cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-dimensional Fourier-transform spectroscopy of potassium vapor

Various two-dimensional Fourier-transform spectra of potassium vapor have been obtained to show coherent interactions and isolate Raman-like coherences. The experimental results agree well with numerical calculation based on optical Bloch equations.
Pulmonary complications of cirrhosis.

Pulmonary vascular complications of liver disease comprise two distinct clinical entities: hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS—microvascular dilatation and angiogenesis) and portopulmonary hypertension (POPH—vasoconstriction and remodeling in resistance vessels). These complications occur in similar pathophysiologic environments and may share pathogenic mechanisms. HPS is found in 15% to 30% of patients with cirrhosis and its presence increases mortality and the risks of liver transplantation, particularly when hypoxemia is present. Contrast echocardiography and arterial blood gas analysis are required to establish the diagnosis. No medical therapies are available, although liver transplantation is effective in reversing the syndrome. POPH is found in 4% to 8% of patients undergoing liver transplantation evaluation, and the presence of moderate to severe disease significantly increases perioperative transplant mortality. Transthoracic echocardiography is recommended for screening and right-heart catheterization is required to establish the diagnosis. Medical therapies are increasingly effective in improving pulmonary vascular hemodynamics in POPH and may result in better perioperative outcomes.
A Dynamic Program for Male Parental Care in Fishes: Brood Cycling and Filial Cannibalism

We constructed a dynamic programming model to investigate the phenomena of brood cycling and filial cannibalism in fishes with paternal care. We assumed that parents behave so as to maximize their total expectation of hatching clutches during a breeding season plus a small probability of breeding in future seasons. We further assumed ecological tradeoffs among fitness components such that investment in one component of fitness results in a reduction in other fitness components. We found that the pattern of brood cycling was most strongly affected by mating costs to survival of the parent and survival of the eggs in the nest. Filial cannibalism was most strongly affected by feeding costs to parent and nest survival. Brood cycling appeared to be independent of feeding costs, and filial cannibalism appeared to be independent of mating costs.
Inhibition of steroidogenesis at various sites in the biosynthetic pathway in relation to induced ovulation.

The ability of aminoglutethimide phosphate, Metopirone, AY 9944 and Su 10603 to block ovulation in immature rats treated with PMS and LH has been compared with the action of cyanoketone, an inhibitor of steroid synthesis and of ovulation. Aminoglutethimide phosphate, a 20α-cholesterol oxidase inhibitor, and Su 10603, a 17α-steroid hydroxylase inhibitor, were able to inhibit ovulation only at high doses. Metopirone, an 11/3-steroid hydroxylase inhibitor, and AY 9944, an inhibitor of the A7-sterol reductase, had no effect on ovulation at several different doses. Cyanoketone, the most effective inhibitor yet examined, prevents ovulation when administered up to 6 hr after treatment with LH. It appears that steroid action on a follicular target site for a minimum of 6 hr may be necessary for ovulation. A hypothesis is presented to explain the mechanism of ovulation which is based on the assumption that induction of steroidogenesis by ovarian cells is a primary action of LH in the rat. The resulting steroid (s)...
Direct dynamics classical trajectory simulations of the O+ + CH4 reaction at hyperthermal energies

A Born-Oppenheimer direct dynamics simulation of the O(+) + CH(4) reaction dynamics at hyperthermal energies has been carried out with the PM3 (ground quartet state) Hamiltonian. Calculations were performed at various collision energies ranging from 0.5 to 10 eV with emphasis on high energy collisions where this reaction is relevant to materials erosion studies in low Earth orbit and geosynchronous Earth orbit. Charge transfer to give CH(4)(+) is the dominant channel arising from O(+) + CH(4) collisions in this energy range, but most of the emphasis in our study is on collisions that lead to reaction. All energetically accessible reaction channels were found, including products containing carbon-oxygen bonds, which is in agreement with the results of recent experiments. After correcting for compensating errors in competing reaction channels, our excitation functions show quantitative agreement with experiment (for which absolute magnitudes of cross sections are available) at high collision energies (several eV). More detailed properties, such as translational and angular distributions, show qualitative agreement. The opacity function reveals a high selectivity for producing OH(+) at high impact parameters, CH(3)(+)/CH(2)(+)/H(2)O(+) at intermediate impact parameters, and H(2)CO(+)/HCO(+)/CO(+) at small impact parameters. Angular distributions for CH(3)(+)/CH(2)(+)/OH(+) are forward scattered at high collision energies which implies the importance of direct reaction mechanisms, while reaction complexes play an important role at lower energies, especially for the H(2)O(+) product. Finally, we find that the nominally spin-forbidden product CH(3)(+) + OH can be produced by a spin-allowed pathway that involves the formation of the triplet excited product CH(3)(+)(a(3)E). This explains why CH(3)(+) can have a high cross section, even at very low collision energies. The results of this work suggest that the PM3 method may be applied directly to the study of O(+) reactions with small alkane molecules and polymer surfaces.
Effects of monothioglycerol, alpha-chlorohydrin and 5-thio-D-glucose on the fertility of male hamster

Abstract Male hamsters were treated with monothioglycerol, alphachlorohydrin and 5-thio-D-glucose and their fertility was tested by mating and after artificial insemination with epididymal spermatozoa. Monothioglycerol at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight twice daily for 5 weeks deprived 4 out of 5 males of their fertility. The epididymal spermatozoa of two of the infertile males could effect fertilization when deposited in the uterus artificially. Thus, the infertility of these two males appeared to be due to a sperm toxic action of the accessory gland secretions rather than the lack of fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa. Oral administration of alpha-chlorohydrin at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight daily for 1 week induced sterility in all of the 8 males treated. This sterility appeared to be due to adverse effects on both the spermatozoa and the male accessory glands. 5-thio-D-glucose administered in silastic capsules had only a marginal effect even after 5 weeks of treatment and only 1 out of 6 animals became sterile.
Localised aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta

The clinical, roentgenographic and aortographic data were reviewed in 12 patients with localised descending, thoracic aortic aneurysms. The current study indicates that arteriosclerotic peripheral vascular disease not infrequently produced localised saccular aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta. Characteristic symptomatology was unusual; most aneurysms were detected as incidental roentgenographic findings. The aneurysms projected from the posteroloteral aspect of the aorta and roentgenographically appeared as left hilar masses or left retrocardiac masses when located in the mid and lower descending thoracic aorta, respectively. Specific rim calcification or vertebral erosion was not encountered in any case. During aortography only a small portion of the aneurysm was outlined with contrast material due to partial obliteration of the aneurysmal cavity with thrombus.
Learning through Emotion: An Approach for Integrating Student and Teacher Emotions into the Classroom:

Learning through emotion is the use of emotions of the students and teacher as a basis for learning the meaning of organizational behavior principles. This approach assumes that the feelings that students and teachers have during the process of the course are useful data about their organizational reality. Thus emotions experienced in the class are used as a springboard for the analysis of behavioral principles and organizational life. Description and examples of the approach are provided. In addition, an underlying philosophy of teaching, relevant to the ethical use of this approach, is discussed.
Service-Induced Campaign Contributions and the Electoral Equilibrium

Candidates for office are modeled as promising services, such as support for legislation and intervention in the bureaucracy, to interest groups in exchange for campaign contributions. An electoral equilibrium is characterized in which candidates choose service-contribution offers and interest groups choose whether to contribute. The model provides several explanations of congressional incumbents' success in over 90 percent of their reelection contests: a recognition advantage, a high personal valuation of the office, a lower cost of providing services, and policy alignment with high demand interest groups. The model yields predictions that are consistent with empirical findings on the relation between campaign contributions and election outcomes.
The Role of Radiation Therapy in Localized Ewing's Sarcoma

Ewing's sarcoma is a radiosensitive tumor that has historically been treated primarily with radiation therapy (RT). With the introduction of effective systemic therapy in the early 1970s, RT remained the primary local control modality until recently. With the concern about second tumors in the irradiated field and improved surgical techniques, surgical resection is currently playing a more important role in the management of these tumors. There have been no randomized trials comparing radiation with surgery, and in most series, patients with smaller tumors in accessible sites are treated with surgical resection. Retrospective reviews typically show a greater advantage to the use of surgery than do prospective trials. Although there may be slight local control advantage to surgery, the survival advantage is not great. Since the mid-1980s, fields tailored to the tumor volume have been recommended and the use of whole-bone irradiation has been abandoned. Local control has not been adversely effected. The intergroup trials for Ewing's sarcoma have recommended 45 Gy to a larger volume followed by a 10 Gy boost since 1978. Data from other studies suggest that the dose may be decreased in selected situations. Older studies of functional outcome report significant late effects related to radiation, but these seem to be reduced in more recent series.
Variation in firing order of human soleus motoneurons during voluntary and reflex activation

Abstract The activation of motoneurons in a muscle pool is said to proceed as an ordered array in response to both dorsal root stimulation and voluntary activation, with small motoneurons being recruited before larger ones. We have examined 19 voluntarily recruited soleus motor units in 5 normal subjects and found that in 18 cases, the lowest threshold motor unit recruited by slowly increasing ‘tonic’ voluntary activity was different from the lowest threshold unit recruited by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa (phasic Hoffman reflex). These initially recruited voluntary units were, however, part of the pool influenced by the stimulated afferent because, during tonic activation, the timing of their discharge could be shown to be altered by electrical stimulation at a lower intensity than that required for H recruitment at rest. These findings suggest that the pool of soleus motoneurons responding to the voluntary command “tonically plantar flex your ankle” differs somewhat, in order of activation, from the pool responding to phasic stimulation of the largest diameter fibers in the tibial nerve, perhaps because of inhomogeneities in the distribution of descending or segmental inputs to the soleus motoneuron pool. Whether this partitioning is functional or a reflection of minor, random variations in synaptic density remains to be determined.
Influence of Integrating Induced Fan and Pressurization Fan on Energy-Saving of 300 MW Coal-Fired Power Units

Through integrating the induced draft fan and desulphurization pressurization fan, the retrofited 300 MW coal-fired power unit can achieve lower power consumption rate. The operation economy has been improved, and it is also found that this retrofit can benefit the operation of both the boiler and gas desulfurization system. This work can provide valuable reference for the economic analysis of similar units.
A Conservative Approach to Performing Transseptal Punctures Without the Use of Intracardiac Echocardiography: Stepwise Approach with Real-Time Video Clips

Atrial transseptal puncture as a means of accessing the left heart is a critical component of catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, left-sided accessory pathways, and access to the left ventricle in patients with certain types of prosthetic aortic valves. Although this technique has been performed successfully since the 1950s, severe and potentially life-threatening complications can still occur, including cardiac tamponade and/or death. Some have adopted the use of intracardiac echocardiography, but our laboratory and many others throughout the world have successfully relied on fluoroscopic imaging alone. The aim of this brief report is to describe in detail our technique for performing transseptal punctures during catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation. We employ a similar approach when targeting left-sided accessory pathways, although only a single transseptal is performed in those cases. Utilizing a series of real-time video clips, we describe our technique of double transseptal puncture and illustrate in detail ways in which to avoid common pitfalls.
Two-pore K+ channels, NO and metabolic inhibition

Abstract Ischemic preconditioning is a potent endogenous mechanism protecting many organs from the devastating effects of prolonged ischemia. In the heart, NO is one mediator of this myoprotective response thought to involve activation of the KATP channel. Ischemic preconditioning is known to be induced by metabolic inhibition using sodium cyanide (NaCN) in single cardiomyocytes. In the present study, we show for the first time that the end effector channel activated by NaCN has been incorrectly identified. The channel activated is not KATP but instead belongs to the relatively new family of two-pore domain potassium channels (K2P). Further when activated by metabolic ischemia, the amplitude of K2P current is directly modulated by activators and inhibitors of the NO pathway.
QUALITY OF CABBAGE PART III: EFFECTS OF BLANCHING ON THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF CABBAGE (BRASSICA OLERACEA L.) PROTEINS1

Cabbage was blanched in solution or vacuum impregnated in a solution followed by steam blanching. The crude protein content of untreated dehydrated cabbage was 15,4%. Analysis of fresh as well as blanched cabbage products for amino acids indicated that glutamic acid accounted for about 30% of the recovered amino acids. Steam blanching led to loss of cysteine, the level of which was unaffected by blanching in solution. In vitro availability of amino acids indicated that the predicted biological value and chemical score for the available amino acids were decreased after blanching. Availability of sulfur-containing amino acids was increased when the cabbage was blanched in solution. The electrophoretic patterns for proteins in cabbage blanched in solution and steam-blanched cabbage were similar, but were different from the pattern for protein in fresh cabbage.
Bone age advancement in prepubertal children with obesity and premature adrenarche: possible potentiating factors

Obesity and premature adrenarche (PA) are both associated with bone age (BA) advancement of unclear etiology, which may lead to earlier puberty, suboptimal final height and obesity in adulthood. Our objective was to understand the hormonal and anthropometric characteristics of BA advancement in a spectrum of prepubertal children with and without obesity and PA. In this cross-sectional study of 66 prepubertal children (35 PA, 31 control, 5–9 years), BMI z-score, hormonal values and response to an oral glucose tolerance test were the main outcome measures. Subjects were divided into tertiles by BA divided by chronological age (BA/CA), an index of BA advancement. Subjects in the top tertile for BA/CA had the highest dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), free testosterone (%), hemoglobin A1C, BMI z-score, and weight (P < 0.05). BMI z-score (r = 0.47), weight (r = 0.40), free testosterone (%) (r = 0.34), and DHEAS (r = 0.30) correlated with BA/CA (P < 0.02). Regression analysis showed greater BA/CA in PA compared to controls after controlling for weight (0.21 ± 0.56, P < 0.004). An exploratory stepwise regression model showed that weight, estradiol, and DHEAS were the strongest predictors of BA/CA accounting for 24% of its variance. Obesity was highly associated with BA advancement in this study of prepubertal children. In addition, children with PA had greater BA/CA at any given weight when compared to controls. These findings suggest a possible hormonal factor, which potentiates the effect of obesity on BA advancement in children with obesity and/or PA.
Raman spectra of TiO2-II, TiO2-III, SnO2, and GeO2 at high pressure

Abstract Raman spectra of the orthorhombic (II) and high pressure (III) phases of titanium dioxide at pressures to 372 kbar and effects of temperature and hydrostatic pressure on Raman spectra of the tetagonal cassiterite-like phases of TiO 2 , GeO 2 and SnO 2 are described. At room temperature, the TiO 2 II–III transition is sluggish, and metastable coexistence was observed from 200 to 300 kbar. The Raman spectra of TiO 2 -III imply that its primitive cell contains at least four formula units; however, the structure could not be established from the Raman spectra and available powder X-ray diffraction patterns. The temperature and pressure dependences of the spectrum of the tetragonal MO 2 phases together with bulk moduli and thermal expansion data were used to evaluate the pure-volume and pure-temperature contributions to the isobaric temperature dependence of the Raman frequencies. Large anharmonicities in TiO 2 are attributed to hybridization of the oxygen p states with the d states of the Ti ion. GeO 2 , where p -electron bonding is involved, is much less Enharmonic.
Adaptive modulation and coding for communication over the atmospheric turbulence channels

We propose an adaptive coding scheme that provides robust and spectrally-efficient transmission over strong atmospheric turbulence channels. We demonstrate that deep fades in the order of 35 dB and above can be tolerated with proposed scheme.
Characterization of turbidity in Florida's Lake Okeechobee and Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries using MODIS-Aqua measurements

This paper describes the use of ocean color remote sensing data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the Aqua satellite to characterize turbidity in Lake Okeechobee and its primary drainage basins, the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries from 2002 to 2010. Drainage modification and agricultural development in southern Florida transport sediments and nutrients from watershed agricultural areas to Lake Okeechobee. As a result of development around Lake Okeechobee and the estuaries that are connected to Lake Okeechobee, estuarine conditions have also been adversely impacted, resulting in salinity and nutrient fluctuations. The measurement of water turbidity in lacustrine and estuarine ecosystems allows researchers to understand important factors such as light limitation and the potential release of nutrients from re-suspended sediments. Based on a strong correlation between water turbidity and normalized water-leaving radiance at the near-infrared (NIR) band (nL(w)(869)), a new satellite water turbidity algorithm has been developed for Lake Okeechobee. This study has shown important applications with satellite-measured nL(w)(869) data for water quality monitoring and measurements for turbid inland lakes. MODIS-Aqua-measured water property data are derived using the shortwave infrared (SWIR)-based atmospheric correction algorithm in order to remotely obtain synoptic turbidity data in Lake Okeechobee and normalized water-leaving radiance using the red band (nL(w)(645)) in the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. We found varied, but distinct seasonal, spatial, and event driven turbidity trends in Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuary regions. Wind waves and hurricanes have the largest influence on turbidity trends in Lake Okeechobee, while tides, currents, wind waves, and hurricanes influence the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuarine areas.
The autopsy in pediatrics and pediatric oncology: a single-institution experience.

Autopsy rates and clinicopathologic correlations for pediatric autopsies and the subgroup of pediatric oncology autopsies in a large teaching hospital were studied to evaluate the utility of autopsy in these populations. Autopsy records of the University of North Carolina hospitals from 1982 to 2001 were reviewed for all patients less than 18 years of age. Autopsies performed during 1982 to 1991 (decade 1) were compared to those from 1992 to 2001 (decade 2) with respect to absolute numbers of autopsy and rates of unexpected postmortem diagnoses. Postmortem diagnostic discrepancies were subclassified into major and minor categories. The mean number of autopsies per year for decade 1 was 110 ± 24.5, compared with 77.5 ± 40.9 for decade 2 (P < 0.001), a change largely due to a decline in fetal/perinatal (patients < 7 days of age) autopsies. Of 533 pediatric autopsies, 43 were in patients with a primary diagnosis of a neoplasia. At least one antemortem misdiagnosis and/or clinically occult process was identif...
Structural similarity assessment for drug sensitivity prediction in cancer

The ability to predict drug sensitivity in cancer is one of the exciting promises of pharmacogenomic research. Several groups have demonstrated the ability to predict drug sensitivity by integrating chemo-sensitivity data and associated gene expression measurements from large anti-cancer drug screens such as NCI-60. The general approach is based on comparing gene expression measurements from sensitive and resistant cancer cell lines and deriving drug sensitivity profiles consisting of lists of genes whose expression is predictive of response to a drug. Importantly, it has been shown that such profiles are generic and can be applied to cancer cell lines that are not part of the anti-cancer screen. However, one limitation is that the profiles can not be generated for untested drugs (i.e., drugs that are not part of an anti-cancer drug screen). In this work, we propose using an existing drug sensitivity profile for drug A as a substitute for an untested drug B given high structural similarities between drugs A and B. We first show that structural similarity between pairs of compounds in the NCI-60 dataset highly correlates with the similarity between their activities across the cancer cell lines. This result shows that structurally similar drugs can be expected to have a similar effect on cancer cell lines. We next set out to test our hypothesis that we can use existing drug sensitivity profiles as substitute profiles for untested drugs. In a cross-validation experiment, we found that the use of substitute profiles is possible without a significant loss of prediction accuracy if the substitute profile was generated from a compound with high structural similarity to the untested compound. Anti-cancer drug screens are a valuable resource for generating omics-based drug sensitivity profiles. We show that it is possible to extend the usefulness of existing screens to untested drugs by deriving substitute sensitivity profiles from structurally similar drugs part of the screen.
Precoders for message-passing detection of partial-response channels

Parallel message-passing detectors for partial-response channels have the property that a bit is estimated using channel symbols in a window of size W centered upon that bit. Distinct input sequences that produce the same output sequence result in undesirable failure of window decoders, but preceding can eliminate this input-to-output mapping ambiguity. For a class of partial-response channels, we show necessary and sufficient conditions on a precoder to unambiguously map input sequences to output sequences.
Is supra-Baxter resuscitation in burn patients a new phenomenon?

Abstract Baxter described the use of 4 cm 3 /kg/%TBSA as a guideline for fluid resuscitation after burns. However, recent studies have shown that, at the present time, patients generally receive greater than the “Baxter” formula. Pruitt has called this phenomenon “fluid creep,” and it has the potential for significant consequences including abdominal and extremity compartment syndromes and severe pulmonary insults. The purpose of this paper is to determine if this supra-Baxter resuscitation is a new phenomenon. We performed a retrospective chart review with two cohorts of patients. Group 1 consisted of 11 patients admitted between 1975 and 1978 to our burn center. Group 2 consisted of 11 patients admitted to our burn center in 2000 who were matched for age, sex, and percent total body surface area burned. Group 1 received 3.6±1.1 cm 3 /kg/% TBSA of fluid in the first 24 h. Group 2 received 8.0±2.5 cm 3 /kg/% TBSA, which is 100% more than the Baxter formula. There was no difference in the median age, weight, or 24-h urine output between the two groups. Our data demonstrate that the “fluid creep” phenomenon is relatively new.
The importance of maltose in transitory starch breakdown

Starch content of leaves responds to environmental stresses in various ways. Understanding these environmental effects on starch metabolism has been difficult in the past because the pathways of transitory starch synthesis and degradation are not completely known. Over the past two years there has been a significant increase in our understanding of transitory starch breakdown. The discovery of a maltose transporter (MEX1) and the studies of a cytosolic disproportionating enzyme (D-enzyme, DPE2) confirmed that maltose is the predominant form of carbon exported from chloroplasts at night. Maltose increases in leaves when starch breakdown is induced during the day under photorespiratory conditions. Maltose metabolism is regulated by a circadian clock, day length and temperature. The expression of maltose-metabolizing genes shows a pronounced circadian rhythm indicating maltose metabolism is clock regulated. Indeed, the maltose level oscillates under continuous light. The transcript of a beta-amylase gene (BAM3) peaks during the day in long days and peaks at night in short days. This could provide a mechanism for adjusting starch breakdown rates to day length. Under cold-stress conditions, maltose increases and BAM3 expression is induced. We hypothesize that maltose metabolism is a bridge between transitory starch breakdown and the plants' adaptation to changes in environmental conditions.
The Impact of Indiana’s System of Interim Assessments on Mathematics and Reading Achievement

Interim assessments are increasingly common in U.S. schools. We use high-quality data from a large-scale school-level cluster randomized experiment to examine the impact of two well-known commercial interim assessment programs on mathematics and reading achievement in Indiana. Results indicate that the treatment effects are positive but not consistently significant. The treatment effects are smaller in lower grades (i.e., kindergarten to second grade) and larger in upper grades (i.e., third to eighth grade). Significant treatment effects are detected in Grades 3 to 8, especially in third- and fourth-grade reading and in fifth- and sixth-grade mathematics.
miR-375 activates p21 and suppresses telomerase activity by coordinately regulating HPV E6/E7, E6AP, CIP2A, and 14-3-3ζ

While microRNAs (miRNAs) are extensively studied in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expressions in many biological processes, cellular miRNA-mediated regulation of viral genes remains unclear. In particular, the interplay between human papillomavirus (HPV) genes and miRNAs and how these interactions contribute to HPV-associated cancers remain elusive. Transient transfection of miR-375-mimic was used to compensate the loss-of-function of miR-375 in HPV-positive cancer. Regulation of oncogenic molecules and their downstream molecules via miR-375 in HPV-positive cancer was investigated using qRT-PCR, western blot, dual luciferase assay, indirect immunofluorescence analysis. All experiments were conducted at least three times to achieve statistical significance determined by Student t-test. In this study, we demonstrated how miR-375 negatively regulates HPV16 and 18 transcripts. We also found a cellular protein, E6-associated protein (E6AP), directly regulated by miR-375. miR-375-mediated repression of HPV transcripts and E6AP elevated major tumor suppressors p53, p21, and retinoblastoma protein 1 (RB). Cooperative regulation of miR-375 targets along with the increase of tumor suppressors led to ~60% reduction of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) transcription followed by ~35% decrease of telomerase activity. Furthermore, miR-375-mediated regulation of 14-3-3ζ contributes to decrease telomerase activity by altering nuclear translocation of TERT. Taken together, miR-375-mediated suppression of multiple oncogenic components in HPV-associated carcinogenesis generates a cumulative biological response to rescue key tumor suppressors and diminish telomerase activity, which results in cell cycle arrest and cell proliferation inhibition.
β-Synuclein Reduces Proteasomal Inhibition by α-Synuclein but Not γ-Synuclein

Abstract The accumulation of aggregated α-synuclein is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Recent studies indicate that aggregated α-synuclein binds to S6′, a component of the 19 S subunit in the 26 S proteasome and inhibits 26 S proteasomal degradation, both ubiquitin-independent and ubiquitin-dependent. The IC50 of aggregated α-synuclein for inhibition of the 26 S ubiquitin-independent proteasomal activity is ∼1nm. α-Synuclein has two close homologues, termed β-synuclein and γ-synuclein. In the present study we compared the effects of the three synuclein homologues on proteasomal activity. The proteasome exists as a 26 S and a 20 S species, with the 26 S proteasome containing the 20 S core and 19 S cap. Monomeric α- and β-synucleins inhibited the 20 S and 26 S proteasomal activities only weakly, but monomeric γ-synuclein strongly inhibited ubiquitin-independent proteolysis. The IC50 of monomeric γ-synuclein for the 20 S proteolysis was 400 nm. In monomeric form, none of the three synuclein proteins inhibited 26 S ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal activity. Although β-synuclein had no direct effect on proteasomal activity, co-incubating monomeric β-synuclein with aggregated α-synuclein antagonized the inhibition of the 26 S ubiquitin-independent proteasome by aggregated α-synuclein when added before the aggregated α-synuclein. Co-incubating β-synuclein with γ-synuclein had no effect on the inhibition of the 20 S proteasome by monomeric γ-synuclein. Immunoprecipitation and pull-down experiments suggested that antagonism by β-synuclein resulted from binding to α-synuclein rather than binding to S6′. Pull-down experiments demonstrated that recombinant monomeric β-synuclein does not interact with the proteasomal subunit S6′, unlike α-synuclein, but β-synuclein does bind α-synuclein and competes with S6′ for binding to α-synuclein. Based on these data, we hypothesize that the α- and γ-synucleins regulate proteasomal function and that β-synuclein acts as a negative regulator of α-synuclein.
Kids, Groups, and Crime: In Defense of Conventional Wisdom

Objectives:The objective of this analysis is to address the data and conclusions of Lisa Stolzenberg and Stewart D’Alessio in their article “Co-offending and the Age-crime Curve,” published in The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency in 2008. The authors analyze National Incident–based Reporting System (NIBRS) 2002 arrests from seven states and conclude that most arrests at all ages involve only one offender, and therefore group offending is of little etiological significance.Methods:To test their claims, we conduct offense-specific analyses of single and multiple arrests using the full 2002 NIBRS arrest data set.Results:After disaggregating the data by type of offense, we find group involvement among young offenders dominates the arrest statistics for all serious crimes other than rape and aggravated assault.Conclusions:Contrary to the conclusions of Stolzenberg and D’Alessio, co-offending does appear to have a substantial impact on young offenders. The extent of adolescent crime as group behavio...
Bystander killing of cancer requires the cooperation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during the effector phase

Cancers frequently evade cytotoxic T lymphocyte–mediated destruction through loss or down-regulation of tumor antigens and antigen-presenting major histocompatibility complex molecules. Therefore, we have concentrated our efforts on immunological strategies that destroy nonmalignant stromal cells essential for the survival and growth of cancer cells. In this study, we developed a non–T cell receptor transgenic, immunocompetent tumor model to determine whether tumor-bearing hosts’ own immune systems could eliminate cancer cells through stromal targeting and what role CD4+ T cells play alongside CD8+ T cells in this process. We found that aggressive cancers could be eradicated by T cell targeting of tumor stroma. However, successful elimination required the cooperation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells not only during the induction phase but also during the effector phase in the tumor microenvironment, implying a new role for CD4+ T cells that has not been previously described. Our study demonstrates the potential of stromal targeting as a cancer immunotherapy and suggests that successful anticancer strategies must facilitate cooperation between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at the right times and the right places.
Controlled impedance chip-to-chip interconnect using coplanar wire bond structures

This paper presents the design and finite element analysis (FEA) of a controlled impedance chip-to-chip interconnect system using coplanar wire bonds. Our proposed system uses on-chip coplanar transmission lines which interface to 3 adjacent wire bonds configured to yield a fully impedance matched system.
Conflict Theory and Deviance in Sport

The general principles common to conflict theory are: (1) the primary unit of analysis is social structure; (2) conflict is endemic in social organizations; (3) persons in similar social conditions...
Response of pain to static magnetic fields in postpolio patients: A double-blind pilot study☆

Abstract Objective: To determine if the chronic pain frequently presented by postpolio patients can be relieved by application of magnetic fields applied directly over an identified pain trigger point. Design: Double-blind randomized clinical trial. Setting: The postpolio clinic of a large rehabilitation hospital. Patients: Fifty patients with diagnosed postpolio syndrome who reported muscular or arthritic-like pain. Intervention: Application of active or placebo 300 to 500 Gauss magnetic devices to the affected area for 45 minutes. Main Outcome Measure: Score on the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Results: Patients who received the active device experienced an average pain score decrease of 4.4 ± 3.1 ( p p p Conclusions: The application of a device delivering static magnetic fields of 300 to 500 Gauss over a pain trigger point results in significant and prompt relief of pain in postpolio subjects.
An Update on the Potential of North American Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) to Transmit West Nile Virus

ABSTRACT Since first discovered in the New York City area in 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has become established over much of the continental United States and has been responsible for >10,000 cases of severe disease and 400 human fatalities, as well as thousands of fatal infections in horses. To develop appropriate surveillance and control strategies, the identification of which mosquito species are competent vectors and how various factors influence their ability to transmit this virus must be determined. Therefore, we evaluated numerous mosquito species for their ability to transmit WNV under laboratory conditions. This report contains data for several mosquito species not reported previously, as well as a summary of transmission data compiled from previously reported studies. Mosquitoes were allowed to feed on chickens infected with WNV isolated from a crow that died during the 1999 outbreak in New York City. These mosquitoes were tested approximately 2 wk later to determine infection, dissemination, and transmission rates. All Culex species tested were competent vectors in the laboratory and varied from highly efficient vectors (e.g., Culex tarsalis Coquillett) to moderately efficient ones (e.g., Culex nigripalpus Theobald). Nearly all of the Culex species tested could serve as efficient enzootic or amplifying vectors for WNV. Several container-breeding Aedes and Ochlerotatus species were highly efficient vectors under laboratory conditions, but because of their feeding preferences, would probably not be involved in the maintenance of WNV in nature. However, they would be potential bridge vectors between the avian-Culex cycle and mammalian hosts. In contrast, most of the surface pool-breeding Aedes and Ochlerotatus species tested were relatively inefficient vectors under laboratory conditions and would probably not play a significant role in transmitting WNV in nature. In determining the potential for a mosquito species to become involved in transmitting WNV, it is necessary to consider not only its laboratory vector competence but also its abundance, host-feeding preference, involvement with other viruses with similar transmission cycles, and whether WNV has been isolated from this species under natural conditions.
Rat intestinal α1-antitrypsin secretion is regulated by triacylglycerol feeding

α1-Antitrypsin (AAT) is secreted by the enterocyte, but its regulation of expression, intramucosal distribution, and functional status are unclear. After corn oil gavage (plus Pluronic L-81 to bloc...
REVIEW - Khosronejad, Pedram (ed.). Iranian Sacred Defence Cinema: Religion, Martyrdom and National Identity. Canon Pyon: Sean Kingston Publishing, 2012.

REVIEW - Khosronejad, Pedram (ed.). Iranian Sacred Defence Cinema: Religion, Martyrdom and National Identity. Canon Pyon: Sean Kingston Publishing, 2012.
Sleep-disordered breathing and daytime cardiac conduction abnormalities on 12-lead electrocardiogram in community-dwelling older men.

Nocturnal cardiac conduction abnormalities are commonly observed in patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). However, few population-based studies have examined the association between SDB and daytime cardiac conduction abnormalities. We examined a random sample of 471 community-dwelling men, aged ≥67 years, enrolled in the multi-center Outcomes of Sleep Disorders in Older Men (MrOS Sleep) study. SDB severity was categorized using percent of total sleep time with oxygen saturation <90 % (%TST < 90) and apnea hypopnea index (AHI). Cardiac conduction parameters were assessed by resting 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG). All analyses were adjusted for age, site, β-blocker use, coronary heart disease, calcium channel blocker use, and use of antiarrhythmic medications. Mean age was 77 ± 6 years, median %TST < 90 was 0.7 (IQR 0.00–3.40), and median AHI was 7.06 (IQR 2.55–15.32). Men with greater nocturnal hypoxemia (%TST < 90 ≥ 3.5 %) compared with those without hypoxemia (%TST < 90 < 1.0 %) had a lower odds of bradycardia (OR 0.55 [0.32–0.94]) and right bundle branch block (RBBB) (OR 0.24 [0.08–0.75]) but a higher odds of ventricular paced rhythm (OR 4.42 [1.29–15.19]). Heart rate (HR) increased in a graded manner with increasing %TST < 90 (p-trend 0.01) and increasing AHI (p-trend 0.006), but these gradients were small in absolute magnitude. There were no associations of SDB measures with other ECG conduction parameters. Greater nocturnal hypoxemia in older men was associated with a lower prevalence of daytime sinus bradycardia and RBBB, a higher prevalence of ventricular paced rhythm, and higher resting HR.
Vibroseis Source Signature Uncertainty and its Impact on Simultaneous Sourcing

Knowledge of the source wavelet in a controlled source seismic experiment significantly improves our ability to extract information from the resulting seismic data. The radiated source signature in Vibroseis field experiments is found to deviate from the pilot sweep and the ground force estimate (GFE) signal put out by the controller, especially at higher frequencies. The Vibroseis source signature uncertainty is a problem for simultaneous sweeping techniques that require reliable phase control and an accurate GFE in order to separate simultaneous sweeps.
Arthropod Parasites of the Boll Weevil, Anthonomus grandis: 2. Comparisons of Their Importance in the United States over a Period of Thirty-Eight Years,

In 1965, a survey was made across the cotton belt from South Carolina through Texas to determine the current status of parasitism of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Samples were taken from 42 cotton fields. Also, results of similar surveys made in 1934, 1935, and 1936 were summarized and compared with those of the 1927, 1930, and 1965 surveys. In 1965, 12.77% of the boll weevils were parasitized compared with 4.05% in 1934. More parasites were found in weevil larvae in hanging squares than in larvae in fallen squares, and parasitism was higher in weevils collected from cotton grown in the hill region than in weevils collected from cotton grown in the coastal plains. Some developing resistance to insecticides in the parasites was suggested by records of heavy parasitism in treated fields. Bracon mellitor Say was much the most important natural parasite and accounted for 74.5% of the parasites recovered in 1965. Aliolus curculionis (Fitch) and Eurytoma gossypii Bugbee ranked second and third, and accounted for 12.3 and 5.3% of the parasites, respectively.
Asymmetric [C + NC + CC] coupling entry to the naphthyridinomycin natural product family: formal total synthesis of cyanocycline A and bioxalomycin β2.

A full account of our [C + NC + CC] coupling approach to the naphthyridinomycin family of natural products is presented, culminating in formal total syntheses of cyanocycline A and bioxalomycin β2. The key complexity-building reaction in the synthesis involves the AgI-catalyzed endo-selective [C + NC + CC] coupling of aldehyde 7, (S)-glycyl sultam 8, and methyl acrylate (9) to provide the highly functionalized pyrrolidine 6, which was carried forward to an advanced intermediate (compound 33) in Fukuyama’s synthesis of cyanocycline A. Since cyanocycline A has been converted to bioxalomycin β2, this constitutes a formal synthesis of the latter natural product as well. The multicomponent reaction-based strategy reduces the number of steps previously needed to assemble these complex molecular targets by one-third. This work highlights the utility of the asymmetric [C + NC + CC] coupling reaction in the context of a complex pyrrolidine-containing target and provides an illustrative guide for its application to...
Neuropsychiatric symptoms and Apolipoprotein E: Associations with eventual Alzheimer’s disease development

Abstract Objective Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the result of neurodegeneration, which manifests clinically as deficits in memory, thinking, and behavior. It was hypothesized that neuropsychiatric symptoms and the apolipoprotein E genotype increase the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease development. Methods Utilizing data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, information from evaluations of 11,453 cognitively intact participants was analyzed. Survival analysis was used to explore relationships between individual neuropsychiatric symptoms as determined by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, apolipoprotein E, and eventual AD diagnosis. Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to explore the main effects and synergistic (additive and multiplicative) interactions. Results This study provided evidence for an increased hazard of developing AD among participants with any of the symptoms assessed by the NPI-Q. The hazard of developing AD was almost thirteen times higher for e 4 carriers with delusions and eleven times greater for those with apathy and disinhibition. Statistically significant hazards ( p > 0.001) were also realized by e 4 carriers with hallucinations; agitation; depression; anxiety; elation; apathy; irritability; and motor, sleep, and appetite disturbances. Conclusions Findings suggest that neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with eventual AD diagnosis among a group of cognitively asymptomatic participants at baseline. Many studies begin with a group of participants already impacted by AD diagnosis. The longitudinal analysis of a group of participants who, at baseline, demonstrated no observable signs of AD was a strength of this study. This investigation contributes to the literature exploring an increased hazard of AD due to potential modifiable risk factors and genetic biomarkers such as apolipoprotein E.
The research on the college students characteristics and education strategy of the local colleges' "the post-90s"

The growth of the environmental impact,social impact,economic development and diversification of culture collision and many other aspects,have formatted the unique personality and characteristics of local colleges "the post-90s"students. These characteristics presents a challenge to the management of local colleges educational work. The ideological and political education in colleges should accurately grasp the characteristics of "the post-90 s "college students,actively explore the requirements and the development of the times to meet the new ways of education object features. Local colleges should walk a distinctive way on "the post-90s"in the college education,management and service roads. Vigorously training "A man of tremendous promise"with the need of social development in the new era.