cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of platelet-activating factor with rat hepatocytes: uptake, translocation, metabolism, and effects on PAF-acetylhydrolase secretion and protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

Abstract In the present study the interaction of the phospholipid mediator platelet-activating factor (PAF) with rat hepatocytes in primary culture was examined. Following exposure to hepatocytes, exogenous [3H]alkyl-PAF was metabolized rapidly to [3H]lyso-PAF, the content of which was raised in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane within the initial 5 min of incubation. Thereafter [3H]lyso-PAF was translocated into cells with concomitant reacylation to [3H]alkyl-acyl-glycerophosphocholine. A portion of untransformed [3H]PAF accumulated in the outer leaflet, and only a small amount of the [3H]PAF was translocated into the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Detectable levels of [3H]lyso-PAF were found in the medium of hepatocyte cultures at all times of incubation. These findings suggest that at least a portion of the cellular PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) activity is located in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and can be secreted into the medium. Indeed, rat hepatocytes in culture released PAF-AH into the medium in a time-dependent fashion. Incubation of hepatocytes with exogenous PAF increased secretion of PAF-AH, whereas lyso-PAF and the nonhydrolyzable analog methylcarbamyl-PAF significantly reduced secretion. The structurally related PAF receptor antagonist CV 3988 markedly inhibited the activity of PAF-AH and also diminished its release by hepatocytes. In contrast, BN 50739 and WEB 2170, thienotriazolodiazepine PAF receptor antagonists, did not affect the PAF-AH activity, but increased its secretion by the cells. A full-length 3.8-kb mRNA encoding the cell surface PAF receptor was absent in hepatocytes as indicated by Northern blot analysis using the rat PAF receptor cDNA, whereas PAF receptor mRNA was readily detected in Kupffer cells. Upon incubation with hepatocytes, PAF induced tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins with molecular masses of 120–130 and 160–180 kDa and dephosphorylation of 80- to 90-kDa proteins; these responses were not inhibited by WEB 2170 and BN 50739. The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein abolished the release of free arachidonic acid, suggesting a crucial role for tyrosine phosphorylation in PAF-induced phospholipase A2activation in rat hepatocytes. Taken together, our data indicate that the interaction of PAF with rat hepatocytes is dependent upon its metabolism, involves protein tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and arachidonic acid release, and does not involve the heteromeric G-protein-coupled PAF receptor which has been characterized in Kupffer cells. This metabolically regulated mechanism for PAF action on hepatocytes may be of potential biological importance in the liver under normal and pathological conditions.
Modality, concreteness, and set-size effects in a free reconstruction of order task.

Would informing subjects which items were presented on the current list remove effects of presentation modality, concreteness, and set size in a long-term free reconstruction of order task? In Experiment 1, a typical modality effect was found: memory for the final item in a list was enhanced when the item was presented auditorily rather than visually. In Experiment 2, order memory was better for concrete than for abstract items. And in Experiment 3, order memory was better when the same six items were presented on every trial than when a unique set of six items was presented. In all conditions in all experiments, the to-be-remembered items were given to the subject at test. These results suggest that contrary to a popular assumption, the reconstruction of order task does not provide a functionally pure measure of order memory
Alkali feldspar dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation in batch systems: 3. Saturation states of product minerals and reaction paths

In order to evaluate the complex interplay between dissolution and precipitation reaction kinetics, we examined the hypothesis of partial equilibria between secondary mineral products and aqueous solutions in feldspar–water systems. Speciation and solubility geochemical modeling was used to compute the saturation indices (SI) for product minerals in batch feldspar dissolution experiments at elevated temperatures and pressures and to trace the reaction paths on activity–activity diagrams. The modeling results demonstrated: (1) the experimental aqueous solutions were supersaturated with respect to product minerals for almost the entire duration of the experiments; (2) the aqueous solution chemistry did not evolve along the phase boundaries but crossed the phase boundaries at oblique angles; and (3) the earlier precipitated product minerals did not dissolve but continued to precipitate even after the solution chemistry had evolved into the stability fields of minerals lower in the paragenesis sequence. These three lines of evidence signify that product mineral precipitation is a slow kinetic process and partial equilibria between aqueous solution and product minerals were not held. In contrast, the experimental evidences are consistent with the hypothesis of strong coupling of mineral dissolution/precipitation kinetics [e.g., Zhu C., Blum A. E. and Veblen D. R. (2004a) Feldspar dissolution rates and clay precipitation in the Navajo aquifer at Black Mesa, Arizona, USA. In Water–Rock Interaction (eds. R. B. Wanty and R. R. I. Seal). A.A. Balkema, Saratoga Springs, New York. pp. 895–899]. In all batch experiments examined, the time of congruent feldspar dissolution was short and supersaturation with respect to the product minerals was reached within a short period of time. The experimental system progressed from a dissolution driven regime to a precipitation limited regime in a short order. The results of this study suggest a complex feedback between dissolution and precipitation reaction kinetics, which needs to be considered in the interpretation of field based dissolution rates.
Anaerobic breakdown of uroporpophysrins I and II to bile pigments by extracts of Clostridium tetanomorphum

Two blue bile pigments were formed under anaerobic conditions from the tetrapyrrole precursor δ-aminolevulinate by cells and cell extracts of Clostridium tetanomorphum. These compounds were also formed by cell extracts from the octacarboxylic tetrapyrrole, uroporphyrin III. Bactobilin, the first bacterial bile pigment to be discovered, is related to uroporphyrin I. The present results hence increase the number of bile pigments related to bactobilin. Bactobilin and its isomers differ markedly from the eukaryotic bile pigments which are all related to the dicarboxylic compound, protoporphyrin IX. The enzyme participating in the formation of the bacterial bile pigments was obligatorily anaerobic, in decided contrast to the only other known bile pigment-forming enzyme, the eukaryotic oxygen-requiring heme oxygenase.
Combined Intra- and Extra-Endoscopic Techniques for Aggressive Resection of Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytomas

Background Although neuroendoscope is widely used, endoscopic removal of intraventricular solid tumors has rarely been reported. Most reported procedures were performed with special endoscopic instruments through the endoscope's working channel—intra-axial endoscopic procedures. We report two cases of combined intra-/extra-axial endoscopic procedures—intraventricular solid tumor resection for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Methods In 2007, two patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma with a long history of tuberous sclerosis underwent solely endoscopic, minimally invasive intraventricular tumor resection. Through a precoronal transcortical approach, intra-axial endoscopic techniques were used to biopsy tumors. After a 1- to 1.5-cm in diameter corridor was formed inside the frontal lobes, extra-axial endoscopic techniques were used to explore the tumors and resect them. During extra-axial procedures, microneurosurgical instruments were used around the endoscope. Results In both patients, gross total resection of the tumors was achieved safely. Pathologic diagnoses were subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. There were no complications from surgery, and no neurological deficits. Patients were doing well and shunt free during the 8-month postoperative follow-ups. Postoperative magnetic resonance images showed minimal approach-related trauma along the surgical corridor. Conclusions In the present report endoscopic minimally invasive neurosurgery (EMIN) was defined as procedures in which the endoscope was used independently as the only optical device, for both illumination and visualization. Depending on the relationship between surgical instruments and the endoscope, EMIN was classified as intra-axial and extra-axial procedures. EMIN is a completive, safe procedure for intraventricular subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.
Recurrent conjunctival papilloma causing nasolacrimal duct obstruction

We treated two patients who had recurrent conjunctival papillomas that invaded the nasolacrimal sac and caused complete canalicular and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The ophthalmologist should be aware of the possibility of a conjunctival papilloma invading the lacrimal sac when treating patients with conjunctival papillomas. Excision should be complete, and adjunctive therapy such as cryotherapy should be considered to reduce the chance of tumor recurrence.
Structure Dependence of Cholesteric Mesophases III. Minor Changes within the 17β-side Chain of Cholesterol

Abstract Several modifications were made within the 17β-side chain of cholesterol to determine the influence of minor structural changes on the mesomorphic behavior. Alkyl substitution at C-24 leads to smectic mesophases as experienced with campesteryl alkanoates. Moving the methyl group to C-25 leads to a loss of mesomorphic properties as found in 3β-acetoxy-25-methylene group, or by hydrogen, alters only the stability of the cholesteric mesophases as shown with 3β-acetoxy-27-norcholest-5-en-25-one, 3β-acetoxycholesta-5, 25-diene, and 3β-acetoxy-27-norcholest-5-ene. However, the same modifications at C-20 lead to drastic changes in the mesomorphic properties. 3β-Acetoxycholest-5, 20-diene is both cholesteric and smectic, but no mesophases were observed in 3β-acetoxy-21-norcholest-5-en-20-one and 3β-acetoxy-21-norcholest-5-ene. 3β-Acetoxy-20-hydroxycholest-5-ene, 3β-octadecanoyloxy-20-azacholest-5-ene, and 3β-octadecanoyloxy-20, 25-diazacholest-5-ene, were also not mesomorphic.
Robust control problems in fluid mechanics

Abstract In this paper, we study a class of robust control problems in fluid mechanics recently proposed by Bewley et al. [Physica D 138 (3–4) (2000) 360]. Using a method of Shutyaev [Russ. J. Numer. Anal. Math. Modell. 14 (2) (1999) 137], we provide another proof of the existence and the uniqueness of solutions to the robust control problems under weaker assumptions as compared to those of Bewley et al. [Physica D 138 (3–4) (2000) 360]. From the numerical point of view, the method used in this paper is particularly important since it provides a constructive way to approximate the solutions to these nonlinear control problems.
Asian student perspectives on American university instruction

Abstract The number of Asian students pursuing university education in the United States has increased dramatically in the last decade. Although Asian students are highly critical of American social life in general, most express approval of their educational experience. This approval is based upon freedom of choice in the course of study selection and upon the democratic structure of professor-student interaction, especially during classroom instruction. Although the majority of Asian students expressing opinions on the matter enjoyed the opportunity for relations with their professors, they were also critical of the informality and lack of respect with which American professors are treated. Interviews of Asian students in the United States revealed enthusiasm for the “open,” dialectical predilection of American professors, who were said to be interested in making contact with the processes of thinking and analysis of their students.
Ambient Air Pollution Particles and the Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Investigation has repeatedly demonstrated an association between exposure to ambient air pollution particles and numerous indices of human morbidity and mortality. Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among those with an increased sensitivity to air pollution particles. Current and ex-smokers account for 80 to 85% of all those with COPD. The human breathing in an urban site with a significant level of particulate matter (PM) may be exposed to 720 microg daily. A single cigarette introduces 15,000 to 40,000 microg particle into the respiratory tract of the smoker. It is subsequently confounding why such a relatively small mass of airborne PM should have any biological effect in the patient with COPD, as these individuals are repeatedly exposed to particles (with a similar size and composition) at perhaps a thousandfold the mass of ambient PM. Regarding this increased sensitivity of COPD patients to air pollution particles, there are several possible explanations for this seeming contradiction, including correlations of PM levels with other components of air pollution, an accumulation of multiple independent risk factors in a patient, changes in individual activity patterns, disparities in dosimetry between healthy subjects and COPD patients, and some unique characteristic of an ambient air pollution PM. Regardless of the underlying mechanism for the increased sensitivity of COPD patients, exposures of these individuals to elevated levels of PM should be discouraged. To provide a greater awareness of PM levels, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now includes levels of air pollution particles in an air quality index.
Adding More Agility to Software Product Line Methods: A Feasibility Study on Its Customization Using Agile Practices

Software Product Line Methods SPLMs have been continuously gaining attention, especially in practice, for on one hand, they address diverse market needs while controlling costs by planned systematic reuse in core assets development domain engineering, and on another hand, they reduce products' time-to-market, achieving a certain level of agility in product development application engineering. More cost-effective and agile as they are than traditional development methods for producing families of similar products, SPLMs still seem to be heavy weight in nature. In SPLMs, significant up-front commitments are involved in development of a flexible product platform, which will be modified into a range of products sharing common features. Agile Methods AMs share similar goals with SPLMs, e.g., on rapidly delivering high quality software that meets the changing needs of stakeholders. However, they appear to differ significantly practices. The purpose of this work is to compare Agile and Software Product line approaches from fundamental goals/principles, engineering, software quality assurance, sand project management perspectives, etc. The results of the study can be used to determine the feasibility of tailoring a software product line approach with Agile practices, resulting in a lighter-weight approach that provides mass customization, reduced time-to-market, and improved customer satisfaction.
Behavior of different bovine chlamydial agents in newborn calves.

Abstract A chlamydial agent strain EBA-59-795, isolated from an aborted bovine foctus, induced clinical disease in 7-day-old calves and evoked microscopic tissue changes comparable with those seen in calves of naturally occurring abortions from which the agent was isolated. The chlamydial agent of bovine polyarthritis, strain LW-613, induced fatal infections in 24-hour-old calves following adminstration by mouth. After subcutaneous or oral administration with this strain, 7-day-old calves also became fatally infected. The tissue responses were studied and compared. The histological lesions were similar in the calves of the different experiments, but they differed in degree of severity. Calves inoculated with strain LW-613 had involvement of the serosal and synovial tissues which was not observed in calves inoculated with other strains. Foetal and newborn calves did not form group-specific chlamydial antibodies following infection. At an age of 43 to 57 days antibody formation began in infected calves. The age of the calf and the degree of virulence of the strains used were important factors in the outcome of the chlamydia-host interaction.
Systematic coarse-graining of a multicomponent lipid bilayer.

A solvent-free coarse-grained model for a 1:1 mixed dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and a dioleoylphospatidylethanolamine (DOPE) bilayer is developed using the multiscale coarse-graining (MS-CG) approach. B-spline basis functions are implemented instead of the original cubic spline basis functions in the MS-CG method. The new B-spline basis functions are able to dramatically reduce memory requirements and increase computational efficiency of the MS-CG calculation. Various structural properties from the CG simulations are compared with their corresponding all-atom counterpart in order to validate the CG model. The resulting CG structural properties agree well with atomistic results, which shows that the MS-CG force field can reasonably approximate the many-body potential of mean force in the coarse-grained coordinates. Fast lipid lateral diffusion in the CG simulations, as a result of smoother free energy landscape, makes the study of phase behavior of the binary mixture possible. Small clusters of dist...
Improving species occupancy estimation when sampling violates the closure assumption

Site occupancy models that account for imperfect detection of species are increasingly utilized in ecological research and wildlife monitoring. Occupancy models require replicate surveys to estimate detection probability over a time period where the occupancy status at sampled sites is assumed closed. Unlike mark–recapture models, few studies have examined how violations of closure can bias occupancy estimates. Our study design allowed us to differentiate among two processes that violate the closure assumption during a sampling season: 1) repeated destructive sampling events that result in either short- or long-term site avoidance by the target species and 2) sampling occurring over a time period during which non-random movements of the target species result in variable occupancy status. We used dynamic occupancy models to quantify the potential bias in occupancy estimation associated with these processes for a terrestrial salamander system. Our results provide strong evidence of a systematic decrease in salamander occupancy within a field season. Chronic disturbance due to repeated searches of natural cover objects accelerated natural declines in species occurrence on the forest surface as summer progressed. We also observed a strong but temporary disturbance effect on salamander detection probability associated with repeated sampling within a 24-h. period. We generalized our findings by conducting a simulation to evaluate how violations of closure can bias occupancy estimates when local extinction occurs within a sampling season. Our simulation study revealed general sensitivity of estimates from single-season occupancy models to violations of closure, with the strength and direction of bias varying between scenarios. Bias was minimal when extinction proba bility or the number of sample occasions was relatively low. Our research highlights the importance of addressing closure in occupancy studies and we provide multiple solutions, using both design- and model-based frameworks, for minimizing bias associated with non-random changes in occupancy and repeated sampling disturbances.
An electron paramagnetic resonance study of spin site variations in Cu(hfac)2 complexes with 5-(3-N-tert-butyl-N-aminoxylphenyl)pyrimidine

Abstract The X- and Q-band EPR spectra of coordination compounds of 5-(3-N-tert-butyl-N-aminoxylphenyl)pyrimidine (3PPN) with Cu(hfac)2 show peaks in the g ≈ 2.3 region attributable to parallel component transitions of Cu(II) axially coordinated to pyrimidine, and in the g ≈ 2.0–2.2 region attributable to Cu(II) directly coordinated with the aminoxyl NO· radical unit plus perpendicular component transitions of the Cu(II) coordinated to pyrimidine. The spectral region with the Cu(II)–aminoxyl resonance can show temperature dependent behavior attributable to reversible Jahn–Teller distortions, analogous to behavior seen in Ovcharenko’s “breathing crystal” Cu(II) complexes with nitronylnitroxides (e.g., Veber et al. (2008) [5] ).
FASEB Science Research Conference on Phospholipid Cell Signaling and Metabolism in Inflammation and Cancer

EACH SUMMER, A SERIES of science research conferences are sponsored by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), a non-profit federation of 26 research societies representing approximately 125,000 scientists, that allows experimental biologists to meet in a relaxing, collegial atmosphere and explore new approaches to current research areas. From 2012 to 2014, I had the honor of organizing one such conference, “Phospholipid Cell Signaling and Metabolism in Inflammation and Cancer.” The conference was held in Niagara Falls, New York, June 1–6, 2014, at the “Sheraton at the Falls” hotel. The conference focused on the roles that cell membrane phospholipids play in inflammation and cancer. As I agreed to organize the conference, I devised a plan early on that the purpose of this meeting was to cover, at the very least, novel findings on membrane lipid enzymes and intracellular signaling; biochemistry, genetics, and visualization of organelle trafficking; metabolism and signaling deregulation in inflammation and cancer; and delivery systems of lipids (e.g., nanoparticles) as therapeutics.
Kinetics of batch fermentations with Kluyveromyces fragilis

Abstract Experimental data of biomass production, oxygen consumption, substrate utilization and lactase production by Kluyveromyces fragilis in four different media were presented and modeled. Batch fermentations are characterized by continuously changing substrate concentration. Media compositions affected the cellular metabolism; therefore, a substrate consumption model with a variable yield coefficient was developed. Production of the inducible enzyme lactase was modeled in terms of the gene level control mechanisms: induction, catabolite repression and autogenous regulation. Oxygen transfer rates were found to be decreased by the complex medium constituents. A biomass concentration dependent mass transfer model was presented to include the medium composition dependence to the mass transfer equation.
On the Analysis of Transmission-Line Transients

In the analysis of transmission-line transients, it is customary to assume a frequency-dependent distributed-parameter transmission line and to approximate the propagation constant as a rational function in order to simplify an otherwise complicated analysis. This paper focuses on the validity of these approximations and derives some definite conclusions.
All-optical passive clock extraction of 40 Gbit/s NRZ data using narrow-band filtering

A passive all-optical scheme for clock extraction from non return-to-zero (NRZ) data has been proposed based on narrow-band filtering. Two equally effective embodiments of the proposed scheme have been demonstrated experimentally. A carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) of 30 dB has been achieved at 40 Gbit/s using fiber Bragg gratings (FBG).
Modified Nel and Van der Merwe test for the multivariate Behrens–Fisher problem

Abstract A new test to the multivariate Behrens–Fisher problem is obtained by modifying Nel and Van der Merwe's (Comm. Statist. Theory Methods 15 (1986) 3719) test. The new test is affine invariant and it simplifies to the Welch's approximate solution to the univariate case. The merits of the new test and two existing invariant tests are evaluated using Monte Carlo method. Monte Carlo comparison shows that the new test is as powerful as the other two methods while controlling the sizes satisfactorily.
Some Applications of Graph Theory to Clustering.

This paper attempts to review and expand upon the relationship between graph theory and the clustering of a set of objects. Several graphtheoretic criteria are proposed for use within a general clustering paradigm as a means of developing procedures “in between” the extremes of complete-link and single-link hierarchical partitioning; these same ideas are then extended to include the more general problem of constructing subsets of objects with overlap. Finally, a number of related topics are surveyed within the general context of reinterpreting and justifying methods of clustering either through standard concepts in graph theory or their simple extensions.
Acid generating immobilized enzymic reactions in porous media-activity control via augmentation of proton diffusion by weak acids

Abstract The performance of immobilized enzymes which catalyse H+ ion generating reactions is markedly affected by diffusional limitations on H+ ions. Addition of small amounts of weak acids can facilitate the rate of removal of these protons from within the porous interstices of the enzyme support, by providing a parallel path for them. The importance of this transport facilitating role of weak acids on the performance of immobilized enzymes is examined theoretically for the case of internal (pore) diffusion. The effect of these weak acids can conveniently be lumped into an apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) of the protons. This diffusion coefficient depends on the concentration of H+ ions, the pK of the weak acid and its total concentration, CT. For given values of CT and pK, the plot of Dapp vs pH has a sigmoidal shape, with a very steep variation near the pK of the weak acid. For any particular weak acid (i.e. a given pK), an increase in its total concentration, CT, results in a monotonic increase in Dapp. Even at values of CT as low as 10−2 M, for pH values larger than pK, Dapp is many orders of magnitude greater than the true diffusivity of H+ ions. The above steep increase of Dapp to very large values can transform the mechanism of the heterogenous reaction from a regime where both diffusion and kinetics play a role to one which is entirely controlled by kinetics, if the Thiele modulus, φ, is not too large (less than about 5 for CT = 10−2 M). This suggests that it is possible to maximize the activity of the immobilized enzyme by a proper choice of the pH of the bulk solution and the type of weak acid: The pH in the bulk solution should be close to the optimum pH of the soluble enzyme, and the weak acid should be in sufficient amount and have a pK close to the above optimum pH. If the bulk pH is larger than the above optimum, a certain amount of diffusional resistance in the pellet is necessary to achieve maximum activity. Such a control can be achieved by using an optimum amount of weak acid. Detailed calculations have been carried out, to determine the activity vs bulk pH and the activity vs bulk concentration profiles for various values of the Thiele modulus, when the substrate concentration is small as well as when it is large in comparison with the Michaelis constant.
Non-additive effects of genotypic diversity increase floral abundance and abundance of floral visitors.

Background In the emerging field of community and ecosystem genetics, genetic variation and diversity in dominant plant species have been shown to play fundamental roles in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, the importance of intraspecific genetic variation and diversity to floral abundance and pollinator visitation has received little attention. Methodology/Principal Findings Using an experimental common garden that manipulated genotypic diversity (the number of distinct genotypes per plot) of Solidago altissima, we document that genotypic diversity of a dominant plant can indirectly influence flower visitor abundance. Across two years, we found that 1) plant genotype explained 45% and 92% of the variation in flower visitor abundance in 2007 and 2008, respectively; and 2) plant genotypic diversity had a positive and non-additive effect on floral abundance and the abundance of flower visitors, as plots established with multiple genotypes produced 25% more flowers and received 45% more flower visits than would be expected under an additive model. Conclusions/Significance These results provide evidence that declines in genotypic diversity may be an important but little considered factor for understanding plant-pollinator dynamics, with implications for the global decline in pollinators due to reduced plant diversity in both agricultural and natural ecosystems.
Spectral matching quantitative open-path Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

Open-path Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR) provides a rapid method of measuring concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in environmental settings. The advantages of OPFTIR are the speed of data collection and the absence of sample handling. The quantitative difficulties with OPFTIR Include variation in source intensity caused by moving the source or instrument, rapid change in temperature, low intensity of passive sources, and changes in path conditions such as humidity and the presence of interfering compounds. These difficulties are the major obstacles in using OP-FTIR quantitatively. We are developing a method that has shown promise in combating source variability, the difficulty in obtaining reference spectra, and the problems with passive sources. Reducing the resolution and graphing the intensity of the analyte peaks against a convenient reference system produces quantitative curves without subtracting background spectra. These curves can be used to determine unknown concentrations to an accuracy of 20% as long as the intensity and the general shape of the unknown sample spectrum matches a representative spectrum of the quantitative curve. We have determined sample unknowns with the use of running car engines and hot car hoods as sources. The main problem still to be studied is that accurate concentration determination requires a good match between the temperature profiles of the quantitative curve spectra and the sample spectrum. Future studies will involve the relationship between source temperature and spectral shape, source temperature and absorption peak magnitude, and the effect of distance from the source to the instrument on spectral shape and peak magnitude.
Impact assessment of transmission line switching on system reliability performance

Power system topology control through transmission line switching for economic gains has been recently considered for day to day operations. This paper investigates the impact of various DC and AC optimal switching solutions on the system-wide reliability indices. Probabilistic performance indices of the system reliability, e.g., expected energy not supplied (EENS), customer interruption costs (CIC), delivery point unreliability index (DPUI), and loss of load probability (LOLP), are utilized to assess the robustness of the new migrated system state after implementation of switching plans from the reliability viewpoint. The information of such studies will help the operator evaluate the economic benefits and system reliability requirements and decide whether to implement the optimal switching solutions at each hour. The approach is tested using a modified IEEE 118-Bus test system and the results revealed its applicability and efficiency.
Angular Power Spectra with Finite Counts

Angular anisotropy techniques for cosmic diffuse radiation maps are powerful probes, even for quite small data sets. A popular observable is the angular power spectrum; we present a detailed study applicable to any unbinned source skymap S(n) from which N random, independent events are observed. Its exact variance, which is due to the finite statistics, depends only on S(n) and N; we also derive an unbiased estimator of the variance from the data. First-order effects agree with previous analytic estimates. Importantly, heretofore unidentified higher-order effects are found to contribute to the variance and may cause the uncertainty to be significantly larger than previous analytic estimates—potentially orders of magnitude larger. Neglect of these higher-order terms, when significant, may result in a spurious detection of the power spectrum. On the other hand, this would indicate the presence of higher-order spatial correlations, such as a large bispectrum, providing new clues about the sources. Numerical simulations are shown to support these conclusions. Applying the formalism to an ensemble of Gaussian-distributed skymaps, the noise-dominated part of the power spectrum uncertainty is significantly increased at high multipoles by the new, higher-order effects. This work is important for harmonic analyses of the distributions of diffuse high-energy -rays, neutrinos, and charged cosmic rays, as well as for populations of sparse point sources such as active galactic nuclei.
Association of foot ulcer with tibial artery calcification is independent of peripheral occlusive disease in type 2 diabetes.

Aims To determine the relationship between foot ulcers, arterial calcification, and peripheral occlusive disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Biological and endocrinological insights into the possible breast cancer risk from menopausal estrogen replacement therapy.

Abstract The question of whether estrogen therapy increases the risk of breast cancer is reviewed. Despite more than 60 epidemiological studies and several meta-analyses over a five-decade period, there is no consensus about the answer. At present, the majority of ivestigators agree that short-term or medium-term therapy (less than 10 years) poses no measurable risk; some, but not all, investigators feel that there is a modest risk with long-term therapy (more than 15 years). Even this semi-consensus is clouded by the startling and clear-cut-finding of the largest ever epidemiological study, the Nurses Surveillance Study, that a small increase in risk with estrogen therapy occurred only in women who also ingested alcohol, itself a known risk factor for breast cancer; wpmen who did not ingest alchol were at no increased risk. Because virtuallu none of the other epidemiological studies has contolled for alcohol ingestion, the conclusions of all of them are placed in doubt. To try to shed light on this problem, the 60-year-old studies of Lacassagne et al. on the induction of breast cancer in mice by estrogens were reviewed. They found that the magnitude and timing of the inducing effect of estrogen depended on the spontaneous breast cancer incidence in the mouse strain studied: in no-incidence strains, no cancer was induced; in high-incidence strains, induction was rapid and universal; in low-incidence strains, only a low percentage of animals had cancer induced, and it required prolonged estrogen administraion. Because (in animal terms) humans are a low-incidence goup, it is to be expected that any increase in breast cancer incidence with estrogen therpay would be modest and would require prolonged administration. This is approximately what is actually ovserved, but several factors may confound the picture: (1) the role of alcohol ingestion may ge important; (2) genetic variability in the capacity to 16α-hydroxylate may be important, because increased 16α-hydroxylation has been found to be a risk factor for breast cancer; (3) the specific estrogen administered may be important, because different estrogens vary in their ability to be 16α-hydroxylated; (4) the presence of atypical duct-cell hyperplasia may increase the risk; (5) a personal history of breat cancer or of premenopausal breast cancer in a mother or sister may increase the risk. In view of the overwhelming benefits of menopausal estrogen replacement therapy (diminished coronary disease, diminished osteoporosis, and prolongation of life-span, as well as relief of menopausal symptoms), it is concluded that all postmenopausal women should receive it unless they themselves have had breast cancer or a mother or sister has had premenopausal breast cancer.
Current state of evidence for medication treatment of preschool internalizing disorders

Psychotropic medications are being prescribed off-label by psychiatrists to treat preschool children diagnosed with internalizing disorders. In this review, the current state of evidence is presented for medications used to treat preschool children (ages 2–5 year olds) diagnosed with anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Eleven studies were systematically identified for this review based on a priori criteria. Overall, the available literature revealed that studies addressing the medication treatment of internalizing disorders in preschoolers are extremely limited and represent relatively weak research methodologies. Given the increasing prevalence of the use of psychotropic medications to treat preschool children and the unique challenges associated with working with this population, it is imperative that mental health practitioners are aware of the current, albeit limited, research on this practice to help make informed treatment decisions. Suggestions about how to monitor potential costs and benefits in those unique cases in which psychopharmacological treatments might be considered for young children are given. Moreover, areas of additional research for this population are discussed.
Lessons from Hereditary Colorectal Cancer

The authors are grateful to the members of their laboratories for their contributions to the reviewed studies and for their critical reading of the manuscript and to F. Giardiello and S. Hamilton for photographs of colorectal lesions. The authors are supported by Public Health Service grants CA 43460, CA 57345, and CA 62924. B. V. is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Presynaptic A-current based on heteromultimeric K + channels detected in vivo

A WIDE variety of voltage-gated K+ channels are involved in the regulation of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. Their heterogeneity arises in part from the large number of genes encoding different K+ channel subunits (reviewed in ref. 1). In addition, heterologous expression studies indicate that assembly of distinct subunits into heteromultimeric channels may contribute further to K+ channel diversity2–6. A question has been whether heteromeric K+ channels actually form in vivo, and if so, whether specific combinations of subunits could account for major K+ currents identified in neurons. We present here biochemical evidence that Kvl.4 and Kvl.2, two K+ channel subunits of the Shaker subfamily, co-assemble in rat brain. The Kvl.4/Kvl.2 hetero-multimer combines features of both parent subunits, resulting in an A-type K+ channel6. Immunocytochemical evidence suggests that the heteromultimers are localized in axons and nerve terminals. We propose that Kvl.4/Kvl.2 heteromultimers may form the molecular basis of a presynaptic A-type K+ channel involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter release.
The Role of Heavy Hydrocarbons in Cvd Diamond Growth

A mass spectrometric analysis of heavy hydrocarbons (HHCs) during hot-filament CVD diamond growth was performed together with in situ monitoring of the growth rate. Many HHCs were detected and tentatively identified. Of all HHCs studied, only diacetylene shows good correlation with the diamond growth rate under various deposition conditions. Its possible role is discussed.
Cloud effects on radiative heating rate profiles over Darwin using ARM and A‐train radar/lidar observations

Observations of clouds from the ground-based U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program (ARM) and satellite-based A-train are used to compute cloud radiative forcing profiles over the ARM Darwin, Australia site. Cloud properties are obtained from both radar (the ARM Millimeter Cloud Radar (MMCR) and the CloudSat satellite in the A-train) and lidar (the ARM Micropulse lidar (MPL) and the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite in the A-train) observations. Cloud microphysical properties are taken from combined radar and lidar retrievals for ice clouds and radar only or lidar only retrievals for liquid clouds. Large, statistically significant differences of up to 1.43 K/day exist between the mean ARM and A-train net cloud radiative forcing profiles. The majority of the difference in cloud radiative forcing profiles is shown to be due to a large difference in the cloud fraction above 12 km. Above this altitude the A-train cloud fraction is significantly larger because more clouds are detected by CALIPSO than by the ground-based MPL. It is shown that the MPL is unable to observe as many high clouds as CALIPSO due to being more frequently attenuated and a poorer sensitivity even in otherwise clear-sky conditions. After accountingmore » for cloud fraction differences and instrument sampling differences due to viewing platform we determined that differences in cloud radiative forcing due to the retrieved ice cloud properties is relatively small. This study demonstrates that A-train observations are better suited for the calculation cloud radiative forcing profiles. In addition, we find that it is necessary to supplement CloudSat with CALIPSO observations to obtain accurate cloud radiative forcing profiles since a large portion of clouds at Darwin are detected by CALIPSO only.« less
Hybrid life cycle energy assessment of commercial LED lamps

This work uses hybrid life cycle assessment methods to determine the overall energy use of a commercial LED lamp. Life cycle inventory (LCI) data is built up using industry data for a GaN-based white LED lamp designed to replace conventional incandescent bulbs. Appropriate data are also taken from generic processes in the semiconductor manufacturing sector. By considering the entire life cycle of the lamp, the analysis considers the systems-level effects of a large-scale shift to LED lighting technology, as opposed to the marketing emphasis on consumer benefits, which focuses on the use stage.
Developmental changes in the expression of chemokine receptor CCR1 in the rat cerebellum

Chemokines are small, soluble proteins that regulate leukocyte migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Recent evidence suggests that chemokine receptors are expressed in the central nervous system and that their functions extend beyond their roles in inflammation. Specific chemokines and their receptors are implicated in cerebellar development. In this study, we evaluated the expression of -chemokine receptor CCR1 in the immature and adult rat cerebellum and report striking developmental changes in CCR1 expression. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays of cerebellum revealed moderate increases in CCR1 mRNA expression from postnatal day (P) 3 to adulthood. Light and confocal microscopy were used to evaluate developmental changes in the neuroanatomical and cell-specific distribution of CCR1 immunoreactivity. CCR1 immunoreactivity was detected as early as P3 and peaked between P7 and P21. The predominant CCR1-immunoreactive neuronal cell types included granule cells of the internal granular layer, Purkinje cells, Golgi cells, and molecular layer interneurons; Bergmann glia, astrocytes, and resting microglia also expressed CCR1. In contrast, granule cells in the external germinal layer, descending granule cells, and activated microglia rarely expressed CCR1. We also evaluated the expression of the CCR1 ligand macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1/CCL3). Two cell populations expressed MIP-1: physiologically activated microglia in white matter (P7‐P14) and Purkinje cells (P7‐adult). MIP-1-positive cells were frequently located near the processes and cell bodies of CCR1-immunoreactive cells, during times of neuronal and glial maturation (second and third postnatal weeks). These findings provide support for the hypothesis that CCR1
Ambenyl® Expectorant (Marion)

Ambenyl is a combination of two antihistaminic agents along with well-recognized compounds that exhibit expectorant and antitussive properties. Diphenhydramine HCl, in addition to being a potent antihistaminic, also possesses antitussive actions.
Psychometric analysis and refinement of the Connor-davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC): Validation of a 10-item measure of resilience.

Resilience refers to an individual’s ability to thrive despite adversity. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Three undergraduate samples (ns > 500) were used to determine the factor structure of the CD-RISC. The first two samples were used to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and the third was used for confirmatory factor analysis. The EFA showed that the CD-RISC had an unstable factor structure across two demographically equivalent samples. A series of empirically driven modifications was made, resulting in a 10-item unidimensional scale that demonstrated good internal consistency and construct validity. Overall, the 10-item CD-RISC displays excellent psychometric properties and allows for efficient measurement of resilience.
Acute tissue injury activates satellite cells and promotes sarcoma formation via the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway

Some patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) report a history of injury at the site of their tumor. While this phenomenon is widely reported, there are relatively few experimental systems that have directly assessed the role of injury in sarcoma formation. We recently described a mouse model of STS whereby p53 is deleted and oncogenic Kras is activated in muscle satellite cells via a Pax7CreER driver following intraperitoneal injection with tamoxifen. Here, we report that after systemic injection of tamoxifen, the vast majority of Pax7-expressing cells remain quiescent despite mutation of p53 and Kras. The fate of these muscle progenitors is dramatically altered by tissue injury, which leads to faster kinetics of sarcoma formation. In adult muscle, quiescent satellite cells will transition into an active state in response to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We show that modulating satellite cell quiescence via intramuscular (IM) injection of HGF increases the penetrance of sarcoma formation at the site of injection, which is dependent on its cognate receptor c-MET. Unexpectedly, the tumor promoting effect of tissue injury also requires c-Met. These results reveal a mechanism by which HGF/c-MET signaling promotes tumor formation after tissue injury in a mouse model of primary STS, and they may explain why some patients develop a STS at the site of injury.
The black‐white difference in hemoglobin levels after age, sex and income matching

As shown in a total of 3321 pairs of Black and White participants in the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES I) of the Center for National Health Statistics, all carefully matched for ages, sex and income, the Black‐White difference in hemoglobin (Hgb) approximated 0.72 gm, a value very close to that recorded for adult premenopausal women alone and very close to that reported from the Ten‐State Nutrition Survey and for other recent nutrition surveys in the U.S.A.