cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enteral feeding preserves mucosal immunity despite in vivo MAdCAM-1 blockade of lymphocyte homing.

Enteral feeding reduces the incidence of pneumonia in critically injured patients, implicating a defect in mucosal defenses. 1–3 Mucosal surfaces throughout the body are in constant contact with environmental antigens and are in a position to sample antigens for the immune system. One of the largest complexes of mucosal immune cells is in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Specialized antigen sampling M cells overlying the Peyer’s patches (PP) and associated fixed dendritic cells within PP process antigen and present it to circulating naive T and B cells, which traffic through the PP. According to the common mucosal immune hypothesis, they then enter the thoracic duct and systemic circulation and home to various mucosal effector sites in the GI tract and the upper and lower respiratory tract. In these sites, the sensitized B and T cells protect against potential pathogens by producing a specific IgA against their antigens. 4–6 Several adhesion molecules, including mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), L-selectin, α4β7 integrin, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), regulate trafficking of lymphocytes within the mucosal immune system. 7 MAdCAM-1 is considered the key molecule for this direction and is expressed on the surface of endothelial cells within the high endothelial venules of PP, mesenteric lymph nodes, and venules of the lamina propria. 8 MAdCAM-1 has also been observed on splenic sinusoidal cells and within the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue. 9,10 Experimentally, lack of enteral stimulation decreases GALT cell mass, reduces intestinal and respiratory tract IgA levels, and impairs established mucosal immunity to specific pathogens. 11–13 Because of these diffuse mucosal immune changes, we hypothesized that lack of enteral feeding decreased MAdCAM-1 expression in the GALT and other mucosal areas, leading to the reduction of lymphocyte number and impairment in mucosal immunity. These experiment quantify the effects of the route and type of nutrition on the magnitude and/or kinetics of MAdCAM-1 expression and the response of GALT cell populations to MAdCAM-1 blockade and examines the effect of MAdCAM-1 blockade on established immunity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Cloning and characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster CDK5 homolog

The D. melanogaster homolog of mammalian CDK5 has been cloned and its chromosomal location determined. The gene for Cdk5 consists of 4 exons separated by 3 short introns ranging in size from 61–160 bp. Northern blot analysis revealed a single mRNA of approximately 1.6 kb that is expressed at highest levels in the adult fly. The putative amino acid sequence for Drosophila Cdk5 predicts a protein with a mass of approximately 32 kDa that is 77% identical to its mammalian counter-parts. Drosophila Cdk5 gene is located in polytene chromosomal region 52BC of the right arm of chromosome 2. This study provides the framework for a molecular genetic analysis of CDK5 function.
Remote optical fiber dosimetry

Abstract Optical fibers offer a unique capability for remote monitoring of radiation in difficult-to-access and/or hazardous locations. Optical fiber sensors can be located in radiation hazardous areas and optically interrogated from a safe distance. A variety of remote optical fiber radiation dosimetry methods have been developed. All of the methods take advantage of some form of radiation-induced change in the optical properties of materials such as: radiation-induced darkening due to defect formation in glasses, luminescence from native defects or radiation-induced defects, or population of metastable charge trapping centers. Optical attenuation techniques are used to measure radiation-induced darkening in fibers. Luminescence techniques include the direct measurement of scintillation or optical excitation of radiation-induced luminescent defects. Optical fiber radiation dosimeters have also been constructed using charge trapping materials that exhibit thermoluminescence or optically stimulated luminescence (OSL).
Effects of milk proteins and combined exercise training on aortic hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in young obese women with high blood pressure.

background Obesity and reduced muscle strength are associated with increased blood pressure (BP). We examined the impact of milk proteins and combined exercise training (CET) on BP, arterial function, and muscle strength (one-repetition maximum (1-RM)). methods Thirty-three obese sedentary women (age = 30 ± 1 years; body mass index = 35.2 ± 0.9 kg/m 2 ; systolic BP (SBP) = 129 ± 2 mm Hg) were randomized to control carbohydrate (n = 11), whey (n = 11), and casein (n = 11) supplementation for 4 weeks. All participants performed moderate-intensity CET 3 days/week. Brachial and aortic SBP, augmentation index adjusted for 75 beats/minute (AIx@75), arterial stiffness (brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV)), and 1-RM were measured before and after the interventions. results There were significant (P < 0.05) time-by-group interactions for brachial SBP (bSBP), aortic SBP (aSBP), AIx@75, and baPWV. Whey and casein supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) decreased bSBP (approximately 5 mm Hg for both), aSBP (approximately 7 mm Hg and approximately 6 mm Hg, respectively), AIx@75 (approximately 9.2% and approximately 8.1%, respectively) and baPWV (approximately 57 cm/s and approximately 53 cm/s, respectively) compared with no changes in the control group. Upper- (approximately 22.2%) and lower-body 1-RM (approximately 44.0%) increased similarly in all groups. Changes in arterial function and 1-RM were not correlated. conclusions Milk protein supplementation with CET reduced SBP, wave reflection, and arterial stiffness in young obese women with prehypertension and hypertension. Because CET did not affect arterial function, milk proteins may have an antihypertensive effect by improving arterial function, as shown by reduced AIx@75 and baPWV. Muscle strength improvements after CET did not affect BP and arterial function. CliniCal Trial r egis Tra Tion ClinicalTrial.gov Registration NCT01830946
Neural, hormonal and genetic mechanisms for the activation of brain and behavior

Underlying all motivated behavior is the concept of brain arousal, the generalized activation of forebrain and behavior. A concrete expression of this would be sexual arousal and behavior. The sex behavior whose mechanisms are best understood is the lordosis response, a vertebral dorsiflexion by the female permitting fertilization. Estrogenic facilitation of this behavior requires new transcription and protein synthesis. The genes which are turned on by estrogens and whose products facilitate the behavior are organized in modules. Some exert direct effects, e.g. genes coding for neurotransmitter receptors in hypothalamic neurons. Other modules exert indirect effects: through neuronal growth, through facilitation of transcription from the progesterone receptor gene, and even through other preparative behaviors. An unexpected result deriving from a microarray study was the estrogenic effect on prostaglandin-D synthetase, important because of the marked actions of prostaglandin-D on arousal and sleep.
Growth and reproductive development in fall chinook salmon: Effects of sex hormones and their antagonists

Abstract Testosterone, 17α-methyltestosterone, testosterone propionate, and diethylstilbesterol (DES) plus clomiphene citrate (an antiestrogen) were evaluated as potential growth promoters in juvenile fall chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ), and antiandrogens cyproterone acetate (1,2α-methylene-6-chloro-Δ4,6-pregnadiene-17α-ol-3,20-dione-17α-acetate) and flutamide (4′-nitro-3′-trifluoromethylisobutyranilide) were investigated as possible inhibitors of the androgenic effects of these anabolic steroids. Test compounds were added to the feed of salmon for 22 weeks for the 1976 brood and 16 weeks for the 1977 brood. All androgens and DES plus clomiphene citrate accelerated growth. High levels of methyltestosterone caused precocious male development and subsequent reduced growth. Flutamide did not inhibit the androgenic effect of methyltestosterone, but may have moderated the effect of testosterone. Gonadal histology revealed the presence of intersex fish in groups treated with low levels of methyltestosterone or this steroid plus flutamide. Undifferentiated gonads were present in some fish treated with methyltestosterone, testosterone, or cyproterone acetate. Higher levels of testosterone tended to increase the frequency of males with well developed testes; neither antiandrogen inhibited these maturational effects. Testosterone administered at between 5 and 10 μg/g feed appears to be the most likely candidate compound for use to promote growth without affecting male sexual development in chinook salmon.
The preparation and characterization of phosphorylated derivatives of histidine.

Abstract 1. Phosphorylated derivatives of histidine were synthesized and studied in order to provide a better understanding of the chemistry of phosphohistidine-containing proteins. 1-Phosphohistidine, 1,3-diphosphohistidine, α, 1,3-triphosphohistidine, and phosphorylated derivatives of α-N-acetylhistidine were prepared by reactions with POCl3 or phosphoramidate. The compounds were purified by ion-exchange chromatography and characterized by the phosphate: histidine ratio, electrophoretic behavior, and ultraviolet spectra. 2. The rates of hydrolysis of these compounds, as well as 3-phosphohistidine, phosphoimidazole, and 1,3-diphosphoimidazole, were determined over a wide range of H+ concentrations. In strongly acidic solution all of the compounds appeared to be hydrolyzed by the same mechanism. In all cases the N-phosphoryl bond was hydrolyzed more readily if a proton or phosphoryl group were substituted on the other ring nitrogen, and histidine derivatives were less stable than the corresponding imidazole derivatives. 3. For both mono- and diphosphoryl derivatives of histidine, the N-1 phosphoryl group was hydrolyzed and transferred to other imidazole compounds more readily than the N-3 phosphoryl group. The greater reactivity at the N-1 position is partially due to the presence of the protonated α-amino group. 4. In aqueous solution, 1-phosphohistidine is rapidly converted to 3-phosphohistidine, histidine and inorganic phosphate.
Roles of photoperiod and testosterone in seasonal plasticity of the avian song control system.

The song control nuclei of songbirds undergo pronounced seasonal changes in size and neuronal attributes. The mechanisms by which seasonal changes in environmental variables such as photoperiod mediate seasonal changes in these brain regions are not known. Manipulations of photoperiod and/or testosterone in captive songbirds induce seasonal changes in the size of song nuclei comparable to those observed in wild songbirds. It is unclear, however, whether the effects of photoperiod on the song nuclei are mediated by testosterone or by steroid-independent mechanisms. We independently manipulated photoperiod and testosterone in castrated male Gambel's white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) to determine the contributions of steroid-dependent and -independent actions of photoperiod to seasonal changes in the size and neuronal attributes of song nuclei. Testosterone implants increased the size of several song nuclei, regardless of photoperiod. Photoperiod exerted small but significant steroid-independent effects on the volume of the higher vocal center and the size of neurons in the robust nucleus of the archistriatum. Photoperiod also modulated the effect of testosterone on the size of area X; testosterone treatment had a more pronounced effect on the size of area X on short days than on long days. These results suggest that although testosterone is the primary factor mediating seasonal changes in neural attributes of the song nuclei, photoperiod may act via mechanisms that are independent of steroid levels to supplement or modulate the actions of testosterone. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 32: 426–442, 1997.
Experiments on a turbulent cylindrical wall jet

The investigation described here is an experimental study directed toward determining flow field and surface friction characteristics of a cylindrical wall jet. The flow configuration is obtained by placing a cylindrical rod along the axis of a converging nozzle. The flow field thus produced consists of a developing turbulent boundary layer co-existing with an outer fluid layer that mixes freely with quiescent surroundings. Direct measurements of fluid friction at the rod surface, performed with a hot-film element, revealed a significant effect of transverse surface curvature on the local friction factor. Velocity profiles at various axial stations exhibited similarity in the outer mixing layer, but not in the boundary layer adjacent to the surface. Representations of the velocity field in terms of law of the wall variables and defect-law variables revealed significant transverse curvature effects. The measured wall-jet velocity profiles could be satisfactorily represented in terms of a law of the wake, wherein the wake function depends on a transverse curvature parameter. In the outer mixing layer, the eddy viscosity data correspond closely to those of free jets.
New Liquid Scintillators with Faster Response and Higher Efficiency

Abstract The variation of light intensity with the time following excitation by gamma rays has been measured for a quaterphenyl compound whose solubility was enhanced by substitution of alkyl groups. The decay curves, measured by use of a probability-sampling technique, were analyzed to yield preliminary estimates of the time constants τ1 related to energy transfer from solvent to solute, τ2 related to the rapidly decaying component from the singlet state, and τ3 related to the slower component which is probably due to excimers. A solution (∼65 g/liter, γ = 1.12 × of 11, 44-bis(2-butyloctyloxy)-p-quaterphen (QP-G12) in toluene shows τ1 ∼ 0.05 nsec, τ2 ∼ 1.4 nsec, and τ3 ∼ 11.4 nsec. The intensity of the slow component (mean life τ3) is about 20% of that of the fast component (mean life τ2). This is about a third of the slow/fast ratio measured for 2,5-diphenyloxazone (PPO) in toluene at the same mole fraction. This indicates that QP-GI2 does not form excimers as readily as PPO does. For bothsolutes, measu...
The summation of some series with variable coefficients by approximate analytical expressions

In a series of the form Σ k =1/∞ a k f k (x),a k , which need be given only numerically, is approximated by an analytical functiong(k). If then Σ k =1/∞ g(k)f k (x) can be summed exactly, it yields an approximation to the given series.
Sedative and motor-impairing effects of neuropeptide Y and ethanol in selectively bred P and NP rats.

Abstract Past findings suggest a positive association between endogenous neuropeptide Y (NPY) activity and ethanol-induced sedation, and there is evidence for additive effects of administered NPY with sedative-hypnotics. The present investigation examined the effects of intracerebroventricular NPY injection on ethanol-induced sedation and motor impairment in selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) rats. In Experiment 1, P and NP rats were assessed for loss and recovery of righting reflex (RR) following infusion with either NPY (10.0 μg) or aCSF followed by ethanol injection (2.5 g/kg ip). NPY reduced time to lose RR and increased time to regain RR similarly in P and NP rats. Blood–ethanol levels (BELs) were lower at time of recovery in NPY-treated rats relative to aCSF controls. Thus, NPY enhanced ethanol-induced sedation. In Experiment 2, P and NP rats pretreated with either saline or ethanol (1.0 g/kg ip) were assessed for motor activity following infusion with either NPY (2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 μg) or aCSF. Ethanol alone and NPY alone suppressed motor activity, but there were no additive effects between the two. Taken together, these results provide partial support for past observations of additivity between NPY and drug-induced sedation, and suggest a role for NPY in the neurobehavioral effects of acute ethanol exposure.
Genera of orders Actiniaria and Corallimorpharia (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Hexacorallia), and their type species*

We determined the type species, if any, for the 425 genera of the order Actiniaria and for the 19 genera of order Corallimorpharia. In Actiniaria, 393 genera have a clear type species; 46 generic names are homonyms, 17 of which are senior, 26 of which are junior (six have been replaced), and three are both junior and senior. Of the 18 available genera of Corallimorpharia, there are no junior homonyms, and one senior homonym.
Low genetic diversity and evidence of population structure among subspecies of Nerodia harteri, a threatened water snake endemic to Texas

Nerodia harteri is a threatened small-bodied water snake that occupies one of the most restricted ranges of any snake within the continental United States. It is found closely associated with rivers and tributaries in the Colorado and Brazos river basins, which flow through north-central Texas. Nerodia harteri has been at the center of debate owing to conflicts between conservation efforts and the construction of dams that change or destroy its preferred habitat. Additionally, its taxonomic status has also been under contention with some authors recognizing two subspecies, the Brazos water snake (N. h. harteri) and the Concho water snake (N. h. paucimaculata), whereas other authors consider each separate species. Despite its relatively recent discovery during the 1940s, N. harteri has been the subject of several ecological studies, yet no population genetic assessment of either subspecies has been performed to date. We first evaluated the phylogenetic placement of both subspecies among other North American Nerodia using partial sequence data from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome-b. We then tested for population subdivision among four rivers encompassing the range of N. harteri and tested for the presence of admixture between river basins using mitochondrial sequence data (920 bp of cyt-b) and five cross-species amplified microsatellite loci. We found low mitochondrial haplotype diversity represented by two unique haplotypes in each river basin, which were separated by no more than four nucleotide changes. Nuclear loci showed low genetic diversity and population structuring within and among river basins. We did not find conclusive evidence of admixture between basins, and we support the presence of two separate evolutionarily significant units and two separate management units corresponding to each major river basin. Given increasing natural and anthropogenic threats, we recommend continued ecological and genetic monitoring of both subspecies.
"Publish or perish" is alive and well: a re-analysis of Landrum and Clump (2004).

plicants for psychology faculty positions. Results indicated that 5 factors emerged from their agreement items (measuring agreement with specific statements about submitted applications) and 4 factors emerged from their importance items (mea suring prioritization of specific application characteristics). Several of these factors, especially one focusing upon teaching and research emphasis, are useful to differ ent degrees. These results suggest that public institutions with graduate programs differ from other institutions on criteria for applicants in several ways, particularly in their emphasis on research over teaching. Results may help applicants to better focus their efforts in the application process.
Distal neuronal degeneration caused by intracranial lesions.

changes in neurons remote from the siteof theprimary abnormality. This secondary neuronal degeneration should not be misinterpreted as a primary ischemic, traumatic, or neoplastic process. The term â€œ? neuronal degenerationâ€•refers to the wallenan or retrograde degeneration that occurs in the af fected neuron. The term â€œ? transneunonal degen erationâ€•refers to the antegrade degeneration that occurs in postsynaptic neurons resulting from a loss of afferent input because of presyn aptic neuronal injury. This pictorial essay uses neunonal pathway diagrams, MR images, and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPED') scans to help the radiologist recog nize secondary neuronal degeneration that is causedby intracranialabnormalities.
Identification of a Critical T(Q/D/E)x5ADx2(I/L) Motif from Primate Lentivirus Vif Proteins That Regulate APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F Neutralizing Activity

Primate lentiviruses are unique in that they produce several accessory proteins to help in the establishment of productive viral infection. The major function of these proteins is to clear host resistance factors that inhibit viral replication. Vif is one of these proteins. It functions as an adaptor that binds to the cytidine deaminases APOBEC3G (A3G) and APOBEC3F (A3F) and bridges them to a cullin 5 (Cul5) and elongin (Elo) B/C E3 ubiquitin ligase complex for proteasomal degradation. So far, 11 discontinuous domains in Vif have been identified that regulate this degradation process. Here we report another domain, T(Q/D/E)x5ADx2(I/L), which is located at residues 96 to 107 in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vif protein. This domain is conserved not only in all HIV-1 subtypes but also in other primate lentiviruses, including HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), which infects rhesus macaques (SIVmac) and African green monkeys (SIVagm). Mutations of the critical residues in this motif seriously disrupted Vif's neutralizing activity toward both A3G and A3F. This motif regulates Vif interaction not only with A3G and A3F but also with Cul5. When this motif was inactivated in the HIV-1 genome, Vif failed to exclude A3G and A3F from virions, resulting in abortive HIV replication in nonpermissive human T cells. Thus, T(Q/D/E)x5ADx2(I/L) is a critical functional motif that directly supports the adaptor function of Vif and is an attractive target for inhibition of Vif function.
Effective Propagation Properties of an Enhanced Hybrid EBG/Ferrite Ground Plane

An enhanced ultrawideband and low-profile hybrid electromagnetic bandgap (EBG)/ferrite ground plane design is presented that offers an increased bandwidth and reduced profile compared to the previously presented hybrid EBG/ferrite ground plane design. Reflectivity and phase analyses of the new hybrid ground plane design indicate an instantaneous and continuous operational bandwidth exceeding 40:1 beginning at 120 MHz. The effective complex permittivity and permeability of the hybrid ground plane, which are important for feed design considerations of certain phased array antenna systems, are also presented. Additionally, return loss and directive gain analyses of Raytheon's long slot array antenna implemented with the hybrid ground plane further verify the ability of the ground plane to provide ultrawideband unidirectional radiation characteristics for ultra- wideband bidirectional radiating antennas.
Differential Responses of Human Umbilical and Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells to Apoptosis

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, plays an important role not only in normal homeostasis but is increasingly implicated in a number of pathological processes. The contribution of apoptosis in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease has been suggested. In this study, the authors compared the effects of inductive and suppressive signals as well as the two combined apoptotic signals during the early stages of apoptosis using two types of human endothelial cells isolated from the umbilical vein (HUVECs) and from the coronary artery (HCAECs) vascular beds as study targets. The authors demonstrated that HUVECs were more susceptible than HCAECs to apoptosis, as measured by a 2.5-fold increase in caspase-3 activity, which in turn may suggest a different pattern in association to the apoptotic mechanism within each cell type. Under inducing conditions of apoptosis, a significant increase in tissue factor (TF) expression at both the mRNA and protein level in HUVECs compared to the level of TF expression in HCAECs was observed. These different responses of endothelial cell types potentially indicate unequal susceptibility to apoptosis, depending on their vascular bed origins, and emphasize the importance of cell-type and -origin considerations when selecting a study model of apoptosis and pathophysiology.
Use of relative weight and body mass index for the determination of adiposity

Relative weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) are commonly used as measures of body fatness in epidemiologic and clinical studies. In order to determine their accuracy, they were compared to body fat measured by underwater weighting and total body water determination in 29 males and 75 females who varied widely in body composition. Relative weights calculated from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables correlated so highly with BMI that these measures can be considered to be identical (R2 = 0.992 to 0.999). Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between BMI and percentage body fat in men (R2 = 0.68, %fat = 0.99 X BMI -1.32, p less than 0.001) and women (R2 = 0.74, %fat = 0.94 X BMI + 10.77, p less than 0.001). We conclude that relative weight and BMI are nearly identical, and that they are reasonable estimates of body fatness.
Current status of tissue markers as prognostic factors in prostatic adenocarcinoma

In this issue of the Journal, Zagars and colleagues examine the evidence that Gleason grading of prostatic adenocarcinema is an important prognostic factor in the evaluation of patients treated with radiation therapy (56). In a study of 648 patients followed for a mean of 6.5 years after radiation therapy, they found that Gleason tumor grade was the single most important determinant of outcome for clinically localized prostate cancer. They grouped the Gleason scores into four categories, an unusual stratification, and found significant stepwise correlation with survival by univariate and multivariate analyses. In most other studies of outcome and tumor grade, Gleason scores are divided into three groups including Grades 5, 6, and 7 as one group (3,2 1). Using such grouping, most studies show that T stage is of greater prognostic significance than histologic grade evaluated by Gleason score. In this currently published study, where Gleason Grade 7 is separately grouped, tumor grade is shown to be the most important determinant for all endpoints, including local recurrence, distant metastases, any relapse, and overall survival. This result was true in needle biopsy specimens and transurethral resections of prostate, confirming the usefulness and validity of grading needle biopsies. Other investigators found that needle biopsies provide the correct grade in 70% of cases (7, 19). This study confirms those observations. Because most patients are currently diagnosed with needle biopsy of the prostate, these observations have important implications in patient management. Over the past few years, a variety of other potential
Detection of vernier and contrast-modulated stimuli with equal Fourier energy spectra by infants and adults

Infant and adult vernier acuity differed by a factor of only 4 to 6 when the stimuli were periodic and results were expressed in units of spatial phase. This ratio was much smaller than the factor of 50 to 100 obtained when we expressed our results and those of others in terms of the threshold spatial displacement in visual angle. We compared infant and adult vernier performance to performance on a "benchmark" contrast discrimination task, where the vernier and contrast discrimination stimuli contained identical Fourier contrast spectra. When we compared vernier performance directly to contrast discrimination performance, infant and adult data were remarkably similar, suggesting that similar parts of the visual system limit vernier and contrast performance of subjects of both ages. A control experiment on adults suggested that the superior performance of the contrast discrimination task is due to recruitment of visual pattern analyzers situated at a distance from the discontinuities in phase position and contrast.
A Meshless Stochastic Algorithm for the Solution of the Nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann Equation in the Context of Plasma Discharge Modeling: 1D Analytical Benchmark

This paper presents a new floating random-walk algorithm for the solution of the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann equation in the context of plasma discharge modeling. Previous studies using the floating random-walk method have examined only the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation, producing solutions that are only accurate for small values of the potential. This is due to the absence of analytical expressions for volumetric Green’s functions for nonlinear equations. In this work, an approximate expression for a volumetric Green’s function has been derived with the help of a novel use of iterative perturbation theory, and this expression has been incorporated within the floating random-walk framework. The floating random-walk method is based on probabilistic interpretations of deterministic equations and needs no discretization of either the volume or the surface of the problem domains. Hence the memory requirements are expected to be lower than approaches based on spatial discretization, such as the finite-difference or the finite-element method. Another advantage of this method is that the random-walks are statistically independent, so that the computational procedure is highly parallelizable and a nearly linear increase in computational speed is expected with an increase in the number of processors. In this paper, we present the preliminary results in one dimension where excellent agreement has been obtained with an analytical benchmark solution.
The Specificity of Action of the K-k Alleles Affecting Feathering in the Fowl

Abstract THE sex-linked alleles, K and k, induce remarkably different rates of feathering which are most evident in young chicks. The effects of these genes and their economic importance have been discussed elsewhere (Hutt, 1949). It would not be surprising if the influence of K and k on the growth of cells in the feather follicles were merely the outwardly visible manifestations of more general influences affecting the bird’s physiology, but no such effects have yet been conclusively demonstrated. Contrary to an earlier suggestion, it has been shown by Hays (1951), Hale (1952) and Godfrey and Farnsworth (1952) that slowly feathering chicks do not differ in rate of body growth from those that feather rapidly. Since pullets of these two types do not differ in age at first egg (Hays and Spear, 1951), it seems probable that K and k do not influence the physiology of the endocrine glands. An indication …
Benzenoid ring contractions in the thermal automerization of acenaphthylene

Acenaphthylene-1-13C (1) rearranges at high temperatures in a flow system to give acenaphthylene-5-13C (2) and acenaphthylene-4-13C (3) in a 1:1 ratio as the primary products. This apparent migration of a labeled carbon atom from the bridge to the most remote sites in the molecule can be understood in terms of a benzenoid ring contraction mechanism.
Direct optimization of dynamic systems described by differential‐algebraic equations

This paper presents a method for the optimization of dynamic systems described by index-1 differential-algebraic equations (DAE). The class of problems addressed include optimal control problems and parameter identification problems. Here, the controls are parameterized using piecewise constant inputs on a grid in the time interval of interest. In addition, the DAE are approximated using a Rosenbrock–Wanner (ROW) method. In this way the infinite-dimensional optimal control problem is transformed into a finite-dimensional nonlinear programming problem (NLP). The NLP is solved using a sequential quadratic programming (QP) technique that minimizes the L∞ exact penalty function, using only strictly convex QP subproblems. This paper shows that the ROW method discretization of the DAE leads to (i) a relatively small NLP problem and (ii) an efficient technique for evaluating the function, constraints and gradients associated with the NLP problem. This paper also investigates a state mesh refinement technique that ensures a sufficiently accurate representation of the optimal state trajectory. Two nontrivial examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enzymatic determination of sorbitol in animal tissues.

SummaryAn enzymatic method for determination of sorbitol is described. The method is based upon reduction of DPN by sorbitol catalyzed by a purified preparation of soluble ketose reductase of rat liver. No polyol which reacts with this enzyme could be detected in blood or liver of the rat, whereas considerable amounts of an hexitol resembling sorbitol were found in the coagulating gland.
The prevention of prematurity in multiple pregnancy

Abstract It has been shown that in a patient who has a multiple pregnancy that early diagnosis, preferably by fetal electrocardiography followed by bed rest, will materially decrease the usually high incidence of prematurity in this condition. A plea is made for the increased use of fetal electrocardiography in all patients in whom the diagnosis of multiple pregnancy is suspected.
Schimmelpenning syndrome: an association with vascular anomalies.

Abstract Objective: Schimmelpenning syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by craniofacial nevus sebaceus in association with seizures, developmental delay, and ocular or skeletal pathology. Vascular anomalies also have been described in this condition, and some authors have suggested that the two entities are associated. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of vascular anomalies in Schimmelpenning syndrome. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with Schimmelpenning syndrome who were evaluated or were managed at Children's Hospital Boston between 1980 and 2005. In addition, all published cases purported to be Schimmelpenning syndrome were analyzed to determine whether the primary diagnosis was accurate and whether or not there were concurrent vascular anomalies. Results: Three of nine patients (33.3%) in our series had a vascular malformation. One patient had coarctation, aortic aneurysm, renal artery, and carotid stenosis; another had a thoracic lymph...
Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate as a safe, antioxidant surfactant for processing carbon nanotubes and fullerenes

Abstract This work investigates the physical interactions between carbon nanomaterials and tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS). TPGS is a synthetic amphiphile that undergoes enzymatic cleavage to deliver the lipophilic antioxidant, α-tocopherol (vitamin E) to cell membranes, and is FDA approved as a water-soluble vitamin E nutritional supplement and drug delivery vehicle. Here we show that TPGS 1000 is capable of dispersing multi-wall and single-wall carbon nanotubes in aqueous media, and for multi-wall tubes is more effective than the commonly used non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100. TPGS is also capable of solubilizing C 60 in aqueous phases by dissolving fullerene in the core of its spherical micelles. Drying of these solutions leads to fullerene/TPGS phase separation and the self-assembly of highly ordered asymmetric nanoparticles, with fullerene nanocrystals attached to the hydrophobic end of crystalline TPGS nanobrushes. The article discusses surface charge, colloidal stability, and the potential applications of TPGS as a safe surfactant for “green” processing of carbon nanomaterials.
Tumor-specific antigens as altered growth factor receptors.

Abstract Most induced, as opposed to spontaneous, tumors possess tumor-specific transplantation antigens. Data suggest that the prevalence of these antigens, at least among tumors induced chemically in diffusion chambers, is dependent upon the density of the culture at the time of carcinogen application. Other data show that density inhibition of cell growth is mediated by the interaction of various “growth factors” with their respective cell surface receptors. The juxtaposition of these two observations leads me to hypothesize that the tumor-specific transplantation antigen is an altered growth factor receptor. Development of the hypothesis leads to rational explanations of some paradoxical features of tumor growth in nude mice, to a possible understanding of why spontaneous tumors are nonimmunogenic, and to an explanation of the phenomenon of facilitation of tumor growth by a weak immune reaction.
Managing Labor and Delivery among Impoverished Populations in Mexico: Cervical Examinations as Bureaucratic Practice

Birthing experiences for low-income and marginalized women have frequently been framed within explanatory models of authoritative knowledge and power dynamics. Many of these explanatory models have pointed out the structural violence inherent in the biomedical model of birth. The research on which this article is based suggests that clinicians’ stressful work environment and class-based stereotypes of low-income women resulted in the routinizing of inhumane medical practices. Hospital overcrowding due to health reforms led to clinicians being primarily concerned with moving patients swiftly through the system. Clinicians increasingly relied on the cervical examination as a marker for labor's progress and a shorthand method to track cervical dilation. Using ethnographic data collected in the obstetrics ward of a public hospital in Mexico, in this article I explore the emergence of a bureaucratic routinizing of obstetricians’ everyday practice. I provide a new understanding of the encoding and entrenching of everyday medical practices and their effect on the reproductive rights of women.
Consuming computational complexity by space-time fanout in optical computing

Computational complexity is the minimum price in terms of resources required to obtain the result using a given algorithm for a problem of a given size. Electronic computers can pay the price in terms of time or space - through concurrency methods such as parallel or pipelined processors. Optical computers allow the use of a third resource - fanin. By using space and fanin, optical processors can perform some tasks at a speed independent of the size of the input. Examples from conventional algorithmic processes and somewhat less familiar nonalgorithmic processes are provided as illustration.
Cognitive Dissonance or Credibility? A Comparison of Two Theoretical Explanations for Selective Exposure to Partisan News

Selective exposure research indicates that news consumers tend to seek out attitude-consistent information and avoid attitude-challenging information. This study examines online news credibility and cognitive dissonance as theoretical explanations for partisan selective exposure behavior. After viewing an attitudinally consistent, challenging, or politically balanced online news source, cognitive dissonance, credibility perceptions, and likelihood of selective exposure were measured. Results showed that people judge attitude-consistent and neutral news sources as more credible than attitude-challenging news sources, and although people experience slightly more cognitive dissonance when exposed to attitude-challenging news sources, overall dissonance levels were quite low. These results refute the cognitive dissonance explanation for selective exposure and suggest a new explanation that is based on credibility perceptions rather than psychological discomfort with attitude-challenging information.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspection of Transportation Casks

Until recently, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspection effort as it applied to transportation casks focused on the written quality assurance (QA) program of cask vendors and subcon...
Zootopia: Utopia and Dystopia in the Zoological Garden

In this essay I coin the term 'zootopia' to express the utopian and the dystopian impulses at work at the zoo and to allude to their tightly intertwined nature. The essay's first section explores zootopia as a paradise, a place where people live in harmony with a romanticized nature. Simultaneously, zootopia is also a rational project that involves careful planning and detailed control over both animals and their habitat. Finally, the zoo is a theme park: a garden for human entertainment and consumption. In order to survive, the zoo must sell tickets, animal figurines and sponsorships, crackers for feeding the elephants, giraffe art, and the like. Ultimately, the zoo's presentation of nature is utopian, in the sense that it confirms current ideals and makes room for hope about nature's future. However, the awe and amusement that this visitor experiences at the utopian zoo are often overlaid with the fear and guilt implied by the dystopian message that is also present in this space.
Abstract LB-380: Apo2L/TRAIL reduces interstitial fluid pressure and enhances gemicitabine uptake in patient pancreatic tumor xenografts

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (Apo2L/TRAIL) has promising anti-tumor therapeutic potential and is in clinical trials. It is known that microenvironmental factors such as elevated interstitial fluid pressure limits uptake and greatly inhibits anti-tumor efficacy of many therapeutics. We are investigating the role of interstitial fluid pressure in the anti-tumor effect of Apo2L/TRAIL alone and in combination with gemcitabine. We first carried out a histological analysis of Colo205 tumors treated with a single 1000 g dose of Apo2L/TRAIL. Apoptosis (ck18+ cells) and infiltration of macrophages (F4/80+ cells) peaks by 8 hrs; by 24 and 48 hours, apoptotic debris has been cleared and the lumen of tumor vessels is clearly apparent. This is in sharp contrast to untreated tumors in which cells are densely packed and vessels with an open lumen are seldom seen. Correspondingly, measurements of tumor interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) taken 48 hrs after a single treatment of Apo2L/TRAIL revealed a significant reduction in IFP compared to tumors in the untreated mice (n=5; 0.3 cm H2O vs. 3.4 cm H2O, P= 0.002). We have characterized the Apo2L/TRAIL sensitivity of a panel of patient pancreatic tumor xenografts and found a range of responses to Apo2L/TRAIL from actual regression (tumor growth inhibition, TGI, of 108%) to complete resistance (TGI of 0%). Histological analysis of a sensitive tumor showed that Apo2L/TRAIL induced both the physical changes seen in Colo205 as well as a similarly significant reduction in IFP (n=7; P= 0.003). Importantly, in these patient xenografts, combination therapy with Apo2L/TRAIL and chemotherapy has been shown to enhance the antitumor effect of gemcitabine. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Apo2L/TRAIL induced lowering of IFP on gemcitabine uptake. In these studies, a single dose of gemcitabine was administered 48 hrs after Apo2L/TRAIL administration. Pharmacological analysis reveals a 33% increase in gemcitabine uptake in tumors in the 6 hours following Apo2L/TRAIL administration; no such increase was observed in normal liver. These results support the idea that pretreatment of a tumor with Apo2L/TRAIL leads to “decompression” of the tumor and will selectively improve tumor uptake of chemotherapeutics. We are currently investigating different schedules of administration in order to maximize the uptake of gemcitabine and optimize the anti-tumor efficacy of this combination therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-380.
Comparative absorption of vitamin B12 analogues by normal humans. I. Chlorocobalamin vs. cyanocobalamin.

Summary1. Urinary excretion tests performed with cobalt-60 labeled cobalamins by the method of Schilling indicate that the absorption of chlorocobalamin at the 2 μg dose level by the normal young adult male is much less than that of cyanocobalamin at the same oral level. 2. Normal chlorocobalamin and cyanocobalamin appear to be equivalent in their capacity for liberating absorbed labeled cobalamins by injection of massive doses. 3. Differences in the ease of absorption of the cobalamins are attributed to differences in their electrolyte nature and attendant solubility properties.
Temperature Independent Fiber Bragg Current Sensing for High Voltage Power Transmission Utilizing LED Source

Proposed is a novel solution for current measurement using a Terfenol-D coated Fiber Bragg Grating that responds to magnetically induced strain produced by current inside power lines. Through adaptive filtering, temperature independence is achieved.
A Stop-Flow Analysis of Pancreatic Secretion: The effect of transient occlusion on the electrolyte composition of pancreatic juice

The main characteristic of the fluid por­ tion of the pancreatic juice is its high bicarbonate concentration. We have re­ cently summarized the few well established aspects of the ionic composition of this secretion.! N a + and K + con centra tions in secretion water are approximately equal to their concentrations in plasma water and are independent of the rate of flow. HC03 concentration which ranges from 25 to 150 mEq. per liter is a hyperbolic function of the rate of flow , whereas Cl- concentration varies inversely with HCOa- concentration so that their sum remains relatively con­ stant. The total ionic concentration is rela­ tively fixed at levels isoosmolar to the blood and is independent of the rate of flow, the nature of the secretory excitation, and is also independent of the presence or absence of pancreatic disease. The site of the elaboration of pancreatic fluid and the forces influencing its ionic com­ position are poorly understood. A few frag­ ments of experimental data suggest that the ductular cells of the collecting apparatus are involved in the secretory process: 2 (1) alloxan, which induces histologic changes in these cells, raises the threshold for se­ cretin stimulation;3 (2) carbonic anhydrase has been demonstrated histologically in the ductular epithelium;4 and (3) carbonic anhydrase inhibitors suppress the secretion
Identifying of metallizing phase of Huachanggou Gold Deposit

Based on the study of ore area geology and ore deposit geology in the Hua-Chang-Gou gold mineral deposit, especially according to the characteristic of ore type, ore mineral, ore fabric and metallizing alteration,it was concluded that the formation of Hua-Chang-Gou gold ore deposit came through at least three main metallogenesis phases:(1) metallizing alteration of basic igneous rock and tuffaceous sericitic phyllite; (2) tectonic hydrothermal metallizing alteration; (3) supergene oxidizing.
Severe acute pancreatitis organ injury and pathological basic research

Objective: Explore the vascular endothelial damage role in the pathogenesis of SAP complicated with MODS.Methods: Through the establishment of etiology and pathogenesis of SAP model similar to human SAP rats,we can determine rats' liver and kidney function and serum amylase at different time in the SAP group and SO group.Observed the pathological damage different organs of vascular endothelial,and determined the fall off blood vessels endothelial cells by flow cytometry instrument.Results: The quantity of VEC has a positive correlation with AMY in the serum and pancreas pathological score.Conclusion: The vascular endothelial injury damaged by trypsin is the pathological basis of organ damage in acute severe pancreatitis.