cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proline biosynthesis genes and their regulation under salinity stress in the euryhaline copepod Tigriopus californicus.

Abstract Diverse organisms regulate concentrations of intracellular organic osmolytes in response to changes in environmental salinity or desiccation. In marine crustaceans, accumulation of high concentrations of proline is a dominant component of response to hyperosmotic stress. In the euryhaline copepod Tigriopus californicus, synthesis of proline from its metabolic precursor glutamate is tightly regulated by changes in environmental salinity. Here, for the first time in a marine invertebrate, the genes responsible for this pathway have been cloned and characterized. The two proteins display the sequence features of homologous enzymes identified from other eukaryotes. One of the cloned genes, δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylase reductase (P5CR), is demonstrated to have the reductase enzyme activity when expressed in proline-auxotroph bacteria, while the second, δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylase synthase (P5CS), does not rescue proline-auxotroph bacteria. In contrast to results from higher plants, neither levels of P5CS nor P5CR mRNAs increase in response to salinity stress in T. californicus. Hence, regulation of proline synthesis during osmotic stress in T. californicus is likely mediated by some form of post-transcriptional regulation of either P5CS or P5CR. Understanding the regulation this pathway may elucidate the mechanisms limiting the salinity ranges of marine taxa.
Multilayer Enzyme Assembly for the Development of a Novel Fiber Optic Biosensor

We have developed a technique to immobilize a multilayer enzyme assembly on an optical fiber surface. The technique utilizes a bifunctional amino coupling agent to link between different layers of enzymes. The method offers the flexibility of controlling the number of enzymes on a fiber surface. Multilayers of enzyme — Alkaline Phosphatase have been characterized using ellipsometry and surface plasma resonance. Chemiluminecence experiments have been conducted as a function of number of enzyme layers. The results indicated that at least 3 layers of enzyme can be assembled on a fiber surface. Utilising the new immobilization technique, a novel fiber optic biosensor system for the detection of organophosphorous-based pesticide has been developed. The detection mechanism is the pesticide inhibition of alkaline phosphatase catalyzed chemiluminescence. As a model analyte, paraoxon with ppb level concentration has been detected.
Relationship between sawtooth events and magnetic storms

[1] The relationship between sawtooth events and magnetospheric substorms has been discussed extensively. However, the relationship between sawtooth events and magnetic storms has not been systematically examined. Using the sawtooth event list and magnetic storm list from January 1998 to December 2007, we investigate whether sawtooth events are storm time phenomena and whether there is a dependence on the strength and phase of storms. We have found that most of sawtooth events occur during storm time. Nevertheless, there are still 6 sawtooth events (5.4% of total events) that occur during nonstorm intervals. Sawtooth events also tend to occur during intense storms, with an occurrence rate of 63.5%. Sawtooth events can initiate during any stage of storms, however 55.9% of sawtooth events occur during the storm main phase through the time the ring current reaches its maximum strength. Therefore we conclude that sawtooth events are very often but not necessarily storm time phenomena. And not all storms contain sawtooth events. We suggest most sawtooth events occur during a special subset of storms that have just the right driving conditions to set intense, periodic, near-tail magnetic reconnection bursts.
Catching the wave: alertness, responsiveness, and market influence in global electronic networks

This paper introduces the concepts of alertness and responsiveness as key capabilities for firms in fast-moving, information-intensive environments such as global currency trading. Hypotheses drawn from the resource-based view of the firm, from network theory, and from Austrian economics are tested on objective cross-section and time-series data for the population of 4,088 banks engaged in foreign-exchange trading on the Reuters dealing system. Results strongly support the hypotheses that banks that are alert, i.e., use their information networks in ways that expand the range of information they are exposed to, and responsive-those that act quickly in volatile markets-tend to exercise greater market influence in this industry.
Decreased retinal blood flow in experimental colitis; improvement by eye drop administration of losartan

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease suffer not only from gut inflammation, but also from extraintestinal manifestations of the disease, including ocular pathology. The mechanisms causing ocular inflammation in these patients are unknown. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possible vascular changes occurring in the retina using a mouse model of acute colitis, that is, ingestion of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Intravital microscopy of anesthetized mice revealed that DSS caused a significant 30-40% decrease in retinal red blood cell velocities, and a 45% decrease in total retinal blood flow, but no changes in intraocular pressure. To determine whether the decreases in retinal perfusion could be inhibited by an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, losartan was administered by eye drops in a subset of the mice prior to the intravital microscopy measurements. Topical losartan was able to largely attenuate the altered hemodynamics induced by DSS. We conclude that angiotensin II might be a possible target for reducing the vascular changes occurring distantly in the eye during colitis.
A comparison of group transfer and anionic polymerization of acrylic monomers

The living polymerization of acrylic monomers by a repeated silyl Michael addition reaction (GTP)a operates at temperatures as high as 100° C. The resulting polymers are, however, nearly identical to those produced by anionic polymerization at low temperatures. Is GTP merely a special form of anionic polymerization? A proposal is made that GTP catalyzed by weak nucleophiles proceeds by insertion of monomer in silylated chain ends and that GTP catalyzed by strong nucleophiles proceeds by reversible generation of free enolate.
Metabolic syndrome : Controversial but useful

The metabolic syndrome--the cluster of obesity, impaired fasting glucose, elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertension--may not be a "real" syndrome in the strict sense. It can, however, still be a useful concept if it prompts a physician to look for and treat additional risk factors when a patient is found to have one risk factor, or if it helps persuade patients to undertake healthy lifestyle changes before they develop overt diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.
Novel fluorescence membrane fusion assays reveal GTP-dependent fusogenic properties of outer mitochondrial membrane-derived proteins

Abstract We have shown that fusion of small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) with outer mitochondrial membranes occurs at physiological pH [Cortese et al., 1991, J. Cell Biol., Vol. 113, 1331–1340]. The proteins driving this process could be involved in mitochondrial membrane fusion, which is presently poorly understood. In this study, we release from rat liver mitochondria a soluble protein fraction (SF) that increases fusion at neutral pH measured by membrane fusion assays (MFAs). Since this fusogenic activity was specifically enhanced by GTP, we separate SF by GTP affinity chromatography into: i) a flow-through subfraction (G1) containing numerous proteins with low GTP affinity; and ii) a subfraction (G2) which may contain GTP-binding proteins. A novel array of MFAs is developed to study the fusogenic properties of these fractions, measuring the merging of membranes (membrane-mixing) or the mixing of intravesicular aqueous contents (content-mixing). The MFAs use: a) SUV/large unilamellar vesicles, lacking mitochondrial membranes; b) SUV/mitochondria, reconstituting membrane–mitochondrial interactions; and c) mitochondria/mitochondria, mimicking mitochondrial fusion. The results indicate that: i) G1 contains GTP-independent, in vitro fusogenic proteins that are not sufficient to induce mitochondrial fusion; and ii) G2 contains GTP-dependent proteins that stimulate mitochondrial fusion at neutral pH. The MFAs described here could be used to monitor the isolation of active proteins from these subfractions and to define the mechanism of intermitochondrial membrane fusion.
ω-Hydroxylation of farnesol by mammalian cytochromes P450

Studies have shown that mammalian cytochromes p450 participate in the metabolism of terpenes, yet their role in the biotransformation of farnesol, an endogenous 15-carbon isoprenol, is unknown. In this report, [(14)C]-farnesol was transformed to more polar metabolites by NADPH-supplemented mammalian microsomes. In experiments with microsomes isolated from acetone-treated animals, the production of one polar metabolite was induced, suggesting catalysis by CYP2E1. The metabolite was identified as (2E, 6E, 10E)-12-hydroxyfarnesol. In studies with purified CYP2E1, 12-hydroxyfarnesol was obtained as the major product of farnesol metabolism. Among a series of available human p450 enzymes, only CYP2C19 also produced 12-hydroxyfarnesol. However, in individual human microsomes, CYP2E1 was calculated to contribute up to 62% toward total 12-hydroxyfarnesol production, suggesting CYP2E1 as the major catalyst. Mammalian cells expressing CYP2E1 demonstrated further farnesol metabolism to alpha,omega-prenyl dicarboxylic acids. Since such acids were identified in animal urine, the data suggest that CYP2E1 could be an important regulator of farnesol homeostasis in vivo. In addition, CYP2E1-dependent 12-hydroxyfarnesol formation was inhibited by pharmacological alcohol levels. Given that farnesol is a signaling molecule implicated in the regulation of tissue and cell processes, the biological activity of ethanol may be mediated in part by interaction with CYP2E1-dependent farnesol metabolism.
Reversible envelope effects during and after killing of Escherichia coli W by a highly-purified rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte fraction

Abstract The effects of a highly-purified, potently bactericidal fraction from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes on the envelope of Escherichia coli (W) have been examined. This leukocyte fraction has equally enriched bactericidal, permeability-increasing and phospholipase A2 activities, and is essentially devoid of lysozyme, myeloperoxidase and protease activities (Weiss, J., Franson, R.C., Beckerdite, S., Schmeidler, K. and Elsbach, P. (1975) J. Clin. Invest. 55, 33–42). Rapid killing of E. coli by this fraction is accompanied by two almost immediate alterations in the bacterial envelope: (1) a discrete increase in envelope permeability (measured by inhibition of bacterial leucine incorporation by normally impermeant actinomycin D), and, (2) hydrolysis of 14C-labeled fatty acid-prelabeled E. coli phospholipids. Both envelope effects are promptly reversed during further incubation at 37 °C, but not at 0 °C, with 40 mM Mg2+. Reversal is also produced by Ca2+ (40 mM) and trypsin (200 μg/ml), but 200 mM K+ causes only partial recovery and Na+ and hyperosmolar sucrose are ineffective. Upon addition of Mg2+, phospholipid degradation ceases abruptly and the labeled products of hydrolysis (free fatty acids and lysocompounds) disappear with a corresponding reaccumulation of radioactive diacylphosphatides. The time course of resynthesis of phospholipids coincides with that of restoration of the permeability barrier. Higher concentrations of the leukocyte fraction and prolonged incubation increase both the extent of phospholipid degradation and the time required for reversal of both envelope effects. These findings suggest that both the initiation of the increased permeability and its reversal are linked to respectively the breakdown and resynthesis of major E. coli membrane phospholipids, and thus depend on the fact that the biochemical apparatus of E. coli remains capable of biosynthesis despite loss of viability. Treatment of E. coli, exposed to the leukocyte fraction, with albumin results in extracellular sequestration of the products of hydrolysis and also restores the permeability barrier to actinomycin D, suggesting that the accumulation of lytic products of lipid hydrolysis within the bacterial envelope, rather than the loss of phospholipids per se, causes increased permeability.
Liquid Fuel Impingement on In-Cylinder Surfaces as a Source of Hydrocarbon Emissions From Direct Injection Gasoline Engines

Hydrocarbon (HC) emissions from direct injection gasoline (DIG) engines are significantly higher than those from comparable port fuel injected engines, especially when late direct injection (injection during the compression stroke) is used to produce a fuel economy benefit via unthrottled lean operation. The sources of engine-out hydrocarbon emissions for late direct injection are bulk flame quench, low temperatures for postcombustion oxidation, and fuel impingement on in-cylinder walls. An experimental technique has been developed that isolates the wall impingement source from the other sources of HC emissions from DIG engines. A series of steady-state and transient experiments is reported for which the HC emissions due to operation with a premixed charge using a gaseous fuel are compared to those when a small amount of liquid fuel is injected onto an in-cylinder surface and the gaseous fuel flow rate is decreased correspondingly. The steady-state experiments show that wetting any in-cylinder surface dramatically increases HC emissions compared to homogeneous charge operation with a gaseous fuel. The results of the transient fuel injection interrupt tests indicate that liquid-phase gasoline can survive within the cylinder of a fully warmed-up firing engine and that liquid fuel vaporization is slower than current computational models predict. This work supports the argument that HC emissions from DIG engines can be decreased by reducing the amount of liquid fuel that impinges on the cylinder liner and piston, and by improving the vaporization rate of the fuel that is deposited on these surfaces.
Optimization of a Low Magnesium, Cholesterol-Containing Diet for the Development of Atherosclerosis in Rabbits

The cholesterol-fed rabbit is useful for atherosclerosis research. We describe development of a low-magnesium (Mg) cholesterol-containing diet to accelerate atherosclerosis in this model. Male New Zealand White rabbits were fed either chow or one of four atherogenic diets: 1% cholesterol 10% fat 0.11% Mg, 1% cholesterol 10% fat 0.40% Mg, 2% cholesterol 20% fat 0.11% Mg, or 2% cholesterol 20% fat 0.40% Mg. While feed intake decreased in cholesterol-fed rabbits, they were able to maintain their body weights. Rabbits consuming cholesterol experienced profound hypercholesterolemia and tissue lipid accumulation, with plasma cholesterol levels above 1500 mg/dl for all groups at the completion of the study. Liver and spleen lipid content and liver cholesterol content also increased. Aortic arch atheroma thickness was greatest in 1% cholesterol 10% fat 0.11% Mg animals. Tissue Mg levels decreased in cholesterol-fed animals compared to chow-fed controls, despite equal or greater serum Mg levels. Our results indicate that the 1% cholesterol 10% fat 0.11% Mg diet was optimal at promoting hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis while minimizing health complications for the animals. The low Mg cholesterol diet will be useful to other biomedical researchers interested in utilizing the rabbit for cardiovascular disease research.
The Low-Noise 115-GHz Receiver on the Columbia-GISS 4-ft Radio Telescope

The superheterodyne millimeter-wave radiometer on the Columbia-GISS 4-ft telescope is described. This receiver uses a room-temperature Schottky diode mixer, with a resonant-ring filter as LO diplexer. The diplexer has low signal loss, efficient LO power coupling, and suppresses most of the LO noise at both sidebands. The receiver IF section has a parametric amplifier as its first stage with sufficient gain to overcome the second-stage amplifier noise. A broad-banded quarter-wave impedance transformer minimizes the mismatch between mixer and paramp. At 115 GHz, the SSB receiver noise temperature is 860 K, which is believed to be the lowest figure so far reported for a room-temperature receiver at this frequency.
Systems Pharmacological Analysis of Paclitaxel-Mediated Tumor Priming That Enhances Nanocarrier Deposition and Efficacy

Paclitaxel (PAC)-mediated apoptosis decompresses and primes tumors for enhanced deposition of nanoparticulate agents such as pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (DXR). A quantitative pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) approach was developed to analyze efficacy and identify optima for PAC combined with sterically stabilized liposome (SSL)-DXR. Using data extracted from diverse literature sources, Cremophor-paclitaxel (Taxol®) PK was described by a carrier-mediated dispositional model and SSL-DXR PK was described by a two-compartment model with first-order drug release. A hybrid-physiologic, well-stirred model with partition coefficients (Kp) captured intratumor concentrations. Apoptotic responses driving tumor priming were modeled using nonlinear, time-dependent transduction functions. The tumor growth model used net first-order growth and death rate constants, and two transit compartments that captured the temporal displacement of tumor exposure versus effect, and apoptotic signals from each agent were used to drive cytotoxic effects of the combination. The final model captured plasma and intratumor PK data, apoptosis induction profiles, and tumor growth for all treatments/sequences. A feedback loop representing PAC-induced apoptosis effects on Kp_DXR enabled the model to capture tumor-priming effects. Simulations to explore time- and sequence-dependent effects of priming indicated that PAC priming increased Kp_DXR 3-fold. The intratumor concentrations producing maximal and half-maximal effects were 18 and 7.2 μg/ml for PAC, and 17.6 and 14.3 μg/ml for SSL-DXR. The duration of drug-induced apoptosis was 27.4 h for PAC and 15.8 h for SSL-DXR. Simulations suggested that PAC administered 24 h before peak priming could increase efficacy 2.5-fold over experimentally reported results. The quantitative approach developed in this article is applicable for evaluating tumor-priming strategies using diverse agents.
ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND EDUCATION IN THE USA

To maintain the high quality of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) currently available in the United States and yet accommodate the increasing demand for EUS, the availability of and resources for EUS training must continue to increase. There are currently 28 formal EUS training centers in the US and one in Canada, which produce a total of approximately 30–35 expert endosonographers per year. In addition, there are an increasing number of endosonographers being trained through informal or non-traditional methods. Training in EUS includes three aspects: cognitive (e.g. indications), pattern recognition (normal and pathologic EUS images), and manual dexterity (scope insertion, positioning, FNA). While all these aspects are readily addressed in a formal training setting, it becomes much more challenging in the informal setting. Case observation, but more importantly, hands-on experience with patients is the rate-limiting step for accelerated EUS training. Technology advancements (e.g. simulators, tele-mentoring) may address some of these limitations. Collaborative efforts among different countries may also provide ‘win-win’ solutions.
Quantifying residual finiteness

Abstract We introduce the notion of quantifying the extent to which a finitely generated group is residually finite. We investigate this behavior for examples that include free groups, the first Grigorchuk group, finitely generated nilpotent groups, and certain arithmetic groups such as SL n ( Z ) . In the context of finite nilpotent quotients, we find a new characterization of finitely generated nilpotent groups.
Dynamics of House Sparrow Biparental Care: What Contexts Trigger Partial Compensation?

Nest attendance during incubation is characterized by an inequitable division of labor in house sparrows, Passer domesticus, with females spending more time at the nest than males. Previous research has shown that if male contributions are reduced experimentally via testosterone (T) implants, females compensate partially for those reductions, consistent with predictions from most models of negotiated biparental care. In this study, we attempted to identify the cues and contexts generating partial compensation, using data from both unmanipulated parents and pairs with T-males. Both males and females of this species sometimes leave the nest before their mate returns to relieve them, and we found that these unrelieved departures by unmanipulated individuals occur when partners are on lengthy recesses. Females compensated partially for long male recesses by marginally extending their bouts; most females also slightly reduced their next recess. By contrast, when males left before their mate returned, they left earlier than when they waited for the female. Neither males nor females adjusted their recess lengths after returning to the nest and discovering that their partner was absent. More pronounced changes in nest attendance of unmanipulated parents occurred in the context of ‘visits’, when individuals returned to the nest but then left without relieving their mate. Such visits effectively prolonged the bout of the on-duty partner and extended the visitor’s recess. Analyses of behavior of T-males and their mates revealed that T-males had significantly longer recesses than control males, and that their mates, in turn, had elevated rates of unrelieved departures. T-males also visited their on-duty mates more often than control males, whereas female visits to T-males were rare. Collectively, the predicted changes in female nest attendance associated with lengthy male recesses and male and female visits account reasonably well for the compensatory response of females paired to T-males. The majority of female compensation was attributable to changes in visit behavior, however, suggesting that much of the negotiation over nest attendance in this species occurs during direct interactions between mates.
Ruthenium red-mediated suppression of Bcl-2 loss and Ca(2+) release initiated by photodamage to the endoplasmic reticulum: scavenging of reactive oxygen species.

The photosensitizer 9-capronyloxytetrakis (methoxyethyl) porphycene localizes predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and, to a lesser extent, in mitochondria of murine leukemia L1210 cells. Subsequent irradiation results in the loss of ER > mitochondrial Bcl-2 and an apoptotic response. Although an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ was observed after irradiation, apoptosis was not inhibited by either the presence of the calcium chelator BAPTA or by the mitochondrial uniporter inhibitor ruthenium amino binuclear complex (Ru360). Moreover, neither reagent prevented the loss of Bcl-2. Ruthenium red (RR) devoid of Ru360 prevented Bcl-2 loss, release of Ca2+ from the ER and the initiation of apoptosis. Since RR was significantly more sensitive than Ru360 to oxidation by singlet oxygen, we attribute the protective effect of RR to the quenching of reactive oxygen species. Although cytosolic and (to a lesser extent) mitochondrial Ca2+ levels were elevated after photodynamic therapy, these changes were apparently insufficient to contribute to the development of apoptosis.
Engaging Parrhesia in a Democracy: Malcolm X as a Truth-teller

To engage in parrhesia is to function as a truth-teller. While Foucault (2001) outlined different types of parrhesia identified by the Greeks, the five elements of parrhesia remain constant yet context-specific: frankness, danger, criticism, duty, and truth. Foucault (2001) argued that “real parrhesia, in its positive, critical sense does not exist where democracy exists” (p. 83). I claim that parrhesia can exist in democratic institutions and, in fact, is a process that members of the public should demand from public actors. To illustrate this claim, I analyze three Malcolm X speeches, “Black Man's History,” “The Ballot or the Bullet,” and “After the Bombing” and argue that while he did not start out as a parrhesiastes, he ended his life as one who spoke the truth in a democratic society.
The ammonia synthesis over rhenium single-crystal catalysts: Kinetics, structure sensitivity, and effect of potassium and oxygen

Abstract The ammonia synthesis from nitrogen and hydrogen has been investigated over model single-crystal and polycrystalline foil rhenium catalysts at 20 atm reactant pressure and in the temperature range 720–900 K. The reaction rate is remarkably sensitive to the catalyst surface structure. A reactivity ratio of 1:94:920:2820 was found for the Re(0001), Re(1010), Re(1120), and Re(1121) crystal faces, respectively. The catalytic activity of rhenium for ammonia synthesis is higher the more open and rough the surface is. An apparent activation energy of 19.4 ± 1.1 kcal/mol was observed, regardless, of the catalyst surface structure. Kinetic data, reactant pressure dependence, and deuterium isotope effect indicate that, as in the case of iron, the rate-determining step is the dissociative chemisorption of the nitrogen molecule. Potassium metal adsorbed on the clean rhenium surface does not have any effect on the reaction rate. The coadsorption of potassium with oxygen does not suppress the reactivity of the catalyst and stabilization of potassium on the surface occurs.
Estimation of Intersection of Two Converging Targets as a Function of Speed and Angle of Target Movement

The investigation examined the effects of target velocity and angle of approach on the accuracy of intersection estimation of two moving targets. An inferred movement display was utilized in which two rows of lights, flashing serially across the display, simulated two moving targets. Five different target velocities and two angles of approach (30° and 90°) were used. The targets were displayed halfway to the actual intersection point. Ss' task was to observe the targets until they disappeared and then indicate when he thought they intersected. Each S was given 100 trials. Raw data in the form of the difference between estimated and actual intersection time were collected and converted to constant and absolute error scores for each trial. In three-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures on 2 variables, target velocity and angle of approach were significant sources of variation. Second-order and third-order interactions between angle, speed, and Ss were also statistically significant. Time estima...
Seasonal distribution of herbage mass and nutritive value of Prairiegrass (Bromus catharticus Vahl)

A reliable supply of herbage is a crucial feature of forage-based livestock systems. Forage resources with winter-active growth habits can help extend the growing season in early spring and late autumn in regions with mild-winter conditions while drought- and heat-tolerant plants help meet herbage needs during summer in humid temperate regions. The prairiegrass (Bromus catharticus, Vahl) cultivars, Grassland Dixon and Grasslands Lakota, provide resistance to foliar disease and cold in addition to sustained productivity when soil moisture is low, and could be useful over a wide range of growing conditions. The cultivars were sown in spring or summer to determine seasonal distribution of productivity and nutritive value of herbage grown in a cool-temperate region. Stands established rapidly regardless of sowing time or cultivar and were virtually pure prairiegrass once plants were well-established. Stand composition of broadcast sowings tended to be stable in subsequent growing seasons, whereas the amount of prairiegrass varied in no-till stands. In the growing seasons after establishment, cumulative dry matter (DM) yield of Lakota was similar regardless of when it was sown, whereas DM yield of Dixon differed with sowing time and was less in spring- than summer-planted stands. Rapid stand establishment, significant late-season yield, consistent concentrations of crude protein, non-structural carbohydrate and total digestible nutrients in herbage, and dominance of sward composition, suggest that prairiegrass cultivars, Dixon and Lakota, are excellent resources for forage-based livestock production systems in humid temperate conditions.
Animal Models of MS Reveal Multiple Roles of Microglia in Disease Pathogenesis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive inflammatory and demyelinating disease that affects more than 2.5 million people worldwide every year. Current therapies use mostly disease-modifying drugs, focusing on blocking and regulating systemic functions and the central nervous system (CNS) infiltration of immune cells; however, these therapies only attenuate or delay MS symptoms, but are not effective in halting the disease progression. More recent evidence indicated that regulation of inflammation within the CNS might be a better way to approach the treatment of the disease and microglia, the resident immune cells, may be a promising target of therapeutic studies. Microglia activation classically accompanies MS development, and regulation of microglia function changes the outcome of the disease. In this paper, we review the contributions of microglia to MS pathogenesis and discuss microglial functions in antigen presentation, cytokine release, and phagocytosis. We describe data both from animal and human studies. The significant impact of the timing, intensity, and differentiation fate of activated microglia is discussed, as they can modulate MS outcomes and potentially be critically modified for future therapeutic studies.
Human fetal heart rate: a unique opportunity to assess the fetal programming hypothesis

The study of the human fetus presents several unique challenges. Methods of the measurement and procedures for exploring the functional capability of the fetus coupled with the perceived fragility of the maternal/fetal dyad have been barriers for the study of the human fetus. The studies reported here by Kisilevesky and Hains (2009) and those conducted by others indicate that the psychology of the human fetus is not only important, but also clearly feasible. Kisilevsky and Hains (2009) provide compelling evidence from their own well-designed studies and the growing number of studies from other investigators that by the middle of the second trimester the human fetus is able to detect ex utero stimulation and by the early third trimester can discriminate and learn associations. The review provides important technical information and physiological rationale for measuring human fetal heart rate as an index of cognition. Other measures of fetal behavior are only briefly discussed. Some, such as MEG and MRI are dismissed as impractical and only feasible near term. Other measures that can be used to assess fetal cognition, such as fetal movement and the elegant studies of fetal movement patterns Salisbury et al. (2005) are not discussed but see articles by Di Pietro, van den Bergh, James, Kawai, Sheridan et al., Huoutilainen, Hata et al. and Emory (this issue). This commentary will focus on the application of the human fetal heart rate measures that both support and broaden the conclusions of Kisilevsky and Hains (2009). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly dispersed buckybowls as model carbocatalysts for C–H bond activation

Fullerene-derived buckybowl fractions dispersed on mesoporous silica constitute an ideal model for studying the catalysis of graphitic forms of carbon since the dispersed carbon nanostructures contain a high ratio of edge defects and curvature induced by non-six-membered rings. Dispersion of the active centers on an easily accessible high surface area material allowed for high density of surface active sites associated with oxygenated structures. This report illustrates a facile method of creating model polycyclic aromatic nano-structures that are not only active for alkane C–H bond activation and oxidative dehydrogenation but also can be practical catalysts to be eventually used in industry.
CGS algorithms for unconstrained minimization of functions

In 1952, Hestenes and Stiefel first established, along with the conjugate-gradient algorithm, fundamental relations which exist between conjugate direction methods for function minimization on the one hand and Gram-Schmidt processes relative to a given positive-definite, symmetric matrix on the other. This paper is based on a recent reformulation of these relations by Hestenes which yield the conjugate Gram-Schmidt (CGS) algorithm. CGS includes a variety of function minimization routines, one of which is the conjugate-gradient routine. This paper gives the basic equations of CGS, including the form applicable to minimizing general nonquadratic functions ofn variables. Results of numerical experiments of one form of CGS on five standard test functions are presented. These results show that this version of CGS is very effective.
Development of the user-computer interface

Abstract Requirements of the personal computer user are identified and contrasted with computer designer perspectives towards the user. The user's psychological needs are described so that the design of the user-computer interface may be designed to accommodate them. Development of the user-computer interface is discussed in terms of the user's physical, perceptual and conceptual contact with the system. The ideals of system transparency and visibility to the user are described resulting in a set of dialogue principles. Further research is suggested which will explore the characteristics of efficacious menu selection, develop a theory of the operator, determine the best locus of control for dialogue features. provide guidelines for improving system documentation and improve user work station habitability.
Heat transport by fluids during Late Cretaceous regional metamorphism in the Big Maria Mountains, southeastern California

The Big Maria Mountains of southeastern California comprise a Late Cretaceous regional metamorphic terrain involving Paleozoic cratonal sediments. Siliceous limestone of the upper Paleozoic Supai Formation has reacted to form massive wollastonite, requiring an enormous fluid flux. The minimum volume ratio of fluid:rock that is necessary to explain the formation of wollastonite may be calculated from the reaction quartz + calcite = wollastonite + CO2, using the method of Rice and Ferry. Given average conditions of 3 kbar, 500 °C, an infiltrating fluid of composition XH2O = 1.00, an equilibrium fluid composition of XH2O = 0.97, and 90% wollastonite in the final rock, a fluid:rock ratio of 17:1 may be calculated. Infiltrating fluids of composition 1.00 > XH2O > 0.97 require still higher ratios. Metamorphic reactions which took place in other units of the sequence (metapelites, massive carbonates, metavolcaniclastics) did not record the massive fluid flux, but fluids must have passed through them to have affected structurally isolated masses of Supai Formation. Passage of fluids must have occurred along fractures. Neither magmatism nor radioactive heat sources are adequate to explain the temperatures of metamorphism. If the minimum quantity of fluid that is estimated to have passed through the area was initially at 680 °C, it would result in a 300-degree rise in temperature over that of the stable-craton geotherm. Late metamorphic pegmatite dikes which are most abundant in areas of high metamorphic grade may stem from melts anatectically derived at deeper levels, perhaps as a result of the same fluid flux. Heat that is introduced by large fluid fluxes may be an important cause of anomalously high temperatures which are observed in many cases in regional metamorphic terrains.
"Where the Need is Greatest": Social Psychiatry and Race-Blind Universalism in Harlem's Lafargue Clinic, 1946–1958

Between 1946 and 1958, Harlem was home to a small psychiatric facility, the Lafargue Clinic. An interracial institution run entirely by volunteers, the clinic helped expand mental health care into underserved African American communities. Relying upon extant case files, this article examines how the Lafargue staff handled clinical situations with African Americans. In its attempt to forge a new antiracist approach, the staff struck a balance between viewing Harlem patients as psychological products of their unique social context (social psychiatry) and applying modern psychiatric principles to African Americans without adjusting for racial or sociological difference (race-blind universalism).
Simultaneous primary lung sarcoma and carcinoma.

Synchronous primary lung tumors are uncommon, and primary lung sarcomas are especially rare. We report an unusual case of a poorly differentiated carcinoma and a primary sarcoma of the lung. The surgical approach to patients with synchronous primary lung tumors should be aggressive. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An ancient duplication of the salivary amylase locus in Arvicoline rodents

Abstract Genetic variation in the expression of salivary amylase loci was examined within and among 17 taxa of rodents of the subfamily Arvicolinae and among 56 other taxa of muroid rodents representing the subfamilies Sigmodontinae, Cricetinae, Gerbillinae, Murinae and Spalacinae. Two salivary amylase loci were expressed by all taxa of the subfamily Arvicolinae examined except Dicrostonyx . This duplication of the salivary amylase locus apparently occurred before the divergence of the tribes Lemmini, Clethrionomyini, and Microtini of the subfamilty Arvicolinae (4.5–5.0 million years ago) and has been silenced in relatively few taxa during the divergence of this subfamily of rodents. Hamsters (Cricetinae) were the only other taxon of muroid rodents examined that express two salivary amylase loci; however, these duplications of the salivary amylase locus found in two different subfamilies are of questionable homology. Patterns of expression of the salivary amylase loci among muroid rodents suggest the duplication found in the arvicoline rodents probably occurred prior to the divergence of the subfamilies Arvicolinae, Gerbillinae, and Murinae, approximately 12–19 million years ago.
Relationship of pain impact and significant other reinforcement of pain behaviors: The mediating role of gender, marital status and marital satisfaction

Abstract The operant perspective of chronic pain emphasizes the important role of reinforcement contingencies in the maintenance of pain behaviors and the experience of pain. Patients' ‘significant others’ are viewed as primary reinforcing agents. The relationship between pain intensity, interference, and responses by significant others in maritally distressed, maritally satisfied, and unmarried samples of male and female pain patients and their significant others was examined in this study. Results revealed that only for married male patients significant other responses explained significant proportions of the variance in the impact of pain. Significant other responses failed to explain significant proportions of the variance for male patients living with non-married significant others. By way of contrast, for female patients pain impact and reinforcement variables were less highly associated in the married as compared to the unmarried patients. For both males and females, there were significantly higher correlations between significant other responses and pain impact levels for the maritally satisfied patients. These results provide qualified support for the operant formulation of the importance of reinforcement of pain behaviors by significant others, however, these responses appear to be dependent upon gender, marital status, and marital satisfaction. Thus, clinicians need to give greater attention to these variables when designing treatment plans.
Rates and Patterns of Law Enforcement Turnover: A Research Note

Law enforcement agencies invest substantial resources to recruit, hire, and train new police officers. Reducing officer turnover can save significant resources, yet little is known about the rates ...
Indigenous Media Gone Global: Strengthening Indigenous Identity On‐ and Offscreen at the First Nations/First Features Film Showcase

For 12 days in May 2005, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), as well as several other screening venues in Washington, D.C., hosted a group of renowned indigenous filmmakers from around the globe for the groundbreaking film showcase, “First Nations/First Features: A Showcase of World Indigenous Film and Media.” This film showcase highlighted the innovative ways in which indigenous filmmakers draw on indigenous storytelling practices to create cinematic visions that honor their long-standing indigenous cultural worlds while reaching local and world audiences. In this essay, I highlight the onscreen impact through an analysis of several films featured in First Nations/First Features, as well as the offscreen impact emphasizing how the indigenous directors used this opportunity to strengthen social networks and share experience in this industry, which may develop into future collaborative film projects.
A pilot study of the efficacy of constant-infusion ceftazidime in the treatment of endobronchial infections in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Study Objective. To compare the efficacy of constant-infusion ceftazidime (CTZ) with that of traditional intermittent dosing in a pilot trial. Design. Prospective, crossover trial. Subjects. Five adults with cystic fibrosis requiring intravenous antibiotic therapy for pulmonary exacerbations of the disease. Interventions. Patients were initially treated with standard CTZ 2 g 3 times/day for 10 days. At the next hospitalization patients were crossed over and CTZ was administered as a constant infusion at a rate determined to achieve a serum concentration 6.6 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the least susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate. Measurements and Main Results. The pharmacokinetics of CTZ were determined, as were MICs for all P. aeruginosa isolates. Outcome parameters of interest were changes with therapy in white blood cell count, P. aeruginosa density in sputum, and pulmonary function test results. Differences in these parameters for the two forms of administration were not significant. With the exception of one patient who received 6 g/day with both regimens, the average reduction in dosage with the constant infusion was 50%. Conclusion. These preliminary data suggest that constant-infusion CTZ may be as safe and efficacious as intermittent dosing.
Origin of the Bohm-Aharonov effect with half flux quanta

We show that the calculation of the Bohm-Aharonov effect in disordered systems by Al'tshuler, Aronov, and Spivak can be simply explained in terms of first-order degenerate perturbation theory. We find that the conductivity varies periodically with half a flux quantum in both one- and two-dimensional geometries.
The basis for measuring 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in serum

Abstract Because procuring blood is a much less invasive procedure than procuring adipose tissue for conducting laboratory work in epidemiologic studies, we investigated in what fraction of blood 2,3,7,8-TCDD is located, the partitioning of 2,3,7,8-TCDD between serum and adipose tissue, and the effects of fasting on the levels of selected chlorinated hydrocarbons' in serum. In summary, we found that (1) 2,3,7,8-TCDD is associated almost completely with the lipoproteins in the plasma fraction, (2) its partitioning coefficient between serum and adipose tissue on a lipid basis is approximately one, and (3) when the levels are corrected for lipids, fasting has little effect on the levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in serum.
Effects of successive in vitro and In vivo passages on the virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus, Nomuraea rileyi

There was no significant decrease or increase in the activity of conidia ofNomuraea rileyi after 12in vivo serial passages in larvae ofTrichoplusia ni (Hubner) or after 12in vitro serial passages on a semi-synthetic medium. The LC-50 at the start of the serial passage was 16.8±4.0 conidia/mm2; after 12 serial passages the LC-50 for thein vitro- andin vivo-produced conidia was 16.2±2.5 conidia/mm2 and 12.0±1.9 conidia/mm2, respectively.
Avian Influenza Infection Alters Fecal Odor in Mallards

Changes in body odor are known to be a consequence of many diseases. Much of the published work on disease-related and body odor changes has involved parasites and certain cancers. Much less studied have been viral diseases, possibly due to an absence of good animal model systems. Here we studied possible alteration of fecal odors in animals infected with avian influenza viruses (AIV). In a behavioral study, inbred C57BL/6 mice were trained in a standard Y-maze to discriminate odors emanating from feces collected from mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) infected with low-pathogenic avian influenza virus compared to fecal odors from non-infected controls. Mice could discriminate odors from non-infected compared to infected individual ducks on the basis of fecal odors when feces from post-infection periods were paired with feces from pre-infection periods. Prompted by this indication of odor change, fecal samples were subjected to dynamic headspace and solvent extraction analyses employing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify chemical markers indicative of AIV infection. Chemical analyses indicated that AIV infection was associated with a marked increase of acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone) in feces. These experiments demonstrate that information regarding viral infection exists via volatile metabolites present in feces. Further, they suggest that odor changes following virus infection could play a role in regulating behavior of conspecifics exposed to infected individuals.
Carbon formation on Ni–MgO catalyst during reaction of methane in the presence of CO2 and CO

Abstract Reactions of 13 CH 4 and 12 CH 4 in the presence of either CO 2 or CO over reduced and oxidized Ni–MgO catalyst were studied to obtain mechanistic information on carbon deposition at low and high pressure. As the reaction time increased the amount of carbon deposited on the catalyst also increased. The carbon deposited on the catalyst during the first hour of reaction appears to be very active and was removed readily by reacting with 2 vol.% oxygen in helium at 660 °C and the catalyst recovered its original activity and selectivity after removal of carbon. During the temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) of deposited carbon the catalyst consumed a significant amount of oxygen forming nickel oxide, only a fraction of which is consumed by reacting with carbon species on the surface. This indicates that the surface oxygen plays a significant role in oxidizing and removing carbon species from the catalyst surfaces. Pulse reaction and oxidation experiments show that methane is activated on the surfaces of both the oxidized and reduced catalyst whereas the CO 2 activation requires the catalyst to be in reduced state. Carbon deposited on the catalyst is formed from both methane and CO 2 , possibly via disproportionation of CO which is produced from both 13 CH 4 and 12 CO 2.
Asymptomatic optic neuropathy associated with churg–strauss syndrome

Abstract Objective To report asymptomatic optic disc edema in a patient with Churg–Strauss syndrome. Design Retrospective, observational case report. Methods Neuro-ophthalmic examination, sural nerve biopsy, and laboratory evaluation. Main outcome measures Visual acuity, funduscopy, automated perimetry, and histopathology of sural nerve biopsy. Conclusions Churg–Strauss syndrome may be associated with optic neuropathy. Careful ophthalmic evaluation may reveal signs of optic neuropathy before the development of symptomatic vision loss.
Photoionization of magnesium near threshold

The observation of structure in the photoionization cross section of magnesium in the vicinity of the $3s$ threshold is reported. The structure is the result of simultaneous (single photon) two-electron excitation followed by autoionization. The data are in excellent agreement with theory.