cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phleomycin-Stimulated Degradation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Escherichia coli

Phleomycin stimulates the degradation of DNA by energy-dependent endonuclease and exonuclease reactions in Escherichia coli rec + cells and in recB − and recC − cells that lack an adenosine triphosphate-dependent nuclease functioning in the repair of ultraviolet (UV) lesions. Exonuclease activity is blocked in T4 phage-infected cells. The endonuclease reaction produces 10 7 -dalton segments resembling those produced in colicin E2-treated cells. These differ from the random-sized segments produced in UV-irradiated cells, or the 10 6 -dalton segments made in T4 phage-infected cells. A mutant selected for phleomycin tolerance is cross-tolerant to colicin E2, and some mutants selected for colicin E2 tolerance are cross-tolerant to phleomycin. On the basis of these cross-tolerances and the similarities between the effects of phleomycin and E2-stimulated nucleases, the suggestion is made that both agents may stimulate the same nuclease reactions in E. coli cells.
Gas chromatography equipment ― III

Etude des principaux appareils utilises en chromatographie gazeuse (detecteurs ― fours et colonnes ― systemes d'echantillonnage et de programmation de temperature ― accessoires). Liste des principaux fournisseurs et de leurs principaux modeles
Characterization of GaAs and Ge Films on (100) Silicon

A UHV MBE apparatus in which the deposition of both group IV and group III-V components is possible without breaking vacuum has been utilized to compare the growth of GaAs epilayers on non-polar Si(100) and Ge coated Si(100) substrates. In addition, a comparison of GaAs epilayers grown on substrates cleaned by ex-situ techniques and on substrates given all UHV in-situ surface preparation was made. Defect reduction by the incorporation of strained-layer superlattice dislocation filters and by post-growth rapid thermal anneal (RTA) thermal cycles was also investigated. Optical and material properties comparable to MBE grown GaAs/GaAs were obtained for GaAs grown on Ge coated Si(100) substrates.
Bootstrap confidence intervals for a class of parametric problems

SUMMARY We consider the following class of problems: having observed a multivariate normal data vector y with unknown mean vector q, covariance matrix the identity, find an approximate confidence interval for 0 = t(q), a real-valued function of q. A simple geometric construction is given which leads to highly accurate solutions. This construction shows that the standard approximation based on maximum likelihood theory, 04+(CZ00, can be quite misleading when 0 is nonlinear in q. We discuss bootstrap-based confidence intervals which remove most of the error in the standard approximation, at the expense of considerably more calculation. The bootstrap intervals are invariant under transformation of both y and i, and so they automatically produce accurate solutions in problems which can be transformed to multivariate normality, without requiring knowledge of the normalizing transformation.
Abstract #LB-293: NADH/Fp fluorescence imaging differentiates the aggressive from the indolent human breast cancer mouse xenografts

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Predicting tumor metastatic potential or aggressiveness remains a challenge in cancer research and clinic practice. Due to intra-tumor and inter-tumor heterogeneity, imaging markers providing spatial distribution of physiological parameters may prove useful for this purpose. We aimed to identify biomarkers of cancer metastatic potential by imaging the mitochondrial redox states. Mitochondrial function abnormalities have been linked to tumorigenesis and proposed as possible biomarkers of malignancy. The fluorescence properties of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flavoproteins (Fp) in the respiratory chain are sensitive indicators of intracellular redox states and have been utilized to study mitochondrial bioenergetics. Previously, we utilized mitochondrial redox imaging, i.e., low temperature NADH/Fp fluorescence imaging to differentiate mouse xenografts of human melanomas with different metastatic potentials. We found that the mitochondrial redox ratios Fp/(NADH+Fp) in the tumor core correlated significantly with the aggressiveness of the xenografts. Here we report preliminary results on redox imaging of human breast tumor xenografts in athymic nude mice for two breast cancer cell lines, the aggressive MDA-MB-231 and the indolent MCF-7. The tumors (6-9 mm) were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen to preserve the tissue metabolic state in vivo . Multi-slice fluorescence imaging of NADH and Fp was acquired on these tumors (N=3 for each line and 3 sections for each tumor at different tissue depths). The images of NADH and Fp concentrations and Fp redox ratios were obtained with a calibration procedure for each of the tumors. The results showed a distinct core-rim difference for the aggressive tumors with the core being more oxidized (higher Fp redox ratios) than the rim. The core Fp redox ratio, Fp/(NADH+Fp), was 0.82±0.05 for the aggressive tumor and 0.40±0.11 for the indolent. The 2-tail unpaired t-test indicated this difference was statistically significant (p=0.01). These results are consistent with what we have previously observed in human melanomas xenografted in mice. Significant differences were also observed for NADH and Fp concentrations in tumor cores between the aggressive and indolent breast tumors (p 0.10). Our preliminary results indicates that mitochondrial redox imaging provides sensitive markers for distinguishing the aggressive from the indolent human breast tumor xenografts, and suggests that the mitochondrial redox state might be a useful target for cancer therapy. NADH/Fp fluorescence imaging can be clinically implemented with cryogenic biopsy specimens and, thus, may provide useful information for clinical diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr LB-293.
Improved early right ventricular function recovery but increased complications with catheter-directed interventions compared with anticoagulation alone for submassive pulmonary embolism

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term and midterm outcomes of catheter-directed intervention (CDI) compared with anticoagulation (AC) alone in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (sPE). Methods This was a retrospective review of all patients treated for sPE between January 2009 and October 2014. Two groups were identified on the basis of the therapy: AC and CDI. End points included complications, mortality, and change in echocardiographic parameters. Standard statistical techniques were used. Results There were 64 patients who received AC and 64 patients who received CDI (five were initially treated with AC but did not improve or worsened; six received ≤8 mg of tissue plasminogen activator). Most baseline characteristics, including the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index, were similar among the AC and CDI groups. There was no difference in PE-related death (one in each group) or major bleeding events (three in the AC group, four in the CDI group), but CDIs had two additional procedural complications that required open heart surgery. CDIs showed significantly more minor bleeding events (6 vs 0; P = .028) and significantly shorter intensive care unit stay (2.7 ± 2.1 vs 5.6 ± 7.5 days; P = .04). The mean difference in right ventricular/left ventricular ratio from baseline to the first subsequent echocardiogram (within 30 days) showed a trend for higher reduction in favor of CDI (AC, 0.17 ± 0.12; CDI, 0.27 ± 0.15; P = .076). Between 3 and 8 months, significant improvement was evident within groups in all assessed right-sided heart echocardiographic parameters, but there was no difference between groups. Pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery pressure >40 mm Hg) was present in 7 of 15 of the AC group vs 6 of 19 of the CDI group (P = .484). During the follow-up, dyspnea or oxygen dependence, not existing before the index PE event, was recorded in 5 of 49 (10.2%) of the AC patients and 8 of 52 (15.4%) of the CDI patients (P = .556). Conclusions CDI for sPE can result in faster restoration of right ventricular function and shorter intensive care unit stay, but at the cost of a higher complication rate, with similar midterm outcomes compared with AC alone. A potential effect of CDI on mortality and pulmonary hypertension needs further investigation through larger studies.
Putting Theory Into Practice: A Case Study of Diabetes-Related Behavioral Change Interventions on Chicago’s South Side

Diabetes self-management is central to diabetes care overall, and much of self-management entails individual behavior change, particularly around dietary patterns and physical activity. Yet individual-level behavior change remains a challenge for many persons with diabetes, particularly for racial/ethnic minorities who disproportionately face barriers to diabetes-related behavioral changes. Through the South Side Diabetes Project, officially known as "Improving Diabetes Care and Outcomes on the South Side of Chicago," our team sought to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities among residents in the largely working-class African American communities that comprise Chicago's South Side. In this article, we describe several aspects of the South Side Diabetes Project that are directly linked to patient behavioral change, and discuss the theoretical frameworks we used to design and implement our programs. We also briefly discuss more downstream program elements (e.g., health systems change) that provide additional support for patient-level behavioral change.
Adaptation to long-term forced saline consumption during postweaning in rats

Earlier reports have established that rats exhibit a free-choice salt preference in excess of that needed for normal body maintenance, Young rats maintained on a high-sodium food diet evidence serum hyponatremia, as do mature rats provided both tap water and an isotonic saline solution, The present investigation tested the hypothesis that introduction of long-term formed saline consumption following weaning may encourage physiological adaptation, preventing the abnormal serum electrolyte levels previously noted, The results substantiate this hypothesis and also indicate a decrease in body weight minus gut and increase in relative heart weight in those animals maintained on hypertonic saline
Low-Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Polycrystalline NiAl at Room Temperature

The room temperature cyclic deformation of a cast and extruded NiAl alloy has been investigated. Low-cycle fatigue tests were performed under plastic strain control at strain ranges from 0.0002 to 0.0016. Cyclic hardening behavior has been analyzed and compared to the monotonic tensile and compressive behavior of the same material. Electroless nickel films applied to NiAl samples have little effect on monotonic deformation behavior, but do have a significant effect on cyclic deformation behavior, particularly cyclic stress asymmetry. Fractographic analysis has suggested that cycling at low plastic strain ranges may promote stable microcracking, while step testing indicates that cycling at lower plastic strain ranges can improve the cyclic life and/or stress levels achieved at the higher plastic strain ranges. Low plastic strain range cyclic prestrain can also significantly increase the monotonic tensile yield and ultimate strength of the material while most of the tensile ductility is retained.
Self-assembled quantum dot-sensitized multivalent DNA photonic wires.

Combining the inherent scaffolding provided by DNA structure with spatial control over fluorophore positioning allows the creation of DNA-based photonic wires with the capacity to transfer excitation energy over distances greater than 150 A. We demonstrate hybrid multifluorophore DNA−photonic wires that both self-assemble around semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and exploit their unique photophysical properties. In this architecture, the QDs function as both central nanoscaffolds and ultraviolet energy harvesting donors that drive Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) cascades through the DNA wires with emissions that approach the near-infrared. To assemble the wires, DNA fragments labeled with a series of increasingly red-shifted acceptor-dyes were hybridized in a predetermined linear arrangement to a complementary DNA template that was chemoselectively modified with a hexahistidine-appended peptide. The peptide portion facilitated metal-affinity coordination of multiple hybridized DNA−dye structures t...
The benefits of self-forgiveness on mental health: Evidence from correlational and experimental research

AbstractPrevious research on self-forgiveness is mixed. Some argue self-forgiveness may have a salutary influence on mental health problems following an offense, whereas others suggest it may provide an excuse to reoffend. In two studies, we provide correlational and experimental evidence for the salutary effects of self-forgiveness following an offense. In Study 1 (N = 100), self-forgiveness was associated with lower levels of disordered eating behavior. In Study 2 (N = 462), participants recalled a drinking-related transgression, and were randomly assigned to a self-forgiveness or neutral priming condition. Results revealed that participants in the self-forgiveness condition reported significantly more self-forgiving beliefs and fewer feelings of remorse and self-condemnation than participants in the neutral priming condition to the degree that participants believed their drinking was the cause of the offense. These findings highlight the salutary effects of self-forgiveness.
Partial Support of Meetings of the Board on Mathematical Sciences and Their Applications (Final Report)

During the performance period, BMSA released the following major reports: Transforming Combustion Research through Cyberinfrastructure (2011); Assessing the Reliability of Complex Models: Mathematical and Statistical Foundations of Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification (2012); Fueling Innovation and Discovery: The Mathematical Sciences in the 21st Century (2012); Aging and the Macroeconomy: Long-Term Implications of an Older Population (2012); The Mathematical Sciences in 2025 (2013); Frontiers in Massive Data Analysis (2013); and Developing a 21st Century Global Library for Mathematics Research (2014).
Medicinal plants used by traditional healers from South-west Algeria: an ethnobotanical study -

The present study aimed to document and analyze the local knowledge of medicinal plants’ use by traditional healers in South-west Algeria. The ethnobotanical survey was conducted in two Saharian regions of South-west of Algeria: Adrar and Bechar. In total, twenty-two local traditional healers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire and open questions. Use value (UV), fidelity level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (FIC) were used to analyze the obtained data. Our results showed that 83 medicinal plants species belonging to 38 families are used by traditional healers from South-west of Algeria to treat several ailments. Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae and Fabaceae were the most dominant families with 13, 8, 6 and 4 species respectively. Leaves were the plant parts mostly used (36%), followed by seeds (18%), aerial parts (17%) and roots (12%). Furthermore, decoction was the major mode of preparation (49%) and oral administration was the most preferred (80%). Thymus vulgaris L. (UV=1.045), Zingiber officinale (UV=0.863), Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (UV=0.590), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (UV=0.545) and Ruta chalepensis L. (UV=0.5) were the most frequently species used by local healers. A great informant consensus has been demonstrated for kidney (0.727), cancer (0.687), digestive (0.603) and respiratory diseases. The present study revealed rich ethnomedicinal knowledge in South-west Algeria. The reported species with high use-value, fidelity level and informant consensus factor could be of great interest for further pharmacological studies.
Role of Autophagy in HIV Pathogenesis and Drug Abuse

Autophagy is a highly regulated process in which excessive cytoplasmic materials are captured and degraded during deprivation conditions. The unique nature of autophagy that clears invasive microorganisms has made it an important cellular defense mechanism in a variety of clinical situations. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that autophagy is extensively involved in the pathology of HIV-1. To ensure survival of the virus, HIV-1 viral proteins modulate and utilize the autophagy pathway so that biosynthesis of the virus is maximized. At the same time, the abuse of illicit drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, morphine, and alcohol is thought to be a significant risk factor for the acquirement and progression of HIV-1. During drug-induced toxicity, autophagic activity has been proved to be altered in various cell types. Here, we review the current literature on the interaction between autophagy, HIV-1, and drug abuse and discuss the complex role of autophagy during HIV-1 pathogenesis in co-exposure to illicit drugs.
Pebbles, rocks, and boulders: The implementation of a school-based social engagement intervention for children with autism:

Few evidence-based practices, defined as the use of empirically supported research and clinical expertise for children with autism, have been successfully implemented and sustained in schools. This study examined the perspectives of school personnel (n = 39) on implementing a social engagement intervention for children with autism. Semi-structured interviews, informed by the Domitrovich et al. (2008) framework, were conducted. Participants were asked about (1) school factors that affect the general implementation of evidence-based practices, (2) their specific experiences implementing the social engagement intervention, and (3) barriers to and facilitators of implementing the social engagement intervention. Data were analyzed using an integrated approach. General (e.g. implementation process, leadership, support, and staff) and intervention-specific (e.g. staff, barriers, and facilitators) implementation themes were identified. These findings suggest that a variety of factors should be considered when imp...
Rotational obstruction of the vertebral artery at the atlantoaxial joint

Two patients with vertebrobasilar ischemia are described in whom angiography demonstrated obstruction of one vertebral artery at the C1–2 level on rotation of the head. The possible anatomical explanation and physiological significance of this finding are discussed.
Binding of Growth Hormone to Hepatic Receptors

Most polypeptide hormones are thought to exert an intracellular effect by binding to specific cell membrane receptors with subsequent stimulation of adenylate cyclase and a resultant elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels. A major exception to this schema appears to be growth hormone (GH) and its effect on the liver. Even though GH does bind to cell membrane receptors in hepatic tissue,(1–12) a stimulatory effect of GH on adenylate cyclase in liver has not been observed. These observations make GH—receptor interactions basically interesting. The liver is of special interest in GH binding since it is a putative target organ for GH in the production of somatomedin C or IGF-I. GH also binds to other tissue, notably renal and adipose,(13–15) but this chapter will focus on GH binding to hepatic tissue.
Head and neck synovial sarcomas: Clinical characteristics and survival.

e22523Background: Synovial Sarcomas (SS) are malignant, high-grade, soft tissue sarcomas that have variable epithelial differentiation and are associated with the fusion gene SYT-SSX. They have var...
Teaching Tools: Alexander Library Exercises

(1936). Teaching Tools: Alexander Library Exercises. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 7, No. 6, pp. 341-342.
Small-signal characteristics of graded AlGaN channel PolFETs

We present small-signal measurements on graded AlGaN channel polarization-doped field-effect transistors (PolFETs) that show constant current gain cutoff frequency, f T , and power gain cutoff frequency, f max , profiles as a function of current density or gate bias. AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are suitable candidates for mm-wave and THz amplifiers. However their transconductance, current gain and power gain profiles reach a peak value at low current density, and then drop off significantly as the current density is increased. Reduction in power gain with gate voltage is detrimental for linearity under large signal operation, and translates into intermodulation distortion.
Material and morphology parameter sensitivity analysis in particulate composite materials

This manuscript presents a novel parameter sensitivity analysis framework for damage and failure modeling of particulate composite materials subjected to dynamic loading. The proposed framework employs global sensitivity analysis to study the variance in the failure response as a function of model parameters. In view of the computational complexity of performing thousands of detailed microstructural simulations to characterize sensitivities, Gaussian process (GP) surrogate modeling is incorporated into the framework. In order to capture the discontinuity in response surfaces, the GP models are integrated with a support vector machine classification algorithm that identifies the discontinuities within response surfaces. The proposed framework is employed to quantify variability and sensitivities in the failure response of polymer bonded particulate energetic materials under dynamic loads to material properties and morphological parameters that define the material microstructure. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of sensitivity to interfaces between the polymer binder and the energetic particles. The proposed framework has been demonstrated to identify the most consequential material and morphological parameters under vibrational and impact loads.
Molecular insights into ether-based electrolytes for Li-FeS2 batteries

Abstract Lithium-FeS2 is an attractive chemistry for rechargeable lithium batteries because of its high theoretical energy density ~1313 Wh kg−1. However, fast capacity fade is generally observed in this system due to the irreversible dissolution of active materials (polysulfide ions, Fe ion etc.) into the electrolyte. This work investigates the effect of ethereal electrolyte solvents’ structure on its solvating power of Li-polysulfides and eventually on the cycling stability of rechargeable Li-FeS2 cells. Methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), a high carbon/oxygen ratio ether, is studied and compared with the standard 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME):1,3-dioxolane (DOL) ether couple as electrolyte solvent for Li-FeS2 and similar chemistries. The higher level of non-polar character and the additional steric hindrance in MTBE both endow it with significantly lower solvating capability and lower solubility of Li-polysulfides than DME:DOL. This is predicted by quantum chemical calculation and verified by experiments. In electrochemical test, MTBE solvent helps to significantly improve the cycling stability of the Li-FeS2 cell. Post-cycling material analysis and impedance tests both indicate that this is due to the alleviated active material dissolution and re-deposition on the lithium anode. Similar improvement is also observed in the Li-CuS cell case. Although the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte is also affected by this new solvent and MBTE cannot yet be a satisfactory solution, our study presents important guidance in designing future electrolyte for Li-FeS2 battery.
The profiles of soluble adhesion molecules in the "great obstetrical syndromes".

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the profiles of maternal plasma soluble adhesion molecules in patients with preeclampsia, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses, acute pyel...
Biocontrol of soilborne plant pathogens with fungi

Determining mechanisms by which antagonistic fungi control plant pathogens is an important step in developing biorational approaches to disease management. These approaches should increase the probability of successful, consistent biocontrol in the field. Mechanisms of biocontrol include competition, parasitism, and antibiosis, all of which function in the rhizosphere. Competition may be the mechanism most prevalent in natural systems, but it is often difficult to observe experimentally. Parasitism can be an efficient control mechansm and has the potential to be very target specific, as in control of Sclerotinia species by Sporidesmium. Although antibiosis has not been definitively demonstrated to be the sole control mechanism of any biocontrol fungus, there is evidence for involvement of antibiotics, antibiotic-like compounds, or enzymes in control mediated by numerous fungi including isolates of Trichoderma, Gliocladium, and Talaromyces. In general, these mechanisms are not mutually exclusive; different mechanisms may act in combination to produce biocontrol. Knowledge of mechanisms can be used to design screening procedures for potential antagonists, evaluate management practices which favor antagonists, select genetically improved antagonists, and assist in registration of antagonists.
High Catastrophizing in Subjects With Painful Mesh Complications Leads to Worse Outcomes.

Abstract Objective To identify the rate of catastrophizing in a cohort of subjects with chronic pain after self-reported mesh complications and identify interactions of catastrophization with other patient factors, such as age, number of pelvic surgeries, and intent to sue. Catastrophizing has been shown to be a risk factor for chronicity of pain, disability, and depression. Methods The pain catastrophization scale (PCS) identifies patients likely to have an exaggerated, negative thought process in response to pain. Subjects throughout the United States with self-described complications of vaginal mesh completed an internet-based, anonymous survey, featuring multiple standardized questionnaires including the PCS and female Genitourinary Pain Index (GUPI). A previously defined threshold score of >30 on the PCS defined high-pain catastrophizing. Statistical analysis was performed using χ² test and t test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results Ninety of 167 participants (54%) were found to have high-pain catastrophizing. Age, intent to sue, or number of previous pelvic surgeries did not correlate with high catastrophization. Subjects who catastrophized were significantly more likely to have a higher overall GUPI score (35.0 vs 30.5, P Conclusion Subjects with self-described mesh complications have a high rate of pain catastrophizing associated with significantly worse quality of life and higher pain. Identifying high catastrophizing patients in the setting of chronic pelvic pain from mesh complications may help guide treatment and be an indicator for early or adjunctive psychosocial intervention.
The Origin and Early Evolution of Adaptive Immune Systems

Two forms of recombinatorial adaptive immune systems arose in vertebrates about 480 million years ago. The repertoire of immunoglobulin domain-based T and B cell antigen receptors in jawed vertebrates is diversified primarily through the rearrangement of V(D)J (variable, diversity, and/or joining) gene segments and somatic hypermutation, but none of the major recognition elements in jawed vertebrates have been found in jawless vertebrates. Instead, the adaptive immune systems of jawless vertebrates are based on variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) that are generated through recombinatorial usage of a large panel of greatly diverse leucine rich repeat sequences. Whereas the emergence of transposon-like, recombination-activating genes (RAGs) contributed uniquely to the origin of the adaptive immune systems in jawed vertebrates, the use of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA) for receptor diversification is common to both the jawed and jawless vertebrates. Despite these differences in anticipatory receptor structure, the basic design of adaptive immune system featuring two cooperating T and B lymphocyte arms apparently evolved in an ancestor of jawed and jawless vertebrates within the context of established innate immunity and has been sustained due to powerful and durable selection, mostly for pathogen defense commitments.
Advanced Communications Technologies in Support of NASA Mission

NASA is currently working in expanding communications capabilities to enhance and enable robotic as well as human exploration of space and to advance aero communications on Earth. This presentation will discuss some of the research and technology developments being performed at the NASA Glenn Research Center in aerospace communications in support of NASA's mission. An overview of the work conducted in-house and in collaboration with other NASA Centers, Industry, Academia and Other Government Agencies (OGA) to advance radiofrequency (RF) and optical communication technologies in the areas of antennas, power amplifiers, receivers, and cognitive communications systems, among others will be presented. The roles of these and other RF and optical communication technologies in enabling NASA next generation aerospace communications architecture will be also discussed.
Inequality in talk and group size effects: An analysis of measures:

The earliest studies of talk in small groups indicated that larger groups experience more inequality in participation than smaller groups. However, there has been insufficient attention to how to p...
A Human-Specific α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Gene in Human Leukocytes: Identification, Regulation and the Consequences of CHRFAM7A Expression.

The human genome contains a variant form of the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) gene that is uniquely human. This CHRFAM7A gene arose during human speciation and recent data suggests that its expression alters ligand tropism of the normally homopentameric human α7-AChR ligand-gated cell surface ion channel that is found on the surface of many different cell types. To understand its possible significance in regulating inflammation in humans, we investigated its expression in normal human leukocytes and leukocyte cell lines, compared CHRFAM7A expression to that of the CHRNA7 gene, mapped its promoter and characterized the effects of stable CHRFAM7A overexpression. We report here that CHRFAM7A is highly expressed in human leukocytes but that the levels of both CHRFAM7A and CHRNA7 mRNAs were independent and varied widely. To this end, mapping of the CHRFAM7A promoter in its 5′-untranslated region (UTR) identified a unique 1-kb sequence that independently regulates CHRFAM7A gene expression. Because overexpression of CHRFAM7A in THP1 cells altered the cell phenotype and modified the expression of genes associated with focal adhesion (for example, FAK, P13K, Akt, rho, GEF, Elk1, CycD), leukocyte transepithelial migration (Nox, ITG, MMPs, PKC) and cancer (kit, kitL, ras, cFos cyclinD1, Frizzled and GPCR), we conclude that CHRFAM7A is biologically active. Most surprisingly however, stable CHRFAM7A overexpression in THP1 cells upregulated CHRNA7, which, in turn, led to increased binding of the specific α7nAChR ligand, bungarotoxin, on the THP1 cell surface. Taken together, these data confirm the close association between CHRFAM7A and CHRNA7 expression, establish a biological consequence to CHRFAM7A expression in human leukocytes and support the possibility that this human-specific gene might contribute to, and/or gauge, a human-specific response to inflammation.
Improving Food Access through Farmers Market Incentives: Barriers, Strategies and Agency Perceptions from Market Managers

Florida’s Fresh Access Bucks program provides incentives to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries to redeem fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at select farmers markets. Policy-makers and practitioners designed the program to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables for limited-resource families while stimulating the local economy by supporting purchases from local farmers. While evidence suggests that related incentive programs improve access to nutritious food, there is currently little research regarding farmers market managers’ perspectives and experiences regarding program adoption and use, despite the critical role played by managers in administering the program. Using data collected from semistructured phone interviews with market managers, we applied a component of the Integrated Behavioral Model to explore the barriers managers face in engaging with limited-resource consumers at their markets through the Fresh Access Bucks program. Additionally, we explored managers’ perceptions of their ability to administer and market the program effectively through strategic interventions. Results indicate that market managers’ perception of their ability to administer the program was hindered by the following external environmental factors: bureaucratic limitations; availability of locally eligible producers and growers; organizational structure and funding support; and transportation and physical access. The following strategic efforts influenced manager perceptions of their ability to administer the program: risk-taking and experimentation; loyalty, trust, and relationship-building with vendors; cultivating market experiences; and strategic coordination with partner organizations. These find­ings have implications for improving outcomes for similar nutrition incentive initiatives at farmers markets. See the press release for this article.
Physical activity, health-related quality of life, and adjuvant endocrine therapy-related symptoms in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Background Physical activity (PA) is recommended for women with breast cancer (BC); however, data are sparse on the association of PA with quality of life (QOL) and patient-reported symptoms for women on adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). Methods Women with hormone receptor-positive BC who were taking AET completed standardized surveys about their health-related QOL, AET-related symptoms, and levels of PA using validated measures. A Wald chi-square test and an analysis of variance were used to assess associations with PA and independent variables. Generalized linear regression analyses assessed associations between PA, QOL, and AET-related symptoms. Results The analytic cohort included 485 Black and White women. Black race, a high body mass index (BMI), and being on aromatase inhibitors (vs tamoxifen) were associated with lower PA in a bivariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, lower self-reported PA was associated with a high BMI (P = .02) and chemotherapy uptake (P = .006). Better health-related QOL (P = .01), less severe overall AET-related symptoms (P = .02), and less severe gynecological symptoms (P = .03) were associated with increasing levels of moderate PA. Conclusions Among women taking AET, moderate levels of PA may be associated with fewer medication-related symptoms and overall better ratings of health-related QOL. Because of the low levels of PA observed in the sample overall and particularly for Black women, identifying successful strategies to promote PA are needed.
Three-dimensional joint kinematic and two-dimensional quality of movement comparison between lateral and forward step-downs

Abstract Objectives While lateral and forward step-down tasks are commonly used, they may have different kinematic and performance demands that could influence clinical assessment and rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare 3D lower extremity kinematics and 2D quality of movement between the tasks. Design Cross-sectional comparative study. Setting Research laboratory. Participants Thirty healthy adults (18 females, age = 23.2 ± 1.4 years, BMI = 23.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2). Main outcome measures Participants underwent 3D and 2D motion analysis. 3D variables were peak hip, knee, and ankle angles. Dichotomous clinical criteria were used for 2D assessment. An alpha level of 0.05 was used for statistical analyses. Results In the sagittal plane, the forward step-down averaged 7° more knee flexion (p Conclusions The increased knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion demands of the forward step-down were accompanied by increases in frontal plane aberrations. The forward step-down may be more challenging for individuals with reduced tolerance to loaded knee flexion and/or limited ankle mobility.
linkLine's Institutional Suspicions

The Supreme Court's recent decision in Pacific Bell v. linkLine, rejecting antitrust liability for price squeezes by integrated dominant firms, is the latest in a line of cases in which the two schools of antitrust thinking represented on the Court - the Chicago and Harvard Schools - have lined up in rejecting liability in large part due to deep suspicion about the institutional players in the antitrust system. Both schools distrust juries, generalist trial judges, plaintiff's lawyers, and the systemic effects of treble damages. Although the two schools diverge in their attitude toward other institutions - the Chicago School distrusts regulators which the Harvard School trusts and the Harvard School distrusts markets which the Chicago School trusts - in most cases the two schools combine to produce unanimous or nearly unanimous wins for defendants. Proponents of enhanced antitrust enforcement who chafe at antitrust defendants’ 15-0 run in the Supreme Court are unlikely to see different results until they seriously engage the institutionalist concerns that motivate the Court.
Latino and African American Non-Custodial Fathers

Abstract This study examines the perspectives of 30 Latino (n = 17) and African American (n = 13) low-income non-custodial fathers regarding their role as fathers and the child support system. Using an ethnographic approach, these non-custodial fathers (NCFs) were asked about their own childhood and background, their relationship with their own fathers, their relationship with their non-custodial child(ren), and their views of the child support system. The cultural portrait that emerges is one of a group of fathers who express a strong desire to be positive role models to their children and to play a significant role in their lives. Notwithstanding their negative feelings toward the child support enforcement system, they need to increase their knowledge regarding the process in order to clarify both their responsibilities and their rights. Implications for social work policy and research are included.
The neuroglial population in the primary visual cortex of the aging rhesus monkey.

The effects of age on neuroglial cells have been examined in the primary visual cortices of rhesus monkeys that had been behaviorally tested. The assessment of changes in the neuroglial populations was made on the basis of the frequency of occurrence of profiles of neuroglial cells in semithick sections of osmicated tissue stained with toluidine blue. No changes were found in the numbers of astrocytes and microglial cells with age, but the numbers of oligodendrocytes increased by about 50%. The myelinated nerve bundles at the level of layer 4 were also examined by electron microscopy to assess the effects of age on the nerve fibers. The numbers of nerve fiber profiles showing agerelated alterations in their myelin sheaths increase with age. There was also an age-related increase in the frequency of profiles of nerve fibers sectioned through paranodes, indicating that shorter lengths of myelin are being produced by remyelination. These changes in sheaths both correlate significantly with the frequency of oligodendrocyte profiles, suggesting that with age additional oligodendrocytes are required to remyelinate nerve fibers whose sheaths have broken down, probably by death of the original parent oligodendroglial cell. Also the most cognitively impaired monkeys had the greatest numbers of oligodendrocytes, but this is probably a secondary correlation, reflecting the fact that altered myelin slows down the rate of conduction along nerve fibers, which leads to cognitive decline. V V C 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A proxy index of ENSO teleconnections

Variations in central and eastern equatorial sea surface temperatures are linked to extratropical climate changes by atmospheric heat and moisture fluxes in so-called ‘teleconnection’ patterns1,2. Estimates of sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly may be derived from the isotopic composition and minor-element chemistry of aragonite formed by annually banded reef corals. Here we reconstruct anomalies in central equatorial Pacific SSTs for 1938-93 from the stable oxygen isotope (δ18O) composition of a coral collected at Kiritimati (Christmas) Island, Republic of Kiribati (157.3° W, 2° N). We recover not only the regional anomaly in SST, but also extratropical climate information in climatically teleconnected regions.
Control and analysis of synchronous reluctance motors

Nonlinear mathematical models of synchronous reluctance motors are developed in the machine (abc) and in the quadrature, direct and zero (qd0) variables. Kirchhoff's voltage law and Newton's second law are used to find the differential equations which map the circuitry and torsional-mechanical dynamics. The Park transformation is applied in model developments to derive the differential equations in the rotor reference frame. A robust controller with nonlinear error and state feedback maps is designed to guarantee robust tracking, to ensure stability, as well as to attain disturbance rejection. Modeling results are given.
Color Changes and Development of Eggs of Rice Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Response to Temperature

The progress of embryonic development may be observed in eggs of the rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), because obvious color or color pattern changes may be viewed through the transparent chorion. All viable egg masses of the rice stink bug progressed through similar color or color pattern changes at the six constant temperatures that ranged from 21.1 to 37.8°C. Whenever the length of time within a pattern was expressed as a percentage of the total developmental time, the proportion of time within a pattern was not influenced by changes in temperature. However, temperatures used in this study were within the linear range for total development and within each color pattern of the rice stink bug eggs described in this article. The upper lethal constant temperature was estimated to be 37.8°C. Although phases of blastokinesis could be viewed, most were not related to color patterns in this study, except the katatrepsis phase, which is pictorially described. Rice stink bug egg masses consisted of two rows, the eggs being in contact but those of one row alternate in position with the other row. Embryos in both rows were oriented with the ventral surface toward the center of the egg mass.
"My assumptions were wrong": Exploring teachers' constructions of self and biases towards diverse families

Family engagement in young children’s education is widely touted as valuable, but challenging, particularly for teachers in high need, highly diverse schools. Professional development efforts in this area often fall short, in part due to the difficulty inherent in changing teachers’ attitudes and beliefs. This study uses Kegan’s (1982) Constructive Developmental theory as a framework for understanding teachers’ belief changes as the result of course designed to improve family-school engagement.
Value of wet mount and cervical cultures at the time of cervical cytology in asymptomatic women

Objective To correlate Papanicolaou smear findings with the wet mount and cervical culture results in asymptomatic patients, and to review the value of doing wet mount and/or cervical cultures in these patients at the time of Papanicolaou smear. Methods Asymptomatic women presenting for routine Papanicolaou smears at Sinai Samaritan Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, between January 1991 and January 1994 were studied by preparing wet mount (saline and potassium hydroxide preparations) and cervical cultures for Chlamydia trachontatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae at the same visit. Fisher exact test and Pearson χ 2 statistics were applied. Results Nine hundred sixty-three patients were studied. Nearly 50% of our asymptomatic young urban women had a vaginal and/or cervical infection. Papanicolaou smears with inflammation were associated with bacterial vaginosis ( P P P P C trachomatis and/or N gonorrhoeae ( P P P Conclusion Preparing wet mounts at the time of Papanicolaou smear in asymptomatic young urban women will help in the interpretation of minimally abnormal smears and will probably decrease the need for repeat smears and colposcopy. Simultaneous cervical cultures would not add much information for such interpretation.
Violent visions of an ownership society: The land administration project in Petén, Guatemala

Abstract This article is a case study of phase one of the World Bank's land administration project in Peten, Guatemala. Although the project's stated aims are merely to formalize an existing set of individual landed property rights, this development intervention necessarily changes the property regime, thereby changing underlying relationships that land as property embodies. Impact evaluations conducted by development economists may fail to substantively address displacement and violence that occur as a short-term effect of the project and long-term disparate impacts of the project that may exacerbate existing inequalities. The case of Peten also highlights the possibility for violent enforcement of property boundaries, where conflict surges between the disenfranchised and those who gain power under the new property regime.
Meta-Analysis of the Role of Statin Therapy in Reducing Myocardial Infarction Following Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Statin medications initiated during percutaneous coronary intervention have been evaluated in clinical trials mainly to assess if this therapy reduces subsequent restenosis. The benefit of statin therapy on individual cardiovascular outcomes other than restenosis is largely unknown. Hence, a meta-analysis of the available randomized trials was conducted to evaluate individual cardiovascular outcomes with statin therapy compared with placebo after elective percutaneous coronary intervention. In all, there were 6 studies available for analysis (Prevention of Restenosis by Elisor After Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty [PREDICT], Fluvastatin Angioplasty Restenosis [FLARE], the Lescol Intervention Prevention Study [LIPS], German Atorvastatin Intravascular Ultrasound [GAIN], Atorvastatin for Reduction of Myocardial Damage During Angioplasty [ARMYDA], and a study by Briguori et al) that randomized 3,941 patients (1,967 to statins and 1,974 to placebos). Clinical follow-up ranged from 1 day to 45 months. The incidence of myocardial infarction was 3.0% in the statin group and 5.2% in the placebo group (odds ratio [OR] 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42 to 0.78, p
Calculation of the zero-point energy from imaginary-time quantum trajectory dynamics in Cartesian coordinates

The imaginary-time quantum dynamics is implemented in Cartesian coordinates using the momentum-dependent quantum potential approach. A nodeless wavefunction, represented in terms of quantum trajectories, is evolved in imaginary time according to the quantum-mechanical Boltzmann operator in the Eulerian frame-of-reference. The quantum potential and its gradient are determined approximately, from the global low-order (quadratic) polynomial fit to the trajectory momenta, which makes the approach practical in high dimensions. Implementation in the Cartesian coordinates allows one to work with the Hamiltonian of the simplest form, to setup calculations in the molecular dynamics-compatible framework and to naturally mix quantum and classical description of particles. Localization of wavefunctions in the center-of-mass degrees of freedom and in the overall rotation, which makes the quadratic polynomial fitting in Cartesian coordinates accurate, is accomplished by the addition of a quadratic constraining potential, and its contribution to the zero-point energy is analytically subtracted. For illustration, the zero-point energies are computed for model clusters consisting of up to 11 atoms (33 dimensions).