cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Skyrmion lattice melting in the quantum Hall system

The melting and magnetic disordering of the Skyrmion lattice in the quantum Hall system at filling factor $\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\approx}1$ are studied. A Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless renormalization-group theory is employed to describe the coupled magnetic and translational degrees of freedom. The nontrivial magnetic properties of the Skyrmion system stem from the in-plane components of the noncollinear magnetization in the vicinity of Skyrmions, which are described by an antiferromagnetic $\mathrm{XY}$ model. In a Coulomb gas formulation the ``particles'' are the topological defects of the $\mathrm{XY}$ model (vortices) and of the lattice (dislocations and disclinations). The latter frustrate the antiferromagnetic order and acquire fractional vorticity in order to minimize their energy. We find a number of melting/disordering scenarios for various lattice types. While these results do not depend on a particular model, we also consider a simple classical model for the Skyrmion system. It results in a rich $T=0$ phase diagram. We propose that the triangular and square Skyrmion lattices are generically separated by a centered rectangular phase in the quantum Hall system.
Mapping Gray Matter Development: Implications for Typical Development and Vulnerability to Psychopathology.

Recent studies with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have scanned large numbers of children and adolescents repeatedly over time, as their brains develop, tracking volumetric changes in gray and white matter in remarkable detail. Focusing on gray matter changes specifically, here we explain how earlier studies using lobar volumes of specific anatomical regions showed how different lobes of the brain matured at different rates. With the advent of more sophisticated brain mapping methods, it became possible to chart the dynamic trajectory of cortical maturation using detailed 3D and 4D (dynamic) models, showing spreading waves of changes evolving through the cortex. This led to a variety of time-lapse films revealing characteristic deviations from normal development in schizophrenia, bipolar illness, and even in siblings at genetic risk for these disorders. We describe how these methods have helped clarify how cortical development relates to cognitive performance, functional recovery or decline in illness, and ongoing myelination processes. These time-lapse maps have also been used to study effects of genotype and medication on cortical maturation, presenting a powerful framework to study factors that influence the developing brain.
Climate, imagination, Kant, and situational awareness

The interstate highway system and environmental are seldom discussed conjointly in works on climate and sustainability programs. In this essay I employ a metaphor, likening the interstate system to environments, to illustrate a cognitive shortcoming, a failure of imagination, by the organisms found in both. I argue that several failures of the imagination combine to constitute a failure to be aware of the limitations of our situations and the parameters set by climatological considerations. However, by re-engaging with our environment through the use of imaginative exercises, we can become aware of our surrounding in terms of both geographic and organismic limitations of our environment. Furthermore, to develop these sustainable policies, we can employ Kantian ethical deliberations that engage our sense of imagination to become ‘situationally aware’ of our place in the climates we inhabit and of others members of our environment.
Energy-dependent motion of TonB in the Gram-negative bacterial inner membrane

Gram-negative bacteria acquire iron with TonB-dependent uptake systems. The TonB–ExbBD inner membrane complex is hypothesized to transfer energy to outer membrane (OM) iron transporters. Fluorescence microscopic characterization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-TonB hybrid proteins revealed an unexpected, restricted localization of TonB in the cell envelope. Fluorescence polarization measurements demonstrated motion of TonB in living cells, which likely was rotation. By determining the anisotropy of GFP-TonB in the absence and presence of inhibitors, we saw the dependence of its motion on electrochemical force and on the actions of ExbBD. We observed higher anisotropy for GFP-TonB in energy-depleted cells and lower values in bacteria lacking ExbBD. However, the metabolic inhibitors did not change the anisotropy of GFP-TonB in ΔexbBD cells. These findings demonstrate that TonB undergoes energized motion in the bacterial cell envelope and that ExbBD couples this activity to the electrochemical gradient. The results portray TonB as an energized entity in a regular array underlying the OM bilayer, which promotes metal uptake through OM transporters by a rotational mechanism.
Correlation Between Frequency and Perceptual Severity of Stuttering in a Clinical Setting

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to further explore the relationship between the frequency of stuttering measured in percentage of syllables stuttered (%SS) and perceptual ratings of stutterin...
Theoretical studies of molecules on metal surfaces I. Site stability and vibrational frequencies of CO on Ni(111), Ni(110) and Ni(110)

Abstract Abundant free access to an IBM Supercomputer has facilitated the thousands of calculations necessary to optimize the geometries of arrays of CO molecules chemisorbed on large clusters simulating surfaces of Ni metal, to compute directly from the potential energy surfaces the CO and NiCO vibrational frequencies, and to examine the conditions under which interactions between the molecules alter these frequencies. In this paper we report results for one and two CO molecules on terminal, bridge and hollow sites on the (111), (110) and (100) faces of Ni. Terminal CO stretching frequencies on the three faces at low coverages do not differ much, nor do the bridge frequencies at normal NiNi distances (2.489 A); however a decidedly lower second frequency is predicted for the long bridge on the (110) face. For three-fold hollow sites on Ni(111), no difference is predicted between sites over Ni atoms and sites over holes. CO molecules occupying the four-fold sites on Ni(100) should have a frequency about 100 cm −1 lower than that observed for three-fold sites on Ni(111). We present strong theoretical evidence that a CO in the rectangular four-fold site on Ni(100) is really a terminal CO bonded to a second-layer atom and is characterized by a frequency only slightly lower than the on-top CO on this surface. Our computed binding energies agree with the trends of previous theoretical calculations, with on-top positions least stable, bridged sites intermediate, and hollow (three-fold or four-fold) sites most stable. However, it is proposed that the increased polarity of the CO molecules observed on going from one-top to bridge to hollow positions causes at high coverage preferential occupation of on-top sites due to intermolecular repulsions. Finally, in contradiction to some recent suggestions, we find that the stretching frequency of NiCO bonds increases as the frequency of the associated CO increases, in apparent agreement with experimental results.
Extraction of coupling information from Z'-->jj.

An analysis by the ATLAS Collaboration has recently shown, contrary to popular belief, that a combination of strategic cuts, excellent mass resolution, and detailed knowledge of the QCD backgrounds from direct measurements can be used to extract a signal in the [ital Z][prime][r arrow][ital jj] channel for certain classes of extended electroweak models. We explore the possibility that the data extracted from [ital Z] dijet peak will have sufficient statistical power as to supply information on the couplings of the [ital Z][prime] provided it is used in conjunction with complementary results from the [ital Z][prime][r arrow][ital l][sup +][ital l[minus]] discovery'' channel. We show, for a 1 TeV [ital Z][prime] produced at the SSC, that this technique can provide a powerful new tool with which to identify the origin of [ital Z][prime]. Extensions of this analysis to the CERN LHC as well as for a more massive [ital Z][prime] are discussed.
NMR studies of human brain function

Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy make it possible to measure localized changes in human brain activity and metabolism in single subjects during sensory stimulation and cognition. Differences between stimulated and unstimulated subjects can be visualized to a resolution of mm3 in less than 1s, a significant improvement over the more established method, positron emission tomography. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the human brain, measuring fluxes in several cm3, has followed changes in metabolic rates during visual stimulation.
ALDH Activity Correlates with Metastatic Potential in Primary Sarcomas of Bone.

Osteosarcoma (OS), chondrosarcoma (CSA), and Ewings sarcoma (ES) are the most common primary malignancies of bone, and are rare diseases. As with all sarcomas, the prognosis of these diseases ultimately depends on the presence of metastatic disease. Survival is therefore closely linked with the biology and metastatic potential of a particular bone tumor’s cells. Here we describe a significant correlation of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and the presence/absence of distant metastases in ten consecutive cases of human bone sarcomas. Additionally, cultured human CSA cells, which are historically chemo- and radio-resistant, may be sensitive to the ALDH inhibitor, disulfiram. While it is premature to draw broad conclusions from such a small series, the importance of ALDH activity and inhibition in the metastatic potential of primary bone sarcomas should be investigated further.
Analysis of mutations in tumour supressor gene p53 in breast cancer patients from poznan area

The p53 is transcriptional factor that enhances the rate of transcription of six or seven known genes which play important role in cell cycle regulation. The human p53 protein contains 393 amino acids and has been divided structurally and functionally into four domains. The p53 gene and its protein product have been studied since it became clear that slightly more than 50% of human cancers contain mutations in this gene. A study of mutational spectrum at the p53 gene are localized predominantly in the DNA-binding domain of the protein (exons 4–9). The nature of this changes is most commonly a missense mutation in one allele followed by a reduction to homozygosity, producing a faulty protein. Deletions or chain termination mutations are more rarely. Mutations in p53 gene have been also found in breast cancer in 30–40% of cases. Kind of these mutations suggest that enviromental mutagens may play important role in arising of this type of cancer. It is observed that in West Poland breast cancer occures more frequently then in other areas of the country; the highest numbers of cases are found in GreatPoland still now for unknown reasons. In this work 48 cases of breast cancer were studied. 12 different mutations in p53 were found. This mutations were then compared with datebase catalogs containing mutations in p53. Only 3 from 12 found mutations are the same as reported in datebase. Nine of them were not observed before what may suggest that specific mutational spectrum in patients with breast cancer from GreatPoland exists. Futher studies involving greater number of cases are needed to confirm this observation.
Assessing drug compliance using longitudinal marker data, with application to AIDS

The assessment of non-compliance to a study medication is an important issue in the evaluation of clinical trials of self-administered drugs. Traditional methods for evaluating the compliance of subjects include self-reported questionnaires and pharmacologic assays of drug levels in randomly-drawn blood samples, but each of these has important limitations. This paper adapts and extends changepoint methods to assess compliance from longitudinal data on laboratory markers that are affected by the drug. The maximum likelihood estimators for two models are developed and examined. The effect of the drug on the marker process, as well as the spacing of the observations of the marker process relative to the time of non-compliance determine which model parameters are estimable. For the situations examined, the method of maximum likelihood is found to perform well in most cases. However, when non-compliance begins shortly before the last observation of the marker process, these (as well as any other) estimators cannot reliably distinguish non-compliance from compliance. The methods are illustrated with an example from a recent clinical trial of persons infected with HIV.
Shale gas operator violations in the Marcellus and what they tell us about water resource risks

Abstract Development of shale gas entails environmental risk, particularly with respect to water resources, and stakeholders are keen to assess such risks before making development decisions. We focus on Pennsylvania, USA and the Marcellus Shale, the most productive shale play in the country. We examine compliance data recorded by the state regulatory agency in order to assess environmental risks and their trends and drivers over time. Overall, we track 3267 shale gas violations, noting that environmental violation rates increase from 2007 to 2009, remain high through 2010, and then drop in 2011 and thereafter. Violations related to spills and erosion were most commonly issued. A single change in policy resulted in a 45% decrease in environmental violation rates. Furthermore, for every 1% increase in wells drilled per inspections conducted, there was a 0.56% decrease in environmental violation rates. Similar effects were not found for administrative violations. Operator identity, price of gas, and other major policies were not significantly correlated with violation rates. In comparing conventional and shale gas extraction compliance we found that shale gas development entails more risk related to spills and solid waste management, while conventional development entails more risk associated with cementing and casing issues, and site restoration.
Effects of chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and chlorpromazine on conditioned emotional behaviour and conditioned neuronal activity in limbic, hypothalamic and geniculate regions ☆

Abstract The effects of chlorpromazine, chlordiazepoxide and diazepam on conditioned emotional behaviour and neuronal activity correlated with it, were studied in the rat. Conditioned behaviour was produced by brain aversive stimulation in the central grey region. In the freely moving animal, neuronal activity was studied in the amygdala, the hippocampus, the hypothalamus, and the geniculate nuclei. Effects of the drugs were compared on the background rate of firing before the presentation of the conditioned stimulus in each trial, and on the change in the background rate correlated with the presentation of the conditioned stimulus after the subject was conditioned. Behavioural responses for a food reward that had been suppressed during conflict-conditioning were reinstated in approximately 50% of the subjects after chlordiazepoxide (5 and 10 mg/kg) and in 20% after diazepam (2.5 and 5 mg/kg). Responding was not reinstated after chlorpromazine (1 and 2 mg/kg). The background rate of firing was reduced by chlordiazepoxide and chlorpromazine, but not by diazepam. The change in unit activity correlated with the presentation of the conditioned stimulus was reduced or abolished by chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, but not by chlorpromazine except in the hippocampus at the 2 mg/kg dose. The neuronal activity in the amygdala during the background period and during the conditioned stimulus-presentation was influenced by ehlordiazepoxide to a greater extent than by the other two compounds. The significance of these results is discussed in terms of a possible relationship between the effects of the drugs on behaviour and on the rate of cellular discharge.
A note on the summability of the entropy series

where p~ log p,~ is defined as 0 whenever Pn = 0 [see, for example, Feinstein (1958)]. The function H~ is a sum of nonnegative terms and consequently invariant under rearrangements of the terms. The probabilities p,~ may therefore be reordered so that they are monotonic decreasing (nonincreasing), to facilitate discussion of the finiteness of H , . All terms may also be assumed positive, for nontriviality. We hereafter confine attention to monotonic nonincreasing sequences of positive probabilities p = { p ~ ) . (Actually, ultimate monotonicity is enough.) In this note we present two sufficient conditions to assure the finiteness of the entropy H~ for such distributions p. They are given in the two theorems below. The proofs are based on corollaries to Lemmas 1 and 2, respectively; these lemmas and corollaries may have some independent interest. That H~ need not be finite may be seen from the example
A note on sufficient dimension reduction

In this paper, we presented a theoretical result and then discussed possible applications of our result to SDR problems. In addition to providing insights into existing SDR methods when Y is univariate; our theorem also applies to multivariate responses, especially when the response takes the form of (Y,W), where Y is a continuous variable and W is categorical.
All-optical 2R regeneration using data-pumped fibre parametric amplification

All-optical 2R regeneration with simultaneous wavelength conversion has been realised by a fibre parametric amplifier with the data signal to be regenerated as the pump. Regenerated data has an extinction ratio as high as 14 dB, an extinction ratio enhancement of 5 dB and a 5 dB negative power penalty.
Capillary Flow With Overlapping Electrical Double Layer

Most analytical models for the electrokinetic flow were developed for pipe or channel sizes sufficiently large or the zeta-potential sufficiently small for the application of Boltzmann distribution. With increasing interest in nano-fluidic flows, the effect of overlapping electrical double layer (EDL), which means that the pipe size is similar to or less than the Debye length, plays a more and more important role in the flow. The Boltzmann equation, which has been widely used to describe the ionic distribution in the EDL in the semi-infinite domain, is not applicable for the case of the overlapping EDL due to its limited flow space. The Nernst equation, instead, has been suggested in the literature.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Cloning, sequencing and characterization of the [NiFe]hydrogenase-encoding structural genes (hoxK and hoxG) from Azotobacter vinelandii

The Azotobacter vinelandii [NiFe]hydrogenase-encoding structural genes were isolated from an A. vinelandii genomic cosmid library. Nucleotide (nt) sequence analysis showed that the two genes, hoxK and hoxG, which encode the small and large subunits of the enzyme, respectively, form part of an operon that contains at least one other gene. The hoxK gene encodes a polypeptide of 358 amino acids (aa) (39,209 Da). The deduced aa sequence encodes a possible 45-aa N-terminus extension, not present in the purified A. vinelandii hydrogenase small subunit, which could be a cellular targeting sequence. The hoxG gene is downstream form, and overlaps hoxK by 4 nt and encodes a 602-aa polypeptide of 66,803 Da. The hoxK and hoxG gene products display homology to aa sequences of hydrogenase small and large subunits, respectively, from other organisms. The hoxG gene lies 16 nt upstream from a third open reading frame which could encode a 27,729-Da (240-aa) hydrophobic polypeptide containing 53% nonpolar and 11% aromatic aa. The significance of this possible third gene is not known at present.
Political power, technology, and total war: Two French views

"Total" war and "limited" war are part of our daily vocabulary, and policy-makers and scholars are trying to identify the conditions under which the latter, rather than the former, can be made the framework of armed conflict between the major powers, should war erupt. Two of the most important French political thinkers, MM. Raymond Aron and Bertrand de Jouvenel, have been preoccupied by the colossal warfare of the last half-century. M. de Jouvenel was inspired by revulsion against the destruction of World War II to engage in fundamental considerations of political philosophy and the attempt to develop the beginnings of a "pure" political theory. M. Aron's writings are much more closely related to what he calls the "conjuncture"-the convergence of forces upon the international scene-and the relation between war and politics is a more central and unifying concern for him than it is for M. de Jouvenel. But both men have contributed views on the nature of warfare
Infrastructure development for alternative fuel vehicles on a highway road system

A new mathematical model for positioning alternative fuel (AF) refueling stations on directed-transportation networks with the objective of maximizing the coverage of path flow volume is proposed. This model is especially designed for developing an AF infrastructure on toll roads and other highways, where vehicles do not need to exit the road network for refueling, some candidate station locations are not located at interchanges, and some stations may only service vehicles on one driving direction. The proposed model is applied to the Pennsylvania Turnpike System using the 2011 truck traffic data and considering different vehicle driving ranges.
Ununited fractures of the clavicle

Abstract Nonunion in fractures of the clavicle is known to occur but the reported cases in the literature have been few. Severe initial injuries and improper immobilization would appear to be the chief causes of nonunion in this type of fracture. Twenty cases of fracture of the clavicle with non-union are reported. A review of these cases tends to bear out this observation. Eight of the twenty patients were subjected to surgical procedures and in five, union was obtained while in two, nonunion resulted. The result was not known in one case. Of the six patients having bone grafting procedures, union occurred in five and nonunion in one. The importance of prolonged hospitalization with the patient in bed following bone grafting is borne out by the results. The best means of preventing nonunion in fractures of the clavicle is to be had by the early initiation of appropriate therapeutic measures. Fractures which fail to respond to the proper conservative measures should be reduced by open operative procedures. Autogenous bone grafting is the surest method of correction in instances in which nonunion has occurred.
CD8+ T cells express a T-helper 1–like phenotype after burn injury

Abstract Background. Previous studies suggest that CD8+ T cells are immunosuppressive after burn injury, but recent reports indicate that CD8+ T cells have several functions similar to CD4+ T cells, including the secretion of cytokines. This study uses HY male antigen in transgenic HY female mice to determine the antigen-specific response of activated CD8+ T cells after burn injury. Methods. HY TCR transgenic female mice underwent burn or sham injury. Seventy-two hours after the burn, splenocytes were stimulated with 20 μmol/L HY peptide for 16, 48, and 64 hours; cellular proliferation, intracellular interferon-γ and interleukin-2, and apoptosis were measured. Results. Burn injury significantly impaired proliferation to HY antigen (P ≤.05). Activated CD8+ T cells from burned mice showed increased intracellular interferon-γ and interleukin-2 16 hours after stimulation compared with sham (P ≤.05) and at no time was less than control mice. The percent of CD8+ T cells decreased with the time of stimulation but was not due to apoptosis by Annexin V staining. Conclusions. Activated CD8+ T cells express a TH1-like phenotype after burn injury. This provides evidence that CD8+ T cells are not simply suppressive and that is consistent with data that CD4+ T cells are primed for a TH1 response after burn injury. (Surgery 2001;130:210-6.)
The future targets or outcomes of HR work: individuals, organizations and leadership

Strategy is about winning. Almost every CEO book on strategy (Jack Welch from General Electric, Larry Bossidy from Honeywell, A.G. Lafley from P&G, and so forth) focuses on how to win over time. Li...
The Effect of the Chicken Body Louse [Eomenacanthus Stramineus (Nitz)] on Egg Production in New Hampshire Pullets

Abstract THE chicken body louse [Eomenacanthus Stramineus (Nitz.)] has long been considered a serious pest of poultry. This insect is often present in great numbers on poultry in Louisiana, Floyd and Tower (1956). These ectoparasites are believed to be the cause of considerable economic loss from increased mortality, lowered flock vitality and reduced egg production (Theobald, 1915; Thompson, 1922; Edgar and King, 1950). On the other hand, Warren (1948) reported that “moderate” to “heavy” infestations of the body louse did not adversely affect the laying hen. Many investigations have been made relative to the protection of poultry from body lice through the use of various chemicals applied directly to the birds, to the roosts, or to the nests and litter. Early recommendations for the control of the common body louse were confined largely to individual bird treatment with an effective insecticide such as sodium fluoride. Later, following the development of the …
Dobutamine Pharmacodynamics During Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography and the Impact of β‐Blocker Withdrawal: A Report from the Women's Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation Study

Dobutamine Pharmacodynamics During Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography and the Impact of β-Blocker Withdrawal: A Report from the Women's Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation Study Study Objectives. To determine the pharmacodynamic parameters of dobutamine during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and to determine how β-blocker withdrawal the evening before DSE affects responses to dobutamine during DSE. Design. Retrospective analysis. Setting. University medical center. Patients. One hundred thirty-six women who had chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of myocardial ischemia and were considered to have a clinical indication for coronary angiography. Measurements and Main Results. Patients underwent DSE with dobutamine dosages titrated from 5 to 40 μ/kg/minute. The infusion was terminated if the patient reached target heart rate or symptoms developed. Those taking β-blockers withheld their doses the evening before DSE. Traditional pharmacodynamic modeling revealed a wide range in responses to dobutamine. Data for 62% of patients not taking β-blockers were described by the Emax (maximum heart rate response to dobutamine) model, whereas data for only 39% of patients taking β-blockers were best described by this model (p=0.01). Patients taking β-blockers also had a smaller mean increment in left ventricular ejection fraction (10.8% ± 4.2% vs 14.1% ± 9.3%, p<0.01), a trend toward a higher ED50 (dobutamine dosage rate causing half the maximum heart-rate response; median 16.8 μg/kg/min, p=0.12) and a lower sigmoidicity factor determining the shape of the curve (median 2.1, p=0.03). Conclusion. The response to dobutamine exhibits wide interpatient variability, even in the absence of β-blockade. Nonetheless, in the absence of β-blockers, in most patients the dobutamine response reaches a plateau by the time the maximum infusion rate (40 μg/kg/min) is reached. Withdrawal of β-blockers the evening before DSE may be inadequate time for elimination of β-blocker effect, requiring the addition of atropine to achieve the desired response during DSE.
Elevation of putrescine and spermidine in sera of patients with solid tumors

Abstract Serum polyamine levels of patients with solid tumors have been analyzed by a modified liquid chromatography method. In this study, putrescine was found to be the best systemic marker for the solid tumors examined. Putrescine values from sera of cancer patients were considerably higher than the corresponding mean values from normal subjects. Spermidine determinations were higher than normal in 75% of sera examined while spermine values were only occasionally elevated. Determination of serum polyamines appear promising as a potential systemic indicator of malignant diseases.
Challenges and Constraints for History Selectors

Le developpement cooperatif des collections dans une discipline telle que l'histoire presente des contraintes et des difficultes propres. L'article explore six questions concernant la collaboration dans la gestion des collections historiques, a partir de l'experience de bibliotheques classees dans le premier et le troisieme quartiles de l'ARL (Association of Reasearch Libraries) : les caracteristiques du role du selecteur ; l'administration budgetaire pour le developpement des collections ; les depenses croissantes pour les donnees electroniques et leur effet probable sur la reduction de l'importance de la construction des collections locales ; l'influence du selecteur sur les priorites pour le traitement et l'acces ; la communaute pour laquelle la collection est construite ; l'adequation du modele de collections reparties et numeriques au mode de travail des historiens.
The interaction between stressful life events and leukocyte telomere length is associated with PTSD

The interaction between stressful life events and leukocyte telomere length is associated with PTSD
A carcinogenicity study in mice of a ß-adrenergic antagonist, primidolol; Increased total tumour incidence without tissue specificity

Abstract The s-adrenergic blocking agent, primidolol hydrochloride, was administered, mixed in the diet, to mice (CD-1, Charles River, France) for 18 months. Experimental groups comprised untreated controls (100/sex) and those receiving 12.5, 25 and 50 mg drug/kg body weight (50/sex). There were no non-neoplastic lesions which could be attributed to the treatment. The pattern of tumour incidence was sex-related: in females the proportion of tumour-carrying animals was significantly higher in the top dose group (48%) than in the controls (24%), whereas in males the converse was found (30% in the top dose group vs. 48% in the controls). In the top dose female group there was no one tissue in which the tumour incidence was significantly higher than in the controls. We debate whether the analysis of total tumours in the absence of a target organ is an appropriate assay for carcinogenicity. Against a background of regulatory action towards s-blocking agents, we discuss the possibility that the results of the present study could represent either a co-carcinogenic effect of s-blocking agents or, alternatively, a statistical contingency.
mPGES-1 Protects Against DOCA-Salt Hypertension via Inhibition of Oxidative Stress or Stimulation of NO/cGMP

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a recently characterized cytokine-inducible enzyme critically involved in pain and inflammatory response. However, its role in blood pressure regulation is still debatable. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of mPGES-1 deletion on DOCA-salt hypertension. After 2 weeks of DOCA plus 1% NaCl as drinking fluid, hypertension and sodium retention were more severe in mPGES-1 knockout (KO) mice than in wild-type (WT) controls. The indices of oxidative stress including urinary 8-isprostane and renal thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were only modestly increased or unchanged in the WT mice but more significantly increased in the KO mice after DOCA-salt. Conversely, in response to DOCA-salt, the indices of antioxidant systems including renal expression of superoxide dismutase-3 and urinary nitrate/nitrite excretion were all significantly elevated in the WT mice but remarkably suppressed in the KO mice. Tempol treatment (50 mg/kg per day) in DOCA-salt KO mice produced a marked attenuation of hypertension, sodium retention, and kidney injury. Immunoblotting demonstrated increased renal expression of mPGES-1 in DOCA-salt WT mice. DOCA-salt induced a nearly 5-fold increase in urinary PGE(2) excretion in the WT mice, and this increase was completely abolished in the KO mice. Together, these results suggest that mPGES-1-derived PGE(2) confers protection against DOCA-salt hypertension likely via inhibition of oxidative stress or stimulation of superoxide dismutase-3 and urinary nitrate/nitrite system.
Expression microdissection adapted to commercial laser dissection instruments

Laser-based microdissection facilitates the isolation of specific cell populations from clinical or animal model tissue specimens for molecular analysis. Expression microdissection (xMD) is a second-generation technology that offers considerable advantages in dissection capabilities; however, until recently the method has not been accessible to investigators. This protocol describes the adaptation of xMD to commonly used laser microdissection instruments and to a commercially available handheld laser device in order to make the technique widely available to the biomedical research community. The method improves dissection speed for many applications by using a targeting probe for cell procurement in place of an operator-based, cell-by-cell selection process. Moreover, xMD can provide improved dissection precision because of the unique characteristics of film activation. The time to complete the protocol is highly dependent on the target cell population and the number of cells needed for subsequent molecular analysis.
Door-to-Balloon Time for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: How Does Northern West Virginia Compare?

Abstract Background The National Registry of Myocardial Infarction reported that only 4% of patients transferred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) achieved the recommendation of a door-to-balloon time of Objectives To see if the American College of Cardiologists/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guideline of Methods A chart review of all cases of emergent primary PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) performed in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. Results The northern panhandle of West Virginia has seven hospitals, of which only one has the capability to perform primary PCI. Two hundred two patients underwent emergent PCI for STEMI from January 1, 2009–September 11, 2010. For each patient, the initial presenting time, arrival time to the PCI hospital, and start of PCI time were recorded. Eight patients were eliminated from the study for not having an initial presenting time. Of the remaining 194 patients, 89 were transferred for primary PCI. Forty-nine patients met the ACC/AHA recommendation of Conclusion Fifty-five percent of patients transferred for primary PCI in the northern panhandle of West Virginia met the recommended guidelines. This is an improvement on the national average of 4%.
Chromate inhibition of metabolism by rat tracheal explants. II. In vivo exposures.

Abstract We have previously shown that incubation of rat tracheal slices in tissue culture medium containing 0.4−2.6 m m (mmol/liter) Na2CrO4 causes inhibition of secretion of mucus glycoproteins by such explants. At concentrations of Na2CrO4 of 0.27 m m and above, the inhibition of secretion rate could be correlated with damage to the tracheal epithelium evaluated by histopathologic observations. In the present study we extend these findings by determination of the effects of Na2CrO4, administered to rats in vivo (for 24 hr) as an aerosol with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of 1–2 μm at concentrations of 0.051 and 0.173 mmol/m3, upon the previously evaluated parameters. With the aid of several simplifying assumptions, the in vivo dosages of Na2CrO4 can be compared with the equivalent concentrations to which trachaea were exposed in vitro in the earlier study. When such calculations are made, there is an excellent correlation between the toxicity observed at equivalent dosages of Na2CrO4 in vivo and in vitro. Such data may be used to calculate the tracheal deposition factor, F, the percentage of the total Na2CrO4 mass from the inhaled aerosol deposited upon the trachea. The value of F so obtained, 0.4−0.7%, compares favorably with results calculated previously on the basis of deposition of radiolabeled fused aluminosilicate particles. Thus, the tracheal explant technique may prove useful as a dosimeter for studying the quantitative in vivo deposition of freely diffusable, water-soluble agents on various airway surfaces of experimental animals.
Calorimetric analyses of the interaction between SecB and its ligands

SecB is a chaperone in Escherichia coli dedicated to export of proteins from the cytoplasm to the periplasm and outer membrane. It functions to bind and deliver precursors of exported proteins to the translocation apparatus before they fold into their native structures, thus maintaining them in a competent state for translocation across the membrane. The natural ligands of SecB are precursor proteins containing leader sequences. There are numerous reports in the literature indicating that SecB does not specifically recognize the leader peptides. However, two published investigations have concluded that the leader peptide is the recognition element (Watanabe M, Blobel G. 1989. Cell 58:685-705; Watanabe M, Blobel G. 1995. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92:10133-10136). In this work we use titration calorimetry to show that SecB binds two physiological ligands, which contain leader sequences, with no higher affinity than the same molecules lacking their leader sequences. Indeed, for one ligand the presence of the leader sequence reduces the affinity. Therefore, it can be concluded that the leader sequence provides no positive contribution to the binding energy.
Discovery of Parsec-sized Dust Shells around AFGL 2688 and AFGL 618

We present ISOPHOT linear scans of two carbon-rich proto-planetary nebulae, AFGL 2688 and AFGL 618. The 53' × 3' scans were made with the ISO AOT PHT32 using the 120 and 180 μm filters. Both these objects appear to have very bright central point sources together with extremely extended (radius ~350''-400'') dust shells with brightnesses of ~10% of the peak brightness of the point source. Assuming constant expansion velocities, ages for these dust shells are of the order of 105 yr. The infrared intensities do not fall off smoothly with radius as one would expect for constant or even steadily increasing mass-loss rates. Rather, AFGL 2688 and AFGL 618 both show enhanced emission at 150'' and 300'' and 160'' and 275'', respectively. These "periodic" enhancements indicate episodic variations in the mass loss with timescales (few times 104 yr) that appear to coincide with thermal pulses on the asymptotic giant branch. Comparison of these timescales with theoretical calculations suggest a progenitor main-sequence mass of ~3 M☉ for both AFGL 2688 and AFGL 618.
The Health Physics Program at the National Bureau of Standards Linac

A three-person Accelerator Health Physics team provides continuous radiation safety service for the National Bureau of Standards 150-MeV linear electron accelerator (Linac), which operates on a five days per week, 24 hours per day schedule, with one day per month down-time scheduled for maintenance. This team also serves the synchrotron ultraviolet light radiation facility (SURF), two Van de Graaffs, some other electrostatic accelerators, and several high-energy x-ray generators. Although the Linac is not licensed by a safety-regulating agency, as is the NBS Research Reactor, Health Physics makes no distinction between the two sources in providing coverage. Various regulations do impact on operations, e.g., the NRC dose totals and effluent releases and the OSHA requirements. Film, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD), and direct-reading pocket dosimeters are used for personnel dosimetry. The usual array of portable and fixed radiation survey meters and activation devices and some of the high-energy multi-particle activation techniques are used for area monitoring. Environmental surveillance is performed with TLD's, tissue-equivalent ion chamber, and a grass and soil assay program. Integrated Health Physics programs for all the NBS radiation facilities do instrument calibrations, training for Health Physics and operating staffs, administrative control of radioactive materials, waste management, and data compilations. The Linac began operations in 1965 and some workers have been affiliated with the facility since that time, but as at any facility, there have been personnel changes.
Effect of humidity on monolayer desorption at the air–water interface

THE effect of atmospheric humidity on the physicochemical properties of lipid monomolecular films at the air–water interface has been thought to be of secondary importance, and has never been studied experimentally. Yet, the physical situation encountered at the air–water interface may be strongly dependent on the humidity in the gas phase1,2. Harkins3, while not specifically investigating this effect, took painstaking measures to ensure saturation of the air above the interface in an effort to suppress any temperature difference between the interior of the aqueous phase and its free surface. Obviously, below the saturation point of the air, the free surface of water is expected to be at a lower temperature than the interior by virtue of the evaporation of liquid. Thus, in some instances, the temperature of the outermost layer of the free water surface was reported to drop by 15°C or more relative to the temperature of the bulk from measurements of the surface tension during evaporation4. In other investigations the mean temperature, measured by thermistors, of a thin region immediately below the free surface of a water pool was reported to be several degrees lower than that in the interior during evaporation1. The data presented here constitute a clear indication of the decisive effect of atmospheric humidity on the kinetics of monolayer desorption from the air–water interface. Figure 1 illustrates the dramatic difference in the observed decrease of the surface pressure of myristic acid monolayers in three different conditions of atmospheric humidity.
Life on the edg

The identification of cloned receptors that mediate lysolipid phosphate signalling has greatly advanced the study of these important mediators. The amino acid sequence similarity that exists between these receptors reflects the structural similarity of LPA and S1P, and suggests that an underlying commonality exists between these two fields that have developed somewhat in parallel. Lipid phosphate mediators, particularly LPA, have been implicated in a variety of pathophysiological conditions including blood clotting27xSchumacher, K.A., Classen, H.G., and Spth, M. Thromb. Haemost. 1979; 42: 631–640PubMedSee all References27, corneal wounding28xLiliom, K. et al. Am. J. Physiol. 1998; 274: C1065–C1074PubMedSee all References28, subarachinoid haemorrhage29xTigyi, G. et al. Am. J. Physiol. 1995; 268: H2048–H2055PubMedSee all References29, inflammation30xFourcade, O. et al. Cell. 1995; 80: 919–927Abstract | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (423)See all References30 and colitis31xSturm, A., Sudermann, T., Schulte, K.M., Goebell, H., and Dignass, A.U. Gastroenterology. 1999; 117: 368–377Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (78)See all References31, and have been shown to accumulate in malignant ascites32xXu, Y. et al. Clin. Cancer Res. 1995; 1: 1223–1232PubMedSee all References32. Furthermore, LPA is reported to be an anti-apoptotic factor in several cell types including kidney proximal tubule cells33xLevine, J.S., Koh, J.S., Triaca, V., and Lieberthal, W. Am. J. Physiol. 1997; 273: F575–F585PubMedSee all References33 and Schwann cells34xWeiner, J.A. and Chun, J. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1998; 96: 5233–5238Crossref | Scopus (193)See all References34, and it also promotes skin thickening35xPiazza, G.A., Ritter, J.L., and Baracka, C.A. Exp. Cell Res. 1995; 216: 51–64Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (68)See all References35. The availability of recombinant receptor subtypes will help to identify selective compounds to explore the biology of these fascinating molecules.
Application of the Vibration Decay Test to Transmission Line Conductors

Application of the vibration decay test to transmission line conductors provides a simple method of evaluating conductor self-damping on laboratory spans. Although special recording methods are not necessary, logarithmic response recorders simplify the data reduction. The procedure can be used to investigate the effects of stringing tension, external damping, and conductor history on conductor self-damping. The prime advantage of the decrement procedure is its simplicity and the ease of data reduction.
Fricative duration in esophageal speech

Abstract Comparative observations were made of fricative (/s/ and /z/) durations of normal and esophageal speakers. Differences between the average durational characteristics of fricatives spoken by normal and esophageal speakers varied systematically as a function of their voicing features. Findings were interpreted to lend additional support to the following views: (1) laryngeal amputation occasions widespread changes in speech production, (2) esophageal speakers exhibit altered articulatory behaviors, and (3) esophageal speakers retain fricative durational voicing contrast features.
Arraying autoimmunity treatment.

Protein and peptide arrays that reveal antigens which induce a diverse autoantibody response can be used to guide tolerizing therapy.
Dancing with the Scars: Choreography of the Macrophage Two Step After Myocardial Infarction

Ischemic vascular disease is the leading cause of disability in both industrialized and developing countries. Ischemic injury in the heart can lead to a myocardial infarction (MI) followed by an immune response in which macrophages are key players. The two main types of macrophages—proinflammatory
Decisions of timing in bipolarized conflict situations with complete information

Games of timing constitute a sub-class of two-person, constant-sum, infinite games, where the problem facing each player is not what action to take, but rather when he should take action. The theoretical structure of games of timing with complete information and equal accuracy functions is described. An experimental paradigm of such games is presented by a computer-controlled, two-person, infinite game that simulates the Western-style duel.
The Art of Critical Pedagogy: Possibilities for Moving From Theory to Practice in Urban Schools

Jeffrey M. R. Duncan-Andrade and Ernest Morrell (Eds.), New York: Peter Lang Press, 2008, 224 pages, $29.95 (paperback). Jeffrey M. R. Duncan-Andrade and Ernest Morrell make critical pedagogy come ...
Experimental reactions of amphibolite with boron-bearing aqueous fluids at 200 MPa: implications for tourmaline stability and partial melting in mafic rocks

Reactions between hornblende-plagioclase amphibolite and acidic and alkaline B-bearing aqueous fluids have been investigated by experiments at 475°–600° C and 200 MPa. At 600° C, hornblende+calcic plagioclase react to form tourmaline+danburite+clinopyroxene+quartz in acidic fluids containing ≥0.5–1.0 wt% B2O3.Tourmaline is precipitated directly from acidic fluids, and the reaction is driven by neutralization of fluids by Na±Ca derived from the breakdown of reactant solids. The concentration of B2O3 in fluids needed to stabilize tourmaline increases as pH increases (above approximately 6.0), and tourmaline is unstable in alkaline fluids (pH > approximately 6.5–7.0) regardless of B concentration. In addition to acid-base relations, tourmaline stability is favored by comparatively higher activity coefficients for Al species in acidic fluids. The concentrations of Al and Si in fluid increase with alkalinity, with the eventual production of felsic borosilicate melts through partial melting of the plagioclase component of the amphibolite. In seeded experiments, tourmaline also contributes components to melt. Partial melting is evident in the range 500°–525° C at 200 MPa in experiments with ≥8wt% B2O3 in fluid as Na2B4O7. The experimental results are applied primarily to metasomatic reactions between mafic rocks and borate fluids derived from granitic magmas, but tourmaline stability and partial melting in mafic regional metamorphic systems are also discussed briefly.