cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Varied mechanisms of oestradiol-mediated regulation of dopamine β-hydroxylase transcription.

Experiments performed in vivo and in cell culture have demonstrated that oestradiol induces dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) gene transcription. In the present study, we examined oestrogen-responsive elements of the rat DBH gene promoter aiming to characterise the mechanisms of oestradiol-induced DBH transcription. Various mutations and deletions of DBH promoter reporter constructs were tested for responsiveness to 17β-oestradiol (E(2) ). Mutation of the half palindromic oestrogen response element (ERE) at position -759 reduced the response to E(2) in PC12 cells co-transfected with oestrogen receptor (ER) α, indicating a functional role for this motif. In cells co-transfected with ERβ, mutations at the -759 site were unresponsive to E(2) . To characterise the additional E(2) responsive elements, mediated by ERα, the DBH promoter was truncated to the proximal 249 or 200 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site. Despite either truncation, 10 nm E(2) still elicited an approximately two-fold induction of DBH promoter activity. Mutation of a possible ERE-like sequence at -59 had no effect. The lack of a functional ERE in the proximal region of the rat DBH promoter despite E(2) -mediated DBH promoter activity, suggests regulation by a nonclassical mechanism, such as a membrane-initiated signalling pathway. Moreover, the induction of DBH promoter activity and the rise in DBH mRNA levels were observed within hours. To determine whether membrane-initiated E(2) signalling is involved in rat DBH gene transcription, a membrane impermeable E(2) conjugate, β-oestradiol-6-(O-carboxy-methyl) oxime-bovine serum albumin (E(2) BSA), was used. Incubation with E(2) -BSA induced luciferase activity and elicited a significant rise in DBH mRNA levels in the ERα transfected cells. The findings indicate two different mechanisms whereby DBH transcription is regulated by E(2) in the presence of ERα. The results implicate both genomic and membrane-initiated mechanisms, mediated by ERα, in E(2) -induced DBH gene transcription.
Preparation of Al-Ti Master Alloys by Aluminothermic Reduction of TiO 2 in Cryolite Melts at 960°C

Al-Ti master alloys were prepared by aluminothermic reduction between the dissolved titanium dioxide and aluminum in cryolite melts at 960°C. The kinetic analysis by differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the apparent activation energy of the reaction of reducing titanium dioxide by aluminium is 22.3 kJ/mol, and the reaction order is 0.5. The products were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer. Results from X-ray diffraction showed that the phase compositions of produced alloys are Al and Al3Ti. In addition, Al-Ti master alloys containing 2–6 mass% Ti were formed at different reduction time of 2–5h in aluminothermic reduction experiment.
Accelerated MR thermometry using the Kalman filter

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plays an important role in monitoring thermal treatment. It can quantify thermal dose with temperature maps based on the proton-resonance frequency shift. Volumetric coverage is desirable, but acquiring multiple slices imaging is time consuming. Therefore, accelerated methods are needed to improve the spatial and temporal resolution in MR thermometry. Multi-channel coils are not widely available for MR-guided FUS systems, so conventional parallel imaging methods cannot be used for acceleration. Compressed sensing methods show promise, but the computation is currently too slow to provide real-time feedback. The Kalman filter is an optimal estimation method that has been widely used for real-time tracking in other fields. It has been studied for filtering of temperature for FUS. Here we apply it to accelerate image acquisition for thermometry.
Cholinergic mechanisms and short-term potentiation.

Acutely prepared rabbits were used to study, electrophysiologically, tetanic and post-tetanic potentiation of the pathway from the medial septal region to hippocampal field CA1. It was found that tetanic potentiation, evoked by short stimulus trains, was maximal at 6--8 Hz. Responses recovered from post-tetanic potentiation in 5--35 seconds. Acetylcholine, physostigmine, and cyclic GMP each had an excitatory effect on pyramidal cell responses when applied in stratum radiatum. The time course studies showed that these effects outlasted the duration of the injection current by many minutes. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., isobutyl methyl xanthine) prolonged the time course of recovery with test responses which were post-tetanically potentiated. K+, on the other hand, selectively enhanced tetanic potentiation. It is suggested, with respect to the potentiation phenomena, that K+ acted primarily presynaptically to facilitate transmitter release, whereas cyclic GMP acted primarily postsynaptically for the enhancement of pyramidal cell excitability.
An Accomplice for γ-Secretase Brought into Focus

The presenilin proteins are mutated in some patients with early onset Alzheimer9s disease, but the function of these proteins is not known. Accumulating evidence suggests that they are g-secretase enzymes that process the amyloid precursor protein. Now, as Sisodia discusses in this Perspective, another protein called nicastrin has been discovered that may contribute to the g-secretase activity of the presenilins.
Characterization of a cDNA encoding the 70-kDa single-stranded DNA-binding subunit of human replication protein A and the role of the protein in DNA replication.

Replication protein A (RP-A) is a three-subunit single-stranded DNA-binding protein that has been isolated from human cells. RP-A is essential for SV40 DNA replication and may also be important in genetic recombination. The sequence of a cDNA encoding the 70-kDa subunit of human RP-A is reported. The 616-amino acid predicted open reading frame of the human protein is 31% identical with the 621-amino acid open reading frame of the 70-kDa subunit of RP-A from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both proteins share a highly conserved putative metal binding domain of the 4-cysteine type. The human cDNA directs production in Escherichia coli of a 70-kDa protein that reacts with a monoclonal antibody directed against the 70-kDa subunit of human RP-A. The recombinant 70-kDa subunit, purified from bacteria, exhibits single-stranded DNA binding activity comparable to that of the complete RP-A complex. The 70-kDa subunit is able to substitute for the complete human RP-A complex in stimulating the activity of DNA polymerase alpha-primase on a poly(dA).oligo(dT) template. However, the 70-kDa subunit alone cannot substitute for the complete RP-A complex in SV40 DNA replication in vitro, suggesting an important functional role for the other subunits.
Coumadin Versus Warfarin

To the Editor: I hate to write a letter to the editor to comment on another letter to the editor, especially if the author of the latter is a respected colleague of mine. However, in this case, I must make an important point regarding conformity to accepted writing style. Ferguson1 in his sobering letter on …
Initial in vivo PET imaging of 5-HT1A receptors with 3-[(18)F]mefway.

4-trans-[18F]Mefway is a PET radiotracer with high affinity for 5-HT1A receptors. Our preliminary work indicated the positional isomer, 3-[18F]mefway, would be suitable for PET imaging of 5-HT1A receptors. We now compare the in vivo behaviour of 3-mefway with 4-mefway to evaluate 3-[18F]mefway as a potential 5-HT1A PET radiotracer. Two male rhesus macaques were given bolus injections of both 3- and 4-trans-[18F]mefway in separate experiments. 90 minute dynamic PET scans were acquired. TACs were extracted in the mesial temporal lobe (MTL) and caudal anterior cingulate gyrus (cACg). The cerebellum (CB) was used as a reference region. In vivo behavior of the radiotracers in the CB was compared based upon the ratio of normalized PET uptake for 3- and 4-trans-[18F]mefway. Specific binding was compared by examining MTL/CB and cACg/CB ratios. The subject-averaged ratio of 3-[18F]mefway to 4-trans-[18F]mefway in the cerebellum was 0.96 for 60-90 minutes. MTL/CB reached plateaus of ~2.7 and ~6 by 40 minutes and 90 minutes for 3- and 4-trans-[18F]mefway, respectively. cACg/CB reached plateaus of ~2.5 and ~6 by 40 minutes and 70 minutes for 3- and 4-trans-[18F]mefway, respectively. The short pseudoequilibration times and sufficient uptake of 3-[18F]mefway may be useful in studies requiring short scan times. Furthermore, the similar nondisplaceable clearance in the CB to 4-trans-[18F]mefway suggests the lower BPND of 3-[18F]mefway is due to a lower affinity. The lower affinity of 3-[18F]mefway may make it useful for measuring changes in endogenous 5-HT levels, however, this remains to be ascertained.
Time-dependent effects of isoflurane and dexmedetomidine on functional connectivity, spectral characteristics, and spatial distribution of spontaneous BOLD fluctuations.

Anesthesia is often necessary to perform fMRI experiments in the rodent model; however, commonly used anesthetic protocols may manifest changing brain conditions over the duration of the study. This possibility was explored in the current work. Eleven rats were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane anesthesia; four rats were anesthetized for a short period (30 min, simulating induction and fMRI setup) and seven rats were anesthetized for a long period (3 h, simulating surgical preparation). Following the initial anesthetic period, isoflurane was discontinued, and a dexmedetomidine bolus (0.025 mg/kg) and continuous subcutaneous infusion (0.05 mg/kg/h) were administered. Blood-oxygen-level dependent resting state imaging was performed every 30 min from 0.75 h post dexmedetomidine bolus until 5.75 h post-bolus. Evaluation of power spectra obtained from time courses in the primary somatosensory cortex revealed, in general, a monotonic increase in low-frequency power (0.05-0.3 Hz) in both groups over the duration of resting state imaging. Greater low-band spectral power (0.05-0.15 Hz) is present in the short isoflurane group for the first 2.75 h, but the spectra become highly uniform at 3.25 h. The emergence of a ~0.18 Hz peak, beginning at the 3.75 h time point, exists in both groups and evolves similarly, increasing in strength as the duration of dexmedetomidine sedation (and time since isoflurane cessation) extends. In the long isoflurane group only, bilateral functional connectivity strengthens with anesthetic duration, and correlation is linearly linked to low-band spectral power. Convergence of connectivity and spectral metrics between the short and long isoflurane groups occurs at ~3.25 h, suggesting the effects of isoflurane have subsided. Researchers using dexmedetomidine following isoflurane for functional studies should be aware of the duration specific effects of the pre-scan isoflurane durations as well as the continuing influences of long-term imaging under dexmedetomidine.
The role of Rak in the regulation of stability and function of BRCA1

BRCA1 is an important player in the DNA damage response signaling, and its deficiency results in genomic instability. A complete loss or significantly reduced BRCA1 protein expression is often found in sporadic breast cancer cases despite the absence of genetic or epigenetic aberrations, suggesting the existence of other regulatory mechanisms controlling BRCA1 protein expression. Herein, we demonstrate that Fyn-related kinase (Frk)/Rak plays an important role in maintaining genomic stability, possibly in part through positively regulating BRCA1 protein stability and function via tyrosine phosphorylation on BRCA1 Tyr1552. In addition, Rak deficiency confers cellular sensitivity to DNA damaging agents and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Overall, our findings highlight a critical role of Rak in the maintenance of genomic stability, at least in part, through protecting BRCA1 and provide novel treatment strategies for patients with breast tumors lacking Rak.
Burnet Oration: living in the Burnet lineage.

Scientific discoveries are not made in isolation. Innovation depends on resources, both intellectual and physical. A primary requirement is the development and maintenance of appropriate institutions. Such structures do not emerge by chance, but arise from opportunity, political will and the continued efforts and commitment of many people over long periods. Suitable buildings, laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment are obviously necessary, but hardware alone is of little value in the absence of a vibrant research culture. The key characteristics of the latter are intellectual foment, open debate and a body of wisdom and knowledge about the particular subject area. Rolf Zinkernagel and I played a part in triggering a paradigm shift in the understanding of T cell recognition, a contribution recognized by the 1996 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. In our Nobel lectures, we both discussed briefly why it was that the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) of 1973–75 provided a milieu that facilitated the emergence of the underlying experiments and ideas. My intention here is to discuss in more detail the scientific lineages that put this physical and intellectual environment in place, focusing particularly on the influence of Sir Frank Macfarlane (Sir Mac) Burnet as we celebrate his centenary year.
Chemical markers for sea salt in IMPROVE aerosol data

The Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network monitors chemically speciated fine-particle concentrations at about 170 rural or remote sites in the United States, including several in coastal settings. Sea salt is a major component of marine aerosols, and can have significant optical effects on both global and local scales. Sodium is the most commonly employed chemical marker for sea salt, but the ion is not a target of IMPROVE's routine chromatography and the element is poorly detected by IMPROVE's routine X-ray fluorescence analysis. This paper examines data from six coastal sites where sea salt is abundant, to identify more reliable signatures of fresh sea salt in routine IMPROVE data. The chloride ion measurement, by ion chromatography on a Nylon filter sampling behind a carbonate denuder, appears to represent the total concentration of this reactive species at the selected sites. It is shown to be a good predictor of conserved sea salt markers such as non-crustal strontium, calcium and potassium, as well as the portion of gravimetric mass not explained by terrestrial fractions. These conclusions may not extend to other locations where sea salt is a smaller and more aged fraction of the aerosol mix.
Identification in models of gasoline pricing

Abstract This paper presents evidence that the price of oil does not respond contemporaneously to shocks to the US gasoline market. We find no support for the hypothesis of feedback from the US gasoline market to the price of oil, justifying the identification of impulse response functions by applying a Cholesky decomposition (see, e.g., Kilian (2010) ). Our results have implications for tests of asymmetric gasoline price responses and forecasting models of the price of crude oil.
Microscale microbial culture.

The culture of microorganisms dates back to the early times of human civilization. Yeast and bacteria were used as mixed cultures for the preparation of food such as cheese, beer, bread, pickling of meat, and for fabric production, farming and nutrition. The invention of the microscope in the 1600s led to the accurate description of microorganisms, and later to the definition of pure and defined cultures containing single species versus a pastiche of mixed and, often unknown, concoction of many organisms. The growth and maintenance of pure cultures isolated from contaminating environmental microbes was achieved by ingenious culture techniques devised in the late 1800s: the swan-necked Pasteur flask, the conical Erlenmeyer flasks, Petri dishes with overhanging lids and the usage of solid agar in glass plates pioneered by Koch and coworkers. Remarkably, these ‘traditional’ culture techniques have changed very little since then, and are still widely used in almost all microbiology labs even today. As a discipline, while microbiology has revolutionized science by spurring major discoveries in molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, microbial cell culture has resolutely lagged behind the other fields for the longest time. It may be fair to comment that, at least until recently, the technological improvements in automation, novel devices, computational and analytical techniques have not had a serious impact in the practice of microbial cell culture per se. It was almost 100 years after the invention of the Petri dish that a significant advancement was made with the introduction of multiwell plates in the late 20th century. The well plates increased the culture densities by 10- to 100- fold compared with that of flasks or dishes. In the past 10 years, there has been radical shift in the craft of microbial culture with the introduction ‘microscale cell cultures’. The microscale cultures are highly miniaturized with three to six orders of magnitude increase in cell density and throughput compared with traditional culture methods [1]. The microscale cell cultures have not only given us glimpses into the microbial wonderland but also have spawned technological innovations for many practical applications. In this article, we present a survey of the current status of microscale microbial culture, and speculate what the immediate future may hold.
The effect of α-N-substituted histidine derivatives on bimolecular lipid membranes as related to their ability to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation

Abstract A series of α- N -alkyl and α- N -aryl histidines was synthesized. Several of the more lipophilic derivatives were shown to be uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. A direct relationship was noted for the α- N -alkyl series between carbon chain length on the α-nitrogen of histidine, organic/water partition coefficient, efflux rate from liposomes, ability to lower electrical resistance of bimolecular lipid membranes, ability to increase respiration in coupled mitochondria, and ability to lower P O ratios in coupled mitochondria. The aromatic derivative α- N -salicyl histidine was the best uncoupler in the series but was still not as effective an uncoupler as 2,4-dinitrophenol.
In situ copolymerization and compatibilization of polyester and polystyrene blends. I. Synthesis of functionalized polystyrenes and the reactions with polyester

The in situ compatibilization process between polystyrene (PS) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is carried out by adding three types of hydroxy functionalized polystyrenes (PS-Fs). The PS-F was used to promote the in situ copolymerization reaction and compatibilization during melt blending in the mixer. The results of different characterization techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), GPC and the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrate that the slow alcoholysis reaction between the PS-F and PBT took place after the 60 min thermal treatment. In order to achieve good mechanical properties of the reactive blends of PS-F and PBT, it is important to control the level of degradation of PBT. On the other hand, the optimum degradation is necessary to promote the in situ reaction to the PS-F. In this paper titanium butoxide (TNBT) and triphenyl phosphite (TPP) were used in order to control the reaction and degradation. The addition of 1% TNBT into the blends of PS-F/PBT enhances the miscibility of the PS-F and PBT as a catalyst for the alcoholysis reaction. It is found that the stabilizer TPP not only prevents the excess thermal degradation of PBT but also promotes the reaction between the PS-Fs and PBT by coupling reaction. The anionic polymerization procedure of three different PS-Fs and the characterization results of the reaction between PS-Fs and PBT are described.
The classification of the Hepaticae

Students of the Hepaticae have long been interested in the evolution of the group and have made repeated attempts to arrange the families and genera in one or more phylogenetic sequences. The earlier writers in this field assumed that the primitive Hepaticae must have been simply organized plants, not only with respect to their external configuration but also with respect to their histological structure. From plants of this character, they assumed, more advanced types arose by progressive differentiation. In some cases, according to their ideas, this took place predominantly in the gametophyte and in other cases in the sporophyte; and it expressed itself, in a general way, by an increase in the complexity of the external form, by an increase in the complexity of the histological structure, or by a combination of the two. They assumed further that the Hepaticae arose as a monophyletic group from the green algae and that they gave rise, by further differentiation, to the Musci, pteridophytes and other more highly organized groups of terrestrial plants. The earlier writers not only made these various assumptions but, to a certain extent at least, considered that certain representatives of our present day hepatic flora might be looked upon as the actual ancestors of certain other, more complex representatives. At any rate this would be the natural interpretation of some of the phylogenetic diagrams that have been constructed. Under such circumstances the evolutionary progress of the simpler type would have come to an end at a definite stage, whereas that of the more complex type would have advanced beyond that stage. These earlier conceptions may be illustrated by definite examples. In the sporophyte generation, Riccia exhibits the simplest type of structure found in the group. The spherical form of this sporophyte, the non-differentiation into organs, the slight cell-differentiation, the limited growth, and the relatively large volume involved in spore-formation are all indicative of this simplicity and were
Routing and wavelength assignment by partition colouring

The problem of routing and wavelength assignment in all-optical networks may be solved by a combined approach involving the computation of alternative routes for the lightpaths, followed by the solution of a partition colouring problem in a conflict graph. A new tabu search heuristic is also proposed for the partition colouring problem, which may be viewed as an extension of the graph colouring problem. Computational experiments are reported, showing that the tabu search heuristic outperforms the best heuristic for partition colouring by approximately 20% in the average and illustrating that the new approach for the problem of routing and wavelength assignment is more robust than a well established heuristic for this problem.
PEABODY INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST: CONCURRENT VALIDITY WITH JUVENILE DELINQUENTS

The present study examined the concurrent validity of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test with the Wide Range Achievement Test and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children in a juvenile delinquent population. The three tests were administered to 18 male delinquents between the ages of 12–4 and 15–11. Intercorrelations between subtests of the first two tests were significant, as was the Peabody Achievement Total Test with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Full Scale IQ. However, the two achievement measures agreed in terms of gross intellectual classification less than 56% of the time on all subtests. As the Peabody Achievement subtest, Mathematics, vs Wide Range subtest, Arithmetic, yielded significantly different achievement levels the two were not measuring comparable achievement levels. Substitution of one for the other is questionable. Suggestions were made for research concerning concurrent validity employing the present methodology.
In vitro exposure with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate enhances chicken macrophage growth and function

Abstract β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), a leucine catabolite, has been shown to decrease broiler mortality. One possible target of HMB action may be the cells of the immune system. Macrophages from a chicken macrophage cell line, MQ-NCSU, were exposed to 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 μg of HMB per 5 × 104 cells in a 96-well culture plate. After 24 h of exposure, macrophage proliferation was quantitated by an MTT bioassay. In duplicate experiments, HMB stimulated growth over control (p ≤ 0.05) at a wide range of doses. Macrophages were exposed to 20 and 80 μg of HMB and the culture supernatant fractions tested for the presence of nitrite. HMB exposure (20 μg) increased nitrite production by 44.1% over the controls (Experiment 1, p ≤ 0.035). To determine the phagocytic potential of macrophages after HMB exposure, MQ-NCSU cell line and Sephadex-G50®-elicited abdominal macrophages were incubated with fluorescent latex beads (1 : 40, macrophage to beads ratio) for 1 h and then analyzed by flow cytometry. When exposed to 40 μg HMB, the phagocytic potential of MQ-NCSU macrophages was significantly higher (31.7%) than that of the controls (p ≤ 0.0006). Sephadex-elicited macrophages exhibited 14.4% increased phagocytosis over controls when treated with 80 μg HMB (p ≤ 0.0016). When MQ-NCSU macrophages were exposed to HMB, Fc-receptor expression was significantly elevated over the controls (p ≤ 0.0001). These data demonstrate that HMB exposure induces proliferation of macrophages in culture as well as enhances macrophage effector functions, such as nitrite production and phagocytosis. The findings of these studies imply that HMB can be used as a possible dietary immunomodulator.
How important is patient recruitment in performing clinical trials

(1999). How Important Is Patient Recruitment In Performing Clinical Trials? Journal of Asthma: Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 213-216.
Use of a High Electron-Affinity Molybdenum Dithiolene Complex to p-Dope Hole-Transport Layers

Experimental and theoretical results are presented on the electronic structure of molybdenum tris[1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl) ethane-1,2-dithiolene] (Mo(tfd)3), a high electron-affinity organometallic complex that constitutes a promising candidate as a p-dopant for organic molecular semiconductors. The electron affinity of the compound, determined via inverse photoemission spectroscopy, is 5.6 eV, which is 0.4 eV larger than that of the commonly used p-dopant F4-TCNQ. The LUMO level of Mo(tfd)3 is calculated to be delocalized over the whole molecule, which is expected to lead to low pinning potential. Efficient p-doping of a standard hole transport material (α-NPD) is demonstrated via measurements of Fermi level shifts and enhanced conductivity in α-NPD:1% Mo(tfd)3. Rutherford backscattering measurements show good stability of the three-dimensional Mo(tfd)3 molecule in the host matrix with respect to diffusion.
Tribological investigation of adaptive Mo2N/MoS2/Ag coatings with high sulfur content

Abstract Adaptive nanocomposite Mo2N/MoS2/Ag coatings were deposited on Inconel and silicon substrates by magnetron sputtering with individual targets of Mo, MoS2 and Ag. The tetragonal β-Mo2N structure in addition to Ag and MoS2 phases were detected using X-ray diffraction. The elemental composition of the coatings was investigated using Auger electron spectroscopy. The tribological properties of the coatings were studied at room temperature (RT), 350, and 600 °C against Si3N4 balls. The lowest friction coefficients that were obtained were 0.4, 0.3, and 0.1 at RT, 350 °C, and 600 °C, respectively. The average friction coefficient was maintained at 0.1 for more than 300,000 cycles at 600 °C due to the formation of lubricious silver molybdate phases at the contact surfaces. Three types of silver molybdate phases were detected by both X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy in the wear tracks, namely, Ag2Mo4O13, Ag2Mo2O7 and Ag2MoO4 depending on the Mo and Ag contents in the coatings. The superior performance of all three compounds is due to their layered structure with weaker Ag–O bridging bonds. These relatively weak bonds may shear or even break easily at high temperatures to account for the observed friction reduction.
Proclivitiy of Activated Neutrophils to Cause Postischemic Cardiac Dysfunction: Participation in Stunning?

Myocardial stunning is a reversible defect in contractile function provoked by brief episodes of ischemia followed by reperfusion. Many studies have demonstrated the potential involvement of free radicals in the etiology of myocardial stunning. While activated neutrophils have the capacity to release free radicals and evoke contractile dysfunction, it is not clear that this potential is realized in the absence of myocellular damage. Attempts to define the contribution of activated neutrophils to myocardial stunning by removing the cells from the bloodstream are contradictory, and the apparent simplicity of this seemingly logical approach is an illusion. For example, it is not known how many neutrophils are required to induce contractile failure, the site of action within the heart, the mechanisms that may be responsible, or even the time course or process of neutrophil activation. The production of free radicals and endothelial dysfunction may create conditions propitious for neutrophil recruitment. However, because activated neutrophils synthesize and release various mediators that are potentially toxic to myocardium, once the stage is reached for leukocyte accumulation, it may herald the progression from reversible to irreversible cardiac injury.
SYSTEMIC CONRTICOSTEROIDS AND FOLIC ACID ANATONISTS IN THE TREATMENT OF GENRALIZED PUSTULAR PSOBLASIS EVALUATION AND PROGNOSIS BASED ON THE STUDY OF 104 CASES

SUMMARY.— Treatment with systemically administered corticosteroids and folio acid antagonists was evaluated in 104 patients with generalized pustular psoriasis. Seventy-three were given steroids; the remainder were not. Seventeen patients died. There were more deaths and fewer lasting remissions in the steroid-treated group. Although steroids can control the pustular phase, the incidence and severity ot side effects seriously reduced their long-term value. Steroid treated patients tended to suffer increasingly severe generalized pustular relapses often precipitated by attempted withdrawal of the steroid. Satisfactory control with minimal or no side effects was achieved in only 12 out of 73 patients. Forty-seven patients received folic acid antagonists, predominantly methotrexate. In 37 the pustules were cleared by the drug at some stage. Response to methotrexate was less satisfactory in patients previously treated with steroids, but it was of particular value in covering steroid withdrawal in patients whose disease had become refractory to the latter or in whom serious steroid side effects had developed. There were 8 deaths among the methotrexate treated patients, 3 of which were directly attributable to the drug. In 16 other patients treatment had to be discontinued because of side effects. Methotrexate w as responsible mainly for the minor short-term complications and steroids for the more serious long-term ones. The outlook for spontaneous and long-lasting remission was much greater in younger patients and in those with a previous history of long-standing ordinary psoriasis.
Version augmented URIs for reference permanencevia an Apache module design

The World Wide Web is perhaps the most convenient library resource ever to exist. Yet it also suffers from a critical flaw: WWW document citations existing as clickable links and as standard references in printed documents are quite unreliable. This arises from the ease with which these documents may be altered. Alteration of cited WWW documents may lead to the citations themselves becoming invalid or inaccurate. Printed documents are less prone to such problems due to the greater difficulty in altering or eradicating them. As a consequence of the alterability of WWW documents, the whole traditional system of new work building upon an archive of unchangeable previous work ceases to be valid. For the first time in history, documents are being built upon a shifting foundation to an extent of ever increasing and serious proportions. This work investigates a system aimed at encouraging the stability of WWW documents. In doing so it helps to preserve the accuracy of citations over time. The system presented extends a document's URI (Universal Resource Identifier) to include date or revision information thus allowing document providers to permit users to refer accurately to a particular document version. This paper both describes the system and demonstrates its use. The system is implemented as an Apache WWW server module. The module processes and retrieves documents referenced with extended URIs. It provides a model public domain system for alleviating the problem of content stable WWW documents.
Fluid-to-Fluid Spot-to-Spreader (F2/S2) Hybrid Heat Sink for Integrated Chip-Level and Hot Spot-Level Thermal Management

An innovative heat sink design aimed at meeting both the hot spot and large background heat flux requirements of next generation integrated circuits is presented. The heat sink design utilizes two separate unmixed fluids to meet the cooling requirements of the chip with one fluid acting as a fluidic spreader dedicated to cooling the hot spots only while the second fluid serves as both a coolant for the background heat fluxes and an on-chip regenerator for the hot spot fluid. In this paper the conceptual heat sink design is presented and its theoretical capabilities are explored through optimization calculations and computational fluid dynamics simulations. It has been shown that through close coupling of the two thermal fluids the proposed hybrid heat sink can theoretically remove hot spot heat fluxes on the order of 1 kW/cm 2 and background heat fluxes up to 100 W/cm 2 in one compact and efficient package. Additionally it has been shown that the F2/S2 design can handle these thermal loads with a relatively small pressure drop penalty, within the realm of existing micropump technologies. Finally the feasibility of the F2/S2 design was demonstrated experimentally by modifying a commercially available, air-cooled aluminum heat sink to accommodate an integrated hot spot cooling system and fluidic spreader. The results of these experiments, where the prototype heat sink was able to remove hot spot heat fluxes of up to 365 W/cm 2 and background heat fluxes of up to 20 W/cm 2 , are reported.
Assessing the Status of Alaska's Glaciers

The glaciers of Alaska and northwestern Canada have long been considered important contributors to global sea level, but their remoteness has complicated efforts to quantify how their mass is changing. Nearly 30 years ago, the first regional assessment—based on data from only three glaciers and a largely intuitive regional extrapolation scheme—suggested that Alaska's glaciers accounted for more than one-third of the total sea-level contribution from glaciers and ice caps (excluding ice sheets) ( 1 ). Recently, global maps of water-mass variations, developed using satellite measurements of Earth's gravitational field (gravimetry), confirm with remarkable clarity the large role Alaska glaciers play in the global sea-level budget (see the figure). Far from solving the puzzle, however, these and other new observation technologies are revealing unexpected complexities in the magnitude and rate at which Alaska glaciers respond to climate.
Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate and inositol hexakisphosphate receptor proteins: isolation and characterization from rat brain.

Abstract High-affinity, membrane-associated inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4) and inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) binding proteins were solubilized and isolated utilizing a heparin-agarose resin followed by an IP4 affinity resin. The IP6 receptor comprises a protein complex of 115-, 105-, and 50-kDa subunits, all of which comigrate under native conditions. The Kd of the receptor for IP6 is 12 nM, whereas inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate (IP5), IP4, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) are 50%, 30%, and 15%, respectively, as potent. Two protein complexes copurify with the IP4 receptor fraction. A 182/123-kDa complex elutes first from the affinity column followed by a 174/84-kDa protein complex, which elutes at higher salt. Both complexes show high affinity for IP4 (Kd = 3-4 nM). IP5, IP6, and IP3 display approximately 25%, 10%, and 0.1%, respectively, the affinity of IP4. Ligand binding to IP6 and IP4 receptors is inhibited 50% by heparin at 0.1 microgram/ml. IP4 receptor proteins are stoichiometrically phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C, whereas negligible phosphorylation is observed for the IP6 receptor.
Spectrograph for photometric imaging with numeric reconstruction (SPINR) simulations

Our spectrograph for photometric imaging with numeric reconstruction uses a novel technique to produce 2D spectral images using a 1D imaging spectrometer. By varying the dispersion direction with respect to the center of the field-of-view, we produce a series of images with the intensity of each pixel equal to the integrated intensity of the field-of-view along the dispersion direction. Reconstruction of the 2D spectral image from this series of profiles can be accomplished with a variety of numerical methods. We present results obtained using the maximum entropy algorithm on lab tests, which include expected instrument noise, and compare this method to analytical backprojection methods. Finally, in each of these tests, we present improvements in speed over previous results through code optimization, which improves the viability of using the maximum entropy algorithm for spectroscopic imaging.
Lévy dynamics of enhanced diffusion: Application to turbulence.

We introduce a stochastic process called a L\'evy walk which is a random walk with a nonlocal memory coupled in space and in time in a scaling fashion. L\'evy walks result in enhanced diffusion, i.e., diffusion that grows as ${\mathrm{t}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}$,\ensuremath{\alpha}g1. When applied to the description of a passive scalar diffusing in a fluctuating fluid flow the model generalizes Taylor's correlated-walk approach. It yields Richardson's ${\mathrm{t}}^{3}$ law for the turbulent diffusion of a passive scalar in a Kolmogorov -(5/3) homogeneous turbulent flow and also gives the deviations from the (5/3) exponent resulting from Mandelbrot's intermittency. The model can be extended to studies of chemical reactions in turbulent flow.
A shock tube ignition delay study of conventional diesel fuel and hydroprocessed renewable diesel fuel from algal oil

Abstract Ignition delay time measurements were made using the shock tube method for a conventional petroleum-derived military diesel fuel, F-76, and an alternative hydroprocessed renewable diesel fuel derived from hydroprocessing algal oils, HRD-76. Measurements were made in the reflected shock region using pressure and chemiluminescence and carried out for temperatures ranging from 671 to 1266 K, at nominal pressures of 10 and 20 atm, and for fuel–air equivalence ratios of 0.5 and 1.0. The measurements show that the high-temperature (>1000 K) reactivity of the two fuels is indistinguishable and very similar to that for petroleum-derived and alternative jet fuels and biodiesels. While at low temperatures (
Token bucket characterization of long-range dependent traffic

The token bucket characterization provides a deterministic yet concise representation of a traffic source. In this paper, we study the impact of the long-range dependence (LRD) property of traffic generated by today's multimedia applications on the optimal dimensioning of token bucket parameters. To this aim, we empirically illustrate the difference between the token bucket characteristics of traffic exhibiting different degrees of time dependence but with identical macroscopic properties (i.e. inter-arrival time and packet size distributions). In addition, we use a statistical model to analytically determine optimal token bucket parameters under various optimization criteria. The statistical model is based on fractional Brownian motion and takes LRD into account. We apply this model to several aggregated MPEG video sources. We then assess the validity of these analytic results by comparing them to empirical results. We conclude that the analytic approach presented here is effective in optimally sizing token buckets for LRD traffic, and promises to be applicable under different traffic conditions and for various optimization criteria.
Current account dynamics and optimal monetary policy in a small-open economy

This paper studies a small open economy with two sectors. In a perfect foresight, rational expectation general equilibrium model, with sticky prices in the non-traded goods sector, the current account responses to monetary shocks depend on the elasticity of substitution between consumption and risk aversion, the country's initial net foreign asset position, and the degree of monopolistic competition. The current account reacts quite efficiently to technological shocks in a small open economy. The welfare gain for households from adopting optimal monetary policy in contrast to constant money growth rule is quantitatively small.
Iterative methodology and designer training in human-computer interface design

One of the most promising methods for user interface design is the iterative design methodology. To this point only case study support for this method has been given. There are still many unanswered questions about the effectiveness of this method. One difficulty encountered in user interface design is knowing what set of knowledge and skill the designer must possess to ensure good user interface design. Many different people have designed user interfaces for computer systems. These people came from a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints. Two of the most common groups involved in user interface design are human factors specialists and programmers. This study investigates these two issues. One factor in this study is the iterative design methodology. An empirical evaluation of this method was conducted. The strengths and weaknesses of this method are discussed. A second factor in this study is a comparison of human factors specialists and programmers in an actual user interface design task. The results of this study indicate that iterative design methodology can improve the usability of a product. The amount of the improvement may be constrained by the original design. This study also supports the use of human factors specialists in user interface design. A significant difference between designs produced by human factors specialists and programmers was found.
Effects of Dynamics and Environment on 15N Chemical Shielding Anisotropy in Proteins. A Combination of Density Functional Theory, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and NMR Relaxation

The interpretation of nuclear spin relaxation data of biomolecules often requires the accurate knowledge of chemical shielding anisotropy (CSA) tensors, which significantly depend on the environmen...
Turbulent Prandtl number effect on passive scalar advection

Abstract A generalization of Kraichnan’s model of passive scalar advection is considered. Physically motivated regularizations of the model are considered which take into account both the effects of viscosity and molecular diffusion. The balance between these two effects on the inertial range behavior for the scalar is shown to be parameterized by a new turbulent Prandtl number. Three different regimes are identified in the parameter space depending on degrees of compressibility. In the strongly and weakly compressible regimes, the inertial range behavior of the scalar does not depend on the turbulent Prandtl number. In the regime of intermediate compressibility, the inertial range behavior does depend on the turbulent Prandtl number.
Comparison of Apolipoprotein and Proteoglycan Deposits in Human Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaques Colocalization of Biglycan With Apolipoproteins

Background—Because the content of specific proteoglycans and apolipoproteins is increased in atherosclerotic plaques and in vitro studies have suggested a role for proteoglycans in mediating plaque apolipoprotein (apo) retention, immunohistochemistry was performed to systematically examine the relative locations of proteoglycans and apolipoproteins in human atherosclerosis. Methods and Results—The spatial relationships of versican, biglycan, and apoE were compared on 68 human coronary artery segments; apoA-I and apoB also were evaluated on an additional 20 segments. Nonatherosclerotic intima contained extensive deposits of versican, whereas deposits of apoE, apoB, and apoA-I were much less prevalent. In contrast, nearly all atherosclerotic segments contained substantial deposits of biglycan, apoE, apoA-I, and apoB. There was a high degree of colocalization of apoE and biglycan deposits. ApoA-I, the major apolipoprotein of HDL, and apoB also were detected in regions with apoE and biglycan deposition. Excep...
Current research in childhood depression - introduction.

Several years ago I advocated continuing interest and exploration in the field of affective disorders in children despite the confusion and wide diversity of views in this area (Cytryn, 1977). I am certainly gratified by the gradual acceptance by the mental health professionals of childhood affective illness as a valid clinical entity. This is in contrast to the skepticism or even nihilism which was often prevalent in the not too distant past. However, there are still many unanswered questions which only further research may clarify. This special section presents a sampling of recent research efforts in this area. There seems to be an emerging consensus about the existence of major affective disorders in children which can be classified according to adult criteria (Cytryn et al., 1979; Kovacs and Beck, 1977; Puig-Antich et al., 1978). Carlson and Cantwell, in their paper, join this general trend. It is still uncertain, however, how frequently such major affective disorders occur in childhood. Most likely there are more children who present with symptoms of depression of lesser severity; the possibility that this group is related to major affective illness cannot be discounted. Specifically, depressive symptoms may represent forerunners of such illness in ad-
Crystal Growth and Intergrowth Structure of the New Heavy Fermion Materials CeIrIn5 and CeRhIn5

The structures of the new heavy fermion materials CeIrIn5 and CeRhIn5 have been determined by single-crystal neutron (R(F)=0.051) and X-ray (R(F)=0.056) diffraction, respectively. Both compounds adopt tetragonal structure, space group P4/mmm (No. 123), Z=1, a=b=4.674(1) A, and c=7.501(5) A for CeIrIn5, and a=b=4.656(2) A, and c=7.542(1) A for CeRhIn5. The possible presence of antisite disorder, a long-standing question on this type of structure, was excluded by both electron and-neutron or X-ray diffraction. The compounds are built by monolayers of face-sharing distorted cuboctahedra [CeIn3] and monolayers of edge-sharing rectangular parallelepipeds [RhIn2] or [IrIn2], stacked alternatively in the [001] direction. Therefore, they are new members of the inhomogeneous linear homologous series MmTnT′3m+2n. Because of their ordered intergrowth structure, the physical properties of the quasi-two-dimensional heavy electron systems CeIrIn5 and CeRhIn5 can be directly compared with the corresponding ones of their parent compound, the three-dimensional heavy fermion material CeIn3.
Gastrointestinal parasites in dogs from the Island of St. Pierre off the south coast of Newfoundland

The present work was performed to survey the gastrointestinal parasites of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and also to determine if any were infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum (French Heartworm), on the French Island of St. Pierre off the south coast of Newfoundland. A total of 57 fecal samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of parasitism was 57.9% and the six species found were: Uncinaria stenocephala/Ancylostoma caninum (47.4%), Toxocara canis (22.8%), Isospora canis (8.8%), Trichuris vulpis (7.0%), and Alaria canis (1.8%). There was no significant difference in overall prevalence between genders, except for T. canis, which was more common in female dogs than male dogs (p < 0.05).