cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Monitoring and Neuromodulation of Feline Voiding Function

Neuromodulation is a standard treatment for bladder dysfunction. Although preclinical studies continue to develop new approaches, these experiments are often performed under anesthesia that can affect normal bladder system activity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of typical neuromodulation parameters in an awake, behaving large-animal model. During an aseptic surgery, catheters were inserted into the bladder of two male felines and a cuff electrode was placed around the left pudendal nerve. Catheters and electrode leads were housed in an enclosure mounted on the lower back. After recovery, test sessions in an open enclosure were performed approximately weekly. In each session, body-temperature saline was infused while the bladder pressure was monitored until the animal voided one or more times. During some bladder fills, electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve was applied (5 or 33 Hz; 1.5 or 2 x motor threshold - MT) to determine whether stimulation parameters affected the interval between voiding events or the voiding efficiency. Animals tolerated supra-threshold stimulation as long as the current was slowly increased to a target level. Five-Hz stimulation increased the voiding interval over 33 Hz and no stimulation trials while 33 Hz stimulation at 2 MT led to a greater voiding efficiency. These results follow trends observed in non-behavioral studies, and support the use of this animal model in further translational bladder neuromodulation research.
Rapid discontinuation of prednisone in kidney transplant recipients from at-risk subgroups: an OPTN/SRTR analysis.

Although rapid discontinuation of prednisone (RDP) after kidney transplantation has been successful in low-risk recipients, there is concern about RDP use in recipients at increased risk for rejection or recurrent disease. Using SRTR, we compared outcomes for RDP versus maintenance prednisone-treated recipients for all adult 1st and 2nd transplants (n = 169 479) and the following 1st transplant subgroups: African American (AA); highly sensitized; those with a potentially recurrent disease; and pediatric recipients. For all adult 1st LD and DD transplants, RDP was associated with better patient and graft survival. For all LD subgroups, RDP and maintenance prednisone were associated with similar patient, graft, and death-censored (DC) graft survival. For 1st transplant DD subgroups, RDP was associated with better patient survival in AA, those with potentially recurrent disease, and pediatric recipients; graft survival with RDP was better in AAs. For adult 2nd DD transplants, RDP was associated with worse DC-graft survival. Importantly, for all differences, the effect size was small. With the exception of 2nd DD transplants, RDP protocols can be used without decreasing patient or graft survival for subgroups of 1st DD and LD kidney transplant recipients and for 2nd LD transplant recipients, at increased risk of rejection or recurrent disease.
Eavesdropping on Marine Mammal Conversations: An Activity Suitable for the Visually Impaired

Ever wonder how marine mammals communicate with each other in an expansive dark ocean? Most of their communication is through the sense of sound, and their vocalizations can travel great distances in the ocean. However, human-generated noise pollution can interfere with their communication. This student activity provides information about dolphin and whale species and examples of their vocalizations. It is engaging for all students, including those with visual impairment, as the lesson is auditory. We anticipate that the provided information will spark further interest in marine mammals and help develop a better awareness of interactions between organisms and their environment. The activity conforms to Next Generation Science Standards, National Science Standards, and includes Ocean Literacy Principles.
Phase transition between sphalerite and wurtzite in ZnS optical ceramic materials

Abstract The phase transition behavior of zinc sulfide (ZnS) ceramics consolidated via pressureless and hot press sintering has been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses. Two types of ZnS powders with different particle sizes and morphologies were employed to study the influence of microstructural features of starting powders on the ZnS phase transition behaviors. The present work has revealed that during sintering of ZnS ceramics, the phase transition behavior varies based on the starting powder particle size and magnitude of the applied pressure. It has been demonstrated that smaller particle sizes lead to an increased degree of “early” phase transformation from sphalerite to wurtzite at 1000 °C. Additionally, the application of uniaxial pressure during sintering can lead to a reverse phase transition from wurtzite to sphalerite while simultaneously inducing twinning, resulting in improved optical transmittance and mechanical hardness.
CHAPTER 7 – Dissonance Theory

Publisher Summary Dissonance theory has been classified with affective consistency theories. The consistency produces dissonance, and reduction of dissonance leads to the attitude and source change. This is analogous to saying that inconsistency produces a pressure of incongruity that is relieved by attitude and source change. For dissonance, the inconsistency is produced when a credible source says something at odds with the receiver's belief, that is, dissonance arises from message-object discrepancy, a logical or semilogical contradiction. For affective consistency theory, the inconsistency arises from incompatible emotional reactions to associated objects. This chapter presents three models of dissonance theory. The first parallels the presentation of Aronson et al., who derive attitude change and source change independently and intuitively. A second model is constructed using an energy calculation of dissonance and its release through source and attitude change. The key assumption in the model is that the relative amount of dissonance released by source change in comparison to attitude change is directly proportional to discrepancy and inversely related to source credibility.
Mechanistic cutting force model for rotary ultrasonic machining of rocks

Cutting force is the predominant output variable in rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM). It dictates other output variables, such as tool wear, cutting temperature, edge chipping, etc. It is desirable to develop a mechanistic model to predict cutting force and reveal the underlying cutting tool-workpiece interaction in RUM. Numerous researchers have developed theoretical approaches to predict cutting force in RUM; nevertheless, the combined effects of material removal on cutting force model have not been investigated. RUM has been used for machining rocks in several recent experimental investigations. However, there are no reports on cutting force model for RUM of rocks. This work bridges the gap and reports an improved mechanistic cutting force model. The model is derived based on the ductile mode removal and brittle fracture mode removal of rock under the indentation of a single abrasive particle. The cutting force model for RUM of rocks is then developed by aggregating the effects of all active abrasive particles bonded to the tool end face. Based on this model, the relationships between input variables (tool rotation speed, feedrate, ultrasonic vibration amplitude, abrasive size, abrasive concentration, and tool size) and cutting force are predicted. Experiments have been conducted and the experimental results agree well with the model predicted trends.
Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Ray Acceleration by Magnetic Reconnection in Newborn Accretion Induced Collapse Pulsars

We here investigate the possibility that the ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) events observed above the GZK limit are mostly protons accelerated in reconnection sites just above the magnetosphere of newborn millisecond pulsars which are originated by accretion induced collapse (AIC). We show that AIC-pulsars with surface magnetic fields $10^{12} G < B_{\star} \lesssim 10^{15}$ G and spin periods $1 ms \lesssim P_{\star} < 60 ms$, are able to accelerate particles to energies $\geq 10^{20}$ eV. Because the expected rate of AIC sources in our Galaxy is very small (\sim 10^{-5} yr^{-1}), the corresponding contribution to the flux of UHECRs is neglegible, and the total flux is given by the integrated contribution from AIC sources produced by the distribution of galaxies located within the distance which is unaffected by the GZK cutoff ($\sim 50$ Mpc). We find that the reconnection efficiency factor needs to be $\xi \gtrsim 0.1$ in order to reproduce the observed flux of UHECRs.
Key factors for increasing farmer participation in markets: evidence from the Malian dairy sector

Substantial growth in Malian milk supply is necessary to meet rising demand for dairy products while also improving the livelihoods of milk producers and strengthening the competitiveness of the Malian dairy sector against imports. We applied a Cragg two-tiered model to a nationally representative dataset of dairy farming households to examine factors influencing market participation decisions. Four key findings and corresponding policy implications emerged. Firstly, dairy herd size was positively associated with market entry and milk sales. Improving the dissemination of higher-yielding improved breeds, to which less than 10% of households had access, should result in an increase in milk supply. Secondly, herd access to water, feed, and veterinary care also had the positive effect of increased milk supply, highlighting the importance of increased investment in animal health and nutrition. Thirdly, female-headed households were more likely to enter milk markets and they sold greater volumes than male-headed households. Because women typically face inequitable access to productive resources, gender-responsive policies and programs in the dairy sector should help to stimulate milk supply. Fourthly, an increase in milk price was associated with an increase in milk sales. This provides evidence that Malian milk producers are responsive to price incentives, while underlining the importance of incorporating dairy products into existing market information systems.
Projecting precipitousness

This paper is about “strong” ideals on small cardinals. It is shown that a typical property of large cardinal measures does not transfer to these ideals. More specifically, that precipitous ideals onPω1λ spaces may not project down to precipitous ideals on “smaller”Pω1λ′ spaces. Also, that the existence of a presaturated ideal on the bigger space does not imply the existence of a presaturated ideal on the smaller space.
Effects of Anthropogenic Pollution on the Oxidative Phosphorylation Pathway of Hepatocytes from Natural Populations of Fundulus heteroclitus.

Abstract Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), potentially target mitochondria and cause toxicity. We compared the effects of POPs on mitochondrial respiration by measuring oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) metabolism in hepatocytes isolated from lab-depurated Fundulus heteroclitus from a Superfund site contaminated with PAHs (Elizabeth River VA, USA) relative to OxPhos metabolism in individuals from a relatively clean, reference population (King’s Creek VA, USA). In individuals from the polluted Elizabeth River population, OxPhos metabolism displayed lower LEAK and lower activities in complex III, complex IV, and E State, but higher activity in complex I compared to individuals from the reference King’s Creek population. To test the supposition that these differences were due to or related to the chronic PAH contamination history of the Elizabeth River population, we compared the OxPhos functions of undosed individuals from the polluted and reference populations to individuals from these populations dosed with a PAH {benzo [α] pyrene (BaP)} or a PCB {PCB126 (3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl)}, respectively. Exposure to PAH or PCB affected OxPhos in the reference King’s Creek population but had no detectable effects on the polluted Elizabeth River population. Thus, PAH exposure significantly increased LEAK, and exposure to PCB126 significantly decreased State 3, E state and complex I activity in the reference King’s Creek population. These data strongly implicate an evolved tolerance in the Elizabeth River fish where dosed fish are not affected by PAH exposure and undosed fish show decreased LEAK and increased State 3 and E state.
Relationships between starch pattern indices and starch concentrations in four apple cultivars

Abstract One of the most widely used measurements to assess apple [ Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] maturity is the starch pattern index (SPI), but relatively little is known about changes in its relationship with starch concentration in the fruit during maturation and ripening. Relationships between SPI and starch concentrations in ‘Gala’, ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘McIntosh’, and ‘Empire’ fruit harvested over several weeks have been investigated. While SPI values increased and starch concentration decreased over the sampling period, the relationship between the two factors was curvilinear for all cultivars. The binding capacity of iodine to starch is determined by the starch composition and consequently by the amylose (AM) concentration. Therefore, changes in AM concentration in total starch were assessed to evaluate whether changes in AM account for discrepancies between SPI values and changes in starch concentration. Low levels of AM at later stages of fruit development account in part for the discrepancy between SPI and starch concentration, due to the low staining potential of the remaining starch (amylopectin (AP)). Evaluation of SPI values was also carried out by calculation of percentage stained area by means of image analysis; changes in SPI and % staining were linear for all cultivars but to different degrees depending on cultivar. Computational analysis of SPI images has the potential to be more consistent, but interpretation of the index number assigned still relies heavily on a general understanding of fruit maturation. Understanding cultivar specific differences in the starch iodine staining patterns and the influential factors on starch during ripening can lead to an overall better understanding of SPI as a harvest index.
Collaboration in E-Learning: A Study Using the Flexible E-Learning Framework.

E-Learning remains a new frontier for many faculty. When compared to the traditional classroom, E-learning requires greater collaboration among team members and use of different teaching and learning strategies. Pedagogy as well as team configurations must change when moving to the online environment. Collaboration is a key component in creating quality E-learning. Effective collaboration requires faculty to understand various roles (e.g., instructional designers, multimedia specialists), and activities involved in e-learning as well as how professionals in different roles work together. This article discusses the use of an E-Learning framework and development of a survey based on the framework’s dimensions as two strategies to broaden faculty understanding of E-Learning collaboration. The survey was used to expose faculty across five Midwestern campuses to all dimensions of E-learning including areas such as management, ethics, and interface design.
Efficient Entry, Monopoly, and the Universal Service Obligation in Postal Service

This paper analyzes the nature of and justification for the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and its relationship to the Reserved Area for Postal Service. This is motivated by problems of funding the USO in the face of increasing competition in the postal sector. After reviewing various approaches to defining and funding the USO, we develop a model to consider the optimal scope of both the Reserved Area and the USO. The model assumes an incumbent postal provider and potential entrants. The incumbent is guaranteed a monopoly franchise for services in its Reserved Area R and offers services in a possibly larger set of services U at uniform prices. All services not in R face competition from entrants. We characterize the welfare-optimal scope of R and U subject to a breakeven constraint for the incumbent. Implications for USO policy are discussed in light of the results of the analysis.
Auditors' Liability, Vague Due Care, and Auditing Standards

This paper expands the set of previously considered liability rules to include a negligence liability rule with a vague specification of due care. Auditors who are negligent in conducting their audit are liable for losses that result from reliance on misstated financial statements. However, what constitutes negligence for auditors is not clearly specified in the law. Consequently, courts often resort to Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS) as benchmarks for determining due care. A liability regime that consists of a vague negligence rule supports and amplifies the credibility of auditing standards. While auditing standards alleviate some of the vagueness that is inherent in the legal standard, they also form a lower bound on due care, since an audit of a quality that is lower than the quality that auditing standards require would be considered negligent. Thus, the vague specification of due care enables auditors to commit to audit quality as pronounced in auditing standards. This paper explores this link between professional standards and auditors' legal liability. It establishes that the commitment to auditing standards could not have been as credible as it is, if auditors' liability was determined based on the strict liability rule, or based on a negligence rule with a clearly specified due care, since under these two liability rules courts would not need to refer to auditing standards to establish fault. The paper also demonstrates that a legal regime where audit standards are used as a benchmark to evaluate negligence is not the same as a legal regime where due care is defined clearly. Therefore, previous studies that assumed a negligence regime with clear due care may have overstated the effort level that is induced by legal liability.
Successful rheolytic mechanical thrombectomy of cerebral venous thrombosis in a pediatric patient

Thrombosis of the deep cerebral venous system is associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of current treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Systemic or local delivery of thrombolytics may be used in cases of inexorable progression of CVT and neurological compromise. Mechanical thrombectomy has been described in adult patients with CVT and may offer the added advantage of accelerated thrombolysis in the face of rapid clinical deterioration. In this report the authors describe the use of rheolytic mechanical thrombectomy in a pediatric patient with extensive dural sinus and deep CVT.
The future of biological warfare.

It is an axiom of human history that whatever technology is available will be applied in warfare as one side or the other seeks to gain an advantage. Humans are unique among the species in their capacity for fighting prolonged conflicts where the nature of the war reflects the types of technologies available. Stone, metal, leather, wood, domesticated animals, wheels, etc. were each exploited by ancient societies in warfare. In late antiquity the adoption of the stirrup in Western Europe transformed warfare by enhancing the fighting capacity of the mounted warrior, which eventually led to the emergence and prominence of the knightly class. More recently gunpowder, steam engines, aircraft, chemicals, electronics and nuclear physics were employed in warfare. In each epoch, the technologies available had enormous influence on the strategy and tactics used. Biological warfare is ancient but its applicability to the battlefield has been limited by its unpredictability, blowback possibility and uncertain efficacy. However, the biological revolution that began in the mid‐20th century has led to the development of powerful technologies that could potentially be used to generate new biological weapons of tremendous destructive power. Although biological warfare is currently prohibited by the 1972 Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention (BTWC) a review of prior attempts to limit the use of certain weapons such as the medieval crossbow, and more recently gas warfare, provides little encouragement for the notion that a technology that is useful in war can be limited by treaty. Furthermore, the BTWC restrictions apply only to signatory nation states and are irrelevant to terrorist organizations or lone wolves type of terrorists. Given the human track record for conflict and the potential power of biological warfare we are led to the sad conclusion that biological warfare has a future, and that society must prepare for the eventuality that it will used again by either nations or individuals. In this essay I will try to peek into the far horizon to identify some general themes that might be helpful in protecting against future horrors fully aware that the nature of technological change is so rapid and profound that any such view must necessarily be myopic.
Cholesterol homeostasis. Modulation by amphiphiles.

Diverse amphiphiles act on cellular cholesterol metabolism as if signaling regulatory sites. One class (oxysterols) mimics the homeostatic effects of excess cell cholesterol, inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis and stimulating plasma membrane cholesterol esterification. A second class of amphiphiles has effects precisely opposite to the oxysterols, i.e. they immediately inhibit plasma membrane cholesterol esterification and progressively induce 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity and cholesterol biosynthesis. This second class of agents includes steroids, hydrophobic amines, phenothiazines, ionophores, colchicine, cytochalasins, and lysophosphatides, most of which interact with P-glycoproteins. These data support a general hypothesis describing cellular cholesterol homeostasis. (a) Proteins regulating sterol metabolism are embedded in intracellular membranes where their activities are governed by the local level of cholesterol. (b) Excess plasma membrane and lysosomal cholesterol circulates through those intracellular membranes and sets the homeostatic activities therein. (c) The two classes of agents mentioned above affect cholesterol homeostasis by increasing or decreasing, respectively, the ambient level of cholesterol at the sites of regulation.
Characterization of polymeric films by integrated optics

Integrated optics are powerful and versatile methods for determining the structural properties of polymeric thin films. By complete analyses of the modal structure of the optical fields within the guiding film, the thickness, indices of refraction (including any anisotropy) and the attenuation of the propagating wave can all be calculated. The decrease in the optical field with distance can be caused by absorption or Rayleigh scattering, that is, surface and bulk scattering. Because each mode has a distinct profile across a film, laminar structures through a film or a multilayered film are probed. The intense optical field within the waveguide makes possible fluorescence or Raman scattering with good signal strength. To reduce interference coming from fluorescence, frequently found in commercial polymers, Fourier transform waveguide Raman in the infrared allows one to observe the Raman spectrum without exciting any fluorescence. Finally, the high sensitivity of optical waveguides to structural or chemical changes has led to a number of sensor and nonlinear optical applications.
Preclinical MR fingerprinting (MRF) at 7 T: effective quantitative imaging for rodent disease models.

High field, preclinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are now commonly used to quantitatively assess disease status and efficacy of novel therapies in a wide variety of rodent models. Unfortunately, conventional MRI methods are highly susceptible to respiratory and cardiac motion artifacts resulting in potentially inaccurate and misleading data. We have developed an initial preclinical, 7.0 T MRI implementation of the highly novel Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) methodology that has been previously described for clinical imaging applications. The MRF technology combines a priori variation in the MRI acquisition parameters with dictionary-based matching of acquired signal evolution profiles to simultaneously generate quantitative maps of T1 and T2 relaxation times and proton density. This preclinical MRF acquisition was constructed from a Fast Imaging with Steady-state Free Precession (FISP) MRI pulse sequence to acquire 600 MRF images with both evolving T1 and T2 weighting in approximately 30 minutes. This initial high field preclinical MRF investigation demonstrated reproducible and differentiated estimates of in vitro phantoms with different relaxation times. In vivo preclinical MRF results in mouse kidneys and brain tumor models demonstrated an inherent resistance to respiratory motion artifacts as well as sensitivity to known pathology. These results suggest that MRF methodology may offer the opportunity for quantification of numerous MRI parameters for a wide variety of preclinical imaging applications.
A portable parallel multilevel fast multipole solver for scattering from perfectly conducting bodies

In this paper, we report the development and performance of a parallel combined field integral equation solver, which uses ScaleME as its accelerator. Using this new code, we have been able to solve problems of a much bigger size than that was possible with previously available ones. Indeed, we have been able to solve a 3.1 million unknown problem using 8 nodes of an SGI Origin 2000 super computer. We have also been able to solve a 600,000 (at 1.8G Hz) unknowns problem on an Orion cluster of 16 personal computers running Linux. We formulate the CFIE in a form suitable for the parallel library we have developed. We then report the numerical results on accuracy, a comparison of its performance with the best known sequential code in a single processor systems and results on scaling.
Competitive binding of bilirubin, sulfobromophthalein, indocyanine green and other organic anions to human and bovine serum albumin.

Abstract Binding of bilirubin by bovine and human serum albumin was examined using circular dichroism methods. With both species of albumin, the major features of optical activity associated with the complex resulted from binding of two moles of bilirubin per mole of albumin. A number of clinically or physiologically important organic anions, including sulfobromophthalein, indocyanine green, iodipamide, vasoflavine, flavaspidic acid, phenol red, rose bengal and bromcresol green, were tested for their effectiveness in displacing bilirubin from albumin, and the relative affinities of these substances for bilirubin binding sites on albumin were determined. These competitive binding studies also provided a means to distinguish the major bilirubin binding sites on each protein, and defined different competitive binding mechanisms. With bovine serum albumin, for example, sulfobromophthalein interacted at a bilirubin-binding site distinct from the site of interaction of indocyanine green, iodipamide and bromcresol green. The latter three substances apparently displaced bilirubin from its higher affinity primary binding site to a second site of lesser affinity.
Micromirror optical-fiber hydrogen sensor

Abstract In a recent letter (M.A. Butler, J. Electrochem. Soc., 138 (1991) L46) a new hydrogen sensor was reported that operates by measuring changes in the reflectivity of thin palladium films deposited on the end of an optical fiber when exposed to hydrogen gas. In this paper we explore in more detail the mechanisms of operation of this sensor. Two effects are observed: a reversible micro-blistering of the films on exposure to hydrogen and changes in optical constants with hydriding. Use of a thin nickel layer under the palladium to improve adhesion results in large changes in optical response. These changes are attributed to clamping effects on the film.
Radioisotopic studies of human chorionic gonadotrophin in the mouse ovary.

The tissue localization of125I-HCG was studied in intact mice.125I-HCG concentrated in the thecal and interstitial tissues of the ovary. Differential uptake occurred in the corporal lutea which was dependent on the age and vascularization of the luteal body.
Work Versus Windfall: An Exploration of Saving on Subsequent Purchase

Previous research has examined the effects of discounts and promotions on the future performance of a brand or store. However, no attempts have been made to explore how a consumer psychologically accounts for the way a savings is obtained or how that accounting process affects subsequent purchase decisions. This research employs an experimental approach to test the hypothesis that buyers will spend more (save less) of a savings that they obtain from a windfall gain than an equivalent amount obtained from a worked-for savings. Results are generally supportive of the hypothesis, revealing that consumers do treat savings differently depending on how they are obtained. This finding appears to hold over a wide range of saving magnitudes.
Purification and characterization of the two constitutively produced acid phosphatase isozymes from Schizophyllum commune

The two constitutively produced isozymes (A and B) of acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum) EC 3.1.3.2) from Schizophyllum commune were separated and purified. The two isozymes co-purified through acetone precipitation, ion exchange and molecular sieve column chromatography. Ultimately, the isozymes were separated from each other by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This procedure resulted in nearly an 800-fold purification for isozyme A and a 1560-fold purification for isozyme B. The native isozymes had a molecular weight between 340 000 and 370 000, as determined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that both isozymes apparently were composed of the same two electrophoretically distinguishable subunits having molecular weights of 157 000 and 232 000. The optimum pH for isozyme A was 5·0 and for isozyme B 5·2. Isozyme A had a rather narrow range of substrate specificity, hydrolysing only synthetic phosphomonesters. Isozyme B hydrolysed a broader range of substrates including synthetic phosphomonoesters, nucleotide phosphates and sugar phosphates. The Km values for p-nitrophenyl phosphate for isozymes A and B were 0·11 m m and 0·17 m m , respectively; for α-naphthyl phosphate they were 5·5 m m and 0·95 m m , respectively. The activities of both isozymes were strongly inhibited by low concentrations of fluoride and vanadate. Arsenate and l -(+)-tartrate only weakly inhibited the isozymes' activity at either a low or high concentration. The differences in the properties of these two isozymes may reflect differences in their metabolic roles. Treatment of either isozyme A or isozyme B with a β-1,3-glucanohydrolase caused modifications which resulted in their apparent conversion to the faster-migrating, developmentally regulated isozyme C. Neither the native nor the denatured isozymes showed any difference in migration after treatment with N-glycanase. Because isozyme C can be derived from isozyme A or B, it is hypothesized that production of isozyme C may be under post-translational control.
Effect of a Vocal Choice Reaction Time Task on the Kinematics of the First Recovery Step after a Sudden Underfoot Perturbation during Gait

Abstract Thirty-two healthy young adults (15 women) were tested for their ability to maintain their comfortable step pattern following an unpredictable underfoot perturbation in the presence and absence of a concurrent vocal choice reaction time task. Custom instrumented shoes were used to randomly deliver an unexpected medial or lateral forefoot perturbation that inverted the mid-foot an average of 10° or everted the midfoot an average of 9° during one stance phase of a gait trial. Medial and lateral perturbations were randomized between left and right feet in 12 of 30 gait trials. The results of the repeated measures analyses of variance show that, compared to the step parameters of unperturbed gait, the administration of the unexpected underfoot perturbation did not significantly lead to alterations in the step length or width of the first recovery step. In addition, the simultaneous administration of a vocal choice reaction time task with the underfoot perturbation did not significantly affect the kinematics of the first recovery step. We conclude that in young healthy adults an unexpected 9–10° underfoot perturbation, with or without a vocal reaction time task, will not affect their recovery step kinematics when walking at a comfortable gait speed.
Time: accounting problems caused by Caltech system.

You report on a National Science Foundation (NSF) audit of Caltech's accounting system in your News story 'Researchers criticized for poor time-keeping' (Nature 449, 512–513; 2007). The audit cited accounting deficiencies, in particular the handling of professorial effort as "voluntary committed cost sharing" as opposed to "voluntary uncommitted cost sharing". Although faculty and staff were following the Caltech accounting practices that were in place at the time, your News story states that researchers "failed to report this to Caltech's payroll system". In fact, we did not have that option because of the deficiencies in the system. The audit report did state that "Caltech's responses, once implemented, should address our audit recommendations".
Acquisition of the Ph chromosome and BCR-ABL fusion product in AML-M2 and t(8;21) leukemia: cytogenetic and FISH evidence for a late event

A patient with the M2 subtype of AML who had a 45,X,-X,t(8;21) karyotype at diagnosis was found to have the Ph chromosome in one out of 37 evaluated cells 18 months after the initial diagnosis. Interphase FISH studies utilizing a BCR-ABL dual-color probe did not detect a fusion product 4 months prior to the appearance of one Ph-positive cell. Nineteen months post diagnosis and 5 months after clinical relapse all evaluated cells had the Ph chromosome in a clone characterized by t(8;21). These observations suggest that late appearing Ph is a secondary event which may be either therapy-related or consistent with one of the later events in a multistep pathogenesis of AML.
When ‘Prof’ speaks, who listens? The African elite and the use of African languages for education and development in African communities

The role of African languages in formal and nonformal learning is the subject of increasing local, national and international interests. Cognitive and pedagogical reasons abound for using the language best understood by the learner. However, many nonpedagogical factors related to politics, economics, language attitudes and colonial history are also extremely influential as decisions are made regarding language of instruction. Among the various stakeholders in this issue of language choice for education, an important interest group is the African elite. Members of the elite are able to access resources, marshal arguments that promote their values and ultimately influence the formulation and implementation of policy in ways that the average local community member cannot do. This paper examines the influence of international, national and local contexts upon the perspectives of the African elite where language and education are concerned. It argues that organized, intentional action by concerned members of t...
Bridging the Two Cultures: American Black Scientists and Inventors.

Generally, historians of science have not recognized the contributions of Black scientists and inventors. The National Inventors Hall of Fame has, so far, rejected the nominations of Black inventors for membership ("Inventors Hall," 1986). But a number of scholars and writers-Carter G. Woodson (1928), Christy Borth (1942), Robert Hayden (1970), Louis Haber (1970), Thelma Perkins,' Ivan Van Sertima (1983), and Kenneth Manning (1983) among them -argue that, by any standards, contributions by American Black scientists and inventors have been meritorious and, in some instances, revolutionary. For instance, theories formulated by Ernest Just established for the first time the importance of the cytoplasm in cellular activities (Manning, 1983). Borth (1942) noted that the real importance of the works of George Washington Carver was that he was the "first and greatest chemurgist." In synthesizing cortisone and other drugs from the then-lowly regarded soybean, Percy Julian helped improve the quality of life of the masses (Bims, 1975), but perhaps more important, he revealed new possibilities in the expanding field of biochemistry. During the early stages of the industrial revolution, machines had to be shut down periodically to lubricate them. In the process, accidental injuries, particularly to fingers and limbs, were an ever present hazard. That changed considerably when Elijah McCoy (of "The Real McCoy" fame) invented a device that could lubricate machines, including the "iron horse," or train locomotive, without stopping them (Hayden, 1970). The resulting benefits to industrial progress were significant. It was Jan Matzeliger's shoe-
Biophysical properties of RNA from turnip yellow mosaic virus.

Physical studies were carried out on RNA isolated from turnip yellow mosaic virus by extraction with phenol in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and bentonite. Its molecular weight from sedimentation and viscosity measurements is about 1·9 × 10 6 , corresponding to one RNA molecule per virus particle. The RNA, immediately after isolation, was relatively compact, and unfolded to a less compact but stable form upon heating or alcohol-precipitation and subsequent dialysis. The RNA molecules exhibited a smaller hydrodynamic volume upon lowering the temperature without any significant change in the extinction coefficient. Under acidic conditions, the RNA molecules become more compact and less susceptible to temperature-induced unfolding; this has been ascribed to the formation of poly C-like structures. Polyamines such as bis(3-aminopropyl)-amine and spermine effected a marked reduction in the hydrodynamic volume of the RNA and increased its resistance to temperature-induced unfolding. Denaturation treatments were carried out on the RNA to detect hidden breaks and the possible presence of subunits. It was concluded that the RNA does not have subunits, although occasionally discrete degradation components were obtained.
Circadian rhythms of glycogen, free fatty acids, and triglycerides in rat heart and diaphragm.

SummaryCircadian rhythms entrainable to a 12:12 light-dark cycle have been found in rat heart and diaphragm glycogen, FFA and TG. While the diaphragm rhythms of glycogen and lipid exhibit nearly simultaneous peaks and nadirs, the heart substrate rhythms are 180° out of phase. The two continuously active muscle types apparently have different control mechanisms for the metabolism and storage of endogenous substrates. It is possible that these rhythms reflect different metabolic functions in the two muscles. Circadian studies of heart and diaphragm metabolism provide a useful model for in vivo substrate utilization in the normal, unstressed animal.
Involvement of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate regulatory element binding protein (CREB) in both basal and hormone-mediated expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene.

Transcription of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and PEPCK-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) genes is induced by cAMP and glucocorticoids and is inhibited by insulin in H4IIE cells, as it is in liver. In contrast, PEPCK-CAT expression in HepG2 cells is not affected by insulin but is induced by cAMP, which in turn is repressed by glucocorticoids. Mutations were introduced into well defined transcription factor binding sites to investigate possible interactions between the cAMP regulatory element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) and glucocorticoid response unit (GRU) binding proteins. H4IIE rat hepatoma cells were transfected with PEPCK-CAT plasmids with or without an expression vector for protein kinase A (PKA). Glucocorticoid-induced CAT activity was dependent upon the GRU and was decreased in plasmids lacking the CRE. To determine the direct effects of CREB, the DNA binding and dimerization domain of GAL4 was substituted for that of CREB (CRG), and the PEPCK CRE was replaced with a GAL4 b...
Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasound to Diagnose Nodal Invasion by Rectal Cancers: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Nodal staging in patients with rectal cancer predicts prognosis and directs therapy. Published data on the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for diagnosing nodal invasion in patients with rectal cancer has been inconsistent. To evaluate the accuracy of EUS in diagnosing nodal metastasis of rectal cancers. Study Selection Criteria: Only EUS studies confirmed by surgical histology were selected. Data Collection and Extraction: Articles were searched in Medline, Pubmed, and CENTRAL. Statistical Method: Pooling was conducted by both fixed-effects model and random-effects model. The initial search identified 3610 reference articles in which 352 relevant articles were selected and reviewed. Data were extracted from 35 studies (N = 2732) that met the inclusion criteria. Pooled sensitivity of EUS in diagnosing nodal involvement by rectal cancers was 73.2% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 70.6–75.6). EUS had a pooled specificity of 75.8% (95% CI 73.5–78.0). The positive likelihood ratio of EUS was 2.84 (95% CI 2.16–3.72), and negative likelihood ratio was 0.42 (95% CI 0.33–0.52). All the pooled estimates, calculated by fixed- and random-effect models, were similar. SROC curves showed an area under the curve of 0.79. The P for chi-squared heterogeneity for all the pooled accuracy estimates was >.10. EUS is an important and accurate diagnostic tool for evaluating nodal metastasis of rectal cancers. This meta-analysis shows that the sensitivity and specificity of EUS is moderate. Further refinement in EUS technologies and diagnostic criteria are needed to improve the diagnostic accuracy.
Macroscopic state interferometry over large distances using state discrimination

The propagation of macroscopic entangled states over large distances in the presence of loss is of fundamental interest and may have practical applications as well. Here we describe two different techniques in which state discrimination can be used to violate Bell's inequality with macroscopic phase-entangled coherent states. We find that Bell's inequality can be violated by these macroscopic states over a distance of approximately 400 km in commercially available optical fibers.
Personality facets and RIASEC interests: An integrated model

Abstract Research examining links between personality and interest have typically focused on links between measures of the five factor model and Holland’s RIASEC types. However, the five factor model of personality can be divided in to a larger set of narrow domain personality scales measuring facets of the ‘big five’ traits. Research in a number of fields indicates that facet scales are effective for clarifying the relationship between personality and other broad constructs, including academic achievement, job performance, stress and coping, and achievement motivation. In the present study links between personality facets and the RIASEC model were examined using property vector fitting. Obtained results are consistent with previous research suggesting that the use of facet-level personality measures can clarify relations between personality and other constructs, and provides new information linking personality facets and interests. The use of facet-level measures of personality expands the range of personality concepts that can be presented to individuals who are exploring career options.
Mechanism of inhibition of P-glycoprotein-mediated drug transport by protein kinase C blockers

P-glycoprotein is a membrane ATPase that transports drugs out of cells and confers resistance to a variety of chemically unrelated drugs (multidrug resistance). P-glycoprotein is phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC), and PKC blockers reduce P-glycoprotein phosphorylation and increase drug accumulation. These observations suggest that phosphorylation of P-glycoprotein stimulates drug transport. However, there is evidence that PKC inhibitors directly interact with P-glycoprotein, and therefore the mechanism of their effects on P-glycoprotein-mediated drug transport and the possible role of phosphorylation in the regulation of P-glycoprotein function remain unclear. In the present work, we studied the effects of different kinds of PKC inhibitors on drug transport in cells expressing wild-type human P-glycoprotein and a PKC phosphorylation-defective mutant. We demonstrated that PKC blockers inhibit drug transport by mechanisms independent of P-glycoprotein phosphorylation. Inhibition by the blockers occurs by (i) direct competition with transported drugs for binding to P-glycoprotein, and (ii) indirect inhibition through a pathway that involves PKC inhibition, but is independent of P-glycoprotein phosphorylation. The effects of the blockers on P-glycoprotein phosphorylation do not seem to play an important role, but the PKC-signaling pathway regulates P-glycoprotein-mediated drug transport.
First sharp diffraction peak in silicate glasses: Structure and scattering length dependence

The source of the experimentally observed anomalous behavior of the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) in lithium silicate glasses was determined using classical molecular dynamics simulations. Partial structure factors obtained from simulations were used to investigate the sensitivity of the total structure factor to the scattering length of alkali ions. The result clearly establishes that the major difference of the FSDP between lithium and sodium disilicate glasses is due to the negative scattering length of lithium ions. Additionally, it was determined that the unusual intense FSDP in lithium silicate glass has little to do with differences of the medium-range structure in these glasses.
An evaluation of menu properties and pointing techniques in a projection-based VR environment

We studied menu performance for a rear-projected VR system. Our experiment considered layout (pie vs. linear list), placement (fixed vs. contextual), and pointing method (ray vs. alternatives that we call PAM: pointer-attached-to-menu). We also discuss results with respect to breadth (number of menu items) and depth (top-level and child menus). Standard ray pointing was usually faster than PAM, especially in second-level (child) menus, but error rates were lower for PAM in some cases. Subjective ratings were higher for ray-casting. Pie menus performed better than list layouts. Contextual pop-up menus were faster than fixed location.