses (91%) in 30 children. Five sinuses, of which 4 were hypoplastic maxillary sinuses and 1 was a frontal sinus, were not amenable to dilation. No complications or side effects were noted. Conclusions: The initial experience with balloon sinuplasty in children seems to be very encouraging. Because there is no bone or tissue removal, the procedure seems to be suitable for use in children. A hypoplastic sinus may not be amenable to balloon sinuplasty.
Nicotinic Cholinergic Agonists Inhibit Androgen Biosynthesis by Cultured Rat Testicular Cells

The actions of cholinomimetics on androgen biosynthesis were investigated using a primary culture of testicular cells derived from adult hypophysectomized rats. Testicular cells were maintained in serum-free medium and treated with hCG and/or drugs on day 8 of culture. Media were collected 2 days later for measurement of steroids and cAMP. Treatment with hCG increased testosterone production 50-fold over control values, whereas treatment with cholinomimetics alone failed to increase androgen production. Concomitant treatment of testicular cells with nicotinic cholinergic agonists (lobeline, nicotine, and dimethylphenylpiperazinium iodide) inhibited hCG-stimulated androgen biosynthesis in a dose-dependent fashion, with IC50 values of 3 X 10(-5), 1.7 X 10(-4), and greater than 10(-3) M, respectively. In contrast, two muscarinic cholinergic agonists, muscarine and bethanechol, failed to inhibit androgen production at concentrations up to 10(-3) M. A ganglionic nicotinic antagonist (hexamethonium), but not a skeletal muscle nicotinic antagonist (decamethonium), partially blocked the actions of lobeline. Lobeline (10-4) M) decreased hCG-stimulated testosterone production (50-75%) throughout the 2-day culture period; however, this inhibition was reversible upon removal of the drug. Lobeline also inhibited hCG-stimulated cAMP accumulation as well as testosterone production induced by cholera toxin (65% inhibition), forskolin (50% inhibition), or (Bu)2cAMP (70% inhibition). Lobeline inhibition of hCG-stimulated testosterone production was accompanied by decreases in medium accumulation of 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone (75%), 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (85%), dehydroepiandrosterone (50%), and androstenedione (61%); however, the medium content of pregnenolone and progesterone were unchanged. Additional experiments demonstrated that lobeline suppressed the conversion of exogenous progesterone to testosterone, but did not affect the conversion of exogenous 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone to testosterone. These results indicate that nicotinic, but not muscarinic, cholinergic agonists inhibit androgen biosynthesis through selective inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity. Thus, endogenous acetylcholine may be involved in the negative regulation of testicular steroidogenesis.
Force spectroscopy of DNA: there is still a lot to learn

Single-molecule studies of the mechanical properties of individual double-stranded DNA have excited interest across many scientific disciplines because of DNA’s fundamental role in biology and DNA’s remarkable overstretching transition at higher forces. Here, we discuss a recent result on the overstretching transition of DNA and on the dynamics of dye molecules intercalating into DNA under tension. Overstretching DNA is mechanical transition whereby DNA’s extension increases by 70% at 65 pN. Notwithstanding more than a decade of experimental and theoretical studies, there remains significant debate on the nature of overstretched DNA. We developed a topologically closed but torsionally unconstrained DNA assay that contains no nicks or free ends. DNA in this assay exhibited the canonical overstretching transition at 65 pN but without hysteresis upon retraction. Controlled introduction of a nick led to hysteresis in the force extension curve. Moreover, the degree of hysteresis increased with the number of nicks. In the second study, we isolated the effects of binding and intercalation of a DNA staining dye, by combining single molecule force spectroscopy with simple buffer exchange. We showed that force-enhanced intercalation can occur from a reservoir of bound dye that was not bis-intercalated, yet remained out of equilibrium with free dye for long periods (<5 min for YOPRO and <2 hr for YOYO). Our work highlights that binding/unbinding and intercalation/de-intercalation are distinct processes that can occur on very different time scales. Taken together, these works highlight ongoing discoveries based on a twenty year old technique, force spectroscopy of single DNA molecules.
The System SrMoO4-BaMoO4-CaMoO4: Compatibility Relations, the Implications for Supercalcine Ceramics

The stability of a tailored ceramic waste form under hydrothermal conditions was the subject of several previous papers [1,7–10] from this laboratory. One of the results reported in these studies was the apparent dissolution and reprecipitation of the alkaline-earth molybdate phases (scheelite-structure phase). The composition of the scheelite-structure phase after hydrothermal treatment was different from that before treatment (approximately Ca 95 Sr 5 after and Ca 35 Sr 40 Ba 25 before). A schematic phase diagram was presented at that time to explain the results obtained. This paper is a report of our attempt to experimentally determine the phase relations in the alkaline-earth molybdate (Ca, Sr, and Ba) and verify our previous interpretation. For this work, we prepared compositions throughout the ternary system and heated them at 1200°C for periods of 2 to 24 hours. The experimental products were characterized by x-ray diffraction and SEM/EDX examination. At 1200°C, the two-phase solvus is nearly symmetric and extends from near the pure calcium and barium end-members to about 35 mole percent strontium at the critical point of the solvus. The increase in grain size, uniformity of composition within and between grains of the same phase and the approach to “textural equilibrium” in the 1200°C experiments all strongly suggest that equilibrium was attained. New, calcium-rich compositions are suggested for the scheelite-structure phases in the supercalcine-ceramics based upon the interpretation of data from this study. This observation forces a re-examination of the assumption concerning the partitioning of Sr and Ba amongst the phases in the supercalcine-ceramic.
Auroral Workshop generates U.S.‐Finnish teamwork

Forty scientists from the United States and Finland met last spring at a workshop to develop collaborative studies of magnetospheric-ionospheric coupling and to synthesize multiple ground-based and space-based data sets. The workshop also provided an opportunity to compare the output of new U.S. and Finnish Global Magnetohydrodynamic models with ground-based and satellite observations. Some of the missions and facilities that are providing new data within the United States and Finland include the Global Geospace Science/national Solar-Terrestrial Program Polar and Wind satellites, Interball, the Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, Ulysses, the Svalbard Radar, the new Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) station, digital all sky cameras, and the Magnetosphere Imager (MI) array in Finland. The workshop began with a discussion of dayside magnetospheric-ionospheric coupling. Dayside ionospheric transient signatures were divided into three types: auroral forms and convection velocity spikes, magnetic and convection events, and twin convection vortices. The three classes differ in size, location, repetition rates, and Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) dependencies. Scientists are addressing whether the transient classes are related, what the transients' role is compared to that of permanent cusp features, and how transients affect mag-netospheric energetics.
Keeping up scientific standards

A journalistic account of the case of data manipulation by physicist Jan Hendrik Schon is rich in detail but draws the wrong conclusions about the self-correcting processes of science, argues Martin Blume.
The social and symbolic quality of autistic children's communication

The developmental status of the communicatory behavior of 11 autistic children was assessed. Children were observed during free play sessions under two conditions: (a) when teachers were present to direct the children's behavior and (b) when teachers were absent and the children played among themselves. Mean changes in the children's communicatory behavior were measured over time (8 months) using the behavior scale designed for this study. The relationship between the developmental status of the children's communicatory behavior and standardized measures of their social and cognitive functioning (e.g., IQ, Vineland Social Age) was also assessed. The results revealed that the quantity and social quality of autistic children's communicatory behavior were greater in the teachers' presence than in their absence and that the symbolic and social quality of the children's communicatory behavior increased over 8 months. Also, positive correlations were found between social and symbolic levels of communication and standardized tests of social and cognitive functioning. The implications of these findings for the assessment of autistic children are discussed.
Factors associated with persistent urinary incontinence

Objective Many women with urinary incontinence (UI) have symptoms that continue over many years; however, virtually nothing is known about factors that are associated with persistent UI. Study Design We studied 36,843 participants of the Nurses' Health Study, aged 54-79 years at baseline for the UI study, who provided UI information on biennial questionnaires from 2000 through 2008; follow-up in the Nurses' Health Study is 90%. In total, 18,347 women had "persistent UI," defined as urine leakage ≥1/mo reported on all 5 biennial questionnaires during this 8-year period; 18,496 women had no UI during this period. Using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, we estimated odds ratios (ORs) of persistent UI vs no UI across various demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors, which were derived from reports in 2000. Results Increasing age group, white race, greater parity, greater body mass index (BMI), and lower physical activity levels were each associated with greater odds of persistent UI, as were several health-related factors (ie, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and hysterectomy). Associations with persistent UI were particularly strong for increasing age group ( P trend P trend 2 ); moreover, black women had much lower odds of persistent UI compared to white women (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.21–0.34). Conclusion Factors associated with persistent UI were generally consistent with those identified in previous studies of UI over shorter time periods; however, older age, white race, and obesity were particularly strongly related to persistent UI.
Determination of gossypol in leaves and flower buds ofGossypium

A method is described for the determination of free gossypol in cotton leaves with greater accuracy. The improved accuracy results from the elimination of the interference from chlorophyll and from quickly converting the extracted gossypol to the dianilino derivative. Methods for the determination of the free and bound gossypol in cotton flower buds are described.
Development of a Self-Contained Sensor Bearing for Rail Applications

This paper discusses bearing borne sensor system development efforts for use in monitoring the rail bearing and connected mechanical system. The measurement of speed, temperature, and vibration are considered. In the area of vibration analysis, particular emphasis is placed on the use of computationally efficient algorithms for use in parameterization of the vibration signal. Results from laboratory test data are presented. Finally, the relative merits of a wired versus a wireless communication channel, at the bearing level, are discussed.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
A note on some recent likelihoods leading to the log rank test

SUMMARY A discussion is given of the derivation by Peto (1972) of the log rank test as the locally most powerful rank invariant test against certain Lehmann-type alternatives in the twosample problem with censored data. The random censorship model is used to show that the test with this local optimality property may depend on the censoring mechanism, even if censoring is applied equally to both groups. An explanation is offered of Peto's likelihood and of a special case of the conditional likelihood of Cox (1972). Reference is made to asymptotic relative efficiency results which demonstrate that the log rank test may not be fully efficient when censoring is not equal.
Some tree-like Julia sets and Padé approximants

The Julia set B for T(z)=(z−λ)2, the equilibrium electrostatic measure μ on B, the associated orthogonal polynomials, P n, and the Pade approximants to the moment-generating function for μ are considered. When 0≤λ≤2, the locations of the zeros and poles for the Pade approximant sequence $$[2^n - \tfrac{1}{2}^n ]$$ (z), n=0, 1, 2, ..., are described precisely as vertices of trees of analytic arcs associated with B. For infinitely-many values of λB is the closure of these trees. P 2 n is shown to be a Chebychev polynomial on B for λ positive, attaining its maximum modulus at 2 n+1 points of B if λ≠2.
Adenosine receptors and vascular inflammation.

Abstract Epidemiological studies have shown a positive correlation between poor lung function and respiratory disorders like asthma and the development of adverse cardiovascular events. Increased adenosine (AD) levels are associated with lung inflammation which could lead to altered vascular responses and systemic inflammation. There is relatively little known about the cardiovascular effects of adenosine in a model of allergy. We have shown that A 1 adenosine receptors (AR) are involved in altered vascular responses and vascular inflammation in allergic mice. Allergic A 1 wild-type mice showed altered vascular reactivity, increased airway responsiveness and systemic inflammation. Our data suggests that A 1 AR is pro-inflammatory systemically in this model of asthma. There are also reports of the A 2B receptor having anti-inflammatory effects in vascular stress; however its role in allergy with respect to vascular effects hasn't been fully explored. In this review, we have focused on the role of adenosine receptors in allergic asthma and the cardiovascular system and possible mechanism(s) of action. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: “Adenosine Receptors”.
Acrylonitrile insertion reactions of cationic palladium alkyl complexes.

The reactions of acrylonitrile (AN) with “L2PdMe+” species were investigated; (L2 = CH2(N-Me-imidazol-2-yl)2 (a, bim), (p-tolyl)3CCH(N-Me-imidazol-2-yl)2 (b, Tbim), CH2(5-Me-2-pyridyl)2 (c, CH2py‘2), 4,4‘-Me2-2,2‘-bipyridine (d), 4,4‘-tBu2-2,2‘-bipyridine (e), (2,6-iPr2−C6H3)NCMeCMeN(2,6-iPr2−C6H3) (f)). [L2PdMe(NMe2Ph)][B(C6F5)4] (2a−c) and [{L2PdMe}2(μ-Cl)][B(C6F5)4] (2d−f) react with AN to form N-bound adducts L2Pd(Me)(NCCHCH2)+ (3a−f). 3a−e undergo 2,1 insertion to yield L2Pd{CH(CN)Et}+, which form aggregates [L2Pd{CH(CN)Et}]nn+ (n = 1−3, 4a−e) in which the Pd units are proposed to be linked by PdCHEtCN- - -Pd bridges. 3f does not insert AN at 23 °C. 4a−e were characterized by NMR, ESI-MS, IR and derivatization to L2Pd{CH(CN)Et}(PR3)+ (R = Ph (5a−e), Me (6a−c)). 4a,b react with CO to form L2Pd{CH(CN)Et}(CO)+ (7a,b). 7a reacts with CO by slow reversible insertion to yield (bim)Pd{C(O)CH(CN)Et}(CO)+ (8a). 4a−e do not react with ethylene. (Tbim)PdMe+ coordinates AN more weakly than ethylene, and AN inser...
The yolk syncytial layer of Fundulus: its origin and history and its significance for early embryogenesis.

Because of its importance in early embryogenesis, the developmental history of the yolk syncytial layer (YSL) of Fundulus has been investigated in detail. As in other teleosts, the Fundulus YSL forms mainly by collapse of certain marginal blastomeres which then merge with the cytoplasm of the yolk cell peripheral to the blastoderm. Nuclei enter the yolk cell from these open blastomeres variably during cleavages 8–11, but most frequently at cleavages 9 and 10. After entry, the first nuclei divide five times and later nuclei divide with them. Thus, nuclei that have invaded at the next cleavage divide four times, etc. When the first YSL nuclei cease dividing, all other YSL nuclei cease dividing with them. These YSL mitoses occur in metachrony. Two or more metachronous waves progress through the YSL cytoplasm at each mitosis. After each nuclear division, the YSL increases in width and its nuclei are quite evenly spaced. After the 5th and last mitosis, when the YSL is at its widest, it contracts in its animal-vegetal axis. This slow contraction has two major effects: 1) narrowing of the YSL, accompanied by crowding of its nuclei and their disappearance beneath the blastoderm to nucleate the internal YSL; 2) epibolic expansion of the I-YSL and the blastoderm, followed soon after by other cell movements of gastrulation. This YSL transition, therefore, sets the stage for the onset of gastrulation. It is preceded by increased duration and variability of succeeding mitoses and, in particular, duration of their interphases, a decrease and deceleration in the rate of the last metachronous waves, and, finally, by the complete cessation of mitosis and the entry of YSL nuclei into permanent interphase. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Procedural Learning and Individual Differences in Language

The aim of the current study was to examine different aspects of procedural memory in young adults who varied with regard to their language abilities. We selected a sample of procedural memory tasks, each of which represented a unique type of procedural learning, and has been linked, at least partially, to the functionality of the corticostriatal system. The findings showed that variance in language abilities is associated with performance on different domains of procedural memory, including the motor domain (as shown in the pursuit rotor task), the cognitive domain (as shown in the weather prediction task), and the linguistic domain (as shown in the nonword repetition priming task). These results implicate the corticostriatal system in individual differences in language.
LD Students' Temperament Characteristics and their Impact on Decisions by Resource and Mainstream Teachers:

LD students (N = 412) from grades 1–6 were rated by their special education resource teachers and their regular education mainstream teachers on areas of school competence and temperament characteristics — Task Orientation, Adaptability, and Reactivity. The two groups of teachers were also asked to indicate the monitoring, behavior management, and instructional strategies used with each of the students. LD subjects generally received more negative ratings across measures. Results of multiple-regression policy-capturing analyses were interpreted to mean that temperament characteristics, and especially Task Orientation, significantly influenced teacher decisions. The two groups of teachers were found to differ in degree of sensitivity to student characteristics. Implications for training, diagnosis, and classroom decision-making are presented.
Large final-state effects in the core-level electron energy-loss spectra of vanadium at low incident-electron energies

Large final-state effects have been observed in the 3p, 3s, and 2p electron energy-loss spectra of vanadium as the incident-electron energy was reduced from 1500 eV to about 50 eV above the core threshold. Changes in the line shapes for the onset of 2p/sub 3/2/ excitation and changes in measured threshold energies for 2p/sub 3/2/, 3s, and 3p excitation show the significance of the transition from sudden to adiabatic excitation. Strong excitations due to exchange effects are also observed in the 3p spectra at low incident energies.
Structural studies of the core region of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida lipopolysaccharide

Abstract The core oligosaccharide structure of the in vivo derived rough phenotype of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida was investigated by a combination of compositional, methylation, CE-MS and one- and two-dimensional NMR analyses and established as the following: where R = α- d -Gal p -(1→4)-β- d -Gal p NAc-(1→ or α- d -Gal p -(1→ (approx. ratio 4:3). Comparative CE-MS analysis of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida core oligosaccharides from strains A449, 80204-1 and an in vivo rough isolate confirmed that the structure of the core oligosaccharide was conserved among different isolates of A. salmonicida .
Laser optics development for the laser assisted H − beam stripping at Spallation Neutron Source

Many laser applications in high energy physics require an enormous average laser power that is several orders of magnitude higher than what is available from the present laser technology. This paper reports the development of a macropulse mode laser system and a power recycling dual-wavelength optical cavity. The proposed technology has a capability of providing 50 ps/402.5 MHz/1 MW peak power UV pulses while operating at 1 ms/60 Hz macropulse mode which is required in the laser assisted hydrogen ion beam stripping for the Spallation Neutron Source.
Factors affecting farmers' crop diversity decisions: An integrated approach

Sustainable cropping systems use crop diversity as a foundation to reduce the environmental impacts of agrichemicals and risks of pest and disease outbreaks. Although greater diversity in the agricultural landscape is an important goal, the decisions of individual farmers determine the diversity of crops used in each farming system. Therefore, it is essential to gain an understanding of important factors in farmers' decisions as part of any proposed solution to low crop diversity. Our objective was to develop and test an integrated socioeconomic model of farmers' decisions on crop rotations as an indicator of overall crop diversity. The model incorporated measures of farmers' attitudes, net household income, control over decisions, social norms, and regional location to address the social, economic, and environmental factors of crop diversity. Mail survey responses from 197 farmers from a western Corn Belt county in 1998 supplied the data for the analysis. Location had the strongest influence on crop diversity in the model, on the basis of a standardized beta statistic of 0.46 in the ordinary least squares regression analysis. Farmers in the region with the highest degree of sloping land had significantly higher crop diversity than farmers in the most productive, relatively flat area. Lower household net income and positive attitudes toward crop rotations were also associated with higher crop diversity. We believe social norms and control would exert more influence in uncertain decisions. The results of this study suggest that, to maintain and possibly expand crop diversity in the future, targeting farmers in sloping landscapes with positive attitudes toward rotations would be the best approach to focus economic incentives for diverse crop rotations and technical support from Extension. In any effort to support crop diversity greater than a typical cornsoybean rotation, it is also critical to preserve integrated forage/crop/livestock systems. Further adaptation and application of our behavioral model in other settings would help to better evaluate, understand, and target the integrated decisions people make relative to crop diversity.
Persistent confusion of total entropy and chemical system entropy in chemical thermodynamics

The change in free energy with temperature at constant pressure of a chemical reaction is determined by the sum (dS) of changes in entropy of the system of reagents, dS(i), and the additional entropy change of the surroundings, dS(H), that results from the enthalpy change, W. A faulty identification of the total entropy change on reaction with dS(i) has been responsible for the attribution of general validity to the expressions (d deltaG/dT)p = -deltaS(i) and d(deltaG/T)/d(1/T)= deltaH, which are found in most textbooks and in innumerable papers.
Pretherapy Expectations and Definitions of Mental Illness Among Minority and Low-Income Patients

This study examines pretherapy expectations for psychotherapists and definitions of mental illness among 44 Mexican American and 48 Anglo American outpatients. Patients' expectations for therapist behaviors, expectations for time in therapy, and definitions for concepts of mental illness were measured on three scales. Both Mexican Americans and Anglo Americans were found to primarily expect a therapist who would engage them in active dialogue. Both ethnic groups were also found to expect a long stay in therapy. However, while Mexican Amer icans and Anglo Americans showed similarities in their definitions of "emotional problem," they differed in their definitions for "emotionally disturbed" and "mental illness."
The effect of anisotropic crystal-melt surface tension on grain boundary groove morphology

The shape of a stationary solid-liquid interface in a temperature gradient near a grain boundary in a pure material is calculated for anisotropic crystal-melt surface tension and equal thermal conductivities of crystal and melt. Results are compared with those for the well-known problem of the two-dimensional equilibrium shape of a crystal. For small anisotropy, the resulting interface shapes have continuously turning tangents but differ in detail from the grain boundary groove shapes that have been calculated for isotropic surface tension. For larger anisotropy, the interface shapes have discontinuities in slope as a result of missing orientations.
Habitat use by an endangered riverine fish and implications for species protection

We investigated habitat specificity of the amber darter (Percina antesella Williams & Etnier 1977), an imperiled fish from restricted portions of 2 rivers in the southeastern United States. Foraging amber darters occupied a narrow range of riffle habitat, consistently avoiding areas < 20 cm deep and with velocity < 10 cm. s−1 near the substrate, occupying areas with cobble or gravel substrate and average water-column velocity of 30 to 70 cm. s−1. During low to mo'derate flows, approximately 20% or more of the study areas contained suitable habitat for the species. Amber darters appeared rare, and the numbers of individuals were uncorrelated with the concurrent availability of suitable habitat. Protecting the amber darter may require more than maintaining adequate depths and velocities over gravel-cobble substrates. Until we understand the potential importance of migration and dispersal for maintaining small populations, suitable habitat should be maintained over the longest contiguous stream segments possible.
Thermal Rearrangements of Spiro[2.4]hepta-1,4,6-trienes

Thermolysis of spiro[2.4]hepta-1,4,6-triene (1a) at 50 °C yielded bicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-1,3,6-triene (5), which dimerized in two different fashions to form cyclobutanes. The 1,2-dimethyl and 1-propyl derivatives of 1a also rearranged at 50 °C, but at a faster rate, each yielding a pair of cyclobutane dimers. The structures of these symmetrical dimers were investigated by 1D and 2D NMR and NOE difference spectroscopy. Ab initio calculations indicated that the two strained olefins 1a and 5 had comparable energies about 50 kcal/mol lower than norborna-1(7),2,5-triene, which was thus excluded as a reaction intermediate.
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Inhibits Apoptosis Using the Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathways

The role of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in preventing apoptosis was examined in differentiated PC12 cells. Induction of differentiation was achieved using nerve growth factor, and apoptosis was provoked by serum withdrawal. After 4-6 h of serum deprivation, apoptosis was initiated, concomitant with a 30% decrease in cell number and a 75% decrease in MTT activity. IGF-1 was capable of preventing apoptosis at concentrations as low as 10(-9) M and as early as 4 h. The phosphatidylinositol 3' (PI3')-kinase inhibitors wortmannin (at concentrations of 10(-8) M) and LY294002 (10(-6) M) blocked the effect of IGF-1. The pp70 S6 kinase (pp70S6K) inhibitor rapamycin (10(-8) M) was, however, less effective in blocking IGF-1 action. Moreover, stable transfection of a dominant-negative p85 (subunit of PI3'-kinase) construct in PC12 cells enhanced apoptosis provoked by serum deprivation. Interestingly, in the cells overexpressing the dominant-negative p85 protein, IGF-1 was still capable of inhibiting apoptosis, suggesting the existence of a second pathway involved in the IGF-1 effect. Blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway with the specific mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-response kinase kinase inhibitor PD098059 (10(-5) M) inhibited the IGF-1 effect. When wortmannin and PD098059 were given together, the effect was synergistic. The results presented here suggest that IGF-1 is capable of preventing apoptosis by activation of multiple signal transduction pathways.
The Use of Simulation in Emergency Medicine: A Research Agenda

Medical simulation is a rapidly expanding area within medical education. In 2005, the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Simulation Task Force was created to ensure that the Society and its members had adequate access to information and resources regarding this new and important topic. One of the objectives of the task force was to create a research agenda for the use of simulation in emergency medical education. The authors present here the consensus document from the task force regarding suggested areas for research. These include opportunities to study reflective experiential learning, behavioral and team training, procedural simulation, computer screen-based simulation, the use of simulation for evaluation and testing, and special topics in emergency medicine. The challenges of research in the field of simulation are discussed, including the impact of simulation on patient safety. Outcomes-based research and multicenter efforts will serve to advance simulation techniques and encourage their adoption.
Contributions of regional adipose tissue depots to plasma lipoprotein concentrations in overweight men and women: Possible protective effects of thigh fat

Anthropometry and dual-photon absorptiometry (DPA) were used to examine associations of regional adiposity with plasma lipid, lipoprotein, and lipoprotein subfraction mass concentrations in moderately overweight men and women. Among 130 women, waist to thigh girth ratio (WTR) correlated with triglycerides (TG) (r = .33, P less than .0001) and negatively with high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = -.37, P less than .0001) concentration, as expected. While WTR did not correlate with low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-C) it correlated positively with the mass subfraction of small (Sfo, 0 to 7) LDL (r = .38, P less than .0001), and negatively with large (Sfo, 7 to 12) LDL (r = -.31, P less than .01). Among 133 men, similar though weaker relationships were found. Thigh girth correlated positively with HDL and HDL2-C and mass, and with LDL particle size among women. Multivariate analysis suggests that association of WTR with lipoprotein values known to carry risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) are due at least as much to effects of thigh girth as to deleterious effects of waist girth. Estimates of fat weight in thigh and abdominal regions by DPA support thigh fat as contributing to these effects of thigh girth. Thigh fat may contribute to lipoprotein profiles that predict lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Abnormalities of phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics. Significance in septic and nonseptic burned patients

• The flow of phenylalanine, the essential amino acid precursor of thyroid hormone and catecholamines, was severely elevated in five septic burned patients (6.70 ± 1.07 mg/kg) and six nonseptic burned patients (5.00 ± 0.44 mg/kg) when compared with seven normal controls (2.10 ± 0.33 mg/kg). Fasting serum concentrations of phenylalanine were elevated in the septic burned patients (2.33 ± 0.37 mg/100 ml of serum) relative to the nonseptic patients (1.28 ± 0.21 mg/100 ml) and the controls (1.01 ± 0.15 mg/100 ml). The rate of appearance of the phenylalanine metabolite, tyrosine, after an oral phenylalanine dose was normal in all burn patients. Increased serum concentrations and increased flow of phenylalanine are an index of rapid protein catabolism, further augmented by sepsis in the thermally injured, and not a reflection of decreased hepatic conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine. (Arch Surg113:133-135, 1978)