cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The C‐terminal Domain of Snf3p is Sufficient to Complement the Growth Defect of snf3 Null Mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: SNF3 Functions in Glucose Recognition

The SNF3 protein, Snf3p, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was initially thought to be a high affinity glucose transporter required for efficient catabolism of low glucose concentrations. We now report evidence suggesting that Snf3p is a regulatory protein and not a catabolic transporter. The C-terminal domain of Snf3p is able to complement the growth defect on solid media of snf3 null mutants independent of attachment to the membrane-spanning domains. However, the C-terminal domain is unable to fully restore high affinity glucose transport to a snf3 null strain. Examination of deletions of the C-terminal domain of intact SNF3 demonstrates that this region is required for both the growth and transport functions of Snf3p. Loss of the SNF3 gene leads to a long-term adaptation phenotype for cells grown in liquid medium at low substrate concentrations in the presence of the respiratory inhibitor, antimycin A. The presence of the C-terminal domain shortens the time required for adaptation in a snf3 null strain. Thus, Snf3p appears to affect ability to adapt to low substrate conditions, but does not confer an absolute defect in uptake of substrate. Taken together, these data suggest that Snf3p is a regulatory protein likely functioning in the detection of glucose. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increases in peroxidase activities are not directly involved in induced resistance in tobacco

Abstract Peroxidase activities and isozyme patterns were determined in tobacco leaves of the cultivar Bottom Special in which disease resistance had been induced by prior infiltration with heat-killed Pseudomonas solanacearum B1 cells. As compared with unprotected leaves, soluble peroxidase activity increased by 8 h after infiltration and an additional isozyme band (P1) appeared by 12 h. There were no changes in either ionically or covalently bound forms of peroxidase. Similar changes in peroxidase were observed in leaves that were infiltrated with killed bacteria and then shaded with aluminum foil, although protection was not obtained under these conditions. Similarly, in leaves infiltrated with heat-killed saprophytic bacteria (Escherichia coli B, Bacillus subtilis) which did not induce protection, peroxidase activity was increased and the P1 band appeared. Lipopolysaccharide from K60 cells of Pseudomonas solanacearum, which induced protection, also increased peroxidase activity and caused appearance of the P1 band. When leaf cells were wounded by injection with asbestos fibers, peroxidase activity increased but the P1 band was not visible. It was concluded that peroxidase increases are not directly involved in disease resistance, and probably result from injury caused by toxic compounds in the bacterial cell suspension.
The effect of aspirin and indomethacin on prostacyclin and thromboxone production by placental tissue incubated with immunoglobulin G fractions from patients with lupus anticoagulant

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We investigated the hypothesis that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents can influence the abnormal prostanoid production associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. We specifically assessed whether aspirin or indomethacin could eliminate the increased placental thromboxane production previously observed with immunoglobulin G fractions from patients with lupus anticoagulant without adversely affecting prostacyclin production. STUDY DESIGN: Immunoglobulin G fractions were prepared from the plasma of eight nonpregnant patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and demonstrable lupus anticoagulant. Samples from each patient were then placed in incubation wells containing explains from normal term pregnancies and 10 −4 mol/L aspirin, 10 −7 mol/L indomethacin, or no added drug. Aliquots were removed all intervals up to 48 hours of incubation and assessed for placental prostacyclin and thromboxane production by radioimmunoassay of the stable metabolites prostaglandin F 1α and thromboxane B 2 . RESULTS: The addition of aspirin to wells contaiing immunoglobulin G from patients with lupus anticoagulant was associated with a significant decrease in thromboxane production compared with wells without added drug, but prostacyclin production was unaffected. In contrast, the addition of indomethacin also decreased thromboxane production significantly, but prostacyclin production was also diminished, so the ratio of thromboxane to prostacyclin was unaffected. CONCLUSION: These results support a role for the use of aspirin for antiphospholipid antibody-related pregnancy loss through a mechanism similar to that postulated for preeclampsia, namely, selective inhibition of thromboxane production.
School Quality and the Vulnerability of the Black Middle Class: The Continuing Significance of Race as a Predictor of Disparate Schooling Environments

Scholarship discussing the impact of class on black disadvantage centers around three general claims: (1) higher socioeconomic status (SES) curtails the disadvantages associated with race, (2) class does little to mitigate racial disadvantage because of the persistence of racism, and (3) race and class interact to produce different outcomes for persons from different race-class groups. Despite the abundance of research in the area, few studies explicitly examine whether race and class interact to influence school quality. Using data from the eighth grade wave of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study and other sources, the authors find significant racial disparities in school quality that class and residential context cannot account for. However, neighborhood poverty rates did increase the probability of private school enrollment for higher SES blacks compared to lower SES blacks and higher SES whites. The authors conclude that race remains an enduring obstacle to educational equity for poor as well as no...
mechanism of monoamine oxidase-A inhibition by BW 1370U87

BW 1370U87 is a potent, selective inhibitor of rat and human MAO-A with a competitive mechanism of action. Ki = 0.01 μM with either serotonin or tyramine as substrate. After preincubation of BW 1370U87 with mitochondrial MAO, full enzyme activity was restored by dialysis. Following oral administration to rats, BW 1370U87 inhibited brain MAO-A in a dose-dependent manner, with a duration greater than 6 hr, but less than 24 hr. No significant inhibition of MAO-B by BW 1370U87 was observed either in vitro or ex vivo. The selectivity, reversibility, and competitive kinetics of the inhibition by BW 1370U87 may contribute to an improved safety profile with this novel MAO-A inhibitor.
Radiative corrections to GV/Gμ in simple extensions of the SU(2) × U(1) gauge model

Abstract The radiative corrections of order α to the ratio GV/Gμ are estimated in the framework of two simple hadronic extensions of the SU(2) × U(1) gauge model. One involves four quarks with integral charges; the other, three colored quartets. The results are remarkably simple: we recover the corresponding results of the local V-A theory with the mass mZ of the Z vector meson substituted for the cutoff Λ. A phenomenological analysis shows that for a large range of values of mZ, these estimates are of the correct sign and order of magnitude to verify, on the basis of the present data, the universality of the weak interactions in the sense of Cabibbo. The SU(2) × U(1) model has an interesting consequence: by implying a big lower bound for mZ, it gives rise in a natural manner to large corrections of order α. The role of the strong interactions in the treatment of the short distance behavior in these calculations is qualitatively discussed.
THE INTERSECTIONAL FIFTH BLACK WOMAN

In 1989, Kimberle Crenshaw published Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics, an article that drew explicitly on Black feminist criticism, and challenged three prevailing frameworks: 1) the male-centered nature of antiracist politics, which privileged the experiences of heterosexual Black men; 2) the White-centered nature of feminist theorizing, which privileged the experiences of heterosexual White women; and 3) the “single-axis”/sex or race-centered nature of antidiscrimination regimes, which privileged the experiences of heterosexual White women and Black men. Crenshaw demonstrated how people within the same social group (e.g., African Americans) are differentially vulnerable to discrimination as a result of other intersecting axes of disadvantage, such as gender, class, or sexual orientation.This essay builds on that insight by articulating a performative conceptualization of race. It assumes that a judge is sympathetic to intersectionality and thus recognizes that Black women are often disadvantaged based on the intersection of their race and sex, among other social factors. This essay asks: How is that judge likely to respond to a case in which a firm promotes four Black women but not the fifth? The judge could conclude that there is no discrimination because the firm promoted four people (Black women) with the same intersectional identity as the fifth (a Black woman). We argue that this evidentiary backdrop should not preclude a finding of discrimination. It is plausible that our hypothetical firm utilized racially associated ways of being—performative criteria (self presentation, accent, demeanor, conformity, dress, and hair style)—to differentiate among and between the Black women. The firm might have drawn an intra-group, or intra-intersectional, line between the fifth Black women and the other four based on the view that the fifth Black woman is “too Black.” We describe the ease with which institutions can draw such lines and explain why doing so might constitute impermissible discrimination. Our aim is to broaden the conceptual terms upon which we frame both social categories and discrimination.
The Nerve of That Disease: The Vagus Nerve and Cardiac Rehabilitation

The emphasis on the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in cardiology has recently shifted to a view recognizing the extraordinarily protective role that the (parasympathetic) vagus nerve plays in prevention and rehabilitation of heart muscle and pacemaker function. This article summarizes some of the epidemiological evidence supporting this premise and describes biofeedback-based interventions that may play a role in the future of cardiac disease prevention and rehabilitation.
Electron-hole liquid in germanium under high stress.

The properties of the electron-hole liquid (EHL) in Ge are examined as a function of uniaxial 〈111〉 stress with use of spectral and temporal measurements of the electron-hole--recombination luminescence. We are the first to observe the EHL phase in the high-stress limit (\ensuremath{\sigma}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}70 kgf/${\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$, where 1 kgf/${\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$==10 MPa) at T=2 K, based on fits to calculated spectral line shapes. The dependence of the measured EHL densities on uniaxial 〈111〉 stress agrees well with that predicted by sophisticated many-body calculations. Measurements of the EHL lifetime are also reported for uniaxial 〈111〉 stresses from 5.6 to 23.9 kgf/${\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$. The density dependence of the EHL lifetime indicates a constant value for the electron-hole enhancement factor, ${g}_{\mathrm{eh}}$(0), for electron-hole--pair densitiesg3.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{16}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$. This result disagrees with theoretical predictions, but is consistent with experimental results reported by others.
A geometric hidden Markov tree wavelet model

In the last few years, it has become apparent that traditional wavelet-based image processing algorithms and models have significant shortcomings in their treatment of edge contours. The standard modeling paradigm exploits the fact that wavelet coefficients representing smooth regions in images tend to have small magnitude, and that the multiscale nature of the wavelet transform implies that these small coefficients will persist across scale (the canonical example is the venerable zero-tree coder). The edge contours in the image, however, cause more and more large magnitude wavelet coefficients as we move down through scale to finer resolutions. But if the contours are smooth, they become simple as we zoom in on them, and are well approximated by straight lines at fine scales. Standard wavelet models exploit the grayscale regularity of the smooth regions of the image, but not the geometric regularity of the contours. In this paper, we build a model that accounts for this geometric regularity by capturing the dependencies between complex wavelet coefficients along a contour. The Geometric Hidden Markov Tree (GHMT) assigns each wavelet coefficient (or spatial cluster of wavelet coefficients) a hidden state corresponding to a linear approximation of the local contour structure. The shift and rotational-invariance properties of the complex wavelet transform allow the GHMT to model the behavior of each coefficient given the presence of a linear edge at a specified orientation --- the behavior of the wavelet coefficient given the state. By connecting the states together in a quadtree, the GHMT ties together wavelet coefficients along a contour, and also models how the contour itself behaves across scale. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the model by applying it to feature extraction.
The Classification and Ordering of Responses to the Question “Who am I?”*

The question “Who Am I?” (WAI?) has generated considerable research by social psychologists concerned with self phenomena. “Self theory,” from which the “WAI?” technique was derived, hypothesizes a...
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl-Hydroxylase 2 Senses High-Salt Intake to Increase Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α Levels in the Renal Medulla

High salt induces the expression of transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α and its target genes in the renal medulla, which is an important renal adaptive mechanism to high-salt intake. HIF prolyl-hydroxylase domain-containing proteins (PHDs) have been identified as major enzymes to promote the degradation of HIF-1α. PHD2 is the predominant isoform of PHDs in the kidney and is primarily expressed in the renal medulla. The present study tested the hypothesis that PHD2 responds to high salt and mediates high-salt–induced increase in HIF-1α levels in the renal medulla. In normotensive rats, high-salt intake (4% NaCl, 10 days) significantly inhibited PHD2 expressions and enzyme activities in the renal medulla. Renal medullary overexpression of the PHD2 transgene significantly decreased HIF-1α levels. PHD2 transgene also blocked high-salt–induced activation of HIF-1α target genes heme oxygenase 1 and NO synthase 2 in the renal medulla. In Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats, however, high-salt intake did not inhibit the expression and activities of PHD2 in the renal medulla. Correspondingly, renal medullary HIF-1α levels were not upregulated by high-salt intake in these rats. After transfection of PHD2 small hairpin RNA, HIF-1α and its target genes were significantly upregulated by high-salt intake in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Overexpression of PHD2 transgene in the renal medulla impaired renal sodium excretion after salt loading. These data suggest that high-salt intake inhibits PHD2 in the renal medulla, thereby upregulating the HIF-1α expression. The lack of PHD-mediated response to high salt may represent a pathogenic mechanism producing salt-sensitive hypertension.
A 130 mW 100 MS/s Pipelined ADC With 69 dB SNDR Enabled by Digital Harmonic Distortion Correction

This paper presents a pipelined ADC with two fully integrated digital background calibration techniques: harmonic distortion correction (HDC) to compensate for residue amplifier gain error and nonlinearity and DAC noise cancellation (DNC) to compensate for DAC capacitor mismatches. It is the first IC implementation of HDC, and the results demonstrate that HDC and DNC together facilitate low-voltage operation and enable reductions in power dissipation relative to comparable conventional state-of-the-art pipelined ADCs. The pipelined ADC achieves a peak SNR of 70 dB and a -1 dBFS SFDR of 85 dB at a sample-rate of 100 MHz. It is implemented in a 90 nm CMOS process and consumes 130 mW from 1.2 V and 1.0 V analog and digital power supplies, respectively.
Oral Streptococci and Nitrite-Mediated Interference of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The oral cavity harbors a diverse community of microbes that are physiologically unique. Oral microbes that exist in this polymicrobial environment can be pathogenic or beneficial to the host. Numerous oral microbes contribute to the formation of dental caries and periodontitis; however, there is little understanding of the role these microbes play in systemic infections. There is mounting evidence that suggests that oral commensal streptococci are cocolonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa during cystic fibrosis pulmonary infections and that the presence of these oral streptococci contributes to improved lung function. The goal of this study was to examine the underlying mechanism by which Streptococcus parasanguinis antagonizes pathogenic P. aeruginosa. In this study, we discovered that oral commensal streptococci, including Streptococcus parasanguinis, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus gordonii, inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa and that this inhibition is mediated by the presence of nitrite and the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by oral streptococci. The requirement of both H2O2 and nitrite for the inhibition of P. aeruginosa is due to the generation of reactive nitrogenous intermediates (RNI), including peroxynitrite. Transposon mutagenesis showed that a P. aeruginosa mutant defective in a putative ABC transporter permease is resistant to both streptococcus/nitrite- and peroxynitrite-mediated killing. Furthermore, S. parasanguinis protects Drosophila melanogaster from killing by P. aeruginosa in a nitrite-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that the combination of nitrite and H2O2 may represent a unique anti-infection strategy by oral streptococci during polymicrobial infections.
Reentanglement Kinetics in Polyisobutylene

The rheological properties of a polyisobutylene (PIB) having a molecular weight five times its entanglement molecular weight were measured, along with interrupted shear flow experiments to quantify the time required for structural recovery following steady state shearing in the non-Newtonian regime. The reentanglement kinetics was substantially slower (by more than an order of magnitude) than expectations based on the linear relaxation time of the fully entangled material. This result is in accord with published interrupted shear flow results for concentrated polymer solutions. The retarded recovery of entanglements may underlie other anomalies, for example, the delayed development of autoadhesion (tack) in rubber, the behavior of freeze-dried dilute solutions and the limiting behavior of the molecular weight dependence of the viscosity. It also offers a route to more processable polymers and, being reversible, will not affect the ultimate physical properties.
Helmut Drexler, MD 1951–2009

On September 13, 2009, our dear friend and colleague Helmut Drexler died suddenly while cycling in the outskirts of Hannover, Germany. Only 58 years old at the time of his death, Professor Drexler spent his life probing the biological mysteries of cardiovascular disease and pursuing potent new therapies to fight it. Thus, it is sad and sobering that this very disease appeared to have claimed his life in the end. Helmut was a dear friend and treasured collaborator to many of us, while to the greater cardiovascular community he was perhaps one of the top leaders and pioneers in translational medicine. Helmut Drexler was born on February 24, 1951, in Karlsruhe, Germany. He attended medical school at the University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, where he earned his medical degree in 1977. He then began working in the Department of Pathology at the University of Freiburg, switching to internal medicine and the Department of Cardiology and Angiology in 1979. In 1982, he accepted a research fellowship from the German Research Foundation to work with Dr Robert Zelis in the Division of Cardiology at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa. A year later, he returned to Freiburg as a fellow in cardiology. In 1991, he left Freiburg to work with Dr Victor Dzau at Stanford University, where a strong friendship was born. When he arrived at Stanford, Helmut was “a man with a …
Machine-generated bicarbonate dialysate for continuous therapy: a prospective, observational cohort study

Background In 1995, we described the technique of adapting a haemodialysis (HD) machine to produce a composition-adjustable, bicarbonate-based fluid (as our primary source for dialysate) for continuous HD in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with acute renal failure (ARF). The following studies the clinical effects, biochemical changes and economic costs of this practice in a large cohort of patients at a single centre over the last 10 years. Methods The CCF-ARF Support Registry (1995-2001) was used to identify 405 patients initially supported with bicarbonate continuous HD. The registry is a prospective, observational cohort database that captures demographic, dialysis therapy, laboratory and outcome data. All supported ARF patients were recorded from 1995-98, and then one in five patients from 1999 to 2001. We also reviewed records of the individual dialysis procedures, dialysate disposal, dialysate monitoring tests and specific costs. Results Continuous HD was performed for 1292 +/- 587 days from 1994 to 2004. Demographics [age 59.57 +/- 14.41 years, weight 84.2 +/- 24 kg, male 65%, chronic kidney disease (CKD) 34%] and ICU mortality (60.5%) were comparable to other reported series. Day 4 solute [BUN 52.3 mg/dl (95% CI 49.6-54.9), creatinine 2.79 mg/dl (95% CI 2.64-2.95)], electrolyte and acid-base balance [bicarbonate 24.12 mmol/l (95% CI 23.7-24.6)] were well controlled. Dialysate monitoring revealed no positive cultures or elevated endotoxin levels. Variable-composition dialysate was achieved and delivered to all patients without adverse consequences. The cost of dialysate actually declined over time (1995 = $0.91/l, 2005 = $0.67/l). Conclusion We have demonstrated that ICU ARF patients can be safely, effectively and economically supported with continuous HD using this source.
Dynamic Viscous Simulations of Atmospheric-Entry Capsules

Viscous, free-oscillation simulations with the OverĔow solver are used to predict the aerodynamic behavior of non-liĕing capsule shapes in the supersonic speed regime. Computations using hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence models are examined for two novel atmospheric-entry capsule conđgurations: an idealized inĔatable decelerator concept, and the Orion Crew Module. ae simulation results are validated against nonlinear aerodynamic models determined from free-Ĕight ballistic-range data analysis. For the Orion Crew Module, two separate methods of reducing identical range data, along with common models tested in separate range facilities, are included. ae computations demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of dynamic simulations for developing a nonlinear aerodynamic performance database. Analysis indicates that the typical nonlinear, bluff-body behavior is characterized by a rate-dependent dynamic response, which is not currently accounted for in common aerodynamic models.
Stories of One's Own: Nonunitary Subjectivity in Narrative Representation:

This article examines the interrelated concepts of self-representation in personal narratives and the production of nonunitary subjectivity as a site of interpretation in qualitative research. Thro...
Single-centre 40-year results of redo operation for recurrent thymomas

Objective: Modes of treatment for recurrent thymoma remain controversial. The aim of this study is to analyse the early and long-term results of surgical intervention for this condition. Methods: Between 1972 and 2008, 43 out of 315 patients, who underwent resection with radical intent for thymoma, subsequently relapsed. Of these, 30 cases were deemed suitable for resection and operation, and were surgically treated. The remaining13weretreatedwithradio-and/orchemotherapy(RT/CT).Overalloutcomesforlong-termsurvivalupto5years(LTS)anddisease-free survival (DFS) were analysed using standard statistics. Results: The average age of the relapsed patients was 54.7 12.7 years. There were 21 males and 22 females. Forty out of the 43 had myasthenia gravis (MG). Fifteen cases concerned a single detected relapse lesion. Among the 43 patients, relapses were found in the following sites: pleura (25 cases), mediastinum (12), lung (five), liver and bone (one). The perioperative mortality was0% and the morbidity was27%. Twenty-two of the surgically treated patientshad complete resection;their LTS was77% and DFS was 71%. Those patients who underwent surgery had significantly better outcomes compared with patients treated with radio- and/or chemotherapy (LTS only 35%; hazard ratio (HR): 0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08—0.59; p = 0.001). Complete repeated resection yielded much better outcomes than partial resection (LTS 91% vs 31%, p < 0.001), whereas incomplete resection was associated, as one might expect, with a poor prognosis (HR: 6.12; 95% CI: 1.18—31.55; p = 0.031). No evidence for an association with other clinical, surgical and pathological characteristics was found with regard to LTS or DFS. Conclusions: Surgical resection is recommended for the treatment of recurrent thymoma, provided that criteria for suitability for resection/operation are satisfactory at the time of diagnosis. Best survival outcomes are found to depend on the degree of completeness of the repeat resection. # 2011 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Cerebellar Purkinje Cells are Reduced in a Subpopulation of Autistic Brains: A Stereological Experiment Using Calbindin-D28k

Although a decreased number of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) in the autistic brain has been widely reported with a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, the more accurate method of cell counting with modern stereology has not yet been employed. An additional possible problem with prior reports is the use of Nissl staining to identify the PCs, as this can miss cells due to staining irregularities. In the present study, PCs were immunostained for calbindin-D28k (CB), as this has been shown to be a more reliable marker for PCs than the Nissl stain, with more than 99% of the PCs immunopositive (Whitney, Kemper, Rosene, Bauman, Blatt, J Neurosci Methods 168:42-47, 2008). Using stereology and CB immunostaining, the density of PCs was determined in serial sections from a consistently defined area of the cerebellar hemisphere in four control and six autistic brains, with the density of PCs then correlated with the clinical severity of autism. Overall, there was no significant difference in the density of PCs between the autistic and control groups. However, three of six autistic brains had PC numbers that fell within the control range, whereas the remaining three autistic brains revealed a reduction compared with the control brains. These data demonstrate that a reduction in cerebellar PCs was not a consistent feature of these autistic brains and that it occurred without discernible correlation between their density and the clinical features or severity of autism.
Using toxicity grades in the design and analysis of cancer phase i clinical trials

Ethical considerations in a cancer phase I trial require a design allowing determination of the maximum tolerated dose with a minimum number of patients treated at low ineffectual or high overly toxic doses. It would also be advantageous to complete the phase I trial in as short a period of time and with as few patients as possible to allow further resources for later studies in which patients are treated at the optimal dose. Several dose escalation schemes are compared. These are the Fibonacci, two two-stage schemes, and a proposed scheme which uses knowledge of all toxicity grades. Estimates of the maximum tolerated dose are obtained and compared using the dose escalation schemes alone, a logit model, and a proposed mean response model. Confidence intervals using the delta method are obtained from the logit and mean response models. The proposed scheme and the two-stage schemes have the advantage of requiring fewer patients, particularly at low doses. Confidence intervals obtained from the mean response model have better coverage than those from the logit model. Data from a cancer phase I trial of dipyridamole and acivicin is presented to illustrate the methods.
Hybrid Single-Nanowire Photonic Crystal and Microresonator Structures

We report a hybrid approach for photonic systems that combines chemically synthesized single nanowire emitters with lithographically defined photonic crystal and racetrack microresonator structures. Finite-difference time-domain calculations were used to design nanowire photonic crystal structures where the photonic band gap overlaps the electronic band gap of the nanowire. Photoluminescence (PL) images of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowire photonic crystal structures designed in this way demonstrate localized emission from engineered defects and light suppression in regions of the photonic crystal. PL spectroscopy studies of defect-free nanowire photonic crystal structures further demonstrate the photonic band gap or stop band that spans most of the CdS band edge emission spectrum. In addition, single CdS nanowire-racetrack microresonator structures were fabricated, and PL imaging and spectroscopy measurements show good coupling of the nanowire to the microcavity including efficient feedback and amplified spontaneous emission. These hybrid structures exploit unique strengths of bottom-up and top-down approaches and thereby open new opportunities in nanophotonics from efficient and localized light sources to integrated optical processing.
The biomarker and therapeutic potential of miRNA in Alzheimer's disease

SUMMARY Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Currently, a clinical diagnosis of AD is based on evidence of both cognitive and functional decline. Progression is monitored by detailed clinical evaluations over many months to years. It is increasingly clear that to advance disease-modifying therapies for AD, patients must be identified and treated early, before obvious cognitive and functional changes. In addition, better methods are needed to sensitively monitor progression of disease and therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, considerable research has focused on characterizing biomarkers that can identify the disease early as well as accurately monitor disease progression. miRNA offer a unique opportunity for biomarker development. Here, we review research focused on characterizing miRNA as potential biomarkers and as a treatment for disease.
The radioprotective properties of fungal melanin are a function of its chemical composition, stable radical presence and spatial arrangement

Melanized microorganisms are often found in environments with very high background radiation levels such as in nuclear reactor cooling pools and the destroyed reactor in Chernobyl. These findings and the laboratory observations of the resistance of melanized fungi to ionizing radiation suggest a role for this pigment in radioprotection. We hypothesized that the radioprotective properties of melanin in microorganisms result from a combination of physical shielding and quenching of cytotoxic free radicals. We have investigated the radioprotective properties of melanin by subjecting the human pathogenic fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and Histoplasma capsulatum in their melanized and non-melanized forms to sublethal and lethal doses of radiation of up to 8 kGy. The contribution of chemical composition, free radical presence, spatial arrangement, and Compton scattering to the radioprotective properties of melanin was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, electron spin resonance, transmission electron microscopy, and autoradiographic techniques. Melanin protected fungi against ionizing radiation and its radioprotective properties were a function of its chemical composition, free radical quenching, and spherical spatial arrangement.
Perifornical Hypothalamic Orexin and Serotonin Modulate the Counterregulatory Response to Hypoglycemic and Glucoprivic Stimuli

Previous reports suggested an important role for serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) in enhancing the counterregulatory response (CRR) to hypoglycemia. To elucidate the sites of action mediating this effect, we initially found that insulin-induced hypoglycemia stimulates 5-HT release in widespread forebrain regions, including the perifornical hypothalamus (PFH; 30%), ventromedial hypothalamus (34%), paraventricular hypothalamus (34%), paraventricular thalamic nucleus (64%), and cerebral cortex (63%). Of these, we focused on the PFH because of its known modulation of diverse neurohumoral and behavioral responses. In awake, behaving rats, bilateral PFH glucoprivation with 5-thioglucose stimulated adrenal medullary epinephrine (Epi) release (3,153%) and feeding (400%), while clamping PFH glucose at postprandial brain levels blunted the Epi response to hypoglycemia by 30%. The PFH contained both glucose-excited (GE) and glucose-inhibited (GI) neurons; GE neurons were primarily excited, while GI neurons were equally excited or inhibited by 5-HT at hypoglycemic glucose levels in vitro. Also, 5-HT stimulated lactate production by cultured hypothalamic astrocytes. Depleting PFH 5-HT blunted the Epi (but not feeding) response to focal PFH (69%) and systemic glucoprivation (39%), while increasing PFH 5-HT levels amplified the Epi response to hypoglycemia by 32%. Finally, the orexin 1 receptor antagonist SB334867A attenuated both the Epi (65%) and feeding (47%) responses to focal PFH glucoprivation. Thus we have identified the PFH as a glucoregulatory region where both 5-HT and orexin modulate the CRR and feeding responses to glucoprivation.
Optimal estimation from limited noisy data

Abstract We discuss the following problem . Let ∫ a b fψ j dy = f j + e j , 1 ⩽ j ⩽ n, \ g3 j ∗ e p = C jp . Given f j + e j , 1 ⩽ j ⩽ n , estimate f ( x ). The idea is as follows: the estimate is sought in the form ∫ a b fψ j dy=f j +ϵ j , 1⩽j⩽n, ϵ j ∗ ϵ p =C jp . Given f j + ϵ j , 1 ⩽ j ⩽ n , estimate f ( x ). The idea is as follows: the estimate is sought in the form f n (x)= ∑ j=1 n ϑ j (x)(f j +ϵ j ) . The problem is to find ϑ j ( x ) such that: (1) e j = 0 then ∥ \ tf n − f∥ → 0, n → ∞ ; (2) if \ g3 j ∗ e p = C jp then D [ f n − f ] ⩽ σ 2 ; where σ > 0 is a certain number. We find { ϑ j }, 1 ⩽ j ⩽ n , optimal, in a certain sense. Namely, if e j = 0, then ϑ j are found from the requirements: (A) ∑ j = 1 n ϑ j (x) ∫ a b ψ j dy = 1, ∫ a b (∑ l = 1 n ϑ j (x) ψ j (y)) 2 (x − y) 2 dy = min . Note that (A) ∑ j = 1 n ϑ j (x)ψ j (y) → n→∞ δ(x−y) ( in an optimal way ) . If e j ≠ 0 then ϑ j are found from {(A) and ( Cϑ , ϑ ) ⩽ σ 2 } if this problem is soluble and, if not, one increases σ 2 so that this problem becomes soluble.
Modeling Flow in Cylindrical Extruder Dies

Volumetric flowrate was studied in the die of a single screw extruder. Variables included the ratio of die length to die diameter, barrel to die diameter, barrel and die temperature, screw speed and product moisture. Die conductance was determined graphically and analytically. Results indicated that for a constant pressure drop across the die, increasing temperature, die diameter or moisture increased flowrate. Dimensional analysis was used to study the effect of each parameter on the flow through the extruder die. An expression for temperature rise due to viscous dissipation for isothermal flow in the die was developed and nomographs are presented.
Ethnic and gender differences and similarities in adolescent drug use and refusals of drug offers

This paper examines the relationship among ethnicity, gender, drug use, and resistance to drug offers among a sample of 2,622 African American, Mexican American, and White American seventh graders. A number of similarities were noted. First, these adolescents did not seem to possess large or sophisticated repertoires of offer resistance strategies. Second, most offers came from acquaintances in contrast to more intimate offers among older youths. Ethnic and gender differences were also noted. Ethnicity had significant effects on use and the offer process. Mexican Americans received more offers, used more drugs, and were more likely to be offered drugs by peer family members and at parties. European Americans were more likely to receive drug offers from acquaintances and at friends' homes and on the street. African Americans were more likely to receive offers from dating partners and parents, and in the park, and were more likely to resist offers of drugs-using explanations. Gender significantly affected drug offers and types of offers. Males were more at risk for offers and use at a younger age. Offers of drugs to males were more likely to come from parents or other males, while offers to females were more likely to come from other females or dating partners. Males also were more likely to receive drug offers that appeal to their social standing or self-image while females received either simple offers or those that minimize effects. Finally, offers of drugs to males were more likely to be made in public, while those to females were more likely to occur in private. Cultural explanations are offered for these findings.
A Cross-National Look at How Welfare States Reduce Inequality

A major shift in welfare state research occurred at the turn of the century as researchers moved from explaining the development of welfare states and variations in spending across welfare states to a focus on welfare state outcomes. One of the key outcomes examined in the literature is inequality. While much of the early literature examined overall spending, followed by analysis of specific taxes and transfers related to old age, unemployment, disability, health, and families, more recent research has included a broader range of welfare state policies including work-family poli­ cies and flexicurity. This essay highlights some important developments in the research on welfare states and inequality.
Evaluation of Bronchodilation from Aerosol Beta2 Agonists Delivered by the Inhal-Aid Device to Young Children

The Inhal-Aid is a device that combines a reservoir aerosol delivery system, two one-way valves, and an incentive spirometer to assist in the delivery of medication from metered-dose inhalers. It appears to result in bronchodilatory effect that is similar to that obtained from (9) compressed air driven nebulizer. Further data are needed to determine if the therapeutic advantages of an aerosol receiving chamber with metered-dose inhalers are matched by clinically important consequences for the patient with adequate coordination. For the patient unable to utilize metered-dose inhalers because of inability to coordinate inspiration with activation, however, the Inhal-Aid provides an effective means to conveniently deliver clinically important antiasthmatic medication.
Price Discrimination and Federal Project Grants

A discriminating monopoly model of bureaucratic behavior was developed to explain the distribution of project grants to state and local governments. By varying matching rates according to differences in the elasticity of each community's offer curve, the grant administrator attempted to maximize the expenditure inducement effect per dollar of federal aid. The implication is that the allocational effects of intergovernmental aid depend both on local reaction functions and on the degree of bureaucratic discretion in the distribution of aid. The model was tested using the HUD Basic Water and Sewer project grant, and it is shown that matching rates vary systematically with a community's own expenditure level, its per capita income, and its population. Price discrimination was found to increase over time, leading to an increase in expenditures mandated by the grant.
Lacunar Infarction of the Basal Ganglia as a Complication of Hemolytic-uremic Syndrome MRI and Clinical Correlations

Central nervous system (CNS) complications of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) commonly consist of alterations in mental status, seizures, and rarely hemiparesis.1,2 The authors report the clinical evolution of left hemiparesis and later choreo-athetoid movements in a patient who sustained a right lacunar infarction as a complication of HUS. The infarction is demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Protein secretion by mesometrial and antimesometrial rat decidual tissue: evidence for differential gene expression.

Abstract Our recent finding that decidual luteotropin, a PRL-like hormone secreted by the rat decidua, is found primarily in the antimesometrial cells suggests strongly that the synthesis of this hormone may well be an important function of the antimesometrial tissue. The objective of this investigation was, therefore, 1) to determine whether antimesometrial tissue expresses mRNA for and actively secretes a protein(s) with PRLlike activity, and 2) to examine the pattern of protein production by the antimesometrial and mesometrial zones throughout decidual development. RNA obtained from decidual tissue of day 8 pseudopregnant rats was translated in a cell-free system. The translated products were subjected to PRL receptor affinity chromatography in the presence or absence of ovine PRL to assess binding specificity. The eluted 35S-labeled proteins were analyzed by both sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. A major 28K protein bound specifically to and was eluted from ...
Three-toed Browsing Horse Anchitherium (Equidae) from the Miocene of Panama

During the Cenozoic, the New World tropics supported a rich biodiversity of mammals. However, because of the dense vegetative ground cover, today relatively little is known about extinct mammals from this region (MacFadden, 2006a). In an exception to this generalization, fossil vertebrates have been collected since the second half of the twentieth century from Neogene exposures along the Panama Canal. Whitmore and Stewart (1965) briefly reported on the extinct land mammals collected from the Miocene Cucaracha Formation that crops out in the Gaillard Cut along the southern reaches of the Canal. MacFadden (2006b) formally described this assemblage, referred to as the Gaillard Cut Local Fauna (L.F., e.g., Tedford et al., 2004), which consists of at least 10 species of carnivores, artiodactyls (also see recent addition of peccary in Kirby et al., 2008), perissodactyls, and as described by Slaughter (1981), rodents. Prior to the current report, the horses (Family Equidae) from the Gaillard Cut L.F. consisted of only four fragmentary specimens including: two isolated teeth, i.e., one each of Archaeohippus sp. Gidley, 1906 and Anchitherium clarencei Simpson, 1932; a heavily worn partial dentition with p2–p4 of A. clarenci ; and a partial calcaneum of Archaeohippus . Although meager, these fossils appear to represent two distinct taxa of three-toed horses otherwise know from the middle Miocene of North America, i.e., the dwarf-horse Archaeohippus sp. and the larger Anchitherium clarencei . Over the past decade the government of Panama has undertaken two monumental public works projects, including the construction of the new Centenario Bridge across the Gaillard Cut (completed in 2004) and the most extensive expansion of the Panama Canal since the original excavations by the United States in the early twentieth century, the latter of which is scheduled to continue well into the next decade. Both of these projects have …
Geometry Sketching Software for Elementary Children: Easy as 1, 2, 3

This paper discusses insights for using geometry sketching software to teach geometric concepts for kindergarten to grade 4. The authors created hands-on resources that incorporate technology in a user-friendly environment. When working with Geometer’s Sketchpad with middle and high school students, the teacher educators noticed the ease of student use after creating such activity sheets and felt such activities may be used at the K- 4 grade levels as well. The second graders who participated in the activities commented on the fun and ease of such software and compared it to the software Paint. The paper provides a literature review and appendices with geometry worksheets that can easily be used by elementary teachers to excite students about mathematics while incorporating the technologies reflected in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards (1989) and Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000).
The Nature of Clear Air Turbulence: A Review

The National Committee for Clear Air Turbulence in a 1966 resolution (U. S. Department of Commerce, 1966), has adopted the following definition of clear air turbulence:
Ischemic mitral regurgitation, the dynamic lesion: clues to the cure.

Functional ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) is now receiving increased attention as one of the last frontiers in mitral valve repair as well as a therapeutic opportunity in heart failure [(1–5)][1]. Valve repair has proved more challenging for ischemic MR than for degenerative mitral valve
Opacity Shadow Maps

Opacity shadow maps approximate light transmittance inside a complex volume with a set of planar opacity maps. A volume made of standard primitives (points, lines, and polygons) is sliced and rendered with graphics hardware to each opacity map that stores alpha values instead of traditionally used depth values. The alpha values are sampled in the maps enclosing each primitive point and interpolated for shadow computation. The algorithm is memory efficient and extensively exploits existing graphics hardware. The method is suited for generation of self-shadows in discontinuous volumes with explicit geometry, such as foliage, fur, and hairs. Continuous volumes such as clouds and smoke may also benefit from the approach.
A picture's meaning: The design and evaluation of pictographs illustrating patient discharge instructions

Introduction: Several studies have reported that illustrations may improve patient comprehension of health communications. However, developing effective illustrations remains a challenge. To improve discharge instructions with illustrations, we developed a computer application (Glyph) that automatically converts text to pictures using natural language processing and computer graphics techniques.Methods: We evaluated a set of pictographs created for cardiovascular discharge instructions through recognition testing, and examined illustration approaches work for specific types of medical concepts and subpopulations. We tested a large set of illustrations (n = 488) on a diverse population of subjects (n = 150) for overall recognition rates by demographic groups, representation strategies, and semantic types, as well as the effectiveness of representation strategies in relationship to recognition.Results: A majority (63%) was determined to be recognizable based on recognition scores. Results were confirmed thr...
Are Perceptions of Discrimination Unidimensional, Oppositional, or Intersectional? Examining the Relationship among Perceived Racial–Ethnic-, Gender-, and Age-Based Discrimination:

This study investigates the relationship among perceptions of racial–ethnic, age, and gender discrimination for racial–ethnic minority individuals. Three broad frameworks for understanding discrimi...