cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circulatory modification in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, during exposure and acclimation to low salinity

Abstract A pulsed-Doppler flowmeter was used to measure heart rate and haemolymph flow rates in each arterial system of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, enabling calculation of stroke volume and cardiac output. During exposure to a 6–6–12 h salinity cycle of 100–25–100% seawater, there was an immediate increase in heart rate upon dilution of the medium. After this initial increase it decreased steadily, but remained elevated above levels in 100% seawater. A smaller increase in heart rate occurred when the salinity was raised, declining thereafter and reaching pre-treatment levels after 6 h in 100% SW. There was a slight decrease in stroke volume of the heart, but overall this resulted in an increase in cardiac output when the salinity was lowered. Differential haemolymph flow through each major arterial system also occurred. There was an increase in flow rates through the anterior aorta, anterolateral arteries and sternal artery during the first 2 h of low salinity exposure and smaller increases occurred again when the salinity was raised to 100% seawater. No significant changes in flow were observed in the hepatic arteries or posterior aorta. During a 72 h acclimation period in low salinity, similar increases in cardiac parameters and flow rates were observed in the first 6 h. These values declined to levels comparable to those in 100% seawater, after 40–50 h acclimation in low salinity. The changes in cardiovascular parameters are not directly related to the osmoregulatory physiology of this species, but appear to be due to specific behaviours occurring in response to low salinity. The results obtained here for this efficient osmoregulator are compared and contrasted with similar studies on Cancer magister, which is classified as a weak hyperosmoregulator.
Gender Performance in the Literature of the Female Beats

In her article "Gender Performance in the Literature of the Female Beats" Gillian Thomson examines the re-negotiation of gender boundaries within Joyce Johnson's Minor Characters and Hettie Jones's Drive poems; secondary to this is how the male Beats demonstrate a more concrete, dichotomous version of such gender categories. Thomson intend to demonstrate how the women often write themselves into Beat history and how their revised performance of gender modifies the normative tropes regarding females within the Beat enclave. The theoretical backdrop focuses on how language not only records or expresses reality, but also shapes it. This is a decidedly poststructuralist reading of two excerpts of what could be called a minor literature; the women of the Beat generation appear as a subculture within a subculture. Thus, this is a project of reconstruction via the opening up of new subjective voices within this relatively obscure milieu of post-war poetics. Gillian Thomson, "Gender Performance in the Literature of the Female Beats" page 2 of 8 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 13.1 (2011):
Intracranial pressure dynamics are not linked to aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid stroke volume.

to the editor: A recent study by Hamilton et al. ([4][1]) proposes that aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) stroke volume (ASV) is significantly associated with the width of the second peak of the intracranial pressure (ICP) waveform in normal pressure hydrocephalus. Existing evidence and current
A framework of personal assistant for computer users by analyzing video stream

The engagement time on the computer is increasing steadily with the rapid development of the Internet. During the long period in front of the computer, bad postures and habits will result in some health risks, and the unawareness of fatigue will impair the work efficiency. We investigate how users behave in front of the computer with a camera. Face pose, eye gaze, eye blinking, and yawn frequency are considered. These visual cues are then used to give suggestions to users for correcting wrong posture and indicating the need for a break. We propose a novel framework of personal assistant for a user when he uses computer for a long time. The camera produces the video stream which records the user behavior. The automatically assistant system will analyze the visual inputs and give suggestions at the right time. Our experiment shows that it achieves high accuracy of detecting visual cues, and makes reasonable suggestions to users. The work initializes the area of assistant system for individuals who use computer frequently.
Picosecond photodichroism studies on reaction centers from the green photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus

Abstract Picosecond photodichroism (photoselection) measurements have been carried out on reaction centers from the facultative green photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus using weak 30 ps flashes in the long-wavelength band of the primary electron donor, P. Absorption changes due to the chemical and photochemical oxidation of P and the reduction of quinone also have been examined. Our results on Chloroflexus suggest that the Qy transition-dipoles of the bacteriopheophytin molecules participating in, or affected by, the primary reactions are oriented essentially perpendicular to the 865 nm transition dipole of P. This is in agreement with previous work on reaction centers from purple bacteria, such as Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. The data also suggest that the 812 nm ground-state transition is oriented at an angle of 45–65° with respect to the 865 nm transition. The new band that appears near 800 nm upon oxidation of P is polarized mainly parallel to the 865 nm band. These relative polarizations of the absorption bands are in very good agreement with the results of recent linear dichroism studies (Vasmel, H., Meiburg, R.F., Kramer, H.J.M., De Vos, L.J. and Amesz, J. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 724, 333–339). Possible origins for the absorption changes and the photodichroism spectra are discussed. The data are consistent with either a monomeric or dimeric structure of P-865.
Electronic Structure of Silicon with Non‐Spherical Potentials for the Two Basis Atoms

The potential difference of two basis atoms, which arises from the tetrahedral bonding, is included in the calculation of the silicon band structure using the local empirical pseudopotential method (EPM). It is shown that the small antisymmetric form factor due to the potential distortion gives substantial contribution to high lying conduction bands. Es wird die Potentialdifferenz zweier Basisatome, die aus der Tetraederbindung stammt, in die Berechnung der Bandstruktur von Silizium einbezogen, wobei die empirische lokale Pseudopotentialmethode (EPM) benutzt wird. Es wird gezeigt, das der kleine antisymmetrische Formfaktor, der aus der Potentialverzerrung herruhrt, substantielle Beitrage zu den hochliegenden Leitungsbandern liefert.
E-minimal semigroups

TheE-minimal semigroups are completely characterized. It turns out that there are four classes ofE-minimal semigroups:p-groups, left (right) zero semigroups, nilpotent semigroups, and the two element semilattice.
Endorphin-mediated increases in pain threshold during pregnancy

Maternal pain thresholds in rats were determined during various stages of pregnancy and parturition by measuring the intensity of electric shock that elicited reflexive jumping. There was a gradual rise in the pain threshold between 16 and 4 days prior to parturition and a more abrupt rise 1 to 2 days before that event. This increase was abolished by long-term administration of the narcotic antagonist naltrexone. The endorphin system is thus an important component of intrinsic mechanisms that modulate responsiveness to aversive stimuli. The data also demonstrate the activation during pregnancy of an endorphin system that is apparently quiescent in nonpregnant female rats treated the same way.
NASH: The tribulations of conducting NASH trials

Designing clinical trials for the treatment of NASH is challenging. The pathogenesis of this disease is poorly understood and is probably multifactorial. A trial of a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor produced negative results, despite promising preclinical data. Examining why this trial failed might help us design better trials of treatments for NASH in the future.
The DIMM tree architecture: A high bandwidth and scalable memory system

The demand for capacity and off-chip bandwidth to DRAM will continue to grow as we integrate more cores onto a die. However, as the data rate of DRAM has increased, the number of DIMMs supported on a multi-drop bus has decreased. Therefore, traditional memory systems are not sufficient to meet both these demands. We propose the DIMM tree architecture for better scalability by connecting the DIMMs as a tree. The DIMM tree architecture is able to grow the number of DIMMs exponentially with each level of latency in the tree. We also propose application of Multiband Radio Frequency Interconnect (MRF-I) to the DIMM tree architecture for even greater scalability and higher throughput. The DIMM tree architecture without MRF-I was able to scale up to 64 DIMMs with only an 8% degradation in throughput over an ideal system. The DIMM tree architecture with MRF-I was able to increase throughput by 68% (up to 200%) on a 64-DIMM system over a 4-DIMM system.
2.5D Micromachined 240 GHz Cavity-Backed Coplanar Waveguide to Rectangular Waveguide Transition

A novel cavity-backed coplanar waveguide (CBCPW) to rectangular waveguide transition having a 2.5D geometry compatible with micromachining fabrication technique is presented. This transition makes use of a short-circuited pin (as opposed to a suspended probe) in conjunction with resonant sections of CPW line over the broad wall of a reduced height waveguide segment to facilitate impedance matching. Although the bandwidth of this transition is smaller than the standard suspended probe transitions, its fabrication at submillimeter-wave and terahertz bands is rather straightforward and does not require assembly of many small parts with very high precision. The design procedure starts from an equivalent circuit model which is then fine-tuned using a full-wave approach. A silicon micromachining process for the fabrication of the proposed transition is presented. To validate the design and demonstrate the feasibility of the fabrication process, a prototype transition operating at 240 GHz is fabricated and tested. It is shown that a back-to-back transition prototype at 240 GHz provides less than 1 dB of insertion loss over more that 17% fractional bandwidth. It is also shown that the measured S-parameters of the back-to-back transition are in good agreement with the simulation results. The microfabrication process and associated tolerances allows for scaling the dimensions and frequency of operation to THz frequencies.
Modeling a Married Couple’s Reciprocal Relationship

A model was developed and a static game of complete information was applied in an examination of a married couple’s reciprocal relationship. Each chose best strategies (i.e., optimal responses) to maximize payoffs (i.e., happiness). Theoretical analysis suggests that the couple’s happiness is endogenously and positively correlated and simultaneously determined. If the wife (or the husband) is not happy with the relationship, it is impossible for the husband (or the wife) to be happy with the relationship.
Chicken wing training model for endoscopic microsurgery

Objectives To present and validate a chicken wing model for endoscopic endonasal microsurgical skill development. Setting A surgical environment was constructed using a Styrofoam box and measurements from radiological studies. Endoscopic visualization and instrumentation were utilized in a manner to mimic operative setting. Design Five participants were instructed to complete four sequential tasks: (1) opening the skin, (2) exposing the main artery in its neurovascular sheath, (3) opening the neurovascular sheath, and (4) separating the nerve from the artery. Time to completion of each task was recorded. Participants Three junior attendings, one senior resident, and one medical student were recruited internally. Main Outcome Measures Time to perform the surgical tasks measured in seconds. Results The average time of the first training session was 48.8 minutes; by the 10th training session, the average time was 22.4 minutes. The range of improvement was 25.7 minutes to 72.4 minutes. All five participants exhibited statistically significant decrease in time after 10 trials. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that an improvement of 50% was achieved by an average of five attempts at the 95% confidence interval. Conclusions The ex vivo chicken wing model is an inexpensive and relatively realistic model to train endoscopic dissection using microsurgical techniques.
Nephrobronchial fistula: Complication of perinephric abscess secondary to ureteral obstruction and pyonephrosis

A case of nephrolithiasis complicated by obstruction leading to pyonephrosis, perinephric abscess, and nephrobronchial fistula is presented. The patient was treated successfully by nephrectomy and drainage of the subphrenic space and the pleural cavity. Nephrobronchial fistula, while a rare complication of perinephric abscess, should be considered when a patient presents with perirenal suppurative process and chest x-ray findings consistent with pleural effusion or pulmonary infiltrates.
Slow-MAS NMR: A new technology for in vivo metabolomic studies.

Obtaining detailed in vivo metabolic information has been identified as key elements of better understanding the efficacy and toxicity of new therapies. A new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology called LOCMAT is reported in this paper that yields substantially increased spectral resolution in spatially localized in vivo 1H NMR metabolite spectra, as illustrated by measurements in the liver of a live mouse. LOCMAT promises to significantly enhance the utility of NMR spectroscopy for biomedical research.
Postprandial Thermogenesis Is Increased 100% on a High-Protein, Low-Fat Diet versus a High-Carbohydrate, Low-Fat Diet in Healthy, Young Women

Objective: The recent literature suggests that high-protein, low-fat diets promote a greater degree of weight loss compared to high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets, but the mechanism of this enhanced weight loss is unclear. This study compared the acute, energy-cost of meal-induced thermogenesis on a high-protein, low-fat diet versus a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet.Methods: Ten healthy, normal weight, non-smoking female volunteers aged 19-22 years were recruited from a campus population. Using a randomized, cross-over design, subjects consumed the high-protein and the high-carbohydrate diets for one day each, and testing was separated by a 28- or 56-day interval. Control diets were consumed for two days prior to each test day. On test day, the resting energy expenditure, the non-protein respiratory quotient and body temperature were measured following a 10-hour fast and at 2.5-hour post breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fasting blood samples were collected test day and the next morning, and complete 24-hour urin...
Perceptions of mentor roles in cross-gender mentoring relationships☆

Abstract Survey data from 181 proteges in three organizations were used to compare perceptions of mentor roles in cross- and same-gender mentoring relationships. When controlling for differences in prior experience with mentors, organizational level, and other demographic variables, perceived mentor roles were not influenced by either mentor or protege gender. Significant gender interactions were found, however, for role modeling and social roles. Cross-gender proteges were less likely than same-gender proteges to report engaging in after-work, social activities with their mentors. In addition, compared to other gender combinations, female protegees with female mentors were more likely to agree with the idea that their mentor served a role modeling function. Implications and areas for future research are discussed.
Behavior change strategies for reducing disruptive classroom behavior

The effects of independent and interdependent group contingencies for academic work on the disruptive classroom behavior of junior high school students were examined. Using a multiple baseline design, the disruptive classroom behavior in five mathematics classes was measured under baseline, independent group, and interdependent group contingencies. Group contingencies consisted of free-time contingent on completion and accuracy of daily mathematics assignments. Free-time was delivered either individually, contingent on individual performance (independent group contingency), or to the class as a whole, contingent on group performance (interdependent group contingency). In all classes, the level of disruptive behavior was reduced when treatment was initiated. Both independent and interdependent group contingencies resulted in lowered rates of disruptive behavior, with the interdependent contingency being slightly more effective. It was concluded that for junior high students: (a) Free-time is an effective reinforcer. (b) Reinforcing academic behavior is an effective method of reducing disruptive classroom behavior. (c) Both independent and interdependent group contingencies are effective techniques for changing classroom behavior. (d) The teacher can effectively implement a behavior change program with little or no training in behavior analysis.
Somatostatin analogues: Treatment for portal hypertension?

The effects of a somatostatin analogue, SMS 201-995 on hepatic haemodynamics were studied in rats with dimethylnitrosamine-induced cirrhosis. An intravenous infusion of 1, 2 or 4 μg kg−1 body wt h−1 SMS 201-995 produced a rapid and sustained decrease in portal pressure, portal venous flow and liver blood flow without significantly altering arterial blood pressure or pulse. The reductions in portal pressure, portal venous flow and liver blood were accompanied by an increase in splanchnic vascular resistance. Portal venous resistance was not affected. Subcutaneous injection of 2 μg kg−1 body wt SMS 201-995 produced a gradual decrease in portal pressure, the maximum reduction occurring 18 min after administration. This reduction in portal pressure was sustained for a further 20 min. The results suggest that SMS 201-995 may be of value in the control of bleeding oesophageal varices. Furthermore, the prolonged duration of action of SMS 201-995 following its subcutaneous administration suggests that the analogue may be useful in the long-term management of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.
Time-transgressive and extension-related basaltic volcanism in southwest Utah and vicinity

Late Cenozoic (<15 Ma) basaltic rocks define two temporally and spatially distinct magmatic belts in southwest Utah that are located in the Basin and Range Province, the transition zone, and into the Colorado Plateau interior. The belts share certain time-space-composition characteristics and are dissimilar in others. The north-south Black Rock–Grand Canyon belt (generally 2.5–0 Ma) exhibits no province-wide time-space patterns, but shows distinct space-composition variations involving both lithospheric and asthenospheric magma sources. Magmatism is inferred to have occurred in response to east-west extension, and the composition of the basalts is compatible with maximum thinning and extension by pure shear of the mantle lithosphere occurs near the transition zone. In contrast, the Pahranagat–San Rafael belt (15–3.5 Ma) exhibits a northeastward time-space progression of magmatism. The magmatic migration vector is similar to the Yellowstone trend, suggesting the ultimate influence of a fixed heat or magma source in the asthenosphere, although the basalts record apparent lithospheric signatures. Basalts from this belt are progressively more isotopically primitive and more alkaline into the Colorado Plateau. These chemical variations can be interpreted as a change in the mantle source, depth or degree of partial melting, or decreasing crustal contamination to the northeast.
Transport of continental air to the subantarctic Indian Ocean

The occurrence of high levels of atmospheric 222 Rn (radonic storms) at 3 subantarctic islands in the Indian Ocean is simulated with a 3-d chemical tracer model (CTM) based on the meteorology of the GISS general circulation model (GCM). Radon-222 (half-life 3.8 days) is a sensitive tracer of continental air over the oceans. The CTM simulates well the observed intensities of the radonic storms at the islands, their seasonal frequency (highest in winter), and their periodicity (25–28 days). The storms are due to fast boundary layer advection of air from South Africa, made possible by the conjunction of a subtropical high SE of Madagascar (Mascarene High) and a mid-latitudes low off the southern tip of the African continent. Transit times of air from South Africa to the islands range from 1 to 5 days. The Mascarene high is a semi-permanent feature of the circulation from May to October, and is responsible for the seasonal frequency of the radonic storms. The low is transient but exhibits an oscillation of period 23–28 days which appears to be responsible for the observed periodicity of the storms. Transport to the subantarctic Indian Ocean is the principal mechanism for ventilation of South Africa in the CTM, but most of this transport takes place in the free troposphere following deep convection over the continent. The boundary layer advection mechanism associated with radonic storms accounts for only a small fraction of the total continental air exported to the subantarctic Indian Ocean. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1990.00008.x
Interaction of human adenovirus serotype 2 with human lymphoid cells

Abstract Human adenoviruses (e.g., Ad2, Ad5) establish chronic infections in human lymphoid-derived cell lines, including Raji and Jijoye ( R. E. Wallace, 1969 , Proc. Soc. Exp. Bich Med. 130, 702–710; N. Faucon, G. Ogier, and Y. Chardonnet, 1982 , J. Nad. Cancer Inst. 69, 1215–1220); however, the mechanisms by which chronic infections are established and maintained are not understood. When Raji or MOLT-3 cell cultures were infected with Ad2 at high multiplicity, these cell lines continued to grow exponentially and produced only small amounts of infectious virus. Virus-specific antigens, including the DNA-binding protein and hexon, were expressed in only 5% of the Ad2-inoculated cultures. All Raji and MOLT-3 cells were found to have adenovirus receptors, but the Ad2 virions that adsorbed to most Raji cells were sequestered in caps, suggesting that most cells fail to internalize adsorbed Ad2. Cell synchronization experiments showed a correlation between the proportion of cells that became productively infected and the proportion of cells in mitosis at the time of infection. In contrast, primary blood lymphocytes had few, if any, Ad2 receptors and were not productively infected by Ad2.
Complex tropomyosin and troponin T isoform expression patterns in orbital and global fibers of adult dog and rat extraocular muscles

We reported marked differences in the myosin heavy and light chain (MHC and MLC) isoform composition of fast and slow fibers between the global and orbital layers of dog extraocular muscles. Many dog extraocular fibers, especially orbital fibers, have MHC and MLC isoform patterns that are distinct from those in limb skeletal muscles. Additional observations suggested possible differences in the tropomyosin (Tm) and troponin T (TnT) isoform composition of global and orbital fibers. Therefore, we tested, using SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, whether differences in Tm and TnT isoform expression do, in fact, exist between global and orbital layers of dog and rat EOMs and to compare expression patterns among identified fast and slow single fibers from both muscle layers. The Tm isoforms expressed in global fast and slow fibers are the same as in limb fast (α-Tm and β-Tm) and slow (γ-Tm and β-Tm) fibers, respectively. Orbital slow orbital fibers, on the other hand, each co-express all three sarcomeric Tm isoforms (α, β and γ). The results indicate that fast global and orbital fibers express only fast isoforms of TnT, but the relative amounts of the individual isoforms are different from those in limb fast muscle fibers and an abundant fast TnT isoform in the orbital layer was not detected in fast limb muscles. Slow fibers in both layers express slow TnT isoforms and the relative amounts also differ from those in limb slow fibers. Unexpectedly, significant amounts of cardiac TnT isoforms were also detected in slow fibers, especially in the orbital layer in both species. TnI and TnC isoform patterns are the same as in fast and slow fibers in limb muscles. These results expand the understanding of the elaborate diversity in contractile protein isoform expression in mammalian extraocular muscle fibers and suggest that major differences in calcium-activation properties exist among these fibers, based upon Tm and TnT isoform expression patterns.
Computational materials science for microelectronics: the old and the new challenges

Abstract Materials and processes for the fabrication of integrated circuits are chosen to meet several criteria based on (1) performance, (2) manufacturability, (3) reliability and (4) cost. A new generation of technology is introduced approximately every three years by scaling the devices to smaller dimensions. The concomitantly increasing complexity of the design and the manufacturing processes depend more and more on computer modeling to help optimize choices. This paper assesses the state of the science that underlies the areas for which modeling can play a key role and the state of existing computational implementations. The net conclusion is that both science and modeling are in good shape for electronic and electrical properties, but both have a long way to go for materials processing and mechanical reliability.
My Genome, My Identity, My Health

While the human genome sequence is a reservoir for ground-breaking science and personal reflection, humans are much more than a genome.
Erratum: Measurement of the toughness of bone: A tutorial with special reference to small animal studies [Bone, vol. 43 (5), Nov. 2008, pp. 798–812]

Erratum: Measurement of the toughness of bone: A tutorial with special reference to small animal studies [Bone, vol. 43 (5), Nov. 2008, pp. 798–812] R.O. Ritchie ⁎, K.J. Koester , S. Ionova, , W. Yao , N.E. Lane , J.W. Ager III a a Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA b Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA c Department of Medicine, Aging Center, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
X-ray heated winds in Seyfert galaxies

Recent observational work has shown that Type 2 Seyfert galaxies contain Type 1 nuclei. These are hidden from direct view by obscuring material of toroidal geometry, but are revealed by scattering off asymmetrically distributed warm electrons which gives the light net polarization. Warm, ionized gas of the right temperature and optical depth to match the observations is exactly what would be expected due to evaporation of material from the inner edge of the obscuring torus by the nuclear UV and X-ray continuum. In addition to revealing the nucleus by scattering, this warm gas also produces strong X-ray Fe K features.
Vibration damping of a cantilever beam utilizing fluidic flexible matrix composites

This paper presents a novel approach for damping the vibration of a cantilever beam by bonding a fluidic flexible matrix composite (F 2 MC) tube to the beam and using the strain induced fluid pumping. The transverse beam vibration couples with the F 2 MC tube strain to generate flow into an external accumulator through an orifice that dissipates energy. The energy dissipation is especially significant at the resonances of the cantilever beam, where the beam vibrates with greatest amplitude and induces the most fluid flow from the F 2 MC tube. As a result, the resonant peaks can be greatly reduced due to the damping introduced by the flow through the orifice. An analytical model is developed based on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and Lekhnitskii’s solution for anisotropic layered tubes. In order to maximize the vibration reduction, a parametric study of the F 2 MC tube is performed. The analysis results show that the resonant peaks can be provided with a damping ratio of up to 13.2% by tailoring the fiber angle of the F 2 MC tube, the bonding locations of the tube, and the orifice flow coefficient.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBRANE TRANSPORT PROCESSES OF MACULA DENSA CELLS

1. Macula densa (MD) cells are located within the thick ascending limb (TAL) and have their apical surface in contact with tubular fluid and their basilar region in contact with the glomerulus. These cells sense changes in luminal fluid sodium chloride concentration ([NaCl]) and transmit signals resulting in changes in vascular resistance (tubuloglomerular feedback) and renin release. 2. Current efforts have focused on understanding the cellular transport mechanisms of MD cells. Progress in this area has benefited from the use of the isolated perfused TAL-glomerular preparation, which permits direct access to MD cells. 3. Using microelectrodes to measure basolateral membrane potential (VBL) of MD cells, it was found that VBL was very sensitive to changes in luminal fluid [NaCl]. As [NaCl] was elevated from 20 to 150 mmol/L, VBL was found to depolarize by over 30 mV. 4. Basolateral membrane potential measurements were also used to identify an apical Na+:2Cl-:K+ cotransport pathway in MD cells that is the major pathway for NaCl entry into these cells. 5. Other work identified a basolateral chloride channel that is presumed to be responsible for changes in VBL during alterations in luminal [NaCl]. This channel, which is the predominant conductance across the basolateral membrane, may be regulated by intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP. 6. An apical Na+:H+ exchanger in MD cells was detected by measuring changes in intracellular pH using the fluorescent probe 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6) carboxyfluorescein. 7. Using patch-clamp techniques, a high density of pH- and Ca(2+)-sensitive K+ channels was observed at the apical membrane of MD cells. 8. Other studies found that, at the normal physiological conditions prevailing at the end of the TAL (luminal [NaCl] of 20-60 mmol/L), reabsorption mediated by MD cells is very sensitive to changes in luminal [NaCl].
The potential of collagenase as a new therapy for separation of human retained placenta: Hydrolytic potency on human, equine and bovine placentae

The purpose of this study was to determine to what degree bacterial collagenase may digest human placentae compared to equine and bovine placentae. Placenta samples from human, equine and bovine were incubated with bacterial collagenase solution at various concentrations. The degree of hydrolysis and collagen breakdown was measured by the release of total proteins and hydroxyproline into the incubation media. Also, whole placentae were injected via umbilical cord arteries with collagenase solution (200 U/ml, 200 ml total volume in human and 1000 ml in equine) and hydrolysis determined chemically and subjectively. Human and equine placental collagens were the most sensitive to collagenase digestion. Overall mean collagenase activity determined by the release of hydroxyproline from human placenta was 1.6 times and in equine placenta three times greater than in bovine placenta, while the breakdown of non-collagenous proteins remained negligible. When injected into whole placenta, the collagenase digested placentae evenly within 6-12 h. At 24 h, placentae were liquefied, although, umbilical blood vessels resisted collagenase digestion. Bacterial collagenase was highly effective in breaking down human placenta collagen. Intraplacental injections of collagenase via umbilical cord arteries may help to detach retained placenta in women as it does in mares and cows.
Are there really new directions and innovations in archival education

This essay comments on the various papers presented at the 2004 SAA conference on archival education. The author, after reading most of the papers, asked the conference organizer to change the name of the closing essay from a generic “commentary” to one playing on the announced theme of the meeting, “Are There Really New Directions and Innovations in Archival Education?” The author did not read, and or hear much, about new directions or innovations, and he uses this essay to explain his concerns. This essay considers the challenges of differing cultures in archival repositories and the university where graduate programs reside, the problems of the lack of a critical mass of graduate educators and the creating of the next generation of educators, and the continuing weak performance in research and publishing by the current corps of educators. All in all, graduate archival educators need to be bring creativity and greater dedication to building a solid foundation for such professional education.
Synthesis of 1,3-difluoroaromatics in one pot by addition of difluorocarbene from sodium chlorodifluoroacetate to 1,2-substituted cyclobutenes.

The synthesis of 1,3-difluoro-2,4-diphenylbenzene has been accomplished in one step from 1,2-diphenylcyclobutene using the environmentally benign difluorocarbene precursor sodium chlorodifluoroacetate. In addition, the preparation of the previously unknown compound 1,3-difluoro-2,4-di-n-propylbenzene has been accomplished in one step from 1,2-di-n-propylcyclobutene using Seyferth's reagent (Ph−Hg−CF3) and sodium chlorodifluoroacetate.
Acupuncture for systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot RCT feasibility and safety study

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of studying acupuncture in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to pilot test the safety and explore benefits of a standardized acupuncture protocol designed to reduce pain and fatigue. Twenty-four patients with SLE were randomly assigned to receive 10 sessions of either acupuncture, minimal needling or usual care. Pain, fatigue and SLE disease activity were assessed at baseline and following the last sessions. Safety was assessed at each session. Fifty-two patients were screened to enroll 24 eligible and interested persons. Although transient side effects, such as brief needling pain and lightheadedness, were reported, no serious adverse events were associated with either the acupuncture or minimal needling procedures. Twenty-two participants completed the study, and the majority (85%) of acupuncture and minimal needling participants were able to complete their sessions within the specified time period of 5-6 weeks. 40% of patients who received acupuncture or minimal needling had >/=30% improvement on standard measures of pain, but no usual care patients showed improvement in pain. A ten-session course of acupuncture appears feasible and safe for patients with SLE. Benefits were similar for acupuncture and minimal needling.
Interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 production by T helper cells reveals intact Th1 and regulatory TR1 cell activation and a delay of the Th2 cell response in equine neonates and foals

Cytokines produced by T helper (Th) cells are important in orchestrating the immune response during health and disease. Recent reports indicated that cytokine mRNA expression in foals is often quantitatively lower than that of adult horses suggesting that foal T cells are not fully mature. Here, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from foals and adult horses were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and analyzed for intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 production, representing the Th1, Th2 and regulatory TR1 cell phenotypes respectively, by flow cytometry. In agreement with previous reports, all three cytokines were quantitatively reduced in foals compared to adults. However, the balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines (IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio) showed a clear Th1-biased response in foals by 6 and 12 weeks of life, while similar IFN-gamma/IL-10 ratios were found in foals and adult horses. By day 5 after birth, intracellular IFN-gamma production by foal CD4+ and CD8+ T cells resembled that in adults. Overall, IL-4 production was low in foals. IL-4+ cells peaked at day 5 of age when IL-4 was mainly produced by IgE+ cells. Relative percentages of IL-4+ Th2 cells were significantly lower in foals at all time points. The data suggested that equine neonates and young foals have an impaired Th2 response, that the immune response of foals is Th1 biased, that IFN-gamma production by Th and cytotoxic T cells is qualitatively similar to adult horses, and regulatory IL-10 production by T cells is developmentally mature in foals during the first three months of life.
A survey of the use of emergency parenteral medication at a secure psychiatric hospital

BackgroundThe use of additional sedative psychotropic medication to calm agitated or aggressive patients is known as rapid tranquillisation (RT). Several studies of RT practice have been conducted in psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs) and acute psychiatric settings.MethodWe carried out a cross-sectional survey of the use of parental sedation in an English secure hospital using data from medication charts and case notes.ResultsWe studied the medication charts of 316 patients and found 203 incidents (all involving intramuscular route) of parenteral sedation involving just 35 patients. The vast majority (30; 85.7%) of those administered parenteral sedation were female and most (23; 65.7%) had emotionally unstable personality disorder. The most common indication was self-harm (44; 21.7%). In 24 (11.8%) instances the patient had requested an injection. A single drug was administered in 159 (78.3%) cases. The most commonly administered drug was lorazepam (152 cases) followed by haloperidol (69) and olanzapine (21). Case note documentation was frequently inadequate and in very few cases was there evidence of physical monitoring.ConclusionsThe use of parenteral sedation was rather different from that previously described in PICUs. Hospital policy and NICE guidance were not always being followed. Measures to rectify these deficits are being taken.
Effect of preoperative statins in patients without coronary artery disease who undergo cardiac surgery.

Objective 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to have pleiotropic effects in addition to their lipid-lowering properties. Some studies have shown the beneficial effect of preoperative statins on operative outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting. However, the effect of preoperative statins in patients without coronary artery disease who undergo cardiac surgery remains poorly defined. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 1389 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery between January of 2002 and December of 2005. Patients undergoing concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery and those with a history of myocardial infarction and coronary interventions were excluded. Of this cohort, 363 patients were receiving a statin preoperatively and 1026 patients were not. Propensity scores were constructed with patients' demographics, clinical data, and the year of procedure. Generalized estimating equations, including the propensity score as a covariate, were used to investigate whether preoperative statin use is associated with improved operative outcomes. Results The crude operative mortality rate was 0.8% and 2.3%, the incidence of stroke was 1.7% and 2.9%, and the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was 2.2% and 2.4% in the statin and non-statin groups, respectively. Generalized estimating equations showed that preoperative statin use is associated with lower mortality (odds ratio: 0.25, 95% confidential interval: 0.12–0.54). Preoperative statin use was not significantly associated with an incidence of stroke (odds ratio: 0.48, 95% confidential interval: 0.19–1.22) or perioperative myocardial infarction (odds ratio: 0.91, 95% confidential interval: 0.43–1.91) in this cohort. Conclusion Preoperative use of statins may improve operative outcomes in patients without coronary artery disease who undergo cardiac surgery.
Vibrio fischeri Uses Two Quorum-Sensing Systems for the Regulation of Early and Late Colonization Factors

Vibrio fischeri possesses two quorum-sensing systems, ain and lux, using acyl homoserine lactones as signaling molecules. We have demonstrated previously that the ain system activates luminescence gene expression at lower cell densities than those required for lux system activation and that both systems are essential for persistent colonization of the squid host, Euprymna scolopes. Here, we asked whether the relative contributions of the two systems are also important at different colonization stages. Inactivation of ain, but not lux, quorum-sensing genes delayed initiation of the symbiotic relationship. In addition, our data suggest that lux quorum sensing is not fully active in the early stages of colonization, implying that this system is not required until later in the symbiosis. The V. fischeri luxI mutant does not express detectable light levels in symbiosis yet initiates colonization as well as the wild type, suggesting that ain quorum sensing regulates colonization factors other than luminescence. We used a recently developed V. fischeri microarray to identify genes that are controlled by ain quorum sensing and could be responsible for the initiation defect. We found 30 differentially regulated genes, including the repression of a number of motility genes. Consistent with these data, ain quorum-sensing mutants displayed an altered motility behavior in vitro. Taken together, these data suggest that the sequential activation of these two quorum-sensing systems with increasing cell density allows the specific regulation of early colonization factors (e.g., motility) by ain quorum sensing, whereas late colonization factors (e.g., luminescence) are preferentially regulated by lux quorum sensing.
Visualizing Proximity Data

In this article, the authors explore the use of graph layout algorithms for visualizing proximity matrices such as those obtained in cultural domain analysis. Traditionally, multidimensional scaling has been used for this purpose. The authors compare the two approaches to identify conditions when each approach is effective. As might be expected, they find that multidimensional scaling shines when the data are of low dimensionality and are compatible with the defining characteristics of Euclidean distances, such as symmetry and triangle inequality constraints. However, when one is working with data that do not fit these criteria, graph layout algorithms do a better job of communicating the structure of the data. In addition, graph layout algorithms lend themselves to interactive use, which can yield a deeper and more accurate understanding of the data.
In vitro magnetic stimulation of unmyelinated nerves

Magnetic stimulation of neural tissue is an intriguing technology because excitation may be affected without a direct interface between the stimulator and the tissue. Current methods of magnetic stimulation use large air core coils, limiting the size of the neural preparations available for study. We use ferrite cores to reduce the stimulation area. Scaling allows the use of unmyelinated neural preparations with a range of space and length constants. Results are shown using two well studied neural preparations under varying test conditions.
Evidence for "unique stimulus" account of configural conditioning.

Four experiments are presented which test the proposition that a compound stimulus, AB, may be conceptualized as composed of the individual A and B elements as well as a separate stimulus unique to their combination. Together with an assumption about limitations on the total associative strength of the compound, that conceptualization can account for the learning of various configural conditioning paradigms. Each experiment examines whether the hypothesized unique stimulus has properties like those of a separable element. The results indicate that, like the separate elements, the unique stimulus can acquire associative strength which is either excitatory or inhibitory, which summates with other associative strengths, which influences the effectiveness of reinforcement and nonreinforcement, and which is attenuated when the unique stimulus becomes irrelevant to reinforcement. In many learning situations it is possible to account for the behavior produced by a stimulus compound in terms of some combination of the behaviors produced by the elements of that compound. For instance, simultaneous presentation of stimuli separately trained to produce a response will normally result in "summation" evidenced by a response more vigorous than that to either stimulus (e.g., Konorski, 1948; Pavlov, 1927). Similarly, combination of 2 stimuli, one of which has been trained to evoke a response and the other of which has been trained to inhibit that response, results in summation evidenced by a response of intermediate value (e.g., Pavlov, 1927; Rescorla, 1969). However, the results of a number of learning situations do not seem compatible with simple summation notions. For instance, it is possible to train an organism to respond to the separately presented elements of a stimulus compound, but to withhold its response from the compound itself. Similarly, organisms can be trained to re1 This research was supported by National Science Foundation Grants GB-12897 and GB28703X. Thanks are due to Karen Gould and Barbara Steinfeld for aid in data collection and analysis. a
Broad-Spectrum Protection against Tombusviruses Elicited by Defective Interfering RNAs in Transgenic Plants

We have designed a DNA cassette to transcribe defective interfering (DI) RNAs of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and have investigated their potential to protect transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants from tombusvirus infections. To produce RNAs with authentic 5′ and 3′ termini identical to those of the native B10 DI RNA, the DI RNA sequences were flanked by ribozymes (RzDI). When RzDI RNAs transcribed in vitro were mixed with parental TBSV transcripts and inoculated into protoplasts or plants, they became amplified, reduced the accumulation of the parental RNA, and mediated attenuation of the lethal syndrome characteristic of TBSV infections. Analysis of F1 and F2 RzDI transformants indicated that uninfected plants expressed the DI RNAs in low abundance, but these RNAs were amplified to very high levels during TBSV infection. By two weeks postinoculation with TBSV, all untransformed N. benthamiana plants and transformed negative controls died. Although infection of transgenic RzDI plants initially induced moderate to severe symptoms, these plants subsequently recovered, flowered, and set seed. Plants from the same transgenic lines also exhibited broad-spectrum protection against related tombusviruses but remained susceptible to a distantly related tombus-like virus and to unrelated viruses.
Productivity Orientation and the Consumption of Collectable Experiences

This research examines why consumers desire unusual and novel consumption experiences and voluntarily choose leisure activities, vacations, and celebrations that are predicted to be less pleasurable. For example, consumers sometimes choose to stay at freezing ice hotels and to eat at restaurants serving peculiar foods, such as bacon ice cream. We propose that such choices are driven by consumers' continual striving to use time productively, make progress, and reach accomplishments (i.e., a productivity orientation). We argue that choices of collectable (unusual, novel, extreme) experiences lead consumers to feel productive even when they are engaging in leisure activities as they “check off” items on an “experiential check list” and build their “experiential CV.” A series of laboratory and field studies shows that the consumption of collectable experiences is driven and intensified by a (chronic or situational) productivity orientation.