cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of high/low-context culture and power distance on choice of communication media: Students’ media choice to communicate with Professors in Japan and America

Abstract This study focuses on two widely used cultural constructs, high-context (HC)/low-context (LC) culture, and power distance (PD), and investigates their influence on media choice behavior. The propositions that Japan is a higher context and PD culture than the United States were tested. The study also explored the association between individual cultural values and choice of communication media. The results, the post hoc analysis, implications and limitations are presented.
A Human (3.3kb) Haptoglobin-Cat Transgene Is Modulated in Lungs of Transgenic Mice by Inflammation

Abstract Four independent lines of transgenic mice were produced carrying integrated copies of a chimeric gene composed of 3.3 kb of the human haptoglobin 5′ regulatory region fused to the CAT (chloramphenicol acetyl transferase) reporter gene. Although the endogenous mouse haptoglobin (Hp) and human haptoglobin (HP) genes express mainly in liver and lung, expression of the human 3.3-kb HP-CAT transgene was not detected until after induction of inflammation and then only in lungs. The results indicated that the transgene maintained the regulatory DNA elements required for lung specific responsiveness to inflammation in vivo but lacked the DNA sequence required for robust expression in liver. The DNA sequence(s) responsible for the normally high level of HP expression in liver either reside outside the 3.3-kb regulatory region of the HP chimeric gene or this region contains a suppressor sequence affecting tissue specific expression in the liver.
A hollow-core cavity in three-layer photonic crystals

We designed a hollow-core mode-gap cavity in three-layer photonic crystals with Q of 77,000 and 67% air energy concentration ratio. The 3D photonic confinement is achieved through in-plane PBG guiding and vertical total internal reflection.
Highly variable effects of beryllium and beryllium fluoride on tubulin polymerization under different reaction conditions: comparison of assembly reactions dependent on microtubule-associated proteins, glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and glutamate.

Abstract Carlier et al. (1988, Biochemistry 27, 3555–3559; 1989, Biochemistry 28, 1783–1791) described enhancement of tubulin polymerization and stabilization of glycerol-induced microtubules by BeF 3 − (by addition of both BeSO 4 and NaF to reaction mixtures). We were able to confirm the stabilization of glycerol-induced polymer reported by these workers, provided Mg 2+ was also present in the reaction. When we examined polymerization dependent on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), however, we obtained very different results. BeF 3 − had no significant effect on this reaction, or the polymer formed, under any condition examined. Lower concentrations of BeSO 4 alone, in contrast to a negligible effect in glycerol, enhanced polymerization with MAPs provided the concentrations of both Mg 2+ and GTP were low; and Be 2+ stabilized the polymer, if the GTP concentration was low, at both low and high Mg 2+ concentrations. Higher concentrations of BeSO 4 precipitated tubulin, an effect which was not affected by Mg 2+ , partially prevented but not reversed by MAPs, and prevented or reversed by either NaF or nucleotides at adequate concentrations. These results suggest that Be 2+ binds at site(s) distinct from Mg 2+ site(s), and that partial occupancy of these site(s) at lower Be 2+ concentrations enhances tubulin polymerization and polymer stability, while extensive occupancy at higher Be 2+ concentrations results in tubulin precipitation. Effects of Be 2+ and BeF 3 − on polymerization dependent on dimethyl sulfoxide or glutamate were also evaluated. The dimethyl sulfoxide system displayed properties similar to those of the glycerol system, while the glutamate system was similar to the MAPs system.
Potato tuber proteins and their nutritional quality

Proteins in Red Pontiac potato tubers were fractionated by two methods. Tuberin was the main protein (71%) obtained by Method I (though perhaps by this method up to 40% of the ‘tuberin’ was albumin), while albumin was about half of the total protein obtained by Method II. The amino acid composition of protein fractions obtained by either method was quite similar. All the protein fractions except prolamine were well balanced in essential amino acids and comparable to FAO reference protein. Methionine was the limiting amino acid of the potato fractions. The chemical score, essential amino acid indices and biological value of albumin, globulin, glutelin and residual protein did not vary significantly. Since all the fractions except prolamine, which is a negligible portion of total protein, are of high nutritional quality, Red Pontiac has high-quality protein.
Retained fetal lung liquid in congenital lobar emphysema: a possible predictor of polyalveolar lobe

The purpose of this study was to determine whether retention of fetal lung liquid is more prevalent in polyalveolar congenital lobar emphysema than in conventional congenital lobar emphysema. Two patients with congenital lobar emphysema were prospectively identified in a 3-year period. Twenty-five such patients were identified in a retrospective study covering 39 years. Medical records were available for 22 patients who had 23 emphysematous lobes. Both babies from the prospective study and six subjects from the retrospective group had respiratory symptoms and underwent chest X-ray in the first day of life. Six of the eight babies with respiratory symptoms and chest imaging in the first day of life had retention of fetal lung liquid in an emphysematous lobe. All six of these lobes were polyalveolar. The lobe in one child was a polyalveolar lobe but without retained fetal lung liquid, and one child exhibited conventional lobar emphysema also without retained fetal lung liquid. One polyalveolar lobe caused no neonatal symptoms and was not imaged until the child was 3 months old. No baby with conventional lobar emphysema was shown to have retained fetal lung liquid. There seems to be a correlation between polyalveolar lobe and onset of respiratory symptoms in the first day of life. Retention of fetal lung liquid within the affected lobe was documented only in cases of polyalveolar lobe.
Genomic Targeting and High-Resolution Mapping of the Tsn1 Gene in Wheat

Tan spot, caused by the fungal pathogen Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died.) Drechs. causes severe yield losses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) and durum (T. turgidum L., 2n = 4x = 28, AABB). The Tsnl gene acts dominantly to confer sensitivity to a host-selective proteinaceous toxin (Ptr ToxA) produced by the fungus. Our objectives were to: (i) target markers to the Tsnl genomic region and (ii) develop a high-resolution map of the Tsnl locus. The techniques of methylation-sensitive AFLP, traditional AFLP, and cDNA-AFLP were combined with bulked segregant analysis (BSA) using various wheat and durum cytogenetic stocks to target markers to the Tsnl genomic region. Over 500 primer combinations were screened resulting in the identification of 18 low-copy markers closely linked to Tsnl. High-resolution mapping of the markers delineated the Tsnl gene to a 0.2 cM interval in a hexaploid wheat population consisting of 1266 gametes, and to 0.8 cM in a durum wheat population consisting of 1860 gametes. Comparisons with rice BAC/PAC sequences indicated the lack of colinearity within the Tsnl genomic region. Tsnl was located within a gene-rich recombination hot spot region, and the physical distance separating the flanking markers may be as little as 200 kb. Therefore, these markers will serve as a basis for the map-based cloning of Tsnl. The isolation of Tsnl will further our knowledge of wheat-tan spot interactions as well as host-pathogen interactions in general.
Studies with Menhaden Oil in Practical-Type Broiler Rations

Abstract DANSKY (1963) using a practical-type ration and Edwards and Marion (1963) using purified diets reported growth responses from young chickens when menhaden oil was incorporated into the rations. A problem of feeding fish oils to poultry is the imparting of off flavor to the meat. Carlson et al. (1957) reviewed this subject and reported additional studies on levels of menhaden oil that may be fed without imparting off-flavors, and on the effects of feeding an antioxidant DPPD and beef tallow along with menhaden oil on off-flavors. Studies reported in this communication were initiated to study the effect of feeding menhaden oil on growth rate and feed conversions and to make observations on the influence of feeding menhaden oil, alone and in combination with other fats, on flavor. EXPERIMENTAL The composition of the ration used in these studies is shown in Table 1. All substitutions were made by displacing an equal…
Merits of stress thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with inconclusive exercise electrocardiograms: correlation with coronary arteriograms.

Abstract Stress thallium-201 myocardial perfusion images were obtained in 65 patients with an inconclusive exercise electrocardiogram. All 65 patients underwent coronary angiographic studies. The exercise electrocardiogram was judged inconclusive in 35 patients (54 percent) because submaximal exercise had been performed and in 30 patients (46 percent) who manifested ST-T segment abnormalities at rest. Exercise thallium-201 myocardial perfusion images were abnormal in 20 patients and normal in 45. Nineteen (95 percent) of the 20 patients with abnormal exercise images had severe disease of one or more major coronary arteries. Thirty-seven (82 percent) of the 45 patients with normal exercise images had no significant coronary artery disease; the remaining 8 patients had coronary artery disease. Therefore, 19 of 27 patients with coronary artery disease had abnormal exercise images (sensitivity 70 percent), and 37 of 38 patients without coronary artery disease had normal exercise images (specificity 97 percent). Thallium-201 imaging predicted the correct diagnosis in 56 patients (86 percent). Thus, exercise myocardial imaging with thallium-201 appears to be a useful diagnostic aid in patients with an inconclusive exercise electrocardiogram.
Further data on the selective expression of Ly-5 isoforms

Ly-5 (CD45) glycoproteins of the mouse, expressed by all or most hematopoietic cell lineages and specified by a single Ly-5 gene, range in size from isoform T200 of T cells (the smallest), in which exons 4, 5, and 6 are not represented, to isoform B220 of B cells (the largest), in which all three of these optional exons are represented. The main purpose of the present study, utilizing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was to ascertain whether known isoforms of intermediate size are generated by single or dual usage of optional exons 4, 5, and 6. Transcripts representing all eight isoforms predictable from varied use of three exons were observed among a diverse panel of nine B-cell tumors in culture, but there was no evident concordance with known contrasting differential features that distinguish members of the B-cell tumor panel. No two B tumors exhibited the same variety of transcripts and the relative quantities of transcripts expressed varied greatly from tumor to tumor. Cloning of B-cell tumors did not alter their distinctive transcript patterns. Separation methods (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; SDS-PAGE) did not suffice to segregate all corresponding expressed isoforms but did establish that transcripts representing usage of a single optional exon and of two optional exons were actually translated, which supports a provisional inference that all eight isoforms exist. The considerable diversity of B-cell transcript phenotypes was not seen among seven T-cell leukemias, two cytolytic T-cell lines, and three Th1 helper T-cell lines, all of which displayed a uniform phenotype comprising major expression of the T200 transcript (no optional exon) and minor expression of a transcript employing exon 5. However, a panel of five cloned Th2 T-cell lines, which represents a second and functionality different branch of the helper/inducer T-cell category, exhibited a characteristic transcript pattern which distinguished them from a panel of three Th1 T-cell lines. The major transcript in the Th2 lines was also T200, but the Th2 lines showed higher representation of transcript containing optional exons. A single Th2 clone expressed an unusual transcript suggesting a potential isoform not compounded simply by varied inclusion of the three identified optional exons. After activation of the helper T-cell lines with concanavalin A (Con A), expression of transcript containing optional exons appeared to decrease.
Neutrophil chemotaxis in families with localized juvenile periodontitis.

Localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) is characterized by severe, early onset alveolar bone loss, localized to the first molars and incisors and a high prevalence of infection with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and associated neutrophil functional abnormalities. Due to the frequent occurrence of this condition in families, it was the purpose of this investigation to determine the association of neutrophil chemotaxis abnormalities and clinical periodontal disease in families with LJP. Twenty-two families were studied in which the proband was selected based upon presentation of LJP. All siblings were examined for the presence of LJP and neutrophil chemotaxis was measured on all subjects. The results indicate that there is a high association of LJP and neutrophil chemotaxis disorders and that this association is consistent along family lines. Specially, in families in which the proband exhibits a neutrophil chemotaxis disorder, all affected siblings (LJP) also exhibit depressed neutrophil chemotaxis, whereas, non-affected siblings beyond the age of puberty have normal neutrophil chemotaxis. On the other hand, in families where the proband (LJP) exhibits normal chemotaxis, both normal and affected siblings exhibit normal chemotaxis. The finding among families with LJP that some exhibit neutrophil chemotactic depression and others exhibit normal neutrophils suggests heterogeneity of LJP. Accordingly, it is proposed that there is a syndrome of familial localized juvenile periodontitis with depressed neutrophil chemotaxis and another form of familial localized juvenile periodontitis with normal neutrophil chemotaxis. The chemotaxis disorder and LJP occur in nearly one-half of the siblings in families with LJP. which is consistent with a dominant trait. however, multigenerational studies are necessary to determine the mode of inheritance. Hence, neutrophil chemotaxis is a disease marker which can be used in genetic studies of familial LJP with depressed neutrophil chemotaxis. Furthermore, prepubertal siblings often exhibit defective neutrophil chemotaxis in the families in which the proband exhibits such a defect. Since the prepubertal siblings are not affected by clinically detectable LJP, the finding of neutrophil chemotactic depression in these children further suggests that the neutrophil chemotactic defect is genetic in origin, precedes and may predispose to localized juvenile periodontitis.
Characteristics of diamond-like carbon films formed by a hybrid laser-plasma ablation of graphite

Abstract A novel laser-plasma technique was used for the deposition of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films. The films were deposited in vacuum and in hydrogen ambients and the substrate temperature was varied from 25 to 860 °C. The DLC films were characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The sp3/sp2 fraction was estimated by using the effective number of valence electrons, n eff , from n and k measurements. The Raman disorder mode, or D band and the Raman-allowed graphitic mode, or G band, were deconvoluted using gaussian functions. A correlation was obtained between the sp3 concentration, (Csp3), and the D band shift. Specifically, an increase in Csp3 resulted in a downward shift in the D band. The results are supported by FTIR measurements indicating a combination of disordered and sp3 phonon absorption bands for the films deposited in a vacuum ambient and stabilized sp3 bonds for the films deposited in a hydrogen ambient.
An investigation of the antecedents of turnover intention for manufacturing plant managers

Shows how a survey of 216 plant managers is used to develop and test an integrated model of their turnover intentions. The model incorporates role stressors, task characteristics, job involvement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment as predictors of intention to stay in the organization. The results provide moderate support for the proposed model and show that organizational commitment had a direct and positive effect on plant managers’ intention to stay with their organization. Indirect effects on intention to stay were found for job satisfaction, job involvement, task characteristics and role stressors. Results show that job satisfaction is considered the most important factor directly affecting organizational commitment, while job involvement also had a direct effect on organizational commitment. Role stressors were found to be the most disfunctional variables affecting satisfaction of the plant managers. The results also indicated that task characteristics play an important role in predicting job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intention to stay. Presents implications for top management to improve job satisfaction, organization commitment and retention of plant managers.
Perfusion fixation preserves enhanced yellow fluorescent protein and other cellular markers in lymphoid tissues

Fluorescent proteins are increasingly being used to analyze cellular gene expression and to facilitate tracking of cell lineages in vivo. One of these, enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) has several properties such as intense fluorescence and little to no toxicity in cells, which makes it an excellent molecule to label proteins and cells of interest. In live cells, visualization of EYFP has been highly successful; however, detection of EYFP in lymphoid tissue sections, particularly in combination with other markers of interest has been difficult. This is because of the enhanced solubility of EYFP in the absence of fixation. When extended fixation protocols are employed, EYFP is preserved but detection of other cellular antigens becomes problematic due to over fixation. Here we demonstrate that EYFP-expressing T and B cells can be efficiently visualized in lymphoid tissue sections without compromising the ability to detect other cellular markers.
Radiographic Technique for Difficult Maxillary Third Molar Views

A satisfactory maxillary third molar radiograph is obtained by positioning the X-ray cone superior to the zygomatic arch and posterior to the maxillary tuberosity in an oblique angle.
Protein kinase A inhibits leukotriene synthesis by phosphorylation of 5-lipoxygenase on serine 523.

Leukotrienes (LTs) are lipid messengers generated by leukocytes that drive inflammation and modulate neighboring cell function. The synthesis of LTs from arachidonic acid is initiated by the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). We report for the first time that LT synthesis is inhibited by the direct action of protein kinase A (PKA) on 5-LO. The catalytic subunit of PKA directly phosphorylated 5-LO in vivo and in vitro and inhibited activity in intact cells and in vitro. Mutation of Ser-523 on human 5-LO prevented phosphorylation by PKA and restored LT synthesis. Treatment with PKA activators inhibited LTB4 synthesis in 3T3 cells expressing wild type 5-LO but not in cells expressing the S523A mutant of 5-LO. The mechanism of inhibition of LTB4 synthesis did not involve either reduced membrane association of activated 5-LO or redistribution of 5-LO from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Instead, PKA phosphorylation of recombinant 5-LO inhibited in vitro activity, as did co-transfection of cells with 5-LO plus the catalytic subunit of PKA. Also, substitution of Ser-523 with glutamic acid, mimicking phosphorylation, resulted in the total loss of 5-LO activity. These results indicate that PKA phosphorylates 5-LO on Ser-523, which inhibits the catalytic activity of 5-LO and reduces cellular LT generation. Thus, PKA activation, as can occur in response to adenosine, prostaglandin E2, β-adrenergic agonists, and other mediators, is a means of directly reducing 5-LO activity and LT synthesis that may be important in limiting inflammation and maintaining homeostasis.
Control of NAD(P)+-transhydrogenase levels in Escherichia coli

Abstract ATP and respiration (NADH)-driven NAD(P) + transhydrogenase (EC 1.6.1.1) activities are low in membranes from Escherichia coli cultured on yeast extract medium (17 and 21 nmol/min × mg) but high on glucose (82 and 142 nmol/min × mg). The ATPase and respiratory activities in both cases appeared comparable. Growth of the bacteria in yeast extract medium followed by washing and replacement into a glucose medium showed that after 3 h the energy-linked and energy-independent NAD(P) + transhydrogenase (reduction of acetylpyridine NAD + by NADPH) activities had appeared simultaneously. Incorporation of chloramphenicol or omission of glucose in the induction medium resulted in no increase in these activities indicating that de novo protein synthesis is required for the induction of energy-linked and -independent NAD(P) + transhydrogenase. It was found that the K m values for acetylpyridine NAD + and NADPH for the energy-independent reaction in membranes from glucose grown cells (143 and 62 μ m ) were similar to those in membranes from cells grown on glucose-yeast extract (135 and 45 μ m ), respectively, but the maximum velocity at infinite acetyl pyridine NAD + and NADPH increased from 353 to 2175 nmol/min × mg. Furthermore, the membrane-bound NAD(P) + transhydrogenase in glucose-yeast extract grown cells showed substrate inhibition at high NADPH and low acetyl pyridine NAD + levels. Further kinetic data demonstrate that the mechanism of the energy-independent NAD(P) + transhydrogenase in E. coli is similar to that of the mitochondrial enzyme and exhibits similar responses to competitive inhibitors at the NAD + and NADPH sites.
Maximum entropy fracture model and its use for predicting cyclic hysteresis in Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu and Sn3.0Ag0.5 solder alloys

Abstract Appropriate constitutive, damage accumulation and fracture models are critical to accurate life predictions. In this study, we utilize the maximum entropy fracture model (MEFM) to predict and validate cyclic hysteresis in Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu and Sn3.0Ag0.5 solder alloys through a damage enhanced Anand viscoplasticity model. MEFM is a single-parameter, information theory inspired model that aims to provide the best estimate for accumulated damage at a material point in ductile solids in the absence of detailed microstructural information. Using the developed model, we predict the load drop during cyclic fatigue testing of the two chosen alloys. A custom-built microscale mechanical tester was utilized to carryout isothermal cyclic fatigue tests on specially designed assemblies. The resultant relationship between load drop and accumulated inelastic dissipation was used to extract the geometry and temperature-independent damage accumulation parameter of the maximum entropy fracture model for each alloy. The damage accumulation relationship is input into the Anand viscoplastic constitutive model, allowing prediction of the stress–strain hysteresis and cyclic load drop. The damage accumulation model is validated by comparing predicted and measured load drops after 55 and 85 cycles respectively for Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu and Sn3.0Ag0.5 solder alloys. The predictions agreed to within 10% and 20% of the experimental observations respectively for the two alloys. The damage enhanced Anand model developed in this study will enable the tracking of crack fronts during finite element simulations of fatigue crack initiation and propagation in complex solder joint geometries.
B-Lymphoid cell lines derived fromHLA-D homozygous donors

Multiple lymphoid cell lines were derived from 35HLA-D homozygous donors by EB-viral transformation of B lymphocytes. The expression of Ia-like alloantigens (HLA-DR) was studied by microcytotoxicity and by absorption with alloantisera exchanged through the Seventh Histocompatibility Workshop. B-lymphoid lines expressed the same specificities as normal B lymphocytes. Workshop antisera representing DRw1, DRw2, DRw3, and DRw7 gave well-defined typing patterns with cell lines derived from donors of corresponding D-locus specificities. A more complex reaction pattern was seen for antisera representing DRw4, DRw5, and DRw6. The available reagents could not discriminate between lines from donors homozygous for Dw4, Dw10, or D-KH. All lines studied, except for those from one donor homozygous for a unique D-locus determinant (D-SPO), could be assigned one of the provisional DRw specificities. The advantage of obtaining multiple cell lines from a single donor was evident. One line could not be typed by microcytotoxicity because it was lysed in all human sera tested, and some other lines gave weak cytotoxic reactions. Absorption studies, however, did indicate similar expression of DRw antigens on these lines. The availability of multiple lines from the same donor circumvented these difficulties.
The suppression of myogenic functions in heterokaryons formed by fusing chick myocytes to diploid rat fibroblasts

Heterokaryons were formed by fusing differentiated chick skeletal myocytes to fibroblasts derived from skin, lung or heart cultures. The heterokaryons were analyzed for the synthesis of skeletal myosin light chains, acetylcholine receptor, total CPK activity and the ability to spontaneously fuse to form myotubes. Whereas all of the above myogenic functions were expressed in control heterokaryons formed between myocytes and myoblasts, all were extinguished in the crosses between myocytes and fibroblasts. These results confirm that the suppression of myogenic functions previously observed in cell hybrids involving fibroblastoid tumor cells also occurs in heterokaryons isolated using biochemical inhibitors between diploid fibroblasts and chick skeletal myocytes.
Mifepristone: is there a place in the treatment of Cushing’s disease?

The purpose was to review the use of mifepristone in the treatment of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) in the context of other recently published studies. We review the use of mifepristone, as published in the recent Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Mifepristone in the Treatment of Endogenous Cushing’s Syndrome (SEISMIC). We also review the multiple case reports and case series of mifepristone use in CS. A review of other medications used in the treatment of Cushing’s disease (CD), including pasireotide and cabergoline also provides context for the discussion of the role of mifepristone in the treatment of CD. The results show that the treatment of CD has been primarily surgical with medical therapy reserved for adjuvant therapy when primary treatment fails or other therapies require time for optimal efficacy. Two recent large prospective studies, using pasireotide and mifepristone provide new clinical insights to the medical treatment of CD in particular. Mifepristone has been used to treat excessive cortisol production by blocking the action of cortisol at the level of the glucocorticoid receptor. Until recently, the majority of clinical experience with mifepristone on the treatment of excess cortisol was derived from case reports and small case series. Based on the SEISMIC study, mifepristone was FDA approved for hyperglycemia associated with CS. In conclusion the role of mifepristone in the treatment of CD remains one of adjuvant therapy. Its place among other choices for medical therapy has yet to be firmly established and an evidenced-based approach toward the use of novel medications in the treatment of CD has not been made. Selection of medication depends on drug approval and availability in individual countries and requires cautious assessment of potential adverse effects, consideration of patient comorbidities, and efficacy.
K 4 - -factor in a graph

Let G be a graph of order 4k and let δ(G) denote the minimum degree of G. Let F be a given connected graph. Suppose that |V(G)| is a multiple of |V(F)|. A spanning subgraph of G is called an F-factor if its components are all isomorphic to F. In this paper, we prove that if δ(G)≥5-2k, then G contains a K4--factor (K4- is the graph obtained from K4 by deleting just one edge). The condition on the minimum degree is best possible in a sense. In addition, the proof can be made algorithmic. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 39: 111–128, 2002
Note: Design and construction of a multi-scale, high-resolution, tube-generated X-Ray computed-tomography system for three-dimensional (3D) imaging

The design and construction of a high resolution modular x-ray computed tomography (XCT) system is described. The approach for meeting a specified set of performance goals tailored toward experimental versatility is highlighted. The instrument is unique in its detector and x-ray source configuration, both of which enable elevated optimization of spatial and temporal resolution. The process for component selection is provided. The selected components are specified, the custom component design discussed, and the integration of both into a fully functional XCT instrument is outlined. The novelty of this design is a new lab-scale detector and imaging optimization through x-ray source and detector modularity.
SEEING OURSELVES AS OTHERS SEE US Convergence and Divergence in Assessments of Communication Behavior

Participants' descriptions of their own communication behavior were found to correlate very poorly with descriptions contributed by peers, subordinates, and superiors in a large corporate organization. Participants' responses reflected an egocentric bias in their tendency to rate themselves higher than others rated them. Also, strong intrarater consistency reflected the possible influence of raters' implicit perceptions of role-related communicative behavior. We concluded that self and other attributions of communicative behavior, since they tended not to agree, pose further questions regarding the use of rating scales in communication research. It appears that we often do not see ourselves as others see us, and this finding may be especially problematic for researchers who rely exclusively on one type of rating procedure.
PREDATION AND STEADY STATES IN HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS

A study of the role played by predation in a population dynamical model previously considered for spin-polaron-pairs in high-Tc superconductors is presented. A practical model which exhibits two positive linearly stable steady state populations is considered. A discussion of various aspects and implications of the model is given.
Efficacy of thermal balloon ablation in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in menstrual pattern, quality of life, and patient satisfaction after thermal balloon ablation for abnormal uterine bleeding. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred forty-one women who underwent thermal balloon ablation in our institution initially had their charts reviewed for demographics, procedure data, clinical history, and follow-up. Thereafter, a telephone interview was conducted to assess postprocedural menstrual pattern, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Data were compared with the use of appropriate tests for categoric or continuous variables and logistic regression. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 18 months, and a telephone interview was obtained for 119 of 141 patients. A reduction in days per cycle (9.6 vs 3.1 days, P P P CONCLUSION: Thermal balloon ablation is a safe and efficient method to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. It reduces the menstrual flow, improves the quality of life, and remarkably fulfills expectations in selected patients.
Coherent frequency-to-time mapping revisited: Breaking the Fraunhofer limit to achieve ultrabroad radio-frequency waveforms

In this contribution, we revisit the criteria required to achieve the well-known frequency-to-time mapping phenomenon. It is found that the popular far-field inequality is too restrictive when applied to most of the waveforms of interest in radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation. A new condition based on notions borrowed from the field of antenna engineering is investigated. This “antenna designer's formula” sets a more precise limit on the minimum dispersion required for the frequency-to-time mapping to occur. Numerical and experimental results show how spectrally engineered waveforms are mapped into the time domain using dispersion amounts smaller than expected. These results pave the way to synthesize electromagnetic pulses with ultrabroad frequency content using coherent frequency-to-time mapping.
Cooperative Unfolding of a Metastable Serpin to a Molten Globule Suggests a Link Between Functional and Folding Energy Landscapes

Abstract Alpha-1 antitrypsin (α 1 -AT) is a member of the serpin class of protease inhibitors, and folds to a metastable state rather than its thermodynamically most stable native state. Upon cleavage by a target protease, α 1 -AT undergoes a dramatic conformational change to a stable form, translocating the bound protease more than 70 A to form an inhibitory protease–serpin complex. Numerous mutagenesis studies on serpins have demonstrated the trade-off between the stability of the metastable state on the one hand and the inhibitory efficiency on the other. Studies of the equilibrium unfolding of serpins provide insight into this connection between structural plasticity and metastability. We studied equilibrium unfolding of wild-type α 1 -AT using hydrogen-deuterium/exchange mass spectrometry to characterize the structure and the stability of an equilibrium intermediate that was observed in low concentrations of denaturant in earlier studies. Our results show that the intermediate observed at low concentrations of denaturant has no protection from hydrogen-deuterium exchange, indicating a lack of stable structure. Further, differential scanning calorimetry of α 1 -AT at low concentrations of denaturant shows no heat capacity peak during thermal denaturation, indicating that the transition from the intermediate to the unfolded state is not a cooperative first-order-like phase transition.. Our results show that the unfolding of α 1 -AT involves a cooperative transition to a molten globule form, followed by a non-cooperative transition to a random-coil form as more guanidine is added. Thus, the entire α 1 -AT molecule consists of one cooperative structural unit rather than multiple structural domains with different stabilities. Furthermore, our results together with previous mutagenesis studies suggest a possible link between an equilibrium molten globule and a functional intermediate that may be populated during the protease inhibition.
Monolithic column HPLC separation of intact proteins analyzed by LC-MALDI using on-plate digestion: An approach to integrate protein separation and identification.

A method is developed to integrate a protein separation by monolithic capillary reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography to on-probe tryptic digestion for subsequent analyses by MALDI-TOF MS and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. The method provides a means of directly interfacing separations to MALDI-MS, reducing the amount of time required for traditional procedures involving in-solution enzymatic digestion and sample cleanup prior to MALDI-MS analysis. When used with pI-based fractionation as a first dimension, it provides a means of analyzing complex mixtures of proteins with minimal sample handling and cleanup. The use of monolithic capillary columns sufficiently resolved intact proteins so that peptide mass fingerprinting analysis by MALDI-TOF MS resulted in the identification of close to 40 unique proteins from 120 ng of sample obtained from a prefractionated MCF10 cell line at pH 6.34, where the identifications of several of these proteins were also confirmed by intact MW and tandem mass spectrometric...
Oxygen sensitivity of recessed and unrecessed antimony pH microelectrodes

It is desirable to reduce or eliminate the oxygen sensitivity of antimony pH microelectrodes in physiological applications because it is not possible to determine if changes in the electrode's EMF are associated with changes in pH or pO2. The oxygen sensitivity of electroplated antimony pH microelectrodes was experimentally determined for a factorial combination of (a) recessing the electrode tip, (b) saturating the medium with antimony axoide and (c) buffering the medium with phosphate. After establishing the baseline pH sensitivity in phosphate buffers, EMF was measured in a flow-through chamber using an electrometer, while the equilibrating gas was varied selectively from 5 per cent to 21 per cent oxygen. The investigation concluded that recessing the antimony pH microelectrode does not eliminate but does reduce the electrode's oxygen sensitivity. Saturating the medium with antimony oxide or buffering with phosphate do not reduce the oxygen sensitivity of the antimony pH microelectrode. Loss of electroplated antimony from the tip of the antimony pH microelectrode was associated with an increase in EMF.
Genetics, epigenetics, and causation

Abstract Much of the continuing controversy concerning the roles of genomic and nongenomic (epigenetic) processes in the regulation (causation) of growth is resolved by an analysis of the several types of causation. It can be shown that the combination of genomic and epigenetic factors is a necessary cause of craniofacial growth. A review of some recent literature serves to clarify this conclusion which is of potential clinical use since therapeutic intervention is always an epigenetic event.
Assessment of the Cost of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology

The article by Borget et al1 in the Journal is most timely and brings to the forefront the relevance of an adequate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimen and how a high rate of unsatisfactory specimens (27.4%) significantly affects the cost. This is not surprising: it is a basic premise that if a test is not performed correctly, this will lead …
The Role of Electroporation in Defibrillation

Electric shock is the only effective therapy against ventricular fibrillation. However, shocks are also known to cause electroporation of cell membranes. We sought to determine the impact of electroporation on ventricular conduction and defibrillation. We optically mapped electrical activity in coronary-perfused rabbit hearts during electric shocks (50 to 500 V). Electroporation was evident from transient depolarization, reduction of action potential amplitude, and upstroke dV/dt. Electroporation was voltage dependent and significantly more pronounced at the endocardium versus the epicardium, with thresholds of 229+/-81 versus 318+/-84 V, respectively (P=0.01, n=10), both being above the defibrillation threshold of 181.3+/-45.8 V. Epicardial electroporation was localized to a small area near the electrode, whereas endocardial electroporation was observed at the bundles and trabeculas throughout the entire endocardium. Higher-resolution imaging revealed that papillary muscles (n=10) were most affected. Electroporation and conduction block thresholds in papillary muscles were 281+/-64 V and 380+/-79 V, respectively. We observed no arrhythmia in association with electroporation. Further, preconditioning with high-energy shocks prevented reinduction of fibrillation by 50-V shocks, which were otherwise proarrhythmic. Endocardial bundles are the most susceptible to electroporation and the resulting conduction impairment. Electroporation is not associated with proarrhythmic effects and is associated with a reduction of vulnerability.
Local Perivascular Delivery of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Surgery: Results of a Phase I Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background—Angiogenesis is a promising treatment strategy for patients who are not candidates for standard revascularization, because it promotes the growth of new blood vessels in ischemic myocard...
Cumulative impacts of fisheries in the California Current

Ecosystem-based fisheries management calls for the consideration of the indirect and cumulative effects of fishing, in addition to estimating direct fishing mortality. Here, we quantify such effects of fishing fleets, and their interactions, using a spatially explicit Atlantis simulation model of the food web and fisheries in the California Current. Simulations testing the effects of single fleets suggested that bottom trawl, fixed gear, and hake (Merluccius productus) trawl primarily have direct impacts on their target and bycatch species. Few indirect effects from these three fleets extended through predator–prey links to other parts of the food web. In contrast, effects of the purse seine fleet extended beyond the three groups it harvested, strongly altering the abundance of predators, planktonic prey, and benthos. In terms of nine ecosystem attributes, our experiments involving single fleets identified six fleets that caused the bulk of negative impacts. Specific fleets impacted different aspects of the ecosystem, for instance with groundfish gears causing reductions in piscivore abundance, and hake trawl and purse seine increasing krill through reducing abundance of planktivores. In terms of interactions among fleets' effects, the vast majority of effects were simply additive – the combined effect of two fleets was simply the sum of the individual fleets' effects. The analyses offer one way to sharpen the focus of ecosystem-based fisheries management in the California Current, emphasizing impacts and interactions of particular stressors.
Changing Parent’s Mindfulness, Child Management Skills and Relationship Quality With Their Youth: Results From a Randomized Pilot Intervention Trial

We evaluated the efficacy of a mindful parenting program for changing parents’ mindfulness, child management practices, and relationships with their early adolescent youth and tested whether changes in parents’ mindfulness mediated changes in other domains. We conducted a pilot randomized trial with 65 families and tested an adapted version of the Strengthening Families Program: For Parent and Youth 10–14 that infused mindfulness principles and practices against the original program and a delayed intervention control group. Results of pre-post analyses of mother and youth-report data showed that the mindful parenting program generally demonstrated comparable effects to the original program on measures of child management practices and stronger effects on measures of mindful parenting and parent–youth relationship qualities. Moreover, mediation analyses indicated that the mindful parenting program operated indirectly on the quality of parent–youth relationships through changes in mindful parenting. Overall, the findings suggest that infusing mindful parenting activities into existing empirically validated parenting programs can enhance their effects on family risk and protection during the transition to adolescence.
RESOURCE GUIDE FOR ANTHROPOLOGISTS WORKING IN FAITH‐BASED DEVELOPMENT

Although faith-based organizations (FBOs) historically have played an important role in the provision of social services, the recent expansion of funding opportunities to support their work in tandem with the neoliberal imperative to privatize social services delivery have propelled a newfound scholarly focus on their activities. This resource guide provides a brief overview of both the expansion of funding sources generated from the United States and selections of anthropological research engagement with FBOs worldwide.
PI3Kp110-, Src-, FAK-dependent and DOCK2-independent migration and invasion of CXCL13-stimulated prostate cancer cells.

Most prostate cancer (PCa)-related deaths are due to metastasis, which is mediated in part by chemokine receptor and corresponding ligand interaction. We have previously shown that PCa tissue and cell lines express high levels of the chemokine receptor CXCR5, than compared to their normal counterparts, and interaction of CXCR5 with its specific ligand (CXCL13) promoted PCa cell invasion, migration, and differential matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. This study dissects some of the molecular mechanisms following CXCL13-CXCR5 interaction that mediate PCa cell migration and invasion. Using Western blot analysis, kinase-specific cell-based ELISAs, and migration and invasion assays, we show that PCa cell lines differentially express phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) catalytic subunit isoforms and dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2). Specifically, we show that PC3 and normal prostatic epithelial (RWPE-1), but not LNCaP cell lines expressed DOCK2, while RWPE, PC3, and LNCaP cell lines expressed PI3K-p110α and -p110β. Moreover, PC3 selectively expressed PI3K-p110γ, but LNCaP and RWPE cell lines expressed PI3Kp110δ. CXCL13 caused CXCR5-dependent activation of the PI3Kp85α in LNCaP cells, and p85α as well as -p101 in PC3 cells. CXCL13-CXCR5 interaction regulated LNCaP and PC3 cell migration and invasion through extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation that was primarily dependent on the PI3Kp110 isoform(s), Src, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), but not DOCK2. While additional studies will be needed to determine the PI3K-independent (i.e., DOCK2-mediated) and -dependent events that dictate PCa cell responsiveness to CXCL13, these data provide evidence of the existence of cell type- and stimulus-specific signaling events that support migration and invasion of PCa cells.
Nutritional and physiological effects of flax seed in diets for laying fowl

Dietary flax seed may prove to be a key feed ingredient in establishing the egg as a food useful for promoting cardiovascular health in humans. Yolk linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n-3) increases in a lin...
Historical Perspectives: An abridged history of sex steroid hormone receptor action

The field of steroid hormone action is well established, although it is barely more than four decades old. Pivotal experiments in the late 1950s and 1960s showed that hormone-binding components exi...
Applying an Extension of Estimation of Distribution Algorithm (EDA) for Mobile Robots to Learn Motion Patterns from Demonstration

This paper proposes a probabilistic evolutionary computing algorithm for robots to learn motion patterns. This algorithm is inspired from Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDA). The distribution of chromosomes (not the genes), which have higher fitness values in the configuration space, is estimated in a configuration space. A modified Probabilistic Rapidly growing Random Tree (PRRT)-Connect algorithm is used for searching the configuration space to generate chromosomes which are represented as paths from the starting point to the goal point. Mutation is defined as searching with certain probability outside of the current distribution area (obstacle-free area). This algorithm is applied for robotic learning of motion trajectories through imitation. Simulation and practical experimental results are given in this paper to verify the effectiveness of this algorithm. The major contribution of this paper is proposing an extension of current EDAs, which could be applied for rapid robotic imitation learning.
Nonrecourse Liabilities and Real Costs: A Reply to Professor Johnson

After Professor Calvin Johnson had challenged an earlier article of the author (“The Unanswered Question in Tufts: What Was the Purchaser’s Basis?”), the author returned fire. The author of the original article claims - without fear of refutation in this context - that he won the skirmish.