cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topographic Variation of Retinal Vascular Density in Normal Eyes Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose To establish a continuous topography of retinal vessel density in normal eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods A retrospective chart review was performed, and 8-mm × 8-mm OCTA images from 22 normal eyes were analyzed. Vessel density was plotted as a continuous function of distance from the foveal center (radial vessel density) and directional meridians (directional vessel density) for the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus. Results Continuous radial and directional vessel density plots for the superficial and deep capillary plexus were generated. Radial vessel density analysis revealed transition points at 657 microns (95% confidence interval [CI], 619-696) and 950 microns (95% CI, 903-997) from the foveal center for the superficial plexus and deep plexus, respectively. Directional vessel density analysis demonstrated significant vessel density variations in these vascular layers and provided greater detail compared to traditional quadrant analysis. Conclusions There are significant topographic variations of retinal vessel density in normal eyes. Continuous vessel density analysis offers greater sensitivity in detecting topographic vessel density changes compared to traditional methods of analysis. Translational relevance This study establishes a normative continuous vessel density topography that may help elucidate the role of the vascular bed in different chorioretinal diseases.
Kinetics and mechanism of the binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to apoglutamate decarboxylase. Evidence for a rate-determining conformation change.

Abstract The rate of binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to apoglutamate decarboxylase from Escherichia coli can be measured by absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and enzyme activity. All four methods give the same results under all conditions examined. At pH 4.9 in pyridinium chloride buffers the binding at a given coenzyme concentration follows first order kinetics. The rate is not first order in coenzyme, but instead levels off at coenzyme concentrations near 1 mm. A plot of the reciprocal of the observed first order rate constant versus the reciprocal of the coenzyme concentration is linear. The binding of 4-deoxypyridoxine 5'-phosphate, like that of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, follows saturation kinetics, and thus involves at least two distinct steps. The dissociation constant for the first step (0.084 mm) and the rate constant for the second step (0.14 min-1) differ only slightly from those for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate under the same conditions (0.19 mm and 0.20 min-1, respectively). The pKa of the phenolic hydroxyl group of the deoxy compound is shifted downward by more than 3 units on binding to the enzyme. These data are used to derive a general mechanism for the binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to glutamate decarboxylase. [see PDF for equation] Complex-I is a rapidly formed complex in which there is weak association between the phosphate of the coenzyme or analog and the protein. The interconversion of Complex-I and Complex-II is a conformation change of the protein and is rate-determining. The catalytically active Schiff base is formed in the last step. The kinetic constants in the above scheme vary according to the anion present. Much faster binding is observed in pyridinium chloride buffer than in pyridinium sulfate or acetate. Fluoride is also a potent a ctivator of the binding The rate constant for the binding of the coenzyme under optimum conditions is at least 100-fold smaller than that predicted from model reactions. In dilute solution and at higher pH the enzyme dissociates into subunits. Coenzyme binding to the dissociated enzyme is several times faster than binding to the aggregated enzyme. 3-Pyridinemethanol phosphate, benzyl phosphate, and inorganic phosphate inhibit the binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to apoglutamate decarboxylase. The inhibition constants are 3.0, 25, and 40 mm, respectively, at pH 4.9. This indicates that the binding of the coenzyme to the protein involves ionic bonding to the phosphate and hydrogen bonding to the pyridine nitrogen, but probably not hydrophobic or charge-transfer bonding to the aromatic ring.
Production of Methyl Ketones from Secondary Alcohols by Cell Suspensions of C(2) to C(4)n-Alkane-Grown Bacteria.

Nineteen new C2 to C4n-alkane-grown cultures were isolated from lake water from Warinanco Park, Linden, N.J., and from lake and soil samples from Bayway Refinery, Linden, N.J. Fifteen known liquid alkane-utilizing cultures were also found to be able to grow on C2 to C4n-alkanes. Cell suspensions of these C2 to C4n-alkane-grown bacteria oxidized 2-alcohols (2-propanol, 2-butanol, 2-pentanol, and 2-hexanol) to their corresponding methyl ketones. The product methyl ketones accumulated extracellularly. Cells grown on 1-propanol or 2-propanol oxidized both primary and secondary alcohols. In addition, the activity for production of methyl ketones from secondary alcohols was found in cells grown on either alkanes, alcohols, or alkylamines, indicating that the enzyme(s) responsible for this reaction is constitutive. The optimum conditions for in vivo methyl ketone formation from secondary alcohols were compared among selected strains: Brevibacterium sp. strain CRL56, Nocardia paraffinica ATCC 21198, and Pseudomonas fluorescens NRRL B-1244. The rates for the oxidation of secondary alcohols were linear for the first 3 h of incubation. Among secondary alcohols, 2-propanol and 2-butanol were oxidized at the highest rate. A pH around 8.0 to 9.0 was found to be the optimum for acetone or 2-butanone formation from 2-alcohols. The temperature optimum for the production of acetone or 2-butanone from 2-propanol or 2-butanol was rather high at 60°C, indicating that the enzyme involved in the reaction is relatively thermally stable. Metal-chelating agents inhibit the production of methyl ketones, suggesting the involvement of a metal(s) in the oxidation of secondary alcohols. Secondary alcohol dehydrogenase activity was found in the cell-free soluble fraction; this activity requires a cofactor, specifically NAD. Propane monooxygenase activity was also found in the cell-free soluble fraction. It is a nonspecific enzyme catalyzing both terminal and subterminal oxidation of n-alkanes.
Twentieth century surge of excess adult male mortality

Using historical data from 1,763 birth cohorts from 1800 to 1935 in 13 developed countries, we show that what is now seen as normal—a large excess of female life expectancy in adulthood—is a demographic phenomenon that emerged among people born in the late 1800s. We show that excess adult male mortality is clearly rooted in specific age groups, 50–70, and that the sex asymmetry emerged in cohorts born after 1880 when male:female mortality ratios increased by as much as 50% from a baseline of about 1.1. Heart disease is the main condition associated with increased excess male mortality for those born after 1900. We further show that smoking-attributable deaths account for about 30% of excess male mortality at ages 50–70 for cohorts born in 1900–1935. However, after accounting for smoking, substantial excess male mortality at ages 50–70 remained, particularly from cardiovascular disease. The greater male vulnerability to cardiovascular conditions emerged with the reduction in infectious mortality and changes in health-related behaviors.
Culture, gender, and the first memories of black and white American students

A pattern of delayed offset of childhood amnesia in Asian cultures has been attributed to the influence of the collectivist orientation of these cultures. To explore the generality of this finding, black and white American students were compared in two studies. A culture X gender interaction was observed in both studies; black women were approximately 11-16 months older at the time of their first memory than were black men, white women, and white men. In the second study, analyses of memory content indicated that black women were least likely to report personal experiences and most likely to report experiences from family or wider social contexts. Overall, black participants rated their memories as more vivid, but there were culture X gender interactions for ratings of emotional intensity and coherence. We consider multiple influences on age at first memory, including distal influences, gender themes in self-construal, and proximal influences on search criteria.
Cellularity, mechanical failure, and textural perception of corn meal extrudates

Relationships among cellular structure, fracturability, and sensory properties in porous, brittle extrudates were investigated. Corn-based extrudates intentionally processed to exhibit a range of physical structures were characterized in terms of cell size distribution, bulk density, mechanical strength, fracturability, and sensory attributes. These measurements show both mechanical strength, defined by average compressive stress during extended deformation, and fracturability, quantified by fractal and Fourier analyses of stress-strain functions, increasing with either decreasing mean cell size or increasing bulk density. Fracturability parameters or structural characteristics are furthermore correlated with sensory scores for crunchiness, crispness, hardness and perceived density. These results indicate that cellularity strongly influences the pattern of mechanical failure and that failure characteristics, such as fractal dimension or power spectrum of stress-strain functions, are reflective of sensory texture.
Phosphorylation of Thyroid Hormone Receptor-associated Nuclear Receptor Corepressor Holocomplex by the DNA-dependent Protein Kinase Enhances Its Histone Deacetylase Activity

It is well documented that unliganded thyroid hormone receptor (TR) functions as a transcriptional repressor of specific cellular target genes by acting in concert with a corepressor complex harboring histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. To fully explore the cofactors that interact with the transcriptionally repressive form of TR, we biochemically isolated a multiprotein complex that assembles on a TR·retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimer in HeLa nuclear extracts and identified its polypeptide components by mass spectrometry. A subset of TR·RXR-associated polypeptides included NCoR, SMRT, TBL1, and HDAC3, which represent the core components of a previously described NCoR/SMRT corepressor complex. We also identified several polypeptides that constitute a DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) enzyme complex, a regulator of DNA repair, recombination, and transcription. These polypeptides included the catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs, the regulatory subunits Ku70 and Ku86, and the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1. Density gradient fractionation and immunoprecipitation analyses provided evidence for the existence of a high molecular weight TR·RXR·corepressor holocomplex containing both NCoR/SMRT and DNA-PK complexes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies confirmed that unliganded TR·RXR recruits both complexes to the triiodothyronine-responsive region of growth hormone gene in vivo. Interestingly, DNA-PKcs, a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase family, was found to phosphorylate HDAC3 when the purified TR·RXR·corepressor holocomplex was incubated with ATP. This phosphorylation was accompanied by a significant enhancement of the HDAC activity of this complex. Collectively, our results indicated that DNA-PK promotes the establishment of a repressive chromatin at a TR target promoter by enhancing the HDAC activity of the receptor-bound NCoR/SMRT corepressor complex.
Mechanisms of oxygen plasma damage of amine and methyl terminated organosilicate low-k dielectrics from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations based on density functional theory were used to probe the interactions of O(1D) and O(3P) radicals on trimethylcyclictrisiloxane (TMCTS) and aminated TMCTS (TMCTS-NH2)—a model system for vicinal and aminated organosilicate glass (OSG) low-k dielectric materials. The roles of triplet, O(3P), and singlet, O(1D), interactions were investigated, as well as the directional and energetic dependence of the plasma on the product species. O(1D) attack resulted in the development of complex bonding states including Si–CH3O and Si–O–NH2. In contrast the O(3P) bombardment resulted in the removal of H, CH3, C2HO or OH− from the TMCTS molecule. In the amine terminated model OSG molecule, TMCTS-NH2, H and OH–groups were removed but the Si–NH2 bond remained stable over the energy range 0.1–5.0 eV for all but one of the directions investigated. Therefore, the Si–NH2 bond is shown to be significantly more stable than the Si–CH3 and is resistant to changes in bombardment angles and energies. The data explains recent experimental results demonstrating enhanced resistance of aminated OSG films to O2 plasma-induced carbon loss, and suggest that these methods can provide a predictive tool for understanding plasma damage in OSG films with both terminal and methyl carbon species.
Laser-initiated polymerization of a thiol-ene system

Abstract Polymerization exotherms of a photopolymerizable thiol-ene system were generated by a pulsed laser source and recorded on a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a specially designed thin-foil heat-flow meter. The laser was operated in both a multiple-pulse and a single-pulse mode. The rate and extent of polymerization increased significantly with the laser average power density, while the rate of polymerization was essentially independent of the energy density per pulse. Using a relatively low-intensity nitrogen laser in the single-pulse mode, a unique method for detecting and characterizing oxygen inhibition of polymerizable monomers was used to generate a curve for diffusion of oxygen (air) into the thiol-ene resin system. A single pulse from a high-intensity xenon fluoride laser readily overcame the oxygen inhibition.
Development of high efficiency mono-crystalline silicon solar cells: Optimization of rear local contacts formation on dielectrically passivated surfaces

An integration process was developed for the fabrication of rear passivated point contact solar cells achieving 19.36% conversion efficiency by using 156×156mm, pseudo square, p-type single crystalline silicon wafers. This is a significant improvement when compared to unpassivated, full area aluminum back surface field solar cells, which exhibit only 18.64% conversion efficiency on the same wafer type. The rear surface was passivated with a Al 2 O 3 layer and a SiN X capping layer. The thicknesses of individual films were optimized to obtain maximum minority carrier lifetimes. The rear surface contact pattern was created by laser ablation and the contact geometry was optimized to obtain voids free contact filling resulting in a uniform back surface field. Internal quantum efficiency and reflectance measurement show significant improvement in rear passivated cells in the infrared wavelength region in comparison to reference cells. The rear surface internal reflectivity for the passivated cell was 93% while that for the reference cell was only about 73%. The rear surface recombination velocity for the rear passivated cell was about 52 cm/s while that for the reference cell was about 300 cm/s. The efficiency gain in rear passivated cells over the reference cells is mainly due to improved short circuit current and open circuit voltage. However, rear passivated solar cells show lower fill factors due to increased series resistance.
Constructive memory: The ghosts of past and future

A memory that works by piecing together bits of the past may be better suited to simulating future events than one that is a store of perfect records.
Site selective excitation of 1-hydronaphthyl radical in irradiated naphthalene crystal

Abstract Fluorescence excitation spectrum of the 1-hydronaphthyl radical is observed by site selective laser excitation. The proposal by Jacobsen et al., that the origin of the radical is dual, is confirmed.
Dietary putrescine reduces the intestinal anticarcinogenic activity of sulindac in a murine model of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Abstract: The nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug sulindac displays chemopreventive activity in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Sulindac metabolites induce apoptosis in colon tumor cells, in part, by a polyamine-dependent mechanism that can be suppressed with exogenous putrescine. To determine the relevance of this mechanism in animals, we treated ApcMin/+ mice, a model of human FAP, with sulindac alone or in combination with dietary putrescine. Sulindac increased steady-state RNA levels and enzymatic activity of the polyamine catabolic enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase and intestinal levels of monoacetylspermidine, spermidine, and spermine in the small intestine of mice. Sulindac also decreased the activity of the biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase but not adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AMD). Dietary putrescine increased intestinal putrescine contents, whereas the combination of dietary putrescine and sulindac yielded the highest levels of intestinal putrescin...
Induction of Oxidative Stress by Chronic Administration of Sodium Dichromate [Chromium VI] and Cadmium Chloride [Cadmium II] to Rats

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that both chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) induce an oxidative stress, as determined by increased hepatic lipid peroxidation, hepatic glutathione depletion, hepatic nuclear DNA damage, and excretion of urinary lipid metabolites. However, whether chronic exposure to low levels of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) will produce an oxidative stress is not shown. The effects of oral, low (0.05 LD50) doses of sodium dichromate [Cr(VI); 2.5 mg/kg/d] and cadmium chloride [Cd(II); 4.4 mg/kg/d] in water on hepatic and brain mitochondrial and microsomal lipid peroxidation, excretion of urinary lipid metabolites including malondialdehyde, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone, and hepatic nuclear DNA-single strand breaks (SSB) were examined in female Sprague–Dawley rats over a period of 120 d. The animals were treated daily using an intragastric feeding needle. Maximum increases in hepatic and brain lipid peroxidation were observed between 60 and 75 d of treatment with both cations. Following Cr(VI) administration for 75 d, maximum increases in the urinary excretion of malondialdehyde, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were 2.1-, 1.8-, 2.1-, and 2.1-fold, respectively, while under the same conditions involving Cd(II) administration approximately 1.8-, 1.5-, 1.9-, and 1.5-fold increases were observed, respectively, as compared to control values. Following administration of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) for 75 d, approximately 2.4-and 3.8-fold increases in hepatic nuclear DNA-SSB were observed, respectively, while approximately 1.3- and 2.0-fold increases in brain nuclear DNA-SSB were observed, respectively. The results clearly indicate that low dose chronic administration of sodium dichromate and cadmium chloride induces an oxidative stress resulting in tissue damaging effects that may contribute to the toxicity and carcinogenicity of these two cations. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.
Role of base composition in the electrophoresis of microbial and crab DNA in polyacrylamide gels.

Intramolecular heterogeneity of eukaryotic nuclear DNA is shown by main-band and satellite DNAs. The function of the latter is uncertain, but they migrate more slowly in electrophoresis; this seems to be determined by base composition.
MRI in staging of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract worldwide. In the United States, more than 20,000 people may be diagnosed with gastric cancer and more than 12,000 will die from it in 2001 [1]. Most (90%) gastric cancers are adenocarinomas, and the remaining cases consist of lymphoma, sarcoma, and other rare entities [2]. Surgery is the standard form of treatment, and the indications and types of procedures are determined based on TNM staging classification [3, 4]. For precise staging, endoscopy, barium study, and computed tomography (CT) have been the traditional methods. However, because of recent technologic developments , magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a promising modality for the staging of the gastric cancer [5–17]. However, at the present time, the usefulness of MRI for the staging of gastric cancer is controversial [18, 19]. In this article, we review the recent developments of MRI for the staging of gastric cancer.
Effect of cyclo-oxygenase inhibition on in vitro B-cell function after burn injury

The role of PGE2 in suppression of B-cell function after burn injury was investigated. Splenocytes from burned or sham-burned mice were isolated 8 days after burn injury and cultured with lipopolysaccharide with or without the addition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or indomethacin (Indo). Anti-peptidoglycan polysaccharide immunoglobulin (Ig)M (specific antibody to a bacterial antigen), total IgM, and total IgG levels in culture supernatant and lymphocyte proliferation were measured. All B-cell functions were significantly suppressed by burn injury. PGE2 suppressed all B-cell functions except for IgG synthesis. Indo restored anti-peptidoglycan polysaccharide IgM to normal levels, but did not have a significant effect on suppressed proliferation and total IgM synthesis. IgG synthesis was increased by PGE2 and inhibited by Indo. Although not all B-cell suppression was accounted for by PGE2, this prostaglandin appeared to be a mechanism responsible for impaired antigen specific antibody response and isotype switching. Successful restoration of specific antibody synthesis to bacterial antigen suggests a potential therapeutic role for a cyclo-oxygenase blocking agent after burn injury.
Drugging Sphingosine Kinases

The transfer of the gamma phosphate from ATP to sphingosine (Sph) to generate a small signaling molecule, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), is catalyzed by sphingosine kinases (SphK), which exist as two isoforms, SphK1 and SphK2. SphK is a key regulator of S1P and the S1P:Sph/ceramide ratio. Increases in S1P levels have been linked to diseases including sickle cell disease, cancer, and fibrosis. Therefore, SphKs are potential targets for drug discovery. However, the current chemical biology toolkit needed to validate these enzymes as drug targets is inadequate. With this review, we survey in vivo active SphK inhibitors and highlight the need for developing more potent and selective inhibitors.
Anisotropy and marginality in the two-dimensional fully frustrated Ising model

The effect of anisotropy is investigated in the two-dimensional fully frustrated Ising model on a square lattice. It is shown that the anisotropy acts like a symmetry-breaking field by lowering the symmetries of the ground state. The stress tensor is found to be a relevant operator at $T=0$. A particular form of anisotropy which does not destroy the critical behavior is also studied. The introduction of a special second-neighbor interaction leads to continuous change of the exponent $\ensuremath{\eta}$.
Periodic fluid transients in cylindrical ducts with transverse magnetic fields

This paper treats periodic fluid transients in liquid metals contained in constant-area circular ducts with uniform, transverse, applied magnetic fields. The magnetic Reynolds and Mach numbers are assumed to be small, and the Reynolds number is assumed to be large. By the use of a complex coordinate transformation, closed-form solutions are obtained for the perfectly conducting duct. By the same technique, solutions in series of Mathieu functions are obtained for the fully insultating duct. A method for solving the dispersion relation for each case is outlined, and sample numerical results are presented.
Political parties and democratization in South Korea: The mass public and the democractic consolidation of political parties

This study examines the growth of popular support for a competitive multi‐party system as an indicator of democratic consolidation in South Korea. Using a national sample survey conducted in November 1993, it demonstrates that the South Korean mass public has been very slow to develop affective, behavioural, cognitive and evaluative links to political parties which, however, constitute an integral channel for representing its preferences in the policy‐making process. Contrary to the tenets of the neo‐corporatist and other theoretical models, this study finds that the failure of political parties to democratize their performance has been, and remains, a major factor inhibiting the development of popular support for a democratic party system. Based on this and other findings, we would predict much continuing difficulty and uncertainty in the process of consolidating South Korean political parties into a fully democratic party system.
PC-based workstation for global PACS remote consultation and diagnosis in rural clinics

Most rural clinics across the country have limited facilities to provide state-of-the-art medical services. The availability of enabling technologies, such as telecommunication networks, multimedia workstations, and telemedicine systems which provide medical services to patients without requiring them to travel from their cities represents a great step in patient care. In previous work, we have developed a distributed software for remote consultation and diagnosis (RCD) in a Global PACS environment over the Internet. The RCD system has been designed and tested on DEC and SUN workstations. In this paper, we present a Unix-PC based platform to implement the RCD over a standard telephone line and Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP). The Unix-PC platform offers an inexpensive option for telemedicine workstations in rural clinics, where no Internet is available. If an Internet connection is available at the rural clinic, full RCD multimedia services are possible. The Unix-PC platform has been developed by using Linux, a Unix-like operating system available from several public sites over the Internet. We call the system PC-PACS. The PC-PACS workstation has been tested from different rural sites by connecting the Unix-PC system to the Internet through SLIP. Once the system is connected, RCD sessions have been performed between the Unix- PC platform and SUN workstations. The tests have included diagnosis on radiology and pathology images. A separate telephone line for voice communications during the RCD session is required. This paper describes performance tests for the PC-based workstation and the RCD system over SLIP and Ethernet interfaces. Results show acceptable performance of the workstation and the RCD software.
Monarchs and Mamluks, or How Do You Say “Thank You” for $20 Billion

The causes and processes of the Arab Spring movements are less important for current political developments than the responses to those movements by states that were not directly involved. After discussing the Turkish, Israeli, Iranian, and American responses, the focus turns to the recently announced military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Did the Saudi government conspire with the Egyptian high command to plot the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Cairo? If so, as seems likely, was the United States aware of the conspiracy? More importantly, what does the linkage between the Egyptian army and Saudi and Gulf financial support for President al-Sisi's regime suggest for the future of stability and legitimate rule in the Arab world?
Semiochemicals from Fungal Associates of Bark Beetles May Mediate Host Location Behavior of Parasitoids

In laboratory olfactometer bioassays, females of two hymenopteran parasitoid species, Roptrocerus xylophagorum(Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Spathius pallidus(Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), were attracted to odors from bark or bolts of loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., colonized by bluestain fungi (genus Ophiostoma) associated with the parasitoids' bark beetle hosts. Mock-inoculated bolts and bark were less attractive or unattractive in these bioassays. Bark infested with host larvae that lacked their fungal and other normal microbial associates was attractive to R. xylophagorum females, but was less so than bark infested with larvae possessing their normal complement of associated microbes. In contrast, in oviposition bioassays, R. xylophagorum females spent approximately equal time searching, made similar numbers of oviposition attempts, parasitized similar percentages of hosts, and laid similar numbers of eggs in bark fragments infested with either associate-free or associate-bearing host larvae. Furthermore, in field bioassays using bluestain-inoculated or mock-inoculated loblolly pine bolts as sources of attractants, the numbers of parasitoids attracted by the two treatments did not differ significantly and the two treatments were less attractive than bolts naturally infested with bark beetle larvae. Whereas our laboratory olfactometer data suggest that bark beetle fungal associates may enhance attraction of some parasitoids, our bioassays with associate-free hosts indicate that associate-produced are not required for short-range host location and parasitization. In addition, our field trials indicated that long-range attraction of parasitoids to the host-fungi-tree complex is not caused simply by an interaction between bluestain fungi and tree tissues.
Comparison of catalyzed and homogeneous reactions of hydrocarbons for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx

When NO2 (0.21% in He) was passed over CoZSM-5 or HZSM-5 at SVH = 45,000 h-1, equlibrium with NO + O2 was approached at temperatures above 673 K. The reactions of NO2 + CH4 NO2 + CH4 + O2, and NO + CH4 + O2 were compared over these catalysts and in the empty reactor. The latter two reactions yielded essentially identical results when catalyzed, as did NO2 + CH4 up to about 22% conversion of CH4, i.e., to the point where the oxygen supply became exhausted. Without added O2, NO appeared as a reduction product of NO2 along with N2. In the empty reactor, no N2 was formed although NO2 could be quantitatively reduced to NO; combustion of CH4 with O2 (or with NO) alone was not observed at temperatures less than 873 K, but light-off with NO2 or NOx + O2 occurred at about 723 K. In the absence of O2, the homogeneous CH4 conversion was limited to about 22% at 873 K where the conversion of NO2 to NO reached 100%. With added O2, conversion of CH4 reached 62% at 873 K and approached 100% under more severe conditions. These data illustrate the key role played by NO2 in the selective catalytic reduction reaction. They also show that a catalyst is necessary for the formation of N2 and emphasize the importance of O2 in maintaining an adequate supply of NO2, particularly at temperatures above 800 K where equilibrium favors NO. When C3H8 or i-C4H10 was substituted for CH4, the order of reactivity was i-C4H10 > C3H8 > CH4 in both the catalyzed and the homogeneous reactions. Moreover, in the empty reactor dehydrogenation to the corresponding olefins was found to be important with the former two; the mass balance did not close with CH4, possibly due to the formation of formaldehyde.
A qualitative analysis of an ontology based issue resolution system for cyber attack management

Cyber-attacks are increasing at an alarming rate and the attackers have progressively improved in devising attacks towards specific targets. To further develop the area of cyber-attack communication, we propose an ontology based issue resolution system used to identify and defend against cyber-attacks. The issue resolution system (IRS) facilitates attack discovery and suggestive defenses for a small to medium sized organizations. We validate our IRS Ontology using qualitative study of security expert professionals and highlight future work intended to simulate the IRS in a virtual attack test environment.
Modeling in the treatment of enuresis: A case study

Abstract This reports the successful treatment of a case of enuresis in which filial modeling procedures, accidentally introduced by the mother and later included as part of the treatment program, are thought to have played a major role.
Pulsed laser optogalvanic spectroscopy of nitrogen in a radiofrequency discharge

Pulsed laser optogalvanic spectra of a 32 MHz radiofrequency discharge (RFLOG) in flowing, low pressure (˜1 Torr) nitrogen are reported. The region of excitation was 16300–17300 cm−1. The observed features correspond mainly to B3Πg A3Σ transitions (Δv = 4). These are well known in emission and constitute the First Positive System that is of high intensity in almost all discharges in pure N2. A comparison of the emission, absorption, and RFLOG spectra provides an interpretation of missing and/or additional, unassigned lines that occur in the various spectra. The results indicate that RFLOG spectroscopy, as presented here, is a powerful alternative to the absorption spectroscopy of low pressure gases.
On the fluorescence of cerium-activated garnet crystals

Abstract The fluorescence profiles and other optical properties are reported for some cerium-activated garnet crystals. These results differ from the properties usually measured for the Ce 3+ ion.
Massively Parallel (“Next-Generation”) DNA Sequencing

Featured Article : Margulies M, Egholm M, Altman WE, Attiya S, Bader JS, Bemben LA, et al. Genome sequencing in microfabricated high-density picolitre reactors. Nature 2005;437:376–80.4 Since Watson and Crick's 1953 landmark discovery that biological information was encoded as a sequence of chemical building blocks (DNA), a significant component of genetic research has been devoted to not only establishing disease–gene associations but also identifying genetic determinants for human quantitative traits such as blood pressure, body mass index, and pigmentation. Essential to this research is the technology to accurately characterize component nucleotides in exactly the order in which they naturally appear: “sequencing” of DNA. The first developed technologies, Maxam-Gilbert's strand cleavage-based techniques (1976) and the Sanger dideoxy chain-termination (1978), sequenced disease-gene candidate regions that were identified through linkage mapping, with subsequent isolation of both the responsible gene and the spectrum of causative mutations. Based on these successes, the Human Genome Project was launched in 1990 and, in 2001, buoyed by Sanger sequencing, the first human reference genome was published (1). Although that article formally marked the transition to the “genomics era,” its cost of $2.7 billion and 10 years of extensive human capital across 20 collaborative centers worldwide highlighted to us that the process of sequencing would need to …
Cellular characteristics of cultured canine trophoblasts.

Contents Shallow trophoblast invasion is detrimental in human pregnancies, but represents normal endotheliochorial placentation in dogs. Factors regulating shallow trophoblast invasion into the canine decidua are not well described, but it is known that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in trophoblast invasion in many species. Following the methods previously described for isolating human trophoblasts, canine trophoblasts were isolated using collagenase and trypsin digestions with Percoll density gradient centrifugation. In addition, placental pieces were cryopreserved prior to primary culture following methods previously described for human tissue. Expression of cytokeratin-7, MMP2 and MMP9 was confirmed using fluorescent immunocytochemistry. Cellular morphology was similar to that reported for trophoblasts. More than 97% of the cells cultured expressed cytokeratin-7. More cultured canine trophoblasts expressed MMP9 (54.7 ± 3.4%) compared with MMP2 (40.3 ± 1.8%) (p = 0.02). Although both MMPs were immunolocalized to the cytoplasm, MMP2 was found in large, coalescing granules, whereas MMP9 was more diffusely expressed throughout the cell. Cryogenic freezing of placental tissue prior to primary cell culture had no effect on cell proliferation (p = 0.37). This research has established a baseline for future studies investigating the canine placenta as a model for disorders of shallow trophoblast invasion in humans.
Do primary care patients accept psychological treatments

Most individuals seeking care for psychological distress go to primary care physicians rather than to mental health professionals. Many have symptoms of distress that do not meet criteria for psychiatric disorders; pharmacotherapies are generally not available for these subsyndromal problems. Preliminary studies suggest that psychosocial therapies may be useful. The aim of this paper was to learn whether medical patients would accept psychological treatments for 1) depression, an explicit psychopathology; 2) stress, a nonpathological, but psychological, problem; and 3) medical problems, a nonpsychological issue. Respondents were 131 primary care patients at San Francisco General Hospital, a public sector hospital. The results show that most of the patients (107 of 131) found psychological interventions acceptable. In addition, the vast majority were willing to have the treatments focus on psychological issues such as depression and stress. This study demonstrates that primary care patients find psychological interventions acceptable.
Neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

Availability of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) has enhanced human neural differentiation research. The derivation of neural progenitor (NP) cells from hESC facilitates the interrogation of human embryonic development through the generation of neuronal subtypes and supporting glial cells. These cells will likely lead to novel drug screening and cell therapy uses. This review will discuss the current status of derivation, maintenance and further differentiation of NP cells with special emphasis on the cellular signaling involved in these processes. The derivation process affects the yield and homogeneity of the NP cells. Then when exposed to the correct environmental signaling cues, NP cells can follow a unique and robust temporal cell differentiation process forming numerous phenotypes.
Risk of misinterpretation of MMPI Schizophrenia scale elevations in chronic pain patients.

Abstract Seventy-three chronic pain patients with elevated MMPI Schizophrenia (Sc) scale scores ( T score > 70) were compared with 55 psychotic and 87 non-psychotic psychiatric patients with elevated Sc scores to examine group differences in item content patterns on the Harris and Lingoes subscales. Chronic pain patients evidenced lower scores on all Harris and Lingoes Sc subscales, except for the Bizarre Sensory Experiences subscale on which they scored significantly higher than the psychiatric groups. Results demonstrate that Sc is elevated in many chronic pain patients because they endorse somatic symptoms and items suggestive of depression and inertia, whereas psychotics endorse more items reflecting bizarre and disordered thinking, social alienation and defective inhibition, and non-psychotic psychiatric patients endorse more depression, despair, thought disorganization and social alienation. These data suggest that high Sc scores of many chronic pain patients reflect symptoms and sequelae of their physical problems, and do not necessarily reflect severe psychopathology.
Down-regulation of Na channel expression by A23187 in NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells

Abstract Growth of cultured NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells in 1 μM A23187 for 2 days to elevate internal Ca reduced both membrane Na current and the transient, but not steady state, component of outward K current. Na channel mRNA abundance was reduced by an average value of 45% without effect on Kv3.1. Increases in internal Ca may therefore control excitability by independent regulation of Na and K channel mRNA abundance in neurons.
The American Society for Neurochemistry (ASN): antecedents, founding, and early years.

Abstract: Events leading to and the influences on the founding of the American Society for Neurochemistry are recounted, with emphasis on early activities of neurochemists in the United States, as well as the international activities, that led to the founding of both the International and American societies (in 1965 and 1969, respectively). The founding of the American Society for Neurochemistry in the period 1968–1969 and its first annual meeting in 1970 are described, together with significant developments during the early years of the Society.
MO‐D‐116‐01: MRI Applications in Radiation Oncology

Computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality for radiation oncology. CT simulation, together with advanced dose delivery techniques, has moved radiotherapy from the 2D to the 3D era, enabling conformal dose delivery such as 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity‐modulated radiation therapy. CT simulation has greatly advanced our capability to manage cancer in the last two decades. However, suboptimal soft tissue contrast may limit accuracy of target and organ‐at‐risk delineation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has superior soft tissue contrast. Unlike CT, MRI acquisition sequences can even be tailored to highlight tumors or improve contrast between organs. In addition, MRI can provide valuable functional information to aid target definition and evaluate treatment response. MRI has been increasingly used in radiation oncology in support of CT to improve tumor and organ‐at‐risk delineation in radiation therapy. In this session, we will discuss how MRI can benefit radiation oncology clinics from a physician perspective, current status of MRI guided radiotherapy systems, feasibility and challenges in MRI‐based radiotherapy treatment planning and advanced MRI techniques to study tumor response to radiation therapy. Learning Objectives: 1. Identify cases where MRI can provide valuable information for radiation therapy 2. Learn the basis of MRI guided radiotherapy systems 3. Understand the current status and the challenges in MRI‐based treatment planning for radiation therapy4. Become familiar with advanced quantitative MRI techniques such as DWI and DCE‐MRI to assess radiotherapy treatment response.
Resistance to Purified Acriflavin in Leishmania tarentolae

THE mechanism by which purified acriflavin (3,6-diamino-N-methyl acridinium chloride) affects haemoflagellates has long been a matter of speculation. Available evidence indicates that the dye may interfere with replication of kinetoplast DNA1–9, with mitochondrial function1, 9 and with certain cytoplasmic enzymes10. In preparations stained with Feulgen or Giemsa, the kinetoplast appears as the darkly stained granule near the base of the flagellum (Fig. 1). Electron microscopy and biochemical techniques have shown that it contains DNA surrounded by a double membrane that is continuous with the mitochondrial system4, 6–8, 11–17. When acriflavin is added to cultures of Leishmania tarentolae, fluorescence from the dye appears in the kinetoplast1. Several cell generations later, the kinetoplast disappears in many haemoflagellates, dividing in the presence of the dye (as judged by Giemsa or Feulgen staining1, 2, 5–7, 13, 18, 19), leading to dyskinetoplasia6. The amount1–3 and fine structure2, 6, 7, 9, 13 of kinetoplast DNA are, moreover, altered. Tritiated thymidine no longer appears in the kinetoplast region when it is examined by light1 and electron microscope9 autoradiography.
Regulation of Vascular Inflammation and Remodeling by ETS Factors

The ETS (E26 Transformation-specific Sequence) factors are comprised of a family of transcription factors that share a highly conserved DNA binding domain. Although originally described for their role as protooncogenes in the development of several types of human cancer, they have subsequently been shown to regulate a wide variety of biological processes including cellular growth and differentiation under normal and pathological conditions. As transcription factors, they can either function as activators or repressors of gene expression. Several ETS family members are expressed in cells of vascular origin, including endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, where they regulate the expression of a number of vascular-specific genes. In the past few years, emerging evidence supports a novel role for selected ETS family members in the regulation of vascular inflammation and remodeling. ETS factor expression can be induced by proinflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and vasoactive peptides. Examples of some of the target genes regulated by ETS factors include adhesion molecules, chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinases. Targeted disruption of selected ETS family members such as Ets-1 in mice is associated with marked reductions in the recruitment of inflammatory cells and vascular remodeling in response to systemic administration of the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent advances that have been made in defining a role for selected members of the ETS transcription factor family in the regulation of vascular-specific gene expression, vascular inflammation, and remodeling.
Epigenetic Silencing Mechanisms in Budding Yeast and Fruit Fly: Different Paths, Same Destinations

Transcriptional silencing in budding yeast and fruit fly is mediated by fundamentally unrelated proteins that assemble very different chromatin structures. Surprisingly, the repressive mechanisms evolved from these very different materials have similar features, including an epigenetic mode of inheritance and a block to transcription based on interference with the assembly or function of the promoter complex rather than with the binding of gene-specific activators.
Juvenile posttraumatic high-flow priapism: Current management dilemmas

High-flow priapism results from disruption of the intercavernosal artery resulting in an arteriocavernosal fistula and is rarely encountered in the pediatric and adolescent population. Clinically it manifests as a painless, prolonged erection after perineal trauma. Treatment has ranged from expectant management to open surgical exploration with vessel ligation. Internal pudendal arteriogram and superselective embolization with autologous blood clot has emerged as a safe and effective treatment modality in the young male population. Here the authors present 3 patients with high-flow priapism and discuss management of this rare clinical entity.
044 Collegial Collaboration Managing Joint Projects Across Societies

Background Pooling resources for the development and dissemination of guidelines receives important consideration due to the extensive amount of expertise, money and staff time needed within an organisation. Partnered guidelines may increase the administrative cost and timeline of development, but is positively offset in the value partnering brings in the ultimate success and implementation. Context Over the last three years we formally partnered with other professional medical societies in over 70% of our guidelines, learning many core and nuanced components of a successful jointly-developed guideline. We share those lessons learned with GIN members. Description of Best Practice We tackle critically important aspects of joint collaborations, beginning with the determination of appropriate partners. We explore the creation of a solid memorandum of understanding (MOU), addressing questions like: How will we select panel membership and manage their conflicts of interest? What grading system will we utilise with an evidence-based guideline or consensus conference? How will we approach our respective organisation’s approval process? What is needed to produce a simultaneous joint publication between journals? How will we disseminate effectively to our target audiences? What is our future plan for a revision? And the ultimate questions - How do we cost share and work share in the development equally? Lessons for Guideline Developers, Adaptors, Implementers, and/or Users These experiences will help guideline developers create a framework for partnered collaborations, balancing value gained in partnership versus challenges realised in completion and resourcing.