cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bradykinin Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Bradykinin stimulation of B(2) kinin receptors has been shown to promote matrix metallo-proteinase (MMP) secretion from trabecular meshwork cells and to increase conventional outflow facility. Because acute secretion of MMPs can be dependent on the activity of extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases (ERK1/2), experiments were performed to determine bradykinin effects on ERK1/2 in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells and the relationship of these effects to MMP-9 release. Treatment of cells with bradykinin produced a rapid 4-to 6-fold increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Stimulation of ERK1/2 activity peaked within 2 min and then declined to control levels by 60 min. The response maximum occurred with 100nM bradykinin and the estimated EC₅₀ was 0.7nM. Treatment of cells with the B₂ kinin receptor agonist, Tyr⁸- bradykinin, also stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation while the B₁ agonist, Lys- [Des-Arg⁹]- bradykinin had no significant effect. In addition, activation of ERK1/2 by bradykinin or Tyr⁸- bradykinin was blocked by the selective B₂ receptor antagonist, Hoe-140. Inhibition of MAP kinase kinase (MEK) with U0126 also blocked bradykinin-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Suppression of protein kinase C activity with the nonselective inhibitor, GF109203X, or by down-regulation with phorbol ester, diminished, but did not eliminate, bradykinin activation of ERK1/2. A similar decrease of ERK1/2 stimulation was observed when Src kinase was inhibited by 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2). Finally, blockade of bradykinin-induced ERK1/2 activation substantially reduced the peptide's action to stimulate MMP-9 release into the extracellular environment. The data demonstrate that bradykinin promotes ERK1/2 activation in human trabecular meshwork cells. The effect is mediated by B₂ kinin receptors, involves two different signaling pathways, and results in increased secretion of MMP-9.
Letter to the editor regarding "Quantification of paraquat, MPTP, and MPP+ in brain tissue using microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry".

In 2009, a paper was published in this journal describing new methods for extraction and analysis of paraquat, MPTP, and MPP+ using microwave extraction and LC/ MS/MS quantitation [1]. These compounds are important in mouse models of Parkinson's disease. One of the paper's co-authors, Mona Thiruchelvam, was recently admonished for scientific misconduct [2] and had to withdraw two of her dozen or so papers on the behavior of treated mice because she reused image data on brain segments. Under normal circumstances, I would not draw attention to her role on the aforementioned paper published here but individuals who are more concerned with personal attack than scientific integrity are using Dr. Thiruchelvam's role on the paper published here to try and besmirch the reputation of other co-authors. As the corresponding author of the ABC paper, I felt it necessary to set the record straight. Dr. Thiruchelvam provided samples and a write-up of how the samples were created (type of animal, dosing, etc.) and nothing more. She had no role in the analysis method, either here or at CDC and her limited participation does not affect the quality of the work published here. As analysts, we are often the target of those who have an agenda because we are the messengers of bad news for someone, either those hoping we will find something in a sample or those hoping we do not. Our principal role is to make the measurement and to the best of our ability provide information about its precision and accuracy. We will never know the outcome of Dr. Thiruchelvam's studies that were withdrawn, but they had nothing to do with the work presented here. Anyone who would imply that her participation in this work impugns the integrity of the other investigators clearly has a secondary agenda. I am disappointed that this letter had to be written, but I am thankful to have the opportunity to explain the situation in greater detail. As analysts, we provide the data and I encourage all to remember that whether the information is good or bad, from your viewpoint, don't kill the messenger.
Assays for allantoinase.

Allantoinase hydrolyzes allantoin, a purine metabolite and a nitrogen transport molecule in plants, to form allantoic acid. The standard enzyme assay involves acid-catalyzed product decomposition to form urea and glyoxylate, reaction of glyoxylate with phenylhydrazine, and oxidative conversion of phenylhydrazone to 1, 5-diphenylformazan that is measured colorimetrically. When used with crude cell extracts this assay is problematic and its complexity is a hindrance to detailed enzyme characterization; thus, three alternative assays were developed. In the first assay, 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine was reacted with allantoate-derived glyoxylate and the concentration of hydrazone was measured directly by its absorbance at 450 nm. This assay exhibited enhanced reproducibility compared to the standard method and entailed fewer steps, but was 3-fold less sensitive. The second assay combined allantoate decomposition and glyoxylate reaction with o-phenylenediamine to yield a quinoxalone that was detected by its absorbance at 340 nm. This one-step method was the least error prone of those examined, but was more than 10-fold less sensitive than the standard assay. The third assay involved urease-catalyzed hydrolysis of allantoate-derived urea, followed by reaction of the released ammonia to form indophenol. This was the most laborious of the assays, but was more sensitive than the standard method.
Misclassification cost minimizing fitness functions for genetic algorithm-based artificial neural network classifiers

We study three different approaches to formulate a misclassification cost minimizing genetic algorithm (GA) fitness function for a GA-neural network classifier. These three different approaches include a fitness function that directly minimizes total misclassification cost, a fitness function that uses posterior probability for minimizing total misclassification cost and a hybrid fitness function that uses an average value of the first two fitness functions to minimize total misclassification cost. Using simulated data sets representing three different distributions and four different misclassification cost matrices, we test the performance of the three fitness functions on a two-group classification problem. Our results indicate that the posterior probability-based misclassification cost minimizing function and the hybrid fitness function are less prone to training data over fitting, but direct misclassification cost minimizing fitness function provides the lowest overall misclassification cost in training tests. For holdout sample tests, when cost asymmetries are low (less than or equal to a ratio of 1:2), the hybrid misclassification cost minimizing fitness function yields the best results; however, when cost asymmetries are high (equal or greater than a ratio of 1:4), the total misclassification cost minimizing function provides the best results. We validate our findings using a real-world data on a bankruptcy prediction problem.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis following childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells of unknown etiology that results in a range of clinical manifestations. LCH has been known to be associated with a variety of malignant diseases. A 7-year-old boy was treated for standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at age 2 years, on a Children's Cancer Group chemotherapy protocol for 3 years and developed LCH 2 years after completion of chemotherapy. The case and a review of literature on the association of LCH and ALL are presented.
ULTRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE OUTER ROW STATOLITH SENSILLA OF THE BLUE CRAB CALLINECTES SAPIDUS

ABSTRACT The outer crescent row of statolith sensilla of Callinectes sapidus was examined morphologically using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The number and diameters of axons within the nerve bundle supplying the sensilla were determined. Intracellular injections of Lucifer Yellow were used to examine the central projections of single sensory neurons from the statolith sensilla. In addition, responses of the sensory neurons to displacements of the sensilla were analyzed using electrophysiological techniques. The outer crescent row consists of 7-9 cuticular sensory sensilla. Each has long filamentous extensions projecting from a main shaft. These sensilla (x = 73 μm in length) are innervated by bipolar sensory neurons with large diameter axons (x = 29 μm) passing in the antennular nerve. The afferent fibers from the outer sensilla row appear to be identical and project into median antennular neuropils bilaterally. Extracellular recordings during displacement of single sensilla support the hypothesis that these sensilla are acceleration-sensitive mechanoreceptors. Stimulation of the nerve bundle innervating the outer row statolith sensilla produces short latency, large amplitude depolarizing potentials in antennular withdrawal interneurons, suggesting that deflection of outer row sensilla is capable of initiating antennular withdrawal.
Cellular senescence, telomere recombination and maintenance

Cellular senescence can be activated by various types of stressful stimuli, including telomere shortening, oncogenic or tumor suppressor signals, and DNA damage. Progressive telomere shortening in suc
On quadrupole vibrations in nearly spherical nuclei

A new understanding of low-lying quadrupole vibrations in nuclei is emerging through lifetime measurements performed with fast neutrons at the accelerator laboratory of the University of Kentucky in combination with high-sensitivity measurements with other probes. In the stable cadmium nuclei, which have long been considered to be the best examples of vibrational behavior, we find that many E2 transition probabilities are well below harmonic vibrator expectations, and the B(E2)s cannot be explained with calculations incorporating configuration mixing between vibrational phonon states and intruder excitations. These data place severe limits on the collective models, and it is suggested that the low-lying levels of the Cd isotopes may not be of vibrational origin. An additional example of an apparent quadrupole vibrational nucleus, 62Ni, is considered.
Phosphorylation of yeast hexokinases.

We show by the use of 32P-labeling in vivo that hexokinase 2 and hexokinase 1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are phosphoproteins. The highest labeling was after incubation in medium with a low concentration of glucose, when labeling appears to be predominant even without use of immunoprecipitation. The nature of the modification is not known, but it has properties consistent with a phosphomonoester of serine or threonine. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase plays a negative role in hexokinase phosphorylation, in that there was reduced labeling in strains (bcyl) lacking a regulatory subunit, and increased labeling during growth with high concentrations of glucose in a strain attenuated in the catalytic subunit (tpklw1). The function of the modification is not known, but there was a correlation between the extent of labeling and the expression of kinase-dependent high-affinity glucose uptake.
Methods for digital restoration of signals degraded by a stochastic impulse response

Several digital restoration methods are extended to the cases in which signals have suffered stochastic blurring. Rather than being regarded in terms of averages, these degradations are treated dynamically in the derivation of restoration algorithms based on various mathematical criteria. It is shown that the integration of the additional uncertainties caused by the variations of the impulse response of the stochastic degradation can be used to obtain better estimates. These uncertainties can be included in the restoration scheme in a very flexible manner through the use of the projection-onto-convex-sets (POCS) method. Conventional constrained methods are also addressed. The benefits of the method are illustrated through one- and two-dimensional simulations. >
Asexual propagules as an adaptive trait for epiphylly in tropical leafy liverworts (Lejeuneaceae)

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Many links between form and function are described in the context of adaptation. Several morphological and life-history traits in the leafy liverwort family Lejeuneaceae (Marchantiophyta) have been hypothesized to be adaptations for living on the surface of leaves of vascular plants (epiphylly). There have been, however, no rigorous tests of these hypotheses. METHODS Using a recently published phylogeny of Lejeuneaceae and trait data from published monographs, I tested the correlations of putative adaptive traits with the incidence of epiphylly. Both cross-species and phylogenetic-based analyses of trait data were performed to distinguish the patterns of shared evolutionary history from independent origins of putatively adaptive traits. The rates of transitions between different combinations of character states were also calculated to determine whether traits were more likely to evolve in the presence of epiphylly. KEY RESULTS Only one trait, production of asexual propagules, was correlated with epiphylly in the phylogenetic-based analysis. The rate of transition to asexual propagules was also significantly higher in the presence of epiphylly. Other traits correlated with epiphylly appeared to be the results of shared evolutionary history among sister taxa and therefore not due to adaptive evolution. CONCLUSION The present study distinguished production of asexual propagules from other traits as a key adaptive response to living on the leaf surface. No other putative "adaptive" traits to epiphylly showed evidence of being specific adaptation to epiphylly. The results highlight the importance of phylogenetically controlled methods in determining an adaptive function of traits.
ILD0 CMP: Technology enabler for high K metal gate in high performance logic devices

The extension of Moore's Law at the 45/32nm nodes is made possible by the introduction of high-k metal gate. In the gate-last scheme to integrate high-k metal gate, planarization and surface topography control have been reported as some of the biggest process challenges. This paper presents a three-platen chemical mechanical planarization process in which fixed abrasive is used on platen 2 and a non-selective slurry is used on platen 3 with a FullVision™ in-situ endpoint system. Superior planarization and dishing performance by the fixed abrasive and consistent endpoint control by FullVision enabled tight control of within wafer, within die and wafer-to-wafer thickness variations that is critical to the success of high k metal gate in high performance logic devices.
The Strelau temperament inventory as a broad classification system

The Strelau Temperament Inventory (STI) is an instrument designed by Jan Strelau to measure broad characteristics of the central nervous system. In a study reported here an American version of it was administered to a group of introductory psychology students, along with the 16PF test and an adjective check list. The findings of this study suggests that the STI does measure high and low reactivity in individuals and may have potential uses for the classification of temperament characteristics in individuals, particularly as a process of determining appropriate learning or behavioral strategies designed to enhance learning.
The Columbine Shootings and the Discourse of Fear

The tragic events on April 20, 1999, in Littleton, Colorado, provide an opportunity to reflect on the nature and consequences of not just the shootings but also the meanings that were ascribed to various facets of those events, including an emergent definition of the “Columbine Syndrome.” Based on a qualitative media analysis, this article examines part of the public presentations and news accounts of the “meanings of Columbine,” with particular emphasis on violence, crime, youth, popular culture, surveillance, social control, and terrorism. Analysis suggests that Columbine was merged with terrorism as part of the broader frame of fear and national security.
Ecological Assessment of Dune Restorations in the Great Lakes Region

Because of the economic and environmental importance of stabilizing fragile sand dune habitats, restoration of dunes has become a common practice. Restoration efforts in the Great Lakes and East Coast regions of North America often consist of planting monocultures of the dominant native grass species, Ammophila breviligulata. We evaluated 18 dune restoration projects in the Great Lakes region conducted over the past 25 years. We characterized attributes of diversity (plants and insects), vegetation structure (plant biomass and cover), and ecological processes (soil nutrients and mycorrhizal fungi abundance) in each restoration, and we compared these measures to geographically paired natural dune communities. Restoration sites were similar to reference sites in most measured variables. Differences between restorations and reference sites were mostly explained by differences in ages, with the younger sites supporting slightly lower plant diversity and mycorrhizal spore abundance than older sites. Plant community composition varied little between restored and reference sites, with only one native forb species, Artemisia campestris, occurring significantly more often in reference sites than restored sites. Although it remains unclear whether more diverse restoration plantings could accelerate convergence on the ecological conditions of reference dunes, in general, traditional restoration efforts involving monoculture plantings of A. breviligulata in Great Lakes sand dunes appear to achieve ecological conditions found in reference dunes.
Particle emission rates from a black hole. III. Charged leptons from a nonrotating hole

The Hawking emission rates from a nonrotating black hole of small charge are calculated for electrons and muons and their antiparticles. During the stochastic emission of these charged leptons, the charge of the hole fluctuates. Assuming that the only type of charged particle emitted significantly by a hole of mass $M$ is one of these spin-1/2 species with mass $\ensuremath{\mu}$ and charge $e$, the probability distribution for the charge of the hole is computed for $0 \ensuremath{\le} \frac{\mathrm{GM}\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}c} \ensuremath{\le} 0.4$. The rms value varies from $6.14e$ for $\frac{\mathrm{GM}\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}c} = 0$ to $2.76e$ for $\frac{\mathrm{GM}\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}c}=0.4$ and is predicted to be $2.34e$ for $\frac{\mathrm{GM}\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}c}gg1$. The electrostatic attraction between the emitted particle and its antiparticle, along with the charge fluctuations, causes the average emission rate and power to be lower than for otherwise-similar uncharged particles. This effect of the charge is calculated (ignoring radiative and self-energy corrections, which are of the same order in $e$) to be a few percent, depending upon $\frac{\mathrm{GM}\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}c}$. The particle rest mass $\ensuremath{\mu}$ also impedes the emission, but by factors which can become much greater for a large enough hole: The average power is reduced to 50% of its value for massless spin-1/2 particles at $\frac{\mathrm{GM}\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}c} = 0.160$ ($M = 8.33\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{16}$ g for electrons, 4.03 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{14}$ g for muons) and to 10% at $\frac{\mathrm{GM}\ensuremath{\mu}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}c} = 0.271$ ($M = 1.41\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{17}$ g for electrons, 6.82 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{14}$ g for muons). It is estimated that muons and heavier particles would contribute about 14% of the power of a nonrotating black hole of $M = 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{14}$ g, helping it to decay away in nearly 16 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{9}$ yr, roughly the present age of the universe.
The role of climate in the dynamics of a hybrid zone in Appalachian salamanders

I examined the potential influence of climate change on the dynamics of a previously studied hybrid zone between a pair of terrestrial salamanders at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, U.S. Forest Service, in the Nantahala Mountains of North Carolina, USA. A 16-year study led by Nelson G. Hairston, Sr. revealed that Plethodon teyahalee and Plethodon shermani hybridized at intermediate elevations, forming a cline between ‘pure’ parental P. teyahalee at lower elevations and ‘pure’ parental P. shermani at higher elevations. From 1974 to 1990 the proportion of salamanders at the higher elevation scored as ‘pure’P. shermani declined significantly, indicating that the hybrid zone was spreading upward. To date there have been no rigorous tests of hypotheses for the movement of this hybrid zone. Using temperature and precipitation data from Coweeta, I re-analyzed Hairston's data to examine whether the observed elevational shift was correlated with variation in either air temperature or precipitation from the same time period. For temperature, my analysis tracked the results of the original study: the proportion of ‘pure’P. shermani at the higher elevation declined significantly with increasing mean annual temperature, whereas the proportion of ‘pure’P. teyahalee at lower elevations did not. There was no discernable relationship between proportions of ‘pure’ individuals of either species with variation in precipitation. From 1974 to 1990, low-elevation air temperatures at the Coweeta Laboratory ranged from annual means of 11.8 to 14.2 °C, compared with a 55-year average (1936–1990) of 12.6 °C. My re-analyses indicate that the upward spread of the hybrid zone is correlated with increasing air temperatures, but not precipitation, and provide an empirical test of a hypothesis for one factor that may have influenced this movement. My results aid in understanding the potential impact that climate change may have on the ecology and evolution of terrestrial salamanders in montane regions.
Nursing's role in complementary and alternative therapy use in critical care

Critical care nurses can expect to encounter more patients using CAT and increasing opportunities and requests for CAT use in their critical care environments. This provides an opportunity for nurses' involvement to shape proactively how the use of these therapies will unfold in critical care. This can be accomplished in various ways. Actively ask patients and families about use of CAT. Initiate discussions with colleagues and peers about professional and personal use of therapies. Explore the knowledge and education needed to administer specific CAT. Engage in research regarding the use of CAT in critical care. Identify experts in the institution and surrounding community. Encourage critical care units and institutions to consider how CAT should be implemented across the institution. From a broader perspective, nurses may become part of professional political processes shaping patient accessibility to CAT and the use of CAT in the discipline, across disciplines, and in healthcare settings and public domains. It is crucial that nurses not relinquish their role as traditional providers of CAT in providing safe, effective, and holistic care at the bedside of critically ill patients.
Unexpected specificity of interspecies cobamide transfer from Geobacter spp. to organohalide-respiring Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains.

Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains conserve energy from reductive dechlorination reactions catalyzed by corrinoid-dependent reductive dehalogenase enzyme systems. Dehalococcoides lacks the ability for de novo corrinoid synthesis, and pure cultures require the addition of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) for growth. In contrast, Geobacter lovleyi, which dechlorinates tetrachloroethene to cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE), and the nondechlorinating species Geobacter sulfurreducens have complete sets of cobamide biosynthesis genes and produced 12.9 ± 2.4 and 24.2 ± 5.8 ng of extracellular cobamide per liter of culture suspension, respectively, during growth with acetate and fumarate in a completely synthetic medium. G. lovleyi-D. mccartyi strain BAV1 or strain FL2 cocultures provided evidence for interspecies corrinoid transfer, and cis-DCE was dechlorinated to vinyl chloride and ethene concomitant with Dehalococcoides growth. In contrast, negligible increase in Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA gene copies and insignificant dechlorination occurred in G. sulfurreducens-D. mccartyi strain BAV1 or strain FL2 cocultures. Apparently, G. lovleyi produces a cobamide that complements Dehalococcoides' nutritional requirements, whereas G. sulfurreducens does not. Interestingly, Dehalococcoides dechlorination activity and growth could be restored in G. sulfurreducens-Dehalococcoides cocultures by adding 10 μM 5′,6′-dimethylbenzimidazole. Observations made with the G. sulfurreducens-Dehalococcoides cocultures suggest that the exchange of the lower ligand generated a cobalamin, which supported Dehalococcoides activity. These findings have implications for in situ bioremediation and suggest that the corrinoid metabolism of Dehalococcoides must be understood to faithfully predict, and possibly enhance, reductive dechlorination activities.
Molecular parentage analysis in experimental newt populations: the response of mating system measures to variation in the operational sex ratio

Abstract: Molecular studies of parentage have been extremely influential in the study of sexual selection in the last decade, but a consensus statistical method for the characterization of genetic mating systems has not yet emerged. Here we study the utility of alternative mating system measures by experimentally altering the intensity of sexual selection in laboratory‐based breeding populations of the rough‐skinned newt. Our experiment involved skewed sex ratio (high sexual selection) and even sex ratio (low sexual selection) treatments, and we assessed the mating system by assigning parentage with microsatellite markers. Our results show that mating system measures based on Bateman’s principles accurately reflect the intensity of sexual selection. One key component of this way of quantifying mating systems is the Bateman gradient, which is currently underutilized in the study of genetic mating systems. We also compare inferences based on Bateman’s principles with those obtained using two other mating sy...
Safety and Completion Rate of Short-Course Therapy for Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Background. Nine months of isoniazid therapy is the recommended regimen for treatment of latent tuberculosis infection, but low completion rates are a serious problem. The search for shorter regimens, compared with the standard isoniazid regimen, is of vital importance. We describe our experience using short-course regimens for the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. Methods. We conducted a nonrandomized, observational study of 459 patients in a county health department from June 2000 to January 2006. Short-course therapy was defined as pyrazinamide and rifampin taken daily or twice weekly for 2 months or rifampin taken daily for 4-6 months. Conventional therapy consisted of a 9-month regimen of isoniazid. Liver function testing was performed for both groups in accordance with clinical guidelines. Treatment completion and hepatotoxicity (according to the World Health Organization classification) were determined for the short-course and conventional therapy groups. Results. Treatment was completed by 241 (77.7%) of 310 patients in the short-course group and by 98 (65.8%) of 149 patients in the isoniazid group (P = .009). Moderate to severe hepatotoxicity (grades 3 and 4) occurred in 6.1% of patients receiving short-course therapy and in 2.0% of patients receiving isoniazid (P = .09). The hepatotoxicity observed in the short-course group was confined to patients receiving pyrazinamide and rifampin daily and was self limited in all cases after the medications were discontinued. Conclusions. The rate of treatment completion was significantly higher with short-course regimens, compared with the isoniazid regimen. Although the overall risk of hepatotoxicity in patients receiving pyrazinamide and rifampin daily for the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection was higher, liver functions returned to normal after the medications were discontinued.
The effects of unsaturated fatty acids on hepatic microsomal drug metabolism and cytochrome P-450

1. The effects of unsaturated fatty acids on drug-metabolizing enzymes in vitro were measured by using rat and rabbit hepatic 9000g supernatant fractions. 2. Unsaturated fatty acids inhibited the hepatic microsomal metabolism of `type I' drugs with inhibition increasing with unsaturation: arachidonic acid>linolenic acid>linoleic acid>oleic acid. Inhibition was independent of lipid peroxidation. Linoleic acid competitively inhibited the microsomal O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole and the N-demethylation of (+)-benzphetamine. 3. The hepatic microsomal metabolism of `type II' substrates, aniline and (−)-amphetamine, was not affected by unsaturated fatty acids. 4. The rate of reduction of p-nitrobenzoic acid and Neoprontosil was accelerated by unsaturated fatty acids. 5. Linoleic acid up to 3·5mm did not decelerate the generation of NADPH by rat liver soluble fraction, nor the activity of NADPH–cytochrome c reductase of rat liver microsomes. Hepatic microsomal NADPH oxidase activity was slightly enhanced by added linoleic acid. 6. No measurable disappearance of exogenously added linoleic acid occurred when this fatty acid was incubated with rat liver microsomes and an NADPH source. 7. The unsaturated fatty acids used in this study produced type I spectra when added to rat liver microsomes, and affected several microsomal enzyme activities in a manner characteristic of type I ligands.
Issues in International Relations

The Cold War was marked by a nuclear stand-off between the United States and the Soviet Union. Not surprisingly, many scholars focused their research on considering the best means for avoiding a nuclear exchange between the two superpowers. A primary issue in this genre was related to deterrence, the idea that rational states could be dissuaded from engaging in a first strike. While the threat to international stability is demonstrably more multi-faceted than during the Cold War, scholars and US policy makers have nonetheless continued to devote substantial attention to deterring the use of nuclear weapons.
Towards a Common Framework for Evaluating Computing Outreach Activities

In the past six years, dozens of conference papers and journal articles have been presented in Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) educational forums concerning computing outreach activities. Nearly half of these (47.5%) appeared in SIGCSE venues. In this study, we used the free-form question "What type of data has been collected in formal, peer-reviewed research that has been conducted on computing outreach activities in recent years"? as a basis for a systematic literature review in these venues from 2009-2015. During the analysis of the articles, it was discovered that a majority of efforts focused on middle school and high school students, a majority of the reported events took place in the United States, and almost half had a goal of increasing gender diversity in computing. This paper summarizes the information about the studies, including their data collection techniques and the data that was collected. We also present a list of recommended practices for data collection, methodologies, and reporting for educational researchers engaged in these activities in an effort to provide comparative data and allow us as a community to more scientifically understand the impact that these activities are having on the participants.
Single Crystalline / Porous Amorphous Superlattice Formation by the Etching of MBE Grown Si/Si1-x Gex Layers on Si Substrates

Novel porous amorphous/crystalline superlattices were produced by the etching of mesas containing superlattices of alternating layers of Si and Si 1−x Ge x . These layers were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (100) Si substrates and etched in an aqueous HF:HNO 3 solution. Preferential attack and amorphization of the Si 1−x Ge x layers was observed, leading to the formation of alternating layers of single crystal Si and porous amorphous Si 1−x Ge x . The etchant is highly selective and it was possible to etch extremely thin (5nm) Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 layers between 30nm Si layers. Complete conversion of the Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 layers to the porous amorphous state was seen in lμm wide mesas. The role of composition and thickness of the Si 1−x Ge x layers was studied. The variation in the lateral etch depths of the Si 1−x Ge x layers in the superlattices demonstrates that lattice strain in these layers is an important factor in the selectivity of the etch process. As the thickness of the Si 1−x Ge x layers is decreased, transport of the etchant to and the etch products from the reaction front is reduced, limiting the penetration of the etching process. The porosities of these etched Si 1−x Ge x layers were determined to be comparable to measured values for thick etched alloy layers.
Infection Status of Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),Hepatitis C Virus Among 206 High Risk Populations in Shushan District of Hefei

Objective To investigate the infection status of Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV),Hepatitis C Virus among high risk populations in Shushan District of Hefei,so as to provide basis for preventing and controlling of these diseases.Methods A total of 206 individuals in Shushan District of Hefei were provided serum to test HIV,HCV antibody by Gold Marked Method and ELISA,the final results should be issued based on HIV confirmatory test,and the detection results were analyzed.Results The seroprevalence of HIV and HCV was 8.73%(17 of 206),3.88%(21 of 206),respectively.Conclusion There existed the risk that HIV was transmitted and spread among the investigated HIV high risk populations.HCV infection had been not found yet.It is necessary to enhance surveil1ance,and control the spread and prevalence of AIDS and HCV.
[Trend on mortality changes for lung cancer during 1972 - 2011 in Qidong, Jiangsu].

Objective To study the trend of mortality changes on lung cancer during the period 1972 to 2011 in Qidong. Methods Cancer registration data from 1972 - 2011 in Qidong was used to analyze the following information as: crude mortality rate (CR) of lung cancer, the age-standardized rates by China population (CASR) and the World population (WASR), the truncated mortality rate of 35 - 64, the accumulative rate of age from 0 to 74 years old, the accumulative risk, and the total percentage over all sites of cancers. The changes on the trend of mortality by gender, age and period were analyzed. Results The CR of lung cancer was 31.15 per 100 000 (males: 45.68, females: 16.95). While CASR and WASR were 14.04, and 22.95 per 100 000, respectively. The truncated rate was 31.82 per 100 000. Accumulative rate, accumulative risk, and total percentage were 2.93%, 2.89%, and 20.50% respectively. The mortality rate of lung cancer in males was significantly higher than that in females, with a sex ratio of 2.69:1. CRs increased remarkably with age among those 30-year-olds, with P value being 0.000. When compared with 9 periods of 1972, 1973 - 1977, 1978 - 1982, 1983 - 1987, 1988 - 1992, 1993 - 1997, 1998 - 2002, 2003 - 2007, and 2008 - 2011, the CRs, CASRs and WASRs increased 6.78-folds, 1.60-folds and 1.92-folds, respectively, with the average annual percentage changes (APC) as 4.78%, 1.86% and 2.04%, respectively. Conclusion The mortality rate of lung cancer among residents during the last four decades in Qidong had been increasing remarkably, suggesting that special attention on lung cancer trend should be highly paid.
Interpersonal Relationships: The Purpose and Characteristics of Professional Nursing

Interpersonal relations is a developing body of scientific knowledge that can be used to explain observations and guide interventions. The knowledge pertains to observable phenomena that go on in an interaction between two or more people. A nurse-patient relationship is a specific kind of interaction that can be experienced, observed, interpreted, and regulated in accordance with useful theories. There is some effort toward and considerable interest in understanding nurse-patient relationships to make the participation of the nurse in them more meaningful and useful to the patient participants. Interpersonal theory, as a body of knowledge, therefore, is of great interest to nurses. It is not the only area of knowledge relevant to nursing practice; knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, physics, microbiology, nutrition, and many other areas are also relevant to nursing. For purposes of discussion, then, it is useful to single out one such area of scientific knowledge and to talk about its relevance to the practice of professional nursing.
The Index of Vulnerability: An anthropological method linking social-ecological systems to mental and physical health outcomes.

Researchers need measures of vulnerability that are grounded in explicit theoretical and conceptual frameworks, that are sensitive to local contexts, and that are easy to collect. This paper presents the Index of Vulnerability (IoV), a quantitative yet anthropologically-informed method connecting social-ecological systems to mental and physical health outcomes. The IoV combines measures of five life domains; food insecurity, water insecurity, access to healthcare, social support, and social status. Scores on this index increase for each life domain where the individual falls into a "high risk" category. Thus, individuals with the highest IoV scores are those who are at risk across multiple life domains. This approach makes the IoV malleable to local contexts, as scholars can choose which measure of each life domain is most appropriate for their study population. An anthropological study conducted among 225 Awajun adults living in the Peruvian Amazon from March to November of 2013 showed that men with higher IoV scores had significantly lower summary fat skinfolds, lower triglyceride levels, and a greater probability of reporting moderate to severe somatic symptoms and poor perceived health. Awajun women with higher IoV scores had significantly elevated perceived stress levels and a greater probability of reporting poor perceived health and moderate to severe somatic and depressive symptoms. Importantly, comparing the IoV to its constituent parts shows that it predicts a wider range of mental and physical health outcomes than any of the life domains alone. The IoV is presented here in relation to the broader political-economic and cultural context of the Awajun, forwarding a critical biocultural approach within anthropology, and demonstrating the IoV's utility for other scholars and practitioners.
Tillage effects on selected chemical properties of grantsburg silt loam

Abstract The objective of this research was to determine the effects of tillage systems on selected chemical properties of a sloping and eroded soil which had previously been in sod. A tillage project was initiated in the spring, 1989 in southern Illinois on a soil with a root‐restricting fragipan. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Mem] were grown on the plot area on a yearly rotation system. Prior to the application of lime or tillage treatments the 0–15 cm Ap horizon had a pH of 6.3, organic carbon (C) of 1.4 g/100g, and CEC equal to 17 meq/100g. Lime had been surface applied early in the spring of 1989 prior to moldboard (MP) and chisel (CP) plowing. Moldboard plowing had lower pH than the other treatments in the 0–5 cm layer in 1989 due to the moldboard plow mixing low pH subsoil material into the 0–5 cm layer and mixing surface applied lime into the 5–15 cm layer. During the 4th year, organic C was lowest for MP (1.28 g/100g) and highest for no tillage (NT) (1.65 g/100g), with CP havin...
Ca va, c’est Kava

This case discusses a pharmacodynamic interaction between the dopamine agonist levodopa and the dopamine receptor antagonist and supplement kava, resulting in increased Parkinsonian symptoms
Translating HDAC inhibitors in Friedreich’s ataxia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by expansion of a GAA·TTC triplet in the first intron of the FXN gene, encoding the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Repeat expansion results in transcriptional silencing through an epigenetic mechanism, resulting in significant decreases in frataxin protein in affected individuals. Areas covered: We review the evidence that histone postsynthetic modifications and heterochromatin formation are responsible for FXN gene silencing in FRDA, along with efforts to reverse silencing with drugs that target histone modifying enzymes. Chemical and pharmacological properties of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which reverse silencing, together with enzyme target profiles and kinetics of inhibition, are discussed. Two HDAC inhibitors have been studied in human clinical trials and the properties of these compounds are compared and contrasted. Expert opinion: 2-aminobenzamide class I HDAC inhibitors...
Self-Healing Attack-Resilient PMU Network for Power System Operation

In this paper, we propose a self-healing phasor measurement unit (PMU) network that exploits the features of dynamic and programmable configuration in a software-defined networking infrastructure to achieve resiliency against cyber-attacks. After a cyber-attack, the configuration of network switches is changed to isolate the compromised PMUs/phasor data concentrators to prevent further propagation of the attack; meanwhile, the disconnected yet uncompromised PMUs will be reconnected to the network to “self-heal” and thus restore the observability of the power system. Specifically, we formulate an integer linear programming model to minimize the overhead of the self-healing process (e.g., the recovery latency), while considering the constraints of power system observability, hardware resources, and network topology. We also propose a heuristic algorithm to decrease the computational complexity. Case studies of a PMU network based on the IEEE 30-bus and 118-bus systems are used to validate the effectiveness of the self-healing mechanism.
CHAPTER 36 – Osteoarthritis and Menopause

The hypothesized relationships between osteoarthritis and ovarian hormone levels usually involve estrogen, but the hypotheses that have emerged are bidirectional. A protective effect for estrogen was first suggested by observations of increased risk of OA during the menopausal transition. The investigators attributed the increased risk of OA to the decline in circulating estrogen levels. Studies, both in vivo and in vitro, suggest that estrogen may be chondrodestructive, potentially though the up-regulation of estrogen receptors. The role for estrogen was further explored in studies of the menopause and in studies of surgical menopause, under the assumption that oophorectomy was a more definable time point at which there was loss of circulating estrogen. Likewise, hormone replacement therapy has been evaluated with the understanding that a factor that is causal of disease can be identified when that factor is replaced in a system in which it is absent.
Halogenated and non-halogenated flame retardant additives in polypropylene (PP) homopolymer for battery applications

The paper describes how to make PP homopolymer flame retardant through the use of halogenated and halogen-free additives. The paper attempts to capture the intricacies involved in compounding recipe development, physical and mechanical properties and performance aspects during injection moulding of the final article. In a nutshell, the paper describes the end user's experience of flame retardant additives in PP homopolymer from concept to product. The present work was directed towards compound development and the characterization of physical, mechanical, flammability performance and performance during the injection moulding of PP homopolymer. The application identified was injection mouldable battery boxes for applications in the telecom sector. PP compounds were prepared from halogen-based and halogen-free flame retardant (FR) additives, designed to meet VO at 3.2 mm thickness as per the UL94 test protocol. Flame retardant polypropylene; (FR-PP) is used for back-up batteries. These are used in telecommunications and railway units and supply energy immediately in the case of an interruption of normal power supply. The batteries contain sulphuric acid as electrolyte. Experimental work was undertaken to develop FR-PP compounds and investigate the effect of FR additives on critical properties. The effect of FR-additives on the heat sealing properties of battery containers was also investigated. The results show that halogenated FR additives can contribute to the excellent acid resistance of PP. Use of non-halogenated FR additives in PP resulted in compounds having densities close to 1.0 g/cm 3 , at identical loadings to those used with halogenated FR additives. In comparison, FR-PP compounds based on halogenated FR additives gave densities close to 1.2 g/cm 3 . The data obtained from this investigation show that both types of FR/PP compounds are suitable for battery box applications made by injection moulding.
Laser Interventions for Early Cancer in the Upper Aerodigestive Tract

The glottis is a unique subsite of the aerodigestive tract where cancer often presents early. A small lesion of the vocal fold often causes a marked change in an individual’s voice, leading to the discovery of early glottic cancer. Furthermore, the glottis is a unique subsite of head and neck cancer as its lymphatic drainage is sparse. This combination of factors causes a large number of glottic cancers to present early without spread to adjacent lymph nodes.
Ketogenic Diet-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Prolonged QT interval (>450) is reported in 3 of 20 pediatric epilepsy patients (mean age 9.8 +/- 4.7 years) treated with the ketogenic diet at the University of Cincinnati, OH.
Characterisation of the hydrophobic collapse of polystyrene in water using free energy techniques

AbstractWe characterise the hydrophobic collapse of single polystyrene chains in water using molecular dynamics simulations. Specifically, we calculate the potential of mean force for the collapse of a single polystyrene chain in water using metadynamics, comparing the results between all atomistic with coarse-grained (CG) molecular simulation. We next explore the scaling behaviour of the collapsed globular shape at the minimum energy configuration, characterised by the radius of gyration, as a function of chain length. The exponent is close to one third, consistent with that predicted for a polymer chain in bad solvent. We also explore the scaling behaviour of the solvent accessible surface area (SASA) as a function of chain length, finding a similar exponent for both all atomistic and CG simulations. Furthermore, calculation of the local water density as a function of chain length near the minimum energy configuration suggests that intermediate chain lengths are more likely to form dewetted states, as c...