cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the galanin-induced depolarization of mudpuppy parasympathetic postganglionic neurons

The depolarization of mudpuppy parasympathetic cardiac neurons, produced by pressure application of the neuropeptide galanin, has been characterized. The amplitude and duration of the depolarization were dependent on the duration of the galanin application. The amplitude of the depolarization increased with hyperpolarization and the reversal potential determined by extrapolation was approximately +10 mV. The amplitude and time course of the galanin-induced depolarization were not changed by substitution of either manganese or magnesium for extracellular calcium, but were decreased by exposure to 50-100 microM d-tubocurarine. It is proposed that the galanin-induced depolarization results from a receptor-activated, nonselective, cation channel; and further, that the receptor initiating depolarization differs from the galanin receptor mediating hyperpolarizing responses in these parasympathetic neurons.
Underfill Cure Induced Micro-Anomaly (CIMA) and its mechanism and reliability implications

Cure Induced Micro-Anomaly (CIMA) are worm like hollow microstructures found within resin rich region of underfill after curing within a BGA package with combination of copper die bumps and Sn-Ag substrate bumps. CIMA leads to solder extrusion during secondary reflow. Root cause of CIMA has been identified to be from thermal mechanical stress induced by the stiffness of the joints formed between the die and substrate, dissipation of stress causes the underfill to crack. Addition of stress induction from package warpage, high Prebake temperature has shown to worsen effects of CIMA. Step-cure and flip curing has shown to reduce the effects.
Human‐Resource Management for Twenty‐First Century: Managing Diversity

As the end of the twentieth century rapidly approaches, the time has come for the civil engineering profession to assess its human-resource practices in preparation for the coming century. The key to effective and efficient management in the twenty-first century will be diversity management. This requires an understanding of the demographic and social changes that have so greatly impacted the workplace during the last part of the twentieth century, and of the changes needed in current human-resource management practices to accommodate diversity in the workforce. This article begins with an overview of the demographic and social changes that have occurred in the workplace during the past 40 years. The impact of these changes on both the general workforce and the civil engineering profession is discussed. Finally, it concludes by identifying and discussing several of the human-resource issues that must be addressed for effective management of diversity in the workforce of today and tomorrow.
Comparative study of soot formation on the centerline of axisymmetric laminar diffusion flames: Fuel and temperature effects

Abstract The appearance of soot on the centerline of axisymmetric laminar diffusion flames has been studied by monitoring (i) the gas temperature by thermocouples; (ii) the soot particle field by laser scattering/extinction; (iii) the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCAH) by laser induced fluorescence. Four fuels were used: butene, acetylene, butadiene, and benzene. All but one flame were at the smoke height condition and were characterized by different levels of N 2 dilution aimed at controlling the temperature field. It was observed that (i) soot nucleation occurs at the centerline; (ii) the soot onset on the centerline occurs when a characteristic temperature of 1350K is measured, regardless of fuel type or level of dilution; (iii) butene and benzene have similar fluorescence patterns, in contrast with premixed flame environments. These last two observations are consistent with the proposal that, though the extent of conversion of fuel into soot may significantly change from fuel to fuel, there is a common mechanism of soot formation for all fuels. The centerline fluorescence measurements indicate that the fluorescing species may contribute to the nucleation phase or, to a minimal extent, to surface growth in these diffusion flames. Time resolved measurements indicate that the fluorescence decay time is ≤ 10 ns, consistent with a possible identification of the fluorescing species with polycyclics such as acenaphthalene and pyrene.
Advances in the therapy of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Purpose of review To review progress in areas pertinent to the development of better therapies for the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Recent findings New classification criteria for the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies have been proposed in an effort to define disease subsets with more uniform prognoses and responses to therapy. Diseases that may mimic the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies can be differentiated more accurately with molecular testing and biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of muscle tissue. Advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies have served to identify potential new therapeutic targets. International collaborative study groups have reached consensus on outcome measures and on the optimal design of clinical trials in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists, rituximab, and the calcineurin inhibitors are being used to treat the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, but their efficacy has not yet been tested in randomized clinical trials. Summary Future advances in the development of therapies for the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies have been enabled by recent progress in myositis classification, differential diagnosis, basic science, and clinical trial design. Preliminary studies suggest that calcineurin inhibitors, tumor necrosis factor antagonists, and rituximab may be effective treatments.
Nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in hot desert streams of Southwestern U.S.A.

Nitrogen to phosphorus ratios and concentrations of nitrate and soluble reactive phosphate are presented for an array of Southwestern streams as evidence that nitrogen is the limiting nutrient where such limitation occurs. Nitrate uptake in sections of intermittent streams was attributable to autotrophic activity. Uptake of soluble reactive phosphate was unrelated to any indicator of autotrophic activity, thus concentrations of this nutrient in desert and semi-desert stream waters may be controlled by other factors.
Prevalence, risk, and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder across ethnic and racial minority groups in the United States

Objectives We assess whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) varies in prevalence, diagnostic criteria endorsement, and type and frequency of traumatic events (PTEs) among a nationally representative U.S. sample of 5071 non-Latino whites, 3264 Latinos, 2178 Asians, 4249 African Americans, and 1476 Afro-Caribbeans.
Nutrient profiles of commercial goat milk cheeses manufactured in the United States.

Abstract Thirty varieties of commercial goat milk cheeses collected from 13 manufacturers in 11 states of the US were evaluated. Concentration profiles of basic nutrients, major and trace minerals, their correlations, and mineral ratios in the caprine cheeses were determined to compare nutritional parameters among the varieties. Mean percentage of moisture, fat, protein, and ash for plain soft, semi-soft, hard, pepper, garlic, and herb cheeses were 59.8, 22.5, 18.9, 1.74; 43.2, 28.5, 26.2, 2.83; 27.4, 32.3, 25.4, 3.58; 57.3, 22.9, 21.6, 1.32; 64.3, 18.3, 16.7, 1.34; 59.1, 21.8, 17.3, 1.60, respectively. Ranges of mean concentrations (mg/100g wet basis) of S, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Cl, Fe, Al, Mn, Cu, and Zn were: 2.00 to 8.05; 192 to 785; 7.03 to 103; 10.3 to 78.0; 57.1 to 1035; 225 to 924; 96.0 to 1260; .52 to 8.73; .47 to 22.1; .08 to .40; .44 to 1.32; .49 to 4.13, respectively. Twenty of the 30 varieties were very high or high moisture cheeses, which would suggest slow coagulation as the major mode of fabrication. Wide variations in the concentrations of P, K, Ca, Na, Cl, Fe, Al, and Zn were found among and within varieties of the cheeses. High concentrations and variations in Fe and Al in the cheeses indicate a significant possibility of uptake of these elements into the products during farmstead manufacturing processes. Percentage of moisture was negatively and significantly ( P P
Actomyosin-like protein from brain separation and characterization of the actin-like component

Abstract 1. Actin-like protein (neurin) has been separated from actomyosin-like protein (neurostenin) isolated from bovine brain. This was accomplished by gel filtration chromatography (Sephadex G-200) and by ultracentrifugation in a continuous sucrose gradient containing 0.6 M KI. 2. The actin-like protein stimulated the Mg 2+ -ATPase activity of muscle myosin. 3. It contained bound nucleotide which exchanged with free [ 14 C]ATP. 4. It polymerized in the presence of 0.1 M KCl and 0.1 mM Mg 2+ with release of P i ; increase in viscosity occurred upon dilution of the 0.6 M KI to 0.1 M. 5. The neurin reacted immunologically to form a single band with antiserum to neurostenin. 6. The neurin, similar to muscle actin, contained 3-methylhistidine. 7. The sedimentation constant of the protein was 2.8 S.
Behavioral Health Electronic Medical Record

The electronic medical record (EMR) will be an important part of the future of medical practice. Behavioral health treatment demands certain additions to the capabilities of a standard general medical EMR. The current focus on the quality management and financial aspects of the EMR are only initial examples of what this tool can do. It is important for behavioral health practitioners to understand that they must embrace this innovation and mold it into a product that serves their needs and the needs of their patients. An efficient and effective EMR will greatly assist the overall clinical enterprise in a number of important areas.
OXYPURINOL REDUCES FOCAL ISCHEMIC BRAIN INJURY IN THE RAT

When measured within 2 days of a unilateral occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) combined with tandem occlusion of the ipsilateral common carotid artery in rats, contralateral neurological deficits were detectable, with brain swelling and a consistent degree of neocortical infarction in the ipsilateral hemisphere. Oxypurinol (40 mg/kg i.p. administered 0.5 h prior to, and 24 h after, the onset of focal ischemia) significantly reduced the development of the ischemic infarct (P < 0.001); attenuated tissue swelling (P < 0.01) and ameliorated the neurological deficits (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that this compound may be useful for the prevention or treatment of ischemic brain injuries, such as those occurring during stroke.
Meta-analyses of financial performance and equity: Fusion or confusion?

Agency theory dominates research on equity holdings-firm performance relationships; however, extant studies provide no consensus about the direction and magnitude of such relationships. Consistent ...
Infra-red investigation of sulphonated EPDM polymers

Abstract Infra-red investigations have been conducted on a sulphonated ethylene propylene diene monomer system (sulpho EPDM) wherein the sulphonate is neutralized with various monovalent and divalent cations. Analysis of these systems was conducted on thin polymer films which were also analysed in spectra from which the unfunctionalized EPDM contribution was subtracted. These studies have revealed that the interaction of cation and sulphonated polymer differs for each cation, and some conclusions have been drawn regarding the symmetry of the cation-sulphonate complex. Surprisingly, the functionalization process induces ordering of the methylene groups in a trans fashion in the solid ionomer. The degree of ordering depends on the specific cation suggesting, for the first time with these polymers, that the ionic aggregation induces an ordered rearrangement of the polymer chains. The ordering in these systems disappears after prolonged heating, suggesting that thermal relaxation of the ionic aggregate destroys the order in the polymer chains.
A Bayesian belief network-based advisory system for operational availability focused diagnosis of complex nuclear power systems

Abstract The work reported here provides a framework of diagnostic advisory system for improved operational availability in complex nuclear power plant systems. The rule-based approach typically used for conventional expert systems is abandoned in this work. This is because of the inability of rule-based approaches to properly model the inherent uncertainties and complexities of the relationships involved in the diagnosis of actual complex engineering systems. Rather, our advisory system employs Bayesian belief network (BBN) as a high-level reasoning tool for incorporating inherent uncertainty for use in probabilistic inference. We demonstrate that a rule-based knowledge representation is simply a special case of a general BBN. First, we outline a sequential algorithm to be used in formulating the BBN-based diagnostic operational advice. Then, a prototype BBN-based representation is encoded explicitly through topological symbols and links between them, oriented in a causal direction. Once new system state related evidence from an associated sensor network is entered into this advisory system, it provides an operational advice concerning how to maintain both operational availability and safety. Based upon the framework presented here, further development of our diagnostic maintenance network, integrating a comprehensive sensor network, can be expected to lead to substantial economic gains.
Energy dependent insulin binding, internalization and degradation in isolated cardiac myocytes from normal and diabetic rats

Insulin binding to isolated cardiac myocytes from normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. We found that at high affinity sites, the maximum numbers of insulin binding sites per cell are 33 000 and 22 000 for normal and diabetic myocytes, respectively with no discernible difference in receptor affinity. However, since the yield of myocytes from the diabetic heart was only 1/3 of the normal heart, it is suspected that the insulin function in the diabetic heart may be significantly lower than that in the normal heart. Chloroquine was found to markedly decrease insulin degradation with concomitant increase in net insulin uptake by isolated myocytes. This suggests that insulin degradation may take place within lysosomes after insulin is internalized. To determine whether internalization of insulin in myocytes is an energy dependent process, insulin binding and subsequent degradation were assessed in cells depleted of ATP by treatment with various metabolic inhibitors (2,4-dinitrophenol, NaF and iodoacetic acid). Depletion of the cellular ATP level resulted in a decrease in both insulin uptake and degradation. In diabetic myocytes, the general relationship between cellular ATP level and insulin uptake and degradation was similar to that found in normal myocytes. However, in diabetic myocytes, the cellular ATP level and insulin uptake were lower, but insulin degradation was greater than in normal myocytes. Insulin uptake by normal and ATP depleted cells at 4°C (16h) was lower than at 37°C (1h), while the ATP level was almost the same at both temperatures. This suggests that the internalization of insulin is a temperature as well as an ATP dependent process.
Sequential Confidence Intervals for the Mean of a Subpopulation of a Finite Population

Abstract Sequential confidence intervals for the parameters of a subpopulation of a finite population are studied. Procedures are suggested using the mean, median, and trimmed means; these procedures are shown to be more efficient than their counterparts which are based on independent, identically distributed observations from infinite populations. The major technique used is to “linearize” the estimates, yielding as a simple consequence proofs of central limit theorems. A Monte Carlo study shows that the small-sample performance is very good.
Inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry of solid samples by laser ablation

Abstract A laser-inductively coupled plasma (ICP) system for the direct analysis of solid samples was constructed by combining a Q-switched or normal laser and an ICP apparatus. Metal samples such as steel, brass, aluminum alloy, and titanium-base alloy were used as solid samples. The sample was set up in a laser ablation cell, and the sample surface was shot by laser beam. The sample vapor produced from the surface by laser shot was introduced into the ICP by the flow of argon carrier gas. The emission signals of various elements were measured with a multichannel analyzer. For the Q-switched laser, the distance between the laser ablation cell and the ICP torch should be kept as short as possible. For the normal laser, the laser focusing was an important factor. Precision (relative standard deviation) was about 3–10% with the Q-switched laser and about 3–11% with the normal laser. The analytical curves for several elements were linear over two or three orders of magnitude in concentration units. As to the detection limit expressed in concentration, the values for various elements obtained by the normal laser were lower than those obtained by the Q-switched laser.
Bonding and dynamical phenomena in MgO: A high temperature 17O and 25Mg NMR study

We have measured the isotropic chemical shifts (δiso) and the spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) for 17O and 25Mg in MgO from room temperature up to 1300° C. The 17O chemical shifts increase linearly from 47 ppm at room temperature to 57 ppm at 1300° C, and over the same temperature range the 25Mg chemical shift increases linearly from 25 to 27 ppm. These changes are not the result of changes in the bulk magnetic susceptibility of the samples, but may be due to increased orbital overlap which is the result of the increase in thermal vibration of the ions with temperature. In the case of 25Mg, the shift to lower shielding with increasing temperature is opposite to that expected from simple bond length versus chemical shift trends established for the oxides at room temperature. If this is a general phenomenon, high-temperature NMR data may be biased to lower shielding.
Specific isolation of human rDNA genes by TAR cloning

Selective cloning of human DNA in YACs from monochromosomal human/rodent hybrid cells lines and radiation hybrids can be accomplished by transformation-associated recombination (TAR) between Alu-containing vector(s) and human DNA in yeast. We have expanded this approach to the specific isolation of repetitive genes from the human genome. Highly selective isolation of human rDNA was accomplished using total human DNA and a pair of differentially marked linear TAR cloning vectors where one contained a small fragment of a human rDNA repeat and the other had an Alu repeat as targeting sequences. About half the transformants that acquired both vectors markers had YACs with human rDNA inserts. These results suggest that TAR can be applied to the general isolation of gene families and amplified region from genomic DNAs.
Appliance service and repair

The appliance industry trade journal Appliance reported that during 1989 manufacturers shipped over 55 million major household appliances. Previous studies have explored length of appliance service life for a given household and the economic cost of energy consumption for major appliances. However, limited information is available on availability and cost of maintenance and repairs which affect the total useful life of equipment. Survey results from a study of Nebraska appliance service and repair firms are presented here. This research provides information regarding the distribution and cost of appliance service and repair. The findings serve as current estimates of service and repair information for consumers as well as manufacturers.
Extracting nucleon strange and anapole form factors from world data.

The complete world set of parity-violating electron scattering data up to ${Q}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}0.3\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$ is analyzed. We extract the current experimental determination of the strange electric and magnetic form factors of the proton, as well as the weak axial form factors of the proton and neutron, at ${Q}^{2}=0.1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$. Within experimental uncertainties, we find that the strange form factors are consistent with zero, as are the anapole contributions to the axial form factors. Nevertheless, the correlation between the strange and anapole contributions suggest that there is only a small probability that these form factors all vanish simultaneously.
Electron Tunnelling in Biological Structures

DEVAULT et al.1 have proposed that electron transfer through biological structures over distances of a few tens of Angstroms occurs by tunnelling, the height of the energy barrier stipulated being 1 eV. Similarly, Wei2 has suggested that electron tunnelling through the nerve membrane is involved in producing the N-shaped current voltage characteristics observed in, for example, squid axons3 and other membranes4. The question of the relative probability of the electron going over instead of through the barrier—in other words, electron transfer by hopping—has, however, not yet been resolved.
Investigating the microstructural effect on elastic and fracture behavior of polycrystals using a nonlocal lattice particle model

Abstract A novel nonlocal lattice particle framework is proposed to investigate the microstructural effects, such as the crystallographic orientation distribution and grain boundary properties, on the mechanical performance of 2D polycrystalline materials. The classical approach of treating material anisotropy in other numerical methods, such as finite element method, is by transforming the material stiffness matrix for each crystallite. In the proposed method, the polycrystalline microstructures are constructed by rotating the underlying topological lattice structure consistently with the material crystallographic orientation while keeping the material stiffness matrix intact. By rotating the underlying lattice structure, the grain boundaries between different grains are naturally generated at locations where two crystallites meet. Thus, the grain boundary effect on the performance of the crystalline aggregates can be naturally incorporated. Parametric studies on the effects of crystallographic orientation distribution on both elastic and fracture behavior of polycrystalline materials are performed. The simulation results are compared with both analytical solutions and experimental observations in the open literature. Conclusions and discussions are drawn based on the current study.
A conserved amino acid motif (R-X-G-R-R) in the Glut1 glucose transporter is an important determinant of membrane topology.

The Glut1 glucose transporter is one of over 300 members of the major facilitator superfamily of membrane transporters. These proteins are extremely diverse in substrate specificity and differ in their transport mechanisms. The two most common features shared by many members of this superfamily are the presence of 12 predicted transmembrane segments and an amino acid motif, R-X-G-R-R, present at equivalent positions within the cytoplasmic loops joining transmembrane segments 2–3 and 8–9. The structural and functional roles of the arginine residues within these motifs in Glut1 were investigated by expression of site-directed mutant transporters in Xenopus oocytes followed by analyses of intrinsic transport activity and the membrane topology of mutant glycosylation-scanning reporter Glut1 molecules. Substitution of lysine residues for the cluster of 3 arginine residues in each of the 2 cytoplasmic pentameric motifs of Glut1 revealed no absolute requirement for arginine side chains at any of the 6 positions for transport of 2-deoxyglucose. However, removal of the 3 positive charges at either site by substitution of glycines for the arginines completely abolished transport activity as the result of a local perturbation in the membrane topology in which the cytoplasmic loop was aberrantly translocated into the exoplasm along with the two flanking transmembrane segments. Substitution of lysines for the arginines had no affect on membrane topology. We conclude that the positive charges in the R-X-G-R-R motif form critical local cytoplasmic anchor points involved in determining the membrane topology of Glut1. These data provide a simple explanation for the presence of this conserved amino acid motif in hundreds of functionally diverse membrane transporters that share a common predicted membrane topology.
Re-evaluating simple lambda-based design rules for low-K1 lithography process control

Due to the continuing decrease of the Rayleigh lithographic K1 factor used in advanced semiconductor technology, the non- linearity between designed and printed circuit images continues to increase. This increasing non-linearity has significant implications for the layout design rules with advanced technology. Recently, industry pundits have speculated that lithographic K1 factors can go far below current value. This paper aims to understand the impact of low K1 lithography upon a set of basic, company independent, layout design rules, the lambda based rules proposed by Mead and Conway. The results show that even with the use of aggressive optical proximity correction (OPC) techniques, significant changes in layout design rules will have to be made in order to extend lithographic capability to the low K1 regime.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On row-cyclic codes with algebraic structure

In this article, some row-cyclic error-correcting codes are shown to be ideals in group rings in which the underlying group is metacyclic. For a given underlying group, several nonequivalent codes with this structure may be generated. Each is related to a cyclic code generated in response, to the metrics associated with the underlying metacyclic group. Such codes in the same group ring are isomorphic as vector spaces but may vary greatly in weight distributions and so are nonequivalent. If the associated cyclic code is irreducible, examining the structure of its isomorphic finite field yields all nonequivalent codes with the desired structure. Several such codes have been found to have minimum distances equalling those of the best known linear codes of the same length and dimension.
Human Echolocation as a Basic Form of Perception and Action

In this article we discuss known and possible uses of echolocation by humans. We argue that echolocation may be a basic perception-action ability of humans. We review studies which suggest that both blind and sighted humans are capable of substantial precision in the perception of properties of distal objects, such as distance, size, shape, substance, and relative motion. We analyze relations between acoustic pulse and echo that may provide information to support these percepts and others. Our analysis predicts echolocation-based sensitivity in humans and other animals to a number of properties of the animal-environment interaction. We also discuss echolocation-based acoustic specification of time-to-contact. We develop a new variable that provides this information and discuss acoustic Τs recently developed by Shaw, McGowan, and Turvey (1991) and by Lee, van der Weel, Hitchcock, Matejowsky, and Pettigrew (1992).Our analysis suggests that there may be important insights to be gained from an ecological ...
Black Dance and the Fight for Flight Sabar and the Transformation and Cultural Significance of Dance from West Africa to Black America (1960-2010)

The arts have fulfilled a major historical role as mediums of expressivity for people of African descent during the 1960s. It is during this important decade that a number of political and artistic...
Economic impact on postnatal ossification.

The magnitude of economic impact on postnatal ossification timing in generally lower-income boys and girls of European ancestry was found to be 0.21 standard deviation units or Z-scores for a difference of approximately $2200.00 in per-capita income. Both boys and girls were equally affected.
A Novel Solution for End-to-End Fairness Problem in Wireless Mesh Networks

A wireless mesh network (WMN) provides a flexible and low-cost solution for end users to connect to the Internet through its multi-hop infrastructure. For such a network to proliferate, a fundamental problem that must be solved is to ensure the fair allocation of network bandwidth to all participating parties. This paper proposes a cross-layer design for achieving end-to-end maxmin fairness in WMNs. At the network layer, it allocates maxmin shares of network capacity to end-to-end flows. At the MAC layer, it realizes the maxmin bandwidth allocation through a two-level packet scheduling algorithm. The proposed design is able to equalize the end-to-end bandwidth allocation to competing flows that share common bottlenecks, while fully utilizing the network capacity. Comparing with previous works, our solution has two advantages. It is based on the popular IEEE 802.11 DCF. It achieves far better fairness (or weighted fairness) among end-to-end flows.
MicroRNAs miR-27a and miR-27b directly regulate liver dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase expression through two conserved binding sites

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD, encoded by DPYD) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the uracil catabolic pathway and has a pivotal role in the pharmacokinetics of the commonly prescribed anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Deficiency of DPD, whether due to inadequate expression or deleterious variants in DPYD, has been linked to severe toxic responses to 5-FU. Little is known about the mechanisms governing DPD expression in the liver. In this report, we show increased accumulation of RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) proteins on DPYD mRNA in cells overexpressing the highly homologous microRNAs (miRNA) miR-27a and miR-27b. These miRNAs were shown to repress DPD expression through two conserved recognition sites in DPYD. The IC50 of 5-FU for HCT116 cells overexpressing miR-27a or miR-27b was 4.4 μmol/L (both), significantly lower than that for cells expressing a nontargeting (scramble) control miRNA (14.3 μmol/L; P = 3.3 × 10(-5) and P = 1.5 × 10(-7), respectively). Mouse liver DPD enzyme activity was inversely correlated with expression levels of miR-27a (R(2) = 0.49; P = 0.0012) and miR-27b (R(2) = 0.29; P = 0.022). A common variant in the hairpin loop region of hsa-mir-27a (rs895819) was also shown to be associated with elevated expression of the miR-27a in a panel of cell lines (P = 0.029) and in a transgenic overexpression model (P = 0.0011). Furthermore, rs895819 was associated with reduced DPD enzyme activity (P = 0.028) in a cohort of 40 healthy volunteers. Taken together, these results suggest that miR-27a and miR-27b expression may be pharmacologically relevant modulators of DPD enzyme function in the liver. Furthermore, our data suggest that rs895819 may be a potential risk allele for 5-FU sensitivity.
Comparison of contact mechanics of three meniscal repair techniques and partial meniscectomy in cadaveric dog stifles.

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical effect of horizontal, vertical, and cruciate suture repairs and partial meniscectomy on contact mechanics of dog stifles. Study Design: Ex vivo experimental study. Sample Population: Cadaveric canine stifles (n=24). Methods: Simulated bucket handle medial meniscal tears were created in cadaveric dog stifles. Tears were treated with 1 of 3 suture repair techniques or partial meniscectomy. Instantaneous contact area (CA), mean contact pressure (MCP), and peak contact pressure (PCP) measurements were recorded with a pressure sensing system. CA, MCP, and PCP for intact stifles (control), stifles with simulated tears, and stifles after treatment were recorded and compared using 1-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Stifles with bucket handle tears had significantly decreased CA, increased MCP and increased PCP when compared with control. All meniscal repair techniques reestablished normal contact mechanics. When comparing meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy, stifles with partial meniscectomy had ∼35% lower CA, 57% higher MCP, and 55% higher PCP than stifles undergoing repair. Conclusions: Contact mechanics obtained from each repair technique were mechanically superior to partial meniscectomy. Performing meniscal repair instead of partial meniscectomy in dogs with select meniscal tears may mitigate the development of degenerative joint disease. Criteria for selection of candidates for meniscal repair should be confirmed with future studies. Clinical Relevance: Based on this ex-vivo model, meniscal repair will restore normal contact mechanics. Consideration should be given to meniscal repair as treatment for peripheral meniscal tears located in the vascular zone if the meniscal parenchyma is normal.
Trypsin-modulating oostatic factor: a potential new larvicide for mosquito control

Trypsin-modulating oostatic factor (TMOF), a mosquito decapeptide, terminates trypsin biosynthesis in the mosquito gut. The hormone is secreted from the ovary, starting 18 h after the blood meal, circulates in the hemolymph, binds to a gut receptor and stops trypsin biosynthesis by exerting a translational control on trypsin mRNA. Because of the unique primary amino acid sequence of the hormone (YDPAPPPPPP) and its stable three-dimensional conformation, TMOF is not degraded by gut proteolytic enzymes and can traverse the gut epithelial cells into the hemolymph of adults and larvae. Using this unique property, hormone fed to different species of mosquito larvae stops food digestion and causes larval mortality. To determine the shortest amino acid sequence that can bind to the gut receptor and still cause high larval mortality, 25 analogues of TMOF were synthesized and tested. The tetrapeptide (YDPA) was as effective as the decapeptide, indicating that the binding to the gut receptor is at the N-terminus of the molecule. Cloning and expressing the hormone on the coat protein of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in Chlorella sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and feeding the recombinant cells to mosquito larvae caused larval mortality. These results indicate that TMOF can be used as a new biorational insecticide against mosquito larvae.
BUCKy: Gene tree/species tree reconciliation with Bayesian concordance analysis

Motivation: BUCKy is a C++ program that implements Bayesian concordance analysis. The method uses a non-parametric clustering of genes with compatible trees, and reconstructs the primary concordance tree from clades supported by the largest proportions of genes. A population tree with branch lengths in coalescent units is estimated from quartet concordance factors. Availability: BUCKy is open source and distributed under the GNU general public license at www.stat.wisc.edu/∼ane/bucky/. Contact: ane@stat.wisc.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Logistic regression analysis of biomarker data subject to pooling and dichotomization

There is growing interest in pooling specimens across subjects in epidemiologic studies, especially those involving biomarkers. This paper is concerned with regression analysis of epidemiologic data where a binary exposure is subject to pooling and the pooled measurement is dichotomized to indicate either that no subjects in the pool are exposed or that some are exposed, without revealing further information about the exposed subjects in the latter case. The pooling process may be stratified on the disease status (a binary outcome) and possibly other variables but is otherwise assumed random. We propose methods for estimating parameters in a prospective logistic regression model and illustrate these with data from a population-based case-control study of colorectal cancer. Simulation results show that the proposed methods perform reasonably well in realistic settings and that pooling can lead to sizable gains in cost efficiency. We make recommendations with regard to the choice of design for pooled epidemiologic studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Twice-Weekly Complete Decongestive Physical Therapy in the Management of Secondary Lymphedema of the Lower Extremities

Background and Purpose. This case report describes the physical therapist examination, evaluation, and intervention for a patient with bilateral lower-extremity lymphedema who received complete decongestive physical therapy 2 days per week instead of the recommended daily frequency. Case Description. The patient was a 55-year-old woman who developed bilateral lower-extremity grade II lymphedema 3 years after surgery and radiation for cervical cancer. She had impairments in hip and knee flexion range of motion and functional limitations in transfers, gait, and activities of daily living. Intervention. A twice-weekly intervention program was implemented consisting of education in skin care, manual lymph techniques, compression, and exercise. Outcomes. Outcomes related to the lymphedema were measured using the sum of the circumference of each limb. At discharge, the patient had reductions in lymphedema of 9% for the left lower extremity and 10% for the right lower extremity. Her hip flexion range of motion increased from 95 degrees to 110 degrees, and her knee flexion range of motion increased from 95 degrees to 130 degrees. She had resumed all premorbid activities and was independent in self-management. Discussion. Twice-weekly management of lymphedema using a program of skin care, manual lymph techniques, compression, and exercise was followed by reduction of the impairments and functional limitations in a patient with bilateral lower-extremity lymphedema.
Identifying and Understanding Perceived Inequities in Local Politics

Although there is widespread concern about bias in American democracy, convincing tests of differential responsiveness are rare. We use a unique data set that surveys the views of a large cross-section of urban residents to provide greater insight into this question. We demonstrate clear differences in perceived responsiveness across demographic and political groups with racial and ethnic minorities, the poor, and liberals expressing less satisfaction with local outcomes. Our analysis suggests that these differences are unlikely to be due to underlying differences in individual attitudes but instead appear to stem from real differences in local conditions and perceived governmental responsiveness.
Intrinsic Linear Heterogeneity of Amyloid β Protein Fibrils Revealed by Higher Resolution Mass-per-length Determinations

Amyloid β proteins spontaneously form fibrils in vitro that vary in their thermodynamic stability and in morphological characteristics such as length, width, shape, longitudinal twist, and the number of component filaments. It is vitally important to determine which variant best represents the type of fibril that accumulates in Alzheimer disease. In the present study, the nature of morphological variation was examined by dark-field and transmission electron microscopy in a preparation of seeded amyloid β protein fibrils that formed at relatively low protein concentrations and exhibited remarkably high thermodynamic stability. The number of filaments comprising these fibrils changed frequently from two to six along their length, and these changes only became apparent when mass-per-length (MPL) determinations are made with sufficient resolution. The MPL results could be reproduced by a simple stochastic model with a single adjustable parameter. The presence of more than two primary filaments could not be discerned by transmission electron microscopy, and they had no apparent relationship to the longitudinal twist of the fibrils. However, the pitch of the twist was strongly affected by the pH of the negative stain. We conclude that highly stable amyloid fibrils may form in which a surprising amount of intrinsic linear heterogeneity may be obscured by MPL measurements of insufficient resolution, and by the negative stains used for imaging fibrils by electron microscopy.
Axial mixing and gas absorption in a mechanically agitated absorption tower

Abstract Axial mixing in the liquid, with and without simultaneous countercurrent flow of air, was measured in a twelve-compartment, six-inch diameter, mechanically agitated tower for gas rates 9 to 94 and liquid rates 1300 to 19,600 lb/hr (sq ft), agitator speeds 200 to 2000 rpm. The corresponding eddy diffusivities and gas holdup were correlated in terms of the variables studied. Attempts to make similar measurements for the gas phase failed to give meaningful data, but the indications are that axial mixing in the gas is of minor importance. The tower was also used to measure the mass-transfer rates during absorption of ammonia from air into water. At 110 lb gas/hr (sq ft), the performance corresponds roughly to that of towers packed with 1- to 2-in conventional packings. The mass-transfer coefficients corrected for axial mixing are roughly 7 to 25 per cent larger than those before correction.
A study of the effects of internal rib and channel geometry in rectangular channels. Part II. Heat transfer

Heat transfer and pressure drop data were taken on commercial plate heat exchange equipment. Nusselt and Euler correlations were determined for each of the six commercial heat exchangers investigated. These correlations were combined to establish a single heat transfer-pressure drop relationship for any plate type of heat exchanger channel. The results of this investigation were tested by using the correlations developed in Part I of this series to predict pressure drop data for the commercial unit based on their channel geometries. These predicted pressure drops were then used with the results of this part of the series to predict and compare heat transfer data. The correlations developed in this work allow one to determine the heat transfer characteristics in a ribbed rectangular channel from the pressure drop characteristics of the channel in question.
Teaching an Undergraduate Course on Intrafamily Abuse across the Life Span.

An undergraduate course that considers intrafamily abuse across the life span is described, and methods of handling problems that may arise in teaching this course are suggested. The course format combines class discussions, lectures by the instructor, assigned readings, guest speakers, and an empirical research project. The content examines general issues relevant to all abuse; the prevalence, forms, causes, dynamics, short- and long-term effects of abuse; and characteristics of the abused and abusers at each developmental stage. The importance of developmental psychology for an understanding of abuse is emphasized. Potential problems concern class discussions and the sensitive nature of the material. Evaluations indicate that the course effectively meets its goals.
An approach for clustering gene expression data with error information

Clustering of gene expression patterns is a well-studied technique for elucidating trends across large numbers of transcripts and for identifying likely co-regulated genes. Even the best clustering methods, however, are unlikely to provide meaningful results if too much of the data is unreliable. With the maturation of microarray technology, a wealth of research on statistical analysis of gene expression data has encouraged researchers to consider error and uncertainty in their microarray experiments, so that experiments are being performed increasingly with repeat spots per gene per chip and with repeat experiments. One of the challenges is to incorporate the measurement error information into downstream analyses of gene expression data, such as traditional clustering techniques. In this study, a clustering approach is presented which incorporates both gene expression values and error information about the expression measurements. Using repeat expression measurements, the error of each gene expression measurement in each experiment condition is estimated, and this measurement error information is incorporated directly into the clustering algorithm. The algorithm, CORE (Clustering Of Repeat Expression data), is presented and its performance is validated using statistical measures. By using error information about gene expression measurements, the clustering approach is less sensitive to noise in the underlying data and it is able to achieve more accurate clusterings. Results are described for both synthetic expression data as well as real gene expression data from Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The additional information provided by replicate gene expression measurements is a valuable asset in effective clustering. Gene expression profiles with high errors, as determined from repeat measurements, may be unreliable and may associate with different clusters, whereas gene expression profiles with low errors can be clustered with higher specificity. Results indicate that including error information from repeat gene expression measurements can lead to significant improvements in clustering accuracy.
α-Hydroxylation of Tamoxifen and Toremifene by Human and Rat Cytochrome P450 3A Subfamily Enzymes

An increased risk of developing endometrial cancer is observed in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen (TAM) and in healthy women undergoing TAM chemoprevention therapy. TAM-DNA adducts were detected in the endometrium of women taking TAM (Shibutani, S., et al. (2000) Carcinogenesis 21, 1461-1467) and are formed primarily through O-sulfonation of alpha-hydroxytamoxifen (alpha-OHTAM). To explore the genotoxicic mechanisms of TAM, TAM was incubated with one of multiple human cytochrome P450 enzymes, i.e., P450 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C18, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4, 3A5, 3A7, 4A11, 4F2, 4F3A, or 4F3B, in a NADPH regenerating system, and the metabolites were identified using HPLC/UV analysis with authentic standards. Among the 18 human P450 enzymes, P450 3A4 generated a significant amount of alpha-OHTAM. When some rat P450 enzymes were examined, P450 3A2 also catalyzed alpha-hydroxylation of TAM. Similarly, human P450 3A4 and rat P450 3A1 and 3A2 converted toremifene (TOR, a chlorinated TAM analogue) to alpha-hydroxytoremifene (alpha-OHTOR). The formation of alpha-OHTAM and alpha-OHTOR by these P450 enzymes was confirmed by tandem mass spectroscopy. Only the P450 3A subfamily enzymes are able to alpha-hydroxylate TAM and TOR. Although the formation of alpha-OHTOR by these enzymes was much higher than that of alpha-OHTAM, TOR is known to be much less genotoxic than TAM. The results support our proposed mechanism that the lower genotoxicity of TOR is due to limited O-sulfonation of alpha-OHTOR by hydroxysteroid sulfotransferases, resulting in the poor formation of DNA adducts (Shibutani, S., et al. (2001) Cancer Res. 61, 3925-3931).