cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sovereigns and Subjects: A Geopolitical History of Metropolitan Reform in the USA

Why does metropolitan reform have such a poor track record in the United States as compared with other industrialized countries? The most common answer is the exceptional localism of US culture, wh...
Priming in exocytosis: attaining fusion-competence after vesicle docking.

Abstract Membrane contact established by tethering or docking mechanisms is not a sufficient condition for membrane fusion. In neural and neuroendocrine cells, only a small fraction of secretory vesicles docked at the plasma membrane are fusion-competent and undergo rapid ATP-independent fusion in response to Ca 2+ elevations. Additional biochemical events termed ‘priming’ are essential to render vesicles competent for Ca 2+ -triggered fusion. The priming of vesicles is ATP-dependent and a number of ATP-dependent priming reactions have been characterized in permeable neuroendocrine cells. These involve NSF-mediated priming of SNARE protein complexes, the ATP-dependent synthesis of phosphoinositides, and protein kinase-mediated protein phosphorylation. In addition, munc13 is an important protein involved in priming synaptic vesicles. An emphasis in this review is on recent work indicating that priming events identified in the pathways of regulated exocytosis share many features with pre-fusion processes characterized in constitutive fusion pathways.
Oral contraceptive pill use is associated with reduced odds of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in menstruating women: results from NHANES III.

Background Higher prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in men and postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women has suggested a potential role of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of the disease. We sought to evaluate the association between oral contraceptive pills (OCP) and NAFLD and to determine whether adiposity mediates any effect.
Effects of dietary ABATE on reproductive success, duckling survival, behavior, and clinical pathology in game-farm mallards.

Forty-four pairs of game-farm mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were fed ABATE® 4E (temephos) to yield 0, 1, or 10 ppm ABATE® beginning before the initiation of lay, and terminating when ducklings were 21 days of age. The mean interval between eggs laid was greater for hens fed 10 ppm ABATE® than for controls. Clutch size, fertility, hatchability, nest attentiveness of incubating hens, and avoidance behavior of ducklings were not significantly affected by ABATE® ingestion. The percentage survival of ducklings to 21 days of age was significantly lower in both treated groups than in controls, but brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was not inhibited in young which died before termination of the study. In 21-day-old ducklings, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity increased and plasma nonspecific cholinesterase (ChE) activity was inhibited by about 20% in both treatment groups, but there were no significant differences in brain AChE or plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, or plasma uric acid concentration. Clinical chemistry values of adults were not affected. No ABATE®, ABATE® sulfoxide, or ABATE® sulfone residues were found in eggs or tissue samples.
Organic Functionalization and Optical Properties of Carbon Onions

We report, for the first time, the organic functionalization of carbon onions. The functionalization was achieved via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides to a mixture of amorphous carbon and concentric fullerenes. Once functionalized, the onions become soluble in organic solvents and it is possible to purify them from the rest of carbon. Their nonlinear optical properties have been studied in solution for application as broadband optical limiters. It was found that the functionalized onions are an example of soluble material that functions equally well in both the visible and the NIR regions.
Microbial response to freeze-thaw cycles in tundra and taiga soils

Abstract Four tundra and taiga soils were experimentally subjected to three freeze-thaw cycles (5 days each at −5°C and +5°C). After each thaw, there was an initial pulse (
A Continuous Visible Spectrophotometric Assay for Aspartate Transcarbamylase

A continuous spectrophotometric method for assaying ATCase activity has been devised that couples the production of inorganic phosphate from the ATCase-catalyzed reaction to the phosphorolysis reaction catalyzed by purine nucleoside phosphorylase, using a chromophoric nucleotide analogue, methylthioguanosine (MESG). This latter reaction results in a change in extinction coefficient of 11,000 M-1 cm-1 at 360 nm, providing a means for continuous assay of ATCase activity by spectrophotometry in the visible light region. This delta epsilon 360 is sufficiently large to allow continuous determination of reaction rates with micromolar levels of carbamyl-phosphate, a feature not offered by other currently used assay methods. Other currently available ATCase assay methods typically include fixed-time incubations involving [14C]Asp that require multiple chromatographic separations, colorimetry requiring long incubations with corrosive chemicals in the dark, or relatively insensitive continuous approaches involving a pH stat or far uv spectrophotometry. This facile, inexpensive MESG-coupled assay can be routinely applied to studies of ATCase altered by feedback modifiers or by site-specific mutations. Saturation curves for Asp and CP determined by other methods at pH 7 and 8 have been reproduced by the MESG/PNP-coupled approach. The kinetic binding of CP was demonstrated to be non-cooperative at low [Asp], i.e., under conditions at which ATCase was primarily in the T state. Cooperative binding of CP observed under conditions of saturating [Asp] (i.e., with ATCase in the R state) appears to reflect binding of Asp rather than CP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Io after Galileo

Io, the volcanically active innermost large moon of Jupiter, was a target of intense study during the recently completed NASA Galileo mission to Jupiter (1989–2003). Galileo's suite of instruments obtained unprecedented observations of Io, including high spatial resolution imaging in the visible and infrared. This paper reviews the insights gained about Io's surface, atmosphere and space environment during the Galileo mission. Io is thought to have a large Fe–FeS core, whose radius is slightly less than half the radius of Io and whose mass is 20% of the moon. The lack of an intrinsic magnetic field implies that the core is either completely solid or completely liquid. The mantle of Io appears to undergo a high degree of partial melting (20–50% molten) that produces ultramafic lavas dominated by Mg-rich orthopyroxene in an apparent 'mushy magma ocean', suggesting an undifferentiated mantle. The crust of Io is thought to be rigid, 20–30 km thick, cold away from volcanic heat sources and composed of mafic to ultramafic silicates. Tidal flexing due to Io's orbital resonance produces ~100 m tides at the surface, generating heat that powers Io's volcanism. Silicate volcanism appears to be dominant at most hot spots, although secondary sulfur volcanism may be important in some areas. The key discoveries of the Galileo era at Io were: (1) the detection of high-temperature volcanism (ultramafic, superheated mafic or 'ceramic'); (2) the detection of both S2 and SO2 gas in Ionian plumes; (3) the distinction between eruption styles, including between Pelean plumes (originating from central vents) and Promethean plumes (originating from silicate lava flow fronts); (4) the relationship between mountains and paterae, which indicates that many paterae are formed as magma preferentially ascends along tectonic faults associated with mountain building; (5) the lack of detection of an intrinsic magnetic field; (6) a new estimate of global heat flow; and (7) increased understanding of the relationship between Io, its plasma torus and Jupiter's magnetic field. There is an apparent paradox between Io's potentially ultramafic volcanism (suggestive of a primitive, undifferentiated mantle) and the widespread intensity of the volcanism on Io (which should have produced a volume of lava ~140 times the volume of Io over the last 4.5 Ga, resulting in more silicic materials). The resolution of this paradox requires either an Io that only recently (geologically) entered its tidal resonance and became volcanically active or a response of Io's lithosphere–mantle to tidal heating that has in some way prevented extreme differentiation. Understanding this problem is one of many important issues about Io that remain unresolved. We conclude this paper with a discussion of the types of future observations, from the ground and from space, that will be needed to address these issues.
Investigation of the effect of dual-size coatings on the hydrophobicity of cotton surface

A series of silica nanoparticles with two different length scales were introduced onto the cotton substrates to study the correlation between the surface structure and observed hydrophobicity. SiO2 nanoparticles of 7, 12, 20, and 40 nm in size were individually functionalized using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane or 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. Amino functionalized silica nanoparticles were durably attached to the cotton surface that was previously treated with epichlorohydrin. By depositing an additional layer of epoxy modified silica nanoparticles, a dual-size hierarchical coating was obtained. It was found that the order of deposition of particles to develop dual-size coatings determines the surface roughness, hydrophobicity and the amount of silica loaded on the cotton substrate. Deposition of the bigger nanoparticles on top of smaller ones resulted in rougher surfaces, higher hydrophobicity and higher amount of silica loading onto the cotton surface. A strong correlation between the size ratio of deposited nanoparticle combinations and the amount of silica loading was observed. It was found that there is also a direct relationship between the surface roughness and the hydrophobicity of the samples generated. Based upon these correlations, it is now possible to tune surface roughness and subsequent wettability by controlling the sizes of the dual-type nanoparticle layers.
Freeze-fractured purple membrane particles: protein content

Optical diffraction and image reconstruction can be used to correlate the electron microscope image of the biological membrane with its electron density projection. Such correlation shows that a single purple membrane particle contains 9 to 12 protein molecules--63 to 84 transmembrane alpha helices--a complexity two to ten times greater than that previously suggested for membrane particles.
Quaternary paleoecology and stratigraphy of the sea cliffs, western Olympic Peninsula, Washington

The sea cliffs of the western Olympic Peninsula are composed chiefly of discontinuous beds of unconsolidated gravel, sand, silt, and peat of Pleistocene age. Two lower stratigraphic units, the “Steamboat Creek gravel” and “Joe Creek silt”, were deposited probably during the Puyallup Interglaciation; the upper unit, the “Kalaloch silt”, was deposited during an interval that extends from Salmon Springs Glaciation through Fraser Glaciation. Radiocarbon dates of the Kalaloch silt range from about 17,000 to > 48,000 BP. Pollen analysis and stratigraphic correlation of the sea cliff sediments indicate that the present vegetation of the Olympic Peninsula has existed in this part of western Washington since the Puyallup Interglacial. During the Puyallup, the low elevation Tsuga heterophylla-Picea forest or its seral stages were predominant. During subsequent glaciations the low elevation forest was replaced by montane or alpine plant communities in areas near the ice front. At sites farther removed from glacial termini, low elevation forest apparently persisted, thriving in centers from which constituent species spread during interstadials.
Cold surges along the front range of the Rocky mountains: Development of a classification scheme

A classification scheme for cold surges occurring along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains has been developed using NMC surface and upper air data. A separation is seen in the data between cases with “parent” anticyclones that moved from Canada south into the United States (Northern type) and those which moved from the Eastern Pacific Ocean east into the central US (Western type). The Northern surges are further broken down into three types, A, B and B′, when the degree of southward motion of the anticyclone and the leading edge of the cold air is considered. An anticyclone movement south of 40°N distinguishes type A, while anticyclone tracks remaining north of 40°N characterize types B and B′. The leading edge of the surge (the surge line) associated with the type A anticyclone travels south of 25δN, while the type B anticyclones produce two distinct surge line movements, one remaining north of 25°N and the other moving south of 25°N. It is not possible to break down the Western surges into distinct types. As a rule, the anticyclones associated with Western surges remain between 50°N and 30°N, with the surge line moving south to ∼18°N on average.
Electrical Properties of Sr0.86Y0.08TiO3 Under Redox and Full Cell Fabrication Conditions

The effects of manufacturing and preparation conditions on the structural and electrical properties of Sr 0.86Y 0.08TiO 3 (SYT) reduced in 5 NH 3 (95 N 2) are discussed. The realization of an SYT-based SOFC anode is challenging because the conductivity of SYT is highly dependent upon the thermal history combined with heat treatment atmosphere used in manufacturing. To obtain highly conductive SYT as a candidate for an SOFC anode material, all samples in this study were prereduced to 1400 C under reducing conditions (ammonia) for 8 h. After prereduction, three samples were oxidized in air at 850 C, 950 C, and 1050 C, respectively, for 4 h to evaluate the impact of oxidizing conditions in practical cell fabrication processes on the SYT conductivity. XRD analyses showed that the lattice parameter of SYT sintered in ammonia was slightly different than the sample sintered in air. Measured at 800 C in reducing atmosphere (dry N 2/4 H 2), the maximum electrical conductivity of 36.3 S/cm was observed in SYT reduced in ammonia at 1400 C. However, the observed conductivities were not preserved after oxidation-reduction cycles. Various SYT samples prereduced in ammonia at 1400 C and then oxidized in air at 850 C, 950 C, and 1050 C showed an irreversible drop on conductivity measured in a reducing atmosphere, and the higher the oxidation temperature, the lower the conductivity became. The conductivity results indicate a strong dependence upon the SYT manufacturing and processing conditions. Despite the irreversible drop due to the oxidation cycle, the conductivity of SYT sintered in ammonia at 1400 C is still reasonable as a candidate for SOFC anodes, with careful management of cell fabrication conditions to avoid any oxidation processes at temperatures above 1050 C. © 2012 American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Snow and Rain Washout Coefficients for Process Plant Radioiodine Vapour

VERY little is known about the effectiveness of snow in scrubbing the atmosphere, and in the past there have been no reported measurements of the efficiencies with which atmospheric constituents are removed by snow. Theoretical calculations of the collection by raindrops of soluble gases have been reported by Chamberlain1; however, similar calculations for snow would require a knowledge of the electrostatic capacitance of the snow crystals and their number per unit volume in air.
Hydrogen−Deuterium Exchange between TpRu(PMe3)(L)X (L = PMe3 and X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh; L = NCMe and X = Ph) and Deuterated Arene Solvents: Evidence for Metal-Mediated Processes

At elevated temperatures (90−130 °C), complexes of the type TpRu(PMe3)2X (X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh; Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) undergo regioselective hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange with deuterated arenes. For X = OH or NHPh, H/D exchange occurs at hydroxide and anilido ligands, respectively. For X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh, isotopic exchange occurs at the Tp 4-positions with only minimal deuterium incorporation at the Tp 3- or 5-positions or PMe3 ligands. For TpRu(PMe3)(NCMe)Ph, the H/D exchange occurs at 60 °C at all three Tp positions and the phenyl ring. TpRu(PMe3)2Cl, TpRu(PMe3)2OTf (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate), and TpRu(PMe3)2SH do not initiate H/D exchange in C6D6 after extended periods of time at elevated temperatures. Mechanistic studies indicate that the likely pathway for the H/D exchange involves ligand dissociation (PMe3 or NCMe), Ru-mediated activation of an aromatic C−D bond, and deuteration of basic nondative ligand (hydroxide or anilido) or Tp positions via net D+ tran...
CaMKII-dependent activation of late I Na contributes to cellular arrhythmia in a model of the cardiac myocyte

Cardiac voltage-gated Na+ channels underlie membrane depolarization during the upstroke of the action potential (AP). These channels also exhibit a late, slowly-inactivating component of current (late I Na ) that may be enhanced under pathological conditions such as heart failure, and may therefore promote AP prolongation and increase the likelihood of arrhythmia. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) functionally modifies Na+ channels, however it remains unclear if the CaMKII-dependent changes in late I Na are a major contributor to cellular arrhythmias such as early after depolarizations (EADs). In this study we develop a model of I Na , including CaMKII-dependent effects, based on experimental measurements. The Na+ channel model is incorporated into a computational model of the whole myocyte which describes excitation-contraction coupling via stochastic simulation of individual Ca2+ release sites. Simulations suggest that relatively small augmentation of late I Na is sufficient to significantly prolong APs and lead to the appearance of EADs.
Interpersonal understanding in the elderly. The influence of age-integrated and age-segregated housing.

The present study examined the effects of self-selected age-segregated and age-integrated housing conditions on levels of interpersonal understanding (i.e., social perspectivism) among women 65 to 74 years and 75 and older. A third group of women, 40 to 49 years, was studied in order to establish a middle-aged comparison group. The central findings were that subjects from age-integrated housing had significantly higher levels of interpersonal understanding than subjects from age-segregated housing, and the younger group of elderly subjects had significantly higher levels of interpersonal understanding than the older group.
Using token allocations in a leaky bucket scheme

In general, there are two categories of congestion control algorithms for ATM networks: the reactive and the preventive strategies. Leaky bucket is a common preventive bandwidth enforcement scheme to control the traffic smoothness that flows into the network. This paper investigates a simple modification of the leaky bucket method that can provide priority access to users by requiring different classes of cells to get different number of tokens before receiving services. The complexity of control is simplified since all classes share a common buffer pool. Cell delays and cell loss ratios performance are studied. >
Intracranial Meningioma Resection Using Frameless Stereotaxy

Thirty-four consecutive patients with intracranial meningiomas underwent 35 resections aided by an interactive surgical navigation system (ISN; “frameless stereotaxy”). System capabilities include real-time display of wand location, orientation, and relationship to nearby structures using multiplanar and three-dimensional presentation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) data obtained perioperatively. There were 16 patients with convexity tumors, five patients with sphenoid wing tumors, five patients with falx or parasagittal tumors, and eight patients with skull base tumors (two each: petroclival, cavernous sinus, olfactory groove, and planum sphenoidale).The ISN system was used to locate a minimal craniotomy (i.e., trephine) in 11 (32%) patients, to optimize bone flap design in 13 (38%) patients, to identify the location of parasagittal draining veins in five (15%) patients, and to locate the carotid or basilar arteries in 11 (32%) patients. The techniques provided limited...
Modeling complex x-ray optical systems

Simulation of optical systems is an important tool for optics design for known applications, and in assessing the potential for new applications. Monte Carlo simulations were developed to model complex reflective x-ray optical systems, including polycapillary lenses and micropore optics. The simulations are fully three-dimensional, tracking both the photon trajectories and optic surface normals as vectors. Simulation verification was performed for a wide variety of optics geometries, x-ray source configurations and photon energies and included comparison with both theoretical modeling and experimental data. Glass defects such as surface roughness and ripple as well as defects in optics geometry such as rotation of micropore walls and profile error in polycapillary optics were incorporated and were shown to have differing effects, including reducing throughput or increasing focal spot size, depending on the source and optic geometry and photon energy.
Group screening and Taguchi design in the optimization of multi-echelon maintenance float simulation metamodels

Abstract This paper presents a regression model for a multi-echelon maintenance float policy. The model is based on the use of group screening and the Taguchi approach in determining the experimental design plans. Subsequently, a simulation model is built and the resulting outputs analyzed. Regression metamodels are developed for the average equipment utilization. This model is operational within the bounds defined for the independent variables. The proposed approach enhances the use of simulation in solving complex production problems. Additionally, it reduces the need to study every level of the independent variable. Therefore, when the number of independent variables is large, it is better to identify the common attributes of these variables in relation to the dependent variable. They can then be grouped into classes and used as the new factors in the design.
Radio frequency exposure and safety associated with base stations used for personal wireless telecommunication

The persistent public concern about the biological effects and safety of RF exposure from wireless base stations can be traced, in part, to the public's desire to protect itself from unnecessary exposure to potentially harmful radiation, including RF and microwaves associated with cellular mobile telecommunication operations. This concern is posing new questions regarding the adequacy of the existing knowledge of biological effects of RF electromagnetic fields, and of the protection afforded the public from the harmful effects of these fields. Existing guidelines and standards were developed primarily from a scientific database derived using continuous-wave (CW) exposures. While some studies have reported biological effects specific to the signal forms and modulations commonly used by wireless mobile telecommunication, a majority of previous studies using these signal forms and modulations did not show any effect. However, given the confined scope and extent of recent studies, a wider range of investigations would be propitious in elucidating the safety of wireless base stations.
The diameter of random massive graphs

Many massive graphs (such as the WWW graph and Call graphs) share certain universal characteristics which can be described by so-called the “power law”. Here we determine the diameter of random power law graphs up to a constant factor for almost all ranges of parameters. These results show a strong evidence that the diameters of most massive graphs are about logarithm of their sizes up to a constant factor.
The BOLERO-2 trial: the addition of everolimus to exemestane in the treatment of postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer

The combination of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus with the aromatase inhibitor exemestane was evaluated in the randomized Phase III BOLERO-2 trial. Research has indicated that aberrant signaling through the mTOR pathway is associated with resistance to endocrine therapies. The BOLERO-2 trial examined the effects on progression-free survival of the addition of everolimus to exemestane in a patient population of postmenopausal, hormone receptor-positive, advanced breast cancer. At the interim analysis, the median progression-free survival assessed by local investigators was 6.9 months for everolimus plus exemestane versus 2.8 months for placebo plus exemestane (hazard ratio: 0.43; p < 0.001), and by central assessment was 10.6 versus 4.1 months, respectively (hazard ratio: 0.36; p < 0.001). The everolimus plus exemestane arm showed greater number of grade 3 and 4 adverse events. This study suggests that the addition of everolimus to exemestane is a potential viable treatment option for this patient population.
Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Doubly Charged Anions: Intramolecular Coulomb Repulsion and Solvent Stabilization

Photoelectron spectroscopy has been combined with an electrospray ionization technique to study gas-phase multiply charged anions and their intramolecular Coulomb repulsion and solvation stabilization. We report an initial study on a series of linear dicarboxylate dianions (DC2-), -O2C(CH2)nCO2- (n = 3−6), solvated by one and two waters. The second electron binding energy of DC2- decreases with decreasing aliphatic chain length owing to the increasing Coulomb repulsion between the two charges; the dianion with n = 2 has a binding energy close to zero and is not stable in the gas phase. We found that this dianion can be stabilized by one water, and in general the first water stabilizes the electron binding energy of DC2- by ∼0.3 eV. The second water, however, was observed to show a much stronger stabilization effect (∼0.6 eV), suggesting that the two waters solvate the two carboxylate groups separately.
Recruitment of CS majors through a non-programmer's programming contest

Declining enrollments in computer science are a cause of great concern. There has been a 30% decline in enrollments in computer science bachelor programs over this decade and more than a 50% decline in the enrollment of women in computer science [1]. This paper describes a unique way of attracting excellent students to the major by inviting students and their teachers to a day of exploration and competition hosted by our college. The program has demonstrated an increased awareness of computer science among the students and faculty who attend the day-long event. By including teachers and guidance counselors in the day's events, we hope to give them a better understanding of computer science curricula and careers to bring back to their high schools.
Disposition and irreversible plasma protein binding of tolmetin in humans

The pharmacokinetics and irreversible plasma protein binding of tolmetin were studied in six healthy subjects after the administration of a single, 400 mg dose of tolmetin. With HPLC analysis, tolmetin, tolmetin glucuronide, and the isomers of tolmetin glucuronide, which result from intramolecular acyl migration in vivo, were detected in the plasma up to 4 hours after administration, whereas these conjugates were present in the urine up to 24 hours. Irreversible binding of tolmetin to plasma proteins occurred in all subjects. Irreversible binding exhibited a better correlation with exposure to tolmetin glucuronide (r = 0.5618) and the isomers of tolmetin glucuronide (r = 0.8200) than with exposure to tolmetin (-0.3635). This is consistent with the hypothesis that covalent binding occurs via the acyl glucuronide.
Injuries to the Hallucal Sesamoids in the Athlete

The sesamoids of the great toe, which are small and seemingly insignificant bones, can be the site of disabling pathology for the athlete. Sesamoiditis, osteochondritis, partite sesamoids with stress fractures, displaced fractures, and osteomyelitis have all been reported in the athlete. Bursitis beneath the tibial sesmoid and flexor hallucis brevis tendonitis also occur in the athlete and may be confused with sesamoid injury. Excision of the involved bone is the recommended treatment for displaced fractures and for less severe conditions such as sesamoiditis, osteochondritis, and nondisplaced fractures, if conservative management fails to relieve symptoms.
Antigen Retrieval Immunohistochemistry: Past, Present, and Future

The antigen retrieval (AR) technique, which is predominantly based on high-temperature heating of tissues, is used as a non-enzymatic pretreatment for immunohistochemical staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. It has been widely applied in pathology and analytical morphology. The existence of a growing body of literature on the AR technique raises a number of interesting issues for the further development of AR. These issues include the use of a "test battery" and the concept of "maximal retrieval" applied to the selection of optimal test protocols for the standardization of AR.
The Transition to High School as a Developmental Process Among Multiethnic Urban Youth

The high school transition was examined in an ethnically diverse, urban sample of 1,979 adolescents, followed from 7th to 10th grade (M(age) = 14.6, SD = .37 in 7th grade). Twice annually, data were gathered on adolescents' perceptions of school climate, psychological functioning, and academic behaviors. Piecewise growth modeling results indicate that adolescents were doing well before the transition but experienced transition disruptions in psychological functioning and grades, and many continued to struggle across high school. The immediate experience of the transition appeared to be particularly challenging for African American and Latino students when the numerical representation of their ethnic groups declined significantly from middle to high school. Findings highlight the value of examining the transition in a larger developmental context and the importance of implementing transition support.
STATUS DIFFERENTIATION AND THE COHESION OF SOCIAL NETWORKS

This article examines the effects of status differentiation on the cohesion of a social structure. Using a formal model, we simulate the fates of a hypothetical cohort of newly hired employees, who are equals in the eyes of their boss and in the nascent stages of sorting into a status hierarchy. We cast these employees in a process in which they exert effort, receive public approval from the boss in exchange, and thus come to fill different places in a status order. We then consider the circumstances under which these workers cohere as a group and when, by contrast, differentiation makes cohesion among them unlikely. Our results show that the extent of the boss's autonomy in relationship to employees accounts for this difference in outcomes. Under an autonomous boss, as differentiation transpires, status-based social forces break the group of workers apart. Conversely, when the boss occupies a compromised position, group-level cohesion coexists with differentiation. Our main contribution is the intuition ...
Bacterially-Induced Preterm Labor and Regulation of Prostaglandin-Metabolizing Enzyme Expression in Mice: The Role of Toll-Like Receptor 4

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) is a critical mediator of the cellular response to lipopolysaccharide. Our purpose was to examine the role of TLR-4 in parturition and in the regulation of expression of prostaglandin synthase (cyclooxygenase [COX]-1 and COX-2) and 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) following exposure to heat-killed Escherichia coli (HKE) in pregnant mice. Inbred TLR-4-mutant C3H/HeJ mice and inbred normal C3HeB/FeJ mice on Day 14.5 of a 19- to 20-day gestation received intrauterine injection of either HKE or sterile vehicle (PBS). Preterm or term delivery was recorded for these animals. Tissues (myometrium, decidual caps, placentas, fetal membranes, and fetuses) were collected after injection of sterile vehicle or 5 3 10 9 HKE bacteria (n 5 5 mice per strain per treatment per time point). The COX-1, COX-2, and PGDH gene expression was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We found that 5 3 10 9 HKE induced preterm delivery in 100% of TLR-4-normal mice but in 0% of TLR-4-mutant mice. The HKE exposure up-regulated expression of COX-2, but not of COX-1, in maternal tissues in both mouse strains. The prostaglandin-catabolizing enzyme PGDH was down-regulated in myometrium, fetal membranes, and fetuses in control mice, but no change was observed in TLR-4mutant mice after HKE treatment. These results demonstrate that a functional TLR-4 is essential for HKE-induced preterm labor and PGDH down-regulation but is not essential for HKE-induced COX-2 gene up-regulation. The TLR-4 may mediate bacterially induced preterm labor via regulation of prostaglandin degradation rather than prostaglandin synthesis. gene regulation, parturition, pregnancy uterus
ACR-12 Ionotropic Acetylcholine Receptor Complexes Regulate Inhibitory Motor Neuron Activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Heterogeneity in the composition of neurotransmitter receptors is thought to provide functional diversity that may be important in patterning neural activity and shaping behavior (Dani and Bertrand, 2007; Sassoe-Pognetto, 2011). However, this idea has remained difficult to evaluate directly because of the complexity of neuronal connectivity patterns and uncertainty about the molecular composition of specific receptor types in vivo. Here we dissect how molecular diversity across receptor types contributes to the coordinated activity of excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons express distinct populations of ionotropic acetylcholine receptors (iAChRs) requiring the ACR-12 subunit. The activity level of excitatory motor neurons is influenced through activation of nonsynaptic iAChRs (Jospin et al., 2009; Barbagallo et al., 2010). In contrast, synaptic coupling of excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons is achieved through a second population of iAChRs specifically localized at postsynaptic sites on inhibitory motor neurons. Loss of ACR-12 iAChRs from inhibitory motor neurons leads to reduced synaptic drive, decreased inhibitory neuromuscular signaling, and variability in the sinusoidal motor pattern. Our results provide new insights into mechanisms that establish appropriately balanced excitation and inhibition in the generation of a rhythmic motor behavior and reveal functionally diverse roles for iAChR-mediated signaling in this process.
Measurements of maximal expiratory flow rates in cigarette smokers and nonsmokers using gases of high and low densities.

Maximal expiratory flow (max) measurements were made at various lung volumes in 29 smokers and 29 nonsmokers with normal Spirometric test results, while the subjects breathed a mixture of 80 per cent helium and 20 per cent O2 (He + O2), 70 per cent sulfur hexafluoride and 30 per cent O2 (SF6 + O2), or air. No significant difference was noted between nonsmokers and smokers for expiratory flows while breathing air. max while breathing He + O2, although generally less in smokers, was statistically less for max at 25 per cent .of vital capacity (P < 0.05). The per cent of difference in flow rate (Δmax%) while subjects breathed He + O2, as compared to the flow rates observed while subjects breathed SF6 + O2 (Δmax He + O2-SF6 + O2) was the most sensitive test and was statistically less in smokers than in nonsmokers. Values were statistically less for Δmax at 70 (P<0.01), 75 (P<0.05), and 50 (P<0.05) per cent of total lung capacity, but only for Δmax50 (P < 0.025) with He + O2 and air. It is concluded that the b...
Occurrence and survival condition of lung cancer with different histologies among residents in Pudong new area

Background and objective Different histologies of lung cancer vary in occurrence and prognosis. This study aims to analyze the incidence and occurrence trend of lung cancer and investigate the survival rate and its influential factors among lung cancer patients with different histologies. Methods Permanent residents were recruited between 2002 and 2009 in Pudong New Area (former Nanhui Area and former Pudong Area), Shanghai, China. Annual percent changes were estimated by a linear regression of the logarithm on the incidence rates for eight years. Survival rates were calculated and compared by using life-table analysis and Log-rank test, respectively. Results The standardized incidence rates of lung cancer were 52.28 and 18.86 per 100,000 in males and females, respectively. The median survival time was 410.72 days for specific classified lung cancer. The incidence rates of adenocarcinoma ranked the highest and showed an upward tendency (P<0.05). Patients with small cell lung cancer showed the worst survival condition. The survival condition in males with squamous cell lung cancer living in former Nanhui Area was better compared with those living in former Pudong Area. Conclusion Lung cancers with different histologies demonstrated different occurrence trends and survival rates. Gender, age, and living area influence the survival rates of lung cancer with different histologies. DOI: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2014.03.04
Progress of High-Speed Optoelectronics

During the past decade, there has been a great deal of progress in the development of high-speed optoelectronic components. Semiconductor lasers, photodetectors, and electrooptic modulators with bandwidth in the tens of gigahertz range have been reported. This, coupled with the maturity of fiber optic communications technology, has created an active field of research and development where photonic technologies are used to accomplish a variety of microwave signal processing functions1,2. These functions include: generation, modulation, switching, filtering, and transmission of microwave signals; injection locking, time-shifting, phase-shifting, and frequency modulation of microwave oscillators; RF spectrum analysis and signal identification; and circuit and material characterization.
Theory of Optical Bistability in Nonlinear Media for Slowly Varying Incident Intensity

Many treatments of bistability in nonlinear media describe the phenomena in the regime when the incident intensity varies slowly compared with the material response time by writing down the transmission of a Fabry-Perot interferometer, τ, as a function of the in-tracavity phase shift in a roundtrip pass, δ: τ = (1+F sin2 δ/2)−1 where F = 4r/(1-r)2 and r is the reflectivity from the surface of the material1,2,3. When the index of refraction is a function of the intensity inside the cavity (Iin), the phase shift is intensity-dependent, and it appears that one can substitute the expression for the intensity-dependent phase shift into the expression for the transmission thereby obtaining an expression for the transmission as a function of the intensity inside the cavity. When this equation is solved in conjunction with an expression for the transmission as a function of the ratio of Iin to the incident intensity (I0), one obtains an expression for τ(I0) which may be multivalued. The flaw in this argument is that the expression for the transmission as a function of phase shift is derived assuming 1inear wave propagation where the superposition principle applies2. But the propagation equation is nonlinear, and the superposition principle is not valid!
Abstract IA-21: Malignant progression and the stem‐cell state

The process of invasion and metastasis represents a complex, multi‐step succession of events that, when completed, enables a cancer cell to spawn a macroscopic, clinically detectable tumor. Given the complexity of this process, much effort has been expended in attempting to elucidate how cancer cells acquire the entire spectrum of cell‐biological phenotypes that in aggregate are needed to negotiate the steps of the invasion‐metastasis cascade, as it is often called. The discovery of the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and its importance in conferring multiple malignancy‐associated traits provides one solution to this puzzle, as the expression of one or more EMT‐inducing transcription factors can serve to pleiotropically induce many of these cellular phenotypes. Indeed, the expression of these transcription factors may occur in primary tumors through the actions of paracrine signals that are received by carcinoma cells from the nearby tumor‐associated stroma. Several years ago, we and others discovered that the product of the EMT program is not, as we had anticipated, a mesenchymal cell, but instead is a cell exhibiting many stem‐cell properties and concomitantly expressing a variety of mesenchymal markers. Indeed, extension of this work now suggests that similar dynamics operate in both immortalized mammary epithelial cells and their transformed derivatives. This indicates that the EMT program not only enables cancer cells to physically disseminate, but in addition, because of the self‐renewal potential associated with the stem‐cell state, confers on these disseminated cells an ability to spawn the large number of cells forming a metastasis. Recent research has revealed that stem‐like cells can also be found in cultures of mammary epithelial cells that have undergone various degrees of transformation. Of interest is the fact that these cells retain stem‐cell‐like properties for extended periods of time in culture. Moreover, non‐stem‐like cells in culture appear to be able to spontaneously convert into stem‐cell‐like derivatives, a process that appears to be accelerated by cell transformation. This raises the possibility that the typically depicted hierarchy of stem cells generating non‐stem cells may need to be revised to accommodate the reversal of this process, that is a bidirectional trafficking between cells in the stem‐cell and non‐stem‐cell compartments of a normal or neoplastic tissue. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):IA-21.
Mg2+ and Ca2+ activated ATPase activities of bovine aortic microsomes.

SummaryMicrosomes from bovine aorta contained a magnesium activated or “basic” ATPase activity and a calcium activated ATPase activity that was independent of magnesium. Ca2+ stimulated Mg2+ dependent “extra” ATPase was not demonstrable. Kinetic analyses of the magnesium basic ATPase and calcium ATPase activities suggested that the magnesium activation and calcium activation of ATP hydrolysis probably represent a single enzyme moiety. The ATPase has equal affinity for magnesium and calcium and does not distinguish between them.
Biomechanical Role of the Transverse Carpal Ligament in Carpal Tunnel Compliance

The transverse carpal ligament (TCL) is a significant constituent of the wrist structure and forms the volar boundary of the carpal tunnel. It serves biomechanical and physiological functions, acting as a pulley for the flexor tendons, anchoring the thenar and hypothenar muscles, stabilizing the bony structure, and providing wrist proprioception. This article mainly describes and reviews our recent studies regarding the biomechanical role of the TCL in the compliant characteristics of the carpal tunnel. First, force applied to the TCL from within the carpal tunnel increased arch height and area due to arch width narrowing from the migration of the bony insertion sites of the TCL. The experimental findings were accounted for by a geometric model that elucidated the relationships among arch width, height, and area. Second, carpal arch deformation showed that the carpal tunnel was more flexible at the proximal level than at the distal level and was more compliant in the inward direction than in the outward direction. The hamate-capitate joint had larger angular rotations than the capitate-trapezoid and trapezoid-trapezium joints for their contributions to changes of the carpal arch width. Lastly, pressure application inside the intact and released carpal tunnels led to increased carpal tunnel cross-sectional areas, which were mainly attributable to the expansion of the carpal arch formed by the TCL. Transection of the TCL led to an increase of carpal arch compliance that was nine times greater than that of the intact carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel, while regarded as a stabile structure, demonstrates compliant properties that help to accommodate biomechanical and physiological variants such as changes in carpal tunnel pressure.
Caregivers' perspectives on oral health problems of end-of-life cancer patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine caregivers’ perspectives on oral health problems in cancer patients at the end of life and explore factors that contribute to those perspectives. A cross-sectional, observational clinical study design was used. We recruited dyads of lay caregivers and patients with advanced cancer who were receiving hospice or palliative care in their homes. Caregivers [N = 104, mean age = 55.4 ± 15.0 years (18–100); n = 50 (48 %) African-American; and n = 80 (77 %) female] completed the proxy version of the Oral Problems Scale to provide their perspectives regarding their care recipients’ xerostomia, orofacial pain, and taste change in the past week. More than half of the caregivers reported that care recipients’ oral hygiene was a very important responsibility for caregivers, and over 80 % reported that it was very important to evaluate their care recipients’ oral problems. However, caregivers reported that they asked their care recipients about oral problems infrequently. There were statistically significant correlations between caregivers’ and care recipients’ ratings on xerostomia, orofacial pain, taste change, and functional/social impact. Caregivers’ age and well-being predicted their awareness of care recipients’ oral health problems. Future research efforts should focus on understanding the challenges that prevented caregivers from translating their awareness of the importance of care recipients’ oral health to frequent evaluation and provision of oral care.
Single-Tube 10-Fluorochrome Analysis for Efficient Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Minimal Residual Disease in Plasma Cell Myeloma

Objectives: Widespread adoption of recent recommendations for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection in myeloma has partly been impeded by a paucity of studies detailing multiparameter flow cytometry (MPF) assay validation. In response, we have validated a novel and efficient single-tube 10-color assay for MRD detection that incorporates the recently recommended plasma cell markers. Methods: Aspirate samples from 53 patients with plasma cell disorder were analyzed using a novel single-tube 10-color method. The limit of detection, precision of measurement, and linearity of measurement of our new assay were determined using serial dilution experiments. The stability of the new antibody cocktail and the viability/specificity of stained samples were evaluated using serial time course measurements. Results: There was a high degree of quantitative agreement between our new 10-color method and an established eight-color method. Four positive samples detected by the 10-color assay were below or at the limit of detection of the eight-color assay, confirming its high sensitivity. In two cases, subsequent revision of the International Myeloma Working Group Uniform Response Criteria was necessary. Conclusion: Adoption of our validated 10-color assay would enable clinical laboratories to satisfy current MRD recommendations without significantly increasing the demands on current workflow practices.