cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Binding Studies of Small Molecules to Telomeric Quadruplex DNA for Targeted Singlet Oxygen Production

Recent studies [Shieh et al., ACSNano (2010), 4, 1433; Yin et al., Chem. Comm (2012), 48, 6556] have suggested that G-quadruplexed DNA (qDNA) structures can serve as carriers for targeted delivery of photosensitizers in photodynamic therapies. In our studies, we have investigated the in vitro singlet oxygen production from the photosensitive porphyrins, N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine tetratosylate (TMPyP4), when bound to both calf thymus duplex DNA (ct-DNA) and K+-stabilized G-quadruplexed human (hTTAGGG)4 telomeric DNA (qDNA). Competition micro-dialysis assays confirmed selective binding of NMM to the mixed hybrid qDNA conformation over TMPyP4, which binds non-selectively to both qDNA and ct-DNA. Sensitized singlet oxygen production was detected using the fluorescent singlet oxygen sensor green (SOSG) assay immediately following porphyrin-DNA irradiation. First-order singlet oxygen generation was detected for both NMM and TMPyP4 when bound to qDNA. However, no appreciable singlet oxygen production was detected for NMM when bound to ct-DNA suggesting potential targeted chemotherapeutic applications for NMM bound to qDNA. CD-studies suggest no change in conformation of the qDNA following irradiation. Currently, we are investigating the effect of the Na+-stabilized antiparallel qDNA conformation on rate and efficiency of singlet oxygen production from these porphyrins. (Supported by NIH-SCORE GM 095437-04.)
αA-Conotoxin OIVA defines a new αA-conotoxin subfamily of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor inhibitors

Abstract The venoms of cone snails are rich in multiply disulfide-crosslinked peptides, the conotoxins. Conotoxins are grouped into families on the basis of shared cysteine patterns and homologous molecular targets. For example, both the κA- and αA-conotoxin families share the same Class IV Cys pattern (–CC–C–C–C–C–), but differ in their molecular targets. The κA-conotoxins are excitatory toxins that purportedly block potassium channels, while the αA-conotoxins are paralytic conotoxins that inhibit nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In this work, we describe the isolation and characterization of a novel Conus peptide from venom milked from Hawaiian specimens of Conus obscurus . This peptide shares the Class IV Cys pattern but differs from both previously characterized αA- and κA-conotoxins in the spacing of amino acids between Cys resides. However, the peptide is similar to previously characterized αA-conotoxins in its paralytic effects on fish and its antagonist activity on the neuromuscular nAChR. Unexpectedly, the peptide differs in its disulfide bonding from αA-conotoxin PIVA. We have named this unique peptide αA-conotoxin OIVA, and we consider it the defining member of a subfamily of αA-conotoxins that we designate the αA (1–3) -conotoxins to identify them by their unique disulfide bonding framework. These results indicate that the αA-conotoxin family is both more structurally diverse and broadly distributed than previously believed.
Prevalence of Listeria spp. in meat and poultry products

Reports covering the years 1971–1994 reveal the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in meats to be highly variable with around 16% of products being positive. In general, fresh meats tend to contain < 100/g while the highest numbers have been found in processed meat and poultry products. Although serovar 4b has been associated with the largest human outbreaks of listeriosis, 1/2a, 1/2b, and 1/2c are more often isolated from meats.
Factors affecting the excretion of 14C-dicumarol in the bile of rats.

1. 1. After i.v. injection of equivalent doses of 14C-dicumarol, male rats excreted about 2 12 times more radioactivity in bile (9.3 ± 0.7% in 2 hr) than did females (3.9 ± 0.4% in 2 hr). 2. 2. Exogenous agents: while 24 hr pretreatment with benzpyrene or 3-methylcholanthrene did not alter the excretion of 14C-dicumarol and its metabolites in bile, pretreatment with carbon tetrachloride reduced radioactivity in the bile of male rats 60%. Following single rapid injection of sulfobromphthalein (BSP), the radioactivity in bile, decreased 70%. 3. 3. Most of the radioactivity in bile (80–90%) was present in metabolized form regardless of the dose, the sex of the rat, or the exogenous agent used.
A HESitant decision for T cells.

Precursor cells entering the thymus have non-T cell potential, yet T cell development is clearly favored. A mechanism dedicated to repressing conflicting myeloid cell fate early during the establishment of T cell identity has now been found.
A plant growth model for integrated weed management in direct-seeded rice II. Validation testing of water-depth effects and monoculture growth

Manipulating water depths and timing is a key management practice in rice cropping systems, but rice models have not simulated water-depth effects on plant growth. A new plant growth model, DSRICE1, simulates most cultural and weed management practices except fertility. Water-depth effects on plant light capture are mechanistically simulated as reflection and attenuation of light by water. Light attenuation by water in the model depended on water depth and the light extinction coefficient of water, kH2O (m ˇ1 ). DSRICE1 was validation tested for prediction of monoculture growth, and specifically for early-season water-depth effects. Analyses revealed that attenuation by water limited irradiance and reduced seedling growth, and indicated which plant traits contributed to growth during submergence. Reflection did not affect rice growth and may be ignored. In empirical validation tests, DSRICE1 predictions were compared with data from 14 independent data sets. For growth up to 40 days after seeding (DAS) (11 experiments), simulations without water-depth effects failed validation tests by overpredicting rice shoot dry mass (DM). In contrast, DSRICE1 simulations with water-depth effects included were accurate with kH2O from 1 to 4, kH2Oa 3 was best overall, and predictions improved with experiment-specific kH2O values. DSRICE1 also accurately predicted differences in shoot DM per plant in a 1985 water-depth study, while again simulations without water-depth effects did not. Thus, water-depth effects were required to simulate early rice growth accurately. In whole-season empirical validation tests (14 experiments), DSRICE1 simulated shoot, stem, leaf, live leaf, and live stem DM accurately, especially considering the range of data used and the fact that no calibration was needed. DSRICE1 was also corroborated by the fact that it accounts for many physical factors and plant traits that affect submergence tolerance. The model or the techniques it uses may be useful in analyses of cultivar tolerance to submergence. In some respects, DSRICE1 was subjected to more rigorous validation testing than previous rice models, and potentially explains more interactions between rice and weed growth and management. This approach may broaden and improve simulation analyses of integrated weed management in direct-seeded rice systems. # 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Participation and independence of consumers in a health systems agency

Health Systems Agencies (HSAs) were mandated to include representation of the community, broadly conceived. The implicit intention of the law was to include consumers as important and co-equal participants with providers in health planning. This paper is an examination of consumer participation in one ESA. Contrary to expectations derived from the literature, citizens in this HSA exercised independent judgment regarding the major issue to confront them. We conclude his was a function of the following: talents and skills of the consumer members; natural interest in health care policy by consumer board members, sympathetic and supportive provider board members; and the homogenous character of the population in the region served.
WE-B-BRA-04: Adaptive Intensity Modulate Proton Therapy (IMPT) for Prostate with Online Patient Realignment

Purpose: Based on online image, the prostate relative shift to the bony anatomy can be corrected by realign the patient. In photon therapy, the realignment does not distort the dose distribution significantly. However, in intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), the realignment may introduce large dose variations. This effect is studied in this work and an adaptive procedure based on the online image is proposed to restore the planned dose. Method and Materials: An anthropomorphic phantom is constructed by using real prostate patient CT. The original contours are imported. Except the bone, other part of the body is replaced with water. 2‐field lateral opposing spot scanning (SS) and 24‐field full arc distal edge tracking (DET) plans are generated with PTV prescription of 70 Gy. Considering the relative shift of prostate to the bone, non‐adaptive and adaptive procedures are developed. The non‐adaptive procedure refocuses the beam to the prostate by realignment. On top of that, the adaptive procedure re‐determines the beamlet energy from the online CTimage without recalculating or optimizing the beamlet. The delivered dose with relative prostate shift of ±5 mm, ±10 mm, ±15 mm along the AP direction is recalculated for both procedures. Multi‐fraction delivery will be simulated at the time of presentation. Results: With relative prostate shift, the dose distribution changes significantly in the non‐adaptive procedure for both DET and SS. The adaptive procedure can restore the dose distribution in the DET but not in the SS. Conclusion: The adaptive procedure by re‐determine the beamlet energy is necessary for IMPT. With light calculation, the planned dose can be restored. The adaptive procedure is better performed with the DET than the SS. Conflict of Interest: Thomas Mackie has financial interest in TomoTherapy, which may commercialize some aspects of this work.
Cytotoxic activity of disulfur decafluoride (S2F10), a decomposition product of electrically-stressed SF6.

We have investigated the toxic (cell killing) activity of electrically decomposed SF 6 , using an in vitro cell culture assay system. The surprising result from these studies has been that the individual decomposition products of SF 6 known to be present in highest concentration do not account for the majority of the cytotoxic effect produced by electrically-decomposed SF 6
How does Helicobacter pylori cause duodenal ulcer disease: The bug, the host, or both?

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common cause of duodenal ulcer disease, yet duodenal ulcer is an uncommon outcome of H. pylori infection. We reviewed the possible explanations such as differences in the host or in the strain of H. pylori. Host factors reviewed included genetic susceptibility to H. pylori infection and excess gastric acid secretion. The role of potential H. pylori virulence factors not present in all strains such as the cagA gene and the results of other molecular methods to identify disease-specific differences among isolates was also reviewed. Although cure of H. pylori infection resolves gastrin releasing peptide stimulated acid secretion there was no change in parietal cell mass. Twin studies have shown genetic differences in H. pylori susceptibility. There was no difference in the prevalence of the cagA gene between H. pylori infected asymptomatic volunteers and duodenal ulcer patients (P = 1.0). DNA-DNA hybridization of whole genomic DNA in solution and cluster analysis of rep-PCR genomic DNA fingerprints suggest that isolates from patients with duodenal ulcer disease are different from those obtained from individuals with asymptomatic gastritis. Cluster analysis of the rep-PCR DNA fingerprints revealed two major groups of the strains; one set consisted of strains from patients with duodenal ulcer disease and the second cluster consisted largely of strains from individuals with asymptomatic gastritis. Recent molecular studies suggest that disease-specific cell lineages or strains may exist among H. pylori isolates leading to the various outcomes observed in patients with H. pylori infection.
The Signature of ENSO in Global Temperature and Precipitation Fields Derived from the Microwave Sounding Unit

Abstract Global temperature anomalies associated with ENSO are investigated, making use of a 13-year record of gridded temperature and precipitation data from the microwave sounding unit (MSU). The warm phase of the ENSO cycle during this period was characterized by an overall warming of the tropical troposphere, superimposed upon a distinctive equatorially symmetric dumbbell-shaped pattern straddling the equator near 140°W, accompanied by negative anomalies along the equator over the western Pacific. By means of singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis it is shown that this pattern fluctuated in phase with the displacements of convective activity over the equatorial Pacific, as reflected in the anomalies in outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and MSU precipitation fields. Fluctuations in mean tropical tropospheric temperature lagged the OLR anomalies and the related temperature pattern by about 3 months. The same dumbbell-shaped pattern was evident, with reversed polarity, in the lower stratosphere, tog...
Programmer-focused website accessibility evaluations

Suggested methods for conducting website accessibility evaluations have typically focused on the needs of end-users who have disabilities. However, programmers, not people with disabilities, are the end-users of evaluations reports generated by accessibility specialists. Programmers' capacity and resource needs are seldom met by the voluminous reports and long lists of individual website fixes commonly produced using earlier methods. The rationale for the need to consider the whole website development process, and the social characteristics of programmers and project managers is presented. A new programmer-centric Streamlined Evaluation and Reporting Process for Accessibility (SERPA) is described in detail.
Lateral inhibition and the location of visual contours. An analysis of figural after-effects.

Abstract Figural after-effects refer to the displacements which one visual contour induces on a neighboring contour, the two figures being presented successively. In this study, we examine under retinally stabilized conditions the effect of one visual contour on the detection and apparent location of a second contour. It is shown that contours are generally displaced towards each other in appearance when their separation is less than 3 min of arc and generally displaced away from each other with somewhat larger separations. At these inter-contour distances, contours exert inhibitory effects on each other's detection. Similar threshold effects have been noted in the presence of Mach Bands, known to be a manifestation of lateral inhibition. It is suggested that the contour displacements may be manifestations of the same edge-effects. The temporal separation of the two contours, presumably the distinguishing attribute of an after-effect, is shown not to be a significant variable.
Infrared Intensity Measurements by Band Contour Analysis

A spectroscopic band profile that can be used for asymmetric as well as for symmetric bands is proposed. The meaning of the asymmetry parameter is discussed, and the applications of this profile in infrared intensity determinations are examined.
Midchain hydroxylation of 16-hydroxypalmitic acid by the endoplasmic reticulum fraction from germinating Vicia faba.

The microsomal fraction from embryonic shoots of germinating Vicia faba catalyzes midchain hydroxylation (at C-9 or C-10) of 16-hydroxypalmitic acid, generating dihydroxypalmitic acid, the major component of cutin, which is the cuticular polymer of higher plants. The hydroxylation product was identified by gas chromatography and reversedphase high-performance liquid chromatography, as well as by gas chromatographic identification of the CrO 3 oxidation products of the hydroxylation product. The midchain hydroxylation required O 2 and NADPH and showed an optimal pH of 7.5. A typical Michaelis-Menton-type substrate saturation pattern was observed for 16-hydroxypalmitic acid, and an apparent K m of 50 μ m was calculated. This hydroxylation was inhibited by NaN 3 , metal ion chelators such as O -phenanthroline and 8-hydroxyquinoline, and thiol-directed reagents such as N -ethylmaleimide and p -chloromercuribenzoate. Photoreversible inhibition of the midchain hydroxylation by CO suggested the involvement of a cytochrome P-450-type protein. Subcellular fractionation of crude extracts using sucrose density gradient centrifugation showed that endoplasmic reticulum is the site of midchain hydroxylation of 16-hydroxypalmitic acid as well as ω-hydroxylation of palmitic acid. Drastic differences in the sensitivity to CO and the photoreversibility of this inhibition suggest that ω-hydroxylation and midchain hydroxylation are catalyzed by two different enzymes.
Minimal trellises for block codes

Basic concepts in the study of trellises of block codes are defined. It is shown that minimal proper trellises exists for all block codes. Bounds on the size of such trellises are established. These bounds are shown to be exact for maximum distance separable codes and nearly so for perfect codes. >
Inducing Pendant Group Interactions in Precision Polyolefins: Synthesis and Thermal Behavior

The synthesis and thermal behavior of polyethylene with precisely placed amphiphilic branches are described. The amphiphilic branches contain tetraethylene glycol as the hydrophilic segment and either pyrene, n-hexyl, or n-tetradecyl moieties as the hydrophobic segment. Monomer and precursor structures have been confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR, elemental analysis, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The structures of the corresponding polymers have been confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and temperature-modulated DSC (MDSC) were used to study the behavior of these materials in the bulk. The branch distribution was kept constant to probe the effect of changing the hydrophobic graft end group. Altering this group produced significant changes in the observed thermal behavior, implying completely different morphologies for these materials. When the graft end group is a pyrene moiety, the polyolefin backbone crystallizes excluding the pendant branch, which aggregate ...
Neutrino emission from plasmons in strong magnetic fields

We show, contrary to previously published results, that magnetic fields of astrophysical interest have negligible effects on the emission rate of neutrinos from plasmons.
Authority, the Newspaper, and Other Media, including J.M. Coetzee's Summertime

These pages seek to simulate the score of a contrapuntal composition that plays across three imbricated voice-parts as though it were some sort of fugue. By such gesture, music presents itself here among other media. Etymologically derived from fugere and fugare , to flee and to pursue, fugue has since the renaissance been imagined as a product of simultaneous composition along vertical and horizontal axes. In its call and response articulation among (here three) parts, such composition is always imitative. These pages thus imitate and contrapuntally respond to the call in J.M. Coetzee's fiction, especially after the "Plunk-Plink-Plonk" of banjo in Disgrace , and the polyphonic page presentation in Diary of a Bad Year .
A Theory‐Based Approach to the Measurement of Foreign Language Learning Ability: The Canal‐F Theory and Test

This article presents a rationale, description, and partial construct validation of a new theory of foreign language aptitude: CANAL-F—Cognitive Ability for Novelty in Acquisition of Language (Foreign). The theory was applied and implemented in a test of foreign language aptitude (CANAL-FT). Three unique features differentiate the new test from many existing tests of FL aptitude. The CANAL-FT is grounded in cognitive theory, dynamic rather than static, and simulation-based. This article outlines the CANAL-F theory and details of its instrumentation through the test (CANAL-FT), discusses the psychometric properties of the CANAL-FT, and presents the first construct-validation data on the theory and test.
{A Level-set Hit-and-run Sampler for Quasi-Concave Distributions}

We develop a new sampling strategy that uses the hit-and-run algorithm within level sets of a target density. Our method can be applied to any quasi-concave density, which covers a broad class of models. Standard sampling methods often perform poorly on densities that are high-dimensional or multi-modal. Our level set sampler performs well in high-dimensional settings, which we illustrate on a spike-and-slab mixture model. We also extend our method to exponentially-tilted quasi-concave densities, which arise in Bayesian models consisting of a log-concave likelihood and quasiconcave prior density. We illustrate our exponentially-tilted level-set sampler on a Cauchy-normal model where our sampler is better able to handle a high-dimensional and multi-modal posterior distribution compared to Gibbs sampling and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo.
Guidelines for benchmarking automated software traceability techniques

To comparatively evaluate automated trace ability solutions, we need to develop standardized benchmarks. However there is currently no consensus on how a benchmark should be constructed and used to evaluate competing techniques. In this paper we discuss recurring problems in evaluating trace ability techniques, identify essential properties that evaluation methods should possess, and provide guidelines for benchmarking software trace ability techniques. We illustrate the properties and guidelines using empirical evaluation of three software trace ability techniques on nine data sets.
Social support and dietary change among older adults

After a review of current conceptual models used in nutrition studies, we develop and test a ‘Dietary Change Model’ based on a sample of older rural adults. Predictor variables include socio-demographic, social network, and nutritional risk/support constructs; mediating variables include number of dietary changes attempted and whether the changes are successfully made; and criterion variables focus on psychosocial outcomes. The model is tested on a sample of 298 randomly selected respondents aged 60 years or more residing in five rural communities in Oregon. We find that those most likely to make dietary changes are women, married, and living in smaller households. The social network factors of density, range, and frequency of interaction negatively impact healthy dietary change. Among the most important nutritional support factors to have positive effects on dietary change are having a physician recommend changes in diet, and participating in a community food programme (women only). Successfully changing diet most clearly related to life satisfaction; results of other criterion variables were often complicated by marked gender differences.
Vibrio cholerae tolC Is Required for Bile Resistance and Colonization

TolC and its homologues are outer membrane proteins that are essential for the transport of many molecules across the cell envelope. In this study we characterized the gene encoding Vibrio cholerae TolC. V. cholerae tolC mutants failed to secrete the RTX cytotoxin, were hypersensitive to antimicrobial agents, and were deficient in intestinal colonization.
Disparate Roles for TNF-α and Fas Ligand in Concanavalin A-Induced Hepatitis

Apoptosis is a physiologic process that serves to eliminate cells during development or in response to immunologic regulation. In acute inflammation, however, apoptosis triggered by the overproduction of "death factors" such as TNF-alpha or Fas ligand (FasL) may contribute to tissue injury. Both TNF-alpha and FasL are presumed to convey an apoptotic signal by activating a cascade of cysteine-aspartate proteases, which includes IL-1beta-converting enzyme or caspase-1. In the present study, we evaluated the contribution of TNF-alpha and FasL, as well as the role of caspase-1, in Con A-induced hepatitis. We report here that TNF-alpha and FasL mRNA and protein levels are both increased in the livers of Con A-challenged mice. Using a novel inhibitor of TNF-alpha, we can confirm that Con A-induced hepatitis is primarily TNF-alpha dependent. Blockade of FasL with a soluble Fas immunoadhesin does not prevent liver injury in animals treated with Con A alone. However, administration of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor exacerbates liver injury, in part through a FasL-dependent process, since pretreatment with the soluble Fas immunoadhesin reduces liver injury in this model. In addition, mice lacking functional caspase-1 are resistant to Con A-induced hepatitis, even after pretreatment with a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. We conclude that TNF-alpha plays a predominant role in Con A-induced liver injury, although concomitant activation of FasL can also lead to apoptotic injury. Furthermore, Con A-induced hepatitis is caspase-1 dependent.
Ambient noise correlation on the Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica

The structure of ice shelves is important for modelling the dynamics of ice flux from the continents to the oceans. While other, more traditional techniques provide many constraints, passive imaging with seismic noise is a complementary tool for studying and monitoring ice shelves. As a proof of concept, here we study noise cross-correlations and autocorrelations on the Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica. We find that the noise field on the ice shelf is dominated by energy trapped in a low-velocity waveguide caused by the water layer below the ice. Within this interpretation, we explain spectral ratios of the noise cross-correlations as P-wave resonances in the water layer, and obtain an independent estimate of the water-column thickness, consistent with other measurements. For stations with noise dominated by elastic waves, noise autocorrelations also provide similar results. High-frequency noise correlations also require a 50-m firn layer near the surface with P-wave velocity as low as 1 km s^(−1). Our study may also provide insight for future planetary missions that involve seismic exploration of icy satellites such as Titan and Europa.
Cytokine signatures in atherosclerotic claudicants.

Background. Iron accumulation and inflammation may affect atherosclerosis. This study intended to define a cytokine signature in atherosclerotic claudicants and to determine whether reduction in serum ferritin by phlebotomy influenced this pattern. Methods. Ninety-one subjects with peripheral vascular disease (PVD; mean age, 67 years) were recruited from the VA Cooperative Iron and Atherosclerosis Study (FeAST) testing the hypothesis that ferritin reduction to 25 ng/ml may ameliorate atherosclerosis. Cytokines TNF-a, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 were analyzed by enzyme amplified sensitivity assay (EASIA). Fasting iron and cholesterol panels, complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid, fibrinogen, glucose, and hemoglobin A1c levels were also quantified. Values were compared with “healthy” controls (n = 21; mean age, 56 years). After randomization of PVD to phlebotomy (intervention group [IG], n = 44) or control (nonintervention group [NG], n = 47), analyses were compared at 6 and 12 months using t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, chi-square, and robust MM regression. Findings. Age, glucose, and hemoglobin A1c were higher in PVD compared with healthy controls (P < 0.01), whereas serum iron (P < 0.01) and percentage of transferrin saturation (P < 0.05) were lower. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; P < 0.05), IL-6 (P < 0.01), and CRP (P < 0.05) levels were higher in the PVD group, whereas IL-10 was lower (P < 0.01). At 6 months post phlebotomy, ferritin levels were reduced (P < 0.01), although ferritin levels were reduced less in smokers. IL-6 and fibrinogen, CRP and ferritin levels correlated positively. At 6 and 12 months, subjects with TNF-α (n= 15) and IL-6 (n = 10) levels in the upper 25th percentile were reduced by phlebotomy. Interpretation. An inflammatory cytokine signature exists in atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6, reportedly associated with recurrent and future myocardial infarction, were reduced by phlebotomy. The utility of the iron/inflammatory hypotheses will ultimately relate to clinical outcomes obtained prospectively by the FeAST trial.
Microbially Mediated Degradation of Common Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Soil Under Aerobic and Reduced Oxygen Conditions

Biological degradation rates of estrogen compounds and common pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) were examined in soils with a long history of exposure to these compounds through wastewater effluent and in soil not previously exposed. Biological degradation rates over 14 days were compared under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Estrogen compounds including estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, and 17α-ethinylestradiol exhibited rapid degradation by soil microorganisms in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Rapid degradation rates for estrone, estriol, and 17α-ethinylestradiol occurred in pre-exposed soil under aerobic conditions; half-lives calculated under these conditions were 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 day, respectively. Unexposed soil showed similar or slightly longer half-lives than pre-exposed soil under aerobic conditions. The exception was 17β-estradiol; in all treatments, degradation in unexposed soil resulted in a shorter half-life (2.1 versus 2.3 days). Anaerobic soils exhibited high biological degradation of estrogens as well. Half-lives of all estrogens ranged from 0.7 to 6.3 days in anaerobic soils. Triclosan degraded faster under aerobic conditions with half-lives of 5.9 and 8.9 days in exposed and unexposed soil. Under anaerobic conditions, triclosan half-lives were 15.3 days in unexposed and 28.8 days in exposed soil. Ibuprofen showed the least propensity toward biological degradation than other chemicals tested. Biological degradation of ibuprofen was only observed in unexposed soil; a half-life of 41.2 days was determined under anaerobic conditions and 121.9 days under aerobic conditions. Interestingly, unexposed soil exhibited a greater ability under anaerobic conditions to biologically degrade tested compounds than previously exposed soil.
Folate uptake in the human intestine: promoter activity and effect of folate deficiency.

The intestinal folate absorption process occurs via a specialized mechanism that involves the reduced folate carrier (RFC). In humans, multiple variants of the hRFC (driven by multiple promoters) have been identified with variant I being the prominent form expressed in the intestine. While it is known that promoter B (pB) of hRFC drives the expression of this variant, little is known about the minimal region required for basal activity of this promoter in human intestinal epithelial cells. Also not known is whether folate absorption in the human intestine is up-regulated during folate deficiency (as occur in animal studies), and if so, whether transcriptional mechanisms via activation of hRFC pB are involved in such regulation. To address these issues, we have used deletion constructs of the hRFC pB and determined their activity in two human intestinal epithelial cell lines: the colon-derived Caco-2 cells, and the duodenum-derived HuTu-80 cells. Our results showed that activity of hRFC pB to be significantly higher in Caco-2 cells compared to HuTu-80 cells, a finding that corresponds with a higher level of folate uptake and endogenous hRFC mRNA levels in the former compared to the latter cell type. The minimal region required for basal activity of hRFC pB in Caco-2 cells was found to be encoded in a sequence between -1088 and -1043, while in HuTu-80 cells it was encoded in a sequence between -1431 and -1088. Growing Caco-2 cells in a folate deficient medium led to a significant and specific up-regulation in folate uptake. This up-regulation was associated with a parallel increase in hRFC protein and mRNA levels, and in the activity of hRFC pB. The most responsive sequence of pB to the effect of folate deficiency was found to be encoded in a sequence between -2016 and -1431, i.e., outside the minimal region of the pB. These results show that different minimal regions for hRFC pB are utilized by different intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, folate-deficiency was found to up-regulate folate uptake by human intestinal epithelial cells and that this regulation involves activation of hRFC pB.
Qualitative analysis of effective lecture strategies in emergency medicine.

Study objective We empirically identify those aspects that make an effective lecture according to both quantitative and qualitative assessments of the opinions of a select group of emergency medicine educators. Methods The authors worked collaboratively with the Educational Meetings Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to distribute surveys to 150 participants identified as exemplary lecturers in emergency medicine. These participants had been rated in the top 10% of all lecturers by ACEP's Educational Meetings Committee, according to audience evaluations. Respondents quantitatively rated the importance of a set of strategies for the design/organization and delivery of a lecture. Additional qualitative responses were elicited from semistructured, open-ended questions that were used to identify conceptual themes and subcategories of major themes. Results One hundred fifty surveys were sent. Seventy-four (49%) of the surveys were returned, of which 67 (45%) were analyzed. Quantitative results revealed the top 3 categories of importance about design/organization (having a manageable scope of content for the allotted time, having clear objectives, and using case-based scenarios) and the top 3 categories of importance about delivery (knowledge of slides/material, having passion/enthusiasm, and interaction with the audience). Qualitative results revealed 5 thematic concepts from the analysis of 281 statements: delivery, vehicle, content, preparation, and uncontrollables, in order of descending importance according to our results. Under the category "delivery," the subcategory "engaging" was the most frequently endorsed quality. "Relevance," under the category "content," was the second most endorsed quality of all the statements obtained. Conclusion Quantitative and qualitative findings indicate that a specific and directed structure, a lecturer's knowledge base, and confidence and enthusiasm for the material are key components in the development of an effective lecture. These self-reported findings help describe strategies of exemplary emergency medicine lecturers that can be considered by faculty, residents, and other presenters.
Electrical conductivity of crystallizable polyphenylacetylene

The dc conductivity of crystallizable poly(phenylacetylene), made in the presence of ferric acetylacetonate and triethylaluminum, and its dependence on time, temperature, pressure, and crystallinity was determined. A decrease in conductivity upon annealing is probably attributable to an irreversible conformational transformation of the polymer. There is also a reversible decrease in conductivity upon compression which, under some conditions, corresponds to a volume of activation as high as 70 cm3/mole. Upon complexing with iodine the conductivity is increased by several orders of magnitude and activation energies and volumes are greatly reduced, even at iodine concentrations as low as 1.6 mole % iodine per monomer unit. Although an identification of unpaired spins with the charge carriers is probably not justified, defect states, whose presence is demonstrated by electron spin resonance, may play a major role in the charge transport process. The strong reversible decrease of the conductivity with an increase in pressure is plausible, if intermolecular charge transport is the rate-controlling step, an interpretation consistent with the large increase in conductivity upon complexing with small amounts of iodine.
Evaluating Basking-Habitat Deficiency in the Threatened Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

Woody plant succession is hypothesized to threaten many reptile populations by reducing the amount of solar energy available for thermoregulation. Mitigation via vegetation management is often recommended; however, the need for such management practices rarely has been evaluated. We examined the need for basking-site enhancement for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus c. catenatus; hereafter EMR) in New York, USA, where only 2 populations remain: one at an open-canopy site and another at a closed-canopy site. Microhabitat temperatures were substantially lower at the closed-canopy site, where EMRs selected the warmest available basking sites. Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in the open-canopy population selected basking sites that afforded greater cryptic cover. We recommend experimental reduction of shrub cover to improve EMR basking habitat at the closed-canopy site. More generally, we caution that management efforts to reduce shrub cover for basking EMRs should maintain adequate cryptic cover.
Optimized Excitation Signal Source for Efficient Measurement of E/M Impedance

This paper presented an improved algorithm using digitally synthesized excitation signal sources for efficient and accurate measurement of the E/M impedance for structural health monitoring with PWAS (piezoelectric wafer active sensor) transducers. Instead of using a sinusoidal excitation to measure the structural E/M impedance at a single frequency at a time, the digitally synthesized signal sources get the entire structural E/M impedance spectrum immediately at one step through permanently attached PWAS. Digitally synthesized signal source is a time efficient way for E/M impedance spectrum measurement. Firstly, introduction of E/M impedance measurement and the concept of using transfer function to achieve admittance and impedance of PWAS were provided. Secondly, two ways of synthesizing signal sources were discussed. Thirdly, the characteristics and performance of the two signal sources for E/M impedance measurement were compared in simulation and examined by laboratory experiment of measuring a free PWAS impedance spectrum over a wide frequency range (100k~1MHz). Finally, the hardware implementation and measurement precision of the new impedance methods were discussed and concluded.
A Mannheim for All Seasons: Bloor, Merton, and the Roots of the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge

David Bloor often wrote that Karl Mannheim had “stopped short” in his sociology of knowledge, lacking the nerve to consider the natural sciences sociologically. While this assessment runs counter to Mannheim's own work, which responded in quite specific ways both to an encroaching “modernity” and a looming fascism, Bloor's depiction becomes clearer when considered in the light of his principal introduction to Mannheim's work — a series of essays by Robert Merton. Bloor's reading and appropriation of Mannheim emerged from his background in experimental psychology and his attempts to supercede Merton's own structural-functionalist program for the sociology of knowledge. By retracing this extended trail of readings and re-readings, we may begin to understand the roots of Bloor's curious interpretation of Mannheim's sociology of knowledge, and inquire in a reflexive way about the present and future directions of science studies.
Adaptive routing for Convergence Enhanced Ethernet

A significant drive to consolidate data center networks on a single infrastructure is taking place. 10-Gigabit Ethernet is one of the contenders to fulfill the role of universal data center interconnect. One of the key features missing from conventional Ethernet is congestion management; this void is being filled by the standardization work of the IEEE 802.1Qau working group. However, the schemes under consideration react to congestion only at the sources by reducing the transmission rates of “hot” flows, i.e., those detected as contributing to congestion. This approach ignores a crucial aspect of many data center networks, namely, that there typically are multiple paths between any pair of end nodes. Before reducing transmission rates, it would make sense to look for an alternative, uncongested path first. Here, we propose an adaptive routing scheme that builds—in a fully transparent way—on top of the existing 802.1Qau schemes, by snooping the congestion notification frames to modify the routing behavior of the switching nodes. We demonstrate how this can lead to significant performance improvements by taking full advantage of path diversity.
Nonlinearities at the apex of the cochlea: Implications for auditory perception

Certain aspects of auditory perception are thought to reflect basilar membrane responses, which are nonlinear by virtue of their feedback relationship with outer hair cells. This association between cochlear mechanics and perception (Oxenham and Plack 1997) was originally based on comparisons with the well-characterized mechanical responses recorded from the base of the mammalian cochlea (Ruggero, Rich, Recio, Narayan and Robles 1997). These responses are nonlinear but only around the best frequency (BF) of the recording location. Below BF, responses are linear. However, the assumption that responses are linear below BF does not hold at the apex of the cochlea. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to review what is known about apical inner hair cell (IHC) responses in order to provide an indication of how low and moderate signal frequencies are coded by the basilar membraneouter hair cell-tectorial membrane (BM-OHC-TM) complex. Because mammalian IHCs supply the inputs to the auditory nerve, their receptor potentials ultimately provide the substrate upon which central auditory processing is based. Results are evaluated for IHCs in turn 3 of the guinea pig cochlea where BFs are ~1 kHz. In other words, recordings are made from regions where a majority of the psychophysical measurements are obtained. Information about the hair cell transducer is provided and compared with results on cochlear mechanics where appropriate. Implications for measurements of auditory compression in human subjects are also discussed.
Ku86 is not required for protection of signal ends or for formation of nonstandard V(D)J recombination products.

Ku, a heterodimer of 70- and 86-kDa subunits, serves as the DNA binding component of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). Cells deficient for the 86-kDa subunit of Ku (Ku86-deficient cells) lack Ku DNA end-binding activity and are severely defective for formation of the standard V(D)J recombination products, i.e., signal and coding joints. It has been widely hypothesized that Ku is required for protection of broken DNA ends generated during V(D)J recombination. Here we report the first analysis of V(D)J recombination intermediates in a Ku-deficient cell line. We find that full-length, ligatable signal ends are abundant in these cells. These data show that Ku86 is not required for the protection or stabilization of signal ends, suggesting that other proteins may perform this function. The presence of high levels of signal ends in Ku-deficient cells prompted us to investigate whether these ends could participate in joining reactions. We show that nonstandard V(D)J recombination products (hybrid joints), which involve joining a signal end to a coding end, form with similar efficiencies in Ku-deficient and wild-type fibroblasts. These data support the surprising conclusion that Ku is not required for some types of V(D)J joining events. We propose a novel RAG-mediated joining mechanism, analogous to disintegration reactions performed by retroviral integrases, to explain how formation of hybrid joints can bypass the requirement for Ku and DNA-PK.
Discovering environmental causes of disease

Although chronic diseases are primarily environmental (ie, not genetic) in origin, the particular environmental causes of these diseases are poorly understood. A WHO study of worldwide cancer mortality identified nine diverse environmental factors, including pollution, diet, lifestyle factors and infections. However, the joint effect of these nine factors accounted for only about one-third of cancer mortality, indicating that about two-thirds are of unknown aetiology. One problem relates to the community of epidemiologists, which sorts environmental factors into marginally overlapping domains, thereby creating gaps in coverage. Also, information about environmental exposures in epidemiologic studies is generally derived from questionnaires that are ill suited for assessing thousands of potentially causative exposures. Finally, the few studies that rigorously estimate exposure levels focus upon a handful of pollutants of regulatory importance and thus are unsuited for finding hitherto unrecognised exposures from both exogenous and endogenous sources. The concept of the 'exposome'-representing the totality of exposures from gestation onwards-has recently been introduced as a complement to the genome in studies of disease aetiology. The exposome concept promotes environmental analogues of genome-wide association studies, which employ untargeted omic methods to compare biospecimens from diseased and healthy subjects. The goal of such investigations is to discover key biomarkers of exposure that enable follow-up hypotheses to be explored regarding sources of exposure, dose-response relationships, mechanisms of action, disease causality and public health interventions. Examples of this approach are cited from recent metabolomic studies of several complex chronic diseases.
3d scene modeling and understanding from image sequences

A new method for 3D modeling is proposed, which generates a content-based 3D mosaic (CB3M) representation for long video sequences of 3D, dynamic urban scenes captured by a camera on a mobile platform. In the first phase, a set of parallel-perspective (pushbroom) mosaics with varying viewing directions is generated to capture both the 3D and dynamic aspects of the scene under the camera coverage. In the second phase, a unified patch-based stereo matching algorithm is applied to extract parametric representations of the color, structure and motion of the dynamic and/or 3D objects in urban scenes, where a lot of planar surfaces exist. Multiple pairs of stereo mosaics are used for facilitating reliable stereo matching, occlusion handling, accurate 3D reconstruction and robust moving target detection. The outcome of this phase is a CB3M representation, which is a highly compressed visual representation for a dynamic 3D scene, and has object contents of both 3D and motion information. In the third phase, a multi-layer based scene understanding algorithm is proposed, resulting in a planar surface model for higher-level object representations. Experimental results are given for both simulated and several different real video sequences of large-scale 3D scenes to show the accuracy and effectiveness of the representation. We also show the patch-based stereo matching algorithm and the CB3M representation can be generalized to 3D modeling with perspective views using either a single camera or a stereovision head on a ground mobile platform or a pedestrian. Applications of the proposed method include airborne or ground video surveillance, 3D urban scene modeling, traffic survey, transportation planning and the visual aid for perception and navigation of blind people.