cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective Loss of Fine Tuning of Gq/11 Signaling by RGS2 Protein Exacerbates Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

Abstract Alterations in cardiac G protein-mediated signaling, most prominently Gq/11 signaling, are centrally involved in hypertrophy and heart failure development. Several RGS proteins that can act as negative regulators of G protein signaling are expressed in the heart, but their functional roles are still poorly understood. RGS expression changes have been described in hypertrophic and failing hearts. In this study, we report a marked decrease in RGS2 (but not other major cardiac RGS proteins (RGS3-RGS5)) that occurs prior to hypertrophy development in different models with enhanced Gq/11 signaling (transgenic expression of activated Gαq* and pressure overload due to aortic constriction). To assess functional consequences of selective down-regulation of endogenous RGS2, we identified targeting sequences for effective RGS2 RNA interference and used lipid-based transfection to achieve uptake of fluorescently labeled RGS2 small interfering RNA in >90% of neonatal and adult ventricular myocytes. Endogenous RGS2 expression was dose-dependently suppressed (up to 90%) with no major change in RGS3-RGS5. RGS2 knockdown increased phenylephrine- and endothelin-1-induced phospholipase Cβ stimulation in both cell types and exacerbated the hypertrophic effect (increase in cell size and radiolabeled protein) in neonatal myocytes, with no major change in Gq/11-mediated ERK1/2, p38, or JNK activation. Taken together, this study demonstrates that endogenous RGS2 exerts functionally important inhibitory restraint on Gq/11-mediated phospholipase Cβ activation and hypertrophy in ventricular myocytes. Our findings point toward a potential pathophysiological role of loss of fine tuning due to selective RGS2 down-regulation in Gq/11-mediated remodeling. Furthermore, this study shows the feasibility of effective RNA interference in cardiomyocytes using lipid-based small interfering RNA transfection.
Tensor polarization in. pi. -d scattering and pion absorption

Angular distributions of the deuteron tensor polarization, t/sub 20/, in ..pi..-d elastic scattering at pion energies of 180, 220, and 256 MeV and excitation function at theta/sub c.m.//sup ..pi../roughly-equal144/sup 0/ have been measured. The results suggest that all published calculations fail to include true pion absorption properly in the treatment of the ..pi..NN system. No rapid angular or energy dependence was found near pion energies of either 134 or 256 MeV, where other experiments have suggested the existence of dibaryons.
Divisive Primaries And The House District Vote A Pooled Analysis

The verdict on the divisive primary hypothesis has fluctuated as investigators have pursued a variety of theoretical and methodological debates. Although most recent studies find that divisive prim...
Linking a Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model with Three-Dimensional Eulerian Wind Field Models

Abstract A slightly simplified form of Thomson’s Lagrangian stochastic model (LSM) is presented for dispersion applications in three-dimensional (3D) flow fields. It is found that the Lagrangian velocity of a particle in 3D inhomogeneous Gaussian turbulence can be decomposed into the local Eulerian mean velocity UEi at the particle position and a velocity perturbation u′i. The Eulerian mean wind can be predicted by 3D wind field models, whereas the u′i is obtained from Thomson’s model and depends on the turbulence field. The UEi, u′i decomposition was used earlier in a two-dimensional particle model for a canopy (by Flesch and Wilson) and in models with 3D mean winds but with u′i based on LSM forms differing from that of Thomson. This note shows that the UEi, u′i decomposition is consistent with Thomson’s LSM for general 3D flow fields and is a simpler solution that should lead to improved computational efficiency for dispersion applications.
Do unsuccessful dieters intentionally underreport food intake

Objective A bogus pipeline paradigm was utilized to assess whether food intake underreporting by unsuccessful dieters is intentional. Method: Twenty-eight subjects completed 1-week food diaries. Then, 17 subjects in the experimental condition kept 2-week food diaries while being told the researcher was verifying their report. Eleven subjects in the control group were asked merely to self-monitor for two more weeks. Results: Results indicate that subjects in the experimental group reported significantly greater intake than control subjects, when controlling for reported intake during the screening phase and weight change. Discussion: Thus, the belief that the researcher could verify their report improved the accuracy of patients' self-report. However, all subjects continued to underreport their dietary intake. In summary, underreporting may be an intentional attempt to manage presentation to others in a society that is increasingly critical of overweight persons. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 24: 259–266, 1998.
Differential rates of phenotypic introgression are associated with male behavioral responses to multiple signals

Sexual selection on multiple signals may lead to differential rates of signal introgression across hybrid zones if some signals contribute to reproductive isolation but others facilitate gene flow. Competition among males is one powerful form of sexual selection, but male behavioral responses to multiple traits have not been considered in a system where traits have introgressed differentially. Using playbacks, mounts, and a reciprocal experimental design, we tested the hypothesis that male responses to song and plumage in two subspecies of red-backed fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus) explain patterns of differential signal introgression (song has not introgressed, whereas plumage color has introgressed asymmetrically). We found that males of both subspecies discriminated symmetrically between subspecies' songs at a long range, but at a close range, we found that aggression was equal for both subspecies' plumage and songs. Taken together, our results suggest that male behavioral responses hinder the introgression of song, but allow for the observed asymmetrical introgression of plumage. Our results highlight how behavioral responses are a key component of signal evolution when recently divergent taxa come together, and how differential responses to multiple signals may lead to differential signal introgression and novel trait combinations.
Mechanism of Diamond Growth on Carbide Substrates Using Fluorocarbon Gases

The etching and growth behavior of diamond in C x F y / O 2 / H 2 plasmas have been investigated. Using this gas Mixture, diamond can nucleate on untreated tungsten carbide and silicon carbide substrates up to a density of 10 8 crystallites/cm 2 . This compares to a density of 10 2 crystallites/cm 2 when using a methane gas mixture and these same substrates. The increase in nucleation density is attributed to the selective etching of the non-carbon component of the carbide with subsequent nucleation on the carbon enriched surface. The effect of temperature on the nucleation rate has been studied with a lower nucleation density at higher growth temperatures.
Nanopolymeric substrates for cyto-regulatory gene program interrogation

Functionalized block copolymers that possess nanoscale thicknesses represent an important class of biomimetic materials with potential applications in drug delivery, membrane/protein-based devices, as well as cellular interrogation platforms for basic science studies. A key element that serves as the foundation for the translational applicability of this material is represented by the examination of its effects upon cyto-regulatory gene programs that govern processes such as cellular stress and inflammation. With a better understanding of the cellular response to these materials, improved design principles can be examined towards the utilization of these polymers for biomedical applications in vivo. Here we present a comprehensive assessment of the basal levels of secretion for a spectrum of inflammatory cytokines/molecules including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12), as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In addition, we examine the effects of cellular incubation with the triblock copolymer in solution upon morphology as well as growth capabilities in vitro. The foundational information gleaned from this study will provide an important glimpse into the internal cellular response to foreign material contact towards the forging of devices fabricated at the interface of biology and artificial materials.
Systematic review of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for cerebral palsy: the state of the evidence.

A systematic review of the evidence was conducted on the benefits and adverse effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for cerebral palsy (CP). Studies of any HBOT regimen in patients with CP were included except for case reports and case series. Electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE), professional society databases, and reference lists were searched to identify studies. Study quality was assessed using predefined criteria relevant to the study design. Two randomized controlled trials and four observational studies were identified. Best evidence came from a randomized controlled trial which found that HBOT at 1.75 atmospheres (atm) and 1.3atm of room air resulted in similar improvements in motor function (5–6%). Other outcomes also indicated no difference between the HBOT and room air. Observational studies reported improvements in motor function to a similar degree. Other evidence was insufficient to clarify the benefits and/or adverse effects of HBOT for CP. Both HBOT and pressurized room air resulted in improvements in motor function compared with baseline. Similar improvements were seen in the observational studies. Children undergoing HBOT were reported to experience adverse events, including seizures and the need for ear pressure equalization tube placement, but the incidence was unclear. Future research is needed to determine the efficacy of pressurized room air or non-pressurized oxygen in equivalent amounts by mask, compared with standard treatments.
Preventive intervention and outcome with anxiously attached dyads

Anxiously attached 12-month-olds and their mothers as assessed in the Strange Situation were randomly assigned to an intervention and a control group to test the hypothesis that infant-parent psychotherapy can improve quality of attachment and social-emotional functioning. Securely attached dyads comprised a second control group. Intervention lasted 1 year and ended when the child was 24 months. ANOVAs were used to compare the research groups at outcome. Intervention group toddlers were significantly lower than anxious controls in avoidance, resistance, and anger. They were significantly higher than anxious controls in partnership with mother. Intervention mothers had higher scores than anxious controls in empathy and interactiveness with their children. There were no differences on the outcome measures between the intervention and the secure control groups. The groups did not differ in maternal child-rearing attitudes. Within the intervention group, level of therapeutic process was positively correlated with adaptive scores in child and mother outcome measures.
G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is localized to centrosomes and mediates epidermal growth factor–promoted centrosomal separation

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) play a central role in regulating receptor signaling, but recent studies suggest a broader role in modulating normal cellular functions. For example, GRK5 has been shown to localize to centrosomes and regulate microtubule nucleation and cell cycle progression. Here we demonstrate that GRK2 is also localized to centrosomes, although it has no role in centrosome duplication or microtubule nucleation. Of interest, knockdown of GRK2 inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated separation of duplicated centrosomes. This EGFR/GRK2-mediated process depends on the protein kinases mammalian STE20-like kinase 2 (Mst2) and Nek2A but does not involve polo-like kinase 1. In vitro analysis and dominant-negative approaches reveal that GRK2 directly phosphorylates and activates Mst2. Collectively these findings demonstrate that GRK2 is localized to centrosomes and plays a central role in mitogen-promoted centrosome separation most likely via its ability to phosphorylate Mst2.
Neck dissection in the combined-modality therapy of patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to eval- uate the role of neck lymph node (ND) in the combined dis- section modality therapy for locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer. Methods. We identified patients with N2-N3 head and neck cancers who were enrolled in three consecutive multicenter phase II studies of concurrent chemoradiotherapy utilizing 5- fluorouracil and hydroxyurea on an alternate-week schedule with radiotherapy twice daily plus either cisplatin (C-FHX) or pacli- taxel (T-FHX). Patients with unknown primary tumors, nasophar- yngeal or paranasal sinus primaries, nonsquamous histology, progression or death during therapy, or incomplete therapy were excluded. Results. A total of 131 patients were analyzed. Seventy-nine percent had N2 stage. ND was performed in 92 patients (70%), either prior to enrollment (n = 31) or after chemoradiotherapy (n = 61). With a median follow-up of 4.6 years, the 5-year loco-
Easy does it: more usable CAPTCHAs

Websites present users with puzzles called CAPTCHAs to curb abuse caused by computer algorithms masquerading as people. While CAPTCHAs are generally effective at stopping abuse, they might impair website usability if they are not properly designed. In this paper we describe how we designed two new CAPTCHA schemes for Google that focus on maximizing usability. We began by running an evaluation on Amazon Mechanical Turk with over 27,000 respondents to test the usability of different feature combinations. Then we studied user preferences using Google's consumer survey infrastructure. Finally, drawing on the insights gleaned during those studies, we tested our new captcha schemes first on Mechanical Turk and then on a fraction of production traffic. The resulting scheme is now an integral part of our production system and is served to millions of users. Our scheme achieved a 95.3% human accuracy, a 6.7.
Hepatocyte receptors for antithrombin III‐proteinase complexes

The in vivo clearance of antithrombin III-proteinase complexes occurs via a specific and saturable pathway located on hepatocytes. We now report studies of the catabolism of antithrombin III-proteinase complexes in vitro using rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Antithrombin III-thrombin and trypsin complexes were prepared and purified to homogeneity. Ligand uptake by hepatocytes was concentration, temperature, and time dependent. Initial rate studies were performed to characterize the maximum rate of uptake, V, and apparent Michaelis constant Kapp. These studies yielded a V of 12.8 fmol/mg cell protein/min and a Kapp of 144 nM for antithrombin-trypsin complexes. Competition experiments with antithrombin III, antithrombin III-proteinase complexes, α2-macroglobulin-methylamine, asialoorosomucoid and the neoglycoproteins, fucosyl-bovine serum albumin (BSA), N-acetylglucosammyl-BSA, and mannosyl-BSA indicated that only antithrombin III-proteinase complexes were recognized by the hepatocyte receptor. Uptake studies were performed at 37°C with 125I-antithrombin III-trypsin and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in conjunction with autoradiography. These studies demonstrate time-dependent uptake and degradation of the ligand to low molecular weight peptides. In addition, there was a time-dependent accumulation of a high molecular weight complex of ligand and a cellular protein. This complex disappeared when gels were performed under reducing conditions.
A novel real-time carbon dioxide analyzer for health and environmental applications

To be able to detect carbon dioxide (CO2) with high accuracy and fast response time is critical for many health and environmental applications. We report on a pocket-sized CO2 sensor for real-time analysis of end-tidal CO2, and environmental CO2. The sensor shows fast and reversible response to CO2 over a wide concentration range, covering the needs of both environmental and health applications. It is also immune to the presence of various interfering gases in ambient or expired air. Furthermore, the sensor has been used for real-time breath analysis, and the results are in good agreement with those from a commercial CO2 detector.
Bilingual children referred for psychiatric services: associations of language disorders, language skills, and psychopathology.

Objective: To investigate (1) the prevalence of language deficits and disorders and (2) the relationship of bilingual language skills and psychopathology, in Spanish-English bilingual children referred for child and adolescent psychiatry services. Method: Bilingual language skills, emotional/behavioral problems, sociodemographics, immigration variables, and nonverbal IQ were studied in 50 consecutively referred children. Results: Estimated prevalence was high for language deficits (48%) and disorders (41%), with most cases (>79%) being of the mixed receptive-expressive type. In children with clinically significant emotional/behavioral problems, bilingual language skills were strongly and inversely correlated with problem scores, particularly global problems (r = ‐0.67, p < .001); social, thought, and attention problems (r ≥ ‐0.54; p < .004); delinquency (r = ‐0.66, p < .001); and aggression (r = ‐0.52, p < .01). These correlations remained significant after IQ adjustment. Conclusions: Prior findings from monolingual children were confirmed in this bilingual sample, namely (1) the high prevalence of mixed receptive-expressive and other language disorders and delays and (2) the close tie between poor language skills and emotional/behavioral problems. The data strongly suggest the clinical importance and feasibility of language assessment and the significance of receptive problems in bilingual children referred for psychiatric services. A safe approach is to fully assess language skills, rather than misattributing these children’s language delays to normal bilingual acquisition processes. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2002, 41(6):712‐722. Key Words: bilingualism, psychopathology, language disorders/delays.
Oxygenated multidose delivery of crystalloid esmolol cardioplegia as an alternative to high potassium cardioplegia.

See related article on page 340. C ardioplegia is used as a myoprotective agent for the alleviation of surgically induced ischemic injury, incurred during cardiac operative procedures, to allow the functional preservation of the myocardium. These solutions allow for the rapid electromechanical arrest of the myocardium through alteration of cellular electrochemical gradients.1 Most cardioplegic solutions use a high potassium content to arrest the heart.2 The use of hypothermic potassium cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery increases the safely available intraoperative time and has been correlated with improved postischemic myocardial functional recovery and reduced postoperative mortality.3 Potassium-induced arrest maintains the heart in a depolarized state, significantly decreasing the energy demand of the myocardium, but basal metabolic energy requirements are sustained and thus still constitute a significant energy expenditure.4 The advantages of cardioplegic arrest in providing a bloodless field are tempered by the fact that depolarization also leads to the alteration of ion flux across the sarcolemmal membrane and is associated with both increased cytosolic calcium accumulation and the significant depletion of cellular high-energy (adenosine triphosphate) reserves.5-9 The use of blood cardioplegia is currently the criterion standard with which all cardioplegic formulations must be compared, and its benefits relative to crystalloid cardioplegia have been extensively reported.10-13 Similarly, the relative contributions of hypothermia (cold, warm, and tepid cardioplegia) and the route of administration of cardioplegia (retrograde, antegrade, and combined retrograde and antegrade delivery) have been examined.14-18 The applicability of high-potassium cardioplegia to the neonatal and immature heart remains poorly defined and will not be addressed here, but the reader is directed to reviews by del Nido19 and Hammon20 and the recent reviews of Allen and colleagues21 and Ihnken22 for further information. Despite continuous improvements in surgical technique and cardioplegic formulations, the inadequacies of current intraoperative myocardial protection protocols and formulations, most of which maintain as their basis high-potassium depolarizing arrest, remain a concern. Novel myoprotective protocols to allow enhanced functional recovery of the myocardium after ischemia and reperfusion continue to be needed. In this issue of the Journal, Bessho and Chambers23 present evidence in favor of the use of oxygenated multidose crystalloid esmolol cardioplegia to induce cardiac arrest as an alternative to St Thomas’ Hospital cardioplegic solution No. 2. Esmolol is an ultra–short acting (9-minute half-life) cardioselective -blocker that is rapidly hydrolyzed by an esterase in the blood cell cytosol to an inactive form, thus avoiding the negative inotropic and chronotropic effects of prolonged -blockFrom the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Boston, Mass.
Measuring the Impact of an Individual Course on Students' Success

Background At the University of Michigan, qualified first-year students who place out of the first-semester calculus course may enroll in either the regular second-semester calculus course or Applied Honors Calculus II. Students who enroll in Applied Honors Calculus II show higher academic performance than students enrolling in the Regular Calculus II. Purpose (Hypothesis) The study addressed the question: does enrollment in Applied Honors Calculus II have a positive causal impact on subsequent academic performance for engineering students at the University of Michigan? Design/Method We acquired seven years of institutional data for engineering students who entered the University of Michigan from 1996 through 2003 and who qualified to enroll in Applied Honors Calculus II. Using regression analyses, we tested a causal model of impact of Applied Honors Calculus II on four measures of subsequent academic performance: grade in Physics II and average grade in all subsequent physics, mathematics, and engineering courses. Results After controlling for students' personal characteristics and prior academic achievement, the impact of Applied Honors Calculus II on students' academic performance was not statistically significant. In particular Advanced Placement scores accounted for the higher performance observed in Applied Honors Calculus II students. Conclusions We recommend including Advanced Placement scores in models that predict academic performance. Future research should also include measures of socioeconomic status (SES) and explore interactions between SES and academic background. Finally, in evaluations of specific curricula, the treatment effect—measured as treatment group mean minus control group mean, after controlling for covariates—is unlikely to be large if the control group receives high quality instruction.
Non-infectious fever in the neurological intensive care unit: incidence, causes and predictors

Background and objective: Non-infectious causes of fever are often considered in critical neurological patients but their true significance has not been formally studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, causes and predictors of fever in patients with acute neurological/neurosurgical disease and no documented infection. Methods: Prospective data collection of consecutive patients admitted to the neurological intensive care unit (NICU) of an academic medical centre for more than 48 h was carried out. Fever was defined as body temperature ⩾101°F (38.3°C) documented on at least one measurement for 2 consecutive days. Patients were enrolled only if a diagnostic workup, including cultures of ⩾2 body samples, was performed before antibiotic use. Febrile patients with no proven evidence of infection were considered to have non-infectious fever. Results: 93 patients were included in the final analysis. Fever was non-infectious in 31 patients (33%). There were no differences between the infectious and non-infectious fever groups in terms of age, use and duration of invasive catheters, daily duration of fever and number of days with fever. Documented infections tended to be more common among febrile patients with traumatic brain injury (52% vs 36%; p = 0.06). Non-infectious fever was more frequent among patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (48% vs 18%; p = 0.01) in whom it was associated with vasospasm (p = 0.03) and symptomatic vasospasm (p = 0.05). Non-infectious fever started earlier (mean 2.6 vs 4 days; p = 0.007) and onset of fever within the first 72 h of admission predicted negative evaluation for infection (p = 0.01). Subarachnoid haemorrhage and fever onset within the first 72 h were independent predictors of non-infectious fever on multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Fever in the absence of documented infections occurs commonly in the NICU, especially among patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage and vasospasm. Early onset of fever predicts a non-infectious cause.
Influence of turbulence on autoignition in stratified mixtures under compression ignition engine conditions

The influence of turbulence on the autoignition characteristics of initially stratified mixing layers is studied using numerical simulations and multi-step kinetic mechanisms. The computations are carried out at a high initial pressure and a high initial temperature representative of conditions in compression ignition engines. n-Heptane is used as the surrogate fuel. It is shown that the influence of turbulence is to reduce the time for the first occurrence of ignition in the mixing layer in all cases. The initial gradient is modified by the turbulence, resulting in higher and lower gradients than the initial value. The lower gradients favor ignition, as pointed out in the literature. During a two-stage ignition process, the influence is primarily reflected in the second stage of ignition. The separate influences of the velocity scale and the length scale on autoignition are explored. An increase in the velocity and/or a decrease in the length scale increase(s) the spread of gradients in the domain and accelerate(s) ignition.
Cytokeratin 20 expression in basaloid follicular hamartoma and infundibulocystic basal cell carcinoma.

Background Tumors with similar or identical histopathologic features have been termed basaloid follicular hamartoma (BFH) or infundibulocystic basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC typically lacks immunoreactivity with cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and pleckstrin homology-like domain, family A, member 1 protein (PHLDA1). Aim A series of BFH and infundibulocystic BCC were investigated to determine the pattern of CK20 and PHLDA1 labeling in these lesions. Materials and methods Thirty-six samples of BFH (n = 14) and infundibulocystic BCC (n = 22) were collected. CK20 and PHLDA1 staining was performed and evaluated. Results All the lesions were small (average of 3 mm), well circumscribed, and composed of basaloid to squamoid cells arranged in islands resembling ramifying rootlets with interspersed horn cysts. CK20-positive cells were present in all 36 cases (average, 22/mm2), throughout the tumor, including deeper portions, irrespective of original diagnosis. Six of thirty cases (20%; 5 infundibulocystic BCC, 1 BFH) were focally PHLDA1 positive. Conclusions Findings on hematoxylin and eosin staining and those of CK20 staining in BFH and infundibulocystic BCC were similar, and in most cases were indistinguishable. The CK20 labeling was similar to that of trichoepithelioma. The findings add a degree of support to the argument that BFH and infundibulocystic BCC represent the same lesion and, further, a benign one.
Pseudotumour cerebri: risk for cognitive impairment?

Does increased intracranial pressure in patients with pseudotumour cerebri (PTC) result in cognitive impairments? The results of previous investigations have not clarified this question. It may be that there is a subgroup within those diagnosed with PTC that does experience cognitive decline with increased intracranial pressure. However, elevated intracranial pressure, headache, and emotional distress also can contribute to reduced cognitive performance and increased self-monitoring. As a result of the lack of clarity regarding the impact of PTC on cognition, clinicians are left with no empirically derived practice guidelines. A case study demonstrates subjective complaints of concentration and memory deficits in a depressed patient with PTC whose neuropsychological stores (except Seashore Rhythm Test) were in the normal range.
Methods of traffic data collection, using aerial video

A limitation of most traditional methods of traffic data collection is that they rely on techniques that are strictly local in nature. Aerial imagery sensors can provide sufficient resolution to sense vehicle locations and movements across broader spatial and temporal scales. Digital video, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and automated image processing are used to improve the spatial coverage, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of the data collection and reduction. In the paper, a general technique for collecting and analyzing aerial video data is given. To illustrate the value of these data, the paper outlines methods to generate estimates of speeds, travel times, densities, and queuing delays.
Studies on the turnover of glucocerebrosidase in cultured rat peritoneal macrophages and normal human fibroblasts

The kinetics of glucocerebrosidase synthesis and degradation in rat peritoneal macrophages and in human fibroblasts have been studied using conduritol B epoxide (CBE), an irreversible and specific inhibitor of mammalian glucocerebrosidase. In cultured fibroblasts, higher concentrations of CBE and/or longer times were required for inhibition of glucocerebrosidase than were necessary for inhibition of the macrophage enzyme. However, inhibition of activity in cell extracts from both cell types showed identical time and concentration dependence. After the removal of CBE from cultures, enzyme activity returned to normal with a half-time of 48 h for macrophages and 40 h for fibroblasts. The reappearance of enzyme activity was prevented by an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Both the rate of synthesis and degradation of glucocerebrosidase enzyme protein were independent of the presence of CBE. The calculated rate of degradation of glucocerebrosidase was confirmed using metabolically labelled enzyme in cell cultures. The rate of synthesis for macrophages is 1.8 ng enzyme h-1 mg cell protein-1 and the rate of degradation is 1.4% h-1 (0.014 h-1). These values were 2.0 ng h-1 mg-1 and 0.018 h-1 for fibroblasts.
Boosting Memory Performance of Many-Core FPGA Device through Dynamic Precedence Graph

Emerging FPGA device, integrated with abundant RAM blocks and high-performance processor cores, offers an unprecedented opportunity to effectively implement single-chip distributed logic-memory (DLM) architectures [1]. Being “memory-centric”, the DLM architecture can significantly improve the overall performance and energy efficiency of many memory-intensive embedded applications, especially those that exhibit irregular array data access patterns at algorithmic level. However, implementing DLM architecture poses unique challenges to an FPGA designer in terms of 1) organizing and partitioning diverse on-chip memory resources, and 2) orchestrating effective data transmission between on-chip and off-chip memory. In this paper, we offer our solutions to both of these challenges. Specifically, 1) we propose a stochastic memory partitioning scheme based on the well-known simulated annealing algorithm. It obtains memory partitioning solutions that promote parallelized memory accesses by exploring large solution space; 2) we augment the proposed DLM architecture with a reconfigure hardware graph that can dynamically compute precedence relationship between memory partitions, thus effectively exploiting algorithmic level memory parallelism on a per-application basis. We evaluate the effectiveness of our approach (A3) against two other DLM architecture synthesizing methods: an algorithmic-centric reconfigurable computing architectures with a single monolithic memory (A1) and the heterogeneous distributed architectures synthesized according to [1] (A2). To make our comparison fair, in all three architectures, the data path remains the same while local memory architecture differs. For each of ten benchmark applications from SPEC2006 and MiBench [2], we break down the performance benefit of using A3 into two parts: the portion due to stochastic local memory partitioning and the portion due to the dynamic graph-based memory arbitration. All experiments have been conducted with a Virtex-5 (XCV5LX155T-2) FPGA. On average, our experimental results show that our proposed A3 architecture outperforms A2 and A1 by 34% and 250%, respectively. Within the performance improvement of A3 over A2, more than 70% improvement comes from the hardware graph-based memory scheduling.
The Relationship Between Personality and Student Learning

This exploratory study examines the relationship between personality and classroom performance. The personality measure is True Colors, the testing is measured by results on a paper-and-pencil test in a senior-level human resource management course at a large southeastern U.S. university, and the performance assessment is grades on written assignments. The link between personality and testing is contentious, with some researchers stating a definitive link between the two and other authors stating no link between the two components. Results of the data analysis suggest that the Blue, Gold, and Orange colors of the True Colors personality traits influence student learning in the classroom. By understanding the relationship between a student’s personality and his or her success in the classroom, an instructor can enhance student learning.
Harry Truman and the Joy of Deaning

The author shares his perceptions on being a law school Dean that are best summed up in President Truman’s famous aphorism, "If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen."
A meta-analysis of public compliance to boil water advisories

Water utilities that generally provide continuous and reliable service to their customers may sometimes issue an advisory notification when service is interrupted or water quality is compromised. When the contamination is biological, utilities or the local public health agencies issue a 'boil water advisory' (BWA). The public health effectiveness of a BWA depends strongly on an implicit public understanding and compliance. In this study, a meta-analysis of 11 articles that investigated public compliance to BWA notifications was conducted. Awareness of BWA was moderately high, except in situations involving extreme weather. Reported rates of compliance were generally high, but when rate of awareness and non-compliant behavior such as brushing teeth were factored in, the median effective compliance rate was found to be around 68 percent. This does not include situations where people forgot to boil water for some part of the duration, or ingested contaminated water after the BWA was issued but before they became aware of the notification. The two-thirds compliance rate is thus an over-estimate. Results further suggest that timeliness of receipt, content of the advisory, and number of sources reporting the advisory have a significant impact on public response and compliance. This analysis points to improvements in the phrasing and content of BWA notices that could result in greater compliance, and recommends the use of a standard protocol to limit recall bias and capture the public response accurately.
Inactivity-induced skeletal muscle atrophy: a brief review

Skeletal muscle is an adaptable tissue that responds rapidly to both increased contractile activity and inactivity. For example, lengthy periods of skeletal muscle disuse (e.g., bed rest) result in a decline of muscle protein and muscular strength. Our understanding of the processes that contribute to disuse muscle atrophy has expanded markedly during the past two decades and this review will provide an overview of the mechanisms responsible for disuse-mediated muscle atrophy. The first segment of this review will outline the experimental models commonly used to investigate disuse muscle atrophy. The second section will discuss our current understanding of muscle proteases whereas the final sector will identify the role that reactive oxygen species play in inactivity-induced muscle atrophy. Key-words: redox, oxidants, antioxidants, proteasome, calpain, caspase-3, reactive oxygen species RESUMO Atrofia do musculo esqueletico induzida pela inactividade: uma breve revisao O musculo esqueletico e um tecido adaptavel respondendo quer ao aumento da actividade contractil, quer a inactividade. Por exemplo, periodos prolongados de desuso resultam no declinio das proteinas e da forca muscular. O entendimento acerca dos processos que contribuem para a atrofia muscular induzida pelo desuso aumentou notavelmente nas duas ultimas decadas e a presente revisao providencia uma sintese dos mecanismos responsaveis pela atrofia muscular esqueletica mediada pelo desuso. Numa primeira parte, a presente revisao foca-se nos modelos experimentais comummente usados na investigacao da atrofia muscular esqueletica induzida pelo desuso. Na segunda parte, discute-se o entendimento actual das proteases musculares enquanto na parte final identifica-se o papel das especies reactivas de oxigenio na atrofia do musculo esqueletico induzida pela inactividade. Palavras-chave: redox, oxidantes, anti-oxidantes, proteasoma, calpaina, caspase-3, especies reactivas de oxigenio
Insulation variability

This paper constitutes a theoretical investigation of the effect of insulation variability in determining the breakdown voltage of systems containing large areas of insulation, or large numbers of units of insulation in parallel. It is based upon the idea that a failure in the insulation of a system, like that of a chain, depends upon the strength of the weakest part, or unit; and that the greater the number of units in a system and the greater the variability among the units the greater will be the likelihood of a failure. The analysis, therefore, makes use of the laws of probability which incidentally are more exact and of greater practical importance than is generally believed.
Magnetic multipole excitations in C 12 by inelastic electron scattering

Magnetic excitations in $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ have been measured by inelastic electron scattering at backward scattering angles for momentum transfers between $q=0.5 \mathrm{and} 3.3$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Data for $M1$, $M2$, $M3$, and $M4$ transitions are compared to shell model calculations. In general, the excitation energies are reasonably predicted, as are the momentum transfer dependences of the form factors. However, the form factor magnitudes often exceed measurements by factors of more than 2. Candidates for ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states are seen at excitation energies of 18.2 and 22.7 MeV. It is shown how structure effects may reduce estimates of isospin mixing matrix elements from ($\ensuremath{\pi}$,${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) ratios.
Product Attributes Model: A Tool for Evaluating Brand Positioning

A brand’s positioning is designed to develop a sustainable competitive advantage on product attribute(s) in the consumer’s mind. Perceptual maps are commonly used to evaluate a brand’s positioning. Another tool from the economics literature, the product attributes model (based on Lancaster 1966,1979), utilizes three components: attribute ratings, budget constraint, and indifference curves. The key advantage of this analysis over perceptual maps is the ability to incorporate the impact of price into assessment of the brand’s positioning. This paper discusses how the product attributes model helps managers understand the strategic implications of positioning decisions and provides an example of its use.
L 2 , 3 VV and MVV Auger spectra of copper

Electron-excited integral ${L}_{2,3}\mathrm{VV}$ and $\mathrm{MVV}$ Auger spectra from clean copper surfaces are presented and compared with x-ray excited ${L}_{2,3}\mathrm{VV}$ spectra, with other electron-excited derivative $\mathrm{MVV}$ spectra, and with the results of atomic-model and band-theory calculations. Our ${L}_{2,3}\mathrm{VV}$ spectra agree well with the x-ray-excited results in both line shape and ${L}_{3}\mathrm{VV}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{to}\ensuremath{-}{L}_{2}\mathrm{VV}$ integrated-intensity ratio. Recent atomic-model interpretations of these spectra by McGuire are briefly reviewed and found, especially for the ${L}_{3}\mathrm{VV}$ spectrum, to provide a very good explanation of the spectra: the multiplet splitting mechanism is responsible for the major peaks, and satellite-intensity contributions resulting from Coster-Kronig ${L}_{1}{L}_{2}V$, ${L}_{1}{L}_{3}V$, and ${L}_{2}{L}_{3}V$ transitions give rise to the low-energy portions of the spectra. Our $\mathrm{MVV}$ spectra also have sharp features with shapes that are in agreement with atomic-model calculations. The experimental ${M}_{2,3}\mathrm{VV}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{to}\ensuremath{-}{M}_{1}\mathrm{VV}$ integrated-intensity ratio is much larger than 3 to 1, and varies with primary-electron-beam energy, indicating that satellite intensity contributions make up part of the $\mathrm{MVV}$ signals. The sharp features in these spectra, however, do not change with variations in primary-beam energy from 119 to 3000 eV indicating that they are not dependent upon satellite intensity. The experimental ${M}_{3}\mathrm{VV}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{to}\ensuremath{-}{M}_{2}\mathrm{VV}$ integrated-intensity ratio also remains unchanged at 1.3 to 1 for the same variation in primary-beam energy. A broad high-energy shoulder forms part of the $\mathrm{MVV}$ spectra, especially for the ${M}_{1}\mathrm{VV}$ signal. This feature of the $\mathrm{MVV}$ line shapes is not in agreement with the atomic-model calculations. It is also not simply related to the undistorted valence-band density of states for copper. Comparison of our ${M}_{1}\mathrm{VV}$ signal with recent band-theory arguments of Cini and of Sawatzky indicates that the $\mathrm{MVV}$ line shapes are explainable in terms of distortions in the Auger core-valence-valence signals from narrow-valence-band metals that are expected to occur as a result of hole-hole interactions in the two-hole final-state configuration. Estimates of the hole-hole repulsion energy based on these comparisons are discussed in light of an earlier estimate of this interaction energy based on ${L}_{3}\mathrm{VV}$ data.
CARDIAC TAMPONADE OR SOMETHING MORE: WHEN HEMODYNAMICS DON’T IMPROVE WITH PERICARDIOCENTESIS

Hemodynamic instability is a common reason for medical ICU admission. Early identification of shock etiology is essential for optimal management. A 20 year-old woman was admitted to our medical ICU with profound hypotension occurring in the midst of a workup for protracted fatigue, dyspnea, and
Pesticide Residues on Some Vegetables and Fruits in Daxing District of Beijing from 2007 to 2009

[Objective] To monitor and analyze the variety and quantity of pesticide residues in some market food in Daxing district of Beijing, understand the pesticide contamination in food.[Methods]From 2007 to 2008, 115 samples of vegetable, fruit and tea were selected in Daxing district randomly. 18 items of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticide residues, 8 items of pyrethroid pesticide residues and 7 items of carbamate pesticide residues were detected, and the results were campared with the national standards.[Results]The detection rate and exceeding standard rate of pesticide residues in foods was 29.6% and 9.6% respectively. The detection rate of leafy vegetable group, fruit, mushroom and tea group, melon and1 legume group was 45.5%, 32.0%, and 2.9% respectively, and the difference was significant (P=0.000). The etection rate of dimethoate (5.2%) and bifenthrin (6.1%) was the highest, and the exceeding standard rate of parathion and dicofol was the highest, which was the 3.5% (4/115).[Conclusion]There was pesticide contamination on vegetable, fruit and tea in Daxing market, the illegal use of parathion and dicofol was found in vegetables, and the pyrethroid pesticide residues was high in Chinese chive, rape and fruits. The monitoring and safe management in planting and sale process of vegetables and fruits should be strengthened to reduce the harm of pesticide residues.
Cause of Subdural Hemorrhage in Infants

The frequency of child abuse and unintentional injury as a cause of infant and toddler subdural hedmorrhage (SDH) was determined by a prospective study of 66 cases admitted to Harborview Medical Center, a level I pediatric trauma center, and the Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Tertiary Care Center, Seattle, WA, from March 1995 through December 1998.
Airway Epithelial Metabolism and Airway Smooth Muscle Hyperresponsiveness

Asthma is a disease of the airways characterized by reversible airway narrowing. Airway smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness to a variety of stimuli plays an important role in asthma. The clinical response in asthma depends on both the degree of the stimulus and the degree of responsiveness of the smooth muscle. Thus, stimuli that normally produce no clinical response can produce symptoms in the presence of smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness.
Spatial Organization of Metabolic Enzyme Complexes in Cells

The organization of metabolic multienzyme complexes has been hypothesized to benefit metabolic processes and provide a coordinated way for the cell to regulate metabolism. Historically, their existence has been supported by various in vitro techniques. However, it is only recently that the existence of metabolic complexes inside living cells has come to light to corroborate this long-standing hypothesis. Indeed, subcellular compartmentalization of metabolic enzymes appears to be widespread and highly regulated. On the other hand, it is still challenging to demonstrate the functional significance of these enzyme complexes in the context of the cellular milieu. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of metabolic enzyme complexes by primarily focusing on central carbon metabolism and closely associated metabolic pathways in a variety of organisms, as well as their regulation and functional contributions to cells.
Low-Dimensional Nitridosilicates Grown from Ca/Li Flux: Void Metal Ca8In2SiN4 and Semiconductor Ca3SiN3H.

Reactions of indium and silicon with lithium nitride in Ca/Li flux produce two new nitridosilicates: Ca8In2SiN4 (orthorhombic, Ibam; a = 12.904(1) A, b = 9.688(1) A, c = 10.899(1) A, Z = 4) and Ca3SiN3H (monoclinic, C2/c; a = 5.236(1) A, b = 10.461(3) A, c = 16.389(4) A, β = 91.182(4)°, Z = 8). Ca8In2SiN4 features isolated [SiN4]8– units and indium dimers surrounded by calcium atoms. Ca3SiN3H features infinite chains of corner-sharing SiN4 tetrahedra and distorted edge-sharing H@Ca6 octahedra. Optical properties and band structure calculations indicate that Ca8In2SiN4 is a void metal with calcium and indium states at the Fermi level and Ca3SiN3H is a semiconductor with a band gap of 3.1 eV.