cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ventromedial and medial preoptic hypothalamic ibotenic acid lesions potentiate systemic morphine analgesia in female, but not male rats

Abstract Sex differences in systemic morphine analgesia occur with male rodents displaying significantly greater analgesic magnitudes and potencies than females. Neonatal androgenization, and to a lesser degree, adult ovariectomy enhance systemic morphine analgesia in female rats, implicating both organizational and activational effects of gonadal hormones. The neuroanatomical circuits sensitive to sex-related hormones by which females display a smaller opiate analgesic effect is not clear, but the ventromedial (VMH) and medial preoptic (MPOA) hypothalamic nuclei are critical in the monitoring of estradiol and other sex hormone levels. To assess the contribution of these nuclei to sex and adult gonadectomy differences in systemic morphine analgesia, intact male, intact female and adult ovariectomized (OVEX) female rats received bilateral saline (SAL) or ibotenic acid (IBO) microinjections into either the VMH or MPOA. Following surgeries, baseline tail-flick latencies over 120 minutes (min) were assessed over 4 days in all nine groups with intact females tested in the estrus phase of their cycle. All animals then received an ascending series of morphine (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mg/kg) injections 30 min prior to the tail-flick test time course with 8–12 day inter-injection intervals between doses. Baseline latencies failed to differ between SAL-treated intact males and females, but were significantly higher in SAL-treated OVEX females. Both VMH IBO and MPOA IBO lesions increased baseline latencies in intact male and female rats, but not in OVEX females. SAL-treated intact males (ED 50 = 4.0 mg/kg) and SAL-treated OVEX females (ED 50 = 3.5 mg/kg) displayed significantly greater potencies of systemic morphine analgesia than SAL-treated intact females (ED 50 = 6.3 mg/kg), confirming previous gender and gonadectomy differences. Neither VMH IBO (ED 50 = 3.7 mg/kg) nor MPOA IBO (ED 50 = 4.1 mg/kg) males differed from SAL-treated males in the potency of systemic morphine analgesia. In contrast, VMH IBO (ED 50 = 4.1 mg/kg) and MPOA IBO (ED 50 = 3.5 mg/kg) intact females displayed significantly greater potencies in systemic morphine analgesia than SAL-treated intact females. However, VMH IBO OVEX (ED 50 = 3.5 mg/kg) and MPOA IBO OVEX (ED 50 = 3.9 mg/kg) failed to differ from SAL-treated OVEX females in the potency of systemic morphine analgesia. The magnitudes of systemic morphine analgesia as measured by Maximum Percentage Effect values displayed similar patterns, but lesser degrees, of effects. These data suggest that VMH and MPOA nuclei act to tonically inhibit endogenous pain-inhibitory circuits in the intact female, but not intact male brain, and that removal of circulating gonadal hormones by OVEX and/or excitotoxic destruction of these estrogen receptor accumulating nuclei disinhibit the female analgesic response to systemic morphine.
A Numerical Simulation of Wind Stress and Topographic Effects on the Kuroshio Current Path near Taiwan

Abstract A semispectral primitive equation model is used to study the effects of wind stress and bottom topography on the meandering of a jet over the continental margin. The jet is specified initially as a geostrophic current (similar to the Kuroshio Current) supported by the temperature field. The intrusion of water from the meandering jet over the continental margin is not only dominated by topographic effects but also enhanced by northerly winds. The latter induces an onshore Ekman transport, which causes surface water in the meandering jet to intrude onto the continental margin. Lighter water is then carried downward to the deeper ocean through the hydrostatic and topographic boundary layers. Some subsurface water in the meandering jet also intrudes onto the continental slope and shelf and then rejoins the main stream. Under the influence of southerly wind, surface water in the meandering jet migrates offshore toward the deeper ocean in the Ekman layer, while subsurface water in the meandering jet in...
Photonic crystal for communication applications

Photonic crystals are well known for their potentials for confining and guiding light in very small structures. Photonic crystals can also exhibit strong dispersion properties. These properties may offer many exciting opportunities for optical communication applications. In this paper, we discuss some of the basic principles for designing photonic crystal structures for optical communication applications, using examples for applications in polarization mode compensations, and add/drop filtering in wavelength division multiplexing.
The cyanoimido ligand as an oxo analogue. Novel approaches to the preparations of cyano(imino)-aza-phosphorus(V) and N-cyanoaziridine.

The known Os(IV)−cyanoimido complexes, mer-Et4N[OsIV(bpy)(Cl)3(NαCNβ)] (mer-[OsIVN−C⋮N]-) (bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine) and trans-[OsIV(tpy)(Cl)2(NαCNβ)] (trans-[OsIVN−C⋮N]) (2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine), have formal electronic relationships with high oxidation state Ru and Os-oxo and -dioxo complexes. These include multiple bonding to the metal, the ability to undergo multiple electron transfer, and the availability of nonbonding electron pairs for donation. Thermodynamic, oxo-like behavior is observed for mer-[OsIVN−C⋮N]- in the pH-dependence of its Os(VI/V) to Os(III/II) redox couples in 1:1 (v/v) CH3CN:H2O. Oxo-like behavior is also observed in the reaction between mer-[OsVI(bpy)(Cl)3(NαCNβ)]PF6 and benzyl alcohol to give mer-[OsIV(bpy)(Cl)3(NαCNβH2)]PF6 and benzaldehyde. The reaction is first order in each reactant with kbenzyl(CH3CN, 25.0 ± 0.1 °C) = (8.6 ± 0.2) × 102 M-1 s-1. Formal NCN° transfer, analogous to O-atom transfer, occurs in reactions with tertiary phosphine and hexenes. In CH3CN under N2, a rap...
Exchange-mediated pairing: gap anisotropy and a narrow-band limit for hybridized electrons

We derive analytically the form of the superconducting gap Δ k within the exchange-mediated pairing mechanism in the weak-coupling (BCS) approximation. For the d-d or p-p types of pairing, the gap is in the form of extended s-wave. In the case of hybrid pairing: 3d-2p (for high-T c systems) or 4f-5d (for heavy-fermion systems), the anisotropy of Δ k reflects the symmetry of the hybridization matrix element V k . The value of the superconducting transition temperature is estimated in the narrow-band limit for the hybridized electrons. A general form of the pairing Hamiltonian for correlated and hybridized electrons is also discussed Nous derivons analytiquement la forme de la bande interdite supraconductrice Δ k dans l'approximation de couplage faible (BCS) pour un mecanisme d'appariement par echange. Pour des appariements de type d-d ou p-p, la bande interdite a la meme forme que pour une onde s etendue. Dans le cas d'appariements hybrides: 3d-2p (systemes a haut T c ) ou 4f-5d (systemes de fermions lourds), l'anisotropie de Δ k reflete la symetrie de l'element de matrice d'hybridation V k . La valeur de la temperature de transition supraconductrice est estimee dans la limite de bande etroite pour des electrons hybrides. La forme generale de l'hamiltonien d'appariement pour des electrons correles et hybrides est aussi discutee
Accuracy of CT-guided needle biopsy of musculoskeletal neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to assess the accuracy of CT-guided biopsy of musculoskeletal neoplasms with respect to technique, anatomic site, and histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS. During a 3-year period (January 1992 to December 1994), 176 core needle biopsies and 45 fine-needle aspirations were performed under CT guidance on patients with musculoskeletal neoplasms. To assess the accuracy of these procedures, we compared the diagnosis at biopsy with the final diagnosis as determined at the time of definitive treatment of the lesion. All biopsy findings were categorized as a primary malignancy (excluding round cell lesions), round cell lesion, local recurrence, or metastatic carcinoma. In addition, each lesion was analyzed according to which biopsy technique was used, whether frozen tissue section or rapid cytologic evaluation was used, and at which anatomic site the mass was found. RESULTS. The accuracy for needle biopsy was 93% and that for fine-needle aspiration was 80%. The complication rat...
Variable Inspection Time as an Indicator of Cognitive Reading Behaviors.

Abstract Previous attempts to relate inspection speed to text relevance have produced ambiguous results. Two experiments were conducted to demonstrate that the inconsistencies previously observed were probably due to the experimental manipulations employed to establish relevant and irrelevant text material. While specific goals or questions were shown to produce variable inspection speeds, a general purpose in reading did not. In both cases, text information related to the reading goals was more likely to be retained. Results are explained in terms of the storage demands imposed by each category of reading goal.
Effect of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, on interleukin-1 stimulated PGE2 production in mesangial cells.

Summary Prostaglandin production and cAMP formation are two signaling pathways identified for IL-1, though neither adequately account for the multitude of effects of IL-1. To investigate the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in IL-1 signaling, we used the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein. At 10–30 μg/ml, genistein blocked IL-1 stimulated prostaglandin production and induction of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PES) in glomerular mesangial cells maintained in 10% serum. Addition of genistein hours after IL-1 addition also halted further PGE2 synthesis. Genistein failed to block PES activity in vitro, indicating it was not acting as a PES inhibitor. Overall these data suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation may be a required event for IL-1 stimulation of PGE2 and PES activity, either directly as part of IL-1 signaling, or indirectly as part of a serum/PDGF competence effect on mesangial cells.
Value Structures and Orientations to Social Institutions

Summary Extant studies of the factor structure of the Rokeach Value Survey were reviewed and found to be lacking in conception, methodology, execution, or interpretation, primarily because of the failure of previous investigators to countenance the restrictions imposed by the ipsative nature of the scale. The value structures of 130 college students, 53 males and 77 females, were subjected to rank correlation. The resulting matrix was factor-analyzed. Thirteen factors emerged which, when subjected to Varimax rotation, yielded polar value clusters demonstrating significant congruence with findings from previous educational, economic, religious, political, and social value research.
Cost modeling of distributed team processes for global development and Software-Intensive Systems of Systems

Distributed team processes are becoming more pervasive because of geographically distributed development and complex Software-Intensive Systems of Systems (SISOS) with many layers of breadth and depth. Software is developed collaboratively in multiple locations around the world, and projects are being contracted out in whole or in part for economic leverage. Systems are becoming larger and more complex, leading to distributed processes at many levels. Projects are often split among distributed teams, where the teams contribute different portions of work per phase to take advantage of their skill sets and rates. Thus there is a need for new parametric cost estimation models where effort multipliers are phase sensitive. Working with industrial partners, a set of constructive cost models have been extended to better estimate distributed teams where work is allocated by phase, rather than just along the lines of specific functionality. The distributed development models allow for work distribution by phase per team (and per module), different environmental characteristics of the teams, localized labor categories, calendars, compensation rates, and currencies for costing. They also use a generalized scheme for user-defined global life-cycle processes that include calibrated effort and schedule distributions. Representative examples show the models being used for global development and SISOS scenarios. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enzymatic Reduction of 3-Nitrotyrosine Generates Superoxide

Spin-trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline 1-oxide (DMPO) was used to demonstrate that 3-nitrotyrosine (nitrotyrosine) promotes the formation of substantial amounts of reactive oxygen species (O2•...
Characterizing the primary material sources and dominant erosional processes for post-fire debris-flow initiation in a headwater basin using multi-temporal terrestrial laser scanning data

Abstract Wildfire dramatically alters the hydrologic response of a watershed such that even modest rainstorms can produce hazardous debris flows. Relative to shallow landslides, the primary sources of material and dominant erosional processes that contribute to post-fire debris-flow initiation are poorly constrained. Improving our understanding of how and where material is eroded from a watershed during a post-fire debris-flow requires (1) precise measurements of topographic change to calculate volumetric measurements of erosion and deposition, and (2) the identification of relevant morphometrically defined process domains to spatially constrain these measurements of erosion and deposition. In this study, we combine the morphometric analysis of a steep, small (0.01 km 2 ) headwater drainage basin with measurements of topographic change using high-resolution (2.5 cm) multi-temporal terrestrial laser scanning data made before and after a post-fire debris flow. The results of the morphometric analysis are used to define four process domains: hillslope-divergent, hillslope-convergent, transitional, and channelized incision. We determine that hillslope-divergent and hillslope-convergent process domains represent the primary sources of material over the period of analysis in the study basin. From these results we conclude that raindrop-impact induced erosion, ravel, surface wash, and rilling are the primary erosional processes contributing to post-fire debris-flow initiation in the small, steep headwater basin. Further work is needed to determine (1) how these results vary with increasing drainage basin size, (2) how these data might scale upward for use with coarser resolution measurements of topography, and (3) how these results change with evolving sediment supply conditions and vegetation recovery.
Scalar time-series measurements in turbulent CH4/H2/N2 nonpremixed flames: CH

Time-series measurements of CH concentrations [CH] are reported in a series of methane/hydrogen/nitrogen diffusion flames. Power spectral densities (PSDs) and autocorrelation functions are computed from the time series, permitting a detailed investigation of [CH] fluctuation time scales. The effects of fluorescence lifetime fluctuations are found to be negligible for quantitative determination of the PSDs. A similar study of hydroxyl concentrations in nonpremixed hydrogen/argon flames recently demonstrated that OH PSDs collapse to a single curve when normalized by the integral time scale, in agreement with mixture fraction statistics. However, for the present measurements, [CH] data on the fuel-side of the peak [CH] location exhibit low-frequency differences in their PSDs with respect to both the [OH] and air-side [CH] PSDs. These differences could be associated with the closer proximity of the CH radical to the shear layer and thus to enhanced fluctuations in the local mixture fraction. This possibility can be examined via measurements of other scalars.
Acyl chain unsaturation and vesicle curvature alter outer leaflet packing and promote poly(ethylene glycol)-mediated membrane fusion

The poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-induced fusion of sonicated, unilamellar vesicles (SUV) and large, unilamellar vesicles (LUV) composed of a variety of phosphatidylcholine species was compared using two assays for the mixing and leakage of internal vesicle contents. In the first [Lentz et al. (1992) Biochemistry, 31, 2643], disodium 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (ANTS) fluorescence is quenched by co-encapsulated N,N'-p-xylylenebis(pyridinium bromide) (DPX). For this assay, interference by the fluorescence of impurities in PEG demands that the PEG content of the sample be reduced by dilution before measurements are taken. The second assay [Viguera et al. (1993) Biochemistry, 32, 3708] monitors the fluorescence of Tb3+ complexed with dipicolinic acid (DPA) directly in concentrated PEG solutions. The two assays gave identical fusion profiles for egg PC SUVs treated with increasing concentrations of PEG, demonstrating that fusion occurs in the dehydrated state in the presence of PEG and does not require dilution. Comparison of results obtained with lipid species of varying degrees of unsaturation incorporated into either SUV or LUV suggested that acyl chain unsaturation and high membrane curvature combine to favor fusion of pure phosphatidylcholine membranes. There was a clear correlation between the fluorescence lifetime or the order parameter of the membrane probe 1-(4-trimethylammonium)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) in different membranes and the concentration of PEG needed to induce fusion of these membranes. However, the ratios of TMA-DPH lifetimes measured in D2O versus H2O buffers were the same for different lipid species, indicating that probe penetration was not very different for different lipid species. The results suggest that the combined effect of high membrane curvature and extensive chain unsaturation is an enhanced rate of lipid motion in the upper region of the bilayer, reflective of decreased packing density in the outer leaflet of unsaturated SUV bilayers, probably allowing for enhanced water penetration leading to an enhanced probability of fusion.
Dose-painted intensity-modulated radiation therapy for anal cancer: a multi-institutional report of acute toxicity and response to therapy.

Purpose Chemoradiation for anal cancer yields effective tumor control, but is associated with significant acute toxicity. We report our multi-institutional experience using dose-painted IMRT (DP-IMRT). Patients and Methods Between August 2005 and May 2009, 43 patients were treated with DP-IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy for biopsy-proven, squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal at two academic medical centers. DP-IMRT was prescribed as follows: T2N0: 42 Gy, 1.5 Gy/fraction (fx) to elective nodal planning target volume (PTV) and 50.4 Gy, 1.8 Gy/fx to anal tumor PTV; T3-4N0-3: 45 Gy, 1.5 Gy/fx to elective nodal PTV, and 54 Gy, 1.8 Gy/fx to the anal tumor and metastatic nodal PTV >3 cm with 50.4 Gy, 1.68 Gy/fx to nodal PTVs ≤3 cm in size. Acute and late toxicity was reported by the treating physician. Actuarial analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Median age was 58 years; 67% female; 16% Stage I, 37% II; 42% III; 5% IV. Fourteen patients were immunocompromised: 21% HIV-positive and 12% on chronic immunosuppression. Median follow-up was 24 months (range, 0.6–43.5 months). Sixty percent completed chemoradiation without treatment interruption; median duration of treatment interruption was 2 days (range, 2–24 days). Acute Grade 3+ toxicity included: hematologic 51%, dermatologic 10%, gastrointestinal 7%, and genitourinary 7%. Two-year local control, overall survival, colostomy-free survival, and metastasis-free survival were 95%, 94%, 90%, and 92%, respectively. Conclusions Dose-painted IMRT appears effective and well-tolerated as part of a chemoradiation therapy regimen for the treatment of anal canal cancer.
THE NEED FOR A MICRO PLATELET MDA ASSAY

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a marker for lipid peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. The amount of MDA generated by red blood cells (RBC)exposed to a standard H2O2 stress reflects the available antioxidant protection. As such it is more specific than the H2O2 hemolysis test & provides more information than simultaneous measurement of plasma Vit E & total lipids. However, after blood transfusions, the RBC-MDA assay poorly reflects E sufficiency since for a matter of weeks, it measures donor as well as patient cells. This is illustrated in the data on Baby B presented below. Unfortunately, the smallest sickest infants who are most in need of antioxidant defenses & most in need of antioxidant protection are also most in need of frequent blood transfusions. Becausethe much shorter life span of the platelet as compared to the RBC makes it preferable as a test cell, we have developed a platelet MDA assay (1.5 ml of blood). Results, as judged by simultaneous RBC-MDA and H2O2 assays, suggest the test is clinically feasible & will be useful in defining the state of E nutrition in premature infants.
Lipid and Fatty Acid Analysis of the Plodia interpunctella Granulosis Virus (PiGV) Envelope

Virus envelope was isolated from Plodia interpunctella granulosis virus, produced in early fourth-instar larvae. Both polar and neutral lipids were analyzed by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. Fatty acid composition of various individual neutral and polar lipids was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The major components of envelope neutral lipid were diacylglycerols. Palmitic acid and stearic acid were the major saturated fatty acids in both polar and neutral lipids. Whereas palmitoleic acid was the major unsaturated fatty acids in neutral lipids, oleic acid was the major unsaturated fatty acid in the polar lipids.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF VORTEX STRUCTURES UNDER A BROKEN SOLITARY WAVE USING SMOOTHED PARTICLE HYDRODYNAMICS METHOD

Water wave breaking and the resulting surf-zone turbulence play a role in sediment transport, wave damping, and mixing processes. The vortex structures associated with wave breaking carry large amount of turbulent momentum and turbulent kinetic energy and therefore have a crucial effect on the safety of vessels and structures located in the surf zone. In this study, turbulent vortical structures under a broken solitary waves is studied using a three-dimensional Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method. A broken solitary wave is of interest since the generation and evolution of the three-dimensional vortex structures under a broken wave can be isolated from the case of a periodic wave train, which has undertow and residual turbulence induced from previously broken waves. Further, a solitary wave is a first approximation to a tsunami wave. The numerical model predicts water surface evolution very well in comparison with the experimental results of Ting (2006). The numerical results show organized coherent structures trailing the wave and characterized by reversed horseshoe (hairpin) vortices, traveling downward, which appear to be the previously found obliquely descending eddies. These horseshoe coherent structures transport momentum and turbulent kinetic energy downward into the water column and likely have a significant role in bed and beach erosion. Different terms of vorticity equations are studied and it is concluded that vortex stretching and vortex bending play an important role on the generation and evolution of reversed horseshoe structures.
Scooping the Voters? The Consequences of the Networks' Early Call of the 1980 Presidential Race

The election projection of the 1980 presidential contest by NBC raised much speculation concerning its possible impact on voting in states where the polls were still open. Research on the subject has started from different assumptions, used different data and methods, and come to different conclusions concerning the real-world effects of such early calls. Using district-level voting and demographic data and focusing on deviations from normal voting patterns, this study finds the early call to have had a small but measurable impact on presidential and congressional turnout, and a somewhat larger impact on depressing the vote for Democratic candidates at both levels. In addition, higher income, white collar, and better educated populations appear to have been affected to a greater extent. While the overall impact was too small to have affected the outcome of the presidential race, at the congressional level as many as fourteen races were won by margins smaller than the estimated impact of the early call in ...
Lymphocyte subsets in primary sclerosing cholangitis

As an initial step in testing the hypothesis that immunoregulatory abnormalities are important in the pathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis, we determined the number and percentage of lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 33 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. In these patients, when compared with normal and diseased controls, there was a significant reduction in the total number of circulating T cells because of a disproportionate decrease in Leu-2a (suppressor/cytotoxic) cells. This decrease resulted in a significantly increased ratio of Leu-3a to Leu-2a cells. Patients with cirrhosis had significantly higher Leu-3a/Leu-2a (helper/suppressor) ratios than did noncirrhotic patients; both disease groups, however, had ratios that were significantly higher than controls. The number and percentage of B cells were significantly increased. Alterations in the percentage of B cells correlated significantly with histologic stage and concentrations of gamma globulin, serum IgG, and bilirubin. We conclude that these abnormalities are suggestive of a defect in immunoregulation in primary sclerosing cholangitis, which is not secondary to advanced liver disease alone and appears to be independent of chronic ulcerative colitis,or obstructive jaundice.
Are Patient Safety Indicators Related to Widely Used Measures of Hospital Quality

Context Patient safety indicators (PSIs) are screening tools that use administrative data to identify potential complications of care and are being increasingly used as measures of hospital safety. It is unknown whether PSIs are related to standard quality metrics.
Mapping of transmitter-specific connections: Simultaneous demonstration of anterograde degeneration and changes in the immunostaining pattern induced by lesions

This paper describes simple procedures which allow immunohistochemistry to be combined with a newly developed silver degeneration technique for the purpose of mapping transmitter-specific connections on the light microscopic level. Conditions of fixation, survival time and immunohistochemistry that contribute to optimal results are discussed.
Resuscitation factors from mycobacteria: homologs of Micrococcus luteus proteins.

Abstract Setting : Resuscitation promoting factors (Rpfs) are proteins, originally identified in Micrococcus luteus, that promote recovery of bacteria from a viable but non-replicating phase (e.g., stationary phase or latency) to a replicating phase. Purified M. luteus Rpf can stimulate growth and increase recovery of M. luteus bacteria as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria from prolonged stationary cultures. Objective : To clone and characterize Rpfs from mycobacteria. Design : We cloned one M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis rpf gene and one M. tuberculosis rpf gene into the pET19b or pET21a vector for expression in Escherichia coli . The His–tag recombinant proteins were purified and characterized. Results : When the purified recombinant proteins were added to Sauton medium (a relatively minimal medium) at 100–500pM, lag phase for mycobacteria from non-replicating cultures was shortened and there was a 10- to 100-fold increase in colony-forming units compared with control samples. In most probable number assays, the mycobacterial Rpfs increased recovery of mycobacteria from late stationary culture by about 10-fold. The Rpfs also promoted recovery of extensively washed Mycobacterium smegmatis bacteria inoculated into Sauton medium. Rpfs had only minor effects on growth of M. tuberculosis in BACTEC 12B broth, a rich medium. Conclusion : The mycobacterial Rpfs demonstrate resuscitation activities similar to those of the M. luteus Rpf.
Effects of atropine, prostigmine and acetylcholine on evoked cortical potentials.

Abstract 1. 1. Two per cent atropine, topically applied to somatic sensory cortex, produced an increase in the size and diphasicity of evoked cortical potentials. It is concluded that atropine probably acts in deeper cortical layers by blocking a presumably cholinergic cortical tonic inhibitory system. 2. 2. By recording simultaneously from homologous motor and sensory areas, and applying atropine to the latter, it was found that atropine by itself was capable of facilitating the transmission of impulses in transcortical pathways in which activity had not previously been seen. 3. 3. Even after the maximal effect of atropine had been reached, topical application of prostigmine and acetylcholine subsequently could cause a marked further augmentation of the size and diphasicity of evoked responses. It is concluded that acetylcholine may be involved in neurohumoral transmission within specific afferent and other systems of the cerebral cortex.
The Optimal Branched-Chain to Total Amino Acid Ratio in the Injury-Adapted Amino Acid Formulation

Several recent studies have suggested that solutions containing increased amounts of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) might be useful in the treatment of patients with trauma and/or sepsis. In this study we investigated the optimal amount of BCAA in a balanced nutritional solution in an injured rat laparotomy model. The amino acid content of a standard BCAA-enriched amino acid solution was enriched to 40, 45, and 50% by the addition of equimolar amounts of the three BCAA. Rats were infused with either 3.6 cal/100 g body weight/24 hr or with 18 cal/100 g body weight/24 hr with either a 40, 45, or 50% BCAA mixture and evaluated for nitrogen balance, plasma amino acid levels, and levels of plasma blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, albumin, and blood ammonia. Nitrogen balance was negative in rats receiving only 3.6 cal/100 g body weight/24 hr, but was least negative in the group receiving 45% BCAA. Nitrogen balance was positive in groups receiving 18 cal/100 g body weight/24 hr, but was most positive in groups receiving 40 or 45% BCAA-containing solutions. Plasma amino acid patterns were least distorted in the 40 and 45% formulations. Blood ammonia was highest in the 40% BCAA group and plasma albumin was best maintained in the 45% BCAA group regardless of the amount of caloric supply. The results suggest that a 45% BCAA-enriched solution is the most appropriate in this injured rat model.
Investigation of Twin Jet Aeroacoustic Properties in the Presence of a Hybrid Wing Body Shield

In preparation for upcoming wind tunnel acoustic experiments of a Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) vehicle with two jet engine simulator units, a series of twin jet aeroacoustic investigations were conducted leading to increased understanding and risk mitigation. A previously existing twin jet nozzle system and a fabricated HWB aft deck fuselage are combined for a 1.9% model scale study of jet nozzle spacing and jet cant angle effects, elevon deflection into the jet plume, and acoustic shielding by the fuselage body. Linear and phased array microphone measurements are made, and data processing includes the use of DAMAS (Deconvolution Approach for the Mapping of Acoustic Sources). Closely-spaced twin jets with a 5 inward cant angle exhibit reduced noise levels compared to their parallel flow counterparts at similar and larger nozzle spacings. A 40 elevon deflection into the twin jet plume, which is required for HWB ground rotation, can significantly increase upstream noise levels (more than 5 dB OASPL) with only minimal increases in the downstream direction. Lastly, DAMAS processing can successfully measure the noise source distribution of multiple shielded jet sources.
Some chemical constituents of cell-bound and extracellular polysaccharide of Basidiobolus ranarum, isolated from nature, and B. meristosporus, isolated from subcutaneous phycomycosis

The polysaccharide fraction of the mycelium and of the culture filtrate of strains of Basidiobolus isolated from human disease were partially characterized and compared with similar polysaccharides from strains of B. ranarum isolated from nature. The major sugar constituents of both polysaccharide preparations were studied by paper and gas chromatographic methods and, regardless of the source of the isolate, were glucose, mannose and galactose. The average relative ratios were 6:2:1 for the extracellular (culture filtrate) and 9:2:1 for the cell-bound (mycelial) polysaccharide preparations. Glucosamine, but not galactosamine, was found in the cell-bound polysaccharides of the pathogen and in the extracellular material of the saprophyte.
POSTNATAL INDUCTION AND LOCALIZATION OF R7BP, A MEMBRANE-ANCHORING PROTEIN FOR REGULATOR OF G PROTEIN SIGNALING 7 FAMILY-Gβ5 COMPLEXES IN BRAIN

Abstract Members of the regulator of G protein signaling 7 (RGS7) (R7) family and Gβ5 form obligate heterodimers that are expressed predominantly in the nervous system. R7-Gβ5 heterodimers are GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) specific for Gi/o-class Gα subunits, which mediate phototransduction in retina and the action of many modulatory G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in brain. Here we have focused on the R7-family binding protein (R7BP), a recently identified palmitoylated protein that can bind R7-Gβ5 complexes and is hypothesized to control the intracellular localization and function of the resultant heterotrimeric complexes. We show that: 1) R7-Gβ5 complexes are obligate binding partners for R7BP in brain because they co-immunoprecipitate and exhibit similar expression patterns. Furthermore, R7BP and R7 protein accumulation in vivo requires Gβ5. 2) Expression of R7BP in Neuro2A cells at levels approximating those in brain recruits endogenous RGS7-Gβ5 complexes to the plasma membrane. 3) R7BP immunoreactivity in brain concentrates in neuronal soma, dendrites, spines or unmyelinated axons, and is absent or low in glia, myelinated axons, or axon terminals. 4) RGS7-Gβ5-R7BP complexes in brain extracts associate inefficiently with detergent-resistant lipid raft fractions with or without G protein activation. 5) R7BP and Gβ5 protein levels are upregulated strikingly during the first 2–3 weeks of postnatal brain development. Accordingly, we suggest that R7-Gβ5-R7BP complexes in the mouse or rat could regulate signaling by modulatory Gi/o-coupled GPCRs in the developing and adult nervous systems.
Gravitational lensing by clusters of galaxies - Constraining the mass distribution

The possibility of placing constraints on the mass distribution of a cluster of galaxies by analyzing the cluster's gravitational lensing effect on the images of more distant galaxies is investigated theoretically in the limit of weak distortion. The steps in the proposed analysis are examined in detail, and it is concluded that detectable distortion can be produced by clusters with line-of-sight velocity dispersions of over 500 km/sec. Hence it should be possible to determine (1) the cluster center position (with accuracy equal to the mean separation of the background galaxies), (2) the cluster-potential quadrupole moment (to within about 20 percent of the total potential if velocity dispersion is 1000 km/sec), and (3) the power law for the outer-cluster density profile (if enough background galaxies in the surrounding region are observed).
Characterization of engF, a gene for a non-cellulosomal Clostridium cellulovorans endoglucanase.

Abstract A new Clostridium cellulovorans (strain ATCC 35296) endoglucanase gene engF has been isolated and sequenced. The gene contains 1671 bp and codes for a protein containing 557 amino acids and a mass of 60.1 kDa. A putative signal peptide of 29 amino acids is present and the mature protein has a mass of 57.1 kDa. EngF does not have amino acid sequence homology to previously isolated EngB and EngD, but does show sequence homology to family 5 glycosyl hydrolases from Bacillus, Erwinia carotovora, and C. acetobutylicum species. EngF is not a component of the cellulosome and does not contain a duplicated sequence (DS) at its C-terminal region. EngF is capable of binding to cellulose and hydrolyzing carboxymethylcellulose but not xylan. The cellulose binding domain (CBD) differs from types I, II and III CBDs and no obvious homology has been found to other CBD types. The maximum activity of EngF occurs at pH 5.5 and at 47°C. Its properties suggest that EngF plays an ancillary role in the degradation of cellulosic materials.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Substrates Hydrolyzed by Fibroblasts and Vascular Endothelial Cells

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, E.C. 3.4.15.1) activity has been documented in eight cultures of fibroblasts with the ACE substrates benzoyl-phe-ala-pro and hippuryl-his-leu. Hydrolysis of these ACE substrates by fibroblasts is inhibited by SQ-14225 and SQ-20881, specific inhibitors of ACE activity, and by EDTA. However, ACE activity in seven of eight cultures of fibroblasts tested is less than ACE activity in two cultures of vascular endothelial cells. The rates of hydrolysis of benzoyl-phe-ala-pro by fibroblasts and by endothelial cells differ at high substrate concentrations; therefore, the ACE activity in fibroblasts may be due to either a different isoenzyme of ACE or a different accessibility to substrate. Production of angiotensin II from angio-tensin I is documented in cultures of vascular endothelial cells but not in cultures of fibroblasts, however, angiotensin II is further degraded by fibroblasts and not by endothelial cells.
Aqueous cigarette smoke extract induces a voltage-dependent inhibition of CFTR expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel inhabits the apical membrane of airway epithelia, where its function is essential for mucus hydration, mucociliary cl...
A Statistical Equilibrium Theory of Markets

Abstract A market consists of agents defined by finite offer sets of acceptable transactions. When there are many agents with each offer set, statistical equilibrium is the feasible distribution of agents over offer sets that can be realized in the largest number of ways. A unique statistical equilibrium exists if there is a feasible market transaction and generically is a Gibbsian canonical distribution: the number of agents achieving each transaction is inversely proportional to the exponential of its cost at equilibrium entropy prices. Statistical equilibrium approximates, but does not achieve, Pareto-efficiency, requiring modification of the First and Second Welfare Theorems. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C62, D50, E10.
Robust decision making over a set of random targets or risk-averse utilities with an application to portfolio optimization

In many situations, decision-makers need to exceed a random target or make decisions using expected utilities. These two situations are equivalent when a decision-maker’s utility function is increasing and bounded. This article focuses on the problem where the random target has a concave cumulative distribution function (cdf) or a risk-averse decision-maker’s utility is concave (alternatively, the probability density function (pdf) of the random target or the decision-maker’ marginal utility is decreasing) and the concave cdf or utility can only be specified by an uncertainty set. Specifically, a robust (maximin) framework is studied to facilitate decision making in such situations. Functional bounds on the random target’s cdf and pdf are used. Additional general auxiliary requirements may also be used to describe the uncertainty set. It is shown that a discretized version of the problem may be formulated as a linear program. A result showing the convergence of discretized models for uncertainty sets spec...
Local cerebral blood flow response to locally infused 2-chloroadenosine during hypotension in piglets.

Brain interstitial adenosine increases during hypotension in piglets. If adenosine is to participate in the regulation of neonatal cerebral blood flow (CBF) during hypotension, it must retain its vasodilatory action under that condition. To examine this issue, we studied the effects of locally infused 2-chloroadenosine (2-CADO), a stable adenosine analog, on local CBF in the piglet frontal cortex during normotension and graded hemorrhagic hypotension. We used the modified brain microdialysis/hydrogen clearance technique to simultaneously infuse 2-CADO into the frontal cortex and measure local CBF from the same area. When 2-CADO from 10−8 M to 10−3 M was infused under control conditions (n = 7), CBF increased 61% at 10−5 M, 167% at 10−4 M, and 210% at 10−3 M. In hypotension experiments, local infusion of 10−5 M 2-CADO (n = 8) caused significant increases in CBF (P < 0.05) under control conditions (MABP = 65 mmHg) and at hypotensive blood pressures of 55 mmHg and 44 mmHg, respectively. At a blood pressure of 33 mmHg, however, infusion of the analog failed to increase CBF. Local infusion of 10−3 M 2-CADO also produced a similar change in CBF during graded hypotension. These results indicate that 2-CADO dilates intracerebral vessels during normotension, and mild and moderate hypotension, and support the hypothesis that endogenous adenosine mediates autoregulatory adjustments of CBF during hypotension in newborn piglets.
Best Linear Unbiased Prediction of Sire Breeding Values from Part Lactations of Daughters

Abstract The objective was to compare the accuracy of sire evaluations based on 150-, 200-, 250-, and 305-day milk yields of daughters. Accuracy was defined as a ratio of the square root of variance of prediction errors to variance of breeding values. Utilizing additive genetic relationships among sires increased accuracy of sire evaluation, particularly of sires with few daughters. An evaluation with 18 daughters per sire by 150-day milk yields gave accuracy equivalent to evaluation by 305-day milk yields for about 14 daughters. About 11.8% more genetic progress was expected from 305-day records than from 150-day records on 25 daughters. Additive genetic relationships among sires were more advantageous for proofs of short records than for proofs of 305-day milk yields.
High Levels of Nucleolar Expression of Nucleolin Are Associated with Better Prognosis in Patients with Stage II Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Purpose: Nucleolin is a major nucleolar protein that has been shown to be overexpressed in rapidly dividing cells and plays an essential role in cell proliferation and survival. However, the expression and significance of nucleolin in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) have not been studied. Experimental Design: We used a tissue microarray consisting of 1.0-mm cores of tumor and paired nonneoplastic pancreatic tissue from 69 pancreaticoduodenectomy specimens with stage II PDA. Nucleolin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and scored quantitatively by image analysis. Nucleolin expression was classified as nucleolin-high or nucleolin-low using the median nucleolin labeling index of 3.5% as cutoff. Staining results were correlated with clinicopathologic features and survival. Results: Both PDAs and PDA cell lines showed nucleolar staining for nucleolin. Nucleolin expression was higher in PDAs and PDA cell lines than in nonneoplastic ductal epithelial cells. Among the 69 stage II PDAs, 34 (49%) were nucleolin-high. The median overall survival was 65.2 ± 16.3 months for patients who had nucleolin-high PDAs compared with 19.5 ± 3.3 months for patients whose tumors were nucleolin-low ( P = 0.03, log-rank method). No significant correlation between nucleolin expression and other clinicopathologic parameters was found. In multivariate analysis, nucleolin expression was a prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with stage II PDA independent of patient9s age, gender, tumor size, differentiation, and lymph node status. Conclusions : Nucleolin was overexpressed in PDAs and PDA cell lines. A high level of nucleolar expression of nucleolin was an independent prognostic marker for better survival for patients with stage II PDAs. Clin Cancer Res; 16(14); 3734–42. ©2010 AACR.
Analysis of the Behavior of the New Zealand Dollar Exchange Rate: Comparison of Four Major Models

The purpose of this paper is to compare four major exchange rate models. Based on the value of adjusted R 2 , the uncovered interest parity model performs best, followed by the purchasing power parity model using the relative PPI, the Mundell-Fleming model, and the monetary model. The unexpected negative sign of the relative money supply in the monetary model and the unexpected negative sign of real money supply and the domestic interest rate in the Mundell-Fleming model suggest that more study is needed to examine the behavior of exchange rate fluctuations for the New Zealand dollar.
Dynamic vapor sorption isotherms of medium grain rice varieties

Abstract It is known that the two popular medium rice varieties, namely M202 and M206, in California have different fissuring resistances. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to investigate the sorption behavior of these two varieties by a new approach using dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) method for elucidating the differences in fissuring resistance. The moisture sorption isotherms of rough, brown and white rice and husk were determined at 25 °C over a water activity range of 0–0.98. Although it was found that the sorption isotherms of different forms of M202 and M206 were similar, M202 absorbed and desorbed moisture faster than M206 which might make it more susceptible to fissuring. All obtained moisture sorption isotherms exhibited the sigmoid (Type II) shape and hysteresis was observed for all forms of rice. Absorption curves obtained using DVS method were compared with the traditional saturated salt solution (SSS) method. For all forms of rice, the maximum difference for equilibrium moisture content value between two methods was observed at 0 and 98% relative humidities, which was approximately 8–11% and 7–9%. Although at a single relative humidity point equilibrium with DVS was attained much faster than SSS method, obtaining a full isotherm with more than 10 data points might make SSS method more feasible for low diffusion materials. Among the select equations to describe sorption behavior of different forms of rice, Peleg equation gave the best fit for all forms of rice.
Dynamics of vortex interaction with a density interface

We present results from an experimental and numerical investigation into the dynamics of the interaction between a planar vortex pair or axisymmetric vortex ring with lengthscale a and circulation Γ encountering a planar interface of thickness δ across which the fluid density increases from ρ1 to ρ2. Similarity considerations indicate that baroclinic generation of vorticity and its subsequent interaction with the original vortex is governed by two dimensionless parameters, namely (a/δ) A and R, where A ≡ (ρρ2 − ρ1)/(ρ2 + ρ1) and R ≡ (a3g/Γ2). For thin interfaces (δ [Lt ] a), the interaction is governed only by the parameters A and R. Furthermore, in the Boussinesq limit (A → 0), the dynamics are governed solely by the product AR and the interaction is entirely invertible with respect to the initial locations and direction of propagation of the vortices. We document details of the interaction dynamics in the Boussinesq limit over a range of the parameter AR. Results show that, for relatively small values of AR, rather than the vortex simply rebounding at the interface, its outermost layers are instead successively ‘peeled’ away by baroclinically generated vorticity and form a topologically complex backflow in which the ring fluid, the light fluid and the heavy fluid are intertwined. For larger values of AR the vortex barely penetrates the interface, and our results suggest that in the limit AR → ∞ the interaction with a density interface becomes similar to the interaction at a solid wall. We also present results for thick interfaces in the Boussinesq limit, as well as larger density jumps for which the density parameter A enters as a second similarity quantity. Comparison of the experimental and numerical results demonstrate that many of the features of such interactions can be understood within the context of inviscid fluids, and that inviscid vortex methods can be used to accurately simulate the dynamics of such interactions.